Simple Pleasures

Mom's Orchid

is blooming...

and budding...

and beautiful!

I'm joining Simple Pleasures today

over at A Collection of This and That!

Thank you Dayle!

Pumpkin Party

Every year my Mom and Dad

host a Pumpkin Party

for the kids and grand kids!

Over the past few years,

we have combined

a trip to the local pumpkin patch

and

a fall leaf raking, bonfire party

into one fun filled

Pumpkin Party!

Mom will prebuy big pumpkins

and use those to decorate her porch.

To make it fair we have the kids pick a number

from a bowl...

Then one at a time they get to pick their pumpkins!

Zac (my son)

Kee (my nephew)

Bennett (my nephew)

Jamie (my niece)

Jon Mark (my nephew)

Haly (my niece)
and

Madison(my daughter)!

While Nona (above)

and

Mom Mom watched on...

the kids

carved pumpkins!

As the kids get older,

they take over the carving.

Happy to report, no one lost a finger

to a wayward knife!

Love the finished pumpkins!

Of course, Mom made plenty of yummy food!

A festive birthday cake for Nona...

candy corn and pumpkin gumballs

( a big hit!)

Pumpkin cookies...

homemade Carmel corn

and...

making for so mores!

And those were just the desserts!

For dinner we had sloppy joes, hot dogs,

brats and pumpkin pasta!

Dad and Mom even made a fire pit for roasting

the marshmallows!

We all celebrated Nona's birthday!

Blowing out the candles...

with a little "help"!

The boys talked Grandpa into getting

out his pellet air riffle

for some target practice!

Even Grandpa got into the act!

I am linking to

Simple Pleasures over at

A Collection of This and That.
Please be sure to stop over by Dayle's
and check out all the simple pleasures!

My simple pleasure is
 time spent with my family.

I am blessed to still have two grandmas,

my mom and dad,

my sister, her husband and 5 kids

and Wayne and my kids.

We all live in the same 6 mile area.

Cousins are friends!

We are each other's support and

love is always in the house!

Happy Thursday!

Smile

This is the day that the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Ps 118:24

Last week was an emotional week for me.

My wonderful sister surprised me with this

sweet "Happy Face" flower.

I set it on my kitchen counter next to the sink

and each time I saw it, I smiled!

I am linking to Simple Pleasures over at

A Collection of This and That.

A special thankyou to our wonderful hostess Dayle!

Simple Pleasures

I am linking to Simple Pleasures

over at A Collection of This and That.

A special thank you to Dayle our hostess!

My simple pleasure this week is breakfast with Nona.

Nona is my paternal Grandma. 

Within the past two years she has suffered two major strokes.

Each one robbing her of daily functions we often take for granted.

She now requires 24 hour care, much like a infant would require.

My mom and dad made the loving decision to care

for her fulltime in their home.

Three days a week, I have the honor of assisting in her care

while my children are in school.

My parents live "out in the country" and are

blessed with an amazing view over looking a small valley.

Each morning Nona and I watch out the window

at the view and birds at mom's feeders.

We never know what type of birds we will observe.

During the summer we see hummingbirds and

bright yellow finches.

During the winter, we get Blue Jays and Cardinals!

I treasure my Nona!

A Simple Pleasure and a Simple Treasure

I am posting to

 Simple Pleasure on Thursday 

with our wonderful host Dayle

 at A Collection of This and That.

Simple Pleasure

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

1 Peter 5:7

I took this shot while on our vacation in July.

We had rented a pontoon boat for the morning and had

to make a "potty" stop at the local marina.

(Several of the 7 kids aboard needed to go!)

This shot was taken in between rain showers,

looking from the dock out to the sound.

I loved the way the old rough dock contrasted

with the silky smooth water.

Simple Treasure

This is currently what is sitting beneath my cloche!

My favorite petite turquoise saucer,

with my daughter's sweet baby foot impression!

Both of these small objects bring me big smiles!

Some By-The-Way Information

Thank you for all the sweet well wishes for Wayne's Birthday.

Since school started the same day,

we kept the celebration to a minimum...

out for Pizza,

back to open cards,

and have a slice of our favorite cheesecake!

We will get to celebrate on Sunday with my extended family!

The kids seem to be off to a great start of school.

It is hard to believe that Zac is in 10th grade and

Madison 7th.  Where does the time go?

I think I've confused several of you regarding my "jobs"!

I hope this clears thing up!

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

I help my mom care for my grandma while the kids are in school.

Thursday afternoons

I finally received my Ohio State Care Provider Number!

This allows me to go back to work for the family I used to clean for.

I still clean, only now the state pays me.

This is a very special family to me.

They run a local special needs adoption agency called

the Shepherd's Crook.

My nephew was adopted thru this agency.

The family themselves have 4 biological children and

14 adopted children (most with special needs).

Friday Mornings

I teach art at a local home school co-op

 to some wonderful  1st-3rd graders!!

I was very spoiled this summer to have taken time away

from these responsibilities and spend time with my kids!

I hope each of you have a fantastic day!