I got this in an email yesterday and laughed so hard. I think my favorite might be the lady driving in the garage to get the oil changed in her car. Hilarious!
I just edited the little paragraph about me by my picture that said that I enjoy gardening. I don't anymore. At least not until next spring when I walk through the nursery and have big dreams of beautiful flower and vegetable gardens!
My yard is proof that I have absolutely no idea what I am doing when it comes to gardening! Let me give you a little tour of my efforts gone bad.
This is the yard right alongside the driveway. We had problems with this part of the grass dying last year too but hoped that it wouldn't happen again. Hoping didn't work. The dead area is much larger this year and we really need to figure out why.
Creeping Charlie is taking over this end of the rock wall and is starting to get into the grass. Another thing that needs to be taken care of soon.
I planted these flowers this summer but I did not plant the shrooms. They just came up....everywhere! If I remember right they'll dry up and in the spring will let out all kinds of green dust and I think they might be poisonous. I'm not going to mess with them till I know!
This is my never-ending battle with crown vetch. Can you tell who's winning? The only plants that are supposed to be in this area are big clusters of day lilies.
And lastly, here is my sorry looking black jack sedum. Maybe I should've spent more time weeding around them and given them a little attention.
I plan to print out a few of these pictures and see what advice I can get from the garden center. If that doesn't work I think it might be time to call a professional to help me out!
Today I signed Thomas up for the swim team at our local YMCA. I was just sitting here filling out my planner and life is going to get busy in two weeks! I think it is going to be good though. His swimming lessons instructor suggested that I think about putting him in it because she thinks he will do well. I noticed a huge improvement in both Thomas and Elle's swimming this year after spending so much time in the lake for the past 3 months. Those afternoons of swimming in the deep water and learning to dive them helped them so much. He is pretty excited about it!
Jessica at Turkey Cookies is hosting a soup recipe swap each month this autumn and I am looking forward to trying several new recipes as the weather gets cooler. This weekend was warm and sunny here so we didn't make soup and instead grilled each night.
The recipe I'm sharing this time is for Cheddar Corn Chowder. I made this a month or so ago and we all really enjoyed it. Next time though I will either make only half the recipe or try freezing part of it because it makes a lot. We had it for a few meals and it started to become too much of a good thing. :)
Cheddar Corn Chowder (serves 10 to 12)
1 lb. bacon, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 4 cups yellow onions, chopped (3 large onions) 4 Tbsp butter 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp ground turmeric 12 cups chicken stock 6 cups (2 lbs.) medium-diced white boiling potatoes, unpeeled 10 cups (3 lbs.) frozen corn kernels * 2 cups half-and-half 1/2 lb. sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (plus more for garnish) Corn tortilla chips (I use Tostitos yellow corn tortilla chips) snipped fresh chives
In a large stockpot on medium-high heat, cook the bacon until it is crisp. Remove from pot and reserve. Spoon out most of the bacon grease from the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add olive oil, butter and onions. Cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent and just starting to caramelize.
Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil and simmer uncovered until the potatoes are tender. Add the corn to the soup, then add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve hot with a garnish of bacon, shredded white cheddar, chives and corn tortilla chips.
*You can also use fresh corn to make this soup. I did this when I made it but did not think it was worth the effort and time. If you want to try it though, here are the directions - Cut the corn off the cob (about 10 ears) and blanch the kernels in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and then add to the soup.
Thomas and Elle are always looking for opportunities to earn money. This week I gave them each a quart size canning jar and sent them into the yard to pick up acorns. I told them they'd get 50 cents a jar full and that they could fill as many jars as they wanted. It kept them occupied for a few hours and now the yard is much more pleasant to walk barefoot in. Thomas ended up earning $9.50 and Elle decided $8.50 was enough. They dumped the nuts in a pile in the trees....some little squirrel is going to think its found a treasure when it's discovered!
A few years ago my mom grew several different types of gourds in her garden and then dried them. She gave me a few and I turned this pear shaped one into a birdhouse. Scott helped me hang it this afternoon using a wire clothes hanger.
It's in the tree right outside the porch. It will be fun to see if any birds actually take up residence there.
Today was sunny and warm so we decided to go out on the boat for awhile after Scott got home from work. Thomas and Elle were crazy enough to jump in the lake even though the water temp was only 64 degrees. They said it wasn't really that cold....they are true Minnesotans!
We didn't spend much time out there though because it was pretty windy. We came back home and Scott grilled some brats for dinner while Thomas got a fire going.
A few toasted marshmallows for dessert was a good ending to a nice fall evening.
I love football season! The tradition continues of dressing up as a Husker football player and playing catch with Dad every Saturday. He said the pants are a little tight this year. :)
Elle is becoming quite the little cheerleader. She's got all kinds of new cheers that she made up today. All of them end with 'Gooooo Huskers!' Ava would've joined her but she was too busy watching Elmo.
