Winter Blues

Finn and I took a walk this morning.  The temperature said 25 degrees, but the wind was brutal.  Next time I will wear an extra shirt and bring a blanket for Finn in the stroller.  We didn't go far and I am, in fact, still trying to warm up.  I think a cup of tea is in my very near future (even though I'd love a cup of coffee; I'd also love to go to sleep tonight).

We are supposed to go to Iowa tomorrow, Finn and I, but the weather is being a spiteful hooker, and if it snows and blows like it's supposed to, we may be stuck here, missing out on all of the fun.  We have great plans to hang out in a hotel and play with Cousin Dane and watch Uncle Dan graduate from taxidermy school and look at all kinds of cool, stuffed critters, and maybe even stop at Ikea on our way home.  What is meant to be will be, and I don't drive in inclement weather (read: snow, rain, strong winds - basically anything that is not sunny and dry and safe!) but I am hopeful that we can make our trip as planned.

We are counting down the days to spring break...well, Finn is counting down the days.  He has zero concept of time and keeps asking me if it is next year yet, which, I guess in Finn time means later.  Anyway, he kept asking me if it was time to go to Mimi's house (Uriah's mom) and I finally had to tell him when we'd taken off all of the chains, then it would be time to go to Mimi's.  I probably shouldn't have told him we were going to the zoo or that we get to see absolutely all of our cousins (both hound and human).  He's pretty excited.  I'm pretty much sick of saying, not today fifteen zillion times an hour and then having him ask, "Please, Mama?  Please can we go to Mimi's house today?" in his very sweet little voice.  Next time we take a trip I am not telling him about until the day we leave.

Finn and I took a walk this morning.  The temperature said 25 degrees, but the wind was brutal.  Next time I will wear an extra shirt and bring a blanket for Finn in the stroller.  We didn't go far and I am, in fact, still trying to warm up.  I think a cup of tea is in my very near future (even though I'd love a cup of coffee; I'd also love to go to sleep tonight).

We are supposed to go to Iowa tomorrow, Finn and I, but the weather is being a spiteful hooker, and if it snows and blows like it's supposed to, we may be stuck here, missing out on all of the fun.  We have great plans to hang out in a hotel and play with Cousin Dane and watch Uncle Dan graduate from taxidermy school and look at all kinds of cool, stuffed critters, and maybe even stop at Ikea on our way home.  What is meant to be will be, and I don't drive in inclement weather (read: snow, rain, strong winds - basically anything that is not sunny and dry and safe!) but I am hopeful that we can make our trip as planned.

We are counting down the days to spring break...well, Finn is counting down the days.  He has zero concept of time and keeps asking me if it is next year yet, which, I guess in Finn time means later.  Anyway, he kept asking me if it was time to go to Mimi's house (Uriah's mom) and I finally had to tell him when we'd taken off all of the chains, then it would be time to go to Mimi's.  I probably shouldn't have told him we were going to the zoo or that we get to see absolutely all of our cousins (both hound and human).  He's pretty excited.  I'm pretty much sick of saying, not today fifteen zillion times an hour and then having him ask, "Please, Mama?  Please can we go to Mimi's house today?" in his very sweet little voice.  Next time we take a trip I am not telling him about until the day we leave.

Antiques Malls & Flea Markets & Friends

My friend Bees came to visit last weekend.  She's a good Polish girl and she likes to drink, burp, and look at antiques.  All qualities I find admirable in a friend.  We talked about boys (the ones I live with and the ones she does not), healthcare, politics and religion.  We laughed at inside jokes.  She stayed an entire extra day (even though I was working) and showed my husband how to be The Hero (laundry was done, plants were re-potted, antiques were procured - all under the direct supervision of Bees.).  

I got a few random pieces of new dinnerware for less than half of what I'd pay for one place setting of Fiestaware, which is what I really, really want.  However, budgets being what they are, I'm limited these days.  At less than a dollar a piece for the plates (and a little bit more for the cups), I think I'll be scouring from now on for more pieces to add.  And I'll also be doing a little bit of research to find out more about this stuff.

I could have procured all of this bright and fun dinnerware (especially the yellow syrup jar! And there was a bright orange juice pitcher that I drooled over for 12 whole minutes.), but even I recognize that my kids need to eat something more substantial than cheerios three times a day.  I guess I need to save my pennies.  And have another garage sale.

Uriah threw up a little bit when I told him that I want this chair for our living room.  Since I sold our couch in the garage sale a few months ago, we've been surviving with Larry the Leather chair and the rocking chair from Finn's room.  Obviously we don't entertain  much at all because there's no place for anyone to sit.  Our living room looks pretty empty, but I haven't found a couch that I like, nor one that's in my budget (which is currently at $0, so you can see where finding a couch in that price range might prove to be a little difficult.).  This chair, however, has such great potential that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for days.

I found these for both of my sisters who like Frankoma.  It never really was my thing, although I have fond memories of my mom making tuna hotdish on Friday nights in her green Frankoma covered casserole dish when I was growing up.  I think most of my mom's pieces have been permanently loaned to my sisters.

I needed a friend last weekend (even though I worked a lot and so Uriah played hostess in my absence, which I think he needed, too.) and Bees made me laugh and forget about life for awhile, which is easy to do when you're sorting through the detritus of dusty antiques malls and flea markets!

