A bag I loved making

This bag was fun to make.  I used recycled school jump ropes in the handle.  I'm cheap as most of you know.  Some local stores donate home decor items to the YMCA here on base and I usually go and see if they have anything I can use.  The fabric for this bag is also two of my pillows on my couch but it was originally one beautiful curtain panel.  I loved it and knew I'd make something from it.  I've never made the fabric flowers before but gave it a go and I think it looks cute.  The inside  is the same red as the handle and flower.  It shows up much brighter on the compute then it is in real life.

As much as I loved making this bag I donated it to a fundraiser.  I think it got $25.  I thought that was pretty good as it's fairly simple, no pockets or anything. 

Self Discovery

I am a bit selfish, sometimes more than a bit.  I also procrastinate things out of laziness and sometimes fear, fear of failure or criticism.  These times of reflection are good for me to re dedicate myself to becoming a better person.  And so that is what I'm going to do.  It's never easy to admit you have weaknesses but how else will you overcome them if you can't even admit they are there.  I hope to make my weaknesses my strengths. 

That's all for my rambling thoughts today. 

Sam's B-day

 Not too long ago we were watching some free style motocross video and Sam was very into it.  He informed us that he was going to do THAT when he grows up.  Hence the dirt bike guy cake.  He loved it.  He had no other gifts this day because we had previously bought him a guinea pig.  Puffs has been so fun to have and Sam really loves her.  Even Mike will pet her from time to time.

My pictures are out of order but here's Sam's b-day dinner.  Homemade Pizza.

Sam loved his B-day breakfast.  He got store bought doughnuts. He was in heaven.

 

Grammy if you read this note the red plate, we love it.  For those of you who don't know about the red plate it's a great tradition.  When someone has a special day or maybe needs to feel special I think of a reason to give them the red plate.  Then while we are eating I usually ask everyone why they think that person got the red plate.  It's good because that person can feel good since everyone will usually think of something different but good to say about that person and when they are all done I tell them my reason.  It's fabulous and I highly recommend you start the red plate tradition in your home too. 

 I think this picture is so funny.  This is a Jack look but Sam is learning it.  So silly.

 And my sweet  boy.  Oh how time flies.  I have no more babies.  sniff sniff.

broken window

Remember when I mentioned our broken window?   This is it.  Nice eh?

Jack's prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for my DNA, and please help me to figure out how to transfer insect DNA to humans so I can make people really fast like Cheetah's and other animals.



He knows the difference between insects and animals, his brain just gets going fast and he'll sometimes skip words or he'll get mad because he thought something and swore he said it aloud when in deed he did not. 

Oh how I love my mad scientist who is planning to take over the world and asks me almost daily if we can melt metal down and coat things in bronze. 

What are your small people up too?

JELLO

So most of you know I love to cook and I love to eat.  I have had many a friend comment to me on the strange things I make for our family to eat.  Now I don't think they are strange but I guess others do. 

Despite my love of cooking there are a few things that I think most of the world must have perfected but leave me dumbfounded.  Jello is only one.  Yes, I know, how hard can it be?  You add boiling water and cold water and waaa-la it's jello.  For some reason no matter what I seem to always have a nice grit at the bottom of my jello.  My mother didn't feed us a jello salad every Sunday growing up, really I don't think she ever fed us jello salad.  Maybe it's in the genes.  Mike's a purist and only will eat simple jello anyway no fancy add ins for him.

Tonight I decided to make burgers since my kids like burger king burgers.  I thought every time I shape them myself they shrink into little hockey pucks and are tasteless.  So this time I actually bought already shaped burgers in the ground beef section of the store.  Nothing was added to them but I thought maybe they'll work better.  I added some seasoning to each side and grilled them up.  They didn't shrink so much but they were pretty tasteless and I burned half of mine.  I believe BK is the only way to go for us.

