2 Peas Saturday Blogger - Serving Others

Join us today/Saturday if you blog. Challenge: How will you make a difference to someone less fortunate this Christmas/Holiday season? Blog about it. If you haven't considered doing something for another human being, consider it. Now's the time. We can all reach out and help someone this Christmas! At our church, they have been collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. You fill a boy for a child with hygiene supplies, school supplies, toys ect. My girls had so much fun deciding what age group of child to shop for and then being able to pick out all the stuff to fill the box. They thought it was so fun. The children are also picking out a toy to put under the toy tree at the mall which are then donated to needy children./ I think that teaching my kids now about helping others will help them to see that they are serving as Jesus did. The point of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus and I feel it is the perfect opportunity to teach the girls to be more like him.

Chucke Cheese & Strawberry Shortcake

The girls and I finally had a whole evening together last night. We had so much fun. We went into Kingston planning to go to Cosmic Adventures. As we drove there we passed Chucke Cheese's. The girls got sooooo excited about it. How they even knew it existed is beyond me. We had an absolute blast!! Emily got a birthday balloon and a birthday crown which she thought was the best. The girls played games and were so excited winning tickets. They started jumping up and down when tickets came out of the games. They went on rides and climbed on the jungle gym and just had so much fun. Things have been so stressed and rushed around here lately with me working so many hours and it was so great to just see them relax and have fun. After going to Chucke Cheese's we went to the Kingston shopping centre where they were having Strawberry Shortcake and the arrival of Santa. This is the first show that they kids have seen like this and they thought it was the neatest thing!! There were kids everywhere singing and dancing - it was absolutely adorable. At the end of the night we were all tired but so relaxed and happy as a family. Amber even said that it was the funnest night ever!

2 Peas Thursday Blogger Challnege - Clothing

Join us today/Thurs if you blog.
Challenge: What is your clothing style?
Do you dress casual/or do you like to dress up? If you could have $1000 to buy your dream wardrobe, what would you buy???



HHHMMMM clothing.... I definitely need some new clothes. I would say that over the past few years since my life has become so insanely crazy busy that my style has become much more casual. My staple outfit is jean and a cotton shirt, either long or short sleeved. I love clothes that wash really easily and don't wrinkle too much, I hate folding laundry. I love to buy my jeans from bluenotes - they are the only ones who see jeans my length. I also love Old Navy. If I had $1000 to spend on clothes these pics would be my wish list from old navy, plus some new jammies and some jeans from bluenotes. I would also splurge and buy new bras and underwear from La Senza.

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge

What's a trip you took as a child that you will always remember. and why??? blog about it.

When I was 16 my family and I drove across Canada. It was my all-time favorite trip. We took 3 weeks and drove out to Banff Alberta. I loved the whole trip. I loved sitting at night planning the route for the next day with my Dad. He and I were in charge of the map and making the plans. I sat in the backseat and gave directions. I took videos and pictures out the window. We stopped at all the amazing cool sited on the way. I was so excited to see so many things that I had never seen before. I will never forget the fun of the Calgary Stampede and buying my cowboy boots. I will never forget the beauty of the mountains and lakes, the colors and the sites. I will never forget being terrified on the horse called "Wacko" on the trail ride along the bow river. The whole trip was incredible. It is a trip that I will someday do with my girls so they too can see the beauty of Canada.

Beautiful Sunday 11/12/06

Beautiful Sunday 11/12/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday 11/11/06

My Favorite Things Saturday 11/11/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My girls having fun at the pumpkin patch

Suffering From Blogging Withdrawl

AAAAAHHHHHH.... I am totally suffering from blogging withdrawal lately. i think about blogging every day and often think of my post in my head, but then the little bit I am home I am either too busy or too tired to actually write it. Things have been insane here the last few weeks. I have started both my new jobs and am working crazy hours, usually between 40 - 65 hours per week, doing shifts. I have had my kids more than usual because their dad has had back surgery, and my new boyfriend seems to take up the remaining bit of time. Some days I feel like a big bouncy ball going from one thing to another without taking time to relax. Hopefully it will slow down a bit in the future.

