We had a nice weekend; however, it was cold. The weather has been cold for a few weeks. I wanted a fire on Saturday and Sunday but last weekend I burned all the dry wood up and Sunday, it was too windy for a fire. I was cold. I suffered and finally pulled on a fleece pull-over over my turtleneck. I also drank a lot more than I should have – hot tea that is!
John bundled up and worked on making one set of stairs for the deck. His first set of steps and they turned out perfect. Why he doubts himself is beyond me? He is so talented and precise. Sunday night we were called out to “test” the steps. They are sound and beautiful. Yes, steps can be beautiful especially when they replace a large, black target. Although I am not sure we can get rid of that target because Ruddie has claimed it – he naps on it when John is working outside and Ruddie refuses to go inside to nap. He’s afraid he’ll miss something. Silly dog (and yes, it will be placed along the garbage bins for pickup!)
Elliott went to a friends’ house Saturday for four hours. I went to pick him up and found the boys playing electronic games. Both sitting and playing. Not talking. Completely entertained by the gadget in their hand. And then, I noticed the scraped face and forehead. When I asked what happened Elliott said he fell in a tree but did not feel it. When we got home, I had him wash up. Then I washed his face again, with soap and a little harder than he washed it, before applying Neosporin. He was looking tough. I had to ask if he got hurt anywhere else since these scraps down the right side of his face were caused by falling out of a tree. Boys will be boys – it takes more than a fall to slow them down. They had fun playing in the woods, finding snakes and newts and all. By Monday, Elliott looked like he was beat up. He split his lip after running up the hallway and bumping his face on the back of the couch. His lip was bleeding and already swollen by the time he got to the kitchen. He held an ice cube to it for about 20 minutes and it looked better. We tucked him in and wished him happy dreams! Well, I woke him to find that bottom lip had swollen again. He was not happy. I wrapped another ice cube and he held it to his lip all morning long. He went to school looking rough and tough for sure. It’ll be interesting to see if anyone comments on his face.
Olivia practiced her flute a lot this weekend. It was nice to have her come into the kitchen and play for me. Elliott even listened to her for a minute and gave her a nice compliment. He said, “Your flute playing has increased a lot.” I thought that was nice and my heart melted a little. We even played a few games of Trouble. I love that game. Trouble and Yahtzee.
Saturday I was thankful for small-town customer service. John needed three bags of ready-mix to fill the hole he was setting the 4x4 in for the deck stairs. It was 2:56. I called the local hardware store.
Yes, we have three bags and we close at 3:00 p.m. Are you leaving now?
On my way.
Ok, I’ll stay open for you.
Ten minutes later, Marty was loading the three bags into my car. I offered to make Marty cookies but he said he was on a diet. I might still drop some off. Where can you get service like that?
The guys went fishing on Sunday. Unfortunately they did not catch anything and Elliott fell a lot. Just what I wanted to hear.
Olivia and I snuggled on the couch and watch an episode of The Waltons! That was long overdue and so needed. She doesn’t snuggle much anymore.
Tonight Olivia is making a chocolate soufflĂ© for desert. It’ll be the first soufflĂ© for me so I look forward to helping her with this recipe. I also plan to make a loaf of no-knead wheat bread (Olivia wants to have this bread to make her turkey sandwich with) and a new bread recipe.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Childhood Paths
I look out our kitchen window and I see this:
The circle marks the location where the pool was set up. It was taken down earlier this spring as it had holes and the kids outgrew the size. I was hoping to purchase another pool this year but we might have to live this summer without one. Anyway, this little construction site, makes me smile. Every time I look out the window or door. I smile. Elliott just moved his construction equipment in and started hauling sand/gravel and he built that little mountain. Olivia will join him sometimes and they are as care-free and content as can be. Maybe I should go out and work construction some afternoon? They play and talk as they haul dirt. I love to listen to what they talk about. The conversation jumps all over the place, one topic to another. No rhyme or reason. It’s just what they happen to think of. Carefree. It reminds me when they are in the bathroom getting ready to brush their teeth. They talk about their day and just like outside, their conversation jumps from one thing to another. Always makes me smile.
