Trick or Treat

The highlight of today's event was giving out pop when the Trick or Treaters would arrive. Both W and R were thrilled. W would happily hand out the treat...sometimes dropping it on the step....while dressed in his ladybug costume and R would squeal with delight and run as fast as his little legs would take him to the door, squealing with joy the whole way. It was too cute. They had such fun!

After the rush we took them out to three houses. W ate his smarties as soon as he could reach them in the bag, they were both thrilled with the Koolaid and W drank his before bed, while R just carried it around and chattered about it. By the third house, our poor ladybug was ready for bed so we called it a night.

Hope all the Treaters' in your life are happy, safe and tucked in for the night.

Boo to you!

Trick or Treat

The highlight of today's event was giving out pop when the Trick or Treaters would arrive. Both W and R were thrilled. W would happily hand out the treat...sometimes dropping it on the step....while dressed in his ladybug costume and R would squeal with delight and run as fast as his little legs would take him to the door, squealing with joy the whole way. It was too cute. They had such fun!

After the rush we took them out to three houses. W ate his smarties as soon as he could reach them in the bag, they were both thrilled with the Koolaid and W drank his before bed, while R just carried it around and chattered about it. By the third house, our poor ladybug was ready for bed so we called it a night.

Hope all the Treaters' in your life are happy, safe and tucked in for the night.

Boo to you!

Bless the SAHM

Wouldn't you just know there is song to describe our glamorous lives as wives?

Sing along, strike a pose with your rubber dish gloves ...doesn't that yellow compliment the tone of your skin?...and know this one's for you!

Bless the SAHM

Wouldn't you just know there is song to describe our glamorous lives as wives?

Sing along, strike a pose with your rubber dish gloves ...doesn't that yellow compliment the tone of your skin?...and know this one's for you!

Cowboys

Every little boy wants to be a cowboy of sorts at one point and time in their childhood, right? Well, my little wranglers weren't exactly performance driven, society types. These are the private, don't look at me kind-of cowboys, but I managed to capture a couple of shots to document this moment. We were on our way out the door for the playschool Halloween party and standing together for a brotherly pic was not on their agenda. But they're still cute as-all-get-out. Giddy up!

Cowboys

Every little boy wants to be a cowboy of sorts at one point and time in their childhood, right? Well, my little wranglers weren't exactly performance driven, society types. These are the private, don't look at me kind-of cowboys, but I managed to capture a couple of shots to document this moment. We were on our way out the door for the playschool Halloween party and standing together for a brotherly pic was not on their agenda. But they're still cute as-all-get-out. Giddy up!

Keppra

Bup is taking two different anti-convulsants and has been since mid September. After the MRI we tried vitamin B6 with no evident effect so it was time to add Keppra. Which I had been fighting for a while. I did not want to add a second med to this little one's body. They're so little and anti-convulsants are heavy meds, with side effects, and most research etc is based on adult consumption, not babies, so it's scary. Anyway, I finally relented since the seizure activity hadn't been eliminated with the Trileptal. R has tolerated the Keppra well. No visible side effects that we are aware of other than some sideways walking when the med was first introduced, that seems to have straightened out although he's not quite as agile as he should be....med/tumor issue that will probably always be there. And the other thing we have really noticed with the recent increase in the Keppra doseage is that R has had ONE SEIZURE since OCTOBER 8th!!!
Wuhoo! Yay!! Happy dance!!!
Let me eat crow in regards to adding Keppra. Happily I will. Do you have some salt & melted butter for that crow too?

B & I have been kind of holding our breath about this development, scared it's not real, because there have been other times our Bup has gone 4 days without seizures only to get slammed on the 5th day and then they lasted for days. But this....this is different! We can breathe a sigh of relief and pray that for now we have found what R needs to cease the seizures. [Say, "cease the seizures" real fast five times...I dare ya!]

