Parties, Parties Everywhere

I am running around like a mad woman trying to get geared up for the holidays. I look at my calendar and FREAK.....why did I think it was a good idea to have so many parties, get-togethers, etc? Well, that is just who I am.

Rules I live and entertain by:
1. Have way too much food and then eat it ALL!!!
2. Always be ready for unexpected guests....the more the merrier.
3. Take a lot of pictures of the food
4. No mess = a bad day/party
5. Last minute planning works every time.....well, most every time. Vomiting child at the SS Ugly Sweater Party last year threw me a little off my game, but that is the only exception.

But, here is why I do it.

I love to just, "hang out" with my family.
I LOVE to Cook


(turkey from last Thanksgiving....that is my "helper")
Apple Sauce for recent Pork Wellington
Pork Wellington....ummmmmm!
The burnt...very broken two are mine....not the best baker.

I love to make things (especially food) pretty!

Friends, neighbors, friends, friends, friends.....Everyone is always welcome at the Curran House.

(pics from the Ugly Sweater Party last year)

I am getting excited already!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom

My mom would be 58 today. She was born November 13, 1952. It was not unusual for her birthday to fall on a Friday....Friday the 13th, none the less. She always joked about Friday the 13th being her birthday. I also remember my mom always being pleased that all three of her children were born on a Friday. I figured that this was just a convenient day of the week for two very busy parents. I never really checked this little fun fact out, but today....in honor of my mother, I did. I used this birthday calculator. Sure enough, we were all born on Friday. I thought there was a chance she was born on a Friday, but no....my mom came into this world on a Thursday.

She always loved this little poem. In fact, when she had my youngest sister, someone gave her a little porcelain box with these words on it.

Monday's Child is fair of face,Tuesday's Child is full of grace,Wednesday's Child is full of woe,Thursday's Child has far to go,Friday's Child is loving and giving,Saturday's Child works hard for a living,But the Child that is born on the Sabbath Day,Is witty and wise and good and gay!
58 Things that Remind Me of My MomYellow RosesSoup TerrinesMy SistersPot RoastMy HandsDishesTable SettingsOU FootballFaberge EggsNCAA BasketballMy Boys (Sons and Nephews)NeedlepointingMy Living Room ChairsTulsaBirthday PartiesHerend ChinaMy Wedding RingCross NecklacesBedlamNew York CityGardeningBirkenstocksUtica SquareHomeworkTuna CasseroleDaffodilsCataloguesHarry ChapinLittle "yippy" dogsa good mealChristmas StockingsAntique StoresBooksSpringMy UnclesAwesome Kitchen'sFresh FlowersLaliqueNote CardsPolishing SilverSapulpaDiet CokeHer Maroon Leather BriefcaseLittle League BaseballCrane ScissorsLadybugsWilliams SonomaItalian GardensBirthday LunchesSkipping BreakfastRed ShoesSouther Living CookbooksNew MexicoSilent NightStaffordshire DogsApril 14October 5January 29

Hey Kids.....the Grand Canyon

I was so excited to sit by the window on the airplane flying out of Las Vegas. I looked up from my knitting and this is what I saw. I think this is just the edge....but, I am pretty sure it is the Grand Canyon. The boys were very impressed!!!!

Curran Craziness

Last week was full of Halloween activities. So, I started the week in a mad dash to finish the 2 year old art work for the school carnival and auction. It turned out awesome, but it took 4 different shoots and a little photoshop to complete. I love how it turned out and it was a hot item at the auction.
I also had my supper organized aunt came to help me organize my home....we started with the basement. Her initial comment, "Oh My!" Really? I thought I was doing pretty good. Here is a picture of the entrance to my basement. What do you think?
Wednesday night the nephews joined us for the church carnival. It was a lot of fun, but Jesse thought it was a little loud. Nathan ate sucker after sucker and Adam is still looking for a place to bob for apples. I guess he took the Charlie Brown special to heart.
Thursday night was the school carnival. It was awesome. All of the mom's and teachers did a great job. The kids loved it and I loved shopping the auction.
And, I WON this!!!!!........... The artwork from the Stingray class. Adam's flower is the orange and red one in the middle. I call it the "Ode to Bedlam". I love it!!!!
Saturday morning the sisters and I went wedding dress shopping. I loved the "bird cages". Mary, not so much. However, she has promised me one to go with my Matron of Honor dress. :)
The boys and I Boo'd a few neighbors!
And then we went Trick-or-Treating!!!!

Nate was just along for a ride........and some candy.All in all it was a great week and weekend. I hope you all had a great Halloween!!!!

A ghost story

No, I don't think so. I have seen lights, heard sounds and seen things move, but I have never actually seen a ghost. However, I once interviewed for a job as the youth minister for a church. One of the church staff members asked..."what will you do when you are on a youth trip and a youth member believes the place you are staying is haunted by ghosts?" Now, I am not even going into the assumptions with this statement, but really? I think this was an attempt at a "liberal" question. You know, to get an idea of my theology...and she was "liberal". This is the crap you get in the Bible belt. :)

A New Piece

I have really been enjoying everything Marci has taught me with Watercolors. One of the best afternoons in New Mexico I spent in front of the cabin working on a piece for someone for Christmas. (Don't worry readers....the person it is going to does not read my blog.) Anyway, it was so much fun to set time a side to notice the intricacies of the cracks and shadows. I loved it and I love how it turned out.

My New Toy

I was walking the dog a couple of Saturday's ago and noticed a yard sale at a house at the end of my block. I decided I needed to stop in mainly just to see the house up close. I was quickly checking things out as I heard one of the owners say, "I wish we knew a sewing guild to get a hold of." I stopped, dead in my tracks and asked what type of sewing materials they had. FOUR sewing machines and an assortment of notions. All of the machines were in awesome condition....books, presser feet, and everything. I crossed my fingers for a Singer Featherweight, but no such luck. However they did have a Singer 330A (I think) and a 1951 Singer Centennial Model that belonged to the late owners' mother. It was in a beautiful wooden case and appeared to be in working order. Now, I am the proud owner of my first vintage machine. I cleaned it up, but I am having a little trouble getting it to sew. I think it is user error, because everything appears to be in working order. Here are some more pictures of my little beauty!