black friday on the other side

Have you ever worked retail on black friday? No? Well let me tell you what it is: It's tiring. It's infuriating. It's tedious. It is not fun.

Have you ever shopped at 4 am on black friday? No? Well let me tell you what it is: FUN! Not that I would know because I was in my kerchief, dreaming of sugar plums at that hour, but my dear husband ventured into the cold morning at 4 am to battle the crowds for guitar hero at a serious discount. And his report? "It was fun. I'm taking you next year." Like it's a trip to bermuda or something. But anyway he was victorious and we've been playing guitar hero nonstop since then (excepting our road trip to be documented next) and we are all glad he went.

ode to thanksgiving

Oh thanksgiving, we loooooved you...

We aaaaate some chiiiicken because tuuuuuurkey is busted and our napkins looked like lotus flooooowwwerrrs....

Aaaaand our stuffing was littered with arrrrtichokes...

And we had the yuuuuummiest pies and hoooomemade ice cream with our friends the Fiiiiiiiicklins but we didn't take a picture because we were too busy devooooouring...
Ohhh Thanksgiving, we are thaaaaaaaankful for you!

Did you sing that in your head?

this morning

I woke to snuggly Benson, who crawled into bed with me, curled into a ball right by my side, and softly stroked my face.

I went to collect a cooing Banks from his crib and found him sitting mermaid-style, with both legs in one pant leg. It was awesome.

The children now sit, gleefully watching their Grammy read books to them on the t.v.

I blog for a moment, and then it's off to the kitchen to make pies and cranberry sauce and pretend my nose is not turning into a faucet. And for those that will eat said pies; Don't worry! I'll be completely sanitary, promise.

And tomorrow is Thanksgiving and today is Steve's birthday. Huzzah to both!

cinnamon goodness

mmmmm k if I could photoshop myself right outta this photo I would but I guess now no one can accuse me of only putting photos of me all done up and pretty on my blog. This is the only photo we have from the night's festivities so it has to work.

Last night we decided to make cinnamon ornaments for FHE. They were really fun to make, and quite simple, and you can't beat the smell. Benson really loved helping cut them out with cookie cutters, and he would have liked to do the whole thing himself if I would have allowed him.

You can get the 411 here from my best gal Martha.

I think I forgot what a busy signal sounds like. I'm getting a series of beeps that sound vaguely familiar from my junior high days but it has been so long since I've heard a busy signal I'm worried it actually means something else. Call waiting killed the busy signal.

Oh goodnes this is cute

Downtown Holiday Jacket and Pant GIVEAWAY!!!!

So click on the link above to see how completely adorable this woman's designs are. She only makes clothes for little girls, I think, but OH they are cute. Anyway by sharing this I will be entered to win the clothes. Which I will not win because I never win anything but it's fun to try nonetheless.

grateful

*If you get queasy over lovey-dovey-ness you'll probably want to quit reading....now.

Today I am most grateful for a lover who leaves me love notes in the morning, as he ventures into the cold cold world to earn money and better our lives.

I am grateful for a patriarch who leads by example, leaving the page open to the scriptures he read that morning so I will remember to read them too.

I am grateful for a partner who plays with our children tirelessly and as a result they have a love for him that's almost as intense as mine.

I am grateful for a He-man who can carry all the groceries in at the same time, and looks super hot in that brown shirt he was wearing yesterday.

I am grateful that some miracle happened upon me in my immaturity at 19, and I was given the most incredible person to spend all my days with. I thought I loved him then, but as it turns out, I didn't know what love meant at the time. I understand now that this feeling that literally makes my heart feel full and takes my breath away is more than a feeling or a declaration. It is just a way of be-ing. It is intense, but simple. It consumes me, but fills me up. It almost hurts with it's force, but comforts me with it's gentle glow.

I love you just doesn't seem like enough. But I do, Ben.

kung fu

"Yes, Master Kung Fu Daddy."

"Yes, Master Tigress."

The other day on the phone I talked to my mom about the kids watching Kung Fu panda lately, and her first question was, "Doesn't that make them want to run around and kung fu things?"

Well yes, mom, it does!

