Friday Funnies

Back home after a week out of town...it's great to be with family, but it's nice to come home too! I have a few Christmas things to post, but had to share this instead, seeing as how it's Friday....

On one of several bathroom stops during our 7 hour trip yesterday, Mr C and I had the following conversations in the stall in a rather crowded bathroom.

Mr C: Mama, why is your p***s different from mine?
Me, ignoring the snickers outside the stall from other patrons: Because you are a boy and I am a girl and God made us different.
Mr C: You are not a girl. You are a mom.
more snickers....I should also add that the sometimes the boy is a little difficult to understand. Not today - this convo was clear as a bell and a little loud too! It reminded me of the time a potty-training Miss M cheered and clapped for me in a mall bathroom. "Been there!" laughed a voice from stall next door.

Vintage Christmas

While the celebration of the birth of a Savoir is THE reason for Christmas, there are still other elements that add to the special time of year. I just posted a comment on a friend's blog about my favorite things of Christmas. While there is much I enjoy about the season, one that tops my list would be using things handed down to me from my grandparents.  These are just a few...

Hanging the ornaments given to me by my grandparents each year until I turned 18. That little blonde girl praying...dated 1982...I was with her at a craft show when it was purchased. The icicle on the right...I inherited what was left of the set after Grandaddy died and Grandmommie moved from the ranch into town.

The Swedish candle carousel that rings when the candles are lit. My children are just as delighted as I once was. I still have the original box it came in too.

 

Santa and Mrs. Claus decorate red tapers at my house just like they did when I was child.

I also enjoy using old and/or thrifted but new-to me items. My mom picked up this cross-stitch piece - it just needed a coat of black and matching easel to showcase it. I am pleased with how the thrifted milk glass and  sprigs of red and green perk up the corner of my mantel.

 

My most favorite thing to use this Christmas season though? The hands down winner would be the 12 sets of Indian glass in a snowflake pattern. Each box bears Grandmommie's name, in her handwriting. My mom remembers these from her childhood and rescued them from my Grandmommie's garage sale probably almost 10 years ago. I am using them tomorrow when some special friends come to my home for coffee, snacks, and fellowship. Speaking of those friends...they will be here in 24 hours....better get to work! Thankfully, Miss M is healthy and back in school today.

Friday Funnies

It's been terribly cold this week in part of the world and Hudson seems to agree. This is where I found him several times the last few days. Once he was even sprawled out over a vent. Smart pup, isn't he?

The Best Gift Ever

My husband has been in sunny California all week for work. Before he left, I knew the kids were working on getting sick. By Monday afternoon it was clear - pink eye. Drops were prescribed and started and Miss M promptly showed a strong allergic reaction to the medication. Hoping she turns the corner soon.

Anyway, I should have been sleeping last night but instead finished up this little project that has been swimming in my head for over 1 1/2 years! I must admit, I copied the phrase from something I saw in the Dayspring catalog once and I used some clip art to help me get the bow just right on the package. Apparently, I can tie them but I can't paint one! 

Being stuck at home this week (with snow on the ground and freezing temps) has really caused me to slow down and savor the true gift of Christmas. It's a week when I would otherwise be running from here to there like so many other people. Hoping you take some time to enjoy your most precious gift as well - the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. Without the pink eye of course!

Cupcake Tea Table

My mom has been gently reminding me to update the blog....sickness, travel, chores, sickness....it all adds up to less time on the computer! Anyway, I thought I would start with a post about the annual ladies tea at my church. Hostesses decorate a table for 8 using their choice of themes. In years past, my themes have been patriotic, birds (in honor of my Grandmommie's hobby), fall, valentine, and twice a vintage table. This year was my most favorite table I have ever done. Cupcakes!!

I used things from around my house  - like my Grandmommie's mixing bowl, one of Miss M's Christmas ornaments, thrifted mini muffin/tart pans, and cupcake cookbooks. All total, I think I spent about $20 for the entire table.

I blogged about the painted cupcake plates here. I was planning to leave the big ones unpainted, but when I set my table up Friday night, I knew they needed coordinating dots. A glue stick made the perfect sized circle and it only took about 10 minutes to do the entire set. And yes, they were dry by the tea on Saturday.

Brightly colored scraps of ribbon served as napkin rings. The punch glasses were thrifted for the vintage table last year - at 15 cents each they were a steal!

