We had a great weekend even if the Dawgs did not win.  On Friday evening we traveled to a high school football game against one of our biggest rivals.  We met up with a college friend we haven't seen years.  It was so much fun to catch up and he kicked off Halloween by giving the kiddos an enormous bag of chocolates.  Our team WON- big time.   The kiddos had a birthday party on Saturday followed by the Trunk or Treat at church.  My 10 year old son didn't really want to do the costume thing so he went as the Ultimate Georgia Fan and my daughter wanted to be an "Exercise Lady".  My sister owns her owns The Pink Physique (ladies only gym) and sent her the adorable costume.   I would post a picture, but I'm having trouble w/loading the picture.

I know I've said it before, but life in a small town has never a dull moment.  Recently another citizen said it is almost as if we live in Stars Hollow.  This is the fictional town from the television show The Gilmore Girls.  We have an ecletic bunch of citizens just as the people you might find in Stars Hollow..  Our downtown is bustling with cute shops, an art gallery, a movie theater and a fabulous restaurant.  It seems there is always an art gallery opening, concert down town or something going on in the park.  We barely make it to the city due to all of the things we find to do on the weekends. 

This weekend our family attended the regular Friday night football game and enjoyed the first chili of the season at our weekly tailgate.  Nothing says fall like football and chili.  I must say wetailgate with a bunch of GREAT cooks.  They even let me cook my favorite fall dessert- Pumpkin Crisp.   Thank goodness our team came away with a great win.  Next week will be a lot tougher and we are on the road.

On Saturday we attended the wedding of two very special neighbors.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Our very old church was the perfect setting for a lovely afternoon wedding.  I must say the music was outstanding- violin and piano.  The reception was held at a local plantation.  Guest were treated to delicious fare- fried chicken, pork loin, salmon spread, pasta, croissants and rolls, cheese ring, potato salad, fruit w/chocolate fondue, and fresh veggies.  Instead of the traditional groom's cake, they served a variety of southern favorites- chocolate cake w/cooked chocolate icing, lemon cheese, pound cake, coconut cake, etc.---YUMMY!  The flowers were grown locally.   Local hands arranged the blooms and presented them in simple glass vases- just perfect for the outdoor setting.  The flowers were accentuated by locally grown ferns (I've never seen ferns this big anywhere else). 

Our next invitation took us to our flower girl's house for a pumpkin carving, snacks and beverages.  Our flower girl (she is in her twenties now) is so sweet to our children.  She babysits, assist with school projects and just adores our children.  The pumpkin carving got underway on her mother's rug (I was about to die for fear pumpkin mush would forever stain it).  Our daughter had lots of assistance carving the Georgia "G" while our son learned to punch out a more traditional design before carving.  The results were amazing.

Little did we know the party was about to move again.  Our Dawgs played last night, but we could only pick up the game on one channel.  Our friends have satellite and do not get the channel so the entire gang packed up and moved the party down the street to our my in-laws so we could view it on cable. 

We are looking for to Trunk or Treat this coming weekend.  My daughter (with the assistance of my sister) will be an "exercise lady" while my son has decided to be a little grown-up and go as a Georgia fan.  I hope his costume is just what we need on Saturday to get the win over the Gators. 

A few weeks ago I thought the worst was over and things would slow down, but my life is in overdrive.  The kiddos kept us extra busy last week.  The local fair came to town which means dancing and a 4-H project.  Our daughter danced and our son competed in his first 4-H competition.  Only in small town, south could you wear tulle and sequins to the fair, eat some of the best hamburgers and play bingo.  My daughter and I had a lucky streak and won a couple of games of Bingo.  Our prize was a fabulous package of Playdough from the local dollar store.  My daughter has created endless amounts of playdough food w/our win.  I've pretended to eat peas, blue berries, pizza and pancakes.  My son's project was about football (bet you wouldn't have guessed it).  He learned the hand signals the football officials use while calling the game.  A local coach was kind enough to loan us a jersey.  This project was truly a family effort.  While visiting my parents we spent endless hours photographing and cutting paper w/a paper cutter.  My boy did an excellent job on the written portion of this project.  The result- A BLUE RIBBON!!!  Next up DPA.


Over the weekend we got to cheer on the DAWGS in Athens.  There is nothing better than Chic-fil-A mini's for a tailgate brunch!!!  Those biscuits and nuggets are MARVELOUS!  The world was introduced to UGA VII- Big Bruce!  It was Homecoming and the Dawgs did not let us down.

