Introducing SalaMandy

A couple of weeks ago our friend Anne brought over a salamander that she found in her garden. It was a huge hit with the kids and myself. He was so cute. I have never saw a Salamander this size around here before. But after googling , It is a "Spotted Salamander" native to this neck of the woods. Hardly visible because they usually only come out from underground at night to hunt for snails and worms.

We made him a home in an fishtank. He loved to hind right under the mulch.
He had shiny , like wet rubber, skin with bright yellow dots. Preston named him Salamandy maybe after his Mom...hehehehehehe.

We have sinced turned him loose so he can return to his family since they are probally missing him by now.

Apple Picking on Thanksgiving

After thanksgiving dinner Des, Pres, Grumps, Dave and I went apple picking at Hall's Orchard in Fredericton Junction.

Look at this really great shiny one !

Are we taking all these apple home Aunti Fonda? Why?

This is a birds nest the orchard owner had on display in his barn.

Destiny and Preston put on a turkey show when we got home, while I made Apple Pie, yup from scratch and apple crisp.... Yummy. The turkey show is on video but I am not sure if I can get it to load. I will try.

It's Turkey Day !!

Happy Thanksgiving! We had alot of fun today and boy were we busy !!

Preston and I making pumpkin pie, It is our first attempt, he assured me we could do it...Here we go


Rolling out the crust...Mommy's turn
Preston's turn...
Destiny's turn...

The finished product, well the uncooked finished product Grumps and Destiny cutting onion for the stuffing
Grumps and Nana cutting squash
While dinner was cooking, Grumps, Des, Pres and I enjoyed a game of Skip bo !
These are turkey Placecard holders that we made for the table. How cute?
Preston made this turkey from paper mache in school. What a brave kindergarten teacher Mrs.Kershaw is...20 5 year olds doing paper mache !! It looked great on our dinner table.
The table is set, its almost time to eat. I'm tired. Kuddos to all you people out there who really enjoy this cooking thing !

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Today I am thankful for my husband who supports all my crazy ideas with a smile. To my dad for making us laugh all day long and for making the kids feel like he is their #1 fan. For my mother in law for doing ALL the dishes, for Destiny for bubbly bouncing about making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be and encouraging us along the way.. you will make a great supervisor some day. For Preston for going head first into his first Canadian Thanksgiving, for encouraging me to go the extra mile with the homemade pie (i sooooo wanted to buy one) You were a big help today kiddo. I love you guys, and I thank God for giving me each and everyone of you in my life.

...stay tuned our thanksgiving fun did not end here.

Fun with Lunches !

crackers, cheese, pepperoni and oh yes a Grape Martian !!

This is just a sample of the fun I am having making lunches...I know the novelty will wear off before too long so I am trying to make the best of it. I like that when they look in their lunch bags there is some sort of surprise from Me each day. I will post other pictures, this is the only one that I thought to photograph.

Sunday Best

I wanted to get a picture of Des and Pres in their church clothes but the sun was in Prestons eyes. He still looks quite dapper in his new sweater don't you think?

Caramel dipped apples...

Another yummy treat....thanks Jen

Jen made 20 candied apples for favors for a babyshower she was hosting on Sunday. Thankfully she made extra for the kiddies. They thoroughly enjoyed them after school on monday. As you can see.......
Destiny preferred to bite right in and Preston decided to have his cut up. They shared with me and Grumps !

cancer relay for life

Relay For Life...
This is an event that I like to participate in every year. It raises money for Cancer research. It is a 12 hour relay from 7pm to 7am the next day. Your team takes turns around the track. The survivors (in yellow) do the first lap. It is very emotional. All in attendance have been touched by cancer in some way, so it is nice to see and witness the success stories. We often only hear of the tragedies. At dark they light the track with purchased luminaries that are either in memory of a deceased loved one or In honor of a survivor. It is both sad, and beautiful and serene. It allows me to reflect on all the lives that this town (McAdam) has lost to this terrible disease. It is nice to see that all these lives are remembered and represented on this night by a burning flame. This year my family joined me.

The survivors !!

Crystal and her family came and joined me for a few laps...

I do it in memory of MY MOM.

Eats and treats

YUMMY, YUMMY FUN
This day we made our home pita pizzas. Des and Pres decorated their own with barbcue sauce, pepperoni and cheese. Jen and I had chicken, peppers, mushrooms HMMMMM good. They had alot of fun doing that.