The Garden

Mint
Seedlings

I love that it is spring! The garden is ready. Last year we enjoyed our garden so much. It produced so much that we had plenty to give away and we put some up too. Most of the small tomatoes never made it into the house. They got eaten in the garden by two little girls. We put the garden on the ugly side of the house with the a/c unit so it is out of sight. We also have a compost bin out there that is very useful. This year we started everything from seeds, it is so much more satisfying to see it really grow. Greta loves to look at the seeds every day, and we just have to keep Juliet from picking everything. Can't wait for it to start producing.

The Great Horse Race

At Greta's school the first grade does horse races every spring. The Friday before spring break we had ours. We made the horse out of a box and put as much sparkles on it as possible. She did great and there were a lot of very creative horses. All of the children had fun and were so cute.

Try it #2 Cherry Cream Scones

Today I made Cherry Cream Scones. Let me just say it was MESSY! I had to tweak the recipe alot. But I made them and they do not look perfect but they taste wonderful. The tart cherries blend perfectly with the creaminess of the scone. Cranberries would be perfect in these also, but I will never know (can't have them, BOO!). I had alot of fun but I must clean the mountain of flour off of the floor.

Sara

Try It #1- Simply Delicious Yellow Cake

I did it! I made a cake that actually tasted good and came out sort of pretty. I would not be embarrassed if someone came to eat it right now. The edges are a little dry, so I do need to adjust the baking time a little. But other than that it is great. Greta even wanted some in her lunch today. I did use store bought frosting because I had it in the pantry but I added pink food coloring to make it pink. Here are the pictures they are not that great because I do not have a fancy camera.

Sara

A New Challange For Myself

Lately I have been thinking about baking. I really want to be a good baker. I LOVE to cook and most everything comes out great but baking is another story. I always make my children's birthday cakes, but when they come out it looks as if I let them make them. Sometimes it tastes good sometimes not.
Today I was looking through my beloved cookbooks and came across one of my new ones and I am in love with all of the pictures. Everything looks so good in its simple elegance. Nothing is fussy and so beautiful. The book is The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread. It's nothing fussy just beautiful and so yummy looking. So I am going to start today. I really want to make everything is this book, so I am. One by one I will get there.
As I enter the birthday season at our house I will become a baker. Hopefully I will learn something and make beautiful cakes for my children. I will let you know how it goes.

Sara

Menu for week 2/22-2/27

Last week was a hodge podge week due to outings and sickness. So we are back on track this week with a simple menu all taken from the For The Love Of Cooking blog. I need easy that I know will be good so that is always a good source. I will be cooking meat twice this week and using it in other recipies. That always makes for a good week.

Monday
Carne Asada Tacos
Yellow rice
black beans

Tuesday
Steak, Roasted Passilla pepper and sharp cheddar panini
Chips

Wednesday
Greek Roasted chicken
Steamed green beans
couscous

Thursday
Chili (There is a chili cook off at the school and this makes a ton so I am splitting it)
Rice
Cornbread

Friday
White bean and chicken chili with roasted garlic
Fresh bread

I know chili two nights in a row, but one is red and the other white and two different meats. Oh well.

Again all from fortheloveofcooking.net such a wonderful blog and I drool every time I read it.


Sara

Twelve hours at TCH

Last week was a whopper of a week. Monday morning we went to the Dr. for an ear infection and eye infection. Monday night Juliet started crying out in pain and not putting pressure on her right side. I thought is was a fluke thing and gave her tylenol and put her to bed. Tuesday morning she woke up fine and started playing. About an hour after waking up she started crying again so I called the Dr. She said to take her into the ER. So we head in. As soon as the Dr. walks in Juliet starts walking again. I am thinking "What in the World", this lady is going to think I am nuts. They did believe me and ran blood work, x-rays, and a ultra sound. Juliet has viral joint inflammation. It could take weeks to go away. Wednesday I went to the Dr. with a sore throat, I think I was just tired. Thursday, we went to the ENT and got scheduled for a swallow study. Finally we will be able to see what is going on. Friday Early Childhood Intervention came out and evaluated her for services through the school district. Of course she qualified as we are now labeled "Failure to thrive". We are holding strong to our weight with lots of Pedi-sure. We will get through this and she is just as happy as can be and that is all that I can ask for right now.