At the Olive Garden

 

At the Olive Garden

 

Kelly with diploma

 

After Graduation

 

Kelly Chuck out to the mall

Here is Kelly in her Jackie O sunglasses
and chuck in his troopers 

Little Baby is Growing up

Today, Kelly has her senior project presentation.
She did an art show at the Lauglin Memorial Library...
it was a very organized successful affair.

So, now it's crunch time...presently doing invitations for
her to pass out to friends.
Have to plan the party and any ideas anyone?

Pastel

 

Drawing and Paintings

 

Poe Chaplin Glasses

 

Looking at the exhibits

 

Kelly Chuck Sam

 

Kelly in the Library with Sam (Sr. Project)

 

Print Mother's Day coupons and Mother's Wishes

Mother's Day Coupons
and
Mother's Day Wishes

Getting Ready for the Prom

Charlie and Shauna are going to the prom this year.
On Thursday Charlie and I went to get his tux.
It was a good thing we went when we did because they
were out of everything it seems.

Moms, make sure you get your son's tux at least two weeks ahead of time!

Shauna will wear a white dress with red trim...i have not seen
it yet. We will get red and white flowers with a white bow.
At the mistletoe Rachel, Chuck's older sister made Shauna's flowers..but
Rachel, just recently married, is not in town...and I don't think I want to tackle
the job:)
Here are the flowers Rachel did for Shauna for the mistletoe:

Laughlin Art Show

Art Show
Come support the local art scene at
Laughlin Memorial Library in Ambridge
May 3rd through May 15th.
Library Hours:
10am to 7pm, Mon. - Thurs.
10am to 4pm, Fri. and Sat.
Ambridge High School Students
and Local Ambridge Artists
(Maria Anguiano born in Mexico and
Abstract artist Bernard Shaw.)
Hosted by Laughlin Memorial Library
and part of Ambridge Area High School student Kelly Shaw's Senior Project.
Come enjoy the distinctive architecture
of the Memorial Library midst sixteen - 13 ft. Monolithic Marble Columns of Italian Black and Gold Marble..."the largest monolithic columns fo this type of marble in the world."
Contact: Library - 724-266-3857
Email: mom@amomslove.com
Kelly: 724-417-3685

Kelly's Senior Project

Here is Kelly's Senior Project that opened yesterday.

Win Mother's Day Basket on AMomsLove

Two New Contests on amomslove:

Win a Real Mom's Mother's Day Basket- Read a Real Mom Story Here and come back and tell your story to AMomsLove Readers. Please state whether or not you want your story to be printed on amomslove.
http://amomslove.com/contests.html

Enter AMomsLove What are you worth, Mom Contest and win one of three books by Cindy LaFerle. Read Cindy's article Putting a Dollar Value on Mom and send your ideas to amomslove telling what you think Mom is Worth! Enter What Are You Worth HereContest runs until May 31, 2006, U. S. Only, Must be 18 to enter!
http://www.amomslove.com/contests.html

Clyde the Bandit

 

Sam's Fourth Birthday Party

Here is a pic of Sam at his Birthday Party...

Kelly and Sam Color easter eggs

Sam came over last evening and we colored eggs...
He helped Aunt Kelly...they then went out in the yard to play
with puppy, Clyde the Bandit.

Easter Fun, Links, Recipes, Articles

Articles on the Magazine:
Easter Fun with Little Ones
by Jodie Lynn
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-easter-funlittle.html
"Have a Blast With Sponge Painting...If you are looking to add a few fresh ideas for your little onesthis Easter, how about introducing them to sponge painting?"

Family Traditions for Easter
by Susie Cortright
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-easter-traditions.html
"Celebrate this season of renewal, abundance and love with some newfamily traditions. Here are seven ideas: 1. Create a kindness ...

