NO NEW STUFF 30-DAY CHALLENGE

We are taking the challenge! We are committed to begin this 30 day "material fast". We will buy essentials like groceries, medications, etc. But no new STUFF! The money we "save" from not buying stuff, will then be donated or used for a special project...not sure which quite yet.

The girls were a bit distressed at first, but are gradually seeing the rational behind the fast. We were prompted by our friend Linden to take the challenge. Today, I had to exchange some shirts at the mall for my tweenager (wrong size purchased before the fast began...I had to remind myself to avoid window shopping and avoid temptation.

We are trying to avoid eating out also. This is not that difficult since we don't eat out much anyway. I did treat the girls to frozen yogurt...but refuse to buy Shrinky Dink supplies until June!

...family rocks!

...we have one more set of cousins back in town. Another set will be here in two weeks. Not only do we love the cousins, we love their parents, too! God has blessed us with such amazing brothers and sisters and their spouses. And everyone will be in the same state. These little ones in the picture are absolutely scrumptious!!!

a new favorite book

I really love this new book I found at the library, Cooking with Whole Foods by Nicola Graimes. We are not completely vegetarian, nor do we eat all organic... so this book really seems to be a nice healthy balance. I could add meat to many of the recipes if I feel so inclined. My daughter G is excited to try out some of these recipes before it is due back to the library. We just might have to break down and buy a copy...

We are going to a dinner party on Sunday night and I am in charge of bringing an appetizer. I think the Courgette Fritters with Chili Jam sound great! (Courgette's are zucchini...I didn't know this until I read this recipe.)

I had a great picture, but once again, my computer doesn't want to upload photos. Time to call in the guru...

...new hair and family picture!

I have new hair color. I wanted a shock of blonde in the front, but got a bit of caramel instead. Next time...blonde blonde... why not? Of course, this picture was taken right after my hairdresser styled my hair, so it will never look this good again.

This is our new family picture taken for our school directory. Our photographer , Aaron Zieschang is great! We kept missing the photo session appointment, so we had to go during a really windy day. I guess that makes us look glamorous!

I orginally titled this entry "sick day". I have been sick with a terrible sore throat since Monday night. It's not Strep or H1N1...just a virus. Dang. I am ready to be well. I am missing really fun stuff, like G's volleyball practice tonight, and my friend Lisa's art show. waa waa waa. Okay, enough whinging. Tomorrow is a new day!

My little one...

My little one decided to be a Secret Service Special Agent for Halloween. We made her this cool badge and she found all sorts of gadgets to attach to her ear and waist. Her cousin was also a "spy". She was impressed that her uncle used to be an "agent" years ago.

Prior to Halloween, she and I took a trip to the pumpkin patch with her class. This is truly one of my favorite field trips. As a class, they make a real scarecrow and take home good size pumpkins and other treats. I was thrilled to find peach syrup, pumpkin butter and cherry juice in the little store.

We had a little snow!

We had a little snowstorm last week! School was closed for two days. P didn't go to work, except to pick up some files from the office, early in the storm...he wanted to be prepared. We had a great time sitting by the fire, sledding, eating at our neighborhood pizzeria. We played games, cuddled, crafted. I thought I would get so much done at home; cleaning my desk, the craft table, maybe even scrapbooking. No, I got very little done. I guess snowdays are not for catching up on tasks, but for catching up on living.

...my big clown

G and her friend went to a Halloween party last weekend. Her friend went as the girl from Pirates of the Caribbean. What on earth is her name? My G went as a clown...but not just any clown. My grandfather was a clown in the Shriner Circus in Abilene, Texas. The vest and the shoes were his. She wore it so well. Isn't she adorable? She did win "best costume" at the party.

Now, I am off to put together the most amazing "spy" costume for my little one. Any ideas?

...school started today!

My girls started school today. It was time...they were starting to get on each other's nerves...and mine. They are so thrilled to be back! They love their teachers and are in class with many close friends.

Taking A to 2nd grade was fun. We had to help her get all her supplies put away. She had a little coloring assignment to turn in. She gave us lots of hugs and smiles for the camera!

On the other hand, taking G to 5th grade was very different. We just dropped her off and had to plead for her to let us take a picture. I reminded Preston that in just two years we will just drop her off at middle school. Yikes!

Camping at Golden Gate Canyon

We spent a night camping, not too far from our house, at Golden Gate Canyon. It was true camping except for we had a cabin instead of a tent. The cabins don't have kitchens, bathrooms or any running water. We went with my sister, her boys and my parents. Oh, and my dogs, of course. This is my sister with my daughter G.
Preston eats breakfast with A, and my nephews. This table cloth has is one we have used for camping for over 30 years. I remember using it when we camped at the Oregon coast when I was younger than my kids. I recall picking fresh blackberries for breakfast, rafting in the river, the old VW van...

Here, Papa J is teaching G to start a fire. She never wants to be a Girl Scout, so she gets all her outdoor survival training from us. I guess she needs some "indoor survival" training, too. What exactly is that anyway? I have such great memories of camping. I hope to pass this love on to my kids!

Garden glory by G

My daughter G loves to take photographs, especially close-ups of flowers. She is loving summer and the opportunities for photo-safari's, as we call them! These are from our own back yard. Maybe I am biased, but I think she has a great "eye". She loves capturing the little details of each plant or flower.

A little train trip

We took a little Amtrak train trip from downtown Denver to Winter Park/Frasier a few months ago. In this photo, G is looking out the window as the train passes right behind our house!
Preston is helped out by A as I beat him in a round of Speed/Spit in the Ocean. The train is full of interesting people. We actually sat near some friends from our neighborhood on their way to Glenwood Springs.

While in Frasier, we went tubing and it was freezing. We also had some good food and time together as a family

History...

This is me, in an apron, of course. Keep reading for a funny comment from my 10 year old.

We were discussing her Colorado History unit at school. I said, "I don't remember studying Colorado History when I was in 4th grade." Then she said, "That's because there wasn't much history!"

Oh, my dear child, you are too funny!

The toothfairy came to our house last week...

and she brought money for my little honey!

"A" lost her first tooth!!!

On a side note... my Bible study/prayer group has been reading The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Chapter 5 talks about living an "unhurried life".

God put two quotes on my heart this week:

"People nowdays take time
far more seriously than eternity."

Thomas Kelly

"We must ruthlessly remove
hurry from our lives... we cannot move faster than the one we are following."

John Ortberg

Happy Birthday A...

This is a photo G took during "dress-up" one afternoon.

Snowed in...

Finally... pictures of our snow day! The girls played for hours with the neighbor boys... our good friends Q and B!!! We got two extra days of Spring Break because of the snow.