Friday night we went to the World Premiere of the movie Being From Another Planet. It was my first premiere!
Last summer my dad was approached by the Producer of the movie, to fly a camera man around East China and Marine City to film footage for a independent film they were making in the area. Knowing my dad, you know that he didn't even hesitate - this is right up his alley! So, when they decided to premiere the movie in Marine City dad was given tickets to attend and we all decided to support his movie making debut.
Nine of us joined my parents for 2 hours and twenty minutes of popcorn and movie viewing. I am not going to say much about the film (as I am hardly a critic). But, the atmosphere and excitement at the theatre were awesome. Everyone was so thrilled to see the sites and locations of Marine City on the big screen. Aaron and I were especially tickled, because a lot of the film was shoot right next door to our home at the East China Stadium and Performing Arts Center. I hope the movie does well as the Producer takes it around to the Independent Film Festivals this summer.
I love that such cool adventures can happen right in our small town.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Life, showers, decorating and food.
My plan to write frequently flew out this window the last week. It doesn't mean that I have been just watching the snow melt in the yard though. Besides my day job, I made a huge push last week to put the finishing touches on Reese's bedroom. After I took her crib down, I started a 3 month effort to peel the wallpaper in her room and then spackle, sand, paint and etc. Last week I finished up with painting her dresser. I think the whole project turned out great and she seems to love it. She loves our new routine of going up stairs to read before bed, she turns on the night light and her room glows a calming pink.
So, with that room behind me, I immediately started peeling wallpaper in the current "toy room". We were so lucky to get a desk from my wonderful Aunt Donna and Uncle Glenn, so my plan is to create a toy room/tv room for the kids and then put my office where their toy room used to be. So, that will be my spring project. I have been saving decorating ideas that I cut of of magazines into a binder for years and I am so excited to be putting those ideas to use.
My mom and I also had the pleassure of hosting a small wedding get-together for my future sister in law Kristina at my mom's house last Saturday night. It was just the moms, sister-in laws, aunts, god mothers and grandmas. We had wonderful little foods. The grand introduction of CAKE POPS. http://www.bakerella.com/ We talked about everyone's weddings, it was great fun to hear stories of all these great women's weddings and receptions. So much planning and effort goes into one day and everyone has such special memories. So, we are now on the countdown to the big day for Jon and Kristina - it is going to be so fun. http://www.thomasedisoninn.com/
Lent also started last week and I have given up my beloved Starbucks Iced Mochas. I actually started a low-carb life style last week as well, so far so good; I will keep you posted. I really would like to go a Wednesday night Lenten service but they do not start until 7:30 p.m. , kind of late for the Atkinson kids. http://www.stpaulscasco.com/
The highlight of the week was a field trip with Parker's Pre-School class to the St. Clair County Main Branch Library in Port Huron. I am sad to say this was my first visit, but happy to say it will not be my last. The class got to decorate their own book bags and then we listened to some stories. The children then got to wander the children's section and marvel at all the treasures - books on dvds, puppets, books, dvds, games, comfy chairs and a fish tank.
Lastly - we made a visit to the St. Clair Library on Saturday (even dragged Aaron along) to see Scooby Doo who was making an appearance. I really thought Parker and Reese would love seeing him, they really dig the show! Little did I know that seeing a man in a dog costume would bring on panic attack (Parker) and murderous cries (Reese). So instead we watched him thru the window and then left for lunch!
So, with that room behind me, I immediately started peeling wallpaper in the current "toy room". We were so lucky to get a desk from my wonderful Aunt Donna and Uncle Glenn, so my plan is to create a toy room/tv room for the kids and then put my office where their toy room used to be. So, that will be my spring project. I have been saving decorating ideas that I cut of of magazines into a binder for years and I am so excited to be putting those ideas to use.
My mom and I also had the pleassure of hosting a small wedding get-together for my future sister in law Kristina at my mom's house last Saturday night. It was just the moms, sister-in laws, aunts, god mothers and grandmas. We had wonderful little foods. The grand introduction of CAKE POPS. http://www.bakerella.com/ We talked about everyone's weddings, it was great fun to hear stories of all these great women's weddings and receptions. So much planning and effort goes into one day and everyone has such special memories. So, we are now on the countdown to the big day for Jon and Kristina - it is going to be so fun. http://www.thomasedisoninn.com/
Lent also started last week and I have given up my beloved Starbucks Iced Mochas. I actually started a low-carb life style last week as well, so far so good; I will keep you posted. I really would like to go a Wednesday night Lenten service but they do not start until 7:30 p.m. , kind of late for the Atkinson kids. http://www.stpaulscasco.com/
The highlight of the week was a field trip with Parker's Pre-School class to the St. Clair County Main Branch Library in Port Huron. I am sad to say this was my first visit, but happy to say it will not be my last. The class got to decorate their own book bags and then we listened to some stories. The children then got to wander the children's section and marvel at all the treasures - books on dvds, puppets, books, dvds, games, comfy chairs and a fish tank.
