Fire Ring Fun

We've been wanting to add a fire ring to our backyard all summer.  We talked about all kinds of options of fire rings - building one with stone, buying a metal ring ... we finally settled on using old tractor rims - soldering a whole one and a half together and we have the perfect ring.  It's perfect because we can roll it into the woods in winter so as not to cause any catastrophes when sledding!  And, with its aged appearance, the rusted out parts provide perfect air circulation!

The most important thing learned though, was to keep an eye on the marshmallows - remember?

Friday's Fill

So, after viewing Monday's post, complete with video, which I just need to jump in now and inform you that the pictures in that post were of my stunt double. Ahem, you see, I didn't want to cause any injury while slamming my hand into my head, so I insisted my stunt, ahem, double do it. She has not been as strict with her diet and exercise regimen as me so you may have noticed that little extra "something" under her chin...ahem, where was I? Oh, right school, you may have realized our "2 week homeschool break" didn't go as planned. But that is okay. Sometimes, with this thick skull of mine and a brain that thinks it knows everything, I need a real hand slammed into my head to remind me of what is important...and that would be S-C-H-E-D-U-L-E!

I didn't get everything on my to-do list finished (like I really thought I would!) but I did do some sewing - I made sure that got done. Who cares if my windows are crusted in filth? I have a nice tote bag now so the windows don't bother me a bit! ;-)

This fun little tote bag has four pockets on the outside (the polka dot fabric) and pockets inside. I never tried a lined tote bag before. I love it! I've been using it every chance I get! It has a magnetic snap closure, which was a first for me and it, seriously, was a snap! (You saw it coming, didn't you?) I just love the fabrics and the size of it. The pattern has 4 sizes (s, m, l, xl) and this is the large. I see many more of these in my future!

I received the next pattern as I was asked to test it. When I purchased the fabrics, I wanted to do the reverse placement of what I ended up doing, but I think it still turned out cute. I'm not sure why I changed my mind from my original thought - oh that's right - the clerk ringing up my order suggested the reverse and I listened...LOL! The pattern does not come with pockets, but I made 2 bags at the same time, and decided to add interior pockets to the second bag. Since I have 2, I think these bags scream "BLOG GIVEAWAY" but not today - so, stay tuned! :)

And lastly, I was asked to test this second pattern this week too. This is so cute! I made one and my children are fighting over it. They come in two sizes (as well as boy/girl) and I made the smaller of the two. They are a perfect size to take along on road trips. I see more of these little ones in my future too.

It was a great week - being able to do some fun sewing projects, getting back into our schedule with school and spending family time inside as the cool fall winds (and today rain) blow outside.

So, there is the Fill on Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Wordless Wednesday

Irony...

Did you catch it?  Look closely...

Yep, this is as dangerous as I get! ;-)

2 things learned in 2 weeks

First thing learned
     ...we need a schedule. WE!  NEED!  A!  SCHEDULE!

Second thing learned
     ...when there is pepsi in the house, I will drink it.  And I will drink it often.  Why?  Refer back to #1.

So, how am I feeling?




And there you have it...


Note: I wanted to make a fun little animated graphic, but I don't know how...so I used 2 pictures to make a movie - I'm thinking I should have just hit "record" on my camera instead...LOL! Oh well, if you laughed, then it was worth it.

Yippee it's Friday and my final tag of the week!

Mary at Not Before 7 tagged me for this meme.  We are to write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected us, either positively or negatively, link back to the person who tagged us, and tag a few friends.

1 - Blogging has helped me think through many issues.  Sometimes I just click into blogger and start typing out thoughts trying to work them into a post.  It usually has to do with something troubling me.  These types of posts don't often make it to my blog, because through the process of writing it, I've been able to settle the issue in my mind.  Once it is settled, I delete it and move on.  Is it unsettling that I settle things before I post them?  Would it be less unsettling if I still posted my thoughts that have gone from unsettled to settled?  Hmmm... ;-)

2 - PEOPLE - It is just crazy how many great people I've met through blogging - and if you are reading this (and you've left a comment before and you aren't a lurker that I know nothing of) then you are one of those awesome people I've come to know.  Some of you I did know pre-blog, but I've gotten to know you better from your comments on my crazy posts.

3 -  iv ben getten betr aht miy tieping skilz"

4 - I can keep my family up to date on what is happening in our lives.  My parents read pretty often and T's parents check occasionally.  It's good to have a way to keep grandparents up to date - you know, since we live 5 minutes from both of them...

