- Autumn Hill Candles
- basil
- bedtime
- the Bible
- breakfast sandwiches
- BEEF (3rd trimester craving while pregnant with our oldest)
- Beauty and the Beast by NVP
- butter flies
- chips
- crocus'
- chubby cheeks
- cheese
- Crandon, Wisconsin
- crayons
- campfires (fond memories around them with various family members)
- chocolate
- comics
- crackers
- cheese
- donuts
- dandelions
- date night
- date walks
- dessert
- dancing
- dogwood trees
- December
- dreams
- dinner & a movie
- drives on country roads
- dominoes ~ the game
- eggs
- Easter
- Evinrude
- Edelweiss
- espresso
- engagement
- Earl Grey Tea
- education
- eleven
- family
- friendship
- "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
- Fried Oreos
- Ford ~ first car I bought for myself
- felted knit items
- flaky baked items
- fog
- Five Guys
- Five in a Row
- fall
- fresh fruit
- 14
- family sharing exact birthdays (minus the year)
- Goose decorations
- Grose Family
- Grace Group
- games with the family
- Ghirardelli chocolate
- Grace for the day
- hot air balloons
- hot air pop corn
- hot tubs
- helicopter rides
- home
- home
- hummingbirds
- hydrangea
- iced coffee
- icicles hanging from trees and roof tops
- Ian
- Ice Cream
- "Incredibles" Movies
- Jennifer's
- Kevin
- knitting
- kneading
- key lime pie
- kielbasa
- Keith Clan
- letters
- lilacs
- loaf of fresh bread
- Lego's
- laughter
- (The) Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
- Little House on the Prairie
- Left-handed children
- Lorraine Hall
- nutcrackers
- nothing on the schedule
- Nonnie (my grandmother), then my mom to my kids and their cousins
- nonpareils
- nutmegs
- Noel
- Narnia Series
- David Neuvue
- NV Players ~ home school theater group
- out takes at the end of a movie
- orange scones
- Oompa Loompa
- Oak trees
- Oreos
- Patsy Cline
- Poland
- pansies
- pizza night
- popcorn
- quiet
- quiche
- quintessential
- quality
- quilt
- Quinnipiac University
- Quindar
- rainbows
- red fruits and veggies
- rosemary
- "Remember When" by Alan Jackson
- Simon
- songs
- sound check
- salads
- sandwiches
- Sundays
- Saturdays
- snow days
- sunsets
- sunrises
- tree walker coon hound
- treats
- tea sets
- tea
- turkey
- teteris
- umbrella
- underdog
- "Up"
- vista
- vegetables
- vacations
- woodworking
- Whatchamacallit candy bar
- WMZQ
- xylophone
- mailbox
- relax
- fix
- wax
- faux
- Borax
- yarns
- yes's
- you ~ the reader of this blog
- yarn
- yawns
- yeast
- zipadee do da
- zone
- zoo
- zest
- Zacheaus
- Kevin's turn
- my best friend
- learned to recite Romans 8:28 from him
- he's a man of few words
- dedicated to making sure he reads his bible everyday
- helps around the house a fare amount and pitches in a lot when I'm not able
- willing to take short walks with me, so I can "brain dump"; he understands how I need to process life
- his humor can be off the wall or "dry" sometimes, think he gets it from his Dad
- thankful we've made it through 17 1/2 years (18 in February)!
- thankful first impressions are NOT always the best judgement of character.
- he has learned to do a lot around the house, that even he admits, he had no desire to learn to do
- Simon's turn
- has always felt like a side kick, wants to come along for the ride, walk or whatever
- good sleeper ~ falls asleep quick and usually wakes up happy as a lark
- maturing into a fine young man
- goal driven to get his Eagle Scout Rank
- willing to try new things and will give a polite review (or outstanding review if he really likes it)
- loves to tinker with Legos or my dad's wood shop
- finding his own set of friends and learning how to maintain them (so thankful for free long distance phone calls. He loves to check in with a friend in Kentucky about once a week for an hour).
- learning to be an overcomer
- has a goofy sense of humor
- loves the group "Skillet"
- enjoys serving on the youth group tech team!
