Did you feel your boobs??

The drawing for this giveaway is tomorrow at noon(ish). Last chance to do your monthly self-exam!

Raking Leaves

I don't know when I fell in love with yardwork. This is the first year I sort of took it over from Cory. He's a yardwork genius, but his schedule is crazy and I don't mind doing it. I love being outside with the kids, so I've done most of the mowing and now the raking this fall. I suspect I'll do much of the shoveling this winter, too.

The thing is, Jack is two and a half. It's not hard to be out there with them anymore. He does disappear from time to time, but it's nothing like the past years when he's been in an exersaucer or 18 months and unsure of boundaries. They love it, and I love it. Especially when I am able to capture this moment:

Plus, how fun is it to photograph these colors? I can't get enough. They go as fast as they come, so I'm soaking them up.

Today I raked 14 bags of leaves. With one shoe on. If you're not on facebook, you don't know that I have a neuroma on my right foot and it's super painful when I wear a shoe. So after 15 - 20 minutes, the shoe came off, the sock stayed on, and we got the job done! I feel accomplished, but sore. Cory can have the next turn!

Fall

Just before she puts hers to sleep,

Mother Nature gives us one last gift.

I think she hopes it'll last us

Until everything comes to life again.

Wild Rice Soup

I'm posting this recipe for Amy. And whoever else wants it. It's my mom's recipe, and it's DELICIOUS.

6 T butter
1/2 flour
1 T chopped onion
3 c chicken broth
2 c cooked wild rice
1/2 c diced ham
1/2 c finely chopped carrots
3 T slivered almonds (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1 c half and half

Sautee onion in butter. Stir in flour, let it cook until smooth. Add broth. Cook together, stirring. Boil one minute. (I add my carrots at this point and let them boil to soften them a bit.) Add ham, wild rice, almonds, and salt. Stir in half and half. Heat only to serving temperature; do not boil once you've added the half and half or it will separate.

ENJOY!

Be Aware.

I'm sure you're aware that it's Breast Cancer Awareness month. Because early detection is so important, I'm doing an Amy's Blend giveaway.

All you have to do is tell me that you've done your monthly self-exam and I'll enter you in the drawing for a bag of Amy's Blend coffee or tea (and if you drink neither, there are some cool water bottles available). And if you're a man, and you read my blog, then tell me you've reminded your wife, or your mom, or another important woman in your life to do hers. Actually, it's a good idea for you to do it, too! I saw this story in the news this week. Breast cancer can affect anyone.

Drawing will be held next Friday, October 30 at noon.

*Note: I am aware that if my coffee hadn't dripped all over, this photo would have been a lot better. It was really full. And it was raining.

Weapons of Love

What you can see in this photo are Jack-Jack's weapons. He has a sword, a lightsaber, and a pistol. He takes them all very seriously. He hadn't yet put on the whistle he uses when he dresses like this. If you can't sort through the weaponry to draw the conclusion, he's a police officer.

What you can't see is the stuff he carries inside of him. His light, his thoughtfulness, his intelligence, and his amazing capacity to love. He loves EVERYONE. He talks to everyone, smiles, waves, and greets all people. I love that about him.

A week or so ago, we were at the grocery store. A very elderly woman was in line behind us. He was making eyes at her and she was smiling at him. He turned to me and asked, "What's his name is?" I said to the woman, "Ma'am, wants to know your name." She told us her name was Eunice. "Oh, HI, Eunice!" said my sweet little man. The look in her eyes told me that at that moment, he made her happy.

He makes me happy every day. Even when he's sassy. It's my prayer that he always uses all of his weapons for the better good. For his momma and all of humanity!

The Bright Side of Fall

For Julie

This is a really hard time of year for me.

I love fall. The colors are startling beautiful. I love fall desserts. I love the feeling of a warm fire and apple cider on a chilly day.

I also despise it. It's the last hurrah before it's bare branches and snowflakes. Actually, I don't mind the snowflakes. I just hate the cold. It's so hard to have two little rugrats who need to be bundled everywhere we go.

You know what? Never mind. I'm going to make the best of it. Here are the winter positives:

1. We can play outside. Jack is 2 1/2 and can really enjoy the outdoors this year!

2. They can kind of dress themselves. Yes, we'll have sloppy wet clothes, but I'm going to come up with a drying solution in my mud room. I've been blessed with a really great big room inside the garage that I can come up with a better system than we've had in the past.

3. I have an electric blanket. I'll be warm at night. :)

4. And before it comes, I get to enjoy Autumn. I'm not going to let the winter 'foliage sleeping' season to bring me down. It's my choice, right?

Happy weekend, everyone!

Apples

My sister-in-law Trista gave me these beauties from her tree this weekend. I have three new neighbors and now I have a great ingredient to whip them up some yummy treats to welcome them to the neighborhood.

When I explained to my sisters that couldn't make an desserts right now because my apple peeler/corer/slicer broke last fall, they all said they don't own one, either. They peel by hand. GASP!

Call me lazy or spoiled, but I'm heading over to the local hardware store to procure myself a little peeler/corer/slicer so I can make some apple crisp, for much less effort than my sisters. Peel away, ladies.

What's your favorite fall dessert?