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back to normal.

February 28, 2013

the school bus was a very welcome site yesterday morning.
everyone was ready!

it was time for a regular routine.

tuesday they played around in the deep deep snow we had on monday night.
the ditch was gone…it was just snow!
we stomped over to explore the neighbor's pond.
annie kept saying how tired she was because walking through deep snow like that was hard.

they shook the snow off a tree which was pretty cool to see.

look at how massive that tree is?!!

it was up to the top of my boots!

they spent quite awhile throwing snow chunks into the semi-frozen pond.
the pond was like a slushi…not frozen but kind of frozen.

then we slowly stomped back home and got ready to go to Scott's ball game.

even though they didn't have school, they had a ball game.
the weather had cleared and it was the first round of the sub-state tournaments.
i was thrilled to have a place to go for the evening.

Scott has been playing on the varsity team the past month or so and playing a lot in each game.
i have absolutely LOVED watching him.
i am super proud of him out on that court.

his ankle made it just fine through out the game.
i was nervous for him.
he had 14 points in that game.
it is so fun to watch him and it's so weird to see how much he looks like his dad.

i am going to be bummed when the season ends.

but we have another game tonight so no reason to be bummed just yet.

NOW….

some things i meant to tell you about.

these girls wrote about Craft Weekend on their blogs and i forgot to share their links!

Shannan's post

Steph's post

Annnnnnd….did you do any shopping from all those coupons on the sponsor post a few back?
so many great discounts!
they are such wonderful companies.

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mama lola - great pics in the snow! your turquoise running legs are looking super svelte, way to go, mama!

tara - I’d love to sponsor your craft weekend. I don’t think we really talked about it when I sent you the sign for your gallery wall in your master bedroom…but if it’s something you’re open to, please let us know.
We could even send a custom small sign that the gals could fit in their bags…let me know what you think. 🙂
thanks!

Tiffini - we are about 2 hours from you and we had over 20″! craziness..:)
thankful for the snow for the farmers = helps drought but geesh so glad when spring arrives…xo

Jen - Had a very vivid, very weird dream that I was at the Duerksen house last night with you and your family.

Barbara - Those are some great pictures in the snow how I would love to have that just one day I don’t want to trade my California weather for anything.
I did take advantage of Lisa Leonard’s discount got some gold earnings, thanks so much!

Robin Canter - Ok, I seriously want to move to Kansas after reading Shannon and Steph’s posts about Craft Weekend. I could honestly be a helper at every one of them – just my kind of ‘ministry’! Can you possibly ‘franchise’ the craft house and weekends to Maryland? 🙂

Kayla - Does Scott ever notice you skulking around on the sidelines taking pictures of him? Those are such cool shots, but I just kept thinking my kids would notice me and be mad that I was on the sidelines drawing attention to them. My oldest is getting to that point where sometimes if I see him walk into a room out of the corner of my eye, he looks just like my hubby, Rainman. Scary.

Lina - Hi meg. Will you be selling some of your bunting in your etsy shop? Say yes pls.

beth davis - Hi Meg ~
I noticed (in one of the photographs from the ‘craft weekend’) that you had a little ‘shop’ set up. Is your ‘store’ open for business (etsy). I’ve been searching but haven’t had a lot of luck.
Thanks!
Beth

Seriously Sassy Mama - My daughters last bball game is this Saturday. I have had to miss all of them because I work weekends. It is ok though, because it is so much fun watching her give me a play by play.

happygirl - Your snow is so pristine white. That gal at this blog, http://itwasbroughtonbylove.blogspot.com/ has a recipe for “snow cream.” Your snow looks perfect for something like that. I’m not jealous, ’cause I hate shovelling, but that is some gorgeous snow. 🙂

Su@TheIntentionalHome - you gotta show your Scott and your hubby this basketball video. . it will make you cry. . my sister sent it to me this morning. It is only 2 min long. Here is the youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bIzYMXRfY&feature=youtu.be

Sonja - I used the coupon code for Ike & Co and got the earrings I’d been admiring since your pre-craft weekend instagram photo of them. It was a pre-order, so I have to wait another TWO WEEKS until I get my grubby little fingers on them. 🙂
My four-and-a-half year old son was reading over my shoulder – he loves your blog because he likes “aaaalllll those colorful, colorful crayons!” Hee, hee.

Kathy - can I just tell you how much I LOVe all the color in your home, your life and even in the winter clothing you and your family wear! woohoo for living a bright and beautiful life!!! =)

Alicia @ La Famille - love snow days…but i love normal more. glad you’re back to routine!

Grace Keith - The napkins that have the cameras on them are fantastic and would make a wonderful addition to our daughters HS graduation party as she is going off to college for photography. Can you share where they are from please?

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4th snow day!

February 26, 2013

it had started to melt away on sunday evening but another round of storms came through on Monday.
they called off school again.
and for today too!

it snowed all day yesterday.
it began at 11 and just kept coming until evening.

and although the snow days at home are getting a bit challenging for kids stuck inside…
i am still happy for the snow.
it is just too beautiful and special that i can't complain.
we never get snow like this here.

for the most part everyone has found their own things to keep them entertained during our days at home.
there has been a lot of tv, computer games, DS playing but there has also been plenty of drawing, games, writing, playing and crafts.
yesterday while the 142nd Sponge Bob cartoon in the past 6 days was on….
i got out our paints, brushes, papers and filled glasses with water and then said "Let's Paint. Turn it off"

and we did.

if our egg cartons are clean i usually save them for extra eggs from the chickens next door in the summer.
but i saw this idea on pinterest and we went for it.

i showed them to craig and he said "Cool. What are you going to do with them?"
"Nothing. We made them to MAKE them. It's fun. It's relaxing. It's good for ours minds to create."
he stared at me.
then he said "i'm sure glad they have you for the other parent"

BEST COMPLIMENT OF THE WEEK.

Sean moved onto to other things but the girls continued to create.

talby found this sun idea and got busy cutting out words.
it's so bright and colorful.

annie is planning on putting words on her rainbow when it dries completely.

after craig made it home from work, he took the kids to the gym and out to dinner.
without me asking for it!
THANK YOU!!!
i needed a break. i'm used to lots of alone time and this five day (now six day!) stretch is wearing me down.
so i got out my sewing machine and turned up michael buble on pandora.
i made bunting for the shop.

the break was awesome.

i kept sewing while mr. duerksen watched the KU game behind with Scott.
i love listening to them watch basketball… so animated!
DRAMA.
it's a bonding experience.
and i love eavesdropping on it.

then last night we got another round of snow.
it's at crazy levels now.
we never miss this much school or get snow like this!

practically buried!
i had to put my behind in the snow to get this shot… it's that deep out there.

this is the view out our front window.
that snowflake talby brought home is about the appropriate size to describe this storm.
oh my goodness…. so much snow.

and now they have all bundled up and headed out to play.
so i guess i will follow for a bit.
and talby just made a strawberry cake that needs frosting.

such a big to do list for the day….. frost a cake AND take pictures? how will i get it all done?

🙂

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Painting Just For The Sake of Painting | Simply Rebekah - […] to break out the paints and let Grace and Noah paint just for the sake of painting. I remembered this post from Meg Duerksen and gathered some egg cartons for the kids to […]

Katie - Hello! I absolutely love your table that is the pictures of the painting project. Is it in your dining room? Is it an antique or did you have it made? Any details would be much appreciated. Love your style- so relaxed and family friendly, but with some much personality!