- Ian's turn:
- see's life in black and white, which can be a great thing
- wants to right the injustice in the world
- asks a lot of thought provoking questions - especially deep theological questions right before bedtime
- has a deep hunger for knowledge
- will read through a stack of books, in no time flat, if you let him
- makes connections between subjects that is totally amazing
- very easy to make laugh ~ he tries so hard, not to laugh, that he makes himself laugh
- his favorite verse is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
- desires to include the new person or outcast
- Jennifer's parents:
- my dad always seemed to have change in his pocket for me to get a soda after the basket ball games I played in
- I remember my mom skipping some breaks, when she worked, so that she could leave early and watch a Brownie cross over to Girl Scouts
- one year they gave me a "boom box" and my dad rigged it to play while it was all wrapped up in the box, thought that was really cool
- when I think about it, Mom usually had change, too, after shopping at the commissary and stopping by a produce stand on the way home
- remember one year in college, did not have the best set up for roommates, my folks made the effort to come back down, only 3 weeks after school started, to help me move!
- they've been wonderful grandparents to our kids, giving boat rides, having worms to fish off their dock, and always having pink lemonade
- before kids, I always remember walking into their house to the smell of fresh bread (in a bread maker) and home made chocolate chip cookies. Both smells are a warm fuzzy for me.
- the smell of fresh cut wood or stain reminds me of my dad because he loves to work with wood
- mom seemed to be able to sew anything, while dad could fix just about anything
- while my folks sill lived in our area, mom and I would sit on our front stoop and watch the storms come in ~ fun times
- even though it's hard to get five kids, their spouses, and all the grand kids together for Christmas, love seeing "the stockings" hung by the fireplace with care!
- sitting in their back yard, either on the porch or on the gentle hill to dock, and watching life go by! And the occasional boat!
- jet noise as they live near a couple naval bases
- Kevin's parents:
- they love spending time with their grand kids
- they've taken our kids, for weekends, before, because they want to. There was one time Ian was upset because he had to leave!
- they're both avid readers - a trait that has filtered down through the generations - and thus they spoil the boys with books
- will help out when we need someone to hang out with the boys
- Kevin's dad has a dry sense of humor, at least I know where Kevin gets his from!
- Kevin's dad worked for the same company most of his career. Though Kevin's been at his current company a long while, he still has a while to go to catch up to his dad!
- Kevin's mom likes to make sure everyone has what they'd like at family meals! She's almost a short order cook, but it's appreciated!
- they love being retired - it gives them plenty of time to travel and to spend with family
- Fall season and the following changes:
- changing colors of the leaves
- cooler temperatures
- wearing an extra layer
- bringing out the blankets
- all the lovely sounding coffees, teas, and other beverages I don't drink, but sound really good!
- "Sunday Meals" take on a more hearty flavor
- more soup and stews
- candles (yup, another plug for Autumn Hill Candle)
- "Mr. Pumpkin Head" ~ our front porch friend during the fall season
- trip to Cox Farm
- Winter follows Fall and brings:
- possibility of a White Christmas
- the movie "White Christmas"
- lots of other "traditional" Christmas movies
- Christmas season from the day after Thanksgiving through end of December (yes, most of that is still technically in the fall, but work with me here)
- the birth of both of our boys! January brought us two boys and a number of other kids we know. One of Ian's baseball friends was a few hours younger than him.
- beautiful snow ~ at least until it needs to be shoveled or we need to drive somewhere
- hot chocolate
- warm fires
- reading "Snowflake Bently" by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
- reading "Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost
- reading "Owl Moon" by Jane Yolen
- Spring around the corner and:
- weather is warming up (after the winter of 2013/2014, warmer weather was nice. We had a lot of snow and colder weather)
- my birthday is just a few days after the Spring Equinox :)
- the lime green grass popping up
- flowering trees
- Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.
- daffodils and crocus' popping up all around
- the first kind of nice day you grill out
- windows open for the first time, in a few months
- coloring hard boiled eggs
- Summer bringing warmer/hotter days:
- pool time
- lazy mornings
- shady spots
- grilled food
- cool days/cool nights
- movies going late into night (late for a middle aged mom)!
