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PW…she rocked.

my friend kim emailed me a few weeks ago and asked "want to go meet PW?"
to which i responded "uh…YES!!!"
we picked a date…arranged our babysitters…she scoped out oklahoma city for shopping…and we did it!

we were way giddy about meeting THE pioneer woman.

we were shopping for clothes and craig called my cell.
c: hi…are you having fun?  where are you?
m: trying on clothes…yes having so much fun.
c: what time is pioneer woman?
m: 6:30…what time is it now?
c: 5:15.  you aren't there already!!?!  are you kidding?  you drove all the way there and you aren't waiting in line yet?
m:  good point….we'll go now.

craig saved the day.

it was across the street at full circle books.  (very quaint bookstore that i would love to spend time in)
we arrived at 5:30 and we were at least #100?  or higher.
what dorks that we didn't go sooner!
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that is a sign behind me…i am not wearing a green and yellow bonnet…i promise.
(by the way…how cute is kim?! so cute!) 

we got comfy in line and there we stood…and stood…and stood.
we had nothing to do but talk, good thing i like talking! 
we met the ladies in line with us.
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mickie on the left and amy on the right…both from oklahoma…but kansas natives.

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this was the line behind us…going on a long long LONG way…

finally at 8:40
yes…3 hours later…we made it to Ree.

it was worth it.

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she was just as she appears on her blog…and that was just what i wanted to know.
kind eyes.
super personable.
easy to talk to.
beautiful voice.
just like i thought.

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and i didn't even cry!
i was worried that i might…i just never can gauge my emotions…i can't control my crying!
so thankfully i didn't.

she posted her OKC book signing today.
those girls (with the leopard cardigan) were right behind us!
you should have heard them squeal when Marlboro Man appeared in the hall way!  
hysterical.

her family was there…kids, sister & baby, MM and more.
i enjoyed seeing that her boys did exactly what my boys' would've.

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it was a great night.
kim…thank you for being so spontaneous and willing to go.
i learned so many cool things about you yesterday.

and i don't know what to cook first!

if you go to see her in your area…
1. get there early.
   (go early & grab a stack of books, a coffee and plant yourself in front of her table.) 
   we heard the first people were there at 4:00…for a 6:30 signing.
2. bring snacks in your purse.
3. don't forget your camera.
4. wear comfy shoes….seriously.
5. get a babysitter.  i was glad to not be one of the moms holding babies all that time.

I LOVE PIONEER WOMAN…could you tell?

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the news team (watch it here) set up right beside us to get their shot.
they started filming the long line starting at us…so we aren't shown.
i dared kim to jump right out at the camera man as he was walking for his shot of the crowd.  
she said no.
the girl they interviewed was just in front of us.
i'm glad they didn't chose me…"I loooooove pioneer woman…i just LOOOOVVVVE her…i really love her"
and then i would stare into the camera like a deer in headlights.  

then i would start crying.    

we got home from Oklahoma at 1:00 AM-ish.
24 hours ago.
i am still beaming.  
i have a pioneer woman glow all about me.
 

i can't wait to try my first recipe. 

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Cori Heffernan - I’ve only been reading your blog for a few weeks and I love it. I saw the post about PW and I said who the heck is PW !! But I loved Little House on the Prairie so I gave her a try and now …I’m all caught up!!In fact I may try and see her when she comes to NY in Dec.(I live in Long Island) My kids think we’re related coz I read through your blogs and they see your kids and keep asking me if they’re cousins!! You are inspiring to a craft challenged person like myself. Keep writing and taking pictures.

Meridith Smith - So I meant to say 3rd pic, not 3rd green sweater. Oooopsie.

Meridith Smith - Great blog! My friend is the girl in the first pic with the 3rd green sweater:) You must’ve been in line with her the whole time. You’re blog is very entertaining! I will be back!

Melissa - Aren’t these the girls that were standing behind you that REE is blogging about???
http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2009/10/well_get_back_to_this_baby_in_a_minute/
Funny!

Jan - I am so very jealous! I loooovvvveeee PW too! It is very strange to have such a strong bond to a woman I have never meet 🙂 I do think it’s funny that you didn’t even get a dead on shot of MM….he is so mysterious 🙂

Louise - Did you see the leopard cardigan group made Pioneer Woman’s blog?? Oh, you should have been louder like them! Jealous of your fun trip!

julie - Pretty much not fair. THis is on my Christmas/ birthday list, which means I have to wait a whole stinking 39 days before I see it. But you have it, and to make it worse you met her. Lucky, lucky lady. Cook me something good and send it my way. Pretty please.

Jilly - I love P-dub too! I pre-ordered my book and I cannot wait to have her sign it, she will be at the Mall of America on November 21st, I am sure she is going to draw a big crowd so thanks for the tips!

Melissa - I’m planning on going to the Nashville signing. My husband thinks I’m nuts! I am so there!

traci - that is so fun meg. glad you had fun. i got her book yesterday and couldn’t wait to sit my butt down last night and start reading it. i don’t know what to cook first either. everything looks so yummy. i love that she made it so personal.

Christina - So funny…this makes me excited to do the same thing!
Love the bonnet comment.
Love your imaginary interview.
I’m a crier too. 🙂

Becca Parker - I’m from Oklahoma City, but living in Northwest Arkansas now, and had just read about Pioneer Woman in this month’s Southern Living. She sounded so interesting, I planned to check out her blog, but I’m going to find it right now. Thanks for your blog, I laugh out loud, smile, and sometime cry too. It’s just Mommer @ Blog Spot.

Valerie - Oh girl — you haven’t tried one of her recipes yet?! They are ALL so good. Every one I have tried has been a blue-ribbon winner. This will be my 3rd annual PW Thanksgiving, in fact. I got to meet her yesterday in Tulsa — so fun! She even cracked jokes to me about her armpits being sweaty. Gotta love that.

Melanie - That is so great. I love her too. I ordered her cookbook from Amazon but they are late getting it to me. I wish she were coming to where I am located.
I feel the same way about Karen Russell as you do PW:) I am Karen’s Florida stalker as she has come to know me by! I am fixing to have to change it Kentucky stalker. I LOVE me some Karen. She was all the things that I thought she would be.
I am glad that you got to go and meet her. I would drive a ways to see her too.

Carol S. - Fun story. Sooooo….did she know who you were or has she checked out your blog? I forget how I found your blog…lol…did she have a link here? She’ll be in Chicago where I live but I wonder what kind of a madhouse it will be? Plus I think it’s a weeknight. We’ll see!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - This has to feel so surreal to her! I would freak out if people screamed when Cory walked into the room! (And yet, I would have done the same thing if I spied MM…) Her punks are so up on those ladders. Love it.
And I love it that you advised bringing snacks in the purse. Wiser words…

Cris - You are so lucky. The closest she will be to me is Chicago, and it is on a night I have college classes…I received my cookbook several days ago, I can’t wait to start cooking from it.

Diana - AWESOME!! What fun!

Lisa - SOOOOOOO COOOOOOL!
SHE SOUNDS AWESOME !
HUGS FROM MAINE

Erin - Lucky you! My cookbook was on my doorstep this morning. Not sure why I’m on the computer and not reading that! Can’t wait to hear what you make first!!!

Kate - Oh my goodness! I am so jealous! She will be here in Phoenix – next week! And I’ll be in Texas for work 🙁 so sad…. (think my hubby will go stand in line for me? Ha!)

pve - Good for you. I hope I get to stand on line, and have you sign your book for me someday.
I think you deserve a book with your awesome photos. You look amazing too.
(Pioneer Woman rocks)
pve

Gratsia - Oh how fun is that 🙂 Happy by Halloween as well hope you enjoy yourselves!

Jocelyn Stott - I so jealous of you! I live up in Portland, OR and she doesn’t have any book signings scheduled anywhere near here but I hope that changes!!!!

Miranda - very cool. so happy you had such a great time!

Penny - Lucky you!! I don’t believe she is coming anywhere near Michigan. 🙁 I would love to meet her. Love her blog. I would also stand in line to meet you, but only if you brought Waffle!! LOL

Mickie - Great post about our experience and it was so fun to spend it with the 3 of you. I am still basking in the PW glow myself but promised my friends and family I would try to let it go… a little. Something to remember for sure!

Amber - I was watched PW on The Bonnie Hunt Show last week, so cute. I was able to meet my favorite author a few weeks ago (stood in line for hours to meet Diana Gabaldon) and it sounds so lame, but that moment is on the list next to WEDDING and GIVING BIRTH.

lora - You are SO living THE LIFE!

lora - You are SO living THE life!

susie whyte - oh, man. i think i laughed through that ENTIRE post. ha ha. glad you had so much fun.

Lee Ann - When is she coming to Washington? 🙂
Seriously!!! That is the coolest thing! Honestly though, I’d reather meet YOU!!!! So if you come to the PNW (pacific northwest), you let me know! I’ll drive hours and stay up til 1am to see you anytime 🙂 I’m serious!

griswold fun - Thanks for sharing the pictures and the tips for standing in line! Having to wait a month before the Dallas stop!

Vera - This made me SO giddy!!! I’m meeting her a week from Monday and I can’t wait – thanks for the tips. You look so adorable!

Mother Runner - Meg! That looked fun. I’m jealous. ‘Nuf said.

Tiffany - I am so excited to know she’s the same in person. She’s amazing and I have a girl crush on her!! LOVE HER!!

kat - How fun! Wish she was coming to my neck of the woods! Seriously, I am sure many, many people would like to meet you too! Glad you had a fun time!!! I loved your comment about the green and yellow bonnet, because I had to look twice and thought, only you could pull off a green and yellow bonnet and make it look cool.