My friend Bees came to visit last weekend.  She's a good Polish girl and she likes to drink, burp, and look at antiques.  All qualities I find admirable in a friend.  We talked about boys (the ones I live with and the ones she does not), healthcare, politics and religion.  We laughed at inside jokes.  She stayed an entire extra day (even though I was working) and showed my husband how to be The Hero (laundry was done, plants were re-potted, antiques were procured - all under the direct supervision of Bees.).  

I got a few random pieces of new dinnerware for less than half of what I'd pay for one place setting of Fiestaware, which is what I really, really want.  However, budgets being what they are, I'm limited these days.  At less than a dollar a piece for the plates (and a little bit more for the cups), I think I'll be scouring from now on for more pieces to add.  And I'll also be doing a little bit of research to find out more about this stuff.

I could have procured all of this bright and fun dinnerware (especially the yellow syrup jar! And there was a bright orange juice pitcher that I drooled over for 12 whole minutes.), but even I recognize that my kids need to eat something more substantial than cheerios three times a day.  I guess I need to save my pennies.  And have another garage sale.

Uriah threw up a little bit when I told him that I want this chair for our living room.  Since I sold our couch in the garage sale a few months ago, we've been surviving with Larry the Leather chair and the rocking chair from Finn's room.  Obviously we don't entertain  much at all because there's no place for anyone to sit.  Our living room looks pretty empty, but I haven't found a couch that I like, nor one that's in my budget (which is currently at $0, so you can see where finding a couch in that price range might prove to be a little difficult.).  This chair, however, has such great potential that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for days.

I found these for both of my sisters who like Frankoma.  It never really was my thing, although I have fond memories of my mom making tuna hotdish on Friday nights in her green Frankoma covered casserole dish when I was growing up.  I think most of my mom's pieces have been permanently loaned to my sisters.

I needed a friend last weekend (even though I worked a lot and so Uriah played hostess in my absence, which I think he needed, too.) and Bees made me laugh and forget about life for awhile, which is easy to do when you're sorting through the detritus of dusty antiques malls and flea markets!

On the road again...

Everyone in my house is still sleeping.  Every single person.  Except me, which is rare, because we all know I'm not a huge advocate of morning. But the birds are singing outside, the coffee is happily percolating and do I have huge plans for my small ones this weekend. Huge. We are on the road again (in approximately one hour if I can swing it!) and boy, do I have some surprises up my sleeve.  Sometimes it's good to be the one who gets up early, makes the coffee and has an entire hour to herself to plot and plan these kid's weekend away.  And you know, I've come to the conclusion this week that, while the summer of 2012 is going absolutely nothing like I had originally planned (I officially put the Hefter Family Bucket List on permanent hiatus a few days ago), it's actually going much better.  So much better.

From our trip last weekend, lunch stop in Atlantic, IA:

Everyone in my house is still sleeping.  Every single person.  Except me, which is rare, because we all know I'm not a huge advocate of morning. But the birds are singing outside, the coffee is happily percolating and do I have huge plans for my small ones this weekend. Huge. We are on the road again (in approximately one hour if I can swing it!) and boy, do I have some surprises up my sleeve.  Sometimes it's good to be the one who gets up early, makes the coffee and has an entire hour to herself to plot and plan these kid's weekend away.  And you know, I've come to the conclusion this week that, while the summer of 2012 is going absolutely nothing like I had originally planned (I officially put the Hefter Family Bucket List on permanent hiatus a few days ago), it's actually going much better.  So much better.

From our trip last weekend, lunch stop in Atlantic, IA:

This pretty much sums it up these days:

{I Should Be Folding Laundry | Something You Did}

{The ArtsyGril Connection | Finagle a Foto}

{and then, she {snapped} | Show off Your Shot}

{I Should Be Folding Laundry | Something You Did}

{The ArtsyGril Connection | Finagle a Foto}

{and then, she {snapped} | Show off Your Shot}

Do not pass go, do not collect $2,000,000.

I think I might be close to being recovered from our garage sale last weekend.  I took my load to the Goodwill today, and Uriah only has one table left to take back to work and my garage is my own again.  I really don't think we would have been as successful if Daniel hadn't been around to entertain the kiddos for a couple of days so my mom, Ady and I could get everything ready, sorted, organized, tagged and displayed outside.  I'm pretty sure he changed his first diaper (ever.  In his whole life.) and also fed the kids and put Finn down for a nap (and then proceeded to take a nap himself). 

Daniel and Abby played Monopoly for 2 solid days.  No joke.  It was the longest Monopoly game ever to be played in this house.  Abby bought it for $1 (or rather, Ady bought it, Abby owes her!) at a garage sale.  I'm so glad we worked hard to rid our house of excess just so Abby could find another game to bring home.  Sigh. Anyway, apparently it is an updated version of Monopoly because you don't play with money, it's electronic and you play with debit cards.  And also... properties are millions of dollars instead of hundreds of dollars.  And the properties are different.  And there aren't any railroads anymore, I think they're airports now.  And the minute their game was done, Abby tried to talk me into playing with her.  I think I'll save that goat rodeo for when there's snow outside.

Ady read books with Finn.  She put him down for a nap.  She fed him dinner.  She gave him a bath.  I think that my kids are a dry-run for people who think they might maybe one day want to have kids of their own, but aren't quite sure if they want to commit.  Come over, take care of them for a day or two, get a better understanding of the loads of work having kids is.  I could market this.  And maybe, as a bonus, I'll throw in an extra challenge: make dinner with two kids up in your business.  To the individuals up for that challenge I say: Good luck.

