Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

I hope everyone has a great weekend planned. Ours is much more simple than last weekend... mainly because no one else planned it for us!

We're having our annual Hobo Supper at my Mom's house Friday night with all the cousins, and I really lucked up this year. All I have to bring is the butter! (It's okay. I'll make up for it Thanksgiving.)

Mike and the boys are heading to the Auburn/Mississippi game all day Saturday, which means some major shopping for me and Roxie. It's one of Josh's goals to go to all the SEC stadiums before he graduates. He hasn't been to this one yet, so he's very excited.

Sunday is a photo shoot at the Botanical Gardens with Austin and his girlfriend, and my nephew, Brad, and his girlfriend. We're planning on leaving as soon as church is over so we don't have to rush. Remember I said this weekend would have much more "Josh" time in it. Well, it does. He has chosen to watch football with his dad all day Sunday (in between church). He gets his wish. A high school game Thursday night, a college game on Saturday and TV football all day Sunday... he will be a happy camper.

So much easier than last weekend. Of course, anything would have been easier than last weekend!

Mike and I walked Austin down the field for his last football game. It was a lot of fun (and you'll be proud to know I did not cry). I got a rose and Austin got a medal. Mikie got nothing, but he looked very nice. And to make the evening a total success, we beat our rivals, so we ended the year on a good note... no pun intended coming from a band mom.

This is a very short post today. No words of wisdom, except to encourage everyone to spend some time this weekend with the people you love. Get outside and enjoy the wonderful weather. Remember, fall is the shortest of all the four seasons. You can't waste a moment of it!

Book

My book pick for this week is a great children's book. It comes in paperback and it is a good book for 5 to 7 or 8 year-olds. It is called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. (I still haven't learned how to underline while typing on the blog, but please know that I'm aware a book title is supposed to be underlined.) It's about a little boy (one of three brothers) who wakes up and anything and everything that can go wrong that day does go terribly wrong. This book has black and white illustrations that really let the story do the talking. I love reading it to a group of kids, and on every other page when it says, "Alexander was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day," I let the kids say that part with me. By the end of the book, they are saying it with gusto.

It's just one of those books that is funny and true, and gets the point across really, really well.

Have a great weekend. I'll be back Monday with a teenage party plan for boys. Remember, all of next week will be geared to preteens and teenagers. Also, I plan on having some more pictures on Monday. I'll have all weekend to play with the blog and try to get my spacing right. Wish me luck!

Alphabet Date

Good Thursday morning!

Many, many things are going on in the Faulkner household today. Tonight Austin will be Drum Major for the last time. Mike and I will walk out on the field with him for Senior Night. (What to wear? What to wear?) It's just the beginning of all the emotional things that will be happening this year. This year is the "first of the lasts." Thankfully, we still have Josh and Roxie for several more years. (Josh's senior year will be referred to as the "second of the lasts" and Roxie's will be hereafter referred to as the "last of the lasts," or "the year that Mom's heart broke into 1,000 pieces." Just pick one... they're both accurate.)

I have to admit I've been dreading the school year 2008-2009 for 17 1/2 years. When the kids were in preschool, I would play the piano for the end of the year graduation programs. Even the years my children were not graduating were difficult, and I would find myself on the piano bench crying quietly as the little five year-olds in their caps and gowns received their little diplomas.

It wasn't much better every spring when our church would have Senior Recognition Night. There were years I did not know one single senior graduating (our church is so big), and I would sit in the balcony as tears rolled down my face... and Mikie would roll his eyes and hand me his handkerchief.

"You're not going to be able to go to Austin's graduation," he told me a couple of years ago.

"That's fine with me. I don't want to see it anyway. If I don't actually witness him graduating, it won't really have happened," I replied. In actuality, anyone who has ever met me knows I'll be there with four cameras -- two for actual shots and two for back-up. And I'll be needing those pictures, because from where I'll be sitting everything is going to be wet and blurry.

I mentioned I went with Roxie and friends to see High School Musical 3 the other day, and at the end when they (SPOILER) graduated, I was sitting in that dark theater crying. That's how ridiculous it has gotten. When you start caring about Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay's futures and the sight of them in Wildcat graduation garb reduces you to tears it's time to... well, I don't know what it's time to do. I'm at a complete loss.

The only positive of Austin being my first to graduate is I plan on actually staying in the balcony and crying quietly. With Josh, I'll probably be a little closer to the graduates... sitting on the floor of the auditorium instead of the balcony... crying a little bit louder, but still not hanging onto him for dear life. But with Roxie, I have no doubt that I'll be face down clutching one of her legs and she'll be dragging me down the church aisle trying to receive her diploma... and I'm pretty sure the crying (more like moaning) will be much, much louder by the time my last one leaves the nest.

It's a funny thing. I remember older women coming up to me all the time saying, "Enjoy these days. They'll be gone before you know it." Having not had enough sleep, wearing no make-up, and badly needing a haircut, I would smile weakly thinking they didn't know what in the world they were talking about. I didn't have 24 hour days like everyone else. My days lasted 36 hours or more. They were like the Energizer Bunny... they just kept going and going and going. There were days I never thought bedtime would arrive, or that all three would be potty-trained, or they would be out of car seats, or they would be able to do their homework by themselves, or they would be able to drive themselves to school and dentist appointments. But those women were wise. It happened before I could blink my eye.

Oh, I should have mentioned this earlier... this post is not the least bit uplifting. If you see me today, I'll probably need a hug... or some chocolate... or maybe a gift certificate to Cracker Barrel. Yeah. A gift certificate would probably help a great deal.

Now for all of you out there with little ones in the 3 to 6 year-old range, I have a fun little date for you and your special guy or girl.

Alphabet Date

The first rule for dating your children -- Make the date and write it in PEN on your calendar. Do not cancel the date. It is as important as going to work, church, etc. Once you make the date, keep the date.

The second rule for dating your children -- Do not run errands or do other things in the time frame of the date. If you are taking them to the mall (like this date), do not pick up this or that just because you are there. This is a date -- 100 percent time spent with your little one. Remember -- NO ERRANDS.

Now that the ground rules have been set, on with the date!

This one is easy and fun. Take the first letter of your child's name and plan an Alphabet Date. If the letter is a "T," try to find as many things that begin with the letter "T" as you can. Take a digital camera and a notebook to write down all the things you find that start with your letter. Go to your local mall, and just start looking. You can take pictures of your child beside the item, or the child can take the pictures for themselves. It can be a picture of a train, a stuffed Tigger at The Disney Store, a t-shirt, etc. Set a goal of 20 to 25 items (more if the child is older), and see what you can find.

