| The Towne House |
Spirit of AmericaOn September 25th, we were blessed to be able to attend a Spirit of America show. My friend, Vanessa, ordered tickets for us (it is a free show, but she had to send away for the tickets! Thanks, Vanessa!). Unfortunately, we drove separately, and didn't realize until we arrived that it was general seating, not assigned. So we never did find our friends! - The show was awesome, though. It give a history of our armed forces, from the Revolutionary War through modern times. I'm sure I can't do it justice--please check out their website! Here are just a few pics that I took that night.
It was an amazing evening--I'm so proud to be an American, and so proud of our men and women who serve in our military! God Bless America! 5:45 PM - Oct. 18, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentLast Beach DayIt's officially too cold to go to the beach anymore. I certainly don't mind autumn, but we're trying to hold off on putting the heat on until 11/1. We don't usually make it. :) The downstairs baseboards are all dusted, vacuumed out and ready to go. I still have to do the upstairs baseboards. -- We did manage one last beach trip the last week of September. I'm so glad we went now that the chilly weather is here! It was a really windy day, and the waves were huge! Eli, jumping a wave
Trying to get a pic of the waves
My girls
Being silly
Eli takes a break from the waves with a book (he's currently reading the Lord of the Rings series)
I was trying to take a picture of the kids while I was driving (don't try this at home kids!).
Needless to say, the kids were not cooperating! Patience took this picture of me in the rear view mirror.
We were only there for a few hours, but I'm so glad we went. It's such a blessing to be able to take time to enjoy beautiful weather when we have it! We'll have plenty of days (like today!) when the weather is crummy, and we need to stay inside! 5:33 PM - Oct. 18, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentHomemade Deoderant--who knew?http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/07/homemade-deodor.html
I am now dying to try this! What do you think? 10:53 AM - Sep. 25, 2009 - comments {4} - post commentTuesday updateI was reminded by a friend that I never did update you all on Patience's knee. (Thanks, Kathy!) She's fine. I had brought her back to the orthopedic surgeon, sooner than expected, because she was still complaining so much about her knee, and refusing to put weight on it. He had them take more x-rays, and reiterated that there was N-O-T-H-I-N-G wrong with her leg. He told us to keep the brace on, and come back in 2 weeks. Well, the next day, Patience came into my room and said, "Y'know, Mom, I think that my knee just hurt because I *hadn't* bent it in so long! I've been bending it, and now it feels fine!" SIGH So we cancelled her next appointment, and she's been fine ever since.
In cat related news, Moses came through his surgery with flying colors, or at least that's what the message the vet's office left on my cell phone said. :) We'll pick him up tomorrow after Eli's writing class. Art class and piano lessons went well today. The kids and I read a bunch of information on the Autumnal Equinox, as well as some Fall-themed poetry. Dinner tonight was pretty excellent, if I do say so myself. I used a recipe that I've had for years, but only made one other time. The kids and Steve LOVED it. Here it is: Taco-Filled Pasta Shells (I'll probably make a salad to go along) CATEGORY: Main Dish METHOD: Baked TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 45 min. Ingredients: It really is fantastic. And there are leftovers for tomorrow! :) Happy Fall, everyone! 7:02 PM - Sep. 22, 2009 - comments {3} - post commentSeptemberSo. - School is back into full swing. The kids have started attending an art class (turns out I went to school with the art teacher's sister-in-law!), and LIKING it, even though they whined when I said they had to go. :) - Patience is back to weekly piano lessons. She's acting like she's getting bored with it, but the fact is, she doesn't like it when things get challenging. :( But she really, I think, is gifted musically--I'm not talking Bobby Fisher gifted, just that it seems to be an area that she's blessed in--so we're keepin' on, keepin' on. - Eli starts a writing class with my friend, Amy, this week using Write Shop. He really needs to be more comfortable writing, so I'm hoping this class helps. A lot. It's a boys only class, so I'm hoping that he really enjoys himself. - The kids are moving along nicely in their books. Patience is, of course, cruising along, and should finish early again this year, if she keeps up her current rate. I need to find some books that she'll enjoy reading--she's finishing a Nancy Drew mystery, and HATES it. Sigh. Girl just doesn't like reading, even though she's really good at it. Maddie, I think, is off to a better start than last year. I'm still a bit stumped on what to do with her math. She's working on a book that is ALL division, and I'm thinking of getting the "Keys to Fractions" book for her next. Eli's doing well, although he does have days where he's still working on his schoolwork at 5pm. Sigh. I've started setting a timer for him for things like math, and not letting him work over an hour on them. - The cats are doing okay. Selden is having to deal with the kitten, who is constantly jumping on him. There's lots of growling and hissing going on. But they do have their moments.