Finn has been asking about Uncle Dan all week long.  He keeps asking me, "Uncle Dan home?" And I say yes, Uncle Dan is at Grandma's house.  And then he says, "Ady home?" And I say yes, Ady is at her home, too.  And this conversation repeats a million times a day.

We took Dan and Ady on a mini-tour of our town.  We didn't get to see and do everything that I wanted (Duke's Burgers, a Queen Mary tour).  It was a toasty day so Abby and I stuck our toes in the water, but the lakes are still pretty cold.  The tourists are out in full-force (thank goodness, I think that the influx of tourists in our town contributed to the garage-sale success!) and driving from one end of town to the other takes a little bit longer these days.

 Thank you, Uncle Dan and Ady, for taking care of my kiddos last weekend!  We had so much fun with you and can't wait to hang out again soon!

I think I might be close to being recovered from our garage sale last weekend.  I took my load to the Goodwill today, and Uriah only has one table left to take back to work and my garage is my own again.  I really don't think we would have been as successful if Daniel hadn't been around to entertain the kiddos for a couple of days so my mom, Ady and I could get everything ready, sorted, organized, tagged and displayed outside.  I'm pretty sure he changed his first diaper (ever.  In his whole life.) and also fed the kids and put Finn down for a nap (and then proceeded to take a nap himself). 

Daniel and Abby played Monopoly for 2 solid days.  No joke.  It was the longest Monopoly game ever to be played in this house.  Abby bought it for $1 (or rather, Ady bought it, Abby owes her!) at a garage sale.  I'm so glad we worked hard to rid our house of excess just so Abby could find another game to bring home.  Sigh. Anyway, apparently it is an updated version of Monopoly because you don't play with money, it's electronic and you play with debit cards.  And also... properties are millions of dollars instead of hundreds of dollars.  And the properties are different.  And there aren't any railroads anymore, I think they're airports now.  And the minute their game was done, Abby tried to talk me into playing with her.  I think I'll save that goat rodeo for when there's snow outside.

Ady read books with Finn.  She put him down for a nap.  She fed him dinner.  She gave him a bath.  I think that my kids are a dry-run for people who think they might maybe one day want to have kids of their own, but aren't quite sure if they want to commit.  Come over, take care of them for a day or two, get a better understanding of the loads of work having kids is.  I could market this.  And maybe, as a bonus, I'll throw in an extra challenge: make dinner with two kids up in your business.  To the individuals up for that challenge I say: Good luck.

Finn has been asking about Uncle Dan all week long.  He keeps asking me, "Uncle Dan home?" And I say yes, Uncle Dan is at Grandma's house.  And then he says, "Ady home?" And I say yes, Ady is at her home, too.  And this conversation repeats a million times a day.

We took Dan and Ady on a mini-tour of our town.  We didn't get to see and do everything that I wanted (Duke's Burgers, a Queen Mary tour).  It was a toasty day so Abby and I stuck our toes in the water, but the lakes are still pretty cold.  The tourists are out in full-force (thank goodness, I think that the influx of tourists in our town contributed to the garage-sale success!) and driving from one end of town to the other takes a little bit longer these days.

 Thank you, Uncle Dan and Ady, for taking care of my kiddos last weekend!  We had so much fun with you and can't wait to hang out again soon!

Let that pony run.

Last summer, when I was focused mostly on getting out and shaking what my mama gave me, I knew I was going to need a new stroller, but I needed to give myself some incentive to get there first.  Over the winter, after I started Weight Watchers, I set a weight goal for myself - not my ultimate goal, but a significant goal nonetheless, promising that when I got there, I would purchase a new jogging stroller.  Of course, I amended my goal to include a loophole.  If Mother's Day came first, then I would get a new stroller for Mother's Day, but the incentive was to get to that weight goal sooner, so I could get the stroller sooner.

My stroller came yesterday.  4 full days before Mother's Day.

I had been following its progress from Chicago to St. Paul to my house with the anticipation of a kid watching Santa-Sightings on Christmas Eve.  When the email came yesterday morning that it had been delivered, I could hardly wait to get home.  I raced through changing after work, getting Finn a snack and hauling that big box out to the garage.  As I was putting it together, Finn kept calling it his race car, which made me laugh.  He tried to help me with the tools...a screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other, his "help" was limited to banging on the garage floor.

We took off on down the trail and it is amazing what a difference a good stroller makes during a walk.  I set a brisk walking pace to begin with and as we got deeper into the trail, as the sun heated up my back and arms, the need to run seemed to overtake me.  We started off slowly - I'm not much of a runner and I'm smart enough to know that owning a jogging stroller doesn't automatically make me one.  But as we got going, as I set the pace a little bit faster, it got a little bit easier.  We'd slow to a walk when my lungs were burning and then I picked up the pace again.  Our 4 miles consisted of a series of walks and runs and by the time we looped around to the park, my muscles were happily fatigued.

I met my match on the trail, that little voice in my head that sometimes says: "You can't do that."  I looked her dead in the eye and yesterday, I started running.

