Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Children know best?
This photo was taken just MOMENTS (and no, I am NOT exaggerating...) after she said to me, "Mama, when we get home, I will play because I don't need a nap because I am not tired." RiiiiiiiiiiiiGHT!
Blue Ice?
Someone took food coloring balloons and through them at the ice, coloring it in shades of green, blue and pink. This is a VERY dangerous area to stop or I would have gotten a better picture. I wonder how THEY did it, without getting killed? Ah well-it certainly is pretty and a much welcome sight to change things up!
Plop goes the Weasel
Ollie's is one of our favorite stores, because of all the cheap books! But even when we don't BUY them, it is so much fun to look through them. Corynn goes straight to the MASSIVE childrens section and plops down right in the center of the aisle to read. When she is done, she puts it back and grabs another and so it goes...for an hour-while I do the same thing minus the plopping.
Monday, February 12, 2007
It's Showtime!
While I am not able to post PICTURES, I WAS able to post this movie clip of Corynn singing Matchmaker from the Fiddler on the Roof-only her most favoritist song ever.
Of course, in the beginning she is a bit shy of being filmed and is concentrating more on the movie than the words, but toward the end she gets into it. What she lacks in tone, she makes up for in enthusiasm.
I love the grand finale. I think she has a career in musicals. *grin*
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Of course, in the beginning she is a bit shy of being filmed and is concentrating more on the movie than the words, but toward the end she gets into it. What she lacks in tone, she makes up for in enthusiasm.
I love the grand finale. I think she has a career in musicals. *grin*
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Monday Musings
I had to switch to the New Google Blogger and, well, I am not so pleased. Matt assures me it must be all in my head-but I can't be disuaded. I think "it" has something against me. I am having a HARD time posting pictures...hard meaning-impossible. What will happen to this blog if I can no longer post pictures, I ask? That will be no fun at all. I might not even bother!
So-here is a boring word post, terribly void of color and visual personality. Ah well. Perhaps tomorrow I will get on "it's" good side.
I should have plenty of opportunity!
The weather gods tell me that there is a winter storm warning starting tomorrow and ending the following evening-where Sleet and Snow will marry, be fruitful and multiply, creating little Hazards. By the end, we should be seeing 6 inches to a FOOT. Argh.
For this reason, as well as another, the children and I headed uptown-AGAIN. Mondays are typically our shopping days (when we don't go to bible study on Wednesdays), but this Monday I had to be doubly sure that we were prepared for being snowed in for a while. Of course, we are in the midst of birthday preparations as well.
Tomorrow, is the big day. Matt will have been given to the world for 30 years tomorrow. That was the OTHER reason we had to head to town...for ONE last present, cake ingredients, and the goodies to make a special birthday dinner. The cake will be the same as it is every year (per Matt's request)...White cake with Peanut Butter frosting. Each year it gets nicer looking though! As for dinner, I think that that will be a surprise! ;-)
The gift that we got for the Papa today is pretty large, and I am anxious to start the GIVING (as Matt, I am sure, is anxious to start the GETTING!) I will probably let him 'open' the one from today, well..TODAY! :-)
It seems I have been 'shopping' a lot, this family has been sick alot, and I have been lazy a lot. These things melded together make a dangerous combination, to be sure. While the open areas of the house are tidy and nice, the rooms that can be hidden behind closed doors have gone by the wayside. FAR off the road and into a cornfield. I think this snow storm is just my motivation to get moving on those things. It will probably take several days before I can be finished.
But on a brighter note-I have not been ENTIRELY lazy...at least, my FINGERS haven't. I have gotten several new crochet squares done for my quilted afghan! I have photos to share, if ever I am able. I am pretty excited. My skirt is all done except for the zipper, Nancy said she would teach me a TRICK to get the zipper right, and so I await her instruction on that one. Lots of little projects in the works, none have yet to come to fruition. What a grand day that will be! :-)
So-here is a boring word post, terribly void of color and visual personality. Ah well. Perhaps tomorrow I will get on "it's" good side.
I should have plenty of opportunity!
The weather gods tell me that there is a winter storm warning starting tomorrow and ending the following evening-where Sleet and Snow will marry, be fruitful and multiply, creating little Hazards. By the end, we should be seeing 6 inches to a FOOT. Argh.
For this reason, as well as another, the children and I headed uptown-AGAIN. Mondays are typically our shopping days (when we don't go to bible study on Wednesdays), but this Monday I had to be doubly sure that we were prepared for being snowed in for a while. Of course, we are in the midst of birthday preparations as well.
