Summertime fun

This week started off really warm! My father-in-law described a hot day as "like a hot cup of coffee", I think I'll be working that phrase into conversations... what a perfect way to describe summer. In honor of summer and a visit from Grandma Sneen, the boys indulged in a banana split at the kitchen table. So much fun and joy was found in that huge pile of ice cream and whipped cream! I hope the boys remember the fun occasions as they grow and remember that happiness can be found with good company and loved ones around the kitchen table.

Quentin had the pleasure of hosting a garden tour for his Pre-K teacher and a group of summer school kids this past week. Quentin successfully described: the fruit trees in the yard, proudly showed off the bat and birdhouses he built with Jamie, explained the water collection system, as well as explaining that you may not eat rhubarb leaves due to them being poisinous. He also graciously explained to his friends that they may not walk on the soil in the gardens, because it would compact, making it difficult for worms to dig around and poop their powerful poop.

The kids and I packed up and visited the beach for the first time this summer! We had a great day at Willow River State Park! We arrived just in time to see thousands of tadpoles swimming in the shallows next to the beach. The boys had fun capturing and inspecting the little creatures, they were corralled into lovingly dug pools and channels. Quentin described them as a "marching band of tadpoles". The weather was great, and fortunately I was the only victim of sunburn on our expedition.

We have all been so pleased with Lars language development during the past few weeks. The little guy repeats just about everything he wants to and some he shouldn't. He has begun to hold his own ground a bit with his older brother, which has led to some heated discussions between the two small red heads in the house. Despite the bickering between the boys, Lars has develped a lovely appreciation for our four legged companion. Bryson is the object of many hugs during the day. Lars has discovered that kissing a furry beast is not always as pleasant.

Tonight as I tucked my little angels into bed the little angel said clearly enough to melt any heart within ear shot... " love you Mommy"... If only I had the pause button to freeze time and make those precious little bits of time last a bit longer....

And still trying to organize the mountains of recipes...this week, granola.

Granola
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tblsp cinnamon
Mix the first three together.

8 cups old fashioned oats
½ ground flax meal or flax seeds
¼ sunflower seeds
½ coconut
1 ½ cup walnut (or nut of choice)

Mix dry ingredients into wet until well coated.
Spread in 2 large baking dishes. Set oven to 225. Slowly toast for 30 minutes. Stir and rotate pans. Toast for another 10 minutes or until desired dryness is reached. Allow to cool completely, store in sealed container for up to two weeks.
Suggestions for additions after roasting:
Raisins
Dates
Cranberries
Dehydrated apple
Dehydrated apricots
Dehydrated pineapple

We like this granola mixed with yogurt or sprinkled onto a bowl of fresh fruit with a little milk.

Summer has finally arrived!

This week it feels like summer has finally arrived in Hudson! We have had some rain and humidity, the gardens are loving it! Most of the tomatoe plants have flowered, which after starting them from seed in February, seems like an amazing miracle! I love the smell of tomatoe plants, not the blossoms, the actual smell of the plant. If only I could purchase candles, room spray and air fresheners in that fragrance I could enjoy it all year long.
The boys started their summer session of activities at the YMCA, which appear to be a smash so far. They each have an arts/crafts class and we have one session of soccer a week. In addition, the summer reading program at our local library has officially begun! Watching the kids learn to love books and the public library is so much fun. They each sleep with their evening bedtime story tucked loving under their pillow.

My little sister, Jen, has been stopping by once a week to spend time with the boys. She has been such a lovely blessing. The children have time with a wonderful young woman who will undoubtedly be a very important infuence and adult in their lives as the boys grow. I personally enjoy the few hours out of the house, which are usually spent buried in a book.

This past Sunday, the children were invited to a birthday party for our neighbors Granddaughter, Sydney, who lives near Menomonie. The drive was beautiful, there is still sleepy farmland and homesteads buried in Wisconsin. I earnestly hope that sprawl, development and taxes don't force it into suburban strip malls. The party was wonderful, the children played outside in wading pools, slip and slides, with water balloons and a swing set. At one point in the afternoon, Quentin was completely soaking wet, happily eating a hotdog, turned to me and said, "This is just Heaven Mom!" This year he even managed to keep the Great Dane named Titan who lives there from swiping his lunch. Last year, there were a few teary and tense moments after Titan stole the hotdog and bun directly from Quentin's hand.