{52 Photos Project: Where We Meet}

Last summer, when I was focused mostly on getting out and shaking what my mama gave me, I knew I was going to need a new stroller, but I needed to give myself some incentive to get there first.  Over the winter, after I started Weight Watchers, I set a weight goal for myself - not my ultimate goal, but a significant goal nonetheless, promising that when I got there, I would purchase a new jogging stroller.  Of course, I amended my goal to include a loophole.  If Mother's Day came first, then I would get a new stroller for Mother's Day, but the incentive was to get to that weight goal sooner, so I could get the stroller sooner.

My stroller came yesterday.  4 full days before Mother's Day.

I had been following its progress from Chicago to St. Paul to my house with the anticipation of a kid watching Santa-Sightings on Christmas Eve.  When the email came yesterday morning that it had been delivered, I could hardly wait to get home.  I raced through changing after work, getting Finn a snack and hauling that big box out to the garage.  As I was putting it together, Finn kept calling it his race car, which made me laugh.  He tried to help me with the tools...a screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other, his "help" was limited to banging on the garage floor.

We took off on down the trail and it is amazing what a difference a good stroller makes during a walk.  I set a brisk walking pace to begin with and as we got deeper into the trail, as the sun heated up my back and arms, the need to run seemed to overtake me.  We started off slowly - I'm not much of a runner and I'm smart enough to know that owning a jogging stroller doesn't automatically make me one.  But as we got going, as I set the pace a little bit faster, it got a little bit easier.  We'd slow to a walk when my lungs were burning and then I picked up the pace again.  Our 4 miles consisted of a series of walks and runs and by the time we looped around to the park, my muscles were happily fatigued.

I met my match on the trail, that little voice in my head that sometimes says: "You can't do that."  I looked her dead in the eye and yesterday, I started running.

{52 Photos Project: Where We Meet}

Desperate Times

I feel like we're grasping at pet straws today.

Finn's disappointment was evident when the squirrel did not put his hand up to the window, too.  And also when the squirrel didn't answer with an equally chipper: "Hi!  Hi!  Heellooo!"  And also when I wouldn't let him open the door and go outside to claim his new "pet."

On a completely unrelated note, I did a P90X video today.  Day 1 is chest and arms.  As it turns out, I could not keep up.  I could not do 30 push-ups.  I may never be able to do 30 push-ups.  I may only be able to do 10 good push-ups for the rest of my life.  But I suffered powered through the entire work out.  One work-out down for this week, 2 more to go!  I will advise tomorrow how I'm feeling - rather, how my arms are feeling.  Finn may not be picked up all day; he'll have to make himself lunch.

I had lots of stuff planned for a post today - I actually wrote part of it in my head when I was trying not to think of the burn in my arms while I was doing these really stupid (and by stupid I mean hard) push-ups where you have to act like you're going under a wire and coming up on the other side.  I did 3.  And the I lost consciousness and forgot what I was going to write about.  Just kidding - about the losing consciousness, not about only doing 3.

And then I checked Netflix and saw that the first season of Downton Abbey is available and since it is now in my instant queue, I feel like I need to watch an episode.  And also, Uriah is still at work, so I don't have to share.

See you tomorrow?  I have something sweet in store...


Thankfuls:
11. A half an hour of extra sleep.
12. Spaghetti & Meatballs all over a certain little boy's face.
13. Not having regular tv - Netflix is all I need these days!
14. Dancing to Swing Time on NPR with Finn.

I feel like we're grasping at pet straws today.

Finn's disappointment was evident when the squirrel did not put his hand up to the window, too.  And also when the squirrel didn't answer with an equally chipper: "Hi!  Hi!  Heellooo!"  And also when I wouldn't let him open the door and go outside to claim his new "pet."

On a completely unrelated note, I did a P90X video today.  Day 1 is chest and arms.  As it turns out, I could not keep up.  I could not do 30 push-ups.  I may never be able to do 30 push-ups.  I may only be able to do 10 good push-ups for the rest of my life.  But I suffered powered through the entire work out.  One work-out down for this week, 2 more to go!  I will advise tomorrow how I'm feeling - rather, how my arms are feeling.  Finn may not be picked up all day; he'll have to make himself lunch.

I had lots of stuff planned for a post today - I actually wrote part of it in my head when I was trying not to think of the burn in my arms while I was doing these really stupid (and by stupid I mean hard) push-ups where you have to act like you're going under a wire and coming up on the other side.  I did 3.  And the I lost consciousness and forgot what I was going to write about.  Just kidding - about the losing consciousness, not about only doing 3.

And then I checked Netflix and saw that the first season of Downton Abbey is available and since it is now in my instant queue, I feel like I need to watch an episode.  And also, Uriah is still at work, so I don't have to share.

See you tomorrow?  I have something sweet in store...


Thankfuls:
11. A half an hour of extra sleep.
12. Spaghetti & Meatballs all over a certain little boy's face.
13. Not having regular tv - Netflix is all I need these days!
14. Dancing to Swing Time on NPR with Finn.

Snow has come to Iowa

We got our first real snowfall yesterday and Finn was in heaven.  He kept pointing out the window saying "No...no...no," which, I guess is "snow" in Finn language, because when he says "no" normally (read: all of the time.) he accompanies it with shaking his head.  Since there was no shaking of the head, I am left to assume that he did, indeed, mean "snow."