Work, Work, Work, Work , Work

I am so very thankful to God that He has answered my prayers for finding work. I am now juggling three jobs which can some days be insane. The job I have had for years is at a government institution that is going to be closing down in the next two years. Therefore, there has been hardly any hours at all for casual workers. As a single mom I wasn't bringing in enough money to pay my bills. So, my Pastor and I prayed that God would help me find work so that I can support those beautiful girls of mine. God answered almost immediately. I was hired at Dollarama. I love it. I have done health care for so long that I think I am absolutely loving the change of being in a different field. Instead of physically taking care of people I am now able to just have fun and have amazing conversations with people all day. I am so loving it. Then last week, I got hired at the local nursing home and started my training there this week. Hence, a 65 hour work week which is having me feel a little frazzled and a little guilty about not being here quite as much for the girls as I would like to. I am amazed every day at God that I am able to just hand my troubles over to God and just ask that He lead me in the direction that He wants for me. God is incredible!!

OFF TOO THE LAURENTIANS

My boyfriend Cory and I took this incredible little road trip to the Laurentian mountains a couple of weeks ago. We were so relaxed and we had so much fun!!We just decided to get in the car one afternoon and drive. I was telling Cory about the amazing colors of the fall leaves in the Laurentian mountains. My grandpa owns a bunch of property in the Laurentians and it is my absolutely favorite place to go to. It is my get away place, the place where I can relax and be totally me and I wanted to share it with him. The drive was amazing! The colors were so gorgeous. We also went to Montebello and saw the hotel there. Every time I see the log hotel I am amazed at it's beauty. We just drove, sang, talked, listened to music and relaxed. It was amazing!!

Beautiful Sunday 10/29/06

Beautiful Sunday 10/29/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday 10/28/06

My Favorite Things Saturday
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

One of my favorite things is the absolute joy my girls get in doing the simplest things - just in being together as a family.

2 Peas Saturday Blogger - Thanksgiving Recipes

Join us today/Sat if you blog. Challenge: Let's talk turkey. What are you fixin this Thanksgiving??? Re food??? Share your fave Thanksgiving fare on your blog.. let's share some recipes!
My absolute favorite parts of the Thanksgiving meal is the stuffing and the cranberry sauce. I'm not quite sure what it is but turkey does not seem the same without them. Here are two of my favorite recipes.

Basic Brad Stuffing

1/2 cup butter

1 large onion, chopped

3 medium celery, chopped
15-ounce bag cubed bread
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cups homemade turkey stock or chicken broth
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is golden, about 10 minutes.
Scrape the vegetables and butter into a large bowl. Add the bread and parsley. Stir in enough of the stock to moisten the stuffing, about 2 1/2 cups. Season with the poultry seasoning, if desired, add salt and pepper to taste. Use to stuff the turkey, or place in a buttered baking dish, drizzle with an additional 1/2 cup stock, cover and bake as a side dish.
Makes 10 cups.

Cranberry Sauce

1 cup (200 g) sugar

1 cup (255 mL) water

4 cups (1 12-oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries

Optional Pecans, orange peel, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice.

1 Wash and pick over cranberries. In a saucepan bring to a boil water and sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cranberries, return to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries burst.
2 At this point you can add all number of optional ingredients. We typically mix in a half a cup of roughly chopped pecans with or without a few strips of orange peel. You can add a cup of raisins or currants. You can add up to a pint of fresh or frozen blueberries for added sweetness. Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice can be added too.
3 Remove from heat. Cool completely at room temperature and then chill in refrigerator. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
Cranberry sauce base makes 2 1/4 cups.

Saunders Farm

We have a family tradition of going to Saunders Farm every year. I have so much fun taking the girls. It is so neat looking back at pictures from past years and seeing how much the girls have grown. They have so much fun with all the activities. Amber loves poking her head through the cardboard cutouts and playing in the dollhouse. Emily loves jumping in the hay. Both girls loved the show that was put on the stage. It was awesome. We also went on the haunted hay ride, mommy should have thought that one through a little better as both kids ended up crying. Lesson learned for next time.

Once Again Amazed by God

Once again I am totally wowed by what God is doing in my life. I have learned that trusting God to make the things happen in my life that He desires is the best way to live my life. Because I have opened the door to letting God lead my life the way He chooses instead of me trying to direct it, amazing things are happening. I have been looking for work for the past month and God has allowed me to get two new jobs (one I started this week, then the other next week.) He is allowing my needs to be met because I turned to Him and asked for Him to lead the way.

