Camping Out with Grandma & Grandpa

Talk about making some memories!  Mom and Dad came up a few weeks ago and we took Harrison and Emerson camping on the ranch where we live.  There is a perfect spot under a canopy of trees that even has a fire ring.  Dad scrounged up the pup tents we used when my brother and I were little.  We went camping quite often when I was growing up and Mom and Dad have kept the gear in their garage over the years hoping, I'm sure, that some day their grandchildren might be able to use it.  (See...it DOES pay to be a pack rat!)  Well, everything was still in working order!  Dad set up the tents and stoked up a fire, Mom made cozy sleeping pallets in the tents, the kids explored and played in a fort that must have been made by the family that lived here before, and I prepared to cook hot dogs and s'mores.  Harrison and Emerson colored wooden masks that morning and we read a book and did a little play by the campfire once it got dark.  It was perfect.

We had a good night's sleep and awoke at about 7 the next morning.  Dad got the fire going again and I cooked bacon and fried eggs for breakfast.  We even had coffee in my french press!  We just don't mess around!  The kids had a ball.  They almost enjoyed it as much as Mom and Dad and I did!  I really can't wait to do this again!

Happy Camper,

Outside Lisa

P.S.  Harrison was covered with chiggers the following Monday and had to go to the school nurse because he was itching so badly.  Next time we go camping, I'll be sure to spray the kids down with OFF to keep those little devils at bay.

Farewell to October

This was our first October in our new home in the hill country of Texas and I just can't help but marvel at how beautiful it was.  These are the last pictures I took of our yard in all it's October glory and I just had to share.  The last few nights have been pretty cold and the images in these pictures will not be seen again for another year as frost has nipped and transformed just about everything including my nose!  I pulled out the heat lamps for the hen house and our dog Maisy and decided not to cover any of the plants in the yard because there are just too many and I'm okay with Winter having it's way.  We have mostly perennials and evergreens, anyway, but I was really sad to see my beloved Zinnias go.  Also, I hated losing the basil and figs.  The figs were so close to being ripe my mouth was watering, but alas, they are not going to make it this year:(  I hoped to harvest some Winter squash and tomatoes from the Fall garden, but no such luck.  All the blooms and baby squash and tomatoes are gone, too.  Next year I will know to plant the Fall garden earlier and I'll be better prepared for the cold season.

I am happy to say that the lettuce, arugula, kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, mustard greens, sage, and chives are holding up nicely, as they should.  The first head of broccoli made it's appearance last week!

Goodbye, October.  It was good.  You will be missed.

Outside Lisa

Fall 2010 Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Check out the Shutterfly Photo Book I just made for my Mom.  If you've never been to Shutterfly, you're missing out.  I have made several books on their site and they are great.  In fact, I prefer photo books over prints in albums these days.  They're neater and hold up better in my opinion.  Hope you like the book, Mom!

Fall Surprise

Today after school and work, I had a little surprise waiting for the kids.  A pile of leaves!!!

Harrison couldn't wait to dive in.  Emerson was not impressed, at all.

Happy Fall!

Outside Lisa

Pumpkin Patch at Love Creek Apple Orchard

A few weeks ago my Mom and I took my kids to the Pumpkin Patch at Love Creek Orchard in Medina, Texas.  The day began with my two little bambinos sprawled out on the kitchen floor coloring some wooden owl masks.  Harrison wanted to use them in a play that evening around the campfire.  It was quite a busy day...we went to the Pumpkin Patch mid-day and camping with my parents on the ranch where we live that evening.  Needless to say, we were wiped out on Sunday!  It was an awesome way to kick off Autumn.  I will post camping pics next.

Emerson insisted on doing her own hair with her purple headband.  Nice, huh?

Poor Billy got wrangled into going.  He was a good sport and even helped paint pumpkins.

We visited the apple shed and drank some yummy apple cider.

Look at those gorgeous pumpkins and gorgeous babies (if I do say so myself)!  I made it out of there with three big "designer" pumpkins and two painted pie pumpkins.  I wanted more but somehow I managed to control myself.  We rode in a train made out of barrels and pulled by a lawn mower...yes, a lawn mower!  I love these pictures of my beautiful mom with my sweet sweeties sitting on the hay bales waiting for our hayride back to the parking lot.  What a great day and awesome memories!