Mom working on the computer.


One red marker.


A two year-old boy.


A blank canvas of a couch.


Ouch.

Frightful candies and Halloween memories

Trae's not Halloween mask. He just wears it when the mood strikes.


I was just reading about the 5 worst Halloween candies. One for example is the fun-size Butterfinger. It boasts 100 calories per bar and 4 grams of fat. Luckily, I don't eat those. It's replacement it says should be the fun-size Three Musketeers bar. Eating three of them is only 63 calories and 2 grams of fat. I do like those. So that seems like a no-brainer.

I remember as a kid going trick-or-treating. We lived out in the country so we would drive to all of our "neighbors" in the valley, which numbered about 10 of us total. Our neighbors dotted the sides of the hills and down into the valley. Walking to each house would take all night so we drove. And it usually rained too so trick-or-treating by car was the best method.

Everyone gave out large candy bars because each family only got about 8 trick-or-treaters total and 4 of them were from my family.

Then we'd drive over to my Aunt's and to some of my parents' friends houses to show off our costumes. Again, it was always the big candy bar give-a-way. By now we had about 15 large candy bars. We thought it was great but we wanted a whole bag of goods. It was like me explaining to my toddlers now that a dime is worth more but they insist on the penny because it's bigger.

After that we'd finally get into town and hit some real housing developments where we would get the chance to score lots of candy. And later we'd dump it all out on the living room floor and assess our loot, wincing at the Pears and Sucrets that some people gave.

I liked pears but they had to be crunchy. And the Sucrets were always cherry which I didn't like but they were better than the Hall's Mentholatum that we got too. Some grandmas were just trying to make sure that we stayed healthy I guess.

I still look forward to Halloween. It's fun but what a weird holiday though - sending our kids out in costumes and begging for candy, right? They always say "trick or treat" but no one has ever requested a trick from them. I guess in some parts that would mean something different but I'm talking about a prank, an optical illusion - something of that sort! I guess I should teach them a card trick just in case they are finally asked...

So if you participate, what is your favorite item to hand out?

I actually wouldn't mind getting Sucrets or Hall's this year. There's a cold coming on...

Love looks good on them - a family photo session

I've been behind in posting some sessions so let me begin to catch up by showing you this beautiful family.
When we were talking about locations, Mary suggested a covered bridge. It was music to my ears. I have been wanting to work at this location for a while knowing it would provide for a great backdrop. But photographs aren't just about backdrops, they are about emotions and capturing a feeling at the precise moment.

When I was taking a portrait of just Travis and Mary, I told them to pose how they would normally, just goof around with the kids and pretend that I am not even there. Sure, it's easy for me to say but not easy to do when there is a camera in your face.

So Travis picked up Mary and gave her a piggy back ride. They said, "This is how we play!" and he carted her around for a bit as Mary's infectious laughter let you know it was a genuine moment.
Love looks good on them, don't you think?

As requested, I needed to get an individual picture of the kids. I wholeheartedly agreed. I think every family member holds a special place within their family so each needs a place of honor in a photograph. For the following shots, I held a conversation with each child. Here, B is telling me about her love of dance.

I asked W what he would do if he were me and what he would have me do. He said, "I like this tree. Let's go there." And then he started telling me about school.

I. was running all over so I told him that we could race to find the best rock to climb. I snapped this just before he darted off and then we looked at those rocks.

D. is so cute and liked to play. I remembered the red chair so we told him it was reserved for red-heads. It was his special seat. So he climbed on and I don't really remember how he started to laugh but I think they were making fun of me by making rabbit ears over my head. Anything for a laugh and what a great one he has.

I love that this family loves to laugh and play. Somehow a game of red rover started and jumps across and falling in the creek happened and I was lucky enough to witness it through the lens.

You could win this give-a-way

I wish I could win this prize package.

My kids love to go to hotels even when we live close by and have a mini vacation. Why am I saying kids?? I love to go on mini-vacations even in my own area! Don't you? So why not give this a shot...it's super easy to enter.

The details...

My husband's company is giving away a 2 night stay at their hotel in Hershey, PA (no airfare included) 4 park tickets to Christmas Candy Lane at Hershey Park, 4 tickets to the Hershey Trolley Works, 4 tickets to the Hershey Story Museum, and a 15% off coupon to Dafnos Italian Grille or Fuddruckers to a lucky facebook fan! They also give away things like free chocolate and other fun stuff throughout the year. You don't have to be in our area to win these prizes but you do have to become a Facebook fan to be eligible for these and future give-a-ways. Go to their page and become a fan by pressing "Like" at http://www.facebook.com/ComfortInnatthePark in order to be eligible.

