Yesterday-love day

I hope your Valentines was spent with someone special.

We have been gearing up for Valentines for some time.  Here's the two little ones making Valentine's originals.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Eme thinks markers are quite special to use.  Mama not so much as she always ends up coloring her face?!

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Then we went to the post office to mail some special Valentine's.

Griffin had a special day at school on Thursday and often wants to look at his "prizes" from his friends.

Friday we took the kids to the YMCA for swimming. Emerson hasn't stopped talking about swimming.  We'll go back soon Eme.

Saturday we met good friends, Ella, Claire & Jenn at the Sweetheart dance.  All liked to dance to the DJ.  Making valentine's brought pride to both Eme and Griffin.  Coming in third was the special treat- cookies and juice.

From Drop Box

This is how we spent our actual Valentine's day
this is what we woke to:

From Drop Box

After church, lunch and naps, we had a special treat and opened our Valentine's.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

 Happy Valentine's Day!

You and me babe

me & my love

From Drop Box

Bowling on our date weekend.  Last weekend my sis picked up the kids and brought them to Grandma & Papas.  They took really good care of them all weekend while Keir and I caught up on some "us" time & worked on projects.  Thanks you three!  How priceless to have a weekend just us two after 3 years of parenting.


This is as much as I cooked that weekend.

From Drop Box

Again, priceless to take a break from cooking and clean up.


What else did we do on our date nights?
First we went to Avatar 3D.  We were both awestruck.


We ventured out to the new restaurant, Number 4.  Check out the beautiful decor.  We left stuffed with all kids of goodness.  We started out with
Number 4 House Red, California: West- 4 stars (out of 5)  wow, who knew a blend would be so good?!
A blend of zinfandel, petite syrah, pinot noir, merlot and syrah. Blackberry and vanilla with a hint of cloves and bay leaf.


Scallops- I rate it 4 stars 
Tortilla crusted sautéed scallops with Cajun and sweet corn grits and a mole verde and jalapeno mango slaw


then


Lobster Bisque- oh, even more yum!  4 stars
A velvety creamy lobster bisque made from real Maine lobster and touch brandy and finished with lemon creme fraiche, collops of lobster claw meat and chives
with
Chilean Sea Bass- I give it a two stars, not the flavors I prefer
Pan seared Chilean sea bass with white cheddar grits, garlic sautéed spinach with a citrus pan sauce
and

Pork Lo-mein- three stars, good flavor, a little soupy
Crispy tempura battered pork loin atop a spicy sweet and sour lo-mien with roasted corn and julienne vegetables
for dessert
New York Cheesecake-  3 stars, not as creamy as I like my cheesecake
a rich cake with Raspberries and pomegranate sauce


Service was wonderful.  She even gave us a gift card to come back or to the other 3 sister restaurants in town.  THANKS!  We will be coming back for sure!

Colorful Valentines

From Drop Box

We made Valentine's for Griffin's friends at school. We searched through all our crayons and picked out the broken ones (good separating practice for Math and fun for a 3 year old). Then we took off the paper and broke them into 1/2 inch or less pieces. We put them in the heart molds (Wilton Silicon mold) and baked them on 250 degrees for about 15 minutes (till they were melted). 

From Drop Box

 We pulled them out and let them cool. Popped them out of the mold and put them on cardstock that we stamped with Valentine's stamps. We added, "Have a colorful Valentine's Day." This is where I found the idea and she has a printable if you don't want to stamp.

The top of our hearts were raised, so I couldn't stick that side down. I guess I could have taken off the edges so it laid flat.

sewing for valentines

It is blustery out there today. This weather makes me happy to sit inside and craft while the kids are sleeping. Valentine's making has been on my mind and I came across some inspiration on Made today, so away I went with the left-over felt, red thread and the old Singer (1960-1970's model). First I made garlald made with all sizes of hearts. I had a few left over, so I sewed them on the cards I picked up in Target's dollar aisle.


Hum, I have another idea for a card, will see if I can pump it out and post before the kids wake!

outdoors finally

From Drop Box

Cabin fever. It's been so cold here we haven't been to the park in almost two months! I have been craving outdoor walks. Finally it warmed up to nearly 35 degrees yesterday. So, off we went to the park with hockey sticks and skates in tow. I wish Eme would keep her gloves on so we could stay out longer. We also went on the pond to see if Nathan and Sophia were catching fish. He caught a couple of 10 inchers! Now, can we get the ice in shape to skate for the rest of the winter?

Good Morning Frost

We have been having the most beautiful frosty mornings here in Minnesota.

