OH MY......

So YUMMY - these cookies are sinful - the caramel inside is still gooey when they are cooled.

Had to share.

I made a double batch tonight - 6 dozen for a cookie swap and leftovers for the guys lunches and to share at work.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

TIME: Prep:25 min. Bake: 10 min.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
1 package (13 ounces) Rolo candies

Directions: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture just until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Shape dough by tablespoonfuls around each candy. In a small bowl, combine remaining pecans and sugar; dip each cookie halfway. Place with nut side up on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes or until top is slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Crafty lil snowbird

She's caught the BUG....card making bug!

She has been playing with stamps a little and then she started to explore....and she is doing GREAT!

The bottom is her Christmas card....a photo of where she is....she glued sand on the beach and added a Christmas tree punch! OH I forgot to take a pic of the inside...she used a snowman punch and a caption bubble with 'Merry Christmas' in it!

Love it!

Great job, Mom!! XXOO

weekend recap

An all day invitational was exactly right! We started at 8am and were leaving at 515pm!
Although Jackson High did not do well....they boys had a great time and Koda said it was his most memorable....because he had lots of family that came to see him! :-)
Thanks Mike, Jennifer, Bryan, Jody, Richard and Jerod - you made his day!

Jake went to his friends for the afternoon (we were in Brooklyn where he lives) and they invited his to stay the night - and then Steve's sister and brother in law asked if they could keep the other two....woo hoo. We are child free - last night we had Subway and watched the Wings play. Crashed early - and today we are cleaning and trying to make room for the tree - and going shopping - groceries and some Christmas.


Go Koda.


Kyle (Koda's buddy)


Christmas Ban Concert was awesome...for middle school students...they are terrific! Nope, you cannot see Steve - he is sitting in the backrow all the way to the left!

up and running

The computer is back up and running. Thanks to sons and curiosity - I was the lucky recipient of a CRASH on my pc. I will let the party remain anonymous and leave the details to you....they are also lucky t'he'y have a computer savvy mom...otherwise 'he' would have been cashing in some gifts...ugh!

and we are up and running this morning - heading to an all day wrestling event. Will post later with pics...hopefully with smiles. Thursday night he was not smiling and was just plain MAD because he lost both matches. I have seen him mad -wish he could use that energy to get loose from the holds he gets into - but unfortunately he gives up if they get him around the neck and feels like his breathing is compromised. (think this is from being an asthmatic)

Anywho - I will post details later!! Have a super Saturday!

My Planner

Caught a creative bug last night - and made this. It was quite relaxing and I love it. It has pockets inside for wish lists, receipts, a calendar, and whatever......

pics are not the best but you can get the idea!

It all started with a Manila file folder!

December 2008

I cannot believe it is already December !
Sure signs it is December and we live in Michigan........

• It's snowing
• 25 days of Christmas is on ABC Family
• I am counting paydays before Christmas
• I have lists all over with gift ideas
• wrestling meets/ invitationals fill my Saturdays
• my calendar is FULL
• I am in the mood to craft and craft
• I want to make gifts
• Shopping is part of my lunch hour
• need slippers on my feet to keep me happy
• pink cheeks on my boys that wait at the bus stop at 630am!
• every commercial on tv is about Christmas and gifts

oh I could go on and on.

I am feeling better today - returned to work.

*Tomorrow I have a re-check appt and the day off because I worked all day Sunday. Maybe if I feel better I can shop a little?

SIX teens?

L to R
Rosa, Amber, Dori ( the dog) Alyssa, Jake
Back row
Koda, Steve

We now have new family members- my brother Bill will be getting married in March in Naples, FL. He is marrying, Yvonne, a mom to 2 daughters- which means they will now have 3 teen girls together.....12,13,14. Can you say - 3 bathrooms and a BIG bottle of MIDOL? whew, this is when 3 boys sounds real good! Just kidding- good kids all of them.

