family life

First of all, thank you so much to Sandy who gave me this lovely blog award.   I feel so much bloggy love and I know you’d love her blog site.   She is very inspiring in all things home and such an encourager with her sweet comments.  

Next, on the list, I decided on maple-glazed brussel sprouts for my new Thanksgiving item.   Don’t make faces. They are fantastic and all my kids like/love them.   I cannot tell a lie.   Just cook a bag a thawed and sliced brussel sprouts in equal parts bacon grease and olive oil.   Yes I said bacon grease. I’m a southerner and we all have a jar of bacon grease sitting somewhere in our cupboards.   I said don’t make faces.   Then add salt and pepper and when they’re nice and carmelized add a drizzle of maple syrup.   Delightful!
and why oh tell me why do my like-new Victoria Secret bras not sell on Ebay?   Is it because this is a poor picture?   Do I need a model?   Actually, my friend Donia gave me a slew of these and they just don’t fit me perfectly.   Like not at all.   It’s okay to sell them on Ebay, right? They’ve only been tried on and laundered.   Which I fully disclosed.   I’m listing them again.   Somebody need these babies.   I have like 15 of them.
And then there’s  this child who is shaping up to be quite a hypochondriac.   Figures.   Living with two doctors who are not easily impressed with wounds,  she’s learned that this is a good way to torture us.  But, hey,  I’ve got lots of left over medical supplies from when I quit work so what’s a little guaze and some 4by4’s if it makes a girl feel better.   This particular ‘severe’ injury we’re nursing back to health happened mysteriously after her sister got stitches in her foot.   Who wants to be out-injured by a six year old?
and I’m trying to make amends with my friend Cindy, who hated the last picture I posted of her and said that our friendship was on the rocks.   I came across this one from a cross-country meet.   I don’t know if this is frienship-saving photography but I’m gonna keep trying!
Then there’s these precious items.   Meet my laundry staff.   ‘Originally fresh’ Gain and ‘Pink Opal’ Downy.    These two are the shnizzle.   My children love their freshly laundered clothing warm from the dryer after being washed and rinsed in these two stars.   I love the combo.  Try it, you’ll see.
Oh, and of course, my bookclub.    I love these beautiful, smart, funny women.   We met at Tanya’s beautiful house and had gourmet french food prepared by her and Amy,  while we discussed Madame Bovary.   Join us next month for Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.  If you’re too far away,  we have a book club blog.  We’d love ‘virtual’ members.
we ate all this at bookclub…..which was to-die for and totally calorie free, I was told.
And I couldn’t forget these amazing boys who came in 1st place AGAIN at the regional cross country meet.   They’re off to state.  Good luck boys!
And this precious sweetie who finally got her braces off…..
and loves to show off her new teeth!

I woke up very early this morning for a Sunday…..sometime before 5a and decided to make Sunday lunch.   That makes for a busy morning when you figure that we’re usually struggling to get out the door dressed and fed by 9a.    But we’ve tried the whole eat-out thing….and it’s highly overrated.   And overpriced.    There’s nothing so disappointing as eating a mediocre meal at Ruby Tuesday’s and then paying $65 for it…and complaining all the way home how we would’ve rather had a sandwich and eaten it at our own table with our own diet pepsi and our own chips and salsa.     So,  I put on my monogrammed apron and  Eddie Vedder’s “Into the Wild” movie soundtrack,  opened up all the doors and windows and let the October breeze wash through the house and went to work.
I set the table with my fall wreath that the girls and I made with plenty of  handprinted construction paper.   I added  painted pumpkins and my favorite plum colored wine glasses.
Then I made chicken florentine…..my version at least with roasted red peppers, spinach, linguine, plenty of garlic and parmesan reggiano cheese.   Okay and a few more items which maybe I’ll pen down later into a recipe.   But you get the jist.
And homeade peach-blueberry pie, the recipe which I got from here and then added 1/4 cup more sugar(’cause I’m southern) and lemon zest(’cause I watch of lot of Foodtv).   Oh, and salad and good bread.   It was shaping up to be quite a feast.    That’s when it occurred to me that I should invite our neighbors over to share it with us.  So, we gathered after church and ate and talked and inspected the plates of various children who actually all seemed to like it.
It’s such a blessing to have good neighbors and good friends who you can call for an impromtu lunch and just enjoy each others’ company.    Now Leigh Anne’s off to spray painting stuff,  Tony’s off to Lowe’s,   Stevie’s off to football,  and I’m……contemplating a short power nap…..before I tackle Madame Bovary again.    Here’s wishing you good friends,  good food, and a good Sunday!