Rach - Craig’s comment made me tear up. Agreed. Best compliment ever!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Sitting down right now with our egg cartons.
(Have you ever seen where you cut the cups off and make them into tulips with a pipe cleaner? Might be a good phase II.)
Have fun at basketball today!

elisa - I live in sunny Arizona…..the temps right are in the 70’s. Today my 7 years old wore his jacket to school and a sleeveless shirt underneath for later when it warms up. I love these pics. Looks like your making the best of it, and your kids as well. My kiddos wouldn’t know what to do….they would go stir crazy.

jennibell - I had the same thought as Craig about the egg cartons. . .so glad that he is who he is and can see the value in what you do. Lucky woman 🙂
Our kids have wanted snow so much this year. . .and we’ve not gotten enough to cover the ground (we live in mid-TN)yet. . .I, myself though do not like snow but living through other’s snow days is fun. I could so relate with your post a couple of days ago, though, when you didn’t have snow apparel for your family — that’s completely what happens to us when we *do* get snow. . .the kiddos just layer up in sweats (lots of times they wear pjs as their layers) and socks and adult shoes that they can fit their feet into with all the sock layers — ha! All of your pictures had me longing for summer. . .thanks for sharing.

Stacy - Beautiful! I still love that turquoise bench. The lacy snow covered tree photos are my favorite! I hope you all have some warm weather soon.

Jacci in Ohio - I may be sounding like a broken record soon, but I LOVE YOUR FARMHOUSE 🙂 ANd I love, love, love seeing posts that are so *very* much like those you would post when you lived in town… you’re still you, still together, still getting BEAUTIFUL photos… but the house is so different. I just really think it highlights where so much of your life’s beauty is. And, although the Craft House is gorgeous, it’s not really “it”. Can’t tell you how much that blesses me 🙂
p.s. Also glad you have power! That’s a big praise for sure!

jacqui anderson - welcome to my world!! thats our winter all winter up here in British Columbia Canada! also a reason i need to head south to a wonderful craft weekend with girlies where there isn’t snow …… 🙂

Alicia - Enjoy every second!!!

Becky - I love your curtains! And I agree, that was a great compliment from one parent to another. Your blog brightens my day!! 🙂

Heather - Ummm, Wow! So doing this! I’ve been trying to get my girls to do more precise crafts lately (paint by numbers sound good for your sanity?) and I’d love to just let them go and then I can rework it into something Martha-esque later. When they are sound asleep.

Gina - I am glad your electricity hasn’t gone out!! Beautiful pictures!!

Heather - Oddly enough, that much snow wouldn’t bring a snow day here in Toronto. Kinda jealous you got five. And yet…not. 😛 I’m glad Craig gave you a break at the end of the day.

Tracy - Also, I love, love, love the sun project!!

Tracy - We had another snow day here in Kansas City, too. In 20 years, I have never seen this much snow here!! So pretty!
I’m worried my kids’ last day of school for the year will be extended if we keep using snow days though! I don’t want to cut into summer break!!

Jen - Love the beautiful snow and craft pictures, but above all, I love Craig’s comment to you. 🙂

Jenn - Such glorious snow! We don’t see that here in southeast Texas. I’m super jealous.

molly quigley - Meg,
I love your comment that you made them just to make them. Wow. You are a great parent. Rock on.
Best,
Molly Q.

Nina - It’s nice to do things with the family when it’s too cold to go to school. It’s always so comfortable to stay at home and have some family fun. These pictures tured out great!

Angela - Ahhh! Your snow pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I’m a Midwesterner displaced in TX and I MISS snow! Oh, and I love Talby’s sunshine!

Christina - Ha, my other comment disappeared…so I look like a kook writing “I also…”
I said beautiful post, and your house is soooo crazy cheerful and colorful!!
Sorry if it ends up posting twice. 🙂

Christina - I also love the conversation between you and Craig. So. Funny. 🙂

Mhairi - What kind of chicken wouldn’t want to lay eggs FOR those egg cartons?! 🙂 Looks like a lovely kind of day!

Brooke - Hey Meg,
Go on Pinterest and look up spring egg carton wreath. You can cut those fabulous painted cartons into individual cups and have an AWESOME wreath. I bet our girls would love it!!! Post pictures if ou do it. 🙂

Tiffany - I adore that convo you and your hubby had. Made me smile. Your whole post made me smile. It always does. Enjoy the snow… and hopefully a little more alone time soon! 🙂

lisa - Very pretty! We just had our seventh snow day up here in MI. I am jealous you have blue sky to go along with it – it’s been snowing so much but not much blue sky. Enjoy the memories you’re making with your family. 🙂

Amy Woods - I’m jealous! We just want one little ol snow day! Is it too much to ask? 😉 Of course, we did get a white Christmas. That was cool.
Enjoy it!

Mel - It is all very beautiful – the white snow and the beautiful paint against it and, most of all, your lovely attitude toward it all.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - We’re bracing for our next round of the snow that’s supposed to hit tonight. Wondering if we’ll have school tomorrow? If not, I’m praying to get some sewing done myself. It feels like ages since I’ve had the time.

Seriously Sassy Mama - As pretty as it is, I am do very happy it is not near me. I will live vicariously through your pictures.

Moriah - the comment from your hubby sounds like the comments that come out of my hubby’s mouth. 🙂 yeah for creative moms!

Amy K. - Still jealous here… we got exactly NO SNOW from this last storm. double hmph.
Glad you are enjoying it, though! =)

Lori Austin - Have been thinking of you as I’ve watched the weather reports for your
area. That is A LOT of snow, but so beautiful! Those branch pictures are
wonderful.
The girls’ art inspires me to get ON IT and do some more crafting with my kiddos.
We always do quite a bit during the Christmas season, but I’ve been slacking lately. Thanks for kicking me in the pants! 🙂

Terrie - Love your crafts! Such lovely colors!
I’m a little tired of white myself…
But, isn’t it all gorgeous?!
I’ve taken thousands of photos the last 6 days!
Now to sort through them & get some posted!!
I heart yours!!
Momma’s sanity day starts tomorrow! 🙂

Kara - you have more snow than we do here in Colorado! 🙂 Beautiful pictures. With my four and two year old, crafty time stresses me OUT but I try to make time for it anyway… even if we have about a 20 minute window before my eyes start to twitch and I have to call it a day! ha! just had to comment and say… if you DID want to put those beautiful cartons to use you should plant some Easter grass in little egg shells, like this! (found it on Pinterest!) http://fourflightsoffancy.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-grass-eggs.html?m=1

Linda - WOW such beauty! Enjoy this slowed down pace with your family it all ends too quickly. you’ll be back to the crazy run everywhere schedule in no time! Amazing pictures as always!

angela - What’s amazing to me is that anyone could go OUT…like in a car…in that snow!! Here in N.C. if we get 2 inches we have to stay home….the roads are too bad! Amazing and beautiful!

Lisa M. - I love that you craft like that with your kids for no reason. I craft with my 7 year old to give cards and homemade pictures to his grandparents for holidays and such, but I never just craft with him to craft. If we ever get a snow here in Western PA (we’ve had one and it was in October. Crazy.), I am so going to pull out the paints. He will be ecstatic! Your snow is crazy! So much fun for the kiddos!
Enjoy!

Stephanie - Oh what beauty, especially against a blue sky. I miss snow.

laura b - Those snow pictures are so beautiful. There are times I’m sad to live where it never snows, but then I remember how cold it would be. And I love those chevron curtains! I saw that fabric last month, but at this point I don’t sew so I didn’t buy any. Your rainbow color choices always make me happy.

jen - that WAS the best complement ever. good for you mr. duerksen!

Lennie Jackson - Sounds amazing…much better than my 8 hours here at work staring at this computer. Lucky lady.