"Mommy...Daddy...why does the Easter Bunny bring us candy?
by Mark Bulleit
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-easter-bunny.html

Drop some Easter Coupons in Big Bunny's Basket
http://www.amomslove.com/eastercoupons.html

Print Bunny Bits
http://www.amomslove.com/bunnybits.html

Easter Dinner Recipes:
http://www.amomslove.com/hg-recipes-easter05-dinner.html

Passover Dinner
http://www.amomslove.com/hg-recipes-passover05-dinner.html

More Recipes.... many more ideas, links, articles:
Easter Articles
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-home-easter.html
Easter Links
http://www.amomslove.com/news-easter.html

Spring Cleaning

Clean Just About Anything
http://www.amomslove.com/kitchenzine-organization-cleananything.html

The 3-Step Solution to Cleaning for Busy Moms
By: Christina Spence
http://www.amomslove.com/kitchenzine-organization-busymoms.html

Make Gutter Clean-up Easier and Safer
http://www.amomslove.com/kitchenzine-organization-gutterclean.html

Spring Cleaning is Always in Season

http://www.amomslove.com/kitchenzine-organization-cleanseason.html

Spring Cleaning Links:
http://www.amomslove.com/news-springcleaning.html

AMomsLove Baileys Billions Giveaway

Win one of TEN Bailey's Billions DVD's - Sweet and savvy talking golden retriever, Bailey (the voice of Jon Lovitz – The Stepford Wives, The Wedding Singer), is one doggone lucky pooch when his devoted owner, Constance Pennington, leaves him her entire billion-dollar fortune. Bailey is lucky, that is, until he becomes the target of an elaborately-designed dognap scheme hatched by Constance’s nasty nephew Caspar (Tim Curry – The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oliver Twist) and his money-hungry wife Dolores (Jennifer Tilly – Monsters, Inc; Liar Liar). The despicable duo’s wicked plan is to ultimately gain custody of the canine so they can get their greedy paws on his inheritance. Unfortunately for them, there’s a thing or two they don’t know about Bailey. Not only does he have great street smarts, he has great pals too. Bailey’s loyal guardian Ted (Dean Cain – TV’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), kind-hearted animal advocate Marge (Laurie Holden – Fantastic Four, The Majestic), her daughter Sam, and a clever border collie named Tessa set out on a hilarious madcap adventure to free their four-legged friend and put the nasty dognappers out of business—for good! Enter Here!
Contest runs until April 25, 2006, and the winner will be notified via e-mail as well as announced in AMomsLove News.
U.S. and Canadian residents only, please. Must be 18 to enter.

Lost our Lady

Early morning Saturday, March 18, Lady passed away.
Bernie and Bridgette took her to five points vet.
Friday morning Charles noticed Lady had trouble standing and
she just fell over...but then did get up again.
When i popped in at 11 for lunch she met me on the porch and seemed fine
just what i thought was her normal arthritic struggle to stand up...
By the time Kelly got home from school Lady was not standing...not doing anything.
Everyone was very upset.
Her trip to the vet (at 8:30...they couldn't see her any earlier) where the vet said she had severe anemia and her liver looked very bad,
but the vet loaded her up with a vitamin shot and pills and she came home to Industry where
Bernie and Charlie carried her in and laid her on the kitchen floor on her black and red blanket.

She just laid there.

Bernie pet her and said goodnight to her about 1:30 and told Chuck to check on her before he went to sleep.

Chuck came up to our bedroom and said .....Look of extreme sadness....me: "I know Charlie, it's very sad." Chuck: "No, it's....." I said, "Is she dead?" chuck: Yes.

We are very sad.

AMomsLove is giving away DVD's

Sheerluck Holmes DVD – Try Your Luck and Enter to Win a Sheerluck Prize Pack!
AMomsLove.com is giving away five Sheerluck Holmes Prize Packs! The newest VeggieTales story is a lesson in friendship. The hit animated series from Big Idea! Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler teaches kids a lesson about friendship, and it's coming to DVD and video on March 11. AMomsLove.com wants to give you a chance to win a lucky prize pack – 5 lucky winners will receive this new DVD release along with one of Veggie’s most popular toys ‘LarryMobile.’ (© Big Idea, Inc. VEGGIETALES ® characters names, likenesses and other indicia are trademarks of Big Idea, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
http://www.amomslove.com/contests.html

AMomsLove.com and Veggie Tales – Want to give you and "Egg-Stra" special Easter treat!
Two new CDs are being released in time for the Holiday - They are called A Very Veggie Easter & Worship Songs. Enter to win 1 of 5 Bunny Baskets filled with both CDs and easter sweets! Here is a little bit about the two new CDs: A Very Veggie Easter brings families music that will make Easter "egg-citing” for kids and parents with great songs and a heartwarming story of what Easter is all about. The other CD, VeggieTales Worship Songs is sure to be a classic. Families will love singing worship songs taught and led by Bob and Larry and the VeggieTales crew. Both in stores March 7th. Contestants!
http://www.amomslove.com/contests.html

Who's Gonna Watch You die?

