Play Time

Me: Caeden, can I play with you?

C: Sure Mommy!

(As I begin to play)...

C: No Mommy, don't touch that!

C: Excuse me, get off my rug. I need more room. MOVE.

C: No - don't move my trains.

C: See this? You can't touch that, either.

He was very gracious to smile for the camera in between his "directing."

Playing with Claire involves smiling and bubble blowing. Now that, I can do. :)

White Chicken Chili

Made this last night with some corn bread and salad. A friend made it for me and I immediately had to have the recipe (thanks Melissa!). It really hit the spot on such a cold night (tonight it should get down to 20 degrees. I need to do something with my roses, pronto!)

The chili is delicious just as the recipe reads, but last night I omitted the sour cream and used fat free milk instead of the cream. It was awesome and so much healthier. Either way, enjoy!

White Chicken Chili

1 Pound skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 medium onion chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1T vegetable oil

3 cans 15 1/2 oz each of great northern beans, rinsed
1 33 oz. can chicken broth
2 cans (4 oz each) of chopped green chilies
1 tsp salt/pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion, garlic in oil until chicken
is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasoning. Bring
to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove
from heat. Add cream and sour cream.

This is also great in the crock pot. Just mix everything together after the chicken mixture is cooked.

Connecting

I read an article online that talked about the disconnection of people these days. The way we prefer email to letters, text messages to phone calls, etc.

I really notice it at the airports and shopping malls when I see 1 out of 3 people with iPods glued to their ears so that they are not forced into an actual conversation or have to mutter a single word.

I am sort of coming out of my "just had a baby please don't expect any sort of communication with me for months" phase and I am looking around ... where is everyone? Oh yeah, probably going on with their lives as I stopped to hunker down with mine. Guilty. Time to connect.

The other night I met a girlfriend at Starbucks. We both snuck out after we put the kids in bed, our husbands contently watching t.v. or surfing the web...

We talked for 2 hours non-stop. I mean, there was not a pause to be found. Talked about clothes, baby weight, babies, family, schools, church, other people ...

And it was wonderful.

Just two hours of connecting with someone who can say, "Yes! I know what you mean," is good for the soul. That little escape will stay with me all week as I navigate the kids, the house, my life ...

So, with all the avoidance of personal, face to face contact, I don't know what to say. We're all busy; email and texting is so convenient. I could argue we are more in contact than before with the use of the internet and savvy little camera phones, but it definitely can't be the only way. You can be in touch with people and still be out of touch to what matters.

I think that's why I love to blog and read others' blogs. The daily things are not the little things. They are the big, important, this is what life is made of things, that might get lost in an email, a phone call. And, with so many of us spread apart - new friends, old friends, and family, getting a glimpse of the daily grind is just enough to feel the connection. That feeling of we are not alone in this world.

And, for the locals, I know I'll be picking up the phone more to say, "Let's go have coffee tonight/tomorrow," rather than shooting off an email saying, "We should get together sometime."

Connecting. I've really missed it.

Happy Weekend!

The kids are napping and here I sit on the sofa, happily checking email and uploading pictures to Costco.

I'm a bit stressed out about Halloween as I cannot talk my son into being anything other than a "Lawn mower Man." We had a yard service this year and Caeden followed them around all summer, so I guess it shouldn't surprise me. BUT. How do you dress for Halloween? I am armed with a green t-shirt and some iron-on transfers (going to download a lawnmower and iron it on, I guess???) and that's it. It will be too cold to wear shorts, and too dark to wear sunglasses ... so ....? Is he really dressed up?

I took him to Pottery Barn Kids to try and talk him into the robot costume they have. It is so cute, and he really likes robots. He told me no. Might as well have been "Hell No!" -- he cried on the way home about wanting to be a lawn mower man. I felt horrible. How do I explain that I am just not crafty/imaginative enough to pull off his vision?

Anyhoo. So much drama in our lives, I know.

Our grill "broke." I suspect my clever husband announced this with sadness as he has already ordered a new one. But, in the mean time, I have to come up with something for dinner that doesn't require the grill ... so here it is. Rosemary and Orange Pork Tenderloin. I don't cook pork but Wayne is sick of chicken, and there is only so much red meat a person can stand ... and this recipe looks amazing. If anyone tries it and it is awful, just a disclaimer I haven't made it yet.

Happy Weekend!

I love this idea.

One more post to make up for not posting yesterday. A little display of clocks all set to the times of when your children were born. A sweet idea for a side table, a mantel ... anywhere, really.

If you don't have children, the time of your wedding would be a sentimental statement...

Halloween Fun

Do you do this in your neighborhood? You leave a bag of goodies with this note on 2 neighbors' doorsteps...ring the doorbell and then run away, fast.

