I Take Requests

When I got to boot camp on Friday morning I got requests, blog more attic. Apparently it's stinkin' funny. For other people. We spent hours upstairs today. Hubby laid new lino on the floor. It was on Lowe's clearance for .04 per square foot. It is actually really nice, faux wood that match our real wood floors. I am going through things and still considering a yard sale.
We keep telling ourselves how great it will be when it is finished.

Some of Sam's favorites, his gear bear and a snake that he hid, trying to scare his mama to death. He tried for years, I am still here.

Gallon ziploc bags filled with GI Joe weapons. Doesn't everyone have these in their attic? Oh, and we have a gallon bag of GI Joe helmets too. Don't you?

My going away outfit for our honeymoon, Hubby's too. Wrinkled but okay. It's a keeper. My Mom has hers and it is darling.

Sam's cast from when he broke his leg, over 18 years ago. Trash. Do not ask why I kept it. Sometimes there is no explanation for my actions.

We loved the Bop It game. It's a keeper. Max, Jordan and Tess could entertain themselves for hours at the cabin. It is fun! I want to play with Caleb and Emilyn.

More to come, trash or treasures. You decide.

Birthin' Blogs

Wow, new bloggers are very serious. I will be adding them to my sidebar when they get busy writing. They weren't the only ones learning something new. I learned a new word tonight. 'Twiningle', a word that is for moms with twins and singles. Who knew? I also learned that my sweet little hometown has a ghetto. Who knew?

Group shot taken by the Snapsister.

Jodi had her shirt made special for tonight. Every blogger has that thought several times a day.
I was really happy Jerrie came. I couldn't have helped everyone fast enough.
Lastly, my dear sister Becky closed her blog, then I go and offer help. I thought she was done with blogging. Turns out she just needs some help. She is so going to get one on one help, or maybe dinner or a shopping trip or a coffee, well something to make it up to her. Sorry Becky.
A fun evening where once again I am blessed by talented women.

Newbies

This morning Hubby and I went to Lowe's. The attic project is not without costs. Or headaches. Moving right along though and tomorrow will be a big work day. While at Lowe's I scored a sweet little chandlier. For my laundry room. I have always wanted one in there as that is where I spend my days and nights.

This evening new blogs will be birthed, or something like that. I invited some friends, who have wanted to start their own blog, to visit the stone house tonight. Some regular bloggers are also coming. They heard and wanted in on the fun. The more the merrier, I say. It's not too late, seven tonight at the Stone House. One of the Snapsisters is coming to give photo tips too. Tomorrow I should have new friends listed on my sidebar.

At boot camp this morning I got blog post requests. Apparently, my attic stuff is interesting reading. More to come.

Weather Woman

Don't you just love my snow picture. I place one toe out the door and click. Take it or leave it. It's cold outside.

I have never made any secret of the fact that I love snow. So, it is a late February snow storm, I still enjoy it. Today at the museum where I am employed, one of the docents, who shall remain nameless, decided that since I love snow, this is all my fault. He grumbled at me for being the cause of the snow.
Well, just for the record, I don't control the weather. Truly, I don't. If I did I would not be working for a small town nonprofit museum. I would be selling myself to brides and farmers! Duh!
So, dear, ahem, cough, cough, docent whose initials are BB, cough, I am capable of making many things happen but controlling the weather isn't one of them. Sorry.
Enjoy the snow! Isn't is pretty?

My Collection of Hats

Yesterday I mentioned the hat collection. Ooooh. As we continue to dig our way out of this mess, I laid out all the hats. I had packed them away by color. Some are pretty squished. Some are in bad shape, hey they are old. Some are still very pretty.
So, here is the question, do I pack them back up and leave them in the attic? Bring them to the thrift store? Donate them to the museum costume shop or the theatre? Sell them on ebay or esty? I could use the cash for this project.
I am really stumped on this one. I have a lot of hats. They may have been procreating in the attic. Seriously.

A hat box heaping with pinks-all shades.
A hat box of creams and tans, anyone?
Basic black for funeral or a small velvet, beaded cocktail hat, anyone?
One of my favorites, a chocolate brown velvet with a satin bow.
Ideas? Anyone?

Stuff

I think I have mentioned that I was thinking about starting a project. Today, we began. Notice the first sentence is I, I, I, and the next sentence is WE. My poor Hubby. Trust me when I tell you there is no turning back now. Hubby and I emptied the attic this afternoon. It needs flooring, the eaves closed off and all boxes need to be sorted into plastic bins.
What were we thinking? It was all messy and hidden, and should have been left alone.
This is all leading up to a bedroom switcharoo, painting and organizing. Sounds like a lot of work to me.

