Halloween Treats

I have been a baking fiend!
Had a really busy day on Sunday making cookies and cupcakes.

I wanted to make Zach and his friends at ASU some Halloween treats.

Sugar cookie candy corn cookies:

Tri-colored sugar cookie dough.

These witches hat and brooms are sooo easy!

Witches hat cookies:

Hershey kisses, Fudge stripe cookies, and orange royal icing.

Witches broom cookies:

Shortbread recipe for the bristles, pretzel rods, melted chocolate and orange royal icing.

Vampire Cupacakes:

Yellow/white cupcakes, cherry/strawberry filling, marshmallow/butter cream frosting.

Nutella Peanut butter cookies:

Crunchy peanut butter cookies with Nutella/Chocolate filling.

Maybe this will inspire you to get on your Halloween treat groove!

Morgan's first haircut.

My totally adorable niece Morgan.

She is definitely the princess of the family.

She is our sweet little "girly" girl.

She is a little over a year old and already loves her dolls, brushes her hair and prances around in her dresses.

I could just kiss her to death!!!

I always thought it funny that I get to play dress up all day, but had no girls of my own to spoil. Well, she will be spoiled. She already has a little attitude, which of course, every little girl needs.

She even let me braid her hair!

Whenever I cut a child's hair, if they are good, they get a treat. Yes, this was her first lollipop, and she enjoyed every lick!

Hmmm....

She's even trying to breathe it in!

Smack!

She is so pleased with herself, messy sucker face and all!

Ready for Halloween?

So through the years I have accumulated a plethora of Ghost Stories. I thought it would be appropriate to share them for Halloween.
I have to preface this by saying I do BELIEVE!
I'm not sure I would feel this way had I not experienced this myself, but I did and this is how it went down!

A ghost in the doorway at 3:04a.m. The supposed "Witching Hour."

I was about 7-8 months pregnant and had awoken from a deep sleep. I glanced toward the doorway and saw a very large figure in a white robe with a hood.

Hmm... that's odd, "I could swear I'm awake!" I could only make out dark areas for the eyes, but there was no face.

He (assuming it was a HE, since he was sooo large) was holding onto the top of the door jam with his head cocked toward the bed. A horrible startling fear began to overwhelm me. I was thinking this must be an apparition. I looked only with my eyes scanning around the room and noticed everything as it was before I went to bed. I was trying to confirm that I was not dreaming!

The clock read 3:04a.m. I looked back towards the door and the figure was gone.
Whew.... Was I nuts or what? No need for Panic! Just my imagination!

Well, movement drew my eyes toward the bottom of the door and he was on his knees looking up at me with his hands sideways holding the door jam. His head was tilted looking directly at me. Seeing those piercing eyes and recognizing the great detail in his hands, the long bony fingers, the veins popped out, "How could this not be real?"

We stared at one another for a very long time. I began sweating profusely and felt horrified.

I waited for any indication of his intentions for me. What did he want? Why was he here? It felt as though 15 minutes had passed, one of us had to break this trance. So, I finally decided to look back at the clock again searching the room to make sure I was really awake.

Bingo, not only was I awake, but my heart was pumping and I felt as though I was being very rational. No hallucinations, no dreaming, I was AWAKE!

The clock read 3:09a.m. So I turned back to the door and he was gone. At that point I wanted to scream. I could not move a muscle in my body, I could not find air to breathe! I was Panicked!!! I thought maybe he was up next to the bed or going around to the other side. I waited steadily, holding my breath, expecting him to pounce on the bed, speak, scream, or kill me! Something had to happen. What was the point of this encounter?

I looked back at the clock and it was 3:14a.m. Nothing.... He seemed to have disappeared. I then decided to get up, turn on the light, and shut the door. The problem was that, being pregnant, I always had to Pee! So I braved it through the very dark hallway in a FLASH.
I sat in the bathroom, too afraid to emerge. Finally, exhausted at 4:20a.m. I ran back into my room turned on the radio, left the lights on and didn't fall back asleep until 5:30a.m.
Yes, I was a SCARDY CAT!

I had been visiting a friend and she had a younger boy. By morning I had decided that maybe they played an awful trick on me. I told my friend the whole story and she said that her son had ended up staying the night at his friend’s house.

My heart stopped and I totally broke down. So it was real! There was a ghost in my room. I had spent the wee hours of the morning convincing myself that it was just a trick! (Not funny in the least, but Ha! Ha!) I asked my friend if they had ever experienced any thing like this before? She was shocked and said never.

I researched what it could have been. It was indeed a very "real" phenomenon. The witching hour typically happens around 3a.m. and the restless Spirits are attracted to energy. Because I was pregnant I radiated energy and my body beckoned him! YIKES! I was so completely disturbed. Since then I have heard many similar stories, that are very hard to believe.

But, I do BELIEVE!

