5 Things I Love Friday

1. The relationship Tyson has with my sisters (and little brother).




2. The beginning of another December Daily. Thank you again Ali Edwards for being so creative!

This is my 2008 album. I'm busy making the foundation of my 2009 book right now. I'll post pictures later.





3. A 2-3 year supply of apple juice. Thanks to my generous grandparents who actually juiced all the apples and just let me pick up the juice to bottle. Wow. (and also gave me loads of apples to do other things with) Now I just have to find a place to put them all......



4. I finally got my back door painted the color that I wanted.



5. That I have enough left over paint from my office downstairs to paint my laundry room this week. Wish me luck!

This year for Halloween....

Tyson and I were pretty much down for the count. So it sufficeth to say that we went "trick or treating" to exactly one house. My sister's. Mostly because she really wanted to see Tyson in his costume and I wanted Tyson to be able to ring at least one doorbell. I have to admit that I am a Halloween grinch. It's not my favorite holiday. But it's still fun to dress up the boy.

Tyson was not excited to put on his costume. He had had a bad/short nap, and was forced. I'm sure it was pretty funny to watch me shove my screaming toddler into a skunk outfit, but that's exactly what happened.

We had already gotten some cute footage of Tyson having fun being a skunk last week, so that makes me feel better.

When we left the house, Tyson spotted his friend across the street ( a bumble bee) and that made everything better for a minute. Then we had to leave, and he pulled and tugged on his costume and begged to be let out. Poor poor child. He has such mean parents.





Tyson got his game face on when we got to my sisters. He knew the drill. Lets face it. Even when you're a sick kid you want candy.




Hope you all had a good Halloween! Now on to the better Holidays! :)

When it snows......

Right now we have snow on the ground, covering the beautiful orange leaves, capping carved jack-o-lanterns, and leaving little rivers on the sidewalks as it melts. Voluntarily, I stay inside, cozy with my little boy and watch from the window. I am lucky that on most days I don't have anywhere that I have to be. That will change in a few years, but right now, I am savoring it.

Our pumpkins ready for decorating are now frosty and white.

Once Orange



Now White



And Gray- a quick picture I snapped before the snow arrived. I'm glad I did.



I experimented and put together these little boxes for the ladies I visit teach.



We make hot cocoa by the quart. Tyson is the resident stirrer and helps me pour it into his sippy cup.



We stay in jammies, watch movies, and play.



And last but not least, we make yummy food. For example, I'm sure I'm not the only person with an affinity for Cafe Rio's salmon tacos. They are mouthwatering. Simply fabulous. While relishing the last one, I took careful stock of what was inside and decided that I could make it myself.

I baked some salmon with kosher salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and parsley sprinkled on top. Shredded it. Rinsed and heated some black beans, and washed fresh cilantro. Then I made my own version of the house ranch from Cafe Rio. Put it all together! So good! It's definitely a do-again.



The sauce:
1 cup butter milk
1 cup mayo
1 clov. garlic, chopped
3-4 tomatillos, chopped
1 packet ranch seasoning
1 tsp. lime juice
salt to taste
1/2 jalapeno chopped and seeded if you desire a little kick

Blend in blender. This makes quite a bit. Be warned.