Chuck said, mom listen to this and he played What Sarah Said by Deathcab for Cutie
and all those tears that had been saved for years watching dad die, mom die, dad s. and
mom s. slowly seep away.

and there i was again in the hospital last week with leslie, my soulmate,
as my uncle learned of a brain tumor.
and there sat lez.

Standards and kids

I am up tonight doing assessement anchors and just having a wonderful
time.
did not get to see the light go out at the olympics but saw a little bit of entertainment.
at least have the apprentice to watch tom.

Tax Prep List

Here is a good tax prep list
http://www.printablechecklists.com/checklist39a.shtml

Tax Time

It's time to do your taxes.
Maybe you already have them done,
perhaps you have used a software program to
do them....
any tips? share with amomslove readers:
send email to mom@amomslove.com
Some tips I have found:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/content/0,,id=107768,00.html

http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes
Top Ten Deductions
http://www.quickenloans.com/mortgage/articles/buying_home/top_ten_deductions.html?QLS=MLP_trusfeed.0000000151

http://www.metlife.com/Applications/Corporate/WPS/CDA/PageGenerator/0,1674,P1787,00.html
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Taxes/Cutyourtaxes/P73690.asp

Small Business Taxes
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071441689/sr=8-1/amomslove09


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762730714/ref=amomslove09

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/3C2NQ7LACLLIE/002-7595951-5164048?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Tax Software
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6536_7-6430905-1.html?tag=side

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6405_7-6417877-1.html?tag=side

Tax Act Online...free
https://www.taxactonline.com/s_online_tax2005/introduction/intro_index.asp

Tax Reference Library
http://www.taxact.com/reference/library_index.asp?o=OL

Let it Snow!

snow, finally, but not enough!

 

Milk: To drink or not to drink...that is THE question

OK, I am sick of it... anytime, you read something and say, that really makes sense, hmm, I think I will do that, a minute later, after you do some digging, you find an entirely believable opposite opinion that makes you say, uh, well, that sounds good too.

Should we drink milk or shouldn't we? Anyone out there done any research on this subject...
Go here and read the reviews on Robert Cohen's "Milk, The Deadly Poison" Ther are 50 some reviews...go ahead and read most of them..and see why I am pulling my hair out.
Also, take a look at Cohen's website: http://www.notmilk.com

A Mom's Love

A Mom's Love

Fixins (food) to Watch The Steelers Tromp the Broncos

Chuck's Pittsburgh Steak Sandwich
I took Chuck to Primante's last week for a steak sandwich, so he said mom, let's make one at home and we went to the grocery store and this is what Chuck put together:
1 box of Sandwich steaks (Giant Eagle Brand)1 Loaf of Italian Bread (sliced thick)1 red onion (sliced thin)1 Bag Ore-Ida Extra Krispy Golden Krinkles1 bag of pre-made cole slawMarzetti's Cole Slaw dressingFrank's Red hot Sauce
Fry french fries then fry steak (45 seconds one side, 15 the other side) Place steak on one slice of Italian bread, pile some french fries on steak, layer with onions, layer on cole slaw you have mixed with cole slaw dressing and sprinkle with some hot sauce, place other slice of bread and take a bite. hmmm, sooo good.
This week, Charlie's girlfriend came over and we watched The Day After Tomorrow. (good movie) She said let's have a chicken wrap sandwich, so we went to the grocers and bought:
Shauna's Chicken Wraps
Boneless Skinless Chicken BreastsBig Flour Tortillas1 green pepper1 tomato1/4 red onion sliced thin1 can of black olives slicedRed lettuce1 bottle of ranch dressing
Cut up chicken into bite size pieces and saute' in olvie oil, dice pepper into small pieces, dice tomato. Warm tortillas in oven or microwave. To assemble open tortilla and put chicken then green pepper, tomato, onion, olives and ranch dressing. You can sprinkle some Frank's Hot sauce on it too.
Now that's good eating!
Caroline
About the Author: Caroline Shaw is a mom of six, she lives with her husband, Bernie, three children, (still at home) two kitties and a collie near Pittsburgh. A graduate of Duquesne Univ. in Pittsburgh, she is publisher and editor of an online magazine, A Moms Love, written for and by Moms. She also authors two newsletters: Momslove and Workathomeideas.
© 2005 Caroline Shaw

Go Steelers!