Trish - yes i cry at almost anything… the weirdest things make me cry and the things you think would make me cry don’t…
how do you know where the PW is going next? i’m curious!

kristi rediske - Sounds like you had a really great day-The Pioneer woman does sound special. My daughter and a friend went to Tulsa and saw her this week-they said she was really neat. She spoke first before the book signing so that was neat-they waited about 4 hours to get their books signed but they had seats so it wasn’t to bad. I ordered her book from wal-mart(it was cheaper to order it) and mine should be here any day-can’t wait-wish mine was signed but thats ok. Have a great week and have fun cooking from the book.

misty - that is so awesome! I didn’t know who PW was until your blog, but I just looked at her site and I enjoyed reading it! I saw that she did a signing in Tulsa literally 10 miles (if that far) from my house. I may have to pick up this cookbook today because I have been trying to cook one new thing each sunday after church. thanks for sharing this!

kelli - verrrry cool megan! so glad craig saved the day!

Liz - And there was me thinking you looked so sweet in your bonnet!

Courtney - She’s coming to. Austin on 12/3 I have yet to find anyone to drive the 1.5 hours north and stand in line forever with me. I may have to do it solo but OMGosh it’d be so worth it! Glad you had fun and she was exactly what you expected.

danyele @ a thorn among roses - how much fun! oh, i just wanted to go and jump in line with you while reading! i love that you guys got to meet her…and that her boy wasn’t perfect! love that…and are you sure you don’t have a green halo?

Kelly - Fun! I would totally stand in that line to meet her. I highly doubt she’s coming all the way to Boise though. 🙂 Did she call MM by his real name by chance?

Carisa - Yes that Kimberlee IS cute. And her make-up looked GREAT in every picture. I’d take good make-up over a leopard print cardigan every day. I’m sure PW noticed that too! Glad you had a great time.

Ashlee Archibald - I’m so jealous!! even in all the pictures, she looks so humble! I would of def. cried.. but I’m a crier. And I think that would of made her cry and that would of been cute 🙂 Maybe she’ll come to seattle one day so I can get a book signed 🙂

Lori - I know exactly how you feel about PW. I was going to ask for her cookbook for Christmas, but my gosh I can’t wait that long! Glad you got to meet her. I don’t think VA was on her book tour, but I will check again. I am feeling some reflected PW glow from you!

se7en - Oh my goodness – this is so exciting!!! Wow….sometimes I wish we lived on a different continent! I will have to get her book I so feel like I know her, just from watching her cute little punks grow up!!! We went to book signing this week a local celebrity chef and lets just say things are done on a much smaller scale out here in Africa!!! But my kids got to climb on their hero “outdoor adventure” chef and get their cook book signed – so on a smaller scale we are just as happy to be alive as you are… I will have to blog our joy later in the week as some of us are far too busy trying out recipes on our fire in the back garden!!!

Lisa Liddell - She is super famous in the states or what????

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - Yay for Pioneer Woman!!! So exciting. My book came in the mail yesterday. I want to make EVERYTHING. I bought a copy for my mom for Christmas and ended up giving it to her today. I couldn’t help myself. Post pics of what you make!

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so glad it’s friday

are you?  
i like having craig home with me on saturdays and i think fall sports are over…
so we can relax tomorrow.
i hope.

i really don't have much to say.
i have lots of random pictures to share though….enjoy!

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totally random.

happy friday!  

gina - lots of random goodness going on over in your neck of the woods. you can even make dirty dishes look like art. 😉 Have a great week…

vika sl - Beautiful pictures, I love Fridays too

pve - thanks for the sink full of dirty dishes. I love it!

tami reed - Fun pics have a relaxing weekend!

widge - Beautiful pictures. And I absolutely love your header too. Inspired!! thanks 🙂

julie - sugar sisters. taunting me.
not fair.

Laura Phelps - um…so very curious..exactly WHAT FALL sports does your hubby enjoy, because as far as I can tell, the football and baseball games are FAR from over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, I believe we have MONTHS to go…….

andrea - my fav is the kitchen sink, because it makes you real

Rebecca - I love all of your random pictures that you take. It’s such an inspiration to take more pictures of everyday life…because someday when you look back you’ll be able to remember all the small details and little things that made us happy. 🙂 Love all these pics! 🙂

Cate O'Malley - So many fun pictures, hard to pick a favorite … it’s either the pic of Annie happily eating something yummy, the swingset daredevil pic or the sunset on the farm – too fun!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Awesome photos! Especially love all the photos of the pumpkins!! Halloween is only a week away!?
Btw, I love the water video on charity waters website, they did an awesome job on it! Thanks for letting us know about the charity. After hearing about Water4Christmas through your blog I wanted to do something too! Will be adding something NEW to my shop at the end of next week and the money from those sales will go to Water4Christmas, Yah!! 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com

susie whyte - mmmm, ravioli. last night’s meal.
LOVE the trampoline picture. i laughed so hard. could be worse…he could be jumping from the roof to the trampoline. our sgt. buddy’s boys use to do that. ha ha. the frosting on the cupcakes reminds me of sugar sister’s work. so yummy.

Deborah Clark - Luv your photo’s you have the same drinking glasses as us. Following your blog has made me realise how important it is to spend time with the kids, have just played backyard soccer with 8 yr old son and I won. Thanks for all the inspiration.

Anne - Ah! So my heart jumped in my throat when I saw the jumping off the playscape onto the trampoline(!!!) picture. That is my future. I know it. Bracing myself:0)

Diana - I knew it! You live in that house down there… you know where I mean 😉 I so LOVE your photos… this bunch, the one I like best is the pile of dishes! Have an AWESOME weekend!

Christina - Love them all, but do you know which one I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE?
the dishes in the sink!! Ha! Life…made up of so many different kinds of pictures.
Love it! Only you could make a sinkful of dirty dishes look pretty. 🙂

sarah - Fun Random pictures!! Love the rainboots and the sink piled high… ours looks like that all the time and we don’t even come close to having how many people you do… I hate to think what ours will look like if and when we do 😉

Drea - I love your sink picture. Mine looks the same today!

Sandy - love the dirty dishes – reminds me of my childhood when mom always cooked a big dinner and my sister and I had to do all the dishes for a family of 6 kids and 2 adults. still doesn’t seem fair!

Tracy - I love all of your random pictures today, Meg. The one of Lauren and Waffle is adorable – especially since she’s a typical teen (who doesn’t want to be seen with her family – lol) and one we don’t get to see often enough. The one of Annie with the chocolate mustache is so cute and the fall photos are just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend! Big hugs, Trac~ :o)

pam - happy friday, meggie! i love your realness (is that a word?) 🙂 in your pictures. you are truly one of the most authentic people i know.

Stacie - random and real and honest and so so cool. i don’t know you but love to follow you. i wish ohio and kansas were closer so i could get to know you in person. keep up the great work. you inspire many!! tgif.

Sarah @ Clover Lane - LOVE the dishes. And I mean LOVE!

Aby - Love it. All of it. Lauren is gorgeous! Like her Momma!!! Have a great weekend girl!!

Janine - Thank you for posting that picture of the overflowing sink. It’s normal and somewhat comforting to know that my sink isn’t the only one in America that ends up like that! Thanks for the pretty pics too.

robyn - your daughter is so pretty. does she know she’s so pretty? she’s so pretty.
(Lauren. They are all beautiful, but I remember what it’s like to be her age, and I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is. Just beautiful.)

Heather - I love random pictures! And I always love a good chocolate beard on a kid. I just don’t think it gets much better then that!

misty - love these. I have been meaning to ask you about your photo editing. we also have a mac & we have iphoto… is that what you use to edit your pictures? I thought you were using photoshop but then i saw your list where you want to get and learn how to use photoshop… How do you make the sun so bright in your pics and how do you focus on one object and blur out the background? I LOVE IT!

Jill J - Oh Man! You just had to share that cupcake picture, didn’t you?! Good thing I made brownies last night… Anyway, your son is NUTS! 🙂 You couldn’t get my kids to do that for anything, they are the biggest chickens.
Thanks for the great post, today! It totally made my morning, because my sink looks just like that right now. ugh. I guess misery loves company! HAPPY WEEKEND!

Kelly - Love it!
Happy Friday!

DreamGirlLisa - Beautiful pictures, especially of the pumpkins, I am crazy for pumpkins. Enjoy your weekend, I’m so happy it’s Friday too, especially since I took the day off to be with my youngest daughter who turned 14 yesteray. Love 3-day weekends!

purejoy - love the pictures. and i was going to have to go all. . . her house is amazing, her photos are amazing, she has adorable pumpkins everywhere. . .amazing. . . and precious kids and dog. . . amazing.
and she makes her own flippin pie crust.
of course she does.
but then i saw the box and i sighed.
you’re normal. what a reilef!

jody - simply beautiful!
especially the sink full of dirty dishes.
love it!

Jessica - My kitchen sink looks strikingly similar to yours!

Staci - This Friday AND THIS FRIDAY ONLY…I am actually sad it’s Friday….because my hubby has been home ALLLLL week on vacation and it’s been so super nice having him here 🙂 I don’t want it to end 🙁 But normally, I am sooooo ready for Fridays 🙂 I bet it’s been a lonnng week…what with driving to OK and all for the U2 concert!!!! I still can’t believe THE MEG DUERKSON was right above me!!!!!!! Happy weekend to you!

Stephanie Carroll - Gorgeous

Kristine - yaay! you found a use for your wood thing (the mini pumpkins inside)! sooo cute!
i love/hate the dishes in the sink pic. love that you’re real. hate that my sink looks the same. 🙂 have a great weekend!

Jill - Thank you for sharing your life with us. It makes me happy.

adrienneK - such pretty pictures! hmm i think football is still going on?! but i could be wrong lol

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - i can’t even tell you how glad i am that it is Friday. what a week… it just seems so hectic. today i am celebrating friday with a pumpkin spice latte. oh yeah! Yippee for me.. I made it! i love your kitchen. so full of love. good food. dishes in the sink. real stuff. love it. happy weekend!