To go along with our burgers I thought I'd use up some Tater Tots a friend left me when she moved.  Because I'm not educated in the way of tater tots I didn't get them into the oven before hand and read the package that said to pan fry them for 5-6 min.  as opposed to the 25 min. in the oven.  Let's just say that they weren't tater tots when I was done with them.  I didn't even use my non stick skillet so the crunch parts were all stuck to the bottom of the pan and the rest was , well, hash browns.  No one ate them and I don't blame them. 

So that's my confession of a few items I seem to lack the specific skill in preparing.  What to do with ground beef?  I just don't know.  On to cardamon chicken and shrimp saag and ginger glazed salmon oh and I made a really yummy chocolate pear upside down cake.  What's your particular cooking challenges?  Do you have any tips for me? 

Do ya think I can manage to not eat any more candy until Christmas?  I told Jack tonight if he saw me eating candy I'd pay him a quarter.  He smiled and is plotting to put candy in my path.  Sneaky kid.

Train to Seward Fall 2010

Isn't this beautiful.  I took this picture from our moving train.  Lovely! Though the train was fun I don't really recommend doing it like we did.  We got up about 5am to get to the train station and then rode there and were totally tired and got back pretty late that night.  Want to say it was about 10:30pm.  If I were to do it again I'd stay overnight.  It was a great trip though.

We made a picture list of all the things we wanted to do this summer.  One of those was ride the train another was to walk around on rocks by water.  Here they are.

Jack

David

Sam

Another photo from a moving train

riding in the top of the viewing car, it was pretty fun

We finally saw Beluga whales.  I've been trying to see them for three years now and it took a train ride to make it happen.  It was so fun.

My David Boy

Here's me and my sweet little David boy.  He was the only one on our train trip to Seward who would pose in front of all these fun statues.  He's such trooper. 

                                                  David and a huge anchor

David and the captain

David and the bear

David and the eagle

David and the fish

David and the Orca AKA Killer Whale

crazy hair day

Now that I work at the kids' school I try to participate in some of their fun school spirit days.  Here's a few photos of our crazy hair days.

Darkness encroaches

Every year this time we start to feel sluggish and want to go to bed earlier, well Mike does at least.  It's an interesting time,  going from adjusting to all that light and now all the darkness.  It's also a time of year that reminds me of some darker days, one specifically. 

It's been three years now since we've lived here.  Most of you know that three years ago I was pregnant and on the 24th of this month we found out our baby had died.  A very sad period for me.  My heart broke into a million pieces.  So it shouldn't be any surprise that I get a bit heightened emotions this time of year. 

Just a couple days ago I mentioned to Mike that we would have had a 2 1/2 year old right now.  It was a weird thought and I said it without much emotion but it triggered the pool within and I couldn't stop the tears from coming.  It always catches me a bit off guard when I do tear up about this.  Time is a great healer, I think I'm just fine when out of no where something might trigger that pool of emotions again. 

I've made my peace with it long ago.  My faith helps me understand where my baby is and what the future holds.   But there are times that I do get a bit sad or emotional.  I don't think that's abnormal and they are definitely farther and fewer in between.  In fact I'm sometimes glad for these times.  The whole experience felt a bit surreal.  We were here with no friends or family and the only physical reminder I have is a fuzzy ultrasound picture that showed a perfectly healthy baby.  I'm not even sure where that is as I remember saying to myself,  it's all I have, I need to put it somewhere safe, where it won't get lost, but now I can't remember where that place was.  I'm sure I'll find it soon enough.

So these are some of my random thoughts.  I love my family, my kids, my spouse.  I know that the life I have is good.  I also know that God is good and He knows me, my heart, my desires, and my heartaches.   

Cousins-July

 Thought I'd thrown in some more random pictures from our trip to the lower 48 in July.  Katy has two adorable boys.  The top picture is David and Gabe dressed as mummies with sticks and dynamite.  My boys were thrilled with their toy weapon collection.  I must say that this dynamite was made by me. :)  So glad my gift is well used.

 Sam really liked seeing his cousin Gabe.  They both started school this year.  Cute boys!