Debbie Smallie - Personally, I am thrilled with the amount of snowfall KS received…it caused my sons outdoor soccer tournament scheduled for the coming weekend to be canceled! Highschool baseball has started so I was going to have to take all of our kids by myself (my husband is the coach). I am also thrilled that St.Louis only received rain…I’m so over winter already!! Stay warm 🙂

Sarah Wolfe - Such beautiful pictures. I miss snow. But not the cold that comes with it 🙂

tiffany gardner - you must have no idea how much you encourage me. i want so badly to create and even craft with the kids. i often just push it aside and don’t mess with it because the thought of getting it all out is exhausting. you remind me that my 9 and 7 year old need it and I do too!!! Even with the two year old boy running around… I CAN DO IT! thanks for pushing me to be the mom I want to be. awesome.

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snowed in.

February 23, 2013

we had a wonderful day yesterday.
so laid back and fun.
i am sure if we had a snow WEEK that it wouldn't go so well but this surprise two days has been fabulous.
we found plenty of things to keep us busy.

memory and oatmeal.

more drawing.
she is almost through this whole How-To drawing book she found on our book shelf.
i got it at a thrift store years ago.
on wednesday night she drew for over two hours straight!
i told her we would soon have an art show in in the stairway. :)

i did some online fabric ordering from Hawthorne Threads.

someone was playing Barbies.

i made chocolate chip cookies… a double batch.
i have made this recipe since i got married.
we use it so much that it is taped inside of the cabinet door so we don't have to search for it.
you can click here for the recipe.

icing his ankle.
scott sprained his ankle on tuesday in the beginning of his basketball game.
he is almost back to normal now already, thank goodness.
i was so sad for him right away worrying if it was going to be worse than a sprain.
this snow day stuff was a good rest for him too.

some of them bundled up and headed outside.

talby help bury sean in the snow.
it was creepy to hear him singing from under the snow….
he was singing "Home on the Range"
what a weird choice?

while they played outside i made pigs in a blanket…because they asked for a "cool lunch".
see how cool i am!
wow.
pretty amazing isn't it?
ha.

there was plenty of wrestling.

lots of cookies were eaten.

then i took the youngest three to the sled in town.

having big kids is pretty great.
it used to be such an ordeal to go sledding… there was crying and it didn't last long.
but that is no longer the case.

they sled on their own for an hour and a half!
they only quit becuase it was time to go for me!
big kids rock!

i ran out for a coffee and watched them from the car after i took those pictures.
i forgot my book which was a bummer but still loved watching them sled.
i cracked the window a half inch just so i could hear all the squeeling screams of joy as all those kids went down.
it's a pretty fun sound.

talby made a snowlady.

the creek we drive over everyday is very frozen and beautiful.
everything around us right now is very frozen and beautiful.

🙂

************************************************

ok…

the WINNER of the 31Bits $50 gift card is:

Andrea said…

hands down…..the Everly necklace….. I( love it!

Reply February 20, 2013 at 07:15 PM

send me an email Andrea and i will HOOK YOU UP!

i hope the rest of you did some shopping with 31Bits this week.
what a fabulous company they are.
i would LOVE to visit their center in Uganda someday!

my kids all had sleep overs with friends last night (four of the five) so they are CRANKY today.
one is already asleep on the couch.
it's going to be a long day around here possibly.
but i have BIG goals….

i think today is the day that we take down the christmas decorations.
it just feels like maybe it's time?

maybe.

ha.

and no… i am not joking.
the tree and lights and all are still up.
but not by tonight.

i hope.

happy weekend to you!

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Etsetara - meg!
we STILL have our tree up, too!
i do love christmas + especially the lights…but i am nearly on the verge of being sick of them! ha!

Victoria - I heard about snow in Kansas this morning on the news here in Ga and thought of you. So fun to see the pictures of the kids enjoying themselves sledding!
Oh and those choc chip cookies look amazing. Maybe 9:15pm isn’t too late to bake me some. 😉

Krista - Thanks for sharing your chocolate chip cookie recipe. My daughter and i just finished making some! Yumm! I have a great tasting recipe but the cookies never bake down so I have to flatten them before baking—these are so good, and no preflattening necessary!

Alice H - What?!?! You didn’t sled with them? I used to be too scared to sled with mine…because things (like falling, etc) hurt worse when you are older. LOL! But I did it a few years ago and it was so much fun!!!!
Also, I have a love/hate relationship with sleepovers…love having the time to myself, hate having grumpy butts who stayed up too late!!

katie - Always love your car pics of yourself, you look so adorable!

Lori Austin - Congrats to Andrea. Such fun sledding pics. Love how you
documented your snow day fun with pics. That TALL stack of cookies
looks quite yummy.

Barbara - I just drove through beautiful Kansas on our way home from Colorado to Missouri yesterday. All the fields were so pristine and the snow drifts were amazing. I’m sure the farmers were doing a happy dance with all the moisture.
On our way out to Colorado last wee, we detoured off of highway 70 and went to Marion, KS. We loved our short visit only wishing that The Barn had been open. Before heading back to the highway to go west, we went to Lake Marion and to our amazement, we spotted a bald eagle. We got a picture of him and he was just one of our trip’s highlights.
Blessings to you and your sweet family.

Julie S - Are you ready for more snow? I sure am. I love it! I love that it’s helping to fill our ponds and helping our crops.
My husband’s cousin goes to Hesston. I think he is a 3rd or 4th grader, I always forget! I wonder if he went sledding.
I just took my tree down this week. I think maybe I did it Monday, but the days are a blur. I have heard a lot of people were late taking their decorations down this year.

Karen Gerstenberger - Thanks for sharing your snow-joy with us. I loved seeing the kids lined up to take their turns going down that hill. The simple things really do make happy memories.
One question: the Barbie house now has “stainless steel” appliances? That is news to me! We still have Katie’s Barbie house (pronounced “the Bahbie” house), and it wasn’t quite so modern back then.

Kimberly Dial - I love the snow pics! You’re right, happy screams from kids is quite possibly the best sound ever, second only to giggling babies. I’m not sure. That’s one’s too close to call! 😉 I actually think “Home On The Range” was an incredibly appropriate song to sing while one is buried in the snow LOL Thanks for sharing Meg 🙂

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - The snowlady with strawberry eyes is the best.ever! Happy weekend!

mary beth - That hill cracked me up….we live in Kansas too and in our town we have one hill that everyone goes to for a sled day! glad you had such a great day, and yes it’s so much better with big kids! They can undress themselves and hang up the wet clothes!

dee - i love the photos.i am so envious of the snow where i live in Australia we dont get snow but you can dream-love dee x

Tere - You have a new screen on your Mac. Yeah! Thanks for sharing your snow day, we have rain, lots of rain.

Jamie - I’m so glad to hear that times with big kids are fun! I have a 3 and 1 year old and all the things I’ve dreamt about doing with my kids just end in disaster! My 3 year old doesn’t even want to walk in snow, let alone sled. Good to know it will pass. For now we’ll just enjoy hot chocolate and snuggles and all those things that little kids love (and mommas) love.

Kelly - Oh I am SO glad we weren’t the last to take down our tree! 🙂 Kelly

emma kate - it is so neat seeing all that snow while we are in the tailend of a hot summer here in New Zealand.
i have a question for you…i brought that barbie campervan from a thrift store for my girls…i put batteries in it but for the life of me cannot figure out what they are supposed to make work??
can you enlighten me? ha!

Laura H - I love snow, I do love snow! If I say it enough it will be true, right? I bow down to you for making this sun lover(ME) start to think she actually loves snow just by enjoying your AWESOME pictures!
Love your blog!
Love chocolate chip cookies…no convincing necessary!

angela - I cannot IMAGINE having a hill of snow like that. Here where I live in N.C. if we get 1 inch we do the happy dance! Great pics!

