Lemon Squares and Hickory Nuts

GALORE!

A Day in our Country home (lame title, I know)

If I didn't have dial-up, I would title this blog, "A Day in Pictures" and post pictures of what we did today. First off, Daddy got Emory up at 6am to go squirrel hunting, which turns out, Emory is a 'chip off the old shoulder' because he crawled into bed with me soon after. Alas, Dad went solo. The picture (if I do download it) is not of Emory's first squirrel, but of dad's squirrel while Emory-lay-in-the-bed. My day started out before six, but such is common for me. Ah, what is sleep? It is but a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then vanishes with the cries of the nursling babe. I'm enjoying my little sleep robber, such as he is.

We have been piddling about the house: getting the fireplace ready for the huge, harsh winters that we have (ha), making up beds, fixing lunch (pizza and chips...oh, but they were both natural and organic *inserts your rolled eyes here* lol), afterwards made lemon squares (see picture, that might download by tomorrow). Then I raked up a few piles whilst sorting the pecans I raked up. Meanwhile, the husbando was picking up hickory nuts (see picture). If anyone knows of anything to be done with these wonderful nuts, please leave me a comment! The kids have been playing (Erin tending to her 'bejtable garden') and Evan is getting his longest nap of the week.

I've got a few things accomplished this week, none to speak of, but the week isn't over. I do want to do some sort of craft with my kiddos. Leaf rubbings or something. I did see a great idea in my kidscraftweekly newletter (www.kidscraftweekly.com) about doing an advent calendar with matchboxes. This would be something you could do together, every day, during the month of December. I'm going to do this--it sounds awesome.

Of course, tomorrow is Thanksgiving (Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll) and I will celebrate with my wonderful Grandmother and Papa and all the Sullivan family. Twill be a glorious time. I don't think I will bake nary thing! My granny has it pretty much covered (and the aunts) so I'm going to take adv of no cooking! I'm sure in a few years, Thanksgiving dinner will fall my lot and I will receive my own family in my home. I really can't wait until that time. I also can't wait to morph into Paula Deen...lol. Really, I'm not rushing my life, but it is fun to think about your grown kids coming home and being with you. Gives me the warm fuzzies!

Well, off to post pictures. I might be back for another blog. Feeling bloggish today!

A Good Day

Today marked the first day of Thanksgiving Holidays. It was truly a day in which to be thankful. I got up and had a bowl of cereal with my husband before he left for work. It was nice to have that together time without the kid's interrupting. Of course, he had barely made it out the door before the kids were up and ready to start their day.

I set out to declutter my room a bit. It will have to be a work in progress because I can only work in there when Evan is awake. I made a slight dent in the pile of clothes. My maternity clothes are still in the containers sitting there on the floor. I need to move them out of the room before they are some kind of omen or something!

Ran some errands in town. Got my Mothering magazine in the mail so I got to browse thru that while the milk man took over. It is always refreshing to read about other natural mamas. There was an article in there about Breastfeeding 911--talking about Breastfeeding during emergencies. It gave 3 stories of how infants would've died in emergency situations (situations where there was no water to mix formula) if the mother had not breastfed. Something to think about! I absolutely love nursing Evan. In the first few weeks, it seems merely a service to the infant. Now, it is a pleasure. He will unlatch to smile up at me or coo at me (his way of saying, 'thanks, mom') and it melts my heart. Anyway, the kids played outside for awhile. I listened to their childish play and their pretend talk. It is awesome being a mom! Erin says, "Em" and it takes about 4 syllables for her to get it out. She's so country!

The kids took a long nap today (3 hours) and I got to straighten up and wash clothes (never ending cycle!). I cooked a good meal: fried chicken strips, string beans, and garlic/cheddar/mashed potatoes. It was yummy.

The husband has taken the kids to the gym to 'walk'. I'm getting some down time while Evan, I believe, is down for the night. I miss him already!! I like to have the nightly cuddles with him before bed. I was busy cooking tonight. :(

Well, this is about as random as you get! I'm just glad to be blogging with no interruptions! haha

Can you tell I'm enjoying my week?

Womanhood Revisited

I wish I had a computer in my brain that could copy down things I want to blog. By the time I get a chance to actually blog, I can't remember what it was going to be about!

