step back a pause...

As the Holidays are upon us I am forever reminded this last week to take a moment to pause and reflect on what is important in life.   The important things in life are not the house you live in, the car you drive or the type of clothes on your back.  What really matters is how we live our lives daily.  Can you lay your head on your pillow at night and answer the question "Did I live my life to the fullest and respect those around me?" If you can answer "yes" then maybe we are on the right track.  The important things in life are your family, friends and faith in what you believe.

 Mr. Miller and I have been on a "spiritual journey" of late.  We have been reminded and inspired to remember all the blessings that we have in our lives.   Two of which are very sweet little boys that warm our hearts daily. 

 

 
Yes, they can stress us out too but we have decided to try and count to 10 more often, step back and realize that they too can get as frustrated at situations like we do.  It is important to remember that they are sponges and will do what they are taught and repeat what they hear.  Henry learned a song in preschool for his program and he keeps singing it and I am reminded daily by my 3 year old that what he is singing is so true. (At least for this family)

"Jesus in the family,

Happy, Happy Home!"

In light of the tragedies this last week I am asking that we all hug our children a little tighter and pause to realize what is really important.  Remember that we all need to take care of each other.  I can't help but think of the golden rule that we all have learned as children ourselves,

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..."

 

Long time no post....

I know it has been a while since I have visited you all.  I have been super busy with Cameron's school and well I just needed a blogging break.  I am back and feel rejuvenated.

Today has been a "catch up" and planning for Thanksgiving day.  We are loading up the new family truckster {long story} and will be heading to Newton, Kansas for a 3 day get away.  Gigi will be turning 92 this year and my 3 Miller Men and I decided that we would take this Thanksgiving show on the road and head her direction.

I have to say this Mama is a wee bit excited herself.  Gigi, well lets just say she is beside herself too.  I am sure it is all she has talked about at the beauty parlor and card table on Saturdays.  She is a fabulous story teller.  Heck at 92 think of all the stories she has stored up there.

I just planned the menu with a little help from my past years menu plans, Food Network and my new friend Pinterest.  I swear there needs to be a 12 step program.  "Hello my name is Maeghan and I am a pinterest addict".  Here is a sneak peak as to what will be served at the Miller Farm this year.

 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

 Roasted Turkey with  Pioneer Women's Turkey Brine

Mashed Potatoes

Bourbon Gravy

Sage Stuffing

Brussels sprouts Gratin

Stove top Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Cranberry and Orange Salad

Rolls

Pecan Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc

 

I am beyond excited that for the first time I get to make Thanksgiving Dinner at the farm.  It really is going to be a Walton's Thanksgiving.  Yes, I am still obsessed with how Olivia Walton could keep everything under control and in order with all of those children plus bake the perfect pie.  I am working on that.

The boys are so excited to run the farm and help Gigi decorate for Christmas next Friday.  What are your plans?



Mr. Miller’s Father’s Day

brother’s working together as a team

daddy getting to sleep until 9 am

biscuits and gravy

blueberries and strawberries

mama’s strawberry jam

french pressed espresso roast

steamed milk

cameron expressing his attitude on the seating arrangement

junior mint so proud of his table setting abilities

daddy getting a new lighter for the bbq from his little men

all the makings for a perfect father’s day beginning

love you mr. miller, hope you enjoyed your day…

our easter sunday

I thought I would take a moment to share a few memories from our Easter Sunday 2012.  I know better late than never, the truth is that April has been so busy I am just now getting to all of my pictures.  We had a lovely day.  The boys started out looking so handsome.  At least I got a pic of them before Henry took a “digger” and we went to Church with grass stains.  The life of a Mama with a 3 year old boy.  We spent the day in Topeka with my family.  My sister Erika was in on the surprise that we were coming for church not after.  Mimi was very surprised.















My oldest niece, Nichelle, turned 21 on the 7th so we celebrated her birthday on Easter.  Henry shared her special pink cake. 

I hope you all had a Blessed Easter Sunday such as we did.  It was so wonderful to be together with the family celebrating that our Lord had risen.  He had risen indeed!

thanksgiving blessings

This Thanksgiving I took on the task of hosting our family dinner. My sister Erika said I was crazy to even attempt to seat 20 for a formal dinner in my quaint little home. Many of you know that I am not one to back down on a challenge. Well as you can see below I did it.

