To celebrate...I am making a variety of soups this week. I am not a fan of soup normally, but these are abnormal temps.
So, here is the plan:
Sunday: Chicken and Dumplings with seasoned veggies on the side
Monday: Broccoli Cheese Soup with homemade bread bowls - for an added bonus, warm cornbread with the best honey butter EVER
Tuesday: Creamy White Chicken Chili and homemade cinnamon rolls - why not?
Wednesday: Zucchini Soup
Thursday: Taco Soup
Friday: depends on how well we have stood up to this change (maybe homemade pizza - trying a new recipe with ricotta cheese)....
All the recipes have come from my favorite cooking blogs (with some variations of my own): http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/
http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/
I am thinking this will do us until next year (or next week when it is supposed to be equally cold?)....
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Journal
My sister-in-law, Lydia, has motivated me to keep a journal on my children. She has kept one religiously and, with the passing of my 4-year-old niece, was able to find comfort reading these precious memories. They were simple ones like when she threw a Fig Newton behind her in the car and exclaimed, "I am finished with this." to her hanging onto the garage door as it was being raised, screaming as she hung onto the door 8-feet in the air. Stuff like this you wouldn't be able to remember when things seem to get so mundane while raising kids.
Journaling was one of the reasons for the blog among other things. But, I can't jump on the computer (and bore you) every time they do something that I find 'journal-worthy' and I forget it all by nighttime anyway. Thus, I have a notebook that I take everywhere with me. I have been amazed with how much more observant and in to my children I have been as a result. Even David gets into it and tells me, "I have one you can write down". (For this (also), I have slacked on my blogging duties.)
Writing in a journal has been a hit-and-miss thing for me, I keep it good for a few years then back off, begin again, on and on. My hope is that this new journal is here to stay. And, besides, it does help to have someone (like Lydia) to ask you once in awhile how the journal is going. So, if you see me...ask...put the pressure on:)!
Journaling was one of the reasons for the blog among other things. But, I can't jump on the computer (and bore you) every time they do something that I find 'journal-worthy' and I forget it all by nighttime anyway. Thus, I have a notebook that I take everywhere with me. I have been amazed with how much more observant and in to my children I have been as a result. Even David gets into it and tells me, "I have one you can write down". (For this (also), I have slacked on my blogging duties.)
Writing in a journal has been a hit-and-miss thing for me, I keep it good for a few years then back off, begin again, on and on. My hope is that this new journal is here to stay. And, besides, it does help to have someone (like Lydia) to ask you once in awhile how the journal is going. So, if you see me...ask...put the pressure on:)!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Blossoming Photographer
Just recently, Ashlyn marched into the office and, without hesitation, took the camera right off the desk.
I questioned, "What are doing with that?"
She replied, matter-of-factly, "Taking pi-tures. They need pi-tures."
"Who?" as I took the camera
"They do", pointing her fingers at this:
She had lined up all her toys she was playing with for a photo shoot.
I giggled and went along with it snapping pictures for her. She was very specific about how she wanted the toys lined up and what position they were to be in (that is why Barbie is on her side). This girl is very imaginative and creative. I have learned to go with it. She is so different one-on-one and I am amazed at what she comes up with.
In fact, one of my goals for this year is to spend more time with just her when Kylie is at school and Spencer naps.
I am excited!
I questioned, "What are doing with that?"
She replied, matter-of-factly, "Taking pi-tures. They need pi-tures."
"Who?" as I took the camera
"They do", pointing her fingers at this:
She had lined up all her toys she was playing with for a photo shoot.
I giggled and went along with it snapping pictures for her. She was very specific about how she wanted the toys lined up and what position they were to be in (that is why Barbie is on her side). This girl is very imaginative and creative. I have learned to go with it. She is so different one-on-one and I am amazed at what she comes up with.
In fact, one of my goals for this year is to spend more time with just her when Kylie is at school and Spencer naps.
I am excited!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Getting Festive
Many unexpected things have happened that has made blogging not a priority nor even putting up our Christmas tree, BUT, we are finally getting there..at least trying to.
1. Putting up the Christmas tree...Kylie had been begging us to put it up and, honestly, if it weren't for her, it probably would not have gotten up as soon as it did.
Ashlyn got to put on the star this year. She was super excited and Kylie was very supportive (phew!).
