Homemade Christmas gift idea

I'm about ready to begin making some Christmas gifts.
I've got fleece hats in mind...

I was searching the web for some free patterns and came across this link:
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel1403

Just perfect!!@!

Happy sewing!

Anyone else planning on making something special? I love homemade gifts. I just wish that I got mine started earlier in the year!

Last day of November...

Well, here it is the last day of November!

I feel very unprepared for Christmas this year. All my decorations are in a box somewhere in the garage... The garage where all the extra stuff went that won't fit in our little cozy cottage. Christmas tree stand... hmmm...

This Saturday, I'd like to get a little tree. "Little" because it needs to fit in our little cozy cottage.

Now, what's going to be really interesting, will be the dynamics added by our two 7 month old kittens... Who are truly country kitties... striking out at anything that wiggles.

Matthew's home sick today. It's a stomach thing. I just spoke with the secretary at school, seems that the flu is going around. YES, of course! Just in time for the holidays!

I was prepared this time with my sick kid survival kit.

OK, the day is passing me by... time to get going!

Just back from the Big city...

Matthew and I went to the "BIG" city for some shopping. The BIG city is Billings, Montana... always an all day event!

It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with Matthew... that is... after he got over the... Mom, can I get.... ??? He desperately wants an electric scooter. Me... I'm not ready for him to have "wheels"... except the kind that he pedals.

Got a few Christmas presents. Time to begin wrapping and hiding the presents!

Used my 50% off coupon at JoAnn's Fabrics. I ordered 100 yards of this really cool fabric. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow (my eyes are ready to close!)

Stopped by Toys R Us. We just looked... they have a few electric scooter things.

Walmart..... more fabric.... kitty food... presents....

The day ended at Krispy Kreme. Matthew was mezmerized(did I spell that right?) by the donut making process. Man do they make good donuts. Home we came with our "almost" dozen.

The rolls were a big hit!

Everyone enjoyed my Lion House Rolls!
Light and moist crescent shape rolls. They were good!

• Richard had one right out of the oven and said... Mmmm.
• Matthew informed me after Thanksgiving dinner that he had eaten 12 of my "snail" rolls.
• Aaron gave them a rating of 10 out of 10 (10 being really good!). The grin on his face... priceless!

Hmmm... Got to go to my mother-in-laws for a piece of her cherry pie. She makes the BEST crust!

Dough is rising

Got dough rising in the oven for Crescent Rolls. I'll post the recipe later.

Now to peal the squash & yams and get them cooking.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Twas the Night of Thanksgiving...

A friend dropped by to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving and shared this poem...
I laughed and laughed!

Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep. I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned-- The dark meat and white, but I fought the temptation with all of my might!

Tossing and turning with anticipation.... The thought of a snack became infatuation... So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door, and gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore. I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes, pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes...

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!!
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky.... with a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.

But I mangaed to yell as I soared past the trees....

Happy Eating to All--Pass the Cranberries Please!

May your stuffing be tasty,

May your turkey be plump,

May your taters 'n gravy have nary a lump!

May your yams be delicious, May your pies take the prize,

May your Thanksgiving Dinner stay off of your thighs!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

author unknown

What are you having for Thanksgiving meal?

Our tradition is to have Turkey, stuffing(my favorite!), mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, squash, fresh vegetable tray, rolls, jellied cranberry sauce and pies... usually pumpkin and apple.

My parents are having roast beef this year! That's a break from tradition!

If you're heading out of town today... away from your computer...
Happy Thanksgiving to you!

The History Channel website has a nice video clip about the History of Thanksgiving.

Have you visited Frog Pond? Great pictures of life on a family farm. Neat stories about animals...

I'm learning to be a country girl. I've lived all my life in the subburbs of Boston. Now, we live in northern Wyoming... in a little town that's not even large enough to warrant a mail man.

But, that's OK! I have 3 horses in the pasture behind my house... and black angus cows down the street... and I own 2.8 acres of quiet. Someday soon, maybe I'll have some chickens... Mostly I just love the quiet!

