You hid it where????

There are OH, SO MANY advantages of living with a gourmet chef. (also known as Kenley) She enjoys cooking and that makes me smile with delight.

Saturday evening she started her delightful creation she was creating for dinner on Sunday evening. A Triple Chocolate Layered Cheesecake.

Oreo crust, butterscotch, milk and white chocolate layers

topped with cream and chocolate drizzles.

IT WAS DELICIOUS!

We shared it with our dinner guests and ate about half of it. By the time Tuesday evening came there was only one piece left. As I was busily cleaning up after dinner, I heard the girls whispering to each other. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but I did hear,

"Of course she's going to eat it,

she's a pregnant woman with cravings."

They hid the last piece of cheesecake. I can't believe they didn't trust me. They could hardly contain themselves. They thought they were so clever that they couldn't resist telling me where they had hidden it. You'll have to do better than that next time, that was going to be the first place I looked.

In the frozen peas package???? It's still there and it's so tempting.

Where do you hide your stash of goodies?

Searching for the Great Pumpkin.....AGAIN!

Cameron is careful when it comes to making decisions. At 18 months old he was featured in the Tri-City Herald searching for the perfect pumpkin. We went to the pumpkin patch for Mommy- and -Me. When the rest of the group was back on board the tractor admiring their pumpkins, Cameron was still making that important decision.

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin Patch on a field trip with school. The rule was they had to be able to carry their pumpkins themselves. When he found this one, I thought we might have a winner.

Not quite right!!

"Cameron, hurry sweetie!!!!"

(Four tractor wagons full of kids back on board, Cameron still searching.)

Cameron's decision?

A full round pumpkin with perfect ridges. As everyone got home yesterday they were immediately sent to the front porch to admire

THE PERFECT PUMPKIN!!!

Pumpkins Matter :)

It's no secret........

It's no secret that Brent's Chili is delicious. For those who asked, here's the lowdown.

The Spurgemeister's Blue Ribbon Chili

Sprinkle Johnny's Seasoning on a 2 lb. roast and rotisserie for two hours.

Sautee 1 chopped onion in butter and garlic.

Put into crock pot, cooked meat and onion along with:

2 c. beef stock

1 can drained red beans

1 can drained canallini beans

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1 small can tomato paste

1 T. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

2 T. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tsp. oregano

2 T. garlic

1 tsp. paprika

Cook on high for 6-8 hours.

Before Picture:

It's no secret that our little stray cat named Strudel, that decided that we offer good food and shelter and moved in, has now almost doubled our numbers. I'm not a big pet lover, but these little one's are adorable. We are getting attached to these little ones, especially the little black one. Here's Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Sid. (We lost Stewie, the little one.) I was so panicky when the little one wasn't looking good. He couldn't find where to eat and he was really tiny. Kenley and I dashed out one night in the rain to buy some kitty formula and a bottle. $25 a can. Isn't that more expensive than baby formula? I check on them almost hourly during the day. As enjoyable as they are, Strudel will be visiting the veterinarian at the soonest possible date.

It's no secret that I've been tagged a few times and need to get on this. I'm quite sure I'm the last person in blog land to do this one, but here's my seven random facts:

1. I'm obsessed with constantly moving furniture around in my house. I figure it's a great time to clean out underneath furniture and dust and I love to do it. I draw out floor plans and rearrange furniture in my head and then when I can't stand it anymore and I get that idea in my head, Brent knows he's in for some couch hauling.

2. My favorite food: An English classic Beans on Toast. You've got to try hot baked beans on toasted bread. When I'm feeling like a real treat, I put an egg on top. YUM! Whenever we have this for dinner (only once every few months), I'm always glad that no one stopped by unexpectedly and saw what we were eating because it's a little different.

3. I love to do the daily crossword in the Tri-City Herald. I know that's not so weird, but I have a system. Monday and Tuesday I can do the crossword puzzle in pen, it's so easy and straightforward. Wednesday and Thursday, it gets a little more difficult, so I reach for a pencil. Friday and Saturday I usually need a pencil with a big eraser. If I finish a Saturday puzzle without Internet help, I'm pretty proud of myself.

4. (My girls came up with this one) When someone says something and I know a song that contains that word, I usually sing it, REALLY LOUD. My kids are totally used to it, but when they have friends over, I have to be careful. Unfortunately, I usually don't even realize I'm doing it.

