"where the wild things are"

Today I am thankful for my sweet Priss & her precious spirit! She drew this @ school & I must say, she is quite the little artist. Today her class is putting on a "talent show" in which you must show your talent, then explain how it can glorify God. She quickly tossed around some ideas- "Momma maybe I could show them ballet, or maybe I could fix Lucy Danyell's hair up really fancy, or maybe I could show them some craft stuff that I have made?" "Well Priss, how can those things glorify God?" I asked. "Huh- well.... dancing is like the angels in heaven, I could fix all the little girls hair in the world that have no Momma- (I think that He would like that), & crafting... well it makes the world prettier!" she said ALL smiles. I can't wait to hear which talent she decided on? In any case, I know that He will be pleased with His tiny creation & her big heart!

"the EXAM..."

Well... you'll NEVER guess what happened today! First let me tell you that Josey has been very persistent that "Lucy Danyell needs to get her eyes checked, "she sometimes squints when when she reads". This very discussion has come up multiple times at dinner lately! So yesterday while I was shopping at Michaels (with my 40% off coupon that was burning a hole in my purse) I watching in utter & complete awe as they stocked the shelf with mini glasses- perfect for Lucy Danyell... "Should I get those? Should I wait until Christmas? Would Joey play along with my little scheme? Am I really asking myself these questions... am I out of control?"... Well simply stated; YES, I got them- NO, I can't wait until Christmas- YES, he more than went along with the crazy plan- & YES, I am totally out of control!!!! The rest is history...

Lucy was such a perfect little patient- she felt right @ home with
the GOOD doctor...


Unfortunately- she did require glasses (I bet ya'll could have guessed that).
We went straight to pick Priss up from school after the exam- Josey was BEYOND excited! (I only wish that you could have seen her face when she saw Lucy wearing her new glasses- PRICELESS.)


p.s. Lucy Danyell was so brave that A-man decided he wanted a check-up too. The very friendly/hunky doctor was ALL too happy to check him out as well! But NO glasses for him- he had to settle for playing with the equipment instead- (I think he was fine with that- ha ha ha)!!!

p.s.s. Several of the ladies in the office have daughters with American Girl dolls too- I think he may be getting even busier very soon...

"Good Gracious that's GOOD"

First let me just say that I am NOT the sugar-police (contrary to what Cooner & Daddy think of me). I just know that sugar in small quantities is okay & that Little Debbie treats in LARGE quantities are NOT good for you... We (I) love desserts as much as the next person, but I also love healthy desserts & I have been known to serve "deceptively delicious" treats without telling a soul (shh). PLEASE do not tell Joey that the last time he ate "the best pasta sauce that I had ever made"- it had ground up carrots & cauliflower in it... This little bread recipe is also one of the Harris Family staples & it has no oil or butter in it. YUM-O!!!

~Banana Bread-Harris Style~

3 very ripe bananas (the size doesn’t much matter; medium to large works)
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For topping:
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter or spray an 8-inch square pan.

In a medium mixing bowl, mash the bananas well with a fork or potato masher. Add the eggs, and stir well to combine. Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and vanilla, and stir to mix. Add ¾ cup of the chocolate chips, and stir briefly. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together the topping ingredients. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter in the pan, and top with the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

This is Priss & I trying our best to NOT think of the yummy bread baking... but coloring is really NO substitute...

"messy can be beautiful..."

I told ya'll that I have cleaned out & organized my sewing room... YES it is still a bit of a mess, but I dare say- messy can be beautiful!!! I love everything about this room, but mostly just that I can go in it & let my imagination run WILD!!!!!! Josey needs a Pilgrim costume for her school play (that we will not be here for, but she wants to participate in the dress rehearsals). What can I say? She loves the stage! Anyway I found myself in the land of forgotten fabrics (Goodwill) & found the perfect black coat to make her skirt out of.

I also picked this wool skirt up for 3 bucks- I got this idea??? (I know scary huh??) Anyway please excuse this VERY tired Momma picture- it seems my craft time has to take place while nearly everyone else in the world is in their REM sleep cycle!


Then I made a template & cut 2 out of the wool...


Then I tried that little "fabric stiffener" idea that we used to do in elementary school with felt- you know the one where you soak it in school glue & water? Anyway I found myself sneaking up to Prissy's desk & borrowing some...

Then I cut some strips & attempted to form some sort of rose figure? All the while I kept asking Joey if it resembled a flower? "I guess honey? I mean you kinda like things a little over the top!" he said! I'm not really sure what to say about that???

Next like the man said- I still thought that it looked a little understated (as though a huge wool flower can)? So I crept up to the sacred world of ALL things gaudy (Josey's room) again & retrieved a bag of glitter...



The rest is history- expect to say... that YES it is messy & NOT perfect, but I think it is beautiful & it will look spectacular pinned on a blouse, handbag, scarf, or even on top a present...

"FYI"

(click on the button for details)

Hey ya'll I saw this & thought it was a cute idea!!! Ashton & I have been busy wrapping Christmas gifts ALL morning (we are celebrating with the IN folks @ Thanksgiving this year). Have a blessed weekend.....

~my little helper~

p.s. Ashton & I were rocking out to Josey's ipod tunes & we saw this guy... He'll make ya chuckle. Be a BLESSING to someone today!!!!!

"I'm thankful for..."

It is EASY to see what I am thankful for today... but if you don't know? I am thankful for these 2 little blessings that God lets me play with everyday!!! Who just so happen to LOVE snuggling up in my bed after bath-time......

"Happy Birthday Jo-Bo-Baby"

Ya'll know that I ADORE birthdays!!!! So today I get to spoil my favorite guy-

Happy Birthday Joey!!!
We LOVE you PICKLE & are Blessed to have ya!!! He has chosen chicken parm. for dinner (choosing is 1 of the perks for your day) & pumpkin cupcakes for dessert (this is the 1st year that I haven't made the birthday boy a pie, minus the bedrest year, since 1998)?

Joey's b-day 2003
(with blackberry pie)


Joey's b-day 2004
(with blueberry pie)

Joey's b-day 2005
(with blackberry pie & we had family pics that day too)


NO b-day for Joey 2006 (the A-man & I were on bedrest...
- although Cooner did make him a pumpkin pie)



Joey's b-day 2007
homemade milkshakes... & blackberry pie
(A-man went to bed too early to get one, but not before he destroyed the party hats...)


Joey's b-day 2008
raspberry pie- I know that ya'll are thinking, but he LOVES it!!!
(We went out to dinner for his b-day- no pics...)

p.s. Happy Veteran's Day DADDY & all those who have served our country. May God Bless ALL of you & your families!!!!!!

Wasn't he a little hottie???
(Cooner had these picture/postage stamps made while he was in Vietnam.)