Giant Popsicle Sticks

That's how my BFF, Cindy described how the framing looks. And she's right!

Looking into kitchen

View into Great Room from Foyer

It was so exciting seeing our "home" for the first time today!

Never Listen to What I Say

I know I said I wouldn't have any more posts this week but I had to share our final rendering. And yes, I changed my mind one more time on the exterior colors. I am pretty sure this is the final one. We have to order the siding next week.

Click image to enlarge

Kansha & Kanji

Thankful and joyful in Japanese.

This will probably be my only post this week, as it is a very busy week. Lots to do before Thanksgiving and the framing just started on the house. I know! I never thought it would start!

A couple weeks ago, I walked the southern tree line at our property, marking trees we wanted to keep before we clear things out a bit. I realized we have dozens of persimmon trees. {girly squeal} I haven't eaten a persimmon since I was a little girl. But after reading all about them, I am convinced they must be delicious. We have the fuju variety. Unfortunately this year, they were all already dried up and I couldn't sample one. But now I am super excited about next year!

Beautiful

Being all inspired by them, I found so many neat things on etsy. I swear you can find just about anything there.

I had no idea you could buy jam on etsy.

Persimmon earrings

Persimmon ring - Love it!!

Persimmon photograph

Antique page from book

Am I Too Late? Thanksgiving Menu - 2009

My Thanksgiving menu is about a week late. I know I am a horrible person. I wouldn't be surprised if you want to break up with me. Please don't! I'm as co-dependent as they come.

My menu is very similar to last year's because everything was just so darn tasty. But this year, I am trying to be a little more healthy. My parents both have pretty strict diets so I am doing this all for them. There should be a hefty inheritance in it for me.

Thanksgiving Menu - 2009

Apple and Sage Turkey - I am substituting a turkey breast for the full bird. This will probably affect the amount of the other ingredients. I'll probably need less. I plan on "stuffing" the breast with a cut up apple, orange, garlic, etc. I will also be substituting canola oil for the vegetable oil.

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing - And let me just say this stuff is the best ever {mouth watering as I type this}. I will be using all whole wheat bread, no turkey liver and canola oil instead of butter.

Cranberry Jello Relish - I am mixing this one up this year by substituting sugar free jello and swapping one of the cherries for a raspberry. I am also using one cup of splenda in place of the sugar.

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole- This is one of our splurges this year. Very very bad for us!

Brown and Serve Rolls - Yes, homemade rolls are so good but my heart and stomach are craving some nostalgia. These remind me of my childhood Thanksgiving dinners.

Tossed Salad

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Low Sugar Chocolate Bundt Cake

Healthier Chocolate Cream Pie

Gobble Gobble

I'm thinking about making my family wear these at the Thanksgiving table. Nothing like a couple turkey legs strapped to your head to start the party!! Click here to find out how to make your own!

I Would Marry Hobby Lobby if I Could

Every time I go to Hobby Lobby, I fall in love with something new. And I love the after season sales. Last week, I shopped the Halloween decor that was 80% off. That's like almost paying nothing. Natural high!

Anyway, here are a few things I came home with. I can't wait until the after Thanksgiving sale!!

Crow Tea Light Holder - Originally $6.99 - Paid - $1.40

Black Happy Halloween - Originally $14.99 - Paid  $3.00

Vintage Inspired - Originally $13.99 - Paid $2.80

Even if you're looking for something that isn't on sale, the Hobby Lobby website always has a 40% coupon good on one item not on sale. You'll never have to pay full price!

Did You Know that You Can Put a Diaper on Anything?

I have a geriatric in the house. No, I'm not talking about Sean. Or myself. It is Leo. My adorable dachshund, who just happens to be turning 15 in a few weeks. He is certifiably senior. Loss of hearing, cataracts, weird bumps growing in weird places. He sleeps, I swear, 18 hours a day. The only thing that can make him move faster than that of a snail's space, is the promise of food.

But even his love of food has been affected by his age. He sometimes forgets he has eaten. And occasionaly will forget he is drinking. So he will just continue to drink and drink and drink, until he is as round as a watermelon. I have heard that this can be a sign of health problems. But nope, all $125 of his blood tests came back normal.

All that drinking is a dangerous thing for a senior citizen. His poor old man bladder cannot hold it. So he has accidents. Those accidents drive me crazy! The thought of moving him and his leaky hose into our new house scares me. We are putting engineered laminate in most of the house and that does not handle water well. I am freaking that he might piddle somewhere secretly and it won't be found until it is too late. So I am researching ideas.

