Fun on a Farm

 Last week Ella got to go on her first field trip and I was able to go along and help out.  The field trip was to a working farm.  I was in charge of 6 kids.  YIKES!!!  There is definitely a reason why I only have 2 kids of my own. 

We always daydream about one day living on a farm or a ranch surrounded by land and we were able to experience a little bit of our dream.  Ella loved every minute of it...I was a little distracted trying to keep an eye on all my kids.   

The day of the field trip I discovered that my camera battery was dead, so I had to take my point and shoot camera.  I was still able to capture a few good pictures.

 Her first bus ride.

 They learned about all the winter plants that are grown on a farm.

 They met all the different animals.

 Ella's favorite part of the whole field trip was milking the cow.

She would do just fine living on a farm.

Forest of twigs

 I saw this fun little tree branch project on Made by Joel and thought it would be a perfect little activity to do with Julian since we have so many little twigs and branches in our yard after all that wind.  Turns out I kind of took over the little project and put it on our table.  It might have a couple of hearts hanging on it soon.

 Julian did have fun making it with me, though.  First we gathered our supplies.  A scrap piece of plywood from our scrap pile, some twigs from the yard, a drill, and a little helper.

 Julian was able to drill most of the holes after I kind of started them.

 He was really excited about being able to use the drill.

    Julian wasn't too interested in playing with it, but my little birdie found a new home.

Julian just liked crashing his moto man into my bird.

This was an quick and easy little project and best of all, it didn't cost a cent.

Spring Dress - Project ReStyle

Does this scene look familiar?  That's right, here is where I got Julian to come take pictures with me.  I hate taking pictures of myself...all by myself.  This week is my first week of restyling clothes for Project ReStyle.  Again, the harsh lighting but sometimes you gotta snap away when you can. 

 I got this 'not so pretty, but not horrible ' dress for the right price of $1. I liked the print, but the length and the collar were just a little much for me.

 First went the length.  Oops, just a little shorter than I wanted it.

I also changed the collar to more of a Peter Pan collar.  Much better.

I will probably wear it to the beach in the summer, but for now I can layer it like in the top picture.

I even love the stinky hands...

I look at these pictures and know that he will only be this big for so long.  He will only want to take pictures with me for so long...so I will take as many as I can...

 even if it means trying to beat the timer.

 I love that this picture captured something he always does.  He loves to put his hand on my face.  Sometimes when they are dirty and stinky I shrink away, but I know he won't do that forever. 

 So even with the harsh lighting and not so perfect pictures, I know one day I will look back and be thankful that I was able to capture a few moments with my little mister.

 

Embrace the camera-Jan-27th

Loads of Lemons

 We have lemons...thanks to neighbors, friends and family.  Thanks!!  

I love lemons!!!   

This year I am trying to try one new recipe every week.  I got a couple of books from the library which have been great.  That's where I got the Rachel Ray one.  I like looking up recipes online.  LOVE pretty much any recipe I have tried by the Pioneer Woman.  Magazines always have really yummy looking recipes but for some reason I have never really tried too many from magazines...until now.

In the current Sunset magazine issue, there is a whole article on citrus fruits since they are a plenty right now.  I tried this Lemon Vinaigrette and I am in love.  YUM!  Best of all, the kids loved it and were asking for seconds and thirds of the steamed zucchini I had served it over.  Usually I have a hard time getting them to eat zucchini at all.  Since I have also tried it on a salad and on some garlic lemon chicken.  Double YUM!!

Give it a try.

Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

zest of one Meyer lemon

2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice (from about 1 lg lemon)

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp mayonnaise

1/2 tsp sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

Whisk all ingredients together until smoothly blended.

I was once told that if whisk the ingredients for 3 minutes they would not separate.  It seems to work.

Anyone have any favorite recipes with lemon...savory or sweet.  I have a whole lotta lemons waiting to be used.

Determination

 She is just like her daddy with tools.  

'Mama, can you loosen this for me?'  