Dina - Not only do we have the EXACT same outdoor playset, my kitchen looks EXACTLY like yours does:-)
LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures!

sara - Oh dear! the picture of your dirty dishes…well…it completes me! thanks so much for sharing that one! your kitchen sink is my kitchen sinks BFF!

jennifer - I love the picture with your daughter and Waffle! Randomness is good.

Angela - Oh, wow. I thoroughly enjoy all your pictures, especially your random. It refreshes me. 🙂

lora - Keep the random coming! And, yes, LOVING Friday!

Liz M - you do the best “random”
Love it

callie grayson - happy friday to you! i am so glad it is friday:)
your random photos are an amazing collection of Autumn!
love them all.

the wild raspberry - pumpkins in the cubbies…very cute.

Lisa Liddell - Your photography is just beautiful. Really beautiful!
Please come to Australia and photograph my family/my world. 🙂

Julia - I love that truck picture…such beautiful pictures of Fall..this is the time of year when I really miss not having seasons.

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wednesday

it is gloomy and DARK this morning.
i overslept and scott woke me up at 8:00…the time the bell rings at school.
so our morning did not start off well.

annie didn't seem to mind at all.
we got the big kids dropped off…i changed out of my pjs and we walked to her preschool.

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can you believe the fall goodness around us?

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she had on her brand new Cora dress…and her mac n' cheese for F week (food).
she couldn't wait to get there.

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her choice.
what a happy sight to see.

if i got to go to her preschool…i'd be running there everyday too.
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there was a Feast set up with doll babies….
 
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and pumpkins everywhere.

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such a happy place.

i didn't want to leave today.  i should have just sat down and played too.
oh well.

i am going to go walk in the gloomy weather…and suck in all the fresh air i can.
i need it.

on a different subject…
yesterday i got to photograph my youngest model yet.
gretchen jane came in to the world at 1:28 PM and i was there to see it.
a pure blessing straight from God to my lovely neighbors.
it was a true honor to be there…i can't even describe it.

who could possibly feel gloomy after that?

kbbryant.wordpress.com - Oh I so miss teaching preschool. I took a deep breath and immersed myself in the classroom photos and pretended I was back. This time of year is so fun when you work/live with preschool age kiddos.
Thanks for the making my day.
Kathy b

paige - oh to wear cute pink tights & a cora dress
that’d cheer me up any gloomy day
🙂

valerie+madigan - Greatest post!!
Where can I find a Cora Dress for my peach?
And those funky tights are a dream paired with the dress….
LOVE it!!
Valerie+Madigan

Jerri - Aren’t you glad that even when you oversleep the day doesn’t have to remain gloomy and bad?!?! I like to think that these are the times God allows us to get the rest we needed! 🙂 I love the beauty of Fall and Annie looks adorable in her Cora dress!

Lucy Buller - Cute………………………………………………….. we have such cooooooooool leaves! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

kristin - oh, this makes my heart swell.
i love seeing this place through someone else’s eyes…and heart.
it is a happy place.
thanks for being part of it….what will i do next year? you could get on that…

jennifer - OMGosh… I want a Cora dress! For big grown up me! :o) So cute! As is the little peanut wearing it! And those fall colors.. to die for! We skipped fall here and went straight to snow and winter. The leaves fell green… I’ve never seen that before. So sad! Oh well…

Toni :O) - I LOVED this post and that Cora dress…this post made me SO happy and I smiled, smiled big…now I can go and tackle my huge workload…thank you. You’re awesome and I wish you were my neighbor! Hugs and blessings to you on this Fall day! :O)

Sarah @ Clover Lane - What’s funny Megan is that her preschool classroom reminds me of the photos of your house! All colorful and fun and creative and imaginative and bright and cheery!

Ruth - those are the happiest pictures ever! beautiful cora dress, and adding the striped tights was just perfection… go annie!

Pineapple Princess - I would stay there, too! What a lovely place to learn and grow! 🙂

julie - annie’s preschool is so magical. wow. magic.

Sarah - love all the pink!

Lori - No, I cannot believe the fall goodness! I’m jealous. It’s beautiful! Enjoy it 🙂

Christina - Those pictures are fabulous. What amazing colors. And that dress is precious, as is the girl!
Her class does look great.
Can’t wait to see your baby pics. I felt that way today…kind of blah (our house really gets me down, my life feels out of control, blah, blah, blah) and I was walking through our church (which has a school where my son attends) and the child care person was taking the babies for a stroller ride in one of those really big buggies that seats six little ones. They were all strapped in like a roller coaster ride. The baby girl in front had on those little socks that look like shoes (so cute!) and her feet were sticking straight out and she was twirling them around at the ankles, like only babies can. None of them were crying, most of them were smiling and watched me walk by. I cheered up in a half-second. There was no way around it!

Debra - I love how your little girls wear such bright and cheerful clothes! The preschool looks like a fun place too.

Rachel / cREaTe - i ADORE that shot of annie’s striped legs, red patent leathers, apple dress & the red hedge. BE•A•U•TI•FUL. just gorgeous.

melissa~afamiliarpath - what a fantastic preschool! the colors of the trees there are just gorgeous!

the wild raspberry - love how annie coordinated with autumn so well…adorable.
your list this week inspired me to make one myself. i just got it posted. it was a lot of fun and brain~stretching as well. thanks for your endless sources of inspiration!
chas

Lora - Oh, I mean, seriously, how much fun to paint a big orange pumpkin hanging from the ceiling! Wow! I’d run there too….all the way from here!

Miranda - Those pictures of your daughter by the trees are gorgeous Meg! Just GORGEOUS!

elizabeth - This just looks like a dream — are you sure it isn’t a stage set? So beautiful and happy.

Melanie - I have to say that down here in Florida, we don’t get leaves like that. That red tree was beautiful. I wonder if northern Kentucky has leaves like that? I will know in a couple of weeks.

Meredith - Oh Meg, these photos gave me goosebumps. The leaves, Annie’s stockings and shoes and her Cora dress….your gorgeous pre-school…beautiful, beautiful. Hope you enjoyed your day with a full heart. Meredith xo.

Julia - wow, I love your daughter’s preschool classroom.
I love her style too!

susie whyte - very jealous of the red beautifulness in your area. i just posted my fall pics, but there’s hardly any red. tear.
her classroom is so cute. almost makes me miss teaching pre-k. almost. 🙂 ha ha.

Becky Brown Strahle - Those are amazing. Love the red fall colors and her outfit is just adorable. What a fun classroom she gets to learn in. Great pics Meg!

Logan - I just love your Annie. She reminds me of my “baby” when she was a little girl (same hair, same eyes). My baby is now almost 19. Enjoy the little sweetheart.

Anne - That preschool looks so stinkin’ cute- You’d expect the Wonder Pets to live in there! How fun! I love Arthur’s HUGE cupcake!

Laura Phelps - if this is what YOUR gloomy looks like, so God help me! Colorful, smiles, rainbows, dolls…looks beautiful! MY gloomy??? Well, THAT is another stpry….
love the dress tights and shoes more than anything right now

Stephanie Carroll - I so wish trees turned that color down here in Houston.

Cate O'Malley - Love Annie’s dress, particularly with the tights – so much happy color! My daughter has a few dresses similar to that that I found on Etsy. Love those rainbow flags in the preschool – am currently obsessed with tracking them down – any ideas?

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - So lovely. I don’t blame her for being happy to be at school! Hope you enjoyed your time outside.

Kate - Hi! Thank you so much for the beautiful fall pics… I am really missing fall here in the desert 🙂
Beautiful colors! And beautiful daughter! Have a great day!

Sophie - what gorgeous photos of your little girl – stunning autumn foliage!

jody - beautiful leaves
beautiful dress
beautiful preschool
beautiful baby…
true blessing.

Nancy - who wouldn’t want to start their day at that school with friends? looks like tons of fun.

Jaimie - Nothing better than a new baby!
That preschool looks amazing. I can only pray to find one so full of fun for my son when he is ready. : )
And the dress. Great print! I want one!

Jennifer - Thanks for sharing the fall pictures. We had an early freeze (ahem, snowstorm) the weekend before last, and all of our leaves fell and froze! Without ever turning any colors. 🙁 It was the dreariest saddest fall ever (followed by a weekend of 80 I might add).
Anyway. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous color! I love your daughter’s outfit too.

your cool friend Cheryl - What beautiful colors in your pics! You are so talented!

Christy - love the fall pictures. Amazing colors! And the feast w/the baby dolls cracks me up!

Trina McNeilly - OMG that dress…so cute..and that does look like a fun preschool!!!!

Summer - I love the pictures, and what a great preschool!

Jenn Thomas - Those are the red bushes Russ wants a picture in front of for fall – he has been waiting for them to turn the last month. His facial hair is back – so it is okay 🙂

Courtney - I’m in love with Annie’s preschool too, do they offer adult classes, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
I also love her outfit – as usual – Annie’s sense of style is right up my alley!

Dianne Avery - Wow, beautiful foliage. Great fall pics too! 🙂

Notesfromthegrove - She is DARLING! Love that photo of her with the red leaves and her big, brown eyes.

amy d - funny, i just took pictures of those same bushes yesterday…i didn’t have a super cute model though…just a little squirrel following me around them. those pictures of annie are soooo sweet!!! i love her outfit…very annie!

aubrey - I need some of Annie’s preschool today too. Waking up in the night with a baby and sick kids is getting to me. Maybe I’ll just keep pictures of Annie in her cute tights up all day to keep me slightly more cheerful. 😉

Starnes Fam - A new life…..yes……exactly the recipe for brightened spirits.
Love the tights……after two boys, my love is funky tights…..I can’t seem to buy enough of them.

adrienneK - lol i stayed all day at my daughters school yesterday for her birthday:) it’s a neat place but no where near as awesome as annie’s little school! i keep telling you about my in-laws living in newton i swear one day we will pack up and move there just for the pretty homes,shopping and this cool school lol (and maybe to meet you!!) oh and annie’s outfit is the cutest!! all those colors (be still my heart!!)

mel - Oh, I LOVE the fall colors you have on your street. Gorgeous! We don’t get fall color like that here in California. Can’t wait to see the pictures from the birth you photographed. I photographed a birth last year for my friend & you are right…there are no words to describe it. such an honor!

