DISCLAIMER - Yeah. Starting a post with a Disclaimer isn't how I like to roll, but today I'm making an exception.
First, and foremost, I want to clear something up about blog posts...
Particularly my blog posts.
I tend to think people know me well enough to realize I'm not perfect...
I don't think I'm perfect.
I don't have a perfectly-kept home.
And I don't have perfect people in my family.
Even the Grand-Tots are not perfect, but as a Nana B, I am blind to whatever imperfections might be evident now or anytime in the foreseeable future.
Please know only the best of my best pics will be shown on the blog. I don't like looking at pictures of people with their eyes closed or making unattractive eating and/or talking faces.
For example...
Why would I post this picture when I have a much better one a few clicks away?
See what I mean?
And while this is a precious pic of RT and Aunt Ro...
Isn't this one so much better?
Just wanted to point out one more time, if you ever think everything is coming up roses over at my house, call me and we'll straighten that misconception up right away.
I bet I could have you crying real tears in a matter of five minutes or less...
And you would probably go out and buy me a present or bake me a pie.
Remember. Call first. I will need to make room in my very messy fridge for all of the baked goods which will be coming my way, I am sure.
Let's get on with it, shall we?
RANDOMNESS #1 - Making Target Pumpkins - Would you believe I didn't care much for Target when it first moved to our area?
I know!
People kept talking about end caps...
And drinking Starbucks while walking through the store...
And the $1 section...
And the different holiday displays.
I went a few times and tried to get into the "Target experience," but failed miserably until about two years ago.
I don't know why, but now I get it.
All of the above to say, I bought two $3 pumpkin decorating kits from Target, and Judith and I had a good time making the traditional Unicorn Pumpkin and the Masked Kitty Pumpkin.
My only complaints...
The glittery unicorn horn would not stay rolled up in the standard "unicorn horn shape."
No matter how hard we tried, it just would not work.
Also, it is hard to make felt unicorn hair curly.
Basically, the Unicorn Pumpkin looked like a Sad Horse Pumpkin who took a shower with a very low-pressure showerhead that could not rinse all of the conditioner out of the horse's mane.
Other than that, we were very pleased with the results.
RANDOMNESS #2 - Halloween Festival(s) - Mike and I went to Hartselle and followed Judith around not one, but TWO, Fall Festivals in the area.
A more precious little cowgirl has never existed, I am sure.
The first Festival had a lot of tossing games which are perfect for little ones Judith's age or older.
Pop and Judith were trying to decide if the inflatable slide was a wee bit too high.
In the end, she tried it with her Momma, but once was most definitely enough.
Before we said good-night to Judith, we ran into her "best fran," her cousin, Grace.
Oh, how she loves this little girl. And Grace loves her back, which is like the best thing in the whole world!
RANDOMNESS #3 - First Annual Cousin Camp-Out - I say "First Annual" knowing full well it is going to be an up-in-the-air event every year depending on weather, everyone's schedules, out-of-town peeps, etc., etc., etc.
Basically, I declare anything and everything I enjoy as "First Annual" in the hope the declaration will make it a LAW.
If it doesn't work out next year, I will try "Second Bi-Annual Camp-Out" on the third year.
If it doesn't work again until Year Number Five, I will call it "The Fifth Reunion of the First Annual Cousin Camp-Out."
And so on, and so on.
There are no pictures of Little Man, because he came in the front door, snuggled down and went right to sleep for the night. At ten months old, that is most definitely his prerogative.
However, I do want it known for posterity's sake, he was in attendance.
Also, the plan was for Josh, Courtney and Judith to be the only campers this year...
And probably next year, too.
Little Man will have to grow into the experience.
Melia turned 26 this past week, so we took a little time to celebrate her before making s'mores around the campfire.
Judith is very comfortable atop Uncle Austin's head.
Roxie's sweet friend and roommate, Nat, came home with her for the weekend. She is a joyful and beautiful young lady, and I hope she comes again and again and again.
Aunt Mia helped Judith cook and eat her first s'more. I think Judith likes her marshmallows best when they are plain and fat, but she gamely tried the camping dessert, so I was good with that.
How lucky am I to be married to this guy?
In between s'mores and actually getting into the tent and spending the night, Judith came in and read herself a little bedtime story.
I think sleeping on a sofa in a tent is a brilliant idea.
Brilliant, I tell you!
And a princess sofa?
Well, it just doesn't get much better now, does it?
On Saturday, Josh and his little family stayed for the Auburn game...
And being the rebel that she is, Courtney dressed Judith up in Alabama garb.
Cute, but not really the time or place for that kind of outfit in Pop's opinion.
THE REST OF THE STORY - Josh, Courtney and Judith would have camped out ALL NIGHT LONG, but around 6:00 a.m., it began to rain...
Inside the tent.
They came in and settled in an upstairs bedroom and slept two more hours.
Most definitely the most positive part of a "backyard" camp-out.
Definitely.
RANDOMNESS #4 - Sunday with RT - Since Little Man was conked out for 99.9 percent of the campout, it was nice to have him visit again Sunday after church for a few hours before Aunt Ro and Nat had to leave.
Very nice, indeed.
Slow Cooker Steak Soup
You will need the following:
2 1/4 pounds sirloin tip roast cut into 1" cubes
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons oil
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
4 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups uncooked medium egg noodles
1. Combine roast, flour, salt and pepper in a large Ziplock bag. Seal and shake to coat beef.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove beef from Ziplock bag, and discard any excess flour mixture. Brown beef about 5 minutes.
3. Place meat into the slow cooker. Add onion soup mix, beef broth, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until beef is tender.
4. Add noodles to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 15 to 30 minutes, until noodles are tender.
I made this soup the first of the week, and it was GOOD.
However, I will add some carrots to the soup next time to ease my guilt for not partaking of any veggies.
That is all!
Have a great weekend. I'll be back in a few days with much more stuff.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
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