Friday's Feast, November 30th

Appetizer

What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

Hmmm. . . it's been a long time since I really have rode anything. I thought of the water rides first---like one with a big circle boat going down the rapids. What would you call that?

Soup

How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

With extreme unease! I usually will get sweaty (involuntarily) and try to stay quiet (on purpose)---maybe melt into the woodwork or just not say something really stupid!

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
I'd say 7 maybe---Larry and I used to discuss a lot more stuff at the beginning of our marriage. I think maybe it's something you have to go through in your early adult life to grow your own ideas about the world. Now we start from a place where we already have some stuff figured out, and we try to find solutions for issues, fitting it into our philosophical framework of right and wrong.

Main Course

Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
No---but my hubby did. Is it too late to get one? I'm not sure where to go or how much it'll be . . .

Dessert

Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

Consciously? I probably really pay attention to 7 hours a week, and I passively watch another 7 hours of meaningless drivel. But the TV is on a lot---and my computer is tight here by the TV. so did I "watch" the Fairly Odd Parents while I typed this? I don't want to count that!

Friday's Feast, November 23

The apple pie B and I made for Thanksgiving. Hmmm . . . sounds like post-Thanksgiving breakfast . . .

This week's Feast is hosted by Gattina. She's in Belgium--but born a German, so her blog is always interesting.

Appetizer

Imagine that you are deaf, dumb and insensitive to touch. What other image of happiness could you have?

I still have sight and smell and taste! I might get a lot of happiness from food. I would still be able to read, and watch my children grow.

Soup

Do you collect anything?

This time of year, I am looking for ornaments for my tree that are stars. I hope one day to have enough stars to have one tree with only star ornaments. I also collect red things/cherry things for my kitchen and photos of Texas county courthouses. I have about 70 courthouses in my collection, out of more than 250! I have a long way to go on that one. I am taking those pictures myself, and want to see them all personally.

Salad

When do you start your Christmas?

Today! for decorating, anyway. I feel like you can't decorate before Thanksgiving, but as soon as you're done with the warm glow of Thanksgiving, you can roll right into Christmas. I have some shopping done ahead of that, but it varies a lot from year to year.

Main Course

What would you do if you were in a corner and a snake was staring you down?

Yell for help, first. If no one was around, I'd try to slowly get away, keeping my back to the wall, and an eye on the snake. Most snakes would rather you get away from them, so I hope I could get away without harm!

Dessert

If you were in the library and had gas

I'd try to make no sound at all, but blame it all on the kids. Our library is rarely crowded, so I might not have to do anything but go down an empty aisle!

I just put up a week's pictures on my photo blog. I hope you'll come see those and comment there as well.

Happy Holidays!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt, November 17

Today's theme is I love _________.

I am filling in the blank like this: I love teaching preschoolers.
This is on our "Fall Party" day. I didn't take it, either, obviously, since that's me sitting there in the picture! ;-) I had a college student observing that day who took pictures for me. I'm in costume---bits and pieces of costumes. I have a vet shirt on, a colorful apron, a "graduation hat" as the kids called it, and some Halloween socks.

I have been teaching preschoolers since I got out of college---right before I got pregnant with J. He's 12 now, so it's been a long time! I have taught at church Mother's Day Outs this whole time, and for the most part, it's been a two-day-a-week thing. I taught for three days a week for three years and now this year it's 4 days a week. I like the creativity that I get to use when I'm with the kids, and now I have so much experience, I know how to manage my classroom easily. The kids are great at this age, ready to learn, and I get to introduce so many new things to them. I'm getting them ready for their next steps---reading, Kindergarten, and being more independent.

The obvious "I love . . . " subjects would be my family! You can see images of them on my posts below.

Next week's theme is Hot. My post will have nothing to do with Paris Hilton.

Check out Photo Hunters!

PhotoHunt

Friday's Feast, November 16th

This is a food Kyle Field---home of the Fightin' Texas Aggies!

This was a wedding cake of some kind I got in an e-mail a long time ago. I should have posted this next Friday when 80,000 people will be there, but I couldn't wait. Larry will be there working---ushering down on the track, near the visitor's stands.

On to the feast . . .

Appetizer
What was your first “real” job?
I worked at Kroger in the non-foods department---videos, money orders,

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
A craft store, I guess! All the items in there always make me think, "Wouldn't it be fun to try that?" Now for like life-changing creativity, some kind of spiritual awakening, I have always thought Italy would spark me. Like the countryside of Tuscany, just for the views and the peace there, and the cites for amazing works of art by Leonardo da Vinci.