Moses is going in tomorrow to get fixed and declawed. He'll stay at the vet's overnight, and we'll pick him up Wednesday after Eli's writing class. I have to go tomorrow and pick up some special kitty litter for the cats to use while Moses is recovering. -- A few fun things coming up--we're going to see a "Spirit of America" concert on Friday night. I think it will be neat. And we're going apple picking with our church in October (although I might take the kids sooner than that). The Scituate Art Festival is becoming a tradition for us--we're looking forward to that on Columbus Day. - Work has picked up a bit for me, and I have a bunch of shows coming up. It's nice to have the business, and also nice to not have to work every weekend. :) Football season has started, and it's fun to watch with the boys (Patience and Maddie are less than thrilled--LOL). - We have less than a month until Eli's 13th birthday! How did my little boy get so big? And I do mean that--I measured him, and he's 5'4"!!! He'll need new sneakers soon--I wonder how big the new ones will need to be? The girls are growing, too. Maddie is 5'2.5", and needs new sneakers--I think she's going into a size 10. Womens. Sigh. And Patience is just over 4'10", and get this. I had to bring her to the doctor's. It seems she has excema on the bottoms of her feet. She has a special steroid cream to use to heal it up. She really needed new sneakers, so off we went. SHE TAKES A SIZE 9!!! Womens!!! OH. MY. GOSH. Seriously, do you realize that just 2 years ago, she was wearing a kids' size THREE?? Six sizes in 2 years??????? Two full sizes in the last year?? Tell me this is normal??? Guess there's no denying these girls are mine--I'll be sharing my size 11's soon! -- That's about it for September so far. Tomorrow is the first day of fall. Time to get the decorations out. I'm baking more, and the kids are complaining about being cold in the mornings. :) I love this time of year. 9:49 PM - Sep. 21, 2009 - comments {4} - post commentAmerican Idol Live!My friend, Julie, and I watched the entire American Idol Season 8 together this past winter/spring. So it only made sense to go see the live tour when they came to Providence last weekend! Julie's mom drove up from New Jersey, and we all headed to the Dunkin Donuts Center to see our favorite Idols! Julie and I--all excited for the concert to start!
Scott McIntyre--what a talented and funny guy!
Here's Anoop Desai--Julie's mom was SO excited! LOL
Matt Giraud did really well--I think I enjoyed him more in concert than I did on the show.
Having so much fun!
Dueling pianos--LOVED it!
Her's Allison--she's a lot of fun to watch, but a little hard to understand. Incredible stage presence for a teenager, though!
Danny Gokey--he really has stepped up his game since the show, and did really well! I think he has a great voice, but every song kind of sounds the same, y'know? Not that that's a really bad thing--I mean, you know you're hearing a Danny Gokey song. I like him well enough, but have to say, www.ew.com 's "Put the Go in Gokey" campaign during the show was HILARIOUS.
Sigh, my favorite--Kris Allen. I was so happy that he won!
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- Singing "Hey Jude"--not my favorite Beatles song, but I loved Kris singing it!
