Joanna's Watercolor

Here is Joanna's latest art piece. She used a technique where you place salt on the wet paint to get a snow effect. Pretty neat, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a large gathering for Thanksgiving. Many children, lots of games, much food, and thankful hearts gathered around the table.


The aroma in my kitchen for three days was too wonderful. There is nothing like putting a couple of Italian women together and letting them create. The cream puffs, strombolis, ricotta turnovers, artichoke dip, and pumpkin pie smells kept the house quite cozy.
Above we're making panzarotti, or "broken belly." It's called that because they're so good that you eat until your stomach feels like it will burst! They're kind of like a calzone, but fried, so the dough is more fluffy.

The three ladies that kept the games going, the dishes clean, and the food coming!

The kiddos with their Uncle Spencer, who, by the way, made the guacamole, and sang a song from an Italian Opera that I think he is performing in Nashville. It was neat to see all the Italians in the house follow along and understand. I, on the other hand, needed translation.

Happy Birthday Nick!

It's number 8! We only have big celebrations on even years, so this year, Nicholas had an American Adventure's Birthday bash, complete with magic show, foam factory (guns and styrofoam balls), and outdoor rides.

Nicholas was the star of his own magic trick. Even he doesn't know how he made it work!

The foam confetti ending to our magic show

Daniel shooting Mom!

Cousins

I still don't know how we three ladies squeezed into the scrambler. My ribs still hurt!