This recipe was given to me from Scott's Aunt Deb. We enjoy this popcorn every fall. It's such a great snack to have while watching (or listening) to football. Go Huskers!
Caramel Corn
20 large marshmallows 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter
Microwave 2 minutes, stir. Microwave 2-4 minutes more until boiling. Then add 1/2 tsp baking soda to caramel mixture. Stir until well combined.
Pour over 7-8 quarts of popped corn. I do this in small batches. It helps ensure that every piece gets good and coated with caramel!
Place in a 250 degree oven for 10 minutes then turn over and bake another 10 minutes. This step makes it so that the popcorn isn't so sticky.
The Nester is hosting a P.O.O.P.I.E (People Opposing Objectionable Pretend plants In the Environment) party today. Read all about it here and check out the Nester's beautiful fall wreath! She's such a talented lady!
Before I show you my pretend plant first let me show you what I got to enjoy for a few short days last week -
The real thing! How I wish the grocery store would always have a buy one get one sale on a dozen roses! 24 roses for $12! Since it doesn't though, I purchased this arrangement that looks pretty real....or does it?!
It sits on the table in the basement and is supposed to distract you from seeing all of the scratches on the tabletop. Maybe the scratches would be better to look at than this though? It fakes my kids out. They thought these flowers were real for a long time. Mostly because of the water look in the bottom of the vase. Elle is convinced that it's even changing colors sometimes! I saw it sitting in one of the shops in town and when I looked at the pricetag it said $99. I quickly put it down. The owner saw me though and said to make an offer on it. I didn't think about making one though because I wasn't willing to pay even half price for it. Before I left the store he said he'd take $20 for it. He said it had been sitting in his shop for a year now and he just wanted to get rid of it. Fellow P.O.O.P.I.E.S, please be honest. Did I get a good deal or should I have left it at the shop?
The kids and I are enjoying being back to school. Elle told Scott yesterday that school was 'wonderful!'. :) They are liking some of the new things that we are doing this year. For science, Thomas is doing a study called Christian Kids Explore Biology. Last week he learned about creation vs. evolution and this week we are studying cells. Studying the intricate detail of cells is proof that we are not here just by chance but have an awesome Creator! Above is a picture of him with the 3-D gelatin cell that he made this morning. This study is full of hands-on activities which he loves. I've looked ahead through most of the book and I am looking forward to learning right along with him this year!
Ava is still taking a nap every afternoon. I took this picture last week when she had actually laid down all on her own. Usually her naptime routine consists of me laying down and cuddling with her for awhile. She always says 'Sing couple songs, K?' Her favorites are Jesus Loves Me, God is So Good, This is the Day, You are So Beautiful and You are My Sunshine. She knows most of the words and sings along a lot of the time. Her little voice is so sweet. Then she snuggles with Puppy, puts her thumb in her mouth and drifts off to sleep.
At bedtime, she does the same thing with Elle. Even though they each have their own bed they prefer to share one. It's sweet to hear them singing together and cuddled up when we check on them once they are sound asleep.
My friend Christina recently emailed me and asked for my peach crisp recipe. Of course I'm happy to share it! I had planned to put it here on the blog eventually. The almond extract is the secret ingredient and should not be left out!
Peach Crisp
Topping: 1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup regular rolled oats 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp kosher salt 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/2 cup almond slices, lightly toasted *optional
For the topping, stir flour, oats, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together in a large bowl. Add butter. Use a pastry cutter or fork to form coarse crumbs. *To toast almonds, bake 3-4 minutes on an ungreased baking sheet until light brown (watch carefully - they brown quickly). Set aside to cool.
For filling, combine peaches and sugar. Mix cornstarch and lemon juice; stir into peaches. Add nutmeg and almond extract; stir well.
To assemble, pour filling into a 9-inch square baking dish. Combine almonds with topping, sprinkle about half of the mixture evenly over the fruit. Pat down lightly. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from the oven; add remaining topping, and bake additional 25 - 30 minutes or until fruit pierces easily with a toothpick. Allow to set about 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or sweetened whipped cream.
Sorry for the unannounced blogging break! Last week there was just too much going on to blog. We started school last Tuesday and today we started swimming lessons again with errand running afterwards. It's back to crazy Mondays! I'll be back to regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow.
This blog is about my day to day life as a wife to my husband Scott, and mama to our 3 children - Thomas (13), Elle (11) and Ava (6). I love all things domestic - cooking, baking, knitting, and sewing so you will find a little of each here along with lots of pictures of the kids.
Last night while I was making dinner Elle decided to paint her nails. Painting the right hand is always so tricky!
Ava saw her and wanted her nails painted too. Elle was happy to do it for her.
