Fall and The Farm

On Saturday Kristina, my mom, and I went to Lehene Farms to pick tomatoes (more...I thought they were nuts to can more tomatoes) and apples for apple pie filling. However, when we arrived Fall was in the air. So we had to get a few pictures before we started our hard work (I will post that later).

Kristina and I decided we will buy this farm when it is for sale, quit teaching, and run the business. We will have a barn that has a store like Treasures of the Heart in it too. Then Brandon and Jason and work real jobs to support our newly found hobby! We haven't told them yet about our plan.....

Sometimes I think Kristina and my mom have more fun hanging out together. Kristina is always commenting on how she really loves my mom. So, Kristina was excited to see a squash with an endearing name, and bought it for her! We all got a kick out of this!!

Grungy Schmungy to Fancy Schmancy

My parents have a summer painting business. Last Saturday Jason and I were helping them finish a job in town. We rolled out of bed early in the morning and spent the day working with them. That evening Cheryl invited us to the South Umpqua Foundation dinner, which is a fundraiser for the schools to make improvements and additions. It was really fun! We got to hang out with the Jim and Sharon, Mark and Michelle, as well as Lonnie and Cheryl. Thanks Cheryl for inviting us!

Grungy Schmungy

Fancy Schmancy

Chocolate Zucchini Cake and Fall Decorations

Thanks to Michelle, Sharon, and Tori, I was able to make Chocolate Zucchini Cake this afternoon.....all I have to say is, "WOW!" This recipe is so wonderful, and the cake is so good that I couldn't get a picture before people started eating it. I gave some to my parents, neighbors, and I am going to take some to school tomorrow for Susan! It is incredibly good, I was able to put my large zucchini to good use, and freeze some of the shredded zucchini too!

On Saturday Kristina and I spent the day together and had a "girl day," while Brandon was busy working on their shop and Jason was gone for the weekend at an annual men's retreat with our church. We went to one of our two favorite stores, Friends and Family ( in Sutherlin, and the other one is Treasures of the Heart in Tri-City). I found these pillars, quilt runner, candle "garland" and cinnamon scented pine cones on Saturday. We had lunch and spent the rest of the day catching-up at her house. It was a wonderful Saturday!

A Bounty of Gifts and Chin Puppets

I was walking through the busy hallways this morning and from a distance Destiny and Alyssa's faces were glowing. As I got closer I saw their arms were full of these gifts for me! They were so proud of themselves for walking all the way to school as they carried cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, jalapenos, summer squash, and this gigantic zucchini from their garden. The zucchini has got be be at least 4-5 lbs. I am going to make Michelle's Chocolate Zucchini cake and I am so excited. Then another student has been bringing me roses everyday this week....what a sweetie.

My classroom is on the hot side of the building and the kids were just loosing it because it was so hot this afternoon. I canned the lesson we were working on and we did Chin Puppets instead. Here Paige the Purple Polka-dotted Pig is sporting some lovely barn yard brown hair! I set it up like a little talk show with a real microphone and the kids had a blast.....they were giggling and totally engaged! Aubrey( Alyssa's younger sister) even helped name the Chin Puppets. Thanks Cheryl for helping with the paper clips. I wish I had thought of that a long time ago!

Is It Sleepytime Yet?

The last few evenings after dinner is made and dishes are cleaned, ironing is finished, and lunches are made, I have found Heather sacked out on the couch. She has 27 second graders this year and she's expelled a lot of energy the past few days. Last night Figaros appreciated teachers by offering large pizzas for $5. We got two and are set to have pizza for several nights. It makes me happy because nothing could be better than pizza for dinner, and Heather doesn't have to cook. (Jason)