Tomorrow, is the big day. Matt will have been given to the world for 30 years tomorrow. That was the OTHER reason we had to head to town...for ONE last present, cake ingredients, and the goodies to make a special birthday dinner. The cake will be the same as it is every year (per Matt's request)...White cake with Peanut Butter frosting. Each year it gets nicer looking though! As for dinner, I think that that will be a surprise! ;-)
The gift that we got for the Papa today is pretty large, and I am anxious to start the GIVING (as Matt, I am sure, is anxious to start the GETTING!) I will probably let him 'open' the one from today, well..TODAY! :-)
It seems I have been 'shopping' a lot, this family has been sick alot, and I have been lazy a lot. These things melded together make a dangerous combination, to be sure. While the open areas of the house are tidy and nice, the rooms that can be hidden behind closed doors have gone by the wayside. FAR off the road and into a cornfield. I think this snow storm is just my motivation to get moving on those things. It will probably take several days before I can be finished.
But on a brighter note-I have not been ENTIRELY lazy...at least, my FINGERS haven't. I have gotten several new crochet squares done for my quilted afghan! I have photos to share, if ever I am able. I am pretty excited. My skirt is all done except for the zipper, Nancy said she would teach me a TRICK to get the zipper right, and so I await her instruction on that one. Lots of little projects in the works, none have yet to come to fruition. What a grand day that will be! :-)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Living Potpouri
Fresh flowers are such a love of mine, I find it very hard to part with them on the occasion that I have them.
Take for example these flower petals. I have had these flowers since the second week in January. I enjoyed them in a vase for several weeks. When they *finally* started to putter out, I hung the ones that would dry nicely on my drying rack. Today, a month later, to squeeze out all the life, color and scents they still had to offer, Corynn and I took the petals off and placed them in a crystal dish to dry. Sometimes I put a candle among them, but today I think their beauty stands alone.
I will not rid of them when the petals are dried, either. I could make ornaments out them, add them to potpourri, display them in jars, add them to letters, or HEY-maybe I will finally try my hand at making my own paper! I have wanted to do that for quite some time!
A-Z Homemaking
Here we go...I usually don't like these "meme" things...but this one is my ONE exception! I figured it would be perfectly suited with this photo from my bed cleaning today.
Aprons - Y/N? If yes, what is your favorite kind? Yes~Often. I am not a 'wear an apron all day long' kind of gal, but I sport one whenever I have a major project going on in the kitchen! My favorite kind is not yet in my posession. I am looking for the kind that goes over your shoulders and down the back-sort of vintagy. Anyone know of any resource places? Believe it or not, the strap behind my neck actually makes it hurt! Weird, huh?
Baking - Favorite thing to bake: Desserts, of course. I also LOVE to bake bread, though that is, ironically, less often! :-)
Clothesline - Y/N? YES!! Both indoors and out (though admittedly, after getting my dryer, I have not used the inside one all that much!)
Donuts - Have you ever made them? Yes..a few times. Mine were not as good as the ones you get in the store...of course, I don't have a fryer so they were baked instead.
Every day - One homemaking thing you do every day: Only ONE? Make the bed (s)!
Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze? Ummm.does that mean chest freezer? If so, yes I do-as of a few months ago! And I LOVE IT!
Garbage Disposal - Y/N? No-and I have the envy, too!
Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource? This will be a funny one but-the internet. If I need to know about it, I can usually find it! I also like the books Home Comforts and Keeping Home.
Ironing - Love it or Hate it? Love it because I rarely do it. :-)
Junk Drawer - Y/N? No. Junk desk? Yes. Unfortunatly. I can hardly ever keep that kitchen desk clean anymore!
Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme? Well, we rent so our kitchen has beautiful dark wood cabinets with old fashioned knobs and handles. As for the things INSIDE the kitchen, this is my Dutch area, where I keep my Delft dishes in here as well as my beloved Dutch tiles.
Love -What is your favorite part of homemaking? Charm. Candles burning and some music playing in the background (daily). Feeling comfortable in my home and knowing that I made it that way with little touches here and there.
Mop - Y/N? Yes, though not as often as I should...
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine? Dear me...the washing machine-and I don't even own one of those dainties bags...they are on their own!
Oven - Do you use the window or open the door to check? Open the door-none of my stove lights have EVER worked properly...I wonder if it is me?!?!
Pizza - What do you put on yours? On SPECIAL occasions-chicken spiedies. I LOVE onion on pizza too.
Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Depends on the day and what project I am in the middle of. Most likely: Post on my blog, look through a recipe book, or pick up my crochet.
