Goodness! Time sure does fly! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Lots of things are going on here! We've had two birthdays these past few weeks. Henry, the youngest, turned a year old on the 14th and Amelia turned two on the 24th. Roy and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on the 22nd and he has a birthday on Monday.

The bell choir will be starting up again soon...I'm anxious for it t begin.

I have got to get started on some gifts! Seems like I have a list a mile long of things I need to make! lol!

Other than that there isn't anything new going on!

"We're having a heat wave...a tropical heat wave"

Somehow I don't think Marilyn was talking about her ac conking out (again!) And with record temps last week it was hotter than hot! The kids and I camped out at the IL's for a few days and DH weathered it out at home with the cats and several fans. It's fixed now though and hopefully it will stay that way!!!

School is getting ready to start soon here at Wisteria Corner. This past week we went and got new school supplies for the two oldest and some new clothes. Rhonda said she wasn't looking forward to going to school this year because of homework (first grade...she had homework last year too.) I told her if she wanted to stay home with me that that was fine but she'd still have homework at home too! That surprised her! lol! She opted for going back to school so she can see her friends.

Other than that, there's not much going on. I've started looking at some online catalogs for Christmas gift ideas. Still working on getting the house in order, but it's getting there. That's about it!

Back from the shore!

The kiddo's and I had a lovely time at the shore, although we spent more time in the pool than in the surf! I do have the ornament to share with you. I'll be doing that tomorrow for the Sewing Circle. Oh, and my wonderful Mr. Walker bought me some vintage patterns off of ebay. Can't wait until they get here and I can share them with you. Can't wait to use them either!

It's a very drab day here in Wisteria Corner. I'm really hoping we get some rain here; it's badly needed.

Lots to do here today to get ready for Sewing Circle tomorrow. Please join us!

Going to the Shore

The older kiddo's and I are embark to the shore with my mom for a few days. We're all looking forward to it! When I come back I'll have a picture of the dishcloth I've been working on plus a Christmas ornament craft to share :)See you in a few days!

Well My Dears, today is a date night here at the Walker house. That usually means bowling, however tonight, Mr. Walker and I will be taking in dinner and a movie. It's a very gray day here in Wisteria Corner. Hopefully it will rain later on today; we sure do need it!

Yesterday was quite fun! The volcano errupted gloriously...the kiddo's loved it. Later on we made their favorite chocolate chip brownies.


Brownies (with variations)

these make a soft, fudgy brownie

1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add chocolate and mix well. Add flour. Spread in a greased 8x8 inch pan and bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Variation 1-chocolate chip brownies-Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Variation 2-Mallowmar brownies-after brownies have cooked, put mini marshmallows all over the top (you want to really cover the brownies!). Put back in the oven until the marshmallows are melted. Let cool and frost with 1/2 can Chocolate Fudge Frosting.

Variation 3-Cream cheese brownies-Make a filling with 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened; 1/4-1/2 cup sugar [depending on taste]; and 2 eggs. Spread half of the brownie batter in the pan (will be thin), spread cream cheese filling over. Drop remaining brownie batter over the top of the cream cheese and bake.

Sewing Circle Heat Wave

Well Dear Friends, no Sewing Circle was to be held at my humble abode yesterday. Late Tuesday afternoon the air conditioner decided to konk out. While DH and DFIL tried to fix it, MIL, myself, and the kiddos went to their house where it was decidedly cooler. They had no luck fixing it on Tuesday so we spent the night with the DIL's. Thankfully they were able to get it up and running late yesterday!

Not to let the whole day of sewing go to waste I worked on a new dishcloth! Picture will be forthcoming when it's completed.

Off to errupt a volcano with the kiddos.

Perils Of The Deep

Yesterday my Dear Parents took Miss Rhonda and Master Padraic to the River for a swim. They were having a grand time until Miss Rhonda walked into a jellyfish. Luckily they were heading towards the end of their river visit. She was a trooper! Although she couldn't walk after the initial stinging (that nasty thing got her good on both her arms and legs), she felt much stronger after an ice cream!

Now My Dears, I must be off. Wednesday is not too far off and I must get the house in order for the Sewing Circle!

New and improved?

Well, I've been inspired of late (most noteably by Mrs.Stagg's and Mrs Clarice Fox- Hughes) and have decided to change the look and feel of my blog. I hope to be a bit more entertaining and inspiring to others.