It's fun to see the windows of everyone's houses fill up with these "Boo" signs. A great way to kick off the season!

Last year I found cheap but good smelling Halloween candles that smelled like candy corn that I gave as a gift, but this year I am doing candy, wrapped up in pumpkin bags (Target). You know what Caeden and I will be doing when the sun goes down tonight - running fast!

P.S. To use this template, just double click on the image for a full-sized version to print.

Halloween Idea

I am looking forward to Caeden's Halloween party this year at school. We are in charge of bringing drinks and I just wanted to share an idea ... adapted from Martha Stewart, of course.

Make this Green Party Punch:

GREEN PARTY PUNCH
2 liters ginger ale 1 lg. container frozen lemonade 1 lg. can pineapple juice (chilled) 1 qt. lime sherbet Stir together. The lime sherbet melts and makes a milky green punch with foam on top.

And then (the best part!) put it into these plastic chemistry flasks (they even come with lids!)

Our weekend was nice. We thought we were going to get snow, but instead just saw some cold temperatures and drizzling rain. It made for a cozy weekend with the fireplace on. The kids were on the floor and I got some pictures worth sharing. The one of Claire looking at the camera with Caeden in the background cracks me up because it's as if she is saying, "Get a load of this guy. What in the world is he playing with?!"

Caeden is completely into Monster Trucks and played with them all weekend. At one point he was just wearing underwear and brown socks, running around the house with Monster Trucks everywhere. All he needed was a can of PBR and he was the (underage) poster child for WT. He is such a honey, though. I thank God every night for him. He is already so thoughtful. -- Today at Costco, an adult cut Caeden off in the aisle, and Caeden said, "Oh! Excuse Me." The guy was completely taken aback. He should have been as he was so rude, but at the same time, for such a little boy to have manners ... was it wasn't even his fault ... it was a proud Mommy moment for me.

Claire is such a doll. She is happy most all of the time and is starting to sleep in her crib (some of the time) which is wonderful!

Can Money Buy Happiness?

In this economy, for all of our sakes, I hope we can find happiness in other places than our wallets. However, I have to be honest. These made me very happy yesterday. And when it stops raining and snowing, they will make me happy again.

New shoes. A stylish way to run away from all the bad news out there.

Corn Bag Critters & More

This company caught my eye in Country Living Magazine this month. Since my neck-pulling days, I have become a firm believer in the corn/rice bags that you put in the microwave to soothe away aches and pains. They really work! I've been on the hunt for one of my own (I have stolen my mother-in-law's for the time being) and finally found them.

They say they are good for ear aches ... well, all aches. And this company makes them in smaller sizes for kids. Igor is my favorite.

Another find is family run business that makes pie fillings. They say if they can get someone to try it, they always buy it. My brilliant baker friend is in Rapid City, and so I have to rely on short-cuts like this: Appleseed Farm.


Anyhoo, just wanted to share some Country Living Product Winners. Click here for the complete list.

Out of Town Ritual

When Wayne is out of town (this week: Vegas) I try to take pictures of the kids daily so he feels connected. This morning I told Caeden we were taking pictures, and while he was up for it, he definitely had his own ideas.




"Take a picture of me picking my nose."







"Make sure Daddy sees my Monster Trucks crashing into the cars."
"I will sing, 'Bad to the Bone' for Daddy."

Today ...

Claire holding on for dear life as she tries out the Bumbo seat. She's blowing raspberries (I LOVE that she can mimic - it's so fun!)

Caeden is addicted to YouTube. He watches Monster Truck crashes. I find it a bit appauling that I let him do this, yet it makes getting dinner ready so much easier...

Etiquette

This is what you do when you eat (most) of the piece of cake you bring home for your husband. Yes, I really did leave him this note in the fridge. If I hadn't, he would have found me greedy and insensitive. Now he just thinks I'm cute and lack self-control.

Halloween Stuff

The black pumpkins are fun. I just painted (some faux pumpkins I got from the craft store) black with acrylic paint. Once it dried, I used white, opaque pens to doodle on them.

Caeden has one just for listing his Halloween costumes each year...each season we add the date and what he was and then sit it in his room. Super cute.

The sparkle pumpkin is just the modge podge and glass glitter. I have brown, orange, and yellow ones scattered throughout the house. I keep them out all Fall long.

Register to Vote

Watch the entire thing. For some entertainment. To be informed. Please. This is a big deal. Voting is a huge deal. Vote.

Tighter, Tighter

I am loving the new Kohl's commercial. It's the one with the song, "Tighter, Tighter."

Something like, "C'mon hold me a little bit tighter, baby..."

I did a wiki search and found Holly Conlan sings it (the original is by Alive n' Kickin) but that it is not available.