When you have met your goal, go to the book store in the mall (there's always a book store in a mall), and find an age appropriate book that begins with the letter. Buy the book and head to the food court. Try to find a snack or snacks that begin with the letter, also.

Now if you have a child whose name begins with the letters "Q" or "X," it only makes sense to use the first letter of their middle or last name. It's supposed to be fun and educational, not frustrating and hard.

Have the pictures developed for the child to remember their special date. They can take the pictures to school for Show and Tell, or just show their teacher one day.

It may seem a waste of a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to run around a mall and look for "T" things, but it is NEVER a waste to spend one-on-one time with your little one. Take it from a little older woman, "Enjoy these days. They'll be gone before you know it."

Tomorrow I'll give you the title of a great book to add to your collection.

Have a great day, and I'll talk to you on Friday.

Hobo Supper

Good Wednesday morning!

Before we get to Wednesday's Tradition, I wanted to share something I wrote many years ago about "embarrassment." Although Austin was only three at the time the following happened, I know and accept that I have become a HUGE embarrassment to my two teenagers and almost teenage daughter in recent years. Sometimes, just stopping and looking at underwear for a minute as you pass by that department in a store, or even laughing too loudly at the "wrong" part in a movie can cause a teenager's skin to become scarlet, their eyes to roll into the back of their heads, and the inevitable hiss that will follow... "Motherrrr!" (Sometimes I do it on purpose... sometimes I'm a little perplexed at what caused the above reaction. But I do know it's a natural part of growing up... for a child and a Christian!)

When my son, Austin, was a little older than three, our family took an annual seminar trip to the beach. It was our sixth year at the seminar seeing the same mothers and children. While our husbands were in meetings, we relaxed around the baby pool and talked about how big the children had grown over the past year.

It was a morning like any other at the baby pool when Austin suddenly slipped and went under water. I jumped up from the lounge chair that was less than two feet from the edge of the pool, and in true Olympic form, took a step to dive in and rescue my precious baby. To my disbelief, my feet flew out from under me at the edge of the pool. There was no time to stop or soften the fall and consequently, I landed squarely on my posterior. I can't even begin to describe the horrific sound of tightly stretched spandex hitting wet concrete... or the unbelievable pain that soon followed!

I quickly hobbled to Austin and brought my slightly sputtering three year-old to the surface where he gasped for air. His first words to me were, "Mommy, you embarrassed me!"

My mind went numb. (I wish I could have said the same for my tailbone.) I embarrassed him?!? I was incredulous. This was the same kid who five months earlier had knocked over a Salvation Army representative outside of K-Mart, who in turn knocked over her metal Salvation Army sign and kicked her iron Salvation Army bucket into the street. This was the same kid who then climbed UNDER and UP my skirt while I contemplated whether we could make it to the car and out of the parking lot without anyone getting my tag number.

This was the kid who in his first Christmas pageant EVER picked his nose like it had never been picked before without missing a beat.

This was the kid who sucked two pieces of Big Red chewing gum up his left nostril two days after I came home from the hospital with Joshua, and I had to remove the giant wad of gum with eyebrow tweezers.

And where the heck did my three year-old learn how to use the word "embarrassed" (and use it correctly)?

The truth of the matter is, no matter how embarrassed we become either by ourselves or with a little help from family or friends (or three year-olds), I can't imagine how much more we must embarrass our Heavenly Father with our thoughts, comments and deeds throughout a single day. How many times has God listened to me and wanted to shake His head because I knew better than to say or do those things which were displeasing?

The Bible gives us very specific instructions that, if followed, would alleviate many situations in which we embarrass our Lord and ourselves as Christians. Paul wrote a letter to the Church at Thessalonica and in 1 Thessalonians 5 he had these words of wisdom to share. "Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men," (v. 14). The unselfish acts of encouraging, helping and being patient help take our eyes off ourselves and focus on others. No time to sin there!

"Rejoice always," (v. 16). I don't know about you, but when I'm rejoicing about something, that usually means I'm in a pretty good mood; thus, my "sinful nature" is a little easier to control.

"Pray without ceasing," (v. 17). It's pretty difficult to say, think or do the wrong thing if we're praying all the time and seeking God's perfect will for lives.

I know when my kids have embarrassed me to the point I don't want to crawl out from under the restaurant table, at some time in the future, the embarrassment will fade, but my love for them will not diminish. Thankfully, I also know God's love for me is unconditional and steadfast. There will never be anything I do that could lessen His love for me. And because of His love, I will try harder each and every day NOT to embarrass my Savior. (I just wish my kids would make the same commitment about embarrassing their Mother!)

Hobo Supper

This is what I like to call a "transition tradition." For years, my three kids, along with their three cousins, met at my parents' home and we had a hot dog supper before heading out to trick-or-treat. My sister and I (along with our husbands and my Dad) took our kids to the same homes of people we used to go to when we were kids. The oldest cousin is now 17 and the youngest is ten. Needless to say, the 17, 16, 15 and 14 year-olds are not interested in trick-or-treating any longer. The 12 and ten year-olds like it "okay." Instead of letting this time spent with family just fade away because we "outgrew" it, we turned it into something new... something celebrated on the same night, but that all ages could still enjoy.

You have a choice. Your family can all dress up like hobos, or you can just come as you are. At this point and time, we come as we are to have this simple, yet fun dinner together.

You will need the following:

12 quart stock pot

12 ears of corn (stand them up and around the edge of the stock pot)

12 scrubbed (but not peeled) potatoes in bottom of the stock pot

Hillshire Italian Sausage cut into 2 - 3" links (3 people per pound of sausage) placed on top of potatoes

12 peeled carrots (large) placed on top of the sausage

1 large cabbage cut into quarters (place the four quarters point down on top of all of the vegetables)

Add 4" of water to the stock pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Turn it down on low (not simmer).

Cover and cook for 45 minutes. Check every 10 - 15 minutes to make sure the water has not totally evaporated.

Using a long fork, test the potatoes in the bottom to see if they are tender.

When the potatoes are tender, turn the stove off and let the pot sit for 5 - 10 minutes before draining.

Have each person come through the line with their plate, and give them one of everything (except the cabbage). Let's face it... there's probably only one or two of the adults who want that anyway!

