Blankets to Diaper Changing Pads

I love taking pictures of my kids if for no other reason than to document the moment. In the background of these are 3 of the 4 diaper changing pad I made out of receiving blankets. I like how they turned out. They are soft and semi absorbent. It's nice to have a little something to lay the kids down on for diaper changes around the house. Even when we are out and about so that it's more comfortable for them. I had plenty of little blankets which are a touch too small for my kids so here was a great repurposing project.

 

 

Pickled Peppers so Sweet

I had harvested a ton of items from my garden due to the coming freezing weather but I didn't know what to make or do with everything. My friend Heather suggested that we pickle the peppers. I wasn't sure what I would do with pickled peppers but I was game. We had fun hanging out together and letting our kids play.

 

I learned a valuable lesson that day...DON'T breath in the smell of the brine for pickling things. It BURNS!!! I obviously didn't learn my lesson fast enough because I inhaled it more than once. When Heather's husband Kenny joined us after work he walked in and stated, "It stinks in here." We were not surprised.

 

We had some dinner from the crock pot (I am trying to integrate using my crock pot more as it really makes the evening smoother) and relaxed as we finished canning. After dinner Kenny sat down and played my piano a little bit and his son Wyatt joined him.

 

While we were just hanging out Gwendolyn went to sit on her daddy's lap and we all got a good laugh. Kenny ran his fingers through Gwen's hair which had been in a high ponytail and fluffed her curly hair nicely. It was hilarious.

 

It was a wonderful afternoon of hanging out with good friends. And I must admit canning peppers will be on my list of things to do after this year. We've already used them in chili's and other dishes. And the aroma has changed so much that it has a sweet pleasant smell now. Thank you Heather for the great suggestion and helping me get something done!

Changes in Technology

Do you remember what it was like before digital cameras? I can honestly say I do. Growing up I rarely got to take photos of anything which I can understand since the camera required some skill to use and to see if you got anything worthwhile meant you had to print the pictures which cost money. Now a days camera's are smart enough to do a lot of things for you to help you get a decent picture and you can look right then at the camera to see if you got the picture you wanted or not. Back in the day the closest to instant gratification with a camera was Polaroid's. We had one growing up too but again I never used it. But the idea of taking a picture and waiting just a few minutes for it to develop right before your eyes! Amazing!

 

I am blessed to have a wonderful digital camera and even my phone has an awesome camera on it. The problem I see now is I don't have to worry about how many pictures I take. I can take as many as I want and it doesn't cost me a thing. I love taking pictures and capturing moments but I feel they are not always the greatest pictures. Benjamin in fact sees the camera now and runs. My husband has teased me about my nephew's and niece's not knowing what my face looks like without a camera attached to it. While working on pictures for my blog lately and looking at how many pictures I take to capture a moment I have this feeling that maybe learning more about photography would be beneficial to me so I can quickly capture a moment and know it's a good enough one to print and call it good.

 

We shall see what the future holds soon enough! As for now is my little Elizabeth on October 21, 2012.

 

This was such a fun dress for her. She loved to grab her skirt and pull it up to her face.

Family Time and Dirt Clumps

On October 20th, 2012 we went out as family to Bob's Corn Maze. The place was crowded but we were lucky and it only rained before and after we were there. We walked through the corn maze basically letting Benjamin lead the way. They had two kids maze's one with a story and one with a like a treasure hunt of sorts.

Benjamin's boots and pants were a little too big but I thought they were warm and he looked like he was ready for a cold and muddy fall day. He kept finding clumps of dirt and would play with them. I love watching my kids explore and learn about the world around them. When I take the time to slow down and appreciate things like dirt clumps too it's nice. 

 Elizabeth was strapped to her daddy the whole time and quite content. We went on a hay/tractor ride over to the big pumpkin patch but we didn't stay. I just wanted to take the ride and enjoy something else before heading home.

 

Once home it was back to studying for daddy and playing with toys for Benjamin. In my dad's van that we acquired there was a gift I had given him. An old fashion truck with food and stuff...like a food basket but in the truck. Benjamin loves to play with that truck now. Of course he broke it. But daddy says he can fix it. I will admit I am a little sentimental about it.  

The things that Benjamin finds amusing to play with amaze me. We obtain toys for him and yet its normal everyday decorations, tools or other household items that he wants to play with. As long as it makes him happy I guess.

 

It was great to get out of the house together that day as a family and enjoy the fall season.