Keepin' It Real :)

Yesterday my friend Rachael and I were emailing about all the things that need to be done.  I told her how sometimes I get too wrapped up in other blogs...feeling like everyone has it all together but me.  However, I know deep down that's not true...and it's OK.

So, in case you think I have it all together let me keep it really for just a second...with unedited pictures and I did not even take (thanks Ron for taking these shots for me):

Yeah um, this is my craft area...it's overflowing and no fun work is getting done.

My table that I swear I just cleaned off the other day.  Jamison stepped on Caleb's pumpkin bucket and broke it :(

Fall/Halloween decorations still sitting by the front door that I need to finish putting up.

More Fall stuff...

Now I must go and get some of these things done so I can be pretty for you again :)

miscellany (fall) monday

 Well Friends it's Monday and October is just moving right along.  Here are just a few things going on in our neck of the woods.

1. Help in the yard (yeah, I am SO creative with my titles).  Rondell has been taking on the major task of cleaning up the leaves in our yard.  Yesterday Caleb decided to help dad out and I am sure Rondell had no problem accepting the assistance.  I think Caleb enjoyed it too (check back with me when he's 15):

2.  The Year of the 5.  15 days from now I turn 35.  My grandmother always talked about how all of her grandchildren are 5 years apart.  And if it was what my cousin and I call "The Year of the 5" she would be extra excited.  So, this is one of those years and it makes me think of & miss my Granita and makes me grateful to her...that she cherished something so simple about her grandchildren.  And we absolutely cherish her.

3.  Welcome :)  Rondell makes fun of me because a lot of my Fall decor says "Welcome."

He may or may not be onto something :)

Write random...link here.

Football Friday Night Favorites

Hello Friends & Happy Friday.  I am here to share some of my favorites...things that I am truly thankful for.

**The pics are from a trip we took to a Friday Night High School football game...me, my friend Marja, and my 3 favorite little people.

I love the smell of Fall candles...I got two new scents from Yankee Candle, Pumpkin Buttercream & Maple Pancakes.  YUM!  I will burn them tonight

Looking forward to Fall traditions...like the Halloween party that my friends Amber and Lyndsey organize every year

Having time to relax and watch DVR'd shows with Rondell (anybody watching Revenge?)

Finally getting on the Modern Family bandwagon...Rondell and I laughed SO hard

Making plans to head down to our favorite Farm Store this weekend

Generous people...like my friend Amy.  Stop over to her blog to see the amazing project that she's supporting.  I will be supporting this too :)

Reading books aloud with my kids...we don't do this often enough

Reading silently with Jamison for 20 minutes...I am reading Breaking Dawn before the movie is released

Chatting with other moms during Jamison's Girl Scouts meeting

Chatting with my mom on Tuesdays

Finding new, inexpensive tennis shoes for Jamison

Getting ingredients together to make sticky buns tomorrow morning for breakfast

Positive school reports for both kids

The amazing grace that my children show ME :)

Ibuprofen because this cold has been a rough one

The weekend...oh how I love weekends

Join here:

Can I Just Tell You...

~ I have not put out one Fall decoration

~ I have not yet burned my Fall candles

~ Going to the store early, early in the morning is really nice...no lines makes the trip so much smoother

~ I am grateful for my planner with all of the conferences and Fall parties that we have coming up...gotta write all of that stuff down or I will forget

~ My birthday is just 19 days away...on Election Day (November 8)...have I told you how much I love my birthday?

~ I have already given my mother my wish list

~ I am getting ready to start making my Christmas cards...yup, already (want me to make you some???)

~ I have been battling a cold for an entire week...I am finally feeling a little better

~ Tomorrow is Friday and I am THRILLED :)

Anything you wanna tell me?

