Photos

Sometimes a photo says it all. 

The artist

The acrobat

The friends

 

 

And because I think it's a riot to see older picture of the girls and see just how much they've changed... 

Lily on the 1st day of Pre-school

Addie in 1st grade at the Science Fair.  Her report is on Elephants. 

The Greats (Grandparents that is)

I had a really nice visit with my grandparents yesterday. They have a great home on the lake that they maintain themselves. Grandma is an amazing cook. She has always had at least one large garden and freezes or cans anything that they can't eat fresh. It's not uncommon to be eating a meal and have grandma tell you that the potatoes or asparagus you're eating "slept in the garden last night." It's always a treat to eat at grandma's. All the grand kids (and great grand kids) have their favorites and she remembers them all.

Starting at around Thanksgiving my Grandma's kitchen really ramps up. Krumkaka, lefse, rosettes, and all the other butter cookies start coming out.

Last night as we were devouring homemade meatballs, potatoes with gravy, refrigerator pickles, asparagus, and homemade rolls, Grandma and Grandpa started talking about when they were kids. Because no one had refrigeration then, their moms would send them to the butcher shop each afternoon with a quarter to buy a pound of round steak. Grandma said that sometimes her mom would ask for $0.25 worth and sometimes she would ask for a pound ($0.20). Grandma would get all the way to the butcher shop and have to remember which one her mom had asked for. On Sundays, my Grandpa's mom would send him with one dollar to buy a whole chicken. This was a splurge considering his dad only made $16 a week.

If you didn't like what your mom made that night, you ate it anyway. If you refused, you didn't eat because there wasn't anything else. It makes me think twice about the pickiness of kids and the excesses of today. When I watch Guy Fiere make 3 whole chickens on the Food Network I wonder why it's necessary.



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I have been finding some really amazing gluten free things on Pinterest.  (Follow me Here).  I'm finding that some of my favorite things are either made completely flourless or with a substitute like almond flour.  Because let's face it, gluten free flour blends just don't have the same texture. 

I'm a little eeked out by using almond flour in that it's just ground up almonds - but instead of eating a few almonds (healthy protein), you're eating a ton and a half (yes, that's the exact amount that must go into 1 1/2 cups) of ground up almonds.  I'm slightly concerned at the amount of fat and calories that must go into a baked good with almond flour.  It might be why I'm not losing weight but gaining.  On the flip side, the taste can't be beat. 

I've also been trying out recipes that just don't have any flour in it at all.  These tend to be a lot airier and fluffy as whipped egg whites are used to provide the lift.  Again, they're pretty yummy. 

Then there's this amazing cupcake.  No flour and not a lot of eggs.  It's dense but not as dense as a normal flourless cupcake.  I'm guessing that the cocoa powder replaces the flour, but that's a total guess.  You can change up the flavor by using a different type of chocolate chips.  I used a very dark chocolate chip and it was an intense cupcake.  I would say use the type of chocolate chips that you would most like to eat straight from the bag.  And then do as I did and bring them to a party.  

Because you do not want to be left alone in the house with them.  Especially if you frost them with Bailey's frosting instead of cream cheese frosting.  Seriously, take me at my word on this one. 

My girls are off enjoying Camp Auntie this week...

Geeking Out

HGive us a rainy weekend, 

And we'll give you two little game fanatics.  

On Saturday we played a bit of chess.  Addie had learned in school this year and has practiced a few times with various family members.  I had only played once before, and Lily never had.  Adam and Addie played a game first, then "coached" Lily and I. It was three heads against one as they conspired to see how badly Momma could play.  I think I need a lot more practice.  

At least I have Risk.  Well, I do if the dice roll my way.  

We started a Risk game and have played after supper the last two nights.  The girls are fanatical about playing.  To the point that they'll willingly get jammies on before playing.  We're working on teaching them strategy and thinking several moves ahead.  

At least that's my strategy.  

Besides, if they continue playing they will make very smart friends in college.  

It's been awhile since I've taken the photos off my phone.  My phone is my default camera these days (seriously, who's got the extra stamina to carry along a camera as well as knitting, purse, various kid stuffed animals/toys, snacks, etc?). 

 

Lily learning to crochet.  I'm so excited at how easily she picks up these things. 

 

Before the "Death March"

After the "Death March."  I made the girls walk 2 miles, but Addie didn't think she could possibly walk another step.  When I told her that her reward for walking so far was ice cold water at the end (It's her fav!) she told me to stop "tempting" her. 

After a different long hot walk we cooled off in the library. 

Lily practicing her bandaging skills. 

Singing along with Mary Lou! 

Funday Monday

Because everyone needs a fake mustache to make them smile. 

 

 

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, back when my babies were really babies, I started a blog.  I wrote about how they were reaching milestones and how hard it was to have one child who was allergic to milk.  It was hard.  It helped to blog and it connected me with lots of other bloggers out there who also had kids with allergies.  Mostly though, it was cute pictures of the kids and how totally crazy in love with them I am.

Then (much like any fairy tale there must be an antagonist) Facebook became the next big thing. Instead of blogging, I started posting on Facebook.  I switched blogging platforms for my knitting blog. www.knitting.areavoices.com   The food allergy thing became better and I began to worry about it less. I was busy... working full time and running after my 2 big kids.

But now, now I need the blog again.  I found out recently that I'm gluten intolerant.  I've had lots of blood tests and skin tests and they all say that it is not an allergy and it is not celiac.  I know the blood tests are not conclusive as to celiac, but I don't want to do a biopsy unless I can't get a handle on my symptoms by following a gluten free diet.

No wheat, no barley, no rye.  Which means my love of baking (and I seriously love baking) is going to get a serious overhaul.  I'm finding new recipes.  I'm finding that I absolutely love the way I feel when I'm not eating wheat.  (my skin has cleared up, my headaches are gone and I don't have that uncomfortably full feeling followed by the OMG I must eat right now or else panicky feeling, not to mention some other really annoying symptoms)  But I'm also finding lots of questions.

• Do I need to have a dedicated gluten free colander at our house?
• How do I get the texture of baked goods that I want?
• Is there a decent replacement for bagels?
• Fresh pasta.... I had just learned how to make you....
• How do I do this without blowing my yarn budget on gluten free food?  
• Will I ever find my children under the growing stack of gluten free cookbooks?  (Hooray for the library!)

I guess you could say that I'm throwing the whole family into this one.