Tiffany - I have loved these last few posts. They just make me smile, and I enjoy seeing you having relaxing quality family time. 🙂 I should get my hands on a drawing book like that one. Olivia draws for hours at a time. She’s just now branching out to draw things other than princesses! 🙂

mum of all trades - Our tree is still in the back yard, I thought I was laid back but you are one level up! I would love a good heavy snowfall here, we never get snow like that unfortunately

Susan - I just bought chocolate chips a few minutes ago to make toll house cookies, but I’m going to try this recipe!

Trisha - I really really just love your cute fam! My most favorite part of this post was that Sean was buried in snow…. SINGING “Home on the range” Made me laugh so so hard! Thanks for your real hones family. I like it alot:)

Heather Simnitt - Looks like fun – I always find snow days hilarious! Too cold and dangerous to go to school, but somehow we manage to get to the cool hill in town to sled! 🙂 LOL
There was Monopoly, Wits and Wagers, no-bake cookies, snowball fights, and a 3hr 44 min movie at our house (when else do you have enough time to watch Gone With the Wind from start to finish????). Oh – and WAFFLES for dinner! So cozy and warm….

laura b - You crack me up! Still have Christmas decorations up? Sometimes you just have to live life and let the other stuff go! Looks beautiful there with all the snow. Good luck making it through the cranky post-sleepover day!

Kathy - oops…my first time commenting on a blog…didn’t know you weren’t supposed to use last names…..sshhh…don’t share….um, it’s not really my name…hahah

Kathy Leach - Can I just say that reading your blog is a joy….the kid, the colors, the joy, the DOG! I’ve tried color in my home and it always seems so contrived. For you it seems absolutely perfect and together!! Will you please tell me how…..I could just swap with you 😉 You could take my blah, dull and I could take your bright, happy! Have a great time in with your family! Kathy Leach, Greensboro, NC

Tracy - Looks like lots of snow fun! However…..one huge snowfall is enough for this mom in Kansas City. Have you seen the forecast for Monday/Tuesday?!?!?! No more snow please!

jamie - i am laughing outloud that you still have christmas stuff up. i adore your family! pigs in a blanket are yummy. my daughter makes them so perfect you don’t want to eat them. breadstick wrapped perfectly end to end and she squishes the seems together. i might need to try your chocolate chip cookies. after years i found a perfect recipe, but eighteen years and going strong must mean you have a winner! enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Terrie - I love the snow we are having! So many photo ops! I do miss having kids at home to play with and take their pics playing.Downloading the more than 500 pics I took today at a nature center near me.
I think I’ll have to make some chocolate chip cookies!
Your creek pic makes me miss our farm…now would be a good time to be there!
And thank you for letting me not be the last person to take down their Christmas decorations!
Although, my Christmas dishes are getting stored away today!
Happy Saturday!

flowerpowermomma - seems to have been a very productive snow day, crafts, games, cookies! Cool mom for sure. And memories were revived for me, too. I ALWAYS made a double batch of cookies, otherwise it nearly wasn’t worth it. Hope the christmas tree and such cooperates today and finds it’s home.

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finally we have SNOW!!!

February 21, 2013

i have been waiting for several years for this kind of snow.
i LOVE snow storms.
i love snow…. love being stuck inside for snow days… baking on snow days… hot chocolate… hot coffee….snuggling under blankets…taking the kids sledding…watching our crazy dog run like a maniac.
it is all my favorite part of winter.

yesterday we had a little snow… not much.
and they called off school for today.
i said out loud many times "it had better be a huge snow storm if we are not having school!"
i got my wish.

our road was completely snowed in.
my kids thought it was very cool to be able to LAY DOWN in the road and not have to worry about cars coming.
and then they found deer tracks and got really excited.

i was very happy that mr. duerksen got snowed in today too!

we could not find any of our snow gear.
i think it's in the basement at the craft house.
oops.
but seriously it has been so long since we have had enough snow to need our boots and pants that i doubt any of it would have fit anyone anyway, especially my big growing boys.
so we had to just keep adding layers and use any gloves and hats we could find.
it worked.

remember we used to play that game called find-the-teenager…..

this is how snow gets removed when you live in the country.
🙂
i had never thought about it until this morning.

scott and sean covered in snow from sledding…

and sean helping his sister put on her goggles.

and then this happened…. our road an hour or so later.

that is A LOT of snow!

and we are off of school again tomorrow.
i am excited about it.

we will definitely be getting crafty over here.

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josy - Wow, your oldest looks like a model in a J. Crew ad in the picture! Glad you had fun in the snow!

Sandy - I will be sad when Talby gets older and no longer wants to play with Annie. I hope they remain close FOREVER! Love the picture of Annie sitting in front of Talby and the sky is behind them. Cool!

shauna reed - i want a snow day.
no?

Jacqueline Goelst - Love reading your family stories 🙂 surreal sitting here at the bottom of the globe in Tasmania, Australia with our hottest summers day at 32 degrees Celsius! (90 degrees fahrenheit) Tasmania (unlike the mainland of Australia) is usually cold due to how close it is to Antarctica, but this is hot for us!
Enjoy your snow 🙂

beth - I am a rather new fan of your blog and I sbsolutely LOVED each and every photo on this blog post….I live in Minnesota where it snows and snows and still I love it so! I too blog about all the beauty to be found outside in this winter wonderland of ours- thanks for all the smiles. : ) : ) : )
xo beth
http://brownsparrowstudio.blogspot.com

Melissa - I love your beautiful pictures of the kids playing in the snow! Isn’t it fantastic?! Here in Michigan, we have had 7 snow days already- this is probably a new record! Since I’m a teacher, though, I don’t mind 😉 Snow days mean lots of sledding and hot chocolate and my kids sneaking more marshmallows when they think I’m not looking. love it all!

Verna Lantz - How fun! Such beautiful pictures. I adore the contrast with the kids bright colored snow clothes and the pure white snow. It would be so much fun to play in that much snow. Alas, Texas usually doesn’t get that. 🙂

Carrie - Beautiful pics! I love find the teenager. 😉
I live in SW MO and we got sleet and freezing rain. Like 3 inches. But the blizzard we had back in 2011 gave me enough snow to last awhile… still I would rather have snow over ice!

Jacci in Ohio - These are such SUPER happy photos!!! I grinned from ear to ear when I saw them on my phone earlier today, and just had to come back on my laptop to see them BIG! 🙂 I love, love, love seeing you all together… enjoying one another. And Annie’s hat. She’s so much fun!

Tiffany - What great memories you helped create with your kids! Looks like you all loved the day! Happy for you!

Andrea - Meg
How fun……it looks like waffle enjoyed the day as much as you all did! Hope you got to get crafty and just be together!

JulianneB - Gorgeous pics….when I heard Kansas was getting lots of snow I turned to my husband and said, “I can’t wait to see the snow pics on Meg’s blog”. You never fail to come through girl. A couple of weeks ago my sister in Michigan had 3 ft of snow….Southern Indiana we have nada so I will live vicariously through others.

Rach - I agree with everything you said in the first part. Makes me wonder why I’m in So Cal some days. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I got up and made myself a cup of hot chocolate after I read it because, you know, its a chilly 59 degrees here.

ira lee - yes!! snow days are the BEST!!!!!!! love all these pix! i agree with above comment, that bench is cool! and i love bright colored coats and hats against the pretty white snow!

jen - i love that you get excited! i did too when we lived on the westcoast but now in quebec it looks like your house around here for 4 months of the year and we are supposed to get more this weekend {we have a man made skating rink in our backyard http://gronicktales.blogspot.ca/2013/02/my-boys-and-rink.html} …i guess what is hitting you is coming our way! love the “make-do” suits and all the fun! you guys always seem to be having a blast!

