A few Favorites:

We recently just got back from one of my favorite places.

Yes!! the happiest place on Earth.

It got me thinking about some favorite things I have come upon lately.

A few favorite recipes:

Cooking in my crockpot is a must.  We loved this new recipe:

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

When I was recovering after my 3rd surgery, a neighbor brought by the most delicious banana bars.  I couldn’t stop thinking about them.  I looked them up on Pinterest, and found this recipe:

Browned Butter Banana Bars

(say that 5 times fast)

They are delicious.  They are really good cold.  I love desserts when they come out of the fridge.  Yum!!

I have a few favorite television shows that I watch.  My all-time favorite is Fixer Upper on HGTV.

I found this little video made by the star of the show.

It’s my favorite thing that she isn’t afraid to talk about God, or the importance of being a mother.

I love how she says that we need to let God’s father heart into our life, and trust that we are his children.  She stresses the importance of not believing the lies that we tell ourselves; like we aren’t good enough.

It makes me love the show even more.  I love women who stand up for the parts of life that are truly important like; motherhood and God.

I also found this favorite article on the web called:

What would mom do?(drink Tab and lock us outside) by Jen Hatmaker

This gave me lots of good things to think about.  I also just read that she has a brand new book out called:

“For the Love”

I’m off to find it.  Maybe it will be a new favorite too, or you’ll find a favorite.

I’ll keep you posted, and you let me know if you find any of these things as helpful as I did.

Halloween Favorites.

It is Monday, October 29th.  I am sitting here at my computer trying to get some things done before we loose power.  I thought I would try to get some posts in to my live writer, and hopefully they will just post for me even if we loose power.  We shall see if that works.  I plan to have this post on Halloween Day.  I tell you this so that my writing makes sense.  I am writing this pre-hurricane, but this will post after the worst of it has hit here.

We are sitting here in our house all hunkered down preparing for Hurricane Sandy and the wrath of it’s storm.  It is raining like crazy here, and water is starting to puddle.  Our basement already has water in it.  It’s a good thing it is just a dungeon down there.  The winds haven’t picked up yet, but I am sure they will this evening and in to tomorrow.(remember I am writing this on Monday, but the worst is to hit us Tuesday)

Post edit: Ok so it is 2 in the after noon here on Monday, the winds are starting to pick up now, and tree branches have started to fall.  The house is starting to rattle a little.

Schools are closed, and even Jonathan got sent home from work.  Which is a miracle for a doctor.  Usually doctor’s work regardless of what is happening outside.  I am thankful to have him home with us.

The sounds of the storm are getting louder.  I once heard that the sounds of a hurricane will drive you the most crazy.  It has been referred to as the sound of a really large freight train.  I feel lucky that in our two years while living in the Caribbean we never encountered a hurricane. 

Now, here we sit waiting out the effects of Sandy here in PA.

 

I will say that it is nice to just be at home all cozy with my family.  I say that now because we still have power.  A few days without power might make me a little crazy.  I will get back to you on that one.

I am feeling bummed that we may not get to celebrate Halloween this year.  It doesn’t sound fun to trick or treat in a massive storm.  Our church trunk or treat has already been canceled and I am guessing that trick or treating might be as well.  I am hoping PA might reschedule that for another day.  I love Halloween night.  We might just stay inside and dress up anyway.

In honor of Halloween, and the possibility of not celebrating it.  I wanted to share a few of my new favorite Halloween additions.

(please note: these are not the best pictures.  I wanted to share these, but it is awfully gloomy outside which doesn’t make for great pictures inside, but you are getting them anyway.)

I received a package in the mail the other day from my friend from High school.(hi Chelsey!)  We were cheerleaders together and never really ran around together, but friends none the less.  We have reconnected through blogs, Facebook, and Instagram. Even thought that is the only form of communication we have, and not to mention I haven’t seen her in 15 years; I consider her one of my dearest friends. She recently moved from Utah to Washington state.  It is fun to have a friend on the other side of the U.S.  It was so fun to receive a package from there as well.  She picked up these darling tea towels for me.

I saw them on her Instagram and fell in love.  They are even cuter in person.  They look so cute hanging on my oven in the kitchen.  Thanks Chelsey, maybe someday we can meet up in Utah and have lunch.