Amanda - oh wow. so fun and colorful! and i love that annie’s wearing her cora dress, and that she matches in her own little style! where is that preschool? i went to zion, and i don’t remember my classroom looking that colorful.

misty - love these photos today! its gloomy here in oklahoma also~ do you know what kind of trees those are? I love the red!

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Annie has such style!! She looks perfect out there with all the reds of fall. Her preschool looks so fun, I wouldn’t want to leave either.

angela - LOVE how colorful the preschool is. You should get a job there.Seriously. You could do art for them. seriously.
Oh, and Gretchen, that’s my daughter’s name. And, I love it!

Anna Marie - Megan please tell me where you got those tights at. My Addie is crazy over pink and I know she would love those. Gorgeous pictures 😉

Tracy - So COOL! Love the preschool and the photos of Annie and all the beautiful colors around are just GORGEOUS! Great job on capturing them all, Meg! :o)

Kristine Robb - her school looks awesome.
aren’t our fall days GORGEOUS?!?!?
i wish i could freeze yesterday with all the fall foliage AND sunshine. today is overcast and windy. but right out my front window is a HUGE orange, red and yellow tree (with a couple green branches too!) beautiful view! enjoy your day!!

Sara @ Queen of the House - I want to go to that preschool too.

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it was a big surprise

we arranged for annie to have her first sleepover.
she couldn't wait.
she ran right into micah's house…we said goodbye and took the 4 oldest on a surprise road trip.

they figured it halfway there.
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we found tickets on ebay for a steal and decided this was the year.
the kids are old enough to like it and handle it….but young enough to still want to be with us.
(most of them)

they were PUMPED!
we got there early…had good seats…the top row against the windows so no one could spill beer on us.
loved that.
and no one behind us so we could stand as much as we wanted without bothering anyone.

also able to wait inside if we were cold…which sean was.
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walking into the stadium talby said "this is almost as cool as california".
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i would love to have that pink hair for a few days….LOVE it! (i'm serious)
can you imagine how much money that couple spends on hair products in a month?!

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the music started and talby yelled "mom! this is even better than tv!"

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the black peas were the warm-up band.
they were….ummm….not U2?
they finally played "i got a feelin'" at the end so i was happy.
could have done without all the swearing at 10,000 decibels…but whatever…
i sound like i brought my kids or something?!  ha.
where is the class black eyed peas?  you don't have to swear to be cool….just ask bono.

waiting inside between when the two bands were playing.
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we played a lot of hangman…

talby is whispering "say E"
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lauren HAD to text her friend!  
i don't blame her.
(you see…she doesn't have a cell phone…and we don't have texting…but this was worth the .40 charge)

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U2 finally came out!!  it was
AWESOME.
U2 live could never disappoint.
talby yelled "i can't even hear myself"
and i said "that means you can sing as loud as you want!"  
so she did.  
and so did i.
and then she yelled  "this IS as good as Worlds of FUN!"  
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halfway through lauren was dying to go to ground level so craig took her and scott down.
i sent the camera.
lauren got all the rest of these pictures
craig said ground level was….really cool.



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i love the cell phones and cameras in everybody's hands.
so much cooler than lighters.
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it rocked.
a great surprise.  
i hope they remember it forever.

and i hope we didn't permanently damage their hearing.

Messy@Bungalow'56 - They will never forget that their parents were cool enough to bring them to this concert!

jeanne - Great photos and what an incredible evening! Smiles on EVERYONE’S faces!!!!

Jenny - No Way!! We saw them in Norman, OK! Weren’t they amazing???

cre8ivegirl - I love the picture of the all the camera phones in the air! Hilarious. Sign of the times.

Hannah - You are the coolest mom ever. Fact.

Christina - Oh, they will remember it forever!! You two must be some of the coolest parents on the planet. Wow. Do you know that I found out that U2 was in Dallas the day they were here?! I’m still yelling about that, inside my head.
I love that picture of the cell phones and your comment-it’s a fantastic picture statement on the evolution of things as technology changes. Very fun.
I loved reading this post…when you said you had a surprise road trip and I scrolled down to see the tickets I said, out loud, and I’m all by myself, “No way!” What an awesome time.
And the Black Eyed Peas before U2…what is up with that?!
On a totally random and different note, I thought of you today because I went to Ikea and after I posted about it last time I went you happened to visit my blog and comment on that. Isn’t it funny how things get stuck in your head? Anyway, your family is so fun, and you are making great memories!!

Becca Parker - Awesome memories for your kids and you are the cool parents, Bonus!!!

Lucy Buller - cooooooooooooooooool. 🙂 🙂

HomageBlog - They will remember. What a GREAT surprise! ~K

Laura Lynn - Cory and Larissa were there too….so sad you all couldn’t have met up. Your kids would have loved seeing how old the girls were that you used to babysit!!!!

Sara - My husband surprised me with U2 tickets for my birthday. We’re flying to Vegas Friday to see them. “U2 in concert” is on our list of “things to do before we die” so we’re excited to finally be crossing it off our list! You got to go TWICE this year! How awesome you brought the kids.

Christa - Once again, wickedly jealous! U2 at Fedex field in September was spectacular. I would kill to see them again with this stage set up!

Jodi - You are now my favorite blogger even more!! I saw my first U2 concert when I was 14. What a cool thing you and your husband did for your kids! Snow Patrol was the best opening act they had on this tour, or ever for that matter.
Thanks for sharing, glad you got to see them again! I can’t wait for 2010!

amy mumaw - How FUN!!!!! You are the coolest mom!

Niki - OH MY GOSH…I read you all the time but don’t post much. But I had to this time because me and hubs were there too!!! It was our first U2 concert and WOWWWWW! What an awesome thing to take your kids. I totally want to go again and take my oldest!

Dana Banana - You are very cool parents. So NOT the parents we had growing up!

Christina - You are the coolest parents ever. We missed U2 in Atlanta and I really regret it. Muse opened for them here which would have been enjoyable for the most part. Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. I would have wanted to text my friend too. Great pictures as always.

katie - okay, meg, so i read your blog all the time but i don’t think i’ve ever left a comment. today, i had to. this is seriously one of the coolest posts i’ve seen anywhere in a long, long time. i LOVE that you guys did this for your kids. they will never ever forget it. when i was in 7th grade we went to my first concert, garth brooks. to this day it is still my favorite concert ever, and it wasn’t even a surprise! if your kids didn’t think you were cool before, i’m certain they do now. actually, i was reading the post thinking i wish i was one of your kids! 🙂

Amanda - Oh man. That is so awesome. You all look so happy to be there! (I don’t know why nobody would not be happy… Just observing.) I feel like I should touch your hand next time I see you. You breathed the same air as Bono.

Scrappy Girl - How cool! That is so awesome. Bummer on the Black Eyed Peas…I love Boom Boom POW!

Mother Runner - OH! I can hear every song.
Ground level IS better!
and…
YOU ROCK! What super cool parents you are!

colleen - I would have flipped if my parents took me to see a cool band like U2 when I was 12 or 13. I do remember seeing Culture Club with my mom and girlfriend when I was 16 but I don’t know if that is quite the same thing. The cell phone/band photo is awesome. So love U2!

pve - can you tell your kids that my 1st concert was Queen, “We will rock you” –
I was a teenager and that will never be erased from my brain.
pve

sarah - I just love that shot of Lauren smiling and the other kiddos in the background.
It made my heart smile.
Looks like a blast!

Laura Phelps - I am a BEP fan…sorry…we can still be friends though, right?
And how much do I love that it was almost as cool as CA?????????????????
why didn’t you bring Annie?????? (that is a joke, ya know…)

Miranda - Um wow. am thinking i read the blog of the COOLEST MOM EVER. (include dad in that coolest ever compliment too.) 🙂

Diana - Perfectly awesome!
You can’t hear me??? I said…
PERFECTLY AWESOME!!!
You and Craig totally ROCK as parents. So sweet. 🙂

Jaime - You freakin rock.
That’s all I have to say.
Oh, and your kids are cool, too.

susie whyte - such great pictures!!! my friend was at this concert, too, so i’ll have to send her over to check all of them out.
also…got an invite to a wine tasting in november. interested???

tami reed - That is so kewl Ive always wanted to interview U2 they look really cool and down to earth.

Brent - you guys rock. i was totally there in the “inner circle”. i was like 5′ away from Bono!

taylor - i don’t normally comment…. but i’m bored waiting for a genius appointment in the apple store. i read your blog regularly… i would have flipped if i saw your family… i was at the same concert in norman!!! my husband makes fun of me for knowing about random family blogs online… i justify reading yours because we have a goldendoodle like yours and i tell him i read too look for cute pictures of what our pup might turn out like. ANYWAY… U2 was awesome. norman will never be the same 🙂

Anne - Ah! U2’s Zoo TV Tour was the first concert I ever went to! Where can I submit my ballot for your Mother Of The Year nomination?
And I remember when the BEPs were underground-without Fergie- and didn’t cuss. I blame her for everything.

Anna Marie - I bet that was amazing! A good friend of mine was there too. Even a few days later he was still trying to come down from a “U2 high”…ha! I am sure they will always remember that. What cool parents you two are!

Cassie - geez. what’s WRONG with me?
that post seriously made me cry.
sounds like a perfect night!
way to go, mom!
(and i got bright red stipes in my hair this weekend…i think i’m going thru something hormonal!)

Julie - This solidifies it. You are THE COOLEST PARENTS EVER. They will never forget this – what a special moment. Thank you for sharing it!

Jaimie - wow, you are the coolest parents in the world!!!

