Ice Day

Pretty messy ice storm in our area today, although the weatherpersons had predicted 3-5" of snow for our area because the line of warmer temps would remain to the south. Looks like they got it wrong. Imagine that.

Very thankful that I don't have an office job because I certainly wouldn't want to attempt driving with this on the roads.

Course the kiddos are home today, making it next to impossible for me to get any work done.

But thankfully Daddy is home as well... and he's painting! The foyer is coming along nicely, although I'm not entirely sure he would agree with that sentiment.

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Apple Crumble

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read that our friend Alice received news that her liver cancer is worse than initially thought. I am saddened beyond words for this wonderful family and am diligently praying for her healing. I feel like I should do something, but sending a card seems so inadequate. Any suggestions?

In honor of Alice, who is the most amazing cook ever, I am posting this new recipe that I tried over the weekend. (And please don't suggest that I bake something for her, I am way too intimidated to do that).


Click here to view the recipe on Kraft's website (I love the Food and Family Magazine). The recipe actually calls for two apples and one pear, but I used four apples instead. Two Granny Smith and two Braeburn. The result was heavenly, the cream cheese and Nilla wafers sealed the deal. I also made fresh whipped cream as an accompaniment (heavy cream mixed with sugar and a touch of vanilla for warmth). Enjoy!

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Food Update

Mr. boy boy licious is making a bit of progress with his eating. He is really good at using his fork to get food, and he is able to put it into his mouth and chew on it... but how much he actually swallows is yet to be determined.

I still don't know what this is, but it melts and it's delicious. Just like me!

Oh momma, thank you for continuing to support my chocolate habit.


I sure am glad that I don't to clean myself up.


When I stare off into space like this and make cute faces, it makes my momma cry. She says I am handsome like my daddy.


Wait a minute, I remember earlier in the day when I had chocolate, what is it with this broccoli stuff?

Maybe it's not so bad, it has an interesting texture and looks like a miniature tree. Hey sissy, look at me!


Haha momma, I like my broccoli, but I still want chocolate for dessert!

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Talent Show

I was shocked last year when my very shy 5 year old asked if she could be in the talent show with her friends. I wasn't as surprised this year, they seem to have a lot of fun choreographing routines to their favorite songs.

Isn't she starting to look grown up? Craziness, I tell you!

Proof that she is a rock star.


Her and Savannah sang and danced to "Like Whoa" by Aly and AJ. And now I walk around the house constantly singing... like... whoa.


My sweet girl did so well, I was beaming with pride.


I think that the responsible thing to do is stay for the entire talent show to support all of the kids, even if your child is early in the line up. This year, however, because the elementary schools are combined (College Square is being renovated) there were twice as many acts and I just couldn't hang that long as it started to become painful.

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Table

So here's the deal: we decided a week ago that we were just gonna paint the living room/dinette/kitchen to change things up a bit. Well... as always the case with projects like these, one thing leads to another and the next thing you know you need a new dinette set.

We've had this set for 10 years, but the kiddos have trashed it... nail polish, crafts, and coloring have not served it well. It is still structurally sound, just a little beat up. It also comes with a leaf and two additional chairs. I imagine that it would be perfect for either 1) a craft table in the basement for kids, or 2) someone who likes to refinish and reupholster.

We would be happy if someone would just take it off our hands, it also comes with a leaf and two additional chairs (6 total). Otherwise I'm gonna ask my dad to burn it (remind me to tell you the burn story one day). Our plan is to buy an inexpensive set until the kiddos are older.

Remember, it's free for a reason. That is highlighter along with the ground in dirt.


Oh, and I think we will need a new light as well... so... this one is for sale for $20.
heatherjl@gmail.com

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Calendar for Sale

I bought this perpetual calendar years ago at Shaker Woods, paid $200 (crazy, I know, those crafters get me with their hand made items). Of course it doesn't match the new color scheme, so I was wondering if anyone is interested in purchasing it, for say, $25? It's in excellent condition because it was hanging on the wall and the kiddos couldn't reach it. Although I did catch UM playing with the blocks several times.

Send me an email if interested: heatherjl@gmail.com



Tomorrow's clearance item will be a freebie! Stay tuned!

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Well lookie here

A visitor to our bird feeder.


Pardon the quality, I had to shoot through the glass of the sliding glass door as to not alarm him (or her).

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Congratulations Lee and Corrie!

Lia (pronounced Lee-ah) Elizabeth was born January 16th.

A year ago, this sweet little angel did not exist in any way, shape or form... and now here she is, a real person. Tiny and precious.

She was only about 12 hours old when I took these photos.