I'm Back

Hello all - I'm back to the blogger world after my computer breaking down again. But I am now back and ready to blog away. I will update all when I get home from work today.

INFO Requested

I would absolutely love to compile a list of blogger buddies so that i can send out some RAK's and little notes. If you would like, please email me at scollins_7@sympatico.ca with your name, blogging id, address and birthday and then watch your mail!!

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Excitement

Here's the challenge!!! Blog about something that has really excited you.. something you were really anticipating perhaps.. blog about it.. share your excitement!!!!!
The thing I get the absolutely most excited about is the love I have for Christ. I have been a Christian for just under a year now and I get more and more excited everyday!! I love learning about Christ and about the love I have inside me for Him. I am so humbled and so blessed to have His love and His acceptance. It means so much to me to live each day in the excitement that He is the one guiding my day. I love being able to just praise Him and say "Please show me what you want from me today, show me who You want me to speak to, who I am to share You with." I love seeing what happens after that and just opening myself up to whatever may happen.

2 Peas Thursday Blogger Challenge - All About Blogging

Join us today/thurs if you blog. Challenge: Blog about how you feel about your blogging. Is it too time consuming? Do you love sharing? What are the benefits of blogging? and the negative things of it? With Rhonna's and Cathy z's blog ending, I am wondering why both of them are doing it... it's just interesting to me. how about you?? blog about it...
I too was disappointed to hear that Rhonna & Cathy Z's blogs were ending. I often look to these (and many others) for inspiration. I love journaling and often feel better being able to put my thoughts down somewhere concrete. Sometimes when I journal in a notebook, I tend to forget to go back and keep at it. When I discovered blogging I was so excited because I could journal in such a creative way. I love photography and fonts and colors. I love computers. Being able to blog gives me a chance to release the many thoughts (and sometimes emotions) that are going around in my head. Blogging does take time, but to me it is time set out just for me. Time to figure out what's going in in my head, time to share the joys and hurts in my life, and time to praise God for all He does in my life. It gives me a release, a chance to just be 100% me.

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge - Favorite Holidays

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: The Holidays are coming. Blog about the things about the holidays you are looking forward to.... no matter what they are!

There are 2 holidays I really focus on with my family. The 1st is Christmas. I believe this is the most important holiday of all because it focuses on the birth of Christ. I can't even begin to imagine where we would all be without this event occurring. God allowed Christ to be born so that He could eventually die in order for everyone's sins to be forgiven. Imaging the love that God has for all of us for Him to have made all this possible. I would hate to see the world if this had not have taken place. Sometimes I have a hard time comprehending the amount of love that He has for me. This then, brings me to my second favorite holiday to celebrate, Easter. Easter is the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus so that we can all be forgiven. Imagine living a life solely for the purpose of saving others. That is what God sent His Son to do so that all of us could be forgiven of our sins and develop a more intimate relationship with both the Father and the Son. Because of these holidays I know I am blessed and forgiven and I know that I will have a place in Heaven because I choose to follow Christ in all I do. I look forwards each year to both so that I can celebrate the love I have for Christ and so that I can use these to teach my girls about Christ.

Beautiful Sunday 10/15/06

Taken on Thanksgiving Monday at Otty Lake on our final boat ride of the year.

My Favorite Things Saturday - 10/14/06

My favorite season is fall, simply because I absolutely love the colors that are present in this season. The weather is great, the smells are great, and the sights are more beautiful than words can describe. I am amazed at the beauty that God has created with this season.

AWESOME MAIL DAY!!

WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!! This book that I ordered off ebay finally arrived yesterday!! I am so excited!! I have always loved Elsie's Style, but have been afraid to try lots of the techniques that she uses. I have also been having trouble getting motivated to scrap at home, so the challenges will hopefully get me off my butt, making pages and documenting the lives of my girls & I. I can't wait to get started!