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
My kids misbehave!

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
That's like a book of information! (The pressure is on---I know my Mom will read this!)
I first think about how I was always told I could do anything I set my mind to. Later, I realized there are things I probably couldn't ever do---but maybe just because I am not motivated in me to do those certain things. Of course, I was taught to be honest and fair and hard working. But after talking to Mom, I think some of this (like wanting to make good grades) is just in my genetic makeup! ;-) Mom and Dad were involved with local politics, so we were taught the value of our right to vote and the idea that we could go and make a change if we tried. We were taught to listen to all kinds of music, and to value making our own music. I think we (I keep saying we, since I can't think about my own childhood without my sister) were taught that people are more important than things. That spending time together is more fun and more important than making the house spotless (although now I have a cluttered house!).

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Well, . . . big bangs, stirrup pants, parachute pants

(This is me going to senior prom!)
Want more? see this site!

I'm Just a Bill . . .

These are pictures from J's show this past weekend. I loved it! Of course, I may be prejudiced.

The play was Schoolhouse Rock Live, Junior, and if you remember the songs from the 70s, then you would have loved it, too. Here, J was showing a "frustrating" expression in the song Unpack Your Adjectives.

Here's J's big song---I'm Just a Bill. He really wanted this part, and he sang it well. He had to work to get it right---the three verses all sound kinda the same, and at first he got them all mixed. After singing at home about 50 times, he was all set.


My favorite shot is this one--- from The Great American Melting Pot.

He's exchanging the foreign flags for an American one, and the Statue of Liberty is mixing up all the foreign flags in her pot.

J---Whoop!

This is Interplanet Janet. J is in the purple jumpsuit!! I didn't know about this costume until I was watching the show.

And who can forget Interjections? J is holding the EEK! sign. He's wearing purple again--his favorite.

I think I'll get a DVD this time, so if you can't come, I'll have to show it to you. Sunday's show---the one we all went to---was a sellout! Yay! This coming weekend there are 3 more shows, already filling up. Friday and Saturday nights, plus a Saturday matinee.

Camping and the Renaissance Faire

I took these pictures on B's and my camping trip this past weekend. It was our first Girl Scout outdoor camping trip. Quite and adventure! The weather cooperated and was perfect---lows in the 60s, highs around 80.

We got there just in time to get the tent set up before dark. I was not in charge---thank goodness!---but the other Mom who spent the night had just gone through the training for camping. She had us really yummy meals and "stuff" we needed all organized.

Dinner was a stew, which B ate! It even had beans in it, B knew it, and she still ate it!

I slept in a tent with B and the only 5th grader on the trip. I enjoyed getting to know her. I think she and B are a lot alike.

We awoke about 6:20, and the day began. Here, the girls were drawing. Okay, this doesn't look like the safest GS picture, with the girls so close to the fire! ;-)We ate scrambled egg breakfast burritos. They tasted delicious.

We had a not-so-helpful crew to clean up our camp---our goal was getting everything done by 8:30, but we were not done until 9:15.
Spiders were the theme animal of the weekend. We saw a lot of them!
The girls jousted.
Our leader and her baby, who came with us all day this day. She enjoyed it, for the most part!
One thing we did was cook biscuits on sticks. The fire was so hot, though, it hurt their faces. But they ate the bread anyway with honey and cinnamon. Right after this, it rained on us for a few minutes.

They painted some ornaments. They really love art!
Our group---7 girls and 3 adults. aren't we cute! I was so tired by this point, and dirty! I'm ready for a shower.
Ahh . . . the wedding cakes station! Everyone made a cake and got to eat it. I needed that by that point!
B missed out on the stilts last year because she hurt her foot, but this time she did it.

This was an exhausting weekend, but it sure was fun. I'll do it again sometime!

Friday's Feast, November 9th

Appetizer

Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?
This is so easy--- I really enjoy a big Coke and a big popcorn with extra butter. Yum!

Soup

What year did you start using the internet?
I think I've had my e-mail address since 1998, the year my daugghter was born. That's when we moved to our current town, and I think that was about the time we got on the Internet.

Salad

What is your first name in Pig Latin?

(Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!)

ennyjay

Main Course

Name something you are picky about.

One thing?