It was a really fun night, and my mom was totally cool to babysit for me! Thanks, Mom! 9:37 PM - Sep. 21, 2009 - comments {4} - post commentLabor Day CookoutOur church hosted a Labor Day Cookout at Beavertail Park in Jamestown, RI. We had perfect weather, and so many people came out. It was a really fun day! My friend Nicola, and her beautiful daughter, Valencia
Me and my friend, Kelly--we've been teach Sunday School together for 15 months, but I was just moved up to the next class. I really enjoyed working with her, and am going to miss my little 3-5 year olds!
Patience putting a kite together--thanks to Miss June for bringing them!
Vivian, who kind of knows that I'm Mrs. Towne, but calls me The Cookie Lady. :)
Maddie and her 2 best friends
Kelly and our dear friend, Beth
Kelly and her husband, John
Miss Heidi strikes a pose :)
Auntie Angelena shows Vivian how the hoola hoop is done!
One of my favorite boys
Who's this handsome devil? :)
our friend, Patrick
Our dear friends, John & Kim--John is in the Navy, and they'll be moving in the spring. We are going to miss them so much!
Me and my honey
Beavertail is a gorgeous spot
9:22 PM - Sep. 21, 2009 - comments {1} - post commentAnother beach tripI'm still a bit in denial that autumn starts tomorrow! We had a great beach day a few weeks ago with some friends. The kids and I also went about a week and a half ago, but the batteries in my camera died. It's supposed to be 70 degrees this Friday--I'm thinking of getting in one more beach day. :) Here are some pics of our fun day: The kids and their friends
Eli out on the boogie board
the girls--there were some great waves that day
Patience buried in the sand
It was a great end of summer beach day! 9:17 PM - Sep. 21, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentMake new friends but keep the old....You remember that song from Girl Scouts, right? Well, thanks to Facebook, I've been able to reconnect with a really special family that I grew up hanging out with. We went to church and school together (our church had an ACE church school), and our families hung out together often. -- Heather is the oldest, and I loved hanging out with her as a kid. She's a few years older than me, and she was (and is!) SO cool. :) Mike comes next--I had a HUGE crush on him for a few years, and we "went out" (you know, when you go out but don't go anywhere LOL) for a bit. Then there's Amanda. A few years younger than me, and such a sweetheart. Then Josh, then Megan. They were more than a few years younger than me, so I didn't hang out with them as much. -- Anyway, Megan got married on Labor Day weekend. And all of the kids were back in RI for the big event. Heather came up from FL with her girls, Mike and Amanda came down from ME--I got to meet Amanda's husband Wyatt, and their two kids. Josh and Megan still live in RI. -- It was decided (on Facebook) that a get-together would be held at Miller's Crossing, a local watering hole here on the Warwick/Cranston line. Josh works there, so it just made sense. Here are some pics of the night--it was so much fun getting to talk and joke with everyone. Me & the bride-to-be
Sisters....Heather, Amanda & Megan
Mike & Josh
Mike does a magic trick
Me & Heather
The next day was the wedding. I had permission from Megan to crash the reception. *big grin* But I had to teach Sunday School, then get the kids home, THEN go and get a card...I was a little late getting there. Mike & Amanda's husband, Wyatt, had already headed back to ME on their motorcycles, so I missed seeing them. On the bright side, though, I got to take Wyatt's seat at the head table. :) It was so much fun--my parents were there, along with some other friends that I hadn't seen in a long time. Wedding cake, anyone?
My dad with Amanda
My parents
Heather and Amanda cutting a rug
I love their bridesmaids dresses, don't you? It was just so great to see these old friends of mine. I'm so glad we've reconnected! 8:57 PM - Sep. 21, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentJust to make you drool...Some pics of recent baking....
A happy husband
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough--heaven in a scoop...
Cubed up cake...