I waited until afternoon nap was done and then I bundled the crap out of that boy.  He had on a onesie, a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, sweat pants, two pairs of socks and two pairs of mittens in addition to his snow pants, jacket and boots.  He looked like the little boy from A Christmas Story with his arms sticking straight out at his sides.  He feel over once in the house and all I kept hearing was, "Help...I've fallen and I can't get up!" 

Abby struck a deal with Uriah in the heat of the summer, she didn't want to mow the yard, so she told him if he did all of the mowing, she would do all of the shoveling.  They agreed that the driveway would need to be shoveled after every snow, even if it meant getting up early before school, and Abby agreed.  Oh, she regretted that hand shake yesterday.  She was outside shoveling twice yesterday and again this morning at the end of the driveway where the snow plows pushed a nice bank of snow from the streets.  I like to think she's learning a life lesson and thinking through the consequences of hasty, back-alley agreements!

Finn tried to help as best he could.  He watched Abby shovel for awhile and then he went into the garage and came back with his little sand shovel.  Every so often he would bend down and help her by flinging some snow with his little shovel.  That lasted until the mail truck came by, then he stood mesmerized until it turned the corner.

We spent about a half an hour outside, and when Finn's cheeks started to get rosy, I decided it was time to go inside.  Finn was not pleased.  I had to tell him that we were going to go right back outside (which we were not because it was starting to get dark) and then I let him stand on a stool by the window so that he could watch Abby finish her shoveling.

We'll go back outside today for a little while.  In the meantime, he has been transfixed watching all of the snow blowers spit snow every which way.  Abby has been transfixed, too, but mostly with a look of envy on her face because she's got 4 or 5 more months of shoveling ahead of her!  If I had to hedge a bet, I'd say she's going to try to strike a deal with Uriah in the next few weeks: she'll help mow the lawn if he helps her shovel.

I think he'll probably take that deal.

We got our first real snowfall yesterday and Finn was in heaven.  He kept pointing out the window saying "No...no...no," which, I guess is "snow" in Finn language, because when he says "no" normally (read: all of the time.) he accompanies it with shaking his head.  Since there was no shaking of the head, I am left to assume that he did, indeed, mean "snow."

I waited until afternoon nap was done and then I bundled the crap out of that boy.  He had on a onesie, a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, sweat pants, two pairs of socks and two pairs of mittens in addition to his snow pants, jacket and boots.  He looked like the little boy from A Christmas Story with his arms sticking straight out at his sides.  He feel over once in the house and all I kept hearing was, "Help...I've fallen and I can't get up!" 

Abby struck a deal with Uriah in the heat of the summer, she didn't want to mow the yard, so she told him if he did all of the mowing, she would do all of the shoveling.  They agreed that the driveway would need to be shoveled after every snow, even if it meant getting up early before school, and Abby agreed.  Oh, she regretted that hand shake yesterday.  She was outside shoveling twice yesterday and again this morning at the end of the driveway where the snow plows pushed a nice bank of snow from the streets.  I like to think she's learning a life lesson and thinking through the consequences of hasty, back-alley agreements!

Finn tried to help as best he could.  He watched Abby shovel for awhile and then he went into the garage and came back with his little sand shovel.  Every so often he would bend down and help her by flinging some snow with his little shovel.  That lasted until the mail truck came by, then he stood mesmerized until it turned the corner.

We spent about a half an hour outside, and when Finn's cheeks started to get rosy, I decided it was time to go inside.  Finn was not pleased.  I had to tell him that we were going to go right back outside (which we were not because it was starting to get dark) and then I let him stand on a stool by the window so that he could watch Abby finish her shoveling.

We'll go back outside today for a little while.  In the meantime, he has been transfixed watching all of the snow blowers spit snow every which way.  Abby has been transfixed, too, but mostly with a look of envy on her face because she's got 4 or 5 more months of shoveling ahead of her!  If I had to hedge a bet, I'd say she's going to try to strike a deal with Uriah in the next few weeks: she'll help mow the lawn if he helps her shovel.

I think he'll probably take that deal.

Damn you, Stieg Larsson.

Hi.

I've been under the weather...not sick, but under the season change.  I haven't been adjusting very well, and that makes me not a very nice person to be around (just ask my husband).  It was best I didn't blog for a couple of days, since I really didn't have anything nice to say.

Also, I've been kidnapped by Stieg Larsson, never mind that he's Swedish.  And dead.  I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last summer and I finally got around to picking up the second book.  I tore my way through The Girl Who Played with Fire and now I'm making my way through The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  I don't want to talk to people, I don't want to parent...I mostly just want to finish that damn book, even though I'll probably be disappointed at the end since the series was supposed to be 5 or 6 books long.  I think I'll be left hanging at the end of this book, but it doesn't stop me from reading every moment I can.

I promise to be back this weekend with some lovely Halloweener pictures of my kids and a cake recipe that you need to make with all possible haste.  But right now I need to get ready for work...

Here's to a cool fall Friday.  Bundle up!
Who want's to come over and rake leaves with me this weekend?
Anyone...anyone?

Hi.

I've been under the weather...not sick, but under the season change.  I haven't been adjusting very well, and that makes me not a very nice person to be around (just ask my husband).  It was best I didn't blog for a couple of days, since I really didn't have anything nice to say.