Back to the construction site…I wonder how long it’ll exist? Will they out-grow it this summer? Will John say it has to go? I want to add sand to it and let them play for as long as they wish. When Elliott was years younger, we had dirt delivered. It was dumped near the edge of our yard, almost in the field. He was the happiest little boy ever. He’d play there for hours and come in looking like he bathed in the dirt. That is what bathtubs were made for. Soak them clean and send them back out to get dirty. I always knew where he was too.
I’ll admit, I do have plans for when they outgrow that sand circle. I would like to lay pavers down and dig a fire pit. If that doesn’t happen for a year or two, I am content watching the construction site. Content because it is a phase of childhood that will be gone before I would like it to be. Just like the crawling turns into walking, then they learn to run, jump and ride bikes. I’m happy to see them development but sad to say good-bye to the stages that preceded their growth. As the years fly by, I am amazed at what each of them knows, can do and how they are becoming thoughtful, caring and intelligent individuals. When reviewing or helping with their homework, I often think to myself, “I wasn’t doing this when I was their age!”
I used to read to both of them almost every night. I would read the same book over and over. Good Night Moon was, and still is, a favorite. As I read, they would point out the location of the ever-moving mouse. I can remember when they’d forget where he was on a particular page. When they spotted him, they’d hit the book and sometimes I’d drop it. Now they read by themselves or sometimes they want to read to me. It’s exciting to hear them tell me about the book they are reading. Often, when they read, they’ll ask me, “What page do you think I am on now?” Olivia is a bookworm. John recently said “Olivia has turned into a hermit.” She does too when she has a good book. She comes home, does her homework, then reads and reads and reads. I ask her to put the book down and join us sometimes. I’m happy she is a reader. I’d rather have her read than watch television because there a no shows worth watching. All the programs have underlying messages and personally, I don’t identify with any positive messages. What happened to shows like The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Dukes of Hazzard, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Wild Kingdom, etc.? I’ll admit, there are some good shows on like Blue Planet and some wild life shows. They capture Elliott’s attention but OIivia doesn’t usually watch them.
I know Olivia and Elliott are growing, too fast, but I also want to hang on to their childhood traits for a little bit longer. I don’t want the day to come when I stop hearing this:
Will you snuggle with me?
Can you color with us?
Want to watch a DVD with us? (Even if I have seen it a hundred times, once more won’t hurt me.)
Can you help me?
Can you lay with me?
The requests are asked and I know I better participate because the day when they no longer want or need me like they do now, is right around the corner. That bend that takes them from childhood to tween and teen years is just ahead.
I’m busy with my own construction as well, detour signs. I’ll put up any detour signs I can think of to hold on to these precious moments as long as possible!
This makes me smile!
The circle marks the location where the pool was set up. It was taken down earlier this spring as it had holes and the kids outgrew the size. I was hoping to purchase another pool this year but we might have to live this summer without one. Anyway, this little construction site, makes me smile. Every time I look out the window or door. I smile. Elliott just moved his construction equipment in and started hauling sand/gravel and he built that little mountain. Olivia will join him sometimes and they are as care-free and content as can be. Maybe I should go out and work construction some afternoon? They play and talk as they haul dirt. I love to listen to what they talk about. The conversation jumps all over the place, one topic to another. No rhyme or reason. It’s just what they happen to think of. Carefree. It reminds me when they are in the bathroom getting ready to brush their teeth. They talk about their day and just like outside, their conversation jumps from one thing to another. Always makes me smile.
Back to the construction site…I wonder how long it’ll exist? Will they out-grow it this summer? Will John say it has to go? I want to add sand to it and let them play for as long as they wish. When Elliott was years younger, we had dirt delivered. It was dumped near the edge of our yard, almost in the field. He was the happiest little boy ever. He’d play there for hours and come in looking like he bathed in the dirt. That is what bathtubs were made for. Soak them clean and send them back out to get dirty. I always knew where he was too.
