The important things

Taking time for the important things is not always easy, but is something I have been trying to do with my sisters lately.  Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail.

A few days ago Mom and Dad went out for an early dinner.  The girls where playing, and the baby was asleep on my bed.  Ah the perfect time to finish that book.  Then (knock, knock) a precious little one tip-toes into my room, "Can we please do painting, oh please sweet sister".  My mind started racing, "painting makes a mess, and the baby is so peaceful, I really want to finish this book, they can always paint another time".  I looked up from my book and told her that they would have to wait till another time.  She went away quietly, with a slightly dejected face.  And I felt like a heel.  After about 30 seconds of reflection I realized I had made the wrong decision.  So I put down my book, went out to the family room and helped them set up the painting supplies. 

It is times like this I remind myself these days are precious, and go by quickly.

I can read that book later. 

I can write that blog post after they go to bed. 

I can wait to watch that movie. 

I can't wait to invest in my family. 

I can't wait to make memories.

Fabulous Friday Find

I have another great product to share with y'all.

I love tea in general, hot tea in particular. But one thing has always puzzled me. 

Why in the world would a tea company *cough* Celestial Seasonings *cough* make tea bags without a string? Sure you can use your spoon to get it out of the cup, but unless you give it a good squeeze, half of the flavor is missing.  I started pressing mine between two spoons, until...

photo credit-williams-sonoma.com

One of the best ideas ever!  A teaspoon and strainer combined into one, wonderful tea accessory.  And were else would you find such a wonderful item, Williams-Sonoma of course!  Oh how I love that place.  Some women go to the mall and shop for shoes.  I go to Williams-Sonoma and shop for kitchen gadgets.

Here is a link, I dare you to browse their site for 10 minutes and not fall in love with something. 

Happy Birthday Baby

On September 8th 2009, God blessed our family with a precious gift, Abigail Hope.  Her name Abigail means "a father's joy"  but she is our entire families joy. 

Her birth was quite amazing. 

Now before I get into to this I just want to say that my mother is without a doubt the most amazing woman on this earth.  Especially when it comes to childbirth.  My mother has big babies, I mean BIG babies. But if you saw us today you would never guess. Dad always says "My wife births butterballs, and raises toothpicks." I am the peewee of the family weighing in at 8.11, my other siblings were 9.0, 9.10 and 9.4. And brace yourself, we were born naturally with NO medication of any kind.

Then there was Abbey. 11 pounds 4 ounces of pure joy. and yes, she too was born all natural. Do I hear "Mother of the Year" nomination anyone?

Once Abbey came home, we couldn't wait to have a real life doll to play with.

 

She is SUCH a doll!

 

She likes to climb into odd places

She also has a thing for posing with her mouth opened

And making funny faces

Praying with her great-grandmother

Happy Birthday Sweetie

Nana's Chili

Fall is almost here! I think I hear the Hallelujah chorus.

I love fall, it is by far my favorite season.

There are many reasons to love fall, and one of them is soup.

Today I will be sharing our family's favorite chili recipe.

We love it for many reasons:

1) It is very easy to make.

2) It is a family original, my Nana started making this recipe 40 years ago.

3) It has a great mild taste and can be spiced up to each persons taste.


Nana's Chili
1 lb ground chuck
3-4 TB dried minced onions
1 10oz can tomato soup
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
2 16oz beans (red, kidney or pinto)

In a large stock pot sprinkle a thin layer of minced dried onions to cover bottom of pot, add meat.  After the meat is thoroughly cooked, drain the fat and discard.  Return to stove top and add remaining ingredients. Cook on medium/low heat for about 1 hour, until beans have softened.  Add salt, pepper and chili powder to taste.

Below are some photos of the triple batch we made today.

Note on the beans: In our triple batch we used two of each. If you are making a single batch, just mix the beans to your personal preference.

We LOVE our new All-Clad stockpot

Before dinner

After dinner

The Four B's of Toddler Fashion

Beads, Blouse, Bloomers & Boots 

Have I told you today that I love you?

That is what my Dad would say to me every day when he came home from work.  I remember hearing his car pull into the driveway and running to the door.  There he was in his suit and tie on one knee, with his arms open waiting for his little girl to run to him.  And without fail he would hug me and then say "Have I told you today that I love you? Because I do, very much". 

So... Have I told you today that I love you? Because I do, very much.

When you stop by to read my blog it makes my day.

When you leave a comment it makes my week.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to check my blog. 

Thank you for all of your kind comments.

Thank you for being my cyber friends.

So give yourself a big hug for me, and know that you are greatly appreciated.

Fabulous Friday Find

Todays find is a wonderful cookbook by another blogger The Pioneer Woman. 

Now I don't kid myself, my blog isn't in the same solar system as hers, but it is fun to see how a ranch wife has become such a sensation. 

And most of that is thanks to her cooking.

If you like what you see here and on her blog, you can purchase her cookbook at Amazon & Barnes & Noble

I have heard great things about her lasagna

I like how she breaks things up with random ranch photos

I LOVE these little muffins, would y'all like the recipe?

My sweet friend Sarah has made the Cinnamon Rolls for our family several times. They are fantastic!

Mom decided to make this cake today for no real reason.

I think I might be rubbing off on her