Girl with Beard

You never what is going to happen here Monday and Tuesday mornings. I can tell you that is never boring. It started with a very colorful mustache.

Then the little Diva was turned into an Old Man beard and arm hair. She just had to let her inner old man out. Coffee Filters are FUN!

Post Thanksgiving, Pre Christmas

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We got to go Nonna and Pappy's for Thanksgiving. We had some snow on Thanksgiving. In case you are wondering the above picture is the snowman version of Donkey from Shrek courtesy of Chuckles. We also got to go see the Movie Tangled. I thought it was decent and the boys really enjoyed it that even included 90 year old Pappy. If that isn't an endorsement than I don't know what is.

Pappy has a hummingbird feeder and I managed finally to get a photo of a hummingbird at their feeder.

No begins the Pre Christmas rush. I actually really enjoy decorating for the seasons. I LOVE ME SOME TINSEL! We are doing things on a little smaller scale as we are going to be doing some traveling during the Christmas Season and I don't think the our large Christmas tree would survive the bachelor cats even with our Cat Minder's intervention. I plan on joining the Nester's Christmas Tour on December 13th. I can't wait to show you what I have come up with.

Tradition

The Diva

Big E's

Chuckles

There are things my before school kids like to do because we have done them before. These cinnamon roll turkey's are one of those traditions.The ones above had yet to be baked. This is an excellent after school snack. The original idea is from Life as a Mom but here is what we did last year.

Turkey's

Two words that shouldn't be used in the same sentence late start and early release. Why bother sending the kids. Anyhow, I have my little kids before and after school today. We all were rather unmotivated this morning however there was a whole lot of turkey going on. Big E created the Lego Turkey. Everyone colored a turkey. I thought they all did awesome. The coloring page is found at Art Projects for Kids.

THE DIVA

CHUCKLES

BIG E

Of course, I had to contribute too.

Snow

#1 Son in his handy Elmer Fudd Hat

We got our first snowfall of the season. This morning the boys were VERY eager to go out in it. The wind is blowing it all around so there some nice drifts. I have spent the last couple of days ensuring that everyone had enough snow gear. We were lucky to have snow pants and boots that still fit.

Chuckles

Squirrel

We made these squirrels this week. It took us both Monday and Tuesday. The project and pdf's are found at Artist Woman. I think they turned out cute. The tail is made from a coffee filter.

Whirl Wind Thrift Trip

Yesterday was my Birthday. Mrs Epi and I embarked on a whirlwind thrift adventure. I think the above picture says it all. You can find just about anything at Goodwill. We saw a lot but this one takes the cake. These were in the Collectible Section at the largest Goodwill we visited. Several questions came to me and Mrs Epi. First off for inquiring minds, these were priced at $199.99 (seriously). Who shops for prosthetics at Goodwill? I am not sure if I were in the market for prosthetics that Goodwill is where I would start. If you need to shop at Goodwill for prosthetics, I think $199.99 would be out of your budget range. Do people actually collect prosthetics? I am tempted to google that but I am not sure I want to know. Don't do it Mrs Respiratory Therapist aka the Google Queen! I CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

We hit about 10 thrift stores in the Northwest Washington Area. We even hit up the glitter and glam event at the Seattle Flagship Goodwill (Dearborn Street Store). Here is our list of the best and the WORST.

THE BEST

Mount Vernon Goodwill

Mount Vernon Value Village

Ballard Goodwill (lots of furniture)

Ballard Value Village

St Vicent de Paul Thrift Store - 13555 Aurora Ave N Seattle, WA 98133 (worth the stop)

Seattle Goodwill Store -Dearborn St (I would like to go back here when there aren't a zillion people)

Heart and Home Thrift Store - Bellevue-this was spur of the moment stop

THE WORST

Everett Goodwill Hoyt Street location. I actually had to hold my breath in there. OH, Mrs Epi had to hold her breath too. It is right across from the Everett Children's Museum. There might be some great finds but couldn't get past the smell. We describe it as a wall of smell.

We also visited the Everett Mall Way Goodwill , Bellevue Goodwill , Value Village on Evergreen HWY99 (not sure on the exact location of this one)too. There were fine thrifts just not knock your socks off great. We finished up our adventures at the Tulalip Casino at the penny slots. A day of thrifting makes you want to let it all ride. Thanks Mrs Epi for a Fab day.