5 - The biggest way blogging has affected me (and I'm still trying to decide if this is good or bad) is it keeps me up late at night, gets me up early in the morning and keeps me busy all day long!  It's almost better than Pepsi!

Now for the fun part, I'm going to tag:
Just Mom
and ... surprise,
Just Mom
and
again,
Just Mom

'Cause y'all know she's begging for some new blogging material!  Anyway one else who wants to play along - Please do!  I'm feeling like the bully who is "it" the entire recess period and I just can't bring myself to tag anyone else.  Except, JM!  You're it again!

Consider yourself tagged for any of the memes this week - but be sure to let me know when you've done them.  I know you've been enlightened by my Tag posts this week - and I don't want to miss out on your wisdom either!

Have a Terrific Weekend!  We're going to a concert this weekend - I can sing loud and no one will hear me!  WAHOOOOO!

And now back to our regularly scheduled week of Tags...

An award...

Here are the rules:

• Mention the blog that gave it to you and comment on their blog to let them know you've posted your award
• Publish these rules
• Share 6 values that are important to you and 6 things you do not support
• Grant the prize to 6 people

Susan, at Penless Writer, passed this award along to me. Susan is one of the first bloggy buddies I made when I started out. We had both started just within days of each other. Susan has become a wonderful, dear friend - a mentor. It is a blessing to have someone a "click" away when with whom I can share and ask advice. As a mom of little ones, that are home all day-every day, email is sometimes the only communication I can do (because then no one has to be subjected to the sounds of my children when I'm on the phone)!

6 Things I Value...

- My family and my faith. Jesus Christ is the most important part of my life. Without Him, I could not do all that I do. He has placed me on this earth, at this time, for His needs and I strive to discern His Will for my life and do my best to live it out.

- True friends that don't say one thing to your face and then turn around and say something totally different behind your back. (ie, "It's so cool that you homeschool, Leigh Ann - that is really great" 5 minutes later to a friend, "Leigh Ann is crazy for homeschooling.") No, I'm not bitter - but just don't tell me how much you respect my decision if you're going to say something else behind my back - I just rather not know. My true friends are the ones that tell me their honest feelings ... to my face and still love and support me.

- A strong work ethic. I do not perceive this as something many parents pass on to their children anymore. Mom and Dad do the work for the kids or someone does the work for Mom and Dad. I admire a person who works hard for what they have and doesn't complain about what it took to get there - instead of fussing, they move on and get the next task accomplished.

- Humbleness. Someone who does what needs to be done without looking for credit or attention. Someone who lives within their means and doesn't point fingers at those they "perceive" are living above their means. You don't know what people make/earn, so do not try to judge. We all spend our money different ways - and sometimes, what you see...isn't what you get.

- The ability to keep quiet. There are times when people should talk - and times they shouldn't. I place value upon those that know the difference.

- Individuality - I love a person who looks to Christ for their self concept rather than those around them. Do it for you - not because someone else is doing it. I can again go back to homeschooling on this, because I am the only mom my age at my church that homeschools. It can be a lonely road - but I am striving to be the woman/wife/mom Christ has called me to be. So take it or leave it! ;-)


Ok, that was on the heavy side, let's lighten things up a little, shall we?


6 Things I do no Support

I do not support...

- Restaurants that serve Coca Cola products. ;-) (a couple of you can vouch that you've seen me drink coke in restaurants...sigh - I wish I could start a "Just Say No to Coke" campaign.)

- The carrying of a nice, dressy leather purse while wearing your workout wear. Just leave the purse at home when you go to the gym.

-Half-worn-off toe nail polish. Its got be the whole thing or nothing. When it starts to wear off, please ladies, repaint or remove!

- The idea, simply because I drive a large SUV, that I use a lot of gas. That would actually imply I get myself and my 3 children out of the house on a regular basis, and well, it doesn't always happen. I've learned to enjoy being at home with the bonus being that it does save gas! ;-)

- The use of cell phones while in check-out lines.

- And lastly, I do not support the democratic presidential nominee.


Granting the prize to 6 bloggers who deserve an award for their personal effort in blogging:
- Ginger
- Short Stop
- Jillian, Inc
- Not Before 7 Teaches (Her homeschool blog)
- Sew Sensible
- Just Mom

These blogs are all ones I enjoy. They make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me think and learn - thank you for that!