Have butter, salt, pepper and ranch dressing on the table to add a little flavor.

I know it sounds almost too simple, and maybe not what you're used to eating, but it is great.

Dessert should be simple, too. It can be vanilla ice cream with toppings.

You can end the evening with a movie (Disney's The Haunted Mansion comes to mind), or playing games like Pictionary or Charades using only Halloween clues. Remember, the important thing is to be together. Just because the kids outgrow one tradition doesn't mean you have to give up that time as a family.

In the months to come, I'll have "transition traditions" for Christmas (teenage equivalent for Santa Claus), Easter (teenage equivalent for Easter Egg Hunts), etc.

Don't give up the time with your family until you absolutely have to. (And for the record... the 17, 16, 15 and 14 year-olds still look forward to our family Halloween gathering!)

Tomorrow I have a great date for parents and their kids ages four to seven. It's easy, inexpensive, educational and lots of fun.

Oh, and just so you know... next week's posts are dedicated to families with preteens and teenagers.

Have a great day!

Cherry-Fudge Cake

Good Tuesday morning!

My Monday turned out to be interesting. I went on a field trip with Roxie's 6th grade class to American Village in Montevallo. I was pretty surprised when I realized I had never been there before. Usually with two older brothers, you've been to most of the basic field trip spots, but for some reason, this was a new one for me.

They did an excellent job teaching the kids about how voting was handled during colonial times and the importance of everyone voting today in the year 2008. Hearing what people went through to get the right to vote (women, minorities, etc.) makes you not want to take that right for granted... especially next week.

We had a schedule we were supposed to keep and our school was divided into three groups -- Rhode Island, Delaware and Georgia. Roxie and I were in the Rhode Island group. We started following our teacher and other kids to a building across a field when a man dressed in a period costume yelled and asked who we were. I yelled back the name of our school. He again yelled, "No! Who are you?" The other mothers with me yelled the name of our school. By this time, he was getting irate and yelled, "No!!! What state are you?" Oh. Why didn't you say so? We knew who we were. We were Rhode Island!

"Rhode Island," we finally responded correctly.

Still very irate, he again yelled, "Rhode Island, get over here!" Okay, okay. Don't get your knickers in a wad! In the grand scheme of things it wasn't the end of the world. But I will admit, we all walked/ran very fast to get where we were supposed to have been in the first place! Something about a man yelling at you holding a big stick... it's a little intimidating.

When we finally entered the building for our first "skit," he introduced himself as the sheriff. We could never tell if he was "in character," or if he was just really, really grumpy. Either way, parents and kids alike were very well-behaved during that portion of the tour.

His "skit" had to do with elections during that time period. According to the sheriff, the candidates would stand up and introduce themselves and then offer a small "favor." Well, the two people acting as candidates introduced themselves and said they were going to pass around a basket of homemade chocolates and a basket of caramels, respectively. Okay! Now we were talking. Chocolate and caramels during a school field trip!

Do not even ask me what I thought when they passed around the two baskets and peppermints were in one and cinnamon hard candies were in the other. You don't promise a 47-year old woman chocolate and caramels and then give her peppermint and cinnamon. It is inhumane, that's what it is. I wouldn't cast a vote for either one of them, I decided. Then the grumpy sheriff added insult to injury and told all the women to sit down because we weren't even allowed to vote during that time period. No justice!

They really did a very good job of teaching about how things were handled way back when, and I felt like we all learned a lot... but I sure could have used some chocolate or caramel to help me make it to lunch!

It was a great day for a field trip, too. It was brisk, bright and blustery. I might as well admit now that I was (and am) a huge Winnie the Pooh fan when the kids were small. I loved the colors in the Hundred Acre Wood... and I loved the blustery days. My favorite day is a gray, October day with leaves falling, a cool temperature (in the 50s) with a lot of wind... in other words "blustery." I like that word almost as much as "autumnal." (In just a week and one day I've already told you two of my three favorite words. I'm revealing way too much of myself!)

Well, I promised a grown-up dessert for today, and here it is... So-Easy Cherry-Fudge Cake. It was in this October's Southern Living. It is on page 144 if you subscribe to that magazine. If you don't, the recipe is as follows:

So-Easy Cherry-Fudge Cake

1 Package Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 Can Cherry Pie Filling
2 Large Eggs
1 tsp. Almond Extract
1 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Milk
5 Tbsp. Butter
1 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Morsels

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat first 4 ingredients at low speed for 20 seconds; increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 minute. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 27 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake.

3. Bring sugar, milk and butter to a boil in a heavy 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate morsels until melted and smooth. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely before serving.

It tastes like a giant chocolate covered cherry. It is so good. I love cake recipes that use a cake mix for the base ingredient, but add a lot of different ingredients to make it taste "made from scratch." If you don't have this month's Southern Living, you ought to pick up a copy. It has a lot of recipes that are pretty easy. I haven't tried them all, but I'm working on it.

That's all for today. Hiding from that mean sheriff all day really took it out of me. I think I'm ready to "hit the hay." (That's colonial-speak for "go to bed.")

Remember, tomorrow's post will be another seasonal tradition you can try with your family. It's a fun one, too.

Take care and have a great day!

Pumpkin Party

Good Monday morning!

Pumpkin Party (Girls)

Ages 5-12

What a weekend! However, before we get into that, I want to go ahead and share the party for this week. Last Thursday, after school, we had our 13th annual Pumpkin Party. The party has changed over the years. When the guys were little (4 years old and up), we had a few friends over, decorated pumpkins and made homemade pumpkin pies (until they became too cool -- 7 or 8 depending on the boy). With Roxie and her friends we have continued the tradition, but with a few additions and subtractions. This is what we normally do now. A date is set for after school (usually on a Tuesday or Thursday) before Halloween. It's only a two hour party (3:30 - 5:30), so everyone has time to do homework and get a shower before the next school day. As soon as the kids arrive, we have our snacks. Simple Halloween paper plates, napkins and orange plastic cups, bowls of popcorn and then one of several "scary" desserts. This year we had a ghost graveyard cake. I'm going to break one of my own rules and put a RECIPE on PARTY/EVENT day.

You will need the following:

Chips A'hoy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Large Container of Whipped Cream
Milk

10 - 15 Oreo Cookies

1. Pour 3/4 to 1 cup milk in a deep bowl. Put 2 to 3 Chips A'hoy Cookies at a time in the bowl and count to 5 letting them soak in the milk. Line the bottom of 13 x 9" glass dish with the milk-soaked cookies. After the first layer is down, spread whipped cream over the cookies.