 Little Max was so much fun.  I let him play with my hat a bit.  My goal was to get him to smile for me. He did too, but not quite like when his mommy plays with him.  I could tickle him and and he'd just look at me like "what do you think you are doing?" but when his mommy tickles him boy he is full of laughter.  So adorable. 

 I loved this shot cause I don't think we told them to hold hands but they were little buddies. 

Gabe is pretty strong and tough you know.

 I didn't realize this one was a bit fuzzy sorry.  He's happy though, look at that smile.

 My wonderful, beautiful sister.  I miss you. Thanks for putting up with us and for taking our piece o' crap car. ;)

Jack and Gabe.  I've no idea what Jack is doing.  Probably building a weapon of sorts. 

6

This picture is from our summer trip to NC.  I haven't downloaded any of his birthday pictures yet.  Sam is 6.  sniff sniff.  He's not a baby anymore.  sniff sniff.  My boys are growing up. sniff sniff.  I can't believe how time has flown.  sniff sniff. 

fingers crossed

So I bought about 9 huge peaches from Costco for $9.  Mike loves peaches.  I like peaches too but only when they are yummy, juicy, sweet and not mushy.  Buying produce in AK is always a gamble.  This time I lost.  They were mushy, I should have known better but rather than be sad and cry over mushy peaches I'm trying to make them into a cobbler, which we are about to eat, without ice cream unfortunately.  So I'm crossing my fingers it'll be yummy with all that added sugar and baked on topping. 

 To all those who live in the fruitful lower 48 enjoy some juicy, sweet, non mushy peaches for me. 

weird

Ok so the comments on my last post are weird and I don't like them so I'm thinking of making this a private blog. I don't think many other people are truly interested in my ramblings except those I'm friends or family with. For now I think I'll see if I can adjust the security settings.

Ha ha meant to say,

4th Grade may due me in! see I can't even spell anymore. Aaahhhh! Save me!

4th Grad may due me in.

conspiracy

Jack seems to think that all grown ups are conspiring against all kids. He makes statements like these "grown ups think they're better than kids" or "grown ups just want us to do our homework" "Grown ups don't care about us and what we want" "Grown ups think they know what it's like to be a kid just because they were once a kid" It's the evil plot of all grown ups to brainwash their children and make them indentured servants to obviously ruin their lives! Drama, how do I channel it into a positive outlet? Please send ideas for "grown ups are ruining the world as we now know it"

Journal

I used to think writing a blog was pretty much scrap booking (when I post pictures) and a journal. Sometimes I write what goes on in our family and sometimes it's just random thoughts rolling around in my head. I've actually started writing in a 15 cent notebook at my bedside fairly regularly and have realized that perhaps I don't the need the blog anymore. I'm pretty sure the only one who ever sees it from my family is my brother (Ben you do count and thanks for reading) and on occasion my sister-in-law (thanks Ains) but other than that it doesn't really keep family updated. A few friends read from time to time too but could probably be updated via emails or face book, so I'm contemplating ending this blog. Maybe I'll have it printed so I can have my scrapbook/journal in a physical form not just floating out there in cyberspace. If anyone has printed up their blogs before let me know how it went and the cost about. I'll have to check it out.

Oh and I threw in a photo of my and Ains with our matching hairdoos. :) This was from the reunion. Do you think my arms would have looked skinnier if I would have had one on my hip too? Love ya Ains but dang you're skinny. :) Sometimes I forget that I'm 30 pounds heavier than when I married. Hmmmm.

Working Mom

Yup, that's me. I work a whole 2.5 hours a day for $10 an hour. It's a very glamorous job as NOON DUTY at the kids school. My kids begged me not to. Jack specifically begged as he was convinced I'd turn mean. I already thought I was mean so it shouldn't be a big deal right?

I am surprised at how my day disappears with 3 hours (travel time included) stripped away. I thought I'd have all this time and my house would be clean and my laundry put away and the dishes done and meals prepared far in advance. Wow, was I wrong. Maybe it just takes some time to get into a new schedule. I have had many other appointments too for the kids and myself. I keep thinking things will calm down but they never really do. I guess I should embrace the chaos a little more.