Well, if that wasn't the most UP/DOWN extreme opposite post I've ever written, LOL!

One more to go y'all, hang in there!

Please.

We interrupt for this important announcement...

We interrupt this week of TAGS, to bring you this important public service announcement....

When roasting marshmallows over the campfire, be sure to seal your marshmallow bag while its sitting on the picnic table...or else you may find one of these inside your cabinet a week later...

Tomorrow we will continue with our regularly scheduled posts...

Tag - Part 2

Peculiar tagged me on my prayer blog, Lifting Hands.  I like to keep that blog devoted to the prayers for our children so I'm playing along on the ol' family blog!

Rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Random things about me:
1 - Leigh is my first name and Ann is my middle name.  My parents always wanted to use the two together and it did create many problems throughout school.  But, I do really enjoy the uniqueness of my name (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

2 - My hubby is the only serious boyfriend I ever had :-O and God knew it needed to be that way!

3 - My oldest child is named after a stuffed animal - I plan to post it as a "Show & Tell Friday" soon.

4 - I always liked my freckles until I saw an episode of The Brady Bunch and then I tried to "remove" them with a lemon just like Jan Brady.

5 - I have my ears double pierced.  The first piercing was in elementary school and the second was 7 years ago.  T could not watch, he had to walk away as I was getting them done - LOL!

6 - In high school, I bartered my firstborn for a college reference letter.  The letter was written by the secretary of the guidance department and is a dear friend of my mom's.  She sent the finished letter to me with a note saying, "You owe me your firstborn!"  When we had Quintin, she came to visit and I pulled the letter out.  I have a picture of her holding the letter and Quintin and trying to get out the door! :-)

7 - Throughout college and my years teaching in a public school, I never, ever saw myself homeschooling.  I love how God turns things around to work in His time and for His purpose.

8 - I am a "Project UnFinisher."  I LOVE to start projects - read up on the directions, gather the supplies, set up a work area and get started.  But...then I never finish. 

Tag - You're It!

If you'd like to play along, you can.  Til this week of TAGS is over, I'm gonna be pressing my luck with listing everyone twice! ;-)

So, if you'd like to play along, you can. 

Oh, but Just Mom, you *have* to play along!

Hot Diggity Blog!

A week's worth of tags!

I've been accumulating some tags and I've decided to declare this

National Tag-You're It Week @ Momma Roar's!!!

Why?

Basically, 'cause I can! :-D

Jill at Jillian, Inc awarded me this "Kreativ Blogger" award. I'm supposed to list six things that make me happy, and then pass the award on to six people.

For those who read my blog often, you know the things that make me the happiest (friends, family, faith) so I'm going to do the "...and then comes..." list.

1 - Having long hair that I can pull up off my shoulders on a hot day and to keep my neck warm on cool days!

2 - A freshly mowed lawn. If you know me, you know I like to mow my lawn. There is something about creating the almost perfect lines that is therapeutic.

3 - Freshly baked ... anything!

4 - Lasting 4 months without bringing Pepsi into my house. This past week I did buy a 6-pack - and it's amazing to me that I could seriously go back to drinking a 24 oz soda a day. But I'm not going to - it was just a treat!

5 - Capturing, on camera, my children's delight, silliness or even "I dare you" looks.

6 - Knowing that my friends are reading this right now because they think I'm fabulous!! BAH hahahaha :)

Now, to do my part in keeping this award moving through the blogosphere, I tag:

Michelle at Frazenfam

Krista at Corn Rows and Meadows

Tammy at Lattes and Lollipops

WeaverMom at Learning to Weave

Renee at The Shirk Family

Just Mom at Just Mom's Musings

So, um, TAG - YOU'RE IT!!

Friday Fun

You can have fun too at Photofunia!

Sewing Projects #1 & 2

Quintin has been asking for a cape for YEARS.  Seriously - years!

I bought purple fabric 2 or 3 years ago to use as a prop when I helped with motions in our church's Children's Musical.  I purposely bought purple so we could use it to make a LarryBoy cape.

I (hanging head in embarrassment) have finally made his cape this week.  I'm surprised he was so patient with me! ;-)

After finishing it, Elle asked right away what I was making for her.  Last month, I found these cute "Millie Monkey" patterns by Bit of Whimsy Dolls on the You Can Make This website.

There are 2 blue ones waiting in the wings.  :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Um, thanks, Big Sister?

:-/

C is for Cookie!!

YUMMY!

