A Walk To Remember

I had many ideas for posts in my head for today. Mainly ones where I complain about the M-O-U-N-D-S of laundry waiting for me, or how I got only 2 hours of sleep last night from a very stuffy Sweet P.... the list goes on. But, for whatever reason, they never happened. Instead I trudged thru the day, with a pudgy baby on my hip and a boogie-rag draped across my shoulder. Miss P has a horrible head cold and sleep has left the building.

Despite its downfalls, the day ran pretty smoothly. School managed to get done somehow... even though I would have loved to do more. And now that the house is quiet, order is once again restored. The kitchen is clean... a clear sign of victory in my book.

But just a few hours ago, our Little Red House was buzzing with chaos. Penelope was in desperate need of a nap and my shameless attempt of laying next to her to "settle" her spirits resulted in a half asleep momma and a very late dinner. 

But dinner was cooked none the less. 

The little kids escaped clean-up by running out the back door and playing on the trampoline. They come alive in the cooler evenings that have been paying us visits. I brew my evening coffee... the much needed cup to get me thru the last few hours of the day.

My older girls are drifting around chattering about whatever comes to mind and hubby is balancing a fine line between schoolwork and a baby. Literally... one on each knee.

Looking at the dinner-disaster aftermath and its never ending mess of spaghetti strands and sauce stains, I throw my towel down and decide to go for a walk. 

"It will calm P down and settle her right into bed..." I convinced my husband as I abandoned him at bedtime and ran out the door. RUnning on 3 hours sleep is something im not good at. Nausea followed me all day. Headaches followed that. Perhaps the quiet and fresh air will calm me down as well. One could hope.

The evening was perfect and still....

For a second...

Before I knew what hit me, my two oldest came flying down the driveway giggling and laughing as young girls do...

"We're coming with you MOM...."

And with that a small part of my heart sank. I saw my quiet smashed to bits...

before long, my girls took on a life of their own... as they usually do. Down the street they sang, made fun of people said hello to passerbyers and created characters that they only knew. As I followed behind them, I was completely entertained. Wondering what they would do next and proud of their silly-ness. Penelope laughed out loud and joined in on the shrieking... rest was something she would not get on this walk. But that was perfectly alright.  Some people just stared at them but I didn't care. They were mine and it was moments like these that made me so grateful for every bit of busyness I have.

People tell me to enjoy the chaos now because one day it will be gone. With 6 kids, I often laugh and say that will never happen, and a part of me believes it.

But tonight will be gone. And evening walks that I take for granted so often will one day be a memory. So I did. I soaked it all up and said a prayer of Thankfulness. Most women won't answer the call for 6 children, but I did... and even though the work is hard, the rewards are plentiful.

So, right now my laundry stands about 10 feet tall but my kitchen is clean. The house is quiet and Im in my bedroom, in the dark. I guess I got my stillness after all. Link is curled up in my lap purring away.

Im dead tired but can't sleep and Miss. P is restless again. Another sleepless night is on my horizon. In 9 hours it all starts again... But I will pray for strength. And like everything else in life, this too shall pass....

but before it does, I want to enjoy every second.

Even if it is in a spaghetti-stained house.

Is It Tempting Yet??

 I am joining TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY

The other day my hubby and I got a craving for some Homemade French Onion soup... so we diverted from our usual Sunday Sauce routine and before long a hot bubbling pot was brewing on the stove.

Sometimes I think that If I cook like Fall, then that will bring in the season just a bit quicker. ... Hmm... you never know right?

Anywhoo... I don't follow a formal recipe. I use one as a guideline and improvise GREATLY... to taste of course. I don't follow a formal recipe for many things. But thats what makes my cooking unique and quite tasty if you ask me (or my hubz!) But it came out SPLENDID and many people asked for the recipe so here it is...