I’ll admit, I do have plans for when they outgrow that sand circle. I would like to lay pavers down and dig a fire pit. If that doesn’t happen for a year or two, I am content watching the construction site. Content because it is a phase of childhood that will be gone before I would like it to be. Just like the crawling turns into walking, then they learn to run, jump and ride bikes. I’m happy to see them development but sad to say good-bye to the stages that preceded their growth. As the years fly by, I am amazed at what each of them knows, can do and how they are becoming thoughtful, caring and intelligent individuals. When reviewing or helping with their homework, I often think to myself, “I wasn’t doing this when I was their age!”
I used to read to both of them almost every night. I would read the same book over and over. Good Night Moon was, and still is, a favorite. As I read, they would point out the location of the ever-moving mouse. I can remember when they’d forget where he was on a particular page. When they spotted him, they’d hit the book and sometimes I’d drop it. Now they read by themselves or sometimes they want to read to me. It’s exciting to hear them tell me about the book they are reading. Often, when they read, they’ll ask me, “What page do you think I am on now?” Olivia is a bookworm. John recently said “Olivia has turned into a hermit.” She does too when she has a good book. She comes home, does her homework, then reads and reads and reads. I ask her to put the book down and join us sometimes. I’m happy she is a reader. I’d rather have her read than watch television because there a no shows worth watching. All the programs have underlying messages and personally, I don’t identify with any positive messages. What happened to shows like The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Dukes of Hazzard, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Wild Kingdom, etc.? I’ll admit, there are some good shows on like Blue Planet and some wild life shows. They capture Elliott’s attention but OIivia doesn’t usually watch them.
I know Olivia and Elliott are growing, too fast, but I also want to hang on to their childhood traits for a little bit longer. I don’t want the day to come when I stop hearing this:
Will you snuggle with me?
Can you color with us?
Want to watch a DVD with us? (Even if I have seen it a hundred times, once more won’t hurt me.)
Can you help me?
Can you lay with me?
The requests are asked and I know I better participate because the day when they no longer want or need me like they do now, is right around the corner. That bend that takes them from childhood to tween and teen years is just ahead.
I’m busy with my own construction as well, detour signs. I’ll put up any detour signs I can think of to hold on to these precious moments as long as possible!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Horn Tooting
Last Friday, April 20, was an exciting day for Olivia. (I’ll admit, I was excited also!) She was recognized for her scholastic achievements as well as leadership and volunteerism. Yes, she had to apply and she was awarded. She was inducted into the Middle School Honor Society. What an achievement! We are so proud of her. The ceremony was held in the gym and it was very nice. (The only disappointment was the sound system. Mumble. Mumble. It wasn’t working or hooked up properly.) All the students attended as well as parents and relatives, teachers and board members. The students were announced and escorted to the front to receive their certificate. A reception for the students and their guests followed the ceremony. It was nice to chat with other parents and congratulate many of Olivia’s classmates (her grade had the most inductees). And then it was time for Olivia to head to class and I left for work.
Next week Olivia is headed to Ithaca as she was “accepted” to Cornell University, as part of the Early College Awareness Program that the middle school participates in. I am impressed with what they are teaching our children. Olivia had to apply and fill out an application for college. They have also created their resumes and participated in mock job interviews. I’m not sure if I should be happy or concerned. She is in 6th grade. I’ll settle for happy as she is preparing for the future and that is good. She is one determined individual and that is what I worry about. I don’t want her to get so serious about volunteering and participating in activities so she can “build” her resume. I want her to enjoy her middle school years. It is a time of growth, finding oneself and those she wants to “hang with” for the remainder of her school days. But back to Cornell. They will visit a dormitory (scary thought right there) and attend two classes as well as eat in one of the dining halls. Now she has been to Cornell for a half day tour and Cornell students have visited her school to present information to them. She also participated in “bring your child to work day” with me two years ago. As she stays on the straight and narrow path, in a few years we might be moving her into a dorm on North campus! That’d be nice – close to home yet away at college.
Nervoulsy waiting for her name to be called.
Waiting for her escorts to reach her.
The happy inductee!
