This one....

Happy 10th Birthday C. I love you so very much. You made me a Mom and it's the best gift ever.

What did you do this weekend?

I was here. Not doing everything that I should have been inside/outside at my house. Instead I was enjoying the beautiful weather, fishing, relaxing and trying not to be eaten by dinosaur sized mosquitos. (I still got bit twice)

C's First Deer

** Beware this post includes a picture of a dead animal. Proceed at your own risk**

This year C was able to participate in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's (ODFW) mentoring program. It is a great program that allows youth ages 9-13 to go out with a licensed adult and hunt. The youth is able to use the adults tag to harvest an animal. It doesn't have to be a parent or grandparent, it can be a neighbor or anyone else. The benefit to this program is teaching the kids gun safety in the field not just in the classroom. It's hands on knowledge that really makes the difference.

Regular season was over at the end of October, but as land owners we have an additional tag called a land owners preference tag (LOP) that doesn't end until February 28th. C harvested his 1st deer on the 25th. I gave him a hard time about waiting until the last minute, but then I didn't get mine until January, so yeah I probably shouldn't be talking.

He went out with my Dad, and he did great. Dad said he was really nervous and shaky, good thing for a rest (a support for your gun). This time of year most of what is available to shoot are yearlings as we don't want to harvest any does since they are most likely pregnant and the bucks are all hiding. C did harvest a young buck, unfortunatly it had already lost it's horns for the year and didn't have the news ones all the way in yet. We couldn't be prouder of him. Great job C!

Playing along and updates

Goals for 2011

1. Spend more time playing, reading, listening to my boys. Completed. I still need to work on this everyday though.

2. Participate in photo, 365 taking at least one photo each day. I plan on making a photo book out of these at the end of next year. Nope, did not happen

2. Do a 5k, I run one each time I workout, I just have never had the nerve to go do one. Technically yes, I did a breast cancer walk with Mom

3. Work on the cookbook, to make each dish, and take a photo.  Sorta, kinda, it's a work in progress.

4. Keep maintaining my weight. Nope, got sick and gained. Not happy

5. Monthly date night with Hubby. This is going to be mandatory. Didn't happen either. We had months were we went out weekly, then times were it was months before we got out again. We need to do better.

6. To not be scared to try new things. This is another one of those that I need to keep working on.


Goals for 2012

1. Keep running. Complete a 5k, 10k, 15k and half.

2. Spend more time with my children, they are only little once.

3. Let it go.

4. Monthly date night, we are going to try this one again.

5. Continue work on the cookbook

6. Keep trying new things.


This is on a few of the blogs that I enjoy reading from time to time, and I thought I would play along too..

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

We went on a real family vacation. It was amazing.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

See above 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, for the first time in 9 years

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully no

5. What countries did you visit?

None

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Better health

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Our trip to the redwoods, the long weekend at the beach, and the polar express this year.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Signing up for a half marathon in 2012

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not playing enough with my boys

10. Did you suffer any illness or injuries?

I was diagnosed with GERD in June, then debilitating shin splints in December that kept me from running (this is currently going on)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Our trips.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Anyone who was kind and gave of themselves unselfishly

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Those who are selfish

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, bills, food

15. What did you get really, really, really, excited about?

The Redwoods.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

not sure

17. Compared to this time last year, are you?
a. happier or sadder? sadder
b. thinner or fatter? fatter
c. richer or poorer? richer (not monetary)

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Take more days off

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worry about things I can't control

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas eve was with Hubby's family, then Christmas day we were home

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

Yes, I fall in love more every year with my Husband

22. What was your favorite TV program?

now that we have satellite, I love HGTV and food network

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I don't use that word, and no there was no one, in fact I did more forgiving.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Help

25. What did you want and get?

A new table and chairs

26. What did you want and not get?

Living room furniture

27.What was your favorite film of this year?
I didn't see anything really good this year.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

We to dinner with hubby, the boys and my parents. I was 32. It was perfect.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Losing the weight I gained and getting rid of the health problems (can't permanent)

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

casual and trying not to be frumpy

31. What kept you sane?

exercise

32. Who did you miss?

My Grandma

33. Who was the best person you met?

I didn't meet anyone new.

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?

Let it go

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

Remind me.

Last day

Today is the last day of my month long blogging. I can say that I posted something each and every day. While I didn't participate as they probably would have liked me to I still did it.

I'm not sure how much I will be here from this point on, I will still be doing my baking challenges each month so you will see me on the 20th and 27th. I might even stop by once a week. We will just have to see how it goes.