4 VIDALIA onions sliced thin.

3 tablespoons of butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 container beef stock

1 container chicken stock

4 cups of water

4 beef bullion cubes

Swiss Cheese

French bread

Its quite easy. Just takes patience and testing to make sure it is just right. First, I slice all my onions and place them in the soup pot with the butter on low and let them cook down to nothing. I don't want them burned. Just caramelized and cooked soft and tender and sweet. I salt them alot too. Once the onions are perfect, I stir in the flour really well until dissolved and then I add in the rest of the ingredients. I mix and add salt and pepper to taste and let it simmer for a bit for all the flavors to meld together. Once its at a perfect taste, I pour into OVEN SAFE soup bowls. I slice the french bread and toast it until its nice and brown. Then I place a piece or two on top of the soup and layer the top with LOTS of swiss cheese. Under the broiler it goes until brown and bubbly.

Be careful when eating as it is SUPER hot. My suggestion... let it cool a bit. or just eat it really slow with some yummy salad and great conversation. Food is an experience. NOT a meal ;)

Enjoy

I will forewarn you though... eating all those onions will have your body react later on. Make sure you eat it with the ones you LUV!

Xoxo

GiGi

My Famous Last Words...

"Im Back" just might be my most famous last words... after all I think I might have used them on ten more than one blog post.

And for that Im sorry. For once I was a faithful blogger and I truly am trying to be that again. Now that school is in full swing and a some-what schedule is starting to form, that just might be on the horizon. One can hope and pray!!! I really hope so. I miss sharing with you all and visiting you all as well.

So, grab a hot cup of coffee and sit back. I plan on filling you in on everything that has been happening in our Little Red House.

We started our 2011-2012 homeschooling year 2 weeks ago. To be honest, This might be our last year. After many prayers and seeking answers, This last year might be a stepping stone for public school. It breaks my heart to think so but if God calls me to put them back in, then I will listen. In the meantime, We are still finding avenues to take that might make it otherwise and I am enjoying my children. I have 4  school age kids. 1 HIGH SCHOOLER, 1 middle schooler and 2 elementary. My oldest is taking online school which works out GREAT for the pocket but I had a hard time seeing how it would work. We had a rough start but now its pretty awesome. She has lots of interaction with her teachers and her classmates and lots of help... more than I can ever give her. So, this year is covered in prayer and we shall see where next year takes my precious chick-a-dee's and our Little Red House.

On a lighter note... I got A NEW BIBLE!!!!

I KNOW!!

you remember my old one right? And you all know how much I hate change, so this was a HUGE thing for me. I mean, for 22 years I have studied in this book. It brought me thru summer camps, marriage, moves, baby births, vacations, deaths, sorrows, happiness. I knew verses based on the crinkle of the page.... and for me change is NOT something I welcome. I need time. Lots of time to think about the possible upcoming change. And I did... about 2 bible studies ago I knew the time was imminent. ( Or perhaps it was when the cover fell off??) who knows. But the thought has been on my mind. Then during the last bible study I knew it had to be done. By the time the study was over, I was excited to start the shopping!! Hubby took me (after a yummy breakfast date) and he was so patient as I sat there and poured thru all the bibles that were at my fingertips. It had to be a certain size, thickness, print. The page had to feel a certain way, had to be NIV and I needed LOTS... I mean LOTS of study notes.

I finally found my book. It not only fit every qualification but the study notes, cross reference and extras were more than I could ask for. It is "The Case For Christ Study Bible." and it is PERFECT!!!

Isn't she a beauty? I even got my whole name engraved on it. Hubby made me do it right away to make sure I didn't drive myself crazy and return it ( he knows me so well.) I get so excited every time I open it up to read it although I must confess, a new bible has me lost a bit. Sometimes I swear some books were left out of my bible because I can't find them anywhere. LOL. Oh, does it need to be broken in.

My Miss. Molly started gymnastic last week. Its a homeschool class filled with other girls around her age. She loves it. My Molly is an original!!! She is forever jumping and flipping and trying to fly. So Im hoping this class will properly train her so I don't catch her jumping off the roof one day... or if she does... she properly dismounts. Ha! The class is also filled with wonderful Christian homeschooling moms so that hour of chit chat fellowship is just what the Dr. ordered!!!

