Weekend playing with the kids

If that pic doesn't make you smile than you have a cold dead heart. We went shopping this weekend to get Chad a couple of sweaters. He has outgrown almost everything in his closet! While we were there - Vanessa and Ethan noticed the mannequins hair was not permanent fixed on her head. So they did a little show. I was making way too much noise to be in a public place. They were cracking me up. I mean - look at that face! What is he doing? lol
On Vanessa it just looks kind of odd. But believe me, Ethan never passes up the chance to "bunny ears" someone!
After shopping we went to Harrison's 6th birthday party. I sat right here.
But the kids were super excited when special guests showed up.
That's Harrison asking very specific Star Wars questions. The storm troopers politely answered all they could. Chad took most of the pictures so he is missing from the action. But Ethan was just happy drinking his juice.
OK, maybe there were a few pictures of him 'sword fighting' with branches. But I decided not to publish those because of a pending lawsuit. Here is my sweet, innocent little Vanessa eating a sugar daddy.
Don't let her fool ya!
We had a great time, ate lots of pizza and sweets and played hard! Harrison looks like he had a great time too!


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Jenks Trojans!

It's almost here! Chad has been practicing since school started - but after Christmas break they kicked it (hahahahaha) into high gear. They've been running more and really trying to get into shape. Chad even asked me not to bring sweets into the house so he can get lean. It's working!
The Jenks Soccer schedule is not out yet, but as soon as I hear I'll spread the word. I know a lot of our friends and family were wanting to catch a game :-)
Oh, and to all of you who went to the car wash fundraiser or purchased the coupon book- this is the uniform he got with that money! Sooo sharp :-)
He also got his 'away' jersey, addidas warm up outfit and duffle bag!
Goooooooo Jenks!!!!! Gooooooooo #21!!!!!!!
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New Etsy blog!

This is getting a little schizophrenic over here. That reminds me of a sticker my dad has had on his guitar case since I was a litlte girl.
Roses are Red, Violets and Blue. I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.
It's just funny.
Anyway anyway - My etsy store. It's fun and I'm building a customer base and I wanna blog about it! But most of you couldn't give a rats behind about freckleLips. This is my family blog.
On the same note - I don't necessarily want people interested in gift bags reading about my cats vomitting or my kid's latest fever. Now that I think about it, I'm starting to understand why Chavaneth isn't more popular. lol
So starting today - no more freckleLips over here...but if you are one of my 3 readers interested in all things etsy...the link is in the title! :-) xoxo
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Jumping in

If you've been on my facebook or around me personally for the last couple of months - you know I've opened an etsy shop called FreckleLips. Justice and Aiden gave me a gift in a fabric gift bag and I fell in love with it! So I started making my own. Well, techinically I came up with a name for the shop, and set it up, and bought some fabric and borrowed a sewing machine - all before I had made a single bag. But then I started sewing - some for the shop - some for the Christmas gifts I was giving - and a few custom orders! It's been very fun ;-) But with Christmas over I had to come up with a few new ideas because the quantity of gift bags needed throughout the year is a lot lower than during the holiday season! So I looked up some patterns. And
I stared at the loads of stuff piled in my house. And now - not only do I not have to borrow a sewing machine, but I have THREE :-) So the morphing of FreckleLips from a bag and tag shop to an upcycled, repurposed, and generally eco friendly shop as begun.
Today I am posting my first "booty bag" which is made from pants from the thrift store and my first piece of original artwork made from vintage greeting cards. Over the next few weeks, I will be adding more thrift store pieces and more artwork almost daily so be sure to take a look!
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My Mom

A friend of mine asked for a broccoli repice and it reminded me of my mom's yummy broccoli salad. :-) She brought it to a soccer tournament once and it was a huge hit! So since I have the recipe out and ready I thought I would share one more for you guys. It is the holiday season after all and we can all use more great food!

From my mom:
I got this from pauladeen.com
The trick is to cut everything VERY small.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper (whatever :) )
¼ cup sugar
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoon white vinegar
8 ounce sharp cheddar cheese cut into very small cubes
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup craisons (note from Sammi: you dont have to use these)
½ cup chopped red onions
6-8 slices cooked bacon crumbled (note from Sammi: you dont have to use bacon either!)
1 head broccoli

(we added a cup of sunflower seeds)

trim off large leaves of broccoli. Remove tough stalks at end and wash thoroughly. Cut flowerets and stems into bite-sizes. (can’t say I actually use the stems) Place in a large bowl. Add crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, onion, crasins, and cheese. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients stirring well. Add to broccoli mixture and toss gently.
Let me know if you try it and how much everyone loved it!!!
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Gratuitous pic AND Recipe!


