Gratitude Journal

About six years or so ago, my friend introduced me to the idea of a gratitude journal. The idea is, I bring some empty scrapbook pages for family and friends to write down what they are most thankful for during Thanksgiving dinner.

Here is a picture of two of the pages from last year.



Here is a pictures of what some of this year's pages look like:



Here are some of the things the kids wrote over the years:







When I go through the previous pages, I can see how the children are growing up. Also, it's a great feeling to read about what other people are grateful for. It makes me realize how much we are blessed with so many things.

I appreciate all my friends and family. That means all of you!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Tonight's Dessert

One of my favorite desserts is sauted apple with Breyer's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. It is so easy to make and has gourmet taste to it. Here's how to make this dessert.

1. 1 Apple


2. 2 tablespoons butter


3. 2 tablespoons sugar


4. 2-3 tablespoons of water


5. 1 teaspon lemon juice

Wash and slice the apple into 16ths. Melt butter in sauce pan, be careful you do not burn it. Once the butter is melted, add the apple slices, suger, and water. You can add more water if you want thinner carmel, slightly less for thicker carmel. If you want to make more carmel add more butter and sugar, if you want sweeter carmel, add a little more sugar.

When apple is soft and the butter and sugar are carmelized, stir in lemon juice, then turn the heat off. Lay out some apple slices on a plate, add a scoop of ice cream and drizzle the carmel over top. For a hint of color a mint leaf would look great.



I cheated and used a basil leaf. Tanya, I need some of your mint leaves!

You can also use bananas instead of apples, its just as good.

Bon Appetite!

Custom Baby Memory Blanket

Sorry I'm a few days behind updating this blog. I've been sick the last few days.

Before I got sick, I took Rachel's old clothes (pictured below).



And made this blanket:



Rachel just adores her new blanket.



When I finished making this blanket a flood of emotions washed over me. Each square reminds me of what occasion she wore the clothes and how tiny she was. It has also reminded me of how fast she is growing up.

I thought this would be a great way for others to preserve their memories of their little ones and unclutter a few closets. So, I decided to post this service of making custom memory baby blankets on Etsy.

Halloween Pictures

Halloween day started at 6:30 AM. The boys had a Halloween parade at school. They wanted to dress up as soon as possible.

Both boys dressed as pirates.


Christopher was sooo into his role. He went the serous sroute. Michael went the suave debonair route.


He is so charming!!!

They both loved the beards I drew for them.

Rachel love the witch outfit.


She went around the house casting spells all over the place. She tried to turn her brothers into a frog.

It was busy and crazy, but I'm sad to see it end. Oh well, at least there will be next year. Here is Rachel's pumpkin.



Hope you had a happy Halloween!!

Oh, so haunted

On the way home from school, Michael said," I can make more Halloween decorations you know."

I guess he doesn't think we have enough decorations for this occasion. So I said, "Oh, O.K. that would be nice why don't you make some."

After we got home he immediately started drawing. I love asking random questions to the children to see what they would say, so I sat down with him.

First, he cut a piece of paper into the shape of a house and said, "Mommy, this is a haunted house.". Than, he drew one window and looked at me and said," Mommy this is a haunted window." His eyes were wide open when he said it and the expression he used was so funny.

I tried so hard not to laugh and said, "Oh, really, that is horrible!". Then he added more haunted windows. When he started drawing the ghost I said, "Michael, that is such a cute ghost!"

He looked at me and said, "Mom, he looks cute, but he is really a haunted ghost. Really."

As you can see he drew some more haunted stuff if you look closely, it is little disturbing. He was pleased with his art work.



We carved pumpkins, tried on costumes for tommorrow, and they talked on and on about how much fun they are going to have on Halloween day. It is fun to see them being kids and enjoying the season.
Everyone, have a happy haunted Halloween!!

One Fine Day

After I picked up Michael from school, I took him and Rachel to the park. It was a little chilly even though the sun was out. I packed a lunch and they were so happy that they got to play out in the park. Here are some pictures I took.

Look at the gorgeous colors!



I know you are not supposed to climb trees in a public park, but he looked so cute that I had to take a picture before I told him to get down.


Michael was posing like a professional model, I don't know what Rachel was doing!




We all had a great time this fine Autumn day.

A little chat in the car.

After I picked Christopher up from school, Christopher was telling Michael how he misses his best friend who moved away. So I asked my two boys, "Who do you think my best friend is?"

Michael said, "Aunt Toyomi?" (She's my sister.)
I said, "She's one of my best friends, but she's not the one I'm thinking of."
After a few guesses between the boys, they gave up and demanded to know the answer. So I said, "It's daddy."
They both said, "Huh?" and Michael said, "He can't be your best friend, he's your husband!"
So I tried to explain that it always best when mommy and daddy are best friends. They still didn't quite get it and went on with their joking around.

Someday when they are older they will understand how I enjoy Aaron's company and how grateful I am that we get along so well.