Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wouldn't you know...
Vintage Vittles Vednesday
You know me, I have a slight obsession with coffee. Coffee is my constant companion and friend. I have a book called Betty Crocker's Guide to Easy Entertaining- How to have guests and enjoy them. In it there is a section on coffee and includes recipes and methods of preparation. The proper time and place for coffee is discussed in detail and examples of poor and proper etiquette by guests and hostess are also given. It's super uptight but reminds me how much easier we have it today!
For this recipe I did a little more research. Partly because I am fascinated by this brewing process and partly because I know that a lot of people (non-Scandinavians of course) have never heard of it. I have had it before and my sister has been known to make it every now and then.
Egg Coffee
Beat 1 egg and 2 tbs water. Stir 2 tbs of the egg mixture into 3/4 cup regular grind coffee. Add cold water to completely moisten grounds. Put in coffeepot and add 6 cups cold fresh water. Stir. Bring to full boil. Stir again. Remove from heat. Add dash of cold water. Strain and serve. Makes 6-8 cups of coffee.
I find this recipe to be a little vague so I did a little digging and found some tips. Here is a rundown.
Start with an enamel coffee pot or a sauce pan on the stove. Bring your water (6-9 cups depending on the size of the pot and the number of people you are serving) to a boil. Meanwhile beat one egg (you can include the egg shells if you like-some say this helps with the "bitterness" and "acidity") and add to the appropriate amount of coffee grounds (2 tbs per cup of water for a medium-strong brew) mixing until combined.
Once your water is boiling add egg/coffee mixture to water (you may need to turn down the heat to prevent it from boiling over). Boil for 3 minutes and remove from heat. The grounds and egg will have cooked into a lump, floating at the top of the pot. Add 1 cup of cold water and simmer for 10 minutes. The egg/coffee ground lump will settle to the bottom of the pot eliminating a need for a filter! You can continue to simmer the pot and the coffee will become stronger without turning bitter! What a concept!
Try it out and let me know your thoughts!
For this recipe I did a little more research. Partly because I am fascinated by this brewing process and partly because I know that a lot of people (non-Scandinavians of course) have never heard of it. I have had it before and my sister has been known to make it every now and then.
Egg Coffee
Beat 1 egg and 2 tbs water. Stir 2 tbs of the egg mixture into 3/4 cup regular grind coffee. Add cold water to completely moisten grounds. Put in coffeepot and add 6 cups cold fresh water. Stir. Bring to full boil. Stir again. Remove from heat. Add dash of cold water. Strain and serve. Makes 6-8 cups of coffee.
I find this recipe to be a little vague so I did a little digging and found some tips. Here is a rundown.
Start with an enamel coffee pot or a sauce pan on the stove. Bring your water (6-9 cups depending on the size of the pot and the number of people you are serving) to a boil. Meanwhile beat one egg (you can include the egg shells if you like-some say this helps with the "bitterness" and "acidity") and add to the appropriate amount of coffee grounds (2 tbs per cup of water for a medium-strong brew) mixing until combined.
Once your water is boiling add egg/coffee mixture to water (you may need to turn down the heat to prevent it from boiling over). Boil for 3 minutes and remove from heat. The grounds and egg will have cooked into a lump, floating at the top of the pot. Add 1 cup of cold water and simmer for 10 minutes. The egg/coffee ground lump will settle to the bottom of the pot eliminating a need for a filter! You can continue to simmer the pot and the coffee will become stronger without turning bitter! What a concept!
Try it out and let me know your thoughts!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
So far
Things are good. Good, not great. Luke and I have been working our butts off getting the house ready to show. There were a lot of little things that needed sprucing up and some pretty major projects too.
We are very blessed to have family and friends willing to roll up their sleeves to help us, asking nothing in return. Amazing people. We have a brand new kitchen and though the kitchen is tiny at least it is updated and looks fantastic. A big THANK YOU!! goes out to my sister's husband and his brother who gave up their free time to get the job done in one weekend! HUGE.
And thank you, Hailie and Emmy, Jackson, Wyatt for giving up a weekend with your husband/daddy to entertain me and the kids. You made it bearable.
We have seen some interest but only from the open house we had on Sunday. There were 4 couples that came by. One didn't care for the layout, one said they were "just looking," and the other 2 loved the house but haven't even put their houses on the market yet. Not promising.
We also found out one of our neighbors stopped by. We do have one very nosy neighbor that comes over once in a while, if she catches us in the front yard, and gossips about the other neighbors and the couple that used to live in our house. It really gives me the creeps that she might have been the one in our house snooping around. We don't have anything to hide but I guess I just wonder why someone would do that if they weren't interested in buying the house.
We haven't gotten any calls from other realtors or requests for individual showings, however, we only just got a "for sale" sign in our yard yesterday! That might have something to do with it!
Did I ever mention one of my pet peeves (I know, I have a ton. Who can keep track!?) is when people say "relator" instead of "realtor"? It's real estate people. Not rela state. I hear it constantly and it's just one of those things that perks my ears up and makes me bite my nails to keep from saying something. I even know a realtor that says it! Ok, done.
I'm listening to Ray LaMontagne right now, Liam is watching Curious George and Amelia is taking a nap. We're all sick, including Luke. Luke and the kids have pink eye, Liam ruptured yet another eardrum and Amelia looks like a little booger zombie. But we are happy. We ARE in good spirits.
We had a Halloween birthday party for Liam and Amelia and it was so much fun! Then we went trick-or-treating and Liam was a little pro. And very polite, too! He even made sure Amelia was getting candy!
Liam is picking up some amazing things and I can't remember the last time he had an accident! Yay! Amelia is standing and takes one step before grabbing something or sitting down. Maybe she'll be walking by Christmas. No teeth yet. She'll be 13 months tomorrow!
Peace and Love.
We are very blessed to have family and friends willing to roll up their sleeves to help us, asking nothing in return. Amazing people. We have a brand new kitchen and though the kitchen is tiny at least it is updated and looks fantastic. A big THANK YOU!! goes out to my sister's husband and his brother who gave up their free time to get the job done in one weekend! HUGE.