2. Repeat the layers.

3. Crush the 10 - 15 Oreos and sprinkle them over the top of the dessert. Use large marshmallows and decorate them with black gel icing making little ghost faces (one for each child) and put them on top of the dessert.

4. Refrigerate until time to serve.

OPTION: You can also use Milano Cookies and write RIP on the front of them and stick them halfway in the dessert and use them as cemetery head markers. It is a "beyond easy dessert" and it serves eight kids very easily... and it gets them in the mood for a little Halloween party. As you can see from the picture, it is not the most beautiful dessert you will ever see, but every girl exclaimed, "Cute! Can I have that ghost?" It takes very little to make them happy. Remember... simple. After snack, we begin the Cobweb. I learned about Cobwebs in a book a friend of mine bought at a Yard Sale many years ago. You have to get a skein of yarn for every child invited. (I suggest 5 to 8 children.) Make sure if you have 5 children, you have 5 different colors of yarn.

On your back deck, a room in your basement, your family room, etc., you tie the end of the yarn at the "starting point" and go around the room, under chairs, around door knobs, behind the couch, etc. When you've gone around, under, and over at least ten things, tie off the end of the yarn. Now you're ready for skein number 2. Same starting point, but different paths. By the time you are threading numbers 4, 5, 6, etc. it starts getting a little harder to maneuver.

When it's time for the party, open the door and let the kids take it in for just a moment. Have everyone hold the end of their yarn and then cut the first knot. Everyone starts at the same time, keeping the yarn in their hands in a ball as they go over, under, through and around all the other kids and furniture. It is a great time.

When the Cobweb is over, it is time to start decorating the pumpkins. Every year we try a different kind of pumpkin. We never carve... too many kids with too many sharp objects. We've made kitten pumpkins with pipe cleaner ears and tails and painted eyes, noses and mouths.

Last year we did tissue paper pumpkins with small squares of different colored tissue paper and Mod Podge. Follow the Mod Podge instructions and cover the pumpkin with the tissue paper. Before the Mod Podge can completely dry, sprinkle with gold or silver glitter. Beautiful! This year we made "Decorator Pumpkins." We used metallic paints and painted the base gold or silver. Then we used all different colors of metallic paints to decorate. I had a copy of the magazine page the idea came from and while the kids were eating their snack, they looked at the magazine picture and then came up with their own creations. All were unique and all were very pretty.

By the time you've had your snack, finished the Cobweb and decorated the pumpkins, it is usually time for parents to be picking up the kids. If you want to throw in a light supper of Crock Pot Hot Dogs (see earlier recipe) with chips and pumpkin cookies, that would be easy and fine, too.

It is by far one of my favorite (and easiest) parties to throw every year.

Weekend Update

Friday Night Football Game - CHECK

Austin's Saturday Morning ACT Test - CHECK

Josh's Workout at Church with Buddy - CHECK

Roxie's 6th Grade Pageant - OH, MY WORD!!! Can you spell STRESSSSSS! I think my wedding day was less stressful. And nothing went wrong. I was up very early. The dress was ready. The cameras were all souped up. She had her makeup done by 9:25 (reminder - pageant is at 3:00). Then we had to wait until her 12:00 hair appointment. From 9:25 until 12:00 was an eternity... for me! She loved her hair. The lady doing her hair, Miss Debbie, told us to add glitter to the makeup (she has three older daughters so we consider her an expert), so off to the store we ran to get glitter. After we were "glitterized," we put on the dress and headed to the pageant. All the little girls were very elegant, and their gowns were amazing. I was truly proud of all of them. Roxie didn't place in the Top Ten, but she said she had a good time, and on the way to eat with all the grandparents, she made calls to her friends to congratulate them (her idea). I was very proud of her, and thankful she was able to lose with dignity and grace. All in all, she declared the pageant "fun," but didn't know if she would do it again. Either way, I'm okay. I think I have the hang of it now. Well, mainly the glitter part. I think I'm going to wear glitter this week. Maybe it'll make me look younger! (And not just white glitter... I'm going all out and getting the purple or pink glitter!) If you see me out, be sure and tell me how young and hip I look. It will be appreciated I assure you!

High School Musical - CHECK

Supper for 9th Grade Boys' Bible Study - CHECK

Amazing Race - CHECK

Weekend officially over and ready for the week to begin - CHECK

Roxie's 800 point project - Uh, well... Did anyone notice all the CHECKs we had up there. We had 8 completed CHECKs. That's huge. That should count for something. We should get 200 points in Science just because we completed 8 out of 9 CHECKs for our family for the weekend. Sigh!! That's not how the world works, is it? Don't worry. We're going to get it done (and done well, I might add). We Faulkners may look like we're falling apart under pressure, but we do get the job done! We've still got Monday night to put finishing touches on the poster and work on the presentation. I think it's going to be fine.

The last two weekends have been pretty much devoted to Austin and Roxie. I've told both of them that Josh gets a little extra attention next week. They've both agreed for the moment, but I'm just waiting to see what pops up on their "must do" weekend list.

Tomorrow I will have a wonderful "grown-up" cake (no marshmallow ghosties) that's not only easy, but would be a great dessert to take to any holiday parties coming up.

Have a great day, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

Well, it's been a week now since I started my blog, and I've had the best time. I have decided to try the following schedule:

Monday - Parties/Events
Tuesday - Recipes
Wednesday - Seasonal Traditions
Thursday - Surprise (Date Ideas, Devotions, etc.)
Friday - Favorite Books

I will probably not post Saturday or Sunday because those days will be full of things to report back to you on Monday. Plus, with my personality, I probably need a couple of days I'm not thinking about what I'm going to post... even though I have the next three weeks planned on my calendar.

This weekend is not a weekend that deserves to be under a blog named "A Simple Life." However, I will say that I did not instigate any of the plans. School, church and a little thing called High School Musical 3 all played a part in deciding my family's weekend.

Austin has a football game tomorrow night. It's the next to the last one and it is an away game, so we'll be getting in a little later than usual.

Austin will be taking the ACT one last time Saturday morning, and then working until 10:30 Saturday night.

Roxie asked to be in her school's 6th grade pageant, and that is scheduled for 3:00 Saturday (be there at 2:00... be nervous from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00).