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Thanksgiving

JOIN US TODAY/FRIDAY IF YOU BLOG. Challenge: Describe your favorite Thanksgiving gathering. What made it special to you? Blog about it.
I have so many fond memories of this past Thanksgiving. I am getting to know an amazing member of my my church, Sue. She is helping me through some things that God has brought to my attention and is there for me all the time. This woman is so full of love for God and for others. She and her husband, one of the pastors, invited me to have Thanksgiving with them this year because they knew that I was going to be alone because the girls were at their dad's. I was amazed that in just getting to know me they wanted me to be a part of their family time. I was honored and felt so accepted. I see in them the qualities that I so desire. The way they live their life totally for God inspires me to do the same. I am blessed to know them both.

I am Officially Divorced

Yesterday I received my Divorce Decree in the mail. It's one of those things that I knew was coming but that hit me very hard. I didn't know what day to expect it so opening my mail was a shock. I've known for so long that the divorce was going to happen and that it is for the best. I am happy - in a relationship, and my ex husband is happy and has found love. I'm not shaken at not being with my ex anymore, I guess it just felt like I had failed. I am turning 30 next week and I am now divorced before 30. That hurts. I always grew up wanting to have an awesome family with a mom and dad together and now I feel like I have failed at that. I know my girls are happy and that they have a mom and a dad that love them very, very much - but I also know that it is not quite the same. I guess the best I can do now is to continue to love them unconditionally, to teach them of the love of Christ, and to make them feel secure.

2 Peas Thursday Blogger

Join us today/thursday if you blog. Challenge: Blog about the struggles you face as a scrapbooker. What are the challenges in your life, related to this craft? Anything you have trouble doing/understanding? Blog about it.
Most of the time my biggest trouble is just doing it! I am always filled with ideas and thoughts about scrapping, but I never just start it. I gather so many ideas on 2 Peas, from magazines and in my favorites and then I don't get started. Sometimes I wish I had a better area for scrapping but I know that the one I have would be great if I kept it clean and organized. I think I might just see a challenge in the next few days - I will clean and organize my scrap are and get off my butt and get something done.

Thanksgiving at the Lake

We had Thanksgiving at the lake with my mom and dad this year. It was awesome. We ate out on the porch with a fire nearby. The air smelled so amazing and fresh. I loved every minute. We also went on our last boat ride of the year. The lake was almost empty. It was so peaceful and so quiet. The colors were so amazing. Bright color everywhere I looked. When the kids are on the boat they enter their own little world. Amber went into her space where she was thinking about Eva (the Canadian Idol winner.) She was saying she was so happy that she was pretending to fly. It was beautiful watching her. Emily turned into a little comedian constantly sticking out her tongue and making funny faces. She tries constantly to make other people laugh and when she succeeds she turns it up even more. It is hilarious to watch her. I had so much fun and was so relaxed.

My Computer Broke!!

I came home on Tuesday after being away overnight to a broken computer. I didn't realize how much I rely on having a computer available to use at all times until it was no longer working. I had no use of a computer for 2 days and thought I was going to go crazy. GOOD NOTE though: I cleaned my house. It's amazing actually how much I was able to do because I wasn't sitting at the computer!!

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: What is the last thing you created? Could be anything.. scrapbook related, papercraft, artsy, whatever.. share on your blog about what you created and post a pic if you can!
I went to a crop this past weekend and started an album of my trip to Niagara Falls with my girls. This is the title page I did for the album. I completed 16 pages, but still have to journal them. I will post more pages as I get them done.

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge - I am Thankful

Join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge: Thanksgiving is drawing near. List 10 things you are most thankful for, in no particular order.
I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR:
1. Having a God who loves me unconditionally
2. Amber
3. Emily
4. being clean & sober
5. having somewhere I love to live with my girls
6. finally loving me just as I am
7. having family close by
8. finding happiness with a new man
9. being creative
10. being able to support my girls

God Is So Incredible

I am doing this course right now at my church called Discovering the Real You by Ron Susek. It is amazing! The more I learn about God and the more I learn about His love for me the more I am humbled and in awe. It is so incredible learning of His unconditional love for me. He is so patient and it is so amazing that He waits for me and understands the many screw-ups that happen in my life. He knows everything that is in my heart and mind and still He loves me unconditionally. I am the absolute luckiest girl in the world to have a God who loves me so unconditionally and waits for me to come to Him.