Happy Veteran's Day

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. - Elmer Davis

To all the men and woman who are serving and those that have served. THANK YOU! I saw a bumper sticker that summed it up perfectly - No Veterans = No USA.

Fall Tree Window Art

The Diva and I worked on this Monday morning. It is a version of the one I saw at Frugal Family Fun Blog. We painted some coffee filters. We also used tissue paper for some leaves. I love that the Diva added herself. There was some talk of adding a squirrel and an owl. We will see if this mural evolves.

**Hint to Santa - Bring double sided tape as a stocking stuffer. The Diva loves double sided tape.

Booking It November 2010

I am joining Life as Mom's Linky Book it Party. Go check out what these amazing ladies are reading.

The past month has been slow reading month for me. I am still involved in the Beth Moore Bible Study on Daniel. It is really good and a good mind stretch for me as well. I feel like I am getting so much out of it.

In addition, I have pretty much finished, "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" by Tony Attwood. I haven't shared that my oldest has been referred to the Children's Autism Clinic for a possible Diagnosis or Asperger's. I find this book very informative and explains things in a very compassionate way. I must admit that I am not a complete stranger to Asperger's Syndrome. I know a few people with Apserger's. This book is very readable. I really like the in depth look this takes and all the commentary from people with Asperger's in this book. It really explains some behaviors that I see in my son. Children's Hospital in Seattle recommends this book. The Tony Attwood book is a good guidebook for this journey we are embarking on.

Lastly my youngest and I just finished "My Mom the Pirate " by Jackie French. It was really good funny read. My hubby got so into it after reading one chapter to my son that he read the whole book that night. It was a good read aloud. The Mom in the book has some fabulous quotes, "No. Life isn't safe! One minute you can be safe on your ship,and next minute a typhoon can sweep you into the sea, or a sea monster swallows you whole. But while there's breathe in us and life, let's live it! And help others live it too!" The book reading level is probably late 1st grade beginning 2nd grade reading level. It is a chapter book.

Monday

Hey it is Monday again. Wake up out there in blog land. Hey, blog land is a place. I am sure of it. I took this awesome photo of a sunrise this past week. Enjoy! I found this list of 60 ways to make life simple at Angel Hack List. This is what I am going to keep in mind this week.

Thrifted Plant Stand

It was quite the week last week. The car headed back to the shop but before that I spotted this beauty in Lynden but didn't purchase it. Instead, I started having dreams about it. It is a sickness I tell you. So after scouting out some craft shows, Mrs Epi and ended up in Lynden again and I suggested we stop and see if the stand was still there. It was and I purchased it for the grand total of $2. It is a diamond in a rough. You should of heard the lady behind me in line. She suggested I cover it in fabric so did the Giant Man Child. The price tag was barely legible so I think the clerk just named a price. It wasn't as good as the 27 cent bookcase but pretty close. I am thinking about painting it.

Pumpkin Cornbread and linky love

I tried a new recipe tonight - Pumpkin Cornbread. It was really delicious. We had it with our soup.

I have a list of recipes I would like to try. As the weather cools down, I find myself wanting to bake a lot more. My list is a little reality show star struck.

Curtis Stone 100 calorie cupcakes as featured on the Biggest Loser

Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies featured on Top Chef Just Desserts- Skip to My Lou has already previewed these.

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes at Dittle Dattle

Vote

FOR GOSH SAKES VOTE! Stop the campaign madness. My mailbox is overflowing and I have to let the candidates know I didn't look at a single piece of their literature. I did the eco friendly thing and shredded it. I know that the Mama Grizzly may have personally called you and asked you to vote. (sometimes multiple times). She is really persistent. BUT apparently, the only way to stop this madness is to VOTE!

Pumpkins and Ghouls

Halloween 2010 was a dry one for Trick or Treating which is basically unheard of here. I had one devil(Chuckles) and Elmer Fudd (#1 Son). Chuckles was thrilled with his light up horns. It really made it easy to be seen.

We went trick or treating with Spaceman (Bones) and Miss Spider (Princess of Quite alot) . Mrs Epi quite out did herself.

Not to be left out of the fun. The Giant Man Child had the perfect pumpkin centerpiece. He made a pumpkin in a Honeypot. He loves me. It came complete with it's own port a potty with toilet paper. NICE, very nice. We let our kids do most of their carving. That is kinda of scary. Cody's was a teddy and a moon and Chuckles was a gun with a target.