Not available? In this day and age when you can find pretty much anything??!

I want it so I can make a movie of the kids' pictures. I am off to search the bowels of the internet, illegal or otherwise, until I come back victorious.

(If you don't hear of this post again, it's because I was not victorious, but we won't mention that now will we?)

Is Anyone Watching Lipstick Jungle?

I am loving this show. It's sort of my new stand in for "Sex and the City." And, as a person who hardly watches TV, I make sure I'm free on Wednesday nights to watch -- even if I'm Tivo-ing it.

What is everyone else watching this Fall?

Took it Like a Champ (her, not me)

Claire had her 4 month appt. this morning which meant a series of shots. She did great, I however, had to leave the room because I cannot stand to see her hurt. Wayne carried her out of the exam room, and there she was all bright eyed and quiet ... except I could see the tears that were on her cheeks. :(

She weighs 12 pounds 15 oz. (33rd percentile)
She is 23 1/2" long (25th percentile)
Her peanut head is 15 1/2" around (10th percentile)

Caeden got a flu shot and didn't even wince. Such a little man. Took him out to the dirt pile behind the house as a reward for being so brave.

One Boy's Rocky Mountain

Caeden was overjoyed to see a Bobcat piling dirt up behind our house on Friday. He waited as patiently as any excited 3 1/2 year old can until the weekend when he could claim it for his own.

So far, we've been over there 4 times in 2 days and have just given up on hauling toys back and forth ... we just piled them up by the fence so they're ready to go when he is.

Some running commentary I overhead:

"Okay Bobcat. You are done with the dirt. You take a break while the cement truck has some fun."

"I am building a fireplace (rolling large rocks around the field into a pile). There! Now, none of you move!"

Claire 4 Months

Baby Claire,

You have the sweetest smile that lights up your eyes ... and an entire room.

You have a belly laugh that is so contagious that I will spent hours trying to make you do it just one more time.

You still are not rolling over, but love to play with your toes.

You discovered your hands and suck on them all day long.

You love to be cuddled, and I think that's why you will only sleep in your swing, car seat, or in bed with me (your crib being the goal ...)Your brother tries to pet you, kiss you, and love on you whenever he gets the chance.

You love bath time and look up at me with this amazing face when I wash your hair. Totally trusting that I won't get water in your eyes (talk to you brother about this one, I have traumatized him many times...)

Your skin is the softest thing I have ever felt and you smell like baby goodness.

You kick your legs and wave your arms in anticipation of being held.

You love when I sing to you. And, when fussing in the car, my John Mayer playlist puts you to sleep (and your father).

Your nickname is still Claire Bear.

We love you soooo much.

XoXo

Mommy

Getting Ahead

Okay, I know this is a bit of a jump, but how cute are these new stockings at Pottery Barn Kids??

I am hosting Christmas this year, and short of redecorating the house, these might have to do.

You see the ornamental greenery above them? I learned a trick years ago ... just get a piece of MDF cut to the size of the top of your mantel. Place it up there and then staple real (mist with water daily) or faux greenery to the top of the MDF. Your mantle will look fabulous and the whole thing comes down after Christmas and you haven't hurt your mantle.

One More Thing ... Nike Pants

I discovered a wonderful pair of Nike pants. Totally soft and flattering. I have black but am going back for all the colors. Perfect for Fall walks and the grocery store.

Day to Day

I am feeling quite Martha today. I rearranged my living room, scrubbed the hardwood floors, and made Cowboy Cookies.

Caeden has been "helping" me clean, and has been happy as a clam. It also might have something to do with the bribe/brilliant comment ... "How about Chuck E Cheese after quiet time?" Super casual. Didn't sound anything like a desperate plea for good behavior. I am getting the hang of this mothering thing.

Claire turns 4 months tomorrow. I am going to do a major photoshoot - I still have yet to get professional portraits done, but am waiting for her to sit up. However, I have some great ideas and hope the photos turn out. Stay tuned.

Thanks Sara, for the Home Depot shout-out. You were right. We found sheet metal and Wayne is going to work on the "Ta Da" project this weekend.

We are fortunate to live near Estes Park, CO. This time of year, the Elk come down into the town and hang out. They walk all over the place - crossing the street, wandering through public places without a care in the world...so we're headed up there this weekend (or next week if Wayne plays hooky) to check it all out.

I slipped into a pre-pregnancy pair of jeans yesterday. It's about time! I was feeling quite cocky, and proceeded to try on some of my other favorite pairs. Uh, no go. Apparently the ones that fit are my new favorites until my oatmeal/cheese/apple/crackers diet kicks in. Should be any moment. Really. Any time now.

Happy Weekend to All!

