Wonderful family fun Building Ginger Bread Houses

 At Walgreen's I found these kits for $10 each and decided a good gathering could come out of this special treat. Oh we had a wonderful time together doing them. It is nice to take a short cut. The work if I were to make the bread would of been just too much. This was worth every penny.
They were set up most of the day. We had too many things going today. Daddy man gave Dash a HUGE Christmas gift.

Daddy Man cleaned Dash's room!

 Once we all got together and watched a sweet Charlie Brown show we went in to play. Dash and Dad and Dove and I on hers. We had  a good time. Creative and talkative.

 Dash's front door

 Dash's side house (card board to prop it up until all is dry and set)

 Dash's back door

 Dove's front door

Dove's side house

Dove's back door

Christmas Eve Morning with coffee and hot cocoa

Yes we are Crazy...

:)

It is a fun crazy though.

cheese sticks or yogurt first

Saturday repose.

 

 Yesterday I sewed all day.

It was so nice.

Above are the dinner napkins for Christmas Dinner

 

 I am doing a tea for us 5 core friends.

We have met together for 10? years at least four to five times a year.

This year it will be a Christmas tea at my house.

They turned out little purses.

Lace edged when opened.

I'll do a tutorial over at "A Place To Create"

Today we had the funeral for a Dear Man

Mr Joe Labriola

My SILove did a wonderful job speaking of her father and telling us about the dreams of so many a man who he prayed a quick prayer with as they died in his arms there on the beach of Normandy 

A Medic on the island of Okinawan in the invasion.

An American Hero.

A husband of one, whose wife passed this time of year four years ago.

Father of two daughter and two grand daughters.

He will be missed.

We all went out to lunch on his behalf and saluted the man.

Please remember the family in you prayers.

The sisters have just become the elders.

I came home and slept and hour and then we had a play date for an over night of a new child into our home. They go to school together she is also an adopted child. I think because we are adoptive parents it is often just assumed we are safe because we have gone through all the background checks and home studies..

I am known at the school and so I think that ease is afforded but it still astounds me.

I opened the door and the child was just standing there the mother just dropped her at the curb and drove off.

They have all played well together and are readying for bed.

 

 I harvested 4 pickling cucumbers and so my first time making pickles!

It was pretty easy.

It was a five minute bath and all three jars sealed ya!

They are sliced dills.

Almost burned the Santa cake.

Dash wanted a Santa for adoption day tomorrow.

 

 Hard crack candy was something of my youth that I held in fond remembrance. I wanted to repeat that old time feeling. I would make this when I came home from school. I am stunned that my mom let me do this it is pretty dangerous. I have cooked and baked and made candy from as early as 5th grade. That's around 10 or so. Almost always unattended. It must of been when I was able to see my mom was during the dinner breaks.

 

Watermelon has yet to be cut

 

 The grape and the raspberry set these will be gifts for neighbors.

I had a dud with some lemon oil was nasty!

So I still have another batch to make to finished the job.

However my bones are done for the day.

 

This has been a full day.

Dash's Adoption Day is tomorrow 7 years home to us.

We came home from Russia on the 13 th of December with our little Christmas Boy.

I need to decorate this in the morning the Lady is tired :)

 Some comment answers if I can recall them
No dash has blue eyes unlike Dove little miss Golden eyes.
I cant think or remember another question that was out there.
I do hope to do a better job keeping up with this blog and the others.
We have a new photo system and I dislike the hassle of it and it is time consuming as well.

Happy 12th Birthday my gentle Dove

Dove was celebrated today
Not her actual birthday but as close as we could accomplish it and keep up with all the weekend events...
We four went to a morning movie (gotta love those matinee prices)
It was so fun!
Ice Age 3

Afterward we went for an errand to Target we had a half an hour to use up and napkins to get. She noticed the fourth of July napkins and I wanted to get her napkins that were special. They had run out of them so I got some blue napkins

Mc Donald's was next stop where we met up with Her Aunt (my sister) and the Grand Parents for a lunch. We were also thrilled to have my BILove join us after he had helped a friend fix a head light on a motorcycle. It was nice to all be together.

