so many paint choices

Now that I have finished my last project (well... almost finished- I still need to paint the Adirondack chairs, but I just bought the paint today so I should get that done in the next couple of days =0) I am ready to start tackling my next project.

Painting.

Painting some rooms in my home.

I am going to start by painting my living room and dining room. Then if all goes well I am going to move onto the foyer and kitchen. We have lived in our home for 10 years and I have been putting off painting these rooms for about 9 3/4 years. Why?? Oh, I have some good excuses reasons....

These rooms have very high ceilings-- which make for very high walls!!! I am not so crazy about heights- and so I am not looking forward to getting on a very tall ladder- but I am just going to be brave and do it!!

The other reason that I have been procrastinating all these years is....well.... I am having the hardest time committing to colors for these rooms. There are just so many colors and really how do you choose?

Every so often over the past couple of years I wander into paint stores and start looking at all of the sample cards. I grab a few cards of colors that I think I would like and bring them home and look at them for a while. And sometimes I even buy some of those little sample bottles and actually try some on my walls. But then my wall end up looking like this~



Sometimes I think I find the 'perfect' color and I think will actually start and I think I might actually go buy the paint. But then I think some more- because this is such a big commitment! I start thinking 'what if I hate the color once I get it on the wall' or 'what if the color is too dark or too light' or 'what if there is a better color out there somewhere that I just haven't found yet'????

Seriously, this is what I do!!! I have a file, a big file of sample color cards and I am afraid that if I don't decide on a color soon - I may end up having every sample card that has ever been made! I am not kidding!!



So today, while I was at the paint store picking up paint for my Adirondack chairs, I stopped by the paint sample cards and looked again! And grabbed some more cards to bring home!!! I think I found some colors I like and I think I just need to go for it and not look back.(That is what I have done in other rooms that I have painted I and it seemed to work out ok =0) It is only paint right? And if I don't like the colors, I can always repaint, right??



Wish me luck!!!

more of parent day

My Dad took some pictures at Tyler's soccer game yesterday and was able to get some of the half-time varsity 'parent day'. It is really nice to have some pictures of this!

This first picture is of Tyler introducing himself and saying a little thank you speech.



A big hug! =o)





And a couple great picture that my Dad took of Tyler during the game.





Thanks for the great pictures Dad!

parent day

It was a sunny and warm day today- a beautiful day for a soccer game. I have to say that I am really enjoying this warm autumn we are having because I know soon enough we will be pulling out our heavy coats.



Today was 'parent day' at Tyler's soccer game. At half time the parents were all called out to the field. One by one the boys each introduced themselves and their parents, and said a personalized thank you and then presented a rose to their parents. I thought this was really sweet.



(My dad got some pictures with his camera and once I get them I am hoping to update with a picture of the half time presentation to the parents.)





I love this picture of Tyler walking out of the stadium with 'his fans' (Grandpa and Grandma.)



It was another great day out at the soccer field!

Carrot Cake

*Updated to add a couple of photos- because what is a food post with out pictures?!

I love carrot cake!!! I don't have it very often but I wanted to try this recipe from our family cookbook. I made just a couple changes to the original recipe (substituting coconut for raisins) and I think it turned out delicious!

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded carrots
1 - 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Cream the sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the creamed mixture. Stir until smooth. Add the carrots, pineapple, coconut, and nuts ad mix thoroughly.

Grease and flour 2 - 9 inch cake pans, or one 10 inch bundt pan, or a 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees:
40 minutes for the 9 inch pans
55 minutes for the bundt pan
45 minutes for the 9x13 pan

Cream frosting ingredients together and spread on cooled cake. Enjoy!

And hop over to Kelly's Korner for more dessert recipes.

a matter of time

I knew it was going to happen.

I knew it was just a matter of time.

But I still was not ready for it.

Our school district has been hit extremely hard by the 'swine flu.' 40 percent of one of our elementary schools was absent with flu like symptoms yesterday. H1N1 is at all of our schools and some of my boys friends have tested positive for it. Our schools have been in the metro news and newspapers because of the high numbers of absences. So I knew it was just a matter of time...

Drew started his cough last night after church. (Oh no- here we go.) This morning he still had the cough with a little bit of a fever. I called the doctor's office and they wanted to see him because of his history of asthma and pneumonia. I was so grateful that the doctor prescribed Tamiflu for Drew and so he started that tonight.

I am so thankful that we caught this early. I am so thankful that his doctor was able to fit him in today (when so many doctor's are seeing only more urgent cases.) I am so thankful that there was Tamiflu available (I just saw on the news this morning that there is becoming a shortage of the Tamiflu.) I am thankful that Drew's fever has been pretty low (although it was up just a little bit this evening.) I am so thankful that the H1N1 flu has been more mild this season. I am so thankful that so far Drew is feeling pretty good.

And I am praying that my other boys stay healthy!

the best mac & cheese

Tonight for dinner I made our family's favorite macaroni and cheese. This recipe is one that both kids and adults will enjoy. (With all the cheese it is definatly not a low fat dish-- but it is so good!!!)



Here is the recipe:

1 pound elbow macoroni or medium shells
4 cups milk
6 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper
4 small tomatoes (I used Roma tonight because I have an abbundance of these in my garden right now!)
Plain or Italian bread crumbs

Cook noodles and drain. Melt butter and add flour. Cook over low heat, whisking for 2 minutes. Add hot milk. Cook for 2 minutes or until thickened. Take off heat and add cheeses and salt and pepper. Add noodles, stirring well. Pour into greased casserole dish. Place sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Cook at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

soccer saturday

Tyler had a soccer game today in a city about 1 hour and fifteen minutes from our house. The team rides the bus to and from the games.