Yay! Go Steelers!

Internet Radio Changed Mom's Business and Life!

Internet Radio changed Mom's Life and Business!
by Kelly McCausey

Internet Radio changed Kelly McCausey's business and it ended up changing her life.

In early 2002 Kelly turned to the internet to help her earn some extra money. She built her first business website to promote a freelance desktop publishing company that she would be doing from home to provide some much needed extra cash. Already employed full time, she just wasn't making enough money to make ends meet. As a single Mom, Kelly wanted to earn more without sacrificing the amount of time she had to be home with her son.

Interestingly enough, the only job offers that came her way were not to do desktop publishing but rather friends and acquaintences asked her to build them a website or to help with their web graphic needs. Just a few weeks later Kelly tweaked her website to highlight these services instead and she soon had a steady flow of clients.

It was in 2003 that she first learned about internet radio. A longtime audible learner, she searched for programs of interest and found one that talked often about internet business and occassionally highlighted a work at home Mom. She devoured the audio archives and couldn't wait to hear the next episode each week.

She became so enamoured with internet audio that she looked for ways to incorporate audio with her existing websites, choosing to launch a short audio newsletter for her work at home Mom directory website, USAWAHM.com . The newsletter was only five minutes a week and quickly grew a listenership.

Then the worst happened. The internet radio program that she enjoyed so much went off the air. After several weeks she realized it wasn't coming back and search as she might, there were no other programs out there with similar content. This got her thinking seriously about how to bring more audio content to the web for other Moms like her.

With the sponsorship of InternetBasedMoms.com, Kelly launched Work at Home Moms Talk Radio in November 2003. An independant internet radio show on a shoestring budget, the show had over 250 weekly listeners before the end of the year. When podcasting exploded in fall of 2004, Kelly jumped onto the podcast wave, further growing her listenership and increasing her excitement about audio on the web.

Kelly believes that more Moms should launch internet radio programs and podcasts on a wide range of family freindly topics. She created a tutorial that shows how it can be done and is forming a network of programs to help to co-promote one another's shows, The Mom Cast and Mom's Radio Network.

WAHM Talk Radio changed the face of Kelly's business. She rarely accepts design work and has instead developed a large portion of her income through affiliate marketing. She mentors other work at home Moms in creating successful online businesses as well.
While Kelly discovered that what you start out with is not always what you end up with in business, it is important to find something that you feel passionate about and will enjoy doing over the long term. Internet business success is cumulative and she feels that she is just now reaping the true profits from her many hours of hard work over the years.

Moms, Get more Ideas here!

The Play Opens tomorrow

We will be attending Life and Other One-Man Shows tomorrow.
Rachel will be doing a monologue.

amomslove

Life. And Other One-Man Shows

cup-a-jo productions presents
Life. And other one-man shows.

Multimedia production with theme of suffering.

Pittsburgh, PA January 12th - 28th, 2006
cup-o-jo productions presents
Life. And other one-man shows.
january 12th - 28th(with opening night soiree)
gallery opens @ 7pmshow @ 8pm
thursday - saturday@ pittsburgh playwrights theatre
penn ave & 6th st. downtown
between starbucks and subway

thursday $8
friday & saturday $10

play by joanna lowe

films by eric sipple, joanna lowe
& lucas mcnelly

poetry by sarah williams, robert isenberg, joanna lowe,matt reed, kahmeela adams-findley

music: Stephen Vesolich composer/musician);

dance: Lisa Laura Lucci (choreopgrapher/dancer), Beth Ratas, Kacey Byrne-Houser;

acted by bridget carey, jeffrey simpson, greg caridi,
everett lowe, molly semeret, chris bondi, joanna lowe,
joe lyons, rachel shaw, dianna ifft, jasonta roberts-deen, mark muzopapa, leah klocko, allison cahill, j.p. patrick, dan stiker

art by andres ortiz-ferrari, jason findley, robert isenberg, sarah williams, allison hoge

call or e-mail for reservatiions
412-334-3126
e-mail cupajoprod@gmail.com

Rachel in the Brides Room

Getting ready for the wedding. 

