It’s Friday! Amazon Delivered!
February 27, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah, Love is..., Photos, Sewing | 15 Comments
I present to you….
My new sewing machine:
I’m excited. I think. More scared, to be truthful. I waited like five hours to open the box. It frightened me.
When I bought my first dslr camera, I opened the box and was able to start taking photos. Not good photos, but photos nontheless. With the sewing machine, I opened the box (it was a struggle, man. I think I broke out in a sweat trying to pry the freakin’ machine out of the box!), took the machine out and stared at it. And then I took a photo of it. Because that’s what I do. I think I heard it laugh at me, actually.
I’m not sure what my next step is. Perhaps buying some of the accessories I need? Reading the manual, for sure. Fabric?
Yikes. I’m intimidated. But excited too!
But I was (and the kids too!) more excited to see Daniel come walking through the door. Best part of the day (any day), hands down.
And he brought me flowers. Because he loves me.
Happy weekend to you!!
A “Start your day off right” pancake recipe.
February 24, 2010 | Filed Under Photos, Recipe | 8 Comments
In honor of today being National Pancake day (How many of you went to IHOP? How many of you made your own short stack?), I bring you my pancake recipe.
I know, everyone has their own favorite pancake recipe, and I’m no different. But, in case you want to try out my trusty old standby, here it is:
(I apologize for the uninspiring pancake photo. Totally took it on the fly! Trying to feed everyone and get Daniel out the door, on time, was no small feat.)
Andrea’s Trusty Pancake recipe
(Chocolate chip pancakes today!)
Place in a medium bowl:
3/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons oil
1 egg
Add in dry ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
Mix lightly. Fry over medium heat in a lightly oiled (not butter!) pan. Smother hot pancakes in butter and pure maple syrup (or Aunt Jemima’s, if that’s what floats your boat!). Eat!
I always, always double the recipe. And that feeds my family of five nicely. I also use rice milk which makes the pancakes slightly less fluffy but ridiculously moist. Cow’s milk is perfect, though.
Here’s to many delicious pancake mornings! Enjoy!
The Weekend.
February 22, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Eve, It's What's For Dinner, Judah, New Mexico, Photos, Texas | 16 Comments
It was fun.
It was busy.
It was supremely tasty.
Friday night we ran lots of errands and then Daniel took our family to a local Mexican restaurant. So fun! We ate our dinner while listening to live music. Loved that.
The food was mouth-watering delicious and authentically New Mexican.
We had a wonderful time until Judah melted down in the parking lot. Such is life.
Saturday we headed out to the Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo. Amazing. Seriously breathtaking. It’s a wild sensation to be driving across the plains, surrounded by enormous fields and stinky cows, and then BOOM. A huge canyon. Red walls, massive rocks… a refreshing change of scenery.
The kids had a fantastic time “trailing.” Daniel and I realized that I don’t do so well with “off-trailing.” I’m not so adventurous, apparently. Along the trail we saw some interesting animal tracks; some that struck large amounts of fear into my heart. Like, the fresh ones that looked like them belonged to a large cat. I got the chills looking at those! Yikes! Good thing Judah brought his “trusty ‘ol gun,” as he fondly calls it.
Daniel explored a cave and took the kids up the side of a cliff. Fun times in the beautiful weather. Unfortunately, because the trail was so low, we lost the sun and warmth fast. Brrr! I couldn’t get back to the truck fast enough. Eliza and I were popsicles! Daniel and I took a second before leaving to take a couple of photos, proof that we were actually at the canyon with our kids. I live with a goof-ball. A mean goof-ball. These photos were right before he stuck his ice-cold hands onto my back!
Since we were so close to Amarillo, and Target (!), we headed into town. Hiking made us very hungry so we stopped at Blue Sky for some burgers. Daniel had heard it was great and indeed, it was! I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of grease.
And the Anaheim chili sticks… awesome!! Wowza. I wanted to lick the bottom of the basket. I refrained. It was touch and go, though.
Sunday, we recuperated.
An awesome weekend! I am so thankful that Daniel is home. Life is so much happier, goofier, tastier, and more adventurous.
P.S. Not so sure about the big photos. I’ve never really cared about them. But, with the (blasted, horrid, I am horrible at making them) blog boards, bigger was better. We’ll see about the bigger photos… I find it annoying to have to scroll down to look at the whole thing.
Facial cream/moisturizer suggestion?
February 17, 2010 | Filed Under Life Stuff | 35 Comments
Ok, I’m officially crawling out of my skin here.
Such a pretty word picture, isn’t it?
I live in the d.e.s.e.r.t. And my skin hates me right now. I make sure to drink plenty of water, and while that helps, it’s not the end all. My skin needs extra moisturizing. I use a wonderful lotion on my skin from the shoulders down, but my face…. it needs help.
Currently I am using Caudalie on my face. I got it at Sephora. I like that it doesn’t have a strong perfume but I feel like it clogs my pores. And that is no-good.
I wash my skin with Clinque, which sounds really old school, but Daniel and I both love it. First of all, it does a good job. Secondly, it cost like fifteen dollars and it is going to last the two of us probably six more months.
