I've finally decided.

So many times these past few months I've sat down to write a blog post, but for some reason or other, it never got published.

A few times I've sat down to delete my blog, then decided against it.

I love blogging too much to do that.

I guess I gotta catch up with life.

Then I can resume the pure enjoyment I get from the blog world.

Until then, I have facebook and would love to stay in touch. Shoot me an email so I can add ya. =)

Jen

Work, work, work.

It just gets in the way of blogging.
And cooking.
And cleaning. lol.

The good thing about working the extra hours? Besides being coughed on by swine-flu infected peeps all night picking up their Tamiflu?

The extra moo-lah for Christmas.

That's what I keep telling myself.

*grin*

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm off to work and then New Moon after- yay!!

Woo-hoo: Getting geared up and excited for Christmas. My little guy is eyeing the Christmas tree's in the stores. He wants the 'white one with blue ornaments' he told me last night in Joann Fabrics. He'll just have to settle for our green one, though.

Whimsical: Silhouettes!

Wisdom: Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people. -Barbara Bush

Weakness: Bath & Body products that smell like sweet baked goods.



Worry: That I *accidentally* signed up to work in the evening on Black Friday! Eek!

Web: Just Something I Made. If you haven't been to Cathe's blog yet, go see her. She's one uber-talented graphics lady. And, she has a ton of fabulous freebies!

Wish: That we all continue to avoid the flu bug. I use hand sanitizer constantly at work, worried that I'll bring those icky germs home with me to my family. Thus far, we've all been healthy.

Wondering: When do you put up your Christmas tree?

I put mine up the day after Thanksgiving, but I really want to put it up now.
Hubby says, 'don't.
I say, 'why not?'
Hubby says, 'it's too early.'

Is it really too early when you have paper ornaments done, ready to blog about and no where to hang them? Know what I mean? ;D

Have a wonderful week blog friends!
-Jen

Autumn Daybreak

Autumn Daybreak

Cold wind of autumn, blowing loud
At dawn, a fortnight overdue,
Jostling the doors, and tearing through
My bedroom to rejoin the cloud,
I know—for I can hear the hiss
And scrape of leaves along the floor—
How may boughs, lashed bare by this,
Will rake the cluttered sky once more.
Tardy, and somewhat south of east,
The sun will rise at length, made known
More by the meagre light increased
Than by a disk in splendour shown;
When, having but to turn my head,
Through the stripped maple I shall see,
Bleak and remembered, patched with red,
The hill all summer hid from me.


-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Aloha Friday! Black Friday?

Woot-woot! It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Are you planning to shop on Black Friday this year??


Me? Absolutely. It kicks off the Christmas season for me. I love coming home with all those presents to wrap, and place under the tree that we put up that night. Ahh, can't wait!

What about you? Are you as excited as I am??

Psst... Target Black Friday Ad is up!! =)



Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln



We've had some change happening here in the K house.

Some I'm happy about.

My work. I've found a happier place within my same company. It was a big decision and I had to put my big girl panties to get myself to that place. I'm a people-pleaser by nature, but this time I had to do for me. I'm proud of myself.

Some change- not so much.

Hubby's new work schedule. It's been a serious monkey wrench. The gears of our family schedules have started to work again. Slowly, but surely.

Our near future holds some stressful decision-making.


But for now...

I'm making up my mind to be nothing but happy.

WW: Wrapped.

This little guy has me wrapped around his little finger.


If you participate in WW, don't forget to add your blog @ 5 Minutes for Mom!

Happy WW!
-Jen

I walked today.
It was cool & crisp.
Every time the strong wind whipped at my face I inhaled.
Deeply.
I desired some solitude.
I found some on this autumn morning.

It felt wonderful.

photo by Celine.

This weekend...

... I felt a little restless.

I did a bit of this. And a bit of that.

The plans I intended for the weekend didn't work out.

Do you ever feel like sometimes you'll just never catch up on things you need to do?

I kinda felt crabby about the weekend housework, too.

I wanted to spent the weekend baking or crafting but couldn't swing it.



I did get a bit of some autumn decor up and around the house, though.





And what fruit basket stand isn't complete without some popcorn balls?
{Nicholas really likes them so I pick up a few when I see them.}



I'm not going to procrastinate this week with my housework/errands/etc. so that next weekend I can do a few of the things that I really enjoy doing.

Sounds like a decent plan doesn't it?

