kidding around

Happy Halloween! I can’t wait to get those peanut butter cups!

My kids actually thought if they didn’t go to school that they could start trick or treating in the morning!

What happens when you take a couple that has hired a babysitter and they explore the local thrift store? The best date, really! Okay, maybe I can think of something else, but this past Saturday we really struck gold.

In the next month, we will have 3 seperate sets of visitors! We are excited for each and everyone of them, but figured we needed to do some house “sprucing”! We are turning Simon’s room into the guest room when we have visitors…so our quest was to find a full sized bed. After doing some investigating earlier in the week, we decided to check out our favorite store. It’s not uncommon to find brand new mattresses (still in their plastic, etc.). Well, we were lucky and got a great set, frame, and head board for a fraction of a price. Oh- and a bed skirt that can run $40- I got for $2! I will post photos of his room soon- he loves it and his sister is slightly jealous of his new abode. I thin Si has changed- he woke up, got himself dressed with clothes that made sense and he made his bed. Wow- a little change can be great!

On a side note- Why are mattress stores so unappealing? We stepped into one that had mirrors on the wall, BRIGHT lights, and a man that treated us like the most STUPID people he has ever spoken to… Nathan and I both agreed that we felt like we were being committed into a mental ward…

I discovered all these books at a garage sale down the street- here’s a peek inside one…I love the description of a homemaker. The illustrations in all of these books are so clever. My kids love them too!

This gem of a desk is perfect for our living room. We are moving one of our computers from the basement upstairs. It’s a more pleasant environment. Nathan can do sme video editing and I can restrict myself from another computer option! The desk fit my specifications…sturdy, deep but not wide, and a cool design. It was painted red and blue, but I got to work Saturday night and I’m pleased with the results.

Sorry for the dark shots- it’s a cloudy day today in Chicago.

the brown metal chair I snatched for $3 at the garage sale down the street- I bought the blue one 3 years ago at the Kane County flea Market for $15. I’m so excited that Simon has his very own stool- no more sitting on his knees at the table, a perfect height for a kid.

i’ve been dreaming about this German ceramic bol for weeks now. it took nathan saying to “just get it” for me to justify my $12 purchase. i love, love, love it!


so this little shot is showing you 3 things at once…(1) a black plant stand the items are resting on (can’t really see it, sorry) (2) the bread “pullman” I love…maybe a sweet treat box for someone at Christmas? i don’t know if i would want to part with it. (3) the chicken incubator, love the box and want to “figure” it out!

I think one of my favorite things is chopping fruits and vegetables and discovering the different designs and textures. I think I may keep my camera handy and capture more of the shots.

It’s that time of year again! The weather starts getting chilly and little critters everywhere are scrambling to prepare for the oncoming chill and snow. The squirrels are plump and you guessed it…mice are finding cozy spots to live for the next few months.

The other night, after I arrived from work, Nathan mentioned we have a mouse running around the house. Oh- no big deal (funny, a couple of years ago I would not have even stepped foot in it’s path!). A few hours later- SNAP! Our first victim of the season. Sorry for those who may think this is cruel- and yes, it probably is…but, mice are cute as pets, not loose, unwelcomed guests. You know?

I felt slightly bad when the next day, Ellie referred to the mouse as Flora! She had seen Nathan scoop some peanut butter into a trap and knew he was up to something! I explained the consequences of letting mice live with us and she was very sensible about the whole thing. So- the next night, another SNAP- uh oh, we may need to be packing our bags!

I wonder if TARGET would like to use this photo in their ad campaign?

This photo below are for all of you scaredy cats that can’t bear to look at a mouse in a trap. I used to send Nathan off to “deal” with it, but now the first thing that crossed my mind was “where’s my camera?”.

penelope wants more

cookies

and milk…

yes, we have taught Penny baby signs…at first as an experiment and now it is useful!

Look who I found venerating the icon of Christ…and we wonder if wee ones even notice our behaviors! My sweet Penny has taken notice of everything in our household. Even down to holding hands before dinner for the blessing, crossing herself, and saying bye to Bea (our beagle) before leaving the house.

I love the fact that my children teach me daily. It is very humbling and a long journey.

I made this fun cuff for Ellie this past weekend and really love the way it turned out. (those dots are making their rounds on my projects!)

Last winter I received a really cool knitted one from my co-worker and just loved wearing it. I felt like I was wearing a really cool sweat band! Then, this past September I bought another cuff at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago…again, loved it!

I enjoy making things for my kids- Ellie was thrilled. She felt special- how can you go wrong? Now she wants me to make cuffs for all her friends. Yikes! Simon already has the colors and design for his organized in his mind! What did I gt myself into?

While Nathan was gone this weekend, I wanted some projects for the kids. We had a typical dreary, cold Fall weekend. Actually, around here, when the weather is sunny and crisp it is spectacular and the energy amongst everyone is great. When the clouds roll in and it is damp and windy…well, the spirits are low…at least in our house…and especially when Poppy/Nathan is gone.

So- last week, I visited ANOTHER thrift store in my area and found a big barrel of blocks. It boasts “7lbs for the imagination!”. Ellie totally dug it and was busy…I think we have about 4.25 lbs left. By the way, the potential for this other thrift store is great. I left my debit card there…I think…which was a bummer. But the block entertainment for the weekend was worth it.

I also bought the kids the “They Might be Giants” ABD DVD- it is so entertaining and well done. Everyone MUST get it. We enjoyed watching it while munching on popcorn.

Last year, while visitng San Antonio, I was really inspired by all the festival banners around town. It was just before Lent, so places were decked out with banners with illustrations of the crucifixion. I also found other “banners” signifying Christmas…birthdays…whatever. I loved them. I am not really into decorating my house over the top, but these streamer-like things were so festive.

So soon after my trip, I made a banner for Penny’s birthday and since quite a few with names, “celebrate”, etc. The banners below are completely different and I really like the way they have turned out.

I’m putting to use of all my dots I cut out a few weeks back…

This past weekend, Nathan and his brothers went camping in Michigan. It was really nice for the 3 of them to get together. One lives in Cali. and the other in Michigan (there are 2 others as well, but one is in Cambodia and the other Cali. too)

I know that David specifically likes my cream scones so I decided to surprise him and make a batch. I never can bake for Nathan since he is a diabetic so why not treat his bros.? Right? I really love the gift of freshly baked goodness…I hope they enjoyed the treats.

I love the first photo- it really captures an early morning oven.

Another early morning event is the daily teeth brushing for Penelope Tess. If she had her choice she would brush her teeth for hours. I actually do let her scrub away while I take a fast shower.

Squeaky clean!