"If a solid surface is chilled below the dew point of the surrounding air and the surface itself is colder than freezing, frost will form on the surface. Frost consists of spicules of ice which grow out from the solid surface. The size of the crystalsdepends on time, temperature, and the amount of water vapor available." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost

Happy Birthday G!

Griffin had his 3rd birthday party today.  He decided at least 6 months ago it should be a Cars birthday party.  Thank you Jan for sending the cake pan & decorations down. Everything was a hit for kid and parent alike.  We decided to do a friends party this year. After much entertaining this holiday season, we were a bit tuckered out of the large group craziness (it good craziness every month or so, not 4 times a month).   Anyway, the little neighbor friends came over for some fun, they each made their own pizza, we ate pizza, we had cake, opened presents, and played some more.  Also, two of the top people on his list came to see him for a couple of days, Grandma & Papa.  He loved having them here (as we all did).  It was a special treat for him.  Also, thanks Papa for helping get the basement bathroom finished.  We are quite pleased with how it turned out (like Griffin would say).  Which reminds me of something he said today, "I'm nervous about ..."  It's funny to hear him try out new words.  Of course he had nothing to be nervous about, but had to use it.  He's quite the little guy.  Still loves his hockey (now he sports a helmet, elbow pads & hockey gloves... and that's playing alone inside).  His favorite movie is Cars and favorite TV show is Dinosaur Train, while his favorite book is The Beginner's Bible.  Dinos, trains, reading books and playing cars are on his daily to-do list.  He's quite the active little boy doing almost anything that is posed to him (skating, sledding, riding bike, soccer, baseball, jumping from heights, rolling down hills, hiking, climbing, etc.)  He's a boy's boy... except when he asks to wear tights, sparkly shoes, tutu's and tiaras like his sister or cousins.  We love him like crazy.  Happy Birthday Buba.

living with keir

You may have seen the show Living with Ed where she deals with her hubby who Greens their home with solar pannels, rainbarrels, windmills, etc.  Rain barrels- check, rain garden- check, compost bin- check, smart strips- check, CFLs- check. Now my husband just informed me he's going to make a stand for his bike and put a generator on it to power his computer, batteries, etc.    Solar pannels and windmill will have to wait.

2009- we'll remember you

As you can see, I've finished my Christmas crafting... I am back to blogging.  I will show pics and possibly tutorials on what I've made this year (aprons, Matchbox car roll-up, doll roll-ups, tutus, coffee cozies, magnets, and locker clipboards).  For now, let's reflect on 2009.  Only 3 hours left.

What was great about 2009?


We worked on this list today with my family.

Watching our determined daughter accomplish so much and be so proud (standing, walking, talking, feeding herself).

Seeing G skate after loving hockey so long.

Visiting with K's aunt Carol before her battle with cancer ended and seeing the happiness and contentness on her face.

K's mom and dad catching their cancers b4 it caught them.

Having friends and family the kids love so much, they don't mind mom & dad leaving for a couple hours.

Dinner at Dino's

A movie night just the two of us.

Family finishing the mini-triathlon.

Biggest snow for many years on Christmas day.

The simple things: holidays spent with family, a family skate on the ice, playing in the leaves, sledding, sitting around the dinner table with family and friends, birthday parties, vacation, sleeping a whole night through, taking a walk with an adult to talk to, fun at the park, and snowboarding down a hill (even if it's Mt. Kato).


What's on your list... common, I know you're out there!

Christmas Letter 09

Blessings to you this Christmas season!  Keir is in the process of writing our letter to you.  Please check back.  While you're here,  please comment on what's your favorite Christmas tradition.

Some of my favorite traditions are going to see Santa and

taking a car ride through town as a family to see lights.

Our Favorite Things

Here are some of our favorite things in case you need help with ideas for the people on your list this year.  These are tried and true!
The stay-at-home mama: (besides a day at the spa & gift cards to shop for herself)
Books: The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule
I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward
Smartwool Socks- if i could wear these all winter I would!
babysitting so she can be in the house alone for a few hours or go on a date with her hubby.

The coffee drinker:
Travel Mug, Contigo Stainless Insulated Tumbler
and the name is appropriate because it can tumble in your purse as you are trying to get the kids in the car and it doesn't spill (it has a button you push while you drink) and it stays hot for at least an hour (in case you are busy and forget about it).

