The Carnival Came to Town

The CARNIVAL came to town! In our town we celebrate PEANUTS. 50% of the peanuts grown in the United States are grown within 100 miles of our house! What a fabulous thing to celebrate! Growing up Mom & DaddyBoy always took us back to their hometown for the annual "Ag Days" celebration {aka Agriculture Days} it was always at the end of the summer around harvest time {they celebrate soy beans & corn up there}.

Paige wore her boots {although they didn't last long... thankfully I don't leave home without her fail proof Crocs}: It was one of those blue sky days that makes you feel so good. Unfortunately the corndogs don't make you feel so good... but they do taste good:
And... what's a trip to the fair without an Elephant Ear:

And Cotton Candy:

And llamas {or maybe it's an alpaca?}:

I accidentally forgot JM's sunhat so we had to stop on the way so I could run in a local discount store. It was slim pickin's for children's sunhats in November. If I was only looking for a Christmas stocking or ornament. But I managed to find a pile of Nascar toddler hats and a pair of toddler sunglasses. I didn't know who #9 was but I hoped he was GOOD, FAST, & FRIENDLY. Justin was thrilled when I returned to the car with a Kasey Kahne hat. In fact, he said people {Caroline, was it you?} have said that he looks like Kasey Kahne. I don't necessarily see the resemblance, oh well! We cracked up at him all day. He was so helpless, clueless and cute in his hat and sunglasses... it's ok to snicker! We sure did on many occasions!
We thankfully didn't have to spend ANY time at this site:

Because we travelled like this: {yes, {click to enlarge} Paiger is sitting in the stroller with JM. And no, he wasn't too thrilled about sharing his ride! Maybe I should look into those 3 seat strollers?}
By the time we returned home the Raiger had snaked the Nascar cap and I had to steal a picture of her and daddy after a wonderful & exhausting day!

Before I had children I would always joke with Justin that the local Peanut Fair was "overrated"... just a glorified travelling carnival. But now that I have children it's so much more. It's an absolute delight! Being a mother has revealed a lot of my selfishness and pride. I'm learning to delight in seeing my children delighted. That's why we took them to the fair, let them eat some junk and skip their naps. That's why I bought Morgan that super cheesy Strawberry Shortcake bathing suit at KMart last summer and actually let her wear it in public. You would have thought I took her to the moon over that bathing suit. That's why I let her wear the outfit that she picked out on Sunday morning to church. She had it lying across her bed when I walked in her room and exclaimed, "Isn't it beautiful, Mommy!?" When really the whole ensemble was quite atrocious. But she didn't know and she didn't care. She thought it was beautiful, and each piece was... just not together. I couldn't dare tell her, "No, you won't be wearing that to church. You're going to wear a beautiful smocked dress and a pretty bow like all the other little girls living in the South."

I'm learning, I tell you, I'm learning. Learning to live and learning to delight in all little things that bring joy to little children!! While asking myself over and over, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Don't pat me on the back, I {pridefully} explained to most people at church she chose her own outfit. As if that wasn't obvious.

November in Alabama

This could be one for the record books.

I have fond memories of making SNOWMEN in November when I was a little girl.

My little girls will have fond memories of SWIMMING in November {on the 7th to be exact}.

The leaves were changing & falling while they prepped their "boat" for the water. They said it wasn't cold.

They were lying.

I was busy praying they didn't need to be rescued because I WAS NOT going in after them.
Pre-swim baby brother did need to be rescued from his horrible and terrible holding cell crib.

The girls accompanied him in his cell while I attempted to clean his room.
He will grow into a man who will probably wear pink.

We've started to "secure his manhood" early with pink pacis, pink blankets, and he's even been spotted sporting BOWS {pink of course}!
And it won't be long before he's ripping Snow White from the hands of Raiger!

Then I'm sure his daddy will rush off for a train set & bulldozer!
Happy November!

Today, Today, Today

It's one of those days {drab, dreary & chilly} that calls for a spot of tea. So, a spot of tea I have and I thought I'd share a few things with you on this very SPECIAL November 4th...