Recipe card box - Y/N? What does it look like? Yes, I have one. It is huge and has very few cards in it...they lay flat instead of sit upright. I also have, (much fuller) 3 ring binders that I have written recipes I have seen, printed off the internet, or taped ones I have cut from magazines. That seems to work better for me.
Style of house - What is the style of your house? Right now-it is a brick split level. But since we rent and since that is up in the air, I will talk about my DREAM house. A big old farmhouse in the country (with a few Victorian accents for flair), with a huge wrap around porch. I will paint it purple-not a BRIGHT purple but an elegant lavendar with maroon and white accents.
Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N? Always in the dining room. The children have placemats to set on top of the tablecloths for informal dining. The kitchen is just a glass table, so I keep it plain, usually with a runner on it.
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland? Both. It is organized in a toxic-wastland kind of way! ;-) I throw my recycle-ables down there so when it gets full-it is no longer organized. But when it is not, the soap is all neatly lined up and so forth.
Vacuum - How many times per week? 1-2 times a week or more for company.
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do per week? Hmmm...I guess I never really counted a weeks worth. This is a stab in the dark but I would say 5. Maybe. I don't know!
X's - Do you keep a list of things to do that you cross off? Oh yes. I love to see my checks to see all that I have accomplished. It helps keep me on track too!
Yard - Y/N? Who does what? Matt burns brush and mows, I do everything else, like gardening, pots, watering, etc.
Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task before going to bed? Going to the childrens' room to snuggle them in once more, whispering "I love you darling" on each forehead. While this is not a 'chore' I do think it makes a home, right? On occasion, it will even cause the sleepy one to smile in their sleep. That is the best part and that is what makes my home so lovely to me.
Baking - Favorite thing to bake: Desserts, of course. I also LOVE to bake bread, though that is, ironically, less often! :-)
Clothesline - Y/N? YES!! Both indoors and out (though admittedly, after getting my dryer, I have not used the inside one all that much!)
Donuts - Have you ever made them? Yes..a few times. Mine were not as good as the ones you get in the store...of course, I don't have a fryer so they were baked instead.
Every day - One homemaking thing you do every day: Only ONE? Make the bed (s)!
Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze? Ummm.does that mean chest freezer? If so, yes I do-as of a few months ago! And I LOVE IT!
Garbage Disposal - Y/N? No-and I have the envy, too!
Handbook - What is your favorite homemaking resource? This will be a funny one but-the internet. If I need to know about it, I can usually find it! I also like the books Home Comforts and Keeping Home.
Ironing - Love it or Hate it? Love it because I rarely do it. :-)
Junk Drawer - Y/N? No. Junk desk? Yes. Unfortunatly. I can hardly ever keep that kitchen desk clean anymore!
Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme? Well, we rent so our kitchen has beautiful dark wood cabinets with old fashioned knobs and handles. As for the things INSIDE the kitchen, this is my Dutch area, where I keep my Delft dishes in here as well as my beloved Dutch tiles.
Love -What is your favorite part of homemaking? Charm. Candles burning and some music playing in the background (daily). Feeling comfortable in my home and knowing that I made it that way with little touches here and there.
Mop - Y/N? Yes, though not as often as I should...
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine? Dear me...the washing machine-and I don't even own one of those dainties bags...they are on their own!
Oven - Do you use the window or open the door to check? Open the door-none of my stove lights have EVER worked properly...I wonder if it is me?!?!
Pizza - What do you put on yours? On SPECIAL occasions-chicken spiedies. I LOVE onion on pizza too.
Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Depends on the day and what project I am in the middle of. Most likely: Post on my blog, look through a recipe book, or pick up my crochet.
Recipe card box - Y/N? What does it look like? Yes, I have one. It is huge and has very few cards in it...they lay flat instead of sit upright. I also have, (much fuller) 3 ring binders that I have written recipes I have seen, printed off the internet, or taped ones I have cut from magazines. That seems to work better for me.
Style of house - What is the style of your house? Right now-it is a brick split level. But since we rent and since that is up in the air, I will talk about my DREAM house. A big old farmhouse in the country (with a few Victorian accents for flair), with a huge wrap around porch. I will paint it purple-not a BRIGHT purple but an elegant lavendar with maroon and white accents.
Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N? Always in the dining room. The children have placemats to set on top of the tablecloths for informal dining. The kitchen is just a glass table, so I keep it plain, usually with a runner on it.
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland? Both. It is organized in a toxic-wastland kind of way! ;-) I throw my recycle-ables down there so when it gets full-it is no longer organized. But when it is not, the soap is all neatly lined up and so forth.
Vacuum - How many times per week? 1-2 times a week or more for company.