Suzanne - coolest parents ever! hopefully I can be as cool someday! I love that Talby’s comparison was “as good as Worlds of Fun.” It must have been good 🙂

Heidi Jo the Artist - Thanks for sharing! Now, I’m going to have to check last minute on eBay to see if anyone is selling tickets super cheap in our area for various bands that we love.
That is awesome you took the kiddos too! We have taken the kids to quite a few concerts even though our kids are only ages 6 and 2!? Probably some think we are crazy but we have chosen wisely, going to mainly festivals so we aren’t the only people with kids. I didn’t go to a real concert (besides school band-does that even count!?) until I was an adult, so I guess that is why I’ve wanted to take our kids. We’ve seen Anberlin (one of my favorite bands) 3 times and some of my husband’s students were in awe last week when he told them that and other concerts he’s been to…he’s been to a lot more than me!
Since you’ve lived in Illinois I’m curious if you have ever been to the Cornerstone (http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/) Festival? We’ve gone quite a few times and it is a fun time! So if you do decide to go and buy tickets-here is a 5% off code: CF3541 and that goes for anyone else reading this!
Anyhow, still reading and enjoying your lovely blog! I’m working on a 31 Things to do before I turn 31, I’ll let you know when it is complete so you can read it, loved your list. 😉 Oh and if you decide to go to the Cornerstone Festival and stay there you could cross camping outside in a tent off your list. That is where I learned to camp in a tent and I’ve never looked back…hmmm, well almost, we have a rule now that we have to camp with 2 other groups of people that don’t know each other because of a couple of scary experiences. But I really DO enjoy camping and a festival is a great place to start compared to heavily wooded areas!! Have a great week!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com

lauren - omg! been reading your blog for awhile. i live in dallas but my son goes to ou. he was walking on campus last night and texted (when you do get it, you won’t know how you lived without it) that he could hear the black eyed peas from the stadium…and you were there! what a small world! i feel like we have something huge in common. my parents took my sister and me to concerts when we were young and i love taking my kids now. as you’ve already figured out, it is great bonding. when they’re teenagers, you need all the bonding you can get.

Heather - That is great! Good memories for your kids. And Lauren’s proof, cool teens CAN survive without cell phones! Who would’ve thunk it?

patti - ok…how cool! you guys get the “cool parents award” (if there is one)
but what really cracked me up was the photos from the floor with all the iPhones and cell phones and cameras up in the air. lol – so funny!!
it used to be that people held lighters up at concerts. wow, i’m old.

Lisa Liddell - Now that is my kind of family outing! Jealous MUCH

Elisa - Love it- haven’t seen U2 in years. What a great surprise!

Meredith - I’m so happy to see Lauren! I haven’t spotted her in months. You all look so beautiful and happy. Well done for seizing the moment, as usual you have set the standard! I would love to take each of your children aside and quietly whisper in their ear “Only five children in the world get to have your parents….and you’re one of them. How awesome is that!.” Meredith xo.

Melanie - How much fun was that?! Your kids will never forget what y’all did for them. That was a great surprise and gift. I think that I saw Lauren smiling too;)

tricia - I have seen so many U2 posts these days. I’m not that big of a U2 fan…but I’m starting to develop concert envy!!
Love the pics…it really does look like an amazing concert.

mel - You are the COOLEST parents. EVER. Wow! U2 is so amazing live. We saw them live (in California, that is where I live) in 2001. It was my husband’s first concert ever. It was so awesome. No Doubt opened up for us at that concert & the No Doubt drummer wasn’t wearing any pants, just a thong!?! What is up with U2 having “interesting” opening acts?

Amy G - How cool!! What a great thing for you guys to do together. Love it!

amy - you and craig get major bonus points for this one.
looked like lauren was actually really smiling in that one pic!
p.s. i think you better ger her a camera for xmas this year. her shots were amazing! 🙂

Ashley Ann - Lauren has a beautiful smile and talent behind the camera. Looks like an unforgettable night, unlike my dinner at Panera that same night!

Sandy - while you’re at it, please adopt me too!!

Liz - Yep. You guys are a super cool family. It was a great concert, I loved it. But didnt the weird space-ship/spider thing throw you off a little? I was like, “Um, does it have chicken pox?”

Sami Melton - Wow! So much fun! Love the pictures!!! Great surprise

Lee Ann - I’ve always thought, but now I know….you ARE the coolest parents ever!!!!!

Lacy Brauner - I know sister can have an attitude, I totally did to at that age..but Id say meg, shes got talent. i guess she gets it from her mama. just a hint, use that as a bonding thing..photography. Your pics are amazing as usual;] but hers were so cool with the lighting and everything! IDk, take a roadie just you and her and the camera, I bet she would be just as great as you! Thanks for sharing. love it as always!

Kelly - You guys are so, so much fun! What a great surprise! Glad you had a great time. Kelly

Jennifer P. - yup–wish you were my mom :)!

Jaclyn - You’re the best mom ever! I want to go to U2. Will you adopt me?

kasey - sounds like a blast..even though my kids Love BEP’s…
xo

Ruth - you guys are too cool… and that photo with the notebook held up is the cutest thing EVER!! (i have to say i saw the title of your post and thought something completely different… ha!)

Beth Ann - That is awesome you got to go! And I bet the kids LOVED it. What a cool surprise.

traci - that is the greatest surprise!! you and craig rock!!! the kids look like they are having the best time!!

Cookin' with Kelly - You did have great seats! I was there too, but we were on the otherside. Great pix. What an experience for your kids!

Notesfromthegrove - That is one KILLER surprise! HOW FUN!

misty - OMGOSH!!! WE WERE THERE!!!!!! It was AWESOME!!!! but please tell Talby that Oklahoma is not as cool as California! just kidding! ;0) Actually, California isn’t as cool as Kansas I believe~ or at least you make it seem so amazing in this blog!

maria - You both are the COOLEST PARENTS!!!

kat - I wish you were MY mom!!! Oh wait, I’m older than you… That is the best surprise ever! They will definitely remember and talk about it for the rest of their lives.

Christy - WOW! I agree, you are the coolest momma EVER! They are coming here this week, I wish I was going. I have never been to a U2 concert, but I hear it is amazing!
Great shots by Lauren! Talby is a doll. She is too funny.

Courtney - I love concerts, and can’t wait to take my kids – unfortunately it’ll be a while still, our oldest (and only at the moment) is just 2. Still, I’m totally looking forward to it!,,,

Hannah - You guys are the coolest parents ever. Hands down.
😀
It looks like you all had a ton of fun!

Summer - What an awesome memory for you and your kids!! So fun!!

Starnes Fam - Super cute. My husband and I have always dreamed of taking little ones to concerts, but I think it’s best to wait as you did. Glad you enjoyed it!

adrienneK - def. not a U2 fan but what cool surprise! oh and btw the peas used to be really good before fergie joined them,they never used foul language,they were all about the peace now it seems only about record sales.:)

TRACI - You are a cool mom for sure but I just dont get all the hoopla over u2 or Bono….I know, Im mostly alone..lol

Julie - okay, what is it about this post that makes me want to cry? Seriously?!…taking your kids to U2?!!! Does not get any better than that. What a treat for the whole family! amazing memories.

Teresa - What a great experience!!! {love the Jayhawk hat!}

elizabeth - What a fantastic thing to do with your kids. And I have to admit that having one of them say that it was ALMOST as cool as California made me smile (I know that was BEFORE the concert, though!).
Wonderful, rockin’ photos, too.

Stephanie - What a great memory for them!
I remember I took my son and his friends to an all-day music festival when they were 14 or 15 – they loved it!!
p.s. OK, I’ll be the one to say it: Lauren doesn’t have a cell phone? Mom!!!!

Crystal - Yay for you guys!! And the bonus is that you got a photo with Lauren smiling!!!! 🙂

Trish - you are so awesome!
i was thinking maybe you should cross two things off of your list by having a fun craft weekend with way cool bloggers! as long as i’m on the list 😉

Kate - U2… you are the coolest mom E-V-E-R! If your kids disagree, I am available for adoption 🙂 Have a great week!

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artists

we are on day three of no school…in the middle of the month…for no good reason.
and we are on day five of sick kids at our house.
and i am going a little coo-coo in here!
i need to get some air.
some social interaction with someone who doesn't like hannah montana.

one project to keep some peace and kill boredom was making a painting i'd seen here.
i did actually kick them all out of the kitchen first.
i believe my words were "mommy needs some quiet.  everyone upstairs until i call you down."
i cleaned up the counters so i wouldn't feel like i was suffocating in mess…
then stamped the circles with watered down acrylic craft paint.
this part was therapeutic.
it was quiet, calm and repetitious….you should try it.  :)
i didn't call them down…they showed up before that.
and for the next 45 minutes it was (nearly) quiet painting time.
 
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at the bottom of this picture is sean's laser pointer he bought himself this week.
it has been so annoying ever since.

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i made one for myself also but annie finished hers so quickly she took over mine.
then talby spilled her water on sean's so i dried that and helped sean finish his.  
he was going to let that spill ruin his time but i was determined to show it could be fixed.
that is hard for a perfectionist.
he had been trying so hard to not make any mistakes….bummer.
but thankfully watercolors are very forgiving.

i really could just paint all day…mixing colors…swirling them around.
pure happiness. 

 ….and then it was back to crazyville again.

i have to get out of here!
starbucks is calling me.
 

tami reed - I love painting with my kids too, its so relaxing we really love it!

Shenandoah bed and breakfast - Paintings are the mirror of your inside.The picture or thing we transform on the canvas is the reflection of our imagination.Kids observed a lot their paintings always convey some nice message to others.It is a nice hobby and a good past time.It will develop in them creativity and they will be an artist of future..water painting or glass panting is also a beautiful and colorful experience…

Nicole - We’ve got sick ones here too. problem is I’m sick too!! Three of us have the H1n1 bug!! Jason’s out of town for seminary but thankfully my moms been here. We aren’t having hte fun we had planned but at least I’m not alone!! Maybe tomorrow I’ll be motivated and get something creative out for the kdis to do. As more of us start feeling better we are ALL getting on each others nerves!