We love you!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Check that P off
Sunday was spent in the kitchen. It was rainy, damp and cold. We went to mass Saturday night and after running some errands in the morning, I was ready to settle down and work. First thing first, Elliott and I started a fire. Oh, that chased the chill away in half the house. Build a fire and they will come. They come with book or game in hand and enjoy the warm radiating from the flames. They also call to me when it’s time to put another log on the fire. Sometimes I think I need to explain a fireplace vs. bonfire to them. Even Ruddie gets into soaking up the heat. He tends to get too close so I have to make him back away. Just like a child. Drawn to flame without understanding the dangers.
I had baking on my mind. I started with currant scones and they turned out scrumptious. I then made dough for a Black Raspberry-Cream Cheese Danish. I also made Pecan-Honey Breakfast cookies – a quick recipe that made less than two dozen cookies and it put me one recipe closer to my Baking through the ABC’s project. These have nuts, pecans to be exact, so they will be enjoyed by John and I. They are good. Healthy and cake-y and approved.
Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
1 cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup rolled oats
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt (optional)
¼ cup applesauce
3 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. butter, softened but not melted
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla
½ cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375˚F and grease two cookie sheets. Whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg and vanilla. While beating the mixture on low speed, add the dry ingredients until well blended. Fold in the nuts with a spoon. Drop onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-9 minutes or until they start to brown. (Yield: 20 cookies) Added this to the collection.
On deck, or rather, on the counter – Q.
I had baking on my mind. I started with currant scones and they turned out scrumptious. I then made dough for a Black Raspberry-Cream Cheese Danish. I also made Pecan-Honey Breakfast cookies – a quick recipe that made less than two dozen cookies and it put me one recipe closer to my Baking through the ABC’s project. These have nuts, pecans to be exact, so they will be enjoyed by John and I. They are good. Healthy and cake-y and approved.
Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
1 cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup rolled oats
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt (optional)
¼ cup applesauce
3 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 Tbsp. butter, softened but not melted
1 egg
½ tsp. vanilla
½ cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375˚F and grease two cookie sheets. Whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl using an electric mixer beat the applesauce, maple syrup, butter, egg and vanilla. While beating the mixture on low speed, add the dry ingredients until well blended. Fold in the nuts with a spoon. Drop onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-9 minutes or until they start to brown. (Yield: 20 cookies) Added this to the collection.
On deck, or rather, on the counter – Q.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Weather
Admission. I am not one to watch the Weather Channel (unless a disaster has hit somewhere) and if I hear the weather report on the radio, fine. I can’t change the weather so why worry about it. Since becoming a mother, my attention to the forecast improved – slightly. I had to know how to dress them as babies and what to pack for their care. I probably was more attentive when they were infants more so than now. That could be because they don’t listen to me now, especially when I talk about wearing a jacket, especially after a warm spell. In one ear and out the other. I do try to catch the forecast in the morning so when the kids ask “how warm will it be today?” I can tell them what I heard.
This morning was a typical Monday morning. Having to get out of bed to start the day and not wanting to. However, John said we had snow. I knew we’d get some more snow before summer arrived. I was up and peeking out the windows. I love snow and we didn’t really have much this year. Everything was covered in heavy, wet white snow Snow. April 23 and we had snow. Not unusual just unexpected and unwanted (by most).
After getting out of the shower, I shoveled off the front deck while Ruddie played. I was afraid he would run off but he was just investigating. He wanted to know what all the white, cold stuff was. I also went out to the back deck and shoveled most of that off. The snow was heavy. Beautiful but heavy coverage. Heavy means damage. Our poor lilac bush was bent right over and I’m not sure it’ll ever be the same. The limbs of the arbortives were bent in all directions instead of standing tall and looking strong as one. And so, many of the trees and plants that have been flowering weeks in advance of their normal times due to the mild winter we experienced, will be damaged. But like the weather, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Mother Nature has played her card. I’m sure we’ll feel it at the grocery store when we can’t buy NY apples. Might be the time I start buying new fruits for the family to try. Can’t change it so work with it!
