How to Decorate for a High School Graduation Party..........on a Major Budget

I decided to get creative this year for my son's high school graduation party. No pre-designed, pre-made stuff for us! We were going to forge new trails and come up with our own party decorations.

It seemed to me that decorating with typical kid quotes would be the most fun. Disclaimer: my son did not say ALL of these things.....though he probably thought most of them, if not all. (Sorry, Big Boy) Come to think of it, I have five kids. Put together, they've probably said them all.Correct me if I'm wrong.....but did I see you wince as you remembered saying some of these yourself?

Oh, good, I didn't think so. YOU would never say that!

Short and Sweet......Bittersweet

52 Weeks of Living - Week 22: Porch Music
Originally uploaded by jannza

I always know when the boys aren't home. I have a cupboard full of glasses. I have so many clean glasses that they won't all fit on the shelves!

I love having the choice of what to drink out of.
I love knowing the glasses are clean and not sitting dirty hither and yonder.
I love seeing things put away where they belong.

I don't love missing my boys.
I don't love their time away from home.
I don't love the lack of porch music.
I don't love days that go by without seeing their smiling faces.

Spoken like a true mom,
Me

The Birthday Boy

Some time ago...

How do these children grow up so fast!? Time moves along like it's in a big rush to get somewhere fast. What's the hurry? Can't we slow down a little and smell the roses?....or coffee?....or in this guy's case, the vanilla cupcakes? (Make that chocolate cupcakes as the E-girl pulled a switch on Birthday Boy without his knowing until it was too darn late. )

Mr. Middle-child just celebrated 17 years yesterday. I tried to tell him to enjoy these days as birthdays start coming very quickly after this.

Everyone's so excited to be 18, then 21. Then zip.........you're 26 and then 30 and whee.....you're off again. It's fun but fast.

Here's to you, Mr. Middle! Be smart, safe and wise all your days and remember the value of family. We all love you. And drive safe!

The 17-year-old version

Teach a Girl to Cook.....

and she'll feed her teenage brothers for a while.

Yesterday, Jenna and I made an apple bread using a Pete-Bakes recipe. I found it to be too dry when using his exact measurements so I added a bit more milk. We also added a vanilla glaze (his recipe doesn't use one). These breads go so quickly at our house, especially when stuffed into lunches for work or when a stealthy maneuver occurs at midnight...which happens frequently around here!

Boy can those guys eat! We clock a lot of time in the kitchen working on old and new recipes, mostly created from scratch cooking, to feed this family.

Today I'm working on a delicious beef stew made with no-hormone beef and homemade beef stock. The stew meat is browned in oil for a crispy piece of meat and a built-in roux. I've also got a herb bread rising that is full of oregano, basil and garlic. Comfort is on it's way.