Today: Sunday, April 19, 2009 Divine Mercy Sunday
Outside My Window: sunny! The kids are making snowmen with the wet heavy snow we got yesterday.
Today's Goal: make bread and soup for dinner.
Today's Plan: Dark laundry, REALLY finish putting away all clothes from our trip.
Today's Tea: English Breakfast. This is a classic black tea.
Today's Tidbits: We are starting in FlyLady's Zone 4 (Master Bedroom & Bath). I stripped the bed to wash the sheets, and I am decluttering the trash that I have accumulated by my desk.
Showing posts with label Family Activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Activities. Show all posts
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Irish Dancing Season
Last night we took our kids to an Irish Dancing recital in which our three oldest daughters participated. I went backstage with the girls to make sure they got to the right place and didn't lose their costume parts while Ian kept the littler kids in the foyer waiting to be let into the auditorium. We had to be there an hour and 15 minutes before the show started, so the littles got a little restless. Thankfully we were allowed to go into a hallway next to the foyer where the kids could run around a bit.
We were able to sit in the third row, behind 2 taped-off rows, so we were able to get a good view of the dancers.
The show was incredible. It lasted two hours and many of the dancers did not have a break between numbers. This was the first such show our girls have ever been in, and they were pretty tired by the time the it was over.
This show was enough to make us all want to sleep for the whole weekend, but GUESS WHAT!!!! The show was just the beginning! Today we have a parade to be in (the girls, not me), and two shows afterward (one in a different town).
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! I am very glad we don't have any shows on Sunday, but Monday at 7:45 AM begins a grueling day. The girls have 3 performances back-to-back at three elementary schools, followed by an hour-long drive to another town for another show, after which we will eat dinner out and come back home and fall into bed. I hope we make it.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! On Tuesday the girls have two more performances, to which their Grandfather will take them. They said (at the dance school) when we started there in the fall, that St. Patrick's day and the days surrounding it were big, but we had no idea.
We were able to sit in the third row, behind 2 taped-off rows, so we were able to get a good view of the dancers.
The show was incredible. It lasted two hours and many of the dancers did not have a break between numbers. This was the first such show our girls have ever been in, and they were pretty tired by the time the it was over.
This show was enough to make us all want to sleep for the whole weekend, but GUESS WHAT!!!! The show was just the beginning! Today we have a parade to be in (the girls, not me), and two shows afterward (one in a different town).
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! I am very glad we don't have any shows on Sunday, but Monday at 7:45 AM begins a grueling day. The girls have 3 performances back-to-back at three elementary schools, followed by an hour-long drive to another town for another show, after which we will eat dinner out and come back home and fall into bed. I hope we make it.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! On Tuesday the girls have two more performances, to which their Grandfather will take them. They said (at the dance school) when we started there in the fall, that St. Patrick's day and the days surrounding it were big, but we had no idea.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Rum Ball Recipe
I have been promising to post this (and other) recipe(s) for a while, so here it is. Mimi, the Chess Pie recipe is next I PROMISE!
RUM BALLS
2 boxes vanilla wafers (12 oz each), finely chopped in food processor
4 C. pecans (16 oz bag), finely chopped
4 C. powdered sugar
8 tsp. cocoa powder
6 tsp. light corn syrup
1 1/2 C. dark rum (or bourbon or brandy. I didn't have enough of any one thing, so I mixed rum and brandy. Hence, Rumdy Balls)
Mix all ingredients in a BIG bowl. Roll into balls by hand, and then roll the balls in regular sugar or cocoa powder or additional chopped nuts. Store in airtight container. Put in airtight tins or bags to give away as gifts.
RUM BALLS
2 boxes vanilla wafers (12 oz each), finely chopped in food processor
4 C. pecans (16 oz bag), finely chopped
4 C. powdered sugar
8 tsp. cocoa powder
6 tsp. light corn syrup
1 1/2 C. dark rum (or bourbon or brandy. I didn't have enough of any one thing, so I mixed rum and brandy. Hence, Rumdy Balls)
Mix all ingredients in a BIG bowl. Roll into balls by hand, and then roll the balls in regular sugar or cocoa powder or additional chopped nuts. Store in airtight container. Put in airtight tins or bags to give away as gifts.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Baking for Christmas
Starting in September, we have made some cookies to give as gifts for Christmas.