Ingredients for Cowboy Cookies

Makes about 5 dozen

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks (1 cup)
• 3 ounces (3/4 cup) pecan halves
• 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray, line with parchment, and spray parchment. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium-high until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
3. Reduce speed to low, and slowly add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until combined. (Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
4. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop or a small spoon, drop dough onto baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
5. Bake until edges of cookies begin to brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks. Let cool. (Cookies can be stored up to 3 days.)

I Still Do.

14 years ago today, I said, "I Do."

Today I say, "I Still Do. For Always."

14 years ago today, we had a very simple wedding and a very, very fun reception.

Today I know there are fancier weddings, better bridesmaid dresses, and details I would change. But I know the promise we made to each other hasn't changed. Hasn't wavered. And that is the part that transcends all the trends. The part that is important.

14 years ago today, I thought we were invincible, destined to be together forever.
Today I know that's true.

14 years ago today I started the best part of the rest of my life.
Today I am enjoying the journey.

I love you, Wayne. Happy Anniversary.

Food

Has anyone had a Honey Crisp apple this season? They are soooo good - and are only "in season" for a few weeks. Grab a big bag if you see them.

Has anyone tried Papa Murphy's 100% Whole Wheat Crust? I ordered a light-on-the-cheese whole wheat pizza for dinner. Not sure it qualifies for diet food, but it's a step in the right direction, right?

Did you know Starbucks as hot oatmeal available? Even in the drive-thru. You get to pick your toppings - walnuts, brown sugar, or dried fruit.

Front Page of MSNBC

Where we (Wayne for sure - me through association) are from. Home. It really is that beautiful.

Numbers

1252.5 .... The miles we drove to: Rapid then Mitchell then Rapid and home again.

124 ... The times Caeden drug Grandpa and Grandma around the house. "Come play with me!"

11 ... The number of (available) boxcars on the 1880 Train.

5 ... The number of family members at Grandpa and Grandma's house over the past week. A full on invasion!

4 ... Friends we ran into in Hill City. Sharon Labrune & Family (an old friend from Sioux Falls that now lives in Mississippi) was coming out of Alpine Inn as we were going in. What a small world!!

3 ... The number of times we ate at Stonewall's Kitchen (the best caramel rolls we've ever had)

2 ... Trees growing so fast. Planted when Caeden was born, and then Claire.

1 ... SUV full of people that were sad to leave but happy to come home.

Goldie

Wayne's paternal grandmother, Goldie Koop, passed away 2 days ago. She lived a good, long life and her passing was not a surprise, however we are all so sad and sorry she is not with us anymore.

( I wish I had some pictures to share, unfortunately I keep getting errors when I try and upload them.)

I remember the first time I met her, she was standing in her kitchen making dinner when we arrived at her house. She looked me up and down, took me by the hand, and led me to the living room where she had pictures of her family displayed. She picked up a picture of her son, Vandy, and explained to me that he had passed away as a young man. It was the very first thing she said to me - the very first conversation we had, and I will always remember how touched I was that she would share that with me, that she was willing to be vulnerable to someone she had never met.

But, make no mistake, the woman was a spit-fire. Always laughing and always in a good mood. I never saw her without her makeup on, her jewerly in, and her hair "just so." She was a beautiful woman inside and out and it is very easy to see why her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends adored her.

We Love You, Goldie.

We are headed to South Dakota for the service and will be there all week.

More Things to Love

This is a Rouge Pot. You can use it as a cheek & lip stain. I just tried it yesterday at Nordies and had to get it. The color is very natural, but it stays put (unlike my Benetint that fades into nothingness). My skin is getting drier now that fall is here and the rouge pot is nice and creamy (light, but creamy).


Secondly, my sister was right! These crackers (Rosemary and Olive Oil) are the best ever. I picked some up today and have become completely addicted. There is a little recipe on the side:

Layer:
Cracker, light swiss cheese, sliver of pear, and a drizzle of honey.

Trust me.

Ta Da - Less

Okay people, where do you find sheets of sheet metal? Wayne went to the big box home stores with NO LUCK. Very strange.

My creative design (aka complete copy-cat) is on hold until a sheet metal spotting is made.

Quote I Came Across

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments.

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Ta Da!

I have been trying to come up with a clever way to display Caeden's artwork that he brings home from school. I thought a large magnetic board (painted, embellished, and framed) would be just the thing, but I have yet to make it or find one that appeals to me.

I stumbled upon this: from here. I love the idea of the green background and the "Ta Da" up top. So perfect for artwork! I am going to super size this idea and mount it in Caeden's bedroom. I am thinking it needs to be HUGE to accommodate more than a couple of pieces of paper. It's going to be my weekend project. Stay tuned for pictures when I'm done.