These are my cute little "chicken's"... it was family picture night and we caught a few snapshots after. Wish I could have gotten more by the red brick house..

In a New York state of mind

I used to see this view often... we lived in New Jersey several years ago. I would take my little boy to Liberty State Park to play and look at this very view... only with the twin towers standing well above the rest of the buildings. It became a pretty "usual" thing to do, to go to the park, or ride the train in to see the sights, or go to central park and have a picnic. It was something I will never forget.

I got a call from an old friend today... and it made me think of this City! He and his wife are having a very different experience than I there, but nonetheless I think of this place with fondness. Like you say Chellese... there is a heart beat there, a rhythm that keeps things moving and exciting and alive...

That's it... I'm ready... let's go to New York! I'm craving a chicken parm sandwich from one of those little mom and pop Italian deli's. I'd even take a hot dog from a street vendor!

Here's hoping my friends make it out alive!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I'm always looking for new breakfast ideas. This one is "swirlling" around the blogger world... just thought I would keep it "swirlling!"

All you need is a yummy buttermilk pancake recipe...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for pan 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon honey

for the cinnamon swirl:
2 tablespoons melted butter1/4 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon cinnamon1 tablespoon flour
1. Combine dry ingredients in a medium size bowl. Combine wet ingredients in a liquid measuring cup and then whisk into flour mixture. Batter should be lumpy and not too thin. In a small bowl, combine ingredients for the cinnamon swirl, and pour into a plastic ziploc bag or a disposable pastry bag. Snip a tiny triangle off the end of the bag for piping. Set aside.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Grease with butter, if desired, and pour on a 1/2 cup of batter. Use the pastry bag to make a swirl of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top of the batter. When the bubbles on the surface of the pancake begin to pop, and then no longer fill in with more batter, flip, and cook for 30 seconds more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Buttermilk Syrup
4 tablespoons butter1/4 cup sugar1 cup buttermilk1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1. In a medium sauce pan, combine butter, sugar, and buttermilk. Set over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occassionally. Take off heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Stir, and the mixture will become thick and bubbly.


**These might be yummy pumpkin pancakes for the fall season.... with cider syrup!

The Swiss Broom

Not finished yet.....

halloween pillow

Inspired by Swiss Days, here is my new Halloween pillow! Do you like it? Can you say leftover fabric, spray paint and a little time? I think I should whip up a bunch of these puppies! Now.... dang! I have to think of costumes again....

Pony Party

Cupcakes are my favorite!!!!!

Have I mentioned I'm obsessed?

This weekend I made...

I thought they were yummmm (here's hoping the pony party did too!)

Did I mention a pony party? Well... Hello cupcake has a pony cupcake and when I heard pony party, I just had to try them out....

caution... they are a little scarey, but they sortof make you want to love them!

(I still can't get over their gigantic heads... they make me laugh)

Flags and Scouting

I had never seen this done before, but last night at Scout Court of Honor the troop burned an old tattered flag. It was done properly and very systematically. I was very impressed with the nature of how this was handled. We were told to stand and put our hand over our heart and to be silent. Even restless little Andy held still and quietly watched in awe. The flag was fairly large and once it began to burn, burned quickly. We repeated the pledge of allegiance and then listened as the troop leader read something about the flag. It was something I will never forget. I'm sure it left an impression on Mason as well.

Just me and "BEANS"

Life is good and simple with just me and "Beans"

we walk and we talk and I know what he means...

part of the day is hectic and speedy

but most of the day is quiet and read-ee

books on the bed at naptime and such

books on the couch after crying too much

life has become quite simple you see

with just me and "Beans"... yes, just him and ME!

just a little scarf project...

Like some projects go... this one was a first time try... I would do things differently next time. for instance:

I would do tone on tone (like cream silk with brown polka dot fabric on cream lace...) I also think this particular lace is too wide, or is the top fabric too narrow?

I would really like to find some wide pretty ribbon still... so I'm on the search if you see any fancy ribbon that might look good on a scarf like this.. please let me know.

I do love the ruffles and the lace, I like that it's femine but totally casual. It is the funnest thing to watch it ruffle when you sew it.... so I'm addicted and want to try again to make more with different fabrics and colors and textures.... we'll see what I come up with.

good times with family

It was our Anderson Reunion this weekend. These are some of the cousins, but not all... we had fun with ty dying.

when camping... keep photo's at a distance.. but there's the group doing the campfire weenie roast.

Nick had a really fun day... he is the proud (and very dirty) fisherman....

here's the giant rainbow fish.... which we promptly wrapped in foil and cooked right up in the camp fire.... TASTY!!!

Grandma and Grandpa have 2 little favorites at the moment! And who could resist... these little 2 years olds are about the cutest thing ever! (don't you love the header picture of them hugging?)

I could just eat them up!

We had an all around great weekend with our family...

....like summer never happened.

the "TWINS" (seriously these pictures of them these days are killing me) are loving school! They got right into the routine of things like NOTHING. I'm happy about that. I thought it might take a little more coaxing and prodding... but nah!!! now it's...

So, once again, I underestimate these kids of mine....

see ya! Here's to another great year!