First, we made Gingersnaps from Faith & Family magazine's November/December 2007 issue. We did not burn them this time.
We made Gingerbread Men (and Women, and Snowmen and Stars) from a recipe I found years ago in one of those "Holiday Baking" mini-magazines you find at the grocery store checkout.
We also made Springerle, lemon-anise flavored HARD cookies for dunking in coffee, tea or cocoa. I think I used the recipe in Joy of Cooking. My mom especially likes these, so I make them primarily for her, and also giv ehtem to other coffee-drinkers in the family.
Next, we will be making Pine Bark, also from the F & F Nov./Dec. '07 issue, and bourbon balls (or rum balls, depending on what I find in the seldom-visited liquor cabinet), from a family recipe.
On Christmas Eve we'll make Christmas Eve Mice, from the F & F issue cited above. The recipe pages in this particular issue are destined to be well-worn soon. I was hoping this year's November/December issue would have more good cookie recipes, but it just has ideas for dressing up store-bought refrigerator cookie dough, which is fine if you are in a hurry and don't mind the too-sweet taste or hazardous ingredients. But since we usually make our cookies in September & October and freeze them, we want them to be worth the wait until Christmas! We'll stick with from-scratch for now.
First, we made Gingersnaps from Faith & Family magazine's November/December 2007 issue. We did not burn them this time.
We made Gingerbread Men (and Women, and Snowmen and Stars) from a recipe I found years ago in one of those "Holiday Baking" mini-magazines you find at the grocery store checkout.
We also made Springerle, lemon-anise flavored HARD cookies for dunking in coffee, tea or cocoa. I think I used the recipe in Joy of Cooking. My mom especially likes these, so I make them primarily for her, and also giv ehtem to other coffee-drinkers in the family.
Next, we will be making Pine Bark, also from the F & F Nov./Dec. '07 issue, and bourbon balls (or rum balls, depending on what I find in the seldom-visited liquor cabinet), from a family recipe.
On Christmas Eve we'll make Christmas Eve Mice, from the F & F issue cited above. The recipe pages in this particular issue are destined to be well-worn soon. I was hoping this year's November/December issue would have more good cookie recipes, but it just has ideas for dressing up store-bought refrigerator cookie dough, which is fine if you are in a hurry and don't mind the too-sweet taste or hazardous ingredients. But since we usually make our cookies in September & October and freeze them, we want them to be worth the wait until Christmas! We'll stick with from-scratch for now.
Summer and Fall, 2008
Every year flies by faster than the last. I started noticing this phenomenon when I was in college, and it is no less true now that I am married and have children. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to do all the things I want to do, to send that thank you note as soon as someone does something thoughtful for me, to keep that little curl from baby's first haircut in her baby book. "Baby" is now almost 10 years old and her baby book, although admittedly more complete than those of her 6 younger siblings, is nothing to brag about.
This summer (starting with the spring, really) I took lots of pictures and even downloaded most of them onto my computer, with the idea that I would post them here on my blog to share with the world, or at least with that part of the world that might be interested in the happenings at our little house on the prairie.
Here are some of the things that happened during the warmer months this year. Pictures will have to come later, as something on my computer won't let me do anything with the pictures I have downloaded, and won't let me download any pictures that are on my camera:
We painted the house yellow. By "we" I mean my husband. By "yellow" I mean "Fairy Lily" Colorplace paint from Walmart.
We cleaned out the back room so the kids would have a place to play. Again, by "we" I mean my husband. I went through some boxes and threw a lot away and found new homes for some things, but he has a keen, organizing mind and I stand in awe that he could go into the already full room with boxes and boxes of "stuff" and a couple of hours later come to me and say, "Come see," and I behold a clean (vacuumed, even!) floor, walls lined with shelves and a sewing table by the window with my sewing machine set up and ready for Christmas sewing projects! Ian, you amaze me!
Annie (5) and Lucy (9) learned to ride bikes on a dirt road with no training wheels.
Margaret (8) can ride a big bike and made her First Holy Communion in May.
Ian & I took Maria (10 months old at the time) to New Jersey for the Catholic Marketing Network conference. We spent a day in New York City and a night in Boston with my sister, who is a Daughter of Saint Paul. It was a fun vacation. The rest of the kids stayed with Ian's parents here in Colorado. They had a great time with their grandparents, and we are eternally grateful to said grandparents for their generosity.
