An Ode to Code

About a week ago Cody noticed that Aly has way more pictures of her and more scrapbook pages. I think his feelings were hurt about it. I had to explain to him that it has NOTHING to do with me loving her more. I don't - I love them both the same - more than they'll ever know (at least until they have their own kids - then they might get it), but I had to explain to him that it's because Aly hams it up and lets me take her picture. He on the other hand runs away or puts his hand in front of his face. He's always asking me to take pictures of his art, construction projects and whatever else tickles his fancy, but not HIM.

Well, now he's at least a *little* more willing & cooperative (maybe). So, in honor of Cody, a post all to himself!

Ah Chocolate! He asked me to take his picture in front of this display case of handmade chocolates. They sure look yummy, but I'm too cheap to pay $16 A POUND for chocolate. Ghiradelli is just fine with me thank you very much!

Love you kid!

Don't mess with the bling

We've got this joke around our house about flies & fly swatters. This loyal swatter has been with us for several years. Take note of it's plastic handle. You see, my husband (loving, devoted, sweet, caring, vengeful fly hunting man) believes that you can only get the proper "whip" with a plastic handle. He's calculated how his success rate dwindles when he has to use a different swatter.

But herein lies the problem. We can't find any new plastic handle swatters. They all have metal handles. All the clerks at the store think I'm crazy. The girl at ACE was using a plastic one and I about freaked thinking they had plastic handled ones in the store, nope. (I used to work with them so they didn't think I was too crazy LOL).

Anyway, this swatter has been tearing, a little at a time, a bit more each hit. Until it was rendered useless (moment of silence please).

Then last week I bought some "bling" silver duct tape for my car (because I have a blinker lens that keeps falling off and we keep having to replace it - yes I drive an old junker, but it's paid for LOL). Well, something posessed Robert to use it on his precious fly swatter.

And to all our surprise, it IMPROVED the swatter!! He swears that the bling lures the flies to sleep and the extra weight gives it the perfect amount of momentum for success!

Bet you never knew that a fly swatter could be such a crucial piece of equipment to a family! Come to my house - you'll see. Leave it to my slightly crazy but incredibly fabulous husband to discover this great wonder in life! Love you Robert!

Licked the Pot Clean!

Lately I've been on a "from scratch" kick. For lots of reasons, first cost effectiveness (I can usually make 4 times the amount of whatever for what it costs premade), control of ingredients (I've also been trying to be really careful WHAT we eat, in regards to artificial stuff & preservatives) and lastly, because it just TASTES BETTER!!!

Yesterday I made a pot of loaded potato soup. Oh, it was SO good!!! And this evening after having leftovers the pot was empty! Gotta love that! (Sorry - I didn't keep track of ingredients this time, so I'll have to make it again for the recipe!)


Another yummy thing I've been doing (which I've heard has caused debates as to WHAT it is) is baking squash with cinammon. SO yummy!!


Peel & cut one butternut squash into cubes (about 1 inch square). I spread evenly in baking dish and salted with 1/2 tsp salt. Bake in 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in measuring cup, add 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, dash of nutmeg & cloves. Stir together and pull squash out of oven. Stir squash and drizzle all mix over squash. Bake another 30 to 40 minutes until tender and carmelly. Oh, so yummy!!!

Grandpa is in town from Missouri this week. The kids have been having a BLAST already! They were so worn out today they had to go to bed early & I think they're already asleep! I'm sure Grandpa will sleep good too...LOL!!

Cody & Granpa playing checkers

Swimming at the pool (she thinks she's pretty hot stuff in that "donut")

And just a few picture to show what we're up against in our future parenting moments.........................................................

Yes, Diva, Princess, Spunky......

This morning Cody came up behind her and pushed her. She turned around and yelled at him "NO, don't push PRINCESSES...."

Less Mess Idea

I love the look of 3-d dots, but I don't use them much because the backing sheets drive me nuts! First, I don't have the best fine motor skills so sometimes they annoy me to get off - then they can have a static charge and stick to everything BUT the garbage and just make a huge mess! urgh.....

Today, I had a great idea - that ACTUALLY worked! LOL! Here's what I do now!

Just a few more ...

So, since you all know by now I stink at witty titles - I will just stop talking.



Just trying to get more Dash Your Stash pages up!

Paper Button Threading

I love the look of threaded buttons, but I can never seem to find my thread & needle. And I'll admit, I don't know why, but getting that out sounds like much more work!

I've found a different way to thread buttons. I cut matching paper in a strip about 1/16" wide. Then I crumple it in my hand, and thread it through the button. The look isn't quite as nice, but it lays much flatter and it coordinates my paper easier!

Fasten Your Seatbelts!

I told you I was going to be posting like crazy for a while - so hold on - here are 25 pages I thinkI did this last weekend. Whew! I'm tired!

Hope you don't suffer visual overload here! LOL!