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need.
- Rolling Stones

Happy Sunday.

no. 2

I have these little things sitting in a pretty bowl on the counter.
I used to drink my coffee black.
Oh ho ho- not any more.

I feel so proud to be a cop's wife.

Sunlight filtering through the trees on my face.
When we're driving and the sun is flickering as it's coming through the trees, I love to just close my eyes.
Anyone else do this?
Absolutely one of my favorite things on earth.

Image by sographicstudio

Philly Cheese Steak pizza!
If you have not tasted this- you're missing out. For real.

What's a current favorite of yours?

mommy's helper.

I have the cutest little helper in the world.

He likes to help me with all my 'round the house jobs.

Including baking.

He loves to mix things. Like mommy, like son. I love to mix, too.



It's just the cleaning up part I don't really care for. But my little helper, he'd do my dishes too if I let him. He's that sweet.

Pumpkin-pecan muffins were on the agenda the other day.

His favorite part of baking is the mixing, but his second favorite thing is sprinkling the cinnamon sugar on top.



But these muffins aren't your run of the mill muffins.


No siree. They are fiber packed. Whole wheat, baby. Check it out...

Pumpkin-Pecan Muffins

1 and 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4c. wheat germ
1/2 c. chopped pecans
15 oz. of cannned pumpkin
1/3 c. vegetable oil or applesauce
2 large eggs
1 c. sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
cinnamon sugar for sprinkling <-optional

Makes 12.

1- Mix flour, baking power and wheat germ in a small bowl.
2- Mix together pumpkin, oil, eggs, spices, sugar baking soda, salt and pecans in a large bowl until mixed well. Mix in flour mixture until just combined.
3- Fill muffin tins generously. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
4- Bake in a 350 oven, 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!


Oh btw, yesterday was my one year blogversary! Yay!

You can read my very first post here if you want to.

I sure wish I could find that taffy again this year, though. Loved that stuff.

Tuesday-- my full house.

Today my house is full. 4 kids. Lotsa noise. Lotsa me spouting out- don't run in the house, play nice, it's time-out for you, take turns...

Until my sister picks up her two at 3pm I don't get a lot accomplished. Nada, really. I'm good if I get my teeth brushed. Don't ask.

So while hubby has them outside keeping them entertained for a few more minutes I wanted to share some good news. I was able to pick up 3 more copies of the fabulous Mr. Fulghum's, 'What on Earth have I done?'.

If you think you'd enjoy this book, well then--

The first 3 comments will be shipped this lovely via moi. :D

Oh, and please email me your address through my profile if you're one of the 3 comments. US only, please.

Oh and guess what else? I'm going camping this coming weekend with my Dad! yay! He's done with the chemo, feeling a bit better and before his radiation treatment starts he invited us {my sister & I} up north to camp for the weekend.

I'm happy.

My relationship with my Dad has always been a complicated one.
But, not any longer.
Cancer is complicated enough, isn't it?
Now I'm just going to cherish him while I have him.
Good idea, dontcha think? =)

Right place, right time.

I had to have been.



In the right place, right time to snag this up for one dollar.

Yes, one dollar.
Score!

This author always makes me laugh, smile and after I'm done with his books, my life is enriched. That's how wonderful his books are, I swear.

And to pick one up for a buck? Right place. Right time.

I told hubby that I grabbed it so fast I didn't even see if there were any others left (for a blog giveaway!). Hindsight's always 20/20 isn't it?

I'm halfway through the book and I LOVE it! Enriched, I tell ya.
Enriched. =)

I'm going back this afternoon to see if I can snag anymore for a giveaway(s). {crossing fingers} I know there are a few of you would truly enjoy this book as much as I am.

Happy Wednesday!

Aloha Friday!

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

I'm sitting down today to make out my meal plan for the week and I'm wondering, whatcha cooking for dinner?

I think we're having:



Pizza! =)

I'd love to hear what's cookin' tonight in your neck of the woods?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

WFMW no.9

The best anti-frizz, non-greasy spray. ever.

I have hair that is half wavy/half curly and dries something like this:



I'm exaggerating.

Only just a bit.

'Cause it dries huge, and curly/wavy/frizzy.

When I need to tame it and I don't feel like using the straight iron I use my best bud.

Meet Cyclomethicone.





I put this stuff in a spray bottle and while my hair is damp, I spritz away without a care that it'll leave my hair greasy or feeling heavy. It stops the frizz and gives my hair a bit of shine as well.