To those who have been faithful readers and stuck with me through all this I appreciate you so much. I value the friendships that I have made through blogging and I hope to continue those.

xoxo
Heather

5 years ago

5 years ago this morning, my parents shop burnt down. It started with the travel trailer and spread through the rest of the shop before it could be stopped. We are fortunate that it was just "equipment" and  "stuff", but the stuff that we lost held tactile memories and there were things in the shop that cannot be replaced. This changed everything for everyone, so much was lost and it's still felt today.

Today

Today I was suppose to post my Daring Bakers Challenge for November. Alas it didn't happen this month. Instead today I will give you a link to one of the other ladies who did manage to get hers done.

http://appleandspice.blogspot.com/2011/11/daring-bakers-november-2011-challenge.html

She did a wonderful job, please go over and tell her so.

Saturday Things

1. I was busy yesterday, so today you get this.

2. J played hookie yesterday, the shop had nothing on the books, and no one called so we went and did a bit of black Friday shopping. I came home with a new phone (needed it anyway) and a Christmas wreath. We're big spenders.

3. Christmas lights and most of the decorations are up. I have to confess I started listening to Christmas music last week. I couldn't help it.

4. On top of my running I've added in Jillian's 30 day shred to my routine 6 days a week. I can say it is doing great things. This I am excited about.

5. I keep getting asked what I want for Christmas and my birthday, the problem is I have no clue. This is bad.

6. I bought an advent quilt this year. Now I just need to fill in all the pockets. I need to get on that.

7. Today....I am not sure what today holds, we don't really have plans. The boys have shooting this morning, then the Civil war game is on this afternoon....I like going into the weekend with it not being packed full of stuff, but I also like having a bit of a game plan too.

8. I made pie again yesterday. I had one bite on thanksgiving (not apple), but I wanted apple, so I made one, then I ate two pieces. It was wrong, but so very good.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is wonderful, filled with family, friends and love.

Today is a day that we focus on what we are thankful for, but it is something that we should each and every day.

I am thankful for a God who loves me
I am thankful for my husband
I am thankful for my children
I am thankful for my parents
I am thankful for J's family
I am thankful for my friends
I am thankful for my home
I am thankful for my freedom and those who protect it
I am thankful for so many things.

These are just a few. As we head into this season of buying and buying, take a moment to remember what the season is really about.

xoxo
Heather

Maple Tree

Places to visit

When you get a chance check out these places. They are some of my favorites, some are food blogs, some are funny and some are just a wonderful.

I have a long list in my reader, so here are just a few. Please visit, enjoy.

http://asouthernfairytale.com/2011/11/21/mouthwatering-monday-thanksgiving-edition/

http://www.eatliverun.com/wild-rice-with-caramelized-shallots-cranberries-and-pecans/

http://jens_page.blogspot.com/2011/11/putting-shoe-on-other-foot.html

http://thechurchcook.blogspot.com/2011/11/pie-crust-making-and-ipc-holiday.html

http://rebekah-outnumbered.blogspot.com/2011/11/prayer-part-2.html

http://my-over-the-fence.blogspot.com/2011/11/post-892-from-my-world-to-yours.html

The Old Plow

This is one of the two old plows that we have on the property. I have always love this one. I remember when I was a little girl that we painted it and it was so pretty. My sister and I would play on it and now I watch my boys play on it.

Not to mention the fact that it's a two bottom plow. Which would mean it would take you days just to plow one field. Unlike the Midwest in Oregon our fields are normally 100's of acres. Instead we have wide variety. Yes there are plenty that are 100 or more, but in my immediate vicinity most are not.

Friday Things

1. Yesterday was C's teacher's birthday. I took her a gift and chocolate cupcakes. Both things make the world a better place.

2. I miss chocolate, so I made an apple pie.

3. Today I am going to a holiday bazaar with Mom (boys too) it should be fun.

4. I am almost done done with my Christmas shopping, the remaining things have to wait for a visit with Santa.

5. Yesterday I found that one of our local stations has switched to Christmas music already.....I confess I indulged.

6. Thanksgiving is less than a week away, what I am going to make??

7. I haven't been feeling my best lately, I hope I start feeling better soon.

A day in the life of me

I thought it might be interesting to share my Wednesday with you. 

Yesterday
5 am Wake up
5-5:30 check e-mail/blogs
5:45-6:45 workout (ran 4 miles)
7:00-7:30 breakfast, pack lunches, get boys ready for school (My Dad usually takes them), clean up everything
7:30 take shower get ready
7:50 leave to take boys to school
8:20 home
8:20 check e-mails
8:30 decide to make apple pie
9:30 clean up kitchen and start cleaning house
bathrooms, windows, mirrors, dusting all surfaces, vacuum, change sheets on all beds, sweep, dust mop, wet mop, do all laundry, fold and put away, e-mails, phone calls, morning snack
Noon: lunch
1:00 leave for school
1:30-3:00 volunteer at school (normally on Thursday, but today was special, I will be there today too)
3:30 home. Snacks, color Mom's hair, bake cupcakes and frost (teacher birthday today)
5:00 start dinner.
5:30 boys get showers
6:30 dinner
7:30 boys to bed
9:00 shower for me then off to bed.