Tonight was our last class for Love & Logic. I've really enjoyed this parenting class. I've found out that:

• my parenting style (up till 6 weeks ago!) was that of a DRILL SARGENT. (YIKES!)
• giving choices like "Do you want to go to bed with the light on or off?", gives my kids some control... AND gets them thinking (instead of arguing!)
• I have a lot MORE TO LEARN!

Time for bed! Thanks for stopping by!

Hello LIttle Red Hen!

Hello Little Red Hen!
Happy Birthday!

Thanks for Blogrolling me!

Our Walmart flyer came...

The Pony Express delivered our Walmart day after Thanksgiving flyer yesterday.
Is it just me or is the flyer... not really exciting this year?

that Venturer 2-screen DVD player on page 1 is kinda neat! And, can you believe that the Game Boy Advance is only $39.93 this year?

Anyway, we'll be getting up early, early, early... to go! Anyone else fighting the crowds the "day-after?"

Took this one last year.
another picture by Toni

First Snow!

My boys were so excited this morning to see snow on the ground.
There's really only just enough to cover the ground.

Matthew was plotting a snowball fight... and thinking about how much fun it would be to ride his bike in the snow.

Guess it's time to dig out snow boots!

It sure does look pretty out there. I'll have to take a picture!

Pockets...Snow... Rocks

Put some of the boys clothes in the washer this morning.
Here's what I found in pockets:
-Golf Ball
-Yugioh card protector
-Small (but important) rocks
-Candy wrappers...

It's an overcast day here. Looks like snow... just waiting to come down. The mountains are all covered. We were to Cody,Wyoming on Saturday. They had snow on the ground! None for us... yet!

The boys helped us down the property on Saturday. We're moving pit run (river rock and gravel) around the footings.

Aaron's version of helping..
-Examining rocks... looking for jade and fossils. He came home with a collection of jade, fossilized wood, and some other "pretty" rocks.

500 visitors!

Yeah!!!

Had some yummy authentic Mexican food last night. This little restaraunt makes really good tamales.

Are you making any Christmas presents this year? I've really got to get into gear!

I'm thinking about getting the kids together to make pot holders.... there's never enough of those little things around!

Only in Wyoming...

We got a flat (it was a new tire!) on our truck recently. Rich was working in the dark and hit a stump with a sharp branch.

No problem... Put the spare tire on... No problem(learned to use this phrase from my Love & Logic class.)

Next morning... flat tire on spare...

Took the tire to the Basin Tire shop. They had just sold the last set of tires that matched our tread. So they said, Would you like us to put on a used? Come on back next week and we'll have the tires in stock... and we'll take care of it for you.

OK. Great!!! Didn't ask my name or anything... put the used tire on... put the tire in the van... off I went.

I was so surprised! Things like this ONLY happen in the country, right?

Anyway, it was really nice. Now... got to go back to Basin Tire.

Fixed it.

Fixed the link to KateSpot on my blogroll. A BIG appology to anyone who tried visit Kates site and got lost in Cyberspace.

Pony Express...

Guess Kate & I are the only ones who have a favorite Thanksgiving dish. Thanks for the comment Kate!

It's Friday. Wonder what's playing at the movies?

Friday night has typically been date night for Rich and I. It's nice to have a night dedicated to us... without the kiddos...

Would love some good Mexican food.

Hey, when is my Walmart day-after-Thanksgiving flyer going to arrive? Anyone else get their copy? Our TV has been on the blinks... for a while now...

As a matter of fact... When you come to our house... you get to watch PART TV. No... it's
HALF TV. It's very special... LOL!

We're holding out for the big TV sale that Walmart has the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe my flyer is coming by Pony Express.

What's Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dish?

Took my 2 black kittens to the Vet this morning. They are 6 months old. It's time...

I added the weather back to my side bar. You can even check your weather there.
It's a bit chilly today. By this afternoon it will be good walking weather.

Thanksgiving's next week. I'm in charge of homemade rolls, squash, green bean casserole...and ???

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

quiet day

The kids are at school. Hubby is off to do some shopping. The house is very quiet.

Dishes are done. Laundry is in process.

Matthew found the stash of girl scout cookies the other day when trying to reach our big mixing bowl. Down came the sugar from the top of the microwave. Thin mints next.... and yes the mixing bowl too.