Keppra

Bup is taking two different anti-convulsants and has been since mid September. After the MRI we tried vitamin B6 with no evident effect so it was time to add Keppra. Which I had been fighting for a while. I did not want to add a second med to this little one's body. They're so little and anti-convulsants are heavy meds, with side effects, and most research etc is based on adult consumption, not babies, so it's scary. Anyway, I finally relented since the seizure activity hadn't been eliminated with the Trileptal. R has tolerated the Keppra well. No visible side effects that we are aware of other than some sideways walking when the med was first introduced, that seems to have straightened out although he's not quite as agile as he should be....med/tumor issue that will probably always be there. And the other thing we have really noticed with the recent increase in the Keppra doseage is that R has had ONE SEIZURE since OCTOBER 8th!!!
Wuhoo! Yay!! Happy dance!!!
Let me eat crow in regards to adding Keppra. Happily I will. Do you have some salt & melted butter for that crow too?

B & I have been kind of holding our breath about this development, scared it's not real, because there have been other times our Bup has gone 4 days without seizures only to get slammed on the 5th day and then they lasted for days. But this....this is different! We can breathe a sigh of relief and pray that for now we have found what R needs to cease the seizures. [Say, "cease the seizures" real fast five times...I dare ya!]

Karma

Karma...what does it mean to you?

I often think this term is used loosely and what does it really mean? To me it's basically you reap what you sow.

Apparently, I've sowed alot of junk lately. If my experiences Friday have anything to do with it.

Friday was one of the WORST days....ever.

It started with a bad time at playschool. I won't even get into the details of that. Let's just say after the two hours all it was all I could do not to flip my gippy and my mind kept saying, "I can't do this." By this, I mean parenting.

Then once home, later than desired, I was helping B to get the boys packed for a weekend trip to visit their grandparents. While switching the car seats to the truck, I fell out of the truck and twisted my ankle very badly. Within a short period of time I could hardly walk. So, with the boys gone I hobbled myself to the car and off to the jewellery store to have my rings sent away for sizing because they are blistering my fingers, yes, weeping blisters. Once there I broke the car.... parked a little too closely to the parking curb which caused the radiator to lose all fluid and I needed to "Stop car now" as the dashboard indicated. So, I did. And found that I could not call for help because numbers 4,5, & 6 did not work on my cell. So, there I was stranded on a Friday night, with no phone, a gimped-up ankle, and it was dark. I eventually limped several blocks to a Subway store where the lovely cashier took pity on me and called a cab for me. It was 8pm by the time I got home and I had left the house at 4pm for just a quick trip to the jewellers.

Two days, and 867 dollars later and here I am. Now why is this "karma" you wonder? Because on Friday after playschool we stopped at a pharmacy to pick up more meds for R and I ACCIDENTALLY stole a diet coke! Put it in the cart beside the babe and didn't see it until we were in the car on our way. I COULD have went back in the store but chose not too...too much hassle. So, the way I see it, that $1.50 dc just cost me a lot of frustration, worry, time and $867!!

Karma. God teaching me a lesson about stealing. "You take from others Missy and the world will take from you". Talk about learning the hard way. Karma. Reap what you sow. I gotta sow something better...prosperous...fast!

Karma

Karma...what does it mean to you?

I often think this term is used loosely and what does it really mean? To me it's basically you reap what you sow.

Apparently, I've sowed alot of junk lately. If my experiences Friday have anything to do with it.

Friday was one of the WORST days....ever.

It started with a bad time at playschool. I won't even get into the details of that. Let's just say after the two hours all it was all I could do not to flip my gippy and my mind kept saying, "I can't do this." By this, I mean parenting.

Then once home, later than desired, I was helping B to get the boys packed for a weekend trip to visit their grandparents. While switching the car seats to the truck, I fell out of the truck and twisted my ankle very badly. Within a short period of time I could hardly walk. So, with the boys gone I hobbled myself to the car and off to the jewellery store to have my rings sent away for sizing because they are blistering my fingers, yes, weeping blisters. Once there I broke the car.... parked a little too closely to the parking curb which caused the radiator to lose all fluid and I needed to "Stop car now" as the dashboard indicated. So, I did. And found that I could not call for help because numbers 4,5, & 6 did not work on my cell. So, there I was stranded on a Friday night, with no phone, a gimped-up ankle, and it was dark. I eventually limped several blocks to a Subway store where the lovely cashier took pity on me and called a cab for me. It was 8pm by the time I got home and I had left the house at 4pm for just a quick trip to the jewellers.