And thank you, Hailie and Emmy, Jackson, Wyatt for giving up a weekend with your husband/daddy to entertain me and the kids. You made it bearable.
We have seen some interest but only from the open house we had on Sunday. There were 4 couples that came by. One didn't care for the layout, one said they were "just looking," and the other 2 loved the house but haven't even put their houses on the market yet. Not promising.
We also found out one of our neighbors stopped by. We do have one very nosy neighbor that comes over once in a while, if she catches us in the front yard, and gossips about the other neighbors and the couple that used to live in our house. It really gives me the creeps that she might have been the one in our house snooping around. We don't have anything to hide but I guess I just wonder why someone would do that if they weren't interested in buying the house.
We haven't gotten any calls from other realtors or requests for individual showings, however, we only just got a "for sale" sign in our yard yesterday! That might have something to do with it!
Did I ever mention one of my pet peeves (I know, I have a ton. Who can keep track!?) is when people say "relator" instead of "realtor"? It's real estate people. Not rela state. I hear it constantly and it's just one of those things that perks my ears up and makes me bite my nails to keep from saying something. I even know a realtor that says it! Ok, done.
I'm listening to Ray LaMontagne right now, Liam is watching Curious George and Amelia is taking a nap. We're all sick, including Luke. Luke and the kids have pink eye, Liam ruptured yet another eardrum and Amelia looks like a little booger zombie. But we are happy. We ARE in good spirits.
We had a Halloween birthday party for Liam and Amelia and it was so much fun! Then we went trick-or-treating and Liam was a little pro. And very polite, too! He even made sure Amelia was getting candy!
Liam is picking up some amazing things and I can't remember the last time he had an accident! Yay! Amelia is standing and takes one step before grabbing something or sitting down. Maybe she'll be walking by Christmas. No teeth yet. She'll be 13 months tomorrow!
Peace and Love.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
"Vacation Mode"
So I just put my Etsy shop on "Vacation Mode" and I feel a little defeated. Like, I can't do it all and here is the proof. It's not like I was really in it anymore anyway. We have been so busy and with Luke being in Iowa, I never had time to take pictures and list new items. I have an abundance of items that need to be listed but it all needs to be packed away and put into storage so we can stage our house.
Our realtor came last Saturday and informed us that the market is not pretty (not that we didn't know that) and that for our style of house in particular (a rambler with an addition) interest will be limited. Ugh. We have a laundry list of things to do to prepare our house to show. This includes "declutter"ing our house. Her words.
So all of my Etsy inventory, that has overtaken our guest room and my workroom in the basement, needs to disappear. I am sad but I also feel like I will be able to come back with new energy. I think moving to Iowa will rejuvenate me in a way that will be very good for my shop.
I am excited about this move and anticipate something...big. I don't know what and I don't want to set myself up for disappointment but I have this gut feeling that this is where I am supposed to be. Maybe it's just that I am letting go of whatever it was that was holding me back before and now I'm really going to go for it.
Since opening my Etsy shop I have a glimmer of confidence and motivation that I have never had before. I feel like this is something that I could be good at. If I really apply myself I might even be successful! Really good things are around the corner for me and for my family.
So my shop is on "Vacation mode" even though this is no vacation for me. I'm just going to take things one day at a time. I am taking deep breathes, and trying to keep Luke calm as well. We are hoping to put our house on the market by November 1st or at the latest mid November because Luke has to report to work on January 5th.
Putting Etsy on the back burner will be good for me in the long run. I can't wait to open up the boxes when we settle in to our new home and see all my babies again!
Our realtor came last Saturday and informed us that the market is not pretty (not that we didn't know that) and that for our style of house in particular (a rambler with an addition) interest will be limited. Ugh. We have a laundry list of things to do to prepare our house to show. This includes "declutter"ing our house. Her words.
So all of my Etsy inventory, that has overtaken our guest room and my workroom in the basement, needs to disappear. I am sad but I also feel like I will be able to come back with new energy. I think moving to Iowa will rejuvenate me in a way that will be very good for my shop.
I am excited about this move and anticipate something...big. I don't know what and I don't want to set myself up for disappointment but I have this gut feeling that this is where I am supposed to be. Maybe it's just that I am letting go of whatever it was that was holding me back before and now I'm really going to go for it.
Since opening my Etsy shop I have a glimmer of confidence and motivation that I have never had before. I feel like this is something that I could be good at. If I really apply myself I might even be successful! Really good things are around the corner for me and for my family.
So my shop is on "Vacation mode" even though this is no vacation for me. I'm just going to take things one day at a time. I am taking deep breathes, and trying to keep Luke calm as well. We are hoping to put our house on the market by November 1st or at the latest mid November because Luke has to report to work on January 5th.
Putting Etsy on the back burner will be good for me in the long run. I can't wait to open up the boxes when we settle in to our new home and see all my babies again!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Vintage Vittles Vednesday
With the chill in the air and the advent of Autumn upon us I felt this recipe might come in handy. This is also kind of a vague recipe but how often do you really follow directions exactly?
Apple Dumplings
Roll pie crust thin (how much? you ask. i dunno.). Cut into squares (how big? how should i know. does size really matter ;o?). Pare and core eight medium sized apples and place an apple on each square. Fill cavities of apples with sugar, add a few grains each (?) of cinnamon and nutmeg and a bit (?) of butter. Wet (be glad i didn't say moist-en... oops!) edges of pastry with white of egg and fold points over apples. Place in dripping pan and pour around dumplings one cup boiling water to which has been added one-half cup sugar, one-fourth cup butter and one-half teaspoon cinnamon. Bake in hot (??? degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick) oven until apples are soft (how you are supposed to know this is beyond me). Before removing from oven brush over with white of egg and sprinkle with sugar. Serve with whipped cream.