As a mother, you look at your newborn baby and think.... how in the world did we make that? And how in the world did it come out of me? Life is such a miracle, a gift from God.


I will be taking proper photographs (with my new knitted hats, of course) in the next few days.

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Monkey Bread

I have adapted this recipe from other recipes over the years, it is so easy to make and everyone loves it! I typically prep the biscuits the night before and make the sauce in the morning. We also usually make eggs with this breakfast to help balance out the carbs.

2 Cans Flaky Layer Biscuits (10 biscuits per can, I use Pillsbury Golden Layers)
Cinnamon and sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
Pecans (optional)

Mix cinnamon and sugar to desired taste and set aside.

Cut biscuits into quarters.

Roll biscuit quarters in cinnamon/sugar mixture and place (squish) in greased 8x8 baking dish.

Heat brown sugar and butter in saucepan over medium heat until mixture starts to boil and appears to increase in volume.

Pour mixture over biscuits, sprinkle with pecans and bake for 30-45 minutes at 350.


I double the recipe and use a 9x13 pan when making a batch for more people. We usually have more than enough for our family with the smaller batch.

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Here we go Steelers!!!

Pittsburgh's going to the SUPERBOWL!!!! In honor of this special occasion, I thought I would dress up our snowman to celebrate. I tried putting the shirt over his head, but dad did not make him anatomically correct. His entire face was ice/snowed over, I managed to find his mouth, but I fear his eyes will be hidden for quite some time.


I knitted boy boy a hat during the game. The yarn that I used is so soft and cozy, I love shopping for yarn.


PS: That's our new gold wall behind BB, I am loving the colors in our living room/dinette/kitchen.

PPS: I will post pictures of everything soon, but we're still trying to find curtains.

PPPS: I love having 9' ceilings, but it can be a real pain when searching for curtains.

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C-C-C-Cold

For our family living in the south, our thermometer read 1 degree this morning. Wind chill was around -15. Yeah, that's cold.

The birds are thankful for the feeder that Grandpa made.

Don't let that sun fool you, all it means is that the atmosphere was clear, which equals COLD!


I'm glad that if feels and looks like winter, but I really could do without the temps this low, thank goodness we all have newly knitted hats!

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Alice

I posted this picture of my parents with Doug and Alice last July when we got together at Deep Creek. They have been friends for over 40 years.


Alice went to the doctor just before Christmas because she thought she may have gall stones. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was much more serious, she just found out the she has liver cancer. She will undergo surgery at the beginning of February and will begin chemo shortly thereafter. She is upbeat and positive, which doesn't surprise me, she is an amazing woman. Please keep Alice and her family in your prayers, she is the kindest, warmest, most genuine person and is very special to our family.

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Christmas Day

This Christmas was an absolute blast, we had the best time! Ella was sooooo excited!! Of course she woke up first and we ran downstairs to see what Santa had left.

He brought her the knitting kit that she asked for and she promptly gave it to me. What a sweet little girl.

Then mr. boy boy licious joined the scene.


And of course Grandma and Grandpa.

And that's when the real fun began. Mom brought them a ton of candy and boy boy was first to explore.

He knew there was something yummy inside, just wasn't quite sure how to get to it.


Back to pounding his hand on presents.


And hiding in the wrapping paper. Which reminds me, Little did not participate in Christmas this year because she wasn't feeling well and it was kinda sad. She loves to hide in the paper and play with the presents.

Grandma gave Goosie the huge barn pictured above and the horses to reside in it.

I was showing off my slippers again.



I have a funny story to tell about this present, but it warrants its own post.

I think this year was THE BEST Christmas... the kids were fun, I didn't have to take care of a newborn, my breasts were not engorged, we all slept well and I got a ton of great gifts. I'm pretty sure that you can see the look of peace and happiness on my face.


I love, LOVE these brown boots that Craig gave me.


Mom made out pretty well this year, although anything would be better than the gold, myrrh and frankincense that Dad got her last year (don't ask).





UM made an appearance after sleeping half the day. I don't have a picture of the gift Dad gave him, but it had to be the funniest thing ever... Mike opens up the sunglasses and Dad says, "and those aren't the cheap kind, I got them at Walmart! " ROFL (I know that Mom is gonna make me clarify that Dad bought them in the optical department rather than the main part of the store, somehow she believes that justifies his comment).

My first hat with my knitting kit! I will be posting more pictures of my creations soon.


Oh my. Great idea Mom. Boy boy loved this... this... thing and did not want to give it up. Sticky mess was EVERYWHERE. When he went down for his nap I threw it away.


We spent the evening at great-Grandma's as per tradition, but I didn't take many pictures because I was having too much fun!

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