On a not-so-bright note. My sweet Long Island home town got hit with Hurricane Irene this weekend. Thanks to Facebook and texts, I was able to really get a minute-to minute update on all of my dear friends and family. Some escaped without a scratch and others, like those in my home town...were not as blessed. Many homes are flooded, without power and have massive tree damage. These 2 pictures below are from my younger sister in law. We lived next door to each other in NY and these pictures are of my old block. We lived close to the water and the high tides and flooding brought the water only 1 block away from where we used to live. So, before you complain that Irene was a sissy... please remember all of those that just lost sooo much....

And of course, how can I not give a Link update?? We are on month 2 since he entered our lives and quite honestly, I can't imagine him not being in our chaos. But this picture describes our night perfectly. I bunker down in bed ( in the dark because Sweet P still sleeps with us) with the TV on low... and he is right there next to me purring up a storm. Its a nice ending to most crazy chaotic days.

Oh... real quick... who out there is addicted to Words with friends???

well, I may or may not have about 18 games going with different people....

but who's counting?

And FYI if you love my blog, then just hit the lil follow button and share some luuvvv <3

Xoxo

GiGi

My Hairy #7

I often twitter tidbits on our newest addition. Our Kitty Link! 

You know, the twitter account you all follow right? Cause I always update my twitter. I do. Its easy and since my phone never leaves my hand, very very convenient.

Anywho...

Seriously. I could not have asked for a better cat. I think that has to do with the fact that I did NOT pick him out. I always pick out the psycho ones... really. 

This time I was left at home and I just got whichever one my husband thought would be a perfect match. He walked into the humane society, made eye contact with each kitten and this furr ball must have not blinked or something because immediately hubby said " THIS ONE." and voila...

a perfect pet!

Well, almost perfect. I recently explained to the children what the meaning of 

"curiosity killed the cat..." meant.

And how it directly affects link. As his curiosity has already made him rip through his 9 lives. I swore I was going to open my suitcase in FLorida and have him POP right out... or the dryer, the washer, the dishwasher... you name it.

There may or may not have been many times I walk down the hall and I see a paw or tail sticking out of a closet. A desperate attempt of waiving the white flag for help. How he got in, only God knows.

Trips outside are quick and strategically planned as he KNOWS when we are opening the front door... and anything that moves instantly becomes an imaginary enemy who most be destroyed....

But on the flip side, when he is tired and needs to sleep, he cuddles over to the nearest lap and purrs himself into a deep slumber. The crook of your neck is his favorite spot.

My Hannah and Him have a special relationship. This may or may not include her doing the Tangowith him in the living room. He knows when she picks him up... to just go with it. When she walks in a room, he jumps up and follows right at her heels... and every night, when he knows its bedtime he reminds her of their routine. She quickly scoops him up and up the stairs they go for snuggles in bed....

They are bonded. and they are friends!

"HANNAH your boyfriend went in the baby's crib again..."

Thats what we call him and she knows its time to hunt him down to get him out of his latest mess.

Its sweet and I am so thankful he fits so well in our little Red {crazy} house!!!

I was lost but Now I am found!!!

HELLO MY FRIENDS!!!!

So good to be writing again. I took a looong needed hiatus. Just enough to refresh my soul and let pure unadulterated laziness sink in. Ha!!

I am also back from our quick anniversary getaway to DISNEYWORLD with my handsome Hubba hubba. It was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L to say the least. Seriously. I can't express how special and awesome this trip was for us. VERY needed. We had SO.MUCH.FUN!!!

Many people gave us many strange looks when we told them we were headed to Walt Disney World without the kids. They couldn't understand. But I couldn't understand why the heck they thought that was strange. My hubby and I became kids again. We ran hand in hand to all our favorite childhood rides. We rode them over and over...and over again. 

We ate Mickey shaped waffles in the morning and outran each other to Pirates Of The Caribbean each afternoon. By the end of the day, we collapsed... utterly exhausted into our beds.

But by the next morning, we were ready to start the day all over again. By the end of our trip, we were sad to leave that Magical land....

But we were happy to get many hugs and kisses from all of our children.

We are counting the weeks till we take another vacation together... 1 year. Him and I. It will now be a tradition. We already have our next location planned, someplace even more awesome than the last. And I.Can't.Wait.