Melanie - Your photos make me smile:)

Christina - There are so many great ideas out there!! Thank you for passing this along.
I have to tell you that when I read about the water on your son’s picture and how it could have wrecked his time, but you didn’t let it, I got tears in my eyes. I could feel his disappointment; I love your response. I so need to be this for my son. (he’s only 6, but so sensitive, and we have great times and then things can be explosive. Ugh.)
I’m so glad you were able to help him fix it!
Sweet time, great project.

Trac-;o) - I LOVE this idea and will have to do this for my kids sometime even if they ARE 15 yo! HA!

Jaime Melcher - I LOVE this project! We were home from school last week too… should’ve checked your blog sooner… 🙂
p.s. What did you use to stamp the circles?

Lori - I love this! I don’t have any kids but I just might try it myself… Hope the Starbucks was perfect. I believe it cures anything 🙂

Diana - what a great idea! {oh gee, like, how many others here said that, huh LOL} i will add this to my notebook of crafts for when the grandkids stayover. i’m known as the messy gramma because i don’t get upset with all the necessary items for making fun stuff. {however, NOT messy as in what my housecleaning is like, because i’m very picky on that.} and i’m the one who taught the grandkids all how to make mud-pie soup, mud-pie pancakes, mud-pie town…. FUN! 🙂

pam - um yeah. i’m scowering my friends’ blogs because my daughter is on the loose and leaving comments all over. 😉 this one was tame.
and seriously. i love this idea! you should homeschool. art all day. hee hee hee hee hee. (i know…i’m HILARIOUS)

AJ - Funny when my children and I are coloring I often draw a modern stained glass window and then fill it in. My challenge is not to have the same color touch. I’m sure I’d do that w/the circles too. Will be doing the circles w/the kids soon. Thanks!

Beth - Very cool! Watercolors are so much fun!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - the laser pointer…cracks me up. it was on my son’s christmas list last year! darn thing.

Amber - you are such a good mom! and that is a wonderful idea! i hope that your kids get to feeling better soon!! and that you stay healthy! {because a sick momma is NOT a good thing!}

Kacey - What a fun idea! Way to be positive.
Hope everybody feels better soon – and you get your escape!

Lori - Meg, would it be tooo nosy to ask for a picture of your to-do list on the chalkboard? The little bit we can see piques my interest!
Hope you get some Starbucks soon!

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - I wish I could come over to your house for a playdate. LOoks like fun… lots of fun.

Rach - As always, you amaze me. Some days I just want to scoop my 7 month old up and head to your house and hang out for the day. You can ogle over a baby in the house and I can ogle over your craft room. And I promise if we have lunch, I will even do the dishes. Thank you for continuing to inspire. 🙂

Trish - I like in one of the pics you can see in the background the to do list and the first thing on it is Pray 🙂 Your family makes me want to visit Kansas 🙂

PaiselyJade - eeeek – 4 kids home sick (my idea of a nightmare!). You did well – love the paintings.

Lucy Buller - What are they sick with?

Timalee - I saw the link for this project on your sidebar a few days ago and knew we had to try it! My daughter and I just finished our paintings…while your apple bars were in the oven…and now I am going to go make your chicken enchiladas for dinner! HA! Who knew I could have a happy day just by reading someone’s blog?

amy j. - I just sent my kids upstairs for quiet time. When they asked why, I said, because mama is about to lose it and I don’t want to lose it and be mean and grouchy, so I need to be alone for awhile. They understood. 🙂

Starnes Fam - Lovely colors. Why are people so scared to paint with kids? It makes them absolutely giddy with excitement. Love that you do this.
Looks like stained glass!

Patty Palmer - Love seeing kids engaged in art! The pictures are lovely as is the project…I think this will make a great kinder lesson!
Thanks

pve - I see some budding artists there and in your future!!!
This reminds me of me, when I was that age….
I was painting, drawing, making, and creating all the tine!
pve

chris - Those are so beautiful , I have a big canvas in the garage , I think I finally know what to do with it , thanks
Chris
Just Beachy

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I’m liking this one…
And I am mesmerized by your new header photo. I don’t remember my water-colors ever looking so perfectly, blendedly watered.

Tonya McDaniel - fun, fun, fun! and that leaded glass window is to die for!!!

Suzette Mahoney - Great idea. I am on day 4 of being at home with a sick child. I am going to drag out the paint right now! Thank you for the idea. Your blog is my favorite.

Kirsten - Yay! I’m art docent for my daughter’s class – will so take this idea and run with it thankyouveddymuch. And…just so you know you’re not alone…my girl missed 3 1/2 days last week, went back for 3 days this week, and is sick again. Yeah, what is it about Hannah Montana? And the Wizards…and SpongeBob…and Carly…sometimes I can talk her into an episode of House Hunters if there are kids involved…

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - I love this! They turned out great and look so fun to do!

Mindy - We are so doing this! Thanks for the great idea and now I’m subscribed to that blog too. Feel free to tell other blogs you read. I love your blog, your photography, your scrapbook pages, your style . . . you are my blog hero.

Trina McNeilly - This is just happy to look at…. going to have to give it a try! happy weekend.. hope you get some time out!
x trina

Laura Phelps - GREAT IDEA!
My sister, a beautiful artist, made collages like just this..instead of paint, it was cut paper…they are amazing, as are your children’s. Think I want to try this.
Of course, I find comfort in the spilled water, the annoying new gadget, and the need for quiet and Starbucks…keeps it all so real.
You know, if I could, I would join you for a day of painting and coffee..how much fun would that be???????? We could open up a studio together…just for ADULTS…arts and craft with coffee…maybe throw in a bottle of wine for weekend night classes!
Have a great weekend..I am SO glad it is Friday….

Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog - I’m so happy you did this! We’ve been stuck with lots of bad weather here lately, so a touch of cabin fever here too… come see what we did for some creative rainy day fun. I think you’ll enjoy it!
<3,
Valerie

Kate - I love your ideas. We are on fall break and in desperate need of something creative other than playing soccer in the backyard.
I wish you lived closer. I would SO bring you starbucks 🙂

sandy toe - What a neat project!
Don’t you just wish some days that Starbucks delivered???
Sandy Toe

kristin - i. am. doing. this. soon.
love it.

shelly - Those are awesome!!! I’ve got to go out and buy some new paints…ours are that all mixed up grey-brown color 🙁

susie whyte - it’s been so cloudy and dreary that i forgot what bright colors looked like!! very cute.

Alyssa - amazing pictures as always!! hope they get better soon!!

adrienneK - gorgeous!!good idea!!

Alicia - Great job…you made lemonade out of lemons! It always helps to put that smile on our face even when we don’t feel like it…things usually end up better when we do. You also ended up with some amazing art to hang all over the house! Perfect!

jody - just beautiful!

Staci - Sounds JUST like what is going on at our house 🙁 Last Saturday, Connor downstairs with a 104 degree temp….then Jake on Monday morning….their Fall Break started this last Wednesday…which of course was the day that they both were well enough to go BACK….not complaining…really, I’m not…I’m thankful to get to stay home and take care of my sick kiddoes, BUT, WHEW, when Brian came home on Wednesday night (he conveniently had meetings on Mond and Tuesday, arrrgh!) I hightailed it out of our house to Target….and spent waaay too much money 🙂 Oooops, sorry! Didn’t mean to go off on this comment…again, it’s just another reason I love BloggyWorld….knowing, I’m not out there alone 🙂 And now, off to defend the peace in this house….I hear the chaos starting 🙂

mother runner - come over after 4! we’ll find something to do.

mom - Such a great idea. Wish I could help with taking some kiddos.

Sandy - another nomination for mom of the year!

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pumpkin patch

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i loved this small local pumpkin patch…no signs…no cheesy decor…
pumpkins still on the vine…REASONABLE prices.
it's quaint.

but sadly on the day we stopped by "Justin's 'Maters & More" he wasn't there.
we roamed around his small field of pumpkin fun for 20 minutes hoping he'd show up.
then it started to rain.
we left with only memories..no pumpkins.

i had the kids tell me what they liked and i tried to find the same thing at another small local place…
it's called wal-mart.
maybe you've heard of them…

HA HA HA.

Courtney Walsh - Meg, do you use actions on your photos? Would love to know which one this is! I’ve been looking for something like this! 🙂

AJ - Great pictures! Funny enough, all of those types of pumpkins (that weird one is so strange, isn’t it?) were available at the pumpkin patch we visited here in Western New York (Buffalo/Niagara Falls).
I first saw the white pumpkins by someone’s door when out for a walk. I thought they had been spray painted!
Our farmer has a donation box too for the weekdays.
This morning our pumpkins had a light dusting of snow on them. By this afternoon the snow had melted.

Kelsey - Wow so pretty…our local pumpkin patch is cute, but definetly not as pretty and green!

kasey - we’ve decided to hit the pumpkin patch to JUST TAKE PICS…and then buy them at the market on the way home.
xo

kathy b - My favorite apple farm had a big sign on it that said FOR SALE, retiring. So I thought you were going to say that Justin’s patch was for sale or abandoned.
Your photos and captions are so fun!
Kathy in California, (the chenille lady)

Amber - Oh so cool! I really want to take my son to a real pumpkin patch this year 🙂

Christina - Oh no!! That’s what I said when I got to the end! Those pictures are…I’m not sure the right word. Moving. They’re lovely, fallishly poignant.
It looks like you had a wonderful time even though you left empty handed.

Abigail - Beautiful pictures!!

Tiffany Morris - That stinks, but you got some great photos anyway!

susie whyte - THAT is why i want to move out of wichita!! i had to explain to my 3 year old last night on the way home from canton, ks why it was so dark…”we’re in the country! they don’t have lights out here”. 🙂
your poor kids must’ve been so bummed out!

Lori - I love a pumpkin patch 🙂 Love the pics, too.

