win 2 reusable sandwich bags

Mellisa over at Getting all my Ducks in a Row is hosting a great Etsy giveaway!

She has teamed with Cotton Top Quilts to giveaway

{ 2 REUSABLE SANDWICH BAGS }

in the HIPPO fabric shown here

Giveaway open until sometime on October 28th...
You'll have to check her page for specifics!

my view 10.20.09

The 2nd landing on the staircase up to our bedrooms is one of Miss Thang's favorite places to play.

Why?

Well, I suppose it might be because it allows her to have privacy while still being close enough to hear everything going on downstairs.

{ or }

It might be that she, much like her mommy, enjoys sitting in the sun under the very, very large window.

This window looks out over the south side of our property. It is where we can view our 2nd largest tree. I call it my Wizard of Oz tree.

The leaves on this tree fall pretty early and if you blink, you miss the leaves turn from green to golden yellow and fiery orange.

I have realized lately that most things in our life change before our eyes without much appreciation or thought. I think it is really important to slow life down and pay attention to the

{ BEAUTY }

that God surrounds us with. It is easy to pay attention to breath taking, but how about quiet, subtle beauty...

Today's post is one of breath taking beauty.
It is My View from Miss Thang's window.

Each week I will post photos, some subtle, some not so much...

All will be

|| My View ||

Do you have a view worth sharing? I would love for all of you to link Your View here!
(open until Sunday, October 25, 2009 11:59PM) 

thanks mom, but no thanks

My mom lives 200 miles away from us.

While it's not very close I didn't think it was so far away that she no longer knows us.

A friend of hers has a boy who is a little older than My Sunshine & My Angel. For the last 5 years my mom has received hand-me-downs from her. We've been grateful that most of the clothes have fit during the "right" seasons.

Every once in a while though

there

are

sweat

pants.

Yeah, my kids haven't liked or even agreed to wear sweat pants in a couple years. Pretty much not since they realized that girls don't necessarily like boys who dress like, well slobs.

I don't spend much money on my clothes. I shop thrift stores for my stuff
[ most of the time ].
But, I do take the time and effort to look my best with such. I also appreciate when someone else does the same. This has obviously been impressed on my boys as well, so when Grandma sends these clothes and my boys tell me there is NO WAY they are going to wear them

what can I do?...

yup,

Take a picture!

Besides, ummmm, hello Mom, I think maybe these are a bit small.

pasta e fagioli a.k.a. macaroni & bean soup

INGREDIENTS 

4 small garlic cloves, chopped fine
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 celery stalks, sliced thin
8 Tbsp. butter or margarine

2 can navy beans
4 cups water
2-3 cup cooked ditalini (dee-tah-LEE-nee) pasta (any small macaroni can be substituted)
6 oz tomato paste
1 small tomato, chopped (optional)
3-4 Tbsp grated Parmesian cheese
basil, parsley, oregano, salt & pepper to taste

PREPARATION
In crockpot combine cooked pasta, can of beans (do not drain first), water, tomato paste (& tomato). Brown garlic in hot oil. Pour oil & garlic into crockpot. Saute celery in butter until slightly softened (approx 10 minutes). Pour butter & celery into crockpot. Add cheese. Season to taste with Italian spices, salt & pepper. Stir.

COOKING
Cover and cook on med/high for 30-45 minutes, stirring after every 15 minutes.

:: ADDITIONAL NOTES ::
Add more water for a soupier broth. We like garlic… you may find that two cloves is enough. Adding more cheese will make your soup a little thicker. We use 1 tsp. of Italian herbs instead of 1/8 tsp of each separate spice.

I love it

when the SUN come through the trees, spreading warmth

and everyone wants to work / { play } outside!

My Sunshine helped with the leaves

While Santa, I mean Miss Thang, enjoyed not helping!