School starts for us this week and I might just begin the year kicking and screaming  a bit reluctant. Summer for us, went by way to fast.

But deep down, Im waiting for the fall to come. Apples and pumpkins and warm meals.... You know... You can't help but have that time clock built in your soul.

My SweetTea Travel has been picking up. Many people are wanting a much needed escape from the every day. Can you blame them? If you need one, just give me a ring and I can plan it for you!!! Visit my SweetTea site and follow me on Facebook for all the latest updates!!!

I hope your spending your last few days of summer wisely. They go quick... Before you know it, we will be buried under ice and snow.

Yeow!!!

Does It Have To End?

I love summer. I really do.

Especially this summer. This past year has been beyond a challenge in homeschooling. Not sure why? Perhaps the huge range in grades, the new baby, the noise level, the {gulp} inability to remember basic 8th grade math..

or quite frankly

could care the less to re-learn 8th grade math.

Yeah, maybe the latter was more truthful. None-the-less, I think I out ran the kids when it was time to put the books down and race to the pool.

But 2 months have passed and that dun-dun-dun... dreaded day is almost here.

Well, maybe I should re-phrase that for the opinionated haters out there...

Im not completely dreading it as im not ready to kick them out the door to public school just yet. I hold firm and steadfast to my beliefs. But things are changing in our little red house. Time to switch it up a bit and greet this next school year completely different than how we left last year.

Im a bit excited and nervous to begin. Im putting a lot of HOPE in some new choices and I have been praying hard that they are the exact answers I need.

I also will be drawing strength from a very dear friend of mine. She doesn't know it yet... But I have an earful for her when we are able to finally coordinate schedules.

I have found that homeschooling can be a very lonely world.

Unless you do it, you just don't get it....Because the reasons why you do it are the reasons why!!

Does it make sense?

Anyway. Thats where I am right now...

I am slowly picking up the schoolbooks with my rising 2nd grader to do some review and get the gears going... you know, the gears that are rusted from chlorine and sun..

Oh that glorious sun. ;)

Link is awesome. Every day the kids find out his new likes and dislikes. For instance...

He likes being put in a bucket...

and swung gently back and forth.

Like a swing...

Seriously!

He loves it.

and if you go on the ground and pretend your a cat...

he FREAKS out and starts playing... its so cute.

and then he gets tired and looks for a warm lap to cuddle up in.

We love Link!

We also bought 2 new Crepe Myrtles for our backyard. They are * PINK *. 

I can't wait.

1 will be used to help shade our patio. It gets full afternoon BLAZING sun.

ouch!!

But hopefully that will be changed... once it grows and grows.

Im being a fickle pickle with my blog postings... 

Sorry about that.

tanning and swimming  enjoying the summer will do that to ya.

But I'm pretty consistent with my twitter...

so follow me and maybe I can get my act together.

What about you?? What have you been up to?

Xoxo

GiGi

Tempting Everyones Tummy...

GOOD MORNING!!!

I usually don't post recipe's but the other night I made a dinner that was just so pretty to see and tasted just as good... I just HAD to share.

Im also joining Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for recipe linkies!!

I don't have a formal recipe for this. I kind of just threw it together. But I will do my best to remember exactly what I used.

These are the ingredients:

An onion chopped, Garlic chopped, Fresh string beans, baby Spinach, 1 stick of butter, sliced mushrooms, pork and a box of farfalle

I cut the pork in strips, dredged them in heavily seasoned flour and fried them in the pan

In another pan I sauteed the onions till soft, then threw in the garlic and the mushrooms and spinach. ( you can use as much as you want)

I cooked them for just a bit as I didn't want everything completely soaked!

After cooking the pasta, I threw the pork and the stir fry pan of the veggies all together in a huge pot. Added salt and pepper to taste

and

Voila !!

A great dinner my family ate right up. I managed to squeeze in some healthy veggies too.

What did you eat??

Xoxo

GiGI

SweetTea...

Hello my dear bloggy friends. Its MONDAY and surprisingly im quite chipper.. which is NOT the norm. Especially since I had an appt. with the dentist this morning..