- extended reading time
- fresh fruit and veggies
- visiting family
- sound of train horn on a fall day
- night ~ a perfect backdrop for stars or Aurora Borealis
- clothing ~ very slimming
- asphalt driveway ~ warm to bare feet on a cool day
- tires ~ help keep a vehicle moving
- ink from a pen ~ a letter in the mail
- chalk board for doodling ~ ours have been black and yes it comes in other colors too!
- the back and temples of our tri-color coon hound
- a camera
- house numbers to welcome you home
- cast iron skillets to cook with
- macaroni and cheese
- melon
- burnt orange
- apricot
- red orange (should that be under red, since orange is listed second?)
- yellow orange (see above)
- orange
- peach
- red leaves
- Vera Bradley Hipster ~ in a retired, paisley red
- Sienna van ~ not sure what the technical color is, but red works
- candy canes
- strawberries
- red wine
- sprinkles on cookies (thinking more of Christmas cookies, than other kinds of pastries)
- beets
- red mittens, made for a child of mine
- rosy, red cheeks
- male cardinals
- daisies
- daffodils
- lemons
- sunshine
- scrambled eggs
- baby chickens
- minions
- fresh corn on the cob
- yellow breasted finch
- canister for "Burt's Bees"
- baskets
- oak furniture
- pine knick knacks shelves
- chocolate
- wheat bread
- pie crust
- coffee
- tea
- hardwood flooring
- pair of good khaki's
- pair of good, leather shoes
- Beth Moore Telecast
- clear ocean or lake or river so it reflects the sky
- the sky
- on one side, mostly blue with green and white plaid wool blanket my grandmother gave me (hey friend, you know who you are, the other side is mostly yellow with green and white plaid)
- blueberries
- I snicker a bit, but the blue in your lips when you've been playing hard in the snow. hhmm ~ warm/hot chocolate to get the lips back to pink.
- our plates ~ oddly enough ~ are a blue plaid. Can't seem to find replacements for them, which is disappointing.
- almost ALL veggies that are green (green beans, peas, avocados, asparagus, etc.)
- grass
- leaves
- even green on the calendar for one kid
- old fashioned (probably new to make look old) milk bottle with green type
- evergreen trees
- clovers
- Adirondack chairs (ours are green plastic)
- green glass in many different shapes and sizes (evergreen tree, train car, bottles, glasses, water canister)
- heart shaped platter sponged green, given by a friend, because it looked "country" and that is how I decorate
- first dream car was a green Cabrio convertible with a tan top :)
- basil
- new plants growing tall
- that last bit of color before the sun totally leaves the horizon
- seedless grapes
- eggplants ~ don't know if I have ever tried one, but they are pretty
- the purple dude, from McDonald's YEARS and YEARS ago!
- purple hydrangea's mixed with blue ones
- a salad, colored like the rainbow, brought over when I was on bed rest with our oldest son
- a photo of a colorful rooster, because she knows I like them
- a stain glass rooster, that hung in my folks kitchen bay window for a time. Mom found it at a yard sale, thought of me, but decided to keep it for awhile. She passed it to me this July.
- almost anything stain glassed. Have a small lamp and light over the kitchen sink. Think I am a craftsman still home, loving girl!
- have seen a photo, and can't find it, of several arms showing the skin tones from white to dark brown. Struck me that we are all one race and just shades of brown. Loved it.
- Blankets I have made, over the years, that are colorful. Not sure I have ever made one that is a solid color. It's either variegated yarn (single strand of yarn or multiple strands) or several different solids put together for striping.
- colorful table clothes
- sunny spot in living room, where I am sitting, chaperoning an open book, history test
- mulled cider
- cool weather
- waking up in a good mood
- contemplating fall decorating
- friendship
- a nightlight
- one hanging over the hearth
- decoration in the foyer
- Christmas Barn Star tree topper
- Country Music and dancing
- blankets
- friends
- pre-cooked meals
- comfy clothes
- colored pens
- colored highlighters
- actually having had a C-Section with youngest kid almost 12 years ago. The memories of how to get out of bed, from that, served me well over the last few days
- enjoying vegetables is a good thing, when in a liquid/soft food diet
- kids that are trying to get along
- a husband who is picking up the "slack" that I've been dropping the last few days
- cool weather so we can have the windows open
- enjoying just vegging
- finding joy in others joy
- ladies, on a homeschooling board, sharing good wisdom. Not bothered by the load of questions asked or how to handle something. They are not showing signs of feeling drained by my questions of help.