I will pick out the white lettuce or the thick spines of the lettuce leaves out of my salad or wrap. I don't know how anyone eats the thick bitter part! I am so much happier if I just pick it all out beforehand (not usually an option at a salad bar or restaurant!).

Dessert

Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

I worked hard yesterday and I will play today. :-)

B and I are camping tonight, actually, so I am going to be working some on getting our stuff together. It's a Girl Scout thing! I'm sure I'll have pictures of the trip. It's right here near town, and tomorrow is a "Renaissance Faire" for the girls to enjoy.

If you want to do Friday's Feast yourself, click here!

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt, November 3

Today's theme word is Classic. I thought of Coke right away! Actually this is a classic breakfast---Coca-Cola and Girl Scout cookies. Okay, maybe not for the sake of anyone's blood sugar levels.

I also thought of classic cars, which I'm sure we'll see many of today in the hunt.

Next week's theme is Flexible. I have had a suggestion of a flexible Bionicle (Lego) piece. Guess who suggested that one?

Have a great weekend!

Click here to check out the PhotoHunt and see other hunters!

Friday's Feast, November 2nd

Appetizer

How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
This is hard to say! I plan on spending about $150 this weekend, though! ;-) B's big present is going to get ordered, plus a couple of other things I've thought of. (I just got my October paycheck, ya see.)

Soup

What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
I watched E.R. last night and it was okay. I was doing something else at the same time, which means it didn't grab me and keep me totally enthralled!(This is not counting the news shows I was watching this morning while I got the kids ready.)

Salad

If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?
I'd probably pick a mossy green.

Main Course

Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.
I have been talking about a "floating coaster" for many years to Larry! I think this started back when we couldn't put and end table next to a couch where I really needed one. I need a safe place to put a drink, where it'll just float at my convenience. Maybe I'm at a party, sitting on a footstool or in the middle of a couch, and I just need to put my drink someplace. Or at a baby shower---seems like there are always pretty fancy tables around and I don't know if I should set my little punch glass down, or I'm sitting somewhere with no other option but to balance my drink on my plate and try to eat. The floating coaster would be just the perfect solution!

Dessert

List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

Hmmm . . . is anyone who is shopping for me reading?

1. A Dishwasher
2. a new cell phone

3. Some Bath and Body works items

Mango Mandarin, Pink Grapefruit, Sugar and Spice, Black Raspberry Vanilla, Wild Honeysuckle, maybe the new Velvet Tuberose! I always use the shower gel, but all that stuff seems like a treat to get.

Go visit other Feasters at Friday's Feast!

Video

I just realized that I had my 10,000th visitor (page view) in the past few days. Pretty amazing that people have looked at my blog that many times!

Here's a video of how to carve pumpkins.

Halloween Scenes

Here are scenes I've lived through this holiday time! ;-)

I had a "Fall Party" day at school this week. This year, we allowed the kids to dress up in non-scary costumes if they wanted to.

These two pictures are from the time we carved a pumpkin together. The kids voted on the shapes for the face---triangle eyes, a heart-shaped nose, and a scary pointy toothed smile.

Here are B and J, posing in the Hay Maze at the Farm Patch.

J made a video of himself going through the maze. I posted it on the other blog. It's on Day 302. can you believe it? over 300 days of pictures?

This next one is one J set up and took himself. He even paid the model!

At home, we carved pumpkins. I let the kids do their own pumpkins this year for the first time. B carved out glasses on hers, which turned it into a Harry potter pumpkin. You'll have to look for it's little wand.

The next one is B's costume---she was a waitress. we spent time together making this little apron. We couldn't find one just the right size, so we made it. Her tray has a dinner on it! She even had a notepad for taking orders.

Here are our pumpkins all ready for trick-or-treaters.

I set out candles by the front door to create a mood for our visitors. I did really good this ytear guessing the candy---or maybe there were a few less trick-or-treaters? At any rate, we had some candy left over.

J made a potion. His idea was that anyone without a costume must drink the potion to get the candy. (It was Kool-aid with food coloring!). It was delicious. He decided not to go trick-or-treat this year. Hmmm . ..

B was home sick this day, so she didn't really stay out as long as she might have, too. Larry actually is also "infirm" in a way. He had an MRI on his knee. After maybe injuring it 3 weeks ago, it's no better, despite having worn a brace and keeping it elevated. So we're waiting on any results about the MRI. They still may not be able to do anything, I don't know! An X-ray at least showed nothing broken.

So that's what we did around here!