It's no longer cereal weather

As long as it continues to get colder and colder, we'll be eating more and more muffins

 We'll start eating oatmeal, and I'll eat grits.  Eliz's favorite is Double Chocolate Chip, my favorite is Lemon Poppyseed.  Nearly every time I open the box and start to add the 2-3 ingredients, I think, wouldn't it be great to make these from scratch?  But, it seems like baking a pie-something other women do, that are more together, better planners, healthier eaters.  And I think someday I will make our muffins from scratch, but not now.  Right now I want something mostly healthy and served warm, and most importantly fast!  There are other things I place a higher priority on, and so, I'm not going to burden myself with thinking I have to or I'm not taking good care of my family.  But someday, and I hope my kids are still living at home when I do fix the muffins from scratch.

Note to self

Always check muffins with a toothpick to ensure doneness before dumping them onto the cooling rack.  Such a waste of good chocolate.

Did you know

That in a pinch, ie, no icecubes, you can use teething rings to keep your drink cool?

Rhubarb Pie & Gardening

I said I'd make a rhubarb pie next, and I did! My neighbor gave me some fresh rhubarb and I knew Misti, I've mentioned her before, claimed to have the best ever rhubarb pie recipe.  We had everything in the pantry already, so I got to work.  Turns out she was right!  Del-ici-ous!

 I definitely got the stamp of approval from Lex, tho Eliz said it was too sweet.

 That's okay, more for me!  Although Bry-D liked it enough to have two pieces before dinner.  I didn't catch him, just saw that the pie was noticeably smaller.

 This morning we planted seeds, since the fence is supposed to be finished by this weekend.  I meant to plant these a long time ago, but well, yeah.  So we put dirt in cups,

 Made sure to write what we were planting on the cups,

 Put the corresponding seeds into cups,

 Watered,

 And placed them in a sunny spot where the dogs can't trample them.

We're going to paint the fence and plant a cut flower garden along it too, then I'll buy some tomato plants to go along with these.  I'm so excited!  Yay! 

My first pie

Bry-D called from work today and said he wanted pumkin pie.  Okay, I guess, was my answer.  I called my MIL, the Redneck Valleygirl(yes, she knows I call her that-it's incredibly accurate) and got her super secret recipe(wink, wink, Susie).  The kids helped-we were all kind of excited about this "first" pie.  I love to cook and bake, I'm always ready to try somethign new, but pie baking is kind of like quilting for me-something about it seems so much more difficult that I'm a little afraid of it.

 This is how Lex "helps"; he plays in the sink, constantly rinsing the dishes for me.

 Not very messy, which isn't always the case.

 Look, a picture of me!  And the pie crust getting trimmed.

 Lex "helping" again-he smashed the eggshells to smithereens.  Yes, very helpful that boy.  I liked it better when he washing everything.

 They watched the pie cook long enough to see that it wasn't very exciting to watch a pie cook.

 We didn't get the egg mixed in as well as we should have.  This didn't matter though.

 No, he's not pretending, that really is how big of a bite he took.  He ate his first piece in three bites.

 The second in four, and then gave me the double thumbs up. 

 Lex attempted to give me a thumbs up as well.  Eliz wasn't a fan of the pumpkin pie.

 I'm not a fan of pumkin pie either.  I am, however a fan of whipped cream.

Bry-D was actually worn out and ready for bed after that.  It was very comical.  Next we'll try Rhubarb Pie, because I LOVE rhubarb. 

A visit with Grandma

Last week, we got this book from the library. 

There are four other Fairy Tale Cookbooks-Breakfast, Dinner and Deserts.  Since Grandma was coming over, we did the Little Red Riding Hood Deviled eggs and Chicken Salad recipes.  Turned out great!  Grandma used her camera for pictures, so I will have to wait to get them from her to post.  Eliz and Grandma peeled the eggs, and Eliz must have thought we were making egg salad, because she started breaking up the eggs.  Since she's not very good at breaking the eggs into small pieces, savvy Grandma was able to save them.  We're going to try the other recipes-I'm looking forward to the cinnimon rolls.  I'll do a real review then.
  Of course, as Eliz knows very well, Grandma can't resist bringing gifts.  She brought Lex and Bry-D's belated birthday gifts(we never seem to be able to get together close to actual birthdays) and a little activity book for Eliz.  Eliz opened Lex's gift for him, since she's such a helpful sister and all.

And where was Lex for Grandma's visit?  No, he was not eaten by the wolf, the little guy slept right through it and didn't wake up until a full hour after she left!  So, we'll have to take him to her, and hopefully he won't sleep for that visit.

Note to self-

Next time, use a larger bowl

I'm the perfect parent!!

After going to the store and buying these healthy foods, guess what Eliz and I had for a snack?

Cookies with icing! 

Yes, I know, in  a few years when she's toothless and overwieght, she might not think I'm so great, but right now, I'm enjoying her giggles.