Kari - ** by “that” i meant I’d call my husband by Mr. Shadrick, not Mr. Duerksen ;]

Kari - I just wanted to say that I LOVE the fact that you call your husband mr. duerksen, instead of his first name. It’s adorable, and I think I may start calling my husband that.

Tracey - Wow you take amazing photos!

Jeri - Sweet! You are so lucky. We should have got that snow that Kansas got…

Holly - Great pics! I love seeing kids’ reactions to rare snow falls. Over in my neck of the woods (up in Alberta, Canada), the wonder of winter and lots of snow wore off just after Christmas. We are currently on ‘let’s just survive this winter’ mode with probably a good month and a half left. Daily, my 2 yr. looks out the window and says, “snow, go away!” 🙂 ha ha! So, there’s another perspective on snow for you when winter lasts 7 months.

Lindsey - Enjoy your day at home! Great pictures! Love the one of the turquoise bench in the snow. PRETTY!

Gina - Fun photos!! Have a fun weekend!

tiffany gardner - so awesome. we live in ok and got a little… but with 3 sick kids we didn’t get to play in it!

Jenn - Magical and exciting! Makes me want to move to move to Kansas.

Gale - We had 12″ and loved it but your pictures make me really miss having my kids at home! Their favorite thing used to be putting water colored with food coloring in spray bottles and spray snow sculptures! You all definitely looked like you were having fun!!! HOORAY FOR SNOW DAYS!

Gail - And the thunder snow was awesome too. Enjoying my snow days too.

Penny - Now that’s what I am talking about! Snow, real snow days. Here where we live in Michigan we have not had a good snow storm. We have had no school due to cold and a little ice. This is what I remember growing up with, SNOW! I love the joy on your kids faces! And Waffle. Oh, my, that is one Happy Dog. That really is what doodles are though, Happy Dogs. He looks like he is in heaven. His people are with him in a joyous playground of snow. Great photos, thank you so much for sharing and making my morning!

Kat - These pictures are just beautiful.
Amazing to see all of that snow when we live by the beach and it is summer here in sunny Tasmania, Australia.
Looks like lots of fun.
Awesome pics, truly awesome!

Sarah - Love all the pictures and of course love the snow! so jealous.

Lisa - Love these pictures!!! And I love snow days!!! Have fun!

Stephanie - Wow!! I have not seen snow like that since living in Mo as a teenager. It looks cold and wonderful. What winter should be, at least once!!

the.mrs - Of course you could even excite this lifelong Minnesotan about snow with those adorable photos! I think it’s headed our way, so I will be NON excited tomorrow. They don’t close school here unless it’s multiple FEET of snow, so it’s just a pain. I like living fun snow days vicariously through your blog! 😉 ha.

Amy K. - I am jealous! I live in MINNESOTA & we can’t get a good snowstorm to save our lives this year, much less a snow day! The one time it snowed a decent amount (not quite a foot) was on a Sunday. wa-waaaaa.

Sonja - That looks so fabulous! I’m jealous. Though I am glad that I won’t have to take the baby out in snow like that. 😉

Seriously Sassy Mama - It is beautiful, but I am very happy it stayed up north and did not find its way to Texas.

Tracy Fisher - fabulous!!!!!!!!! -tracy

Alicia @ La Famille - good thing you got all those groceries!!! i love being snowed in too. what a fun day! have fun tomorrow!

Shannon - My girls loved these pics!! We get snow maybe twice a year and it just barely sticks for a day so they thought these pics were the greatest.
I think it looks beautiful but I would be enjoying it inside with some hot chocolate 😉

Laura Hesslau - I am obsessing over your wonderful blog. It is like reading a book you never want to end! I actually hide out in my house trying to read the archives without interruption. Literally hiding in a dark basement listening to my family ask where I am. Ha! I don’t like the cold weather, but this post is making me LOVE snow! Love love your blog!

Lisa M. - I was thinking about you as this storm was forcasted! I live in Western PA and we used to get storms like that all of the time, now it seems we get maybe one a year. Don’t get me wrong, we get snow. But usually just nuisance storms, like 2 to 6 or 8 inches at a time. Every year I ask for just one blizzard. Just one! A day to just hunker down in the house and watch it snow like crazy!
You seem so happy about all that snow. That’s great!! I’m wondering tho…did you get your run in? 🙂

Michelle from Australia - Good to see a cameo from Lauren! Living in the sub-tropics, I can not begin to imagine snow falling where we live. We are on the same latitude south of the equator as Tampa, FL is north of the equator. Loved the pics.

Carrie - Your excitement over the snow makes me smile. My kids get excited like that on our first snowfall (which was in October this year and is still here). I am on side with Pamela Gordon’s comment. Spring can’t come soon enough!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Last year we didn’t use any of the four snow days that we’d allotted in the school calendar so we got out early at the end of the year. This year its back to a fairly normal winter for us. We’ve had a few really good snow storms and dustings in between. I do love the white but as I’m getting a little older here and there I find I’m also liking warm weather more and more:)I’m only 32 but I remember such big snowfalls when I was little that we would go sledding off of house roofs!

Pamela Gordon - Beautiful photos of your snow storm. I think it’s really neat how you get so excited over a lot of snow because you aren’t used to it. 🙂 We are so tired of it here now that it’s ‘old hat’ and we can’t wait, at least I can’t wait, to not need a big parka, boots and gloves any more. Oh well. We live in to different climates and I hope you and your family have an awesome fun day tomorrow playing in the snow! Blessings, Pamela

Kristin S - Beautiful!

Linda - Love that first picture of Waffle!!! He looks so happy!

jen - You took some beautiful photos! I love a good snow storm! We get a good few months of snow where I live (Ontario). And had about 10 months of the year of snow when I lived in Nunavut (north pole). Looks like you know how to properly enjoy it!

Monica - Ooooh – I’m kinda jealous! Love how the colors pop against the white of the snow! Love the turquoise chair {?} Yay for fun memories made today 🙂

Kassondra - your crazy! lol i am not a fan of the cold!!!! though you can tell your family had a great time together so i guess the cold was worth it

Lorie - SOOOO jealous. We haven’t really had a good snow this year either. It comes, then melts the next day. UGH. Where is the great snows of my childhood?
Wwe are in Indiana…is it coming our way?
Would love to be snuggled in my bed with the kids off school.

Heather - I’m getting cold just looking at all the pictures. No snow in Southern California 🙁

Michelle - A Lauren sighting! The snow looks like a ton of fun, we have gotten a couple good blasts this year, but I’m hoping for one more before spring. The storm that just past through there is hitting us tonight, but only 2 inches. Bummer.

Kate - Oh how fun! Stay warm for me!

kate - you got some great pictures!! waffle is so furry, he looks adorable!

lisa currie-gurney - I love that bench too!!!

lisa currie-gurney - Happy, Happy, Day!!!

Stacy - That turquoise bench is gorgeous! I hope you’ve enjoyed your snow day! http://baublesandbrownies.blogspot.com

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lucky number 13.

February 18, 2013

how can we be at thirteen craft weekends already?!
each one has been so much fun!

we get the house all set up for our guests to arrive.
we clean… organize… arrange… set out swag from our sponsors… and we get excited!

IMG_1882-2

craft supplies are so pretty!

color is everywhere in the Craft House.

my shop is open during Craft Weekend too… and SOON to be back online.
i have been saying it for a year but for real… it's coming soon!

our guests arrive and kimberlee prepares our meal.
we pass out margaritas while everyeone gets to know each other….have you made these margaritas yet??