2 - 12 year olds - Steve and Rosa
2- 13 year olds - Jake and Alyssa
1- 14 year old Amber
1- 16 year old Koda

The kids did their Christmas swap this weekend - they swapped by age and gender - and when they handed off we had them tell the other something they learned about them...it was CUTE!

Koda learned Amber is a competition figure skater, she learned he was a wrestler
Jake learned Alyssa loves to cheer, and she said Jake is a ton of fun to be around
Steve learned that Rosa wants to play softball, and she learned that Steve is shy and quiet

We drove up for just an overnight trip....just about all I can handle as I am still not ME! ick. Took Gram with us and she enjoyed the fun too.

*mom, did you notice Jake has BLUE eyes? He agreed it was looking shaggy and allowed mom ONLY to start chopping....should have taken a pic....as he had enough taken off to create a couple wigs. looks much better!!

Off to rest some more...work tomorrow. Been creating cards this morning in bed! :-)

I am back

I am beginning to feel better...still home - 3 days out of work....never do I remember being this sick - well not since having MONO at 21. I missed almost a month of work then.

Leaving Jackson tomorrow morning at 8am (I hope)- heading north. Thanksgiving dinner will be at my brother and his fiance's house at 1pm - and I am bringing Gram with me this year. Thankfully I am feeling like I am improving day to day - thank you antibiotics, steroids and mucinex! It is working slowly - it feels - but the fevers are GONE! yippee

Tried to get a pic of the boys and Santa baby last night - they were not playing nicely- horse playing all the time. Sometimes those are the BEST pics but last night they almost sent me over the edge...lol Think we'll try again today!!

Today was a 1/2 day - and we all slept in. Steve Sr had to go to work at 430am. Of course I woke up when he was getting ready - so then I wanted to craft! I made an 'explosion box' and tags for the nieces gift bags - with my Cuttlebug! ( love that little machine!) It is so much fun and can be used to create so many things! Of and of course I made a few more cards too!!

Been making way today through some cleaning with 3 school skipping teens and the little bit of energy I muster here and there. Off to get busy again....they monsters seem to be battling again over what to watch on tv- silly boys - I already took away the computer and XBOX360 for now...they will soon be electronically poor.

Pre holiday ICK

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." Irish Proverb

Bronchitis + fevers + pink eye = a week long vacation that BITES!
Came down with a normal winter like cold last week....and by Sunday I was feeling waaaay bad.
Went to the dr yesterday....eye drops, antibiotics, breathing treatments, steroids and NO SLEEP!
Hoping to kick it before Thursday so we can go up north - we'll see....as I still cannot get lower than 99.9 temp.
Dr took me out of work -and said I could return Thurs or Fri. Hmm great plan - already off those days. I will work Sunday to make up for lost hours and payroll catch up! That's the plan today!
Oh heavens, wah! wah! I hate being sick.

who is that?

It's ME!! a trip back in time for me and a visit with the BEST Santa EVER! We, of course, had to go to Muskegon to visit Santa s it was a BIG event. JCPenney had the very best Santa! He was the REAL Santa, I still believe!

Mom - how old was I? any idea? I am thinking 1976 / 1978 ?

Yep, I loved that Raggedy Ann belt and plaid pants...I know you are all envious.

Holly Hobbie was at the top of the list this year - I am almost positive. I had an entire bedroom set that was Holly Hobbie...she rocked.

Much older and more mature with my new stylin Dorothy Hammil (sp?) haircut. :-)

not much new happenings

Same old same old.
Hunting. Cutting up their deer. Hunting. Working. Hunting. Working.
Get the picture?
We're all working on a great winter cold.
The roads were very slippery this morning at the stop signs. I understand Oceana county got loads of snow, mom.
I need to get busy Christmas shopping. Have made lists and more lists.
The kids will exchange gifts next weekend- actually Friday since sports and divorced parents/ weekends are making a date to get all 6 kids together nearly impossible. The theme is 'round' and the limit is $15 each. Looks like they all want cds. 3 girls exchanging with the 3 boys!
Working tomorrow 8a-12n in my old job - intake. I need groceries too!
I am tired.