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do per week? Hmmm...I guess I never really counted a weeks worth. This is a stab in the dark but I would say 5. Maybe. I don't know!
X's - Do you keep a list of things to do that you cross off? Oh yes. I love to see my checks to see all that I have accomplished. It helps keep me on track too!
Yard - Y/N? Who does what? Matt burns brush and mows, I do everything else, like gardening, pots, watering, etc.
Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task before going to bed? Going to the childrens' room to snuggle them in once more, whispering "I love you darling" on each forehead. While this is not a 'chore' I do think it makes a home, right? On occasion, it will even cause the sleepy one to smile in their sleep. That is the best part and that is what makes my home so lovely to me.
The Twelve Days of Christmas-revised.
with the Five Swells of Sickness!!
WARNING: Gross Post ahead!
WARNING: Gross Post ahead!
Ah yes. The night light. I saw it many times last night and eventually, the beauty I always found radiating began to dim. When I finally headed to bed (at 1 am), I went to the childrens room to tuck them in and whisper my nightly "I Love You"s then headed to the bathroom to prepare for my own bed when just a few moments later I heard Corynn sputtered and gasping. She had thrown up and was crying and it had gotten EVERYWHERE!
So, (again, at 1 am) I changed her clothes, changed the sheets and pillow on the bed and washed her up (all the while Andrew woke up and was chattering away...).
By 2am, Corynn had called me three MORE times. I vaguely recall at another point in the pre-dawn hours, Matt getting up and changing a post-vomitus Corynn again.
At six o'clock this morning, I heard the now very familiar sounds and shot out of bed-a moment too late. Corynn was crying, as was Andrew. I went to pick him up and lo and behold-the Panda had been sick during the night as well.
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
A 6am bathtime, two sets of sheets, three loads of nasty laundry, four pairs of PJ's, and a huge disinfecting party later-we *may* be over the hump. (?)
Okay, now I am REALLY tired. Why am I so foolish sometimes? Why would I not embrace sleep like a long lost friend when I am able? I am a silly, stupid girl.
That's why.
Cheesecake question: Answered
Bad timing, I know-following a post like the one above. Hopefully, this doesn't impair one's judgement...
I hate anonymous comments. Well, I don't HATE them...actually, I LOVE them, but I do hate that I don't know the names of the people when I want to talk to them. I think of the people who read my blog as friends and it just feels wrong that the 'friends' don't have names...
SO~pardon the impersonal nature of this next statement...
One of you anonymous persons, whoever you are, asked about cheesecake recipes and I won't let you down! :-)
I am not a cheesecake connossieur and so I am not a good one to ask-BUT. I have friends who make the most delectable cheesecakes ever and I would heartily recommend theirs (as I have personally gained pounds from their deliciousness!)
Here are two links...follow them at your own risk! Two Tone Cheesecake and Cappucino Cheesecake Pie
The two-tone cheesecake recipe link actually takes you to a blog devoted only to recipes of a dear friend of mine, just chock FULL of edible treasures...there are even a few other cheesecake recipes there that I HAVEN'T had the pleasure of taste-testing.
When I say, at your own risk...I mean it! :-)
I hate anonymous comments. Well, I don't HATE them...actually, I LOVE them, but I do hate that I don't know the names of the people when I want to talk to them. I think of the people who read my blog as friends and it just feels wrong that the 'friends' don't have names...
SO~pardon the impersonal nature of this next statement...
One of you anonymous persons, whoever you are, asked about cheesecake recipes and I won't let you down! :-)
I am not a cheesecake connossieur and so I am not a good one to ask-BUT. I have friends who make the most delectable cheesecakes ever and I would heartily recommend theirs (as I have personally gained pounds from their deliciousness!)
Here are two links...follow them at your own risk! Two Tone Cheesecake and Cappucino Cheesecake Pie
The two-tone cheesecake recipe link actually takes you to a blog devoted only to recipes of a dear friend of mine, just chock FULL of edible treasures...there are even a few other cheesecake recipes there that I HAVEN'T had the pleasure of taste-testing.
When I say, at your own risk...I mean it! :-)
Sleep Rebecca, SLEEP!
I spent yesterday preparing for the Valentine Making Party last night. (Actually, TECHNICALLY, since it is 11:43 pm, that sentence should read... I spent today preparing for the Valentine Making Party tonight.) Whenever I do anything fun, I have a hard time getting to bed at night. Weird, huh?
