Getting ready for CANDY

Ok, lily -- not so much. To be fair, she'd just woken up from a nap and was a bit touchy about being made to sit for a photo opp. Not even the lollipop bribe was working...

Vyolette's pumpkins

They're nearly as big as she is!

Slow Cooker pot roast

I looooove my pot roast! Probably the yummiest dinner I make, this is now a Sunday night staple. Enjoy!

1 - 2 to 3 lb beef chuck pot roast
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 beef bouillon cube
2 tablespoon dried garlic
2 tablespoon dried onion
pepper

Put roast in slow cooker, no need to sear since it's going to be in the pot all day anyway. Combine other ingredients with the water and pour over the roast. Pop on the lid and cook on low for 10-12 hours or 6-8 on high.

Gravy - pour roast drippings from slow cooker into skillet and add 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken over medium heat. Stir with whisk until it boils and the flour blobs are mixed in. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Easy roast potatoes - Quarter red potatoes lengthwise and put in a ziploc. Add a few tablespoons of oil, throw in some salt, pepper, dried onion and garlic and shake. Spread evenly on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

Boy, these kids are cute.

I'm not biased... nooooooooo.

Toofers

OW! Vyolette announced her foray into the world o'teeth by biting Syenna. Hey, at least it wasn't me... ;) The day before she uttered the words every parent wants to hear -- "trust fund". Oh wait, that was Robin Williams, not Vyolette. She said "MMAMAMAMAAMAMAMAM" drool "MAMAMAMAMAMMAMA" drool.

Pictures are forthcoming as soon as there's more to see than Syen's bloody finger.

Wynter Moon

It occurred to me that there is a lack of pictures of the real Wynter Moon. She's usually the one taking the pictures of the family or making movies of herself and singing in the bathroom.



She has the biggest heart and the biggest smile, a hug for everyone and a great sister!

Baby goo.

Vyolette is flinging herself all over the living room lately. Well, perhaps "flinging" is too enthusiastic a word but rolling herself under couches doesn't sound as dramatic. It's time to see what the updates in baby security systems are, maybe a big dog that blocks the staircase would work, then he puts her gently back in the exersaucer. I am way too old for this~ ;)

The Variety Show

Ahhhh, I love new obsessions. I've joined a friend in her podcasting venture! I'm hosting and producing the Variety Show, part of the Virtual Brown Bag at Agent Retriever for the real estate community. I get all the fun stuff, things that tweak our interest and think you may enjoy, everything from organizing your business day to singing grammar lessons. I'm having a great time learning how to snap those audio files to my will -- muahahahahaaha.

A new show is on every Thursday, 12p at http://roundtable.agentretriever.com , directions for downloading the podcast to listen on your iPod or on your computer (launches automatically) are listed on the site. Come and hear the smooth sound stylings o'stacey~~~

Get this kid an agent!

Syen is taking over my kitchen! She made dinner last night, she's perfecting her recipes to get ready for the Rachael Ray Kid Cook contest. She's already planning her kitchen appliances, what the heck is she going to do with a deep fryer, I don't even let her turn on the stove!

She sees dead people...

If you've been reading this blog for a while or just flat out know me, you know I've been running around with the ghosties for nearly 20 years. A friend and very talented medium, Barb Mallon, is hosting a great Halloween event locally, in Chantilly, Virginia, Halloween night. Having been to three of her past sessions and taking her workshops I can tell you she's right on the money and a kick in the butt to know.

We've done investigations together and her insight has been key to following up on the data the team picks up by more scientific means. If we're the heart, she's definitely the soul of our work.

Visit her website today for more information on this event and others-
http://barbmallon.com/halloween.htm

Gimme that chocolate!

This kid cracks me up, no wonder I keep having more of them!

Drama free tarot

Alrighty, part of my transitional phase is to dust off my tarot cards and take a peek at the future. A friend just called to ask me what lay in store for his romantic future, why not pass along the same to others? Visit my blog at http://dramafreetarot.blogspot.com and see what you can learn about yourself today. It ain't magic, it's maaaaaaagick ;)

Winds of change

Ahhhhh, the winds are a'blowin. I see the last half of this year as a transitional phase for us. I'm starting a new writing class to get back to what some say are natural talents that have been sitting dusty on a shelf for too long. Bryan is wrapping up building the house and looking towards Seattle and new ideas. Rowyn starts middle school next month (YIKES) and Vyolette just flipped herself over, turtle no more.

NASCAR and my ADD.

Adult ADD is a funny thing. Bryan swears I have it, I think I'm just a master of multi-tasking. Neither of us can stand to not be busy (ergo the five children). What I'm learning as I age is how to shift gears, what's important and what can wait. The kids are important (gear one), Bryan's important (gear two), business is important for my own sense of self (gear three but can idle). I'm learning to balance the times I need to rev up and perform with the idle; this before I blow out a hemi.

Ok. I don't really know what a hemi is but it's apparently important to the NASCAR generation on TV. Having never seen a NASCAR race all the way through (people actually sit through those things) I can't understand the appeal. I blame the ADD. At least it can't be as bad as hockey.

Inspiring Woman -- You can make a difference. Right here. Right now.

I Am Powerful

I am a woman,
poor but proud, invisible but invincible,
a natural resource with unlimited potential.
I am important. I am ready for change.
Given a choice, given a chance,
I will participate, strive, achieve.
I will improve my community and contribute to society.
You can help.
With tools, with knowledge and opportunities,
I am someone - one of many,
working together to overcome prejudice,
fight poverty, wage peace,
for our children,
for our future.
I am a wife, mother, sister,
daughter, partner,
force, leader.
I am powerful.
***
She has the power to change her world.
You have the power to help her do it.
***
Getting involved is so easy. You can make a difference with one nomination, one small $10 donation, and five minutes of your time. Please help us to pass on the gift of inspiration to women of poverty. Visit www.InspiringWoman.com to make your nomination.
Then, if you want to help us even more, you can help us spread the word about this great project. Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to visit our blog and make their nominations.
One nomination at a time, we will make a difference.
***
*This information was compiled from CARE's "I Am Powerful Action Kit."

Buffs -- the sequel

well that was fun, had to put in a few more photos!

Where the buffalo roam

What a crazy week! We flew to Montana for my family reunion, who knew I was related to half of Missoula?

The girls had an amazing time fishing, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, rolling in chicken poo, fighting off mutant mosquitos, dodging fireworks from my pyro father and brother, wrestling with cousins and chasing buffalo at the National Bison Range. And that was in the first few days. A big thank you to Brad and Stephanie for hosting the 'do, I'll be sending the girls back for summer camp next year... ;)

Who poked the Vyolette?

hehehehehehe.

Basic Mineral Makeup

Ok people, I have HAD it with gooey liquid makeup! I'm not big on makeup anyway but do wear foundation, the summers always led to uneven sweaty makeup that stuck in the wrong places or simply wore off. I tried mineral makeup ages ago and loved it but the cost was prohibitive so stopped buying it. Recently I had an opportunity to join a business that sold mineral makeup at a great price and I could join as a consultant, unfortunately the owner had medical problems and had to sell the business so instead of being a sheep and following, a friend of mine and I decided to take this bull by the horns and start our own company!

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Just because