Things mom would be proud of...

A few things done in our household, in recent weeks, that mom would be proud of:

10.) Family painting project, framed and hanging in the living room: a very colorful, abstract creation. Beautiful.

9.) Raked leaves in the FALL, not the spring after they've had an entire winter to "marinate." (Hey, makes better mulch for the flower gardens that way.)

8.) Held a eulogy in the living room for a lost family pet. Everyone said words. Tears were shed. And Lili was remembered.

7.) Baked cookies for Owen's Christmas program, packaged up and in the freezer, ready for next week. No last-minute bustle, or box of cookies from the store.

6.) Learned to play Yahtzee. Wow, that's a fun game. I never knew.

5.) Listened to "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on vinyl. It doesn't crack and ping in the exact places I remember from childhood, but the music is still perfect.

4.) Let the kids decorate the entire Christmas tree, and didn't even THINK about moving the ornaments to fill in the empty places. Its perfect as it is.

3.) All of the nativity scene figures are dutifully standing around the baby Jesus, watching every move.

2.) A few of my Christmas presents I have sewed from scratch. May not be 4-H quality, but its good enough.

1.) Baked Cinnamon Rolls -- yes, from scratch; yes, mom's recipe; yes, I made 2 triple recipes; yes, 2 pairs of young hands were big helpers. Owen counted 45 pans, with a total of 308 rolls + 2 tea rings. And yes, there was enough room in the freezer, but just barely.

Pictures of some of these events will hopefully one day follow. Since Halloween has yet to get on the blog, I know most of you won't be holding your breath.