I thought the tree would be a disaster because how 'all boy' Spencer is and how he kept picking up an ornament, saying, "Ball", chucking it, grab another one and repeat the process. But he got it when we explained no touching after they were on the tree. Now, he just runs to the tree, points at it and says, "Ball" over and over. Though, he did get excited the other day and charged the tree, grab an ornament, said 'ball' and threw it to us in the kitchen..it shattered everywhere. What can I say? He is a boy and he wanted to play ball.
2. Made and decorated Christmas cookies.
Of course, how fun would decorating cookies be if you couldn't lick after each addition?
3. Kylie's Christmas performance at school.
Ashlyn got to put on the star this year. She was super excited and Kylie was very supportive (phew!).
I thought the tree would be a disaster because how 'all boy' Spencer is and how he kept picking up an ornament, saying, "Ball", chucking it, grab another one and repeat the process. But he got it when we explained no touching after they were on the tree. Now, he just runs to the tree, points at it and says, "Ball" over and over. Though, he did get excited the other day and charged the tree, grab an ornament, said 'ball' and threw it to us in the kitchen..it shattered everywhere. What can I say? He is a boy and he wanted to play ball.
2. Made and decorated Christmas cookies.
Of course, how fun would decorating cookies be if you couldn't lick after each addition?
3. Kylie's Christmas performance at school.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Happy Birthday, Ashlyn!
I have loved watching Ashlyn develop this year. She constantly amazes me with her witt and humor. That girl catches on to things quick!
Just a funny story...the other night at dinner, I was getting frustrated that everyone was complaining. Ashlyn looked at me and said, "I love you, Mommy." I responded, "I love you, too. Way to be a peacemaker, Ashlyn". Her face had a puzzling expression and she asked, "A piece of paper?" We burst out laughing.
When something isn't right, she fixes it (or at least tries to). She has a hard time carrying on if something is omitted, missing or just doesn't feel right. Examples: she can't say the blessing on the food unless her place is just so, she won't let me buckle her up unless her shirt is tucked in right, and if I misspeak, she corrects me.
Just recently, she has to have a pencil and paper to write on while in the car.
She doesn't mind playing alone, in fact, I think she prefers it.
She is a blast!
She didn't even mind hanging out with Daddy on her birthday while he rigged our front door (our 'homemade' security system). She called it a 'Daddy-Daughter date'.
Recognize the Belle from a previous birthday? Let's just say it was a Barbie/Princess cake gone wrong, so we topped it with Belle. It didn't matter - she loved it!
Just a funny story...the other night at dinner, I was getting frustrated that everyone was complaining. Ashlyn looked at me and said, "I love you, Mommy." I responded, "I love you, too. Way to be a peacemaker, Ashlyn". Her face had a puzzling expression and she asked, "A piece of paper?" We burst out laughing.
When something isn't right, she fixes it (or at least tries to). She has a hard time carrying on if something is omitted, missing or just doesn't feel right. Examples: she can't say the blessing on the food unless her place is just so, she won't let me buckle her up unless her shirt is tucked in right, and if I misspeak, she corrects me.
Just recently, she has to have a pencil and paper to write on while in the car.
She doesn't mind playing alone, in fact, I think she prefers it.
She is a blast!
LOOK who's 3!
She didn't even mind hanging out with Daddy on her birthday while he rigged our front door (our 'homemade' security system). She called it a 'Daddy-Daughter date'.
Recognize the Belle from a previous birthday? Let's just say it was a Barbie/Princess cake gone wrong, so we topped it with Belle. It didn't matter - she loved it!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is not something you can have year-round in Florida, but FROZEN hot chocolate is! And now that we (temporarily) have a blender it is a frequent meal treat.
Ours went too fast, so I stole this photo from the link below:
Ours went too fast, so I stole this photo from the link below:
4oz of your favorite chocolate
2 teaspoons store-bought hot chocolate powder
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups ice cube
slightly sweetened whipped cream
chocolate shavings (optional)
Chop chocolate into small pieces and melt in microwave on low heat. Once melted, add hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup milk, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.In blender, place the remaining 1 cup milk, room-temperature chocolate mixture and ice.Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Enjoy!
Makes about 4 8 oz. servings from one batch.
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