Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Last Week.

I have sick little girlies today.
Both of them are down and out, which means I am functioning on very low levels of sleep/patience.
But...I am remembering all the fun and the much needed break I had last week when I tagged along with Bruce on a business trip to Georgia. I am so thankful that God knows what I'm going to need before I need it. Praise Him, he absolutely supplies it.
While Bruce was doing his businessy business stuff, I rented a car and hit the road to visit my amazing friend Amy. She works for NASA. NASA!  She's so brill..how we are friends, I will never know?!
Amy and I both have children with an extra chromosome, which adds to the reasons our hearts beat in sync. There were so many things to talk about (non-Nasa related, thankfully for me) I couldn't believe how fast the day passed.

Before I knew it I was on my way back to Atlanta, admiring the wildflowers with a very happy heart.
Back in Atlanta I was able to spend time with my cousin Rachel. Rachel always looks as put together as summer and I look...cold and very much in need of some lipstick. Thanks to Hannah, Rachel's 6 year old for snapping this picture.
I know that anytime spent with this cousin will include good food, shopping, and lots and lots of talking. We just can't help ourselves.
We talked, walked, ate, laughed, cried and shopped our hearts out. I loved every minute of it. About the time I was planning to quickly move my family to Rachel's neighborhood, it was time for me to meet up with Bruce again.
We attended a dinner at an Ethiopian church, and I ate the entire meal in the traditional Ethiopian way.
 I ate it with my right hand. I didn't use that fork next to my plate once.
And it was amazing.
Sign me up to eat Ethiopian food any day of the week.
Saltines and 7up are the order of this day with two sick kids.
It has been a long day, but it's been a good one, too.
I've been thinking of all the fun I had with my sister friend Amy, my cousin who's always been like a sister, and the brothers and sisters at an Ethiopian congregation with whom I shared more than a meal.
My love tank is full.
I wish I could it all over again, but since I can't, can I get anyone a 7up?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Home.

I came home late/early this morning after five lovely days in the South.
I'm unpacking, grocery shopping, planning meals, and obviously practicing my french braids with someone who missed me very much.
My other little Miss went off to school, and I'm off to work in a bit.
Back to real life.
Looking forward to our little family dinner tonight.
You know the one, where the kids are running around saying they hate the food and ask if they can have pb&j?
That's real life.
And I kind of missed it  them.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

She Tied Her Shoes

Someone around here has learned to tie her own shoes.
One day Talia said, "Mom, look what I can do."
 And then she did.
She's really excited about it.
Really.
I think this is her "Mom, it's not that big of a deal" face.
But it is a big deal.
She is the first kid in this house to learn this life skill, even though she's the youngest.
If I'm being truthful, that fact makes me a little sad.  
So, if you'll allow me to be happy and sad at the same time, I'd like to share
 that with you because that's just where I'm at today. 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Hello, Monday

Hello, Monday...and farewell to the tornadoes that passed us by. :)
Hello, looking at the sky and laying in the green grass.
Hello, new apps that so many people recommended: Instagram, Flashlight, the Weather Channel, Evernote, Biblegateway, and Grocery gadget. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.

Hello, Steve Jobs. Could you have been any smarter?
Hello, dinner delivery to celebrate a newborn baby born to our church family.

Hello, Clematis that is showing off right now.
Hello, beautiful babies in China. The Incubator Project helps me love on those little ones that are so faraway and so alone.

Hello, time away with someone goofy whom I love very much.
Hello, to you.
What are you saying hello to this week?

-----------------------------------

Hello, Lisa. :)

Thursday, April 12, 2012

i to the Phone

Yesterday I bought my first smart phone.
Would you help a girl out and tell me your top three apps?
I'd appreciate it mucho.
Gracias.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Ten on Ten:: April 2012


Take a photo every hour for ten consecutive hours on the tenth of each month. 
Document a day of your life and find beauty among the ordinary moments. 

