12.17.2009
Heading Out
I'll update if able from the road. We'll be heading out after early release tomorrow and stopping at the Village for the night to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Arkansas. We'll be on the road as early as possible Saturday and taking our time through the Ozarks! Gpa Arkansas says our mountain cabin just *might* see some snow towards the end of our stay! We've got a special church service visit planned for Sunday morning that I'm sooo looking forward too, and some Christmasy plans for that afternoon! Monday we've got a day trip planned. Hope to be able to update as we go!
12.15.2009
Sophy's Christmas List
Sophy brought home her Christmas list that she made in class. Here is the list along with her notations and explanations.
Sophy's Christmas List
- A Box of Gold - to give to the museums because their funding has been cut and most of them really need money bad.
- A Box of Silver - because everybody wants one.
- Some flower seeds - sunflower seeds, in particular.
- An exercising kit - because it's very hard to lay off the Christmas tree brownies.
- New energy efficient light bulbs - the twisted kind that use less power.
- Air freshener - because I'd like for her room to smell better.
- A new furnace - because we really need one
- A back scratcher - the kind shaped like a hand.
I wonder what the other kids asked for.....
12.13.2009
Sunday Ramblings: Back Peddling, Farms, Wrestling, Wrapping
Look at these beauties! They're coming soon to a closet near me! Aren't they lovely?Living as we do in the Zone of Perpetual Rain, I think they're a sound investment. Not only that, they're cute as cute can be.
While I sit with my laptop and a cuppa on this misty afternoon, I thought I'd babble. Don't mind do you?
First, the back peddle: After a rare Friday evening spent at home by myself with the kids (Fridays are usually off limits for picture scheduling) while Daddy P shot a college graduation, I ended up with my laundry washed and folded and put away before the weekend ever started. I'm such a good girl, I know. I made a fire while the laundry churned, ordered a pizza, and spent a cozy Friday evening at home. Daddy P and I spent the entire day in town on Saturday. The weather was cold and rainy, but it was superb shopping weather, if ya ask me. We had an awesome lunch at the tea room. Chicken salad, Victorian soup, hot tea and a buttermilk scone. Oh, it was good. We're about as anal as they come, so we had a list and a plan and had our list knocked out by supper time. We had dinner and followed it up with a trip for coffee/hot chocolate and a pass thru the book store. It was a very fun day, and I think Santa picked up what I asked for this year! Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
First, the back peddle: After a rare Friday evening spent at home by myself with the kids (Fridays are usually off limits for picture scheduling) while Daddy P shot a college graduation, I ended up with my laundry washed and folded and put away before the weekend ever started. I'm such a good girl, I know. I made a fire while the laundry churned, ordered a pizza, and spent a cozy Friday evening at home. Daddy P and I spent the entire day in town on Saturday. The weather was cold and rainy, but it was superb shopping weather, if ya ask me. We had an awesome lunch at the tea room. Chicken salad, Victorian soup, hot tea and a buttermilk scone. Oh, it was good. We're about as anal as they come, so we had a list and a plan and had our list knocked out by supper time. We had dinner and followed it up with a trip for coffee/hot chocolate and a pass thru the book store. It was a very fun day, and I think Santa picked up what I asked for this year! Oh, it's lovely, isn't it?
Farms: DaddyP and I have hatched, hashed, discussed, planned, and plotted for several years about where we'd like to end up. What I love most about DaddyP is that we're on the same page when it comes to being up for anything and making a goal. We love having work to do and project to work on together. And not to mention, I miss cows. Crops. Dirt. What do we both want? Land. Where? We aren't sure yet, but we're feeling led to one day end up on a chunk of land where we can put a house and possibly a horse or 2 and maybe even a cow or 10. Definitely, definitely chickens. Guineas to be exact. Pretty little hens to wander in my garden. Squeee! It's our plan, really. We're not sure when or where, but it's what we're working towards. It's definitely on the radar. When the right place shows up, we'll find it. Wherever it is.
Wrestling: My boys have taken to wrestling. This is what boys do with their free-time, you see. It's bound to happen. And despite the difference in their ages, what one lacks in age, he makes up for in spit & vinegar. This afternoon, we learned Self Defense 101. Never underestimate a well placed kick or evasive dodge and sweep of the feet. IT was a jolly good time. Jolly good. Now I'm tired and recovering on the couch.