High School Musical 3 is coming out Friday night, but since we're booked Friday and Saturday, that means Sunday matinee with a bunch of 12-year old girls, and back in time for church.

It has been called to my attention that it's my turn to make supper for the 9th grade boys' Bible Study Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. (and I will do so cheerfully for my Joshua).

Roxie has an 800 point Science Project due on Tuesday of next week, so we'll need to somehow get the majority of it finished before the weekend is over.

Actually, I haven't planned one single, simple thing for this weekend. We'll basically be in survival mode trying to make it to Sunday night when (I hope) we'll all gather home in time to watch Amazing Race together... and that will depend on whether Miss Roxie changes the channel to see what's cooking on the Food Network!

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining (even though when I re-read what I've written it definitely sounds a little whiny), but it's amazing to me how many obligations can pop up and take your time. I'm thankful every weekend isn't like this one.

However, I WILL make the most of this weekend. I WILL watch Austin Friday night and enjoy the next to the last time I see him in his uniform conducting the band. I WILL enjoy watching Roxie's pageant and seeing how pretty she and all of her friends look in their fancy new dresses and their new high heels (high for 12 year olds). I WILL enjoy watching Sharpay and Troy and Gabriella dance and sing in their third (and probably final) High School Musical. (They are graduating, right?). I WILL enjoy fixing the food for Josh's Bible Study, and I may even try a new cookie recipe I think he'll like. I WILL enjoy letting Mikie help Roxie with her project (and letting them have a little one-on-one time together). And I definitely WILL enjoy 8:00 Sunday night when we sit down as a family and watch our TV show... just the Faulkner Five.

No, it's not a simple weekend, but with the right attitude, it can still be a great one. But watch out. Next week, I'm making the plans!

Book

My pick for Book of the Week is The Pumpkin Patch Parable written by Liz Curtis Higgs. It is perfect for the 2 to 4 year olds in your family. The illustrations are bright and cheerful; there is scripture on each page so it's a great devotion book; and it teaches in a fun, entertaining way.

I've added a picture of me and Mikie. Slowly, but surely, I've introduced you to the whole family with the exception of our Copper. (I'm still trying, but I may have to use a video. Every picture of him is just a blur).

Have a great weekend! I'll be back on Monday.

Elevator/Escalator Date

Good Thursday morning!

Many, many years ago, I used to write little articles for our Sunday School newsletter. A special friend of ours from our Sunday School class passed away over 11 years ago on October 1. He was a very special friend, and he liked this little article way back then, so in remembering him this month, I'm going to blog this old article.

(Originally written October, 1997) I am the original "Autumn Nut." I love the way the light comes through my living room windows at 4:00 in the afternoon. I love the way the squirrels throw huge hickory nuts at me as I run with Roxie in my arms to my van. I love raking up huge piles of leaves and letting my boys jump in them (and when I think my neighbors aren't paying attention, I've been known to take a leap or two myself). I love the smell of cool, brisk autumnal air. (I love the word "autumnal.") I love gray days because the colors of the leaves are so vivid against the sky. I love wearing sweaters as opposed to bathing suits (for all the apparent reasons). I even fell in love with Mikie in autumn. (Of course, being the typical male, he didn't fall in love with me until the following spring.) Why have I bored you with an essay of all my favorite things? I have in recent years learned a very important lesson from my obsession with all things autumnal.

For a long period of time in my life, I trudged through the long summer months muttering under my breath every morning, "I can't wait until the leaves start to turn." I wasted many beautiful summer days longing for something not promised to me in the future. And then when autumn finally appeared, I was so worried about it lasting for such a short time that instead of enjoying its beauty, I found myself dreading the end of a day because it meant we were that much closer to the end of my season. What turned me around? What made me see the beauty in every season of my life? What catastrophic event turned the original "Autumn Nut" into someone who was capable of enjoying a 99 degree summer day?

Well, it was one of those passages of scripture we've all heard since the first day we walked into a church. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a season for every event under heaven."

I first used this scripture in my own life dealing with the doldrums that can set in with working and stay at home moms. The mundane routines of everyday life can easily fall into a "season." There are the enormous amounts of laundry; meals to prepare; car pooling; runny noses; temper fits in Wal-Mart; sticking your finger in the back of the baby's diaper and acting surprised when there is actually something in there (WHY DO WE DO THAT?); annoying telephone calls from solicitors; large, gaping holes in brand new pairs of pantyhose that you throw on as you're walking out the door on the way to a worship service; a slip that is doing exactly what the name implies and is down around your ankles before you notice (and by that time, you really don't care anymore); and lest any of us forget, the signature baby URP on the shoulder of your new black suede dress that no one feels the need to mention until you ask, "What is that smell?" and they quickly point out it's you.

I guess what I'm trying to say in my own simple way is I don't want to miss any of my seasons by being so caught up in the stresses of everyday life. I want to experience the joys of autumn all year long.

What I've determined to do is enjoy some part of my "season" each and every day. I don't want to miss the winters, springs and summers of my life because I am so focused on getting to the autumns. (Translation -- I don't want to wake up one day and the kids are gone, the house is neat and clean, the laundry hamper is empty and then realize what a beautiful time of my life I hurried through. What a waste that would be!)

I think Paul said it best in his letter to the Philippian church, "...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Philippians 4:11). What a wonderful thing to strive for... contentment in the winter, spring, summer and autumn seasons of our lives.

Well, I have to finish up this little article now. There are noses to wipe, laundry to do, beds to make, kids to take to school, kids to pick up from school, supper to prepare (chili and cornbread, of course), and I noticed something an odd "autumnal" color in the refrigerator I think I need to check on. (It's truly amazing how many times you can use that word if you really apply yourself!)

But I think I'll take a few minutes to slip out on my back deck and feel the cool, refreshing breeze on my face, watch the squirrels chase each other and enjoy the beautiful yellow, red and orange leaves falling at my feet while sipping warm cider out of my new pumpkin mug (Cracker Barrel - $3.99).

Yes, autumn is by far my favorite season, but winter, spring and summer have their good points, too. You just have to look a little harder!

Elevator/Escalator Date (Boy or Girl)

Ages 2-3

Dates are very important to have when you have more than one child. One-on-one time with your kids is just as important as family time. Even as young as 2 or 3 years old, you can begin "dating" your children.

