:(

just to update those of you who were asking how tyler did today...

he bowled his FIVE games this morning, and bowled all FIVE of his games over his average,

but did not qualify to bowl in the top four spots as a Singles Rep this year in the bowling tournament. BUT he will be able to bowl on the TEAM!

He tried his best and did great considering he's only been bowling for 2 months, and missed a spot by only 90 pins after five games!

He didn't seem too disappointed knowing that he can now bowl on the team still!

the qualifying boys were 8 - 11 years and most have been bowling for a few years already...

so GOOD JOB TYLER, we are proud of you for trying anyway!!!

x0x0

happy saturday!!!

...not much going on the rest of today...

courtney had her saturday dance workshop this morning, so after i dropped her off, i went to the bowling alley to watch tyler finish up his last 2 games...he bowled great again today..all 3 games over his average AND he was very excited to show me his new badges he earned over the last couple weeks...

*100 - single

*125 - single

*I Beat My Average

*Bowler of the Month for Oct. 10

WAY TO GO lil' man!!! so happy for you!

...tomorrow morning he is bowling in his first "Bowl Off" to qualify as a Single Rep for the upcoming Four Steps to Stardom tournament ( it's the biggie for YBC - youth bowling council ) anyway...there are 5 boys trying out and only 4 spots available...being his first year of bowling, and really only 2 months of experience, we are looking at his trying out as fun exposure to a little competition and some more experience ( he has to bowl 5 games, as opposed to his usual 3 game saturdays! ) ...the spots are awarded to highest "pins over average" at the end of the bowl off....so it's anybody's day in the end!!

GO FOR IT TYLER!!!!

( i'll let you know how he makes out tomorow...)

AND on another bowling note for tyler...we were told he has qualified in the top 12 spots to bowl in another tournament in December...it's called the Master Bantam Junior tournament, and he is soooooo stoked about it!!

WHEW...so that's the bowling update!

courtney.

yep, these are her LEGS at dance lessons this morning....

that kid grows out of pants like nobody's business, believe you me! she was officially

"taller than Mom" last december and has not stopped....pants bought in sept. are now too short.

Holy. Growing. Beanstalk. Batman.

:)

..( and THIS is just something that makes me happy...Peach Passion from Timmies....)

...heeheehee, had to show you this one from the other day. I was visited on my desk while blogging by Oliver, and he sprawled out right over the mouse pad and stared me down...
"play with me, woman."
so i gave him a mohawk.
~giggle~

...and this is the newest photo shoot of the kids...
we spent the whole day on Rembembrance Day at mike's parents in woodmore...
Gramma Liz was a great sport and came along with the kids and I while driving around neighboring farms to find good places for pics..
it was very windy and cold out and everyone was very cooperative about "jackets on, jackets off" for the pictures!
...i took 91 pics that afternoon, so here's just a FEW of my favs!!

...while warming up and waiting to eat dinner, tyler found a spot in the middle of the living room to pop a squat and finish reading the newest "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book....done in a day!

...thanks for a fun, relaxing day Gramma Liz...and a yummy dinner too!!!

x0x0

...and THIS was the lovely sunset right outside their door at the end of the day....

sigh.

see ya tomorrow!!!

:)

a few things...

...tyler was barely even awake and came down to the living room at 7:46am this morning to continue pracising a new song on the piano....

last winter i self taught myself bits of "where are you chirstmas" by faith hill ( also from the movie " The Grinch Who Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey ) and tyler has picked up on the notes and has been trying to figure it out on his own! WOW. I am so impressed.

But i couldn't let him struggle over his frustration for long and showed him both hands and he has been working non stop on perfecting it for the last two days!!

I love this boy's determination!

SO.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

it feels totally weird without any snow yet, but for me, that's a GOOD thing!

but, nonetheless, our most favorite holiday is just around the corner and i dug out my annual Christmas Planner to refill with this years pages and start organizing myself for the holidays!!

I first taught this adorable little REUSABLE project in 2008 and have since had lots of new scrappers join our circle of classes, so I have photographed my planner and am asking for any interest in offering this class once again ( you organized planner type folks will LOVE this one! )

So...have a scroll down and peek at the planner and then please let me know by leaving a comment in this post or by emailing me ( thegriffs@mts.net ) if you might be interested in this class project! If i get enough response, i will most definitely teach it again very soon!

CHRISTMAS PLANNER CLASS PROJECT

December calendar pocket...

speical events list...
christmas cards lists and stamp pocket...

budget plan pocket...

wish lists....

gift lists...

receipts pocket...

receipts pocket...

cooking / menu planning...

recipes pocket...

shopping lists...

extra notes....

so fun. so cute. wanna make one??