At some point I took a big box of peaches and made pie fillings to put in the freezer for some special winter or spring party. Yum. I was going to do the same with apples with my Mother-In-Law, but the apple crops in Colorado were ruined this year. Oh well, maybe next year.
I am sure we did more, but my poor brain can't think of anything else at the moment. I'll post more when I remember and when I can get at those pictures!
This summer (starting with the spring, really) I took lots of pictures and even downloaded most of them onto my computer, with the idea that I would post them here on my blog to share with the world, or at least with that part of the world that might be interested in the happenings at our little house on the prairie.
Here are some of the things that happened during the warmer months this year. Pictures will have to come later, as something on my computer won't let me do anything with the pictures I have downloaded, and won't let me download any pictures that are on my camera:
We painted the house yellow. By "we" I mean my husband. By "yellow" I mean "Fairy Lily" Colorplace paint from Walmart.
We cleaned out the back room so the kids would have a place to play. Again, by "we" I mean my husband. I went through some boxes and threw a lot away and found new homes for some things, but he has a keen, organizing mind and I stand in awe that he could go into the already full room with boxes and boxes of "stuff" and a couple of hours later come to me and say, "Come see," and I behold a clean (vacuumed, even!) floor, walls lined with shelves and a sewing table by the window with my sewing machine set up and ready for Christmas sewing projects! Ian, you amaze me!
Annie (5) and Lucy (9) learned to ride bikes on a dirt road with no training wheels.
Margaret (8) can ride a big bike and made her First Holy Communion in May.
Ian & I took Maria (10 months old at the time) to New Jersey for the Catholic Marketing Network conference. We spent a day in New York City and a night in Boston with my sister, who is a Daughter of Saint Paul. It was a fun vacation. The rest of the kids stayed with Ian's parents here in Colorado. They had a great time with their grandparents, and we are eternally grateful to said grandparents for their generosity.
At some point I took a big box of peaches and made pie fillings to put in the freezer for some special winter or spring party. Yum. I was going to do the same with apples with my Mother-In-Law, but the apple crops in Colorado were ruined this year. Oh well, maybe next year.
I am sure we did more, but my poor brain can't think of anything else at the moment. I'll post more when I remember and when I can get at those pictures!
Gifts from the Heart
I read today a good post on simplifying gift-giving for Christmas at Starry Sky Ranch. I wrote a lengthy comment there, and decided to make it my first blog post in a long while.
Great post, Kim!
I have been thinking about this for several years now, too. It is not always easy to find the time to make hand-made gifts for going-on-eight children, plus In-Laws, cousins, etc., nor is it possible to find the money to buy natural toys and gifts for so many. But it is worth the effort. The kids help me make special cookies to send to their cousins in another state, I sew one more Christmas stocking each year for the youngest child (some day I may be caught up), and make cloth or painted wood ornaments for the extended family who would appreciate such things.
St. Nicholas brings much-needed socks, slippers or tights on Dec. 6, any presents from out-of-town family are opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and presents from each other are opened on Epiphany. Thankfully, the rest of the family understands that we don't want the flashiest new toy on the market, so we get warm clothes, simple toys and holy cards, nice thank-you note cards to use, or even gift cards for groceries or a restaurant, for the most part.
We don't get everything we want or need. We don't give everything family and friends want or need. We do what we can to give comfort and joy, and try to let God do the rest.
So far it has made for joyous family memories as we gather on St. Lucy's day to share hot cocoa and a honey cake, or Christmas Eve to eat a traditional Mexican dinner before Tata reads "'Twas the night before Christmas...." and sing "Joy to the World" at Christmas morning Mass. Loving each other is the best gift we can give, whether it shows itself in the form of a hand-sewn Raggedy Ann doll or a Christmas stocking with an orange and a walnut in the toe, or a smile and a "Merry Christmas!"
May God bless you this Advent as we all prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. May the gifts we give each other bear fruit in eternal life.
Great post, Kim!
I have been thinking about this for several years now, too. It is not always easy to find the time to make hand-made gifts for going-on-eight children, plus In-Laws, cousins, etc., nor is it possible to find the money to buy natural toys and gifts for so many. But it is worth the effort. The kids help me make special cookies to send to their cousins in another state, I sew one more Christmas stocking each year for the youngest child (some day I may be caught up), and make cloth or painted wood ornaments for the extended family who would appreciate such things.