October a new month. Join us today/Sunday if you blog. Challenge: What's your fave restaurant and why? Share about your place in your area/community that you love going out for a meal! My absolute favorite restaurant is a restaurant in Perth called Maximilian's. It is German cuisine and makes the absolute best ever wiener schnitzel I have ever had. I have been going to this restaurant with my family since I was 5 years old and I have never ordered anything but the schnitzel. I always order the exact same thing. i start with beef soup. It is a beef broth with a beef dumpling. Absolutely scrumptious. Then they have rye bread and a small salad made with tomatoes, onions, and celery with a vinegar dressing. Then I have the schnitzel. The plate is always HUGE. It comes with the schnitzel and then a choice of buttered potatoes or dumplings. I usually can't decide between them so I get both. I am absolutely telling you, this is the best meal in the entire universe. Absolutely amazing!!!

Beautiful Sunday 10/01

Beautiful Sunday 10/01
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday 09/30

My Favorite Things Saturday 09/30
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I absolutely love when I am able to catch amazing sunsets. they can make for some incredible photots.

My Newest Scrapbook Layout - My Bible

2 Peas Friday Blogger Challenge - Magazines

Join us today/Friday if you blog.
Challenge: You are at the magazine stand, what three magazines are you going to purchase?
For me it is always these same 3 that I buy as soon as I can find them in this small town.

2 Peas Blogger Challenges - Mon & Tues

Join us today/Monday if you blog.

Challenge: On the same note as fragrances, what are some of your fave candle scents?

My absolute favorite candle scent is vanilla. I find it gives off such a warm scent in the air. It is relaxing, not overpowering. Smelling it seems to bring me peace.

Join us today/Tue if you blog.

Challenge: Complete this sentence.. " What I admire most when meeting someone new is their _____________________."

What I admire most when meeting someone new is their overall outlook on life. It is so easy sometimes to see if someone is a positive person, or a negative one. I always admire those who have a positive outlook, those who look for the best in everything, those who are not afraid to be happy.

Answering The Call

Last night we had a service to Ordinate one of the Pastors from our church, Reverend Brenda. It was a beautiful and moving service filled with the Holy Spirit. Our Senior Pastor preached on answering the call and it really spoke to my heart. He talked about readying yourself to answer God's call in whatever it is that God asks you to do. Becoming ready to do the work God wants requires giving yourself wholly to Him, presenting yourself and your life to Him and developing a deep, intimate relationship with the Savior. Becoming ready to do God's work also requires one to look inside themselves and fix what is inside. It means going deep within to deal with and heal all the hurts and emotions that are inside. It means being real and doing the work it takes to heal yourself so that you can then go out and help others. Thanks to the work I have done in Celebrate Recovery and the work I am doing in Discovering the Real You I am now doing that work that it will take to develop the kind of relationship I want with Christ. It will allow me to go out and serve for His glory. To serve His people.

Beautiful Sunday - 09/24/06

Beautiful Sunday - 09/24/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

My Favorite Things Saturday - Amber's Smile

My Favorite Things Saturday - Amber's Smile
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

Amber's smile is one of my favorite things - It is so full of hapiness and love - how could I not love it?

2 Peas Saturday Blogger Challenge - Friends

Join us today/Saturday if you blog. Challenge: think about your friends. What is it about them that you like? admire? What draws you closer to them? What personality traits do they have that you admire?

When I think about the person I would consider to be my absolute best friend I think of Jesus. He is the One who is always by my side. He is the One I always talk to, the One I tell all my secrets, hopes and dreams to. He is the One I go to when I need help or comfort, strength or love. He is the One I always rely on to be by my side, the One who allows me to know I am NEVER alone. I admire His servant attitude, His unconditional love for everyone, His desire to please His Father, His forgiveness, and His desire to have me be a part of His Kingdom. What more could I ever want in a best friend?

Tagged

Tag....I'm It!
Maureen tagged me! Being tagged is a first for me - should be fun!

