"fishin'"

"fishin'"
Originally uploaded by S.Car

We went to the Discovery Center yesterday. The kids love exploring around there. Kenna stayed the whole time by the pond to catch fish and polliwogs. In this picture Carter is seizing the opportunity. Mom is lying down, let me sit on her rump and bounce away.

Pumpkin Vignette

Pumpkin Vignette
Originally uploaded by S.Car

Other than adding a vignette to this picture I did nothing else. Isn't it amazing how a cloudy day will really make the colors pop?

Pumpkins & Frog Boots

 
The C-Dawg and I had to make an impromptu field trip today to get a pumpkin for a decorating project in Jacie's class. I know I could have bought one at the supermarket but it was fun to walk around. It was cloudy and sprinkling so Carter donned his rubber boots. I've never met a more clean boy before. He didn't even want to walk in the puddles with his boots on. I never thought I would have to encourage him to get wet and muddy. On our trek back to the car I offered to pull him in the wagon that he had been toting our pumpkin around in. He quickly protested because the wagon was a little dirty inside (some wet grass).

Tres Chicas

 
Someone is in the foreground. As if she needs to draw attention to herself. As if she could be hidden in the shadows of her sister, even if she tried.

Runner

 
If you read an earlier post you might be thinking that I'm exercising again. You might be thinking wrongly though. I'm not running yet, but I am slightly comforted in the fact that something in my house is. Isn't this fun? An awesome friend sewed this for me. Thanks Sharon, we're loving this!

Snake

 
We saw this on our walk at the Kaweah Oaks Preserve today.

Seeing Stars

 
I love it when I can see the stars during the day.

Chocolate Mascarpone

 
Jacie helped me make this the other day. She is such a big help in the kitchen now. She learned to separate eggs and make a custard. We even candied the pecans to crumble on top.

This is a favorite of mine from an Italian restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can't help but think of college times. Because we're predominantly an estrogen-based household, we have some big fans residing here. I had to convince my pickiest eater that it was chocolate pudding (what an abomination!) but after that he loves it too. Someday I will explain to him that this is the fine-dining version of chocolate pudding. What was I thinking though? It would just mean more for the females in this home who can really appreciate chocolatey goodness.

Great book

https://www.createspace.com/3481538
Here is a link to buy this awesome book. If you have enjoyed this blog at all, you'll love this book. The genesis of this blog was for Blake to write every day and for me to take pictures every day for a year. Blake has taken the writings of this blog and put them in his debut book The Year of Living Metaphorically: Ramblings and Reflections on Life, Faith, Family and the Creatures Known as Middle Schoolers

Windows

 
The windows are clean...but are being threatened for the next three days by rain. I am not complaining though, I LOVE the rain and cooler weather. It's finally starting to appear like fall.

Naked Chef

 
Move over Jamie Oliver! We've got a potty-training, underwear-wearing, truck-playing, helper in the kitchen.

Sky

 
The sky was awesome looking last night.

Con

 
"I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends." -Walt Whitman

Archery

 
There were a lot of activities available for us to use at little or no cost. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with us the first night. After the first meeting we had the option of sitting around some fire pits or go to the Ark for roller skating and/or ping pong. We chose ping pong. It was kind of fun because nobody else was there that night so we played ping pong hopping from one table to the next, utilizing all 8 or 9 tables for our game. The following day we had free time so we rowed awhile on the lake and then shot a bow and arrow.

Canoe

 
We had an awesome weekend. We went to a couple's retreat. It was inspiring to be with one couple that has attended 35 years. We're planning on going again next year. We want to invite anyone else to come along. I'll be posting a few more pictures in the days to follow detailing what we did.

Tennies

 
Ok, I've fallen off the exercise wagon and I can't get up. I keep telling myself I need to get back into it but it's so easy to find reasons why I can't go. A few days ago I got this idea in my head that it would be fun to ride the bike to church. I got the bike down (off the hook in the ceiling of our garage) which was quite the feat in itself, hooked up the bike caddy, and strapped my youngest two children in. I left the house, allowing myself 10 minutes to arrive. Half way into my journey I thought, "What am I thinking? This isn't very enjoyable." I had to exert myself beyond what my body has been used to. We got there but the whole time I was there I knew I had to make the return trip. I think if I were actually in shape the trek wouldn't be so arduous. I will make that trek again and I WILL enjoy it more the next time. :)

Cars and Beads

 
The C-dawg likes to undo the necklaces that the girls make and then uses the beads for loading up.

popcorn

 
On most nights you can find us eating popcorn. We've perfected the recipe: browned butter, paprika, pinch of red pepper flakes, and sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese. Due to growing older and wanting to be healthier, we have omitted the butter. I, however, am a purist and really could eat popcorn with some salt on it and be very happy but we all know the art of compromise in marriage. My husband is a flavor-monger and desires big, bold flavor so in order to share this passion of popcorn, we finally found a combination that we both agree upon.

Signs

 
I had the most relaxing weekend. My friend Tina and I were able to stay at a friend's beautiful cabin at a nearby lake. We were able to totally unwind in nature. We had some great laughs and great conversations. Our mode of transportation all weekend was a golf cart. We were even able to see a family of 3 deer meandering around in people's yards.

The picture is of a pole clad with signs. It was reminiscent of Kennybunkport for me.

Hon-a-bun b-day

Hon-a-bun b-day
Originally uploaded by S.Car

Our "hon-a-bun" turned 8 today. She couldn't have had a better day. We walked to the pancake breakfast today with Oma. She, Ave and I got a mocha at our local coffee chain. What a super, great pre-Tween we have.