Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

Here's who stole the cookie from the cookie jar!

Our favourite Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 cup butter (room temp)
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 (4 serving) size pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups choco chips

Beat together: butter, sugars, pudding mix, baking soda, and vanilla.  Beat in eggs.  Add flour and mix well.  Add chocolate chips and mix.  Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet. (I use a cookie scoop).  Bake for 10 - 12 minutes at 350*.
You can substitute chocolate pudding powder for vanilla if you like.

One of these years...

One of these years I'm going just go ahead and do it.  It won't be for awhile.  It's not really bothering me.  It's not really a NEED, vs a want, but it is an item I'd like to check off my 'to do/acquire' list.  I've never had one, but I'd like at least 2.  And, I'd like them to match.  Curious?  I'd like an end table.  There, I said it.  There are just some things in a home that finish it off well.  Nevermind the fact that there might be 1970's blinds and light fixtures that need to be replaced.  Nevermind that we have always used t.v.trays for end tables.  Nevermind that wallpaper still needs to be stripped, drapes need replacing...yah, the list goes on.  We're getting there, one room at a time.  One day I'll take the time to do a series of entries on the rennovations we've done.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful. But if you know me, you know how I love a warm, inviting home.  I spend a huge majority of my time at home and I love it to be a place that welcomes both visitors and my own family.  So, I was dreaming the other day and took a look at a few end table potentials.  Here's a few pics of the current end tables (insert shudder here) , and then a look at some potentials. 

The 'current'...and I do the term lightly...

The Potentials...
These ones have beautiful, warm wood...and a bonus place for my son to 'hide'...

 This ones calls out to my inner shabby chic self...but reminds me how much 'fun' it would be to dust...

This one is more contemporary...

 Love the size and simplicity of this one...

More fabric fabulousness...

If you read the previous post you'll know that I'm itchin' to delve into these new fabric stashes.  I figure if I post em' for ya'll to see then I'll feel accountable to get the old projects done and show you the new ones with these fabrics.
This particular goody is called a 'Jelly Roll'.  Totally fat free, but slightly pricier than the real thing!  This is another line by American Jane called 'Happy Campers'.  I think it's fitting for me to own this..I love camping, and (for the most part) I'm a happy camper:)

Self Restraint...

is not one of my better traits.  I'm a very independent, pro-active kind of gal.  If there's a problem I fix it.  If I don't know how to fix it I google it, then I fix it.  If it ain't broke, I still fix it.  Well, you get the idea. 
Anway, back to the point.   I love a fresh bundle of fabric, all neatly packaged up and ready for creation to take place.  Just like every other product out there fabric is marketed with appealing packaging.  It's much more fun to buy it if it looks fun!  Anyway, I had saved a bit of $$$ on holidays with the intent of splurging on fabric for future creations.  I managed to find some pretty cool stuff.  Retro prints seem to be where I'm headed.  So, here's a pic of my 'American Jane' line.  This particular type of bundle is called a layer cake and the line is called 'Punctuation'.  Not sure what I'm going to make yet, but here's where the self restraint comes in.  I MUST finish off a few UFO's before I get to delve into this baby.  UFO= Un-Finished-Objects.  Just ask any quilter...they'll know what it means!  I'm waiting for a surge of motivation to hit.  Lately the surge has been fall cleaning and I'm going to ride that one out so that when it's gone I can sit back and get back to quilting.

Lucky me...

I was happily surprised to receive this lovely table runner as a hostess gift previously this summer.  Whatever happened to the art of the hostess gift anyway?  I used to love to show up to peoples homes with flowers, or wine or whatever.  The odd time I still do, but it really seems like a lost art.  My 'Chilliwack' besties (aka Ladies who Lunch) keep this art alive!  They are so thoughtful and generous!
My sweetheart of a friend, Rhonda, made me this lovely gift.  It's all quilted and done in colours that fit right into the house.  Fortunately it's the perfect size for my antique stove. It's a reminder of the gift of friendship.  Thanks Rhonda...you're one of the most generous people I know.

Captivated...

by airplanes!  Our little man Isaac is growing so fast.  He's all about the 'terrible' twos these days.  Although I prefer the term 'typcial' twos a little more.  He's not terrible, but he sure is giving me a run for my money!  He's managed to break more dishes than I can afford to replace, color on everything but paper, lock me out of the house, and...oh, the list goes on.  But, amongst these crazy moments we have wonderful times my little man and me.  It's the first time it's just him and I alone each morning.  We have fun...usually outside....watching airplanes!  Isaac is obsessed with anything airplanes.  We thought it would be tractors, since Daddy is a farmer, but nope, it's airplanes.  Oh, don't be mistaken, Isaac is all about trucks and tractors, but he LOVES airplanes.  There are two things that contribute to his obsession: 
1.  His adoring love for his Uncle Ken, who happens to be an airshow announcer and a pilot. Isaac and Ken have a wonderful bond.
2.  His bedroom that's wallpapered with vintage aiplanes.  (This room just happens to be the room that Uncle Ken grew up in...original wallpaper:)
If we're in the house then he's saying 'shissen mommy, shissen' (listen, mommy, listen)  He expects me to drop whatever I'm doing so we can listen for an airplane far off in the skies.  He is so attuned to the sound of an airplane it's unbelievable! 

