What I Learned This Thanksgiving



  I did a bit of complaining this year over our Thanksgiving.  I thought it was going to be my year to host for the first time ever...but, no.  It could have been, but I didn't want to disappoint my in-laws....so we had it at the "clubhouse" in the new community they moved into last spring.  We ate in a big room with old people we didn't know.  Brady and his cousins sat at a different table from us with Grandma and Grandpa.  When it was our turn to go through the line to get dinner, the mash potatoes were gone...the thing Brady was looking forward to the most.   Later, Grandma had a hard time relaxing after dinner because the kids were noisy, so we left.  And, I didn't get one picture.  So, I complained to Eric much of the day about Thanksgiving not being so great.  It didn't feel all warm and cozy...sitting around laughing and talking and making memories.   My mom reminded me that my time will come one day to have Thanksgiving at my house...the way I imagine it to be. My expectations are often so high for these family times...that when things don't go perfectly, I am left feeling so disappointed.   After all of my boo-hooing, I realized that Thanksgiving isn't really about whose house we eat at or what food is being served.    Thanksgiving is about the gratitude we have for our blessings each and every day of the year.  I plan to remember this next year on Thanksgiving no matter what the situation.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I Prefer Weekends

I'm not feeling so hot today.  I've had a head cold for a few days now...and I just want to lay on the couch with my quilt and not do anything.  But, since that's not really what us moms do when we're sick....I went to the grocery store.  Thankfully I didn't see anyone I know, because I look pretty scary!  Not feeling well sure makes me appreciate my health and the days I do feel good.



Saturday night we partied with friends in this cozy cabin.  It was our friend April's 41st birthday.  Last year when April turned 40, she was in bed all day sick from chemo.  So, this year, her husband Keith planned a suprise party for her at this cabin that belongs to his great uncle.



I wish I would have taken more pictures...but I was busy having fun!



April is now cancer free and doing wonderfully.  She has been such an inspiration to all who know her. 

Happy Birthday April!

These four guys have been best friends since middle school.  I think it's pretty neat that they're still so close after all these years.   Thankfully all the wives get along too...not that we have a choice in the matter!  So many good times shared with this group. 



Here's the gang in our younger days!





Eric's parents watched Brady Saturday evening for us.  I always feel like I need to make them something to show my appreciation.  I made mint chocolate chip cookies using Andes Chocolate Mints. 

They were good....but I honestly didn't enjoy the green color.  I think I would leave out the food coloring next time!  Here's the recipe if you're interested:

1 bag sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp. mint extract

7 drops green food coloring :(

1 egg

1 cup Andes Mints

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.



Pumpkin Fudge

I know I posted this recipe last year...but it's so simple to make and so good...I think we will give it to Brady's teacher and bus driver again this year for Thanksgiving.  I'd really like to make these cuties again...but 3rd grade might be pushing it a bit!







 

Canvas Pictures On A Budget

Last week I painted Brady's room.

I still have half a wall left to paint.  It's the wall where Brady's growth chart is.  I have the chart taped off, and I think I'm just going to paint around it and then once the paint dries...transfer the chart over. 

I've been looking at canvas pictures.  I'd really like to put a few on the wall where Brady's bed will be.  I checked out four different places/sites for a 16x20 picture and the cheapest one was $80.00.  So, since that isn't in my budget, I looked into printing my own picture and checked around for some canvas.  When I found a canvas board at our local craft store for $6.35 I knew I was heading in the right direction!  I had my 16x20 picture printed at Walmart for $13.63.

I put mod podge (in matte) on the board first and then on the back of my picture.  Then I placed the picture on the board and smoothed it out.  I decided to do half my picture at a time since it is so big.  I put the glue over half of my picture and then put a sheet of wax paper over it to smooth out the air bubbles.  I then did the other half.

The picture looks all milky until the glue dries.  It took about 4 hours to dry.  I then removed the wax paper. 

It's not perfect by any means...but I am thrilled with it!

I plan to make 2 or 3 more.  One picture cost me less than $20.00.

Is that a deal or what?!  Brady hasn't seen it yet. 

I want him to wait until the room is completely finished before he checks it out.  He looked a little concerned when I told him I was decorating his room with zoo animals!

~Kerri

 

Handy Mandy Craft Woman

Ginger Snap Crafts

Just The Two Of Us

Snuggling on the couch

pizza

storage wars marathon

donuts

ice cream

bowling

Relaxing

no tennis

sleepover in moms bed

more snuggling

McDonalds

This is what we do when Daddy's away for the weekend!

(which only happens about once a year!)

We hangout with beach other and make it our special weekend.

Of course, we're always thrilled when daddy gets back home on Sunday.

Because, even though we enjoy our alone time...something feels missing when we aren't all together.

Hope your weekend was a great one!

~Kerri



Ten on Ten {November 2011}

Ten pictures in ten hours on the tenth of the month.

Happy tenth!

~Kerri

The Three Day Diet

As I mentioned on Monday, I've been allowing myself too

many indulgences lately.

Sorry about the bad picure...darn camera!  I just wanted you to see my face...

it's so chubby right now, I look like I swallowed myself!

Many of you asked about the 3 day diet I was on...so, I asked

my friend Angie if I could share it with everyone and she said YES!

************

First, a few things I want to say about this diet:

1.  Very few calories.

2. It's only meant to be on for 3 days.

3. Make sure you are off the diet for 2 days before going back on it.

4.  The combination of the foods are important, so don't mix things up or change the days/food.

Day One

{Breakfast}

1 cup black coffee or tea

1/2 grapefruit or 1/2 cup fresh squeezed juice

1 slice toast

1 teaspoon peanut butter

{Lunch}

1/2 cup plain tuna

1 slice toast

1 cup black coffee or tea

{Dinner}

2 slices any kind of meat  (3oz.)