My favors were stuffed felt ornaments, complete with "sprinkles" and hand sewn by me! (cause hand work is the only sewing I can do!)

Another little favor was inside each cup - a small canister of sprinkles with the a label attached: "Taste and see the Lord is good. Psalms 34:8. The measuring spoons are heart shaped - $1 from the MOPS garage sale back in the summer.

As always, the food was both beautiful and delicious. The speaker was excellent. But by far the best part of my day was spending it with these two special friends. You know the kind...the ones who are almost like family?

 mushroom/woodland theme

 Snowmen are always a popular theme.

 It's a little dark, but this jungle theme has some fun stuff going on.

 LOVE red and white for Christmas!

Finally, Miss M models a birthday gift for a classmate. $2.99 for an apron from Hobby Lobby, plus fabric left over from a Valentine shirt for Miss M = a very inexpensive but special birthday gift, especially since it was a cooking themed party. We paired it with a cute little necklace from the mall.

Friday Funnies

It's a day late this week...my parents were in town and I barely had time to check email let alone blog! Anyway, this really did happen yesterday - Friday no less! You need to know that yesterday was my dad's birthday, so the "old" jokes had been flying all day. Somehow, Mr C and my dad got on the topic of eating pet food.
My dad: Well, I have heard that old people eat cat food sometimes.
Mr C, without any prompting: Does that mean you eat cat food Popa?

Maybe I will catch up on some posts/pictures in the next few days since Mr C flew home with my parents today. It's his first "away" trip and we won't see him again until late Wednesday night when we drive in for Thanksgiving. Even Miss M misses him a little bit already.

Friday Funnies

My kids are big fans of the Chipmunks, so when I realized they were on TV tonight and would be over by bedtime, I knew they would be excited. This is a conversation from our house tonight:
Me: I have one word that I think will get you out of the tub quickly.
Miss M: (without missing a beat) Spanking?
Me: No, but I like the way you think!

I was right...chipmunks made for a quick bath. Silly girl....

Trunk or Treat, Minnie Mouse, & Go Fish

Our church hosted a trunk or treat for the first time this year. Even though we have known about it for several weeks, our family didn't decide on our theme until last night! We put it all together in just about an hour after church today and everything we used came from our house - no additional purchases!

The giant suckers are part of my porch decorations for Christmas. The candy and jars were collected from around the house and in the pantry.

Minnie and Jason from Go Fish, with our porch ghost and Scooby jack-o-lantern. (Minnie costume purchased at a thrift store after Halloween last year. Go Fish track suit was a hand-me-down from friends. Total spent for both costumes: $15.)

 a blurry tiger...it was pretty windy and I was shivering! They even had it rigged up to ROAR!

 The rockin' Wright family

The winning car, as voted on by the children. Judging from the comments and kids who said they were going to vote for us, Miss M thinks we must have been a close second.

Finally at home again...posing for one last costume shot with the addition of Hudson "Super Dog".  Now excuse me while I go raid some trick-or-treat bags!

Friday Funnies

My husband's grandmother, aunt, and her friend are in town for a few days this week. Lots of eating, laughing, and playing have ensued. At the dinner table tonight, Grandma Dee (turning 87 next month) told Miss M to eat her veggies or she wouldn't have big muscles.
"I already do!" she replied.
Our visitor Gywnn quipped "Where, your jaw?"
Miss M laughed after we explained the joke to her and plans to use on another big talker she knows soon. I love that my girl can enjoy a good joke!
We also looked over at Mr C at one point to find a noodle sticking out of his nose. Really not sure where he gets that from...must be his dad!

Friday Funnies

Not sure why this didn't post on Friday!
Conversation at my house this week....
Me: Wow, Hudson (our 6 month old beagle pup) is really on fire today!"
Carter: Yeah Mama. He feels really hot to me too.

Candlestick Redo

Thanks to Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick, I have been introduced to Rust-oleum Metallic Spray paint in oil rubbed bronze. I have been trying it on several projects around the house, but here's my favorite one so far.

My mom picked up these 3 ceramic candleholders at a thrift store for $1 each - notice one has an original price of $9.99. They were in great condition without a single chip.

