Trick or Treat 2011

Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head!!!!





(Uh...the monkey isn't part of the costume...we just didn't tidy up)

I'm kind of proud of how well these turned out.  Originally, everything had velcro and was removable and interchangeable.  But the eyes sagged too far down and I had to safety pin them on.








Happy Halloween everyone :)

Snoctober...Octsnowing...uh...How 'bout just Snow in October

I heard there was snow coming for our area.  But honestly I didn't put too much stock in it.  Our area never really gets that much snow.  Except for the week I was due with Elena when the heavens opened up and 4 feet of snow fell on us.

Our front yard - February 2010

We were okay though - Jason told all our neighbors that all he needed was a bucket of hot water and a flashlight and he could deliver the baby himself...and maybe some duct tape.


Anyway, on Saturday morning we were sleeping soundly in our bed when we heard a thunderous roar coming our way.  It was high-pitched mixed with the sound of stomping.  Jason and I opened our eyes and looked over to see a blurry image of our son frantically jumping up and down and screaming something unintelligible.



It took at least 5 tries for us to decipher the gobbledy-gook coming out of his mouth.  We finally figured out that he was screaming, "MOM DAD NOWING! NOWING OUTSIDE! NO! NO!"  I translated for Jason and our heart rates traveled down to a somewhat normal range.


I still can't get over how excited he was for the snow.  It makes me feel silly looking back on when he was a little guy and we tried to show him the snow and get him all revved up.





He was just too little to truly appreciate the excitement of snow.  Apparently, at 3 1/2, he is now old enough to get super pumped for snow all on his own without hovering parents :)

So this time around, we didn't worry about getting Elena all excited for the snow.  We just let her show us her "funny faces" while I took photos :)



Leo was screaming something about going out to play in the snow.  It was 7:30 in the morning and we ALL know that wasn't happening.


But after a couple cups of coffee and scrounging for some "snow clothes" in October, we were able to get outside for a few minutes.


This photo might need an explanation - Elena fell on her butt in the wet snow so she proceeded to do the "Butt Dance" - a staple move in our house


And of course the obligatory Hot Chocolate shot :)  


And since Kat requested - here is the video of the Butt Dance!!

Knitting Project COMPLETE!!!!

Back on September 9th, I put up a blogpost: Warring Amoebas in Flight, where I decided that I was going to publicly challenge myself to completing one of two things: Anna Karenina or this knitting project.

Reading books with small children in the house is a near impossibility.  Between each sentence, I get interrupted.  I could read when they are napping or asleep for the night...if I weren't pregnant and falling asleep between each sentence.  So, I'll hold the book until after this new baby arrives when I have more energy.............*HAHAHAAAAA*

Anyway, I started this knitting project in the beginning of September and then FINALLY completed it this week.  A babyleg for Elena!!


Two problems: I strongly dislike how the colors fell into perfect blocks instead of being intertwined.  Also, I didn't do a loose enough cast-on or bind-off to slide them on her chunky thighs.


In order to knit peacefully with 2 curious toddlers, I throw these Melissa and Doug Lace and Trace boards at them and they leave me alone! 



So, 3 days ago, I slid this one sad looking babyleg into my knitting bag and started over.  It took 2 months to complete one babyleg, and only 3 days to complete 2 brand new ones!!!!  I'm quite proud of myself.  Once I learned how to knit different patterns and once the finished product was in front of me, I had motivation to move fast.  I watched every video on Youtube, searched every knitting pattern and explored all the possibilities on Pinterest.  I always wondered how women could sit and knit for hours.  I only managed a few minutes at a time until my arms and hands cramped up.  With a little practice, I can go for hours without noticing though.  And, if I focus long enough on the project in front of me, I don't even notice the full laundry baskets or the full sink!!!  It's a glorious distraction :)
When Elena sports these little doo-dads, she fancies herself a pro-dancer.  She likes to stomp and dance around until they fall to her ankles and then she screams, "OH NO!! BROKEN!!!!" until we come and pull them up.  


Now I just have to figure out how to make them stay up?????


But I do love them.  Actually so does Leo.  He wants me to knit him some "robot arms".  My next project?  Maybe a tote bag??  And once I figure out how to score yarn for super cheap, I'll make a blanket for the baby :)


OWS hits the Gales

There is a very good reason for my kitchen to look like this...



The Occupy Wall Street movement has hit my kitchen.


They set up shop and they're not leaving until they get what they want.  They even repurposed the cardboard box so they could bunk-up overnight.  There are no laws set up against sleeping in the kitchen.  There is less of a democracy going on around here and more of a dictatorship.  