Now that you're here, would you like to come in for tea? Just make yourself comfortable. Cookie? Miss Rhonda helped me make them this morning. Oh yes, she's doing just fine. My hair? Thank you! Yes, I just got it cut at the fashionable Clip N' Curl. Before I forget, the Ladie's Sewing Circle is meeting here on Wednesday. Stop by if you get the chance to see what we're up too!

Why yes, I'm updating!

Have a few minutes so I thought I would jump on and give an update! Not a whole lot going on right now although we are gearing up to do things! lol! I've been slipping in my homemaking. Not badly, but enough that I walked through the house and made a list of things that need to be in each room. I'm slowing going through the list. Some jobs are bigger than others!

I was thinking of training the kids the other day. I've really fallen by the wayside on this one and really need to set things straight. I've made the two older ones a list of things they need to do every day and they will have their own folder. One of the things on that list is that they each need to do a job from the job box. Such jobs could include helping to clean the bathrooms, helping with laundry, ect. The older two are also going to start helping me in the kitchen more.

Well it's been a week since I started my eating plan and I've lost 6 pounds. I'm pleased with the results so far :)

Tonight we are going with the IL's to see some fireworks. Should be fun!

Well, I've got to run and get some things done!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my super duper Dad! I love you!!!

Of course, Happy Father's Day to my sweet husband without whom we would not have our beautiful children :)


Tomorrow is the first official first day of Summer Vacation. Well, okay, really it was last Thursday as the last day of school was Wednesday, but I'm counting it as tomorrow since it's the start of the new week. Anyway, I'm going to be subbing for Christi at the summer program in the morning (get a little extra cash!) tomorrow and then I have to finish up some laundry. I'd like to clean out the car but that all depends on how much work DH has to do tomorrow. I may have to save it for later in the week.

Last Thursday was Rhonda's birthday. Six...it's hard to believe. She is turning into such a big helper and such a little lady!

Not much else went on last week. Pretty quite here!


Sunday's Supper

Appetizer
What is a word that you use that would not be considered common? Hmmm......no idea!

Soup
What theme of calendar do you have on your wall this year? It's a Mary Englebright that my mom got me for Christmas.

Salad
Name 3 people you speak with by telephone a regular basis. My mom, my MIL, DH. Exciting life, huh? lol!

Main Course
If you could buy a new outfit for someone you know - who would it be and what would you purchase for them? Oh my...Perhaps a new pair of pants and a new shirt for my DH.

Dessert
What is the last beverage you drank? A coke!

My baby is growing up...she'll be 6 on Thursday. We're having a party today so her school friends can come. Yesterday we spent a lovely day with both of the Grandma's. After cheerleading(!) practice we met at the mall, had some lunch, and then-then-my big girl got her ears pierced. After getting her hair cut last week it's almost too much. She's already getting excited about being in first grade (even though she'll have more homework!) She got a special award at her K graduation. She was the only one to get an Outstanding in art for all four quarters.


Do you love to cook? Do you like murder mysteries? Check out Diane Mott Davidson! I recently got turned onto her through the Paperbackswap (mentioned in a previous post) and am thoughougly enjoying Goldy and crew. I've found quite a few recipes to try out too!

Well, I've got to be going. Today is out last bell performance of the season, plus Rhonda's party. Lot's to do! Have a great day!

My, my! What a busy week it has been and it's only going to get busier! I have a few moments now so I thought I would post and uphold my committment that I let lapse a few weeks back! Earlier this week I found a fabulous forum that reignited my love of crochet. I have been spending lots of time there and am honored to be testing one of Anna's gorgeous patterns! (She is building her website even as I type, so check back!)

Now in addition to the dress I'm knitting for Millie, the top I'm supposed to knit for Rhonda (though it might turn into crochet! lol!), the knit corset top for me, the pj bottoms for my mom, and the baby blanket I'm making (whew!), I've added a necklace and jewelry bag for a friend's birthday, two purses, and a crochet top for me. And testing!

Pad's last day of school was last Tuesday. Hard to believe it's over for him for the Summer. Rhonda is almost done. She has this week and then three more days. Plus, next Sunday we are having her birthday party (few days before the actual day) and I play bells that morning. It's our last performance of the season. Deborah (our choir director) did say she had some arrangments for sextuplets so I told her I was interested. We will be practicing just for fun during the Summer.

One of Roy's Aunts and a cousin are visiting this weekend. They are staying with the IL's. So nice to see them!


Sunday Supper

Appetizer
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest), how funny do you think you are? Not very...maybe a 3 or 4. Not something I work at though.

