Fun with Pumpkins

Well, it's been about a month since I've posted anything. September is always a super busy time. But, fall has come and with it delicious comfort foods.

Tonight I made chicken soup. Browned some chicken breast the tore it into pieces, added carots, celery, onions. Green beans, bell peppers, tomatoes (all from the garden). Add garlic. Then more garlic. Add rosemary, oregano and basil (also from the garden). So yummy. It was really delicious. Perfect fall food.

Then I made my crustless pumpkin pies from scratch using one of the blue pumpkins that Joel grew in our garden. It was lots of fun. And, it turned out especially delicious.

So many people are on the organic food kick for the health benefits. I could care less about that. I like home grown food because it TASTES so much better. Really and truly, much better. Plus, it's fun to tend to the garden and bring the stuff in to cook. I love it.

Should be a book for adults, not just children...

I read The Giving Tree to G again tonight. Now, I've read this book no less than a hundred times but tonight I was really moved by the story. Perhaps it was because G was really understanding the concepts tonight.

I love the morals of this story:
1)You achieve happiness by doing things for others, by being selfless
2) Things don't make you happy, no matter how many of them you acquire
3) Happiness is simpler to maintain than we believe.

So many people now a days are on this quest, it seems, for the mythical grail of happiness. And they use the supposed lack of happiness as an excuse to unleash all kinds of damage in their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Even noticed though, that happy people tend to be happy regardless of their circumstances? Now, I certainly don't mean that people are all butterflies and puppy dogs when they have cancer or their lose their jobs. Obviously, even the happiest people experience moments of sadness. But they are just that.....moments. Whereas unhappy people seem to be unhappy no matter what happens to them. I believe, as apparently Shel Silverstein did, that we can only be happy when the focus is off of ourselves. If I am spending all of my time thinking of myself and how the goings on of life affect me then I am quite simply a selfish, self serving person and those kinds of people can never be happy.

If you aren't happy with your life or yourself, stop thinking of yourself and your desires. Start letting someone pick your apples, or use your branches to build something for themselves. Or perhaps, just be the stoop that someone can sit on, to rest and be thankful.

First picks of the patch.

Here are some pics of our first few pumpkins. It makes me so excited. I even put out all of our fall decorations today. I'm so ready. Also, snuck in a few pics of G.

Taking a brief rest.

Queen of all she surveys.

What a beauty.

Prepping for a toe touch.

Checking out the goods.

"Here are our pumpkins"

Sunday Blessings:

We went to the Rainforest Cafe today in celebration of my nephews 10th birthday. Time sure flies. Great day, great family, great fun. Thank you Lord.

Sunday Blessings:

• Friends, old and new.
• The opportunity to serve at church.
• A fun day/event with my daughter and mom.
• A fabulous evening with my hubby.
• Still enjoying my husband after 13+ years.
• Having family to rely on.
• A beautiful day today.
• My health.

Freeze Frame Friday

Have fun with this one.....I know I did.

Here we go Gianna, here we go!

Future cheerleader on my hands? Wrists need attention, but otherwise, not bad.

Fall is on the way.....

Each year Joel has planted pumpkin plants in our yard. It started out with one or two and has gotten progressively more elaborate each year. This year we have them in the backyard, on the bank and in the front yard. The plants are really pretty and it is fun to watch the marked growth of the pumpkins on a daily basis. Can't wait to pick them, decorate and have homemade pumpkin pie.

Sunday Blessings:

This week more than in a while I am grateful for my family. A few years ago we were able to purchase the house that we currently live in, which, for those of you who don't know, is right next door to my mom's house. At the time it seemed convenient because we were next to family but we were most excited because of the great view and more space. But as time progressed, Gianna came, and grandma needed more and more help, it became obvious that this was a God thing. It was so easy for us to get into this house when we did and it is such a perfect set up right now, there is no other explanation. We are supposed to be here. I love the blessing of having our family so close. Yes, it's a little 'Everybody Loves Raymond' at times, when the crazy neighbors make their way over with their big dog during a party. But that just adds to the awesomeness as far as I am concerned. On a daily basis Gianna get to see her grandmother, grandfather and great-grandmother. On a daily basis I get to take care of my grandmother. On a daily basis we can go swimming with the dogs. On a daily basis we can borrow eggs or have dinner with each other. On a daily basis I am grateful to God for providing this amazing opportunity. Thank you.

Can I marry that truck?

Ever notice how many pick up trucks there are on the road? I notice all too well lately.

As with most of the things that I do in life, I approach parenting with a very honest, sarcastic tone. This tone naturally gets passed on to my daughter. And being the typical three year old sponge that she is, she picks up and repeats much of what she hears. One of the many gems that I have imparted on my daughter is that she should never marry a man who drives a big, lifted truck because if she does she will be 'very disappointed'. She will tell you this. If you ask her what will happen if she marries a boy with a lifted truck she'll say " I will be VERY disappointed". It's quite hilarious. Until we are driving down the road and every truck she sees she asks, Mommy, may I marry that truck? May I marry that truck?