I have never actually tried this recipe but as you can see it is very simple and should be a breeze. ?
Apple Dumplings
Roll pie crust thin (how much? you ask. i dunno.). Cut into squares (how big? how should i know. does size really matter ;o?). Pare and core eight medium sized apples and place an apple on each square. Fill cavities of apples with sugar, add a few grains each (?) of cinnamon and nutmeg and a bit (?) of butter. Wet (be glad i didn't say moist-en... oops!) edges of pastry with white of egg and fold points over apples. Place in dripping pan and pour around dumplings one cup boiling water to which has been added one-half cup sugar, one-fourth cup butter and one-half teaspoon cinnamon. Bake in hot (??? degrees Fahrenheit should do the trick) oven until apples are soft (how you are supposed to know this is beyond me). Before removing from oven brush over with white of egg and sprinkle with sugar. Serve with whipped cream.
I have never actually tried this recipe but as you can see it is very simple and should be a breeze. ?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Around the corner
I can't believe it. Lately I have extra time in the evenings because I finally have both the kids on a decent sleep schedule. It is hard work but man is it worth it in the end!
You may have noticed some new tunes on my blog. Last week the weather was so mellow and the evenings were actually chilly. So I got the itch. I felt the urge to go to Caribou to get a Hot Apple Blast or a Pumpkin Spice latte from Starbucks. I love the change of seasons especially Summer to Fall.
School is in. Spiral notebooks, three ring binders, textbooks, "bouquets of pencils," the squeak of new sneakers on shiny floors and chalk on blackboards-they all whisper "Psst, fall is coming."
Apple picking will be starting. Our grapes are almost ripe. I want to put on a cozy sweater and some worn in jeans and hold my coffee cup with both hands just under my nose so the steam fogs up my glasses. I know it will be some time yet before that happens but when it does I will not be disappointed. I will not be sad that Summer is gone and now Winter is coming.
Autumn is coming! I know too many pessimists who only see the Winter that looms burly and dark behind Autumn's backside. I think because it is the time of year when everything is put to bed. Earth's bedtime, I guess. The days get shorter and it seems like it is always dark. So, to some, it feels like the end. It is the wrapping up of a year. But it's not all death and goodbyes. It is just goodnight. "See you in the morning."
Let us not forget cider, pumpkins, knitted scarves with denim jackets, JEANS, football, fallen leaves, backpacks, sneakers, Halloween, Thanksgiving, long walks crunching leaves and the list goes on and on. I know we will miss lemonade, strawberries, swimsuits, shorts, baseball, thunderstorms, picnic baskets, flipflops, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and long walks in the sand, but they will be back again. Next year. We are only saying "see ya later" not "good bye."
I wish you could be here with me. This is my favorite time of year and we have so much going on. I am overflowing with anticipation. My fingers are always moving. You are welcome to come and have a cup of coffee with me in my cafe here at home. We can talk about Fall. We can talk about babies, whatever. We can just look out the window and wait for our friend Autumn to knock on the front door. Sigh. Doesn't that sound nice?
You may have noticed some new tunes on my blog. Last week the weather was so mellow and the evenings were actually chilly. So I got the itch. I felt the urge to go to Caribou to get a Hot Apple Blast or a Pumpkin Spice latte from Starbucks. I love the change of seasons especially Summer to Fall.
School is in. Spiral notebooks, three ring binders, textbooks, "bouquets of pencils," the squeak of new sneakers on shiny floors and chalk on blackboards-they all whisper "Psst, fall is coming."
Apple picking will be starting. Our grapes are almost ripe. I want to put on a cozy sweater and some worn in jeans and hold my coffee cup with both hands just under my nose so the steam fogs up my glasses. I know it will be some time yet before that happens but when it does I will not be disappointed. I will not be sad that Summer is gone and now Winter is coming.
Autumn is coming! I know too many pessimists who only see the Winter that looms burly and dark behind Autumn's backside. I think because it is the time of year when everything is put to bed. Earth's bedtime, I guess. The days get shorter and it seems like it is always dark. So, to some, it feels like the end. It is the wrapping up of a year. But it's not all death and goodbyes. It is just goodnight. "See you in the morning."
Let us not forget cider, pumpkins, knitted scarves with denim jackets, JEANS, football, fallen leaves, backpacks, sneakers, Halloween, Thanksgiving, long walks crunching leaves and the list goes on and on. I know we will miss lemonade, strawberries, swimsuits, shorts, baseball, thunderstorms, picnic baskets, flipflops, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and long walks in the sand, but they will be back again. Next year. We are only saying "see ya later" not "good bye."
I wish you could be here with me. This is my favorite time of year and we have so much going on. I am overflowing with anticipation. My fingers are always moving. You are welcome to come and have a cup of coffee with me in my cafe here at home. We can talk about Fall. We can talk about babies, whatever. We can just look out the window and wait for our friend Autumn to knock on the front door. Sigh. Doesn't that sound nice?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Today
Things are getting more and more interesting every day. Luke got the job in Iowa so we will definitely be moving there and we are very excited! I am ready for something new and challenging. I need a change of scenery.
We are hoping that all goes well with the sale of our house and purchasing a new one. I'm not going to lie - I'm a little nervous. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to get our house ready to be put on the market. Things we have been putting off since we moved in.
We do plan on having a moving sale, maybe in two weeks. We'll see if I can get everything priced by then! I just sold a bunch of stuff this last Spring at my sisters garage sale so I feel like my joints are oiled up and ready to go.
I am also considering having an area of the moving sale for some of my etsy inventory. I have a lot of stuff that has never been listed due to a lack of time. I don't know. People come to moving sales for a good deal $.50 here and $.25 there, maybe a dollar or two. They don't expect to pay etsy prices for vintage but I don't want to give it all away for free!
Luke's job pays for movers to come and pack our stuff and haul it to our destination, but they only pay for so many pounds. We won't know how many pounds of stuff we have until after the fact so...we don't want to pay to move my shop items if we don't have to.
