"as the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts"

(Title quote from Mumford & Sons)

We spent a few weeks at my inlaws house while they had to be out of town. They own a fishing resort on Rush Lake. We had a sweet time there and got some great pictures on one of the chillier days where we could bundle up in cute winter stuff!



This girl is so stinkin cute!



Daddy and baby!

Our big boy, Hunter!

So, yesterday, we returned to Moorhead and got unpacked. Then we invited some guests over for dinner! My brother, Christian, my friend, Courtney, and our friends, the Irvis' and the Dion's! It was so great to see everyone and their kiddos! Adalia and Hunter had a blast with all the extra kiddos running around!

I can't wait for Thanksgiving! We are going down to visit my sister and her family down in Minneapolis! For those of you already planning a menu, here is my favorite turkey rub recipe!

The Most Delicious Turkey Rub EVER
1tbsp garlic powder
2tsp seasoned salt
1tsp poultry seasoning
1tsp paprika
1tsp salt
1/2tsp pepper
1/4tsp cayenne pepper
1/4tsp basil

Mix dry ingredients. Make some sage butter, rub butter under skin of turkey and all over around the outside. Then, generously apply the dry rub under the skin and all over the outside.

mmm, mixed drink recipe

So, we are visiting my in-laws right now...and they had White Cake UV Vodka.

(makes approximately a 2 cup serving)
2 shots
fill cup with Concord Grape Raspberry V8 Splash

Then, IMPORTANT STEP, remind yourself, even  though it is delicious, that it does contain alcohol and should be consumed in moderation!

Tomorrow, I am going to post a monthly prayer schedule for praying for kiddos (one topic plus one verse per day) that my mother used for us!

Sayonara sweethearts!   (p.s. ...believe it or not, that is correct spelling!)

"it takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home"

(Title quote by unknown author)

I drove by a very cool house today that was abandoned and is going up for auction.

SO, I wanna buy it. Great potential. Red house, red barn, ten acres.

GREAT barn, right? Can't you just see little cloth diapered babies running around chasing chickens. And a great big dog slobbering under one of those great old trees.

I am like shivering in excitement...no, wait! I am shivering cause it's cold outside! Yay for fall! My favorite season, my long lost friend. Time to dig out the sweaters and boots and cute fall scarves! Ahhh, the air smells crisp, the apples will taste perfect, the fireplace will be, once again, burning away!

Time to drink wassail and bundle up. Time to snuggle under the covers. Time to ... buy a farm!!! :)

Real quick:

My Wassail Recipe

1.Get a mug.
2. Fill it half up with apple juice.
3. Fill it half up with orange juice.
4. Sprinkle top with cinnamon to taste.
5. Microwave till PIPING hot!

Enjoy! (And a note, this drink is best, absolutely best, in a travel mug while hiking around with your hubby, while also wearing a great sweater...when the trees are just changing colors!)

"a woman is as old as she looks before breakfast" -edgar watson howe

That quote being true, here is a breakfast to fill your belly and please your soul:



Baked Oatmeal

*serves ten

1 1/4 c. oil
2 1/2 c. sugar (half of it brown)
5 eggs, beaten
7 1/2 c. old fashioned raw oatmeal
1 1/2 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups milk

*Mix oil, sugar, eggs; add remaining ingredients. Put in greased (glass, rectangular) pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Can use a toothpick test if unsure of done-ness. Serve with milk and cinnamon in a big bowl!

(i desperately hope that if you make this recipe for your family, they don't make this face at you...haha)