Nate's balloon progress...

Nate continues to amaze us with his new "ballooning" skills!
He continues to watch his tutorials online and learn new things daily.
This one started out to be a teddy bear...then he decided to just turn it into his own "creation" and it turned out pretty darn cute! ;)
The little tiny one is a new trick he learned, putting balloons "inside" of other balloons!
Keep up the great work Nate!
You're awesome!

Happy 17th Anniversary To Us!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...
My husband is the BEST thing that has ever happened to me.
I have grown into a better person...a wiser person...a more well-rounded person in the seventeen years we've been married.

He is my best friend.
He (and my children) come first ALWAYS.
Do we argue?  Yes.
Do we have disagreements?  Yes.
Do I love with all my heart and more?  Yes.
Would I marry him all over again?  Yes.

I am so happy we are together.
I couldn't ask for a better life.
We are simple...we are happy...it's good.
Happy 17th Anniversary dear!
I love you!

Cake decorating...Take One!

Soooo...my kit FINALLY came in.  And...I FINALLY got a free night to FINALLY practice!
Soooo...here's some of my work!  LOL!  Please don't laugh!  It was my VERY FIRST attempt EVER with a pastry bag, LOL!  Here's some of the stars...I personally think that was one of the most easy things to master.  NOT that I've mastered it.  BUT it seems like a pretty easy, basic one.

These curved lines were a bit of a challenge...but that trim at the bottom didn't seem to be that hard.

Here's some of the shells.  They weren't too hard.  Not bad for the first time.  I'm not EVEN gonna post the leaves I attempted, LOL!  They were a disaster!  LOL!  I smell LOTS more practice on those!

Here's some drop flowers and star flowers I attempted.  Yes...I need lots more practice.  But it was fun!  Teehee!

I know I was jumping WAY ahead in our lesson book...but I couldn't resist trying this flower ahead of schedule.  Yes, it's a mess...but I had fun trying!

I just used the basic Wilton icing recipe with their butter flavoring.  It was pretty tasty...according to the boys who both licked the beaters, bowls, and spatula after I was done, LOL!

So...I think I'm gonna like this cake decorating thing.  It's gonna take a lot of practice...but it's gonna be a lot of fun!

Totally adding this to my list of all time FAVS!!!

Valentine's Day

Wilton Cake Decorating Classes

Cake decorating class number one...DONE!
No hands on tonight...but lots of instruction and visual learning.
I learned a lot.
Can't wait for my "beginners kit" to arrive on Wednesday so I can start practicing for next week!
We have to take a cake and icing in next week to work on.
We shall see!
If it looks good...
Maybe...
Just maybe...
I'll post pics...
Told the fam...at the very least...they will have dessert!  LOL!

Determined...

Determined...
Yes, that is what I am.
I am determined...
I am on a mission.
A mission to find it...
It?  You may ask...
"What I'm good at".
I try everything.
A little of this...
A little of that...
I dabble here...
I dabble there...
But I never excel at anything.
Scrapbooking?
Yes.  I do it.
Good at it?
Nope...
So so...yep.
Stamping?
Yes.  I do it.
Good at it?
Nope...
So so...yep.
Piano.
Yes.  I play.
Good at it?
Nope...
So so...yep.
Gardening?
Yes. I do it.
Good at it?
Nope...
So so...yep.
I'll try anything.
There are many things I love!
But I'm just not good at anything!
I love hair, nails, make-up, fashion...
Am I good at it?
NOOOOOO!
People say I'm a good friend...
Well none of them seem to stick around for me after I've been there for them!
And ya can't get paid to be a good friend!
I'm looking for a new direction in life...a new career preferably.
Monday, I will start cake decorating classes.
I am praying THIS WILL BE IT!!!
I've wanted to do it for years.
Praying I will be good.
Praying I will be great!
Praying THIS will be my niche!
Will it be?
I need this.
I need something.
I need to have a calling.
Something I'm great at.
To find my true talent.
I want to build a new business.
I would love it if it were this.
I covet any and all prayers if you're reading this.
I can't stand this "not good enough" at anything feel anymore.
It is wearing me down and tearing me apart.
I'm not happy with my current situation (career) at the present.
I am blessed to have it.
It has been good to me.
I am here for my family.
Set my own hours/policies.
But I am so burnt out.
I have to admit...
It's not just the job either.
That "not good enough" feeling sneaks into other aspects of my life too.
Without going into too much detail...
It's kind of that "always being second best" feeling with everyone.
EVERYONE.
It can be hurtful...
Irritating...
Maddening...
But, I thank God for my husband and sons.
They get me through it all.
I live for them.
So anyway...
I haven't had a pity-party in a while...so I guess I was due, LOL!
But...
Here's to new beginnings!
Cake decorating here I come!
Maybe THIS will just be my thing!
Please God?