On another note, Liam is potty trained! It didn't take long. I tried my hardest to stay consistent and gave him big hugs and kisses every time he used the potty (I also bribed him with anything I could to get him to try when he didn't think he needed to go). He spent a couple of days with no undies or diapers until he got the hang of going all the way to the bathroom whenever he had to go. Then I put him in undies with the rubber undies over them. After he got the hang of having to pull down his undies every time, I got rid of the rubber undies except for car rides and bedtime. Now he doesn't need the rubber undies at all and only has an accident every couple of days. We are so proud of him!
Amelia is crawling and pulling herself up on furniture, window sills, the dishwasher (while closed), toys and anything else she can. She is taking steps while hanging on and can stand for 3 seconds without falling. She is getting so close to standing and walking! I can't believe how big she's getting. She turns a year old in October already!
We are hoping that all goes well with the sale of our house and purchasing a new one. I'm not going to lie - I'm a little nervous. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in order to get our house ready to be put on the market. Things we have been putting off since we moved in.
We do plan on having a moving sale, maybe in two weeks. We'll see if I can get everything priced by then! I just sold a bunch of stuff this last Spring at my sisters garage sale so I feel like my joints are oiled up and ready to go.
I am also considering having an area of the moving sale for some of my etsy inventory. I have a lot of stuff that has never been listed due to a lack of time. I don't know. People come to moving sales for a good deal $.50 here and $.25 there, maybe a dollar or two. They don't expect to pay etsy prices for vintage but I don't want to give it all away for free!
Luke's job pays for movers to come and pack our stuff and haul it to our destination, but they only pay for so many pounds. We won't know how many pounds of stuff we have until after the fact so...we don't want to pay to move my shop items if we don't have to.
On another note, Liam is potty trained! It didn't take long. I tried my hardest to stay consistent and gave him big hugs and kisses every time he used the potty (I also bribed him with anything I could to get him to try when he didn't think he needed to go). He spent a couple of days with no undies or diapers until he got the hang of going all the way to the bathroom whenever he had to go. Then I put him in undies with the rubber undies over them. After he got the hang of having to pull down his undies every time, I got rid of the rubber undies except for car rides and bedtime. Now he doesn't need the rubber undies at all and only has an accident every couple of days. We are so proud of him!
Amelia is crawling and pulling herself up on furniture, window sills, the dishwasher (while closed), toys and anything else she can. She is taking steps while hanging on and can stand for 3 seconds without falling. She is getting so close to standing and walking! I can't believe how big she's getting. She turns a year old in October already!
Vintage Vittles Vednesday
Here's another vintage recipe! This one is from the 40's and is one of my favorites. It may sound sort of weird with two condensed soups but it's one of those comfort food recipes. Something for a weeknight in the fall when you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Chili Mac-Spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion
1 10 3/4 oz can cream o mushroom soup
1 10 3/4 oz can tomato soup
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
1 lb dried spaghetti
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
In a large saucepan cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is browned. Drain off excess fat. Add the soups, chili powder, hot sauce, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boiling, stirring often; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 45 minutes, stirring often.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions. Serve sauce over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with cheese; pass additional sauce and cheese. Makes 4 servings.
Chili Mac-Spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion
1 10 3/4 oz can cream o mushroom soup
1 10 3/4 oz can tomato soup
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
1 lb dried spaghetti
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
In a large saucepan cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is browned. Drain off excess fat. Add the soups, chili powder, hot sauce, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boiling, stirring often; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, about 45 minutes, stirring often.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to directions. Serve sauce over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with cheese; pass additional sauce and cheese. Makes 4 servings.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Vintage Vittles Vednesday
In my unfulfilled dream of living a vintage life, I cook all my families meals in vintage pots, serve them only in vintage dishes, and eat them solely from vintage dinnerware. The meal being prepared atop a vintage range/oven combo and eaten at our vintage table complete with vintage linens. A girl can dream.
You may be wondering what sort of delicious delicacies I would make in said vintage life (or not, if you read the title of this post). Why, vintage ones, of course! A true collector, such as myself, must amass an appropriate collection of vintage cook books and recipes.
I would like to share a recipe with you today that I found very amusing. Hopefully you, too, can find some humor in this ridiculous beverage. I found it under the subcategory "Man-Pleasing Appetizers"!
"POW!"
2 cans (10 1/2 ounces each) condensed beef broth (bouillon)
1 cup water
1 1/4 tsp. horseradish
1/4 tsp dill weed
Heat all ingredients to simmering, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with celery "swizzle sticks."
6 servings (about 1/2 cup each)
I know my man enjoys sipping meat flavored beverages while smoking his pipe in front of the fire on a cold autumn night. Now, go please your man! ;p
You may be wondering what sort of delicious delicacies I would make in said vintage life (or not, if you read the title of this post). Why, vintage ones, of course! A true collector, such as myself, must amass an appropriate collection of vintage cook books and recipes.
I would like to share a recipe with you today that I found very amusing. Hopefully you, too, can find some humor in this ridiculous beverage. I found it under the subcategory "Man-Pleasing Appetizers"!
"POW!"
2 cans (10 1/2 ounces each) condensed beef broth (bouillon)
1 cup water
1 1/4 tsp. horseradish
1/4 tsp dill weed
Heat all ingredients to simmering, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with celery "swizzle sticks."
6 servings (about 1/2 cup each)
I know my man enjoys sipping meat flavored beverages while smoking his pipe in front of the fire on a cold autumn night. Now, go please your man! ;p
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
the little things
I can't figure out how to begin this post. I'm feeling very unoriginal and uninspired lately. We've been busy traveling a lot. We pack, drive, visit, pack, drive, unpack, pack, drive, visit, etc. I have started taking the kids clothes in a laundry basket on our journeys.
I haven't been to any garage sales lately or thrift stores. No flea markets or antiques stores for me these days. I don't have the time and it's just not a possibility with the kids right now. I saw some great places when we went to Cedar Rapids to visit Luke. Maybe on our next visit I'll hit them up.