Apparently the highway department wasn’t prepared either. John said the trucks probably wouldn’t have their plows on the trucks. I think he was right because a regular pickup truck went down our road, plowing. Well, if you can call it that. One swipe down the road. Down the middle of the road. I did what I had to do. I drove in the middle of our road as well as the other road I turn onto. I went slow as I was afraid how the car would handle if I had to speed off to the side (not really the side, just the side I was supposed to be driving on). I’m pretty sure my Subaru could handle it but I have precious, irreplaceable cargo on board therefore I take no chances.
So here are the pictures I snapped this morning.
I have Sunday’s baking to tell you about (ohhhh, I baked a lot) but I’m a little tired. I’m gonna blame it on the weather!
This morning was a typical Monday morning. Having to get out of bed to start the day and not wanting to. However, John said we had snow. I knew we’d get some more snow before summer arrived. I was up and peeking out the windows. I love snow and we didn’t really have much this year. Everything was covered in heavy, wet white snow Snow. April 23 and we had snow. Not unusual just unexpected and unwanted (by most).
After getting out of the shower, I shoveled off the front deck while Ruddie played. I was afraid he would run off but he was just investigating. He wanted to know what all the white, cold stuff was. I also went out to the back deck and shoveled most of that off. The snow was heavy. Beautiful but heavy coverage. Heavy means damage. Our poor lilac bush was bent right over and I’m not sure it’ll ever be the same. The limbs of the arbortives were bent in all directions instead of standing tall and looking strong as one. And so, many of the trees and plants that have been flowering weeks in advance of their normal times due to the mild winter we experienced, will be damaged. But like the weather, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Mother Nature has played her card. I’m sure we’ll feel it at the grocery store when we can’t buy NY apples. Might be the time I start buying new fruits for the family to try. Can’t change it so work with it!
Apparently the highway department wasn’t prepared either. John said the trucks probably wouldn’t have their plows on the trucks. I think he was right because a regular pickup truck went down our road, plowing. Well, if you can call it that. One swipe down the road. Down the middle of the road. I did what I had to do. I drove in the middle of our road as well as the other road I turn onto. I went slow as I was afraid how the car would handle if I had to speed off to the side (not really the side, just the side I was supposed to be driving on). I’m pretty sure my Subaru could handle it but I have precious, irreplaceable cargo on board therefore I take no chances.
So here are the pictures I snapped this morning.
Ruddie's kennel door
The poor lilac bush!
I have Sunday’s baking to tell you about (ohhhh, I baked a lot) but I’m a little tired. I’m gonna blame it on the weather!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Deck Progress
Quick post today. Here are some pictures of the deck.
It is a huge project as the deck is 35 feet long! John is amazing - thank you dear.
We are already enjoying it.
It is a huge project as the deck is 35 feet long! John is amazing - thank you dear.
Here is the wrap-around part of the deck.
And the view from the hill. See Ruddie?
We are already enjoying it.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A week later
Yesterday morning I received a call from the elementary school nurse. I always ask right away what is wrong. Yesterday the call was for Elliott as the “bug” his sister was hit with last Sunday night, hit him. I thought we made it but the phone call proved otherwise. I wanted to rush to get him but because I take a bus to work, it could take a while for me to get home. My employer does provide emergency transportation to those that bus to work, but I opted to call John. He left work and went to pick Elliott up. By that time, he had vomited three times and the nurse had washed and was drying his clothing.
Last night was a long night for me. I was up on the hour and when I heard him move, I was in his room. He slept with the bucket on a chair next to his bed. It was a good night in that he did not vomit any. He had two episodes where he thought he was going to but he did not. He gets upset so I calm him down and had him lay down and he fell back to sleep. His fever did not return either. So he had a good night. I am looking forward to an afternoon nap!
So this morning, Olivia got to sleep in as I would take her to catch the bus at 7:30. I had already started washing bedding. All bedding will be washed today. I’ll also vacuum, dust and mop. Windows will be opened again, even though it is not as warm as yesterday, but the fresh air will be welcomed. It’ll be a busy day for me. But I have gone green and I have the energy from my green to make it through the day. Here is what I have started having for breakfast.
