Thursday, February 14, 2008
100 Days of School
Last week Millie's Kindergarten class had a party for the 100th Day of school and I had a chance to go help out in the classroom. The kids were so cute! They had made 100 Day crowns, had each brought an ingredient to make 100 pieces of trail mix, and they had each brought a collection of 100 small objects that they could practice grouping and counting by 5's and 10's. Millie loved it so much and didn't want Abby to be left out so she came home and made Abby a crown of her own.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Jane is so very busy these days! She's my one-person demolition team. It seems as if whenever I go through the house picking things up, she follows right behind undoing what I've just done. She is also beginning to discover the wonders of climbing on things (horrors!), hence the bruise on her forehead. She's such a cute little Valentine, though!
Millie is our craft girl. She loves to make crafts! One of her favorite things to do when the Oriental Trading catalog comes is to pour over it, look for craft projects that look interesting to her, and then try to replicate them at home. She's come up with some great projects. She was very excited to make her own Valentine's this year.
Lately Abby has been wanting to have some of her school friends over so we had some over for a special Valentine's playdate today. We made "love bug" headbands, frosted sugar cookies, and had lots of fun!
Monday, February 11, 2008
I've Been Tagged . . .
A - Attached or Single: Literally or figuratively? I'm happily attached to my husband -- my one year old daughter, Jane, quite often insists on being literally attached to me (especially when I am trying to get anything at all urgent done)
B - Best Friend: Mark. He makes me laugh and helps me not take myself so seriously, is so forgiving of my many shortcomings, and is such a fun person to go through life with!
C - Cake or Pie: Pie! I love pie -- I think I get this from my dad who would often come home from work toting a fresh Marie Calendar's pie. My favorites are pumpkin and razzleberry (mixed berry), although I also have extremely fond memories of Hillory's rhubarb pie
D - Day of Choice: Saturday. Because we get to be together all day as a family.
E - Essential Item: Electricity. I know, probably too broad and general, but after suffering through more than 24 hours without it yesterday and today in subzero temperatures due to a horrible windstorm, I have to thank my lucky stars that we have it and be grateful that I do not in fact live in the 19th century as I have been fantasizing about since the PBS series, The Complete Jane Austen, began airing a few weeks ago. Runner up: books -- I'm a nerd.
F - Favorite Color: I love green, but I never wear it. One of my favorite colors to wear is red.
G - Gummi Bears or Worms: Either one, really. I love gummi candy more than any other kind. My very favorite is swedish fish.
H - Hometown: Salt Lake to Boston to Denver back to Boston to Charlottesville and soon to be to Houston. Yep, Mark's taking a job in Houston, Texas this summer (I'm having to restrain myself here from griping about the climate).
I - Indulgence(s): muffins, and occasionally doing things like reading or writing blog entries when I should be cleaning the house.
J - January or July: I usually actually prefer January. January is cozy. July is too hot.
K - Kids: three delightful, busy, little girls
L - Life is Incomplete Without: Family -- they bring so me so much joy!
M - Marriage Date: August 3, 1999 -- Mark and I both agree it was the perfect day.
N - Number of Siblings: I'm the second oldest of seven -- five girls, two boys. It's just too bad we all live way too far apart!
O - Oranges or Apples: Braeburn apples, although I'm a big fan of clementine's too.
P - Phobias or Fears: I have an extremely vivid imagination so I can't watch scary things (too real) and if my children are in the slightest bit of a precarious position my mind jumps forward five steps to the worst possible scenario.
Q - Quote(s): "Forget yourself and go to work" Gordon B. Hinkley (quoting his father), "Simplify, simplify" (although I find very hard to do) Henry David Thorough -- that's all I can think at the moment.
R - Reason to Smile: Millie and Abby talking tonight at dinner about what age qualifies them as "big kids" with Jane looking on and trying to act like she was totally a part of the conversation -- so adorable! Nothing quite like the chatter of little children.
S - Season - Currently a depressing subject to me since we are going to be moving somewhere without any and I love them all, but my favorite is Fall -- I love it!! -- followed closely by Spring, then Winter, then Summer (I know, people really do think I'm crazy. Summer is just too hot.)
T - Tag Six: Ems, Kristen, Lauren, Christine, Nate and Hill, anyone else who would like to
U - Unknown Fact About Me: I really can't think of anything interesting
V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I've always enjoyed meat (especially chicken or turkey), but in recent years have been starting to skew a little more toward the vegetarian side
W - Worst Habit: nail biting -- it drove my dad nuts growing up and it drives my husband nuts now. I've tried everything, even having one "designated biting nail", but to no avail
X - X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Definitely ultrasounds -- always so exciting
Y - Your Favorite Food: Mashed potatoes (I love pretty much anything with potatoes-- sometimes I'll order something from a menu just because it comes with mashed potatoes), Indian, and Thai (not the super hot stuff just the nicely-spiced stuff)
Z - Zoo: Favorite animal: Millie, my animal lover, is always quick to point out, "You don't really like animals do you, Mom?" Not up close and personal anyway, but in theory I like horses.
