Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wow, I can't believe that Christmas has come and went.
I notice the older I get it seems like the years seem to just fly by.
Just wanting to wishe Everyone a Very Merry Christmas and here is to a Healthy Wealthy and Wise New Year.

Luanne

Christmas Magic with Pizza and Santa

Saturday night Jenna and I went to a special event with my neighbor and friend Laurie and her granddaughter. We got to go to Pizza with Santa sponsored by the local library.
It was just Such an AWESOME event.
We got our own personal table with a beautiful Christmas Candy filled Tree to take home.
We got to eat Pizza, Bread sticks, Salad, Soda, cookies and Ice Cream.
I had to pick off the cheese off the pizza and no ice cream for Jenna, but she didn't care she was in awe of the whole event. Santa and Mrs. Claus came to each table and talked one on one with each child.

After dinner, we got to attend a Christmas Magic show. Jenna is so into magic tricks, this was right up her ally.

After the Magic Show we got to Decorate Giant cookies, make a Cinnamon Ordainment, make a necklace and reindeer ears hat, make a card, got a tattoo and then got to visit with Santa again. He gave each child a stocking filled with goodies and a large Teddy Bear sticking out of it.

It will be a night to Special night for Jenna and I to remember.

Luanne

State finals
State finals

Well, since Gymnastics rules our lives right now, I just have to boast about my girls.

Jenna had her state meet on Saturday. She did her very best and came in 9th out of 25 girls in her age. She was very happy. Scores were


Vault 9.3
Beam 9.025
Bars 8.850
Floor 8.450

Total.....35.625

Samantha had her State meet on Sunday. She was very pumped for the meet. She said she poured her heart and soul into it that day.

Judge Judy was on the Bars and was very stingy with her scoring. We saw all 7's and low 8's. Not one 9.0. She is tough......

Samantha Placed overall 2nd. She Went all out on the Floor Exercise. Sometimes it works in your favor, sometimes it doesn't. This time she stumbled a bit after her split leap because she gave it her all.
She missed the top spot overall by 2 tenths of a point. So Close....and we are so Proud.

Vault 9.350
Beam 9.1
Bars 8.375
Floor 8.825

Total...35.650

Now in 1 month she will be competing at a Level 7. She is very nervous but still excided.

The 25 Days of Christmas Countdown

This year I want to try to make a 25 days of Christmas scrapbook.
I think I will start tonight by watching my favorite of all time Christmas Movie.
Each and Every time I watch it I laugh harder.

So my countdown is starting.

1. Favorite Movie Christmas Vacation

Luanne

Got Chalk????/

Well we spent our Saturday at a gymnastic meet in Whitewater this past Saturday. We ended up being there 10 1/2 hours. Both Jenna and Samantha competed, but just at different times. We went out to breakfast at a little cafe in between the girls competition's. We are so proud of both girls.

Jenna didn't have her best meet, but she tried her hardest and did her best for the day. At her level they all get a participation metal. She loves it.

Samantha came in 2nd in each event and ended up taking the first place overall for her age. She was flying on cloud nine. You couldn't wipe the smile off of her face.

Luanne

Halloween and the Annual Chili Dump

1997 Julia Samantha and Jake



2009







When I think of Halloween I think of the annual Neighborhood Chili Dump. This is a time for all of us 7 neighbors to come together and celebrate.
We celebrated our 13th Annual or Maybe it was 14th Annual, I am not sure. I can totally remember the very first one. Samantha was about 6 months old. She was the second oldest out of 5. They all sat on the couch most of the kids were proped up by eachother because they were so small.
I found a picture of the 2nd Annual event. My how the kids have grown.

Carving pumpkins

Saturday Night we carved pumpkins using stencils. I think they turned out awesome.

Luanne

Nothing much new

I guess I don't have much to talk about lately.
Life is busy doing the same ol stuff, work and doing the running for gymnastics.
Enjoying all the beautiful colors of all the trees and bushes.
This fall is turning out to be very colorful.

Luanne

Fight like a Girl....

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I share this song.

It warms the heart....Enjoy being a girl

Link below....You have to hear the music...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRWZ1A-CbJA


Lyrics

Little girl alone on the playground
Tired of gettin' teased and gettin' pushed around
Wishin' she was invisible
To them

She ran home cryin'
"Why do they hate me?"
And Mama wiped the tears and said
"Baby, you're brave and you're beautiful.
So, hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell.
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a girl."

At 31 she was wheelin' and dealin'
Kept on hittin' that same glass ceilin'
She was never gonna be one of the boys, no
She coulda gave up on her ambition
And spent the rest of her life just wishin'
Instead she listened to her mama's voice sayin'

"Hold your head high.
Don't ever let 'em define
The light in your eyes.
Love yourself, give them Hell.
You can take on this world.
You just stand and be strong
And then fight
Like a girl."

Oh, with style and grace
Kick ass and take names

Ten years of climbin' that ladder
Oh, but money and power don't matter
When the doctor said "the cancer spread"
She holds on tight to her husband and babies
And says "this is just another test God gave me.
And I know just how to handle this"

I'll hold my head high
I'll never let this define
The light in my eyes
Love myself, give it Hell
I'll take on this world
If I stand and be strong
No, I'll never give up
I will conquer with love
And I'll fight like
Like a girl

Ooh


Luanne

I love Fall

Boy, I just had to say it. It is my favorite time of year. I love all the beautiful colors on the trees and the smell of Pumpkin Muffins baking in the oven. Nothing much new with me but just had to share my feelings about Fall. The time of the year makes me HAPPY!!

