Monday, March 23, 2009

Seven!


Grandma Tina wanted to know what kind of cake she should make. Micah responded with a request for a white "Dark Vader" cake. Uncle Seth went out & bought one for him & we celebrated on Friday night.


Saturday we went to our friends Matt & Amy's for the night. I didn't get a photo of all the kids, but here are the oldest four. They were thrilled to have chocolate fondue for dessert.

Two weeks ago Grandpa Mike came to deliver both kids' presents. Tomorrow will bring swimming, pizza & presents with Auntie Julie & Grandma Mary. This is one of those lingering kinds of birthdays. I don't think Micah is complaining.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

In The Mood

To cook that is! Every now and then I feel all domestic & have an uncontrollable urge to make my own stock & home made bread. Lots of you are busy mothers & so cooking like this can feel overwhelming at times. I thought I'd share my easy way to get all domestic & maybe you all can share yours in the comment section.

First of all I roast a whole chicken & make mashed potatoes for supper the night before. Be sure to make lots of mashed potatoes so you have extra left over. That way you can look like a Domestic Goddess when you make these fool-proof buns. That's right if I can make them, any fool can!

After supper all you have to do is throw the chicken carcass into the crock pot. Add filtered water, carrots, celery, onions, parsley & vinegar. (Feel free to get creative here. I didn't have any celery to use last night so I just threw in some bok choy). Go to bed with the crock pot on low. In the morning all you have to do is strain the broth into a bowl, throw away the veggies & pick out all the good chicken meat. Put the broth in the fridge & later you can skim the solidified fat off the top.

Start making your bread late morning & in the afternoon you can make some kind of soup with your home made stock & salvaged chicken meat. I can't believe that I used to just throw the carcass away. I must have had too much money then! Tonight I'm going to make a cheesy broccoli & chicken soup to go along with the yummy home made rolls that just came out of the oven.

Be sure to tell me what you do to get all Martha Stewart like!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Favorites From This Week

I was going to post a new favorite every week, remember? I decided to change that up a bit. I'll just post some photo thoughts if it's been a week & I haven't posted anything. This sorta forces me to think about using my camera more, but takes the pressure off.

The dancing queen.

Oldest & youngest. They look alike to me. What do you think? Maybe I need to post some of Micah's baby pics.....

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Our Sweet, Sweet Girls

This was supposed to be a Kaia only photo shoot, but Ayla kept getting her head in there. Anyway, the best photos are usually unplanned. I love how this turned out.

Besides, Ayla was my trusted assistant. She was the one that got Kaia to smile. She's such a funny baby. Always happy, but often very sober. I think that's why she reminds me of Micah so much. She is always just taking everything in like he always did. And to get her laughing. That is a major workout & she will never laugh at the same thing twice!

This is the only photo that turned out the way I had somewhat envisioned. I wanted a color one, but the light wasn't quite right. I guess I'll have to keep trying.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

This Morning

"My hair is very beautiful today, but yours is not."

Very true dear daughter. Maybe someday you'll realize the reason yours is & mine is not. I don't have time to fix mine in the morning. Why you ask? Because I'm busy making yours beautiful among other things.


Someday you'll appreciate me more than you can realize. At least I hope so. That's the way I feel now when I think of all that my Mom was & is.......