2013-02-15_23-48-44
steph and daina drove all the way from canada!!
they asked if they could make their special pico de gallo and we let them go crazy.
it was delicious!

after dinner we get right into crafting because really…. why wait?!
it is what we are all together for right?
they begin on their aprons around 7:30…and finished by 2:30 AM.
night owls in this group.

choosing the fabric is the hardest part of making the apron!

debbie finished hers VERY quickly…a very experienced seamstress!
and she whipped up her pretty flower too.
she was FAST!
i LOVE her fabric choices!

kimberlee always makes BIG breakfasts that are beyond delicious.
i am all for chocolate in the morning!
and frosting on cinnamon rolls…. oh my.

after all 16 of us get ready for the day… that is a lot of women…
we head out for our field trip to our favorite store and the barn.
it's fun to ride ALL together like a school trip.

talby happened to be playing her final basketball game that day in Marion at the same time we were shoppping so i snuck out and cheered her on! I was so happy to get a peek at my family in the middle of CW.

then i was picked up on the way to the barn.
i can't ever get over how much they have every single month.
i am a junking addict.

Oggie and Dennis run the store and barn and are fun to catch up with every month.
that is Oggie with steph and daina…. what a bunch of characters!

i love sharing my favorite place with all these women!

everyone did a little show and tell when we got back to the craft house.

everyone finds treasures.

i found this.

it was a no-brainer.
when you find something that is this perfectly your style… you almost HAVE to say yes.
yellow? chippy paint? working doors, shelves and drawers? turquoise ON THE INSIDE?
there was no way i was saying no to this.

i can't wait to fill her with craft supplies.
i think i will name her Sunny.

we got on some comfy clothes and got back into crafting.

shannan led a canvas project… we made infinty scarves, wire words, t-shirt flowers and wood bunting.

when they are all working and chatting and creating….this room is A M A Z I N G.
it is such a happy place.

we had A LOT of instagrammers at this craft weekend working the #whatevercraftweekend hashtag.

this is my canvas project in the middle…. and i actually started this canvas 6 months or so ago with ashley ann.
finally finished it at THIS craft weekend.

all of our girls lined up by their room order…

and all of their beautiful, special and well earned aprons!

their canvases….

thier flowers… so bright and colorful!

some of the girlies in their infinity scarves with their flowers.

another fabulously creative, kind, happy group that we are honored to be able to serve and pamper.

thanks girls for coming all the way to kansas to get crafty.

thanks shannan and taryn for being rock star helpers!

craft weekend has been a complete blessing in every way.
what started as a "let's try it ONE time to see if we like it" has turned into this wonderful, JOYful job
that both kimberlee and i are loving every minute of.
what started as a weekend of making crafts has turned into helping women find their creativity again.
giving them an opportunity to BE CREATIVE… to rest…. to refresh their spirits.

i love craft weekend.

more information on HOW to get to Craft Weekend is all found HERE.

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Katie - Oh that yellow cabinet you bought. Wowza!!!

Laurie - Charming shop and fun style! Where is your shop and “the barn”? My parents live in Hutchinson and I’d love to visit both when we go to Kansas in June.

Jamie - Love looking through these pictures every few weeks! 🙂
In love with your black and white striped dress, where is it from?!

Judy P - Meg…Living in Idaho, I’m not sure if craft weekend will ever be a “reality” for me, but I LOVE your posts about craft weekend and I would love, love, love to come someday!!! Your home is so warm and colorful and inviting!!! The weekend and the crafts look SO fun!!!
I love crafts and getting away for a weekend like you have look like such a fun time…I need to start working on a friend or two to come with me and make it happen!! Until then, thank you for your wonderful posts!! :0) Judy

Bugs & Sunshine - WOW, I’ve never heard of anything like this but it’s definitely on my list of things to do!!! What a blessing for women to be able to come and get refreshed. Ya’ll are awesome for offering this! Blessings, Anna

Lori Austin - Fantastic pics from another super fun CW.
Tulips + jar + yellow trivet = LOVE! 🙂
I also love that Shannan was one of your helpers. I started
following her blog thru you some time ago and was pleased to find she
lives in my own state. How fun! Both of your blogs have been such a blessing to me.

Jes - Love these posts! In the picture of the swag there is a print in the back that looks charcoal grey, with a sort of linen looking texture and a bit faux chalkboard like. Would you please tell me where it is from? Thank you!

Michelle from Australia - The star quilt is to die for. I would fly to Kansas just to find one like that!!

Jacci in Ohio - Love it 🙂 The tulip photo actually made me gasp! lol. I love the flowers on your island every single time no matter what they are. And the jar… perfect.
Looks like another super fun weekend 🙂

Kerstie Pederson - Ok…… in LOVE with craft weekend and Sunny too…..!

julia - I’m such a groupie…I was thinking “Hey, that looks like FlowerPatchFarmGirl” and it turns out I was right!

Cindy B. - These are my favorite posts!!! Looks like such a wonderful time. What is the white dish with the chocolate on top? Looks yummy, yummy, yummy.
Thanks,
Cindy B.

Stef - Alright Meg. My 6 1/2 year old daughter {Rachel} is my crafting queen around here. She wants to create and craft and decorate and re-shape everything she gets her eyes on. She even gifts me, her non-crafty Mother, tips on how I can make things and decorate things.
She just saw this blog post and the gasping and oo’ing and awwing and can be heard for miles and miles 🙂
I believe she uttered the words “I wish we lived by her so she could be like my Mom.”
Just thought you’d want to know, you have a little admirer.

Gale - Looks like so much fun!! I feel blessed to have been part of #12! Love LOVE love your cabinet!!

Dawn G - a weekend full of fabulous! thanks for everything – so. much. fun!

DebZorn - You have really found your strength! Craft weekend just looks like so much fun! Your yellow cupboard is spectacular. Thank you for sharing.

Stacy Mc - Love your craft weekend posts. Such a happy place! You and Kimberlee need to do Craft Weekend Book, or at least cook book. Would be a best seller for sure! Even a ebook would be great.
Stacy Mc

Lorie - So blessed to be part of lucky #13! It was such an amazing weekend. thanks for having us Meg&Kimberlee!

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friday.

February 15, 2013

my kids are off school today.
and monday.
today we are cleaning the house (not that it shows…) because it's a wreck.

these are some of my instagrams from the past week or so.
you can follow me on IG if you'd like…. i am Meg Duerksen.

have you ever made this Oreo pie?
my family LOVES it and it's soooo easy!
it's oreo brand pie crust, oreo pudding and cool whip.
and it looks fancy and your kids will gobble it up.
the recipe is ON the pie crust….yeah that simple.

(not working for oreo….i just LOVE oreos)

sewing is great for stress relief.
i am not sure WHY.
but it is.

this black feather was in my sheets as i was crawling into bed last week.
i screamed SO LOUD FULL ON TERROR because i thought it was a big spider.
i woke up the dog.
i was all shakey…. i have a fear of spiders. did you guess that?

annie whispered this to me during communion last week.
i wrote it down immediately and passed it over to craig.

but how awesome would that be???

i love getting my hair done.
i feel so sassy when i leave the salon.

our high school has a fundraiser during half time of the basketball games called Pop-A-Shot
kids pay $1 to shoot a free throw and if they make it they get a 2 liter of POP.
(i am guessing the pop is donated)
TONS of kids run out there to try and it's no big deal if they miss.
they can shoot as many times as you have dollars.
it is awesome.
if your school doesn't do this…. they should.
talby made her shot. 🙂

brad paisley helped me make it through my miles last week.
this week i am so tired.
but i can't stop.
i do get quite tempted to quit very often.

five hours after craft weekend was over
my entire family on my dad's side showed up to stay for a few days.
my grandmother passed away last week and everyone came together to celebrate her beautiful life.
(more on that later)

she would have LOVED to see us all together in one place.

with her cousins at the craft house, annie started to make a flag with my scraps.
she reeeeeeally wanted to hot glue it all together.
i really didn't want her to but knew i should be encouraging her creativity.
she said to me "MOM….when i grow up i am going to be the president
and i am going ot make our flag look just like this!"
my heart melted.