- phone call from a local friend to check in on how I am doing
- SNAIL MAIL ~ wow, that alone speaks volumes. Someone took time to go buy a card AND write a message in it AND look up my address AND sign it. It is a dying art and I am truly thankful when someone does that for me. It's not over looked.
- seeing the numbers go down on the scale ~ thing it's about 43 pounds on the scale. For once I do not weigh significantly more than my husband. I am sure I will loose more as I recoup from surgery
- learning to plan ahead, both in events and meals ~ it saves time and frustration later
- great exchange of homeschooling ideas on Face Book
- kid seeing his savings account grow by choosing not spend, but save instead
- friends who understand how hard it can be to raise children into responsible adults
- using the advancement in technology as a benefit in our home school environment, even when the connections are loose and make it difficult!
- continued changing of summer colored leaves into fall colored leaves
- electricity to plug in a heating pad
- a ride to Micheal's for yarn
- knitting about 5 inches already (LOVE those big needles ~ 50 US)
- running into a friend, at Micheal's, of course in the yarn section
- gentle reprimands, from friends, today about doing to much
- being able to find movies to tie in with History (Amazing Grace)
- odd, but pleasant, mixture of sounds coming in the window (ice cream truck, train in the distance, neighborhood dogs)
- being able to eat a "normal" dinner
- FRIDAY
- cool, breezy day with windows open
- getting a few chores done
- trip to Springfield Butcher
- watching "Girl Meets World" with 6th grader while high schooler was at life group
- time to sit, knit, drink Earl Grey, and watch favorite shows
- boys mowing the lawn and doing a pretty good job
- getting the lawn reseeded
- grocery shopping (rather not on Sunday, but sometimes it needs to get done)
- being able to eat just a bit more
- glass of wine
- sitting with Kevin and just chatting
- kicking back, as a family, and watching a movie
- comfy clothes
- warm blankets
- kids working hard at school
- eating a real meal at dinner ~ what everyone else had, just smaller portions
- making it through most of the day before feeling like I needed a break
- Kevin making a Costco run on way home from work ~ love the Rotisserie Chicken
- time for sleep
- knitting (finishing one thing and starting something new)
- beautiful weather
- visual confirmation that the boys are growing by the stacks of clothing that are two short
- extra time to snuggle under a blanket
- more time to double check the "grocery lists"
- a quick school day despite the overcast day
- boy being rather independent today
- sounds of dog snoring
- teaching one son how to repair walls
- cleaning and organizing the basement a bit
- hanging out with kid while we shopped
- getting gas for under $3.00 a gallon
- coming home to a hot cup of Earl Gray
- watching my favorite Saturday shows
- helping another son organize his room
- Mom's birthday today
- Michelle's birthday as well
- Tomato soup that was crazy good (hope to be able to recreate it!)
- one son saying, "you look like you need a hug"! I probably did!
- our teen, with such a teen look, flashes the sign for "I Love You"; what a mix of expression
- Kevin pitching in, a lot, to help wrap the day up!