I glanced up to see her kneeling next to her bike in the middle of the driveway with the right tool in the right size trying to remove the nut that held her training wheels on.  I didn't feel like helping her learn how to ride her bike without training wheels just then, but I had casually said the previous day that I was about 5 years old when I learned how to ride my bike without training wheels.  Reluctantly I loosened the nuts and let her do the rest of the work.  A small pile of nuts and wheels lay at her feet as she struggled to lower her seat.  With her helmet and elbow pads in place she was ready.  I held the back of her seat and it felt like yesterday that I was the one sitting nervously on the bike as my dad held the back of my seat.  I remembered so clearly the excitement I felt as I sped down the sidewalk hearing my dad's feet pound the pavement.  I remember how I had crashed the moment I glanced back and saw my dad standing so far away as he proudly watched me ride my bike on my own.

'Don't let go, OK mom?...promise?'

I promised.  I made her stay on the grass just in case she fell.  Back and forth across our yard she went.    We practiced getting the pedal in the right position for starting off.  We practiced stopping and putting her feet down.  I did let go a couple of times just for a second to see if she was able to ride on her own.  She was, but she was so concerned about if I was holding on or not she wasn't able to keep her balance for very long.  My back started to hurt.  She was starting to whine.  It was time to take a little break.  She wanted to keep going.  I sat down and assured her there was always tomorrow.

 She moved onto the sidewalk and tried a couple of times to get started.  She fell.  She cried.  She got back up.  She tried again and again.  I noticed that if I acted like I wasn't paying attention when she fell, she would get right back up.  She figured out how to get enough speed by pushing herself with her feet, to get her feet on the pedals.  I went to get the camera.  She was getting the hang of it.  As I walked back out with the camera in hand, I heard 'woohoo', and saw her ride straight into a bush and fall.  She laughed and got back up.  On her next try she was riding.  A nervous giggle followed her as she went all the way around our cul-de-sac.  I'm always surprised by the rush of emotion I feel when I see one of my kids accomplish something.  As I swallowed the lump in my throat and felt my eyes fill with tears, I wanted to run after her.  Instead I just shouted out a cheer for her.  She had accomplished this on her own.  She didn't give up.

 She rode and rode and rode.  Her little giggle didn't stop.

She rode her bike until the sun went down and it was too cold to stay outside.

I'm so proud of her and her determination to ride her bike.

Way to go big girl!!!!

Easy Kid-friendly Cookies

I know this picture has nothing to do with this cookie recipe but I didn't get any pictures of these cookies and I have to have a picture.  We purposely only made one dozen and guess what they disappeared pretty quick...that's why we only made one dozen.  This is a great recipe to make with the kids.  It's quick and easy and E & J were able to make these all by themselves.  Ella just needed a little instruction on how to separate the egg white from the yolk.

I found this recipe in Rachel Ray's book 30-minute Get Real Meals.

Cocoa-Nutty Haystacks

1 whole egg

1 egg white

1 Tbs sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tbs cocoa powder (we didn't have any so we used Ovaltine - turned out fine)

1 c sliced almonds, slightly crushed (didn't have any so we used chopped pecans)

3/4 c shredded sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the egg, egg white, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and sugar is dissolved.  Add the cocoa powder and whisk vigorously until the batter is smooth.  Stir in the almonds and coconut until well combined.  Use a mini ice cream scoop or spoon to drop 12 tablespoon-size mounds onto the baking sheet.  Bake until they begin to brown, 10-12 minutes.  Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a rack to cool completely. 

We will probably be making these often.  Enjoy!!

DIY tin tray restyle

 It almost seems silly even doing this post because it's pretty self-explanatory, but if it helps anyone, then great.  So here is how I restyled this little tray: 

First off, find a ho-hum tray.  Pretty picture, but not really my style.

 I sprayed this with a high gloss Smoke Gray.

 Found this pretty pattern on an old plastic laundry basket and cut a piece small enough to fit inside of the tray.  Taped it down.

 Cut a piece of paper to protect the rest of the tray from over spray. Taped it down.

 Sprayed it.  Let it dry a little before removing template.

Done!!!