Cabin getaway

This past weekend was spent with friends in a beautiful cabin.  The weather was gorgeous.  While we had no fresh snow while we were there, we found just enough snow to do some sledding and make a few snowballs.  With no itinerary, we spent quality time with good friends.  

Mia took out the powerwheel for a ride during one of our walks.  The poor kid was later pummeled with more than a few snowballs.  It wasn't the snow on her that seemed to bother her, instead she was upset about what landed on her "bikt" (you'd probably call it a "bike").  As she brushed off the snow, she looked at me and said, "Mama, my bikt".

I call this "Going,..."

"...going,..."

"...GONE!"

Maybe severing of the tongue was a possibility, but at least the noggin was protected

Park Day

Yes, yes, here's post two for the night.  If I'm lucky I might even get a third in too.  We've been gone ten out of the last fourteen days, so life has been a little busy.  I know...poor me.

I meet up with my friend Heather because it had just been too long.  The kids had a blast and no money leaving the ol' pocketbook is always a good thing.  And because its still early, I'll offer a little photo narration of a part of our day.

The kids are on safer "ground" in this picture. We had tried to tour the pond, but found ourselves instead running from geese. Despite the reveal of empty pockets, the geese were certain bread was hidden somewhere. All eyes on the geese.

Initially we believed the chase was over, but the geese were relentless. Maybe it was the look of fear in Mia's eyes. Here's Mia observing the return of our stalkers.

And in case you missed it, or you find a little one clearly in distress hysterical, here's a closeup.

Before you judge me harshly, the geese were really, really far away and the picnic bench was plenty tall. 

Spencer allowed me to snap a few pictures of him.  What a handsome little guy.

St. Louis/Illinois Trip

 Spencer digging for "gold"

Our trip to St. Louis/Illinois was just what we needed.  We got out a bit, but didn't overdo it.  I'm beginning to realize the best times are often spent doing nothing.  Without a ringing phone, email to keep up with, and a slew of household chores, even I kicked up my feet.

We went to the St. Louis Zoo again.  Really, who can possibly pass up the free admission?! 

Another attempt at domesticity

Here's what was for dinner, and most importantly, dessert tonight.

Despite the story the picture may tell, this is the best meatball recipe I've come across. I found it in our MOPS cookbook.

Neely Family Secret Meatballs
(and you're in on the secret)

1 lb. ground beef (90% or better...I used 96%)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 T ground black pepper
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (I used freshly grated Parmegiano Reggiano)
1 egg
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs (I just used overly toasted bread and dried basil and put it in our mini food processor)
2 T olive oil

Mix all ingredients (except olive oil) together with your hands. Form into small balls (about the size of a golf ball). Heat a large skillet over medium heat; add olive oil and heat until hot, but not smoking. Place meatballs in pan; cook for about 10 minutes total, turning every 2-3 minutes, until all sides are browned. Serve with pasta and sauce.

Blueberry Pie

Pie crust
Two bags of frozen blueberries
Add sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon to taste

I baked the pie for 15 minutes at 450. After that I (sloppily) added foil to the edges of the crust to prevent overcooking. Continue baking at 350 for approximately 60 minutes. Watch hubby drool (I love that...it doesn't happen much here!)

Popeye and Olive Oyl

I'm completely partial, but I don't think I've ever seen a cuter Popeye and Olive Oyl.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right?!

On the bright side Fonz it looks like you weren't the only one with scuffed up shoes. The missing badge is isn't very noticeable.

And yes, I just might have my fingers crossed.

How cute is this?!

The kids not the pumpkin. Though he's pretty cute in a pumpkiny sort of way.

It's (kinda sorta) party time!

I took the kids to a halloween party sponsored by our local regional park. The event has been on my calendar for a few months and I didn't write an elaborate explanation so I had no idea what I had signed myself up for. Thankfully, it didn't entail a spooky halloween theme and the outdoor nature event gave the kids a chance to have simple fun. And because I like to find thrifty ways to spend time with the kids, the $5 price tag was a bonus.