Kath - I grew two pumpkins this summer, they have not turned orange yet, but I’m hoping they’ll turn for Halloween. I love the colour on your photos ..

Alison - I can’t believe how expensive pumpkins have gotten over the years. I remember when my 10 year old was little we would pick out the biggest pumpkin and pay $5.00 for it! Now you get a tiny little one not fit to cut open for $5.00 and spend $25.00 for a big one to carve. We just go to our local patch to browse, take pictures, eat pumpkin ice cream and then we head to Wal-mart to buy the big ones. How sad is that?!

leah - love your site – have been reading for a year and a half now 🙂 had to comment on these pics – they look so cool, 70’s-esque retro. great filter/cloudy day/awesomeness!

alice - pumpkin patch shots are always fun! yours look great but that’s not really what i came to comment on….. i love your new topper! the watercolor paints sets bring back good memories here :O)

adrienne - around here, we have an honor system… pick your pumpkin and leave money in the can. can you believe it???

se7en - So Stunning, we don’t really celebrate Halloween in our part of the world but your photo’s make me wish we did!!! Have a fun weekend together!

BriBedell - Well our pumpkin patch this year was my Aunt and Uncle’s House! LOL they just “threw out some seeds” to see what they would get…well lets just say we got 40 free pumpkins! That the kind I like 🙂

Renee - Well the pumpkins will come and go, but the pictures you took are incredible (and lasting). It’s been raining here for too many days, and I’m still waiting to get the kids to the apple orchard. Hope I didn’t miss my opportunity. Is fall gone already??? xoxo

carissa... brown eyed fox - fantastic shots and WHAT a great place!
good ‘ol fashion pumpkin hunting! LOVE it!
so sad… we have no patches here… climate too harsh for ANY kind of growing! boo!
big disappointment!
menards was our pumpkin place! 🙂

adrienneK - such pretty pictures!too bad he wasnt there! we have a “pumpkin patch” here you can leave a donation in the donation box!! maybe you could have left some money lol

Aljolynn - I’m so jealous that you get to have fun in a REAL pumpkin patch. We don’t have those here in Hawaii. I think it’s time to move back to Boston. Or maybe the midwest? ;o) Love the photos.

jody - looks glorious. too bad wal mart won out.
we are off to go pumpkin hunting this weekend.
keep those beautiful pictures coming…loving the eye candy!

Suzette Mahoney - Great photos! We got our pumpkins at that quaint little Walmart too!!

Secret Mom Thoughts - Great photos. I love pumpkin patches.

Beth Ann - I have thought about bringing my kids to the Walmart or Grocery store, pose them in front of the sign that says “Hy Vee’s Pumkpin Patch” (Hy Vee is the grocery store) on top of the boxes of pumpkins and calling it ‘Our 2009 Trip to the Pumpkin Patch”. Between the weather and other fall activities we haven’t been able to carve out 2 hours to drive and explore one. Hopefully Sunday, no rain in the forecast….. otherwise it is HyVee this year.

Stephanie - I would have taken the pumpkins and brought the cash back later when he was around. Oh wait, is that considered stealing?

Melanie - At least you have the memories:) When you get your pumpkins and get them decorated, the kids won’t remember that they came from Walmart. LOL

Amber - beautiful!!! I love love love fall. 🙂

Summer - Your pictures are all that I love about fall. Well that and apple pie of course.

Starnes Fam - I’m having a hard time finding a FREE pumpkin patch in KC. I have, oh, about 30 pumpkins already in my house, so don’t need more….just a photo op and somewhere for the kids to roam. Would love to have a market there for other goodies to buy. So far, every one seems to have an entry fee of $35, which includes a pumpkin per person, that we do not need!

Kate - I love pumpkin time! The colors are so pretty. They are always some of my favorite kiddo pics!

Sharla - That’s sad that you didn’t get to pick them up from there. Looks like the kids had fun anyway!

elizabeth - I had NO idea pumpkins grew on a vine! Imagine a field of them and not a parking lot with faux straw. Oh, the glories of the country as opposed to urban life. Thanks for the beautiful photos! (And I am just kidding — I knew pumpkins grew on a vine — I just can’t remember ever actually seeing it!)

Ashlee Archibald - I loove pumpkin patches! those are all REALLY great pumpkins too!

Jen - So cute! I must know what font you’re using for your captions!!

Stephanie Carroll - Oh how I wish we had cooler weather so it would feel like fall in Houston 🙁
And I wish we had a pumpkin patch
Darn the city.

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glazed apple bars

for a brief time…i was a youth sponsor for our high school youth group at our IL church.
i remember just a few things from that experience.

playing poor man’s lacrosse….


wearing my maternity overalls to youth group…
*why do i remember
that?   &  why did i have so many pairs of maternity overalls?

crying during the lessons….
*i have ALWAYS been a cry-er.
cried through my entire wedding…cry at commercials…movies…EVERYTHING..i cry a little probably every day…but i am not sad…i am tenderhearted?  gushy?  over-emotional? hormonal?!!

AND JP’s mom’s apple bars.
i remember the night he brought them and i fell in love with them…my life changed forever.
i ate waaaaaay too many.
now i want to share this yumminess with YOU.
 
Relax…it has apples….so it’s healthy!

first you combine 4 C. flour, 1/2 t. salt and 2 C. sugar
second, cut in 3 sticks of butter.

butter = that’s dairy = healthy!
 
when it’s crumbly you are finished. (i use my hands for this step, works better than anything i’ve tried)

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take half of your crumbly mixture and press it into a jelly roll pan.
 
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peel and slice 5 granny smith apples….cover the pressed down crumb mixture with these apples.
 

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combine 1/3 C. sugar and 1 t. cinnamon, sprinkle it over the apples.
crumble the remaining flour/sugar/butter mixture on top of the apples.
bake it at 350 degrees for 50 – 60 minutes…until it is crispy on the bottom.

after i put mine in the oven i looked out my kitchen window and saw the girls.
i love that view.
cooking or cleaning in my kitchen and watching the kids play at the same time…..{{{HAPPY SIGH}}}.
(this weekend was VERY cold suddenly…soccer/football games were torture.)

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after it bakes, let it cool.
make a glaze with 1 C. powdered sugar, 1 t. vanilla, 1 T. water.
drizzle it over entire pan of bars.
cut into squares and ENJOY. 

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last night someone said “it’s like eating an apple pie with your hand.”
i agree.

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you will love it.
and you won’t be able to stop nibbling at it all day.
i know this because i have been doing just that since breakfast.


and thank you hanna for sending these with JP to youth group 9 years ago.   

 

Gemma - Hi Meg!
Just wanted you to know how much we love this recipe here! They are in the oven at the moment and they smell amazing.
I read your blog daily but always come back to this post EVERY Autumn just to find this recipe. It’s my own little tradition : )
Thank you so much.
Gemma xXx

upvc windows - Glazed apples contain a sweet syrup-like liquid that gives the fruit a dessert appeal. Cooking the apples on the stove top softens them. Soft-glazed apples are best when served warm because they taste similar to apple pie without the crust. Serve the homemade glazed apples as a side to a main dish such as pork chops, or top them with whipped cream to enjoy the apples for dessert.

Julie in GA - I’m making these right now…just sounds so yummy! Of course, keeping my apple-loving girl away from the Granny Smiths has been hard the last 2 days. She got one of them already, so I’m down to only 4, but I figure I can stretch them! Love your blog, Meg! Can’t wait to hear about your trip when you come back — a life changing experience for certain!

Colie - I made these apple bars at a friends house last night. They just had a baby so my mission was to hold the baby (and give her free hands) and then make the dessert. I scored on both, and these bars are omg sooo yummy. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I love your blog- it’s colorful and inspirational. thank you also for sharing your life with us. 🙂

angela - It’s Halloween morning. I am about to make these apple bars. Seriously, I had to come back here to check and see if it REALLY had THREE sticks of butter. Oh. My. Can’t wait to try them!

Katie - Those bars were the most delicious thing I have EVER tasted (& I have tasted quite a few delicious things). I will be coming back to this recipe again and again. Thanks for sharing. Your blog continues to be a great read. Thanks for sharing your life with us 🙂

christi - i’m going to make these right now!!

jaslyn - Thanks for sharing this recipe. I made this for my brother’s birthday and it was gone in less than 10 minutes!!!!!!! I used honeycrisp apples instead of granny smith and they were amazing!

Lacy Brauner - I love this recipe! I totally had a dislexic moment and read it wrong and used too much butter..so I improvised and used more cinamon! we love cinimon!!I love your blog and look at it everyday! it is so inspiring to me!2 i love everything you post! It is still hot here in Houston, so I made those bars with chicken pot pie hoping it would influence some cold weather to stick around a while! I love everything you post and embed on your blog! If I ever got an email or anything I would feel like I was talking to a clelbrity, i just love it! my fave! Me and my bffs do a cookie baking party every year, but I love your craft nite at christmas! You have inspired me to be more creative and imaginative! Thank you and keep it up meg!!

Micah - “you will love it.
and you won’t be able to stop nibbling at it all day.”
That sounds like a very good reason for me to NEVER MAKE THESE!!! LOL! j/k of course, I don’t have that much restraint ;). Thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait to try it!!

Alisa - after reading this I went to the store to go buy some more butter and some apples. I made them for our dinner at church last night and got rave reviews and people wanted to know why I hadn’t posted the recipe so I made a post today linking to this heavenly little treat. Thanks so much for the great recipe. I will definitely be making it again very soon. I can see why you remember them so well.

DreamGirlLisa - Sounds wonderful, thanks for sharing. Love your new banner too 🙂

Amy - I just pulled mine out of the oven. They smell divine! Can’t wait till they cool enough to try some with some vanilla ice cream (can you say sugar high??).

