Finished

Our mudroom is finally done (and by "done" I mean that there is still some baseboard left to put up, more painting that needs to be done, nail holes to be filled, and artwork to be hung (in our world anything that is really close to being finished is celebrated (and usually celebrated so well that we somehow neglect to actually go back and finish it (once again reaffirming that whatever it is is in fact finished)))).



This bench was my idea and creation (and a mighty good one if I do say so myself).



It is perfect for holding all those winter hats and mittens.



And it also works well as a put-on-your-shoes-take-off-your-shoes resting spot.



Yes, it feels really good it have this room all done before winter is here. Hopefully it will help keep us a little more organized this year.

Baseball With My Boy

Sunrise

(photo by Ryan)

Sunset

At our house (photo by Ryan).

Found a New Park...

Tonight

Our celebratory dinner... to honor Ryan's successful hunting weekend and a year's worth of venison eating.

Ham and Potato Soup...

getting two big thumbs up.

Ham and Potato Soup Recipe
2 tbsp of butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup cubed ham
1/4 tsp thyme
3 (or more) large potatoes peeled and sliced
3 cups of chicken broth
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup of milk
Salt and pepper

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ham, thyme, potatoes, and stock. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes. The potatoes should be broken up and slightly mushy. Add the cheese and milk and stir until the cheese melts (5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.

My New (Old) Chalkboard

I have really been wanting a kitchen chalkboard to help keep me on track with meals. All the ones I had been admiring were pretty expensive. Then it dawned on me that I could remake our mirror. This mirror use to hang above the couch at our old house but now we have windows behind our couch so there wasn't a spot for it. I hung it in the kitchen just because I needed something to hang there, not necessarily because it was a good spot for it. Anyway, since we don't really need a mirror in our kitchen, and since I love the frame, I thought it would make the perfect chalkboard.



All I did was have Ryan cut me a board the size of the opening and then painted with chalkboard paint. I removed the mirror and added chalkboard. Pretty easy. I am thinking about doing the same thing for the hallway upstairs and just buying a framed mirror/picture at the thrift store (with a frame I like).

And now I have a place to plan our meals for the week. Love it.

Morning Walk

Moving Right Along...

As I figured out last year since I am able to get into the holiday spirit so early, that gives me over two months to feel festive. Not necessarily in a Santa Claus jingle bells sort of way (though that does come too- and very soon). But definitely in a happily anticipating all the celebrating and family moments that are just ahead sort of way.



And since we are hosting Thanksgiving again this year, it is probably time to start planning.



A few things I am thinking about so far...

~Homemade pull apart dinner rolls
~Old fashioned bread stuffing (not sure if Ryan will go for this though)
~Next day turkey panini (for day two)

Yes, I do love planning. Especially for a holiday.

Trick or Treating

My Buzzing Bumblebees

Sunday Morning Family Time

Puzzles
Books
Pajamas
Tea
Pandora

A few hours of our morning I don't want to forget.

Pumpkin Party

A New Day

The house is clean. The sun is shinning. I am down to one happy child (the other happy one went to preschool). I have a moment to breathe. Today is Friday.