Steve and I dashed back to the house and the kids were in tow of the Elders.
So we made a few mad dash last efforts and wrapped the gifts.

She really enjoyed herself as well as all of us I believe.

gentle and thrilled with her cake

She was so happy with Dash's present and that just made him so happy.

We got a DVD of a Jonas Brother Concert and after the party we all sat together and watched it.
It was pretty good. The music was alright of course I grew on on rock and roll.

Dove received a purse from the Folks

A framed photo print of "Nick"

Auntie gave her a pillow that she was so very thrilled to have.
Auntie even concidered the Dash Man and gave him a Lego building toy to make. He had it finished and about 15 minutes he just sucks that sort of thing up like a sponge.
I thought that was so sweet of her to do.

Now the folks awaited the last moment and last gift and gave her a comforter.
This a VERY generous gift.
She was in Jonas heaven!
Oh these pre-teen years are so cute!

We all were still full of our lunch so cake and well wishes
She wanted the face of Nick

I let her light the candles as a right of passage
Now look at the agony!
Oh mom don't cut him...
It was then that it was pointed out that I forgot the 'e' on you're opps...

She did not eat her cake!
It was just too upsetting for her...
:)

After all was done and the guest departed we all sat together to watch the concert.

Half way through I fell asleep on the sofa only to awake as it was ending.
The fun had caught up with me...
Hahaha

So now I will rest this evening out.

I posted a tutorial photo post on a
Place To Create.

Home made fondant, it will get words another day...

The Jonas Brothers Cake for Doves 12 th birthday

Stuffed animals Bear and Mckutoo are in the back seat having a conversation today.
Speaking of meeting a new friend...
Mckutto (Dash) said to Bear (Dove)...

"did you sniff their butts?"
all but correction came as I was going to tell Mcktuuo not to talk that way (yes parenting does involve teaching stuffed animals the character traits...after all they are my "grand kids") and then bear replied

" no were not those kind of folks we just shook hands"

I laughed so hard so hard for some sick reason that tickled me funny bone! Hope it gives you a smile too.

Long day today...all full of good news

We left home at 9:30
Attended a 10 :a.m. apointment at the dermotoligst for my skin check...it had been 6 years and so I had three things of concern to discuss.., all binign!

He removed a mole on my back and froze what is a benign fibroid scare (from a cast 20 yrs ago)
Do not scratch! :) It is blisterd and sore.

We went to the post office and set to post several items. Denise OK the fabric is in route.

We then went to a huge for us splurge at IHOP (international house of pancakes resteraunt. This a place the children always say "I hop" then I say "I skip" then the other kid "I jump!" So we play that and never except one time aover a year ogo do we actually go to one. Today well It was just the right thing to do and I had to walk into that.
It was a real intamate light hearted conversation we had. Best in a long time!
Many neat things but girls I am just to tired and it is so late...

Then we went to the pet store for the dog food that I got half off!!!!!!
wahoo
We stayed a long time for we were killing time and had several adventures ...later time I'll tell

So then we went to a Target and had a few more generous (God is so amazing!) adventures. Today I had to go down to my skivies and they were a bit worn. Told God of how embarassed I was ...a new br* and 6 sivies (my step dad was in the murchant marines) For $8! It was just two days ago I told him I felt that way about my br*. It was my size and a beautifyl green 3 of the unders were the matching set $1 a pair! lace too. It felt like I was pretty to think of having them...

On then to the Pediatrician...and the shots X 3 for Dove who was rather worked up over it.
Another adventure and one mom who DID IT and Dove DID IT! We are done YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then home to the new shoes $5.45 !!!!!!!!!.............$22.! shoes for Dash HIS SIZE!!!!!!!!!!!

This means learning to tie then
He has a special needs when it comes to fine motor. For him to be ready and want to learn to tie! Oh kids this is big time!