A Great Find

Last week the school I work at had a rummage Sale.

I have always wanted a Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Oven but never could swallow the cost of them. I saw it from afar, went up to it and scooped it up for $20.oo. Here is a pix of it only it is dark Green. I know it is a discontinued color, but who CARES...it is my favorite color.

I feel lucky to have found it!

Luanne

Pumpkin Day

For At least 12 years now, we have been Celebrating Pumpkin Day at my Family's House.

Each year we come up with so many fun things to do. Each year is different.

This year we....

-had a duck race

-made corn husk dolls

-made chocolate pretzels

-harvest the pumpkins and took family photos

-outdoor nature scavenger hunt

- AND ate like Kings....Everyone brought such great stuff.

Luanne

Jenna's first level 3 meet

Well this weekend was Jenna's first Level 3 meet of the season. Samantha is not competing yet, she will be doing a 6/7 level year so her level 6 meets will be limited.





We were so happy that Jenna did so well.
3 events in the 8's and 1 event she got a 9.0. Yeah for her, we were so proud.

Luanne

Vintage Halloween Charms

***Just click on picture and it will go full size***

Here are some pictures of my first ever Swap that I hosted at Two Peas.

Each and every charm is unique and wonderful.

This was so much fun, I can't wait to put them

on a bracelet.

Luanne

Glasses

Well today my baby got glasses.


She just told me last week that she was having problems seeing the board at school. After a eye exam, we found out indeed she was not seeing right. So here she is ......

Luanne

First day of School

A bit late with the pictures but oh well.....

Luanne

Summer is over

Sad but true, only because School Start On Tuesday.

I spent the last two days thinking and preparing for school to start.

I did spend my last Sunday with my neighbor and found a few goodies for myself.

I got a "Got Wine" Tshirt and a safety Pin Watch.

I love it! I also found a few goodies for the Girls too. Samantha got a necklace and Jenna got a snow globe.

Good Bye Summer HELLO School Year.

Luanne

Back to School

As much as I enjoy the summer and having a bit of time off, it is nice to see the girls and I go back to school. Life is much easier with a schedule and a paycheck.

Each school night there is some practice going on, which will mean very few family dinners. I will have to think up some individual fast and healthy meal selections for the girls.

Luanne

pantry

Every month I have to clean out my pantry. Men and children can't move things in order to find them.

I also have finally labeled all my baking staples. I have put them in glass jars a year ago or so but never put a label on them. I like how they look, kinda Martha Stewartish.

How do you organize your pantry?

Luanne

Dreaming.........AGAIN

I am a person who loves pedestal things...........

Today I have the bug......Hell......everyday I have the bug to dream about having a small but Divine fancy smancy coffee shop with funky sandwiches and fun baked goods. I found these pedestal items that I thought were cool...

Luanne

State Fair

Wow, there is nothing like a day of .......

Cream Puffs

Fried Cheese

Bake Potato w/ everything on it

AND

The big slide.

Do I need to say more?

Luanne

Julie and Julia...A night out.......

Oh.... My.....What a WONDERFUL night out......

Had great company (Michele a friend I meet at cooking school) , great food, and a nice movie.

I knew who Julia Child was but didn't realize the impact that she had on Bringing French Cuisine to American Women.

We went to a local theater and had a great night with our dinner being inspired by Julia Child.

We had a Champagne reception before with 3 french inspired appetizers.

Something Duck pate' related

Something Trout related

and these fried Rice Pilaf balls.............All were yummy..............It might have helped that I had my glass refilled 3x's.

Then we got into the Theater and a nice Chilled Leek and Potato Soup with a Creme Fraiche Crouton on the top was waiting for us. Also a nice semi sweet white wine was paired with it.

Second course was a mixed field green lettuce salad with Chardonnay poached apples and Crumbled Blue cheese and green apple vinaigrette.

Third was a Roasted Breast of Chicken, pear onions, bacon and mushrooms. A creamy potato puree and Tomato Provencal. That was paired with a dry Red wine.

Last but the best was a House made chocolate mousse, chocolate "tulip"with seasonal berries.

Everything was a perfect proportion and timed oh, so, right.

Such an enjoyable evening out with a great friend.

Julie and Julia

Looking forward to seeing this movie for Months now. My good Friend Michele and I are going to see it along with a special WINE dinner inspired by Julia Child at the Theater. Oh the little things that make you happy.........

Can't Wait.......

Luanne

Another Library Program

Yesterday Jenna took 2 friends to another Library program. David Stokes was the guest.

He was a very interesting person to say the least. A very different but likable humor.

We then set out to a local park, had a picnic supper, came back to our house to play and make some fun summer crafts.

Luanne

**44**.....Is that a Big Deal?

Well yes, it is becasue that is how old I am today.

I am still on the downside of 40, but this is the last year.

Happy Birthday to me.

Luanne

*Summer* and Snacks

Even though I enjoy the warmth of the sun and the kids off of school, I get antsy not having a schedule. I can't get use to have some free time on my hands. I should enjoy it, but honestly I have a hard time with it. I think this summer I will be making some fun *standby* snacks. Last week I made Carmel puff corn.

Last night I made Puppy Chow.

Crap, There goes my diet.............

Luanne