That turns into THIS
And to think, REAL baking weather isn't even here yet! :) 7:04 PM - Sep. 1, 2009 - comments {1} - post commentStill not feeling greatI'm thinking that this is more than allergies. I've spent the last two days spiking fevers and dealing with aches and stuffiness. Ugh. -- We didn't cancel the girls' sleepovers last night. Maddie had her friend, Bethany, over, and Patience slept at Bethany's house with her sister, Katie. It seems as though everyone had a good time, although I felt badly that I couldn't take the girls out to do anything fun. -- Maddie seems a bit cranky today, despite getting a decent night's sleep. And Patience is complaining that her knee is hurting. I'm so glad that Steve and I have decided that we won't be doing any sleepovers until next summer. The only exceptions I can think of might be Patience's 10th birthday in January. -- I'm wondering if I need to call Patience's orthopedist tomorrow. I would think that after over a week in the brace, her knee would be feeling a bit better. And I hoping that I won't have to call my doctor--I've been using the Neti Pot, and taking Dayquil. I have a show tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll be feeling a lot better by then. 1:55 PM - Aug. 23, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentSneezy FridayOh. My. Gosh. I haven't had to take my allergy meds very consistently this year. It's been a pretty easy year so far, allergy-wise. Until today. Folks, I am dying here. My nose is dripping. My head feels like it is full of cotton. THANK GOD, both of my shows for this weekend postponed, because I do not think I could do a show to save my life right now. AAAACHOOOOOOOO! 6:38 PM - Aug. 21, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentAhhhh....the sound of relaxationThis week has been so "less busy" than last week. For a few reasons. Patience is still on crutches. Both of my shows for this weekend cancelled or postponed. Maddie woke up this morning with a fever. So we're not going anywhere. -- I mentioned how I was a bit peeved last Saturday when I asked the family to clean the kitchen, but came home to find that virtually nothing had been done. This sign went up, and what a difference it has made!
It's amazing what they accomplish when they know exactly what is expected of them. Of course, both the kids and Steve complained that the isn't "doing dishes", but "cleaning the kitchen". All I know is, that's exactly what my sister and I were expected to do every night when we "did the dishes." -- Yesterday we took Moses for his first shots at the vet. He did great. No fleas, which is wonderful. He goes back in 3 weeks. He was pretty tuckered out when we got home (he cried for the entire ride there and the entire ride back).
Reeeallly relaxed...
Can't leave out the big boy--he's doing so well with the kitten, playing with him, grooming him...it's great.
So it's been a few days of not doing much. We rented the Hannah Montana movie last night, and the kids enjoyed it. I'm going to let them watch it again now before I bring it back to redbox! 11:54 AM - Aug. 19, 2009 - comments {1} - post commentA conversation with PatienceRadio announcer: "Obama's approval rating has gone down in the last few weeks..." Patience: "Why?" Me: "Well, honey, sometimes people aren't happy with how things are going in the country, and they think that the President isn't doing a good job." Patience: all excited "Can we switch to John McCain????"
9:33 PM - Aug. 17, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentLooong weekendAfter all of the fun at the Washington County Fair, it was time to work. That night, I still had to pack for Saturday's Pampered Chef show in Attleboro, plus pack for the Fall Kick Off that I was participating in on Saturday morning in North Kingstown. I didn't get to bed until 1am. -- I was up at 6am--I had to make Loaded Baked Potato Chowder to bring to the kick-off. I headed for the kitchen, grabbed the potatoes, and went to vigorously wash them off when THIS greeted me:
A house centipede. I don't care how helpful these insects are, they CREEP ME OUT. Thankfully, Eli woke up a few minutes later, and killed it for me. :) My hero. Out the door by 7:30--Steve and I were ships that pass in the morning. LOL It was SOOO hot already, and just going to get hotter. Thank God for air conditioning in the building where we held the kick off. We set up tables, chairs, and got everything ready for a 9:30 start time. I think the meeting went really well. We tried the new recipes (After Dinner Mint Triangles--oh my.), saw a recipe demo, did recognition---it was great. -- I had to be in Attleboro by 1:30, so I helped break down a bit, then scooted. I went home to drop off some dirty dishes, then zipped up the highway. And my host had A/C!!! Whew! It was a fun show--lots of really nice people. We made a Tropical Torte with Fresh Pineapple. Yum. -- After the show, I stopped at my friend, Maria's, where a birthday party was taking place. I'd only met the birthday girl once, but this particular group of folks is always so welcoming. I had some dinner and birthday cake AND got to hold a particularly cute baby. Then back home. Eleven hours after I had left. I confess to being a bit disappointed that the kitchen wasn't clean. I brought all of my stuff in from the car (Steve was already asleep, in anticipation of the night shift), and I dropped a crate on my bare toe.