Soup
Name a local restaurant would you recommend to a visitor to your town or city.
Hmmm....Crab Shack is good if you like seafood.

Salad
What's a lesson you were lucky enough to learn the easy way? Just be yourself!

Main Course
Where would you like to be 5 years from now? In a bigger house. Other than that, I really love my life :)

Dessert
If you could see the front page of a newspaper from June 2, 2106, what would you imagine the headline might be? Oh goodness! How about "Man Gives Birth to Baby!" LOL!

Off to get some things done! Oh, and Kayla, if you're reading this...thanks so much for posting Mrs. C's site! It was the kick I needed to start decluttering again :) Just one more room to go and then some odds and ends! Oh, and the garage, but that's a whole nother story!

Oh Goodness!

Has it really been that long since I've posted? Boy, I've been neglectful! It's been so busy around here. Rhonda's Kindergarten is coming to an end. Padraic has one day left. We've had picnics to go to and we are gearing up for summer! I've slowly been decluttering. Our house is looking better and better. I'm able to keep more areas continually clean and it doesn't take as long for me to clean up. Here soon I'm going to tackle the garage. My plan is to get all of my stuff organized down there and then have DH do his stuff (sound like a good idea hun?) I'd really like to get the whole house, garage and all, done by July.

I found this site linked from an email. If you love to read or have a lot of books you'd like to get rid of, check it out! You do have to register, but it's free.

Not a whole lot going on today. I have some seeds I'd like to plant, but don't know if I'll get to them today or not. I have laundry to do (as usual!) My weekly menu to plan. I'm feeling kind of blah today. Hope I perk up soon!


Here's my Sunday Supper

Appetizer
How old were you when you got your first credit card? Gosh, I don't remember. I think I was 18 or 19 maybe? I don't have it anymore though. No credit cards here!

Soup
When was the last time you felt out of place?
Hmmmm....I don't usually go anywhere where I feel out of place.

Salad
Did you have a curfew when you were a teenager? If so, what time did you have to be home?
Yep. 10:00 on week nights, 12:00 on weekends.

Main Course
Name a person from history with whom you feel you have something in common.
Sylvia Plath

Dessert
When you read a newspaper, which section do you go for first?
The comics, of course!

Well, I'd best go and get something accomplished today! I promise I'll to post more often!

~Kayla~ said...

If only I were that disciplined! *sigh*

I'm guessing that's in response to my cleaning schedule. Perhaps I should mention that it's not always adherred to! But, it's there for me and some things are now getting done automatically. My kitchen, for example, takes about 10 minutes for me to clean (focus area not included) because I don't even have to think now about what has to be done. I just grab my wet cloth and go! lol! I have *got* to get caught up on laundry! That's on my agenda for today! I always get it under control, say I'm not going to let it pile up again, and then bam! Guess what happens? Grrrrr.... One day it will all work out I'm sure!

Sunday again! A pretty uneventful week here. Have decided to finally do something about this extra weight I'm carrying around.

DH has consented to running a game here at the house. It's going to be Pendragon. I'm excited! Been awhile since I've been able to play in a game!

I've been doing pretty well with keeping up with the downstairs of the house. I have three areas that need picking up and it will be pretty clean! Okay, four. Five if you count DH's mess. Those areas are: The cabinet under the sink in the bathroom, underneath the sofa and two chairs, the table (working on clearing that off today), and the shelf on my desk. I've got to do some catching up on laundry. It's hard to work upstairs sometimes! Here's my schedule:

Monday-HBH (if you're a Flybaby, you know what that means. If you're not, go here!) Mine consists of dusting (Rhonda does low places), wiping down glass surfaces (Padraic does), and making sure table is clear. I also have a focus area that I do each week. These are: cleaning under the sofa/chairs, vacumming the funiture, cleaning under the sofa/chair cushions, sweeping the ceiling.

Tuesday-Bathrooms. Pretty self explanatory, I think. Focus areas here are: oiling the bathtub, cleaning under the upstairs sink, cleaning under the downstairs sink, changing the decor downstairs (it's seasonal). I also wash towels on this day.

Wednesday-The Kitchen! I do my most work in here. Clean the microwave, wipe down dishwasher, stove, and refridgerator. Get rid of old food. Wipe down can opener. Clear counters and wipe down. Wipe down cabinets. Clean crumb trap on toaster and wipe down. Wipe down light switches. Wipe down windowsills. Sweep and mop. Focus areas here are: cleaning out fridge (including freezer), cleaning oven, scrubbing floor, cleaning out cabinets.