Lastly - we made a visit to the St. Clair Library on Saturday (even dragged Aaron along) to see Scooby Doo who was making an appearance. I really thought Parker and Reese would love seeing him, they really dig the show! Little did I know that seeing a man in a dog costume would bring on panic attack (Parker) and murderous cries (Reese). So instead we watched him thru the window and then left for lunch!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Recipes and More
I frequently get in a cooking rut of making the same dinners week after week. I know if I am sick of the lack of variety I am sure my family is too. So then I get motivated to pull out the ol' cookbooks looking for new interesting dinners that will statisfy my meat and potatoes husband, my super picky eater son and I will try anything daughter. Oh, and it needs to sound good to me as well, plus I have to have most of the ingredients in the house. I am usually pretty fortunate that something catches my eye and I have in the house what I need to create this new culinary masterpiece that my family will love. Sometimes this new dish makes it into the rotation and sometimes it is not a "keeper". "Keeper" is a phrase my dad coined when we were little whenever my mom made something new - he would say - "That's a Keeper", if he liked it and would like to eat it again.
What I have noticed through all my years of thumbing thru cookbooks is that I like the pictures. I like to see the end product. I HATE cookbooks with no pictures. I have to see what I am cooking is supposed to look like at the end. So gradually over the last couple of years I have been looking online for recipes and and of course those wonderful glossy magazines - because they have such great pictures of the food and for some reason that motivates me more to try them. My favorite new site that has recipes that my husband loves is The Pioneer Woman. http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ We have recently tried and loved her Meatloaf, Chicken Fried Steak and Banana Bread. I would totally recommend it if you need some inspiration.
Today though will be some left over chili, left from my entry in our church's Annual Chili Cookoff. I have entered probably 5-7 times and the best I ever did was 3rd place. Chili is a great winter food and I hope that this is the last time I make it this year until the fall.
What I have noticed through all my years of thumbing thru cookbooks is that I like the pictures. I like to see the end product. I HATE cookbooks with no pictures. I have to see what I am cooking is supposed to look like at the end. So gradually over the last couple of years I have been looking online for recipes and and of course those wonderful glossy magazines - because they have such great pictures of the food and for some reason that motivates me more to try them. My favorite new site that has recipes that my husband loves is The Pioneer Woman. http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ We have recently tried and loved her Meatloaf, Chicken Fried Steak and Banana Bread. I would totally recommend it if you need some inspiration.
Today though will be some left over chili, left from my entry in our church's Annual Chili Cookoff. I have entered probably 5-7 times and the best I ever did was 3rd place. Chili is a great winter food and I hope that this is the last time I make it this year until the fall.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Kindergarten Roundup
Calling all Kindergarteners! Last night in Parker's backpack I found a packet of information to read and fill out for Kindergarten Registration. Parker has been in some sort of structured daycare and pre-school since he was 12 weeks old, so I am an old hat at filling out the forms. But, something about starting the BIG K is a huge milestone in a parents life. So, I read thru all the papers last night and this morning I have been pondering the decisions we have to make, like what days should he go and should he ride the bus. September seems so far away , but I know it will be here before we know it. He is ready, so I guess I am ready.
Also found in Parker's backpack was a list of different types of books he should read this month and if he reads them all he gets a prize from his Pre-School Teacher. I am going to love reading the following with him:
Also found in Parker's backpack was a list of different types of books he should read this month and if he reads them all he gets a prize from his Pre-School Teacher. I am going to love reading the following with him:
- Book about Farm Animals
- Jan Brett Book
- Richard Scarry Book
- Book about Oceans
- Book about Friends
- Book about Cars, Boats, Trains or Planes
- Bible Story
- Book about Numbers
- Book about Manners
- Book of your Choice
- Book about Teeth
- Eric Carle Book
- Nursery Rhyme
- Clifford Book
- Book about Outer Space
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Unexpected Treasures
I love going to the library and have become a fan of the Library Used Book Sale. It is a great way to give a few bucks back to the library for all they do for you.
There is a local library that is fortunate enough to have a room set aside for a continual Used Book Sale. It constantly has new selections and the best part is you can fill a whole plastic sack (more recyling) for $3. On Monday ,I got 5 hardcovered Children's books (practically brand new), a biography on John Adams and a few magazines for 3 bucks! If I am going to get my children a treat - there is nothing better than a book.
I just got the St. Clair County Library newsletter and quickly jotted down when the booksales are going to be this spring across the county. I have gotten some wonderful books for pennies over the years. I am always on the look out for excellent condition children's books, really, really, old books that smell musty and of course the current releases that I am too cheap to buy full price or that I never got around to checking out.
If my bookselves at home start to bow, I sort through my collection and donate them to the library so that someone else might find a book they have wanted or one they didn't even know they wanted and plus the library makes a little extra money.
There is a local library that is fortunate enough to have a room set aside for a continual Used Book Sale. It constantly has new selections and the best part is you can fill a whole plastic sack (more recyling) for $3. On Monday ,I got 5 hardcovered Children's books (practically brand new), a biography on John Adams and a few magazines for 3 bucks! If I am going to get my children a treat - there is nothing better than a book.
I just got the St. Clair County Library newsletter and quickly jotted down when the booksales are going to be this spring across the county. I have gotten some wonderful books for pennies over the years. I am always on the look out for excellent condition children's books, really, really, old books that smell musty and of course the current releases that I am too cheap to buy full price or that I never got around to checking out.
If my bookselves at home start to bow, I sort through my collection and donate them to the library so that someone else might find a book they have wanted or one they didn't even know they wanted and plus the library makes a little extra money.
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