Dentist, Dinner & Dessert

Today was Taryn's last dental appt. in a four part series of appts. that involved saving 4 of her baby molars. Apparently when babies come early they might or might not have had time in the womb to develop enamel. That, along with the prescribed liquid diet of double strength formula for her whole first year probably combined to make for some pretty rotten teeth, literally. If we wanted to save them drastic measures needed to be taken. I have so much respect for that profession, it really is amazing what they can do almost painlessly nowadays. She just had more dental work done in the last three months than I've ever had in 39 years. Needless to say she is happy to be done. So happy that she colored him this beautiful picture to hang in his office. The Dr said that we should be very proud of how she handled these long appts. When we were in the car on the way home I told her that she deals with Drs. and pain better than most adults. She very nonchalantly answered under her breath, "Well I've had 4 stitches and my blood sucked out, so I guess I can handle this". Someone once told me that preemies can be characteristically stubborn and strong willed because they struggled early on. In our case, that was the understatement of the century. I can also now see that with direction you can make those qualities work for you and it makes a sort of resilience that can help you in life situations. Interesting to think about.

Well on to the fun stuff. After all that I came home and made a quick supper for those of us whose mouths weren't completely numb. I saw this recipe for Sloppy Joe's on Good Morning America today. It was this ladies twist on the recipe. It was so simple, ground turkey, a can of manwich and half a bag of broccoli slaw, which I completely pulverized so little eyes wouldn't see it. It worked famously. Paired with a blue-cheese and apple spinach salad this meal was complete in about 15 minutes. It was nice to eat a little lighter this evening and it offsets the Handel's ice cream I will be having tonight, wink, wink.

Beer Bread Tuesday

Yesterday afternoon I realized that I forgot to make the bread. It was already 3:30 and that was not time enough for the proofing, rising, punching and kneading. ooops. Not to fear, beer to the rescue. sorry. I remembered that back in the day we would make beer bread because we had been to the neighborhood Pampered Chef party and oohed and ahhed over the it and the various dips and spreads it was served with. So I googled.

This is what I found. Done in 45 minutes, this was an incredibly easy and fairly nutritious option. I was struck with the fact that I had all the ingredients on hand too. If in fact you find yourself beerless, I'm sure the neighbors would have one. My neighbors don't ever have eggs, milk or anything else I might need in a pinch, but they do have beer, and wine and my mail. And no, I did not plan for the bottle to match my Rachel Ray utensils, it just happened. It did. I took this picture under a skylight in my kitchen, it made the bread look a little pale, I assure you it isn't in real life.

I did also wip up some cheese spread to go with it. Recipe, loosely followed, adapted and modified, here. The best thing about all this is that today for lunch I cut some thick slices and put it under the broiler for a few minutes, you can only imagine how good that was.

Dinner with Dad

They had a great time. Deerslayer said that Taryn didn't leave his side all evening. This event is one that the elementary school puts on, complete with 1,000 dads and kids. Chaos abounds, I can only imagine. No thanks, but I'm glad they had a good time. I think Myah was a little bummed, this is her first year not going. She and I made smoothies, muffins and did loads of homework. She's a very good baker, very precise, she puts me to shame with her excactness. We have fun working together. She asked me if I liked having a break from daddy once in a while. Sure I said, why, do you like having a break from Taryn? A resounding yes.

Citrus Sunday

I woke up to these beautiful babies. I stumbled up the steps to make the coffee and I saw them there, right by the basket of fruit and it made me smile.

They even inspired a meal.

A Sunday brunch of sourdough french toast and citrus salad.

I'm Back

We were actually out of coffee this morning. I know, that rarely happens around here but when it does Deerslayer saves the day. Dunkin Donuts is literally right around the corner. As much as I sometimes complain about suburbia, I will admit that in a coffee emergency it has it's advantages. And for everyone out there who makes fun of my knowledge of all things trivial and my ability to remember every bit of useless knowledge I read or hear, it to has it's advantages when playing scratch off games. I will redeem this little guy post haste.

I've been gone from the blog world for awhile haven't I. I haven't even touched the computer in a week. No reason really, just plugging away here at home with the usual suspects, homework, cooking, visiting with friends, sewing jobs, and room redo's. Is it just me or is time flying.

If you remember, we have some pretty major changes occurring around here in just weeks. Deerslayer will be officially done pastoring very soon. My 15 years of being a pastors wife will be over. Our work with kids however will continue and we are very excited. On Target Outfitters continues to grow and develop by leaps and bounds. I can honestly say that I have no idea what life will be like here soon. I know that I'm feeling better every day and this time of rebuilding and restoring things that have been neglected has been successful. We're quite possibly happier than we have ever been. For that I am thankful.

I should have some room pictures to show you here soon, we've done a major reshuffling to make this house fit our needs just a bit more. It does look like we will stay here for a little while longer. We aren't really sure what kind of property we need at this point so we thought it wise financially to stay here. I'm making peace with that even though it means no garden or animals yet. One dream at a time people, one dream at a time.

Saturday Morning Donuts

This is the look that makes Daddies all over America do the Saturday morning donut run. I can do this look pretty good too, but she's is much cuter than me in the mornings.

This was our house guest for the week, sadly he went home today, but not without a belly full of donuts. We had so much fun, it was really great having him around. We have five nephews, so we are not newbies when it comes to teenage boys and this one is no less entertaining. We laughed all week. Normally it's little girl world around here, coloring, baking, sewing, doll dressing, but this week was remote control helicopters, wii, spicy buffalo wings, and dog chasing craziness. Throw in a snow day and you have some pretty good chaos, although truth told....I not only contributed, I most definitely egged it on. So thanks Timmy Boy, it was fun.

Myah's Quote

Soup or Beverage?

I made butternut squash soup today for lunch. I cheated a little and used already diced squash from the produce section that I found at Walmart.

It tasted great.

It was however....

...... a little on the thin side:)

Burried Alive

One-Year Anniversary

Today marks my first full year of blogging.

One whole year filled with pictures and words. I sort of can't believe it.

And if you revisit my first post, you will know that today I have an 11 year old.

Happy Birthday Jigs, I hope you have a two-donut day.

A Day in the Life

The Pork roast is roasting.

The bread is rising....

....hopefully,

and I'm headed upstairs to sew.

Riveting, I know, life is good. Put that on a t-shirt.