Two days, and 867 dollars later and here I am. Now why is this "karma" you wonder? Because on Friday after playschool we stopped at a pharmacy to pick up more meds for R and I ACCIDENTALLY stole a diet coke! Put it in the cart beside the babe and didn't see it until we were in the car on our way. I COULD have went back in the store but chose not too...too much hassle. So, the way I see it, that $1.50 dc just cost me a lot of frustration, worry, time and $867!!

Karma. God teaching me a lesson about stealing. "You take from others Missy and the world will take from you". Talk about learning the hard way. Karma. Reap what you sow. I gotta sow something better...prosperous...fast!

A Good Read

I LOVE to read. Always have. Some the fondest memories of my Grandma G are of her lying beside me in bed on top of the covers in my little bedroom that I shared with my sister....I suppose I was to be having a nap as I was quite little...and her reading to me. She is the only person I remember reading to me as a child. I'm sure there were others, or maybe not, after all I am the youngest of 7! Anyway, the love of reading started young and she is one of the reasons.
Today I read a soul-touching book. "The Knitting Circle" by Ann Hood. Even for those of you who do not knit, this is a great read. Especially if you are a mother. It's one of those books that even though I just finished, I'm ready to pick up and read all over again. My husband teases me that I skim and skip and don't really read because I read so quickly, and with this book it's one that you go back and read certain passages over. And the best part is, this book is based on the author's experience, so it's not just a lovely work of fiction.

Another new read that I enjoyed recently was, "I Am Hutterite." Growing up in rural Alberta, Hutterites were part of my community to some degree, so this auto-biography was a nice eye-opener for me. In some ways, community living would be lovely...no one is ever hungry, you know your place and purpose, a support system, etc, etc. however, like everything, in theory everything is perfect but not necessarily so in reality. This lady's story is one to be read. There is a lesson in it for all of us.
And what about you? What book is on your night table these days?

A Good Read

I LOVE to read. Always have. Some the fondest memories of my Grandma G are of her lying beside me in bed on top of the covers in my little bedroom that I shared with my sister....I suppose I was to be having a nap as I was quite little...and her reading to me. She is the only person I remember reading to me as a child. I'm sure there were others, or maybe not, after all I am the youngest of 7! Anyway, the love of reading started young and she is one of the reasons.
Today I read a soul-touching book. "The Knitting Circle" by Ann Hood. Even for those of you who do not knit, this is a great read. Especially if you are a mother. It's one of those books that even though I just finished, I'm ready to pick up and read all over again. My husband teases me that I skim and skip and don't really read because I read so quickly, and with this book it's one that you go back and read certain passages over. And the best part is, this book is based on the author's experience, so it's not just a lovely work of fiction.

Another new read that I enjoyed recently was, "I Am Hutterite." Growing up in rural Alberta, Hutterites were part of my community to some degree, so this auto-biography was a nice eye-opener for me. In some ways, community living would be lovely...no one is ever hungry, you know your place and purpose, a support system, etc, etc. however, like everything, in theory everything is perfect but not necessarily so in reality. This lady's story is one to be read. There is a lesson in it for all of us.
And what about you? What book is on your night table these days?