I had sample cards to make, snacks to prepare, messes to clean, and plans to put into action. It was a nice time, too! EVERYTHING was there...even a bottle of lavendar spray to scent up the cards! SO~it was a busy day, but a GOOD busy-and well worth the effort. Afterward, I was awarded what I consider to be the best compliment I have ever received, and that made me feel good too. I hope to never forget what Terri told me~it couldn't have come at a better time.
Overall, I am quite proud of myself for getting so much accomplished in the kitchen in one day. I haven't had this much daily production in the kitchen since my canning days of summer! Matt works this weekend, so he had today off. On his days off, I try to make him a hearty breakfast. Last night he asked for bacon, eggs, home fries and toast and so that is what greeted him this morning. (It is usually this or a toss up with sausage gravy and biscuits...)
Along with that, I hardboiled nearly a dozen eggs for some hot pickled eggs (using Matt's obsession, Volcana Pickle juice. Thanks again Kim!), made chocolate covered strawberries (and pretzels with the leftover chocolate), made about a gazillion sugar cookies, made bread dough and then stromboli for the family as I skipped out the door to my party.
It WAS a good day-and now it is done....so I must head to BED!
PS~The photo above is of the nightlight in my bathroom and is in no way relevant to this post. I just thought it was perty. :-) Now- goodnight!
Prizes in store!
Remember when I was awarded the Home Made Simplicity award? Well, my prize apron from Peggy was received just in time for my kitchen binge! Corynn loves it and doesn't stop talking about it when I wear it. In fact, I didn't want to dirty it when I made cookies today so I put my well-worn one on...and Corynn told me that THAT was not acceptable and I need to wear my 'skirt' one. When I took it off for the day, she even asked me to put it back on!
And wouldn't you know-with my shirt sleeves rolled up and my hands deep in cookie dough, Matt brought in a SURPRISE package today with ANOTHER prize in it, from Sandy, another Simplicity Award winner! In it was a handmade dishcloth and a delicious bar of homemade oatmeal soap! What a fabulous day this has been!
Sandy-if by chance you are reading this, I thank you so much for filling up my mailbox with your special handiwork-you have truly delighted me with your kindness! I will be sending a little note of appreciation your way soon!
All set to go!
Once I arrived, I made some Valentine's Day punch-which I did not get a photo of...but it was good, none the less. It was just frozen pink lemonade concentrate and a 2 liter bottle of lemon-lime soda, topped with raspberry sherbert. The first batch had already disappeared before the party had even 'officially' started!
To make ribbon cookies you need only to poke two holes (with straws) into the bellies of still warm sugar cookies and then thread with ribbon. If you would like to use this recipe (which was very good)...
You need:
1 c. butter, softened
3 c. sugar
3 eggs
3 t. vanilla extract
7 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 c. buttermilk
Corse sugar or sprinkled, optional
Ribbon
In a LARGE mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
Combine dry ingredients in another bowl. Gradually add to creamed mixture, alternating with buttermilk. ( A note on buttermilk-I got the GREATEST thing a while back that avoids requiring having an infrequently used perishable item spoil...that is, buttermilk POWDER. It is WONDERFUL. You simply add water!) Make into three balls, cover and chill for about an hour.
On a heavily floured surface, roll out one dough ball to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cutters and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle sugar, if desired.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are SLIGHTLY browned. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. While still warm, poke two holes into cookies with a straw. When completely cooled, thread ribbons through holes and tie into bows.
Repeat with other balls of dough, or freeze for a smaller batch. This makes A LOT of cookies-and NO, I could bear to add the ribbon to ALL of them! :-)
This graced the food table as well...
I took six votive holders, filled them with water then arranged them in a heart shape. I then cut blooms about 1 1/2-2 inches from roseheads and placed them in the water, making sure to distribute the colors evenly.
It was such a beautiful centerpiece and the hostess was very pleased when I told her she could keep it, along with the extra uncut roses. (I must say...it was hard to let such beautiful roses go after just buying them-I was only able to do it by convincing myself that Matt would get me some soon...I hope!)
Thursday, February 08, 2007
You hold every piece of my heart
This card was 'inspired' by Matt because for one valentine's day, he did this very thing with a brown paper bag. Same puzzle, same words, same everything and he hid the pieces and I had to find them. When I had found them all, I put it together to read his sentiments. I loved that so I recreated it-in card form.
Handheld Love
When Corynn saw this she said, "ooohhh Mama. I like your hand. But...why is it so dirty?!?! I think you need to wash it!"
Birds of a Feather
See the feather? It is embossed and it is the first time that I have ever embossed paper (besides with powder...) I enjoyed it so much, the lady said I could take it home with me to borrow! Isn't that nice of her to share?!?! I know what I am going to be playing around with the next few days!
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