- finally having down time at 7:00 pm
- two hour nap
- extra coffee
- all sots of music out of Pandora today
- popping color in the trees
- picking up prescription for one kid
- some activities missed
- some activities still attended
- good doctors office
- phone calls
- oldest taking Algebra 1 final and getting a 96%
- youngest feeling better with ibuprofen
- watching "Girl Meets World" as it actually aired
- lovely weather
- compliments from friends
- cinching in paints just a bit more
- being able to fit in my "skinnier clothes"
- amazement over who's reading this blog
- grocery shopping
- getting a few homeschooling chores done
- grilled burgers
- fond memories of teenage girls
- same girls turning into proud moms of some great little kids
- moms of those same girls ~ are some wonderful ladies
- moms with toddlers
- music
- colorful trees
- successful trip to Salvation Army
- time to be able to shop alone, again today
- time to get caught up on grading school work
- bake ware that didn't cost a fortune
- finding clothes that fit, for cheap
- first batch of brownies baked in my pyrex from yesterday
- feeling skinny in the jeans I bought yesterday
- doctor saying I'm good to go after surgery (4 weeks ago)
- breakfast burritos for dinner
- a pretty good school day
- time for hanging out with friends tonight
- music in the background, almost all day
- mulling spices going all day
- saying, "I'm sorry"
- kids doing well in school
- brownies being brought to me while grading school work
- successful co-op today ~ boys learned about fire
- bunny trails
- memories of fun books
- being able to provide fun things for the boys
- last of the summer flowers
- leaf storms
- guys having a good weekend ahead of them
- time alone
- a bit of sewing
- catching up on odds and ends
- time to read
- "It's A Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown:
- crock pot dinners
- leaf blowers
- iced tea after working outside
- a good school day for oldest
- warm weather
- hearing the local high school band play
- windows open
- opportunity to try to rest
- boys working independently, most of the day
- photo worthy moon
- ladies bible study
- going for a walk with oldest
- being able to be specific in praise
- prayers for good sleep
- wispy clouds in a blue sky
- "Fiddler on the Roof" is almost here, making for two happy kids
- trying to make jam again
- not being worried at how long school took
- "Hobbit" references to our eating habits today
- walking the whole cluster of streets, just to find out the distance for our oldest
- one kid finally getting time with a friend of his
- walking another another neighborhood so another kid could hang out with a friend
- being able to eat pizza, just 5 weeks after surgery
- a heating pad on tired, worn out feet
- compliments
- having a church to hang out at
- getting those "steps" in while chatting with Kevin
- heating pad
- sleep
- compliments again today (on my haircut this time)
- silly things like being able to tuck a shirt in and it look okay
- being okay with a minimal amount of indoor chores getting done
- tasty taco mac dinner
- hoping for an early bed time
- time to myself
- boys having fun at things they like to do
- easy dinner
- smell of fresh baked bread
- finally bedtime
- oldest paying his own way at a youth event
- youngest getting work done in his room
- Kevin staying home, with youngest, so I could still go to my bible study
- pulling second loaf, of homemade bread, out of freezer
- grace that is sufficient for the moment
- at the end of the day, we're all safe and that is all that is really matters
- boys having a good, short school day
- brief moments to just sit at home
- dressing almost identical to my son today or he like me
- candy shared, just because
- how the weather changed so quickly with the strong winds coming through
- hearing that my favorite candle company is closing their doors, but thankful for the run they had; still stand by their product
- opening night for the boys
- seeing the boys having fun with friends
- boys learning how to entertain a crowd
- great show for the boys
- beautiful fall day
- chance to clear back yard of leaves
- very true coffee signs
- a quiet house
- blankets
- time to study
- time to read
- getting ahead on chores
- a steady stream of coffee
- planned meals
- easier school days
- a desperate attempt at organization
- finding some of the harder to find Christmas gifts
- homemade caramel macchiato
- joy of a favorite mug
- quietness
- beautiful shadows on the walls
- first fire of the year
- dog acting silly over her Kong
- seeing smiles on our teenagers face
- getting lots of little things done
- being able to wing a good dinner
- hearing our dog snore, while sleeping in front of the fire
- another few hours of down time with out our kids
- time to see friends this afternoon, even briefly
- time this evening to see more friends
- rough days
- seeing our boys show, just as parents, no show jobs
- trying really hard to not sing along with each song
- potting a Christmas Catus, into a larger pot