Of course then you have to blow on them to help them dry quicker.
Beautiful! Ava still sucks her thumb so we have to leave them unpainted.
This is the yard right alongside the driveway. We had problems with this part of the grass dying last year too but hoped that it wouldn't happen again. Hoping didn't work. The dead area is much larger this year and we really need to figure out why.
Creeping Charlie is taking over this end of the rock wall and is starting to get into the grass. Another thing that needs to be taken care of soon.
I planted these flowers this summer but I did not plant the shrooms. They just came up....everywhere! If I remember right they'll dry up and in the spring will let out all kinds of green dust and I think they might be poisonous. I'm not going to mess with them till I know!
This is my never-ending battle with crown vetch. Can you tell who's winning? The only plants that are supposed to be in this area are big clusters of day lilies. 
And lastly, here is my sorry looking black jack sedum. Maybe I should've spent more time weeding around them and given them a little attention.
Jessica at Turkey Cookies is hosting a soup recipe swap each month this autumn and I am looking forward to trying several new recipes as the weather gets cooler. This weekend was warm and sunny here so we didn't make soup and instead grilled each night.
Thomas and Elle are always looking for opportunities to earn money. This week I gave them each a quart size canning jar and sent them into the yard to pick up acorns. I told them they'd get 50 cents a jar full and that they could fill as many jars as they wanted. It kept them occupied for a few hours and now the yard is much more pleasant to walk barefoot in. Thomas ended up earning $9.50 and Elle decided $8.50 was enough. They dumped the nuts in a pile in the trees....some little squirrel is going to think its found a treasure when it's discovered!
A few years ago my mom grew several different types of gourds in her garden and then dried them. She gave me a few and I turned this pear shaped one into a birdhouse. Scott helped me hang it this afternoon using a wire clothes hanger. 
It's in the tree right outside the porch. It will be fun to see if any birds actually take up residence there.
Today was sunny and warm so we decided to go out on the boat for awhile after Scott got home from work. Thomas and Elle were crazy enough to jump in the lake even though the water temp was only 64 degrees. They said it wasn't really that cold....they are true Minnesotans!
We didn't spend much time out there though because it was pretty windy. We came back home and Scott grilled some brats for dinner while Thomas got a fire going. 
A few toasted marshmallows for dessert was a good ending to a nice fall evening.
I love football season! The tradition continues of dressing up as a Husker football player and playing catch with Dad every Saturday. He said the pants are a little tight this year. :)
Elle is becoming quite the little cheerleader. She's got all kinds of new cheers that she made up today. All of them end with 'Gooooo Huskers!' Ava would've joined her but she was too busy watching Elmo. 
Caramel Corn
The real thing! How I wish the grocery store would always have a buy one get one sale on a dozen roses! 24 roses for $12! Since it doesn't though, I purchased this arrangement that looks pretty real....or does it?!
It sits on the table in the basement and is supposed to distract you from seeing all of the scratches on the tabletop. Maybe the scratches would be better to look at than this though? It fakes my kids out. They thought these flowers were real for a long time. Mostly because of the water look in the bottom of the vase. Elle is convinced that it's even changing colors sometimes! I saw it sitting in one of the shops in town and when I looked at the pricetag it said $99. I quickly put it down. The owner saw me though and said to make an offer on it. I didn't think about making one though because I wasn't willing to pay even half price for it. Before I left the store he said he'd take $20 for it. He said it had been sitting in his shop for a year now and he just wanted to get rid of it. Fellow P.O.O.P.I.E.S, please be honest. Did I get a good deal or should I have left it at the shop?
The kids and I are enjoying being back to school. Elle told Scott yesterday that school was 'wonderful!'. :) They are liking some of the new things that we are doing this year. For science, Thomas is doing a study called Christian Kids Explore Biology. Last week he learned about creation vs. evolution and this week we are studying cells. Studying the intricate detail of cells is proof that we are not here just by chance but have an awesome Creator! Above is a picture of him with the 3-D gelatin cell that he made this morning. This study is full of hands-on activities which he loves. I've looked ahead through most of the book and I am looking forward to learning right along with him this year!
Ava is still taking a nap every afternoon. I took this picture last week when she had actually laid down all on her own. Usually her naptime routine consists of me laying down and cuddling with her for awhile. She always says 'Sing couple songs, K?' Her favorites are Jesus Loves Me, God is So Good, This is the Day, You are So Beautiful and You are My Sunshine. She knows most of the words and sings along a lot of the time. Her little voice is so sweet. Then she snuggles with Puppy, puts her thumb in her mouth and drifts off to sleep. 
Sorry for the unannounced blogging break! Last week there was just too much going on to blog. We started school last Tuesday and today we started swimming lessons again with errand running afterwards. It's back to crazy Mondays! I'll be back to regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow.