these are the women in my family on my dad's side.
we each chose pieces of grandma's jewelry until it was all divided.
my dad made the rule we had to wear what we chose all evening.
it was fun.
my grandma had a lot of unique and special jewelry.
she would have gotten a big kick of the girls wearing it all at once.

kansas sunsets are peaceful.

we don't do valentine's day at our house.
we just don't.
and i am ok with that.
but then it does begin to feel like i am the ONLY ONE in the whole world who doesn't do it.
i got bugged about it so i took myself for a massage.
it was pretty rad.

i love the relaxation room after the massage.
but yesterday it was filled with couples…. and me… and an older lady eating a smelly salad.
one couple was kissing and had a bottle of wine.
gag.
the other two couples had clearly never been there & didn't know it was the RELAXation room and they should be quiet.
i kept my book up high to block them all from vision but i could hear them.
i finally just went to the steam room to be alone.

i sound like an old lady.
i know.
i am happy they were going to go get their romance on… i just didn't want to see it.

but the masage and steam were fabulous…. yay.

happy valentine's (that i don't celebrate) to me!

i had five minutes at barnes & noble and i spent 4.5 of them in the line.
i wished i had bought the Travel Africa magazine because it looked cool!
i don't want to cycle in africa… but i do want to Travel Africa.

i bought the book on the Tattoos on the Heartand i am loving it already!
shannan told me it was good and she is right.
again.

(strong langauge… fyi)

have you seen hot pink Kitchen Aid in person?
it is super awesome.
i would never get tired of that color….would i?
it's perfect.
i saw it at target.

and this is what waffle and i just did.

he smelled beyond gross.

and now he doesn't.

alrighty…. my kids want me to play Sorry.
gotta run.
happy weekend to you!

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Ash - just found your blog and wanted to drop a couple of notes:
a) i love the idea of craft weekends and totally wish i thought of it or had a house big enough to host…anyone.
b) we don’t do valentine’s either and i’m glad to see SOMEONE else out there that doesn’t do it either.
c) oh goodness, i want that kitchen aid mixer. i drool every time i see it at our target!
glad i found your blog and can’t wait to read more!

Tracy Fisher - i loved your “old lady” comment. so true. i get it. haha. -tracy
p.s. i want that pink mixer!!!!

Krissy - Annie would make a GREAT president!!! She has awesome ideas (like ribs at communion!)
I have that pink mixer, and I LOVE it!!! There is a blender that matches it that I want too. It sitting on my counter always brightens my day! 🙂

katie - You have a sweet girl, but I do have to do a ‘lil witness here as it just saddens me that you all are thinking of communion as “just food”.
In the Catholic church we actually receive Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity….super crazy I know!
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:53–56).
NOTE in King James bible the word “verily, veriely” is used which means truth…
If you want you can read this Catholic page to explain more as we know Jesus was not speaking metophorically
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/christ-in-the-eucharist
There are many miracles too that go along with our Holy communion – Saints that lived off it ONLY for years! anyway it is in your court if you want to look into it just felt I needed to say something…

andrea - Oooohhhh, I am so jealous! A massage. Sigh. I haven’t had one in FOREVER. We really don’t do V-day here either. Just school stuff – which is MORE than enough. But since I now have two at home for homeschooling, they didn’t do anything but share their little brother’s stuff from school. Good boy! He shared without me asking.
My yellow lab stinks too. We normally bath her outside but it is way too cold. Can’t do it in the house; she shakes and shakes and shakes… Hair and water everywhere. Have to take her into the dog wash at the car wash. Heated room, heated water, dog shampoo – worth it.

Kristin S - The photo bombers in your jewelry pic are hilarious.

Naomi - I have a pink kitchen aid, but not a hot pink one. I want it! So awesome!!

amy - The stoic-ness of Waffle’s face made me gaffaw. What a cute mutt.

colleen from Alabama - Ok, I officially LOVE waffle. That dog is such a poser! He looks like a little old man when he is wet like that. I laughed so hard and then I showed it to my husband so he could laugh too! PRICELESS! His face just cracks me up. Thank you for making my saturday morning with that. Love your random posts. Thanks for taking the time to share the fun.

Lisa M. - Loved this post, Meg. So nice to see all those IG pics! I love dunking oreos in black coffee. I then throw the coffee out because I don’t drink blk coffee 🙂 And did you know that an ONE oreo has over 50 calories!! I actually stopped eating oreos after I read that 🙂
I love to see that you’re still running! That’s awesome. I stopped over the winter and didn’t want to 🙁 busy season in my business and it’s so darn cold! Back at it soon tho! Thanks for sharing!

Juli - We don’t do Valentine’s Day either. He did bring home Soup for a Group from Panera for dinner so I wouldn’t have to cook since I was sick but I don’t think that counts. He would’ve done that anyway! 😉

Heather - Annie for president! I swear I went to grade school with the gal on the left side of the picture (the women on your dad’s side of the family). If it’s not her, she has a twin! Did she grow up in MN and her dad was a band instructor?

Sarah - I love love love your non-Valentine-Day day…and had to laugh at your relaxation room-oh yuck-experience. You are so funny. And I make that Oreo pie thingy too and it always disappears so quickly wherever it goes-and it’s so easy! Have a great weekend! (I would vote for Annie too!)

jessica - Waffle! That just made me so happy! I love your dog 😀

katie - We don’t really celebrate valentine’s day either. my husband and I had a nice getaway over christmas break and that was our money for valentines and our birthdays this year. plus with how much they celebrate in school i don’t think my kids need more! just saying you are not alone!!!

Kibaya - Hi.
Here in Finland we have two sides of valentines day. Other is like yours – be my valentine and the other one is friendship. We also call the day FrienshipDay instead of valentines day. I don’t do valentines but I do friendship! Cynics here are thinking that it’s only commershial and business and so on. But I did text to my friends to have a special day because they are special. And I sent two cards to my nearest friends. Nothing more 🙂
But because christmas, easter and Day of May is mainly our only decorational days in here it doesn’t bother us not to celebrate.

lindsey - we don’t really do valentine’s day either. its easier on both of us, to be honest. we’re lazy gift givers. this way, no one’s disappointed!

Kori - We don’t do Valentine’s Day either. I mean, seriously, we’re married to each other…who else would be our valentines? Right? I did, however, as I laid my tired self on the couch after work, get a full leg and foot rub that lasted for over an hour. Better than any flowers and cards I tell ya! 😉

beth - i’m going to go out on a limb here and say that at our house we do celebrate valentine’s day. the way i see it, we’re only on this earth for _? number of years, and there’s only a handful of special days to celebrate each year, so why not go all out and take every possible opportunity to turn an ordinary day in to something even more special? i like to really do it up for birthday’s and the other holidays through the year also. and by go all out, i don’t mean by spending lot’s money. it’s not about that for me. it’s about the little things i can do to show my family how much i love and treasure them. i got up extra early and made them strawberry waffles and bacon (something i would normally only make on weekends), gave the kids small gift bags filled with inexpensive things that they love and don’t normally get, drove the kids to school rather than the bus (a treat) then had a nice candlelit family dinner together that night. also, my husband brought home roses (for me) and tulips (for our daughter) when he came home from work. when the kids went to bed we shared a bottle of wine and a slice of cheesecake while we watched a movie. it was such a wonderful valentines day. i hope i’m not the only one?…

Lisa - We don’t do valentines in my marriage either. Mostly cause of me. For whatever reason I just can’t get behind that holiday. I so wish I had gotten a massage though!!!! That sounds amazing! 🙂

Colleen - Looks like a good week. Lots of family time. We don’t do it up big for V day either. We remember that we love each other without having a “special” day to display it. Speaking of display….that would have made me want to leave the quiet room too! Hope you won at Sorry…I try to beat my kids at games every so often. Keep it real, we don’t always win in life, right? Have a great weekend!