The baker:
Artisian Bread in Five Minutes

The little boy (4 and under):
trains (magnetic attaching ones are easy to use), matchbox cars, car ramp,
 books about dinosaurs (and others), musical instruments,
sports equipment, footy pajamas, dress-up clothes, kid roller skates

The little girl (under 4):
play kitchen, table & chairs and cooking/eating supplies
dolls & doll care
dress-up clothes, don't forget about accessories!
books- see some of our favs on the left sidebar
Doll house & accessories
The Laurie Berkner Band DVD

The Daddy-
comfy pants for "relaxing" (esp. these Nike Fleece)
tools, clothing with fav sports team logos, Smart Wool Socks
more tools, things to put tools in, batteries for tools, babysitting so he can play with his tools

Movember

Have you heard of it, Movember?  Movember is the month formerly known as November where men start clean shaven and commit to growing a Moustache. That’s right, we are bringing back the Moustache this November to raise funds and awareness for men’s cancers – specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

From Drop Box

Here's Keir's and Griffin's Mos.
 If you'd like to dontate, check out: http://us.movember.com/mospace/383232

Happy Halloween... literally

Click for more Halloween/Fall Pics



Halloween is fun again. We had so much fun getting the kids (and dogs) dressed up. They both enjoyed it too. To bad Eme could say, "Bauk, Bauk," not "Quack." Oh well. We had our neighbors over for a little party and also celebrated the "day of" back at Grandma & Grandpa's. Too bad they both couldn't join us for the City Halloween Party (Mom went to the hospital for the night with Kidney stones & Papa was working). Grandma's feeling better and Papa has celebrated his last night on the job.  

The cousins and Griffin & Emerson had a blast Trick or Treating (although the nursing home was a bit scarier than planned). I suppose it might be for younger kids.. but maybe it was the resident dressed up with a mask on and a plastic leg with a cowboy hat sitting on his knee?  

It also was a great weekend to be outside. Griffin played football with those who were ready for some rough-housing. Lastly we went to see my uncles and got a little farm time in. Picking apples from the tree was also a highlight. Both Griffin & Emerson were big helpers and both couldn't resist snacking... and they will be for some time because we brought two paper bags full home.


The reasons we went down for the weekend was for Keir and Papa. We celebrated their birthdays and the boys went hunting pheasant. So happy birthday & better luck next time on hunting!

Griffin & Grandma

Here's my favorite picture of Griffin and his Grandma Mary. We chuckled as we saw him copy how she was walking. We love you Grandma and we're praying for you as you fight this cancer. Go Grandma Go!

Google Goods

Google, I love you.  My hubby talked me into using Google to share a calendar. Then he told me about Google Docs, and now I'm praising him for doing so.  A Mac Crash later, I am no longer working on my thesis on my own computer.  Luckily I have been doing all my work on Google Docs.  If you are new to it, do check it out. All you do is sign up for a Google Account (using your current email for a username and a new password).  When you sign in you can do a variety of things (just look in the top corner) including: calendar, documents, reader, gmail, photos, blogs, and more. I also use Google Reader daily. You enter the blogs you want to follow and it will put them all on one page.  You can see the intro and then click to go to the blog or read on.  It's fantastic!
You can share calendars with other googlegans and download their calendars (think of your church, holiday calendar, etc).  Using the Google Photos (Picasa) you are able to share photo albums and your friends can download the pics from there.  I can't say enough, Google.  You are great!

Ah, Fall

The fall weather is here and the tree colors are starting to change. The kids and I headed out to Minneopa State Park for the afternoon. The first two minutes of Griffin at the Park sounded like this, "Whooohoooo!  Wheeeha,  giggle, giggle" Over and over again.  Anyone who heard must have thought I'd kept this boy in the house the last month. 

Pumpkin Picking

The kids and I went to a Mankato farm to pick pumpkins today.  Pumpkins weren't the only highlight.  They were fun to climb around on, look at the amazing colors and textures and pick up, but he cat stole the show.  Griffin was especially gentle with the cat which surprised me since he's pretty rough and tumble most of the time.  I have been a cat-lover my whole life growing up on the farm and all, but Keir's allergic to them, so no cats in this house!

And the last picture is of the sucker-face Emerson (the after-grocery store treat).  Oh, what a mess, but so enjoyable for her. 

Let's get out!

Can I tell you how excited I am to come across a topic for my thesis in Health Education that I am so interested in?! On Tuesday my mom's group talked about Nature Deficit Disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_deficit_disorder) which basically says our children are lacking because they are not playing outdoors nearly as much as previous generations. So I've been researching and have come across so many good initiatives to help us: forest kindergartens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_kindergarten), Take a Child Outside Week (this week!), No Child Left Inside Act, etc. Wow, this is eye opening for me and so interesting. If you want to read more, there's a book I'm reading, "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv (http://richardlouv.com/).