We may have been a little cramped, but what are family functions for? We gathered, shared stories of our hectic lives, gave thanks and broke bread together. I think it was perfect, almost just like a Walton's Thanksgiving. I didn't have a long enough room for a 18 foot table so we settled for moving my dining room table into the living room and making a 12 foot in the dining room. I do have to thank my sisters for clean up and the brother in laws for helping to move my house back to original placements. I love you all!

I hope you all had a day full of blessings and reflections of the bountiful gifts we are given in this life. I know I did.

a good time was had…

My hunny pot and clone trooper.  History of the hunny pot is that we bought this costume for my oldest niece who is now 20.  Her brother Nate and sister Makennah wore it also.  6 years ago Cameron wore it and last night it gave its swan song so to speak.  I love this costume.  I think Mama/Aunt Meg will put it away for the next generation of babies.

Before the party…

Our best “trick or treat”.

We went to the Mauer’s last night.  Cathlin and Mitch always have a great Halloween bash.  It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed kids, friends, good food and an evening on the patio watching the Chiefs game via a projection TV.   

 

Our welcoming committee as we entered.

Mitch our host amazing Deputy Fire chief for KC by day and monkey man at night.

Henry always zeros in on the sand table at Hannah’s.

We had an amazing time.  Thank you so much Mauers, Cameron said it best this morning ~ “Mama, that was the best Halloween ever and even the Chiefs won!”.  I love that kid.

reflections of a handmade christmas

I tried to have a handmade Christmas this year.  We were about 80% there.  The other 20% was in the form of Lego’s for Cameron and Thomas Wooden Railroad for Henry.

I sewed, baked, made candy and made a few photo albums and recipe books.

Here is one of my favorite pieces.  I made this for my friend, Anja, she brings Cameron home 3 days a week for me.  She is also my confidant on so many levels.  I really cherish the friendship that her and I share.

I took a wool sweater and sewed the sides to form a pillow, I then simply stitched with wool yarn the rough outline of a snowman.  I almost kept this for myself.

I baked some banana bread for some neighbors, the postman and our fresh connect delivery man.  I simply wrapped the bread in wax paper and tied a simple bow around them.  Of course I made my brother in law, Randy, his peanut butter balls.

I made a few basic quilts for my Mom, sister and niece.  I sewed several table runners and napkins.  I talked about the recipe book, here is what I did.  I found a program on cvs.com that let you make a recipe book with a hard bound cover.  You designed it yourself and it was ready in about and hour for pickup at the store.  I usually do my photo books that way too.

I really enjoyed getting ready for Christmas this year.  Cameron and Henry helped me along the way, even Mr. Miller was a good extra hand in the sewing room.

What were some of your handmade gifts this year?

clark strikes again

Clark: Russ, we checked every bulb, didn't we?
Rusty Griswold: Sure, Dad.
Clark: Hmm... Maybe we ought to just go up there and check...
Rusty Griswold: Oh, woo. Look at the time. I gotta get to bed. I still gotta brush my teeth, feed the hog, still got some homework to do, still got those bills to pay, wash the car...

Gosh how I love that movie.  What would Christmas be at Green Acres if I didn’t compare Mr. Miller and his little “Rusty’s” to Clark Griswold and Christmas Vacation.

The lights are up with some gentle prodding by myself and our neighbor Mr. Dutcher.  So without further ado, drum roll please….

 

And last but not least, my 2 little “Rusty’s” beaming with pride in a job well done!  Merry Christmas my friends!

holy cow...thanksgiving is next week

So I have been busy with school activities, birthdays, cleaning closets, etc. and it occurred to me that Thanksgiving is next week! Wowzers, is that possible? I figured I needed to get on the ball since I am hosting for the Miller sanction.

The Deacon and Pops are flying in next Wednesday morning, I would appreciate all positive thoughts and prayers for their safe travels from Valdosta. Once they get to Green Acres they are going to pick up Cameron and then they are off to Newton to pick up Gigi. (This is her 89Th Thanksgiving as she turns 90 on December 14Th) We couldn't have Thanksgiving without her. I just hope we have decent weather so we can get down there and back with her.

