Guess what we did today?!



This is my beautiful family! ...My handsome husband, Les, and our living doll of a daughter, Amanda:) The picture is an early proof that we already received in an email. Donna Rae Friesen took our wedding photographs a few years back, and recently she approached us about doing a family portrait as she had just gotten a new professional digital camera. I love how she framed this shot with the fall foilage and the bridge in the background:)

What is it that I *LOVE* so much about Rachael Ray?

I don't own any of her books, and I've never bought her magazine, but yet I have to confess that I browse both of these when I'm in the market. I don't get the chance to watch her daily 30 minute meals show very often at all, and I've only caught a bit of her new talk show, but yet I have to admit that anytime that I've caught even a bit of these shows I've enjoyed them. If I'm being honest though, I'd have to admit that I find her a bit loud in her presentation, yet there is just something I *LOVE* about Rachael Ray. Maybe it's that Les and I have enjoyed the places she's taken us on "$40-a-day"... or maybe it's the fact that everyone of her recipes that I've tried has been a HIT! (DELISH bacon sloppy-joe's and YUM-O espresso brownies...well, I combined her and Martha's recipes on this one, but still, mmmm!) ...or it could be that she reminds me so much of Amanda's friend, Brianna (whom I adore), everytime I look at her... But whatever it is, I guess I'll just say it, I'm a fan:)

Living the Dream

Well, it's official, I am a stay-at-home-wife-and-mom...at least for now... AND that is something I have always very much wanted to be! And yet I find myself with mixed emotions and expectations. Part of me is elated and can't plan enough things to do AND part of me is nervous about what comes after this... Well that part has pretty much been narrowed down... I've talked with and been interviewed for several opportuntities and by next Friday I will likely have made my decision, but I won't be joining the ranks of a working wife and mother again until later in November...and so, finally, I can take a deep breath and live the dream. I'm hoping in the weeks I have ahead I can get to do some things around here that I never get time for, but also I want some time to recharge and refresh... I've never really had that. I started working when I was 15 and have never pressed pause on that one since. It's good to be out of the work situation I was in, but I find it's taking me some time to come down and de-stress...old thoughts and concerns die hard. For those of you who've been praying me through this, thanks...and keep on praying if you don't mind, I need ya:)

The Bestest Pie Ever!

...and that had nothing to do with the recipe or how it was made or its actual taste, it had to do with the heart that bestowed it! Last night our neighbour from across the street dropped off a fresh-made pumpkin pie that she'd made especially for us...and when she did she had her adorable not-a-baby-for-much-longer with her...talk about a double blessing! She was just thanking us for sharing some of Amanda's things that she was done with with their daughter Ainsley. It was totally unnecessary, but very sweet none-the-less. How neighbourly!!

EDIT ... strike the following post...thanks to Brian from the Blogger Help Group, this should be fixed and the blog should be viewable in both IE and Firefox now!
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My apologies to those trying to view my blog using Internet Explorer. For some reason the body of my posts is not appearing in Explorer (it does appear though if you use Firefox, so you might want to try that). The parts of the body of my posts that seem to appear in Explorer are the images and anything I put in BOLD...hence the reason this post is in BOLD. I have tried to research the problem with blogger with no luck. If any you have any suggestions they would be much appreciated!

Pike Place was the very first location of Starbucks in Seattle, and so for their 35th anniversary they have released the original Pike Place brew to commemorate it. Les and I had a date-night out last night, and the evening was concluded with a trip to the Starbucks on Broadway. After I had had my macchiato and biscotti (and Les his mocha light frap) the barrista made a french press of the Pike Place brew for us, and we did a sampling. It's a strong brew with a nutty aroma...very full bodied. As we sat there enjoying our lovely saucered-mugs of it, two thoughts went through my mind. First - 'I just love how Starbucks treats us', and second - 'I wonder if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight?!' (In the end I did!:)

It's Fall!!

The other day when Les and I were at Starbucks they were putting out their fall offerings, so it's official (even though it's not the 21st on the calendar yet), it's FALL! And what a better way to start it than having someone serve you samples of pumpkin lattes?!


The other thing that makes it officially fall around here is my darling daughter heading back to school. She's had two days under her belt already and has even come home with homework and not minded doing it! So far she loves her teacher and everything she does, but I'm not holding my breath just yet because there could be some classroom shuffling next week as they figure out the final number of students registered for each grade.

As we get into the swing of things, Les and I have started planning for our small group. We made calls last night and have been looking for materials to use for a while now. (Any and all suggestions are welcome!) I'm looking forward to small group this fall. One of the couples in our group is expecting in late October, so it's a very exciting time!