<>

But I SURVIVED!! I did. I go to a GREAT place. They are on the posh side and cost a bit more BUT they specialize in cosmetic dentistry... and neurotic women.

(me)

So for the higher price, I get babied and pampered  AND guaranteed I feel NO!!! PAIN!!!

That still didn't stop me from crying the minute they called my name to go back. Im serious. 35 years of life experience went right down the drain as I was walking the green mile down the hall. The sweet girl asked how I was doing and before she knew it I was a blubbering mess.

IN MY DEFENSE

I was getting a crown.

And I was scared. I don't think I have seen anyone slap the gas on a nose so quick. And I don't think anyone else sucked down that sweet air any faster.

But we got to chatting and before long I was as high as a kite relaxed and ready. I think I convinced her to take her kids on a DISNEY cruise by the end of the visit. And I kindly told my dentist that taking his wife on a vacation where she had to vacuum...

wasn't a vacation.

But grace was extended as he kept pumping that stuff higher and higher after I claimed it wasn't working.

When I went to get up to visit the restroom mid crowning...

IT WAS WORKING!!!

So, The gas will be used at all dental visits even though it didn't do what I expected it to do and I was still a bit anxious... but calm enough that my reflexes were not hitting his face.

Now that the dreaded visit is behind me, I can focus on my vacation coming up in a couple of weeks. I CAN'T WAIT!! Seriously. I need it. We need it.

This past saturday night during WING NIGHT... sweet cuz (who is a web and branding consultant) branded me with a logo for my travel business...

SweetTea Travel

I have a webpage. and my logo ROCKS!! The webpage needs work and right now it will just link you to my FB page where its updated MANY tines a day with the latest deals. Believe it or not, FB is where I get ALOT of my business and its easy to get the word out about FAB-U-LOUS deals and steals.

SO if your kind, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook. =))

Let me know how you like the new logo...

and remember... no haters.k?

But Im off. Half my mouth is still numb and I have to attempt to eat.

I kept thinking I was in pain and he kept giving me more Novocain to shut me up...

Did I mention Neurotic??

Yeah. I own it.

Have a great day

Xoxo

GiGI

Into The Woods...

For those of you who are just not cool don't follow my twitter, do not know that we had an experience with nature this past weekend.

Friday night, after hubby came home from work, he set up his new 8 person tent.

Um, yeah... 8 person but I can guarantee maximum capacity will never go over 7....

Anywhoo... the littles were as excited as could be. The firepit was lit and the smores came out. They played in the dark and counted the starts. By 10 pm, I handed out kisses and retreated back in the house to watch the baby. Yeah... thats it. Cause the baby just can't be outside. Yeah... thats it!!

But I showered the wilderness off of me and retreated to my comfy bed and my beloved DVR.

By 11, my sweet hubby was carrying them in 1 by 1. My big girls were already whining about missing their beds and the fire was out.

Our night under the stars was over.

Yup, thats about as country as we get!

And here are some pictures of my baby P. Who is almost 9 months. I have a real hard time with the 9 month mark.

But I will save that for another day

Isn't she cute?

Xoxo

GiGi

WIWW/WILW 4TH ADDITION!!!

HAPPY 4TH!!

Today's addition of WIWW and WILW hosted by The Pleated Poppy and Krystina is all about the FUN of the 4th of July.

With the holiday falling on a monday, we had an incredible 3 days weekend and spent 2 nights party-ing with fireworks and family.

I went for summer/tan chic by the fire

Tank: Old Navy

Skirt: Old Navy

Flower: Forever 21

It was also our 15th wedding anniversary and hubby surprised me with a trip to the mall and a "detour" into our Pandora shop...

I came out with a little more **bling**

Miss. P. wanted to participate in WIWW/WILW and she got dressed up in her "little black dress..."

Cause every woman needs one. Or 2 or 5... really!!!

and MY outfit which is 100% me all the way!!!

Pink Tank: Old Navy

Turquoise flower: Old Navy

Brown skirt: Old Navy

Red/black and leopard apron: Kirklands

Bow flip flop: Kirklands.

Can't wait to see all YOUR outfits...

Happy Summer

Xoxo

GiGi