I tend to favor warmer tones in my home and these were just a little too white. So they sat and sat in the basement all summer long. Finally, inspiration hit! With two coats of rubbed oil bronze and a few apple pie candles from Walmart, they are a perfect fit in my living room. I just hope my mom doesn't want them back when she comes to visit next month! 

Friday Funnies

A random woman asked Mr C "What are you going to be for Halloween?"
"Jason!" he proudly exclaimed.
The look on her face let me know that she was thinking of this Jason...

and not THIS Jason - the guy on the right!











Remember a few weeks back when I showed you this picture of Mr C? Well, that is pretty much his Halloween costume. With a different shirt and the addition of a toy guitar he magically becomes a Go Fish Rockstar. Miss M is still undecided, but we are not making her costume like last year. After all the spray painting I have been doing (projects to be posted soon!) I may just incorporate my claw hand into a costume of sorts!

Friday Funnies

There were several funny things that happened at my house in the last week, but nothing fit to print! Among other things, they involve undergarment mishaps and conversations about the birds and bees.

But here is something funny a friend recently shared with me when she noticed Oreos in my shopping cart. I seriously only buy them once a year, so it's a big deal at my house! When she was about 5 years old, she would lick the icing off her Oreos, put them back together, and then "share" with her 3 year old brother. Fast forward a few weeks to a visit at Grandma's house where he was offered Oreos. Upon seeing the cream, he said he didn't like those kind of cookies. His mother assured him he did. "No, I don't like the ones with the white stuff inside." My friend was wise enough to keep her mouth shut.

I seriously considered playing that same trick on Miss M after dinner last night and telling her "I don't know what happened. I guess it's just a new kind of Oreo. That's all I saw at the store."

Friday Funnies

Overheard at my house as Miss M was reading to her brother. "Johnny brought dognuts for show and tell."

Doughnuts Miss M!!!! I asked her if we planted a dognut tree, would it grow one of these:

This is Hudson, our 5 month beagle puppy. He came from the Humane Society last Saturday. So far, a pretty good little dog except he poops in the house too often. At least he does it in the bathroom!

Blogging Award!

My real life friend Mrs. B recently awarded me and some other ladies with the "Versatile Blog" award. She's a peach to do so and Miss M is excited as she watches our counter and country list grow. Mrs. B said she awarded this to me because "she has adorable stories about what her little ones say and some great ideas for crafting and parties." A nice way to say you never know what you may get from me I guess! Anyway, there are a few rules about accepting the award.

#1 If you had to go back and change one thing in your life,

would you and what would it be?

I would tell the pre-teen and teen Cupcake Mama to loosen up and not worry so much about what other people think. The truth is, most folks are too concerned with themselves to care much at all about you are doing. I have learned that it is OK to shake things up a bit sometimes and do the unexpected!

#2 Choose four people for this award and then inform them of the nomination.

Nikki: because she really is versatile...recipes, crafts, outings, photos, parties...a great creative inspiration for me, plus she usually includes her children.

Ali: all about being a pastor's wife, music teacher, newly homeschooling their crew of 4.

Room Mom: a great site with thrifty treats, games, and gifts for the elementary set. Especially helpful since I am once again Miss M's room parent!

Julie: I don't know this blogger in real life (she's a friend of a friend) but I like her posts and observations written to encourage mothers.

#3 Say thank you to the person who awarded you.

Thanks Mrs B. It's funny that we met in real life, but I feel like I know more about you now through your blog! Still thinking "Me??" but thank you just the same!

#4 Share seven things about yourself.

1. I have only been out of the country once, to Mexico as a child. I am getting a passport for a summer trip to Cozumel though!

2. My favorite birthday dinner cooked by mom is pinto beans, fried potatoes, and sweet cornbread.

3. I never wanted to be a teacher when I was growing up. Never say never.

4. Worried about my salvation a few years ago...thankful everyday that God and I got that all cleared up.

5. I drive a 2004 Grand Marquis. Yes, it is a grandma car and we even bought it from my grandmother! But, it's roomy, comfy, paid for, and reliable. Besides, you have to be pretty cool to be under 40 and drive a grandma car!

6. I frequently fall asleep during movies....even once at the theater with my children at 10 AM!

7. I talk to my mom at least once a day on the phone and my dad about 3-5 times a week. My children talk to at least one of them just about everyday as well.

