big cat habitat

in sarasota there is a place called the "big cat habitat". it is a refuge for unwanted large "cats", bears etc. we went with Colleen, David and Kayla. the kids said it was one of the "funnest" afternoons they had ever had. we got to see camels, monkeys, birds (of all kinds), tigers (both albino and normal), lions, bears. the place is a couple of miles from my parents house and at dusk you can hear the lions roar...so it was really cool to show the kids (and for us adults) the animals that are making that noise.

so much to be thankful for

i found some great printables off pinterest for the table settings

the kitchen a midst the chaos of baking and cooking thanksgiving dinner

sean spent all night last night (till 1am) and all day till 3, re landscaping our front yard. it looks AMAZING...so thankful for a great husband that works so hard for  us!

  

i have so much to be thankful for this year...sean, the kids, my parents, my brother and SIL, my in laws, my sister and brother in law, my niece....and thats only the beginning! this year we were joined by our neighbor ray white. he lost his wife of over 60 years just a few short months ago and we were not going to let him be alone for the day. he was so happy to be here with our family...esp since his own family does not live close by.

november 12, 2011

november 12, 2011...we will remember that date for two reasons. one, its my brothers birthday and two, its the first day the kids jumped into pop pop and nanna's pool!

halloween festivities

fall festival as Sarasota Baptist Church...the kids had so much fun between the petting zoo, the games, the bounce houses, the train ride and trunk or treat!

 

getting ready to trick or treat bubbles and patpat!

trick or treating with sophia, matteo and cha cha

spider man!

love the angle of the this shot.

 

opera

someone had the crazy notion to get dressed up and go to the opera...thanks el, it will be a night i wont forget!

Now that looks like a group of refined women ready to go to the opera....hope they can handle us!!!

"clean" granola

Ingredients:
5 cups old fashioned oats
2 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
2/3 cup molasses (once i used 1/2c molasses and filled to 2/3 with honey)
1/2 cup agave
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups homemade apple butter (unsweetened) and 1/2 cup almond butter (unsalted)

2/3 cup millet
2/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
2/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup dried cherries (unsweetened)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped dated

Combine molasses, honey, agave, apple butter, almond butter and vanilla. Add in cinn, ginger, salt, nutmeg and cloves, stir till smooth. Mix in oats. Add the four cups of dried fruits, millet, nuts and seeds. Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with olive oil. Press the mixture into baking pan until tightly packed. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes or until edges turn a darker brown. Remove from oven and brush a thin layer or molasses over the top to give the granola a nice shine. Eat warm (It will be crumbly, but DELISH) or serve at room temp. Note: will store in freezer in air tight container for at least a month, thaw as needed.

I found the original recipe from www.goodlifeeats.com
***edited Jan 2012: I have made these 2 more times since October and my family and clean eating friends can't get enough. If you are allowing your self a real treat you can crumble into lowfat frozen vanilla yogurt!***

date night

sean took me to Euphemia Haye for my birthday. we had the MOST AMAZING dinner...then we went upstairs to the Haye Loft for dessert. it was the most perfect night!

mom and dads pool

it's AMAZING to see a pool in mom and dads yard... we can hardly wait till its done!

random shots i don't want to forget

just some random, adorable shots of charlotte and brody