Under that apple suckling tree, oh yeah!

Our sweet neighbor surprised us with a bushel of apples this afternoon. Sooo,

We made apple pie from scratch.

Improvising in some areas, but all in all pretty tasty treat.

Watching the pies bake...

Showing off their sign language.

Reciepe as made today:

A bunch of apples, peeled and sliced

3/4 cup of sugar

1 tsp lemon juice (I was out, so I squeezed 1/2 of an orange all over them)

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix all together and let sit for 15 minutes while you make the crust

Combine 2 cups of flour and 1 tsp salt, mix in 1/4 cup of cold water. Mix in 3/ 4 cup of shortening (I used Smart Balance because that's all I had). Make a dough, roll it out, put in a pie dish.

Mix in 1tbsp of flour into the apple mixture

Poor and top with remaining dough. You can add a brush of milk to the crust (or soy milk) and a couple of pats of butter. Cook for 2 hours or so on 375. Standing in front of the oven for a while with big boots on and no pants makes for tastier, more anticipated treat. Also, send the husband out for vanilla ice-cream is nice, too, but it doesn't make it vegan and without, it is.

Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me

So the show last night was a treat. It weren't Rock n' Roll per say, but it did tickle my fancy. Trey Anasatasio (you know, the dude from Phish), played with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. It was pretty quiet and respectful, and most people seemed to enjoy their symphonic trance. I would love to have the show to listen to at home. I enjoy classical music if I am doing something: reading, painting, cleaning, driving, anything. But, I have to admit that to just sit and stare at a scene that changes every so slightly from moment to moment with the raise of a bow-ehhh, not half as enthralling as watching the bud light bubbles pop at the bottom of my huge plastic cup. There was plenty of pent up energy oozing from the audience of ol' Trey fans, and some fratish boys sitting behind us cracked up when the symphony played what sounded like a Disney sound track piece (it WAS a bit funny). Now, I'm not sure, but I think that the symphony may not have had such an "enthusiastic" audience before, and they seemed to be pleased at the roaring applause. This format is a great match for Trey in many ways, as his music in general is beautifully orchestrated and full. So, enjoyable, yes, though I prefer to shake my tail feathers ifin' I pay for tickets...My favorite, was this song, done delicately and smoothly.

Fifteen men on the dead man's chest — Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest — Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!

A week update:

Ollie: Has been focusing on the letter "S" in school this week. Today, they had a "silly sock contest" made s'mores, and had share day. He got high marks on his "smelling test." He even got his first real report card this week. When I saw it, I cried. What a sap, I know, I just didn't expect that he'd get one and that he'd be all grown up, and that he'd be so smart, and good. Well, I did expect it, but its just so strange to see.

Eli: Continues to crack me up in his acquisition of language. He'll pretend to freeze when he says, "agua fria." This week we were listing to Dave Ramsey (oooo, go there and read his take on the absurd bail out) and Dave said something about congress calling one day to yell "We're debt freeeeee," and here the cue of the Braveheart yell, well I cracked up, and Eli said, "What's so funny?" and I told him not thinking he'd get the joke, and he burst out laughing. What a ham. He's two. Laughing at financial and political jokes repeated to him. Even funnier than the government operating in the black.

Evan: 2 guesses, playing computer games (yawn) and watching football (snoozeville) ding, ding, ding..... (Oh, he is taking me to a show tomorrow night, soooo.)

Me: Reading this, and getting tons of ideas for my growing business, painting, playing guitar, and loving the fact that I am not teaching ungrateful teenagers. (Thanks Delena Joe for reminding me why I felt like I was banging my head against the grey concrete walls.) (Oh, and I hope you get some sleep tonight with that sweet 4 month old of yours.)

The family: Reading Treasure Island together. Our first non-picture book aloud. It is fun, I am narrating, and it is very exciting. I can't wait to see what happens next, or what book we'll decide on. Good clean family fun, and the kids are loving it.

See the Soul Singer in the session band

Here's where we were last night, in case you were looking for us. We were rockin' out. I love this guy...

Stay in m' kitchen, have m' own picnic. . .In the bathroom

OH Yeah, I'm a big boy!

This is the face of a proud pooper! One big loaf in the potty! After 4 + years of changing diapers, I am so ready for this. Here's hoping he does this quick! Go Eli..

Yesterday, I was praying, nay begging God for something totally ridiculous that I don't need. Just over and over again. And, I walk in the kitchen without saying a word, and Ollie looks at me and says out of the blue, "mom, does God sometimes say 'no.'" I couldn't believe it. I asked why he brought it up, and he shrugged and bounced off. Okay, I get the message. Sometimes the answer is no....

Salute her when her birthday comes.

My birthday weekend in photo..

Mom and me at the Frist seeing Rodin, and trying not to act up with this guy as a tour guide. He kept making comments like, "are you smokin' it?"
O'Ray's soccer game.

Me later on that night...

Forcing the family into the wilderness..
Getting licked by baby deer (really, they were wild!)
Passing a field of sunflowers...

Playing in the wilderness

My birthday weekend was supposed to be spent here rocking out. The camp was canceled, and I had to make due with art museums, tequila, and camping out. As you can see from the above pictures taken with my fancy new camera, it WAS a great plan B. Muchas gracias, family.

Pretty girls are made for boy's love,

An afterschool conversation:
Ollie (lifting up his hair): Mom, do I only have one eyebrow?
Me (cracking up): No, why do you think that?
Ollie (very serious): Well, Meredith told me I did.
Me (cracking up): Did you tell her that she only has one nose.
Ollie (very serious): Everyone only has one nose [eye roll]
Me (cracking up)

Oh, girls can be so cruel....

Yes, it sure has been a long, hard climb.

Screw the "staycation"

We like to ride with our feet flapping in the wind, much to the husband's chagrin.

Self portrait

Up a tree
Jammin with the windows down, feet out the window, and rock n roll on blastin' from the speakers



The siblings 3. E1, E2, & E3
Sweet a licious cousin Hannah
And, certainly not least, everybody's favorite- Papaw

We also went to the Little Italy fair which consisted of creaky carny rides and Zumba lessons. Thanks Rayburn's, we really enjoyed our family time.

They took Mr. Rogers off the air, and I am devastated. This is by far, the best kids show ever in a million years. The kids get up and veg for all of 30 minutes a day in front of the tube, and I sleep. I feel like stomping my feet and screaming, "It's not fair!". So, if you want to help me preserve my sanity, sleep time, and help save an American icon from floating away into memory, sign this petition, please: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/mrrogersonnpt/

I know I am behind posting details of our lives, but hey, we're busy 'round these parts.

Ok- One quickie:

Eli (at 6 am to Ollie): Mornin' Ollie, you look funny....

and then a few minutes later:

Eli: I goin' to rock and roll camp.... (He then proceeds to play air guitar saying, "nah, nah, nah, nah."

All this when I was wallowing in my pre-coffee grumpiness...