{Many moons ago, back when my mom & I had our own handmade bath & body company-- we'd add fragrance and use this as a dry body oil. This stuff is fabulous!}

You can't find this on the store shelves, though. It has to be purchased from a bath and body products supply business. {The above link is where I've purchase mine from for years.}

It's worth the trouble to order, though. Especially if your hair dries something like mine.


Works for me. =)



Visit We are that family for more Works-for-me Wednesday ideas, tips and inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!
-Jen

Blueberry Cream Muffins

I've used my last pint of blueberries in the fridge.
We've been residing on blueberry lane for the past month or so.

But, it's time.
Time for what, you ask?

Time to put away the blueberry recipes.

Time to start pulling out the apple recipes here in the black-shuttered house.
Time to inhale the sweet scent of cinnamon.

Okay, okay. I know it's still summer.
I'm just getting a bit of fall fever, that's all.

Here's what's sitting pretty in my glass cake stand...



Blueberry Cream Muffins
recipe courtesy of KK3 @ allrecipes.

Makes 24.

* 4 eggs
* 2 cups white sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 cups sour cream
* 2 cups blueberries- fresh or frozen

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. In large bowl beat eggs, gradually add sugar while beating. Continue beating while slowly pouring in oil. Stir in vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt and baking soda.
3. Stir dry ingredients into egg mixture alternately with sour cream. Gently fold in blueberries. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

...spent hanging with my little guy making egg carton bugs.







Life's good.

Aloha Friday!

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

What is the one kind of food that you know you will never even try once?

Me?

One word.

Seven letters.




Octopus.

You know that saying... you couldn't pay me.

That would apply here. =)

What about you? What couldn't we pay you to eat?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

WFMW

F.F.D.F.




What's this you ask?

It's our family fun day fund.

This favorite jar of mine sits out collecting extra change and dollars thrown in here and there, which gets added up for a family fun day/night once a month.

Sometimes, it funds a night of bowling.

Sometimes, it funds a day of picnicking with friends or cousins we bring along.

Sometimes, it funds movie tickets or dinner.

Or sometimes, when the funds are a wee-bit on the small side, we'll buy all the goodies to make banana splits & sundaes.

Now, I realize that there are a lot of families that do this kind of stuff all the time, but when you're on a budget {like we are}-- trips to dairy queen, eating out at restaurants or a trip to the movie theater for a family of four can really put a kink in the budget, know what I mean?

So this little set-up we have...

It works for us!


Visit We are that family for more Works-for-me Wednesday ideas, tips and inspiration.

Happy Wednesday!
-Jen

no. 15

Woo-hoo: Hubby had 17 days of furlow and we were able to get sooo many small home projects done! Back to work for both us tomorrow, though. Wahh!

Whimsical: moss terrarium No. 118 {I have a jar just like this (on a pedestal, though)-- I need to make myself one!}
Do you think these are cool as I do?

Wisdom: Forget injuries. Never forget kindnesses. -Confucius

Weakness: Blueberry Oatmeal Bars!




Wistful: about cool, crisp autumn mornings...



{soon enough, though right?!}

Web: No time for flash cards. A fabulous craft/preschool resource!

Wish: I would have planted more perennials in the garden this year.

What's your w's?

Have a wonderful week blog friends!
-Jen

Aloha Friday: Superstitious?

Yay- It's Aloha Friday! My Aloha Friday question is:

Are you superstitious?



Have you ever thrown spilled salt over your shoulder? (I think I've seen Rachael Ray do that.) Have you ever avoided opening an umbrella in the house? Or any of these...

Here's the Top 10 Superstitions:

1. Breaking a mirror
2. Walking under a ladder
3. Friday 13th
4. Opening an umbrella indoors
5. A black cat crossing your path
6. The sight of a single magpie
7. Spilling salt
8. Placing shoes on the table or on the bed
9. Treading on cracks in the pavement
10. Walking over three drains


Me? No. I'm not superstitious. Never have been.

I just don't believe in luck. Good or bad. Do you?

Head on over to An Island Life for more Aloha Friday questions and to play.

Have a wonderful weekend!
-Jen

Happy 14th Birthday to my beautiful daughter.















Words cannot express how much joy you have brought to my life and how much love my heart holds for you, baby girl.


Happy Birthday!!

Love,
Mom