There are sure a lot of trucks out there. But, G can spot a lifted one at three inches.

In a category all my own.

I took Gianna to the park today. This is a typical event in the lives of most mothers. I however am anything but a typical mother. I tend to approach most things in my life the way a man would. I find women, in general, quite annoying. I find most things that they do annoying. And watching the moms as the park is no different; quite annoying. I've come to the conclusion from my countless hours of observation at the parks that most moms fall into one of two categories:

Mom Type 1 goes to the park so that she can do whatever she wants to do without her children interrupting her. The beckoning slide becomes the cost free babysitter de jour. She talks on her phone/texts/chats with her other mom buddies while her kids run amok. The children of these moms tend to be the kids who push down other kids, or cut in line on the way up the ladder. Here's a thought.....put down the Starbucks and pay attention to your children!

Mom Type 2 is quite the opposite. This mom is so far up her kids rear ends that I'm not sure they could even sit to make it down the slide. 'Don't go UP the slide, Johnny', 'Sally, you can't make it across that bridge. Get down right now'.....some of the many encouraging words spouted by the hovering mom who is determined to undermine her child's exploratory nature. Seriously people, many of the things that we learn we learn from our failures. So your kid can't make it down that fireman's pole? Let them figure it out for himself. Or even better, get off your fat butt and go over to HELP them do it!!!

I know that I have many flaws as a mother and I'm sure that they'll be pointed out with joy by many in the course of my life. But, like all good parents I am doing what I believe is the best for my child and her life. I'm sure Mom Type 1 and 2 feel the same way. I just don't want to have to be around them at the park.......

Sunday Blessings:

• Our new flagpole and flag that is flying proudly in our backyard.
• Finally getting caught up on all the laundry.
• The help that Nick gives me around the house.
• Joel's sense of humor and our making each other laugh all the time.
• Getting to see Kristoffer this week.
• The way my family appreciates my cooking.
• Having a day to myself this week.
• How our family supports each other in countless ways.
• Gianna's smile and the inspiration it provides.

A day of freedom

Today my family is heading up the mountain to dog sit. I will have the whole day and night to myself. I'm packing as much in as possible....lunch with a friend, antiques shops, Trader Joe's, movies, dinner with another friend, reading in my quiet house. I can't wait.

Freeze Frame Friday

Title Away! Have fun and make me laugh.

Sunday Blessings:

• Having so much family so close to us.
• Nick being such a patient big brother who so willingly takes 'ballet lessons' from his little sister everyday.
• Having a husband who appreciates what I do.
• The opportunity to do all of the decorations for a party at church.
• Meeting new friends and seeing old ones.
• The beautiful clouds that are created by the yucky humidity.
• Iced tea.
• Joel having a job in this economy.
• My daughter's ballet obsession.

Thought Provoking Thursday

...either a few days early or a few days late (I guess that would depend on your perspective).

Traditions.

Why do we insist upon doing stupid/thoughtless/tacky things under the guise of tradition? I love traditions. Nothing feels quite as warm and fuzzy as opening carefully wrapped pieces of tissue paper to reveal the memory inducing and tradition filled Christmas ornaments each year. I enjoy visiting the same restaurant on our anniversary each year. What I detest is the thoughtless doing of an act simply because 'that is what you must do'. The value of a tradition is supposed to be measured by the meaning and purpose of the act.

For example. I hate Playdoh. Seriously, I hate it. It's messy, it gets dried out. The dog eats it (then barfs it up). The accessory toys that you purchase to play with the Playdoh are really only useful as intended once because the stuff gets all crusted and plugged in the holes. It gets ground into the carpet and you slice your foot open on it as you walk across the floor because it has dried in to a sliver reminiscent of a machete blade. And yet I but it for my kid because 'every kid has to have Playdoh'.

Why do women who have been married before/are living with their boyfriends/have kids insist upon following through with the tradition of wearing a white wedding dress? The white is supposed to represent virginity and purity. It is intended to have a meaning and purpose beyond making your fake tan look better or making your mother happy or indulging your childish temper tantrum nature of wanting the 'perfect wedding' (more on those later).

Why do we make fruitcake at Christmas? That stuff if terrible. Does anybody even eat it? Seriously gross and a waste of perfectly good fruit and liquor.

In this time of downsizing and reevaluation I suggest that we take a look at our traditions as well. My guess would be that there are many things we do in our lives simply because 'that is what's done'. I challenge us to take our brains off of autopilot and start making our traditions value based actions not the rote activities of lazy thinkers.

Freeze Frame Friday

Title away!

Things that make me smile:

Sunday Blessings:

• The little boy who was lost in our town this weekend was found, safe and sound.
• Gianna seeing a direct answer to prayer RE: the same little boy.
• Air conditioning.
• Our family 'compound' that makes dog/grandma sitting so very easy.
• My husband is a very motivated man. He works six days a week then spends his Sunday doing projects around our house....and the neighbors house.
• Going swimming at a friend's house tomorrow.
• Getting new glasses.
• Friends
• Watching Gianna dance to the worship music that her daddy was playing at church today.