Also, I've been kidnapped by Stieg Larsson, never mind that he's Swedish.  And dead.  I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last summer and I finally got around to picking up the second book.  I tore my way through The Girl Who Played with Fire and now I'm making my way through The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  I don't want to talk to people, I don't want to parent...I mostly just want to finish that damn book, even though I'll probably be disappointed at the end since the series was supposed to be 5 or 6 books long.  I think I'll be left hanging at the end of this book, but it doesn't stop me from reading every moment I can.

I promise to be back this weekend with some lovely Halloweener pictures of my kids and a cake recipe that you need to make with all possible haste.  But right now I need to get ready for work...

Here's to a cool fall Friday.  Bundle up!
Who want's to come over and rake leaves with me this weekend?
Anyone...anyone?

Welcome to Fall.

I mentioned that we took the kids to a pumpkin patch a couple of weekends ago.  It was a random, spur-of-the moment stop.  We had to go to Sioux City, IA for Sunday brunch (work-related for Uriah...the hardships of the job sometimes!).  The day was absolutely beautiful, almost too good to be stuck in the car for a couple of hours, but on the way down, we passed this roadside pumpkin patch that looked ah-mazing.  We decided that it would make a good break spot on our way back home; a spot for the kids to stretch their legs and for some Halloween pumpkins to come home with us.

I can't wait to show you the pumpkins that we carved...just as soon as I get the new USB cord for my camera.  I dropped it in my coffee last weekend and had to order a new one from Amazon.  So, basically, I have a lot of pictures on my camera and no way to get them off!  Fingers crossed I can pick it up this afternoon.  

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm going to try not to drop anything important in my coffee this weekend...phones, camera cords, kids...

I mentioned that we took the kids to a pumpkin patch a couple of weekends ago.  It was a random, spur-of-the moment stop.  We had to go to Sioux City, IA for Sunday brunch (work-related for Uriah...the hardships of the job sometimes!).  The day was absolutely beautiful, almost too good to be stuck in the car for a couple of hours, but on the way down, we passed this roadside pumpkin patch that looked ah-mazing.  We decided that it would make a good break spot on our way back home; a spot for the kids to stretch their legs and for some Halloween pumpkins to come home with us.

I can't wait to show you the pumpkins that we carved...just as soon as I get the new USB cord for my camera.  I dropped it in my coffee last weekend and had to order a new one from Amazon.  So, basically, I have a lot of pictures on my camera and no way to get them off!  Fingers crossed I can pick it up this afternoon.  

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm going to try not to drop anything important in my coffee this weekend...phones, camera cords, kids...

Bedell State Park {Fall}

I had originally thought to title this blog post "Fall in the park," but as I was re-reading it, I thought...this could go one of two ways for the reader: either a) fall as in the season (which is what I intended) or b) fall as in the action (which did not happen while we were there).  This titling business is requiring too much thought for a Friday morning and, to be honest, I want to ignore the housework and packing that needs to be done while Finn is napping and instead, watch an episode of Weeds, so I'd best get on with this.

Uriah and I took Finn on a lovely fall walk through the Elinor Bedell State Park that is here in Spirit Lake.  It was more of a leisurely stroll, because I stopped every 12 inches to take a picture.  I thought it was beautiful here in the summer, but fall is quickly becoming my favorite time...the leaves were amazing colors and the branches against the blue sky made for some great contrast.  The wide open fields gave harvest gold a tangible color and it really does feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere and those rolling acres will just go on and on until they meet up with the ocean.

I saw on Pinterest that someone had collected some beautiful leaves at the height of their color, dipped them in wax to preserve them and hung them in their window.  I wanted to do that, but the leaves in the park were so dry from the lack of rain we've had this fall that by the time they were on the ground they were too brown and dusty to pick up for my project.  They made for good leaf crunching, though, until Uriah told me to pick up my feet and walk faster.  Sometimes he is such a party pooper.

The park also has a play area, so after we wound our way through the trails, we let Finn run around and play on all of the equipment.  The slide held his interest for about a minute and swinging was good, too, but the motorcycle on a spring held his attention the longest.  He kept going back to that red motorcycle and standing next to it, waiting for one of us to pick him up and put him on so he could rock.  I shouldn't be surprised, he loves it when he sees motorcycles on the street and will stop what he's doing to watch them drive by.

There was also a double airplane on a spring (what are these things called?  Do they have a name?).  Uriah was not a party pooper when he hopped on the plane with Finn.  He even let Finn be the captain, although I think Uriah really wanted to be in the front!

I'll leave you this Friday morning with my two favorites from our trip to the park.  I rarely get pictures of me and my best boy...mostly because I'm usually the one behind the camera, but Uriah took over for a little bit and let me run around with Finn and play on the motorcycle and the swings.

Happy weekend, my friends!  See you next week!

I had originally thought to title this blog post "Fall in the park," but as I was re-reading it, I thought...this could go one of two ways for the reader: either a) fall as in the season (which is what I intended) or b) fall as in the action (which did not happen while we were there).  This titling business is requiring too much thought for a Friday morning and, to be honest, I want to ignore the housework and packing that needs to be done while Finn is napping and instead, watch an episode of Weeds, so I'd best get on with this.

Uriah and I took Finn on a lovely fall walk through the Elinor Bedell State Park that is here in Spirit Lake.  It was more of a leisurely stroll, because I stopped every 12 inches to take a picture.  I thought it was beautiful here in the summer, but fall is quickly becoming my favorite time...the leaves were amazing colors and the branches against the blue sky made for some great contrast.  The wide open fields gave harvest gold a tangible color and it really does feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere and those rolling acres will just go on and on until they meet up with the ocean.