But what exactly do they want????
Credit

Credit

Credit

Yeaaaaaaah - I don't think they know what they want either...  So for now I'll let them stand up for their freedom and then I'll quietly crush their dreams as soon as they start peeing in the corners.


Until then, they can march their little hearts out as long as it wears them out in time for naptime!

This free script provided by
Dynamic Drive


AND!!!  A big happy birthday to Crazy Uncle Nathan!!  May all your dreams come true :)

Uh oh Jason...

I have only 4 days to turn this awesome box into a Spongebob Costume for Jason...even after I promised him no costumes this year...
This free script provided by
Dynamic Drive


Pumpkin Waffles & Whoopie Pies

I absolutely love fall baking.  I can really get into it when I can open my small kitchen window and the cool air comes whipping at me.  Sometimes, when the birds in our backyard chirp loud enough and the creek water is at a dull roar, I can pretend like the kids aren't even there and it's just me and my baked goods.  

Not usually though...


Last week, I baked 4 pie pumpkins and saved the meat until I found a recipe "worthy" to try this year.  I had some really good recipes from last year which I plan on making again soon (especially this pumpkin bread recipe!), but I like to try new ones too.  

Then my friend Steve posted "Apple Cider Donuts?" on Facebook and my brain nearly exploded!  What is THAT?  And why isn't there one in my mouth right NOW?!?!?!  I can't make donuts because I hate frying stuff in my house.  So I set out to make this recipe with the apple cider I recently made and the pumpkin combined: 

Pumpkin Waffles with Apple Cider Syrup 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin
  • 2 cups milk
  • 4 eggs, separated
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  •  
  • Apple Cider Syrup
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

  1. Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin, milk, and egg yolks. Whip the egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form.
  3. Stir the flour mixture and 1/4 cup melted butter to the pumpkin mixture, stirring just to combine. Use a whisk or rubber spatula to fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter, stirring gently until incorporated. Fold in the remaining egg whites. Cook waffles according to manufacturer's instructions.
  4. To make the syrup, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Stir in the apple cider and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to boil; boil until the syrup thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of butter until melted. Serve warm.


This was an extremely late breakfast.  I needed coffee before I tackled this one.  So I poured my second cup and called out to my "helpers".


We're still working on sharing around here.  I'll let you know when it's under control...


The cider syrup was super easy.  I actually might make it again to have with plain waffles due to its deliciousness.


The waffle mix was a little more work.  Many reviews stated that the waffles were too dense.  So I made sure to whip the egg whites until soft peaks formed and then ever-so-gently I folded them into the batter.  I  left a lot of egg white floating in the mixture to make sure it didn't fall and get too dense.  And I was careful scooping so I didn't stir the mixture more and get flat waffles.


This stuff made my house smell like HEAVEN!!!


Elena wanted desperately to help me cook the waffles.  The closest she got to the waffle maker and stovetop was a chair stuck smack-dab in the center of the kitchen where her tiny dinosaur arms were safely out of reach of everything.


Even her baby came up to see what that delicious smell was!!


Elena was all over this breakfast.  Leo?  He's a picky eater and wanted a waffle with plain syrup.  He crushes my cooking ego daily.


But then Jason came to the rescue by jumping up for seconds as soon as the next waffle was ready :)


We have exactly enough leftover for breakfast tomorrow...if I can hold off that long...

We also tried out another new recipe 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie 


Ingredients

  • Cookie
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (or softened butter)
  • 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves

  • Filling
    • 1 8 oz package cream cheese (softened)
    • 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • Directions
      1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
      2. Combine the oil and brown sugar. Mix in the pumpkin and eggs, beating well. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Mix well.
      3. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies cool then make sandwiches from two cookies filled with Whoopie Pie Filling.
      4. To Make Whoopie Pie Filling: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Add cinnamon and vanilla and combine.  Add powdered sugar one cup at a time.

Now, before I give my verdict, I have to state that there is something wrong with me this pregnancy.  Sweets just don't cut it.  Nothing tastes right.  Sweets have odd flavors that are unfamiliar.  This definitely didn't happen with either of the other two pregnancies.  And unfortunately, it's not stopping me from consuming sweets...  These aren't floating my boat right now.  They are just so sweet!  But it was a good day to be at Jason's office since I sent him with a bunch.  Jason absolutely loves them!

And the kids?  Well - they like the cookies so much their eyes have rolled in the backs of their heads...




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