Amber Waves of Grain

There were a few lessons learned about fire safety during my September blogcation.  Here were the TOP 10: 1.  Homeowners should clean their lint/dryer ducts more than once every 11 years .  We did NOT take Homeowners 101. 2.  Dead birds and lint can clog the dryer duct and burn.  Poor birdie . 3.  You cannot call the fire station direct. You must go through 911. 4.  Even if you tell the 911 operator that it's not an emergency, they will treat it as such.  They might even send THREE firetrucks to your house, with all lights and sirens on. 5.  Three fire trucks equal more than a dozen firemen in your home, axes and all. 6.  Only 6 firemen fit in our laundry room so the rest will have to stay downstairs.   7.  The two dozen firemen who don't fit in our house can stay outside with the trucks... and the lights.....   8.  Keegan might just be a little terrified by a fireman on a ladder by his window, ev...

I had the privilege of taking engagement photos for Callie & Joe during my blogcation.  You know how I love when victims friends let me practice on them!  Here is a sampling!                            And, of course.... one with me! I'm sure this is the one they'll enlarge for above the mantle: Luckily I didn't slam Joe's hand into my car door until after the photo shoot was all done (*sigh*). They were great sports and so fun to be with! Congratulations to Joe & Callie on their upcoming March wedding!

Some of you missed having a Christmas in September gift list!  I'm sure you had sleepless nights over this .  So, I owe you one! Here were September's 5 gift ideas! ( For those of you new to this, I give 5 new ideas each month leading up to Christmas) 1. Personalized Family Tree prints from InvitingMoments on Etsy ( LINK ).   These are adorable and only $19-24 ( depending on whether you hit a sale ).   All wording and colors are customized.  I love these .   2.  Fossil Charm Bracelets ( LINK ).  You buy the chain bracelets for $28-$58, depending on the finish.   Then, add charms over the course of time (like Mother's Day, birthdays, etc.).   There are a variety of charms to pick from ($28-$34).  I love this camera one for me! ( hint,hint) :   3.  Manly soaps .  I'm not sure if all men would appreciate this, but Nathan does.  These homemade soap bars can be used as shaving cream, ba...

Hello, readers!!  I'm back from my blogcation!  I hope you enjoyed your September.  I had a chance to rest and refresh from the world of blogging. And..... drum roll, please ..... I will continue blogging as usual! I'm fueled by your comments and love your support.  So, I'm in if you're in!!! Let's do this!!!!!!

Hello, readers !  Thanks for checking in!  Just letting you know that I will be taking a blogcation for the entire month of September .   That's right, no blogging this month!   At the end of the month I'll decide whether to continue blogging as normal, discontinue blogging, or just keep a private (not open to the public) blog to use as a family journal.   Feel free to provide feedback! Enjoy the month!!!!!!!!!

Savannah's half birthday is today! That's right, she's one and a half! !  Here are the top 10 facts about our sweet Savannah today: 1.  She says ' thank you ' all the time without being prompted.  So polite . 2.  She loves accessories .  She'll bring me a backpack, princess dress, or a hat and request help putting it on.  She also likes to wear purses.  A girly-girl . 3.   She loves to take care of baby dolls .  It's one of my favorite things to watch. 4.   If she had been a boy, her name was going to be Xavier .  Random trivia fact today . 5.  She screams (and I mean screams) if you take something out of her hands.  Good times . 6.  If I start counting, she will say the next number (only up to 3, but still). 7.  She loves cheese quesadillas . 8.  She tries to give Nathan zerberts on his stomach.  It's cute and funny all at once. 9.  She knows how to give kisses now.  Sweetest....

Here are a few of my thrifty finds from this week... A closet organizer (garage sale).  $1.  I was wanting one of these .   My Little Ponies. (garage sale)   25 cents for 2 ponies and a brush.  Cheap little garage sale toys make great prizes for the kids .  I try to reward them when I catch them doing something extra nice or showing super great behavior. Barbies, Barbies, Barbies. I bought the girls 7 Barbies (50 cents each) and a Barbie scooter (50 cents).  They're in good shape and modestly dressed.   It's been fun watching Kennedy play with them.  And, two adorable dresses for Kennedy which I'm too tired to take photos of and upload.  Trust me, they're cute.   That's it for this week! Happy thrifting!!