Apple picking fun

You know what I love about Fall? 

I love going to pick apples. I never got to experience apple picking when I was a kid, but I am making up for that now. Even if we just go to walk around I am one happy lady. I think apples trees are so cute, and they have so much to give. About 2-3 times a month you can find me and my clan at an orchard picking some of this delicious fruit. 

We go to celebrate getting our work done around the house. We go for field trips. We go to have a fun, inexpensive time together as a family.

It really is a highlight of the Fall season for me. 

Little miracles

I have been so blessed to have the life I have. 

Now I haven't always felt that way, there have been a lot of times in my life where things have been harder than I thought I could handle. Where I am right now in my life though gives me great cause to be thankful for where my life is. Things could have been taken down a road that I am so glad I didn't have to go down. I have seen a lot of the bad, but I have also had the great priviledge to see alot of the good. 

Growing up I experienced things most people I know can't even imagine. I survived it all, and I have 

 been so blessed to have all of those bad experiences turned around. 

I have been blessed to witness miracles. 

Namely 5 little boys that love me more than I ever thought I would be loved.

 Also one wonderful husband that I am able to share all of life's good and bad moments with. Almost 10 years, 5 kids, one house and a handful of animals, and I couldn't imagine having anyone else by my side.

 So here is to all of life's miracles, and the good and bad times that makes us who we are.

All about the bees

I like having bees in our backyard. I love the honey we harvest. I like hearing others tell us how much better our honey is compared to the stuff they sell at the store! I don't however like working with the bees. Call me a little scared if you must, but those tiny insects have stingers and they can hurt me!

Out oldest son however is not too scared to go work the bees. That is just what he did one day with his dad. I was nervous for him, but like he told me-he will be fine (and he was!).

They were able to do a lot of work. My little boy is growing up. He learned a lot and I think he had a good time getting all suited up and feeling "old enough". He was so cute in all of his "bee gear".

All suited up!

We have been able to harvest about 50 pounds of honey so far. Hopefully we can get a little bit more from them before they shut down production to hibernate over the winter. I never thought I would have bees in my backyard. Heck I didn't even think I would have a backyard growing up. They are fun to learn about, and I like teaching others as well all about those little-bitty bugs that can do so much.

Look at all that golden goodness!

Apple and Cheddar Quesadilla

A new favorite food of mine for the moment is this little gem I found right here. 

I really like her website, and she has a lot of other great recipes as well.

The boys liked the quesadilla's, they just kept asking for more. 

I like to have them for lunch too. 

I throw them on my quesadilla maker, and it basically makes them for me!

Hope you all enjoy!

To remind me of summer...

Ahhhhh, to remember Summer and all the fun we had! 

It seems like it was just yersterday (which it pretty much was, but that's beside the point).

It was so much fun to go to the pool and lay out in the hot, Summer sun. 

Eating ice cream on the back porch with the boys. 

Going to the park and swaeting my tail off! 

So many fond memories. 

There was also the trips we were able to take, and the boys had other kids in the neighborhood to play with (or hang out with as the oldest would say).

Well those days are behind us now. We will just have to wait through a beautiful Fall, and then a long, cold Winter to get them back!

I look forward to Fall and the bon fires, walks through the fallen leaves, and the crisp air.

I could totally skip winter, well maybe not all of it. Just January and all the cold it brings!

Here are a few pictures to get us through the coming months, enjoy them while they last!

We won't be seeing any more gorgeous water lilies for a while.

The boys found a "toadie" (as they like to call them!).

The little guy in his swim clothes playing with a toad. He won't be doing that again until next YEAR!

Tasty Food Tuesday

My fabulous friend that lives all the way in Califronia (too far away for my liking) turned me onto a great web site called Our Best Bites. It is a wonderful resource with a ton of different, easy recipes. I have simply fallen in love with a ton of their food, but I have yet to try everything! 

Recently I tried their chocolate chip cookie pie and let me tell you it was as good as it sounds! I made it one evening thinking it would be cooled enough to have the next day with the family...But it didn't make it to see the next day. It was so DELICIOUS! The husband and I tired it to make sure we wouldn't get sick (wink, wink) and we simply couldn't stop eating it. So I made another one the next day for the whole family and the boys kept asking for more. That sealed the deal for that recipe, it has now become a staple in my cook book!

I'm linking the web site, and the recipe here. Hope you enjoy as much as I have!

Our friendly, neighborhood Squirrel

 We have been adopted! By a squirrel that is, and boy is he cute! He comes to visit almost every day. We sure have come to like this little guy (or girl, don't really know yet). My great Uncle gave us some black walnuts last year and we keep our 'stash' in the garage for when our little friend stops by for a visit. I can't wait for the day that he/she will eat out of my hand, I think that would be totally awesome! For now myself and the rest of the family will observe from afar!

He is trying to hide, I think for the most part he blends in nicely with our driveway!

My 5 year old refers to him as OUR pet squirrel!

Isn't he just adorable?!