"a day OFF"

Today Ashton & I hanging out in our Pj's cooking up something YUMMY (I'll share more about it tomorrow). I just read this & it spoke to my soul-

"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."

We are getting ready to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"... Hope ya'll are doing something fun & relaxing today... but If not- stop what you are doing & join us!!!

p.s. if you live close come on over.... but you may NOT be wearing makeup OR real clothing... ONLY pj's. We can call it "Grown-up Spirit Day". "We've got spirit yes we do- we've got spirit how bout you?"... sorry I think I may have gotten a BIT carried away there????

"free-cycled bag holder"

I saw one of these in my friend's car & fell in love with it!!

~Travel Bag Holder Tutorial~
(FREE & so SASSY)


this is what ya need:
1 paper towel roll, plastic market bags, & fun card stock- not necessary, but very cute!! (you know that I have to add something fun to EVERY project)


cut a piece of card stock to fit & tape it onto the roll:


fill it up with plastic bags & put it in your car:
(you never know when you'll need one- I use them for trash, pull-ups, trash, school projects, & well... did I mention trash??) Just make one- you WON'T be sorry!!!!

p.s. guess who can now climb up to the bar all by himself??? YES you guessed it.... the A-man... poor Priss- can't you just see her crafting dreams crashing & burning already? This picture says it all!!!!! Ahhh the joys of a little brother.....

p.s.s. I promise to post more pics of the kiddos this week (sorry Cooner & Grandma Harris).

"The ALL American Girl girls"

Well.... the play date was a huge success!!!! The girls had a ball & I'm pretty sure that they will remember this for LIFE! Little A-man (while semi-heart broken) learned to share his beloved Priss & I started a new project that I'll share later this week. Here are a few pics of the FUN FUN FUN...

This was the start to the day- After I fixed Lucy Danyell's hair (per her mother's request)- she found herself belted in the car so that I would NOT forget her!


The girls taking their girls for a little drive!-
They crack me up when they talk about these dolls- OH excuse me.. they are "American Girl Dolls" not just dolls!!! I really think that they will make excellent mommas one day. I pray that my Priss remembers ALL of these great times when she gets big & gets her turn?!?


A-man taking advantage of his sister's potty-break & catching a ride with Sami Grace..

so... I was thinking to myself- "self, what can I do really special for my grand-daughter-doll Lucy Danyell & her little friend Lizzie?" I know!! I'll make them Holy-Ween costumes....

(complete with Tu Tu's, masks, & wings)

I love that Priss LOVES playing dolls- I get to play right along with her!!! Have I mentioned how much that I am enjoying my kiddos right now? I LOVE these STAGES with them!!!!!

Ashton wanted NO part of the costume changes while we were suppose to be "babysitting" the dolls. He just got REALLY acquainted with ALL of Josey's arts & craft stuff....

p.s. a BIG thank you to Sami & Lizzie for coming out to spend the afternoon with us!!! We had a great time & can't wait to get together again really soon... Maybe next time we can get the whole gang together with Mia & Samantha???

"Harris Happenings.."

Today is a busy day... but I wanted to share some fun happenings around Harris House....

I first heard of Soy-Yer Dough through my Aunt Betty, then I saw some of it @ the Apple Festival & bought some for the kiddos (they had completely sold OUT of it- so I ordered some). It came in the mail yesterday- the kiddos are having a BLAST with it... (& me too).

It is SO cool!!! It is completely safe enough to eat (although I wouldn't DARE tell my A-man), it doesn't dry out, & it smells like real fruit- so YUMMY!!!

GO CHECK IT OUT!!!
(& the best part is- the inventor is from my little Hometown Bloomfield- how fun!!!)

I had to share Prissy's latest "self-portrait" & her first water color...
(I am going to frame this for Joey's office)

&... YES, I am sorry to report that we had a FREE flu shot clinic here this week... & did NOT advertise..... Priss held it in her room & the shots (and bandages) were ALL gone in 10 minutes!!! However NONE of my grand-daughter-dolls will be sick this flu season...

p.s. Priss & Lucy Danyell are hosting their first play-date of the school year this afternoon . She has been invited over to several & I think that it is our turn?!? We tried to get together over break, but some of her best buddies have been really sick lately- so this is a LONG time coming!!! I will post some pics next week... Ya'll have a BLESSED weekend!!!

"thankful THURSDAYS- my A-man"

today & EVERYDAY... I am thankful for this little blessing- who always lets his Momma do CRAZY things with his super cute hair after bath-time (he looks like a little T-bird)!!!!
He brings such JOY to everyone around him.
(& just think- I thought that I would never love another boy?!?)

"Apple & Pear Crisp Fake-Out"

I got this recipe out of "Southern Living" & while I adore Cooner's fresh from her orchard apple crisp.... let me rephrase that... while I adore the idea of it & NOT preparing it- (YES that's better)! I have come to terms with the fact that I love my kiddos just as much while feeding them store bought apples. I love a quick dessert that is just as satisfying (sorry Cooner). This makes your house smell as though you too have been slaving over fruit to impress your guests- (but it is oven ready in less than 5 minutes). My hubby & the kiddos love fruity desserts & this is a MUST try!!!!!!! I call it:

~Apple & Pear Crisp Fake-Out~

this is all that ya need
(put away that dull paring knife- YEAH)

4 cans (15 oz each) sliced pears, drained
1 can (20 oz) apple pie filling
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter, cut up
Ice cream- (I mean really.... so YUMMY on the side)

1. Preheat oven to 425º.
2. Combine pears & apple pie filling in 9x12" baking dish.
3. Combine dry ingredients (oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon) in bowl.
4. Mix in the butter using your fingers or a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Crumble the topping over your fruit.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the fruit is hot and bubbly and the topping is crisp & browned.

Ta Da!!!!!

p.s. who says you can't gussy-up a uniform for Holy-ween?? I have been in a bow frenzy since Catherine & her kiddos stopped by yesterday for a bow-tutorial. I am SO bummed that we didn't take any pics, but I had a BLAST. I know that Anna Kay will look precious in all of her new accessories!!!!!! We love you guys!!!

p.s.s. I just bought my first pair of leg-warmers (since 3rd grade- ha ha) & I am LOVING them... I don't wear them out- (although I have been seeing more & more of them) just around the house... Try them out for yourselves?!? - I SO wish that I would have hung on to 1 of my 100 pairs. I sorta feel like I belong in the "Fame" fan club!!!!!!!!

"whip it GOOD"

My family has come to expect certain things from me-

#1. my ability to whip out a hair bow- for ANY outfit dilemma...
#2. my ability whip into shape ANY pair of shoes-
(that I KNOW have tons of wear left in 'em!!)
#3. my ability to whip up a casserole- a least once a week!!!

this one is PERFECT for chilly fall nights & goes fantastic with spanish rice, a green salad, & of course.... a side of football!!

~Santa Fe Chicken Casserole~

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 chicken breasts, boiled and cut into bite size pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can RO*TEL
1-2 cups cheddar cheese
1 package of corn tortillas (small)

Tear the tortillas into small pieces and line the bottom of a pan. Mix together the soups, R*OTEL, & chicken then pour on top. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Seriously - it's that easy!

p.s. I like to serve this one on a flannel blanket, on the floor, next to the fire... watching the game! it's funny.. I am really REALLY starting to like football more & more???? So much so that I ordered this for Joey last week.....

GO CHARGERS!!!