(taken with my iphone)

While my Mother in Law was here she picked up these adorable place mats for us.  They look so cute on our table.

They look even cuter with this quilted table runner that she brought me.  She made this for me, as a thank you for supporting Jonathan along his journey with medical school.  Isn’t that so sweet?

She knows how much I love Halloween, and just had to buy the kit and make it for me.  It is my new favorite.  I told her I need one for every holiday.  Ha ha ha.  I can’t imagine how many hours she put in to making this.  I will treasure it forever.

I grin from ear to ear every time I look at the fabric on the back.  I think it is just so adorable. (everyone all dressed up in their vintage costumes)

Whenever she makes something, she sews a little pocket on it.

Inside the pocket she tucks away a message.  I just think that is such a clever way to leave a thought. 

Thanks Grandma and Chelsey for adding to our Halloween fun.

Now here’s hoping this storm lets up so we can do some trick or treating.

Halloween Reads….

I love October!! YEAH!! It is finally here.

One of my favorite things to do during this time of year is cuddle up and read to my kiddos.

I wanted to share a few of our favorite Halloween books.

Franklin’s Halloween by Paulette Burgeois and Brenda Clark.

This happens to be my kids all time favorite book.  We got it when we lived in the Caribbean and as you can tell, it has made the journey with us to each destination.

This book even inspired both my boys to be Frankenstein or “Franklinstein” as he is known in the book, for Halloween.

My mom picked up the next two books for my kids a few years ago.  They are written by Mark Kimball Moutlton and illustrated by Karen Hillard Good. 

They have a few other holiday books that we have found to be adorable.

The illustrations are amazing…

and the message is always really sweet.

Twisted Sistahs is about three witch sisters with the most adorable names.  My kids laugh every year when I read it to them. (most of the time I am laughing too.)

Miss Fiona’s Stupendous Pumpkin Pies has an adorable message about the beauty within.

Both books rhyme which make reading them pure enjoyment.

Finally, Mouse’s first Halloween by Lauren Thomspon, and illustrated by Buket Erdogan.

This book is simple.   A perfect nap time story for a toddler.

 

It goes through fall and Halloween treasures that we look forward to each year.  It is not spooky, and does not scare young children.

It just helps get them excited about this time of year.

I love every thing about this season.  I love the feeling that is in the air.

I like to help produce that feeling at home a little too.

Good books, can always do that.

For more about children’s books, and reading to your kids; go here.

Oh, and if mother nature was trying to help play along with this holiday season, look what creepy thing was right outside my house yesterday morning. I almost walked right in to it.

He fits right in around here. 

Speaking of that; I hope to share my Halloween decorations tomorrow.

Want to sneak a peak?

ok.

Now. I. will. see. you. tomorrow.

That’s a promise.

Happy reading.

A few of my favorite things.

1.  A easy light-hearted romance

I love good books.  I recently shared a book that I had read called, “The Trait.”  If you are looking for a light interesting read then this book is for you.

The Author Kristin Damon, is so creative, and you won’t be disappointed.

The trait is an exciting love story about a beautiful girl named Brynn Moore.  Brynn isolates herself from love, but when she finally finds the right person she discovers that Creed is unlike any other man she has ever met.  Creed was born with a genetic abnormality that could get in the way of Brynn and Creed having a life together.  When their love is threatened by hate you wonder if their love can survive. 

This book is the first in a series of four.

The Trait

The Promise (to be released soon)

The Nation

The Evolution

I enjoyed this book, and would recommend giving it a try.  Go here to find out more information.{click on the trailer to see even more}

Kristin is a dear friend of my Sister in Law, and I would like to tell her thank you for sharing your story with me.  Good Luck with the rest of your books.

 

2. A  great mother’s day idea

I just discovered this adorable jewelry that my new friend, Joella designs.  If you are looking for a mother’s day present; this is it.  It is so unique and beautiful; as is Joella.  She is such an amazing person with a lot of creativity.

Click on the picture to take you there.

 

3.  Surprises.

I am sure you are all asking where I have been this last week.  Well, I have been working on a little surprise.  I will have it all ready on Monday, so come on back to check it out.