This is a pretty typical day for me, normally instead of volunteering at school that time is allotted to playing with M and responding to e-mails. I normally get my shower in before 7 but I was running later so it was a bit later. That and my wonderful Dad usually takes the boys to school for me, but as it is duck/goose season I am back to being the school bus.

I don't usually do my Mom's hair or make cupcakes, but those are the random things of life that get thrown in all the time.

My life is pretty regimented and because of that I am organized and I always know the next thing that needs to happen. I like it and it keeps me centered, though I know it drives J crazy more times than not.

xoxo

A Favorite Place

We were asked to share a favorite place. As I have many of them, I will share one that I am missing at the moment.

One of my most favorite places to be is on the beach. I love to sit and listen to the waves crash. To smell the salty crisp air, to dig my toes into the warm sand.

One of my dreams is to have a home at the beach, yes in addition to the one I already have. It's a dream that probably won't come true, but that doesn't mean I can't think of it and wish for it. I am fortunate that we live an hour or so away so trips to the beach are frequent and always lovely. Speaking of which I think it's time for our next one....

Fears

As I am participating in NaBloPoMo I figured I should do a couple of the writing prompts, no I haven't run out of pictures....yet. The writing prompt from yesterday was about facing and overcoming your fears.

I think that fear is a natural part of life, and overcoming that fear is important. I have fears that I know I will never overcome, but that doesn't stop me from trying. One of my biggest fears, and yes you are going to laugh at me is the dark. It always has been ever since I was a little girl. I know that it is irrational but there it is. My heart beat picks up and the hair on the back of my neck stands up.

I know rationally that there is nothing out there, but it's not the rational part of me that gets worked up instead it is my overactive imagination that does it to me.

Now that all being said I sleep in the dark and I have no problem with dark places, but when I am outside and it's pitch black dark (no house lights on) I don't like walking from my car to my house. It's just a bit creepy. I've lived town for a short period of time and it was worse then.... I do live in the middle of nowhere and we do have large animals that are around. That would be my justification for a being a scaredy cat.

When this happens I challenge myself to walk, to resist giving in to the feeling. To just take a deep breath and get over it.

What is your fear? Have you overcome it yet?

Wild Mushrooms

I found these growing in the yard a few days ago. I walked passed them at first, but then I thought they were just to cute to not take a picture of. This year we have had a lot of different types of mushrooms that grow in our yard. It just depends on the tree they are under.

What the heck.....

I found this on a wonderful blog, and thought it would be fun to play along. I'm not sure if I will do another, but either way here we go.

1. Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work? No

2. What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated? 3 years

3. Ever been in a car wreck? Yes

4. Were you popular in high school? No

5. Have you ever been on a blind date? Yes

6. Are looks important? They help

7. Do you have any friends that you’ve known for 10 years or more? Yes

8. By what age would you like to be married? I was married at 20

9. Does the number of people a person’s slept with affect your view of them? Depends on the number

10. Have you ever made a mistake? Many

11. Are you a good tipper? I can be

12. What’s the most you have spent for a haircut? $200 w/color

13. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? Nope, they were all old.

14. Have you ever peed in public? No

15. What song do you want played at your funeral? Amazing Grace

16. Would you tell your parents if you were gay? They would know.

17. What would your last meal be before getting executed? Some insane dessert

18. Beatles or Stones? Indifferent

19. If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who would it be? Not a good day to ask this question

20. Beer, wine or hard liquor? Before hard liquor, now wine

21. Do you have any phobias? I don't like ladders

22. What are your plans for the future? Run, church, family time

Tulip Tree

The Tulip Tree. In the summer it flowers.

Friday Things

1. Today I give thanks to all the past and present service men and women who give us the freedom to live as we choose. Thank you.

2.  Our friends are getting married in Hawaii today. Congratulations to them as they start there lives together. xoxo

3. Yesterday I went to a "running" store. They analyzed my stride and I got to buy new shoes, it was a good day just because of the shoes.

4. Later this afternoon I am going antique shopping with Mom, sans children, it will be nice.

5. I made caramel apple cookies this week. They were good, so I sent them off with Mom to work, I forgot to take a picture but I will share the recipe next week.

6. I am working on a homemade vanilla oreo. It's a work in progress.

7. I am excited for the holidays, they are some of my favorite times of the year. This year even though we are busy every single Saturday after Thanksgiving, we have left Sunday to our day, so that will be nice.

8. Speaking of the holidays I started my shopping a few days ago and I am hoping to get it all done soon.