Storytime

Bedtime brings storytime. This used to just mean reading books, but now it includes telling a storry, from our hearts & minds. The thing with this is that W requests a story and tells us what the subject will be. Such as tonight, "Tell me a ceiling story."
Huh?
This goes along with, "Tell me a ....curtain story." I told him a story about the Von trapp children and their play clothes made of curtins by Maria the funky nun.
....a hammer story ....this one's for Daddio & he started the story with "Once upon a time there was a little boy named B [as in Uncle B]. to which W replied, "No, it's W not B."
...a dark story
....a round story...
....a Toystory, toystory story...
....a Cars story...
....a Monsters Inc story...
...and every story usually must start with , "There was a little boy named W...." and must end with "They lived happily ever after" and in unison..."The end."
So, tonight I lucked out as it was Daddio's turn to be creative.
The End.

Storytime

Bedtime brings storytime. This used to just mean reading books, but now it includes telling a storry, from our hearts & minds. The thing with this is that W requests a story and tells us what the subject will be. Such as tonight, "Tell me a ceiling story."
Huh?
This goes along with, "Tell me a ....curtain story." I told him a story about the Von trapp children and their play clothes made of curtins by Maria the funky nun.
....a hammer story ....this one's for Daddio & he started the story with "Once upon a time there was a little boy named B [as in Uncle B]. to which W replied, "No, it's W not B."
...a dark story
....a round story...
....a Toystory, toystory story...
....a Cars story...
....a Monsters Inc story...
...and every story usually must start with , "There was a little boy named W...." and must end with "They lived happily ever after" and in unison..."The end."
So, tonight I lucked out as it was Daddio's turn to be creative.
The End.

Oh Heavenly Day!

It started off disappointing as an anticipated appointment cancelled, with good reason, but disappointing just the same. And then magic happened!
The boys and I happily played outside in the sun and wind for an hr or so, lunch was devoured without any fuss, and then my lovely, generous sister came and stayed with my sweet boys for an hour and a half while I ran "errands".
"Errands" consisted of hitting the bread store, spending 30 wonderful chatty minutes with a fun friend...I wish I could do that everyday! spend 30 min - 1 hr with a friend sans enfants...it's energizing....then it was off to a wonderful, scented, empowering store that I have been craving to browse through without my boys in tow because let's face it little boys and crystals, books, jewellery just don't mix...and the piece de resistance was arriving home to find one boy asleep and the other happy and waiting to be put to bed. Oh heavenly day! What 90 minutes will do for the soul! May you find some soul time today too!

Oh Heavenly Day!

It started off disappointing as an anticipated appointment cancelled, with good reason, but disappointing just the same. And then magic happened!
The boys and I happily played outside in the sun and wind for an hr or so, lunch was devoured without any fuss, and then my lovely, generous sister came and stayed with my sweet boys for an hour and a half while I ran "errands".
"Errands" consisted of hitting the bread store, spending 30 wonderful chatty minutes with a fun friend...I wish I could do that everyday! spend 30 min - 1 hr with a friend sans enfants...it's energizing....then it was off to a wonderful, scented, empowering store that I have been craving to browse through without my boys in tow because let's face it little boys and crystals, books, jewellery just don't mix...and the piece de resistance was arriving home to find one boy asleep and the other happy and waiting to be put to bed. Oh heavenly day! What 90 minutes will do for the soul! May you find some soul time today too!

Toddlers & Tutus...1st Halloween Party!

Boo!

Today 10 of the scariest toddlers/preschoolers, aged 4 yrs & under, celebrated an early Halloween. There were she-devils, super SAHM, mardi girls, pirates, Diego, raccoons, lions, princesses, hockey players, Iron Man, and a Cereal Killer in the midst. Which brought laughter and snacks and happy chocolate faces.

Super scary! Super fun!

Toddlers & Tutus...1st Halloween Party!

Boo!

Today 10 of the scariest toddlers/preschoolers, aged 4 yrs & under, celebrated an early Halloween. There were she-devils, super SAHM, mardi girls, pirates, Diego, raccoons, lions, princesses, hockey players, Iron Man, and a Cereal Killer in the midst. Which brought laughter and snacks and happy chocolate faces.

Super scary! Super fun!