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Residential Counsellor
2. Community Support Worker
3. Marketing Director
4. Waitree

Four movies I have watched over & over
1. The Prince & Me
2. Armageddon
3. How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days
4. Ever After

Four places I have lived
1. Port Elmsley (in a house with my parents)
2. Smiths Falls (in a house with my husband)
3. Perth (in an apartment on my own with my girls)
4. Smiths Falls (in a mobile home on my own with my girls)

Four TV shows I like to watch...
1. The First 48
2. Criminal Minds
3. Dallas Swat
4. CSI (Vegas, Miami & New York)

Four places I have been on vacation...
1. Niagara Falls
2. on a trip across Canada to the west
3. the Bahamas
4. Florida

Four blogs/web-sites I visit....
1. 2 Peas in a Bucket
2. Yahoo games to play canasta
3. A Life Unrehearsed http://alifeunrehearsed.blogspot.com/
4. Bright Ideas Scrapbook Co. http://www.brightideasscrapbookco.com/

Four of my favorite foods...
1. Coffee
2. Spaghetti with meat sauce
3. Weinerschnitzel
4. Roast Turkey with stuffing & mashed potatoes

Four places I'd rather be right now...
1. In bed
2. on a beach
3. on a cruise ship
4. in Tuscany

Four people I would tag:
1. Bonnie Rose
2. Sarah
3. Dana
4. Jill

2 Peas Wednesday Blogger Challenge : If I could change one thing in this world

Join us today/Wed if you blog. Challenge: if you could change one thing in our world today, what would it be??? be silly or serious, it's up to you! share on your blog!

I didn't even have to think about this one. If there was one thing that I could change in this world today it would be that all children be safe. Safe from physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Safe from hunger and fear. Safe from being unloved. Safe from wars. Children are the absolute most precious thing we have in this world. They are the closest thing we have to look at that shows us Jesus. In these children we can see the love of Christ and the love that Christ has for us. I would want to do everything in my power to return that love and keep every single one of them safe. Make them feel secure and loved.

On A Recipe Roll - Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients:
3 parsnip, peeled
2 carrot, peeled
1 medium-sized turnip, peeled
1 medium-sized rutabaga, peeled
1 medium-sized celery root, peeled
12 garlic, cloves
pork, trimmings
olive oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degree Fahrenheit.
Cut parsnips, carrots, turnip, rutabaga and celery root into equal size pieces.
Add all remaining garlic cloves and pork trimmings to roasting pan.
Coat with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Place roasting pan on stove top.
Over medium heat brown vegetables.
Place seared pork trimmings on top and place in oven.
Cook until golden brown and fork-tender.
Remove trimmings and reserve for jus.
Place vegetables on platter.

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge - Fall Recipes

Challenge for Tues.. if you blog, join us! Tue Challenge: FALL IS UPON US. It's in the air. It's in the colors. Share on your blog one of your most FAVE cold weather/fall recipes!!

This is my all time "I know it's fall time" recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil
salt, to taste, about 1/2 teaspoon

PREPARATION:
Rinse seeds well and get as much of the pumpkin pulp off of them as possible. Some of the small pieces are going to adhere, but they won't hurt the seeds at all, and might even add a little more flavor. Pat dry with paper towels. Don't let them dry completely on the paper towels, because they might stick!
Heat a skillet over medium low heat; add pumpkin seeds and cook, turning frequently, until nicely browned and crunchy. The seeds will probably start to pop. If using butter, you might have to lower the heat a bit more. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes longer if the heat is quite low.
To roast the seeds in the oven, heat oven to 300°. Cook, turning from time to time, for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and crunchy.

2 Peas Sunday Blogger Challenge - Foods

How about participating in a meme today? (Well, today OR Sunday...you know the drill.)
Here's one about food preferences. Here ya go:
How do you take your coffee/tea? Coffee definitely black, tea with milk
How do you like your eggs? I like dipping my toast in runny yolks but don't eat the rest of the eggs
Favorite breakfast foods: granola bars and fresh fruit
Coke or Pepsi? definitely pepsi
You're feeling lazy. What do you make? spaghetti - it's so easy
You're feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? either Hawaiian or mushroom and bacon
You feel like cooking. What do you make? stir fry with chicken and tons of fresh vegetables
Do any foods bring back good memories? turkey dinners always brink back memories of family events
Do any foods bring back bad memories? banana pudding - reminds me of being sick and on antibiotics all the time when I was a kid
Do any foods remind you of someone? not really that I can think of
Is there a food you refuse to eat? oysters - and sardines yucky and slimy! gross!
What was your favorite food as a child? mashed potatoes
Is there a food you hated as a child but now love? broccoli
Is there a food you loved as a child but now hate? nope
Favorite junk food: caramilk bars and fuzzy peaches
Favorite dessert: chocolate cream pie
The perfect nightcap? coffee with flavored creamers
Do you have any weird food habits? I have a huge appetite and I love food - I can be a pig!