I am loving this little book by Sarah Young. Locals: Thee Bookstore has it!
What's for breakfast?
Miss Determination on her way to preschool and gymnastics.
Flowers for a friend.
Get behind me cheesecake...it didn't listen.
 Coloring books are a part of our every day right now.
The tulips are still going strong after our Easter Sunday Dinner.
 Giggling girls on the back deck.
I am planting these soon.
Ella and her "hammer". It's her favorite toy...for about the last three years.

Happy 10th!
What did you do today?
ten on ten button

Friday, April 6, 2012

Creme Brulee French Toast

 Mmmm. Creme Brulee French Toast.
I've been making this easy breakfast since Ella turned one. We had it at her first birthday brunch and she loved it. Everyone did. I think my Dad begs for it about twice a year when he visits.
One of things that is so completely wonderful is that you make it all the night before.
You look like a complete gourmet in the morning when you serve it. You will.
I also love to serve it with cheesy potatoes. You need a little salt to "cut the sweet" as my mother in law says.
In other words, it's the perfect match of yumminess.

Enjoy Creme Brulee French Toast this Easter Sunday, or any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, Thursday...you get the point. :)

Creme Brulee French Toast 
adapted slightly from allrecipes.com.
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 Tbs. corn syrup
6-8 slices thickly sliced french bread. 
(Leave the crusts on, it's too much work and it doesn't make a huge difference)
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tablespoons Grand Marnier or Triple Sec (or orange juice if you'd rather)
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Spray a 9x13 pan well with Pam or other cooking spray. I have found that the french toast likes to stick to my glass pans, so I buy disposable pans to use for this recipe and the french toast will slide right out of those. You can wash them and reuse them later if you like. If you don't like to wash just throw them away. I won't tell anyone. I promise.

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Then pour the mixture in the disposable pan.

3. Place the bread in a single layer in the baking dish.

4. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the 5 eggs, half and half, vanilla, Grand Mariner/orange juice and salt. Pour over the bread. 

5. Cover and place in the fridge for 8 or more hours.

6. The next morning, take the pan out of the fridge and let it sit for 30-40 minutes on the counter. 

7. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

8. Bake 35-40 minutes in the oven until lightly browned and puffy.

Serve this french toast by flipping each individual piece upside down onto the plate.  Remember that brown sugar and butter that you placed in the pan first? Let the people see what they are getting! You've worked so hard (not really!).
Dust a little powdered sugar over the top, if you want to make it look pretty.

Decline all requests by children (and some adults who shall be unnamed) for syrup. They won't need it. 
Enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy Easter weekend, my friends.
He is Risen for all, not just for some.
And that makes me so happy...and thankful. 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Whatever Craft Weekend {March 2012}


I can't believe Megan and I just hosted our fourth Craft Weekend!!!!!
I love to see our guests get their creative juices flowing while Frank Sinatra sings us a tune from Pandora.
The tables get fuller and fuller as the weekend goes on. 
There's SWAG under there somewhere.

Why yes, that is my idea of happiness.

I did not get time to make one of these wooden blocks...but I will make one yet. They are so cute!

I did make one of these lovely nest necklaces taught by Jess.
Classy and fun. Just like the teacher.
photo courtesy of Meg Duerksen

I also made a few meals, too.
Pioneer Woman's Penne a la Betsy! is a favorite of mine.
For this group, I substituted the shrimp for grilled chicken.
{Via}
My mother-in-law gave me these darling little disposable cups and spoons.
Breakfast just got fancier thanks to her.
I do love breakfast.
Or brunch as it's called in some circles.
I'm not fancy enough to know for sure, but I think brunch is served only on Sundays.
Is that right?

I'll have a yummy recipe for you on Friday.
Just in time for whatever you call that first meal on Easter morning.

Monday, April 2, 2012

He is Risen Bunting

I slept away half of the day today recovering from Craft Weekend.
When I woke up there was a fun little Easter something at my door.
My friend, Heather, from CM Handmade sent this burlap bunting to me.

Isn't it cute? I am loving it!
I noticed that she has them in her shop right now.

Heather's also the one behind the YAY bunting that you may have seen all over Pinterest.

Thank you Heather, for making exactly what I wanted.
A visual reminder that Jesus rose for every single one of us.
"He is Risen!"
Now all I need is bunting that says, "Indeed".
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