It was a cool 70 degrees this morning...AGAIN

I think I am not liking 70 degree mornings. It seems to be a sign that something out of the ordinary will happen. And it is something that I probably won't like. So, it is been a very LONG day....more on it tomorrow. Please don't be 70 degrees (less than would be fine, I think).

It was a cool 70 degrees this morning

It felt so good. Wow! Monday was going to be good. Taught 6 am Cycle. Awesome group, awesome songs. Come home to get the kids up, fix lunches, send Kylie off, send David off. No crying so far, looks to be a great day. Oh, and did I mention how nice it was outside? Definitely a great day. 9 am class went off without a hitch. Had friends over to play. Even though the house was torn apart - the kids had fun. Still a great day. Naps, no problem and I was productive. The line to pick up Kylie from school was short and quick. I got in and out in record time. Home to have quick snacks to go back and teach class #3 and #4 for the day. Everyone was happy, playing nicely together. Weather still beautiful (though warmer). Had time to read books and play together before we had to leave. Still smooth.

Enters the catch to this wonderful day....

Go out to the car to load the children in, to my horror - the keys were locked in the car - with all the car seats, set of keys to the other car, my purse and I had to be at my class in 20 minutes!!! Frantically, I checked all the doors, windows, thinking... how did this happen? When my eyes fell upon one of the little rascals at my feet...Ashlyn! She likes to play in the car while I am getting the others out and in the house. I didn't think that she would push the lock button! It is all the way in the front. Oh, great! Okay, think clearly, extra keys..sometimes David leaves his when he goes out of town. No such luck; he took them all. Dang! So, I call him (because maybe he can do something over the phone, so I can get to my class in time). Guess what his first words were, "Looks like you are going to have to miss your class." What? No way! I will run there with children in tow, in the wagon since the stroller was locked in the car as well. Hung up. Confident that I could figure this one out.

Then, I remember that I have fabulous, crises-savers living next to me. Yep! Just as I get there, they are pulling into their garage. So, guess what they did? Watched all my kids. And dropped me off. And picked me up. And waited for the locksmith. The kids had fun playing the dirt with friends, I made it to my class(es) and everyone is happy.

I knew Monday was going to be a great day! Next time, I will take my keys inside my purse inside the house.... Thank goodness for next times!

Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce

I made one yummy dinner last night (thank you). Find the recipe here. We had asparagus on the side. Coconut milk is the best!

Curious?

Here are all the great things (besides compost) you can do with carrot pulp....

1. GOLDEN MACAROONS

1 cup raw carrots, packed
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sweetener (I used honey) ... Read More
1 1/2 cup coconut
1 cup oat flour (I substituted 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup of oats)
1/2 tsp salt (optional) 1 tsp vanilla

Blend dry, quick or rolled oats to make a flour. Mix well all ingredients. Let sit 10 min. firmly pack dough into a tablespoon then drop on an oiled cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 30 min.

2. Mix it with hummus or almond/peanut butter

3. Carrot muffins

4. Basil crackers

carrot or vegetable pulp from juicing (about 5 cups)
1 clove crushed garlic
1/2 cup basil, chopped or dried handful cylantro, chopped
2 ripe tomatos, chopped
1 cup (or more) sprouted and crushed nuts (almonds, sesame, sunflower...etc.)
sea salt, dulse or braggs to taste

Use a spatula to spread over teflex sheet in dehydrator or pan in oven and dehydrate for about 8 hrs or until completely dry. Wonderful with guacamole or other dips!

5. Smoothies

6. Sneak into pancakes and baked goods.

7. Thai carrot salad

8. Vegetable soup.

Now, don't you wish you had some carrot pulp?

(Side Note: writing the word 'carrot' this many times starts making it look likes it's spelled incorrectly)

Carrot Juice

Just juiced 5 lbs. of carrots.

Quick - what can I make with the pulp now?

All I can think of is carrot cake - but that would cancel how good carrot juice is for you. Any ideas?

You know...

I wish I had a whole lot of fun pictures to post to document our crazy, fun life. Here are a few, but I am terrible at remembering to take pictures. I was just commenting to David the other day that I hoped I was enjoying Spencer has much as I should, because the time goes be so fast. Of course, I hope I am enjoying my husband and children as much as I need to be. I really take it all for granted and don't realize it. Actually, I often sit back and think of my blessings, but I don't take the time to look deeper than the ones I can see. This post has gone in a different stream-of-conscious way than I had planned. So, back to the updates and photos.

David's work has picked up a bit. He seems they have gotten into a groove for now. Here is one project they are working on:

Just kidding. This is something he help the Cub Scouts in out ward build. Good learning experience for David to let them do it by themselves. Some nails were crooked and missed. David handled it pretty well.

Kylie is loving school. Nap time is not her favorite though. Tough life, I know. Ashlyn, on the other hand, is missing Kylie. Today, Kylie wanted to wear her new necklace to school; I didn't approve. So, I gave her a choice either the necklace or Kylie could stay home. Ashlyn piped up and said, "Kylie." She talks about Kylie during the day, but then always ends with, "Kylie at school". Cute girl.

Spencer is walking! Well, walking/crawling. Just depends on how fast he wants to get to something. He will walk half way and then drop to his knees. Man, that kid is fast and so dang cute. He has been doing this since the 1st part of September. He thinks it is so fun to walk and gets this huge smile on his face and squeals the entire time. The girls still thinks it is fascinating and always yell, "Come, look! Spencer is walking!" They still get excited when he stands on his own and he has been doing this for at least 1 1/2 months. Spencer eats the attention up.

Okay, now for the random shots:

Visiting Kylie at School

Since Kylie's birthday is right before school starts, she never got a chance in VPK for me to bring something to school for her birthday. I decided that this wasn't going to be a tradition. I always loved when my mom brought my siblings and treats to celebrate my birthday in school. Ashlyn thought it was cool to see Kylie in school and, of course, Kylie loved showing off her brother and sister. Ashlyn wouldn't look at the camera though and Spencer was just too excited, so none of those pictures turned out well enough to post.