It’s a Green Monster and I was skeptical at first but finally, I made it yesterday for breakfast and I was pleasantly surprised. It has flaxseed, spinach, milk (I use almond), a banana and ice. Yesterday we did not have ice so it was much better today! I am hooked.
Check out all the other varieties of the green monster. I’ll be trying them in the future. Just one more way to go green and be a little healthier!
Last night was a long night for me. I was up on the hour and when I heard him move, I was in his room. He slept with the bucket on a chair next to his bed. It was a good night in that he did not vomit any. He had two episodes where he thought he was going to but he did not. He gets upset so I calm him down and had him lay down and he fell back to sleep. His fever did not return either. So he had a good night. I am looking forward to an afternoon nap!
So this morning, Olivia got to sleep in as I would take her to catch the bus at 7:30. I had already started washing bedding. All bedding will be washed today. I’ll also vacuum, dust and mop. Windows will be opened again, even though it is not as warm as yesterday, but the fresh air will be welcomed. It’ll be a busy day for me. But I have gone green and I have the energy from my green to make it through the day. Here is what I have started having for breakfast.
It’s a Green Monster and I was skeptical at first but finally, I made it yesterday for breakfast and I was pleasantly surprised. It has flaxseed, spinach, milk (I use almond), a banana and ice. Yesterday we did not have ice so it was much better today! I am hooked.
Check out all the other varieties of the green monster. I’ll be trying them in the future. Just one more way to go green and be a little healthier!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Dirt, Holes, Hammer & Nails…and wind!
Spring is here and we are celebrating by breaking ground. We have started our D.I. Y. project for 2012. Well, the large D.I.Y. project. We always have smaller projects that we are working on; endless projects that accompany home ownership.
This years’ big DIY project is a deck off the back of the house. We have lived too long without a back deck/porch area. We are going to love having a deck and steps. Yes, steps! I hate to admit it but we have been using a target block as a “step”. We know that was not a safe “step” to get in and out of our back door but it worked and now it is being replaced. I am jumping for joy at the idea of being able to walk out the door onto a beautiful deck. Nothing fancy. Just functional and large enough for a table, chairs and some lounge chairs. Oh this will be nice. Olivia has requested a lounge so she can soak up some rays. We are all looking forward to this deck!
This is what the back of the house looks like. Plain. Empty. Bare. Nothing is there. We use the door but it is not convenient and it is messy. Mud gets tracked inside as well as wiped on the lower half of the door as Ruddie “knocks” on it to say “Hey, I am back, let me in.”

Saturday the holes were dug and all but three of the framing posts were cemented in. The supplies are delivered Friday morning and the guy trucked them up to the yard so the guys have the materials near the construction site. We are using the same company that we worked with on our kitchen. For the most part, their service is great and the people are easy to work with.
Elliott was so excited about the construction and the post hole digger. When it wasn’t in use, he climbed into it to rest. Friday, he was outside the whole day with the guys. He kept the drill clean and shoveled dirt and stones into his red wagon, that was later replaced by his wheel barrow (until it broke). He hauled load after load of dirt and stones away. He was exhausted Friday night; even too tired to talk in his sleep. He woke with sore chest muscles but it didn’t seem to bother him much.
Saturday he worked with them as well but yesterday, Monday, he was inside most of the day. He would check on the progress and make comments like “they aren’t getting much done” or “it looks good”. It was extremely windy all day so he opted to stay inside until late afternoon. Then he went out and played in the dirt. He made lots of piles. I handed him a small backhoe toy to play with but I don’t think he used it. He was having fun playing so I let him play.
I was inside tending to Olivia. She was in bed with a “bug”. I was up early shampooing her carpet and cleaning. It was a short night for me and details not worth writing about. She is feeling better today so we are happy!
Yesterday, it was windy but the guys worked for 8 hours. It’s looking great!
I can’t wait to go home to see what they accomplish today. This is the last day my cousin will be working with John so I hope they get a lot done. They put in long, hard hours and I know they both are sore and tired.