Our Home Is...

Our home is...

Backpacks and trumpet case in the hallway...

Laundry baskets full of folded clean clothes waiting to be put away (and waiting and waiting)...

Clean dishes in the dishwasher...and dirty dishes in the sink...

A kitchen counter full of mail, recipe cards, homework folders, permission slips, lists...

A kitchen table full of "already read" newspapers waiting to be taken to the dumpster...

Piles of coupons in the corner of the living room...

Nate's blanket draped over the chair...

Legos all over the living room floor...

Dirty clothes in the hamper needing "caught up"...

Bathrooms in need of their weekly clean-up...

Stacks of old magazines by my bedside that need to be sorted...

Dust bunnies that are not so cute...

Carpets needing to be swept...

Evan's pottery on the desk...

Nate's artwork filling his cubby...

Video games and remotes scattered about...

My paperwork laying on the couch...

Oreo's toys in at least one corner of every room...

Plants needing water...again...

Shoes in the entryway...a lot of them...

The boys' rooms are messy...(I can't complain, because...)

Our room is messy...

Reusable grocery bags loiter my hallway...

Our home will never...

Have everything in its place...

Have everything "caught up"...

Be immaculately clean...

Because...

Our home is...

Lived in...

Filled with children...

Filled with family...

Filled with clients...

Filled with a crazy cat...

But most of all...

Our home is...

Filled with joy...

Filled with care...

Filled with fun...

Filled with happiness...

Filled with compassion...

And lastly...

Filled with LOVE.

Learning more and more...

When Nate decides to do something...

He goes at it full steam ahead!

He bought a little booklet, bag of balloons, and pump from Scholastic Books last year...and we discovered some tutorial videos on a website and he has become addicted to learning the art of balloon animals!

Here he is with his "hat"...

...and the deer he made today.

He is coming along so well!

We're so impressed and proud of ya Natee!

Keep up the great work!

Raspberry Streusel Muffins

Many years ago, back when Jamie and I worked at the Stuart Avenue Inn Bed & Breakfast right after we first got married...when I was on duty in the evenings, I used to read through all the many B & B magazines, country magazines, midwest type magazines that the owners subscribed to.  I found this recipe for "Raspberry Streusel Muffins" and tried it...and they are the BEST ever!  I have made them for nearly seventeen years now!  And tonight, we substitued the raspberries for blueberries and are anxious to try them.  This is the best fruit muffin I've ever had.  Try it...and let me know what ya think!

Raspberry Streusel Muffins

1. Prepare topping.  Set aside.  Grease 12 muffin cups.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In large bowl; w/ electric mixter beat butter & sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg.  Beat until well blended.

3. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.  In small bowl, combine milk, sour cream, and vanilla.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture.  Alternately w/ milk mixture beating just until baatter is combined.  Gently fold in raspberries (or other berries of your choice).

4. Spoon into tins about 2/3 full.  Sprinkle w/ topping.

5. Bake 20-25 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes and remove.

Topping:

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. oats

1/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

With 2 knives cut in 6 tblsp. butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Briefly rub mixture between fingers to blend butter.

Muffin Mixture:

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. raspberries (or berries of your choice)

The finished product!

I thought I told you not to play with mom's camera...

Ok...so they know they're not supposed to play with my camera...
But I had to laugh when I was going through my photos and surprisingly saw this one, LOL!
Guess Ev snapped it of Nate in the garage the other day...teehee...
I have to admit...it was pretty funny to discover this one, LOL!