I would rather not, but I do!

Morgan's First Birthday

For my nieces first birthday I made a cake for the family

and one just for her.

We just set it in front of her and let her do what she may!

She loved it, of course!!!

She couldn't seem to get enough. Finally my sister took it away.

I think that was the most sugar she had consumed at this point in her sweet life!

Caution, New driver on the road!!

Dylan got his license!!!


Can you believe it!


No more little ones in this house. Sigh....


Now we just have to mortgage the house for auto insurance.
I'm not sure what they say about boys and car insurance is true!
I'm not convinced that boys require a more expensive policy!
They drive much better and safer than I did at their age. (Should I knock on wood?)
So far, they have been very good, conscientious, defensive, driving boys.
(Could be that I've threatened their life;-))

Presidential View...

Found this one in the archives!

Dylan was required to do a poetry notebook last March for school and this was his view on Politics.

Interesting......

Today’s America
By Dylan Rourke

Many people visit America,
Called the land of the free.
But many will fail to see,
Our slowly crumbling economy.

Many used to come for the promise of a new life,
But the people who are here begin to fill with strife.
Revolt against the president, many dislike his views,
We are now going to get a chance to see who fills his shoes.

Many think a new leader, will mean a new nation,
But in the end we will see, the consequences of Inflation

Sweet Daniel...

I have been very fortunate in my career to have met many interesting people. Some of these people have forever changed my world. Daniel is one of these people. I have known Daniel since he was nine. He came into the shop and hopped right into my chair. He would always greet me with, "Hi, Beautiful!" He had no inhibitions and was as friendly and energetic as he could be. Daniel always sees the world so innocently, and he shows you what's really important. His sweetness is infectious. He has this wit that will make you shriek with enjoyment. Daniel is always so funny. Sometimes, I can't really tell if he is joking or serious.

You see, Daniel has Down Syndrome. His mother Gaye had no idea he would be born that way. It was an unexpected shock. She had four healthy children, and assumed he would be as well. I often wonder why God gives certain people these trials or lessons in life. Then I meet someone like Daniel and his family and I know why. They teach us how to be brave, strong, and uninhibited. They teach us faith, hope and love.

Gaye is one of my favorite people. She is so unselfish, kind, gentle, and funny. Her patience is to be admired. I love to watch the magic between her and Daniel. He is a constant joy in her life, as well as his family's.

He would always talk about his job, about his week, what car he would get when he grew up, and about his dreams. He was especially entranced by Margo. She was the girl for him, he was sure of it! Well, Margo is a friend of the family and lives out of town. For years he would talk about her. I thought it would be a fleeting romance. I learned all about Margo, always inquiring about his calls or letters. Although I had never met her, I knew that she was genuinely loving and kind. My Daniel was in love with her.

Well, he decided to ask her to prom. When I heard this, my heart dropped. I was so fearful that the rejection would kill him--that he wouldn't be able to deal with her answer. I remember asking many questions about his intention. "Why her?" He was very matter of fact and stated that she was beautiful and he loved her. He thought maybe she would marry him one day. Okay, now I was nervous. I didn't want him to get hurt. I thought he needed to be protected.

I secretly talked to his mom. Did Margo know just how much Daniel was enamored with her? She informed me that Margo did know and that she wasn't sure how it would go, but that he really wanted to do this. O.K., if she was sure!

I automatically assumed she would say no. She would have no time in her busy life to fulfill his dream. Well, my fears were unfounded! Margo said yes! She went to prom with Daniel. She lit up his world! She gave him the most unselfish gift a person could give--her time. Daniel will hold that memory, like a fairy tale, for eternity!

The Find

Here is a picture, taken in December 2007, of my husband Sean, Debbie and Pete Pickett.
Thanks to everyone for all the nice messages about my story.

It really is quite remarkable!

I still can't believe I was so lucky to have found her.

I wanted to post Pete's version of the very same day.

We both sat down and wrote out all the details of our day.

Hope you enjoy his story as well.

Hummingbird cake!

1 (20-oz) can crushed pineapple.

Separate 8 oz. with juices.
Drain12 oz. really well! almost dry/set aside for cake layer.
1 store bought yellow or lemon cake mix
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 medium or 3 small)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sliced almonds or pecans
Preheat oven to 350. Spray two round cake pans with non stick cooking spray. I cut out two round pieces of parchment for the bottom of pans so that cakes won't stick or fall apart.
Mix 8 ounces of the crushed pineapple with the juices and mix all wet ingredients and cinnamon together. Add cake mix. ( I use mixer on med. for about 2 min.)
Divide batter
Bake for about 30 minutes.
Cool for 5-10 minutes and then remove from pans.
Cool cake completely. While cooling make a cream cheese frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces of cream cheese, at room temp.
1 stick of butter, at room temp.
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cream all wet ingredients together slowly adding in sugar.
Mix on medium speed 1-2 minutes
After frosting bottom layer you can cover with remaining pineapple (Can also add sliced banana or a few (drained) cherries.
Put top layer on and frost remaining cake.
Yummm............

