Yes, I love my new job. I really am excited to go to work. But going into work at midnight because my workplace is a hospital and my daughter has been crying for six hours straight is not my cup of tea. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

To make a long story short, we took Emma to the ER and discovered she has a massive earache last night. And by long story I mean I feel like I aged another two years last night. Nothing is more frustrating and heartbreaking than listening to your child cry for hours when nothing you do helps.

I like family traditions. Actually I like tradition and history in general. I think there is something grounding in the old and familiar. It reminds us of who we are and somehow connects us to what really matters. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

It is no surprise then that my house is almost 100 years old, and despite every conviction I had to the contrary, I am living in the town I grew up in. I could live somewhere warmer. I could skip the snow. But then I would miss out on two very important things - family and FALL.

Even my little fledgling of a family is on our way to developing its own set of traditions. Some of them tied to my favorite season of the year. For the second year in a row Emma got to see the wonder of pumpkins on parade at Papa's Pumpkin Patch. Granted our fall this year has consisted of only a singular nice day. And our trip was NOT on that day. Our day was 30 degrees and we stayed for only 10 minutes until Emma started turning blue. But none-the-less the tradition has been forged.

(Here is Emma last year on a much nicer day and with of the assistance of pumpkins to sit up. Man how they grow.)

Another newly developed tradition of the fall that is near and dear to my heart is my cinnamon ice cream, recipe here. It is a little bit of creamy heaven on my tongue and perfect for a season overrun with apple goodies. Last night I got to christen my ice cream maker, a Christmas present specifically for this task, and again be reminded why I love this fall treat.

I am a very visual person. I love to pull decorating inspiration from my favorite magazines and blogs. I save tons of images as reference. Currently I know I want to make window boxes, like this, using these curtains as material. I save all these bits of info until I have the money and time to make each one happen. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

One vision I shared recently was the pieces I have been eying for Emma's room. Well I got my wish, but in my room instead. I guess sometimes mom should come first.

Ebay had my Hedda Lov, discontinued Ikea sheets ... but in a queen. I guess the sheets and my cute pillow project have found a new room in my house to call home.

This Sunday the Dakota Cruisers car club is hosting a benefit breakfast for Jon's dad, Al, at the Moose Lodge in Minot. Al is still in a very slow recovery process from the head injury he suffered back in January. It is still hard to accept what happened. Jon and I have tried our best to stay positive and optimistic. We are taking our cues from Al's wife Joanne who has to be one of the strongest women I have ever seen. She has handled the accident and taking on Al's care with such grace. The most inspiring part is to see how strong Al and Joanne's bond of love is – even in his changed state. The breakfast is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jon, Emma and I will be there enjoying some pancakes. Here is a video of a news story about Al and Joanne and the benefit.