Happy Halloween!

When I was a senior in high school, my class threw a Masquerade Ball around Halloween. We had just moved into a beautiful new building and this was the first big school party. I was on the committee throwing the ball. In fact, I think I was technically the committee chair. (Which is a scary fact in itself, as my party-planning skills are not great. I am way too unorganized.) But, it was great! We had a DJ, dancing, professional photographer, palm reader, a graveyard, the works! My best memory, however, is the hand-made Tinkerbell costume my Mother made me. My Mother likes to keep it a secret that she can sew, but she went all out for my Tinkerbell costume. Gold shimmery fabric with white glittery tulle. I had wings, a wand and gold slippers. I had the best costume at the ball! I really wish I had a picture to share with you.

Fast forward to Halloween 2008. We are going to a Halloween party tonight. The moms thought it would be fun to dress up. You know- so our kids would think we were cool, etc. So, I think "oh, fun! I will be Tinkerbell. She has always been my favorite Disney character." Well, I am no longer 17. I couldn't fit my big toe in the original costume my mom made me. And all the other Tinkerbell costumes out there for sale are VERY skimpy. Made for 17 year olds- not 33 year old Moms.

So, alas, I am having a very middle-age, suburban mom moment. I have realized I am not little and cute like Tinkerbell anymore. I still feel 17 in my mind. But, reality is very different, isnt it?

Trunk or Treat

Our church held trunk or treat this afternoon. This was our first trunk or treat experience and it was great. Perfect afternoon- sunny and 70 degrees. I guess this is just the beginning of the candy craze. We have Halloween parties at school this week before the real Halloween on Friday. I think Mommy is going to have to hide some of this candy!

This is the best picture I could get of all 4 cousins
Will enjoyed handing out candy after he made his rounds

Batman and Superman digging for candy

Meme and John had the best set-up. Inflatable Snoopy, hay bails, pumpkins, gourds, and TONS of candy

Look at the precious little puppy!

Pumpkin Patch Day

Will's class went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch today. Most of the moms went too and we had a blast. The weather was sunny and cool. The perfect fall day! After the pumpkin patch we went to a park down the street for our picnic lunch and play time. It was the perfect day. I love Kindergarten! I love 5 year olds! I heard myself constantly saying "this is the best bunch of kids!" And they are- they are sweet to each other, considerate, funny, smart, and amazingly well-behaved. We are blessed to be at a school with such great kids. (These are the pictures I got before my camera battery died. )

Class picture
Being silly

We found two perfect little pumpkins

Will, Bailey and Marshall

Music and Molasses

We went to the Music and Molasses Festival today. It was the perfect fall weather- clear and cool. As the name tells you, there is lots of music and molasses-making going on! Also, a working pioneer village, hands-on farming activities for kids, crafts, delicious food, and a hands-on craft area. We had a great time!

Ryan working in the corn

Will making a real candle in the crafts village

Ryan and Will "painting" a barn with friends Maia and Peter

One of my favorite reasons for going to Music and Molasses- the fried pies and hot apple cider- Yum!

Breaking Dawn

All good things come to an end, I guess. I read this book slowly, savoring every word, because I did not want it to end. What to do now? No book will ever, ever meet the high standard I now have for reading. Stephenie Meyer has just set the bar too high. Everyone I have convinced to start reading Twilight, comes back to me saying "this is not a book, this is an addiction!" I know, I know! Breaking Dawn was the best one of the 4, so keep reading. It is so worth it. Now, time to focus on the movie coming out on November 21st. And hope that Stephenie Meyer will start writing again very soon.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread is one of my favorite things to bake and eat in the Fall. I shared my favorite pumpkin bread recipe here last year. Well, I found another favorite. This one is different because of the addition of chocolate chips. It is from Cooking Light, one of my favorite food resources. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

2 cups sugar

2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup fat free vanilla pudding

4 large egg whites

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 35o degrees. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring to mix well. Combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl, stirring to mix well. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, mixing well. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into 2 loaf pans coated well with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a tester inserted comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Bar Exam results came out today!

JW is now officially a licensed practicing attorney in the state of Tennessee!

click here to see his name

Book Club

I attended my first official book club meeting Monday night. Sorry to those of you who are tired of hearing about my book club, but, I am probably not going to shut up now.

I had to miss the first meeting where they discussed The Shack. Fine with me. But, I was so excited to be there this time because we discussed Twilight. And my excitement was fueled by a Starbucks Grande low-fat vanilla latte. Oh, and I forgot to say "decaf." Not a good thing for me at 7 p.m.

Oh. My. Goodness. Even those who were skeptical before are now true believers. Our group ranges in ages and occupations. We had a doctor, some teachers, and some full time mommies there the other night. Our discussion was amazing. It was so interesting to hear what different people got from this book. The different themes and questions everyone brought only added to my love for this series. The Romeo and Juliet theme is very obvious from the beginning, but through our discussion the search for soul and other spiritual aspects became clear as well.

I love my book club. I always wanted to be in a book club. It fulfills my dorky, English major side and I find myself reading more now than I ever have before in my life. The pick for next time is Three Cups of Tea. It is non-fiction and will be very different from Twilight. Has anyone out there read Three Cups of Tea?

I think some of us may need to form a second book club just for the Twilight Series because I am still not done with Breaking Dawn! Mary Alice?

Greta went swimming

"Momma, I'm sorry I was chasing that squirrel. But, I didn't mean to fall in the pond."

"Okay, momma, seriously. Put the camera down and get me out now!"

*the worst part about this whole secenario is that I had just picked her up from the groomer a few hours ago.

Go Commodores!

We are huge fans of ESPN's College Game Day. In the morning they are going to be at Vanderbilt. We just might brave the crowd and make our way down there! The Vanderbilt v. Auburn game should (hopefully) be quite exciting. Anything, I mean watching paint dry, is more exciting that UT's season so far. We have always been Vanderbilt fans. At least for basketball, anyway. And JW is a Vandy grad. But, their football team has always left a bit to be desired. This year, however, is turning out to be quite exciting. So, we'll see. Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of Herbstreit, anyway!