How many times have you gotten on the elevator and had your kids fight over who got to push the button? It is universal. It is without regard to sex... boys like to push the button just as much as girls do.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon after lunch, take your little boy or little girl and go to the local mall. In Birmingham, we have the Galleria. Start at one end of the mall (J. C. Penney's) and go up the escalator. Walk into the mall and you will eventually come to another escalator. Go down. Go to the big elevator in the food court... go up. I think you get the picture. Go up and down the entire mall looking for escalators and elevators. Take your time and let your little one ride to their heart's content.

We're fortunate to have a merry-go-round in the middle of our mall, so a little extra treat is a couple of rides on their favorite animal before heading to the food court for french fries and a coke (or whatever your little one enjoys). It won't be a long date... it won't be an expensive date... it probably won't even be the most fun date you as the parent have ever been on. But it will be a talking, walking, hand-holding, laughing and time well spent date with a child who just wants to be the only one who gets to push the buttons.

Next Thursday's date will be for a 4 to 5 year old boy or girl, and will be just as fun (for them) and just as inexpensive (for you).

You may be noticing I'm slowly introducing you to our family. Josh has been added to the photo gallery above. He has recently turned 15 and will be getting his driving permit next week. Two teenage boys driving in our little family. Be still my heart!

Have a great day and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Pumpkin Mum Pots

Good Wednesday morning!

You may have noticed that I actually write Wednesday's post the night before. I may say "Good Wednesday morning!" but I really don't mean it. I'm not a morning person. Mike and I have decided that I'm really a mid-afternoon person. Two o'clock in the afternoon I'm at my best. Anything before is "iffy," and anything after is rapidly going downhill.

As I stated in an earlier entry, I am a great copier. I get many ideas from magazines, other people, books, etc. If you've heard of the ideas we try out on the blog, please know I am not claiming to be the creative genius behind all the things written. I will always try to give credit where credit is due.

Also, I just wanted to write a little disclaimer regarding some of the activities you will see. I've tried many, if not most, of the things I write about, and I will tell you if I have not. I've tried things that have not worked out very well for our family, but have been big hits in other families. The main thing is I'm always willing to try something new. If it's a "keeper," that's great. If not, we just move on.

For example, when Austin was in second grade, I came up with a little idea of putting a huge, uncooked, unwashed sweet potato in his lunch box. It was wrapped in a fall napkin, and I had written on the front of the napkin "I yam your biggest fan!" I thought it was hilarious. All day long thinking of him opening up his lunch box and finding the napkin and yam just made me laugh out loud. (You can tell why I named this blog "A Simple Life." It doesn't take much to get me going!) I even thought about putting a handful of black-eyed peas in his lunch the next day with a note attached "Peas be good!" The next day... a giant carrot that still had the green on top which would say, "I carrot a lot about you!" The list got bigger and bigger. I could not wait to pick up Austin and get his reaction.

I pulled into the car line and saw my little seven-year old storm cloud waiting for me. I thought someone had done something to upset him... which made me very angry because I was afraid it had ruined my yam joke. When he got into the car he said two words to me. "Just drive."

I asked him what was wrong. "Did you put a raw sweet potato in my lunch box?" he asked.

"Yes," I admitted. "Didn't you read the napkin? It was a joke."

"What napkin?"

Oh, no. In my excitement over my joke, I forgot the cardinal rule of being a little boy. You never use the napkin. You never read the napkin. The napkin basically doesn't exist. That's why all boy mothers everywhere have to Spray 'n Wash seven-year old boys' sleeves. That's where they wipe their mouths... and their noses. That's where I should have taped a giant yam to his wrist and written on the cuff of his sleeve, "I yam your biggest fan!" Rookie mistake. I hate making rookie mistakes.

"I had to take it over to Ms. Kim and ask her what it was?"

"You took it to the teacher's table? Where all the teachers sit and eat... and talk about crazy mothers?"

"Yes, ma'am. They asked me where I got it, and I told them you sent it for my lunch. They gave me money for pizza."

"Austin, you had other food in your lunch box. You had your REGULAR LUNCH. Didn't you show the teachers the napkin?"

"What napkin?"

I called Ms. Kim when I got home (hoping I could catch her before she called a Social Worker), and explained what I had done. She laughed (a little), and said that none of the teachers could figure out why I had sent the yam. "I wish you had looked in his lunch box and read the napkin," I feebly replied.

"Oh, Mrs. Faulkner. Little boys don't use napkins."

Just so you know, the handsome 17-year old young man pictured at the beginning of this post uses a napkin from time to time... and he even gets away with wearing all white.

Pumpkin Mum Pots

This is a great thing to do with your kids. If you have a grandparent or an elderly neighbor, make a beautiful, easy fall gift for them.

First buy a medium to large pumpkin and cut off the top and empty all of the pulp and seeds. (If you're into roasting pumpkin seeds, save them for later that evening.)

Use a screwdriver and put two to three holes in the bottom of the pumpkin for the water to drain.

Have a small bag of potting soil ready and a medium-sized mum. You can usually get these at Wal-Mart, Lowe's or Home Depot in the $3 to $5 range. There is potting soil in the mum pot, but it is not usually enough to fill the pumpkin to the top.

Once you have transplanted the mum and filled the empty spots in the pumpkin with the potting soil, wash off any dirt and have the child either make a card using fall stickers or attach a card with this verse, "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do. Live so that they will praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16.

Deliver the pumpkin with your child. Make sure to let the recipient know it is an "outdoor" pumpkin due to the holes in the bottom for water to drain. You don't want them to set it on their counter or dining room table and have a mess to clean up.

It's a little time spent with your kids. It's a little time spent thinking of others. It's a little time spent visiting an elderly relative or neighbor who may be a little lonely. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing!"

This great idea was taken from a magazine years and years ago. (Probably Family Fun Magazine or Southern Living... those are my favorites!)

As I stated in an earlier blog, Thursdays will be a "surprise" day. It will be a fun family devotion, an inexpensive date with a child, or just a fun little family outing. You'll just have to wait to find out!

Have a great day!

Campout Recipes

Good Tuesday morning! Well, Mike and I experimented with the photos, and I'm happy to say we were able to add a picture of Roxie and our six-year old beagle, Sparkle.

We tried to get Copper into the picture, too (our other six-year old beagle), but to no avail. He is a sweet, sweet dog, but he has never really taken a good picture. He is in constant motion, and the fact that he's 42 in human years hasn't slowed him down at all. On the other hand, Sparkle acts her age. She still runs and plays, but she has no problem with posing, sitting, or receiving a good ol' belly rub.

