Family Pictures

In August when we went out to visit Jeremiah's family we had Family pictures taken.

Here is the whole Muldowney Clan (except Jacob who was on his mission on the time. And baby Jacob who, as you can tell by looking at Mimi, wasn't born yet). It was so fun to be together. I am so thankful for Jeremiah's family. They are so dear to me. I love them all so much.

Some Where Over the Rainbow

Dorthey (aka Isabelle)

Scarecrow (aka Joseph)
Tin Man (aka Michael)
Memeber of the Lollipop Guild, William
The whole Wizard of OZ clan, Gilda(Ann) holding Toto(Emmanual), Lollipop Guild-Ryan(red) Jeremiah(green) William (blue), Dorthey (Isabelle), Scarecrow(Joseph) Cowardly Lion (Isaac, which he wasn't so cowardly, he kept rarring at everyone) Tin Man (Michael) Wicked Witch of the West (beautiful green Me)
My oh so cute Crew
William and Isabelle showing off their Halloween shirts.

Dinner in a Pumpkin

Since I had two people ask here is the recipe. I had a friend give this to me at least 3-4 years ago. Thanks Rebecca

Dinner in a Pumpkin
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
¾ c diced celery
1/3 c diced green pepper
¾ c diced onion
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
4 oz can mushrooms (optional)
¼ c soy sauce
2 T brown sugar
1 can cream soup( I add 2 cans and I use mushroom)
2 c cooked rice

Cook beef, celery pepper and onion until beef is browned. Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Pour into cleaned out pumpkins.
Cook at 350 for 1 ½ hours
Decorate pumpkin with
Black olives steamed carrots
Whole cloves parsley leaves

That awfull ice

On Friday I was out delivering newspapers. It was pretty icy out. Most of the sidewalks were covered with ice and snow so I was walking on the street. I saw a car coming so I started moving over to the side walk and that is when I slipped on the ice. I didn't even realize that I had slipped until after I hit the ground. At first I thought I would just be bruised up. But then I checked out my hand again and realized it was bleeding pretty good. I was up the street about 1/4 a mile from my house so I continued delivering papers. I am sure I looked pretty stupid. I was walking along with my right hand in the air, without a glove and keeping pressure on in it with my left hand until I would have to throw a paper. When I got home my Mom was up getting ready for school so she took a minute and cleaned up my hand and bandaged it.
This is my hand (not a great picture) two days after. I am going to have a pretty little scar. I think the worse part of it all was that the person in the car had to see me fall because they pulled into their garage close to where I fell and didn't even check to see if I was ok. They just closed the garage door. What kind people live in my neighborhood.

Presenting the Lollipop Guild

For a short time only (until Jeremiah finds out that I put this up and make me take it off) I present, for your entertainment, The Lollipop guild. Please enjoy. And PLEASE no one put this on youtube that is what Jeremiah is really worried about.

What did you eat for Halloween?

I love having special things to eat for Halloween. We started off the feasting the night before with Dinner in a pumpkin.

This year I used pie pumpkins and it was so much better.

For breakfast we enjoyed a very healthy breakfast of Shredded Wheat. Not exciting enough to take a picture of.

For lunch we started off with Hors d'Oeuvres of Rabbits Brains

The kids wouldn't even touch this. (It was breaded eggplant but I had to give it a fun name)
For the main course Mummy Dogs

We didn't have a small enough mustard bottle so the faces didn't turn out. But you get the picture.

With our meal we enjoyed a nice bubbling broth of Witches Brew.Michael was very disturbed by everything and said he wouldn't eat any of it. But as he saw me making everything he realized it was all fun.

For Dinner we enjoyed Dead Man Over Worms
This one is my favorite. Especially since it even freaks out Jeremiah. It is so fun when one of the kids say " I just want half an arm" What can be better then that.
We finished off the night after trick-or-treating with some delicious Apple Cider that my Mom whipped up while we were out.
I will say it was a very tasty Halloween.

Canning

This year I have taken up canning. It was so fun to do.My mom even bought me a special canning book that helped out a lot. I don't think you will understand the joy until you have spent a couple hours in the kitchen peeling, pitting and cutting up your fruit to prepare for the jars. Then when you are all finished and have jars of beautiful golden peaches and other yummy fruits sitting on your table it is just sheer joy. It is so wonderful that I know I can do this and if anything arises I have this new talent under my belt. It was also so nice to control how much sugar and such was put into it. I use a light syrup on the peaches and pears. I was considering using juice but the books said that they don't keep their taste, color, and shape as well in juice.

The apple sauce is sugar free in delicious.

My sister-in-law Ann gave me this great recipe for apple butter that is also sugar free. It calls for honey instead. I started using unfiltered raw honey that is so much better for you.

I have some more apples waiting for the works so I can make more applesauce and apple butter. Next year I have big plans for salsa and sugar free jams.