Jennifer - I made these yesterday, like I ran, literally ran out to get GS apples, came home and made these awesome things! FABULOUS! I can’t get over how good they are! I shared some with my neighbors and they agree! Thanks Meg! I’ve tried nearly every recipe you’ve posted and everything is great! Please share more recipes! Please please! 🙂

Cate O'Malley - Had company for dinner tonight, and with half a bag of apples still left on the counter from recent apple picking, I knew these would be perfect for dessert, and they were. Alone. Or with vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with caramel syrup. Definitely going into rotation.

Miranda - Soon as I seen your recipe, I scrounged around and had everything and made these VERY YUMMY bars. Delicious!! Thanks for sharing! They were a big hit with the man too 🙂

michelle - uh… you’re KILLING me! i think i may need to send you a copy of my newest little painting 🙂
out of duty, i will be trying this recipe.

Laura Phelps - well, there goes my 4th day of no sugar.
I made it
I ate it
I regret it…but regret never tasted so good.
and I linked you big time in a post tonight…I mean, if I am going to blow my diet, I want EVERYONE to blow their diet with me!

Hannah - That looks AMAZING!! I think I know what I will be baking tomorrow 🙂 All my friends still rave about the rainbow cake I stole from your blog 🙂

Karen - Mmm I’m putting apples on the grocery list. Your reasons why that recipe is healthy have conviced me. 😉
Also, I cry at commercials a lot too.

Jenn - Um, yes please! Want to pack some up and send them cross country? Just kidding, I may just have to try this recipe this weekend, YUM!

Rachel / cREaTe - YUM. i didn’t think i was going to like the “glazedness” … but it seems subtle. and as long as there’s a delicious salty sweet crumble, i’m GAME. there’s nothing like fall desserts! thanks for sharing!
i think i cry about once a day, too. TOTAL SAP. but tender-hearted is such a nice word for it. 🙂

patti - i just had to come back and post that i made these today…the power even went out half way through. i had to “rebake” them without knowing how long they’d been cooking prior to the power going out. but they turned out delicious!! thank you again for sharing the recipe.

Ruth H. - I’m sure it has been said before, but I’ll say it again: you have the prettiest blog! I’ve had so much fun lately imagining what my life would look like through the lens of your camera….the most mundane tasks become so delightful when I do that.
I think I’ll go sign up for a photography class.

Jaime - OH my…thanks so much for sharing this. I have been so craving an apple pie and this looks even better!

Julia - I love it when the kids are in the yard and I check on them through the window – great picture.

Cassie - perfect timing.
i have a big bowl of apples that we picked in wisconsin that i JUST said i needed to use up.
my glazed apple bars are baking in the oven right now!
also…you should add your little tip of using your hands to mix up the crumble part to your recipe on the sidebar. i was using that recipe and getting very frustrated that it wasn’t combining until i went back to the original post and saw your tip. ah yes…much better!
can’t wait to taste this!!
wishing you all lived closer so i could have you kansas girls over for coffee and glazed apple bars in the morning! (plus, i sure could use some help with this etsy shop!:))

Kristine Robb - those sound/look scrumdidlyumptious! i think i will try them this weekend!
i think we wore those maternity overalls so we could eat lots of apple bars! (whyyyyyyyyyyyy was it cool to wear overalls? so frumpy! i hate seeing those pics! ha ha!)

Stephanie Carroll - Healthy or not, I’m making them for Bible study next week!

susie whyte - meg–i had some questions for you about your typepad…i tried to email you, but my computer’s settings are set on “super safe”.
my best friend in germany is wanting to start a new blog for her bakery goodies and i was telling her about how the pictures look on here. could you email me a ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ on whether it’s cost worthy and such? or even just leave it on my comments on my blog. thanks so much!!

Staci - Mmmmmmm….I might just have to make this while we are on Fall Break 🙂 YUMMY!!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Keri ~ ForeverFoldingLaundry - Wouldn’t you know I just happen to have several Granny Smith apples in my fridge waiting to be used. Combine those with this rainy day we’re having and you have a perfect fall combo. Thanks, Meg! 🙂

Sharla B. - I should have worn maternity overalls for pics yesterday! 🙂 These apple bars look way too good.

Melanie - I cry too. I have been doing a lot of that lately. With this huge move that is coming up and knowing that I am GIVING my house away, there have been lots of tears.
I made your baked french toast the other day and it was wonderful.
I feel a lot of baking in my future. It is already cold where we are moving:(

Jenn Thomas - Thanks for putting this recipe on – I was going to call and ask for it – all our pieces you sent home with us are GONE!

Tracy - YUM! Thanks for the new recipe, Meg! These look DELICIOUS and look like great snacks for my kid’s school lunches! :o)

deb meyers - I cry, too. I think it is like sweating when you work out, some people sweat a lot, some barely glisten.
Thanks for the recipe! We’re invited to an apple pie social this weekend and these look perfect.
deb meyers

patti - this is just what i needed for a windy, blustery, rainy day here in sacramento, ca. we went from 80 degree fall days to a huge storm over night. i need some comfort food and yummy smells in the kitchen. i just went to apple hill and have tons of granny smiths – so excited!
thanks so much for sharing!!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - these look better than the double d’s {heehee}
will try them tonight!!

Jami - You are my FAVORITE blog! I cry all the time too! I am a nanny and yesterday I cried because I have been with the family for 4.5 years now and I keep track of everything that I do in a day with the girls in a nanny log. Yesterday I went through ALL the logs (literaly hundreds of them) and was bawling at how much we have been through. (Even me having my own baby 6 months ago) :)I cried a second time cause my best friend is pregnant and I am so excited for her. I am going to make these today and when the girls come home from school they will have a nice treat waiting for them! Thank you.

Kelly - I thought I liked you. In fact your’s is one of my favorite blogs. And then you go & post something like this! Something that I will no doubt bake and love and eat most of it without any help from my kids or husband. Thanks a lot.
No really, thanks a lot! 🙂

Laura Phelps - I am on my 4th day of no sugar…this could possibly put an end to that!
thanks for sharing this…it is cool and rainy-like here today (meaning not raining, but looks like it might)and I only have one cake to do…hm…this might be a nice afternoon surprise for the kids!!!
have a great day!

Linda@ Restyled Home - I’ve said it before, will you be my mother?
If you want an excuse for a good, hard cry then check out the link I just posted on Facebook. I couldn’t catch my breath for crying, and not in a sad way!
Cheers,
Linda

Summer - I’m a cryer as well…I laugh too much and cry a little. Anyway, these look very yummy and I love the watercolor picture! As always, Thanks!

susie whyte - nothing says “good morning, sunshine!” like a little fruit with your sugar. lol.

H-Mama - my oldest dd is very tenderhearted…
that looks yummy. i think i just gained 5 lbs reading about it… or did i lose 5 lbs since it’s healthy? 😉 needless to say, that dessert would not be safe in our house. ha…

Tiffany - I am a daily crier too…I used to be embarrassed about it, now I embrace it because it’s who I am!! And, I am so making these today!!

Dina - ummm…could we be related in some way??? I too am a daily crier … yet not a sad person … anything with apples and THAT much butta’ can’t be anything but heaven … and … we have that EXACT playset (did you get your’s at Sam’s too:-)?)

Leigh - I went apple picking with my 14 year old son over the weekend in Ellijay, Georgia. Beautiful! I will make good use of this recipe. Thanks! You’re girls look so cute in their hats and scarfs.

sandy toe - I saw glazed apple bars in my google reader and had to come over…oh it feels like a day for this!
sandy toe

Sarah @ Clover Lane - I’ll try this soon….looks great. And I’m really impressed that your kids have mittens/hats/winter coats on as they play outside…I haven’t even brought those down from the attic yet, and my kids are freezing everyday!

Jen CD - I am going to try and make these in Colombia…thanks!

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - Shut the door, I am making this today. It is our first rainy day in MONTHS!!! Looks delicious. Overalls… Here’s a little memory of mine about overalls….I packed non-maternity overalls to come home from the hospital after having my 9lb baby. They couldn’t even slide over my big bootie. I cried. My husband had to drive home for my maternity pants. What was I thinking??? 🙂

Mrs. - Brrr! I don’t like seeing your girls all bundled already! We are still waiting for our hard frost here in Cincinnati. I am still carefully tending geraniums I plan to save this winter. I think your moc apple pie looks like the perfect end to a chilly fall day.

Kathy - OMG that looks delish and I swear you said it was fat free right!! Loved when my teen was little watching her play outside. Now if I watch my teen she says WHAT!!

Lauren - Just an FYI – a mentally healthy person has 3-4 good hard cries per month! I’d say you’re right on track!

Lisa - GREAT POST… ARE YOU SURE WE’RE NOT FRIENDS/NEIGHBORS?
http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/
HUGS FROM MAINE

Wendy - Oh Wow, Meg!! These look amazing! Would I be a bad person if I served these with a little ice cream on top? 🙂 So much for the diet.

Ashlee Archibald - Look soo yummy!! 🙂 Thats a great view 🙂 I whole heartly agree 🙂

Emily@remodelingthislife - Looks delicious! I have been making apple crisp over the past couple of weeks and it disappears so fast. I think I’ll try this. I had to nod along about being able to cook and watch your kids play outside. That is the best part of my kitchen too. And I rolled my eyes when hubby wasted all my cupboard space by putting in windows. Like he always says, he knows best.

pve - just why do I not live right next door, I would smell all that goodness and just walk right over and demand a piece! Hand it over!!! there…did I make you cry??
Great photos even in not so great light. (c’mon!)
pve

Jerri - Oh yummy, can’t wait to try this recipe! We love the French Toast casserole that we got from here.

Deborah Clark - This looks so yummy, would love to make it for the kids (lol) can you give me the measurements for the butter in grams, we don’t have sticks downunder.
D. Clark – New Zealand

Pineapple Princess - Oh, ya! Now THAT looks good!
I love watching my kids play, too. Happy sigh.

Lisa - That is mean. I am a mumma trying to lose weight here. 🙂 Seriously that looks so yummy.
The hut outside your window looks fun too. I think I may have to get hubby to build one… or perhaps better still get a builder in.

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