Baby Bup 17mths

17 months ago I was kissing my husband goodbye as I sat in a hospital bed snuggling our precious new baby boy. Fast forward to now and I again snuggled my baby Bup as we rocked and sang his bedtime songs. His little lifetime has been a tremendous blessing to me, and all of us. He is so loved!

This past month has brought new changes for Bup. Climbing...onto the kitchen chairs, kitchen table and standing on chairs at the island. This discovery has also brought a tumble or two including teeth through his chin. Owchie!!

He is trying to talk all the time and has a few clear words like Uh-oh, No and has his own version of W, Da (d), Mama, tractor, star, moon,etc. The intonation is there, just not the pronunciation, however he is trying and chattering all the time. This is to be expected due to where the tumors are placed on his brain. Speech will be a challenge. Thank goodness for sign language which he uses well and continues to surprise me with. Such as signing "Sorry" to his brother after he's hit him out of frustration...or just fun. Now, we're working on the sign for "Help"....a necessary sign for every little brother!

Bup is sweet, funny, a good listener and stubborn at times such as holding onto a toy for dear life that someone is trying to take from him, and vocal...yelling really LOUD when he's frustrated about said toy removal or the application of EEG electrodes.

Our little man definitely has a mind of his own and can be particular about things, such as food. It's a bit of a challenge in this department. One day he'll eat something with gusto and then he won't let a morsel of the same food grace his lips ever again! This stumps me and causes me to either be creative or let the poor fella thrive off of toast and canned fruit. Creativity would be the better choice for certain!

Our huggy little blue eyed babe that is generous with his kisses is our Bup and we're looking forward to what developments the next month brings.

Baby Bup 17mths

17 months ago I was kissing my husband goodbye as I sat in a hospital bed snuggling our precious new baby boy. Fast forward to now and I again snuggled my baby Bup as we rocked and sang his bedtime songs. His little lifetime has been a tremendous blessing to me, and all of us. He is so loved!

This past month has brought new changes for Bup. Climbing...onto the kitchen chairs, kitchen table and standing on chairs at the island. This discovery has also brought a tumble or two including teeth through his chin. Owchie!!

He is trying to talk all the time and has a few clear words like Uh-oh, No and has his own version of W, Da (d), Mama, tractor, star, moon,etc. The intonation is there, just not the pronunciation, however he is trying and chattering all the time. This is to be expected due to where the tumors are placed on his brain. Speech will be a challenge. Thank goodness for sign language which he uses well and continues to surprise me with. Such as signing "Sorry" to his brother after he's hit him out of frustration...or just fun. Now, we're working on the sign for "Help"....a necessary sign for every little brother!

Bup is sweet, funny, a good listener and stubborn at times such as holding onto a toy for dear life that someone is trying to take from him, and vocal...yelling really LOUD when he's frustrated about said toy removal or the application of EEG electrodes.

Our little man definitely has a mind of his own and can be particular about things, such as food. It's a bit of a challenge in this department. One day he'll eat something with gusto and then he won't let a morsel of the same food grace his lips ever again! This stumps me and causes me to either be creative or let the poor fella thrive off of toast and canned fruit. Creativity would be the better choice for certain!

Our huggy little blue eyed babe that is generous with his kisses is our Bup and we're looking forward to what developments the next month brings.

Adorned

I've been toying with the idea of getting my nose pierced. I like the look and remember sitting beside a friend in my first year of college, Race and Ethnic Relations Sociology class, admiring her piercing and wanting one for myself. Fast forward 18 yrs and my nose is still piercing free. Except the time I had a fake cat's head nose ring, used to freak out some people in my life. It was funny.

My husband isn't daring me to do it, but he has little concern as he knows about my pain tolerance. It's non-existant. I almost fainted & threw up from an upper ear piercing! So, nostril? I don't know if I can go through with it. Plus, my pores are huge. What if it just falls in?!

I've been researching on line and that makes me nauseous. But still, wouldn't it be pretty...from a distance, don't look at my pores!