I have seriously considered putting my shop on an indefinite hiatus but I figure it doesn't hurt to stay open. I don't have time to list new items and take pictures but that may change if I ever get around to finding someone to watch the kids a few half days a week.
These last few weeks have really challenged me as a mom but I'm doing fine. Actually, I'm doing better than I thought I would. When we aren't traveling the kids and I stay pretty busy. I do wish I had more time to be creative. Liam and I paint and play with play doh but the things I really want to do involve several hours with no interruptions and no kids.
These last few weeks have really challenged me as a mom but I'm doing fine. Actually, I'm doing better than I thought I would. When we aren't traveling the kids and I stay pretty busy. I do wish I had more time to be creative. Liam and I paint and play with play doh but the things I really want to do involve several hours with no interruptions and no kids.
update:
Liam is taking more of an interest in potty training, playing with his sister and has been forming more sentences. Amelia is almost crawling, picking up snacks with her thumb and pointer finger and using more consonants in her baby babble.
Have a great week!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Oh Summer
Here's a visual. Nine grandkids under the age of 5.
Our little family.
Us.
Liam sharing his worm with Amelia. Thanks big brother.
Fisher Price swing-$100. Soothie pacifier-$2.00. Taking a nap in the air conditioning-priceless.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
It's been a long time
Friends. It's been a long time since. You guys know I love you. I'm not so good at saying it. Even typing it. I appreciate you. I admire you. I miss you.
It took four whole years to hall my ass back down to Illinois to see my friends. I was only there for 3 days and squeezing everything into that short time took effort and arranging. Add two babes and a double stroller and the stress leaked from my pores and glistened on my forehead.
I like to do things without a schedule but when you have two little ones and such a short amount of time to do everything and see everyone, a schedule is a must. Lesson learned.
I had a great time and am amazed that four years have passed. Getting together felt like old times. There was the usual catching up but it wasn't awkward. It wasn't lengthy. Just conversation. Easy. I felt like I just slid back into my old life, with a few additions, of course.
The trip was a success. The kids handled the long drive (8 plus hours) there and back relatively well. The storm on the way home put a little cramp in our quiet drive (both kids were asleep until the storm woke them up). I think we'll do it again sometime much sooner this time. Another four years is not going to cut it!
Thank you friends for making room for us! We enjoyed every moment with you and the stress was just good practice for future trips. It will only get easier.
It took four whole years to hall my ass back down to Illinois to see my friends. I was only there for 3 days and squeezing everything into that short time took effort and arranging. Add two babes and a double stroller and the stress leaked from my pores and glistened on my forehead.
I like to do things without a schedule but when you have two little ones and such a short amount of time to do everything and see everyone, a schedule is a must. Lesson learned.
I had a great time and am amazed that four years have passed. Getting together felt like old times. There was the usual catching up but it wasn't awkward. It wasn't lengthy. Just conversation. Easy. I felt like I just slid back into my old life, with a few additions, of course.
The trip was a success. The kids handled the long drive (8 plus hours) there and back relatively well. The storm on the way home put a little cramp in our quiet drive (both kids were asleep until the storm woke them up). I think we'll do it again sometime much sooner this time. Another four years is not going to cut it!
Thank you friends for making room for us! We enjoyed every moment with you and the stress was just good practice for future trips. It will only get easier.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Paddapidders, swings and ice cream cones
I think this is some sort of tent worm but to Liam it's a fuzzy paddapidder
he wouldn't dare waste any ice cream by letting it drip
baby girl loves the swings!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
New and exciting
There are some new exciting things happening these days. Exciting for me in my small life. First of all, Luke is taking me to see the Black Keys in Minneapolis tonight! I am very excited to have a night out - just the two of us.
We have a babysitter coming over to watch the kids and I am hoping she likes our family enough to come back once in a while so we can go out more often. Do you know how long it's been since we have been to a movie together? Luke's mom and dad watched Liam for us when he was a little baby and we went to Indiana Jones (the last one) and it was a big let down.
Another new exciting thing is, Luke was offered a temporary promotion and will be going to Iowa for 4 months! It's really more frightening for me since I will stay here in Minnesota with the kids, but very exciting for him.
It will be an adventure for me, to say the least. I plan to go down to see Luke as much as we can (seven hours in the car with the kids is a little daunting). I'll probably visit my mom and my sisters more and we plan on looking into a daycare center for the kids a few hours a week. I think it would be fun for them to play with other kids and get a break from me and necessary for me and my sanity.
We also found out they will be hiring for that position permanently...so there is a chance we could be moving there. We would be four to five hours away from most of our friends and family and seven hours away from where we are now.
It's raining right now and I have always loved rainy days. It is different, though, once you have a little boy running around. Rainy days mean movies, play doh, coloring books, and tents in the house. Rain today means mud pies and puddles tomorrow. I can't wait!
We have a babysitter coming over to watch the kids and I am hoping she likes our family enough to come back once in a while so we can go out more often. Do you know how long it's been since we have been to a movie together? Luke's mom and dad watched Liam for us when he was a little baby and we went to Indiana Jones (the last one) and it was a big let down.
Another new exciting thing is, Luke was offered a temporary promotion and will be going to Iowa for 4 months! It's really more frightening for me since I will stay here in Minnesota with the kids, but very exciting for him.
It will be an adventure for me, to say the least. I plan to go down to see Luke as much as we can (seven hours in the car with the kids is a little daunting). I'll probably visit my mom and my sisters more and we plan on looking into a daycare center for the kids a few hours a week. I think it would be fun for them to play with other kids and get a break from me and necessary for me and my sanity.
We also found out they will be hiring for that position permanently...so there is a chance we could be moving there. We would be four to five hours away from most of our friends and family and seven hours away from where we are now.