Friday {Fall} Favorites

Today I am Daydreaming about my Fall Favorites.  My friend Janna recently listed her 25 favorite things about Fall (and included some gorgeous pictures) and that gave me the idea to list some of my favorites :)

The stunning colors

Crisp air

Open windows to let in the crisp air

The smell of fire places/pits

Apple picking with my family

Making Eating apple crisp

My birthday :)

Savoring the last few weeks of grilling

Blue skies

Sweatpants and long-sleeve T-shirts

Driving to our favorite Farmer's Market on a Sunday afternoon

Warm potato soup

Apple cider from our favorite Farmer's Market

Preparing Halloween costumes and parties

Hay rides

Snuggling under a blanket while watching football

Snacking on yummy appetizers while watching football

Fall TV

What are your favorites?

What a Difference Two Years Makes :)

 Freeman's Farm Outing 2009

Freeman's Farm Outing 2011

**I will note that I must not have gotten more creative with Jamison's hair during that time as she is sporting the same do :)

Crocktober - Pulled Pork

I am linking up today with Mel from The Larson Lingo for her Crocktober party.  Creative title right?!?  This is a repost, but it is my go to crock pot recipe that is enjoy my (almost) all of the family.


Pulled Pork
This is a super easy pulled pork recipe for the crock pot.

All I need is my crock pot, a pork roast (about 3 lbs), brown sugar, cider vinegar, ketchup and a BBQ pulled pork Slow Cooker packet from McCormick.

Just add all of the ingredients, mix it around and turn on the crock pot. I did season the meat too and poke holes so that the flavor would really get into the meat.
Ta da! After it's all done cooking, just shred the meat. Now, I will say that this time I waited until is was cool to shred the meat (OK, it was because I was napping) and I wouldn't recommend that. It was harder to shred, so I would say shred while the meat is still warm.

We just added it to buns and had some fries and that was dinner!

**Added:  I also make this with homemade mac & cheese or a loaded baked potato salad.

Join in on the fun here!

10 on 10 - 10/10/11

I am beyond excited to be able to participate in another 10 on 10 :)  I have the day off for Columbus Day.  This is the third time I have been able to do it and each time has been a lot of fun (see here and here).

 Watching TV with Caleb (I may or may not have drifted off a time or two).  He is at home today with me because he does not have school on Mondays (Jamison does have school today).

 Gotta clean out the tub before giving Caleb a bath.  I took Erin's advice too and cleaned the rest of the bathroom while he was in the tub...genius!

 Taking a look outside to see all that needs to be raked...sigh.

 Entering Mel's giveaway towards my 2012 Life Planner...you all know how I love my planner.

 Having some Honey Baked Ham on Hawaiian rolls for lunch with my mom (and now there's some leftover for lunch tomorrow!).

Caleb helping Gramma Lee wash her car.

 Finishing up my last BSF questions.

 Welcoming home my favorite little girl...with apples for a snack :)

Admiring my new Stampin Up! goodies.  Isn't this the cutest bag.  My stamp club hostess gives one to each member to carry her stamping supplies...notice the cute K.

 Frying chicken for the first time.  I used PW's recipe and it actually turned out pretty well.

Cheering on my god-daughter Jewel at her volleyball game.  We do not see her nearly as much as we should.

So that's my day...hope you enjoyed.

Absorbing

Captured from my front porch

I know I have been quiet lately.  Honestly, I am just a little overwhelmed at the moment.  Nothing at all serious...just trying to get into a groove.  See, I am routine oriented...it just is who I am.  I like order, I like to know what is coming next, I thrive on organization.  Well right now my world feels out of order...laundry, school papers, the kids' rooms, the To Do list...  

I am reminded today that God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  With Him I will get out of this funk & we will get a handle on this disorder.

There are a few things in blogland that have helped too with getting my groove back:

This post/series by Tidy Mom:  Countdown to Clean

Jen always has a good organization tip on her blog...IHeart Organizing

Reading this post by my blog friend Amy...another reminder of how we are renewed daily.

So, that is what's up with me...what's up with you?