Thursday, October 15, 2009

Howdy.

I have so many thoughts swirling around in my head these days. I've tried to blog about a few of them and just can't seem to get what is in my head to make any sense once I start typing.


So I'm just going to catch up on what's going on around here.


It's been a short week for us. Yesterday was a half-day of school (for my middle-schoolers) and everyone is out today and tomorrow. I slept late this morning (7am is late for me) and the kids are still sleeping. I'm excited about this four-day weekend. Just wish John didn't have to work and could hang out with us.


Today is full of parent-teacher conferences for me. And house cleaning. I also need to finish up my menu plan and grocery list and figure out when I can grocery shop without taking everyone to the store with me! It will probably end up being this weekend, but of course, I have to arrange my schedule around the Arkansas-Florida game and a few other important things. Our weekend is pretty full...and I'm trying to be okay with that. I don't know when I turned into such an anti-activity girl.


Sarah loves to cook and bake and yesterday afternoon asked if she could make some play-dough. I love that she still loves playing with play-dough. After making sure we had all the ingredients (we had to empty the salt-shaker) we whipped up a batch. Seriously, this is the easiest recipe. Takes five minutes from start to finish and it kept her happy for a long time!


Sarah also wanted to bake something. I suggested we make something with pumpkin since I had an open can in the fridge from my pumpkin spice latte. She agreed and we did some searching. She decided against Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups and Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Muffins in favor of a Pumpkin Cake Roll. Oh my goodness. It was good! And she learned some fancy-schmancy baking skills while her mother learned patience. Win-win!


By the way, is there a canned pumpkin shortage on your grocery store shelves? I have had a HARD time finding it this fall. I finally found some and now I'm hoarding it. I think others have the same idea! It's scarce around these parts.


One of the things we're going to do this weekend is get our Halloween costumes made. This is probably the first time in 10 years that I've been on the ball in this area. I'm costume challenged, but I figure if I start this weekend then I'll have plenty of time to NOT stress about it. I'm DYING to tell you what my kids are going to be, but I'd rather show you a picture once we're finished with our costume creations. The girls have changed their minds a dozen times, but I think they've finally settled on something and they're going to be CUTE! Stay tuned...


I have so much more to say, but I've run out of time. Must get moving. I'll be back soon!

PS--Today is the last day to enter the book/shirt/cap giveaway on John's blog.

9 comments:

Gretchen said...

Patience in the kitchen. I'm learning. J. likes to bake, too. And I try to smile when she asks if she can help me bake. No one comes running to help cook dinner, but when chocolate chips and/or sugar is involved, the help arrives promptly. ;)

Have an awesome long weekend.

Carpool Queen said...

I told the kids they are responsible for their costumes this year. I have a feeling the day OF, we'll be hunting for sheets we can cut holes in.

Christy said...

After piecing together 2 Robin Hood costumes last year, I told my kids this year we were buying already made costumes. Luckily I found 2 on sale so it didn't sting so bad to pay full price for the other one.

Thanks for visiting my blog, I've lurked around here for a while, glad to be out of the shadows. Thank you for your sweet words.

Will keep you in prayers for your day coming up-birthdays can be hard.

Unknown said...

I am so excited for your four day weekend! I'm praying it will be nice enough for y'all to go out and do something fun!

Can't wait to see the costumes.

As youknow I made your amazing pumpkin/choc chip muffins this week and they are amazing! I'm pretty sure I will be making your Roll inthe near future too.

Elizabeth said...

I've had a hard time finding pumpkin around here too. My hubby said there were problems with the crops, so stock up when you see it!

I finally stepped foot in a TJ's today. I spent way too much but had a great time doing it! I bought pumpkin pancake mix for breakfast tomorrow. Anything made with pumpkin has to be good!

Sounds like you're having a fun fall break. So are we!

Anonymous said...

The Great Pumpkin Shortage of 2009! And to think we'll one day be able to say we lived through it! Thank for the new recipe. You know how I love those.

I hope you have a fun extended weekend.

Jenn said...

Have fun making the costumes the kids costumes. I bought the stuff to make the candy corn mix for Halloween gifts for the boys' teachers. Having to have some serious self control because I want to make a batch for myself NOW. Enjoy watching the Razorbacks/Gator game today. :o)

Jennifer said...

Mer........I just wanted to let you know that I received John's book today in the mail! I'm so excited to give this to Craig for Christmas. Please let John know that we are thankful for the giveaway! I hope he had a great day at his book signing! Thanks again!! I'm off to watch the Florida/Arkansas game.

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

Yeah, your comment about her learning fancy baking skills and you learning patience... that had me rolling. That's going to continue to be me and Madeline for the rest of our lives. Seriously. ("Lord give me strength!")

You're not the first bloggy person mentioning a shortage of canned pumpkin. I honestly had like 4 or so cans leftover from last year and haven't even looked recently, so I wouldn't know... Weird though! You could always make your own - ha!