Why do politicians create mandates for insurance companies, schools and business that just don't make since? 
1st WHY?- We are renewing our health insurance only to find out due to the healthcare legislation passed last year we are being punished with higher premiums and higher co-pays and fewer services?  McDonald's decided they would drop their coverage and got a waiver.  I'm sure we will pay more for their waiver.

2nd WHY?- Why would you decide someone needs to take a test several years after they have completed a class?  Not to mention you never told them they would need to take a test later?

3rd WHY? - Why would you pass legislation or make decisions when you have no clue how will impact the people charged with implementing it?  Walk a mile in my shoes....

4th WHY?- Why would you ask me how you can help when you really have no intention of helping?

What a couple of weeks for me!  I'm exhausted w/no break in sight.  During the last two weeks I have coordinated a weeklong special event at work, made two costumes for the kiddos for International Milk Day, homemade cookies for the Fall Carnival at the elementary school, helped my son w/his 4-H project and made a few items for our upcoming church bazaar.  Mix in some football games and a trip to visit my family.  I just wish we had a fall break.  Hubby sold apples for a local civic club, so I will be baking lots of apple cake, apple bread and apple pie in the next few weeks.

I had an absolutely great time visiting with my family.  My Daddy made his famous White Chicken Chili (will post recipe later).  My Mama introduced me to her new couponing system.  I have read about lots of couponing workshops and even subscribe to a few couponing Facebook pages, but have not been able to dedicate the time needed to this activity.   She has a huge notebook w/dividers and baseball card holders.  She has even found out where to buy local papers for 50 cent w/the weekly coupons.  Every Saturday she goes and purchases multiple newspapers just for the coupons.  On Saturday, we headed to Walgreens to get eleven tubes of Nivea lip balm only to find out they were out, but no worries a rain check was in order.  I admire the couponers with stories of buying $200.00 worth of groceries for $50.00, but it would take me an enormous about of time to save so much.  I'm really glad my mom has worked out an organizational system- can't wait to hear more about her bargains.

Finally, I must mention the cutest new blog- Pagoda Press.  I stumbled upon this blog a few weeks ago and look forward to reading it several times per week.  Check it out if you have a moment.

This weekend I enjoyed some much needed time at home.  As I rested and reflected on the events of last week (Homecoming at school).  I pondered the events for the month of October.   We do some great activities in our neighborhood and in our church during the month.  I'm absolutely loving the cooler weather.  Today,  I attended a Tastefully Simple party and got to taste some new as well as standard items.  Wild Rice Soup, Smoked Garlic and Paprika Dip, Carrot Cake Cheese Ball, Beer Bread, Butterscotch Hot Chocolate and Oat and Cranberry Squares were my favorites.  If you haven't ever tried the products you are really missing easy to prepare items.  Google "Tastefully Simple" if you would like to order.

In just a few short weeks we will celebrate Halloween.  Several years ago my kiddos started a Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive in lieu of trick or treating for candy.  Our neighbors are always very willing to participate.  The week before the collection the kids deliver Halloween themed notices to all of the neighbors notifying them of the date for the collection.  Once the items are collected the children go with us to deliver them to the local food pantry.

We took this picture the first year the kids collected canned food during Halloween.  They were so excited about their contributions.

On Halloween night our church sponsors a "Trunk or Treat" event.  If you have never participated you must find one or start your own.  Each family is asked to decorate their trunk and hand out candy.  We pull into a parking lot and line up- kids then go trunk to trunk with their treat bags.  Our church also provides hot cocoa, hotdogs, chips, etc.  We also roast marshmallows.  This event is much better than the old fashioned trick or treating of my childhood and a much safer alternative.


Here are more great themes:

Nursery Rhyme Theme
Thomas the Train Theme
Hunting or Camo Theme
Princess Theme
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (decorate w/candy)
Beach Theme
NASCAR Theme - Display all your souvenirs
Harvest Theme
Sports Theme (pick a sport) - Team displays are popular
Popular Kid's Themes: Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Veggie Tales, etc.
Animal Themes - Stuffed animals count.
Movie Themes (Keep the kids in mind though)
Western Theme
Camping Out theme
Christmas (or other holiday) Theme
Gone Fishing Theme
Pirate Theme

Got to get busy on the theme for our trunk this year- I have no idea what we will do.  I am open for more theme suggestions.  Happy Early Trick or Treating!