I was telling someone the other day about our trips to Alabama and what we do. I think this person was wondering if I wear camo the entire time and that my child runs barefoot all over the countryside.
While some of that may be true, I had to tell them what we do when we go to visit our Alabama family and I have to tell it sounds pretty good.
My parents live out in the country. They have a beautiful home that is nestled snuggly between a hay field, woods and water. They have a natural spring beside the house that feeds in to a pond which feeds in to a creek. Yes, when I was younger we played in the spring, pond and creek.
You can see deer, rabbits, turkeys and a whole host of other creatures while sitting at the table enjoying breakfast.
Evenings involve sitting outside on the porch in front of a fireplace with music playing, delicious food and the occasional adult beverage. If it is football season, the Alabama game will be on.
We definitely do not go hungry while we are there. And, my son does not go without love and attention while we are in Alabama. We get to visit with parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents and so many people who love us. We are blessed!
So that is just a little bit about what we do in Alabama. Roll Tide!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Here's to you Grandad!
My mom's dad passed away 11 years ago today. My blog today is what I wish I could say to him.
Hey Grandad,
I hope Heaven is treating you well! I hope they are enjoying the sound of your boisterous laugh, your jokes and sayings and your great attitude. Do you get to watch baseball and take naps? I miss all of those things about you more than I can ever say.
I wish you were here and could be around my son. He is a character, a lot like me. He is so personable, fun, loving and I know that you would love and adore him like we all do. He is going to be a big brother next year, and I know he will be a great. He loves his family so much and I wish he could have met you.
Rach got married this summer and she was the most beautiful bride you have ever seen! She married a wonderful guy and is doing well. I know you would be so proud of her. We had such a great time with the entire family - we even got Mom Hilde out on the dance floor!
I can still hear you saying "kid, how's it going?" or "where ya been, kid?" Coming to your house and spending time with you and Mom Hilde are some of the best memories of my life.
Mom Hilde still misses you just as much now as the day you died. She still honors your memory like the most faithful wife I have ever seen. Your example of marriage, even when you drove Mom Hilde crazy, is one I carry with me to this day. I am not crazy enough to think it was perfect all the time, but I do know how much you loved each other. I remember how much you laughed and talked, the kind things you did for one another and how it delighted you to make her happy.
I miss you Grandad. After 11 years, I still miss you.
Love always,
M
For the readers: Mom Hilde is my grandmother in case you weren't sure.
Hey Grandad,
I hope Heaven is treating you well! I hope they are enjoying the sound of your boisterous laugh, your jokes and sayings and your great attitude. Do you get to watch baseball and take naps? I miss all of those things about you more than I can ever say.
I wish you were here and could be around my son. He is a character, a lot like me. He is so personable, fun, loving and I know that you would love and adore him like we all do. He is going to be a big brother next year, and I know he will be a great. He loves his family so much and I wish he could have met you.
Rach got married this summer and she was the most beautiful bride you have ever seen! She married a wonderful guy and is doing well. I know you would be so proud of her. We had such a great time with the entire family - we even got Mom Hilde out on the dance floor!
I can still hear you saying "kid, how's it going?" or "where ya been, kid?" Coming to your house and spending time with you and Mom Hilde are some of the best memories of my life.
Mom Hilde still misses you just as much now as the day you died. She still honors your memory like the most faithful wife I have ever seen. Your example of marriage, even when you drove Mom Hilde crazy, is one I carry with me to this day. I am not crazy enough to think it was perfect all the time, but I do know how much you loved each other. I remember how much you laughed and talked, the kind things you did for one another and how it delighted you to make her happy.
I miss you Grandad. After 11 years, I still miss you.
Love always,
M
For the readers: Mom Hilde is my grandmother in case you weren't sure.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Mommy Cards!
Hi all,
I decided to do a new project: Mommy Cards! I did not want to give out the business cards I use for work, and I wanted new teachers, baby sitters and other mom-friends to have my personal information. So, I decided to design my own cards. They have been so well received by friends and family that I decided to start selling them.
I have included a sample in this post of the design I did for myself. I can design cards that have your child's photo, allergy, pediatrician info or whatever information you want on the card.
The pricing is $37 for 250, $43 for 500 or $55 for 1000. The cards are full-color, printed on one-side and you can do either a matte or gloss finish. I can do matching notecards too!
Please contact me at mlharbor@bellsouth.net if you are interested.
I decided to do a new project: Mommy Cards! I did not want to give out the business cards I use for work, and I wanted new teachers, baby sitters and other mom-friends to have my personal information. So, I decided to design my own cards. They have been so well received by friends and family that I decided to start selling them.
I have included a sample in this post of the design I did for myself. I can design cards that have your child's photo, allergy, pediatrician info or whatever information you want on the card.
The pricing is $37 for 250, $43 for 500 or $55 for 1000. The cards are full-color, printed on one-side and you can do either a matte or gloss finish. I can do matching notecards too!
Please contact me at mlharbor@bellsouth.net if you are interested.
Friday, August 5, 2011
From the Mouth of a Little Boy
My son is a very talkative, energetic young man. He is a lot like me in that he does not really like silence when people are in a room, car or other confined space. I have come to appreciate the few moments of peace and quiet when they come.
The other night, I was pretty tired after working all day and I was cooking dinner while A was in the living room watching a little TV and unwinding from his long day. As I was cooking, and not hearing anything from the living room, I said, "Hey A! What are you doing?" He responded, "Watchin' TV!" Cool. He wasn't in to anything and had not escaped the house.