I saw on Pinterest that someone had collected some beautiful leaves at the height of their color, dipped them in wax to preserve them and hung them in their window.  I wanted to do that, but the leaves in the park were so dry from the lack of rain we've had this fall that by the time they were on the ground they were too brown and dusty to pick up for my project.  They made for good leaf crunching, though, until Uriah told me to pick up my feet and walk faster.  Sometimes he is such a party pooper.

The park also has a play area, so after we wound our way through the trails, we let Finn run around and play on all of the equipment.  The slide held his interest for about a minute and swinging was good, too, but the motorcycle on a spring held his attention the longest.  He kept going back to that red motorcycle and standing next to it, waiting for one of us to pick him up and put him on so he could rock.  I shouldn't be surprised, he loves it when he sees motorcycles on the street and will stop what he's doing to watch them drive by.

There was also a double airplane on a spring (what are these things called?  Do they have a name?).  Uriah was not a party pooper when he hopped on the plane with Finn.  He even let Finn be the captain, although I think Uriah really wanted to be in the front!

I'll leave you this Friday morning with my two favorites from our trip to the park.  I rarely get pictures of me and my best boy...mostly because I'm usually the one behind the camera, but Uriah took over for a little bit and let me run around with Finn and play on the motorcycle and the swings.

Happy weekend, my friends!  See you next week!

Pumpkin Hunting

On the most beautiful of fall days, we drove deep into the Iowa country side and went hunting for the Great Pumpkin.

We were successful...and the fruits of our labor are currently residing on my front porch awaiting the carving knife.  And while I have a ton more pictures from our little side trip to go through, I couldn't resist sharing this one with you today.  Doesn't it feel like fall now?

On the most beautiful of fall days, we drove deep into the Iowa country side and went hunting for the Great Pumpkin.

We were successful...and the fruits of our labor are currently residing on my front porch awaiting the carving knife.  And while I have a ton more pictures from our little side trip to go through, I couldn't resist sharing this one with you today.  Doesn't it feel like fall now?

Ady in Iowa

Daniel's Ady came to visit us here in Iowa a couple of weeks ago, and I think we showed her a pretty darn good time, if I do say so myself.  For the record, Sars came, too, but she had a class to take, so she had to leave early and didn't get to do all of the fun stuff that we were able to do with Ady.

We took her for a walk around Arnold's Park and showed her the lake.  Since it was a hot day, an ice cream cone from the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor was necessary.  It is such a fun little retro ice cream shop with big bins of ice cream tucked inside white coolers.  You get to pick your scoops and your cone.  Perfect for eating by the lake on a sunny day.

Abby and Ady each got a cherry cheesecake flavored ice cream cone.  Finn and I shared Rocky Road.  I love Rocky Road so much.  Just thinking about Rocky Road ice cream makes me want to go and get a cone right now.  Too bad the ice cream shop is probably closed since summer is officially over here in Spirit Lake.   I think I might have to make that in my ice cream maker next week.   

Finn loved the Rocky Road, too.  In fact, he gave me dirty looks when I would try to wipe his face off.  I think he wanted to save the extra ice cream on his mouth for a snack.  I also got an extra plain cone for him to nibble on and he was in baby heaven.

Next summer our plan is for Daniel can come back with Ady and we can show him around Okoboji, too.  Although I think there will be more beer and less ice cream consumed when Uncle Dan comes to visit!

The weekend is almost here and I can't wait to see Daniel and Ady!

Daniel's Ady came to visit us here in Iowa a couple of weeks ago, and I think we showed her a pretty darn good time, if I do say so myself.  For the record, Sars came, too, but she had a class to take, so she had to leave early and didn't get to do all of the fun stuff that we were able to do with Ady.

We took her for a walk around Arnold's Park and showed her the lake.  Since it was a hot day, an ice cream cone from the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor was necessary.  It is such a fun little retro ice cream shop with big bins of ice cream tucked inside white coolers.  You get to pick your scoops and your cone.  Perfect for eating by the lake on a sunny day.

Abby and Ady each got a cherry cheesecake flavored ice cream cone.  Finn and I shared Rocky Road.  I love Rocky Road so much.  Just thinking about Rocky Road ice cream makes me want to go and get a cone right now.  Too bad the ice cream shop is probably closed since summer is officially over here in Spirit Lake.   I think I might have to make that in my ice cream maker next week.   

Finn loved the Rocky Road, too.  In fact, he gave me dirty looks when I would try to wipe his face off.  I think he wanted to save the extra ice cream on his mouth for a snack.  I also got an extra plain cone for him to nibble on and he was in baby heaven.

Next summer our plan is for Daniel can come back with Ady and we can show him around Okoboji, too.  Although I think there will be more beer and less ice cream consumed when Uncle Dan comes to visit!

The weekend is almost here and I can't wait to see Daniel and Ady!

You Capture: Summertime

We are soaking up every single sun-shiney ray in these last days of summer.  I take Finn outside every chance I get, not only because he likes to practice with his new wobbly legs and grass provides a soft place to land, but because soon we will be knee deep (thigh deep...elbow deep...chin deep...) in snow.  And while I love the that we have four solid, definable seasons here, this time of year - fall -  is my favorite...I was made for fall.  I love how fall curls around the edges of the day, cool enough for sweaters in the morning and the evening but perfect for playing outside in the middle.  The leaves are starting to give up their grasp on the branches and yesterday they drifted down around us and crunched under the bike tires and with every spin of the wheel, wrapping us in the scent of crisp things to come.

