Firsts

This was a week of firsts for Anna. Although, I am so happy that she is experiencing all these new things, I am sad that it also means she is growing up.

For several weeks now Anna has had a loose tooth. We have tried and tried to pull it out and even offered bribes, but to no avail, she would not let us.Then Monday night my mom came over and some how she convinced her to let her pull it out. Seconds later it was out! Hardly any blood and virtually no pain. Toothfairy came that night and left her $3.00. When I asked her what she was going to do with the money she said she was saving up to replace the headphones Chris had stolen a few weeks ago. What?! I am constantly impressed and amazed at Anna's thoughtfulness. Guess I won't tell her that the $3.00 is along way from purchasing those Bose headphones. This week she also had her first piano lesson. She's been bugging me for several months to sign her up for lessons, but its hard to find a resonably priced teacher to teach a 5 year old. I finally found someone who said they would give her a trial period. She wanted to make sure she was able to listen, focus and learn what's expected of her. First lesson, passed with flying colors! Trial period OVER! Again, I am impressed with her dedication. Not a day has gone by that she hasn't practiced. I don't even have to ask her or remind her. Each day she practices each of her three songs three times, sometimes more. We finally may have found her little niche.

Smarts

I have to get smarter than my kids. The thing is Luke is such a picky eater and because of this probably has nutrition issues. One of the things he hates most are beans. Really, cause he's half Mexican and liking beans should be a given. But, not for Luke. He gags every time he see's them on his plate and that usually leads to vomit all over the dinner table. Call me a mean mom but, I still make him eat them. Tonight I decided I wanted to make beans but didn't want to have a melt down from Luke. Let me say it out loud, "I love the internet and google!" Guess what I found, that's right buns with beans! They turned out so good and other than a little time they were so easy to make. Good-bye prepackaged hamburger buns!

Homemade White Bean Hamburger Buns
4 c. hot water
1/3 c. powdered milk--or 2 c. hot water and 2 c. warmed milk instead of the above 4 c. water & dry milk
3 T. yeast
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 cube butter, very soft or slightly melted

Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until combined. Let sit for 10 minutes or until yeast begins to grow and become foamy. Once the yeast is frothy, then add the following ingredients, adding the flour one cup at a time as the dough kneads together.

1 c. pureed white beans
1 c. white bean flour (I only used one because I didn't want the bean flavor too strong-you of course could add more white or wheat flour instead)
2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (or all white flour)
7-8 c. white flour
1 T. salt

2 egg yolks, beaten + 1 T. water (for brushing the tops of the buns)

Add enough flour to the dough that it begins to pull away from the sides of your bowl, but is still soft. The amount of flour you will need will vary depending on which type of flour your use (wheat flour you always need a little less). You want the dough to be a soft and smooth texture. Knead the dough for 7 minutes and then let it sit for 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, place it on the counter with a little flour or oil to prevent sticking. Divide the dough into 24 equal balls. They should be a little larger than a golf ball. Make tight balls out of the dough by pulling the dough tightly around and pinching it at the bottom. Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

After the rolls sit for a minute and relax, flatten each ball with the palm of your hand until it is 3 to 4 inches wide. You may want to oil your hand first. Set rolls aside until they double in size, about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Mix together the egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of water in a cup or small bowl. Brush onto the tops of the rolls. Position 2 oven racks so they are not too close to the top or bottom of the oven. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the rolls from the oven and return them to different shelves so each one spends a little time on the top. Continue to bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until nicely browned on the top and bottom.*I didn't have any wheat or bean flour so I use all white flour.

*I halved the recipe and it turned out just fine.
*I outsmarted Luke! He ate beans and loved them!!!!

Sparkle Sisters

I love having little girls that love all things girly! Glitter toes are Anna's favorite. I didn't think Livie would even notice that I was painting Anna's toes. Boy, was I surprised when she said "Momma mine!" and pointed to her toes.

Check out that face. She's so mad because I'm not getting to her quick enough. Livie is known for not being very patient.Before
After
Happy girl!

