Monday, December 31, 2007

The Next Ansel Adams?




LM received this Fisher Price Kid Tough camera from two "Aunties". It actually takes some pretty decent photos. One day, he was clicking away and I mentioned that he would use up all the space - here's what he said - "No I won't, Mommy, I have a memory card". Stuff like that just blows me away.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Post-Christmas Update




I haven't posted in a while because our house was hit with the dreaded 5 DAY flu-bug that is going around. Unfortunately, the unwitting victim was LM - how sucky is that to be sick during Christmas? Here he is with his faithful nanny-dog, Holly. Last Saturday I took him to the Pediatrician's and he had a 103.6 temp - and the "well-educated" (but not too parental savvy) Dr. mentioned (in front of the sick but still observant child) that he "didn't have to take any Children's Motrin if he didn't want to". That was all the ammunition he needed and he used it a few times during the next 4 days or so.

Do you know how frustrating it is to try to give a stubborn child medicine to feel better? Medicine that he takes (Grape Flavored Tylenol or Motrin) when he's not even sick but now won't take it??? We have the liquid stuff, the fast-disolving tablets, the thin strips that melt on your tongue but not fast enough because the savvy, stubborn 4 year old still manages to spit it out...we have our own pharmacy here. I wish they would invent an Ibuprophen/Acetominophen patch - take that, you little darling!

Oh yeah, he was up at 3:30 AM on Christmas morning and just opened up some presents but was so miserable that I was able to get him back for a few more hours of sleep. He perked up later and actually thanked Santa for all of the wonderful presents!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Christmas Memories Part II - Favorite Ornaments

My Mom started a tradition of giving us a new ornament each Christmas since we were born until she passed away when I was 20. Most of the ornaments are Italian Glass Blown Ornaments and are some of my most prized possessions. I have not put them on our tree for the past 3 years - I was afraid that the LM would accidentally break one, but now that we have a bigger tree this year, I have decided to bring them out once again. Here are a few of my favorites.

The first one is Mae West - I believe she was the first or second ornament that my Mom bought for me - so she is up there in age (as am I). *Smile*

I think my favorite one is the little blue Eskimo - isn't she precious?






Christmas Memories Part 1- Hudson's Department Store


I grew up in Michigan, mainly in Dearborn (or "Dearbern" as it is pronounced in the area) and West Bloomfield - near Walnut Lake. Hudson's department store in downtown Detroit was THE store to go Christmas shopping in the early - mid 60's. The J.L. Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade would kick off the Christmas season and we went to many a parade. My Dad and Uncles would get us up really early, load us and ladders and wood planks in the cars. They would set up the ladders and planks in a primo spot to view the parade - us kids sitting up on the plank to see the parade - pretty cool, actually. Mom would stay home preparing the feast for 30 or so relatives.

One particular year, my Dad and Uncles sent us kids home from the parade in a cab as they were going to the annual Lion's Thanksgiving Day football game (when they played downtown at Tiger Stadium). I don't think our Mom's were too cool with that - can you imaging sending 3 or 4 kids home in a cab from downtown Detroit in this day and age???

Saturday, December 08, 2007

O Tannenbaum




This morning the whole fam (Holly too) took a drive in the country to Ben's Christmas Tree Farm in Harvard,Illinois. DH mapped out a route taking country roads to avoid highways and busy roads. At one point LM said "We in the middle of no where"...where do they come up with stuff like that?

We got to Ben's in about an hour. What an adorable farm! They had two teams of horses pulling wagons; a little shed of goats and sheep and a warming shed with yummy hot chocolate. Santa was there too!

We cut down a beautiful White Pine, about 6.5 feet tall. LM helped Daddy cut the tree and drag it out of the woods. I think that I took a few good photos and hope to use one for our Christmas card this year.

I have uploaded them to flickr but I have to figure out how to put flickr on here. If anyone has any helpful hints, do tell!

Enjoy!


Tuesday, December 04, 2007

All aboard! All aboard!

The Polar Express!