11.16.08 Hunter update....

Koda shot a 3 pt buck this morning !!

Weekend fun

Thanks Jill for hosting a deer hunter's widow fun day!! I had a great time visiting with you all....time flew by but we all made a lot of fun gifting creations!!
Although I did not create one page - I did accomplish 17 cards and had more fun with my new Cuttlebug toy. ( remember you CAN use your 50% coupon to purchase this little beauty!) and then you too will be addicted to purchasing the little embossing folders....if ONLY they would carry them at Meijer or Aldi, I could slip one in when I get groceries...hello? at only $5 each - I could slip a few every trip! ha ha )



Non tradional Christmas colors the pic is bad , but a simple brthday

and someone had to check out the new creations too - at the perfect time for mom to snap the pic!!

Look what I found when I opened the door to get the paper...Yes, I am in Michigan!

Have not heard from the hunters this morning? Yesterday was a good hunting day for my nephew, Richard though, despite the rain and ick....will post pics later!! Hoping we can fill our freezer soon!

FEVERS

We have BIG buck FEVER.

and He ....

has an ear infection fever. I knew we were in trouble last night when he came to me with a q-tip in his hand soaked with fresh red blood....ugh, This child and his ears have been trouble since day one. ENT appt next week - so we kicked in the meds and if you look close...he IS smiling!

He is also already talking about his plan to hunt this afternoon!

a new addiction

As if this chic needed another 12 step program....a new scrappin project....and it was FUN. The company was awesome which might have made it even more FUN....Beth, Keitha and I went to this class tonight after a trip to Joann's. Now I need a trip to Hobby Lobby for more tin boxes - these would make awesome gifts. You could do so many things with them....mine is for Christmas cookie recipes....I am thinking of making a couple with handmade cards in them for gifts!? The girls could use them for jewelry, photos, hair stuff, oh the ideas.
We were even able to copy the pattern!!
Not the best photo...but oh is it CUTE!!

Happy Monday !!

Long distance

*edited to show Mom what Michigan looks like today...
Birthday Wishes to my Mom !!
XXOO from frigid Michigan. We love you!!
Hope you are enjoying the warm temps and retirement relaxation! Crafting away basking in the sun - THAT is a great birthday - enjoy!!

Grandma Camera! Now you know where the kids came up with the name!!

** It's snowing, Mom!! Enjoy the warm sunny weather.

Fall is falling

and turning into WINTER! Yesterday we enjoyed the last day for now of 60+ temps.... this morning is a bit cooler - 30s but my hunters were quite excited!! Let's hope they can 'bag a buck' and fill my freezer!

The boys were chilly this morning so I whipped up some of these....mini blueberry and regular size Cheerio/ applesauce muffins. ( I'd be happy to share the recipe if interested!!) YUM

and MOST important .....I sold my Sizzix Sidekick on Ebay. I never use it...felt it was a waste just sitting on my shelf...and I would rather have $$ to buy scrappin goods I would use. So here is my NEW purchase. The card class hostess, Judy has one of these and I LOVE IT! It is an embosser and cutter...I am very fond of the embossed backgrounds for cards! Thinking I will ask Santa for some folders for embossing and maybe a few dies. :-)

and I have these 2 embossing folders so far! Need to get to Hobby Lobby and Michaels and see what they have! I like the backgrounds the MOST and I really want the Christmas tree one!

Have an awesome weekend.....stay warm!

Psst! This little guy is turning 2...Logan Rocco Church. His birthday party is today!

what a silly boy !

( he belongs to our friends, Mandy and Darrick

Too cute !

This little girl always stops to 'take time to smell the flowers' LITERAALY - she stops smells the flowers and then moves on? every afternoon when we walk - I had to catch her in the act - planning to print this pic and mat with the phrase for my desk! :-)

Card class last night was fun again....will take pics again and post. Next Monday they have a new class using mod podg - creating a covered tin lunch box - I am in! Can't wait!

what a blur

WOW the weekend flew by! Here we go again...Monday is just around the corner.