Wahhh! It hurt like the dickens. Hmmm, just looked a this picture--ignore the hairs on my big toe. I was in bed by 9:30pm, and unheard of thing round these parts. And blissfully slept until 7:30 this morning, when Steve got into bed after work. I decided to tackle the dishes that had sat all night. I should have taken a before picture. LOL The kids came in to help me, without me even asking! I had Eli take everything off of the counter (except for my Kitchen Aid mixer, which is too heavy to move)--doesn't it look like I have a lot of counter space? :)
Well, okay, it doesn't, but it FEELS like a lot when there's nothing there. I rearranged a few things and put it all back. At least it's clean, right?
Then we had church, then home, then a trip to CVS, now blogging, and in a minute, I'm going to sit and soak my poor toe. And RELAX. In between doing 5 loads of laundry. And getting the kids to bed. And getting Steve ready for work. And tomorrow is Monday. Sigh. 5:48 PM - Aug. 16, 2009 - comments {3} - post commentWashington County FairEver since I was a little girl, living in Richmond, going to the fair was a big deal. Of course, back then, we would go through the woods and get in free (shhhh!), but it's still a tradition that I love, and I love bringing the kids. -- This year was great. A bit difficult because of Patience's knee brace. We met friends there on Friday--ride the rides from 12-6pm for $20. I went on rides I haven't gone on in 20 years. :) -- Patience really only ended up being able to go on about 4 rides, but I did snap this pic of her and Eli while we were on the Ferris Wheel.
View from up high
After those few rides, and trying to hobble around, Patience was done. It was extremely hot, her brace made her leg even hotter, it was impossible to go to the bathroom with it on (in a little fair bathroom stall)....we threw in the towel. I called my mom & she had my dad come pick up Patience. Did I mention that I have the best parents in the world? They let her hang out, gave her dinner, iced her knee...they rock. Before the got her, we snapped a pic of all 5 kids.
Once Patience was safely ensconced at mem & pep's, we could go on some bigger rides. I got to ride with Jaycee on the Zipper. I have fond memories of going on the same (I'm sure, exactly the same) ride with my sister years and years ago.
I could only manage it once this time, though. Tine and I would go on it over and over again. The fast rides, and the ones that spin or flip, give me a headache, and then THAT's what makes me get nauseous. Now, the giant slide, that's more my speed. :) My friend, Kim, got pictures of me going down, but I haven't gotten those from her yet. Here is my favorite picture--Maddie dropped her burlap sack, so Jaycee jumped on hers and caught up to the sack and grabbed it!
The kids went on this at least 3 times in a row. :) Going up the stairs...
Ready, set...
GO! Wheeeee!
Let's go again!
Kids on a spinny ride that would have done me in.
After a few more rides, we were more than ready to get out of the sun--it was so hot! We headed through the 4-H barn, checked out some displays, and then went to get dinner. Maddie enjoyed a corn dog, Eli had fair french fries, and I had a pulled-pork sandwich. Sooo good. We also had some Del's Lemonade. Then we headed to check out the animals.
This little goat was so cute!
THEN, it was time for pie and the horse pull! The pie was soooo good.
Raking the dirt
It finally cooled off while we were watching. It was a really fun day spent with great friends.
We picked Patience up from my parents' and headed home. She actually fell asleep on the way home. :) 5:34 PM - Aug. 16, 2009 - comments {2} - post commentAnother recipe!I'm a little late trying this recipe--it came out a while ago from The Pampered Chef. Mexican Chicken Lasagna--developed for use with our Deep Covered Baker, and it cooks in 15 minutes in the microwave! Chicken in my fabulous 12" Executive skillet
Mixing grated cheese with softened cream cheese
Dipping the corn tortillas in enchilada sauce
Ready to bake
in the microwave!