YOu know sissy is gettting older
Maybe I should learn to tie?

Sweet baby he tried real hard and was very proud of his good attitude.
He did not give up.

One day HE WILL TIE THOSE SHOES!
he is determined!

Well Kids here is what I started at 7:30 p.m. and just finished at 10 p.m.

Acomplished!
with a good attitude

Meet Nick Jonas of the
JONAS BROTHERS!
It is a band that the pre teens like.
Good Character portrail
she has a crush

Yellow cake with light chocolate butter cream under white home made fondent

A day!
I'll do a tutorial later.

Morning Baking and Parenting

Good Morning!
Wow it is now 10:30 time to rest a moment and catch my breadth before the next big round of a board game and an oven switch.

As you may well be aware of my self restricted electric use before 1: P.M.
Today was the big bake day for the week.
Many things to prepare...
All the meat was grilled last night now for the carbs.

Morning loaf and Steve's breakfast cookies.
That is the flax on the top of the green measuring cup

Well I creamed the butter and sugar well while I was kneading the dough for the daily loaf
This loaf would have served me well to have prepared last night alas my darling had Corn chips and salsa in his lunch for the day...He and I agreed that the idea of baking was just out of the question. Grilling last night just took all the energy and spent it fast. Think a grill...115*?+ two large London broils, 6 chicken thighs and two big dogs wanting back outside...imagine the dogs wanting OUTSIDE for a change:)

Dough on the rise and cookies on the tray.
This cookie method will set you ahead at the oven.
Prep first then at the oven it will be a quick job of get that oven off asap!

Lesson here
At this point the little guy needed my time and so ....
Monopoly again :) it was a lot of good eye contact.
Fun little soul...he had a "slow motion pass the dice to mom" it was sweet...
However I won and he had a real issue over it...
lets say a fit!
After "thank God" a bit of patient (see the thankful Thursday post) understanding
and correction...the fit was over the fact that the game was over too soon.
He had chosen the Monopoly game so that the time with me would not end!
WOW what a little smart guy...

So alas while the fit commenced I got the cooling racks out for the cookies and got them in the oven. Punched down the loaf and set it to second rise.

So Dash said...
"Mom don't you want to give it a blanket"?

So well the cookies bake the bread was tucked into the vent of the stove heat.
Make use of what you have.
My eye aways sees life this way.
Even as a kid my eye would make the pleasure of waisting nothing and taking full all of what everything had to offer.

So too is my heart in parenting. The greatest regret for me is the failure to do so due to stress and exhaustion. These first few years of parenting have been very demanding ones for me and I wish I were better equipped, I know I have done the best I was able to do for the most part I just wish I would have been calmer and less frustrated and gotten angry less.

All I can do is effort to improve and rest at night as to be better equipped with patience.
So as he calmed and a peace was gifted to us as understanding was gained I suggested another game. Asked him to set it up because "I enjoy being with you, especially when your a good sport. Thank you for sharing your feelings with me that did not want to stop being together".

So happily he stomped around in his daddy's boots
Now Dove was yet asleep
that darling she is growing SO FAST!
I think it wise to let her rest well...she feels so much better too.
It is a good thing to give her body time to grow and time to renew her strength.
Think of it those bones and flesh knitting and forming mass...inches up and arms out.

keeping Dash quiet means constant attention while she sleeps or she won't get to sleep for he will do everything he is able to have one of us attending him constantly.
I am doing my best to address the security phase I think it is the root of it.
He feels safe with attention.
It also helps him feel affiliated so I am using a lot of you belong language and statements to affirm him. Takes so focus to understanding as not to re-act to it in frustration.

He is growing into his Daddy's shoes in so many ways.

So deep breadth and game number two...
Now by this time Dove is with us wanting to rest and watch qubo kids TV that is really pretty quality better than channel 8 (public) and it is MUCH better than the paid TV of the Disney channel. So I allow it so she can be alone a few moments....oh oh oh how I do understand her needing a few alone moments in the morning...:)

these are mine.

