Category: Holidays

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Carving Our Pumpkin Today

Every year I buy a pumpkin to carve for Halloween from a local farmer who has a produce stand a few miles from my house. This year he had a small crop of pumpkins for sale, and they seemed to be a lot higher this year than last. I asked him about that and he said that the drought we had this summer really took a toll on his pumpkin crop. Evidently, the crop was only about one quarter of what it was last year, because growing big pumpkins requires a lot of water and we just did not have enough rain to make a good crop.

With that in mind, I had to decide if I wanted to be extravagant and buy a big one from the few, expensive big ones that he had, or settle for a smaller one that fit my budget. It also occurred to me that I could just not buy my pumpkin from him this year and go to WalMart to buy one for about ten bucks. But I really don’t want to give my money to WalMart when I have a good local option, and I believe in supporting the local businesses and farmers as much as possible. I decided to buy a smaller pumpkin and stick to my budget, and hope that next year’s crop is bigger and better for everyone.

I’m going to carve something like the design on this photo. I like the idea of a more intricate design than just a grinning face. I’m not sure how to make this work on a smaller pumpkin, but I guess I will figure it out tonight when I carve the pumpkin and put it out on my front porch.

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Christmas Lists and Shopping

My daughter will be home from Florida tomorrow and I’m so excited to have her back! I told her to write her Christmas “wish list” while she was on the plane. It will maybe take her mind off the flight. Her brothers who are still living at home are still indecisive about what they would like, so I have a feeling I’ll be getting them a prepaid debit card, so they can just get what they want and I don’t have to go through the hassle of shopping for them. Except the stocking stuffers, of course. That is a biggy for me and I enjoy it!

This week I’m going to shop for my sisters, brothers and my favorite aunt that always celebrates with us. I’m pretty proud of myself that I’m not waiting until the last minute to shop, as I usually do. With my daughter coming home and all the other preparations that need to be done, maybe this year I’ll be able to relax on Christmas Eve!

I’ve been told the stores of course are already really packed, and I hate fighting crowds, but this year, I have lists! Can you all tell I’m trying to be somewhat organized? We’ll see how THIS goes!!!

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To dress or not to dress

Each year by this time, I would already have my Halloween dress at least started and yet I have no creative energy hitting me. With the kids darn near all grown, except my 16 yr. old son, dressing up isn’t what it used to be.

I have made a few costumes for some kids that acquaintances commissioned me to make, and they turned out well, but to make my own, I’m just not into the spirit much.

Hopefully as the time gets closer, I’ll kick out something that is Halloween and party worthy. I’m glad I can work well under pressure, since I think it’s going to go down to the wire with this project!

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Patriot Day Call And 9/11/01 Rememberance

This morning my sister called and wished me a Happy Patriot Day. To be honest, I am not into this “holiday” and would not even know what it is except for what my sister tells me. While she is telling or trying to explain it, she started getting political on me and that is one thing besides religion that I refuse to discuss, especially with this particular sister.

But for those who do indeed celebrate this day, Happy Patriot Day!  Now onto 9/11/01. I want to take a moment and we remember the people, loved ones and friends who lost their lives this day. I know some who have survived and lived to tell of the horrors. I remember where I was sitting and what I was doing with my daughter called and told me to turn on the television. I turned it on an instant before the second tower got hit, and watched in total terror, is the only word I can use.

God Bless our people who died on this terrible day. It never should be allowed to happen again, yet I’m so afraid of the state of affairs that our Country is in.

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Kids went to Camp Chateaugay and brought home some awesome summer camp pictures

First of all I had no idea what to expect with a summer camp for my two boys. I have two sons age eight and ten and they have never been to a summer camp before. But if you have two boys around that age you know that sometimes summer can seem very long as your nerves wear thin and your patience runs out. It’s not their fault it’s just, well they’re crazy boys and they need to get that energy out. So I bring you summer camp!