When we go camping, we love taking Sparkle with us. She enjoys the people, other dogs, long walks, boat rides and hiking. She rarely barks which is a bit odd for a beagle, and she gladly sleeps inside her carrier in our nice, warm tent. She goes to bed when we go to bed, she goes to sleep when we go to sleep, and most importantly, she doesn't wake up until we wake up. There is no doubt in our minds that Copper would be completely and utterly in "hyper-mode" for the entirety of our trip. He would howl at any and every movement during the wee morning hours, all day and definitely all night. Instead of watching the many people, dogs, cats, deer, cars, RVs, etc. with quiet interest (like Sparkle), he would pull and lunge and bark until he was hoarse... and then he would pull and lunge and bark some more. There isn't a "slow down" switch in Copper's mind. He is a "full steam ahead" type of animal.

We got Sparkle when she was just a six-week old puppy, and we enjoyed her for four years all by herself. However, beagles are very social animals, and with the kids in school all day, I really wanted Sparkle to have a playmate. I checked with several beagle rescue organizations in the area looking for a female about Sparkle's age, and finally spoke with a woman who had a MALE beagle about four years old who would be the perfect match for Sparkle. I told her I wanted a female so she would have a similar temperament as Sparkle. No problem. Just because Copper was male did not mean they would be different in temperament. (Just so you know... that's not true.) There was another obstacle, however. Copper had a bad leg and they weren't sure at the vet's office if it was going to have to be amputated or not. If we didn't adopt him, they were probably going to have to "put him down."

Well, we decided to meet Copper and took Sparkle to the vet's office who was holding him. He was a ball of energy. Sweet, loving, all over us and Sparkle. Sparkle was a little stand-offish which was perfectly understandable, but she didn't growl or act defensive. We decided to take him home for a week to see if everyone would adjust. That's where they get you. No one can take a dog home for just a week. In a family of five, someone is going to get very attached very quickly. Well, in our family it wasn't Sparkle... but she continued to "tolerate" Copper's hyperactive behavior. We decided to keep Copper because in spite of all of the problems his excessive energy caused, he had the most expressive eyes and the most loving personality we had ever seen. And finally, several weeks into our experiment, we found Copper and Sparkle snuggled up together on the bed they share downstairs in our unfinished basement. (It's a good thing the basement was unfinished because Copper ate half a wall and came through part of a door before he settled into his new surroundings!)

Copper still has his leg and it hasn't slowed him down one bit. The only thing we've noticed in the negative regarding his leg is he is not a digger, and most people will tell you that beagles like to dig. We like this about him... the fact that he eats walls, but he is not a digger. It is one of his most endearing qualities.

Well, enough about the Faulkner pets. On with the recipes. These go with the Campout Party from yesterday's post, and while they are easy, kid-friendly recipes, many of the recipes I will post later will be cakes, pies, crockpot dinners, etc. They won't all be as simple as the following:

Crockpot Hot Dogs

Just put ten hot dogs in a crockpot on low for three hours. Do not add water. Do not add anything. Turn the hot dogs over after two hours. They taste wonderful. Almost like they were cooked over an open fire. The crockpot even makes turkey dogs taste great!

Inside S'mores

Give each child one piece of aluminum foil. Have the child place half of a graham cracker on top of the foil. On top of the graham cracker add three squares of a Hershey bar and one large marshmallow. Top with the other half of graham cracker. Wrap the foil loosely around the s'more and with a Sharpie write the child's initials on top. Put all of the s'mores on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Check one to make sure the marshmallow has melted. Pass them out to the kids and enjoy.

Banana Boats

I learned this one in Girl Scouts 100 years ago. Take an unpeeled banana and with a knife cut through the skin into the banana from the top all the way to the bottom. Open the banana up just enough to put a square of Hershey chocolate, a mini marshmallow, a square of Hershey chocolate, a mini marshmallow, etc. all the way down the cut into the banana. (There should be room for three squares and three marshmallows.) Wrap the banana loosely in aluminum foil (again write the child's name or initials with a Sharpie) and bake at 200 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Check one banana to make sure melting has taken place. Give everyone a banana boat and a spoon. They taste just like hot banana splits! Very good. (REMEMBER: The skin of the banana should stay on the entire time. It makes a "bowl" for the dessert.)

Like I said earlier, these are super easy. Next Tuesday's recipe is for all the chocolate lovers out there and is a great dessert for company or the holidays.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday. Tune in Wednesday for a fun, family October tradition!

Backyard Campout Party

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a great fall weekend. The weather in Alabama is perfect... just what you want this time of year.

In Faulkner Land this weekend, things were fairly busy. We went to the high school football game Friday night, and Mike's family and my mom came to watch Austin conduct the band. He did a great job. It's hard to believe he only has two more games to conduct before his time as Drum Major is over. It's gone by very quickly.

On Saturday, Mike and I got up early and ran to our favorite breakfast place for an early morning date. The Original Pancake House in downtown Birmingham is wonderful. There are lots of families there and the food is great. Mike and I try to go at least twice a month just to "catch up" without interruption, and it's one of the things we enjoy most since the kids have gotten old enough to stay at home alone. We well remember the years of having to have a sitter or getting the kids to a relative's house for a very "planned" evening out. To be able to wake up and say, "You feel like breakfast out?" and then to actually be able to get up and go is wonderful.

Austin had his last band competition Saturday night. Mike went early to help with the equipment, and I got there in time for the scores to be announced. Since Austin was Drum Major his Junior year, also, this was his 4th competition as Drum Major and he had always gotten a 1 (Superior), but he had never gotten "Best in Class." That was his goal. When I arrived, I met up with Mike and he showed me the video. It was Austin's best show ever. (And just so you know, Mike and I were not the ones saying this. It was coming from other parents and people who really understand band competitions.) When it came time to present awards, Austin received a 2! He was the only 2 in all the sections and bands in his class. We were so upset... but then we watched him and he held his head high for the rest of the awards to be announced (which seemed like an eternity). When he came off the field, we talked to him a moment, and he was definitely upset, but as we backed away and watched the band, other parents, the band director, etc. slap him on his back, shake his hand, rub his head... really just wrap him up and support him... we headed to the van and went home to wait for him knowing he was going to be fine.

When he finally arrived home, he was calm and although still disappointed, he had started to put everything into perspective. Not the end of the world. Something to work on for the last two games. Hated to go out with a 2, but there were definitely worse things. By Sunday morning, he was "good to go," and I actually think I was more proud of how he handled his 2 than if he had won Best in Class. In so many ways, it is much easier to win than lose with dignity, and it showed me and Mike another way in which he is growing.