Did you remember to FALL BACK ? I am not a good one when it comes to adjusting the clock....I am my own alarm clock...it came built in? Therefore, I was awake too early and could not go back to sleep....so I went to work and to Walmart when Steve left for hunting today!

Jake was bored this afternoon so he made dinner and brownies for lunches! He made lasagna, garlic bread and salads....and it ROCKED! very little help from me, other than some verbal cues. ( should have took a few pics - I was enjoying sitting and watching and never thought about a camera)

Busy week ahead...
Monday - card class after work
Tuesday - eye appts for the boys
Wednesday - wrestling meeting for parents and students
Thursday- something - must check calendar
Friday -another something - must check calendar again- lol
Sarurday-
Sunday- MY MOM's BDAY! xxoo

Have a great week!

Oh my crazy teens

I was left with Koda and Kyle tonight to hand
out candy. They were tons of fun...they kept
changing costumes and having fun....making
me laugh! Koda was being tough - making kids
say Trick Or Treat to get candy! :-)


This is Kyle - Koda's friend-



Koda - he scared a few people with this one



Kyle - this one makes me giggle every time I see it




Steve II - scary





Koda again....he made a lot of little kids stare and
even some adults

Jake was off with friends - no pics this year.

And no pumpkins..... oh they grow so fast and time flies!!

Happy Halloween!!

What is your favorite Halloween memory from your childhood?
Favorite costume?

• Handmade costumes - I was a very lucky little girl - I grew up having a very crafty and creative mom that always sewed and made the BEST costumes!!
• My favorite is definitely when I was very young - I might guess kindergarten or first grade-I was an adorable bunny - complete with puff ball tail and tall ears, painted nose and whiskers.
• This particular year was a normal Michigan Halloween complete with drizzly rain and puddles. YEP, 'grace' aka Kandi bounced her little bunny tail right in a BIG MUD PUDDLE! I remember being so heart broken and upset! It was awful!!
• However, my elementary back in the sticks and many moons ago always had a after Trick Or Treat party for the students, costumes judging contests, and many fun treats and games.
• Well the MUDDY TAIL BUNNY won! ( which I did many years , thanks Mom!) The prize? a SILVER DOLLAR and if I didn't think that was the COOLEST thing EVER!

Wish I had a pic to share of the cutest MUDDY bunny to share - maybe someday Mom and I can go through those albums and start scanning some too!!

THANKS MOM! I know you are following along from TX - Miss you!! XXOO

Have a Happy and SAFE Halloween!!

Thursday with a perfect ending

A perfect ending to a stressful busy day at work...grab some pizzas, 4 guys and head to visit Gram! It had been awhile since we had been to visit Gram...she is doing very well and we had lots of fun visiting with her.
Gram was amazed at how big the guys are getting....and how much they have changed. Her baby girl had to miss the visit - Aunt Flo is visiting her.
While at Gram's my cousin joined us and mentioned that she has not had her male Yorkie 'fixed' yet - so we have to quickly decide if we want to try to breed her...anyone for a Yorkie puppy? We are trying hard to weigh this out.....they would be born just about Christmas...ready just before Valentine's Day! Hmm, marketing thoughts! :-)
Dad called and told us to bring the truck if we want an upright freezer, a friend of his offered it to him - U HAUL it's yours FREE. works fine, he is a single man with no need for that much space.
All is well....no school tomorrow, heading north right after work and I am heading to watch some tv and get some SLEEP! G'night!

Did you see.....

ORIONID METEOR WATCH: The annual Orionid meteor shower, caused by dusty debris from Halley's Comet. Little was expected of this year's display because a bright Moon is hanging in the pre-dawn sky, causing an interfering glare. Surprisingly, however, sky watchers on Oct. 20th witnessed 15 or more Orionids per hour, many of them brighter than first magnitude stars.