Do you have any suggestions on a facial moisturizer for me? I am feeling a little desperate here…
Thanks ahead of time!!
My Funny Valentine.
February 15, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Lovers, Photos, Valentine's Day | 13 Comments
My funny Valentine
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
You’re my favorite work of art
Don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Each day is Valentine’s Day
How was your Valentine’s Day? Do anything special? We didn’t. But it was still sweet ’cause I’m with him.
P.S. Lyrics from the song, My Funny Valentine
Eve’s Valentine’s Day Tea Party 2010
February 14, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Eliza Dove, Eve, New Mexico, Photos, Valentine's Day | 18 Comments
The Valentine’s Day tea party was a success.
The girls had a wonderful time from what I surmised.
Eve said it was all she had hoped for.
And I lived.
I deem that a success. Hooray!
I kept the party small and simple. I work better that way. I read a line on someone’s blog this last week and while I can’t remember the exact wording it went along the lines of: sometimes simple is not only good enough, it is the best. I took that to heart.
Five little girls and one big girl were invited. A two hour party. Simple. Good.
I bought little princess crowns at Hobby Lobby and heart shaped bracelets at Target. I set those out for the girls to help themselves to. They played for a bit in the beginning. Mozart wafted through the air while the girls decorated sugar cookies with either pink or white frosting and some sprinkles. Consumed. Chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, chocolate covered strawberries. Fancy tea cups steaming with red berry tea. Consumed.
They played a bit more while I cleaned up the food.
Little girl imaginations crafted their pretty party favor boxes with glitter and glue and candy hearts, a few stickers and some ribbon.
Inside the boxes went homemade chocolate caramels.
That was that. Simple. A bit magical. And good.
I liked it. We’ll do it again next year.
It’s like a freakin’ clown car, man!
February 9, 2010 | Filed Under Life Stuff | 13 Comments
Sigh…
I want to write. I just don’t have a specific subject to write about, and rattling off without a purpose is a blogging/writing no-no.
But, I’m going to do it anyway… I’m a rebel without a cause. Or something like that.
The kids are doing good; everyone is keeping great spirits even though we have been housebound for couple of weeks now. Between the snow (I KNOW! It’s not normal for here. The town was completely paralyzed for days.) and Daniel taking the truck to work every day, it’s been a challenge for me and the kids. We were use to being on the go-go-go, living in NY, that this new lifestyle has been an adjustment. Not necessarily hard or bad, just a rearranging of my thought process.
School is superb! Eve has been doing well and we are proud of our little first grader. For me, having a dedicated school room is a tremendous blessing. Our time spent schooling each day is much more effective than it was in New York. Eve is learning by leaps and bounds and it is a thrill. Last Thursday we had a pretty tough day (it was all me being tired and grumpy) but my perspective received a face lift after watching a school bus drive by the house during nap time. I realized anew that our days (even the bad ones) are a blessing; we are together – learning, playing, sharing life without interruptions. And I know that having Eve at home and teaching her here is my present calling and even on our worst day I am thankful for homeschooling and all that it brings to my life.
As far as post-deployment goes, it’s been really good. To tell you the truth, I have no idea why we have such an easy time of it. The previous post-deployment was the same thing. There were literally no bumps. I say this not to brag at all. I don’t understand the whys but I am truly thankful for the seamless transition of being apart and now being together. I can tell you that our marriage is a lot different than it was before. Saying “I’m sorry” and extending forgiveness is quicker and easier, we kiss more often, appreciation for each other is much higher… the only thing that we haven’t changed, but that we had discussed while Daniel was deployed, is going on more dates. And that is because we have a babysitter lack. But, I’m working on it!
One last big thing before I hit you with all the small piddley stuff…
One word: Nikon.
Yup. I’m switching from Canon to Nikon. (I’m keeping my Canon, though, once I get her back. ‘Cause I love her deeply.)
I’ve known for a solid year and a half that I wanted to buy a full frame Nikon but it just didn’t make a whole lot of sense financially. I mean, I had a beautiful Canon camera (40D) and great lenses (18-55mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8), why would I do such a dramatic switch? All I can say is, I like Nikon better. I have researched the crap out of both brands and I made my decision. Sometimes I feel nervous and wonder if I am doing the right thing but as a life-long overthinker, it’s typical to have that reaction. I’m going to love my new camera and lenses. We are going to have a beautiful time together. Period.
Now, for the piddley but still matters stuff:
*Daniel’s motorcycle is literally in pieces in the garage. He bought a new muffler and is switching the paint job from bumblebee yellow to sleek and sexy black. Hence, I am truckless.
*Our garage is about to become Crossfit central. So excited for all our equipment to arrive and the blood, sweat, and tears that are sure to quickly follow.
*Still no pictures on the wall. This week they will come.
*Saturday is Eve’s Valentine’s Day tea party. We (I) couldn’t do our 2nd annual Christmas Tea in December so Valentine’s Day it will be. Still working on psyching myself up. It will be FUN. LOTS O’ FUN, right?
