Attitude of Gratitude

193. Working in place where people are sick all the time makes me so thankful for my health, my ability to do most anything I want to do, not like climb Mt. Everest, but you know, things I'm able to do.
194. My new kitchen "chandelier" has replaced the paint peeling 80's white ceiling fan. I know it's "stuff", but it's pretty.
195. Amazing black sky the other morning, storm clouds against the bright sun lighting the yellow leaves.
196. Desire, born deep within, even if it never goes anywhere, the desire brings life and dreaming
197. Family, wonderful family
198. A father-in-law turning 74, sounds much older than he is!
199. Lazy days, and staying up to late because I just can't put down the project
200. The overwhelming, bring tears to my eyes generosity of complete strangers to a should have been new Mom
201. Women, friends, willing to do anything to help
202. Flannels
203. My girl on the upswing (I hope) of yet another illness
204. A library visit with a friend
205. New glasses

206. Early morning drives with my boy to school
207. A deal on new and well liked winter coats, thanks Lord
208. Interesting, enjoyable read
209. Fall fabrics, deep browns, rich reds
210. Being on the other side of waiting
211. "Hey Mom, listen to this one", giggles and belly laughs from his perch on the heat vent

Snoopy and the Red Baron

I got these actually for dogs goggles at a "friends only" garage/boutique sale! Scored some other great items too, but thought these would be a great for Ditto who loves dressing up :) I think we're going to have to track down the original Red Baron because the kids don't remember it.

Welcome to Movember

Being the 1st of November, I wanted to share with you the glorious weekend sun we had, so I took a wander out to capture some fall colors. I wanted to give you some background music to enjoy, and the song that came to mind was this one, which was made famous by my brother-in-law and his strange friends with some lovely video editing. We'll imagine it's in honor of Movember. Yes ~ it's that creepy time of year when some men decide to grow mustaches, for a great cause, but I'm glad KD doesn't aspire to facial hair.

Yes it's scary, very scary, and one of them is a youth pastor. I'm sure they scared all the small children off the swings. I know, some of you will be speechless.

Saturday Morning Breakfast of Champions

Come back here with my CB!!

Haha, someone (or 2) trying to steal my treat while I'm taking a photo!
This recipe is a great use for some left over mashed potatoes!!

Tous les bling-bling dont vous aurez besoin

Apparently I need more bling-bling in my life.
I've been told -- I got that spam e-mail twice today! I know am a pretty plain ordinary girl, not much into bling and such, I cut my own hair for Pete's sake. But I also don't need Viagr$ or a free university degree.

I also found out I have some secret readers that have been "spying" on me too, so I figured I better start writing something a little more interesting, more bling :) Not that my faithful old readers don't need interesting reading. So here's some tid bits from the week:

**my heart is breaking for a story I read, someone's life being lived this way, not a fairy story. My friend, who is sort of like my 3rd brother, is in Africa and tells a story of 3 orphans eating mud to keep from being hungry
**Erin happened on this fantastic blog!! Check out the painted pumpkin idea!
**this salad dressing is awesome, I brought it to work on a bed of lettuce, with a diced chicken breast, and a mandarin orange! OK I can't find it on the website anymore, so just try this instead, I made it for Kevin's birthday, it is divine!
**if you buy marbled rye bread, the kids still think it's chocolate bread and actually eat the sandwiches in their lunches
** I must be hungry, these are all about food!
**chai lattes are just better in a "to stay" mug
**this article resonated with me, I LOVE the encouragement on the pages of this blog
**I think I'll go do my, I mean Jacob's, paper route, he's not feeling great today

Happy Friday!

What's For Dinner?

I'm trying to be more deliberate and planned in my meals lately since I've had more time. When we were on Salt Spring Island a few weeks back, we had the most amazing lunch out in a cute little place on the dock at Fulford Harbor. The waitress was fantastic and so happy to hand out the website for some of their amazing recipes. KD says his Texicana Naan sandwich was the best ever, but my Yam Burrito was to die for and it doesn't sound hard to make! Just need a couple ingredients and it'll be on this week's menu for sure! You guys have got to try it, it's amazing! This Yam Quesadilla looks amazing too! 'Tis the season for all the root vegetables!

And since a blog is always better with a photo... one of my new faves of Kevin's from Salt Spring.... "mini mushroom"

Total Inspiring! I Love this Dad!

Their fastest time in an ironman is 35 minutes short of the world record!!