It's raining right now and I have always loved rainy days. It is different, though, once you have a little boy running around. Rainy days mean movies, play doh, coloring books, and tents in the house. Rain today means mud pies and puddles tomorrow. I can't wait!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
What to eat? Wednesday
My husband, Luke, and both of my kids are sick. I have been chasing a little green booger monster around the last couple of days and I'm spent. Or maybe I'm lazy and looking for an excuse not too cook. Either way we ordered pizza for supper and I'm not going to lie. It was delicious.
Greasy, cheesy, goodness on a crispy, buttery crust. Green and black olives, onions and mushrooms, I thank you. I don't feel badly for not slaving in the kitchen in order to make my dear family a nutritious meal. Why should I?
I also cheated when I made Amelia's baby food. The gasp that just escaped your lips is not going to stop me from sharing with you the easiest, quickest, sneakiest way to make baby food for your little puckle pastry.
I bake sweet potatoes in the oven along with acorn squash. I steam fresh organic green beans and peas. I simmer peas and carrots on the stove. However, that all takes time and preparation that we busy mommies don't always have.
There are already precooked, ready to puree veggies out there waiting to make your life easier. Yes, yes you could just buy the jars of baby food but where's the fun in that? Plus, it's so much more expensive! I am talking about canned veggies.
Just grab a variety of canned vegetables with "no salt added" on the label. Toss them in the blender or food processor and puree to your hearts content. Add a little of the juice to make sure it is the right consistency for your baby, then poor the finished product into ice cube trays. One can makes approximately 2/3 of a tray.
Place in the freezer and once frozen through, toss the cubes of baby food into an appropriately labeled container or baggie. Done. The next time Amelia needs to eat I'll just grab a cube or two (she's 7 1/2 months old) and pop them in the microwave for 22 seconds (ovens may very).
Greasy, cheesy, goodness on a crispy, buttery crust. Green and black olives, onions and mushrooms, I thank you. I don't feel badly for not slaving in the kitchen in order to make my dear family a nutritious meal. Why should I?
I also cheated when I made Amelia's baby food. The gasp that just escaped your lips is not going to stop me from sharing with you the easiest, quickest, sneakiest way to make baby food for your little puckle pastry.
I bake sweet potatoes in the oven along with acorn squash. I steam fresh organic green beans and peas. I simmer peas and carrots on the stove. However, that all takes time and preparation that we busy mommies don't always have.
There are already precooked, ready to puree veggies out there waiting to make your life easier. Yes, yes you could just buy the jars of baby food but where's the fun in that? Plus, it's so much more expensive! I am talking about canned veggies.
Just grab a variety of canned vegetables with "no salt added" on the label. Toss them in the blender or food processor and puree to your hearts content. Add a little of the juice to make sure it is the right consistency for your baby, then poor the finished product into ice cube trays. One can makes approximately 2/3 of a tray.
Place in the freezer and once frozen through, toss the cubes of baby food into an appropriately labeled container or baggie. Done. The next time Amelia needs to eat I'll just grab a cube or two (she's 7 1/2 months old) and pop them in the microwave for 22 seconds (ovens may very).
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Balance
Ok, so I'm back here again. I have not mastered the see-saw in my playground yet. That is, I still have not found a proper balance between my husband and kids, and my selfish self. Before I was concerned (and I believe, rightfully so) that I was not giving my 2 1/2 year old son and my now 7 1/2 month old daughter the attention they deserved.
I felt that I was putting so much effort into getting my Etsy shop up and running and making it successful that I allowed my babies to be babysat by the boob tube. My goal was to find a balance in the month of May and make sure to give Liam and Amelia the best of me.
Well, now here I am, it's the end of May and I my Etsy teeter-totter is up in the air. I love all the time I have with my kids. I don't feel the guilt I was feeling when I would spend every available second listing a new item or packing up a sold item.
The problem is my sales have dropped significantly. I know that in order to get new traffic in my store I need to list new items almost daily. I'm listing one or two new things a week, tops. I also need to keep up with the Storque (Etsy's blog) and keep shopping and finding new favorites. These things all help to put my store's name out there where buyers or sellers can see it.
I am spending quality time with my children. I know that is important but I love it too. I love spending time with them. I would hate to look back on this time and wish I had given them more.
On the flip side, I love my Etsy shop. I love that on a whim I decided to try it out and found something that feeds my vintage soul. I enjoy finding thing I love and finding them a good home even if it's not my own.
My goal for June is to really find balance. I will ask for more help. I will let my husband know when I need to really focus and I will not spend precious time away frivolously. There is a sort of schedule materializing in my head that should help me to separate my work and family time. I WILL be more productive with my time!
I felt that I was putting so much effort into getting my Etsy shop up and running and making it successful that I allowed my babies to be babysat by the boob tube. My goal was to find a balance in the month of May and make sure to give Liam and Amelia the best of me.
Well, now here I am, it's the end of May and I my Etsy teeter-totter is up in the air. I love all the time I have with my kids. I don't feel the guilt I was feeling when I would spend every available second listing a new item or packing up a sold item.
The problem is my sales have dropped significantly. I know that in order to get new traffic in my store I need to list new items almost daily. I'm listing one or two new things a week, tops. I also need to keep up with the Storque (Etsy's blog) and keep shopping and finding new favorites. These things all help to put my store's name out there where buyers or sellers can see it.
I am spending quality time with my children. I know that is important but I love it too. I love spending time with them. I would hate to look back on this time and wish I had given them more.
On the flip side, I love my Etsy shop. I love that on a whim I decided to try it out and found something that feeds my vintage soul. I enjoy finding thing I love and finding them a good home even if it's not my own.
My goal for June is to really find balance. I will ask for more help. I will let my husband know when I need to really focus and I will not spend precious time away frivolously. There is a sort of schedule materializing in my head that should help me to separate my work and family time. I WILL be more productive with my time!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hello sunshine
our giggly gnome
when I was a kid our lilacs didn't bloom until the first week in June
giggly gnome ready for his big trip
even though it's 75 degrees out I still love my coffee in my favorite spot
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mother's Day
I hope all you mommies had a great day yesterday. If you're anything like me you don't need much to feel appreciated. A great cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll for breakfast. Big smiles and hugs and kisses. A quiet lunch out to a secret spot...cue the screeching record.