The vacuum is calling me...

Soon I'll be out for my walk. I'm really looking forward to a nice walk down the canal path.
It's a bright sunny day here in the 60s.

Tonight is our Love & Logic class. While doing dishes I was listening to one their tapes on chores. Hmmm... Parenting is such a learn as you go thing. Wouldn't it be great if each kid came with their own specific parenting manual?

Welcome Blog Explosion Surfers!

I'm a new member of Blog Explosion. Welcome to my blog! Please feel free to explore... leave a comment...

I'm off for a walk in the wild open country of northern Wyoming. I'll be very careful of rattle snakes, don't worry!

Footings done!!! Pizza's cooking!

Footings are done! What a relief!

Got homemade pizza cooking... smells good! Cheese for the kids... pepperoni & mushroom for Rich & I.

Why homemade pizza? I sure miss Prince Pizza on route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts. They had the BEST pizza. Light crispy crust... hmmm. Anyone been there?

Haven't been able to find a good pizza out here... yet... So... I guess I'll have to keep practicing till I get my homemade pizza the way I love it.

Anyone got a really, really good pizza crust recipe that they're willing to share?

New walkway...

Footings are done!

We had some extra cement so we ran down to our little house... put together some forms for a walkway to my back door.

Oh what an improvement that's going to be!!!! It was just a dirt walkway to the back door... you can imagine what kind of mud and dirt gets tracked into the house on little feet (actually... I have a !TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF! policy here).

Anyway... the walkway is only partially complete... next cement run...

Time for a well deserved bubble bath!

Cement... part 2

We'll be getting more cement for the footings today.
Man cement work... is hard labor! I'll be helping for a while today.

It will be a joy to return to my computer... and kitchen later today.

Got to get the family up and rolling for school.

Made Potato Soup...

It's been a busy day. I made Best Ever Potato Soup before church this morning.

The aroma was a welcome greeting as I entered the house just a bit ago.

This is the season of soup! I just love soup... I could eat it every day... all year round. But... my family is not as enthuiastic about my passion.

Have a nice Sunday.

cooking...

Well, that' the last of my garden fresh tomatoes! They're simmering on the stove in a beautiful sauce with onion, garlic, and dried basil from herb garden. The house smells really good!

I just finished the dishes too. My husband came over to see what I was doing (hand washing dishes is my least favorite chore!) and... low and behold... the dishes were all done. His comment... Wow!

I can't stand my kitchen floor anymore! It's got to be done today too!!!

Thoughts of Spring...
Remember to plant:
Onions
More Basil
Yukon Gold Potatoes

Spoke with my mom this morning. They've got snow there in southern New Hampshire and Boston... my old stomping ground got 3-4 inches. Hmmm...

No snow here. Actually we're having a very nice Indian Summer. Gosh, I'll have to post the weather thingy on my blog again. Kinda miss it.

Gotta go stir the sauce and get ready for my day...

It's early morning...

Good morning...
I got up pretty early this morning. Everybody's still asleep. The house is so nice and quiet!

It was good to get out last night. Good food, good movie, and good company.

I've been craving some chinese food all week... hmmm. crispy egg rolls... chicken on a stick... seasame chicken(one of my favorites!) No Duck Sauce to dip my egg rolls in though... They don't have any Duck Sauce! Is this a western thing?

Have you seen Polar Express? My 10 year old son gave it 3 stars out of 5. I thought it was pretty good. The roller coaster train ride was thrilling... and those trestle bridges were pretty incredible...

Learned how to...

Been out to the property past 2 days...
Did I mention that we're building a house?

Learned how to run the saw.

Here's my entry all about that. http://howsthehouse.blogspot.com/2004/11/cement-truck-comes.html

It's been really nice out. I've enjoyed being outside.

Tonight. Date night.
Been craving chinese food. There's a pretty good place near the movie theater. Buffet style.
Going to the movies too. Polar Express.

Got to go rest before the Indians find me. :)

My favorite Wyoming sunset!
another picture by Toni

Do you have a bull in your family?

Oh what a morning...
Aaron's bull horns came out just after breakfast.