This is one of those recipes you should copy, print or write down. You will love it -your guests will love it. Make it. Stop putting marshmallows over sweet potatoes and start putting brown sugar. Welcome to 2010!
Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
6 cups boiled & mashed sweet potatoes
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
4 eggs
1 cup of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup evaporated milk

Topping:
2 cups of brown sugar
2/3 cup of flour
2 cups chopped nuts (I use pecans)
2/3 cup of butter

Peel, chop, and boil potatoes until tender. Drain potatoes and mash until free of lumps. (I have never peeled or chopped a sweet potato. I use four cans of already cooked ones, and I've never had a complaint) Add sugar, salt, eggs, butter, vanilla, and evaporated milk to potatoes. Use mixer to blend. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

For topping combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter until crumbly. Layer on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until topping looks set.
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Freckle Lips!


100_0147
Originally uploaded by Chavaneth
Is everyone having a wonderful holiday season? I know we sure are at the Chavaneth household!
Have you heard I am sewing fabric gift bags? Chad got me a sewing machine for Christmas and mom gave me a bunch of fabric and ribbon to mix-n-match. I've sewn more in the last 2 months than I have during the first 28 years of my life! haha Ok so I'm not 28. Whatever.
I have created a shop on etsy.com which has been a lot of fun. I named the shop after Ethan for his little freckle lips. :-) Plus I am extending my product line so I didn't want to confine myself to bags, or one kind of bag!
Go ahead and take a look but check back next week when my shop will have several more products and choices! *don't worry- you know i'll remind you on here!*
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chavaneth
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I mean come on!


I mean come on!
Originally uploaded by Chavaneth
Are these two insanely adorable?! Clearly I dressed them for Christmas pictures. :-) One time Vanessa told me she can SMELL a camera. They both pose and smile soo cute.
Well our Holiday season is in full throttle! We have already had our California Christmas. This weekend is Bartlesville Christmas - then Dada Christmas - Newton Christmas and then on New Year's Day we are having Carthage Christmas! oh my.
Who said kids of broken homes suffer?! (I kid I kid) Seriously - they don't even have a clue how awesome they have it. Do any of us really?
I sure enjoy this time of year - I'm so busy I can barely think. Before we know it - it will be 2011. And what will we have to show for it?
I'm getting all introspective - I started an anti-racism workshop/discussion group yesterday that is 10 months long (and beyond) and I'm very excited. I'm also becoming active in the board at the kids soccer league - did you know they all play soccer? :-)
Have you heard "become the change you want to see" ? Maybe not - that may be wrong - but you get the drift. I feel 2011 is that year for me. I'm ready - I'm on the cusp - This is it!

To quote an amazing John Lennon song:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

2012 will actually be here soon - At the end of 2011 - What will you have done?
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Attention Guests!!

"Miss Stephanie is celebrating her 28th - wait 38th?- wait 32nd birthday today! Everyone stare as she rides the saddle!!!" said the announcer guy in the background.
Stephanie's boyfriend, Steve, planned a suprise birthday dinner for Steph and her friends. We had a great time at Texas Roadhouse :-) I told her my family must really love her since I'm a vegetarian and Ethan is allergic to peanuts! But I left very full (who can only eat one roll??) and Ethan did not get ill so it was a succes. Happy Birthday Stephanie - I hope this is the beginning of a fantastic year for you.
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Ethan & Hershey


Ethan_Hershey
Originally uploaded by Chavaneth
My friend Dana posted on facebook that she found a stray cat. I went and picked it up. She is fiesty. All kitty. She has claws and sometimes will snag ya :-) Ethan is a little afraid of getting scratched because we had a mean kitty before. :-(
Well no matter how scared Ethan is - she just lays and loves on him while he sleeps. He didn't believe me so I took pictures last night :-)
She is all black except for the tiniest tuft of hair on her belly that is pure white. :-)
PS - before Chad was born I had a kitty named Hershey. The kids always loved that and named this one Hershey also :-)
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