Took the Tree Down

So sad, played Christmas carols for the last time.
Cleaned the corner out where the tree stood and packed
everything up.

Now I have to concentrate on redo-ing this house.

Happy New Year Articles

Happy New Year!

Let Your New Years Be Kind
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-kindyear.html
Provide journals. (You might place the guys in front of the T. V.)You can pick some up at a dollar store or even rather well priced atyour favorite grocery store.

This Year's Resolution? Simplify!Stephania Munson
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-newyears-simplify.html
"With a nod to Thoreau, we can put a lot of life in sharper perspective by listening to what this early American thinker discovered during his self-imposed exile at Walden Pond:'...men labor under a mistake. The better part of the man is soon plowed into the soil for compost....'"

Learn how to make your homeschool more fun and a natural part ofyour day-to-day life.• Simple, stress-free steps to teaching your child to read.• What questions you should ask to help you determine yourphilosophy of education.copy and paste in your browser
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/subscribe/secrets.php?hop=amomslove

Make It a Goal to Make Resolutions!by Sue Dickinson
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-newyears-goal.html
"I don't think anyone can go through a New Year's Eve without at least considering setting some "New Year's Resolutions". You know the standard resolutions: lose weight, make more money, spend less money, exercise. So many people make resolutions, but so often they are forgotten..."

Lose weight for New Years:
http://www.amomslove.com/health-staymomdiet.html

History of Modern New Year's Celebrationsby Michelle Gonzalez
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-newyears-history.html
"The tradition of celebrating the beginning of the New Year actually dates back as early as approximately 2000 B.C. - about 4000 years ago. The ancient Babylonians would begin an 11 day celebration with the first day of the New Moon after the Vernal Equinox (beginning ofSpring)."

5 Ways to Kick the Procrastination Habit!by Julie Plenty
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-newyears-procrastination.html
"How many of us rush around doing things at the last minute? How many times have we mentioned something that we felt we ought to do and said "yes, I'll get round to it" - but "it" never happens.Procrastination means to "defer action" and is a great delaying tactic - but it rarely serves us well,unless we know what's behind it and what to do about it...."

A Moms Love New Year's Menu
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-party.html

New Years Eve Menu and Recipes

A Moms Love New Year's Menu
by Caroline Shaw

Sweet 'n Sour Meatballs(recipe below)
tortilla cream cheese and salsa wraps(then slice into pinwheels)
potato chips
black diamond white cheddar cheese
pecorino cheese
pumpernickle bread
breton crackers
kielbassa from the strip
(http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/)
salad with cukes lettuce tomatoes and homemade french...
(oil, vinegar, sugar, honey, paprika, salt, pepper)

gingerale, coke and sparkling grape juice

Sweet 'n Sour Meatballs

2 lbs. Ground beef
½ cup of bread crumbs
1 tsp. Salt ¼ tsp. Pepper
1 medium onion chopped
2 eggs
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Shape into 1-1/2 inch balls.
Brown meatballs in oil and drain fat.

Sauce for Meatballs

4 tbsp. Of brown sugar
3 tbsp. Of cornstarch
1 cup of water
2 cans of pineapple chunks (reserve syrup)
1 cup of syrup... from cans of pineapple
6 tbsp. Of apple cider vinegar
4 tbsp. Of soy sauce
4 green peppers cut into 1 inch pieces

In large skillet add sugar, and cornstarch tobrowned meatballs. Stir in water, syrup, vinegarand soy sauce. Heat mixture until boils andthickens, stirring constantly. Add pineapple,green pepper. Simmer covered, 15 to 20 minutes See http://www.amomslove.com/moms-party.html
and http://www.amomslove.com/hol-home-newyears.html

Christmas Articles on AMomslove.com

Christmas Articles on A Moms Love

A Three-Part Plan to Enjoy the Festive Season
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-working-enjoyfest.html

