Snow Day

This morning we watched as the cold rain turned into big white flakes.  Smaller Child had never (in his short goldfish memory) seen anything quite like it before.  We spent the better part of the morning, curled up on the sofa faces pressed against the glass watching the snow fall.

 

 

I had to... despite having a cold... I couldn't allow Smaller Child to miss out on his first (memorable) snow day.  (Yeah, it was all for him... sure...)  Well worth it. WELL worth it.

The first steps were pensive. But soon he got the hang of snow mushing.

And soon, he was off to the races.  He didn't want much to do with the snow, besides watching it, and walking in it.  When I offered him a snow ball at first, he told me no. Then backed up quickly, falling on his rear.  I showed him I could throw them. I showed him I could eat them, I showed him I could build things with them, but none of these were enough to entice SC into getting his hands in the cold white stuff.

 

 

 

 

 As he explored his new winter wonderland, I took advantage of our beautiful location to take some pictures. 

 

I caught a snowflake on my nose. I decided it would be the only make up I would wear that day. I think it works.

It occurred to me, as a black blur kept ruining over half my shots, that it was Olivia's first (memorable) snow as well! Being the teeny weirdo she is, it was just about the perfect depth for her.  At a little more than an inch. it was already hitting about her belly, but she didn't seem to mind!

I saw how much fun she was having, bouncing around and rooting in the snow.  I started running around with her, and then started throwing snowballs at her.  Well, THIS got SC's attention.  Suddenly, snow balls seemed MUCH more intriguing... Suddenly snow balls made puppy crazy.  Snow balls could be THROWN at puppy.  HOORAY!!  SC got the hang of snow balls quickly after that.

 

This went on for some time, until Olivia started hiding behind my legs, and I became the target of the snow balls.  I managed to get his attention focused on something else.  Snow MAN.

I say that snowman is FAAAABULOUS!

And this kid, well, he's just amazing.

 

And THEN, Larger Child came home to show us how it's really done.

Does it get any better than this?? Really?? 

I Got This!

Smaller Child has made the transition out of all things baby food.  He is now sitting at the big table, eating the big boy food, with the rest of us.  Last night, Spaghetti and Meatballs! He ate it like a boss.

 

Next up, potty training.  So far we have the potty in the bathroom.  We have learned how to open and close it.  We have been willing to sit on it (fully clothed).  Baby steps.... We're in no rush.  They grow up fast enough as it is.

Pic of the Week

Larger Child calls this, "Angry Turkey."

Cinnamon Rooooooolls!

For some reason, the baking bug has bitten me. Earlier in the week, I made bread (which was delicious)...

and I had a leftover packet of yeast.

There's a "that's what she said" joke in here somewhere....

So, I was inspired this morning to make cinnamon rolls.
I love bread making. There is something really therapeutic about kneading the dough, the smell of the yeast, and the patience it takes to allow it to rise. Allow me to take you through the process.

Gather ingredients
 

Just fyi, I used the cinnamon roll recipe out of the Betty Crocker cookbook.  I got this book at my wedding shower, over 11 years ago. Good recipes never expire.

 

I mixed the dry ingredients, and then added the wet.  Formed a dough, and that is when the fun begins. Time to knead!

About five or ten minutes is all you "knead" to feel right as rain, connected with the universe, and centered in your spirit. (Besides, any more than that, and you get tough.... dough that is.)

 

Once you are done kneading the dough, you must let it rise. This is one of those moments when you must take your hands off, and allow God to work His magic. I cannot force the dough to rise anymore than I can will a sunset. It will do what it does in its own time.

The art of letting go as taught in a bread ball.

And all I can do is wait.

Being the good little control freak that I am, I still chose to buy "rapid rise" yeast, and I set an alarm so I can count down the minutes.

 

Once the dough has risen, then I rolled it out into the shape of a crude rectangle. 

 

It kept telling bad taste jokes.... get it? "Crude Rectangle?"

 

Then to spread out the butter.  Lots and lots of delicious butter....

 

Then to sprinkle the filling. It consists of brown sugar and cinnamon.



Time to roll that baby up! Once it is rolled, pinch the edges together tight, so it doesn't come unraveled in the oven.

Then cut it in to half inch slices.

Put 'em in a pan, and let them rise again... and wait... again....
In the meantime, make your glaze, and preheat the oven. (Yay! Something to do!)

After another FOURTY FIVE MINUTES, they are finished. 

And lemme tell ya... OH MY.

More Bouncing Boys

I still can't believe how mild this winter has been.... The boys and I have sure been taking advantage of it.  We spend nearly every afternoon from the time school gets out until dark outside these days.  They are a riot to watch.  Nine times out of ten they are having so much fun, I have to join in. I just can't stand to not be a part of this kind of joy! (Smaller Child was a bit of a camera hog.)

 

 

 

A Small Note on a Big Feeling

I can't get over how ridiculously happy I am.  Nothing in particular is different, nothing new, nothing's changed... just me, I guess.  I have everything I have ever wanted, and everything I will ever need.  I am loved and love so deeply. I am content on such a true and pure level.  Grateful.

A Little Crafty : Cardmaking

My darling wonderful husband ordered me a TON of new card-making supplies for Christmas... I also ordered a lot to make the stuff he ordered work. (Bless his well-intentioned heart.) It also happened to be a big sale, so because of the size of the order, I got a lot of stuff free too! It came in last week, and this week I have had the opportunity to play with my new toys!

Here's what I came up with:
(Many of these designs are my take of templates and examples created by my stamp guru... you can check out her blog here: http://quickandeasystamping.blogspot.com/ )