1 cup green beans

1 cup carrots or beets

1 small apple

1 cup vanilla ice cream

Day 2

{Breakfast}

1 cup black coffee or tea

1 hard boiled egg

1 slice toast

1/2 banana

{Lunch}

1 cup cottage cheese or 1/2 cup plain tuna

8 saltine crackers

{Dinner}

2 beef hot dogs (no bun)

1 cup broccoli or cabbage

1 cup carrots or turnips

1/2 banana

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Day 3

{Breakfast}

1 cup black coffee or tea

5 saltine crackers

1 slice cheddar cheese (1 oz.)

1 small apple

{Lunch}

1 hard boiled egg

1 slice toast

1 cup black coffee or tea

{Dinner}

1 cup plain tuna

1 cup carrots or beets

1 cup cauliflower

1 cup canteloupe

1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

* Do not vary or subsitute any of the foods

*salt & pepper may be used but no other seasonings.

*Vegetables may be eaten raw or cooked.

*Water, cofee, tea, diet cola, and sugar free drinks may be used anytime during the three days.

*Sauces, dressings & spices may contain additives and sugars that will affect the efficiency of this diet.  Use with caution.

( I used artificial sweetener for my grapefruit and hot tea...I just couldn't do it without.)



When Angie sent me this diet, I wasn't sure I could make it the entire three days....most of you know I'm about the quantity...and this didn't seem like much!  But, I was feeling pretty down about the way I was feeling and needed a jump start to kick all the sugar I was consuming.  So, I was going to give it the "old college try!"  Ha ha...get it, Angie's my roommate from college!  Anyway, back on track.  Where was I?  Oh yea, I started on Saturday and finished on Monday.  I was not hungry all day on Saturday and Sunday.  I'm not sure if it was because of the combination of food I was eating, or if it was due to the fact that I was feeling really good.  On Monday I was hungry between lunch and dinner and had the carrots that were suppossed to be for dinner a little early.  I only exercised once, and that was for 45 minutes on Monday.  That could be why I was extra hungry that day!

I LOST 5.8 lbs in those 3 days!!

That's huge for me.  I typically don't lose on diets until a good

week and a half to two weeks in.  That's just how my body works.

I like the fact that its 3 days.  I think we can be determined to do anything we set our minds to doing for three days.

I you try it out, I'd love to hear what you thought and how it worked for you!

~Kerri

Random Monday Stuff

Today we are having beautiful fall weather...60 degrees and sunny....it's perfect.  I took a spin class this morning at our

rec center.  My friend Michelle just became an instructor a couple of weeks ago.  She has wanted to teach spin for almost two years now...and finally decided to put her fear of teaching in front of others aside and go for it.  She has had a full class of women the last two weeks and is doing such a great job.   So proud of you Michelle!

I had this for breakfast this morning.

I've been on a crazy sugar high for the last two months.  The trick or treat candy finally did me in, and I contacted my friend Angie for some help.  She has always been fit and healthy and works hard to keep herself that way.  I knew she would have a plan to jump start me in the right direction.  She gave me this 3 day plan to get me off the sugar.  I started on Saturday, and today is my last day.  So far, in just two days, I've lost 3.8 lbs. and feel so much better.  Thank you tons Angie! 

Brady and Eric tackled our big tall ornamental grasses ( I think that's what they're called!) this weekend.  Brady sure loves to do projects around the house.   These grasses haven't grown evenly the last two years...so we are thinking of digging them out.   They are huge. 

Hope everyone has a beautiful week!

~Kerri

Flashback Friday



"A moment last all of a second, but the memory lives on forever."

(unknown)



Have a great weekend!

Halloween 2011

I'm feeling like I needed to do a Halloween post today...just for memories sake.

I feel like I have a Halloween hangover today.

Halloween this year wasn't all that exciting, really.

Maybe it's because we live in a BORING neighborhood!

The houses are far apart and it takes forver just to hit the 20 houses in our development.

Brady usually comes home with a quarter of a bag of candy.

The good thing is, he doesn't know any differently!

Or maybe it wasn't all that exciting because Brady wasn't excited.

He told us about a week ago that he had something to tell us...but didn't want us to be disappointed.

Boy, did my ears perk up!

Thankfully he just wanted us to know that he doesn't really enjoy trick or treating.

He said  he doesn't understand why we knock on neighbors doors (some who are like strangers) and ask for free candy.

I love that he worries about hurting our feelings.

I also want him to always be honest about his feelings.

He said he would rather just pass out candy next year.

So, unless he changes his mind...that's what he'll do.

Don't get me wrong...he does enjoy the candy and grandma and grandpa coming over for dinner.

This year he invited his cousin to trick or treat with us.
I think he really enjoyed doing this with Ethan.

Look at these characters!



I love this one....we were telling Brady that he needed to SMILE for the picture..he was getting mad!

Brady never puts any effort into his costume...

he usually wants the first scary mask he sees.

I'm not a fan of masks...it creeps me out to see someone I know wearing one.

I'm thinking maybe next year we should try something different....

maybe go to a different neighborhood where there are lots of kids and lots of houses!

Sometimes when we are trick or treating...we only see a few other kids.

When I was tucking Brady in bed last night, he thanked me for making the day fun.
I love him so much.

I hope that when he is grown, he always remembers that I tried to make the holidays special for our family.