Tips to an Easy Holiday Shopping Experience
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-easyshop.html

Christmas Gift Ideas
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-cheapgift.html

Gifts in a Jar
http://www.amomslove.com/hg-recipes-giftjars

Mommy...Daddy...is there really a Santa Claus?
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-issanta.html

Don't Let the Marketers Ruin Your Holidays
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-edit-dads.html

Merry Christmas, Santas
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-santas.html

Christmas Memories
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-memories.html

In a "Holidaze"?
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-holdaze.html

Christmas...Real Jobs
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-road-holidayjobs.html

Come On In and Smell the Christmas
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-road-smellchristmas.html

Cleaning My House Gives Me Christmas Money
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-road-christmasmoney.html

Christmas Memories, RV Style
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-road-christmasmemories.html

When I Was Little
http://www.amomslove.com/hol-christmas-wheniwaslittle.html

Gift Ideas for Childcare Providers
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-single-gifts.html

Surperwoman's Christmas
http://www.amomslove.com/health-superwoman.html

Give Presence not Presents
http://www.amomslove.com/kitchenzine.html

Christmas of 1985
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-working-christmas85.html

Holiday Party Planning Guide
http://www.amomslove.com/moms-party.html

Christmas Links
http://www.amomslove.com/news.html

Look around the magazine...there is probably stuff I forgot I have.

Christmas Hints

Read Best Gift Stories Here:
http://www.amomslove.com/contests-stories.html

OK I am making a list and checking it twice.
Stay tuned to AMomsLove Holiday Gift Guide:
Page One: ...gorgeous rings, candles,side tables, flatware!
http://www.amomslove.com/shopping-christmas.html

Page Two:"Honey, buy me anything on this page!"
http://www.amomslove.com/shopping-christmas2.html

Page Three:...something for everyone.
http://www.amomslove.com/shopping.html

Watch for more!

Christmas Hints:
Ask for extra boxes at stores,Take advantage of charity gift wraps

Last minute gifts:
candles, magazine subs (Vogue, Country Living)framed photos of you and your friend, the kids,an artful landscape you took on vacation,

Biscuit mixes, cookie mixes, brownie mixes in a pretty jar, make a tin of your favorite tea bags in a satin pouch or decorated tin,
Bath Care Set (lotion, shampoo, bath salts,loofahs...from a DrugStore or Grocer.
Bake cookies package in brown paper bags with ribbon...line with
foil or wax paper.

So GQ

Chuck at Door for Mistletoe

Check out Incredible Christmas Music Light Display

You have to check out this guy's genius and these lights...although I don't get the peace sign??
http://members.cox.net/transam57/lights.wmv
and read the story on the guy that designed the display from a town north of Cincinnati.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/12/09/eveningnews/main1115306.shtml

Before Christmas

We are waiting for a big snow storm here in Western PA.
Nice time to cozy up before a fire, or say, The Apprentice:)
Going to snuggle in and do a couple of lesson plans on the couch
and wait for the snow to begin falling.

I only wish we were in cook forest to watch the snow fall in a cabin.

The Day After Thanksgiving

We had a very nice Thanksgiving, except...Rachel,Peter and Julie,Joey were in Kansas, Gretchen,Nate, Sam were in Philly and Bridgie was at work (she popped in later tho and enjoyed the food)

We had Turkey, Stuffing, succotash, cranberry sauce, asparagus, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, thanks to Mr. Birchler's garden:)
Pumpkin and cherry pie for dessert.

Kelly, Dad, Damon and Charlie...and Bridgette and me were all at our table.

Mom

A Few Days Before Thanksgiving

Hello,

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday.

I just posted a couple of recipes for Thanksgiving.

One is Simple Butternut Squash:
http://amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving-butternut.html

and
the other is Sweet Potato Casserole:
http://amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving-sweetpotato.html

My husband is blowing leaves outside.

Decorate Naturally for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving…..if you are lucky enough to have wood floors: What an exquisite natural backdrop for Thanksgiving decorating.

Please find a wonderful tall rattan vase

And go out in your yard and pick some dried plants that will nicely complement the wood.
Place this as the centerpiece on your table or mantle.

