Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love having my kids with me in the kitchen. Here is Abby with her first batch of

chocolate chip cookies that she made all by herself. I was not allowed in the kitchen while she baked. My only rule for beginning bakers is: Read the entire recipe out loud before you begin.

The cookies disappeared very quickly and now she has also added No Bake Cookies, a Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Pie, and Oatmeal Cookies to her cooking skills. Mmmmmm....now I'm feeling hungry!

Caleb's Deer

Caleb shot his first deer this week and I am very proud of him! Before I met Carl, I barely knew the difference between a buck and a doe. Now I know the difference between a Boone & Crockett and a Pope & Young buck. I can explain the difference between a G2, and a G3, a split G4, a double brow tine, a drop tine, and a main beam. He has taught me the difference between a rub and a scrape. I can tell you all about the differences between typical and non-typical bucks and I know more about "THE RUT" than I care to admit. I know Bill Wenke, Bill Jordan, Michael Waddel, T-bone, and the Drury Brothers. Broadheads, fieldtips, knocks, trigger release, compound, draw-length, food plots, knocks, peepsights -- words I never heard of, but now I can give you a detailed definition. And I've learned how to do a load of scent-free laundry in no time flat! I love Carl's passion for hunting and the outdoors. He loves taking the kids with him to check his food plots, hang his tree stands, and look for deer sign.

He has taken Caleb hunting with him many times but this is the first year Caleb actually has his license to shoot a deer. Here is Caleb's first deer kill, but I'm pretty sure it won't be his last. Congratulations, Caleb! Awesome deer kill!

An Autumn Wreath and More

This was the view out of my living room window. Our maple tree this year has been beautiful! I really want it to stay, but I know Fall leaves don't last forever. Me & the girls gathered some leaves in the yard and then went down to the bike trail to gather some more.

We put the leaves in the microwave to dry them out

and preserve their color (same effect as drying them in a big book)

attached them to a grapevine wreath with my glue gun

Ahhhh...I really love having the colors of Fall stay longer.

I took the kids to the park yesterday for our "Annual Fall Pictures"
Caleb had just got a haircut and looks SO grown up

Abby

Ella-bella

Isaac

And my favorite shot of the day!

A Kitchen Update (part 2 of 2)

I love the idea of open shelving in the kitchen! Although I love this kitchen, I cannot imagine dusting all those shelves and washing those dusty dishes before I use them.

I ran across a few kitchens that have just removed a few cupboard doors to achieve a similar effect. Hmmmm......I think...

I can

I think I can...

So I did. I removed my cupboard doors on one of my cabinets.
(before picture)

After :)

I glued 60 cents worth of scrapbook paper to the back of the cabinet and
I put in the dishes that we use every day.

Cereal bowls and glasses where the kids can easily reach them.
Plates and serving dishes where I can easily reach them ( on my tiptoes )

And I find myself walking into the kitchen frequently just to stare

I really think

my kitchen is much happier now!

A Kitchen Update (part 1 of 2)

I have wanted a chalkboard in my kitchen forever!
I thought it would be great for doodling

And jotting down notes

I knew my kids would love it

I could put my never-ending to do list there

and leave notes for the kids

put my grocery lists there

Plus I just think they're pretty!

Here's my attempt...
I measured my cupboard doors, then made a trip to home depot for a sheet of particle board and some chalkboard paint.
(before picture)

Home Depot cut the board to size, and me and my handsome helper went to work painting

I attached my new chalkboards to my cupboard doors with liquid nails

primed it with chalk

and started doodling, listing, and menu-planning


Hmmmm...what to do with the leftover board? I drew some lines on the board and Carl cut the pieces out

I did a little sanding

a little painting and a little more sanding

Ta-Da

I love it! Definitely worth the $6 board and the paint :)

Young's Jersey Dairy

We visited Young's Jersey Dairy farm with Grammy & Pappy a few weeks ago.

When Abby heard we were going to a real farm she broke out her cowgirl hat and boots

The kids loved the mini golf or pup-pup as Isaac called it :)

Taking a break with Grammy


An old tractor for climbing

And tractor wheel

I really got in to this ride, as you can see!

Goats

and calves

And the most beautiful sunflower field on our way home