Yesterday, I had a migraine. Don't have but about two a year and it's usually when something crazy is going on w/ my hormones. Sure enough, Aunt Flo knocked last night, and sadly, I had to answer! Womanhood has returned! Just a few weeks ago, I finished the post-partum deal. It doesn't seem like I've had a break, but it has been one year since I had a period. This time last year, had a tiny little life growing in me. Look at him now! Mr. Evan--18 pounds, cooing and teething! He is sooo sweet, there aren't any words to describe a new baby. I'm sorry, but I think people are crazy for not wanting any children!!

Speaking of Evan, he had had some bouts of screaming during the early mornings about 3 mornings in a row. I'm not sure what it was, but I know it wasn't teething. I mean, about 45 minutes to an hour of screaming. I was helpless, but prayed. Actually, husband did all the praying because I was trying to console! I figured it out it might be the milk my mom was giving him for the extra feeding that I don't have enough breastmilk for. She has been using goat milk (straight from the, er, goat), but the goats haven't been producing, so she's been giving him goat milk from the carton. Pasteurized, Homogenized. So, I'm thinking, the enzymes have been killed via pasteurization which in turn, causes baby to not digest milk as well. Yesterday, we just did formula for the extra feeding and had a great night! Bye, bye goat milk from the carton. Hello, sleep. Sort of. He is still getting up during the night and so is Erin! I was up at 4:30, got the smiling young-one back to sleep at 6 or so and I just decided to stay up. Yawn.

After tomorrow, I have 10 days with my family! I can't wait!! I want to savor every. single. minute. Make lots of memories with my babies. I just love this time of year!

God is good. I don't thank Him enough. Do any of us? How can we ever repay what He's done for us?

All About Erin

Erin Abigail Cooper

Favorite Animal: Elephant (wants to name all elephants, "Babar") & Pigs (wants to name all pigs, "Wilbur")

Favorite Book: This is a hard one, but I believe she likes "Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" the best.

Favorite Cuteness: It is so cute when she says, "I love you, Mama" or when she rhymes words, like, "Tickle" and she will say, "Dickle, Wickle, Pickle"

Dislikes: Her biggest dislike would have to be getting her hair combed. She has unkempt hair that has a tendency to tangle very easily! She also dislikes loud noises. She hates to be interrupted during a project or task. "I gotta finish my puzzle fuhst"

Favorite Food: She loves garlic toast, candy, spaghetti, pizza (toppings), all meat, cereal, pears, oranges, and butterbeans. Not much after that.

Hobbies: She currently loves putting puzzles together. She will still sit and "read" for minutes on end. She enjoys 'cooking' outside and also helping mama.

Interests: Books and Animals. LOVES Animals.

Loves: animals, mama, scratching my neck, sucking her bottom lip, playing outside, Gabby (her dog), Herky (our cat), Gran-gran, Papa, movies, candy, having a story read to her, baths, Christmas (she can't wait)

Music: "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" is her current favorite.

Abilities: She is fully potty trained now (as of 10/07), can carry on complete conversations, can put a 3 -4 year old puzzle together, can dress/undress herself, can sing,

Current Inquisition: "What does this (insert word) start with?"

She is my baby girl and the daughter of my dreams!

Weekend Uninterrupted!

This weekend was perfect to me. It has been a looong time since I've had a perfect one--probably since before Evan was born. A perfect weekend to me means my house is straightened all throughout, the clothes are washed and put away (or are being done so), my kids are well behaved, my husband is home, the weather is beautiful, I have food to cook, and we are having a great time as a family. All the above occurred. For some reason, I got my house straightened without being interrupted, I washed clothes and got to put them away as they dried, Evan is entertaining himself some now, so he played contently while I worked. Of course, I played with him after feedings. Erin and Emory played outside most of the day and were good (besides the time Emory chased Erin with a BB gun and Erin came inside yelling, "Mama, Emory's trying to kill me"). I cooked a fabulous supper; roast and gravy, macaroni and cheese (which, btw, my husband, who is a world famous mac and cheese scrutinizer, said it was the best he had ever eaten), green beans, rice, and biscuits. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! My husband worked and finished his wood shed. Evan and I put some wood in it for him while he watched the Alabama-LSU game. Evan in his carrier attached to me, of course. The kids went to bed fairly early and the day was done. We never once left the house and it was fantastic.

How was your weekend?