Freeze Frame Friday

Each week I'll post a picture for you to creatively title. Have fun!

Thought Provoking Thursday

Why is it that people are so offended by stereotypes yet they don't mind being cliche?

Why is one inherently bad and the other acceptable? Stereotypes exist for a reason. They are generalizations based in fact. Dumb blonde, bad Asian driver, nappy headed ho, man, lazy mexican, trailer trash.....all 'offensive', all politically incorrect, all occasionally accurate. If one of these descriptions is applied people get bent out of shape. But no one is offended by the fat mom with her 'mom haircut' driving around in her minivan with a starbucks in one hand and her cell phone in the other. Why is that? Why don't we get offended when Valentines Day comes around and THE gift to give is red roses? I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a redneck. I wouldn't be offended if someone called my a typical woman. I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a cracker. I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a tree.
Why? Because if someone calls me a bad name it either:

A) isn't based in fact, in which case isn't offensive.
or
B) is based in fact, in which case I can't be offended,
because it's at least partly true.

When someone lashes out and spews nastiness at you it says more about them and their character than it does about you and yours. If they are using stereotypes, perhaps it is because you are a walking cliche. Take a second and think about that before you get offended. If you don't like it skip Starbucks, trade in the van, and grow out your hair.

Sunday Blessings:

Each week I'll post a few things that I am thankful for in/about my life. Feel free to add some of your own.

• beautiful summertime and swimming with the babygirl.
• the hectic pace of my life - because it is a result of my family being close and supportive of each other.
• having the opportunity to continue at the U of R.
• naps with the babygirl.
• the gas fairy (Joel) coming each week to fill up the tank on my car.
• reading.
• seeing the smiles from the kids that were in my 'class' at church as they have grown bigger and moved up to G's class.
• how hard my husband works for our family.
• how beautiful the yard looks when the boys are done working in it all day.
• my family's 'furniture swapping'.
• dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory tonight.

Mixed feelings.....

The babygirl has access to a pool at the neighbor lady's house. Lately we've been swimming everyday, sometimes twice a day. It's always quite a sight to behold. G is super cute (and swimming quite well floatieless I might add). I'm proud of her for doing so well, and pleased that she is safer around water now. But, it's just one more step on her way to being a big girl. Don't know if I like that. Can I put a book on her head? When Copper joins in it is quite a sight to behold. He loves to swim just as much as the babygirl does. Everyone always sleeps well after the swim sessions. And why does pb and jelly taste so much better after swimming in the pool? Seriously, I think that there is some sort of chemical reaction between the chlorine and peanut butter. Sooo good. Fun times.

Wise, wise words from the late, great George Carlin.

I Am Your Worst Nightmare. I am a BAD American. I am George Carlin.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some midlevel governmental functionary with a bad comb-over who wants to give it away to crack addicts squirting out babies.

I'm not in touch with my feelings and I like it that way, damn it!

I believe no one ever died because of something Ozzy Osbourne, Ice-T or Marilyn Manson sang.

I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer.

I believe it's called the Boy Scouts for a reason.

I don't think being a minority makes you noble or victimized.

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, you'd better do it in English.

I don't use the excuse "it's for the children" as a shield for unpopular opinions or actions.

I think fireworks should be legal on the 4th of July.

I think that being a student doesn't give you any more enlightenment than working at Blockbuster. In fact, if your parents are footing the bill to put your pansy ass through 4-7 years of college, you haven't begun to be enlightened.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God.

My heroes are whoever canceled Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time arguing about it.

I think global warming is a big lie. Where are all those experts now, when I am freezing through a long winter?

I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, I didn't wander forty years in the desert after getting chased out of Egypt, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you, so shut-the-#$% !-up already.

I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches. And where does he get his money. And why is he always part of the problem and not the solution?

I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry butt if you're running from them. I also think they have the right to pull you over if you are breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I think if you are in the passing lane, and not passing, your license should be revoked, and you should be forced to ride the bus until you promise to never delay the rest of us again.

I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement.

I think Dr. Seuss was a genius.

I'm neither angry nor disenfranchised, no matter how desperately the mainstream media would like the world to believe otherwise.

I believe if she has her lips on your willie, it is sex, and it is sex for both of you. This even applies when you are President of the United States .

If all this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American. We need our country back!

The power of negative thinking.....

Got a message from my boss a few days ago saying that he couldn't issue my (or my assistant coach's) contract until we 'met face to face'. So at that point I'm convinced that I'm getting the axe. Considering the university had a 13 million dollar deficit last year this was not an unreasonable thing to assume. I was all prepared to go in there today and hear the bad news. Have to say that I would have been pretty bumbed since I have been involved with cheer since I was 14 and have been coaching for fifteen years. I wasn't sure how I would feel about not being a cheer coach. So much of who I see myself as is wrapped up in that role. But, come to find out I just took a hit to my budget and my assistant coach's stipend. Could have been much worse. There will still be the awesomeness that is Bulldog Cheer this year......and hopefully for many, many years to come. I mean, come on, I have THE BEST job in the world. I get paid to watch sports! Thank you Lord!