RIP Red

Yesterday we said goodbye to a member of our family who most of you never even knew as a member of a family. On Thursdsay when we were at Wal-Mart, Aubrey asked me if he could get a Betta fish. I said sure because we already had a fishbowl and fish are easy pets I think. When we got in the car I told Aubrey he had to name the fish and he said, "I already did! His name is Red!" Of course! What else would he name a red fish? (He also helped name his class gerbils lighter and darker. Yes, because they are lighter and darker.)

We got home and put the fish in Aubrey's room. I told him that he could not play in the water because he was putting his fingers in it. I thought (mistakenly) that would be the end of it. I caught him a couple of times after that on Thursday and Friday playing in the water. I finally told him on Saturday morning that if I saw it again, the fish would come live in the kitchen area where I could keep a better eye on him.

Aubrey's cousin and partner in crime, Hayden, came over to play on Saturday. They play so well together and have a blast. I was doing things around the house and was going to put some towels away in Aubrey's bathroom. To get to the bathroom you have to go into Aubrey's room, but when I tried to open the door it was locked. I knocked and Aubrey opened the door. I walked in and said, "What are you guys doing?" They just kind of looked around and said, "Nothing." (you know the word that means I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be) I looked over at the fishbowl and there were water droplets . I said, "Aubrey, what are you doing with the fish?" He said, "I just wanted to pet it!" I said, "What did you do?" He told me that he picked the fish out of the bowl by his fin. So, I reminded him that now I had to take Red into the kitchen to live. When I got Red to the kitchen, I noticed that he was at the bottom of the bowl! I couldn't believe it. So, to finish this long story, Red ended up (after about a half hour of suffering) going to the great fishbowl in the sky. Aubrey was devastated, crying and saying that it was all his fault. Of course I couldn't argue with that, but reminded him that this was a hard lesson in obedience-that we have rules for a reason.

One final note - While we were having Red's funeral in the bathroom, I said, "Goodbye, Red, you were a good fish." Aubrey was crying and said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you I changed his name to "Black/Purple/Red"." Well, he's consistent if nothing else. And there went a member of our family as quickly as he joined us.

the latest

I haven't kept up with my October pics on here, but I have been taking them every day. I've been kind of bummed though because my good camera is broken so I'm just using my point and shoot. However, I keep reminding myself that the quality of the pictures isn't as important as the memories I'm recording. Here are a few of our latest activities.

My October album

Aubrey and Mallory have been dancing before bed to Aubrey's Veggie Tales "Boyz in the Sink" CD. It is hilarious, and usually wears them out. Aubrey has quite the moves I must say.

At the park on one of the rare sunny days this week. Check out Gus' sunglasses. He is one cool dude!

We met Jill, Jameson, Leah, Jay, Les, and my mom and dad at our usual place, Chick-Fil-A. This picture cracks me up because of the way Jay is looking at my dad. Like, "What is this crazy man doing?" They are both such characters!I am doing this Bible study right not and oh boy has it been good for me. I can't wait to meet Queen Esther in heaven and get all the scoop from her. What a woman!

This was the view from our backyard the other morning when I got home from Jazzercise. The sun was just coming up, and since we are up so high we were above the fog. With the fall colors it was just amazing.

More pumpkin!

Yesterday I decided I would use up the rest of the fresh pumpkin I had left. I saw a recipe on one of my very favorite blogs so I thought I would try it. Sherelle Christensen has such a great blog. She is a wife, mom, and lover of crafty, vintage things and just has wonderful taste. I lover her postings about her children and their farm life. She recently posted a recipe for iced chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. I wasn't sure I'd like chocolate chips and pumpkin together, but thought the recipe looked good so I gave it a go. Let me tell you, it is a new fave. They are absolutely delicious. Sherelle says to double the recipe on her blog, so I did. It made 5, yes 5, dozen cookies. And I didn't make them small. I used my Pampered Chef scoop and it still made that many. I made 1 dozen without chocolate chips so Mallory could eat them. The icing is so good I wanted to eat it with a spoon. Try it, you will not be disappointed. And go give Sherelle some love for them too. I asked her if I could link the recipe here and she was very gracious and said, "Sure!"

Here is a pic of the kids helping to clean up after our cookie making. You know the best kind of clean up! Sorry it's not a good pic. I had my camera on a funky setting and didn't realize it. Oh, and by the way, I still have about 3 cups of fresh pumpkin left so I will be baking more today or tomorrow. (what hasn't been decided yet)

I will post more October pics soon, but I just had to share this recipe first. Happy baking!

Pumpkin Bread

The other day I was talking with my friends Erin and Laura about making pumpkin bread. I told them I used fresh pumpkins and they told me I needed to post pictures of how I bake them to use. I am passing on knowledge that my sweet friend Jill taught me. So, here we go.