Why do we keep the things that we do? Jerrie recently wrote about this subject. Sometimes I keep things for years and then suddenly give them away. I don't know why.

First up, boxes of my hat collection. After college I furnished my apartments with garage sale finds and while shopping for furniture I bought ladies' hats. Some are cute, some pretty, some are in bad shape. All are in jeopardy of getting the boot.

After graduating from high school my parents gave me luggage. I still have the weekend case. This suitcase has been to college, visited friends' parents on weekends, gone to the Bahamas, New York City, Hawaii over and over, on my honeymoon, to Disney Land and World, to the hospital for a surgery and when I had my babies. It's last trip was to Las Vegas where my sisters-in-law made fun of the relic. My dear MIL bought me luggage for my next birthday. I use the new but just can't give up my American Tourister Weekender.

Before we were married I wrote Hubby many love letters. They're sweet.

I have a stack of Holly Hobby plates from my bedroom when I was growing up. And I am saving these, why?

My Cinderella charm bracelet from Disneyland. And my Mickey Mouse ears with 'Tami' embroidered on the back.

I came across a pack of Valentines that Max received from his first grade class. Okay, now this is sweet. Cassidy is his special valentine NoW.

These are my Dale and Dawn dolls. I made them clothes from my Mom's sewing scraps. Wasn't polyester great? No hemming!

The decision making is exhausting. The memories are priceless. There is more but I'll stop for now...

Balancing Laundry and Budget

This Monday morning conversation-
Max-Mom
Me-Hhmmm.
Max-The laundry fairy came. In the night.
Me-No, what came in the night is something else. A laundry fairy would do the laundry.
Max- Well, you better go in there.
How does it pile up so quickly? On Saturday afternoon everything was washed, folded, pressed and cLeAn!
On a happier note.
I got a new chair. So, if I am using the laptop, watching tv, paying bills, I am on my exercise ball. Balancing and strengthening my core while balancing the budget. I laughed at Melinda but now I am doing it myself. I like it.


I have a turkey in the oven today. LuckY me. Pretty much all I will have to cook this week. Stuffing is in the crock pot too.

Wanna Be a Blogger?

If you are interested in a bloggers' night. Please let me know asap...
I am thinking this Friday night at my place.
Bring camera, lap top, ideas. I know some of you have talked to me about getting started. Here is your chance.
If you don't have a lap top let me know, I have a few here. To use. Not to take home, silly.

Other bloggers, could you come and help others get started?

It's easy. It's fun. Tea and wine and snacks, of course!

PS- I will have a regular post later today, gotta run.

Teen Night

Hana, Cass, Max, Alex, and Sam
Last night we had some guests for dinner. I wasn't sure if Blake and Levi were coming too, so I made plenty. Three to five extra teens for dinner leads to two pork roasts, 2 lbs of asparagus, 7 pounds of potatoes, 2 pints of applesauce and a bag of frozen corn. Brownie sundaes for dessert. My sis Jodi and BIL Bill are in Vegas, their kids are fine. Just irratated that their mom is texting all the time. They're fine. Really. It was fun listening to them.
I roast asparagus. Easy. Here's how, wash, snap, drizzle olive oil, black pepper and seasoning salt. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. I made extra, turns out none of our guests eat asparagus, Sam and Max happily finished it off.

My Blog Book

I have mentioned that I went to Blurb and slurped. So exciting. So fun. So easy. Visit blurb, load their BookSmart program and 'slurp' your blog. Then edit. So fun. So easy. Then order. Wait for package.




Some of my pages could be consolidated, so I went from 420 pages to 350 before publishing. You can preview my book by going to my side bar, and at the bottom of the page, click on preview.
I am technically challenged so people, trust me when I say it was a real coup for moi to figure this out. All credit goes to Blurb and BookSmart.
I am going to have a blog evening at my house for those of you who live local and want to set up your own blog. Let me know if you want to join the fun! I've had some interest so let's get busy.
Becky, I did use the hand model tricks this time. Better?

Randomness

My friend, Anna Greta knitted these socks for me. I swear I put them on and I feel instantly happy. Especially when I put them on with my pink crocs and I know I get to stay home all day. Happy feet!
Yesterday was a day to regroup after Love Week. There wasn't a lot of sleep last week and way too much yummy food. So...
I went to Boot Camp, visited with a friend on the phone, napped for a long hour, put dishes back in the cabinet, made dinner (I should have taken pics and shared because it's a new recipe and sooo good). Next time.
I walked with my Hubby. Laundry, lot of laundry, no really a ton of laundry was done. I crawled in bed at 8:00 p.m. Started a new book, Nice to Come Home To by Rebecca Flowers. Talked to Danny in Michigan, he sounded really good and is talking about moving West. That makes this Mama sooo happy!
A nice day for recovery. Today, I'll get busy.
Oh, and today I should get a package delivered by Fed Ex. Love packages! I'll share more about my package this week.