St. Nicholas brings much-needed socks, slippers or tights on Dec. 6, any presents from out-of-town family are opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and presents from each other are opened on Epiphany. Thankfully, the rest of the family understands that we don't want the flashiest new toy on the market, so we get warm clothes, simple toys and holy cards, nice thank-you note cards to use, or even gift cards for groceries or a restaurant, for the most part.
We don't get everything we want or need. We don't give everything family and friends want or need. We do what we can to give comfort and joy, and try to let God do the rest.
So far it has made for joyous family memories as we gather on St. Lucy's day to share hot cocoa and a honey cake, or Christmas Eve to eat a traditional Mexican dinner before Tata reads "'Twas the night before Christmas...." and sing "Joy to the World" at Christmas morning Mass. Loving each other is the best gift we can give, whether it shows itself in the form of a hand-sewn Raggedy Ann doll or a Christmas stocking with an orange and a walnut in the toe, or a smile and a "Merry Christmas!"
May God bless you this Advent as we all prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. May the gifts we give each other bear fruit in eternal life.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Maybe we WON'T plant trees today...
Yesterday was sunny and about 80 degrees outside. But NOT TODAY!!
So... How about a game of Cooties...
bread making...
and hanging shelves?
We might light a fire in the fireplace later. Have a hot cup of tea with fresh-from-the-oven bread... I like snow days.
So... How about a game of Cooties...
bread making...
and hanging shelves?
We might light a fire in the fireplace later. Have a hot cup of tea with fresh-from-the-oven bread... I like snow days.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Room Transformations III: Girls' Bedroom
Our next Project is cleaning up the former Master Bedroom to make it into the new Girls' Room!
This is what it looks like right now because we put everything from the former "Back Room" into it to paint the other rooms. Once we empty this room, we'll paint it "Olive Grove" on the bottom and "Budding Green" on top, with a "White Light" chair rail between.
This is where the girls live now. You can see that it's a little tight for four of them, and soon Maria will be joining them, so they need a bit more space.
This room will become the new "Back Room," but it won't have a bed in it. It'll be a play room for the kids. We plan on removing the carpet and installing Pergo or some type of hard floor so they can build things with Lego or blocks, and have a place to roll their trucks besides the kitchen when I am making dinner. We hope to line the walls with book cases and cabinets so everything can be put away out of sight and still be found when needed. I'll post pictures in the years to come as we accomplish these things.
This is what it looks like right now because we put everything from the former "Back Room" into it to paint the other rooms. Once we empty this room, we'll paint it "Olive Grove" on the bottom and "Budding Green" on top, with a "White Light" chair rail between.
This is where the girls live now. You can see that it's a little tight for four of them, and soon Maria will be joining them, so they need a bit more space.
This room will become the new "Back Room," but it won't have a bed in it. It'll be a play room for the kids. We plan on removing the carpet and installing Pergo or some type of hard floor so they can build things with Lego or blocks, and have a place to roll their trucks besides the kitchen when I am making dinner. We hope to line the walls with book cases and cabinets so everything can be put away out of sight and still be found when needed. I'll post pictures in the years to come as we accomplish these things.
Room Transformations II: Master Bedroom
Next, we changed the boys' old room into the Master Bedroom.
This is what it looked like when Andrew & Peter occupied it.
Ian painted it in one day ("Spring Fawn").
We moved in that evening.
This is what it looked like when Andrew & Peter occupied it.
Ian painted it in one day ("Spring Fawn").
We moved in that evening.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
My 8-Year-Old reads EVERYTHING
I don't know for sure, but she may have read Dante's Divine Comedy and shared her knowledge with the other kids.
Overheard as the kids build things with their Lego sets:
Andrew (6): I think we need some more skeletons for hell and purgatory.
Lucy (8): Yes, we can use the black ones for hell.
Andrew: Ok, what about heaven? Can I put some of these guys with the white suits here?
....
Lucy: She has a scared face. She must be in hell because you're not scared in purgatory.
Overheard as the kids build things with their Lego sets:
Andrew (6): I think we need some more skeletons for hell and purgatory.