It was very cool....although I am never positive it was we acually saw..lol

Weekend Fun

Hunting is happening ....nice cool weather ...they are anxious to hunt every opportunity they get!

I have big plans of getting some baking and cleaning done while the boys play in the woods.
Mini Carmel Apples Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

These treats are on my list of possibilities....well the bars are dessert for tomorrow!! The mini carmel apples just sound FUN! and something I might bring into work....but speaking of work they sound like a lot of work...maybe something fun for the younger 2 to do with me while the hunters are out. ( Jake and Steve do not bow hunt YET!)

Tonight we have a birthday/ Halloween party to go to. They have a corn maze, scavenger hunt and more for the kids....should be fun. *note to self- remember the camera!!

What do you have planned for weekend fun?

Home

I am home today.....snuggled into my bed, then up and cleaning and back for a rest!! I was HIT by some sort of a bug- ick. Left at 430 yesterday as I knew it was coming on.....icky tummy all day long and around 1 then headache hit. After a busy night of getting my mileage in running back and forth.....I am exhausted and feel like I have been run over by a BIG BIG truck! :-)

Hoping to get some scrappy time in before the kids get home though *wink wink* scrappy therapy always makes me feel better!! :-)

Card Crazy

Had a blast last night. Went to a card party with a friend from work....from 630-1000. The hostess is a Stampin Up! consultant - and not pushy for sales what so ever. :-)

All of these cards for just $10 !! She has everything cut and ready - all the tools are there - Sizzix, Cuttlebug, tons of embellishments, everything- bring your own adhesive and a drink.

Next class Nov 6 - 6pm! There is a Christmas special class - 20 cards for $25.00 Dec 6th

Poopy pics - but you get the idea. OH! and the little extras at the bottom....a dressed up Halloween treat - covering a Peppermint Patty - and a punch art Santa....been a long time since I have done punch art - it was FUN!!

Great weekend fun !

Jake, Steve and I made set out in search of our friends in Lakeview! It was a beautiful day and the ride was nice. Although we found that Saturday in Edmore, ( small town you go through on your way) is a good day to move your John Deere equipment......at a pace I refer to as 'mosey-ing along'. Then we knew we were very close when we spotted an Amish horse and buggy....which of course made Jake comment 'Hey look they have pony and buggy rides here." :-) I think he knew the difference? ? I hope. ? City boys!

It was a typical Hamlin football Saturday so we met them at the high school field. We caught most of Cory's game - Sweet TOUCHDOWN, Cory!

..........and all of Brad's - and yet another HAMLIN TOUCHDOWN! Way to go Birthday Boy, Brad!! Awesome players ! We missed Zach's game as we did sleep a bit longer than planned and ran a little later that we wanted to.....but he told me he had a great game!! :-)

Miss Mads was busy socializing! :-)

The boys had a blast meeting the new friends that Cory and Brad have in Lakeview...infact Steve asked if we could move too. :-) It is a very homey feeling small town, especially to me. I loved it and am so happy they have all adjusted and love the new place!!

Even though it is a small town- they carry silly string in 2 of the 3 stores in town. Well, they did until Beth bought them all out! :-) The kids had a lot of fun - 13 kids armed with silly string!! Woo Hoo!!

We had a great visit...and we all agree time flies when you are spending it with GREAT friends.

Thanks again for sharing your busy Saturday with us - and letting us come visit.

(and for sharing your scrapbooks with us ! Loads of fun looking at old pics of those cuties and giggling at the beginner styles and how we have changed!!- yet we have matching papers and layout styles!!)

I am alive

Just a quick post - I am alive and well...just oh so busy and exhausted every night when I get home. I have been trying to spend more time with the boys and homework ( grades and attitudes were beginning to show signs that needed momma's attention!! )- therefore much less time for me to blog!
Hope everyone is having a great week.....hope to post again soon!