We decided to go to a little place in town where they make this simple but delicious sandwich. They pile warm pastrami high on multigrain bread with a little mayo and call it lunch! My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. They also use eco friendly products like forks and spoons made from vegetable fibers and biodegradable straws so that adds extra incentive to patronize their fine establishment.
We ordered our food at the counter and I used up all my tricks just trying to get Liam to stay with us. He finally took off for the fireplace and immediately flipped the switch to turn it on and started jumping on their leather love seat that sits in front of it.
When I tried to get him to come over to our table he started shouting and kicking and making a scene. Ugh! I just didn't have any fight left in me. I asked him if he was hungry or if he wanted to go home. He just started running and I grabbed him and got down on the floor in his face and said if he didn't stop it right then we were going out to the car.
Apparently he really wanted to go to the car because he tried to pull my hand off his arm and run at the same time saying "NO NO NO WAY!". I picked him up and told Luke we'd be in the car and we weren't coming back in. Liam cried the whole way out. There were a few ladies in there who tried to act like they didn't notice but how could they not!?
I put him in his car seat and told him how disappointed I was that we couldn't have a nice meal in a restaurant anymore because he can't behave. He shook his head. He screamed, that silent scream that comes before the blood curdling one, and then let out the most dramatic howl. His face turned red, spit hung in strings from his top teeth to the bottom ones and he tried with all his might to keep me from buckling his car seat.
I slammed the door (ok so I lost my cool a little too, but at least I took it out on the car!) and went around to the other side and got in the front seat. I crossed my arms and just listened to his nonsense for a couple of minutes until he calmed down.
Luke brought Amelia out while they packed up our food and Liam begged to be rescued. After getting our food Luke got in and we took off for home. We actually had a very nice meal when we got back. Liam apologized for his behavior (not in so many words) and he ate most of his lunch. He was told he was going to bed immediately afterwards and he insisted on daddy putting him to bed. He slept like an angel and the rest of the day was relaxing and peaceful.
I love my little monkey and I know one day I will look back on this time and remember how he was naughty sometimes but it won't seem as bad. His cooky antics, chocolate milk mustaches, the hair in his eyes and the way he giggles when he gets tickled are the things I will remember most. It won't be long and I will long for these days so I will treasure them even if he makes a scene in public. At least he said he was sorry, right?
We decided to go to a little place in town where they make this simple but delicious sandwich. They pile warm pastrami high on multigrain bread with a little mayo and call it lunch! My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it. They also use eco friendly products like forks and spoons made from vegetable fibers and biodegradable straws so that adds extra incentive to patronize their fine establishment.
We ordered our food at the counter and I used up all my tricks just trying to get Liam to stay with us. He finally took off for the fireplace and immediately flipped the switch to turn it on and started jumping on their leather love seat that sits in front of it.
When I tried to get him to come over to our table he started shouting and kicking and making a scene. Ugh! I just didn't have any fight left in me. I asked him if he was hungry or if he wanted to go home. He just started running and I grabbed him and got down on the floor in his face and said if he didn't stop it right then we were going out to the car.
Apparently he really wanted to go to the car because he tried to pull my hand off his arm and run at the same time saying "NO NO NO WAY!". I picked him up and told Luke we'd be in the car and we weren't coming back in. Liam cried the whole way out. There were a few ladies in there who tried to act like they didn't notice but how could they not!?
I put him in his car seat and told him how disappointed I was that we couldn't have a nice meal in a restaurant anymore because he can't behave. He shook his head. He screamed, that silent scream that comes before the blood curdling one, and then let out the most dramatic howl. His face turned red, spit hung in strings from his top teeth to the bottom ones and he tried with all his might to keep me from buckling his car seat.
I slammed the door (ok so I lost my cool a little too, but at least I took it out on the car!) and went around to the other side and got in the front seat. I crossed my arms and just listened to his nonsense for a couple of minutes until he calmed down.
Luke brought Amelia out while they packed up our food and Liam begged to be rescued. After getting our food Luke got in and we took off for home. We actually had a very nice meal when we got back. Liam apologized for his behavior (not in so many words) and he ate most of his lunch. He was told he was going to bed immediately afterwards and he insisted on daddy putting him to bed. He slept like an angel and the rest of the day was relaxing and peaceful.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Spring Market!
I went to the Saint Joseph Spring Market today thinking, being that it's the last day of the weekend, that it would be picked through and there would be nothing left. Boy, was I wrong! The place was huge first of all, it was indoors (which was nice since the weather was not so great) and there were flyers pasted on every corner saying "Vendors restocking daily"!
The setting was the Saint Joseph Ballroom and it took me an hour and a half to get through it all. Of course, I can't skim through. I have to see everything, you know.
My most exciting find was an adorable vintage houndstooth jacket with cherry-red lining for Amelia to wear in the Fall. Sooo cute! I was pretty stoked to find a faux bois desk lamp for only $4.00 for my workroom. There were some really fantastic things that I had to drag myself away from, including some super charming metal lawn chairs and a shabby iron crib.
I am happy to say I only bought a couple of things for my Etsy shop and everything else was for keeps! I got a bag of magnetic letters for some fun projects to come, a sweet apron, and some enamel pins. Ahhh, retail therapy, vintage style!
The market was very well organized and the pathways were nice and roomy. It was set up like an antiques mall and had individual booths for each vendor, but some of them sold homemade goodies like bread mixes, jams, purses and aprons. There were lawn and garden ornaments including some very creative birdbaths made from reclaimed stools and broken china. The best part: you don't pay each vendor like at a flea market. You only have to pay once at the end and they take credit cards! Well, maybe the credit card part is sort of a bad thing...
