Little Reds

Multiple choice.  Something is wrong with this picture.

A) The tomato is as big as the red peppers. Pretty good sized tomato :)

B) The red peppers are as big as the tomato. Must be dwarf sized peppers :(

C) Produce from my garden is finally coming in and it's almost the beginning of November.

D) B and C

The correct answer is D. Of course I would grow red peppers the size of my pinky.  What am I supposed to cook with miniscule peppers?!  And who knows why my produce is coming in this late.  I don't.  Do you?

Frugal Friday: This Will Revolutionize My Life!

After making my $20 car seat purchase a few months ago, I realized the joy in saving up for big purchases.  So, the next big item on my list to get came this past week...

...and I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am to have a carpet cleaner!!!  And what a complete dork I am for being so excited.  But wait, you need to understand my main motivation.  You see, this wonderful cleaning device will help me love our dog, Jackson, better.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.  My level of love for him is pretty low when he's done this:

When people are over, we put him in our bedroom. The problem is that Jackson always wants to be where the people are and stands at the door of our bedroom for hours on end, with his nose against the door and tongue hanging out, ready for us to come get him.  He also chews at the door frame, which adds to the drool factor.  My frustration with the damage to the door frame is another post.  All the drool results in a soggy puddle at the entrance to the bedroom, which I, without fail, manage step in somehow.  Gross, I know.  So, carpet cleaner to the rescue!

I completely paid for the carpet cleaner ($147!) with Amazon cards earned from online consumer surveys and Swagbucks.  Check out these ways to make a little extra money...it's so worth it!

• Swagbucks (my post about Swagbucks here)
• Valued Opinions
• Opinion Outpost
• Expo TV (my post about Expo TV here)

Wordless Wednesday

Autumn is Here!

Our little family went to Hillridge Farms the other day.  It was both Matt and Abigail's first time at a pumpkin patch and the weather was perfect!  Here are some shots of our time there:

Mommy cow and Baby pig



 Shoveling kernels in the corn pit...and slowly sinking down.



Look at my brave little baby on her way up the hill for the giant slide!

In the tunnel...

...and out the other side.

Navigating the corn maze with Daddy

My sweet girl

Abigail, the busdriver

On a hayride with Daddy.  Contrary to the look of this picture, Matt had a wonderful time!

And we're off!

Found one!  Just need to pick it up and bring it home...

What I'm Reading...

"When we pursue the satisfaction God provides more than we pursue God, we get neither.  The richest pleasures are reserved for those who long for intimacy with the one they love and move toward that person for the sheer joy that deepened familiarity brings.  Knowing the cook can be an even greater pleasure than enjoying his food." (Crabb, Finding God, pg. 136)

Richard Simmons Jr.

This was going to be a Wordless Wednesday post, but I figured this picture needed a little explaining.  Abigail loves girly things.  If it's pink, sparkles, or is pretty, she is the first to try it on and pose.  She found a stash of my old headbands, deducted in her little mind that it fit the category of pretty and sparkly, and proceeded to wear one like Richard Simmons.  I tried adjusting it, but she wouldn't let me.  A little fashionista who knows what she wants.

Addiction

How I Spent My Time

Many of you asked me what I did while Matt and Abigail were out of town two weeks ago.  Here's a quick run down of my two amazing days by myself:

1. I slept in until 10:00am each morning.
2. I went to the bathroom ALONE.  No little one trying to sit on my lap or watching me while I pee.
3. I ate each meal at a leisurely pace.  This accomplished many things.  First, I was able to thoroughly chew my food.  Secondly, I was able to taste everything I ate, as opposed to shoving whatever I could into my mouth so that I could persuade my baby to eat her chicken with her fork.
4. I scrapbooked until midnight each night!
5. I bought a pair of jeggings.  Yes, that's right.  Those scary looking jeans/leggings hybrid that deserve their own post.  I actually was able to go into a store and try something on without having to dance in the fitting room to entertain my girl.  I know some of you parents have been there too.  You're in the dressing room and it's deathly quiet outside of the clanging of the hangers against the hooks.  Your baby is sitting in her stroller, but begins to throw as fit as you start trying on the first shirt.  You become very aware that everyone in the dressing room can hear your baby screaming and are listening to how you are going to try and calm your baby down.  You talk to her and give her snacks, but that doesn't do much.  So, half-clothed, you dance in the mirror for her.  Not real dancing, but dancing a toddler would enjoy.  Jumping up and down, bouncing, turning around, and making faces.  And you do all this as quietly as possible so that the other people can't hear you moving around.  Then you realize that you have five more shirts to try on and no more energy to try and jump up and down quietly.  All this to say, I didn't have to do the fitting room dance, so I was able to try on a pair of jeggings and stand in the fitting room long enough to convince myself to buy these ridiculous pants.
6. I missed my husband and baby terribly.  As much fun as I had relaxing, I was so happy to see them come home safely. 

Thanks, Matt, for making these lovely two days possible.  You are a wonderful and brave husband!

Wordless Wednesday

Mr. & Mrs. Jared Chmielecki

This weekend, Jared and Marie were married at a beautiful B&B in Durham. A small family affair, the wedding was simply exquisite.  We are so excited for the new couple!
 

First glimpse of the gorgeous bride and her dad.





Vows...so sweet!




Just had to sneak in a picture of my handsome hubby :)




Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jared Chmielecki!




Please, Consider This

I don't usually post very strong, political, possibly controversial topics. I do, however, desire for you all to think about this. Please take the time to watch both the first and second parts.