SATURDAY

We've had a cool front move in - or something. It is supposed to get down to 30* tonight. That is COLD here. The houses aren't insulated like they are in the North or AK.

Nolan, Zander, Jamin and I headed out this a.m. to buy groceries for the week. Just a few things to fill out our menu. We got home and had lunch and then...

We took advantage of the cool to go outside and play. First, we spent an hour at the park with Adrienne and her children. They had an hour to blow on this side of town. Then the kids and I headed over to a local school. This whole area were fields when we moved in a year ago...now there is a neighborhood springing up...but in the evenings and weekends the parking lot and play areas of the school are empty. The kids love to set up and play street hockey.

Stacia and Zander like the play structures more than hockey.

We were all cold when we got home. I made a wonderful soup with fresh veggies, sauce and roast left from earlier in the week and kidney beans. The Italian spiced bread I made yesterday was a great compliment to the soup. We ended the night watching *Chariots of Fire*. The older three boys have been reading Eric Liddell biographies....one by the Benges for Jared and *God's Joyful Runner* for Cy and Jamin.

Stacia was worn out and fell asleep at 8:00 p.m. I'm heading there myself....praying she will sleep better tonight. Two teeth are nearly through...the other two are toying with her.

TRAVELING....

I'm seriously wondering what the girls would think of Greyhound....at $198 per ticket it's 2/3's chepaer.....and they'd get here just 1/2 a day later than they would flying. They'd have to fly from here on the 31st as tickets are more on the 1st/2nd.....and driving they could leave on the 1st and arrive back mid day on the 2nd.....

I am also looking into Amtrak but it appears that you can't go from WA to TX on Amtrak...both cities have stations...but the site keeps telling me that it can't do it....

Hmm....

Arielle kneads a cinamon loaf - she thinks she may even taste a piece of the bread this time {G}

The highlight of our day yesterday was receiving a package from Mike....

Stuffed Camels

Mike read the rest of the Narnia series and sent them to us. I'm debating if they should be "bed time" reading or if we should use them for those family reading nights when none of us want to read.

Arabic M/M's....

Jamin claimed the t-shirt from Columbus day and used it this a.m. in fact...will there be one from the Veteran's Day Fun Run????

*Feeding the Healthy Vegetarian Family by Ken Haedrich*

I found this cookbook to be full of great-sounding recipes. I've not tried a lot of them yet....but this book comes highly recommended by several. I've tried the "toasted sweetened pecans" and they were fabulous in a salad. {bg} I've decided to find some tahini and try some new recipes.

I'll keep you posted as I actually try some of these recipes - but it was a good "read". {bg} Does anyone else read cookbooks?

Mike is having lots of fun on his all expense paid vacation

Pampered Chef - Kelly you asked....

*Mike, it may be best for your blood pressure to simply skip this entry. ::snort::

OK I have a history with PC. I love their products, but some of their products have not held up well to daily use in my home.

My theory is that I cook more than most and that I have a larger family than most. The consultant last night was not impressed with my theory. I've had the servers seperate from the handles, I've broken 2 of the hand held graters and I've had 3 of the choppers crack before giving up on those products. Mike asks me to find a professional store and buy professional quality stuff. I KNOW that PC gives lifetime warranties...but this is more hassle than I want to deal with if you are military and your consultant is military - both move - you can't find her again to turn it in - and sometimes receipts get lost in moves before the 5 years or lifetime warranty expire. LOL Las night's consultant (who has been the consultant at two of this month's parties) insists that SHE keeps lifetime records and is retired military and will not be moving. ::snort::

All that to say that I'm now careful to buy things that don't look like they can crack or wear out with lots of use.

This month I bought:
First Party:
~a 2nd pizza stone for Jamin - he couldn't get over using a rectangle stone for the 2nd pizza; just a tad bit persnickety in my book (pizza stone works great for cookies too - but they won't do it)

Second Party:
~a ceramic tiles tray that will be great for tea

~a spritzer bottle for olive oil (I currently use a spray bottle and it doesn't cover well....I don't like buying those oils in a pam can)

Third Party:
~can opener

~can strainer

~small mix & scaper

~small & large scoop (love my small one for cookies - need two so kids can work together)

~Measure all

~Crust Shield

I was VERY careful to choose things that looked like they would hold up....that spritzer is the only one I'm wondering about - I've had those break before on me too. LOL

Now - I want to buy the new knives. They look like they are good quality and will not fall apart with my household use. I've thought about this for YEARS (over 10)....and now they have NEW ones that the consultant SWEARS is better than the old ones. I didn't buy any because I wasn't sure.....I realize I only use a small knife, butcher knife and bread knife on a consistent basis....so maybe I don't need a SET - just those three and some steak knives....

Also - if I'm going to buy something that big it would be nice to have that 10% host discount....but I HATE having parties....it raises issues for me as a Pastor's wife....maybe a book party...but there again....ARGH....maybe I'll get invited to a few more parties....