Outside of "blog land"

I love blogging, but the really good part is taking things into "real life".

A hundred recipes on a website don't really do any good if my family is eating PBJ for dinner. A motivating post about homemaking is useless if I spend all my time and energy staring at a computer screen thinking about doing things instead of actually doing them.

And while I love sharing bits of our life here in my blog, it's even more exciting to sit down and actually spend time with folks... in "real life". :)

Crockpot Pizza, Creamed Asparagus, and some veggies

About 6 months ago, I was blessed to meet a local blog reader. Living in a somewhat rural area in NW Ohio, in a (relatively) small town, I think we were both shocked to discover that we lived in the same town! :) We've made good use of living in close proximity, with lots of visits and meals between our families. :)

It's fun to have a local friend who's passionate about many of the same things as I am. :) I'm passing along my love for receiving blanket diapers and homemade cloth wipes, and she's introducing my boys to goats and chickens. Oh, and I swapped some of my excess asparagus for some farm-fresh eggs. I know, I know... I got the good end of that deal! :)

This morning, she and I headed out to some garage sales in a nearby town. Have my regular readers caught on to my budding garage sale addiction this year? It's Joshua's fault for encouraging it, along with the fact that my children keep outgrowing their clothes... ;)

When we got home, it was lunch time. I had some crock pot pizza ready, and warmed up leftover creamed asparagus over pasta, along with some veggies.

Yes, I serve leftovers to guests. Sometimes. Let's just say that the focus was on garage sales, not food. ;) Or, starve your guests and when you finally feed them, they'll rave about anything. Something like that. ;)

Here's what Ruth thought about it all. By the time lunch was over, she was exhausted. :) She's sucking her thumb in this picture -- something she's really fond of doing. She must take after her mommy (I sucked my thumb until 3rd grade).

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Interesting

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-05-09 10:19.

I find it interesting that you are in NW OH. I can't be that far. South Central MI here. Right on the border of OH and IN. =)

Awwwww...

Submitted by Kitchen Scrapbook on Fri, 2008-05-09 10:26.

She is adorable. Just so adorable! I'd love to give her a squeeze. My babies were pudgy like that. I loved it! That's neat you met a blog reader. Small world, huh? I doubt we'll run into each other... I'm from northern WI. :)

Small World...

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-05-09 10:47.

I'm from NW Ohio originally--now in Central Ohio. I grew up outside of Toledo, actually outside a little town called Curtice. It's always nice to hear of other people from that area.

Ruth

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-05-09 11:15.

Ruth is so beautiful! I am in Southern Georgia. I love all the recipes! My daughter and I are making the apple cake and butter tarts for her preschool graduation today. I love your site!

Look at all that hair!

Submitted by simplbrandy on Fri, 2008-05-09 12:53.

Look at all that hair! She's such a cutie! Hugs across the miles. :-)

Tammy, I can't believe

Submitted by Krista on Fri, 2008-05-09 14:07.

Tammy, I can't believe Ruth's hair! Wow! Our baby will be two this summer, and she still doesn't have that much hair LOL!!

I am originally a Midwesterner, too. I lived in northern Illinois. It is nice to meet someone that you can actually see and visit with :) .

Look At Her!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-05-09 16:37.

She is so precious!! I love her hair! I thought my little Natalie who is 2 months had a lot of hair, but Ruth wins! She is getting so big. I know I don't post comments a lot on here but I read your blog everyday. You give me inspiration! And your kids are adorable, I love to see pictures of them!

Wow, look at all that

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2008-05-09 16:45.

Wow, look at all that gorgeous hair! She is just so adorable. I have to live vicariously through you, I only have boys so far (2) and desperately hope the next one is a girl. If not, I'll just keep spoiling my neices. ;)

I live no where near the midwest, but we will be out there visiting friends in PA, OH, MI, and IL this Summer. :)

Who knew!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-05-10 07:15.

I've enjoyed your website for some time now, and I live in lower central michigan, just 20 or so miles north of the border!

Ruth is gorgeous!! My

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-05-10 08:26.

Ruth is gorgeous!! My daughter (now 11) had hair like that--it was beautiful and down to her waist by the time she was 2.

How fun

Submitted by Mrs. Paradis on Sat, 2008-05-10 14:11.

Having a friend close that you have a lot in common with and can do things with is great.Your lunch looks good and I would be very happy to be served that.

Ruth is getting so big and she is beautiful.

Wonderful!

Submitted by VickyO664 on Sun, 2008-05-11 05:55.

That's wonderful news that you met another blogger :) I have yet to meet anyone that blogs!! Having a buddy to tag along with you on those kinds of trips is fun - not to mention that she also has kids, and they can all play together as well. Oh, that picture of Ruth is so adorable!! I love the noises they make when sucking on their thumbs. :) And those chubby cheeks and arms are so squeezable! So so cute, Tammy! :)

Oh, she is so cute! Her hair

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-05-11 19:38.

Oh, she is so cute! Her hair has grown fast! I love her pudgy little arms.

Wow! I've been reading your

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2008-05-11 21:38.

Wow! I've been reading your blog for awhile now, and I'm from Rockford, we're probably close!!!! I just want you to know that I enjoy your blog and all of your yummy recipes!! ( my family does too!) I have a baby girl who was born Feb. 7th (with dark hair, but not nearly as much as Ruth) She is a cutie pie!
Tricia

Submitted by Katie Purser on Mon, 2008-05-12 00:24.

That is funny you all seem around the SE. Here I am in Idaho! I love your blog and use your recipes and tips often. I also just have to say you give me much modivation to be better. Thanks!

Aw. That Ruth is soooo cute.

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2008-05-12 12:26.

Aw. That Ruth is soooo cute. Seeing all that hair on such a little one is just wild. :) You're gonna have fun with that!

I will chime in and say that

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2008-05-12 14:57.

I will chime in and say that I'm in Northern California!

Seeing the picture of your beautiful baby girl made me remember something I wanted to ask. You mentioned before that Ruth was big enough to sit on your hip in your Mei Tai carrier. I just recently bought one to carry my 20+ lb seven month old in. I tried it on my hip, but I'm not sure if I was tying it on right. It felt like he was going to fall out the side of it. I wondered if you could post some pictures of the different ways that you wear your carrier.

Thanks in advance.

Beth