Thank you Tracy for posting a link to this cooking blog a while back - I love their recipes!

I mixed these Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies up last night and baked them this morning! They are a hit!

Colin has been walking around saying, "I unt cookie!"

You can find the recipe on their blog, here. It will be posted on my cooking blog shortly!

Happy Monday to ya!

WOW! After chugging along for seven weeks, we are taking some time off.

Yes, you read that right. I'm a crazy momma who started our school year in the middle of July. But hey! It was hot, and no one wanted to be outside - so why not get started?!?!

I hope to do a "Homeschool Open House" kind of post shortly about what we're using and some great resources I've found....

But not today....

Maybe not even tomorrow...

'Cause we are on BREAK!

We've got some windows to clean (not sure why I write "we" but, the kids will be in the house, so technically....) and we've got some sewing to do. I've been a good girl and haven't let the temptation of sewing distract me from our studies. This is my reward, if you will, for the past 7 weeks of work.

I'll still be around though - fear not! My BREAK is from homeschool not from blogging!

OH! And I want y'all to head on over to

Mary's blog

I know, today isn't Tiny Talk Tuesday and I'll probably be sending you there again tomorrow - but she's got a new blog look. We started in, um, spring, (LOL) and I was finally feeling a little creative.

I don't know how people can redo blogs for a living, I need chunks of time to think and get creative!!! Anyway, all that to say, stop on over at her blog - and I'm sure she'd love to know you stopped by (if you don't read/comment already!)

A fun "God Story"

This past year would have marked my 15th year out of high school - sadly, my high school class is pathetic at planning reunions. We had one at 5 years, but nothing since then...

Ok, I won't dwell on it, so anyway, back to the God story.

Last year, when I started blogging, I had no idea how many fun people I would meet and become good friends with. It still amazes me and you all know I'm thankful for each of you, don't you?

Well, let's back up to about a year ago. I can remember it being a late evening and a football game was on. I was chatting on goo.gle.ch.at with my new-found bloggy buddy, Sarah.

I had been lurking in some of her older posts and found a city name I recognized. I remembered it as a place another bloggy friend, Ginger, had visited. We realized the two of them were very close to each other. They were able to meet up a few times and I was always kind of sad I didn't get to be there.

In this same conversation, she asked me where exactly I was in "dlkfjskjfsdk" county. When I told her the name of the town, she said one of her college roommates grew up in that town.

She typed in "Lynn" and I right away typed back the last name of the only Lynn I knew in high school. It was the same Lynn. This could only be the Lord's doing as I'm not leaving it to coincidence.

Lynn was 2 years behind me in high school, so I didn't know her real well. She was in the band, and knew T, but I was in the orchestra and that was probably as much as our paths crossed.

At some point in the conversation, Sarah mentioned Lynn was thinking about starting a blog as they lived in Korea! I was shocked, how does anyone growing up in our little town get to live in Korea! ;-)

When Lynn started her blog, it was so fun to "meet" her family and see what they were up to.

Early in the summer, I learned they were moving back to the states and living with her parents before they settled.

Yesterday, after almost two months of Lynn being home, we were able to meet together for lunch.

WOW, did those two hours fly by! What fun! I've been enjoying Lynn's take on life and her humor from her blog, but how much more fun to sit across the table from her!

How is it, that two people can attend the same small town high school, but not really know each other, only to reconnect almost 15 years later through blogging - and through a mutual friend, many states away? It's only because of God!

I had a wonderful time with you Lynn and can't wait to get together again! We must get our girls together to play!!! :) Thanks for a fun time and thanks Sarah for being a part of this reconnect!

Also, a HUGE thank you to each of our moms who watched our kids so we could enjoy lunch together!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Quintin had a 6 year check up with the doctor in June. The doctor, after comparing his height with other 6 year olds, told him his height is great and he'll make a great soccer or baseball player. (Meaning: He's not going to be real tall so if basketball is a favorite sport, try to sway him now, LOL.)

Quintin heard only the baseball part and came home wanting to play and play for the next several weeks. Growing tired of baseball, we asked him about kicking the soccer ball.

Quintin says, "But the doctor said I should play baseball."

We assured him that she also said soccer, and she wasn't limiting him to just those two, he can play any sport he chooses too (with the exception of basketball, of course)!

He became worried and then asked, "Should we call the doctor and ask?"

(Oh, little boy, you are just so precious!!!)

To read what other Tiny Talkers are saying, head on over to Mary's.