I hosted the 101st Homesteading Carnival back in June, and I'll be hosting the 123rd edition of the Homesteading Carnival coming up on November 30th!

If you have an article/blog entry for the November 23rd Homesteading Carnival, please use this form before tomorrow afternoon.  It's being hosted by The Homesteading Carnival themselves!

This week's Carnival was hosted by Catherine at Seeds of Love.

Please let me know your thoughts!  Thanks!

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If anyone still happens to read this blog, I hope you'll take just a couple extra minutes and vote for me in the Bloggers & Tiaras People's Choice Awards at MomDot.  I've entered the pageant on my other blog... Anita's Antics.  I'd love it if you'd vote for me and then leave me a comment here (or on my other blog) letting me know you did!!!


Just click on the crown (below) and look for "Anita  http://anitamartin.wordpress.com ".  Then, check the little circle next to my name, scroll down and click the "vote" button.  Simple, fast, easy!!!

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Our older daughter dressed up all day, in one form or another--

She just wanted to wear the arm warmers. LOL
She only wore this around the house.

Thinking she could go as a "toy"...

At first she thought it was funny:


But that soon wore off and we knew that wasn't going to get it!

Note the attempt at decorating her pumpkin w/ her feet!LOL

Sporting a LL Bean fleece bunting under a piece
of bright orange soft fabric I had in my stash... I just
sort of wrapped it around her to keep warm!

note the pantyhose--- she improvised (tore them) so they'd allow her big toe into the shoes. LOL

it says "MISS TRANSYLVANIA 1863"

Blisters were starting to form on her little toes! Ouch!

None the worse for the wear, baby Girl was still content in her stroller, playing with her toys when we arrived back home!

Hope EVERYONE had a safe & FUN Halloween!

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I've been busy at Anita's Antics and have neglected my "homeschool" blog.    I haven't forgotten about you though!

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Time sure is flying!

hanging out on activity mat next to Mommy's computer desk

Shes' rolling to her sides nowadays, but not quite rolling over. LOL
Congrats to her friend, though, who rolled over this week!

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Usually I manage to get a shower in the early morning hours BEFORE baby girl wakes up. However, sometimes that just doesn't happen. October 6, 2009, was such a morning.

But daily showering is vital to sanity. Plain and simple. Thus, DD12 relocated for a bit to my bed and watched baby girl while I showered.

She finished up her grammar assignment then read aloud from her Zoology book while holding a toy up for baby girl to entertain herself with.  (Note additional toys on the side at the ready.)

DD12 actually commented that schooling like that was fun. LOL

We ran errands after that.

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Baby Girl got a new toy recently and she just loves it...

The Oball. We lucked out in getting a pink one as "colors may vary" when ordering. It is super easy to hold, makes just a GENTLE rattle noise, can hook on to things with those link type things, is soft and lightweight. I highly recommend this toy for all little ones & toddlers. There are larger sizes as well, but this little one is perfect for little hands.This would be an excellent gift for the holidays.

See.
This is what I have to work with.
Snapping print-worthy photos for my scrapbooking is NOT an easy task.
But yes, I consider even this blur of joy print-worthy!

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It has been done for a few days but I'm just getting time to post it.

Completed quilt:


Quilt Back:


Standard folded up shots:

I'm so happy to have this done! It is the biggest quilted project I've made so far! I've only made 2.5 table runners previously. (I've yet to finish my Easter one.) Baby girl and I used the quilt yesterday for napping together on the living room floor. It fits nicely over my arms and around her little body.

I learned a lot while making this quilt. I learned for small projects like this I can sandwich & baste (spray or pins) on the wall. That I should plan out the desired quilting method BEFORE I actually start quilting. That I should take into account what the quilting will look like on the back. That having contrasting thread on the back isn't horrible after all. That I need to try a different method of binding- I'm not all that pleased with the final pass of stitching.

All in all, however, I love it! From the front it looks really nice, I must say. The back would be just as nice if only I'd done a different method of tacking the binding on. No biggie though. The quilt is utilitarian for sure; it wasn't made for storing away as an heirloom.