Fortunately they have a kung fu daddy who is always willing to run and wrestle and kung fu with them whenever they ask (which is usually as soon as he walks in the door). It's pretty cute to see them all get so excited about kung fu, and for a few days Benson was known only as Tai Lung (I don't know how to spell that) and I was Master Tigress. And every time he would talk to me he would address me as such with the little hand thing and a bow. hahaha He's so funny. And the best part is that Banks started to do it too.

fallish photos

It's beginning to look a lot like fall around here. Which is funny, because I've already started listening to Christmas music, so I'm ready for winter. I won't complain about the general lack of frigid temps, though. It is still nearly perfect out most days.

Um, has anyone ever tried to get two cranky children to look at the camera at the same time? It is nigh unto impossible.

it's only fair

Since we freaked out so much when gas prices sky rocketed, I think it's only fair to point out that today I saw gas for $1.99.


$1.99!


How did this happen?

Remember how everyone hates president bush so much for not doing enough to help with gas prices? I'm beginning to think it is unfair.

Are gas prices this cheap where you live?

go quick!

My lovely mom-in-law sent me this info this morning so I though I'd pass it on because it's awesome! If you want to get a free 20 page photo book you can go here. I just got mine done and I think it's going to be so fun! It ended up costing me 7 bucks for shipping but for a whole photo book with captions, I think that's pretty awesome. Anyway this ends soon so go quick if you want to do one!

hey ladies

I have a Martha offer to put on the table. I have an offer from the mag to buy one subscription and get one for a friend for free. One subscription with shipping and tax and all that jazz is $30 so i was thinking, if someone wanted to split it with me, we could each get a year of Martha for $15 and that would be awesome. So if anyone is interested, leave a comment. If no one is, that's fine too!

it took me a year but it's finally done

"In all living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

And although it was mostly endurance that got me through cross stitching this thing for a year, I did very much enjoy finishing it tonight. Finally.

Sorry the scan is kinda lame. I'm tired and I don't feel like fixing it right now. I swear it looks pretty good in real life.

It's coming your way, Mom, just as soon as you are home.

about the cake and header

Okay well just kidding! I had this whole schpeal about not wanting to post the recipe and I couldn't find it on Martha's site, but my genius friend Chelsea found it for you. You can get the recipe here.

In other news, the silhouettes are actually pretty simple. I took a photo of everyone in front of a white wall (distraction is key, steph! we had banks sit on ben's lap and look at a toy at the right level). Then I just edited out the background and filled in the head in gimp shop, or photo shop, or whatever program you have. You can get gimp shop for FREE here and although I've only used it for a couple of days, it seems to be really great. Anyway, if you have any other questions about the silhouettes, just leave a comment and I'll answer it as best I can. And although they were simple, they weren't quick. It took me a couple of hours to do all of ours.

What a post of good free things! Thanks again, Chelsea!

let them eat cake

best.birthday cake. ever. Seriously, this one is not for the faint of heart. One and a quarter pounds of cream cheese and 3 sticks of butter are in the frosting alone. But MAN is it good. The recipe comes from the November issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. You should know, though, that there is no danger of you eating the cake by yourself. I'm a sugaraholic and Ben is forever scarred by the clean plate club, but neither of us made it through our slice. It's just a 9" round, but it would probably serve 25 people easily.

sorry the photos are kind of blurry. I was too lazy to get out the tripod and the photo was taken in complete darkness (excepting the candle light, of course).

to ben

Oh hunky husband. Today we celebrate that you have enriched the world for 28 years. What an incredible husband/father/hunk/future doctor/home teacher/bmet/student/you-know-what/ man you are. I love you from the very tips of my toes, and I find myself somehow loving you more each year. Someday I'll surprise you with a porsche for your birthday, but for now you have to settle for an enthusiastic HAPPY BIRTHDAY, this lovely dedication, and an amazing cake.

xoxoxoxoxo,
your adoring wifey

in the oven right now...

acorn squash all together.

Soon to go in the sauna to join it: side of salmon.

Hopefully I'll have photos and reports and recipes to follow.

