the back door

last weekend we were out with the kids and talking about our anniversary. we told the kids we expected them to throw a party for our 25th. whizboy instantly did the math and let us know they would be 23 and 21....they wouldn't be able to pull it off. hubby and i told them we had both been younger when we did our parents. next thing i know, princess is in the backseat planning a party for this year! her and whizboy compiled a list of friends, planned a cake and goodie bags. they set the time and then sent out invites - some by facebook, some by email, and some by phone calls. on saturday princess headed into town with me to purchase the needed items: lemon cake and frosting, gum, mints, and bags. she helped bake the cake then stuffed the goody bags complete with silly bands from her own collection! they contacted the invitees and were giddy with anticipation. i have to say - i was hoping someone would come. all day they kept checking for rsvps. princess decorated the ca...

...a music teacher! early last week we were driving around when princess announced she wanted to be a music teacher. this really wasn't new to me as she has mentioned it several times this year. we were talking about it and she asked if she could spend a day with mrs. witmer . at first i just said no. but then i thought, why not? so i contacted my dear friend and ran the idea by her. she checked with her principal who gave his approval and cheers were heard all over sycamore hill! this afternoon whizboy and i dropped her off for her "teacher for a day." she was so excited. i mentioned she might have to talk and she shocked me when she walked right in, said hello, and never hid behind my back! mrs. witmer brought her home after school and said it was a great afternoon! thanks so much mrs. witmer:) as for whizboy - he said this might be the only week he can say that a weekday was the best. we had picked the makings for a picnic lunch. i didn't have lunch m...

so....i'm a little distracted today and thought i'd share some of my favorite recipes. well, one is a new one that i just tried. the other 3 are fall favorites around here:) Smudgies 1 c. sugar 1 c. light corn syrup 1 c. peanut butter 6 c. rice krispies 1 c. chocolate chips 1 c. butterscotch chips Mix sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Add cereal and press in greased 9x13 pan. Melt chips together over low heat. Spread over bars. Cool until firm. Friends - when my mom would send these to me at college i had to hide them from people. well, i did share some:) I like to double the chips and make a thicker topping! Peppered Beef (just made last night - for the first time) 1 rump roast (3lb or so) 2 Tbsp parsely 1 Tbsp oregano 2 tsp basil, pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 16oz mild pepper rings with juice (use vlasic) Place roast in crockpot. Dump on dry ingredients. Add the peppers and juice. Cook on low for 8 hours or longer. I serve...

....no, i don't believe so! yesterday seemed kinda weird, let me tell you about it, and then you can decide if it was random - or God just doing His thing:) i headed into work first thing. i'm always alone the first hour. i fixed myself some oatmeal, put things away from youth group last night and sat down to send some emails. while trying to open gmail, my mouse (remember my computer story - well, the mouse i have to use is quite unpredictable!) did a jump on me and i opened a blog i read sometimes. no biggy - i guess i'll just read this first. it happened to mention the book "radical" by david platt. hmm...i've heard a lot about this book. then the pastor rolled in, then the administrative assistant rolled in. the phone rang and as i walked into the office i heard her tell whoever was on the phone to "keep your head up." when i sat down she asked if i knew of "denise" from mcdonalds? umm...nope - nor do i even know a "denise"...

exactly where God has my heart these days http://www.truewoman.com/?id=1279

...my daughter is a rather unique kind of gal. if you ask people they say she is a lot like me. of course we are both blond and blue-eyed, but she has her daddy's build. she does get some of my shyness, although i seemed to have always had the ability to talk to anyone and everyone about anything and everything! one of the things i find most interesting about princess is her sense of style. i mean she will shop for hours. try on clothes, put them on hold, try on others in another store. she doesn't care if she is at good-will or macy's. walking chicago is pure bliss for her. and believe me, since she was able to put her own clothes on she has every intent of dressing herself in whatever fashion she comes up with. and boy have their been some doozies. as one friend said, "it's okay - on her, it works!" and yes, it surely does. this week, she came down in this outfit. i love the pants and sweater, but told her it would warm up and she might want a t...