Spencer is 30

Our bonus daughter - and the mother to our first grandson, turned 30 today.  

Spencer is an amazing woman. We all love her so much.  She is a great mother, a great wife and a great addition to our family.  I love so many things about her - the way she keeps Colin safe, but without being mean to him. The way she works beside him to make their family and their home awesome.  She is funny and sweet, smart and driven and a little touch sarcastic.  I have loved her from the beginning, solely based on the way my son looks at her.  And he was absolutely right.  She’s great!   Happy birthday Spencer.  I hope it was amazing!  Love you!  

And now, because this is my blog and I can do what I want here, a couple of things, side notes if you will.  

When I was at work today, a recipe for butter swim biscuits popped up on my email homepage.  I had forgotten about them, but then when I saw the recipe, I had great memories of my mom making them and of having them with honey instead of the gravy everyone else was having (because I really don’t love gravy). I also recalled trying to make them once with margarine instead and how awful they turned out.  So I quickly printed the recipe, stuck it in my pocket and decided I was making them to go with dinner. They were just as good as I recalled.  I texted our little group chat and told my mom I had made them and they were just as good as I recalled.  She texted back “what the hell is a butter swim biscuit?”  Followed by my sister asking the same question.  I’m like you remember making them?  You make the dough and pour it over melted butter and bake it?  Nope. They seem to think I’m crazy.  Well….who the heck’s childhood memories am I having then?  Anyway, they are good. And Jim liked them too, so I’m counting it as a win.  

Also a winner - my pepper plants have picked back up since the weather cooled down.  I had a ton of pretty small jalapeños.  I decided to put them in the dehydrator and make jalapeño powder.  It turned out amazing.  If I had any popcorn, I would totally sprinkle it on top!  I also have been drying a ton of herbs from my herb garden beds.  I probably don’t really need 94 pounds of dried basil, but hey, if the plant wants to grow, who am I to stop it?   I am definitely not the world’s best gardener, but I am trying to get better and learning  a lot as I go.  

But for now, happy birthday Spencer and good night to all. 

 

Just like that.

I have been struggling to believe how fast time is flying by these days.  Just like that - Clayton is 16 years old!  His birthday was yesterday.  We gave him some money for his birthday and he was excited to go spend it.  He wanted to go to Academy to get bullets but told me if that is what he got, he wouldn't tell me because I don't understand guns and why he likes shooting stuff.  He does make me laugh.  He reminds me so much of Eric, with his funny stories and his roll with the punches attitude.  I love that about him.  But I also love how he gets so excited about certain things and when he is excited, he learns everything he can about it.  He knows so many facts about cow breeds, and is trying to learn about judging and showing.  He is a literal encyclopedia sometimes.  

And this cutie pie turned 10 months old!  He also started walking - Colin facetimed us so we could watch him taking 6 or 8 steps at a time.  Little turkey!  

And do you see his cute outfit?  I got it on a clearance sale - he looks adorable!  I love little flannel shirts.  And this little boy!

And his parents too!  Spencer wasn't feeling well over the weekend.  I hope she is back up and all better!  She has a birthday this week, no fun being down on your special day!

The girls went to trunk or treat on Sunday.  The city of Carbondale has a big Halloween "thing" with costume contests and candy and all the things.  It looks like they had fun.  

I didn't go over, because I met up with Grace and had lunch.  We were enjoying ourselves enough that somehow 5 hours went by and it seemed like a few minutes.  We hit a new thrift store that they opened in Lawrence.  I was not impressed with the prices.  We went to Home Goods (a treat for me because nobody I go shopping with likes that store - Spencer introduced me to it several years ago and I love it).  I didn't need anything, we were just window shopping yesterday.....until I found this turkey platter.  Several years ago (like probably 25) I was shopping and found a glass turkey platter on a clearance table for like 2 bucks.  For several years, it was lost (after we moved and I somehow put it in the hall closet).  Last year, after stuffing ourselves with turkey, Madison was washing it, and it got broken.  She felt terrible, but truly, it was not a big deal.  I was not attached to it.  But when I saw this turkey platter, and it was plastic, I had to grab it.  Nobody will be breaking it!  It just made me laugh.  Our Thanksgiving dinner shall be served in style - unless we can't afford the turkey!

The last one to teach driving skills to.  The lasts probably should make me sad, but this is one that I can't wait to check off the list.  She drove us home from church yesterday.  She was a little heavy on the gas, a lot heavy on the brakes, and her turns will need to be polished up a lot, but we did make it in one piece!  We shall get there I think!  (Driver's Ed and Driving School people, you have my undying and utmost respect).  

As I got up yesterday morning, the sky was filled with those cotton candy clouds, and it was chilly, still and quiet.  Moments like that make all the junk of the world fall aside, and I need that sometimes.  

I mentioned that Tatum had to work in Baldwin Saturday morning.  She was helping out with a race that the Baldwin Park and Rec was hosting.  What I didn't say was that she had to dress as a pig and cheer on the racers as they went up some large hill.  This is so awesome!  I just love this!

There is just never enough little man photos.  Love you Easton!

This week is filled to the brim with stuff we are finishing up before the weather gets too cold.  I have a list.  I am sure that it will all be ok eventually, but the list is long and I am not looking forward to doing some of the things on there.  Oh well, such is life right?  

 

Party nite

It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite.  I like to have a little night with the kids away from the actual holiday so we have time to eat the crazy Halloween foods, make some crafts, carve pumpkins and just hang out.  Truly one of my favorite things in life.  Last night, we had all the things.  And Rosie even got to come!  She had fun playing with Maude, but Maude was a little too inclusive and poor Rosie left wet and smelly from Maude licking and rolling around with the puppy!  I think they had fun though!  

Daisy and Okive also got to come and have a few extra snacks.  

If you carve pumpkins, you gotta take off your Halloween costume.  And then feed the chickens the pumpkin guts.  It’s good that we live in the country I think.  

Caramel apples are pretty good - and extremely messy! 

 

Tatum had to work in Baldwin in the morning, so Cameron came to visit early.  Since they had other plans and didn’t stay for the festivities, I had to send their prize cups home!  

I bought this little white tree several years ago. I have had fun decorating it for each season.  My level for entertaining myself is pretty low.  

Madison keeps sending me all these cute Halloween treat ideas.  The Frankenstein pretzels turned out cute.

The witches cauldrons - fail. But tasted good!

Gummy eyeballs and fangs were a hit

Bloody syringes were also a hit - and we were all amazed at Wrenley’s shot taking skills!  

Wrenley is Doc McStuffins this year, she got right into her costume! 

Evie is the bride of Dracula. Love it!  

Wrenley made a ghost cake with a little help from her mom.  

Return of feet loaf. 

These ghost pigs in a blanket are cute.  

Gg made ham and cheese pies. They are adorable! 

And mummy dogs - always awesome! 

But the prize for the most popular goes to GG for the spider eggs.  They were gone!  I think it is hilarious how the little girls love deviled eggs and potato salad. Not sure many kids are quite as excited by those types of foods. 

A few crafts were attempted. 

And some carving was done. 

Harper ended up breaking her pumpkin but it’ll still work! 

Evelyn worked really hard and carved her own this year.  She did great! 

Halloween happiness In a series of photos.  A truly great night!