Adorned

I've been toying with the idea of getting my nose pierced. I like the look and remember sitting beside a friend in my first year of college, Race and Ethnic Relations Sociology class, admiring her piercing and wanting one for myself. Fast forward 18 yrs and my nose is still piercing free. Except the time I had a fake cat's head nose ring, used to freak out some people in my life. It was funny.

My husband isn't daring me to do it, but he has little concern as he knows about my pain tolerance. It's non-existant. I almost fainted & threw up from an upper ear piercing! So, nostril? I don't know if I can go through with it. Plus, my pores are huge. What if it just falls in?!

I've been researching on line and that makes me nauseous. But still, wouldn't it be pretty...from a distance, don't look at my pores!

Birthday Wishes

There's something special about you today....Happy Birthday to you!
You've sure grown out of your baby ways.......Happy Birthday to you!
La, la, la.
We wish you friends, and health and wealth galore....Happy Birthday to you!
Let's cut the cake and eat some more.......Happy birthday to you!

(Okay...this really is a song that my neice and nephew taught me, but I can't remember all the lyrics right now.)

Happy Birthday Mrs. D.H.! Hope you have a special day. Wish I could be there to have some fun girl time....like a pedicure or even just a long walk...and maybe a rum & fresca! Have a wonderful 60th day!!

Birthday Wishes

There's something special about you today....Happy Birthday to you!
You've sure grown out of your baby ways.......Happy Birthday to you!
La, la, la.
We wish you friends, and health and wealth galore....Happy Birthday to you!
Let's cut the cake and eat some more.......Happy birthday to you!

(Okay...this really is a song that my neice and nephew taught me, but I can't remember all the lyrics right now.)

Happy Birthday Mrs. D.H.! Hope you have a special day. Wish I could be there to have some fun girl time....like a pedicure or even just a long walk...and maybe a rum & fresca! Have a wonderful 60th day!!

Knit Wit

I'm not witty, just knitty.
These days I've really enjoyed knitting again. Maybe it's a good stress release? After all it is the new yoga! Maybe it's a new health eating regime? Cause really now, I can't eat yummy, buttery popcorn with a set of needles in my hands and a ball of yarn in my lap now, can I.
In the past couple of weeks I have knit two scarves, both pink, one of which I am wearing and one is a gift for a friend, a few facecloths for the boys, I like to keep a plethora of facecloths in the kitchen for little hands and faces and aren't knit cotton ones just softer?, and I am about to finish a color blocked cardigan for baby R. (Cardigan....instantly brings my husband to mind...imitating Bert from Sesame Street..."Nice cardigan!") *pictures to follow*
Now, do not let the sparks from the needles and the skeins of yarn fool you, I'm still very much a beginner knitter who has to phone her friend KJ and her mother for knitting tutorials over the phone. How do I create stripes? What do they mean "turn"? And what's this I cord business?
But it's all coming together. Let's just hope that R's little sweater is able to be introduced to the public and not just shoved in the knitting project cemetery at home.
There has been a knitting tragedy or two. The first was my excited arrival at a large retail craft store with my %50 off coupon for Saturday only, with the anticipation to purchase the Mason Dixon Knitting book, but low and behold they have changed the rules! No discounts on books!! What? Typical big box, large retail activity isn't it? Close down the little guy (like our Beehive) trap the customers and then whammo! make it even more difficult/expensive! Okay...there's my retail/business tirade for the day. Anyway, I'll be content for now to enjoy the MD website, $40+ for a knitting book that I really only want a couple of patterns from is hard to justify...even for me.....website or library it is!
Tragedy #2...and this is a real tragedy. R was maimed with my bamboo knitting needles. Ugh! Just makes my stomach sink thinking of it. W was happily "knitting" at the island with said needles and a leftover ball of pink, cotton yarn. R walks by innocently and W pokes him in the EYE with a needle. Completely unprovoked. THANKFULLY R's actual eye was missed, but he was hit right at the bottom on the eye lid and it drew blood. It was NOT GOOD. My poor babe. He's okay, but it was a good lesson for me. Three yr olds and knitting needles do not mix. (I realize this is obvious, thanks, but no further guilt and heartbreak is needed. Do that just fine on my own.)So, to all my fellow knitters out there...keep on keeping on but keep your needles to yourself. Add the dangerous weapon disclaimer to your knitting bag and lock them up when others are about. See, nitwit...oops knitwit....I can be.
Happy knitting.