Michelle - We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day either. Nice to hear of someone else who doesn’t go crazy for the day. Anyway, I love the picture of all the women wearing your grandma’s jewelry. Such a great tribute to her.

Jenny B. - That feather would have freaked me out too! I check my bed for spiders every night. Seriously. A friend of mine was bitten by a BLACK WIDOW that was in her covers. No joke. Anywho…
Ribs for communion. Hilarious (and somewhat appropriate). 😉
We don’t really do Valentine’s Day either. My birthday is 3 days before (and lots of other family members’ birthdays are in February too). We do cards. That’s it. And, of course, the cheap-o store-bought Valentines for the kids to give their friends. No big gifts or romantic nights out, though.
People kissing at a massage place? Eww… PDA! 🙂

Tracey - Waffle is so silly!!!
And I love the pink Kitchen Aid, but i already have a blue one.
We don’t really do Valentine’s either. I made heart shaped pizza and squirted cheesecake goo into strawberries. That was it—but my boys were all happy. 🙂

Rachel B. - I would vote for Annie!

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pumpkin french toast….YUM

February 14, 2013

i have an easy yummy recipe for you to make for this weekend.
it’s so nice to make it quickly the night before and then have a hot breakfast in the morning when you are sleepy.
that is a HUGE reason why breakfast isn’t my thing… i am not a morning person.
i am too tired and out of it to consciously make a dish without messing it up.

so… the make ahead stuff is great for my night owl personality.

you need a loaf of bread, eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, milk, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar.

cut the loaf of bread into cubes.
i just buy a loaf of italian or french bread for this and cut the whole thing up.
if you arent’ cooking for a crowd like i am at every meal… you don’t need to use the whole loaf.

put the cubes in a 9×13 dish and mix up all the ingredients except brown sugar.

pour that over all the bread cubes covering the cubes completely.

if there is a place where the batter did not get on the cubes use a rubber spatula and gently smoosh it down until all the bread cubes are soaked in the batter.

THEN cover it and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

in the morning…. preheat your oven to 350.
uncover your dish.
sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the dish.
BAKE at 350 uncovered for 40 – 45 minutes.

It smells amazing as it cooks.
like you are making pumpkin pie for breakfast.

we top it off with syrup… each person putting on their own amount.

it’s DELICIOUS.
seriously…. such a treat for a weekend morning.

you can make a smaller amount by using a little less eggs and milk.
i don’t think you would need to change the pumpkin, vanilla and spices though.

i am super hungry right now…. i wish thees pictures weren’t from last week.

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Block Party - Making the World Cuter - […] 6. Pumpkin French Toast from Whatever […]

14 Recipes for Fall - Making the World Cuter - […] 6. Pumpkin French Toast from Whatever […]

Garage Door Repairs Phoenix - I appreciate this idea very much. I made it for myself and my 1 year old this weekend, and we both loved it!

Michelle Whitlow - I made this for breakfast this morning and it was SO yummy!! I halved the recipe because I was only making it for my 3 kids (and one’s a toddler). So here’s my version for anyone who wants it: I used a 1/2 loaf french bread, 1 cup canned pumpkin, 4 eggs, 1 cup half and half (I just prefer this over milk for french toast), 1 tsp vanilla (cause I love it!) and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
I still baked it for 40 min and it was not mushy, not sure why others had that problem. Maybe not enough bread or your layers are too thick & the middle can’t cook is all I can think. I think the key is to make sure that you have enough bread in the pan to soak up most of the liquids. My toddler GOBBLED this up!! And she didn’t even use syrup 🙂
Thanks so much for the recipe! I’ll definitely be making it again!!

Michelle Whitlow - Melissa – I did the same thing! I emptied the shelves of pumpkin cause there’s no way I’m living without it!!

Holly - Yum! I’ll definitely be making this!!

Meg Duerksen - my guess would be that if it’s mushy… you need to cook it longer or use more bread.
and there are 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
the flavor is pumpkin with the brown sugar and the syrup over it.
french toast is usually bread and eggs and cinnamon and the sweetness comes from the syrup too.
you are free to make it whatever way you’d like. 🙂
my family loves it this way.

Amy Moran - Hi Jennifer.
See my response above. I made the recipe, as well, and had results simliar to yours:(

Amy Moran - I don’t cook often..actually ever. My husband is the cook in our family. I saw your recipe and thought it sounded delicious and definitely something I could make. I followed the directions to a ‘t’. The end result was definitely not what I expected. It had no flavor, and was still a bit mushy on the bottom. I was so disappointed. I don’t know what went wrong. In the recipe it asks for a ‘t’ of vanilla and I think pumpkin spice. I assumed it was a ‘teaspoon’ maybe I was wrong.

melissa@joyineveryseason - A couple years ago there was a shortage of pumpkin during the holidays, and I literally got down on my knees to pull the last can of pumpkin in the county from underneath the grocery store shelves. It was a “As God is my witness, we shall never not have enough canned pumpkin during the holidays again” moment, thus I always have at least one extra can of pumpkin in the pantry come February. I was wondering what to do with it this year, and this recipe was definitely the answer. Let me tell you, my whole family was rejoicing that the lonely can leftover from 2012 was a large one and made two casserole dishes of this yummy goodness. Five stars on this one, it is SO GOOD! thank you, Meg!

Jennifer - Just made this for breakfast this morning, but it turned out mushy. Maybe next time, more bread (I used a whole French bread loaf this time) or bake in two pans so it’s thinner and dries out more. Also, maybe would add a bit of the brown sugar into the batter so all of the french toast is sweetened. Love the idea of adding pecans next time!
If anyone else has made it, please let me know how it turned out for you – maybe I did something wrong. : )

Erin - 1. I feel the same way when I get my hair done!☺
2. So sorry about your grandmother.
3. I will make that pumpkin French toast (someday!)!

Jen - Making this this weekend. Thanks, Meg!

Julie - Wanted to link this in case you haven’t seen it. Go down to the bottom of the article where they talk about the Hesston team.
http://www.varsitykansas.com/2013/02/14/44559/basketball-notes-andale-boys-learn.html

Amy - Wow, that looks awesome! I am saving this recipe for my annual ‘weekend before Thanksgiving girls’ retreat’ in New Hampshire. Although I have to say….I am so surprised that you are using IMITATION vanilla extract, girl! Get the real stuff; it’s 1000 times better! 🙂

Gina - Yum! That looks delicious! I will look for pumpkin purée at the grocery store today and see if I can make it this weekend. We recently (6 months ago) moved to London (UK) and I have been enjoying searching for different things in the grocery stores. Not sure if I will find pumpkin purée….should be able to. Wish me luck! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

justme - Your kids probably wouldn’t like it but I think I’d chop up some pecans and throw them in with the brown sugar!

Linda - sounds amazing I must try it!

Amy - Thank you so much for the recipe! We have a crazy, busy weekend coming up with basketball tournament, running here, running there and this would be a fantastic way to start the day!

Lindsey - Perfect timing! Thanks for sharing – I have company this weekend!

Stephanie - Yum! What an inventive way to do an easy weekend breakfast!

Lee Ann - I can almost smell it!
I had a dream about you last night. There was a parade in your small town – in honor of YOU! My family and I drove from Washington to see you. And then there was a “meet and greet” in the library and we sat and chatted. It was awesome! 🙂

Jenn - Um…hello, YUM! This is my kind of weekend breakfast.

Adrienne - I can smell it now! Yummmmmmm 🙂

Lennie Jackson - Can’t wait to try it! Thanks!

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