Lucy (8): Yes, we can use the black ones for hell.
Andrew: Ok, what about heaven? Can I put some of these guys with the white suits here?
....
Lucy: She has a scared face. She must be in hell because you're not scared in purgatory.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
It has been a long time since I blogged last, or even since I looked at others' blogs, but I wanted to mention tonight's event because the next one won't occur until December of 2010 (which may be the next time I get a chance to blog again).
Anyway, I found out a couple of days ago that tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse and that its climax will occur at a reasonable hour, so I thought we could let the kids stay up to see it. Not until today (3 days after my weekly shopping day) did it occur to me that I could make it "fun" by providing snacks whose names coincide with the theme of the night sky, like Moon Pies or Milky Way bars.
Upon further reflection, however, I decided that buying these treats wasn't a good idea after all because: 1)I don't really have the money, 2) It's Lent, and 3) I don't actually like Moon Pies or Milky Way bars.
So, since it will probably be about 20 degrees outside, and cloudy, maybe we'll watch the eclipse online and have some hot cocoa or tea.
Anyway, I found out a couple of days ago that tonight there will be a total lunar eclipse and that its climax will occur at a reasonable hour, so I thought we could let the kids stay up to see it. Not until today (3 days after my weekly shopping day) did it occur to me that I could make it "fun" by providing snacks whose names coincide with the theme of the night sky, like Moon Pies or Milky Way bars.
Upon further reflection, however, I decided that buying these treats wasn't a good idea after all because: 1)I don't really have the money, 2) It's Lent, and 3) I don't actually like Moon Pies or Milky Way bars.
So, since it will probably be about 20 degrees outside, and cloudy, maybe we'll watch the eclipse online and have some hot cocoa or tea.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Applesauce
Way back in October, Mom invited us over to make and put up applesauce and apple pie filling. I am finally putting up these pictures from that event!
First, you wash all your apples.
Then, you core and halve them.
After boiling the apples in water, get a strong guy to move the pots for you.
We all took turns turning the handle on the grinder.
The finished applesauce was YUMMY!!!
First, you wash all your apples.
Then, you core and halve them.
After boiling the apples in water, get a strong guy to move the pots for you.
We all took turns turning the handle on the grinder.
The finished applesauce was YUMMY!!!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Weather Outside is Frightful...
...But in here, it's so delightful!
When the snow blows, the kids decide to carry "Master & Mistress" in a litter through Africa.
Or be servants to the Indian Princess (holding the sticker book modestly to veil her face)...
...while Peter colors his Thanksgiving Turkey...
...and Andrew hides from the snow!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Summer Part IV: Antonito
Our final day on the road took us to Antonito, and the oldest Catholic church in Colorado, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
This was very curious. The bell tower was aparently infested with bees.
Can you tell what object in this picture just doesn't seem to "go" with the rest? One of these things is not like the others....
Beautiful stained glass.
We drove home after visiting this beautiful old church. We had a great vacation and hope to see more of our country next summer.
Summer Part III: Mesa Verde
The next day we went to Mesa Verde.
The dancers demonstrated traditional Indian dances.
This man explained some of the dances and traditions of his people, and told funny jokes. 
Here are some of the famous ruins of the Mesa Verde area. You could not live in these dwellings if you were claustrophobic.
This photo was taken from the van across a chasm.
Amazing how these ancient people built these dwellings.Our last night on the road we had an indoor pool at the motel:
Summer: Part II: Aztec
On the road we stopped at a scenic overlook to stretch our legs a bit.
Our next stop was Aztec National Monument.
Our last stop this day was Four Corners. We took the requisite tourist photo:
What I Did This Summer: Part I: The Great Sand Dunes
This summer we took a family road trip to several places relatively near our home. This is the first trip we have taken as a family that wasn't specifically to visit more family.
Our first stop was the Great Sand Dunes. What a fun day that was! We had fun wading through the stream that runs at the foot of the dunes.
Once we made it across the water we began the climb up the sand.
It was a windy day, but other than the stings from the flying sand, it was a wonderful day.
Our first stop was the Great Sand Dunes. What a fun day that was! We had fun wading through the stream that runs at the foot of the dunes.
Once we made it across the water we began the climb up the sand.
It was a windy day, but other than the stings from the flying sand, it was a wonderful day.
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