5. My children HAVE to have clean ears. I can't think of anything nastier than dirty ears. Ok, so the girls are old enough to take care of this one themselves, but I do a ear check now and again anyway. The boys are hilarious because after I clean their ears they ask me who won. (whoever has the dirtiest Q-Tips is the winner.) It's just a little game I came up with so they let me clean their ears without complaining.

6. I like to fill the dishwasher. I like to see everything packed just so. I have a really hard time starting it unless it's full, but sometimes it's necessary. I despise unloading the dishwasher.

7. I have a total of 5 cousins, that's it. Brent just thinks he may have 101 cousins, but he isn't sure. I think that's funny, but that may just be his random thing.

I'm tagging Jen W., Jeanette M., Kenley, Susan S., Kelsey R., Catherine B. and Sarah J.

Have a fantastic day!!

How could we have been so wrong????

You remember the virtual Emma at left? This morning I had an ultrasound and we got some great pictures of our baby. Upon comparing the two pictures you will see that we couldn't have been more wrong in creating a virtual baby.

For example:

Virutal:

Lots of thick hair.

Actual:

Appears to be bald

Virtual:

cute purple shirt

Actual:

In the buff

Virtual:

Adorable freckled cheeks

Actual:

No distinguishing markings

Virtual:

It's a girl

Actual:

IT'S A GIRL!!

At least we got that right :)

Boys, boys, boys!!!

We've got a new spelling for the work FICKLE at our house....

B*R*I*T*T*O*N
He likes things just so. For instance, this day he insisted on taking a nap under the table.

His goldfish cracker has to be sticking out of his applesauce just like this....
...and he likes to eat outside. One day last weekend we had family over for dinner and I put his high chair outside with the other boys. The next day he decided that was his preferred place for dinner. No, we didn't join him, we were already set up at the kitchen table. We left the door open and he ate on the back porch. FICKLE for sure. Look at that look on his face. Not two minutes before he had a meltdown.
I have been so tempted to pull out my fall decorations, but I patiently waited until the official first of autumn. Funny how the weather decided to cooperate with the changing of the seasons. Yesterday Britton and I put up a little decor to match the season. I can't wait to add the Chrysanthemums and pumpkins!!

Cameron has officially decided that he can make it to school without me. Dallin now takes him by the hand and off they go. The first day I felt the heart string pulling as they are walking down the street, off to meet the rest of their walking buddies.

I'm enjoying the cool mornings,

the beautiful sunshine

and my family!

Cook It Babe!!

I've always dreamed of being married to a

"CHILI CHAMP."

Saturday afternoon my dream came true.

Two hours of barbecuing beef before adding to the pot.

The perfect blend of sweet and spice, even a little cinnamon. (?)

Not too brothy, slightly chunky.

a made up recipe as he went along.

My help politely refused,

and 6 hours of bubbling,

Did the job!

Brent is already planning his next event!

Before and After

Dallin has worked hard since last summer to earn his Cub Scout Wolf Badge.
BEFORE the awards ceremony we had to practice the customary hug and kiss, just to make sure it wasn't TOO LONG:)
DURING the awards ceremony he awarded me the Mother's pin as a thanks for assisting him.

AFTER, he informed me that the kiss was just right and he recreated walking across the bridge.

BEFORE I started my peach canning project I called Amy J. and she gave me a Canning 101 lesson.

DURING the canning I kept peeking at the cans, just hoping it would work.

AFTER, I was rewarded with perfectly sealed jars and a sight I was proud of.

Thanks Amy for the instruction, mom for helping and dad for entertaining Britton.

BEFORE Cameron went to bed he was a little restless.

AFTER I checked on him, I noticed that he had found something to help him feel relaxed.

BEFORE Elizabeth went to school yesterday, her face wasn't like this.

DURING the school day I got a call that started like this, "I don't mean to alarm you Mrs. Spurgeon, but your daughter took a spill in P.E."

AFTER, her friends were quick to remind her that Friday is picture day, but for a $6 retouching fee, they could probably take care of that for you. Funny girls!!

DURING the Parade of Homes I fell in love with lots of beautiful things, like this...

And this......

AFTER I came home I thought of what I could do to spruce this place up a bit.