It's time......

(all the following photos from Google.com)
It's time!
I hate looking at all my photos!
I don't have enough energy!
I'm tired of wearing my "fat clothes"!
(I know, all my skinny clothes have been out of style for a long time and I only have fat clothes!)

Some friends at work have been on a kind of fad diet and are losing a ton (pun not intended- well, maybe intended) of weight. It involves taking some hormone injections, limiting their calories, and only eating certain foods, but I am just not comfortable with that kind of diet. However, they are losing weight and looking really good.

Anyway, I have given myself a "Take Ten" challenge to lose 10 pounds by Christmas.
I intend to do it the healthy way by eating a lot of these

and not too many of these.

I also plan on doing a lot of this.

Anyone out there want to join me in my challenge?

♥
JoAnn

"Grandma time"... Pumpkin Walk...and An early snow storm...

What's better than a little "grandma" time?


I just returned from spending a few days with my cute granddaughters (and their parents).

I enjoyed meeting this sweet little girl.
(Which included all the spoiling time I wanted!)

"The girls"
(Liz, Maddie, and Brooklyn)

Karl, Maddie, and I took some time out to go to the local "Pumpkin Walk".

The "Pumpkin Walk" is a big collection of displays created with pumpkins.

Yes, this is "Where the Wild Things Are".
All of these vegetables were created out of pumpkins.

Don't you love this cute little Yoda?
(No pumpkins used here!)

On my way home, I drove past this beautiful building.

Did you notice the white stuff on the ground?
We had a real snow storm.

I love this house, but I took the picture to show the fall bushes sprinkled with winter snow.
I wonder which season will win?
(I hope fall gets to hang on a little longer!)

♥
JoAnn

Second Annual Halloween Party!

"Once upon a spooky night......."

A group of silly creatures met together to celebrate their second annual Halloween Party!

A "spooktacular" feast was spread out for all to enjoy.

They even welcomed a first timer.....little Maxwell.

Loud laughter was heard rippling through the house as everyone played a wild game of "Lightening".

Stay tuned for more eerie details........

Oops!

Welcome to the world....!

Last night little Brooklyn Kay joined our family!
She was welcomed by her mommy, daddy, and big sister Madison.
We are all relieved and happy that she and her mom are both doing fine,
and we can't wait to meet her.
She weighed in at 7 pounds-6 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long.
(Exactly the same size as Maddie was!)

I am looking forward to spending a few days with them.
(I thought it was fun seeing them both at the exact same age!)


Thanks, Brooklyn, for giving me enough notice to get all my sub plans finished!

See you soon!

JoAnn

Simple pleasures.....

"Happiness...

is a way....

of travel-

not a destination."
-Roy M. Goodman

(Thanks, Liz, for permission to share these great photos!)

Yummy Apple Dumplings.....

Do you have any fall comfort foods that you like?

This Apple Dumpling recipe is a great one.
Who doesn't like the smell of apples, cinnamon, and sugar baking?

Carol Gilbert's Apple Dumplings

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup milk

Mix together the dry ingredients. Add in shortening like you are making a pie dough. Add egg and milk. Roll out in a large rectangle on a floured board. spread a few tablespoons of melted butter on the top. Sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar. Peel and grate about 4-6 apples and spread across the dough. Roll up the dough into a log shape (I like it to be short and fat- not long and skinny). Cut in 1 inch peices and place in a greased dripper size cake pan.

Make a syrup to pour over the dumplings.

Mix together in a sauce pan and bring to a boil:
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup butter

Pour over the dumplings and bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Serve watm with Vanilla ice cream.

P.S. Did you notice that someone couldn't wait to sample the dessert? Sorry! I forgot to hurry and get a picture.

P.P.S. The recipe comes from a good friend of our family. Carol was one of my mother's best friends and she was also the mother of my friend Danny (who recently passed away). Not only does it taste delicious, but I always think of good friends when I make it!

♥
JoAnn

Witches Night Out!

Recipe for Witches Night
Add:

1 cool night (do not chill)
hundreds of assorted witches (all sizes, shapes, and ages)

stir in:
Hot cheese and potato soup in bread bowls
energetic music
festive lights
lots of pumpkins
caramel apples

Mix together until well done.
Awesome!