Friday Funnies

This isn't entirely a Friday Funny post - keep reading for that! There was still lots of fun on trip earlier this summer to Branson with my family. Among other things, we rented a pontoon boat and tube and spent the day on Table Rock Lake. After everyone had a turn, Miss M decided she was up for it. She told me she was really glad she tried it because it's "so much fun to go fast!" She even got back on after a pretty big spill. I worry about that girl and her love for speed sometime!

Aunt J, Cupcake Nana, and Miss M just lounging on the boat.

Mr C and Poppa "driving" the boat. We got a lot of horn honking from his little captain.

Poppa showing Miss M how easy of a ride it can be.

"Wow! Has Daddy been working out lately? I have never seen him so musclely!" commented Miss M. When he was back on the boat, we told him what she had said.

"And why is that funny?" the 6'2" 165 pound guy asked.

I realized when I was posting, that I didn't get a picture of my mom or SIL on the tube, but they took a turn too! And no comments please about how dangerous and reckless it was for me to let Mr C ride without a life vest. We actually didn't realize until later that it didn't get back on him after a lunch break. Other than that, we practiced great water safety!

Cooling off with Uncle N.

Friday Funnies

This is what I found when Mr. C got up from his nap earlier this week.

His superhero cape was on the floor but he "couldn't get it on by myself".

The boy is a nut.

Slate Tic Tac Toe Board

We saw this idea in a Lowe's freebie idea magazine last year and made one for my dad. He and Miss M LOVE to play tic tac toe, so this was the perfect gift for him. I bought enough supplies for a second game and just now got around to making one for our house as well.

Easy and inexpensive supplies:

slate tile (Mine was $1.97 @Lowe's)

bag of river rocks (Some Dollar Tree locations in my area carry these.)

4 felt sticky pads (Dollar Tree again, but they are cheap at other locations too.)

white paint (on hand)

polyurethane (on hand)

Draw out your tic tac toe board on the slate. I sketched my lines in white chalk first because I knew I couldn't free hand it very straight! Paint the lines with white paint and seal with a coat or two of polyurethane when dry. Miss M helped me paint the X's and O's on the rocks - 5 of each. Attach a few felt sticky pads on the bottom and you are all set. This is a great little game to have out on the coffee table or outside on the porch!

Friday Funnies

OK...a day late....things happen, 'ya know?

Miss M is a slow eater. She chews and chews and chews!!! I think she tried to chew ice cream! One night she asks, rather loudly, "What's this stuff on top? Oregano?" (she might watch a little too much Food Network for her age.)

"No," I replied. "It's probably dust." To which her Dad and I both laughed and she replied back, "OK, I totally get that but it is not very funny."

You just keep telling yourself that Miss M!  I am charging my camera batteries as we speak so I can share vacation pics, a cheap and easy slate tic-tac-toe board, and hopefully from an outing Miss M and I are taking back in time later today!

School's In

Miss M started first grade this morning. A little taller, a few less teeth, and full of confidence! Can hardly believe it! Last year, Mr. C cried everyday for the first week. Today, he cried a tiny bit at home and was good after that. He hasn't even asked when she is coming home!

Thanks to Aunt Karla and Uncle Ronnie, for the Justice outfit. The birthday necklace from her stylish friend Sophie matches perfectly too! Almost time to leave to pick her up...usually she rides the bus but we are picking her up as a first day treat, to be followed by powered sugar mini doughnuts when we get home.

Friday Funnies

I recently completed the adult summer reading program at my local library. The children completed theirs weeks ago - with some help from mom of course! At dinner last night, I announced my accomplishment of reading TEN books since the first week of June. No one was impressed. Husband wasn't - probably because he doesn't read for pleasure....ever...except once a year when he is preparing his fantasy baseball team and picks up a copy of The Fantasy Baseball Guide.

Miss M remarked, "What? You only had to read ten books? I had to read for hours and hours!"

So, what did I read?

by Francine Rivers: Her Mother's Hope, The Atonement Child

by David Lewis: Coming Home

by Beverly Lewis: The Sunroom, The Shunning, The Confession, The Reckoning, The Covenant, The Betrayal, The Sacrifice

Yes...a theme is noted. Beverly Lewis writes a lot of books set in Amish communities and I got hooked on two separate 3 book series. Now maybe I will win a prize from the drawing for all my hard work!