Thursday-My free day. I usually spend it at my MIL's house.

Friday-Kid's room/Our room. Change the sheets, dust, make sure dressers and trunk are clear. Wipe down washer and dryer. Vacuum. Focus areas here are: Pantry, closets, under the beds, dresser drawers.

Saturday-Deck. Wipe down table. Wipe down sand and water table. Make sure grill is in order. Sweep deck. No focus areas here.

Sunday-Ah, rest! lol!

Well, that's my cleaning schedule in a nutshell. I'm sure I've forgotten things, but you get the idea. Until next week!

Jenn

Ugh! It's Sunday already. Spring Break just flew by! I've been very hard at work trying to get the house in order plus do a few personal things. Everything is coming along nicely though I'd hoped to be done with the house by today. Still have a bit to do on it. Maybe by next Sunday everything will be ship shape! I have my To-do list all ready :)

My bargain find of the week: while shopping at my local grocery store for some items I forgot during my past two trips at a different store (yes, two!), I found a box of 18 count Christmas cards marked down to 0.87 cents! Now I have all Summer to get them signed and addressed-no excuses this year! lol!

Pad has a birthday party to go to today. As I mentioned, I'd like to do some work on the house. The front yard needs work. I have meat from Costco to repackage. Oh, and the conclusion of The Next Food Network Star to watch! Have a great day!

Peeping...Saturday

My Mom is a big Elvis fan, so when I found this fabric at a discount store, I had to get it. It took awhile for me to figure out what I was going to make with it though. I originally decided to make a tote bag, apron, and oven mitt. Then one day it dawned on me--pajama bottom pants! What a perfect option! So it will be a tote bag and pagjama bottom pants! The tote bag is being made with the fabric on the bottom and the pants with the fabric on top. I'll post a picture of the finished items.

Sorry for no update during the week.


Appetizer
What movie soundtracks do you own?

Hmmm...a few. Flash Gordon, Chicago, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Guys and Dolls. I think a few more but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

Soup
How much cash do you usually carry with you? Usually none. In the rare case I have cash on me, it's usually no more than $20.

Salad
Are you more comfortable around men or women? Why? A lot depends on the situation and the capacity in which I know the people in question.

Main Course
What is the most mischievous thing you remember doing as a child? I don't remember being mischievous as a child. About the only thing I can remember doing was getting mad at my Grandmother and climbling the tree in our front yard so she would think I ran away and feel bad.

Dessert
Who is the funniest member of your family?

That's tough. My husband can be quite amusing. Then again, when the older two start playing they can be pretty darn funny. Of course the cats never cease to bring a laugh with some of their antics.

Sunday Supper?

Well it's that time again! I was really hoping to post this Friday but time just got away from me. So, instead of a Friday Feast we are having a Sunday Supper! lol! I'll most likely post my Friday peek tomorrow.

Feast Eighty-Seven

Appetizer
Name 3 things that you think are strange.

Me, how good carrots and peanut butter taste together, unexplainable stories.

Soup
What was the last ceremony you attended?

A friend's wedding in September. Oops, that's not right. There was a Baptism at Church in January.

Salad
What is one lesson you have learned in the past year?

To manage money better


Main Course
Tell us about one of your childhood memories.

For as long as I can remember up until I was in high school, Saturdays were the best day of the week. My dad and I would get up and watch cartoons. He would make me the best buttered toast for breakfast! Sometimes he'd go to the 7-11 and get me some donut gems or a Hostess lemon pie. Always with a coke or an orange crush. We would watch Rocky and Bullwinkle, Speedy and the Chopper Bunch, Scooby Doo, and of course, Bugs Bunny!


Dessert
If you could extend any of the four seasons to be twice as long as normal, which season would you want to lengthen?

Spring! Because it would extend through the summer and melt into my other favorite season, Autumn!

Totally forgot I wanted to post the cauliflower casserole recipe. Did I mention my 19 month old *loved* it!

Cauliflower Casserole

3 cups cauliflower florettes, cooked
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 small onion, finely chopped (I used onion powder)
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
2 cups cheddar/mozzerella cheese

Mix cauliflower, mayo, onion, cream cheese (it's okay if the cream cheese is still "chunky"), and i cup of cheese. I also added salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder. Put into a loaf pan or other baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Super dish!