;o)

I also wanted to share another home made soup recipe with you!

if you love Zoupa Toscana soup at the Olive Garden, this one's for you!

TUSCAN POTATO SOUP

Ingredients:

1lb. ground italian sausage

2tsp crushed red peppers

1 Cup diced onion

6 strips bacon pieces OR i used an 85g bag of precooked bacon pieces

3 tsp garlic puree

11Cups water

5 cubes chicken bouillon

1lb. russet potatoes (i used 5 cups sliced white baby potatoes)

1 Cup heavy cream

1/2 bunch fresh kale


...saute bacon, onion and garlic pureee until cooked, set aside in a bowl.

...bring water to a boil, add chicken bouillon.

...while bringing water to a boil, saute italian sausage and crushed red peppers in the same pan used for the bacon,onion and garlic puree. once water is boiling add bacon & onion mix.

...i found the ground sausage to be very lean and sticking to my pan so i added 1tsp of olive oil.
i also added a shake of red garlic sansel ( Epicure ) instead of a pinch of salt for more flavor!

while italian sausage is cooking, slice your potatoes.

...add potatoes to soup and cook until soft on medium heat. Covered.

(about 25 mins )

Add heavy cream and cooked italian sausage.

( i also added a handful of fresh dill, because that's the way i roll....)

...cover and let simmer together for about 20mins. add kale just before serving.

...i also made a quick and yummy little bread treat to have with our soup...

you will need:

1 baguette

olive oil

herb and garlic seasoning

grated dill havari cheese

..slice baguette into 1/2 inch pieces, baste with olive oil, shake with Epicure herb and garlic seasoning ( Mrs. Dash or any other favorite seasoning is perfect! ) then top with grated cheese. broil on high for 2 minutes. ( don't go far while broiling to keep watch! )

...serve hot out of the oven with a bowl of your freshly made soup!!!

ENJOY!

( and once again, and modifications you try to this recipe are welcome to share in my comments! )

Hmmmm.....

yesterday was tyler's school Remembrance Day Ceremony assembly.

I have not been at a school R.D assebly since I was a kid, and it was a huge difference attending one now as a parent. It was quite emotional.

Espeicially when that trumpet blares and then the moment of silence.

And the difference between THEN and NOW is....I get it now.

I menitoned this on my facebook status as well, but I truly hope that our kids take with them from these ceremonies the importance of appreciation and gratitude to our past and present soldiers. War is not just a part of our history, it is our RIGHT NOW too. so many of us take forgranted of the peace we have in our homes every day ( myself included, I won't deny it ) and forget that there is indeed still war happening and that so many brave men and women are still dying. I want my kids to respect and appreciate what a soldier represents. And at their age, while still in school, they are so young to fully understand it all.

I am so grateful that I attended my son's assembly yesterday to remind me of the sacrifice's made for us all and to reinstate my appreciation for all that I have been given.

THANK YOU VETERANS for your patriotic visit!!

...I hope you all take a moment to share some Remembering with your kids tomorrow...

it's good for the soul.

:)

...an oliver update...

...so THANK YOU to so many of my friends who have been either calling or emailing me today

sending warm thoughts for Oliver!! you guys are the best!!

he had is neurtering surgery yesterday at the loving caring hands of Dr. Sheri Gould at Best Friends Animal Hospital and is doing very well. ( for a bunny! )

he spent the day there yesterday and Courtney and I couldn't wait to go pick him up last night after her dance lesson...

"HI EVERYONE! THANKS FOR THE BUNNY LOVE"

x0z0

...this was our SUNRISE yesterday morning...beautiful!!

( and trust me, i am NOT a sunrise kinda gal...)

heeheehee...

...i felt so bad leaving him there in this jail - like little cage...sorry buddy!!!

( he looks so sad...)

:(

...but we got a call from the vet in the afternoon saying Oliver was awake and doing well...his surgery went fine with no problems at al...we were a little worried with some of the sad stories of loss of bunnies under gas anaesthesia.

courtney and i were quite anxious to go get him after dance and bring him home!

...awwwww...cuddles for Ollie....

...heehee...he's still a little groggy in these pics...

...and these are his FUN oral pain meds til friday night that we have to give him!

believe you me, this was not a fun first attempt last night, but i seem to have it to a science now!

hahaha!

...so, bunny is doing great...started eating again today and all his other 'functions' are in working order back to normal again too! I'm just happy it's over and now he can have his 10 days to mend and get spoiled rotten with attention...not that he wasn't already!!

And here are the pics of the layouts from mondays class...

Monday Night Sketches...

Mexico.

Fresh flowers make me smile.

Engaged.

( this is my brother Curtis and his fiance Erith...i did an engagement photo shoot for them in May and used one of my fav pics of the day! )

:)