Definition of Stupidity

OK-- WHAT is the definition of stupidity? That would be doing the SAME thing over and expecting DIFFERENT results-- PERFECT example:

Does THAT look like an edible CREAMY fudge-'LIKE' filling for peanut butter chocolate bars??? Don't answer that... NEED I say more...

NO, I don't, but since it's my blog I will :)

This was supposed to be a recipe that WON AN AWARD for melt-in-your mouth peanut butter chocolate bars. Does it look anything like melt-in-your-mouth? I figured since this recipe technically wasn't 'fudge', I'd be OK- HA HA HA HA!

Not sure what was worse- the bad turn-out, or spending 1/2 an hour trying to get the sticky syrup gunk off my bowls >:O !!

Project Day

It was a great fall day to get some little projects done. First, using leaves we pressed, the children made 'stained-leaf' pictures. Just put your leaves in between 2 sheets of wax paper, iron on low-medium with newspaper over the wax paper, and voila- a touch of autumn for your windows.

Next, I moved on to making some items for the craft show.

You know how there are just some things that aren't for you- and NEVER work? Well, the thing that just doesn't go with me and my baking abilities is fudge. I've tried 591 times- OK, slight exaggeration- and have NEVER had it turn out. Failed attempt after attempt, a few years ago I vowed I would NEVER try again....

So, like I was saying, I tried it again today- this time it was butter pecan fudge- did it work NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

It tasted pretty good, but came out like powdery something or other?!?! Oh well- I will NEVER try again- NO matter HOW easy the recipe says it is, or how good it tastes- I'll save it for the experts... hey Mom- how about some peanut butter fudge for Christmas??? :)

Thankfully my attempt at English Toffee was totally different- and DELICIOUS! Good thing it's already bagged up and ready to sell! We'll see what kind of goodies I can get into tomorrow...

Birthday week, chocolate, and snakes

What a birthday week Miss Elizabeth and Jacob have had! They finally celebrated at home with our tradition of the 'birthday breakfast'- she chose french toast, and Jacob of course chimed right in for the same vote.

Just a tip for french toast breakfasts: candles WILL melt in the hot french toast almost instantly! :)

Again, she had enough of the picture thing and wouldn't look at me :)

Check out the men eating on TINKERBELL plates - ha ha ha ha!!!! Come on guys- it's a princess party- how can you have that without tinkerbell plates??? And every princess party needs some princes and kings - snicker snicker! Hey Mark- told you I'd get you back for putting the DIRTY clothes directly in the dryer! (OK- in his defense they were damp from the children playing outside, he thought they just needed to be dried and was only trying to be a help!)

We did realize that next year Jacob was going to have a much bigger part in the decorating- the girly princess thing will have to be shared with some big-boy Jacob 'stuff'!

And yet another princess dress. Not pictured is a beautiful gold dress that for some reason I keep seeing Lydia in- the sisters must have worked out some kind of deal-

Jacob's turn~

Extreme concentration!

And another birthday season is complete- they go by so quickly!

Onto Mom's next project- I decided to make yummy stuff to sell at a craft show next week. Not like I needed something else to do- but have enjoyed them in the past and figured this year the children are old enough to come sit with me- with plenty of coloring books on hand! Lauri- can you believe the kitchen looks like this??

Yum Yum chocolate!The children also had fun with Daddy carving their first pumpkin- brought back some fun memories of my childhood! LOVE the roasted pumpkin seeds!

And onto the snake.... the children found 2 of these today while they were playing- just what a Mom wants to know! We did some research and they are not harmful- we think they are a 'northern pine' snake.

That's comforting- at least they're just little!

Have a great weekend!

We're back

WOW! Seems like an eternity since I've been able to sit down and update my faithful readers with the latest events. We spent the last week at Grandma and Grandpa Tony's celebrating birthdays, playing out-doors, shopping (YAY!) and enjoying the fresh country air. Mark was having so much fun he didn't want to leave- thus the extended stay, and now looking at country house plans once again. They sure make some neat log cabin plans! If we could just forget about the money issue- Really--- Who needs that???? Relax mom- he won't clear out the entire front yard or woods- JUST KIDDING! :)

It's great to be able to take time and slow down- if you can call a 5-yr old and 3-yr old with birthdays slow. I guess I should say as 'slow' as you can get.

Had lots of fun checking some things off of the Christmas list. Every year I say I'm going to be done with what 'has' to be done by October, then TOTALLY relax and enjoy all the festivities with no 'to do' list in December- maybe some day in a perfect world, although I'm much more prepared this year. Finding that keeping it simple helps SO much! The children just don't need 50 gifts from everyone, and cutting it down to 1 or 2 special ones helps a ton.

We also sat down and just relaxed in the evenings- a rare treat with many activities filling the week days-- watched Dancing with the Stars for the first time- whoa!! I can't believe people can really dance like that- think that's my new ambition-- AHA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Like that would ever happen --maybe after that karate black belt is around my waist-- and a figure to go with it might help- probably should forget that candy bar lying in the cupboard-- nah.... think I'll leave the dancing for those stars. :)

On to the picts!

What girl's birthday is complete without the princess dress? This year- Rapunzel was in order. Isn't is great to have a sister that shares her new toys with you? Jacob's hit of the day- a new train set-- can't wait to watch Elisha try to con that one from him this week. Princess Elizabeth didn't WANT a cake this year. She has decided she doesn't like icing and wanted pie. Thanks Mom for the YUMMY cherry 'birthday' pie! Just takin' a break! COOL tractors! And that's the week in review- Elizabeth (and Jacob) finally get to celebrate birthdays at home- it's now OK with Miss Elizabeth :)