If you are interested, they will be open again next weekend too starting Thursday, May 6th at 10:00 am. I'd like to try to get over there again. Maybe I'll take the stroller and bring the kids too...or not. I'll be sure to bring the camera though.
The setting was the Saint Joseph Ballroom and it took me an hour and a half to get through it all. Of course, I can't skim through. I have to see everything, you know.
My most exciting find was an adorable vintage houndstooth jacket with cherry-red lining for Amelia to wear in the Fall. Sooo cute! I was pretty stoked to find a faux bois desk lamp for only $4.00 for my workroom. There were some really fantastic things that I had to drag myself away from, including some super charming metal lawn chairs and a shabby iron crib.
I am happy to say I only bought a couple of things for my Etsy shop and everything else was for keeps! I got a bag of magnetic letters for some fun projects to come, a sweet apron, and some enamel pins. Ahhh, retail therapy, vintage style!
The market was very well organized and the pathways were nice and roomy. It was set up like an antiques mall and had individual booths for each vendor, but some of them sold homemade goodies like bread mixes, jams, purses and aprons. There were lawn and garden ornaments including some very creative birdbaths made from reclaimed stools and broken china. The best part: you don't pay each vendor like at a flea market. You only have to pay once at the end and they take credit cards! Well, maybe the credit card part is sort of a bad thing...
If you are interested, they will be open again next weekend too starting Thursday, May 6th at 10:00 am. I'd like to try to get over there again. Maybe I'll take the stroller and bring the kids too...or not. I'll be sure to bring the camera though.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Natural cleaner
After having children I really started paying attention to labels and what kinds of crazy chemicals are in everyday products they could come in contact with. I'm not worried about them getting under the sink and drinking a gallon of drain cleaner. We keep our cleaners locked away. I'm more concerned with the cleaners we use on our floors and the detergent we use on our clothes and dishes.
I think most of us are looking for ways to be safer and also to be more environmentally friendly. These cleaners were created in order to make our lives easier but at what cost? Ok, I'm not climbing onto my soapbox to start preaching. I just thought I would share a couple of cheap, easy, natural cleaners that I use and you probably have the ingredients already in your house. In return maybe you can share some of your own recipes for floors, laundry, dishwasher, etc.
Glass cleaner: For a really actual streak free, (not just says it is and then really isn't) glass cleaner find an empty spray bottle. Mix in 2 tbs of white vinegar, 1/2 tbs cornstarch and fill it up with warm water. Shake it up and get ready to see what you really look like in the mirror! Use crumpled up newspapers for a lint free and re-user friendly wiper-uper.
Carpet stain remover: Mix a paste of 1/2 cup borax, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tbs salt. Spread the mixture onto the carpet stain and let it dry, preferably overnight. Then just vacuum it up. I used this when my son pooped on our very light colored carpet and the stain is gone!
Deodorizer for wooden cutting board: I use the juice from one lemon and create a paste directly on the cutting board with baking soda. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes and then wipe it clean with a washcloth.
Deodorizer for thrift store leather (purses, wallets, bags, etc.): Place the item in a plastic bag that you can either tie shut or has a zip lock opening. Carefully place a bowl with a cup of baking soda in the bag with the stinky item and seal it up. After a day or so take a sniff and if the item still has that offensive odor, exchange the baking soda with some fresh stuff and tie it up again.
I am always looking for more recipes. Please share! I use Melaleuca laundry detergent but I would like to find another option.
I think most of us are looking for ways to be safer and also to be more environmentally friendly. These cleaners were created in order to make our lives easier but at what cost? Ok, I'm not climbing onto my soapbox to start preaching. I just thought I would share a couple of cheap, easy, natural cleaners that I use and you probably have the ingredients already in your house. In return maybe you can share some of your own recipes for floors, laundry, dishwasher, etc.
Glass cleaner: For a really actual streak free, (not just says it is and then really isn't) glass cleaner find an empty spray bottle. Mix in 2 tbs of white vinegar, 1/2 tbs cornstarch and fill it up with warm water. Shake it up and get ready to see what you really look like in the mirror! Use crumpled up newspapers for a lint free and re-user friendly wiper-uper.
Carpet stain remover: Mix a paste of 1/2 cup borax, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tbs salt. Spread the mixture onto the carpet stain and let it dry, preferably overnight. Then just vacuum it up. I used this when my son pooped on our very light colored carpet and the stain is gone!
Deodorizer for wooden cutting board: I use the juice from one lemon and create a paste directly on the cutting board with baking soda. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes and then wipe it clean with a washcloth.
Deodorizer for thrift store leather (purses, wallets, bags, etc.): Place the item in a plastic bag that you can either tie shut or has a zip lock opening. Carefully place a bowl with a cup of baking soda in the bag with the stinky item and seal it up. After a day or so take a sniff and if the item still has that offensive odor, exchange the baking soda with some fresh stuff and tie it up again.
I am always looking for more recipes. Please share! I use Melaleuca laundry detergent but I would like to find another option.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Story time!
A chapter or two before bed with or without the kids. The best time of day. On Saturday I bought 'The Little House on the Prairie' by Laura Ingalls Wilder at a garage sale. Since I grew up about an hour or so from Walnut Grove, I have wanted to read the Little House series, but never got around to it.
We had it when I was a kid and my sister read all of them, but I wasn't interested back then. We loved the show but I knew that the show was very different from the true story and I guess I liked Michael Landon's version the way it was.
I started thinking about the books again recently and always look to see if I can find the whole series at a thrift store. I suppose I'll have to settle for one at a time.
I have been snatching up vintage books a lot lately. I'm looking forward to reading a chapter a night to the kids and waiting until bedtime to find out what happens next. Maybe I'm just looking forward to bedtime being a little easier every night!
We had it when I was a kid and my sister read all of them, but I wasn't interested back then. We loved the show but I knew that the show was very different from the true story and I guess I liked Michael Landon's version the way it was.
I started thinking about the books again recently and always look to see if I can find the whole series at a thrift store. I suppose I'll have to settle for one at a time.
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