Sunday links, shopping & diet edition

I wish I had that kind of external motivation right now, because it's certainly not coming from within. I'm conflicted- I know I need to do this. I mean, I don't want to have a heart attack, and a stroke would totally mess up my smile, and yet I can't get past the idea of not eating what I'd like.

-Jen Lancaster, "Such a pretty fat"

She has such a way with words...and I so agree... If you haven't read Jen Lancaster, she totally rocks, but is not for the faint-of-heart as far as language goes. You'll laugh 10 lbs off.

Yes, it's that season...back away slowly from the pumpkin pie, put down the cookie...

Anyone else feeling the need to exercise? Anyone see the comic and/or futility of trying to quickly diet between holidays?

Speaking of the holiday season, here are a few favorite catalogs for gift-giving;

Chinaberry catalog- love, love this catalog. Best of the best picks for children and adults, the catalog gives great reviews on books, and they also carry audio books, music, games and gifts.

HearthSong catalog - a must if you are shopping for kids. Games, dress-ups, art activities and more.

Mindware catalog - games for the thoughtful child. You'll find interesting games you won't see on the shelves at Target or Walmart

Signals - sweet and quirky gifts. You might find something for that hard to buy for person.

have a blessed Sunday!

Thankful for opportunities

Being the season of Thanksgiving, I am thinking of all that I am thankful for this year...

I am thankful that we can give Meg music lessons. She played a concert last weekend with the youth orchestra she is part of. Beautiful, inspiring...two words I think of when I see and hear these young people play together. There is so much hard practicing behind the scenes of each performance, so much time, effort and money on the part of the parents of each of these musicians...

I am thankful for incredible friends who treat us like family. We know some amazing people, and so many of these friends are so generous to share opportunities and experiences with us. One of our amazing friends was offered the use of a private box at a Duck's Hockey game, and he invited Sky, Demi and Amie. They are all about hockey these days...
There were some free snacks in the suite, such as pretzels, m&m's and juice. Anything else could be ordered. Uhh, not tonight! Yikes! Get a look on the price for hot wings!!!
Sky with his boy. Just melts my heart.

We are very thankful this year for so many adventures, and the many friends who treat us like family.

2009 Homeschool Blog Awards


Voting has begun for the 2009 Homeschool Blog Awards!
You can click over *here to vote for your favorite homeschool blogs, or to vote for some *new* favorite homeschool blogs. (make sure to read the rules before you begin voting)
Voting ends November 21st.

I woke up this morning to find, upon checking my site meter, that this blog is running in the category of Best Eclectic Homeschooler :)
You can click over to vote for this blog *Here**

This really made my day! I see a few favorite blogs nominated, and many, many blogs I do not know. I am really enjoying visiting the many new-to-me blogs.
Go on over and visit, you will be blessed!

Photo Contest Winners

It was hard to choose, but we have a winner for the picture book- Louise, the adventures of a chicken...

Our first commenter, Amy won with

"Oh! Is my slip showing?"

2nd runner-up, winning the gift card to Barnes & Nobles is Karen Sue with

"...you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about. YEAH!"

thanks for playing!
- I'll be in contact with you Amy and Karen Sue.

**P.S. -Amy! contact me, you didn't leave a way for me to contact you!

s'mores might curl your whiskers

A thought:

When making s'mores at home with the children.....

and you decide to use the gas burners on your stove because it is too warm at the moment to use the fireplace.....

and the family cat decides to join you, because he is nosey that way.....

don't assume his natural sense of self-preservation will preserve him....

Curiosity really is a feline's biggest foe.

Did you know that a cat's whiskers will curl when singed?

**********
Sweet treat idea to try out:

Like caramel apples but healthier - easy, healthy yet tasty snack idea for your kids

Homeschool Blog awards have begun

Homeschool Blog awards 2009 have begun over at The Homeschool Post. Click * here to nominate your favorite homeschool blogs (once there, click on the award button at top of page).

Blog awards are a fun way to discover new and interesting blogs; Who knows you just might find a new favorite, or make a new friend.... The nomination process ends this month and voting begins November, so hurry on over. (I'm always late on things, it seems!) :)