I tried, I tried, I tried... and I was denied! Let me start by saying that there was a great deal of red tape that kept us from pulling off our "Election Day" bake sale at a local polling location. I again, am so grateful for those of you who volunteered to bake and sit. I was quite discouraged with the last minute "no" that I received on Saturday! In lieu of the bake sale, would you consider a donation on the Cookies for Kids Cancer website?

Although I wasn't there to sell cookies, I did make it to my polling location to cast my vote. I need not tell you who I voted for... I think you all know and there's no need to stir up any more controversy. I will tell you this, I have a total peace about who ever makes it into office! I'm just itchin' to see who it will be! I love a close race! Doesn't it make it all the more exciting? I will do my best not to tune into the tv tonight... the news media makes me nuts. But the Duggars don't. Did you see Josh get engaged last night? How bad did he want to kiss her? He was crackin' me up.

Today is Morgan's 4th Birthday! We started the day off right with Batter Blaster pancakes with a candle sqooshed in the center. I took her to school in her "new birthday outfit". I haven't sat and sewn in so long that I had to whip this one up over the weekend. The first thing she told her teacher was that she had a pocket on her pants... I guess a pocket can be thrilling if you're not used to one! I stole the "4" idea from Meg. She and her dainty little classmates will be enjoying peti fours in honor of her big day! I was quite impressed with how they turned out {no, I didn't make them}. I snapped a picture and ate inhaled one myself before taking them to the mighty little munchkins. They looked good and tasted even better! They were just the right size for preschoolers and {believe it or not} cheap to boot!

The little {BIG} man has reached a milestone unfortunately it's not sleeping through the night ROLLING OVER! Can we all give him a big round of applause!? He was so proud and we all cheered him on in his new lease on life. He no longer will be starting aimlessly at the ceiling.

He also tried out the bumbo seat this morning... another new lease on life! Can you see he likes it? He also accompanied me this morning to the polls and was a perfect angel! Kristen, thanks for being on call in the event of a meltdown! The young man slept the entire HOUR that I was there! I'm glad I didn't leave him in the parking lot with you! :)

And what's a post without the Raiger picking her nose sporting an outfit she selected all on her own! You go sista' in your red boots!!

Ok, my tea is long gone, my dishes are piled up and it's time to get back to reality! Happy Birthday, Morgan! Happy Election Day! Here's to a new chapter in the history books of America!

Don't Stress...

I gave up my orthodontic retainers {after 10 years of wearing them} after Morgan was born. I guess Erika is waiting until she has her first child. She called this morning to tell me she accidentally left it here. I panicked. Leaving your retainer in my house {within reach of children} is like leaving prime rib on the counter with a dog in the house. So, I shuffled off to the bathroom hoping it was safe and sound on the counter. Nope. The "case" was there but no retainer. I told Erika the search would begin but that I could make no promise that it didn't get flushed down the toilet {like baby Jesus did from our Nativity set}.

Well, Erika... I found it. Safe in sound in the girls doll house. Appropriately, it is in the bathroom. When I took it away Morgan said, "why does MommaSissy have that crown?"

Erika, it's time to give up the crown. But never fear, if you're not ready to give it up... I can mail it to you!

Guess Who Stinkin' Surprised Me?

This squirrel! {and she was a good citizen and voted before she came!}

the girls and I are having fun too!

Shireen, this is the dress from Walmart that took me 20 mins to decide on... it was all of $15!

my girls & her girls

Here's what we've done:

• brewin' up some more apple butter {we're licking the air right about now}
• drooling over the new Nov/Dec issue of Cottage Living... y'all check out Anne Turner Carroll's spread {p. 32-38}... we're smitten with her kitchen!
• went to Big Lots for to reload on cinnamon... 2 Big Lots patrons asked me what I needed so much cinnamon for {I was only buying 3... I really only needed one but when they're $.99 why not get a couple more}; you better believe I told 'em for some Apple Butter... both explained to me that they loved Apple Butter!
• we hit up the Highlands Antique Mall and both were self disciplined and didn't buy a single thing... although we saw some college girls dropping some of "daddy's money" and we thought "girls... that is short lived" but didn't want to ruin the moment and tell them.
• we found a house for Mom & DaddyBoy... now if we could just get them to buy it and move SOUTH!
• now we're home hangin' with the crumbcrunchers and trying to decide on dinner! I'm thinking Steak Out! :) We'll see!

