Christmas Joy.

Everyone around here had a wonderful Christmas.

How about you?

Now, bring on the New Year!

Parenting Success.

Holding my tongue is not my strong suit.

Especially on Monday mornings when

a sleepy, toe-headed, little boy stops me just before I go out the door

and asks me to sign a paper that he didn't do well on.

He had a ready excuse.

"It was old words.  Not the ones I studied last week."

Sure, I thought.  But held my tongue.

Then he presented me with the paper.

And sure enough, it was an old test from early November

that  had already been signed!

I'm not sure why I kept my thoughts to myself.

Usually, I'd have begun lecturing him. 

 He'd have fought back,

and the morning would've been ruined for both of us.

Instead, I left with a big hug and kiss.

And he jumped in the shower without complaint.

I thought about this on my drive to work.

Remembering all the times I've totally blown it.

And I realized that developing

parenting skills is just like old tests.

Sometimes we've done this before,

and not handled it the best, then it comes "home" again.

Hopefully, it's already been signed. 

 So to speak.

Let it Snow. Let it Snow. Let it Snow.

This can only mean one thing....

It's the first snowfall of the year!

Joshua's snowmen.

So, I decided to decorate for Christmas.

How about you?  Are you ready for winter?

Home Love.

Tonight my kids were exceptionally well behaved.

No little brothers doing they're pestering thing.

No complaints about dinner.

No fuss about finishing their homework.

We read the scriptures together, just before bedtime, and there wasn't one argument.

I'm not sure how it is that the planets aligned so perfectly,

but no complaints here.           

Then, as I was sitting here thinking about what to write,

I heard it.

A catacalysmic argument between the girls.

Something about the dishes I'm sure.

While they argued, I caught up on some of the blogs that I follow.

One in particular is by a woman who has recently lost her 13 year old son.

Her grief is almost palpable.  And I cried for her.  For her loss.

And I listened to my girls argue about the dishes. 

And I gave a silent prayer of thanks.

My children. How I love them!

I'm going to go tell them now.

Have you told yours today?



How to keep track of your kids.

A few weeks ago we got our driveway paved.
It was a very. big. deal.




That first night we played on it together as a family.
The boys let things roll down the hill.
Owen played an imaginary game of basketball.
A few days later we finally put up the new goal.
A gift from his Aunt Robyn and Uncle Mike.



My favorite driveway quote:
Olivia - "Mom I feel like we're the rich kids on the block."


That night sticks out in my mind as one of the main memories from summer.
There was nothing special about it.
No money was involved.  We didn't even leave home.
We were just a family spending time together.
Enjoying a welcomed change.
Enjoying being together.
I wish every family could enjoy impromptu moments like this.
The simple moments in life.


What have you enjoyed doing with your family?

How to solve your laundry problems.



Model Not To Scale



Dear Laundry Pile,

     We need to talk.  Things just aren't working out for me.

Your needs are just too much.  If you don't receive daily attention

you're worse than weeds in a garden.  Even your pet name, Mt. Ray, no

longer seems to fit.  

     Why laundry pile?  Is it the detergent or the fabric softener? 

I've talked to the washing machine and the dryer, and they both agree

you are out of control!

      I just can't allow you to influence my daily activities any longer.

I've decided to put you to better use.

Best regards,

The Domestic Diva



Awesome photo found while using Stumbleupon.  If you know the source please share.



The arrival of fall, a family milestone, and a persimmon pudding recipe.

Fall is here.

If I haven't told you before,

it's my favorite time of the year.

The leaves are just beginning to change.

In a week or two the hillsides will be bursting with color.

The Persimmon Festival has come to town this week.

Our little town will swell to at least twice its size.

It's the next best thing to Christmas around here.

Which means I can get the kids to do their chores without 

too much of an argument.

Like last night.

The boys did the dishes without one argument.

Not one.  

One of my hot chocolate mugs got broken.

But no arguments.

Impressive indeed.

One of my favorite treats this time of year is Persimmon Pudding.

If you're fortunate enough to get yourself some persimmons

here's a recipe.

It's the best.

2 cups persimmon pulp

2 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 stick butter, melted

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon soda

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Add sugar and pulp.  Add beaten eggs and mix well.

Add soda to buttermilk and stir until foaming stops.

Then add to pulp mixture. 

Sift dry ingredients together and add gradually to pulp mixture.

Add cream and butter

(which has been melted in a 9X13 baking pan, leaving enough to grease the bottom)

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

You're welcome.