 

We looked around at a few camps online, checked out pictures, read reviews, talked to neighbors and checked on what kind of activities each one offered. We decided to go with Camp Chateaugay on one of the Adirondack Lakes in upstate New York after talking to the owners Hal and the assistant director Kirsten. They were both very nice, knowledgeable and had quite a bit of experience with both kids and camps.

 

Talking to the owners put my husband and I at ease and we took the kids up to the camp this past summer. They absolutely loved it and did not want to leave. They shared some of the awesome summer camp pictures that they had taken and it looked like they had an absolute blast. It was well worth the money spent in my opinion. I only wish I had found Camp Chateaugay a few years ago because if so it would have kept my sons busy with fun and kept me sane with some free time to get things around here done.

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Remember our workers

Besides this weekend is long and people some people have to work, I think that we should remember the real reason for the day and to be thankful of achievements. Have a safe and awesome weekend.

Labor day

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Gifts and Calls for Mother’s Day

So far this morning, I have gotten at least ten phone calls from “kids” and family wishing me a Happy Mother’s Day. Even some young people who have grown up with my kids, have called! It’s awesome that they would still after all these years, consider me a sort of “extra” mom.

My sons bought me a beautiful rose bush that I fully intend on babying, since in the past, I’ve not had much luck with rose bushes. My youngest daughter called and sang me a song over the telephone that she had written just for me and this day! My oldest daughter is taking me out to lunch this coming week, and then we’re going shopping also!

I’m staying at my moms house, so the kids all are also wishing her mother’s day wishes also. This afternoon I plan on taking her shopping for some summer outfits and then we’re going out to lunch before my brother and sisters arrive at her house with gifts for her. I’m looking forward to spending time with the family and also.

To all my readers who are Mom’s, I wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day! Pamper yourself or let others pamper you. Ya’ll deserve it!

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May Day Celebrations

Remembering the wonderful May Day celebrations we had when I was really young made me actually feel like making a May pole and dancing around it. Alas…no one wanted to dance around a pole with me in our May’s finest clothes.

When my sisters and I were young, we went to celebrations for the beginning of May and they were really very festive and large events! There were cakes and goodies to eat and games to play, the May pole dance was a big deal also. Lots of music and of course the older folks did plenty of eating and drinking. Even school was closed for the day back then. I’ve got some really awesome memories from the past. Maybe next year I’ll just host a party and see what kind of merriment we can have.

To all my friends, I wish them a Happy May Day and Blessed Beltane!

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Earth day clean up

Today my grand daughter’s girl scout group and the parents and grand parents were invited to help clean up a short road near the school.  There were other groups from the school who also were assigned roads to clean up…at least the debris on the sides of the road.

I couldn’t make it, as I have just gotten out of the hospital and am not supposed to do much of anything for the next week. Since I had thought I could go along, I had packed snacks in little recyclable bags to give the girls and my daughter picked them up to take along. They all looked so cute and ready to do their part to keep the earth clean.  I’m so proud my grand daughter is involved in caring groups like this.

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Preparing for Easter

Not being sure how many family members and friends will be here for Easter is making it rather hard to plan on a meal and what to serve, not to mention how much food I’ll need. I don’t like it when this happens but as of now, even my kids are indecisive about what their plans are and my youngest daughter won’t be here since she moved to Florida.

This is the first time that the whole family won’t be together and also don’t know if they will be around the house on Easter Sunday. The way I figure it, I’m not going to have a sit down dinner like usual this year if I don’t know who will be here and how many.

I’m seriously thinking that tonight I’m going to shop for everything I need, then just make it into a buffet style dinner. I can get a ham that is already cooked and sliced (easy out) and then make side dishes and finger food. Oh yes, and paper plates will be used. The strong ones but disposable plates I can throw away. I cook, why should I do dishes too!? At least that is my take on it, if no one knows what their plans are. Okay, I guess my rant is over. Now to make a shopping list…

Disposable plates

Disposable knives, spoons and forks

Disposable cups

Have a Happy Easter All, and remember what it’s all about.