Wrapping: Well, as I stated earlier, we started and finished our Christmas shopping yesterday. You thought perhaps that I'd be sequestered in my room with the wrapping paper and tape? Hahha, sillly people. But yeah, I should be. Perhaps later. It's calling me. For the first time in years, I've actually saved the Sunday comics from the entire year in order to my wrapping! It's something that I've always said that I would do, but it's never really happened until now. Go me! Maybe I should get started....yeah. Maybe I should.
Feeling Festive
DaddyP is doing Round #2 of pet Christmas pics at Doggie Daycare this afternoon, so we're doing our typical Sunday usuals. Round #1 met with such success that the DD owners booked another session with more people than his previous doggie shoot, which was very successful. Who knew there was such a market for doggie portraits?
Speaking of pet portraits, I have no idea who took this picture of Thomas. I'm guessing Sophy, since this is the Santa hat that she has worn to school every day for the past week. I'm amazed that I didn't receive a note asking us to kindly refrain from wearing it, but apparently her teacher is very long suffering. Judging by this photo, Sophy's teacher isn't the only one with an abundance of patience. Poor Thomas. She's a good girl.
Soph and I usually bake on Sundays. Our most common baking exercises are muffins for the upcoming week. Occassionally, when we're feeling spunky, we'll crank out a batch of chocolate cupcakes for after school snacks for the week. This Sunday afternoon caught us making White Trash ( I know, I know. White Trash is born, not made...) We added almond slivers and craisins to our batch. Craisins are not only festive, but are, quite possibly, the only fruit that has entered my body for the last 29 (+whose counting) years. AND not only is it covered in melted white almond barkie goodness, but I apparently can't stop eating it.
Once Sam realized that our efforts involved chocolate, he was a very willing participant. The thing about Sam that you have to realize is that he doesn't merely participate, he takes over. I guess that makes him a willing dictator? He's cut from the cloth...
Which is generally okay with Soph, as she is nobody's fool. Why not let someone else do the work while you watch? She is also cut from the cloth.....
In other unrelated holiday news, here is a shot of my Santa Head cupboard. I've accumulated some giant Santa heads over the years. Don't be alarmed. I harbor no ill will towards the Big Guy. But if you'll notice in the photo, I do have his head on a platter! (PAH!)
I'm a bird nut, it's no secret. I have birds all over my house. This little guy just swooped in for the holidays along with brother red bird hanging nearby (not pictured...in case you were searching.)
Birds aren't the only guys hiding out in our kitchen/dining area. Fred returned the day after Thanksgiving, and after a 2 day stint in Sam's room brought on by a rash of hijinks and mishaps attributed to the aforementioned red head, he made his way to this location this morning. I think this is a good place for Fred, since the area where we gather to share our meals is a frequent Zone of Misconduct. I do not find it coincidental that he's in this spot.
He's a sneaky little guy, our Fred. And yes, he's looking at the camera....which means...maybe he's.....watching....me???? Gulp.
Speaking of pet portraits, I have no idea who took this picture of Thomas. I'm guessing Sophy, since this is the Santa hat that she has worn to school every day for the past week. I'm amazed that I didn't receive a note asking us to kindly refrain from wearing it, but apparently her teacher is very long suffering. Judging by this photo, Sophy's teacher isn't the only one with an abundance of patience. Poor Thomas. She's a good girl.
Soph and I usually bake on Sundays. Our most common baking exercises are muffins for the upcoming week. Occassionally, when we're feeling spunky, we'll crank out a batch of chocolate cupcakes for after school snacks for the week. This Sunday afternoon caught us making White Trash ( I know, I know. White Trash is born, not made...) We added almond slivers and craisins to our batch. Craisins are not only festive, but are, quite possibly, the only fruit that has entered my body for the last 29 (+whose counting) years. AND not only is it covered in melted white almond barkie goodness, but I apparently can't stop eating it. 
Once Sam realized that our efforts involved chocolate, he was a very willing participant. The thing about Sam that you have to realize is that he doesn't merely participate, he takes over. I guess that makes him a willing dictator? He's cut from the cloth...
Which is generally okay with Soph, as she is nobody's fool. Why not let someone else do the work while you watch? She is also cut from the cloth.....
In other unrelated holiday news, here is a shot of my Santa Head cupboard. I've accumulated some giant Santa heads over the years. Don't be alarmed. I harbor no ill will towards the Big Guy. But if you'll notice in the photo, I do have his head on a platter! (PAH!)
I'm a bird nut, it's no secret. I have birds all over my house. This little guy just swooped in for the holidays along with brother red bird hanging nearby (not pictured...in case you were searching.)
