So this morning the left side of my brain took over. "What were you thinking yesterday?!! Did you think you were Martha Stewart? Obviously, you are not! Just look at this mess!" (My mom had cleaned up, but after she left, I had gotten a little carried away with the herbs.)

My creative right brain was offended and went into hiding. I became efficient and cranky.

I made a list of 24 things I needed to do, and everytime I crossed something off, I remembered another chore. Poor Davy was sick but that was no excuse. He was twenty assignments behind in school (my right brain had been in charge a little too long) and so we were on a strict regimen. Fifteen minutes work. Fifteen minutes break. The kitchen timer helped me stay on track. Ricky was put on the same potty training schedule.

At 3:30, my body yelled at both sides of my brain and said, "Who do you think I am? Wonder Woman? I'm going to take a nap." So I did.



And then my body told me that I need to go outside to get some fresh air. Davy helped me plant some violas. He's a really good planter. He brought warm water to me from the kitchen sink. He spaded. He pulled out the flowers. He covered them with dirt. He cut back my daisies. Thank you Davy. I'm sorry I was cranky.

Deborah helped too by staying quietly in her tree swing while we worked. Then she cried. Her hands were cold. I took her in, and gave her to Eli, and then we finished the job. I was proud.

Some days are just horrible, no-good, very bad days. I didn't even anticipate this one, but it started with a very poor night's sleep and a slow morning.

I really felt awful, the cold still lingering, but my laundry didn't understand at all. The pile stood just as high. I did a lot of laundry and cleaned out the fridge which can ruin even a good day. I had to. The kitchen was starting to stink. I pulled out a bag in the produce drawer that contained black liquid. I'm not kidding.

But the worst part was this afternoon when Adam came by. He's a sweet nine year old boy who wanted to play with Eli. "Can we practice geography?" he asked me. (I told him we could study for the geography bee together).

"I can't right now," I said--"Why don't you guys play basketball?" A few minutes later, I heard Adam cry. He was bitten in the face by my mother's dog, Red. We've been watching Red for the four weeks while my mom has tried to buy a home up here.

He's been a loyal dog to us, but a little confused in the move. Red attacked Adam when he went to pet him.

I love Adam. And I love Red. And I sooooo wish that this hadn't happened. I pray that Adam will heal quickly and not scar (he had to have stiches). I have been so worried about him tonight. Heart sick. I pray for my mother--who will lose Red. Red is already at the animal shelter. God Bless You Red. And God Bless You Adam.

Continuing with the French Theme

1. 
   Last night, Dave was sweet enough to rent a very bad romantic comedy, (my favorite) and make me some kettle corn. I curled up on our couch with him and grabbed some Skittles when Ricky (3) showed up. I had forgotten about him.
   
   He showed signs of neglect. Runny nose, sagging pants, a dirty shirt. "Has anybody fed him dinner?" I asked. No. Apparently, that is my job. "Will someone get him some Ramen noodles?" Eli fed him and then Ricky rejoined us. We pretended he wasn't there for a while, but his sticky fingers kept getting into our popcorn.
   
   I finally gave up and got him ready for bed. Poor guy. My cold has kind of thrown me off this week with the whole schedule thing and so tonight I decided to make French Onion soup. That should restore some order and confidence around here.
   
   I stumbled on the recipe when I was reading a delightful book called Frugal Luxuries for the Seasons by Tracey McBride. It makes a great gift. I was reading it while waiting for my vehicle inspection, which sadly failed, as it does every year now. More repairs. Sigh.
   
   So while Dave replaces our brake pads, I cut up onions. The soup smells delicious in our crock pot so I thought I would share the recipe (with my adjustments).
   
   Debbie's French Onion Soup
   
   6-8 cups of onions
   2 TBS. of sugar
   4 TBS. of flour
   3/4 cup Martinelli's cranberry and apple drink (Expiration Date March 09.) Yes, it's all I had on hand, and yes, it has a kick. Any kind of juice should work.
   2 qts. chicken broth-use either canned or the Better than Broth base you get at Costco
   2 cups of beef broth
   
   Place sliced onions in the microwave for six-seven minutes. Then brown them, adding sugar, flour, and the drink. When they are golden brown, dump them in the crock pot and add the broth. Cook on low if you've got time, and high if you don't.
   
   Serve in bowls and put on a slice of Swiss cheese on top. Great with sourdough or garlic bread.
   
   Miss Tracey McBride said it a lot better, but I didn't want to copy her word for word. I'm bordering on some kind of copyright law as it is. But if you buy her book, it will make everything ok.
   
   
   
   
   

And Please Don't Mistake Me for a French Maid

So I woke up at 3:00 a.m. last night and couldn't go back to sleep. I hate it when that happens.
But that's when I usually get my flashes of inspiration. Or insanity. It's hard to tell sometimes.
So this was my idea.

An apron. A half apron. But a stylish one--you know like the French maid costume aprons wth the scalloped trim that you see at Halloween. Just the apron, mind you. Low cut black dresses, fishnet stockings, and dusters don't really work for me.

Anyway, at approximately 4:37 a.m., I thought, "I must buy an apron today." Groceries have not been bought for two weeks but that trip would have to wait. Today, I would get my apron.

And so I did. I went to one of my favorite stores, the Bosch Kitchen Center, where they had some very cool kitchen toys, but I would not be distracted! I went straight (mostly straight) to the apron rack and saw lots of full aprons. But not a half apron. I was crushed. I asked the cashier if they were hiding somewhere, and they were on the clearance table!! I knew I had been inspired!

And just to celebrate, I bought five pounds of Peter's caramel--amazing for caramel apples on Halloween. But this time, I not going to open the caramel until we make the apples.

What's special about this apron is that it has two pockets. One to hold a mini notebook. Planners have never worked to well for me since they're never around when I need them. But now with my notebook, whenever I think of something I need at the store, or a bill I need to pay, or something I'm going to invent someday, I can write it down, and then I can look at it LATER. Really, it's brilliant.

In the other pocket I have put my cellphone. This will revolutionize the way I use my cellphone--meaning, that I will use my cellphone. It's been amazing today. When I think of someone I need to call, I just do it. So I called the poor new mother who I forgot to take dinner to last week. Alas, the need for the notebook.

I'm so excited!!! Oh, and my put my camera in my apron so that I could capture those priceless moments with my children.

Sick of Being Sick

I have been sick for a week with a miserable cold. I start the morning thinking I'm good to go, but when you have kids that want to go to the park, laundry that needs to be done, dinner that needs to be made, and a baby that will not stop, it's easy to over do it.

However, this view I have from our study window, gives me a little lift out of my groggy state. It makes me smile.

Isn't autumn beautiful? Fitting that Thanksgiving is in the season of autumn.

Grandpa Bob and Grandma Shirley

Rub a Dub Dub

Peek-a-Boo!

Debrorah and I take a Sunday stroll. She loves her Bjorn. She also loves it when I slide my head up over her ears!

We had so much fun making salsa!

I had so much fun jumping on the tramp with Ricky today! So did he!

Ricky is quite the showman!

Now he's an Irish Dancer!

Deborah LOVES the sandbox!

I am very proud of the cauliflower we harvested this year.

I don't even like cauliflower but garden caulflower is a new experience. It's tender and full of flavor. We're grwoing a lot more next year. Forget the tomatoes.

Deborah Loves to Swing

Deborah absolutely loves her swing. We put her in whenever she gets especially restless.