Beautiful Sunday 09/17

Beautiful Sunday 09/17
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

Taken at the fireworks display at Niagara Falls.

My Favorite Things Saturday 09/16

My Favorite Things Saturday 09/16
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

Emily's funny faces are always one of my favorite things. She always tries to make everyone laugh!!

Join us today/Friday if you blog. Challenge:What kind of simple things do you like to surround yourself with? and why? What 'ordinary' items in your life give you great comfort and/or joy? share on your blog....

> Having my girls around me gives me the absolute most joy in my life

> I love having my Bible available around me whenever I want it

> I love to surround myself with books

> Surrounding myself with candles makes me feal so peaceful

> I love a vase filled with flowers on my tv stand

> I love my collection of sandcastles

> I love having scrapbook and crafting supplies handy

> I love having magazines to look at for inspiration

So Long Summer

As I was sitting here freezing this afternoon I began looking through my computer at all the photos I took this summer. Summer is coming to a close so I thought I'd post this collage of summer flowers as my own little farewell.

I CHOOSE

Taken from the oh so talented Carrie Colbert & BonnieRose. What's your personal declaration? What do you believe in? What do you stand for?

I CHOOSE:

• To live my life to the fullest every single day!
• To follow wherever God asks me to go!
• To love unconditionally!
• To live with integrity!
• To not be afraid anymore!
• To be honest with those I love!
• To show forgiveness!
• To use my gifts to help others!
• To matter. I am worth it!
• To cross my lines and take that first step!
• To allow my self to soar!
• To reach all my dreams and goals!

Fall Is Here!!

Well, today is the first day so far this September that I have felt fall. It is freezing here and I must admit I have caved and turned on my heat. I absolutely love fall. It is my favorite time of the year. There is just something I find so very inspiring about the colors and sights of fall. I absolutely love the colors of fall leaves and I am so blessed to live in a part of Ontario which gets to see all the magnificent changes that God makes in these trees. I love seeing fields of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. I love visiting the pumpkin patch with my girls. I love going to the apple orchard and picking apples. I love making apple and pumpkin pies. I love thanksgiving. I love having a day set aside just for thanking God for all the amazing things in my world, in my life, and in my heart. Fall just seems to bring out the best in me!

2 Peas Tues Blogger Challenge - Sept. 11th - 5 years later

Join us today/Tue if you blog. Challenge: The day after 9-11, 5 years ago. Since that day, how has your life changed? How are you different???
I think that my life has changed in the biggest way in that I don't always see things on the news and think that they could never happen here. I am so much more compassionate now for what I see. It has helped give me that drive to want to go out there and try to do whatever I can to make this world a better place. I cherish my time so much more with my girls and try to live every minute I can with them as if it is the most important one.

Beautiful Sunday 10/9/06

Beautiful Sunday 10/9/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I think mountain views are the most beautiful sight.

Favorite Things Saturday 9/9/06

Favorite Things Saturday 9/9/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I absolute love having all kinds of beautiful notebooks around. I love to write out prayers, or journaling, or just doodle. There is something about these books that mesmerizes me.

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge

Join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge: Answer this question.... What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger? Elaborate.
I wish that I knew when I was younger that it was okay to love who I am, to feel I deserved love in return. I wish I had known that I did not deserve for bad things to happen to me. I wish I had know that I had it in me to be strong and powerful enough to make all my dreams come true. I wish I had known of the love that God has for me so I could have started developing a relationship with Him before now. I wish I had have known that I am a good person.