What do you think? What are your favorite memories from being outside as a child or with your children?

Hot Pepper Jelly

This Jalapeno Pepper Jelly is a great appetizer served with crackers and cream cheese. It’s spicy hot and sweet. I’ve given them for a little Christmas gift to family and friends. I started making it because my hubby likes to grow peppers in the garden and we just couldn’t use them all.

JALAPENO PEPPER JELLY

1 pouch of liquid pectin

2 c. jalapeno peppers

1 ½ c. vinegar

6 ½ c. sugar (this is why you share with your friends)

You also need a blender, large pot, timer, clean jars (6-8 jelly jars) and lids, funnel, ladle and a wet wash cloth.

First, wash the peppers (this recipe uses jalapenos, but I've used a variety of hot peppers). In this picture I've also added Banana Peppers.

Then, cut peppers into blender, leaving seeds in; add vinegar and blend.

Put in large pot (believe me, you DO NOT want this stuff boiling over!) and add sugar (you will think this is ridiculous when you put it in, but yes, 6 1/2 cups).

Bring to a boil.

Set aside for 20 minutes off the heat.

Put back on and boil 2 minutes.

Add and stir in a pouch of liquid pectin, put in jars.

I individually fill each jar, clean off top with wet wash-cloth and screw on top before going on the next jar. If the jelly is still hot enough it'll seal the jar. To check, after 5 minutes, just push your finger on top of jar to see if it pops up. If it pops up, it's not sealed, put it in refrigerator and use in the next couple of months.

And there you go, Hot Pepper Jelly! Serve with crackers and cream cheese. I usually put the block of cheese down and pour some of the jelly over top so they can be scooped on top of crackers.

Thank God for Two Hands

I'm sure every Mama has had those days when they are thankful for two hands. One to hold the baby and one to do what needs to be done. For instance getting ready for company! Emerson just didn't want to be put down that day.

Fruit Flies Go Away!

Do you have fruit flies too? Here's what to do to catch them:

Take a glass or jar & put a tablespoon or two of Apple Cider Vinegar in the bottom. Make a funnel using an old piece of paper or newspaper. Leave a hole about a quarter of an inch in the bottom (this is where the fruit flies fly in). Tape the funnel around the top of the jar/glass so the little buggers can't escape! Set where you are normally swarmed by the fellas and they will be lured in! Ha Ha... got ya! So long fruit flies!

Happy 1st Birthday Emerson!

Our girl is one already. She's been acting like a one year old for a few months now, at least she's not acting like a 15 year old yet. Here's her with her birthday present! A new play kitchen. I can see many plates of birthday cake, toast and cookies to come!




We went to Sibley Park for her birthday. These are the day I especially appreciate being home with the kids. Being able to spend the whole day with them and make it special is lots of fun.

Happy Birthday little girl. We love you!

Summer Days & Parades

Sorry I haven't been so good about posting lately. I've completed the bunting and crown for Emerson's Birthday. Now I am assembling her birthday gift as well as taking care of our 4 and a half year old neighbor. Having a 4 year old here has been a blessing! Her and Griffin love to play, but after 7 days together, the fun wore off a bit and now they are acting like brother and sister. I got a taste of what the tattling and picking on phase will be like for us- "Go tell him how you feel and ask him to stop." "If she asks you to stop, you need to stop." Hum, I'll enjoy the 2 & 1 year old for now.

We also went to visit "Gram" (Griffin's new name for Grandma Janis) and Papa (Grandpa David). We were lucky enough to hit Watermellon Days while we were there and experienced the thrill of carnival rides for the first time. The parade was awesome as well with lots of cool old cars, big and small horses, BIG tractors and some of my old friends! We had a great time and Griffin & Eme collected a gallon of candy... enough to last us well past Halloween.

We also attended my cousin, Mel's wedding. Boy did the kids have fun dancing. Griffin mostly ran (his version of dancing?) while Emerson made her way round and round the dance floor and stopped to "conduct the polka band" every now and then. It was pretty cute. On the photo above you can see her in the background! Of course it was nice to see my mom's side of the family. I have so many fun memories of many family gatherings as a child, but we don't get to see them much more than a time or two a year. In the photo above is my sister, Lora, my aunt, Nancy from TX and my aunt, Sue (one of my faithful blog followers-THANKS!). By the way, please drop a note when you check the blog... I need to know we still have a pulse (and yes, I know it would be stronger if I posted more often!).

sorry it's sideways!