Flying High

Lukie couldn't quite get his feet off the ground. Get's that from his momma!

Spring Time

I love this time of year. The weather is perfect for being outside. In a few months I will hate being outside because of the 100 degree heat and the fact that I sweat. I HATE to sweat. But right now I am perfectly happy being outside. Kinda funny that I spent most of this beautiful day on the computer, doing chores around the house and crafting. With Easter just a few weeks away, I needed a little something for the front door.

Ta-Da! My Bunny Silhouette. Bunnies make me happy, so I decided to add one to a plate. I love it!Glitter also make me happy so added some to a cup. You know one of those double walled cups. I used superfine glitter and mod podge. Lot's and lot's of layers. So cute, but then I realized that mod podge is a water base sealer and if it's washed too many times it will start to break down the sealer, right? Didn't know what to do so I sealed with a Polyurethane spray sealant. Kinda stinks now but oh-well, it really SPARKLES and that's all that matters!

Footsies

The kids spent the night at Tia Lil's and came home with these.How SUPER cute! Handmade slippers.

The happy faces that go with those cute slippers.Can't wait until school's out...Luke said he wants to spend the night for 10 days! Hope the Tia's are ready for that!!!!!
I went in to check on the kids and this is how I found Lukie. Guess he didn't want his slippers to get lost in the blankets.

Miss Gibbs

Luke: "Hey mom, I drew a picture of Miss Gibbs."A.K.A. Livie

Fresh

This is the Spaghetti Sauce Recipe. Courtesy of my friend Amy.
Authentic Italian Spaghetti sauce
1 1/4 hours/ 30 min prep
Serves 6
8 large fresh tomatoes, diced into small pieces (im thinking 12 romas?)
1 lb sausage
3/4 cup fresh basil, minced
8 cloves fresh garlic chopped/minced
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I've never used red pepper flakes- might be too hot for the kids?)

Brown sausage, remove from pan. Leave approx 3 TBS of drippings in pan. Cook onion and garlic in drippings until tender. If not using meat, then cook garlic and onion in 1/4 cup olive oil. Add fresh tomatoes and cook until heated through (approx. 1 hour). Stir in basil, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes and salt. Serve over cooked pasta and top with Parmesan cheese.

You have to make this. It's so good!!!!! I doubled the recipe and froze the sauce in large jars.

Canning

I've been obsessed with canning lately. It's takes way too long and it's very tedious work but there is something so satisfying about the whole process. I found this great website and recently have spent several hours in the kitchen canning and preserving.

40 pounds of tomatoes and 8 hours later I had 5 jars of spaghetti sauce and 20 something jars of tomatoes.

Fresh ingredients for a delicious spaghetti sauce.Lot's and lot's and lot's of tomatoes.Almost done. Just have to put them in their hot water bath.This website has great recipes and ideas for FOOD in JARS.
I used this recipe for marmalade. Picked these up from a friends mom's tree...Organic right?My favorite part of this process was cutting the peels into thin ribbons. They looked so pretty. I love pretty things. Boiling with the piths and pips. Had to google both those words but now I know what they are!!!!Will it set?Yeah! I did it! It set and it tastes amazing!

LUCKY days

It's St. Patrick's Day morning and I stayed up way to late. We are not even Irish but Lucky still comes to visit. This year LUCKY changed it up a bit. Although Anna set up a trap with rainbows and gold coins we still didn't catch him. It's because he's really sneaky! He did however leave us a few little treats and sneaks!

LUCKY left some things upside down.He stacked some things.Luke did not appreciate LUCKY'S mayhem.He left his mark in the toilet but didn't appreciate the messy bathroom. LUCKY went as far as to leave the kids a note expressing his dissatisfaction with the condition of the bathroom. Finally he left some treats hidden around the house. Anna wondered how one small little leprechaun could stack pillows so high and hide treats so high. Had to tell her maybe he jumped. Just because we love to make cupcakes.;">