Spencer checking out his owl pellets for goods (you're gonna have to look that one up yourself...consider it homework). This was right after we made scat (more homework?!) with tootsie rolls, sunflower seeds and raisins.

Eureka!  Spencer became so attached to his pellet that the thing is now in my purse.  

Painting paper bag pumpkins

The kids showing off their new corn husk dolls. I know you're wondering what in the world I do behind the camera to get such a response from my kids...I guess I'm just that not funny.

On our way out. Although we had fun, I was ready to bid this party farewell.


We came home and popped our (free!) popcorn right on the cob. I never knew that was possible....where have I been?!

Perks...we all got 'em

We went to visit Alfonso at the firehouse today. It was our very first trip to see him since his promotion. We dropped off some cookies and took a (short) ride in the fire engine. Spencer, known for his question asking ability, didn't fail Dad a bit. His curiosity has peaked and his list of questions was proof of a genuine interest...or brilliant deception. We'll give Mia few years and I'm sure she'll find it just as interesting. Today she was far more interested in climbing on things she shouldn't and "tookie" (cookie) time.

Fall ain't so bad...

It isn't often I can actually say with complete honesty that I'm liking this fall thing. I usually mourn the end of summer, but I'm ready to just be at home more. We've already switched on our very first fire of the season. Nothing like artificial logs and a gas-powered flame to get me ready for cooler weather.

A Fall Must: The Pumpkin Patch

Beautiful weather. Great day out with the kids.

Pumpkin Painting

Painting takes concentration.  Exhibit A

and Exhibit B

"Hey, Ma.  Here's my scariest face!"

"What?!  That didn't scare you?"

Mia may be adventurous, but the girl hates to be messy.

Once I promised she'd eventually get cleaned, she was all smiles.

I love this kid.  Isn't his non-smile smile cute?

I even love the occasional cheesy-grin.  I love her!

Painting pumpkins has become our "thing" the last few years.  More than likely, its developed into a tradition of sorts because its far easier to complete than convincing a four year old that early October is not the time to carve pumpkins.  

My new favorite cookie recipe

I'm on a roll.  Why stop now?!  Peanut butter and chocolate...could it get any better?

Before I seem to take any sort of credit, I did find this recipe on the web (not sure where?) after Spencer said he wanted peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.  

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter (we used chunky...the only way to go)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light.

Add egg and mix until fluffy.

Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.  After, add to wet ingredients.

Bake for 10-12 minutes

Try not to eat the entire batch in one sitting 

Ham and Cheese Turnovers

I promised a dear (and patient) friend I'd publish this recipe a long time ago.  Here's proof that I'm faithful and (sometimes) tardy.

I found this recipe in an old issue of 'Real Simple'.  I'm just now getting to all those magazines collecting dust.  I guess the treadmill is good for something after all.

1 pound package refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough

(stay away from that Pillsbury stuff...as Mia would say, "That's na-nee" a.k.a. "nasty")

8 ounces deli ham, thinly sliced

4 ounces Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 yellow onion, cut into thin rings

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Roll the pizza dough into a 14 inch circle and cut into 8 triangles

Stack a piece of ham, cheese and onion on the bottom of each triangle and roll the dough up around the filling (you'll see some of the filling peeking out of the ends)

Transfer the rolls to a parchment-lined baking sheet (not necessary, but it makes clean-up easier)

Bake until golden and crisp, about 20 minutes.  I'm finding it takes more like 30 minutes.

I'm planning on making my own dough once I have a reliable mixer. You know, one that wasn't used to mix tile grout and trips the breaker box.  Needless to say, its now in the garbage.

I'm tired!

This week has been a busy one.  After I found my cell phone in the garbage can last night, I could no longer deny I'm operating on far too few brain cells.  And yes, the phone was put there by yours truly.  I sure wish I could blame the kids for that one.

Spencer's solely responsible for this ensemble.  Nothing he's wearing is particularly offensive, but paired together it was certainly a fashion nightmare.

 I wish I had a chance to take a picture of the get-up he wore on our walk today, which included a winter-like beanie and safety glasses.  

Very interesting.