A few days later one of our air conditioner units had gone out so we had to rearrange our sleeping situation so that we could sleep in a cool room. Let me tell you that A has slept in his own bed since day 1. He does not sleep in our bed at all. When the air went out we moved an inflatable matteress to another room to sleep - my husband opted to stay in our bedroom and be hot. I just couldn't do that.
So A and I pile up on the inflatable matteress since our rooms were the hottest, and we lay down to go to sleep. A few minutes into laying there, after he had thrashed about like a fish on dry land, he said, "Mommy, what you doin'?" I sighed, and said "Sleeping." To which he responded, "Why you sleepin'?"
As you can imagine the conversation continued from there until he finally drifted off to sleep. I couldn't get mad at him for asking me what I was doing since I do it to him all the time, and I couldn't help buy smile as that is one more way I realize that he is my child through and through.
The other night, I was pretty tired after working all day and I was cooking dinner while A was in the living room watching a little TV and unwinding from his long day. As I was cooking, and not hearing anything from the living room, I said, "Hey A! What are you doing?" He responded, "Watchin' TV!" Cool. He wasn't in to anything and had not escaped the house.
A few days later one of our air conditioner units had gone out so we had to rearrange our sleeping situation so that we could sleep in a cool room. Let me tell you that A has slept in his own bed since day 1. He does not sleep in our bed at all. When the air went out we moved an inflatable matteress to another room to sleep - my husband opted to stay in our bedroom and be hot. I just couldn't do that.
So A and I pile up on the inflatable matteress since our rooms were the hottest, and we lay down to go to sleep. A few minutes into laying there, after he had thrashed about like a fish on dry land, he said, "Mommy, what you doin'?" I sighed, and said "Sleeping." To which he responded, "Why you sleepin'?"
As you can imagine the conversation continued from there until he finally drifted off to sleep. I couldn't get mad at him for asking me what I was doing since I do it to him all the time, and I couldn't help buy smile as that is one more way I realize that he is my child through and through.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Homemade Ice Crem Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
You need an ice cream maker (duh). We got ours at Target - it is an Aroma 4-qt. Traditional Ice Cream Maker and is about $65.
Items you will need:
Rock Salt
3 cans Sweetened Condensed Milk (you can use fat free if you like)
Milk (I use 2%)
Vanilla
I put the metal container that holds the ice cream in the freezer before I get started. I don't know that it actually does anything, but I like for it to be super cold.
Place 6 cups of cold milk in the metal container. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla. Add 3 cans of sweetened condensed milk. Put the lid on the top and set it down in the bucket. Once you get the crank on, and get it situated, you add the rock salt and ice.
I do a sprinkle of rock salt on the bottom and about an inch or two of ice, followed by more rock salt and then another inch or two of ice. I continue this until the ice meets the top of the container.
Once I turn it on, I add about a half cup of cold water.
It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour and then you have delicious homemade ice cream. You can put it in the freezer before you serve, or serve it straight out of the container.
Enjoy!
You need an ice cream maker (duh). We got ours at Target - it is an Aroma 4-qt. Traditional Ice Cream Maker and is about $65.
Items you will need:
Rock Salt
3 cans Sweetened Condensed Milk (you can use fat free if you like)
Milk (I use 2%)
Vanilla
I put the metal container that holds the ice cream in the freezer before I get started. I don't know that it actually does anything, but I like for it to be super cold.
Place 6 cups of cold milk in the metal container. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla. Add 3 cans of sweetened condensed milk. Put the lid on the top and set it down in the bucket. Once you get the crank on, and get it situated, you add the rock salt and ice.
I do a sprinkle of rock salt on the bottom and about an inch or two of ice, followed by more rock salt and then another inch or two of ice. I continue this until the ice meets the top of the container.
Once I turn it on, I add about a half cup of cold water.
It usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour and then you have delicious homemade ice cream. You can put it in the freezer before you serve, or serve it straight out of the container.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Family and the 4th of July
My dad's family has a family reunion every 4th of July. I'm not sure how many years it has been in existence, but I know it has gone on for my 30 years of life.
Everyone brings a dish - it is some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth. Chicken casserole, fresh vegetables, grilled meat of just about every kind, fruit and desserts. My favorite thing? Homemade ice cream! I remember my grandfather making homemade ice cream when we were kids and it was my favorite thing to eat at the reunion.
My other favorite thing about our reunion is being with my family. Laughing and talking with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles is the best. This year my son was old enough to run around and play with his cousins. It was such a great feeling watching him play with them while I sat and talked with their moms - the people I used to play with when I was a kid.
After lunch the kids played with water guns, rode the paddle boat, and some of the grown-ups played washers and bean-bag toss. Later on in the afternoon it was time for us to pack up and head back home. We were hot, sweaty and tired, but it was such a great day!
P.S. I'll add my recipe for homemade ice cream in the recipe section this week.
Everyone brings a dish - it is some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth. Chicken casserole, fresh vegetables, grilled meat of just about every kind, fruit and desserts. My favorite thing? Homemade ice cream! I remember my grandfather making homemade ice cream when we were kids and it was my favorite thing to eat at the reunion.
My other favorite thing about our reunion is being with my family. Laughing and talking with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles is the best. This year my son was old enough to run around and play with his cousins. It was such a great feeling watching him play with them while I sat and talked with their moms - the people I used to play with when I was a kid.
After lunch the kids played with water guns, rode the paddle boat, and some of the grown-ups played washers and bean-bag toss. Later on in the afternoon it was time for us to pack up and head back home. We were hot, sweaty and tired, but it was such a great day!
P.S. I'll add my recipe for homemade ice cream in the recipe section this week.
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