Nick Jonas Birthday Cake
Heart shape chosen by dove and the sugar/flower dusted the olive oiled pan.
Used my hands to oil then rub the olive oil right into your hands...Good stuff.
Hands soft and nothing waisted :)

So Dove supplied me with the image lets see me pull this one off for Saturday.
Dove 12 years old!

Cake out of the oven Daily Loaf of Bread right in...
also the butternut squash in...
baked in the little water in the bottom

Steaming oven for the soft rise of the bread.
Makes a nice slicing loaf..

Nothing w......that's right!

I needed to set boundary with Dash for some me time...

A few moments ago he came up to me and embraced me...I stood there and could just feel the flow of healing into him. I could just feel it.
He did not pull away he stood there a few moments and then without pulling away he said
"you can let go now"...
I let go of him , not the other way around.
He let me let go...
I hope somebody else can see it.

tip

when your baking day uses eggs
fill a bowl with water and rub the inside of the shell clean
dry and grind in a food grinder or roll with a rolling pin once bagged into a plastic bag.

Now add this to the soil of your tomato plants or give to your chickens for strong egg shells.

Well It is 11:30
Time to draw the heart of a little boy into a game of
YES YOU MATTER
:)

OH! that boy is a challenge!
He will not stop getting into my face and interrupting me every 5 minutes it is very hard. Deep breadth.
I was almost done and he just kept interjecting and I got frustrated.
I set boundary calmly repeated several times...

Now he is so jealous of Doves birthday
I was proud of him coming to me with words to say so...
The fact that neither one of us is giving him our full attention right now and here I go almost losing it with him again.
Please pray for me I am trying to meet his needs and to teach him how to not have to have constant attention and to deal with those hard feelings of character growth.
Character is a very hard thing to grow into.
ARG!

deep breadth!
God is making and will make me able to be patient and TEACH not re-act!
The best career so challenging with the greatest of benefits
:)
I love this job!
Just really want to do well at it.
Thinking I was making progress when Dash suggested with kindness
"mom why don't you go rest It's ok"
This after Dove came to my defence and said mom you need to rest if we are going swimming at 1p.m.....
Father help me
I will go nap a few minutes and then suit up.
Shut the house off and go play with the children an hour or so in the sun
:)
:(
I at least the water is wet...
the pools have become like a warm bath here.

Prioitizing my Place to Create

Good Evening
Well here it is 8:30 in the evening and I think I will stop for a while

This job of unpacking and sorting the last of the misc items
has been a thorn in my floor
:)
Today it was time for what I wanted
that was a clear floor!

Here in my rocker a collection of sewing jobs and stuff...
It got piled up over the winter
and this spring with all the ideas yet to be created
it is the dead of summer
time to sew
:)

I ran out of the pot scrubbers I made two dozen months back
time to get a big batch together.
I use these for dishes and then retire the used ones to the pet dishes

Fun minding a blanket when it is in excess of 110*
I really want my rocker back

This is a little thing I have wanted to do.
The handles of the table top messed up my design
I still like it.

I put my favorite print back up.
THE YOUNG GIRL READING
I have always just loved that painting

It is back!

Many jobs ahead and several posts for
"the Place To Create Blog"

As I was looking at this...I have an idea of switching the cookbooks with the pink boxes.
the boxes would be easier to get into .
They hold many parts and items used in arts and crafts and sewing.
I could turn that wall unit into the center for the things I need to keep
This place running

Steve and I can sit together and review the goal/mission/budget now.
He can be comfortable and visit with me while I cook.
I am looking forward to some things to reduce the clutter of the shelves or at least disguise it.

A blouse cut out
for me...


I have to get some ink and I will have my copier/printer back.

Jobs in the Que

This has already improved.
Lots of mending and creating and organizing.
The fabrics were consolidated
I'll have to do a post.

It has just been so long that it has been put off.
Tired lady tonight sorta soft spoken.
Be blessed