Where Did October Go?

Whew, October was crazy busy! And that didn't leave alot of time for blogging or the gym, both of which I wasn't happy about. I told Mom today that I was going to blog alot this week to catch up on our October events, and she said, "Great! Cause I'm tired of looking at your shoes!" I thought that was pretty funny!

I am looking forward to a much slower pace in November. A brief recap of October: I did alot of volunteering in the boys' schools, met with teachers for parent-teacher conferences, attended bible study and church circle, went to an Alabama football game, went to Playhouse Disney Live, chauffered the boys to classmates' birthday parties, had a HUGE yard sale which necessitated a massive clean-out of our house, went to the pumpkin patch, did a spiritual life presentation about St. Jude to Jack's class, helped host Halloween parties at both boys' schools, had fun at an adult Halloween party, and all of the trick-or-treat fun.

See, I told you I've been busy! But really I was too busy, and thus learned a valuable lesson: I do not have to volunteer for every opportunity that comes my way. I am sure I will have to remind myself of this lesson often.

Thanks to all of you for continuing to check in on us. =) I have thought about blogging alot but just didn't have the time to sit down and do it. I am going to spend tonight downloading & editing pics and writing up posts. So please check back this week for the briefings.

Until then, I have another soup recipe to share for these cold fall/winter nights. We had it tonight for dinner with crusty French bread and it was yummy!

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• 6 oz pkg of long grain and wild rice mix
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 1/4 c chopped onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 32 oz box chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• salt to taste
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 12 oz can evaporated milk

Prepare rice mix according to package directions, omitting butter. Meanwhile, in a stockpot, saute chicken, mushrooms, onions, and garlic in oil until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add the prepared rice, broth, tarragon, thyme, pepper and salt; bring to a boil. Combine cornstarch and evaporated milk until smooth; stir into rice mixture. Return the soup to a boil; cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Talk to you soon....

These Will Change Your Life...

I needed some casual brown shoes to wear with jeans and cords this fall. A little disclaimer: I am not a shoe person, so the only casual brown shoes in my closet were some ankle boots. It just didn't feel like it was boot-wearing time yet. So, off to shop....

These shoes, Merrell's Circuit MJ, are the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on my feet. I have heard great things about Merrell's, but had just never given them a try. I am sorry that I waited so long. The comfort is worth every penny. The arch support is fantastic! The overall cushion and support are great, comparable to an athletic shoe. Really, it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing shoes. And I just think they are so cute =). I HEART them!

P.S. Merrell isn't paying me for the endorsement, but if they would like to send me a pair of the Circuit MJs in black, I would be one happy girl!

Fall: The Season of Volunteer Activities

Whew! What a busy week it has been! And it is only Wednesday. But all of my volunteer duties for the week are fulfilled, and thankfully, the rest of the week is clear. Time to catch up on the (mountain of) laundry.

Today, Will went to school. Can you guess what activity he thoroughly enjoyed?!?!?
Painting! And the proof is all over the shirt. The teacher apologized for the mess, but said that Will absolutely loves to paint; in fact, he spent about 15 minutes at the painting easel. But, really, it is no wonder because we don't paint at home. Ugh...I just can't deal with the mess. Painting and play-doh (aka gifts from the devil), that is why I send him to preschool! So please, let him paint until his heart is content at school.

A story to illustrate how siblings can just make stuff up to argue about. This afternoon we are driving to swim practice. The boys are in the back eating imaginary cupcakes. Gobble, gobble, gobble, yum, yum, yum. When all of a sudden an argument breaks out because Will is eating one of Jack's pretend cupcakes! Seriously?!?! Here's a thought: why don't you just bake more imaginary cupcakes?!?!

Well, I have been up since 5:30 AM and I am pooped. Off to bed...

JPEG of the Week

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer
Give 'em Hell Alabama!

We Are Building an Ark

You would not believe the amount of rain we are getting. I believe this is our 8th straight day of rain. It is raining so hard that it sounds like the rain is roaring! Last night alone, we got 1 foot of total rainfall. Schools were closed today in 5 surrounding counties. It took Jack's carpool an hour and twenty minutes to get home from school; my neighbor had to go four different ways before she could get them home (2 routes had cars floating in the road and one was blocked by a fallen tree). One of my friends called to say that her basement is flooding. The water is waist high in the problem area of her backyard and the water is ankle deep in her basement. She was calling to recruit neighborhood men to come dig and try to re-route the water away from her door...because, of course, her husband is out of town this week! So far, our yard seems to be holding up. Over the years, Brent has worked to make sure that the backyard drains well. The french drains are overloaded, but the water does seem to be draining to the back of our yard...I haven't noticed any standing water yet (as best I can see from inside the house). Flash floods, trees down, closed interstates.....ugh, it is just a mess!

We spent the weekend inside and I think it just about killed Brent to not be able to cut the grass. On Saturday, we did venture out to a birthday party in between showers and it was a water slide party! Ha! The boys had a great time and it provided a nice distraction from dismantling the playroom.

Saturday night, the girls and I went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was delicious! I had the garlic noodles with shrimp and we all shared a slice of Red Velvet Cheesecake. Divine! The only problem was that I reeked of garlic the next day, but it was worth it.

This weekend was dedicated to doing what this family does best: laying around, watching football (Roll Tide!), eating nachos, and hanging out. I have got to get a video camera, because Will loves to lead us in Miami football cheers. It is hilarious to watch him cheer his version! And thanks go to Black Eyed Peas for providing rainy day entertainment; I Gotta Feeling is our family's new favorite song and these 2 boys can sing and dance like nobody's business!

JPEG(s) of the Week

There is a heron that is a frequent visitor of our neighborhood lake. A couple of weeks ago, we looked out our window and found the heron surveying our street from the chimney of our neighbor's house across the street!

Another Recipe

I am always looking for new ways to 'dress up' the vegetable side dishes for the family; just a little something different from the tired ol' usual vegetable. This green bean recipe was one I found on a Publix Apron's Simple Meal card. It meets all of my requirements for a recipe: simple ingredients, quick & easy, and tasty.

Sesame Green Beans
serves 4

• 12 oz fresh green beans (rinsed)
• 1 cup pre-sliced baby portabella mushrooms (rinsed)
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt

Place green beans and mushrooms in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 8-10 minutes or until beans reach desired tenderness (it took my microwave 15 min). Stir in remaining ingredients; cover and set aside for 2 minutes. Serve.

I served the green beans with sweet and sour chicken and we all enjoyed them (well, everyone but Will who refused to try them, but that is just par for the course with him).