Gratitude

This is what I found on the table next to the mint chocolate chip cookies for Santa. There was also a pie pan full of carrots for the reindeer.

Frosty Trees

Winter Berries

Out my window

Icycle

Snow on a post!

My Exercise Partners

In this picture I am enjoying the fall weather, just before the snow came. During Thanksgiving it snowed and snowed and snowed. So much so, that the weatherman declared it the snowiest November, EVER! I will post some snow pictures this week and let you see what we are enjoying. The only problem is that my outdoor exercise has been greatly reduced.

Lake Roosevelt, November 2010

Rail Fence

Fallen Leaves

Dew Drops in the Pines

Hall Creek

I decided to take the photowalk challenge. I saw this challenge from Darcy, she says, "Have you ever done a photowalk? Have you ever challenged yourself to walk around with your camera and consider the world around you differently through your lens?  I challenge each of you, if you’ve never done one before – load up the kids in the wagon or stroller, strap that camera on and be intentional about seeking photo opportunities in your own backyard."
I realize I am behind in my Everyday Beauty posts for this year. I am suppose to post a picture weekly of something I find beautiful from where I live. I guess with the cold weather, the leaves falling off the trees, the flowers in my garden black with frost, got me in a rut. Then I read this post and was inspired again.

Owl Cookies

We brought treats to the school Halloween party. We are fortunate enough to live in such a remote area that kids are still allowed to bring homemade treats. This was prohibited at all the other schools my kids have attended. Everything had to be prepackaged and from the store. We made these owl cookies with candy corn beaks and mini chocolate chip eyes. We were fortunate enough to have a cookie cutter, but if you don't, you can make them with an owl template. They would be wonderful for your family or friends, a Halloween party, or owl themed birthday.  We got this idea from Sunset magazine.

Homemade Halloween Costume

My daughter wanted to be popcorn for Halloween. This was after she saw me looking on the Pottery Barn website for Halloween costumes. I did not want to pay over fifty dollars for a costume. Besides, my mom always made my costume for me growing up and I loved wearing them. So I did a little research, surfed the web, and came up with this...

I used an old box, cut a hole in the top for her head and holes in the sides for her arms. Then we painted the box white with acrylic paint. I was going to paint the stripes on with red acrylic paint, but noticed that the paint seemed to scratch easily since it was a glossy box. I went the colored duct tape route. Next, I opened up my computer program; the print shop deluxe, created the popcorn banner, and printed it out with my color printer. I attached it to the front and back using packaging tape.

For the finishing touch, we popped some popcorn and hot glued it onto the top! Let's just hope she doesn't eat the popcorn while at her school Halloween party.

The other daughter started reading the Guardians of Ga'hoole books at the start of school this fall. Then the movie came out and she changed her mind from wanting to be a witch for Halloween to a Barn Owl. So I turned again to my trusty Google search and found these easy directions for an owl costume. I put my own spin on this by creating wings. She does not like the mask on the original website so we will create our own.

Everyday Beauty

I really love the yellows that are popping out this fall against the deep green of the pines. This is my weekly post for something beautiful in my town. Happy Fall everyone.

In the spirit of Halloween

Just adding a little bit of black and white for this month!

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

The colors of fall are arriving, along with cooler temperatures and crisp autumn mornings. My girls were able to take a field trip, with their school, this week to the pumpkin patch. We have made applesauce, from the tree in the backyard; tomato sauce, from produce in the garden; and canned pears, with fruit from Sherman Creek Orchard.

One Hip P.E. class!

When I took physical education class at my Jr. High, the coolest thing we did was walk to the bowling alley and knock down some pins. Here the kids get to shoot a few arrows. This is right below my house. Flying arrows from a bunch of kids. I think it is totally cool. Only the most respected P.E. teacher could pull this off. When I took bowling class the teacher gave us our grades based upon our bowling score. Let me tell you, had it not been for those gutter balls, I would have gotten straight A's. I missed straight A's for the semester because of my bowling score? Couldn't she take into account my willingness to participate and my enthusiasm for the game?
I don't think I would be any better at archery.

Mother's Day Flower

My daughter planted this for my mother's day present. It is finally blooming in mid-September. There have been several rain-showers to soak the ground and scare the girls. (They don't like the thunder.) I love the dimension of the water drops on the petals.

School Daze

I have been in a daze with the start of school. Where did my summer go? When did my girls get so mature? I always tell them to stop growing, but they never listen to me. Homework is plentiful around these parts with two full time students. Last night my daughter said she didn't like homework. I tartly reminded her she better get use to it. She will be doing it until she graduates from college!

Llama, Llama

One of our favorite books is Llama, Llama red pajama. We talk about how the baby llama sits in bed waiting for his mama. Baby llama wants tucked in, he wants a drink, and then, he gets so impatient, he yells! Boy, have I ever been there and done that. A thousand times. I tell my kids that even Mama llama needs some time. She has to do the dishes and lots of other chores when the baby is in bed. Then I tell them how important it is to go to sleep! But, not without a hug first.

Buck

Let's hope his name does not predict any future catastrophes. I rode this beautiful horse and it was amazing.
I list it as one of the funnest rides I have had. I felt comfortable, at ease, and not uptight like I did when I rode another horse last month. Buck and I were a good match. We didn't compete for boss status, he knew I was boss. He executed my commands with precision. I will miss you, Buck when riding season comes to an end.

Eat it up: Spinach-Stuffed Shells

This is the second of two recipes from the July/August 2006 edition of Simple & Delicious. These recipes that I am sharing have been tried and approved by my family. I have made them more than once. This means that my husband likes them and the kids will eat them. (Small issue with the 5 year old and spinach.) Both the enchiladas and stuffed shells are recipes that I made in the morning, put in the fridge and then popped in the oven right before dinner.

Spinach-Stuffed Shells from Debbie Herbert

15 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 envelope white sauce mix (I used a package of Alfredo sauce since I couldn't find white sauce at my grocery store or you could make your own white sauce.)
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 package fresh spinach
1 tbs. shredded Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, prepare white sauce according to package directions, set aside. Cook spinach, drain and set aside.
In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, mozzarella, egg, basil, garlic powder, pepper and spinach. Pour half the white sauce into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish.
Drain pasta; stuff each shell with 2 tbs. spinach mixture. Arrange over sauce. Top with remaining white sauce. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Yield: 5 Servings.

Rope Swing

We love going to the lake and using this rope swing that someone fastened in a tree that grows out over the lake.