I fed them when I was home. Baked extra cookies and made lunches for them. It’s the least I can do!
This years’ big DIY project is a deck off the back of the house. We have lived too long without a back deck/porch area. We are going to love having a deck and steps. Yes, steps! I hate to admit it but we have been using a target block as a “step”. We know that was not a safe “step” to get in and out of our back door but it worked and now it is being replaced. I am jumping for joy at the idea of being able to walk out the door onto a beautiful deck. Nothing fancy. Just functional and large enough for a table, chairs and some lounge chairs. Oh this will be nice. Olivia has requested a lounge so she can soak up some rays. We are all looking forward to this deck!
Do you see the "step"?
This is what the back of the house looks like. Plain. Empty. Bare. Nothing is there. We use the door but it is not convenient and it is messy. Mud gets tracked inside as well as wiped on the lower half of the door as Ruddie “knocks” on it to say “Hey, I am back, let me in.”
Saturday the holes were dug and all but three of the framing posts were cemented in. The supplies are delivered Friday morning and the guy trucked them up to the yard so the guys have the materials near the construction site. We are using the same company that we worked with on our kitchen. For the most part, their service is great and the people are easy to work with.
Elliott was so excited about the construction and the post hole digger. When it wasn’t in use, he climbed into it to rest. Friday, he was outside the whole day with the guys. He kept the drill clean and shoveled dirt and stones into his red wagon, that was later replaced by his wheel barrow (until it broke). He hauled load after load of dirt and stones away. He was exhausted Friday night; even too tired to talk in his sleep. He woke with sore chest muscles but it didn’t seem to bother him much.
It looks like he wants to doze off!
Saturday he worked with them as well but yesterday, Monday, he was inside most of the day. He would check on the progress and make comments like “they aren’t getting much done” or “it looks good”. It was extremely windy all day so he opted to stay inside until late afternoon. Then he went out and played in the dirt. He made lots of piles. I handed him a small backhoe toy to play with but I don’t think he used it. He was having fun playing so I let him play.
I was inside tending to Olivia. She was in bed with a “bug”. I was up early shampooing her carpet and cleaning. It was a short night for me and details not worth writing about. She is feeling better today so we are happy!
Yesterday, it was windy but the guys worked for 8 hours. It’s looking great!
I can’t wait to go home to see what they accomplish today. This is the last day my cousin will be working with John so I hope they get a lot done. They put in long, hard hours and I know they both are sore and tired.
I fed them when I was home. Baked extra cookies and made lunches for them. It’s the least I can do!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Cookies anyone?
I was in the kitchen all day yesterday. I sat down for dinner and wanted to stay there. But I heard the dishes calling me. So after loading the dishwasher and washing items by hand, I relaxed a little. Ahhhhh…
Sunday we slept in, except John, as he rose early to head to Cazenovia for a day of target shooting with his brother. I was supposed to get up to exercise and get that out of the way but I stayed up until midnight so I wasn’t feeling energetic enough to roll out and exercise at 6:30. My all-time favorite show was on. The Waltons! I love the Waltons and it was a two-hour show I don’t recall watching so I watched it (I did sort through some recipes during the show so I was productive).
So around 8:30, Olivia and I got up. Olivia and I started a fire before breakfast. It has been rainy and damp so we thought we’d chase the dampness away and soak up the heat. We had the fire roaring by the time Elliott came down the hallway. After eating, the kids decided to play a game of Life. I was running up and down the stairs throwing laundry around. I folded load after load throughout the day. Very productive. I also made a batch of cookies – a new recipe. The “O” recipe. While they cooled, I played a game of Life then the kids decided to read (Olivia) or play another game (Elliott). I went back to the kitchen to frost the cookies. I alsowanted needed to scrub the floor so Elliott offered to frost the cookies. I handed the spatula to him and he got to work. I headed toward the mop bucket. Do we know how to have fun at home? As I was scrubbing, see the dirt gets into the little crevices in the floor and drives me crazy, I realized I have two kids and two scrub brushes. I might be putting those two to work soon.