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Hubby had Friday off so we took a day off of schooling to enjoy a day together. The fact that it was raining like crazy (and continued to all day long) didn't stop us. We were a family on a mission. LOL

First stop was to return some books to a library, then the post office for me to mail out some fat quarters(a swap)  for a quilting list I'm on and DD12 got some library books from the library in that small town (closer to us than the other library.) By this time we were all getting hungry so thought to go get some lunch somewhere.

Well-- anyone who lives in my area KNOWS that every Friday is graduation day at the Navy Base (bootcamp) thus making lunch out on Friday a huge headache-- way too many sailors AND their families out and about, long lines, long waits, etc. This was definitely not something we wanted to deal with.

We had thought we'd go to Sweet Tomato (a favorite) but,yep-- lines. Chili's next door, same thing. So I mentioned trying a Chinese restaurant instead just down the way. So we pulled into there ... lot not too full- good sign! But before going in I had to nurse the baby (4 months old next week!) so she's be happy & content. And by the time that was done... well the parking lot was FULL!!!  Definitely not wanting to deal with that crowd!

Off we went again. By this time we were all rather famished (except the baby, of course!) and really would have eaten anywhere. But unbeknownst to me hubby had a grand plan and surprised us by driving to the next town over and taking us to a Japanese steakhouse. I'd known he had been wanting to go- but didn't think it was "lunchtime material" ... I was wrong.

They offered a simple menu (various entrees in hibachi or teriyaki flavor), not too pricey, and we enjoyed ourselves a lot! It was the first time any of us had experienced such a thing and we can't wait to go back! (Mom, I told you we'll have to go there next time you come to visit!)

This was our chef.
(A group of senior citizens were just being seated around the grill behind him.)

DD12 ordered Chicken Teriyaki, I ordered Sirloin Teriyaki, and hubby had a bit of both in a combo plate. Our meals were accompanied by a small salad for each of us. Baby girl just watched with interest...

Notice the smoking onion in the center. Our chef made "train noises" as
he pushed it around the grill-- assuming it was to entertain the baby. LOL

DD12 waiting patiently for the food to be done cooking.

Hubby chatting with us while we watch the culinary spectacle.

Notice the little dishes at the bottom of the photo.
We each had our own dipping sauces to try out:
Ginger, Yum-Yum, Teriyaki (and hubby had a spicy one as well.)

Ignore the mountain of hair at the back/top of my head and the fact that my bangs are
all askew, AND that I have no makeup on.... like I said, it was a rainy day.
I had thought I would ONLY be popping into post office that day, not
ending up someplace in sitting public getting my photo taken.
Note the sling behind me on my chair-- taken inside just
in case baby girl got restless in her seat. Suffice it to say
the culinary show kept her entertained for the most part, sling was not used.

This was DD12's plate of Chicken Teriyaki

My Sirloin Teriyaki.

No photo for hubby's plate- I was too busy eating my own to remember
to take a photo of his!LOL

Lunch was super tasty! The total check WITH tip was what we would have paid had we gone to Chili's for lunch and just a few dollars more than had we eaten at Sweet Tomato. We all commented that the fare wasn't heavy and didn't leave us overly full. In fact, hubby and I both said we'd have liked MORE vegetables- and will inquire about adding more veggies to our meal next time we go.

Local folks, the restaurant was:

Hanakana Japanese Steakhouse

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This meme was started by Shannon of The Peer Review.  Here's the "basics" according to her website:

Loving My Husband Friday is for taking the time to focus on the positives of marriage. A time to build up your marriage and your spouse. Focus on something you love about your husband, something he did to encourage you this week, or just a tip on how to keep your marriage strong. Let your husband know you're bragging on him...everyone loves praise and accolades. Try to spend the rest of your week focusing on all the great traits of your spouse...especially when you're tempted to focus on the bad! And don't forget to pray for your husband and marriage as you write your post.

Has it really been three weeks since my last "Loving My Husband Friday"?!  So much has happened, and my hubby has been so helpful in the midst of it all!  Thank you, Sugar Pie! 

• My aunt & uncle passed away.
• I flew to DFW to be w/ my 'extended' family for a few days.
• My hubby stayed behind to care for our children and to work while I was gone.

I love my husband for being willing to send me to DFW to be w/ my 'extended' family and for being willing to put up with  take care of our children for several days (including a weekend) in my absence.  Thanks again, Sweetie!

You can read all of my Loving My Husband Friday posts by clicking here.

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