Birds aren't the only guys hiding out in our kitchen/dining area. Fred returned the day after Thanksgiving, and after a 2 day stint in Sam's room brought on by a rash of hijinks and mishaps attributed to the aforementioned red head, he made his way to this location this morning. I think this is a good place for Fred, since the area where we gather to share our meals is a frequent Zone of Misconduct. I do not find it coincidental that he's in this spot.
He's a sneaky little guy, our Fred. And yes, he's looking at the camera....which means...maybe he's.....watching....me???? Gulp.
12.11.2009
Happy Holidays Y'all
Hope this weekend finds you ticking items off of your holiday to-do list. Maybe you're hyper-anal and have your list already manhandled! Even better! The state of my holiday affairs are as follows:
- I'm excited to get to spend tomorrow with my DaddyP. We'll be heading out early to 1.) grab a brunchie tea at the tea shoppe (my choice, not his), 2.) start and finish our Christmas shopping...pausing briefly for a white chocolate hot chocolate, and 3.) grab dinner with friends at Carabbas (his choice) if we survive it all! Looking forward to it!
- The Christmas cards are addressed for the most part, waiting for stampage, and coming soon to a home near you.
- Items you can buy me for Christmas: This, This, These, or This Outfit.
12.08.2009
Top 10 Random Things of the Week & It's Only Tuesday
1. Today I gave a skunk his wings. Forget Clarence and his ringing bell, all you need is a Ford, as it turns out.
2. Sam announced on the trip to school this morning that he wished the school would "start putting comic strips inside the bathroom stalls for all the kids to read" while "doing business."
3. I had a very intense and heated discussion with a class of 12 year olds today on the correct spelling of terd/turd. Don't judge me. They'll grow up and thank me one day...perhaps when they're blogging about the class they're teaching.
4. A friend and I discovered a new form of gas this week. It's called "scare the cat off of the bed" gas which is one step higher than "blow the sheets off of the bed" gas. I have great girlfriends.
5. My new favorite saying to confuse people, "He go, eh?" What I like to do especially is prank call my school office and talk to our secretary in my best Pakistani accent, and ask her, "He go, eh?" She loves it when I prank call her.
6. I have learned twice this week EXACTLY what the sole of my shoe feels like.
7. It's no secret. I am enamored of little, zippers. Knowing this, will one of you please buy me a P-Nut? And if not a p-nut, how about a PMD (no, it's not THAT time of the month.) You MUST watch the video. (All joking aside. Why isn't anyone applying this technology for people in wheelchairs?)
8. Dear December 18th, I wish you'd hurry up.
9. Scratch that, I'd settle for Friday.
10. The Science Museum of London, in England, asked visitors to vote on which modern invention or discovery has made the greatest impact. The results were:
1. X-ray machine 9,581 votes
2. Penicillin 6,825 votes
3. Structure of DNA (the chemical that carries the code for every living thing) 6,725 votes
4. Apollo 10 capsule 4,649 votes
5. V2 rocket engine 3,985 votes
What about meat in a can? Vienna Sausages? Spam? C'mon.
2. Sam announced on the trip to school this morning that he wished the school would "start putting comic strips inside the bathroom stalls for all the kids to read" while "doing business."
3. I had a very intense and heated discussion with a class of 12 year olds today on the correct spelling of terd/turd. Don't judge me. They'll grow up and thank me one day...perhaps when they're blogging about the class they're teaching.
4. A friend and I discovered a new form of gas this week. It's called "scare the cat off of the bed" gas which is one step higher than "blow the sheets off of the bed" gas. I have great girlfriends.
5. My new favorite saying to confuse people, "He go, eh?" What I like to do especially is prank call my school office and talk to our secretary in my best Pakistani accent, and ask her, "He go, eh?" She loves it when I prank call her.
6. I have learned twice this week EXACTLY what the sole of my shoe feels like.
7. It's no secret. I am enamored of little, zippers. Knowing this, will one of you please buy me a P-Nut? And if not a p-nut, how about a PMD (no, it's not THAT time of the month.) You MUST watch the video. (All joking aside. Why isn't anyone applying this technology for people in wheelchairs?)
8. Dear December 18th, I wish you'd hurry up.
9. Scratch that, I'd settle for Friday.
10. The Science Museum of London, in England, asked visitors to vote on which modern invention or discovery has made the greatest impact. The results were:
1. X-ray machine 9,581 votes
2. Penicillin 6,825 votes
3. Structure of DNA (the chemical that carries the code for every living thing) 6,725 votes
4. Apollo 10 capsule 4,649 votes
5. V2 rocket engine 3,985 votes
What about meat in a can? Vienna Sausages? Spam? C'mon.
