All Grown Up

Maybe it's just me, maybe it's because I wasn't there,

maybe I'm in denial, maybe because I'm so proud,

but my oldest seems to be all grown up.

He got an idea.

He asked Zach if there was any chance they could go fishing this past weekend.

Of course, my husband was just as excited to go,

but they decided to leave the boat at home and fish from shore.

Patience of a almost six year old yielded the one and only fish.

We are all so proud, he casted and reeled it all by himself.

His first question out of his mouth was, "Can I eat it?"

So my men came back from the fishing trip with one fish

and Zach filleted it and fried it for him to eat.

I did snatch a small bite and told him how wonderful it tasted.

I was told, "Don't worry mom, next time I'll catch even more so you can have some."

My little man made me smile.

What a wonderful person he is growing into to

and what a fisherman he is becoming.

Carmel Apples Anyone?

Some of my fondest fall memories as a kid

was making carmel apples, jumping into leaf piles,

and carving pumpkins.

Naturally, things don't always go exactly how you plan them with children,

which can sometimes be harder than it seems to 'let go'. 

I do recall saying out loud when I was at my wits end,

"I'm trying to create happy memories!"

After feeling bad for having a 'mommy dearest' moment(no wire hangers invovled),

I sliced apples and let the kids dip into the left over carmel.

Carmel did get all over...clothes, arms, faces, and hair.

But the loss of control and the sticky counters was the worth the smiles...

and hopefully, some happy memories.

(This picture doesn't do her face justice...it was covered in carmel!)

View from the hammock

Here's the beautiful views from the hammock.

 

This is the most beautiful time of year to take a few minutes each day and enjoy it.



A Perfect Night

We had a wonderful night with dad on Wednesday night.

We cooked our supper over the fire and had a great night.

My little princess and my little girl enjoying the fall leaves.

Our dinner cooking over the fire.

We had the best orange teriaki turkey ever, paired up with some buttery potatoes.

A little game of beach ball soccer occurred on our dead end road.

My oldest showing off his skills learned on the playground.

This face was all smiles, until....

Dad kicked it a bit too hard.  Ooops.

Don't be fooled, it was really up there.

I tried to get it down with baseballs, but to no avail.

We decided to let the wind take it down.

All in all, a wonderful night with the whole family.

A Productive Day

Well, it's two thirty and I feel pretty accomplished already today.

The girls and I started our morning off by doing applesauce.

 I didn't have to scrub any of the apples today...my little princess washed them all.

We broke out the Pampered Chef apple peeler-corer-slicer today.

All it needed was a little adjustment to fit the apples and the whole process went really quick.

I'm so thankful for my great new tool...thanks Dad and Mom.

My little girl stayed right by my side the whole time to catch any scraps:)

I'm happy with my applesauce yield and think I'm actually done canning for the year.

Since it was already hot in the kitchen, I turned on the oven

and decided granola had to be made.

Of course, I usually don't turn on the oven for just one thing

 so I whipped up a batch of pizza dough for lunch.

And last, but certainly, not least, I worked on my little girls vest.

The most advanced thing I've knitted so far. 

I'm now at the really difficult part...sleeves and the hood.

I'll keep you posted and how the process is going.

Well, I'm thinking some caffeine may be in order for the afternoon. 

Enjoy the rest of your day.