Knit Wit

I'm not witty, just knitty.
These days I've really enjoyed knitting again. Maybe it's a good stress release? After all it is the new yoga! Maybe it's a new health eating regime? Cause really now, I can't eat yummy, buttery popcorn with a set of needles in my hands and a ball of yarn in my lap now, can I.
In the past couple of weeks I have knit two scarves, both pink, one of which I am wearing and one is a gift for a friend, a few facecloths for the boys, I like to keep a plethora of facecloths in the kitchen for little hands and faces and aren't knit cotton ones just softer?, and I am about to finish a color blocked cardigan for baby R. (Cardigan....instantly brings my husband to mind...imitating Bert from Sesame Street..."Nice cardigan!") *pictures to follow*
Now, do not let the sparks from the needles and the skeins of yarn fool you, I'm still very much a beginner knitter who has to phone her friend KJ and her mother for knitting tutorials over the phone. How do I create stripes? What do they mean "turn"? And what's this I cord business?
But it's all coming together. Let's just hope that R's little sweater is able to be introduced to the public and not just shoved in the knitting project cemetery at home.
There has been a knitting tragedy or two. The first was my excited arrival at a large retail craft store with my %50 off coupon for Saturday only, with the anticipation to purchase the Mason Dixon Knitting book, but low and behold they have changed the rules! No discounts on books!! What? Typical big box, large retail activity isn't it? Close down the little guy (like our Beehive) trap the customers and then whammo! make it even more difficult/expensive! Okay...there's my retail/business tirade for the day. Anyway, I'll be content for now to enjoy the MD website, $40+ for a knitting book that I really only want a couple of patterns from is hard to justify...even for me.....website or library it is!
Tragedy #2...and this is a real tragedy. R was maimed with my bamboo knitting needles. Ugh! Just makes my stomach sink thinking of it. W was happily "knitting" at the island with said needles and a leftover ball of pink, cotton yarn. R walks by innocently and W pokes him in the EYE with a needle. Completely unprovoked. THANKFULLY R's actual eye was missed, but he was hit right at the bottom on the eye lid and it drew blood. It was NOT GOOD. My poor babe. He's okay, but it was a good lesson for me. Three yr olds and knitting needles do not mix. (I realize this is obvious, thanks, but no further guilt and heartbreak is needed. Do that just fine on my own.)So, to all my fellow knitters out there...keep on keeping on but keep your needles to yourself. Add the dangerous weapon disclaimer to your knitting bag and lock them up when others are about. See, nitwit...oops knitwit....I can be.
Happy knitting.

Southern food...the color of orange...Thanksgiving Recipes

Don't you just love pumpkin recipes? I do!
There's a few that are super yummilicious.....like pumpkin hermit cookies and a Morrocan Stew (with pumpkin, sweet potato and prunes).

Then there's the sweet potatos or yams. They are in my blood, my heritage from my Kentucky grandmother; the southern belle of all belles; kind, gentle, knitter, philanthropist in her own right, community oriented, educated, spiritual, soft spoken, but do not cross her and oh she could hold a grudge. This tradition of the sweet potato is engrained within me, yet I do not eat sweet potatoes unless combined with something else or made into fries. However, amongst my family I am known for "M's Sweet potatos" and am always requested to bring them to family dinners. [My cousin mistakenly thought this dish was my sister's as she served it (made by me) one year....oh they stood corrected!:)] Hmmm...does it scare my family members that I make the dish but do not consume it?!
So, here's "M's Sweet potato recipe". Look at me sharing my most requested recipe! Be forewarned, it's kind of a heart attack waiting to happen.