He wanted to take his kitten to school for his "show & tell." We said no for today... but yes for next week if his teacher said that it was all right....

Well... some Love & Logic was employed.... choices were given...
Anyway... he ended up going to school without his jacket (his choice... it's 30 something...) on his bike by himself.

Mental note to myself:
Review Love & Logic workbook for more ideas.
Listen to audio tape entitled "Didn't I tell you to take out the trash?"
Remember to breathe, drink water, and get that walk in today!

The birth of an Amateur Photograph...

Wow! Have you been to Busy Mom's site lately? She's got this really cool new format.

I started framing some of my 8x10 photos. The one of my Halloween kitten is so cool! I just put up the one of the sunset with the tree in the foreground. The colors are incredible!

I'll tell you... having a digit camera is just so much fun. I have this little one... it's small enough that I take it with me everywhere. Hey... you never know when the perfect photo opportunity will arise... like my Halloween Kitty photo.

When I was hmmm maybe 12 years old, my Uncle was visiting us at the cottage we had rented in Eastern Maine (on a lake). He brought his Minolta 35mm camera with him.... and was taking photos of this pretty setting.

He took the time to show me how to work his camera and let me take a few pictures... an Amateur Photographer was born that day!

Got to go help Rich get the footings ready.... so that we can pour concrete this week.

Off to the dentist with Matthew. 2 fillings today... Do you think that I'll need to remind him to brush after this?

Summer memories...

Just back from my walk. It's been almost a week since my last one and... I feel it!!!

I'm beginning to think about Christmas. I'd like to take a family photo for our Christmas postcards.... hmmm... where is my tripod?

I finally downloaded all my digital pictures taken since this summer. Ran out of space! 244 pictures... I really, really love my digital camera!!!!!

Took some great pictures of the kids at the beach back home in Massachusetts. There is this wonderful place in Beverly, called Lynch Park. It's got lots of rolling green fields, a rose garden, a sandy & rocky beach, a couple playgrounds... and an ice cream shop. (Anybody been there?)

It's one of our favorite places back home.

this and that...

Just added an entry to our house building adventure blog, if you want to check that out.

It's a beautiful sunny day out there...

I haven't been out for my walks for a couple days. I sure miss that. Need to get back in gear...

Hmmm. I used to have a recipe for this chicken-on-a-stick with peanut sauce. Got to find that... can't remember the name or I'd google it out. It's one of Matthew's favorites. I haven't made it for a long time!

OK... with Google's help... Here's the name... Chicken Satay. It is soooo good!!!

Memories of summer. Took boys fossil hunting.
another picture by Toni

Just got new FALL catalogs...

I just got my shipment of FALL catalogs for my Healthy Living Connection biz. Actually they're more like magalogs (cross between magazine and catalogs).

Here's some highlights...

• Season Immune Support..
• Eat Heartily, Digest Comfortably..
• Are Your Joints feeling the Change of Season?
• and more!

If you'd like to receive one, sign-up on the Toni's Tidbit list or contact me.

I'm looking forward to my walk today. It's a beautiful sunny day here. Gosh.. it feels like it's been overcast for days....

I worked the polls on Tuesday

I'm an Election Judge for our little town. It was a long day on Tuesday! We worked from 6am-9:30pm.

The majority of our little town came out to vote! We could have used at least 2 more voting machines.

It was an enjoyable, high energy day.

Sorry for no entries the past couple days!!! Yesterday, I was just plum worn out...

Back to my old self today.

One of my favorite places...

Went for a walk today with my friend along the path by the canal. It's a soft dirt road that meanders past a farm with big rolled haystacks, past a forest of Russian Olive trees, and through the open country of undeveloped land.

There's an old piece of farm equipment near the haystacks. Being a transplanted city girl... I'm not really sure what it's used for. But, it's intriquing sitting there...

The mountain ranges are snow covered creating new views of crevases and slopes. We can feel the dampness on our faces as we walk along...

A hawk circles above the farm. A beautiful blue bird flutters by landing in a nearby tree.

We are surrounded by the quiet of wild open land.

This is becoming one of my favorite places.

What do I do with all the left over candy?