Update

It turned out okay. Mine had too much garlic but I loved the idea of it so I'll probably try it again. You can get the recipe in progress here

And the salmon, which I didn't get a picture of turned out also okay, but I tried a new high temperature way to bake and I have to say I think the tented in tinfoil and baked on a lower temp is way better. We like it smothered in italian dressing, put in a loose tinfoil dress, and baked at 375 for, oh I don't know, 20 minutes maybe. And by "we" I mean "I." obviously. I cooked a chicken breast with mushrooms and garlic for everyone else.

And as always the couscous was amazing. We just buy the Far East brand of garlic and olive oil couscous. Soooo good and it goes with everything. You must try it.

And let me just assure all of you that there are NO other buns in the oven at the moment and as much as I'd love to keep it to myself for a while when there is another bun, I am HORRIBLE horrible at keeping exciting secrets. I'll last about 5 minutes before I announce it to the world.

on realizing my child is only three

Sometimes it's hard to remember that this smart, lovely child of mine is indeed a child. Banks is still a baby. A full-on baby. I guess that's how it goes with the second child, because when Benson was that age I thought he was so big! Funny. Anyway I had this conversation the other day to remind me of Benson's real age and innocence;

(I am standing at the sink washing dishes, Benson is playing with the cabinet doors)

Benson: Damadam (slamming the cabinet door)

Me: Uh Benson, what did you just say?

Benson: (silence)

Me: Benson you need to tell me what you just said.

Benson: um damadam, mommmy?

Me: Where did you learn that? (because I am obviously thinking he is swearing)

Benson: I don't know mommy I think I just thought of it in my head.

Me: Well, okay but you need to be careful of what you say because that kind of sounded like a swear word.

(Long pause)

Benson: Okay but Mommy, is it okay to say round words?

And then I started laughing. Poor thing. He has no clue.

haveaho evening

Sadly, Benson has started to say "haveaho evening" now. At some point he's going to connect all the dots and say it the right way and I'm going to be sad. He gets to be bigger and smarter every day and I often find myself missing the babyish things he not longer does. sigh.

Anyway, now that it is November (!) we get to think about being thankful around here. And not a moment too soon, either. Last night Ben and I were both a bit ragged and worn out and I kinda didn't really a whole lot feel like giving the lesson for FHE (I know! How could I?!) but luckily duty won out and I gave it after all. Which was good, because seriously, nothing changes my attitude like a good "I'm thankful for..." chart. This is a tradition that Ben's mom has done, well I don't know how long but at least since I've been in the family, and I LOVE it. It is now hanging in our kitchen, ready to be so covered in thankfulness until you can't seen the paper's color anymore. I really do have so very much to be thankful for.

And Banks just climbed onto my lap with the mintyest fresh breath. Hmmmm.... I think he's got a secret stash of gum from the raid of Ben's backpack the other day.

party on the petroglyphs

We visited the Petroglyphs while my parents were here. Banks pretty much climbed up the rocky hillside the whole time, steps away from certain death, much to his mother's dismay. He is getting so adventurous for that little body! Ak he scares me constantly. Apparently he takes after his father so normally I make Ben watch him for his eternal punishment for giving his mom a heart attack so often, but he wasn't there so I tasked Grandpa and he was much more relaxed than I could have been. I guess it's good for him to foster that daring side instead of squashing it. Someday he'll be totally fearless like his daddy and we'll all be proud. But right now I'm freaking out.

Check out the mop on the boys' heads. Do they need haircuts or what! Someone call their dang hairstylist.

Nana and Grandpa, we all cried on the way to church today because we miss you so much. Come back soon, please.

an autobot and a rat

We dressed, we walked, we conquered, and then we ran out of candy for trick or treaters. Benson was the most smiley Optimus Prime that ever walked the earth, and Banks was a very reluctant rat at first, until he figured out that there was candy involved and then he was more excited than Benson. Nana and Grandpa were here to enjoy the fun with us, and we are glad because it really was fun. And everyone (besides Ben, who's family started the tradition) got to experience their first orange dinner (which I sadly didn't get a photo of) and they approved.

Happy Halloween!

Ps. I figured out the photo issue. Chalk it up to quality loss in the conversion from raw to jpeg. Duh.