Here's to the end of summertime...I'm ready for fall.

If you want to see some more Summertime pictures, head over to I Should Be Folding Laundry...

Next week's challenge: Apples

We are soaking up every single sun-shiney ray in these last days of summer.  I take Finn outside every chance I get, not only because he likes to practice with his new wobbly legs and grass provides a soft place to land, but because soon we will be knee deep (thigh deep...elbow deep...chin deep...) in snow.  And while I love the that we have four solid, definable seasons here, this time of year - fall -  is my favorite...I was made for fall.  I love how fall curls around the edges of the day, cool enough for sweaters in the morning and the evening but perfect for playing outside in the middle.  The leaves are starting to give up their grasp on the branches and yesterday they drifted down around us and crunched under the bike tires and with every spin of the wheel, wrapping us in the scent of crisp things to come.

Here's to the end of summertime...I'm ready for fall.

If you want to see some more Summertime pictures, head over to I Should Be Folding Laundry...

Next week's challenge: Apples

Spicy Thai Noodles

If I miss one thing about Kansas City, it would be the easily accessible good food - and good food options - that a big city has to offer.  Uriah and I went out to dinner a couple of nights ago, and while we both had good meals - he had duck and I had lamb, and they were both amazing - we found ourselves listing the places to eat in Kansas City that we missed.  We also talked about the places that we didn't get a chance to try when we lived there.  And, subsequently, we found ourselves making a list of the places we'd like to go back to when we visit.  At the top of the list for me will be Thai Place in Westport.  I have had such a craving for their King & Anne chicken - and it's a recipe that I'm not even sure where to begin to try to replicate.

In the meantime, I'm going to make Spicy Thai noodles.  Authentic Thai food?  Probably not.  But they taste delicious and until I can get back to Kansas City and my beloved Thai Place, this will have to do.

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger*
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 pound angel hair pasta
• 12 green onions, thinly sliced
• ½ cup peanuts
• ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Heat oil in small skillet over medium heat.  Add ginger and garlic; sauté 1 minute.  Transfer to large bowl.  Add next 6 ingredients; whisk to blend.  Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring occasionally.  Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.  Drain thoroughly and transfer to bowl with sauce.  Add sliced green onions and toss to coat noodles.  Let stand at room temperature until noodles have absorbed dressing, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour.  Stir in peanuts and basil; toss again.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve at room temperature.

* Sometimes I add a little more.  I love fresh ginger.

**Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, July 2007.

If I miss one thing about Kansas City, it would be the easily accessible good food - and good food options - that a big city has to offer.  Uriah and I went out to dinner a couple of nights ago, and while we both had good meals - he had duck and I had lamb, and they were both amazing - we found ourselves listing the places to eat in Kansas City that we missed.  We also talked about the places that we didn't get a chance to try when we lived there.  And, subsequently, we found ourselves making a list of the places we'd like to go back to when we visit.  At the top of the list for me will be Thai Place in Westport.  I have had such a craving for their King & Anne chicken - and it's a recipe that I'm not even sure where to begin to try to replicate.

In the meantime, I'm going to make Spicy Thai noodles.  Authentic Thai food?  Probably not.  But they taste delicious and until I can get back to Kansas City and my beloved Thai Place, this will have to do.

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger*
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 pound angel hair pasta
• 12 green onions, thinly sliced
• ½ cup peanuts
• ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Heat oil in small skillet over medium heat.  Add ginger and garlic; sauté 1 minute.  Transfer to large bowl.  Add next 6 ingredients; whisk to blend.  Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, stirring occasionally.  Drain and rinse under cold water until cool.  Drain thoroughly and transfer to bowl with sauce.  Add sliced green onions and toss to coat noodles.  Let stand at room temperature until noodles have absorbed dressing, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour.  Stir in peanuts and basil; toss again.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve at room temperature.

* Sometimes I add a little more.  I love fresh ginger.

**Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit, July 2007.

Sidewalk Chalk

Spirit Lake has a Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival every summer.  Next summer Abby has decided that she is going to sign up, but for this summer, at least, we just enjoyed some of the beautiful sidewalk art as we walked around downtown last week during the Farmer's Market.

The Mad Trio was Uriah's favorite.  Not surprising...he probably secretly refers to Abby, Finn and me as his own Mad Trio.

Abby likes anything that has a quote on it.  This one said: "Sitting, admiring a far away sun, who is as certain as the next dawn and wise as a rising moon."

This is my sidewalk chalk art, on my back patio.  I think I would have won first prize...for the art and the baby!

Spirit Lake has a Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival every summer.  Next summer Abby has decided that she is going to sign up, but for this summer, at least, we just enjoyed some of the beautiful sidewalk art as we walked around downtown last week during the Farmer's Market.

The Mad Trio was Uriah's favorite.  Not surprising...he probably secretly refers to Abby, Finn and me as his own Mad Trio.

Abby likes anything that has a quote on it.  This one said: "Sitting, admiring a far away sun, who is as certain as the next dawn and wise as a rising moon."

This is my sidewalk chalk art, on my back patio.  I think I would have won first prize...for the art and the baby!