Thursday and Friday mornings of this week were spent at rummage sales! Our church organizing a huge event every year. There is something heart warming about the children finding joy in gently used or well loved toys and sports equipment! We were able to add two wonderful tennis rackets to our collection, along with some adjustable roller skates and an skateboard that we hope to retrofit into a customized scooter. Lars has particular pride in the straw "safari" hat we found along with a childrens 'batting hat" and "hard hat". Being particularly repelled at the thought of many trips to the emergency room this summer, we also increased our supply of bike helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist braces. A girl has to do what a girl has to do! Recycling takes on a wonderful form when we can enjoy another persons cast offs with glee!

In an attempt to begin organizing my recipe staff, I have decided to start posting at least one a week.

Kidney bean and Corn Salad

16 oz can kidney beans

16 oz frozen corn

1/4 cup red onion diced

1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper diced

1/2 cup peeled diced zucchini

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

3 Tblsp honey

3 cloves garlic, crushed

salt and pepper to taste

Rinse and drain corn and beans. Whisk vinegar, honey, garlic together. Mix all vegetables together, toss with vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, serve at room temperature.

Crock Pot Tomale Pie

1 lb ground beef, venison, or bison

2 cups frozen corn

2 cups salsa

1 cup coarse ground yellow cornmeal

1 egg

1 cup mik

2 Tbspn ground cumin

2 Tbspn chilli powder

Mix raw meat, corn, egg, salsa, milk and seasoning in bowl. Spray crockpot, pour mixture in. Set on High for 3 hours. Serve with cheddar cheese, avacado slices, sour cream, fresh sliced tomatoes. Reheats well also. (It tasts better than it looks!)

Rainy cool week

What a wonderful week of cool weather and rain! The kids enjoyed playing at the YMCA a couple mornings that they couldn't be outside. Our local library offers a wonderful story time we able to enjoy this week as well. The kids enjoy the puppets, singing, and of course the stories. Quentin was able to ride his bike to the library this week, Lars hesitantly accepts a ride in the stroller.

Lars is working hard at using the potty. This week he has been going into the bathroom by himslef and putting the seat on the toilet. He is trying very hard to take his pants on and off on his own. We took that as an indication Lars is ready for training pants. He is a very proud boy!

We all enjoyed a batch of homemade whole grain bread.

Whole Wheat Bread

6 cups whole wheat flour

2 Tblspns yeast

1/2 cup warm water

2 1/4 cups warm milk

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp dark molasses

2/3 cup butter

1 Tbspn salt

1/4 cup millet

1/4 cup coarse groud corn meal

1/4 oat bran

1/4 ground flax

1/2 cup cooked barley

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 cup whole wheat flour and honey, butter, salt. Add remaining ingredients. Knead (or mix in kitchenaid) until dough is slightly elastic and holds together in a ball. Cover and let raise until doubled. Punch down, put in bread pans. Let raise 2nd time. Bake at 400 for around 30 minutes, until sounds hollow when tapped on. Remove from pans and let cool on wire rack. Yield- 4 medium sized loaves

Rainy Saturday

Welcome to our new family blog! We are all enjoying a rainy Saturday. During the past week we have put in new sod, installed outdoor lighting and finished planting the vegetable gardens. The rain comes at a perfect time! The boys have enjoyed the first full week of summer vacation. There have been a lot of popsicles and muddy fingers and toes. The first set of squirt guns have already passed through the doors and been worn out. We don't consider the day a complete success if the kids don't need a change of clothes at lunch and a bath before bed. We are hoping to enjoy a rhubarb cake for dessert tonight. That is the first of our harvest every year.

Dad and Annette shared a piece of old shelving from the Hayward property with us a few weeks ago. We had initially planned to use it as a garden shelf, but plans changed and we used it in kitchen to store dry goods and canning equipment. Like usual, we find that the older the household item is, the more we love it!

Easy Rhubarb Cake

4 cups diced rhubarb

1 cup sugar

1 package strawberry jello mix

yellow cake mix

Preheat oven to 350. Spread diced rhubarb in bottom of 9x13 pan. Spread jello and sugar over top. Mix cake as instructed on box. Spread over top of rhubarb. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.