12.06.2009
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
We had a super fun time on the home tour. Saw some not-so traditional Christmas decor and some beautiful traditional decor. Lots of cider and snacks and a great dinner of grilled salmon, duck, mussels, and low country grits with shrimp and lump crabmeat, etc. afterwards....oh, and with bread pudding for dessert. Seriously delicious. Accidentally left my camera at home for the tour, so I thought I'd post some random holiday photos from mi casa.
Our colorful tree! For the past couple of years, I've put up a gold and creme themed tree with the kids putting their favorite decorations on their own trees in their room. This year, we opted for colored lights and all of the kiddie ornaments on our big tree! It's a wild and ecclectic mess, and I love it!
I've accumulated quite a snowman collection over the years. These are the cheap guys often for sale at Dollar General. They, apparently, make great teacher's gifts. Bwwuahhaha. Besides, the guys you see here, I have glass ones, cloth ones, tin ones, paper ones, and...well...cheap ones! The collection is growing!
Here you have my latest crafty contribution to the holidays. These are what I'm calling, "St. Lucia Dolls." Posie made these years ago, but her dolls were true St. Lucia dolls. I sort of stole her idea and went the Advent route. So, Sophy and I chose the dresses, hairdos and faces of the various gals you see here. We then numbered them 1 thru 25 and are using them for our advent countdown this year. Here we have a gaggle of gals. I love how they appear to be posing. Hehe. They are numbered on the bottoms, and we are putting them out as the December days roll along. Here they are in no particular order.
Aren't they cute? Look at the hairdos and hair accessories!
Our personal favorite, as Sophy calls her, Miss China. Officially, I believe she is Miss December 8th.
Here we have the Misses December 24th (in blue sparkling attire) and 25th (in multi sparkle.) Miss Christmas Day (multi sparkle) isn't yawning. No..nary a yawn. That, my friends, is her song of Christmas joy...wafting across the world. According to Sophy, she is singing, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I think she's right.
Here you have our holiday kitty, Thomas. She's the sweetest girl on the planet, and I don't know what I'd do without her. I'm not much of a "cat person," but she's the perfect pet. She isnt' clingy, but she's a lover. I love this cat!
Our colorful tree! For the past couple of years, I've put up a gold and creme themed tree with the kids putting their favorite decorations on their own trees in their room. This year, we opted for colored lights and all of the kiddie ornaments on our big tree! It's a wild and ecclectic mess, and I love it!
I've accumulated quite a snowman collection over the years. These are the cheap guys often for sale at Dollar General. They, apparently, make great teacher's gifts. Bwwuahhaha. Besides, the guys you see here, I have glass ones, cloth ones, tin ones, paper ones, and...well...cheap ones! The collection is growing! 
Here you have my latest crafty contribution to the holidays. These are what I'm calling, "St. Lucia Dolls." Posie made these years ago, but her dolls were true St. Lucia dolls. I sort of stole her idea and went the Advent route. So, Sophy and I chose the dresses, hairdos and faces of the various gals you see here. We then numbered them 1 thru 25 and are using them for our advent countdown this year. Here we have a gaggle of gals. I love how they appear to be posing. Hehe. They are numbered on the bottoms, and we are putting them out as the December days roll along. Here they are in no particular order.
Aren't they cute? Look at the hairdos and hair accessories!
Our personal favorite, as Sophy calls her, Miss China. Officially, I believe she is Miss December 8th.
Here we have the Misses December 24th (in blue sparkling attire) and 25th (in multi sparkle.) Miss Christmas Day (multi sparkle) isn't yawning. No..nary a yawn. That, my friends, is her song of Christmas joy...wafting across the world. According to Sophy, she is singing, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." I think she's right.
12.03.2009
Let's see if I remember how to do this!
Merry Christmas 2009
Wordless November is over, and just in time...I was about to explode! November was a blur of visits, parties, schoolwork, and the usual happenings. Our favorite time of year is at hand, and the house is decorated and ready! DaddyP and I spent the evening (wee hours of the night) last night designing our Christmas cards. The 2 pics from above won't be appearing on our card this year, so I thought it'd be okay to share them. We ended up choosing more candid/off-beat photos for our card because quite frankly, if anything sums up our kiddos...it's OFF-BEAT! The upcoming weekend brings a Christmas home tour and dinner with friends, so I'm very excited about that. We abandoned our usual home tour circuit, and this year we will be doing a new tour! Will post pics if I'm able to snap any.
Topics to come: Book Club & December tidbits
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