Friday, April 29, 2016

17/52: Security


I wanted to get a photo much like I did last year with their little blankets/animals that they sleep with.

Carter // 5 - He has three blankets.  A big black one, a big blue one, and a little cream one he's had since he was born.
Peter // 4 - He has a blue blanket and two neigh-neighs.
John Paul // 3 - He has every stuffed animal he's ever received :)  And, his giraffe blanket.


Sophie // 1 - It's really just her pink blanket (nonie), but these animals are in her bed.

Genevieve // 5 months - She's not really attached to anything just yet, but these are hers.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Making Biscotti

If you follow me on Instagram, you now I'm on a biscotti kick.  For some reason I feel they're less bad for me than a brownie??  I'm just going to tell myself that as I eat away.  I've tried a lot (not all recently).  We've made chocolate chip, chocolate toffee, gingerbread, cranberry almond and blueberry almond.  In terms of texture and everything really, these are my absolute favorite.  But, I change the recipe up a bit.  I only do half of the almond and cranberries required.  I don't do the lemon or lemon zest, and I don't do the chocolate.  This time, I also made some with the blueberry flavored dried cranberries, and I'm hooked!

So, here's how I do it...

I form the dough into three flat logs.  I probably should not have put them all on the same pan, but oh well.

After I bake them, I let them sit for about five minutes.

Then, I cut the very ends off every log, so they'll be flat when I bake the sides.  Go ahead and eat these pieces.

Once that's done, I cut them into pieces a little under an inch wide.
I flip them all on the same side and bake 7-10 minutes.


Then, I flip them on the other and do the same (this was a blueberry batch).

Then, they're ready to eat (or send in a package).  Voila!
If you have another recipe that you love, send it my way!  Like I said, I'm on a kick :)


Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Mid-Week Likes & Links



I bought Sophie one of these cute bunnies for her first Christmas, and they've teamed up with some clothing companies to make matching outfits for the animals and the kids.  How precious is this one?

Look at this little apron for one of your little helpers!  I think my mom might make Sophie an apron for her birthday, and I can't wait!

I finally caved and bought one...and I love it!

Take a look at these triple decker brownies on my friend Elizabeth's blog.  Wow.  I might have to make them for the kids :)

This cookbook looks so good to me!

I saw a recipe for roasted okra on the Whole30 Instagram.  Anyone tried it?

Carter's birthday is coming up.  I'm looking at this little science set or this one, this puzzle, and I'm still thinking of other ideas.  Have any?

These sandals look fun.

Who watches Blacklist?  What about the last two episodes????  Yikes.

I could live in tanks and cardigans.  I just saw these and can't decide between navy or stripes!

Read this.


Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The Old Western Dance

For over ninety years, our little community has held a dance competition for young people in April. It's called the Old Western, and I participated as a kid.  For four days, the kids and their partners go to lessons, learning as little ones the Shottish, Bunny Hop, Chicken Dance, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Hokie Pokie and the Two Step.  The older ones go on to do a waltz, jitterbug and line dance among others.






Then, that Friday night, the competition ensues.  It's separated into three groups (K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, and 4th, 5th and 6th grade).  Within each division, awards are given to the top three couples in the categories of costume and dance.  That's the premise.  But, the best part of it all is seeing these young people learn to dance with a partner.  It's part of life in a small town, and it brings back so many memories.

This was Carter's first year (and according to him, maybe his last, haha).  On the way to practice one day Peter was with us and said he couldn't wait to dance.  Carter said he wished he was Peter so he could sit and watch and let Peter do all the dancing.

He and one of my very best friend's daughter paired up.  They worked really hard throughout the week, and Friday came bringing Carter a sore throat - so he said he couldn't participate.  He still did, but was a little out of his element.

He was so excited that he found a little medal of Mary right before the dance and kept it in his pocket incase he got nervous, sweet boy.  









Then, the competition began with the partners being introduced.  Carter tipped his hat to his partner and then decided his hat might get in the way of his dancing, so he threw it out into the crowd, and they roared with laughter.  It was precious to watch him dance round and round and look for people he knew in order to calm some nerves.  He'd wave and get right back to it.







The fourth song in, he had a bathroom emergency and missed that dance, but he came back out for the last two and finished strong.













Then we waited for all of the groups to go and the judges to tally their scores.  The announcer told them they were all winners (you know the speech).  Well, being the realist that he is (coupled with not feeling well), Carter didn't quite understand why he didn't get a prize if he was a "winner."  So, on the way out the door, a bit upset, he told his Daddy that he just couldn't understand why "the man would tell him a fib!  Did you hear what he said?  He said we were ALL WINNERS!  And, do I have a prize?  I lost, and he lied."

Lots of learning took place this past week...from dancing to understanding competition.  It was fun. And, as you can see, I'm a proud mom.  I cannot believe he's doing these things already, but since I can't stop time, I'm going to enjoy it.

Monday, April 25, 2016

The Rabbit Hunt

Last week, Peter came running in the house wanting me to see a big hole under the slide.  When I went to take a look, I was a little worried about what it might be.  It looked big enough for a snake...maybe a gopher.  I wasn't sure.  Carter then popped up and said, "Oh, it's a bunny hole."  I didn't think he was right until he pointed to the bunny a few feet away.  Then we all noticed the gate was open.  So, the boys ran to shut it, but he got away before they could.  Hence, a rabbit hunt began.
He would run a bit then stop and let Peter catch up.  When Peter got within a few feet, off he went again!



See the little white tail?

He made a few circles around the house and pens.  Then, Peter saw him on the fence and decided to really sneak up on him.

Carter and Sophie lost interest.


See him on this side of the fence?


Then, he hopped through another fence...

...and into another rabbit hole.

We lost him for the day.  But, the next morning, he was just outside the gate, so I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him.  In the meantime, Peter is working on his speed!