Of course you can gather pine cones and dried gourds at your grocer and craft shop…place those around your centerpiece and throw some dried leaves as a muted yellow orange brown backdrop. The hydrangeas and marigolds, mums, asters can make a nice arrangement for your side tables.

Load this wonderful bowl with fruit and vegetables…acorn, butternut squash as a woodsy accompaniment to your natural décor. While you are out shopping make sure you pick up some fabulously fall fabric to drape over your windows as valances and across your mantle and buffet. Arrange some sheer material around your centerpieces to create an ethereal mist. Gather the grape vines and make some swags for your doorway or wreaths as door welcomes. Find a wonderful brass tray place some brown, pumpkin, cream, pillar candles. Your home can be sooo inviting…Want to make a quick but exciting change cheaply?

Throw around oriental runners and area rugs. I can't begin to tell you the wonder that lace curtains, scarfed valances from sheer fall colored material and fall colored runners and area rugs can do to your Thanksgiving atmosphere in your home for your guests.

And look at the prices here on ebay….Here is a beaut!

So you have the centerpieces, the candles, the swags, scarves, runners, rugs, fruited bowls… Now all you need is the food: Check out two great menus and recipes:
From The Stallion Store and
Lorrie Ann Danner's Complete Thanksgiving Dinner
Please remember to have somegrateful cider:
Caroline

Just remember …you don't have to use all these ideas. You don't want to have to take all this down to prepare for Christmas that's just around the corner.
Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes by Lorrie Ann Danner http://www.amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving.html

Decorate for Thanksgiving

Years of having to make do have turned me into a…"There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person."
My old new house needs total make over. We are thinking about moving into my MIL's house. So I am walking around looking and thinking, my goodness, this will be way too much to do and then the old, "There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person" kicks in and I think, yah, there must.
First curtains need to be put up on the windows. I will check all of Grandma's fabric…and she has tons, and see if some of it can be salvaged for window treatments. Gee, today all you really need is a nice wooden Venetian blind and a swag or scarf.
I am thinking about sticking with the umbers I see outside this time of year (November). I already bought my border for the kitchen at a B&B we went to a couple of weeks ago, and it kind of has a sultry tone to it. You can do the same thing with fabric. Just take a quick trip to Wal-mart's fabric Dept. They are always getting rid of material at bargain prices. If you are doing a dining room for Thanksgiving, do swags/scarf for the windows and a table cloth, placemats and napkins.
It really wouldn't take as long as you think. Put up some lace curtains and make a scarf from the fabric you use for your table cloth..or maybe you have a plain white table cloth already available. Just make a runner that matches your window scarves, napkins and placemats.

Now what about the centerpiece? I like this idea on about.com Just has some greens and Fall leaves, candles…well, take a look: About.com It's one where you can just remove the fall leaves and replace with berries for Christmas. Saving time is what it's all about. Put up some wreaths on the doors and over the mantle. A simple grape vine with dried flowers in fall tones is nice. Use some wire ribbon to make a bow.
Put up plain candlesticks with fall colored candles and don't forget the whole theme of Thanksgiving is giving thanks for our bounty. Use displays of fruit and gourds, pumpkins and mums. Get out an old watering can and fill it with leaves to place on the porch, any old galvanized buckets? Put wheat or tall dried grass display in your bucket. Don't forget the grapes. Take a nice glass pedestal compote and cascade different varieties.
If you have a garden, pile the day's garden harvest into a wheel barrow at the back door.
Just remember …you don't have to use all these ideas. You don't want to have to take all this down to prepare for Christmas that's just around the corner.
Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes by Lorrie Ann Danner http://amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving.html

Music and for Your Halloween Party

Top Spot
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Halloween Funhttp://amomslove.com/hol-halloween.html This article has it all...face paint, recipes, you name it.
http://amomslove.com/hol-halloween-homeandhearth.html Jello Brains and Finger Eclairs
Spooky Recipes Vegetable Lice and Deviled Eggs
Jack-O-Lantern Cookies
Music for Halloween:
Bright Eyes
Funeral Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Transatlanticism Death Cab For Cutie
Friends of AMomsLove Halloween Links Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween Halloween Safety Tips How to Carve a Pumpkin and More Family Corner Halloween Pages
Work at Home Story: Excited about my Life and Family
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Red's Drink

Here is Red getting his drink from the bird bath.
Red is an alley cat that my mil took in. He is the gentlelest of cats.
we have mice and Red thinks of them as friends.
There is a stray kitten on the property...Red takes care of him.