2 Peas Blogger Challenge - Scrapping Plans

Join us today/Thursday if you blog. Challenge: You love to scrapbook. You love to create something with paper. With all the cool papers out there, or the ones you already have, what is something on your heart you really wanna start... an album, a layout, a project -- anything...!! Share on your blog what your scrapping plans are.. what things are just in your head, itching to get done??? There are so many new and interesting ideas and projects out there, but in all honesty the projects I am working on now are the ones dearest to my heart. I am still behind on my girls albums and would love to get them caught up, they enjoy looking at them so very much. I am also working on two albums dear to just me, a faith album and an all about me album. I feel it is so necessary and important to document who I am, someday my kids will see these and know what I was like when they will little, someday they will be able to show their own kids and say that "this is who your grandma was and what she was all about." Sometimes through this documenting just me I am even learning more and more who I am and what is important to me.

First Day of School

Well, the first day of school has come and gone for another year. This is a picture I took of the girls as they got on the bus for the first day. Sometimes I look at them and can not believe how much they have grown up ... I remember holding them in my arms as babies as if it was yesterday. I am so proud of the little girls they are becoming. So full of confidence and full of love - it is amazing to watch them changing more and more every day.

2 Peas Tuesday Blogger Challenge - Best Friends

Join us today/Tue if you blog. Challenge: Think of one of your best friends,: what is the first thing most people would notice about that person?
I have been thinking about this challenge a lot this morning. In all honesty I can say that I do not have a best friend. This is something I have been dealing with for years now. I am always so afraid of getting hurt that I never let people close enough to let them become best friends. The majority of the relationships I have are purely superficial. I felt that if they stayed superficial then I would not be disappointed when they decided I wasn't good enough to be friends with. This attitude is now changing for the better. I have been taking seminars through http://www.pathwaysseminars.com and what I have been learning about myself through the work I have done in these seminars is that I am a great person. Most people would be lucky to call me a friend. In finally realizing my own importance, I am realizing the need for close intimate relationships in my life. It is a process to let someone close enough to call them a best friend. To me it involves honest sharing, support and unconditional love. I am now working on creating this with some people who I am beginning to love dearly. Some day through my sharing, my openness and my love I will be able to call them my best friends.

Saying Goodbye is NEVER easy...

Saying goodbye is NEVER easy... even when you know it is for the best. This past weekend I said goodbye to this man. He was my best friend. He was the person I have loved the deepest in my whole life. He was bad for me and I knew it, deep down. For a long time I accepted it because his love meant more to me then how I felt when I was around him. Truth is, after all this time, I finally realized that I never had his love. He had mine. Every piece of me loved him and wanted his love in return. Inside me though, I was loosing myself in trying to gain his love. I was allowing myself to become unimportant, to become someone who never felt good enough, who never felt supported and who never felt like her emotions or opinions mattered. I have had enough!

I AM IMPORTANT!

MY OPINIONS MATTER!

MY EMOTIONS MATTER!

I AM GOOD ENOUGH!
So goodbye dear friend, my love. You have meant a lot to me and I will never forget the journey we took together but it is now over. I will not allow myself to feel hurt by you again. I will be happy!

2 Peas Monday Blogger Challenge

Join us today/Monday if you blog. Challenge:
Let's all make a wish upon a shooting star .... what is your wish?
I wish for a life for myself and my girls that completely follows the life that Christ has set out for us. I wish to be able to always say "Yes God" and "Deeper, God". I wish to always be able to do what God asks of me and just always follow where he leads without questioning Him. To just be able to say "I am yours Christ, to do whatever you wish. Use me to do your works, and to be who you want of me."

My Favorite Things Saturday 9/2/06

My Favorite Things Saturday 9/2/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

Yet another photo of my girls - they will always be my absolute favorite things.

Beautilful Sunday 9/3/06

Beautilful Sunday 9/3/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I took this at the floral clock in Niagara Falls. It is so simple yet so beautiful.

2 Peas Wednesday Blog Challenge

Join us today/Wednesday if you blog. Blogging Challenge: What does being a good friend to others mean to you? What do you look for, in a good friend?
Being a good friend means:
- listening
- giving unconditional love and support
- being there when they need it
- not being judgmental
- always being open and honest
- enjoying each other's company
- accepting each other's differences

My Favorite Things Saturday 08/26/06

My Favorite Things Saturday 08/26/06
Originally uploaded by dynamo_momof2.

I took this photo from the top of Skylon Tower. Visiting Niagara Falls is one of my favorite things.