"what do you think, Sister?"

Mom & DaddyBoy... it's waiting for you! :)

Morgan loves her MommaSissy!

Things are in the works folks...

My middle "muffin" has been under the weather this week with a fever. While a fever is an annoyance I think it's fascinating the way our bodies have been created to fight an infection.

Anyway, my mind tends to press on {thankfully} regardless of how much sleep I have {or do not have} and I've stored away some fun posts in the section of my brain I refer to as "BLOG IDEAS" hopefully I can retrieve them when it's time!

I'm hoping to catch up on sleep and bring the blog ideas to fruition over the weekend!

By Request {in "Wordless Wednesday Fashion"}

click to enlarge

Things {from today} That Make Me Happy!

My HUSBAND is home... any one who has three children, 18 children*, or no children can appreciate the wonderful feeling of having your husband home after business has taken him away. And although it wasn't the pine straw that took him away this picture uploaded with the rest... My beloved TWIN SISTER {whom was his hospitable hostess} sent home a dreamy fabric sample for John Martin's curtains and... HALLOWEEN GOODIES for the kids. As you can see Morgan wasted no time breaking into it all {& I wasted no time devouring the dipped pretzel rods!}...
A WARM BOWL of HOMEMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP {with a slice of yummy chewy sourdough}...
A CRACKLING FIRE that is burning in our fireplace tonight... would y'all believe me if I told you that last Wednesday my children swam in the pool and tonight we're in fleece jammies sitting by a fire? {only in the south}...
If I can't find {or make} HALLOWEEN COSTUMES in the next few days... I have my aunt to thank for 3 SUPER CUTE ANIMAL MASKS that have been a hit around here...
the fact that my children genuinely love one another...
and last but not least... I am humbled and grateful that you all are willing to HELP WITH A COOKIE SALE. I love it when a lot of people are willing to do a little because then a few people don't have to do a lot! I'm excited and grateful for your willingness!! Emily Shiver will you email me? I got your comment but don't have your email address...
Now back to that fire...

*raise your hand if you love the Duggars! And I thought I liked Dog... they're even more entertaining. I think TLC tries to poke fun at them... like inquiring if Mrs. Duggar is setting up her daughter's to be housewives... oh, now wouldn't that be such a tragedy if her daughter's were well equipped to be housewives & mothers! I could go on and on about that subject... but I'll get back to my fire and save it for another day.

Calling for Cookies!

Hey Bloggers,

With a week 'til "Votin' Time" I'm just wondering if there are any last minute local bloggers who would like to BAKE for or SIT A SPELL at the Cookies for Kids Cancer bake sale next Tuesday!

Email me if your game! Darby613[at]gmail[dot]com

picture from FLICKR and I may even try to replicate... aren't they cute!?

Canning Questions Answered...

The comments section on the Apple Butter post was full of questions so I thought I'd answer them here.

Do people put wax at the top of their jars?
I've not ever used wax when canning. Apparently people used to seal it that way... it's not recommended anymore.

Do you sleep at all?
No. But not because I'm canning or being a homemaker... because John Martin likes to eat every hour on the hour. {slight exaggeration but the boy likes to nurse!}

Do you sale them? {from Kellie, which she is southern but I think she means "sell" them :) }
No. I give them away.

How do you get that cute fabric on?
Once they have sealed you can remove the bands. You keep the bands on while boiling the jars. I remove the bands after they're sealed and then put the fabric on and then replace the band. You can store the jars without the bands but you'll need the bands once you pry them open to keep the jar closed in the fridge.

Can you come live at my house? {from Amy}
Yes. I'll be there every night before "bedtime routine" around here. And I won't bring the baby.

Is my house going to smell yummy?
Yes. You will want to lick the air and make another batch once the first batch is made.

Does the "t" stand for teaspoon?
Yes... little "t" teaspoon. Big "T" tablespoon.

Where did you get your jars and lids?
The local Walmart. They are in the Ball "Elite Collection". I didn't know canning supplies could be "elite" but apparently they CAN {no pun intended!}. I was looking for the cheaper ones but this is all they had. But they are cuter {if mason jars can be cute} and I justified the platinum collection because I had no other choice.