So the new cookie recipe I made was Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Cookies. Let’s just say they are moist and delicious! The recipe was voted on and it’ll be added to our collection. These could become a new favorite in our home.
Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Cookies
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup lard
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 – 4 ½ cups sifted flour (I did not sift my flour)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 recipe Brown Sugar Icing
Cream together the sugar and fats. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the buttermilk and then the dry ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto greased baking sheets and bake for 9-10 minutes in a 350˚F oven.
I used my small scoop for the cookies and it made a nice size cookie - the perfect size for kids' lunches!
Once the cookies are cooled and ready to be iced, make the icing. (Don’t make the icing ahead of time as the icing thickens once it cools.) Increase the confectioner’s sugar from 1 cup to 1 ½ cups for a thickly pourable icing, or 2 cups for a more spreadable affair.
Brown Sugar Icing
1 stick butter
1 packed cup brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup milk (or half-and-half)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the stick of butter. Add the cup of brown sugar and the pinch of salt. Stirring steadily, bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat a bit, and cook the slowly bubbling mixture, still stirring, for a full minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the milk.
Set the pan in a larger bowl of ice cubes. Stir every several minutes until the mixture has cooled down a bit (it will still be warm, though) and thickened. Take the saucepan out of the bowl of ice cubes and stir in the vanilla and confectioner’s sugar.
Frost cookies and enjoy!
As you can see, we hung out by the fire all day!
Sunday we slept in, except John, as he rose early to head to Cazenovia for a day of target shooting with his brother. I was supposed to get up to exercise and get that out of the way but I stayed up until midnight so I wasn’t feeling energetic enough to roll out and exercise at 6:30. My all-time favorite show was on. The Waltons! I love the Waltons and it was a two-hour show I don’t recall watching so I watched it (I did sort through some recipes during the show so I was productive).
So around 8:30, Olivia and I got up. Olivia and I started a fire before breakfast. It has been rainy and damp so we thought we’d chase the dampness away and soak up the heat. We had the fire roaring by the time Elliott came down the hallway. After eating, the kids decided to play a game of Life. I was running up and down the stairs throwing laundry around. I folded load after load throughout the day. Very productive. I also made a batch of cookies – a new recipe. The “O” recipe. While they cooled, I played a game of Life then the kids decided to read (Olivia) or play another game (Elliott). I went back to the kitchen to frost the cookies. I also
So the new cookie recipe I made was Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Cookies. Let’s just say they are moist and delicious! The recipe was voted on and it’ll be added to our collection. These could become a new favorite in our home.
Old-Fashioned Brown Sugar Cookies
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup lard
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 – 4 ½ cups sifted flour (I did not sift my flour)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 recipe Brown Sugar Icing
Cream together the sugar and fats. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Beat in the buttermilk and then the dry ingredients. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto greased baking sheets and bake for 9-10 minutes in a 350˚F oven.
I used my small scoop for the cookies and it made a nice size cookie - the perfect size for kids' lunches!
Once the cookies are cooled and ready to be iced, make the icing. (Don’t make the icing ahead of time as the icing thickens once it cools.) Increase the confectioner’s sugar from 1 cup to 1 ½ cups for a thickly pourable icing, or 2 cups for a more spreadable affair.
Brown Sugar Icing
1 stick butter
1 packed cup brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup milk (or half-and-half)
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioner’s sugar, sifted
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, melt the stick of butter. Add the cup of brown sugar and the pinch of salt. Stirring steadily, bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat a bit, and cook the slowly bubbling mixture, still stirring, for a full minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the milk.
Set the pan in a larger bowl of ice cubes. Stir every several minutes until the mixture has cooled down a bit (it will still be warm, though) and thickened. Take the saucepan out of the bowl of ice cubes and stir in the vanilla and confectioner’s sugar.
Frost cookies and enjoy!
As you can see, we hung out by the fire all day!
Ruddie warming up after a trip outside
Elliott warming his feet and Olivia reading after her bath
We enjoyed dinner by the fire as well...
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