If you win, you will have a great time at all of the Christmas attractions that Hershey has to offer. And then you can go back and relax in the nice Comfort Inn At the Park and take a dip in the indoor pool. Make sure you stop by and say hi to my all-time favorite GM.

Good luck!

Home and office

I envy those women whose husband's work from home. Jon has returned to work after a week and a half of vacation time. It was so great. We accomplished a few things around the house and were able to get some canning of green beans, applesauce and salsa done. I love to have him here. People say I would get tired of it but I know I wouldn't.

Ever since we got married we dreamed of his commute being just steps away to the office down stairs or on a laptop as we vacationed in Greece. Maybe someday.

It's a lot better than it used to be when he was in the military, though. Those "commutes" took him overseas where I wouldn't see him for months at a time. So I can't really complain or wish too hard - Military wives and husbands are the ones who deserve to have their beloved work from home.

Weekend thrift

I'm back with some thrifty finds and do I mean thrif-ty, as in free.

But first, I was taking Charley to play practice early Saturday morning and since I was close by, I thought I'd go to Saturday market. I did a quick run through because sometimes the booths are not that great and I don't like to waste time. I did see some good things but at antique shop prices. I always stop by to see the lady who has nice prices on her vintage jewelry and I found another cameo and an initial pin for Belen - 4 dollars total.

On the way home, I spotted a garage sale where I picked up these Pyrex beakers. One has a rounded bottom but I can use it as a hanging vase. I took all 5 for $2.00. They will be vases for the bathroom. I love their chunky lip and etched polka dot.

For 2 dollars I also picked up this black tray with silver trim. It needs a polish but I'll use it to hold my cooking oils. Right now I use an antique silverware tray to hold oils but I've been using it for 10 years so it's getting worn. In the mix of vintage tools, I spotted a heavy, steel domino. I was surprised to find it was just 25 cents. Items like that are always interesting shelf accessories or a weapon. It is a hefty thing!



Since I was on a roll, I thought I'd head to the thrift shop. There I found this cute planter in the shape of the United States and a Robin on it. I'll use it for a napkin holder in Spring and Summer. For $2.00 I couldn't pass it up.

Ok, on to the free part...A while back I signed up with Freecycle so I could get rid of stuff. It works out well. I set items at the curb, e-mail an announcement and it's magically gone a few hours later. So anyway, my e-mail in-box is always full of announcements and one happen to catch my eye about a metal grate. So I drove about a mile from my house, thinking it wasn't going to be much but then I found this: A huge, heavy iron grate. And some people say nothing in life is free. I can't decide which is my favorite find, can you?

I hope you have a good thrifting week. Let me know what you find!

Linking to Coastal Charm

House of Grace

Bargain shopping paradise

Bass giraffe

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Just a Girl

Living room tents

Conference bingo game compliments of someone on the internet.

Charley taking notes

Every one wants to lead a hymn.

Today is our church's World General Conference. It's a time where the leadership of our church get together and give uplifting talks to a worldwide audience. When I lived in Salt Lake I was able to attend the sessions in person which was a lot of fun. But I also enjoy watching them from my living room via cable television and we make it just as fun for the kids. Because let's face it, when you're young the last thing you want to do is listen to a bunch of boring speakers.

Ok, even when you are old, you still don't like boring speakers.

Luckily, these people aren't boring, to me anyway. This day is a little different than our normal church services. For example, I can hang out in my pajamas if I want to and Trae can go around without clothes.

So in order to keep them a little focused during the talks, and keep it from being "snooze conference 2010", I have a packet for each of them with bingo games and word puzzles. The bingo games are out the whole time and when the kids hear a word from a talk that corresponds with the word on their game, they use a candy to mark the square. And for blackout, they use a twizzler or a pixie stick.

This is all done under their "tent" that they make out of blankets and string across the room. The kids love to make the tents, play games and listen to the speakers. My 13 and 15 year-old even get into it. It works every time. Not always without interruption or bouts of noise but usually for at least a talk or two.

Thanks to my friend Alysa and her great idea, we have been enjoying this tradition for some time now.

I hope you are having a great Sunday too!

Hugs,

Laura