M's Sweet Potato Surprise

Sweet potatos, peeled, boiled & mashed (as many as you like)

1 block cream cheese

1 egg. beaten with fork

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup crushed pecans

In a large bowl mix sweet potatoes, egg, vanilla, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar. Once mixed well, add cream cheese. Mix again. Place into sprayed casserole dish (9x13). Sprinkle the top with crushed pecans, remaining brown sugar and remaining melted butter. Bake in over at 350 for about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Southern food...the color of orange...Thanksgiving Recipes

Don't you just love pumpkin recipes? I do!
There's a few that are super yummilicious.....like pumpkin hermit cookies and a Morrocan Stew (with pumpkin, sweet potato and prunes).

Then there's the sweet potatos or yams. They are in my blood, my heritage from my Kentucky grandmother; the southern belle of all belles; kind, gentle, knitter, philanthropist in her own right, community oriented, educated, spiritual, soft spoken, but do not cross her and oh she could hold a grudge. This tradition of the sweet potato is engrained within me, yet I do not eat sweet potatoes unless combined with something else or made into fries. However, amongst my family I am known for "M's Sweet potatos" and am always requested to bring them to family dinners. [My cousin mistakenly thought this dish was my sister's as she served it (made by me) one year....oh they stood corrected!:)] Hmmm...does it scare my family members that I make the dish but do not consume it?!
So, here's "M's Sweet potato recipe". Look at me sharing my most requested recipe! Be forewarned, it's kind of a heart attack waiting to happen.

M's Sweet Potato Surprise

Sweet potatos, peeled, boiled & mashed (as many as you like)

1 block cream cheese

1 egg. beaten with fork

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup crushed pecans

In a large bowl mix sweet potatoes, egg, vanilla, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar. Once mixed well, add cream cheese. Mix again. Place into sprayed casserole dish (9x13). Sprinkle the top with crushed pecans, remaining brown sugar and remaining melted butter. Bake in over at 350 for about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Baby H 36 months

When I was pregnant with W, we called him Baby H. People even called him that after he was born. Then it was Bubby. Now, it's just W. Regardless, he will always be my Baby H. The one that moved, and moved and MOVED within my baby-belly. The one that with his curly black hair SMILED at me when his dad brought him to the bedside, & I said, "Hi Baby H" immediately after his birth. Yes, he did smile. He did...and I have witnesses!

He is our beloved first born, and he is loved. His energy, his bright little self, his funny sayings["That's 3 bummers, Mommy."] Sometimes he is noisy, inattentive, impulsive, sassy & talks back, refuses to nap, and he is a product of us, a bright little sprite of his own, and I love him fiercely.

So, what is new with W over the past month? Probably peeing standing up and once even outside at a provincial park ["I peed on grass!!" :)], starting playschool at which the teachers say he is doing great, talking back, playing with puzzles often, more bathroom humor ["I tooted Grama G. Can you smell my toot?"] and becoming progressively more loving, huggy and playful with his baby brother.

Baby H 36 months

When I was pregnant with W, we called him Baby H. People even called him that after he was born. Then it was Bubby. Now, it's just W. Regardless, he will always be my Baby H. The one that moved, and moved and MOVED within my baby-belly. The one that with his curly black hair SMILED at me when his dad brought him to the bedside, & I said, "Hi Baby H" immediately after his birth. Yes, he did smile. He did...and I have witnesses!

He is our beloved first born, and he is loved. His energy, his bright little self, his funny sayings["That's 3 bummers, Mommy."] Sometimes he is noisy, inattentive, impulsive, sassy & talks back, refuses to nap, and he is a product of us, a bright little sprite of his own, and I love him fiercely.

So, what is new with W over the past month? Probably peeing standing up and once even outside at a provincial park ["I peed on grass!!" :)], starting playschool at which the teachers say he is doing great, talking back, playing with puzzles often, more bathroom humor ["I tooted Grama G. Can you smell my toot?"] and becoming progressively more loving, huggy and playful with his baby brother.