October 9th The Great Pumpkin Challenge: painting pumpkins

My friend Earleen surprised me with a beautiful painted pumpkin.

Then my friend Cayleb painted an awesome Ohio State pumpkin with his daughter.

I love pumpkins and carving but I found my inspiration to paint a pumpkin because of my friends.

This morning I woke up and found myself missing my Grandma Bonnie. She passed away just a few months ago and there are still waves of sadness that rush over me.

Alzheimers took her from us. From playing on the floor with my kids, from stroking my hair, shopping at dots, or long meals with great conversation.

One of my last visits with Grandma was a good day, she ate, she smiled, there wasn't overwhelming fear or confusion. There was hand holding, and we talked, she held her baby and stared at my large tummy full of baby, and lots of eye contact. You could stare in her eyes and see she was there, she was Grandma just trapped in the disease.

Her nursing home had a nice staff and several strong compassionate nuns. And Grandma lit up when the nuns came in the room. As we were having this good day visit a nun came in and a good visit turned into a great visit.

You can be angry at the disease, at the helplessness, at the slow day to day nightmare that it is to have a person you live not remember who you are. But nothing shows that God is still in your corner like a Nun walking up to your love one and embracing them, kissing them, talking to them. It's a peace that fills the pain.

When we were sitting next to her and saying goodbyes and Sister walked in and was there for her and for Grandpa it was faith made visible. It is His love and strength in this Sister and it made death not so horrible. I found myself knowing that Grandma was on her way to healing and being in a place that is so much better then staying with us on Earth.

So this morning I spent remembering Grandma. Grandma from when I was little and when I was a teen, and Grandma as I knew her as a woman. The tears flowed and it's okay. I love her and I know someday I will see her again.

My pumpkin that I painted is for Grandma Bonnie Lee. I love you and miss you so much.

October 8th The Great Pumpkin Challenge: pumpkin milkshakes

Sing it with me

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard,
And they're like
It's better than yours,
Damn right it's better than yours,
I can teach you, 
But I have to charge

Now enjoy 1. That song stuck in your head for the next hour 2. That you didn't hear me sing. 3. The visual of me dancing as bad as I sing 4. This post about delicious milkshakes.

In our house chocolate is usually everyone's top choice for milkshakes.

Ryan is the best at making them. When I attempt them I think I'm to technical. They end up too runny or too thick. Not that you can have a bad milk shake, but Ryans are perfect every time. Maybe it's practice makes perfect because in a home with 4 kids and 2 adults we make a lot of milkshakes.

So I'm in the grocery store staring into the freezer section at my favorite brands of ice creams Smith's. Do I want peanut butter crunch, or old fashion vanilla, or butter pecan and then I see it. Pumpkin ice cream. It doesn't take another second and it's in my cart.

After some pleading and manuplating at a very late hour I got Ryan to bust out the blender and make me a milkshake. It had to be a late hour though because 1. Isn't everything better right before bed? 2. The children are asleep which means I don't have to share my milkshake with any of them.

Hey no judging I share everything with my kids. My bathroom breaks, my dinner, my bed... I can sneak in a pumpkin milkshake without feeling bad :)

In the blender: 2 or 3 scoops of ice cream. 1 or 2 cups of milkshake and blend.

When it's the right consistency pour in a big cup and top with whip cream.

Heaven. I'm in heaven and the whole world.... I'll stop now that's enough singing for one day. But seriously make a pupmkin milkshake. You'll be glad you did.

October 7th The Great Pumpkin Challenge: pumpkin pasts

This post is dedicated to the pumpkins of our past.

Enjoy!