*Eliza is still chubby. Oh wait, that’s not a news flash.
And to answer a few questions:
A bunch of you asked about agave syrup… agave syrup is indeed sweeter than sugar. By 1/4 or 1/3 or something. I should look it up because I don’t remember. I use it in all baking – cookies, cakes, ice cream, custard. I use it in tea, coffee, smoothies… everything. I can taste a slight difference but I’m kind of ultra sensitive to taste differences. I use the “raw” agave syrup. It’s darker in color and less processed. I don’t use it exclusively. I still use raw sugar and honey a lot. I just like having an alternative for when I want to give my kids an extra special treat. I feel like it tones down the high and crash of sugary foods.
I am buying a sewing machine. I am. It’s going to have to be online because I live in the middle of the desert, man. Pinto beans we have, sewing machines, we have not. You all gave me the BEST advice and motivation and encouragement and links. I can’t thank you enough. I’ll be asking more questions once I have my machine. Prepare yourself.
And now… a few links to cute, informative, fun new blogs I have found recently:
These hamburger buns and I have a date in my kitchen. I won’t be using King Arthur flour, though. I have tried it many times because I keep thinking it’s a fluke, but to me it tastes rancid.
Kate doesn’t know me. I’ve commented on her cute and fun blog a few times. She and her Air Force husband live in Japan (their base is at the tip top of our dream sheet)… stop by and say hi for me! She’s got a great linky side bar too…
I will be making these “deliciously dandy ding-dongs.” I promise.
I check these two fashion sites every day. The first one is “Uber-Chic for Cheap” and “Stuff Under Twenty.” I love finding a deal. Bet you do too.
I need one of these dresses. Any one will do. I will never have one, though. Too expensive for me. What I love best is that she donates to awesome charities.
And the last one… wouldn’t this fabric be super cute as curtains in my kitchen? I think so!
I’d love to link to more cute, fun, informative blogs. Email me and let me know if you have one or know of one!
Well. Apparently I had a lot to say. You are officially all caught up now.
Bye!
Oh, yes I did.
February 6, 2010 | Filed Under Life Stuff, Perspective, Photos | 18 Comments
And you thought I was crazy when I was feeding my family dessert for dinner…
I’ve reached new heights of the crazy.
We had dessert for breakfast.
For a few days time I had promised the kids I would make them the ice cream of their dreams. The kind that makes them drool when the memory comes flooding back in twenty-five years.
(It was a bucket of homemade peach ice cream on a hot heavy-aired New York night for me…)
Anyway, as I was whipping up this future drool worthy memory, I had a moment of brilliance and added in a couple of teaspoons instant coffee. Because I wanted coffee ice cream. But wait! Who in their right mind feeds their children coffee ice cream right before bed? Not this chickie.
I think children sleeping at night is a good thing. You?
Well, I had also promised Eve I would make her oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. I even remembered to buy the raisins at the Commissary. Miracles still happen!
But then I forgot to make the cookies.
Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.
I don’t know about you, but to me it’s obvious, once you add all of these variables together, I had to feed my children dessert for breakfast.
I know some of you are cringing at the thought that there were no eggs on our breakfast table. No whole wheat toast. Where’s the fruit? The milk? The cereal?
Oh, but they were all there.
Eight eggs in the ice cream. Fresh store bought whole wheat flour in the cookies. Yummy, plump raisins studded the cookies. Great for growing bodies, coconut milk mixed with sinfully delicious heavy cream. Heavy rolled oats embodied the cookies.
As for the gobs of sugar usually in these desserts … it was agave syrup, my friends. I made the creamiest, most delicious coffee ice cream using agave syrup. Used it for the cookies too. Who knew! Not my kids.
They just thought I was the dreamiest, most beautiful, brilliant mommy that has ever walked the earth. Ice cream and cookies for breakfast? Who does that?
This chickie.
Because I think making memories is better than eating scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast every morning.
This what happens…
February 2, 2010 | Filed Under Eliza Dove, Love is..., Photos | 17 Comments
When Mama forgets to take out baby girl’s pigtails before bed…
When Mama is wide awake and all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed……
When you wake up in a spectacular mood…
When “Little Miss Sunshine” is your first name…
When “Cheesy” is your middle name…
When Mama thinks taking photos trumps most everything…
Most especially when it’s photos of your sweet profile, baby girl…
Thanks for being mine.
Decorating advice needed!
February 1, 2010 | Filed Under Decorating Ineptness, Life Stuff, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 16 Comments
I have these big white walls. Everywhere… well, almost everywhere. And they bother me.
On this particular wall I have finally decided to use one of my rainbow prints to adorn it. I think… if you approve, that is.
Daniel finally took pity on me and cut out a piece of 20×30 cardboard… after watching me hold up the tape measure 87,000 times.
Can you see it? Does it work? Do I need to add anything else or is the photo enough?
On the opposite side of the hallway there is a loooong stretch of white wall. I’ve decided to do a series of 16×24 prints of these four vineyard photos I took this fall.
Are you feeling it? Help? I don’t know what the crap I’m doing…
