foto friday

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" -Maya Angelou

Happy Veteran's Day

Remembering and Honoring mine and Andrew's grandfathers today; James Lee Walker, Alton Allen Raynor, Joseph Watts and Harold Rudy

wednesdays are for walker

With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, I thought it would be fun to create a Grateful Tree of everything Walker is grateful for this season. I already had the tree (courtesy of Grandpa Walker) so all that was left to make were the leaves. This little project was so easy and so much fun! I think this is going to be an awesome way for Walker to show his thankfulness for everyone and everything he loves. Obviously, I helped him this year ... but I know for certain he agrees.

Want to make your own? Okay!

What you need:
5"x5" board (for the base)
the end of a tree branch
paint for base and tree
drill
construction paper
scissors
markers
hot glue

Directions
Paint your base and tree branch.
Drill a hole the size of the bottom of your tree branch into the base
Draw and cut out leaf patterns from your construction paper
Have your children (or yourself) write something on each leaf they are grateful for
Hot glue onto the branches (the hot glue peels right off so you can use your tree for other seasons/holidays)

What are you grateful for this season?

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

quick catch up

Oh, my I have been slacking with my weekend in collage! Two weeks now and nothing! Can I blame the approaching holidays?


Andrew's parents came in for the weekend to visit us. Let's face it, it was mainly to see Walker. That's usually how it goes these days. I mean, I know they wanted to visit with us too, but honestly, grandchildren are definitely top priority and none of us would have it any other way. Especially Walker ... he loved having their undivided attention! There was plenty of block building, lego stacking and book reading going on in this house. Andrew and I just sat back and watched. We kinda had a little break because Walker was so enamored with his Pop and Memaw.


PSA (personal service announcement) - Kohl's is the place to shop right now! There are some amazing deals out there and their clearance deals are unbelievable.

Andrew if off this Friday for Veteran's Day. I think we may do a little Christmas shopping and have a fun family day out and about. We also need to catch up on some yardwork. The leaves won't rake themselves and Walker is still too young. Maybe next year. I kid, I kid.


I have a sweet little post for 'wednesdays are for walker'. Yes, I know today is Wednesday and I have a rambling little post going on right now ... but I am so excited! I'll be working on it during his naptime so come back later tonight to check it out.


My sister and I are completing a 24 day challenge to shed a few pounds before turkey day. We haven't had coffee or soda going on 10 days now! This is HUGE, ya'll. No joke. Coffee was part of the food pyramid and Diet Coke was like water to us. The 24 day challenge is a whole regiment of food intake and vitamin supplements. So far I have shed about 4 pounds and I'm still going strong! This is the most motivation I have had to really take care of myself in the past few years. I am proud and determined to keep it up for the long haul. I'll post more on the challenge later with many more details.


I have gathered more persimmons from my tree in the backyard. I am freezing them with the intention of makinng persimmon pudding for Thanksgiving. I'm on the hunt for a delicious recipe. Got one?


Walker is currently pressing his Glow Worm, Snuggles, and is swaying back and forth as he listens to the nursery rhyme. He is seriously the sweetest little boy on Earth even though the time change has made his sleeping in until 8am a thing of the past. Maybe a room darkening shade will help.


How was that for quick? Yea, not so much.


Remember ... come back later today for 'wednesdays are for walker'!

foto friday

A time to be thankful ... and a recipe to go along!

We have lived in our house for a little over two years now. There is a tree in our backyard that grows these small sized fruit like things that would fall to the ground, mash under our shoes and eventually get raked up with the leaves.

Low and behold ... they are persimmons! My Mom realized it this week (I'm kinda surprised it took her this long ... she's pretty good with plants, trees, fruits and veggies). So, we grabbed a colander and went to picking. Picking up from the ground, not picking off the tree. This fruit is at its best as soon as it falls from the tree. Needless to say I am now out there every afternoon with a bowl to pick up more!

I've already missed out on the majority of them this year but better late than never, right?

My Grandma used to make persimmon pudding. I'm going to try my hand at that next year, I believe. For now, I am making batches of persimmon butter, canning them and giving them to family for this fall. It's a lot like apple butter ... full of delicious, fall spices. If you have never had either, use it as a jelly or jam. Spread it on toast, rolls, homemade biscuits (or store bought ... like me!)

I have always had a lot of appreciation and thankfulness towards my grandparents for their love of gardening and canning. But after making this and preparing to can for the very first time, I can't even begin to explain how full my heart feels after really realizing the dedication and passion they truly had towards something they loved so much. Their gardening and canning kept our family full, healthy and happy for many years. It's time like these that makes me miss them more than ever. I think they would be pretty proud of me ...

Want the recipe? Okay! But please don't ask me where to buy persimmons because I have no idea!

Persimmon Butter -

Ingredients -
3 cups persimmon pulp
3/4 cups apple cider
1 1/4 firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions-
1. Peel and pulp persimmons through a strainer/colander. (This is the most tedious part ... make sure none go to waste!)

2. Combine all ingredients in a large pot, mix well and bring to a boil.
3. After bringing mixture to a boil, turn down to low, cook and stir often for roughly 45 minutes.

I found the above recipe and canning instructions here.

 my finished product!

 

Salmon Lettuce Wraps

I got home from the gym a bit late the other night and was trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Andrew had already eaten so I was on my own. And it needed to be quick and healthy. That can be difficult. I think Andrew may have been a bit jealous with my creation. Check it out!

Ingredients:

romaine lettuce

hummus

chopped tomatoes

broccoli

salmon

Directions:

Layer the hummus, veggies, and salmon on the lettuce like you would a regular wrap. Roll and enjoy!

I added a little walnuts for some more crunch.

There are so many variations to this. You can add tons of veggies to this, chicken, tuna, nuts and fruit. You can't really go wrong.

I'll be sure to make these again!

wednesdays are for walker

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! Walker put up with being in his costume for all of about 20 minutes. No trick or treating for us ... just a lot of quick picture taking. He did enjoy seeing all of the children come to the door and checking out their costumes though. He also enjoyed some of the pixie stick his Papa shared with him. ;-)

Our little guy's favorite food this year has been tomatoes so we only found it appropriate to dress him up as one. After all ... you are what you eat!

I found his costume on parents.com and thought I did pretty good following directions for my first adventure of costume making. You can find it here. 

I have several ideas for next year's costume ... I'm thinking Andrew and I may be dressing up too! And possibly Louie. :-)

 

Happy November ... this is my absolute favorite time of the year and I have so many exciting things in store for the next few months. I can't wait to share them all with you!