Love Week Recap

It was a good Love Week at the Stone House. I hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day too.

Flowers for Max's special valentine.

Emilyn and I made Valentines, I made Hubby's.

Snowshoeing was soooo fun, except when I was sliding down an embankment towards the river. Bad moment. After he saved my life, Hubby decided it was time for a glass of wine and lunch on the trail. I didn't argue.

Family Sunday dinner with Adelene and my guys was really fun.

I think Spring cleaning comes after Love Week. Or maybe I need a week to just float. I am coming up with a master plan for the upstairs, putting together some rearranging and painting ideas for this summer. Very frugal ideas, of course. Economic crisis or not, I need a project...

Family Valentine Dinner

For our family Valentine's dinner my theme this year was wording found on vintage valentines.
You're outta this world, Valentine.
I'd go anywhere with you, Valentine.
You make my world go 'round, Valentine.
I used my souvenir plates that I have collected from thrift stores and yard sales. For the centerpiece, an old globe, postcards, maps, and some small souvenir vases. And of course, hearts.

Our friend, Adelene with Max and Sam. When I mentioned that Ad was coming for Sunday dinner, Sam had an instant response, "Oh good!"

Favors are the small Whitman box of chocolates that I wrapped up and tied to look like suitcases. They are the place cards as names are on the luggage. Everyone had a different destination.
The menu:
Heart shaped Meatloaf
Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
Green Beans
Berry Jello
Caesar Salad-Sam loves it.
Texas Toast-hey, it was a travel theme.
Dessert is always a heart shaped cake. Cherry chip with mock whipped cream frosting. Hubby loves it.

It's Valentine's Day!

Yesterday Hubby and I went snowshoeing for our anniversary. It was a fun day-nice weather, beautiful scenery and good company. We hope to do more snowshoeing. I am finished with downhill but I still love the snow.

Hubby and I have dinner with friends tonight. Tomorrow we celebrate with our guys and special friend, Adelene, in honor of single awareness day.

And what am I wearing for Love Week?Happy Valentine's Day! I {heart} you!

Really, He's a Lover Not a Fighter

During Love Week I ask my guys, "Anyone special?" "Need help with Valentine's Day this year?"
"No Mom."
Hey, I am just trying to help.
This year Max came to me, looking for help. Yay! I love to help with Valentines. Last night it was fun for me to help Max with his special Valentine. It wasn 't that long ago that I had all my little boys at the table addressing valentines for their classmates.
More Love Week...
Hubby and I are going on an outing today to celebrate our anniversary. Details later.

A Sweet Love Week Recipe

Delicious and pretty for Valentine's Day, these bars are a favorite. Have tea with someone you love this week or make yourself a cup and enjoy!
Cherry Nut Bars
Pastry:
1 C. flour
3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1/2 C. butter
Filling:
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. nuts (No nuts allowed in baked goods here- my guys don't like them.)
1/2 c. quartered maraschino cherries
Mix flour, sugar and butter and press into greased 8 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Mix together remaining ingredients and spread over the top of baked pastry. (No need to cool pastry.) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.
*Here is where I change the recipe.
You knew I would.
I make a frosting from powdered sugar and the maraschino cherry juice. This recipe doesn't call for the frosting but that is the way my Mom made them, so I do too.

Hhmmm...

Apparently, someone at my house forgot that it is Love Week. I've always said I am so happy that I had boys. No bitchycat fighting with guys, they just slug it out.

Well, now, that bit me in the butt, didn't it?

In the words of Hubby, who has said this many times over the years of parenting three boys, "Well now, I think we've all learned a valuable lesson here."

Yep.
Heaps remorse.

If you don't know, don't ask.
Back soon for regularly scheduled, Love Week.

Love Week cont.

Today for boot camp we warmed up in the gym, used our weights, did our push ups and then ran to get coffee. We picked up our preordered drinks and walked, briskly back. It was such a treat, it's such a fun group of women. Oh, and one guy, can't forget our leader, Robb. He's fun too, it's what he has us do, that isn't always fun. Love boot camp!
Speaking of fun guys, Pete and Bob. Today Bob's wife, Anna Greta, is bringing lunch to the museum to celebrate Bob's 87Th birthday. Anna Greta, is an excellent cook and baker. She is from Sweden and her meatballs rock! I have a little surprise for them. After all I have been enjoying 'The Bob & Pete Show' for twelve years on Wednesday mornings. Love my Job!
More Love Week coming... Love Love Week!