Beaters and Bowl

My mom was a HUGE fan of licking the bowl and beaters especially if chocolate was involved. The kids and I (well mostly me) made Chocolate Mousse for dessert. Julia Child's recipe of course. Do you think they liked it?

Julie and Julia

I just finished watching the movie, Julie and Julia. I read both Julia Child's autobiography and Julie Powell's book. My dad gave me Julia Child's cookbook, The Way to Cook. You can say that I am more than a little obsessed. So far, it's a good thing.
I love that we are never too old to learn something new and find hidden passions in our lives. Life is an adventure! More thoughts to come.

Hmmm...It's Too Quiet

I was upstairs fixing dinner when I realized that it was too quiet. No talking, laughing or yelling. I prepared myself for anything as I walked down the stairs. I found them sitting on their beds listening to Adventures in Odyssey. Too cute.

They are listening to it this morning so I'm going to try and get some sewing done. I'm making Hayden a comforter cover and quilt.

Dinner Tonight!

I just made this tonight and it tasted as good as it looks. This is a feat for me since normally you wouldn't find me slaving away in the kitchen for the fun of it. My dad gave me Julia Child's cookbook, The Way To Cook and I'm learning so much. This was Coq au Vin. Mmmm. Yummy! Have you learned anything new lately?

The "Not a Party" Party

This post is a few days late. It seems I'm doing a lot of things backwards these days. Luke turned 4 December 20th along with his friend Violet. Violet's mommy and I had these precious kiddos 20 minutes apart. That wasn't the original plan but it was ultimately God's plan for us to be connected forever in such a special way. Luke told me several times that he didn't want a party so the I threw a "dinner" instead and invited a few of his little friends over along with a few others. Luke had a great time at the "dinner" and got to share blowing out some candles with Violet.

Baking

This Christmas was my second one without my mom. Last Christmas we spent it away from home so I didn't get a chance to grieve not having her here. I am finding this to be a slower process for me. I'm not trying to drag it out it's just that life is so full that I tend to put everything pertaining to her and my feelings on the back burner. So, it was a gift to be home this year. These last couple of weeks I was looking for ways to reconnect with memories of her.

I made these biscuits for breakfast with her biscuit cutter. I cooked a beautiful Christmas dinner all by myself and cried tears of thanksgiving remembering her and all that she brought to our family. My dad gave me a bracelet that he had given to my mom on her birthday in 1961. It was one of the first presents he had given her. I gave Hayden a book on knitting , needles and yarn so I can teach her how to knit. My mom taught me how to sew and I have always been grateful to her for that.

It was a simple and beautiful Christmas!

Master Craftsman

This is a shout out to my wonderful husband who just finished this activity table for the kids. Not only did he make it out of recycled wood but he made it in 2 days!! Isn't it beautiful?! I am so impressed with his ability to design and build things. It is just one of the many things that I love about him.

Lover Boy

My friend Olivia has started a screen printing business and I'm convinced now that everything she does is brilliant. The other day my brother declared that Luke was "a lover not a fighter" which he is. So, I called Olivia and before I knew it she had taken the phrase and turned it into this darling t-shirt! You can't tell from the picture but Luke loves his shirt. He walks around the house repeating the phrase. Hi..lar..i..ous!!

Mom and Dad's Anniversary

today would have been my parent's 48 wedding anniversary. i've always loved that they got married so close to Christmas. i'm on the hunt for their wedding picture so this one of them is a stand in until i can find the real thing. my mom looks beautiful. for those of you that knew her knew she hated having her picture taken so i don't have many. this grieves me. so, i love this picture because she is looking right at the camera and it is clear that she is so happy.

this second picture was taken at my granddad's funeral(my mom's dad). it had been a long day and we were back at the hotel letting off a little steam. this is one of my favorite pictures because it is how I want to remember her..laughing.

Sick Day

This will be a post with no picture due to the fact that both Luke and I are home sick and are not looking great. Luke sounds like a seal and is very clingy. All I want to do is curl up in bed and go to sleep. That's not going to happen so instead we are going to curl up on the couch in front of a movie. What makes you feel better when you are sick?

Finished Product

Here is the finished product! I think I may teach my class how to make these and use them as bookmarks! So easy and fun to make! Try it out and let me know what you made.

Fingerknitting

step 5. beginning of yarn chain

step 4. pull tight

step 3. pull loop on finger finger up and over

step 2. wrap yarn counter clockwise over the three middle fingers

step 1. weave yarn through fingers

Hayden has been bugging me for months to teach her how to knit. Yesterday seemed like a great day for. It was a little more challenging than I thought it would be. Hayden has so many wonderful qualities but patience is not one of them (wonder who she got that from?) so after several frustrating attempts we decided take a break. While she was playing I got on line( what did I ever do without the Internet before?) and googled "knitting for kids" and found this great site on fingerknitting. http://http://www.how-to-knit-guide.com/finger-knitting.html She loves it! She has made several "dog leashes". Here are some pictures of Hayden as well as the site address. Enjoy!

p.s. sorry for the reverse picture order, I'm still trying to figure this out.

Another find

Last month while the weather was still warm we met our friends Kenny and Natasha and their three beautiful children at the beach. We don't get to see each other very often so we really appreciated the time we do get. The kids found this humongous dragonfly and Hayden immediately fell in love.

The Day After

Like everyone else we are recuperating after a Thanksgiving filled with family and friends and great food. My husband have an ongoing disagreement between fresh or canned cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner. I prefer fresh; he canned. What is your favorite?
Pictures to come.

surprise visit

my sister surprised me by coming down for a visit. we have had so much fun playing at the park and riding bicycles. they kids are such good friends which brings such joy to my heart. they are all growing up so fast. i cherish these times together and hope for a future full of wonderful memories.

Frosty Feet

We woke up to a beautiful dusting of frost this morning with the thermometer measuring 25 degrees! It was quite a sight and we're hoping we haven't lost all of our wildflowers we planted.

Running and Rain

Scott and I have decided it's time to get into shape so we packed up the kids in the jogger and ran/walked 3 miles. Pretty good for a couple of 40 year olds. We're a little sore but inspired to do it again.

Seashells, Sun and Surf

Hayden, Luke and I spent last Tuesday playing at the beach( after we finished school, of course). We had so much fun digging in the sand and running in the waves.

Planting Wildflowers

We spent all day outside working in the garden and planting wildflowers. My mom would have loved seeing the wildflowers bloom. I will think of her everytime I look out the kitchen window and see the rainbow of colors.

Christmas in Lookout

We were very thankful for warm boots and snowpants. Thank you Jill!