Yes, I'm Alive !

I'm Back....and Yes, I'm Alive. The trip was short, and sweet and WONDERFUL! I still need to get the pictures and then I'll do a post all about it. Diane, it was definitely a Parent Pay Day!

Tonight is our Home, Family & Personal Enrichment Meeting.

"The Spirit of Thanksgiving,

Preparing our hearts

To celebrate our Savior's birth"

I'm Off

Just wanted to check in really quickly! I really need to hit the sack:( Mark and I are going to Florida in the morning.

I'm really looking forward to having some down time and especially happy that it's with Mark! We are going to visit Mack and will be there on Tuesday when he gets sworn in as St. Johns County Commissioner. I'll tell you all about it when I get back.

Teeny Tiny Birthday Cake

I got this idea from my friend, Donna. She is very clever. If you want to make someone feel special on their birthday, but don't think they want a WHOLE cake, this is the perfect thing!
I've done this for teachers too and they always love it.


When you go to Williams - Sonoma next time, buy some Individual Butter Dishes. I didn't see them on their website but they usually have them in their stores. I did find them online at Crate and Barrel and these were less expensive (unless you have to order them online and pay the shipping). Once I even spotted them at Target! I just try to get some when I see them, so I always have one on hand.

Put a miniature cupcake inside and WaaaLaaa ... the cutest little Birthday Cake ever!
This one is going to a sweet friend today. Now "you can have your cake and eat it too"!

Marvelous Mommy

Do you remember a few months ago Little Addie Girl was featured as The Lil' Peanut of the Month on the website The Lil Peanut Patch.

Marci nominated me for their "Marvelous Mommy" feature which was very kind of her( she's not biased at all). I think I must be the oldest mommy ever submitted to The Patch. Oh well, I'm on there this month. It's the most famous I've ever been. I usually fulfill that aspect of my life by living vicariously through my kids... what can I say, it works for me! Anyway it is a great website dedicated to moms and kids.

Do you know a "Marvelous Mommy" who should be featured a The Lil Peanut Patch? Send them an e-mail with her name and e-mail address.

Thank You Veterans

REMEMBER
It was the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It was the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It was the Veteran, not the lawyer,who has given us the right to fair trial.
It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer,who has given us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the flag, who served under the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Written by Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC

All Gave Some - Some Gave All

When Hope was 8 years old, her Activity Day Leader

did a project with the girls for the Soldiers in Iraq. She had

them make cards and write letters that they would put in a care package.

While the girls were all busy at work, Hope wrote this poem for Mack.

Her Leader submitted it to the local paper and it was published.

So Sweet.

A Poem dedicated to my soldier brother, Mark Miner

by Hope Miner - 12/07/2004

America Wants You

America wants you and loves you a lot.

All the boys like you and the girls think you rock.

Everyone is waiting for the big event

FOR YOU

to come home and be President.

America, America, America wants you

to bring you back home

and make you some stew.

To take care of your needs

and pay the good deeds.

America, America, America wants you.

America wants you because you are bright

America wants you, You're full of delight.

America is ever so proud of you

Because of your bravery and courage true.

American Solider...I LOVE YOU!

This is dedicated to my wonderful brother in IRAQ!

MARK PARTRIDGE MINER

Free Veterans Day Greeting Card - HERE

Scott and Hope made this Poster for McMeans Jr. High

Veteran's Hall of Fame

Honoring their Grandfather, Del Partridge

and Brother, Mark Miner (Mack)

Great Links:
Mack - Mark Miner Military Blog

American Legion National Headquarters

AMVETS National Headquarters

Department of Veterans Affairs

Disabled American Veterans

The Official Moving Wall Website

Military.com

Please take time today to say Thank You!

To find fun ways to celebrate and honor our Veterans

visit Pineapple Hill Blog

Owl Appliques

I finished sewing the appliques on the "owl t-shirts". It really is fun! I did most of the owls with the machine. I embroidered black X's on their eyes and embellished the flowers with embroidery stitches, buttons and beads.

Sorry about these pictures. I took them in the afternoon. I didn't realized they were covered in shadows, and I've already give the shirts to Marci. She takes great pictures. She'll either send me some or put them on her blog.

I'm going to start selling embellished bloomers in my new ETSY store, so I decided to make the first addition "Rick Rack Bloomers" for Ella and Addie. I have some really fun ideas for cute bloomers!

P.S. Pineapple Hill was featured as a "Saturday Sweet Shoppe" at the Little Window Shoppes!

Blessing Mix

Blessing Mix

This recipe will make about 16 blessing mix gift bags of about one-third cup each.

Use cellophane goodie bags to package this treat.

Ingredients:
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey's brand chocolate kisses
Directions:
In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses.

Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags.

Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag.
Makes 16 Blessing Mix gift bags

This fun treat is from
The Idea Door
Click Below to Print:

blessingsmix.PDF

Frogs, Owls and Blessings

Today is my Dad's Birthday! Happy Birthday Frog! ... Yes that's my dad's nick name. You can read about it here. My dad is an amazing guy. A career in the U.S. Navy meant that he was often gone for months at a time. Even so, I was "daddy's little girl" and I knew that always, if he was home or away. Being the only daughter in the middle of two boys could be frustrating to a girl, especially when we were voting for what TV show to watch! It could also be pretty wonderful and that it was most of the time.
When I was tiny my dad called me his "sweetie pie" and I repeated, "I'm daddy's Wheetie Pie". To this day, I still sign my notes and cards ~Love, Wheetie Pie.

My dad has many talents and attributes. I admire his strength, integrity and compassion just to name a few. He always made me feel safe when I was a child and he knew the answer to EVERYTHING. I'm still learning from him even today just by the life he leads.

Happy Birthday Wishes to you, Dad!

Now, on to the Owls. Remember the skirts I made recently for my little granddaughters? I had appliqued little t-shirts with birds and witches hats on them for Halloween.

I wanted to make the girls another top that would match their skirts. I love the black fabric
with the owls on it and I had enough left to cut out some of the pieces to applique.

Today I ironed the fabric appliques on the shirts and tomorrow I'm going to sew them on (part by machine and part by hand) and embellish them with beads and buttons ( my favorite part).

Addie's Shirt

Ella's Shirt

I have the neccessities now to make "Blessing Mix" a little goodie I share in November to friends and neighbors. Stay tuned, tomorrow (or the next day) I'll put it together and post the verse.

Eye Candy & Inspiration

One of my addictions while planning Kayley's Wedding was visiting the Blog:

I fell in LOVE with these Autumn collages!

Snippet & Ink

Thanksgiving Clip-Art Place Cards

To help you create decorative place cards for the Thanksgiving table,

Martha Stewart has free clip art. Download and print the place cards

(cream or neutral-colored card stock will work best),

cut along the dotted line, inscribe your guest's name,

and score down the middle with a bone folder.
You can also make a flat card with a border by using double-sided tape to affix the place-card design to a piece of card stock 1/4 inch larger than the place card. You can punch a hole in it and use twine to tie it to a napkin, or simply tuck it into the napkin.

The Midas Touches

from Martha Stewart November 2007

No need to go to excess this holiday season.

Small glints and gleams make the greatest impression.

Use the most precious metal, real and faux, to highlight and amplify natural beauty and your celebrations are sure to be filled with golden moments.
Horn of Plenty

Flocking Together

In Full Feather

Glimmer and Shine

Finding Joy in the Journey

"Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings"

Thomas S. Monson

Click Here to see Thanksgiving Ideas

Trick or Treat

Pictures from Halloween Night

Tradition....

Some of the Girls eating their Taco SoupOur neighbor, Anna and Hope... "From the Hood"

The Cute Freeman Family

Pictures of our "Trickers" and "Treaters"

I wish Scott's hair showed up better in this picture.

It really was funny.

Oh, He's a Mad Scientist ...that's also a Dweeb.

Hope, The Sassy Pirate Girl

The Big Girls

The Little Girls

Princess EllaZebra Addie

Cute Little Trick or Treaters

the end

Don't forget to set your clocks!

A Happy Halloween

Well Halloween didn't start out very happy for me but as the day went on the happy part came.
How perfect that Halloween landed on a Friday this year I thought to myself when I woke up yesterday morning. Unfortunately we had scary visitors in our cereal. Hope and I both consumed some which was about the scariest experience ever, so fitting on Halloween I suppose.
We had weevils in our cereal! So much to do, so little time. I went ahead and started cooking up the hamburger for our traditional Halloween dinner, Taco Soup, and proceeded to take every single item out of our pantry. I inspected everything closely lysol-ed all the shelves. If any box or bag was open and the least bit questionable, off with it's head. (in the trash) ....just couldn't chance it! We're good to go again, however, I think I will mention it to our "Bug Guy"that just happens to be coming this week. I must say the pantry is so beautiful now. I took pictures because I want to remember when I open the door next week and it no longer looks like this!

It was a much bigger project than I had bargained for and was feeling a bit overwhelmed with so much to do when one of my dearest friends in the whole world called and said, "Have you had lunch?" .... Good. I'm bringing you a surprise and you'll want it for lunch, trust me."

What a TREAT! She brought my favorite soup from La Madeline and warm bread in a cute halloween basket. Mark was REALLY happy he is in town this year for Halloween, Oh the perks of working out of the house.

Halloween Heaven!

After a fabulous lunch I was back on track and had begun making little mummy dogs. (per Hope's request) when the door bell rang. I saw the UPS Truck from the Dining Room window but figured it was something Mark was expecting for his upcoming Trade Show. He answered the door and said Kel it's for you. What a surprise, what in the world?

Heather, one of our friends we have re-connected with through blogging sent this sweet book.

What a sweetheart! I'm a huge Susan Branch fan! I LOVE it.

Halloween is very Happy!

Posting about the evening soon......