Happy Birthday!

Today, my wonderful daddy turns 56!!

I can't adequately express how precious my daddy means to me.

He's one of the strongest men I know--physically and spiritually!

He was always around when we kiddos were growing up--which we LOVED.

He taught us everything we know about sports--he was my basketball coach from 2nd grade thru 12th grade!

He showed us kids what true love is--he and my mom have been married for 32 years.

He's sacrificial, caring, funny, and oh so smart!

God gave me a an amazing earthly Father who follows our Heavenly Father--I couldn't be more blessed.

I love you daddy! I hope you have a great day!!

Now I couldn't end a blog without some pictures--so here's some of my daddy through the years!

What a handsome little boy!

My dad, the athlete!

College days

*~Newlywed~*

Daddy of three
Easter 1986

Daddy to the rescue!
Carrying me after I sprained my ankle in a basketball game

I love that my dad can still be goofy and have a good time!

He looooves being a grandpa!

So sweet

~ Four generations ~
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."
Proverbs 20:7

I've always loved my daddy's hands.
They're the hands of a strong, hardworking man.

This almost seems more like a Father's Day post..haha.
Oh well...I've got a great dad to brag about!

Happy Birthday, Dad (and Grandpa)!!
We love you

Our Halloween

I haven't dressed up for Halloween in yyeeaarss. Probably because I wasn't raised celebrating Halloween. I think I remember trick or treating once...maybe. I wasn't missing out, though. I always had a blast at the fall festivals our church held each year.

I'm still not a huge Halloween fan. Here's a good explanation why one fellow blogger doesn't celebrate Halloween like many do--she's not pushy and pious about it, but sweet and sincere.

~~~*~*~*~~~

A couple of years ago, my dad purchased a bunch of little 10 cent Bibles. We decided that we might as well put the holiday to good use, so along with yummy candy, we gave each trick or treater one of those little Bibles.

We're still enjoying that same tradition. Before the night begins, we get together and pray for all the children that are going to come to our door--we pray that the little Bibles will somehow make an impact in their lives.

And this year, since we've got a sweet little boy of our own, I figured it would be fun to get back in on the costume action! Ethan was Charlie Brown, I was a '50s Housewife, and Bob was a rocker dude (with fake tattoo sleeves--he just thinks they're so cool! haha)

We started the evening at my in-laws...

Dinner and some candy!
It was a fairly quick stop, but we had fun while we were there!

Papaw with his little buddy, Charlie Brown!

Daddy showing off Ethan's outfit...

Our dressed up little family...

Mom and Dad having some fun!

Silly faces =)

Ethan's 1st Halloween card...

He really liked it!

Later we went back to our house so we could hand out those cute little Bibles! My parents, grandma, sister and brother-in-law came over. We had a great time!

My BFF and her son, Nathan (Charlie Brown, too!) stopped by for a quick visit...


...and then Great-Grandma finally sang Ethan to sleep.
It's hard work being so cute!


My grandma is such a godly woman and an incredible blessing to our family!


Me and my rocker dude!
(He's rarely serious in a picture..especially after eating so much sugar!)


I've made myself sick the past couple of days eating so much candy!

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they're obligated to eat it all??

The Simple Woman's Day Book

"The Simple Woman's Daybook" originally started at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ . Check it out!

FOR TODAY...
November 2, 2009

Outside my window...it's absolutely beautiful!! Clear, blue skies; the sun is shining, and it's 73°!

I am thinking..."Wow. I'm really hungry."

I am thankful for...beautiful days like today =)

From the kitchen...nothing planned. I need to go grocery shopping!

I am wearing...black jogging pants, NBA tshirt

I am going...to eat at McAlister's Deli today. I have a free tea card burning a hole in my pocket!

I am reading...Sweet Deception, by Drs. Mercola and Pearsall

I am hoping...that I can get everything done today that needs to be done!

I am hearing...Ethan playing with toys.

Around the house...more thanksgiving decor to put up!

One of my favorite things...is hearing Ethan laugh! It's one of the best sounds ever!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Visit my Grandma, FPU, go to the park for a playdate!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I love Norman Rockwell art...and I LOVE Thanksgiving.
I'm so glad it's November! =)

An Autumn Stroll

The other day I took Ethan for a walk and decided to snap a few pictures along the way. As you can tell in the first picture, Ethan is looking a little sleepy. He had fallen into a cabinet and hit his head--right around naptime, wouldn't ya know--so of course I couldn't let the little guy lay down. The doc. told me to keep him upright for a couple of hours. So the best way, I figured, to make sure Ethan stayed upright was just to go on a walk.

Besides, some fresh air and pretty fall foliage would do us some good!

Random--I know--I'm trying to be all cool and artsy. haha (I, by no means, claim to be a photographer! Far from it!)

This pic just doesn't do justice to what I really saw. I wish you could've been on the walk with me to see this beauty up close and personal!

Just a little red sprinkled throughout the leaves of this tree

Falling leaves caught in the schoolyard's fence!

Ethan loved the leaves just as much as I did!

Ok, I think you can get that nap in now, Kar...uh, I mean, Ethan.

Baked Cheese Crepes

Baked Cheese Crepes is one of my go-to dinners. I always seem to have all the ingredients on hand. And my family loves it. Yes, even my husband! Which is always exciting for me =)

I saw this prepared on Everyday Italian a couple of years ago. Give it a try sometime!

Whisk the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Heat a 6-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.

Brush the skillet with some butter. (Or just use your hands like I did--I need a new brush!)

Working quickly, pour 3 tablespoons of the egg mixture into the pan, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.


Cover and cook until the egg crepe is just set, about 1 minute.

Invert the skillet over a plate, and allow the egg crepe to drop onto the plate.

Voila!

Repeat to make 10 crepes total, brushing the skillet with melted butter as needed and stacking crepes on the plate.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.


Butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish.
Arrange 1 egg crepe on a work surface.
Place some of the fontina and mozzarella (I just use mozzarella) cheese in the center of the egg crepe, then sprinkle with some basil. (Italian Seasoning works well, too, if you don't have fresh basil)

Roll up the crepe. Place the filled crepe in the prepared baking dish, seam side down.

Repeat with the remaining egg crepes, cheese, and basil. Spoon the marinara sauce over the crepes. (I have yet to make the homemade marinara that goes with the recipe. Store bought tastes great, too!)

Sprinkle with the Parmesan...

...and dot with 2 tablespoons of butter.

Bake until the cheese melts and the top is golden, about 15 minutes.

I usually serve green beans and breadsticks with these.
It's one of my favorite comfort meals!