If we're outside then his eyes are in the skies and he's waving and yelling, 'hi unca Ken, hi'  It really is amazing.  This evening I was working in the kitchen and he was so quiet.  I looked over and saw him laying on the floor.  What's that book he's reading you ask?  Why, it's the 2010 Abbotsford Airshow official program.  He reads it everyday.  He flips to the page with his uncle ken's picture, then over to the page with his favorite:  'mannos'.  'Mannos' is code for Snowbirds, our beautiful Canadian Air Force Squadron.  It will be interesting to see where this love of his takes him.  I find it fascinating that he is already expressing such an interest at this age.

Thanksgiving...

So many things to be thankful for.  Is it bad that I had to remind myself about this?  Last week I was at work, plugging away at the bulletin for this past Sunday. I sat and tried to think of something catchy, but still sincere, to put on the front of the bulletin in acknowledgement of this important day.  Then, all the letters were delivered for our new church sign and a few of us were trying to think of something 'thanksgivingish' to put on the sign.  Me? I drew blanks all day.  How pathetic is that???  I'll be honest and say that I know I have so much I NEED to be thankful for.  A free country, my beautiful family, a home, etc etc....I KNOW all these things can't be taken for granted, and yet I still had to think. 
The first thoughts to come to mind were the things I'm not appreciative of, the things I don't have, the relationships I struggle with, the trials that never seem to end. 
So here I am today, amongst laundry and mess, cleaning rooms and tidying up messes that I've done time and time again, not feeling particularly thankful.  Feeling guilty and selfish for feeling this way, but also recognizing that these feelings are not of God.  Guilt is not a tool God uses to make me realize how thankful I SHOULD be.  But, in my brokeness I am feeling drawn to God, feeling as though He wants to give me so many things to be thankful for.  He longs to fill up my heart with joy, and give me a spirit that enables me to always feel thankful.   Guilt will not bring me these things.  My willingness to ask for His forgiveness and His blessings will give me these things.  So, today, one day late, I am thankful.  Thankful for a merciful Father, thankful for forgiveness, and, finally, thankful for so much.
I am thankful for a weekend of family time, with our little family, my family and hubby's family.  Thankful for time to reflect on the beauty of the season and be outdoors.  Thankful for time to reflect on a dear, beloved Father-in-law who passed away on Thanksgiving several years ago.  Thankful for time this weekend to do things I enjoy, walking, reading and baking pies.  Thankful for the tiniest spark of hope in my heart for the healing of broken relationships.  Thankful for a loving heavenly Father who will never, ever leave me.

Let's Salsa...

So I have this sweetheart of a friend, one of many really.  This particular sweetheart and I have known each other for a long time now.  We've snuggled each other's babies, we've been in care group together, we've been in moms groups together, we've cried together, but we've mosty laughed together!  Christa is a wonderful friend.  She's brought much richness into my life, whether she's aware of it or not.  Christa has a heart of gold.  She loves all people, especially babies, but most of all she loves God.  Christa sets a beautiful example of Christ's love.  Well, before she starts blushing I'll move this along.  Christa is a domestic diva and one of the many things she does well is salsa!  I love salsa, there are a few name brands that I'm partial to, but I especially enjoy Christa's salsa.  This year I dropped a hint and she picked it up quickly and we made a date.  So, here's the 'fruits' of our labour.  So, thanks Christa..I'll think of you everytime I pop a top...of salsa!  P.S....next time I promise to remember to have gloves on hand for chopping the jalapeno's. Lesson learned.  The hard way.

Sand-A-Box

We decided earlier this year that Isaac was more than ready for a sandbox.  He loves to play outside, and especially in the dirt.  His birthday was back in June and we decided it would be the perfect b-day gift, but it wasn't until August that we had the time to do this project.  Rob was really excited about doing this for Isaac and he put a lot of time and thought into the project.  Once we were back from holidays we got to work.  First decision was where to put it.  I wanted it to be in the front yard so I could keep track of him easily. There just didn't seem to be a great spot for it.  So, after staring at the yard for awhile we talked about removing an overgrown, dying shrub that was really just taking up wasted space.  Talking turned to doing and before we knew it we were well on our way to a sandbox.  Isaac watched with wonder as Rob took the next few days to build it.  Rob had his plans all in his head and I just supplied extra hands and cold drinks and snacks....and took pictures, of course.  Isaac is loving his new 'sand-a-box' as he calls it.  I can't seem to drag him out of it...it's all he wants to do now!  Thanks Rob for taking the time to do this, you've made your little boy so happy!