I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I

checked my blog today and saw a comment from the incredibly inspiring, uber-talented Eddie Ross - he wants to go to Bora Bora too.....
He is participating in The Big Window Challenge and his work is amazing as you can see! See it all here.
Please vote for him here and help him win!

LOVE DARE - DAY 1

My cousin Sherri had the fabulous idea of getting a bunch of us long distant blogging cousins to do The Love Dare together.
It is a book to help strengthen marriages but I think it's going to help strengthen our family....
Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. Challenge for Day 1 is to resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
I am so lucky that I married a man that I am completely compatible with and we hardly ever bicker or disagree - we love spending time together and this first challenge isn't going to be a challenge at all.
With my children on the other hand it will be. We love spending time together but I lose my patience when they start bickering with one another or disobey simple things. No more, "Seriously?!" in a snotty voice.
I am excited for them to come home from school so I can practice! I am going to be patient and hold or lovingly reword any disapproving thoughts.
Have you done this 40 day challenge?
If you want to join us, we're only on Day 1.....

I'M DREAMING

of Bora Bora....One of these days.....

YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION

to what you're doing while using this product....Or you just might glue your fingers together like someone may have done today....

I ADORE CUPCAKES....

Have you tried these silicups?
I think I'm loving them.....

OUR 4 YEAR OLD

had to write a story in preschool today. He wrote:

"Once upon a time there was a little guy that lived in a blue house in a blue world. All day and night everything was blue." Think he's been listening to this song?
He cracks me up....

IF WE HAD A PIRATE FLAG

in our backyard....

via desire to inspire

my boys would be in heaven.....

FAMILY DINNER WAS DELICIOUS FUN

as it always is.
I tried a new recipe for rolls which were amazing and we had beignets and trifle for dessert.....

Too bad the beignets weren't good.

They weren't the light delicious morsels they are supposed to be, they were really dense and heavy.

Looking at the box, it expired Aug 2009. Too bad, so sad.

If you'd like to try the recipe for the rolls, you'll be glad you did....

Potato Flake Yeast Rolls

2 envelopes yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

1/2 cup softened butter

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 TBSP potato pearls

4 1/2 cups flour

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Place soft dough in a large greased bowl, turn to grease top, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double. Punch down and let rise 30 minutes.

Divide into 24 pieces, roll into balls. Brush with melted butter and place on a baking sheet 1 inch apart. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until double.

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

I'M BEYOND EXCITED FOR

our garden this year.
I dream about building my raised garden beds and the scrumptious veggies they will produce.... I've ordered my seeds from Seed Savers Exchange and can't wait for spring to plant my dragon carrots, yellow pear tomatoes, DeCicco broccoli, slobolt lettuce, Crnkovic Yugoslavian tomatoes.....

I'VE BEEN MULTI-TASKING

like crazy and feeling very productive!Between coats of paint drying on door molding, I screen printed a cute shirt....

and have been organizing.

Things are all coming together over here - how's your weekend?

I'VE BEEN REMINISCING ABOUT THE SUMMER

of 2008, when my sister and I loaded up the boys and went on an impromptu genealogy trip to Paris, Idaho...
The highlight for me was knocking on the door of my 3rd Great Grandfather's house and meeting a cousin and getting a tour.
It was so much fun and we had a blast!
I'd really love to do it again!

INTRODUCED BY MY COUSIN KIMBERLY,

Fridays are now Ice Cream Fridays and we decided to have rootbeer floats!
We also decided to have a little glowstick fun.....

Thanks Steph for sending them over to our house for us to play with!

I'M LEARNING TO KNIT AND I

have some delightfully soft black yarn to work with....I'm loving the process so far except with every line I add a stitch.
I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Grrrrrrr.......

IT'S BACK...

and I'm so happy! Love. this. show.
Do you watch also?

MY BIRTHDAY ISN'T FOR 5 MONTHS

and Christmas is 11 months away, but I'm still finding myself making wish lists.... These napkins, monogramed with a lovely " P", is at the top of my list.
I'd use them everyday.
I'll take two sets in white, please.....

TRAINS AND UNDERWEAR

are a common sight at our house....

What a lovely morning we've had....

OLD MOVIES ARE

so good and I haven't seen any until tonight at the Elsinore Theater where I saw an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Lady Vanishes was playing and I loved it.
Boy have movies changed! We were all laughing at the dying scenes, some of the train scenes, as well as the scenes we were supposed too.
Seeing it on the big screen was great...

I've been missing out!

It was good and we had so much fun!!

But now I know there is this film series and there will be more movie nights for me....

IF IT EVER DECIDES TO SNOW

here, I'm going to make some amazingly beautiful ice lanterns....

via Design Sponge

I'm ready for a beautiful snowy night....

I NEED X AND O

cookie cutters so I can make sweet hugs and kisses smores like these for my man filled clan...
If you see any mini cutters, please let me know....

I'M GOING TO LEARN TO

knit this year.
Miss Joan, I need to make a date with you....

The Knitting Girl

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1869

A WAY FOR ME TO

not forget to make appointments is to make them at the beginning of the year.
Today was eye appointment time and when I left I looked like I was high because my eyes were dilated..... I came home to Landon teaching my mom how to play Mario Brothers on the Wii.....

It was so cute and we all got a good laugh out of it.

Good times, good times....

GOOD FRIENDS

make me happy....And watching these two together you just can't help but smile....

AFRAID YOU'LL LOSE YOUR

camera?
I love this hilariously genius idea to possibly get it returned....
Love it!