WorkatHome Story: My Family to Yours

Work at Home Story
From My Family to Yours
by Jen Baird

My name is Jen Baird, and I live in Corpus Christi, Texas with mythree children and husband.

I am blessed to have this large family,working from home around my family's schedule and to be currentlybuilding the house of our dreams, however, my life wasn't anything
like this just three years ago.I was a single mom of one little girl and living paycheck to
paycheck at a full-time Corporate America job spending most of my
income on rent and daycare. Plus, my daughter had been chronically
ill since birth with severe allergies and asthma, vomiting phlegm
several times a day, several days a week since birth. Medicines and
breathing treatments were routine and didn't help much at all.

Like many moms out there, I wanted to find the answers to how
Icould spend more time with my child and stop spending all of that
money on daycare and of course how I could make my little girl
well. I looked for a business I could do at home after work that
would bring me an extra income. I found a team called Stayin' Home& Lovin' It
and set an appointment with a lady named Cyndi who toldme all about her team
and amazing company. Our lives haven't beenthe same since.

I spent five hours a week, Monday through Friday on my home business
at night after I got my daughter home from daycare, receiving checks
each and every month that continued to grow in size. Within two
years I totally replaced my full-time income with residual monthly
income from my home based business with Stayin' Home & Lovin' It
which allowed me to pull my child from daycare and leave that full-time job.

I worked my business from home around my schedule, with
no distributing or collecting money and without calling people who
weren't expecting to hear from me and without any risk whatsoever.
The best part of all, is the team led me to the answers that I was
looking for on ridding my child of her allergies and asthma and
Iwas able to do that in less than one month!

If you are looking for answers too, please let our Stayin' Home &Lovin' It Team
assist you in finding them. I have plenty ofpartners ready to help,
all you have to do is ask.
Jen Baird – Email: MyShaliTeam@yahoo.com
Stayin' Home & Absolutely Lovin' ItVisit:
http://www.GetWAH.info and click GET MORE INFO
Call and leave a message for an appointment toll-free 877-216-1940
(please say you found us at AmomsLove)

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AMomsLove News Healthy Water, Healthy Body

What's On the Magazine:
Healthy Water and Body Nutrients
"In just the last decade medical science has begun to focus
more on the tremendous healing ability our body has and
how much that ability depends on water.
"http://amomslove.com/health-purewater-important.html

It's really important that we conserve energy right now
Here are some tips:http://amomslove.com/home-garden-conserv.html
Work at Home Story...From My Family to Yours:
http://amomslove.com/moms-wahm-idea-myfamily.html

Frugal Birthday Party Gifts by Cyndi Roberts
Are your kids invited to numerous birthday parties throughout the year?
Buying a gift, paper to wrap it in, ribbon and a bow, plus a card every time
can get expensive and tiresome, can't it!
http://amomslove.com/par-kidparty-gifts.html

Hurricane Katrina: A Lesson in Emergency Preparedness for You
and Your Dog by Kimberly Zlatin
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The 3-Step Solution to Cleaning for Busy Moms by: Christina Spence
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"Children need picking up after soccer practice? Super Mom to the rescue!
Dinner needs to get on the table?"
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Additional Links for Preparedness
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Emergency Water and Food Supplies:
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Bridgette and Chuck

Bridgette and Chuck

After Bridgette's Graduation...dinner at Olive Garden

Bridgette at Olive Garden after

Bridgette with Friend

Bridgette on right with friend.

Graduation

Bridgette will be graduating tomorrow! I can look out the library window and see her practicing on the
field of the high school....I was fine yesterday until they played pomp and circumstance.

She is the first of my babies to graduate. I had three sets of kids...Those in the 70's (two...'70 and '74) one in the 80's (1980) and these guys...late 80's (87 and 88...three)... We always refered to them as "The Babies."
So the first of the babies is graduating from high school.

It's a good thing I started a garden...will help take my mind off Bridgie growing up so quickly!