Latest Leta pics

Last night we celebrated the birthdays of Clarence's mom, my stepdaughter, and her husband. We were late for the ladies' birthdays and early for our son-in-law's special day.

Leta came along with her parents, which was fun for all of us.

She started entertaining us by putting straws in her hair.




She is fond of sour things so she was sucking on the lemon slices we didn't use in our water.

Grandpa got her to come and sit on his lap for a few minutes.

Not long, though, because she's a busy girl!

Paul White

I clicked this picture yesterday of our friend Paul.

We met Paul when he was in high school. He has since graduated from college and worked his way into full time music ministry.



It was "Friends Day" at our church yesterday but we decided we'd be going to see our friend-at another church.

Paul happened to be singing in Owosso, which happens to be where the restaurant is that serves our favorite Chicago-style pizza. A winning combination, for sure. We enjoyed Paul's concert, and having a chance to catch up on his life a little, then went to Roma's for lunch.

Paul's voice has only gotten better and better through the years. We love hearing him and enjoy seeing him minister to people. If you ever have a chance to catch him in concert, be sure you check him out.

School pictures

A drawback of homeschooling, for me anyhow, is that there is no letter sent home informing you that it's time for school pictures. Send the kids off with money and an order form and a few weeks later, pictures magically show up in the kids' backpacks.

I think my girls missed getting pictures taken for the entire year a few years ago. Bad mom.

This year, I decided to try taking them myself. I am not much of a photographer but my camera does a really nice job so I thought it was worth a try.

These are what we ended up with. I'm pretty pleased with them and was thrilled with the price of enlargements from Sam's Club. We got what we normally would have ordered in two "package" deals for less than $20.00.

School pictures? Check. Now we can go on with our school year.

Please pass the...

This weekend's recipe swap at Today's Housewife is dessert recipes.

I'm sharing a recipe I got years ago from a friend at work. The beauty of this cake is that it is actually better if you make it a day ahead of time. Not that it isn't good the day you make it but the flavors seem to magically blend overnight and make it even better.

This is so easy to mix up, I usually just use a wooden spoon and leave the mixer in the cupboard. I've replaced part of the oil with applesauce to cut the fat a bit. Feel free to make the full fat version if you want. ;-)

Chocolate Cherry Cake


2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
21 ounces cherry pie filling
6 ounces chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts, Optional (I've never used them.)

1. Combine flour, sugar, oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, baking soda & cinnamon; mix well. Stir in pie filling, chocolate chips, and nuts (if using).
2. Pour into greased and floured bundt or tube pan. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Sprinkle top with confectioner's sugar, if desired (I always do).

What do you see

when you look at this picture of Allison?




Our church has had "Trunks full of treats" for the past several years on Halloween. This year, besides the trick-or-treating in the parking lot, they had a bounce house, photos, games, horse-drawn wagon rides, and crafts. I opted out of passing out treats this year because while it normally starts out pleasant enough, the temperature quickly drops to about -15º and I freeze. Therefore, I'm taking all the credit for the balmy temps they enjoyed tonight. If I had been there, I'm certain it would have felt arctic. I went grocery shopping instead. Do I know how to have a good time or what?

Julianne was asked to help register the kids who had photos taken and Allison was asked to help out with crafts. Allison still wanted to trick or treat, though, so she decided on an easy costume that wouldn't hinder her from doing crafts.

She dressed as a waitress. That's what you're supposed to think when you look at the picture. One woman from our church, a staunch Democrat (like a certain aunt of mine who shall remain unnamed), saw her and asked if she was supposed to be Sarah Palin. Allison said "No, I'm a waitress."

She dropped some candy in Allison's bag and said "Oh, good thing, because if you were Sarah Palin, I wouldn't be able to give you any candy."

Her husband walked up and she told him "She's Sarah Palin!" Allison muttered "No, I'm a waitress."

I'm sorry Aunt Sharon. Please tell me you still love Allison, even if she does look a bit like a Republican.

The winner is...

I put each name on paper and put it in a bowl.

"Kid of the day" drew one out.

And the winner is...

Like my aunt in Florida, Miss Paula probably doesn't need a corn cuddler very often but, hopefully, she will find a way to use it and the other goodies I'm sending her.

My thanks to everyone who visited and left me comments.

Allison's Room + Giveaway

Since Aunt Kathy spoils both of our girls, she also hand painted Allison's room a few years ago.

Allison's room has a garden theme.



She gave Allison a butterfly, a dragonfly, and a bumblebee (not pictured because Allison's bed is in front of it right now).

Daisies above the garland of grapes and flowers, on lavender walls.

Allison wasn't really wanting to change her room yet.

But it looks like leaving it as it was is no longer an option.

I think I remember now why I haven't been anxious to do the windows and siding. It looks like every room in the house is going to have to be painted, even the rooms that were already done recently. (They're adding wood under the siding so they are nailing on every wall and it makes some of the screws pop out of the drywall. Argh!)

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Since this is my 100th post...in blogging tradition, I'm offering a little giveaway.

I made a couple things, one of which is a corn cuddler with a rose-print flannel sham. Julianne got into the action, too, by crocheting a white doily to add to the prize. She does nice work, I must say.

So, if you're interested in being entered to win, just leave a comment on this post with your email addy or a link to your blog.

I won't be home a good part of the day tomorrow so we'll choose our winner either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. I don't normally get a lot of comments so you've got a pretty good chance of winning, ya know.