Fall Crafting and Craziness is in the Air

I'm so behind in my blogging lately. I'd love to say it's because I've been on an exotic vacation or secluded away somewhere writing a book, but reality is that September gets me every year.  Without a doubt, it's the most hectic time of the year for our family.  Every event is up and running and between Open Houses at schools, athletic games, and meetings for scouts and Bible studies, we are never home.  Last week, there was one evening in which we had six events from three in the afternoon until eight thirty at night with only two drivers and three children.  We had to make a spreadsheet to figure out who went where with who!

Of course, I say every September that it's going to get better, but then again it comes around and hits me like a ton a brinks.  Add to the picture the fact that with Mr. C playing football, he's not home until six fifteen most nights and twice a week we have events starting at that exact same time.  Can you say dinner in shifts?  Last Friday night, we were finally home together for dinner at the same time so I made homemade Chicken and Dumplings courtesy of Boomama and they were "slap your momma" good as she would say!  Everyone loved them!

In addition to cleaning out closets and rearranging drawers of late, I've gotten the crafting bug and have been itching to make a few new things for myself and for gifts. I'm desperate to make a new wreath for my front door and have some great "fall" fabrics that I think will really pop.  After a trip to my favorite knitting shop, I also have some fabulous yarn to make a gift that for a special event this winter.  Yeah!

While I've yet to get very far with either of the craft items yet, it brings me great joy to know that they are standing ready for me to dig in.  I have deadlines in my mind for both so if I don't want to pull all nighters, I better get started.

Before I start feeling sorry for myself, I should say that while my calendar has been crazy busy lately I've also been able to have a few "fun dates" with my husband, my father, and friends.  P and I snuck out one day to see the movie "The Help" and loved every minute of our matinee.  My dad and I had a walk down memory lane at one of my grandfather's favorite burger joints that "fly boys" frequent and loved remembering how much he enjoyed this hole in the wall that has now become a fabulous family diner.  Just wish my grandpa could have been there to shared the fries with us.

I've also been able to grab a few fun lunch dates/coffee dates with friends and have really enjoyed some sweet fellowship and fun shopping trips.  Next week it's lunch out with my mom, maybe even a little "shopping" on the side.  Girl time is so worth it!

I'll never complain about the newness of September and the start of my mom's Bible study groups. This sweet time with other women studying God's word makes all the crazy hectic days of the month worth the chaos.

Fall Family Fun

Last Halloween post I promise. Jeez, for a girl who doesn't like the holiday, I've written about it and taken more pictures of it then I would have thought possible.

This weekend, the girls carved their pumpkins. Dad was thrilled with the little carving kit that I found at the grocery store. Who knew its claim that "works better than kitchen knives" would prove to really be true! Miss A wanted a beard with her pumpkin face, Miss M did all her own cutting, and Dad did the yucky job of digging the pulp and seeds out.

We tried roasting the seeds, but it wasn't a stellar performance by the mother, so alas, no pictures.

Nana did present the best looking pumpkin cake ever, complete with a ice cream cone stem! Way to go Nana. The girls loved it and, when Mr. C returned from church camp, he was duly impressed with your baking skills. At least once, I admitted I hadn't made it myself.

Mr C arrived in town Sunday at 5:00 p.m. and was just in time to join up with his buddies and spray paint their hair green alien style. He did admit that the alien glasses didn't help his vision much! I love the originality of the costume and the fact that it involved no blood, gore, or scary masks. Guess this year he left the blood up to his youngest sister. (That's a joke Miss A. we love you!)

Miss M was trick or treating with her posse of girls and she too made up her own costume. "The Thing" also known as the NU quarterback/ballerina with zebra leggings and high fashion sunglasses. She was beyond thrilled with her look so we were too!! Miss M had a great time at a Harvest Pot Luck before hitting the streets and loved that she scored 6 full-sized candy bars and the most original prize; an organic pop tart. No one has been brave enough yet to try it.

I'm just happy that now we don't have to be crafty or creative with costumes for another whole year!!

Pumpkin Bars and Raking Leaves Can Only Mean One Thing....

Fall is here. Just ask my allergies. The wind yesterday at our Block Party caused me to wake up this morning unable to breathe. Seriously, my nose was so blocked up I couldn't even sneeze.

Love Ya Fall.

However, I'll forgive you if you keep giving me excuses to make Pumpkin Bars, Apple Crisp(recipes to come tomorrow) and Cowboy Potato Wedges, BBQ Shredded Beef Sandwiches, and other yummy stuff. I was getting a little bored with my summer lineup of food choices so I'm welcoming the new. I'm embracing this new season as a time to try new recipes and dig out the family fall favorites.

I'm hoping that next week I might even be able to have a pot of soup on the stove all day and bask in the aromas. I've used the crock pot a few times already for some great recipes I found over on my new favorite recipe sight Tasty Kitchen. You've got to check it out. The recipes are great and the pictures make them come alive.

Tonight, I'm trying a new recipe for Moo Shu Noodles. My hubby loves Moo Shu Pork at Chinese restaurants so I thought this might make him happy. Tomorrow, we are trying the Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps as a way to mix up our boring old taco routines. For Fall, I'm going to make Taco Tuesday in one form or another. M has dance and gets home late and the my husband has meetings for church on some Tuesday nights so I thought it would be fun to try different variations of "tacos" on that night; easy, fun and are able to be eaten in shifts.

A and P were busy last week raking up some our leaves. This is the first fall we've really had to worry about the leaves as our tree is still young and, normally, the weather takes care of the leaves. This year, we had a fungus get to our leaves and we need to make sure they are picked up as they fall; leaving none on the ground to get into the ground soil, dirt and recreate ugly leaves next spring.

Why is that when kids are willing to do the work, they are normally at an age when they add time to the project rather than skill. A was so thrilled to be using her Little Tykes Rake and being a "big helper" that she volunteered for the task and gave dad 20 kisses to thank him for the chance to "rake." Gotta love the enthusiasm.

A's school had Western Week and she was thrilled to get on a cowgirl outfit complete with horse. She was a little bummed that we did not have cowboy boots to carry off the look, but I promised as soon as we got a horse she could get boots. Not sure she fell for that idea.

Welcome Fall. Plan on staying around a long time. I'm not ready to welcome your friend Old Man Winter anytime soon!!

September Hello!! Details Later.

I can't believe we are half way through the month of September. Where has the time gone?

I really meant to update you on my knitting project and the fact this is my third attempt at this blanket. You read that right. I had to ripe it all out two times. Not happy camper.

However, now, I seem to be getting the hang of it; as long as there are no dropped stitches I'm good. Still don't know how to fix my mistakes.

We've started our Grace Based Parenting Bible Study. I spoke in front of the group twice. True God Thing that I did not throw up on anyone. It's really good.

My Mom's Bible Study at School, Bible Study at Church, Sunday School Class, Wednesday Night Activites, Piano Lessons and Dance classes for kids and my little old Brownie troop have all started. That's where September went; lost in all the meetings/activities.

I promise a more cohesive and interesting post later this week. ( for all three of you who have come here) But I've got another meeting tonight!!! Yippee.

Yes I have to speak in public once again. YUCK!!!