Time to focus on another kid! Roxie and I had set up a shopping date for after church and her one request was that we didn't have any time restraints (other than to be back by 6:00 for church again). Done. She loves to shop, try on and look for bargains... and she does a pretty good job. We came away with a couple of fall/winter shirts (on sale) and cinnamon pretzels (our favorite).

On Sunday nights when everyone gets home from church, we like to watch Amazing Race together. Mike had recorded the show in our bedroom... reminded everyone not to change the channel... and when everyone arrived home he went to the back to get the DVD only to find out SOMEONE had flipped over to the Food Channel to check out Ace of Cakes and forgot to flip it back to Amazing Race! ROXIE! She loves the Food Channel. As hard as it was, the four remaining Faulkners finally forgave her and we called it a night. It's okay... we'll catch it next week.

If you're wondering where the third Faulkner kid was during the weekend, Josh watched football, played football and lived football. This is his time of year. He had a great two days off from school.

Well, that was our weekend. Pretty standard by most accounts. Now to get to the first ever Party/Event posted on my new blog!!

Backyard Campout

The following is an easy, step-by-step plan for a backyard campout party. Lots of fun, but minimal work and clean up.

Backyard Campout Party (Boys or Girls)

Ages 7-9; 10-12; 13-15

Every fall and/or late spring we set up our tent in the backyard. I usually look for a long weekend because if the weather is good, you can sometimes have two campouts with two different sets of children. On Friday night, I may have my little girl and two or three of her buddies come over, and on Sunday night after church, I will let one of my sons have several of his buddies over. The tent stays pitched until everyone has had a chance to have their own campout.

What you will need:

Tent
Laptop computer (for movies in the tent)
Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets (each child brings their own)
Flashlights (each child brings their own)
Popcorn (Jiffy Pop over the stove for old-fashioned fun)
Cooler with water bottles set out in the tent (less damage with spills)
Crockpot hot dogs
S'mores (make these in the oven before you go outside for the campout)
Banana Boats (make these in the oven before you go outside for the campout)

SEE RECIPES FOR INSIDE S'MORES, BANANA BOATS AND CROCKPOT HOT DOGS ON TOMORROW'S BLOG.

Have everyone arrive around 6:00 or 6:30. By the time everyone sets up their gear in the tent, eats dinner inside or on the deck, makes s'mores, fixes the popcorn, and changes into their PJs, it will be close to 8:00. Once the kids are in the tent, let them watch their movie (not too scary or you'll be out in the tent all night with them).

When the movie is over around 10:00, if your husband is game, load the kids up in the van with their pajamas on and make a milkshake run to a local Sonic or Arby's for a fun surprise.

When they arrive home, let the kids come inside to brush their teeth, take a bathroom break, etc. Escort them to the tent giving them the "rules." We always tell them to stay in the tent unless they are coming inside the house. The door to our bedroom opens to the back deck and stays unlocked. We also keep the flood lights on so they can see easily when they leave the tent. They can come back into the house through our room, and I know when and if they are up and moving around. I set up comforters and blankets in the den off of our bedroom so if they decide they cannot sleep outside, they can make their bed on one of the sofas. So far, they've always stayed outside.

For the older guys, the same rules apply. However, since they are a little "braver" than the younger girls, I do set the alarm for 1:00 a.m. just to check and make sure everyone is accounted for and sleeping.

The next morning, we have eggs, bacon and biscuits. Depending on the weather, these can be served on the deck. Moms come to pick up the happy, but tired, campers around 10:00 a.m.

Since all the meals are being served outside on the deck or picnic style, there is little or no clean up inside the house. Also, all of the bedding goes home with the other children.

Just do a little dustbusting in the tent for the next campout.

We've had up to three campouts in one week during Spring Break, and it worked out well all three times. All of the kids had multiple friends over, with minimal mess and everyone had alot of fun.

Although we camp in State Parks once or twice each year, the backyard campouts are fun because they are easy spend-the-night-parties. While we usually like to just take family on the camping trips (or meet other families at the campground), this allows the kids to have their friends over to enjoy one of their favorite things.

Tuesday is "Recipe Day" and I'll post the easy, easy recipes for the campout food mentioned above. The kids can make the S'mores and Banana Boats themselves.

I'm working on the "picture thing," so I hope to add photos to the blog by tomorrow. Have a great day!

My First Blog Entry!!

How exciting! I've been wanting a blog for over a year now, so this is a big day for me. It took me a very long time to come up with my blog name, but it is exactly what I have learned to strive for each and every day over the last few years. A simple life. A life not complicated by me or my plans. Notice I said "strive for." It's not an easy thing for me to do.

I want there to be a purpose in my daily bloggings. I want to share recipes, traditions, devotions, trip ideas, etc., etc., etc. In sharing these things, I want people who visit my blog to share their ideas with me, also. Talking about family and relationships is what I enjoy most!!

Being an organized person (in my mind, at least), I will plan on sharing at least one party/event idea for children or adults, one seasonal tradition (depending on the month), one recipe (not originals... I'm a great copier), and one surprise "idea" each and every week. With that said, unless otherwise notified, there will be at least four blog entries per week under "A Simple Life."

I will also be sharing things about myself and my family. How could I not? My husband and kids are my greatest blessings, and of course, I would want to share our ups, downs and in-betweens with anyone willing to read about them.

Pictures will be forthcoming. Remember, I'm very new in the blogging department, but my love of taking pictures (almost on a daily basis) will definitely "push" me to learn how to add photographs to the posts. Don't worry. I hope to have the picture thing mastered in a week. (If you knew me, you would be rolling on the floor right now! It should read, "I hope to have that mastered by this time next year.") We'll see. I'm going to be talking to a lot of people in the next few days, and maybe someone will actually come to my house and physically add the photographs for me.

As I said before, please share any ideas you may have regarding family, kids, grandparents, travel, scrapbooking, photography, etc., etc., etc. any time you can. I love learning from other bloggers.

Well, tune in tomorrow for my second blog. From now on, Mondays will be "party/event" day. I will have fun, easy, inexpensive things to plan for your kids and their friends. The parties will have the ages listed, but I have plans for children from two to 17, boys AND girls. If the party doesn't fit your family this week, next week may have just what you need.

Talk to you tomorrow!