I must tell you though, I love being able to see my kids at school. It's so fun to see how they play and who they play with. It's also interesting to see that Jack who so strongly opposed me taking the job does actually recognize me (something he said he wouldn't do) and even comes to tell me about other kids getting in trouble. Hmmm, could possibly be ulterior motives here but I go by what I see for the most part. I'm not quick to send anyone to the principle's office.

I have to tell you about one little girl in particular that just cracks me up. She's a third grader and has quite the imagination. She first came up to me and told me that she has a bite like a vampire. She then bit down on her arm to show me. Later on she comes by to tell me that she's part Chihuahua. This cracks me up but I try my best to keep a straight face. She tells me as if she truly believes that she is part chihuahua. She continues to tell me that she's not really sure how it happened and you can't really tell by looking at her but indeed she is part chihuahua. Such a funny kid, then she proceeded to dig in the turf a bit like a dog. mmm maybe she is. ;)

oh I believe it's time for a recipe

Sorry there aren't any pictures but here's a recipe since I haven't posted one in a while. This is for those who are still getting good fresh tomatoes. Mmmm I'm jealous. I grabbed this from a Southern Living Magazine a few years back and I really enjoyed it.

Tomato Napoleon
8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices
¾ cup fresh tomato dressing
3 Large tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
24 basil leaves shredded

Place cheese in a shallow dish. Pour fresh tomato dressing over cheese; cover and chill 1 hour. Remove cheese slices, reserving tomato dressing. Sprinkle tomato slices evenly with salt and pepper. Place one tomato slice on each of 4 salad plates; top each with 1 cheese slice and 2 shredded basil leaves. Repeat procedure with 1 tomato slice, 1 cheese slice, and 2 shredded basil leaves. Top with remaining tomato slices and basil. Drizzle evenly with reserved dressing.

This is really yummy but obviously best with garden grown, in season tomatoes.

Fresh Tomato Dressing
1 cup olive oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 TBSP sugar
1TBSP salt
1TBSP pepper
4 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 TBSP fresh thyme leaves or 4 thyme sprigs (I’ve used dried before)

Whisk together first 6 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Stir in chopped tomatoes and thyme. Cover and let stand at room temperature 1 hour, stirring occasionally, Cover and chill 8 hours.
NOTE: Dressing maybe be stored in the fridge up to 1 month. Stir additional chopped fresh tomato into dressing after each use.

crazy streak gone

Yeah, it's gone, pretty sure the kids took care of it for me. Now with a broken living room window and a kid with a minor cut things have calmed down, at least for the remainder of the night.

I feel like getting crazy!

a few more

My sister Katy took this picture and her two boys are in it too. Max is beside Mort in the stroller and Gabe is beside my Sam. The kids were really squirmy, well at least David was, that's why I was holding him.

Apparently Joe is great at pushing kids on the swings. My kids loved it because he pushed them so high. Here's a couple of shots of it.

Brother Joe and Family

The other Sam. He was so much fun to watch running around with his cousins.

Joe and Angela. Joe skipped a day of work on his thesis to play with us. Thanks! Any day now Henry should be joining the family too. Angela is amazingly fast for a pregnant woman.

Mort I think wasn't too sure about us but he warmed up, little cutie.

Joe, the Archaeologist. He's lots of fun and super smart too. :) Thanks for accommodating us, we loved our visit.

Who can find the biggest dandelion?

We went to fly radio control airplanes while we had family visiting and so while kids were getting a bit bored I decided to make a little competition to see who could find the biggest dandelion stem. As you can see from this field they had plenty to choose from and here in AK, they do grow quite big. As you can see Sam was up for it.

JJ found a few treasures himself.

Jack in the field of fluff.

David ready to determine the winner.

Now aren't those some fine specimen? Do your dandelions grow this big? I should have laid a quarter or something by it so you could see it in comparison.