So, I've had these pictures downloaded here for weeks, so I'm just going give some disjointed explanations to the photos which don't seem to be in any particular order. Sit back and just pretend I've forced you to look at a reel of random family vacation slides. And keep in mind that I am also watching the latest Twilight movie (whoo hoo!) and that I'm a terrible multi-tasker.
Below we've got Elsbeth in her Minnie Mouse dress that she wears over her clothes every single day. She is actually pretending to be Cinderella in the pink "party dress" that the evil stepsisters rip to shreds, and I have to say it's a bit disconcerting how frequently and with what degree of relish The Fiery One wants to act out the dress-ripping scene with her playing the part of the step-sisters clawing at whatever I'm wearing. If I laugh, she is annoyed and commands me to fuss. Today she wanted me to collapse onto the couch and cry for a while before she morphed into the fairy godmother to remedy the situation. I had to cry for a really long time before she'd step in. When I'd look up from my weeping, she'd casually glance in my direction from her comfy seat and say, "Not yet!"
Ah, here we have the adorable menfolk about to head out the door to the symphony, a field trip Andrew's class took a few weeks ago with Daddy as chaperon.
Andrew and I hit the road with dear friends Brea and Brennan (and baby Eliza) to visit dear friends Gillian and Holly and June in Tennessee - had an awesome visit! Thank you Peabodys! We miss you tons.
I made the lentil soup that I posted about last time and decided to insist the kids at least try it. Neither one of them will eat beans, which as vegetarians is kind of a bummer. Andrew reacted as expected ....
He declared he would forgo all supper just so he wouldn't have to taste it. He came back a while later and tried it, then decided he liked it! And Els Bells snarfed hers down straight away! It's a Festivus miracle!!
Ah yes, and now we make it to my insanity during the last full moon. Actually, I'm pretty sure it's Nannie's fault. She had recently brought some lovely furniture from her house that she wasn't using and I got all in the mood to rearrange things. Phil was at work, plus the back surgeon told him moving around furniture wasn't really a great idea for him unless he enjoyed popping discs out of his back. So for some reason I decided it would be a normal and fine idea to try to move a dresser down the stairs by myself.
It was not, in fact, a normal and fine idea.
I nearly crushed myself getting it to that landing, then I had to run next door to my neighbor, who also happens to be the mayor. Here's Mayor Crist chilling with Shiloh and the kids after helping me drag the dresser to the garage. I guess all politicians aren't sacks of trash after all!
This has been the most awesome winter ever - so deliciously warm! The kiddos and I decided to take out a scraggly box elder. Lumberjacks we were, and the tree we did conquer!
The full moon's effects were not limited to the dresser. I also decided to do some Pilates, with Elsbeth as my sidekick. How awesome is this?!
Bear cave on one of the rare chilly days. They would come out only to feed upon my legs until I tazered them back into their den.
Iced snowflake gingerbread cookies.
Fun to make and pretty tastey. Still higher maintenance and less delicious than Paula Deen's ginger cookies, though.
Paula Deen's Ginger Cookies
Ingredients
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the shortening and sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the egg and molasses and beat until completely incorporated. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and add to the mixture. Stir until combined. Roll the dough into balls about 1-inch in diameter. Roll the balls in sugar. Place 1/2-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten the balls slightly with your fingertips. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
