train ride

Finally, after many many months, the Little People invited our lovey on a train ride.  The back car was cleaned out and room was made for the excited giraffe.  The drummer boy was kind enough to ride in the smoke-stack so that there was plenty of room for the giraffe to fit without dragging a foot or a tail. 

The fire truck led the way for the joyful occasion.  It sounded it's horn over and over to signal the excitement that was had by all.

At the end of the ride, the giraffe was greeted by his excited Momma.  The Little People were happy to share their train {after months of coaxing by the Momma} and they have agreed to do it more often.

Time for something sweet: cranberry oatmeal chocolate spice cookies

via

With the change of season last week, I felt the need to start baking.  There is something about baking and making the house smell good that make it feel like Autumn is here {even though the cooler weather hasn't quite made it to our part of the woods}.  

This is a favorite cookie recipe of mine from this fun baking blog.  These are an immediate hit whenever I bake them.  Beware, they won't stick around long!

To make the cookies you will need:

                                                                                                  1 1/2 cups flour 

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar*

1 1/2 cups whole oats*

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In medium bowl sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon,  and all spice.  In separate large bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Combine well.

Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.  Then add oats, cranberries, and chocolate if you so desire.

Use 1/4 cup and scoop onto cookie sheet... you should get about 6 per sheet.

Bake for at least 8 minutes, but most likely will bake for 12 depending on your stove.

If you chose to not add the chocolate chips directly to the dough, you can melt chips in the microwave and drizzle or dip the cookies after they have cooled.

Wait!  The fun isn't over yet!  You can make this cookie one of 3 ways!

1. Put the semi-sweet chocolate chips right into the batter.

2. Dip the cookies in melted semi-sweet chocolate chips.

2. Drizzle the cookies with melted semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Enjoy whatever way you choose to make your cookie delectable!  My girl loves to make them with me.

 

Autumn's Arrival

via

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious

as autumnal sunshine by staying

in the house. 

N. Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Soft wale corduroy pants, fresh apples, cool winds from the north, cider, that favorite pair of jeans, piles of leaves, clear blue skies, days spent outside, and bountiful Fall harvests await us this season!  Enjoy your sweet autumn days.

rain

The skies turned dark against the setting sun and gave us a glimpse of the rain we've needed all summer.  The drops that fell were oversized and fell heavy from the dark sky.  Unfortunately, like so many times before, the rain seemed to just tease us with these infrequent drops, thunder and dramatic skies.  We are so hopeful that we might be in the rain's path soon.

flowers for daddy

"Daddy, I picked these for you!  You know, the poky ones with purple flowers...where the honey bees live?"

"Smell them!  I added some leaves {basil} from out back so they smell good too."

George

My little one just loves Curious George, or George, as we call him.  When I heard he was hosting a special storytime at a store in town, I knew we had to go.

We drove across town and were the first of the eager beavers there.  George was running a bit late and my little one took full advantage of the time to discover all the wonderful children's things in the store.  Of course, when George finally showed up, she was too engrossed with all the toys and pretend goodies a kid could ask for, and didn't really even seem to care that "George" was there.

Finally, after prying her away from the little strollers and doll beds, we walked to the back of the store to see "George."  All morning, she cried out "GEOOOOORRRRRGE!" and waved her hands when we spoke of going to see him but when she saw the oversized monkey, she screamed and became paralyzed with fear.

She wanted nothing to do with the large monkey--nothing at all!  While all the other children sat and listened to a story, she played in the pretend kitchen.  

Every now and then she would turn her head and look to see if the creature was still there...on the other side of the store.  She seemed to get a kick out of being able to play but still looked up with a mixture of fear and fascination at George.

She was finally persuaded to take part in the George storytime when they placed crayons and paper out on the tables.  She immediately found a spot at the overly decorated little table and enjoyed coloring.

After a few minutes, she stood up with her paper and purple crayon {her sister's favorite color}, pushed in her chair and walked over to where George was posing with excited little kids for photos.  I thought this must be it!  She will walk over to George and show him her picture.  

NOPE...she found a spot on the floor, in the middle of the crowd, and laid down on her tummy to draw.  I was slightly taken aback by her bold move but she seemed happy and content to just draw with George in sight so, against my better judgement and the funny looks from the other mothers around me, I just let her enjoy drawing on the floor.

When we began to leave, she walked up to George and said the biggest "BYYYEEE" I have ever heard.  She was never so happy to hop in the stroller and leave.  I guess for now, we will just enjoy George on PBS and in storybooks. 

simple summer: eating seasonally

via

Before I spent my days feeding little mouths, I never thought so much about what I put in my mouth.  Somehow, nourishing little bodies has dramatically changed my eating and shopping habits.

I am often amazed at what having and raising little ones does to change and better ourselves.  

Eating seasonally has evolved in our household.  We used to buy the same fruit and veggies all year round.  A few years back, I noticed how much sweeter the berries were in the summer and how sour they were in the winter.  This remarkable change in taste, prompted me to buy fruit and veggies that were in season.  By doing this, we also began to try new foods that we would have otherwise never bought.

To check and see what foods are ready to eat in your area now take a look here.  It gives me great ideas  and recipes on new fruits and vegetables to use in my food at home.

You can also check out the farmer's markets near you too.  That is a great place to shop for produce that fresh and is in season. 

Now, don't get me wrong, we still pick up fruit that is not in season due to cravings and picky eaters, but being aware of what is in season has widened the variety of foods we eat.