I can't wait for Christmas morning. Nothing like seeing and feeling the spirit of Christmas again through the eyes of a little child. I can't tell you how excited and happy I am this Christmas season. LM (little man) is 4 and 3/4 and for the past year he had wanted a Polar Express train set. Well, they are made by Lionel Trains and they ain't cheap. There was no way that we would have been able to get him one...until I got the Sunday paper and started going through the ads. I NEVER go through the ads first, I always read the paper, section by section. DH got up and I gave him a selection of ads that I didn't want to read; Circuit City, Best Buy, Staples. Well, what to my wondering eyes should appear when I turned the first page of the Target Ad but...are you ready...THE POLAR EXPRESS LIONEL TRAIN G-GAUGE SET! Holy mother of G_ _! All for the UNBELIEVABLE price of $119.00! I almost croaked and passed the ad to DH who got up, showered and was in line by 8:00. He called about 1/2 later with the good news - he got one of only 3 on the shelf. WHEW! Stay tuned for posts come Christmas morn.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day
by Lydia Maria Child

Over the river and through the wood,
To Grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving-Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate!
We seem to go
Extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood;
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

My Art Gallery Exhibit






I just found this awesome photo site called www.dumpr.net from a flickr photo site that I enjoy http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogislove. Isn't this cool?!?

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Barn Spires and Old Cars

I enjoy taking photos - these were taken at a Farm Heritage Festival we went to in September. I also love old cars - being from the motor city and all.






Saturday, October 27, 2007

Happy Halloween Everyone!







A few photos of our decorations and the front of our house. It looks better at night so I'll try to get one that shows the full effect.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

San Diego Burning



Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people in Southern California. My parents live in East San Diego county near Jamul and they were told to evacuate. I called them every morning to see how they were doing. So far (knock wood)they are okay and so is their home. We were out there in August to visit and I want to show some photos of their property - it is beautiful there and the weather is fabulous.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

It's Pumpkin Pickin' Time!





We went to Jerry Smith's Pumpkin Farm in Kenosha to get our pumpkins. What a cute place and not as crowded as Didier Farm in Buffalo Grove. Jerry's has created movie scene's with Pumpkins as the characters. We took a hay ride and picked out our pumpkins. They also have a country store and they have the best apple turnovers we've ever had...yummm. Here's the link to their farm. http://www.jerrysmithpumpkinfarm.com/ We'll be back next year!

Cute, or what?








I think I found the perfect Christmas gift for my girlfriends...what do you think? They are Cicciabella Cowgirl slippers. I tried them on today at Hannah's in Antioch and they are soooo comfortable. I bought 3 pair for my girlfriends and I think I might go back and get some more...I think I need a pair too! *SMILE*

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

I Don't Like Spiders And Snakes


But a certain young man does - Yikes!

We went to a Pet Health Fair in September! One booth featured desert tortoises and snakes and other critters...my boy was not afraid of the baby python. Actually, I touched it and it was pretty cool.



Monday, October 01, 2007

October Skies

10 Reason Why I Love The Fall


  1. Long walks with our son and our dog at the dog park.
  2. The brilliant blue sky.
  3. Crisp nights spent snuggling with my honey.
  4. Football - College (Michigan State) and Pro - Colts (I like Peyton), Da Bears and the Lions (sorry, it's in my blood).
  5. Halloween!
  6. Apple Cider and Donuts. Franklin Cider Mill in Franklin, Michigan is the best!
  7. Baseball Playoffs!
  8. The sight and sound of Geese flying and gathering to fly south.
  9. Pumpkins.
  10. Lazy Sunday afternoons while angels sleep.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Our Little Man




This is my little man. He's 4 and a half now and time is flying by way too fast. Below are lyrics of a Dixie Chicks song that I just luv - it's beautiful.

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, we'll find the mouse
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God heard "Amen," wherever you are
And I love you

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

Monday, September 03, 2007

Why I Named My Blog



I had to post this photo of a Sandhill Crane that blessed us one Sunday morning in April. We have a conservancy pond behind our house and it is full of frogs, turtles, toads, and at least 2 muskrat families. I have enjoyed watching the wildlife out my backdoor. We've spotted coyotes, deer, heron's, fox and all kinds of bird species.

I just love our house and our "million dollar view".