- waiting on a couple "new" Christmas Catus to sprout roots
- homemade lasagna made by a friend
- dinner with friends
- home made soup
- the starts of lasagna simmering all afternoon
- hopefully last round of leafs mostly dealt with
- time spent with friends after the show
- bread baked
- making my version of lasagna
- moments of cleaning
- Eagle Court of Honor for a friend's son
- time with some family for dinner
- early pj time and watching a movie
- boys getting to sleep in
- lots of cleaning getting done
- Kevin swinging by Costco
- tacos for dinner
- beautiful sunrise
- catching a lady bug
- being able to open up the house for awhile today
- fast acting coffee
- flexibility to adapt to life's changes
- time to sit and be
- cleaner carpeting
- cleaner rugs
- a dog, finally content to be inside (more in and out all day long)
- weather that keeps people home
- quick feeling therapy
- ending of "one" season and beginning of another
- warm breakfast on a cold day
- family to hang out with
- good food
- time off from normal things
- shopping on Black Friday
- traditional, after Thanksgiving sandwich ~ turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce
- easy drive home
- possible break from blogging
- 15yo being able to reach the top of the Christmas tree
- Christmas decorations going up
- lots of shopping
- sandpaper that never got put away
- razor blades to pop off glue
- strands of 35 bulbs that still works after many years
- everyone is healthy
- cars are in working order
- it was a "crutch" list sort of day
- ladies brunch
- Christmas decorating
- cookie making
- cleaning
- Children's Christmas Program
- meals
- shopping
- getting the Christmas village up on the mantle
- shopping to find the "hard to find plain Christmas M&M's"
- son making cookies
- boys wearing Santa hats all day
- new outdoor bows
- running into an "old" friend
- teen having fun at a friends house
- being able to crawl into bed late
- teen making a fire and keeping it going
- no rehearsal day
- time to knit
- almost quiet house
- enjoying literature with the boys
- good school day
- fun catching up with a "therapy friend"
- a trusty handy ma taking car of a reoccurring problem
- school full of laughter
- handyman enjoying our history lesson today
- school finished, graded and put a way by 3:00 PM with a late start
- time to watch Christmas videos
- some chores already done
- beautiful morning
- school went well
- sold a few things through Facebook
- wrapped a few gifts
- homemade chicken nuggets
- snow blower card (Christmas card with a balloon in it)
- running into a friend while grocery shopping
- different son making different cookies
- starting laundry early
- double yoked egg
- favorite Christmas music (12/16/14)
- bonus
- cleaning stove
- mixing up the school day
- getting caught up on grading high school work
- finding therapy is cancelled the week of Christmas
- slow morning
- homemade chocolate sauce
- homemade ketchup
- waffles for dinner
- individual pizzas
- cool shadows on the wall
- growing veggies from bottoms of veggies (celery and romaine lettuce)
- watching "Elf"
- homemade meatballs
- games with the family
- homemade ice cream
- wine
- writing out Christmas Cards
- "Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" in the same day
- lunch out
- driving the neighborhood and looking at lights
- caught up on a few computer chores
- hanging Christmas cards we received
- naps
- country roads
- "The Shadow"
- memories of my grandparents
- crazy Christmas Eve shopping
- traditional Christmas Eve PJ's given
- missed all other traditions
- presents
- cinnamon rolls
- lots of movies
- candy
- beef roast and veggies
- an unexpected day to clean and put away stuff
- kid sitting with dad so they could do their individual devotions together
- brilliant orange sunrise
- laundry day surprises
- day off from school
- sleeping in
- watching "Beauty and the Beast" Cast One Video
- patience
- medicine
- progress in our bathroom
- good dinner
- time to hang out
- another movie marathon
Below is the list from the random page; trying to consolidate and clean up the blog:
- Sound of ice dropping into the freezer bucket ~ LOVE my iced coffee
- a quiet house after all have gone to bed
- how much noisier nature seems after a thunderstorm
- bedtime
- completing a 5K run/walk for the first time ~ in under 52 minutes ~ 8/30/14
- noticing in a photo, how a Lucille Ball metal sign is totally visible! Brought a smile to me.
- thunderstorms, snuggling kid, and shivering dog ~ what a combination!
- hanging out at Burke Lake Park for the Grace Group Kick Off ~ 9/4/14
- Tae Kwon Do testing ~ two red belts now ~ 9/6/14
- missing a gorgeous sunset because we went to the 6:00 PM service; at least friends posted to face book ~ 9/7/14
- making a bottle rocket launch 20 feet into the air ~ 9/10/14
- kids testing well in school this week 9/19/14
- boy scout rank advancement and merit badges earned ~ 9/23/14
- windows open, coffee brewed, candles going ~ 9/24/14
Awesome list!
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