Fall Food and Leaf Gathering...

 Here is an example of our SPLIT meals...I try to keep Lubby from becoming a picky eater, while maintaining his allergy dictated dietary needs.  That means that I either make things he can totally eat...or that I can barely alter so he thinks his is the same. 

This is a roasted vegetable penne bake...originally from my simple and delicious magazine...but seriously altered...
Cut the following into bite sized pieces.  3 small zucchini, 1 med. red pepper, 1/2 mushrooms, 1 small onion!  One can crushed tomatoes.  Coat with EVOO and 1 T. Italian Seasoning.  Bake @ 350 for about 15 minutes...THE HOUSE WILL SMELL WONDERFUL!  In the meantime, cook 2 cups whole wheat penne pasta.  Drain and Mix with roasted veggies.  If you're in our family...you put half into a greased 9 X 13...and then put 1/4 c. motz. cheese, 1/4 parm. cheese mixed with the remaining half...and carefully put it in the other half of the pan.  Bake for 10 minutes!  YUMMO...split dinner. 

They really really REALLY wanted to use their new candy buckets...so we went on a walk...

...and gathered gorgeous leaves!

AND lots of acorns too!  Gotta come up with something to do with those.

We used our crayon cakes from Uncle Jess...

...and made leaf rubbings...

...you have to press really hard!

Gorgeous!  They turned out SO pretty!  I'll share wax details soon...my kitchen is rather  *cough, cough...smokey at the moment!  *sigh...I know, Low heat, low heat!!

Pumpkin Playdoh and Autumnal Papers...

Today we made pumpkin playdoh.  I do love my playdoh recipe*...given to me while student teaching.  Now, I'd like a list of no fail color directions.  I try to follow the directions on the back of the color box...*sigh*...Today's pale pumpkin is an adaptation of the Neon Apricot directions....

The really important people (Lubby and Emmer-bean) were pleased with the outcome!

We were sent a whole packet FULL of autumnal papers...from Grams.  It was a nice surprise!!

Lubbers in getting the hang of this cookie cutter thing.  He oughta be great slave labor help by Christmas cookie time!!

Emmer-bean was crackin' me up.  She was frosting her pumpkin cake...and singing.  Too cute!!!

"Oh Calub...leaves can be any color.  You don't need the red...make a purple one!"  "Emmuh, apples is red!  I need the red!!"

If you look very closely you can see the face he carved into this...Sorry..I couldn't make it come out any clearer!  He sure was concentrating.  Check out the eyelashes on the cutie!

Emmer found a solution the no "handle" problem.

*Playdoh Recipe:  3 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups salt, 3 cups water, 3 t. cream of tartar, 4 T oil, Food color.  Mix together on low heat...until it becomes playdoh. 

Fall Frenetics...

 I know, I know...not enough pictures on this blog....

 ...some weeks are like that...and Fall is Frenetic around here.  Fast, frantic, harried, or frenzied; having extreme enthusiasm or energy.

 ...I suppose you'll have to fire me. 

Some weeks...these cute little buggers are rotten!  And I can't very well take pictures of the multiple time they are disciplined and corrected throughout the day.  No one wants to hear that much whining or see that many tears!

Annual College Buddies Get-together!

We had yet another FABULOUS annual FALL get-together in Cinci!  Our friends invited us to their lovely home...and made lots of yummy food.  Venison stew...melted in your mouth!  Yummo!!

Our children are only a few months apart in age.  It was interesting to me...to see that the girls and boys split up...even though their ages are that of their siblings.  My 5 year old and their 3 year old were purple twins!  Totally a coincidence too!

It was a WARM and BRIGHT day!  Have you noticed?  Emmer-bean does not like the sun in her face!

Here are our cuties...and B's brother and his adorable twins.  They were totally succulent and sweet!!

Mrs. M. gave the kids goodie bags...which included pumpkin straws (aka whistles).  It was deafening!

Here's one of my pumpkins...on a pumpkin!

Here we are with our two BIG carving pumpkins.

Emmer-bean was brave and got her face painted this year.  A cute little candy corn flower.  Awww!

Lubby-man loved this HUGE tractor!!

Here's my other pumpkin...trying to pick her pumpkin.  Man, they are heavier than they look!

We played "stick the eye on the ghost!"  It was hilarious!

It was a good time.  Perhaps the best thing about it...was watching our guys sit around and talk in their own special language.  To hear them share chem. stories with each other...in ways that we as their wives would never understand...was totally worth the LONG trip!

Joy FULL noises!

Fall Time, Play Time...

Hospitality: Spur of the Moment Style...

When they cancel the Weiner Roast after you make a beautiful apple pie.....

....you simply invite the Pastor's family over for dinner. 

I enjoy "spur of the moment hospitality"...I don't have time to over think, over plan....just gather the stuff and relax.  They know it's spur of the moment...and no one ever really inspects the house anyway. 

I think the Pastor's family probably goes through enough "fussy dinners" anyway.  It was nice to have a simple evening...no pretensions...eat where you find a spot....after dinner crochet in the DARK!

It was funny to me that these two have never noticed and played with this before...but had a really good time with it that night!  Huh...

The girls were moving too fast to even get a picture.  HA! 

SO, I encourage you to be flexible and just invite someone over on the "spur of the moment!"