State Fair Winner

My cake decorating teacher, Linda Black, entered the AZ state fair and Won!

I wanted to post a picture of her beautiful house.

She received a Blue ribbon and Best in Show for her gingerbread house!

Look at all the detail and artistry!!!

Yeah Linda!

Today is the anniversary of the day I found my birth mother!

On October 9, 1998, I was blessed. There is no doubt that I was in the presence of angels! My search should never have been easy, but everything fell right into place. It was as if the timing was perfect and the stars were aligned! I made a last minute decision to go to the top with my search. I was scheduled to have surgery and thought maybe that would be reason enough to open my long-sealed adoption records.

For some reason I had no preconceived notions about a reunion. I just felt compelled to know her. I don't remember a time in my life that I didn't care to know. It wasn't because I had an unhappy life--yeah, life was hard--but I wasn't trying to replace anything. It was just a yearning inside, a need to know, to see, to hear.

I had the pleasure of finding my birth mother. I was blessed that it was a positive experience for both of us. I often get asked the question, "What would you have done if she didn't want to meet you?" The answer was easy; I would thank her for choosing to give me life, instead of the alternative.

After I found her, I came home and wrote down every detail. I didn't want to forget a single thing about the whole ordeal. It was a story of miracles. One that I was blessed enough to experience!


To read the story of "The Search" click here.

Morgan laughing!

I just had to post this you tube video of my niece Morgan laughing at her brother blowing bubbles.

There is nothing better to brighten your day than to hear a baby laughing!

Projects....

I've had a few people inquire about my reupholstering projects. Below are a few pictures of the projects I've done.I've only made a few slipcovers. It takes far more fabric and time to slip cover.

Living room-I reupholstered the couch and love seat, ordered a big piece of very firm foam and slip covered it. We use the ottoman as a table, foot stool and the kids like to roll on it- when I'm not looking!!

Den in guest room- Slip covered. It used to be in our den with attached pillows on the back. This one is my favorite, but it was the most challenging. I just used the furniture as a template/pattern. Have only had to wash it twice.

The upholstering is a very tedious job, and I'm always quiet sore after the fact.

I often wonder if it would be easier on the body if I were to take it slow, but unfortunately that is not my nature. No rest for the wicked. ;-)

We purchased these benches from a hotel liquidator. I think he said they were from the Phoenician. I decided to make them work for three rooms of the house. The two with red walls are in the game room. The blue is in the guest room, and the yellow is in the salon--I also covered it in vinyl, so it wouldn't get ruined by chemicals.

Salon-The left chair is from the hotel liquidator (Wendy's Restaurant) and the white one was dark brown--from a yard sale.


Media room- Ordered a huge block of foam. Yes, it's one piece. Then slip covered it to coordinate with the room. We use it as a table, foot stool and a bed. Comes in very handy when kids are around.

Game Room-Got these from a new furniture manufacturer. They were made for someone else and the order fell through. I thought they were perfect for the game room. I took them home and painted them. Then painted the balls like pool balls, bought foam and upholstered the cushions.

This ottoman was built for storage a long time ago. The first go round it was solid beige. I really didn't think we would use it as long as we have. It was an impulse project. Didn't have a plan really, just made a box and lid, then put wheels on it.

Guest bedroom. I took an old door, cut it down a bit on each end, and then upholstered boards and inserted them in the door recesses. Found the door at an antique shop.

Once I start these projects, I seem to get in this zone. I have to get the job done!

The Tooth....

Here's a funny story of M, a precocious little girl with the personality of a movie star!

M is never at a loss for words. She can make up a story in two seconds flat! Not just a fib, but a extravagantly detailed story of distortion.

I'm sure a few of her funny little tales will be posted, but I will begin with the tooth!

M is in kindergarten. About the third week of school she was sitting in class and blurted out to her teacher that she had lost her tooth. Now, the teacher began to panic and asked M where she had lost it. M replied, "I'm not exactly sure!" The teacher had the entire class begin searching for the lost tooth. M helped lead the search, but sadly, never found her tooth.

Later that night M's mom got a call from the teacher. The teacher explained that they had done everything they could to locate M's tooth, but had no luck. M's mom had no idea what she was talking about. The teacher explained that while at school M had lost her tooth and the class spent 30-45 minutes looking for it. Well, M's mom sighed and said she appreciated the class' effort, however, they would never find the tooth!" M had lost it the night before!

Silly Dilly!

Dylan spent his birthday playing games, practicing his driving and having his favorite dinner (In & Out Burger!). Then he got to have special birthday kisses from Mom and Dad.

Joy!!!