First, buy pie pumpkins. I got one at the grocery store because Aubrey had to have a pumpkin so I let him get one I could use. But, I usually like to get them at the local market.

Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees. Place the pumpkins in the oven. (Tough stuff here I tell ya.)

Bake the pumpkins for about an hour. They will get a little brown.

Take them out and let them cool. The one from the grocery store got a little mushy, but the ones from the market felt crispy.

You will be able to crack the rind and it will just come off. Peel it off and scoop out the seeds and "guts". (I strained the seeds and roasted them also.)

You can then mash your pumpkin and use it however you want! I got about 7 cups of pumpkin from the 3 pie pumpkins. I made 4 mini loaves, 3 big loaves and 24 muffins and still have at least 3 cups of pumpkin left over. I will be baking more this weekend.

That is my contribution to the cooking knowledge of my sweet friends. If you would like the recipe to the pumpkin bread I make, just make a sweet comment and I'll send it to you. It's actually my mom's recipe, but I found the same, exact one in Paula Deen's new Holiday Baking magazine out this week. Cool, huh? Must be good if Paula likes it.

I will post my October album and pics this weekend. Have a great Friday!

Four days!

Well, I didn't make it back to post my pic for the first two days, but here are the pics for the first four days of October.

I had to get Mallory a new fall jacket because she didn't have one for cool but not cold weather. I found this one and while I was there found this shirt. I couldn't pass it up. A corduroy owl with button eyes is just impossible to pass up.

Here are Aubrey and Mallory with our sweet friend (and babysitter) Kaitlin. She was on the Homecoming Court as a Senior Representative. We have known Kaitlin since before Aubrey was born, and she is a beautiful girl inside and out.

Here's Aubrey at the Big Red Apple Festival. He had a blast holding all of the snakes at a certain vendor. I would never have believed he would like this if I hadn't seen it myself. I have a bunch more pics of the Festival, but this one was so funny to me.

Here is Aubrey today after lunch. He got this mustache in the gumball machine at lunch today. Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?

I've been crafty this weekend, scrapping and knitting. I'll post pics when the album is finished and the hat I'm knitting is done also. I just love when it's cool outside because it makes me want to be crafty and bake a lot. It's been a fun weekend.

October!

I know many of you probably saw the December Daily album I did last year of our happenings during the month of December. I took a picture each day and made an album with each day being a layout. My sweet friend Jill gave me the album decorated for a present and I did the layouts. Well I have decided to do an October Daily album this year. This is my absolute, hands-down favorite time of the year. We always have so much going on in October and so many fun happenings, plus the great weather, beautiful foliage, etc. I could go on and on. So, I will be posting my October pics on my blog. Then I will show you my album when it is finished. I got recycled binders really cheap at Office Depot a couple of months ago. They are made with Kraft paper, so I think it will be great with all the fall colors in it. I meant to take a picture this morning at 5:45 AM! when I went to Jazzercise, but of course forgot. (who could blame me that early in the morning though) I'll try to post daily, but I'm pretty sure I won't make it so we may have posts with several pics in one post. You know, that's just how I roll. I'll be back tomorrow though. at least that's the plan ;)

A month

It has been a month since I've posted on my blog. I don't really know why. I'd like to say it's because I've been so incredible busy, which would be partially true, but not really any more than normal. I really have just taken a break. I have been wondering if anyone reads it, and what I say that's really important. So, I just took a break. I've had so many prayers and praises in this past month. God is so good and gives us what we need when we need it. I read it on another blog today and it made me shake my head that "What we think we want is not always what we need." Isn't it amazing that we can put our hearts and lives in God's hands and let Him give us what we need. That's the hard part for me - putting it in His hands. He's teaching me and molding me though every day, and this season of my life it seems to be more so than usual, or maybe I'm just more aware of it.

Anyway, there are a few things I have been loving lately, so I thought I would share them with you. One is I'm an Organizing Junkie I have been using the Menu Plan and I have never enjoyed cooking or making dinner so much. I now have all of my ingredients ahead of time and we have been eating at home a ton! (even on a Friday night!!! That is huuuuuuge for us.) So check it out. There are all kinds of organization tips and downloads on there.

I have also been loving the beginning of fall. It's my favorite season of all. (That rhymes!) Anyway, I'm getting into my crafts more, baking more and loving the weather and of course, football. You know the Gators have been getting my blood pumping!

One last thing - I have learned how to knit! Now I'm not an expert by any stretch, after all I'm only working on my first two hats, but I went to a class with my sweet friend Erin last week and I am hooked (yes, hooked, I crack myself up). Anyway, I am loving, loving it, and might even go to Open Knitting by myself next week! So don't be surprised if you start getting scarves or hats as presents from me! :)

Have a wonderful week. I have some funny kid stories and pics, so I'll share them soon. Well, within a month at least. Hugs to you!