I am definitely going to be putting him in the tiled laundry room for his 18 hours of sleep. He's deaf so the sound of the washer and dryer won't be a problem. But the few hours he is roaming around (confused I am sure), I need some back up. Doggy diapers. I thought this was weird but then I saw some of the other pets that can wear diapers. It doesn't seem so weird anymore.

First of all, they make diapers for pet birds. I was shocked. Cindy, did you know this?

Got guinea pig problems? They make a diaper for that.

Like the diaper wasn't embarrassing enough, hat not included.

That's one huge diaper! Can you imagine?

Cute goats in diapers.

Let's not forget about the incontinent chicken in your life.

I have a hard enough time figuring out a regular diaper. This one looks a bit complicated.

Made just for boys and one for every season. Me likey! Ba Da Bing!

Who

When I was growing up my mom had a thing for owls. She had many sitting around the house, mostly ceramic versions. They were pretty realistic looking. And now owls are back. A little more whimsical and I love them. All items are from etsy. Click on the link below photo to visit the etsy site.

Ceramic Owl Planter

Owl Ring

Owl Trio

Owl Ceramic Christmas Ornament

Brass Owl Couple

Owl T-Shirt

Owl Vase

Owl Scrabble Charm

It Really Isn't Any of Your Business

I have had a question on my mind for about three years. It's that question every couple contemplates. Are we going to have kids? How many? When? When Sean and I got married, we knew we wanted two more. Sean had never been married or had any children, unlike myself. I was in my mid twenties and that ol' clock was ticking but not too loudly. Then I got closer to 30 and it started to tick louder. We had been married for a couple years and I had full blown babyitis.

But how could we have a baby. We didn't have the room. Our home only has two bedrooms and the lay out really isn't family friendly. But somehow I talked myself into the idea that it would all work out. The baby would bunk in our room until we moved. Not a big deal. And it wouldn't have been, had we not brought the most adorable baby who suffered from colic.

Those months were tough, beyond tough. Sean and I were lucky to get two hours of uninterrupted sleep for the first year of Liam's life. He sleeps much better now but rarely all night. We did survive although I honestly do believe I am permanent brain damaged. If you are around me long enough, you will start seeing little glimpses of a person who is mildly suffering from PTSD.

I sometimes get excited thinking about bringing another gorgeous miracle into this world. Would it be a girl or a boy? A boy would fit like a glove in this house. But maybe I need someone on my side. A little extra estrogen couldn't hurt anything. And when to plan this venture. The house would have to be at least 75% complete. Sean is depending on my meek manual labor to help with tasks. And I really don't need another child born in November. I think an early spring baby would be perfect. Am I over planning just a little?

So you see why taking that step to have another baby is so hard for us to take. We really do want another child. We aren't getting any younger. I turn 34 in a little over six months and Sean turns 41 in January. He really doesn't want to be using a walker or oxygen when the youngest graduates from high school. We really want Liam to have a sibling closer to his age. But can we do it again?

I know, looking back it has been all totally worth it. And yes, I would do it all over again. And there is a chance that another baby may not suffer from colic or be a super light sleeper. I guess I have answered my own questions. It may be harder. It may be easier. We most definitely will kill thousands more brain cells. But we will get through it, one day at a time.

 Just so you know, no baby in the womb at the moment, maybe next year at this time.

You Wanna Piece of Me?

The Brobee Cake revealed! It was actually very easy to make. The hardest part was getting the shades of green right. It took a lot of food coloring, so expect to sporting some green teeth for awhile.

I started with a 13x9 white cake. I baked two 8" round devils food cakes to use for the arms and horns.

I cut the shapes by eye and they turned out pretty good. I simply notched out a little area to make the legs.

Then I frosted away!

It wasn't as neat as I would have liked, I was running behind and needed to pick T up from school. But it definitely looks like Brobee. I wish I would have had a larger tip to make the lips a bit thicker. And the eyes were a little sloppy. But he was oh so good!

The Only White Icing Recipe You Will Ever Need

2 lbs. Powder Sugar
2 cups Shortening
1/2 cup Water
2 teaspoon Clear Vanilla
2 teaspoon Butter Extract
1 teaspoon Almond Extract
1 Envelope Powdered Whipped Topping Mix

Throw it all in your stand mixer and whip until nice and fluffy.

This is actually a wedding cake frosting recipe but it is so good on birthday cakes.