I have always loved Thanksgiving, of course the food but most of all the time spent with those you love. This is going to be so much fun, I am calling it my "Walton's Thanksgiving", and I am showing my age here. Those of you that are young google The Walton's it was an amazing, good moraled TV show of my youth. We are going to go to Church on Wednesday night after we have pizza, yes Pizza! I spoke with Papa Murphy's and told them of our situation with Cameron and dairy, they said just bring my cheese in and they will put fresh gloves and clean the area and top the pizza with our cheese. He said they have a lot of customers they do this for. The sweet bag guy at Whole Foods this weekend told me to try Daiya Shreds for pizza as they melt the best. Any of you tried these?

As for Thursday I have been working on our Menu. I have loved the Williams Sonoma Thanksgiving books forever and I have planned our feast. I have even researched alternative dairy free ingredients and ideas.

Buttermilk Brined Turkey with Bourbon Gravy

Cornbread Apricot Dressing with Rosemary

Apple-Orange Cranberry Sauce

Whipped Sweet Potatoes ~ for Pops and Mr. Miller

"Smashed White" potatoes for my little Cam Man

Snap Beans with fresh garlic and Bacon

Pumpkin Crumble

Pecan Tart

Stone Hill Chambourcin

I read that if I use plain coconut milk it will act like buttermilk in the brining process. We did a trial run this weekend on the "smashed white" potatoes with plain soy yogurt and chicken broth and all I can say was "YUM"! I even read up on a dairy free pumpkin custard that I can use in my crumble. Maybe this dairy free won't be so bad. Not to mention I read a testimony by a Mom and Dad who said they both lost about 60 lbs. Hello....

Friday morning the Deacon and I are off to shop and Clark Sr, Clark Jr. and the crew will be doing some exterior illuminations here at Green Acres. We will decorate later that day and just spend time together.

Thanksgiving is about togetherness, love, laughter and good food. I am thankful this year for our bountiful blessings. God never lets us down and he continues to amaze me everyday. Thank you all for being part of our blessings.

my mother’s day

I hope you all had a beautiful Mother’s Day, I know I did.  My boys spoiled me with letting me sleep in, making breakfast for me, enduring an Urban Treasure Hunt and several other special gestures.  I was also treated to many hugs and kisses.

Cameron made a gift for me at school.  These are the best gifts, more precious than silver or gold.  I have every Mother’s Day Gift he has ever made me and he is so proud every year when he brings them home.  “Mama, Mama open this please!” I always respond with I will on Sunday.  Of course there are the tears on my part once I open them, I reassure him that they are happy tears because he makes my heart so happy.  He gently wipes my tears, he is such a joy!

Henry helped Daddy with the dishes for Mama.  This too is a gift more precious than words can describe.  You Mama’s out there know what I am talking about, just the fact that you have a morning where the dishwasher isn’t calling your name.  Plus the joy of watching your spouse go through the challenge of unloading the dishwasher with that pint size helper.

My day ended with a lovely dinner with my Mama prepared by the Miller Men, a visit by my beautiful Niece and Goddaughter, Nichelle, who happened to be in town for a dance competition.  Perfect Day I tell you!

Easter Memories

I trust that you all had a Blessed Easter! Hallelujah, He is Risen!

We had a wonderful day spent in Topeka with my family. Cameron had a special treat of going back with Mimi on Saturday evening to spend the night at Uncle Randy and Aunt Erika's house.

Here are some snapshots of our day.

First Easter baskets that we can actually participate in. Of course the empty plastic eggs were our favorites. I am still finding them throughout the house.

Dressed in our Easter finest. Henry is wearing the same suit that Cameron wore 5 years ago.

This is a favorite of mine. Those of you who know Pops, do you think the genetics are alive here? Can you say Cameron is his "mini me"?

Big brother sharing egg hunting tips before our first hunt.

Aunt Kim helping Cameron.

Lots of older cousins to help our little novice.

Cousin Daniel is always such a big help. He has even offered to babysit for us. Hmmm...we might have to take him up on that.

Of course it wouldn't be a family gathering if Uncle Randy and Mr. Miller weren't hiding at the grill. OK so yes they did do the cooking but it is there way of staying out of the way.

Cousins playing and running. Both boys fell fast asleep before we even got out of the neighborhood. Daddy and I took the long route home through Lawrence. It was an amazing day full of Celebration, New Beginnings, good food and lots of family love.