Voila! Reactions to this were mixed in my house. Steve like it, but he and Maddie thought they'd prefer it with pasta noodles instead of corn tortillas. Patience and Eli didn't like it as much. I liked it fine. :)
4:37 PM - Aug. 16, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentRecipe Round-UpI've been cooking a bit more in the last week or two, and have had requests for the recipes, so here we go. Last week, I made Loaded Baked Potato Chowder for my family. It is a new recipe from The Pampered Chef. Easy, easy & really yummy. Steve loved it, and even ate leftovers! It's made in our Deep Covered Baker. Fabulous.
PC is really helping us out and giving us a lot of recipes that go with this baker. A lot of them go in the microwave, but you could always adjust the recipe to use the oven if you'd like.
Then, last week I had a Lia Sophia jewelry party. The consultant said, "Amanda, don't go crazy--it's not about the food." HA! Silly girl. People were coming to MY house--of course it's about the food! First, I made dessert. Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Chews. In my Large Bar Pan. Bar Pan, how do I love thee...let me count the ways... (you can love it at 20% off next month--hee hee). My absolute favorite piece of stoneware. Here are some pics:
Add the caramel...
Add more topping....
Then the chocolate!
And bake...YUM.
Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Chews Is anyone here a fan of delicious flavor? :)
Chopped cucumber, red onion, tomatoes & cilantro
De-seeding the jalapeno, to take some of the heat out
Chop, chop, chop!
Juicing the limes--note the correct way to use a citrus press!
Note that at the end, I slide the cover of the wedger under the pineapple, so that the wedger can cut all the way through the rind. Voila!
(I just buy Tostito's Lime Tortila chips--they're awesome!) Last, but certainly not least, the taco dip. I don't have any pics of it, but it is so yummy! Touch Down Taco Dip 1 can (16 oz) refried beans Preheat oven to 375. Spread refried beans into bottom of deep dish baker. Combine cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning in bowl. Press garlic; add to cream cheese mixture. Core tomato and chop. Chop onion and olives. Sprinkle tomato, olives and onion over cream cheese mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes or until hot. Serve with sour cream and chips. Microwave variation: Microwave on High for 3 minutes; turn. Cook on High an additional 2-3 minutes or until mixture is bubbly around edges. ENJOY! 4:11 PM - Aug. 16, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentPatience's kneeThe doctor's appointment on Thursday went well. They took x-rays of Patience's knee. There are no broken bones or torn ligaments. Because, though, of her age and the pain she is in, the doctor has her in an immobilizing knee brace and on crutches for 2.5 weeks.
3:37 PM - Aug. 16, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentUpdate on Patience's kneeDid I mention that Patience had hurt her knee? All of those entries---I can't remember! Anyway, she was sliding on the hardwood floors with a sock on ONE foot, and her leg went out from under her. I didn't see it happen, and it was last Friday, so she doesn't remember. She was still limping yesterday, so I brought her to the pediatrician, who declared that she has fluid on her knee, and needs to see an orthopedist. Yay. So we have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. Four hours before my Lia Sophia party. Guess I'd better be productive today! 7:26 AM - Aug. 12, 2009 - comments {1} - post comment
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Description Hi! I'm Amanda, mom to 3 gorgeous kids & wife to Steve. When I'm not homeschooling the kids or cleaning the house, I keep busy with my Pampered Chef business. I'm also learning to sew. I love reading and cross-stitching. We have a great life, here in the littlest state in the Union! Home User Profile Archives Recent Entries - CVS savings--Thanksgiving style! - Happy Thanksgiving or, what recipes did Amanda make that bombed? :) - Halloween - TGIF! - Trying to get back into the CVS game |
Then the pineapple--my sister called the Pineapple Wedger an "apple wedger on steroids"! LOL