I was driving and on my way to the game today about 5 minutes from the high school soccer field when I get a text from Ty saying 'not to come to his game because he probably will not play.' I tried texting him back trying to find out why- but didn't hear back from him.

I had already driven all the way there so I figured I would still go and cheer the team on even if Ty wasn't going to play. Well he did play- and played a lot.

I asked him after the game why he sent me the text and he said that his ankle was still hurting from the last game when he got slide tackled. He didn't think he should play tonight but when he saw me in the stands (and his Grandpa, and brother) he thought he would try and play since I had made the drive. What a tough boy I have!



Look at that header!



Half time.

junk bonanza

What a glorious day! The weather was sunny and very warm! I started my day with a stop at Starbucks for my first 'Pumpkin Spice Latte' of the season! Oh- it tastes just like fall!



Then I made a short car trip to the annual Junk Bonanza! This is the first time I have gone to this- and I am so glad I did!



The Junk Bonanza was held at Canterbury Downs race track in Shakopee. It was in 3 buildings with over 100 exhibitors featuring 'antiques,architectural salvage, hand crafted accessories, recycled and vintage items, along with good old junk.'







There were so many great things to look at and I finally decided on an old fan that I thought would look perfect in my guest bedroom.



I found a booth that was selling some vintage cameras and I bought one of these- although I am not exactly sure what or where I am going to put it- I just new I had to have it. =0)





And I bought a cookbook. Serena of the Farm Chicks (I love this blog) was signing the cookbook at the Bonanza yesterday- but I bought one today anyway because I have been eyeing it for a long time and I just love cookbooks!



Definitely a fun day and I can't wait for next year's Junk Bonanza!!

Family Cookbook

Come for a walk with me down Memory Lane!
And if you have a "Memory Lane" post, head on over to Scottsville to join in on the fun!

I haven't done a Memory Lane post for a few weeks... and I have missed it so I am jumping back in. This week instead of going back in time for my memory, I am choosing to do a post about a collection of memories.

We made a family cookbook in 2007 that included all of my Mom's side of the family.



My Mom grew up in a large and very close family- she has 5 sisters and 3 brothers and every family participated in the making of this beautiful family treasure. Not only was this was so much fun to do but it was a great way to compile favorite family recipes and memories and also to preserve some of our heritage.

It is so wonderful to have all of the recipes in one spot. And it is so special to have recipes that my Grandma used to make. There is even a recipe from my Great-Grandmother (whom I never met) for her Baking Powder Biscuits. How great is that?

Not only is there wonderful recipes but there are photographs mixed in throughout the cookbook.



One of the most special parts of this cookbook is a "Memories of Grandma and Grandpa" section. Anyone that wanted to could include a special memory that we have had with Grandma and Grandpa. This section is 15 pages long!!! Lots of good memories!



I use this cookbook a lot! I bought one for each of my boys that I will give to them someday when they are off on their own and hopefully it will have special meaning for them as well.

What a blessing it is to share our heritage.

a new friend

I have wanted one of these forever but never wanted to spend the money on it... until I found this on sale a couple of weeks ago while I was doing some school supply shopping. I found this for a great price at Office Max and I just couldn't pass it up.



This labeler was normally $39.99 and I found it on sale for $9.99! (It is a great size- not too big, not too small- it measures something like 6 inches x 6 inches.)

I bought it and I have been having so much fun labeling everything in sight!!! I am a born organizer. I love to be organized and I LOVE to organize- so this is the perfect gadget for me!

This is the cabinet above my desk in the kitchen. A few things needed labeling. =0)







And I have even gotten into the storage room downstairs and started labeling all my boxes.



(I have a new friend and I think my family better watch out- they may have labels on their forehead's soon. =0)

the bank account of life

I received this in an email the other day that was so powerful and it just touched me so much!

THE BANK ACCOUNT OF LIFE

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.
It carries over no balance from day to day. Every “evening” deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?
Draw out every cent, of course !!!

Each of us has such a “bank” it’s name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.
Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to
Invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance, it allows no overdraft.

Each day it opens a new account for you.
Each night it burns the remains of the day.
If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.

There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow.”
You must live in the present on today’s deposits.

Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness,
and success!

The clock is running. Make the most of today.

Treasure every moment that you have!
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.
That’s why it’s called
… The Present!!
(author unknown)

photography help

We have had a lot of soccer in the past week- Tyler has had 4 games in 5 days. His team has been playing great!! I have been trying to get some good pictures-- but unfortunately I have not had much luck!

But... it has made for some interesting pictures!





I did manage to get a couple of 'ok' photos-









But I really want to get some really good action photos. I have tried all kinds of different settings on my camera- but I have obviously not found the right setting yet.... Help!!!! =0)

new lens

I did a little shopping yesterday and spent some of the money I made from the garage sale I had a few weeks ago. I bought a new little toy for my camera! I have been wanting a new lens and so I did a ton of research trying to figure out exactly which lens I wanted. This lens got great reviews- and it was cheap! And from what I have seens so far--I am so happy with it!!! These are just a few of the pictures I took yesterday afternoon while I was playing around with my new lens.