B - Best Friend: Mark. He makes me laugh and helps me not take myself so seriously, is so forgiving of my many shortcomings, and is such a fun person to go through life with!
C - Cake or Pie: Pie! I love pie -- I think I get this from my dad who would often come home from work toting a fresh Marie Calendar's pie. My favorites are pumpkin and razzleberry (mixed berry), although I also have extremely fond memories of Hillory's rhubarb pie
D - Day of Choice: Saturday. Because we get to be together all day as a family.
E - Essential Item: Electricity. I know, probably too broad and general, but after suffering through more than 24 hours without it yesterday and today in subzero temperatures due to a horrible windstorm, I have to thank my lucky stars that we have it and be grateful that I do not in fact live in the 19th century as I have been fantasizing about since the PBS series, The Complete Jane Austen, began airing a few weeks ago. Runner up: books -- I'm a nerd.
F - Favorite Color: I love green, but I never wear it. One of my favorite colors to wear is red.
G - Gummi Bears or Worms: Either one, really. I love gummi candy more than any other kind. My very favorite is swedish fish.
H - Hometown: Salt Lake to Boston to Denver back to Boston to Charlottesville and soon to be to Houston. Yep, Mark's taking a job in Houston, Texas this summer (I'm having to restrain myself here from griping about the climate).
I - Indulgence(s): muffins, and occasionally doing things like reading or writing blog entries when I should be cleaning the house.
J - January or July: I usually actually prefer January. January is cozy. July is too hot.
K - Kids: three delightful, busy, little girls
L - Life is Incomplete Without: Family -- they bring so me so much joy!
M - Marriage Date: August 3, 1999 -- Mark and I both agree it was the perfect day.
N - Number of Siblings: I'm the second oldest of seven -- five girls, two boys. It's just too bad we all live way too far apart!
O - Oranges or Apples: Braeburn apples, although I'm a big fan of clementine's too.
P - Phobias or Fears: I have an extremely vivid imagination so I can't watch scary things (too real) and if my children are in the slightest bit of a precarious position my mind jumps forward five steps to the worst possible scenario.
Q - Quote(s): "Forget yourself and go to work" Gordon B. Hinkley (quoting his father), "Simplify, simplify" (although I find very hard to do) Henry David Thorough -- that's all I can think at the moment.
R - Reason to Smile: Millie and Abby talking tonight at dinner about what age qualifies them as "big kids" with Jane looking on and trying to act like she was totally a part of the conversation -- so adorable! Nothing quite like the chatter of little children.
S - Season - Currently a depressing subject to me since we are going to be moving somewhere without any and I love them all, but my favorite is Fall -- I love it!! -- followed closely by Spring, then Winter, then Summer (I know, people really do think I'm crazy. Summer is just too hot.)
T - Tag Six: Ems, Kristen, Lauren, Christine, Nate and Hill, anyone else who would like to
U - Unknown Fact About Me: I really can't think of anything interesting
V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I've always enjoyed meat (especially chicken or turkey), but in recent years have been starting to skew a little more toward the vegetarian side
W - Worst Habit: nail biting -- it drove my dad nuts growing up and it drives my husband nuts now. I've tried everything, even having one "designated biting nail", but to no avail
X - X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Definitely ultrasounds -- always so exciting
Y - Your Favorite Food: Mashed potatoes (I love pretty much anything with potatoes-- sometimes I'll order something from a menu just because it comes with mashed potatoes), Indian, and Thai (not the super hot stuff just the nicely-spiced stuff)
Z - Zoo: Favorite animal: Millie, my animal lover, is always quick to point out, "You don't really like animals do you, Mom?" Not up close and personal anyway, but in theory I like horses.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
President Gordon B. Hinkley
This past week, after the passing of President Hinkley (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), I've been rereading parts of his biography. I've been impressed anew by his work ethic, his optimism, his never-give-up attitude, his devotion to the work, and his practical approach to problem-solving. He was such a remarkable man and I feel blessed to have heard his voice. Reading about his life and listening to his funeral has increased my desire to be a better disciple of Christ and to live a life that would make me worthy of such a rest and reunion as President Hinkley is sure to be experiencing now. I'm grateful for leaders who give so much of themselves and provide such true examples of discipleship.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pizza Recipe
Several people asked for our pizza recipe after our Pizza Night post so here it is. I got this recipe from my sister Emily and we have loved it. It's really easy and we love to roll the dough really thin.
California Pizzas
(Makes 6 pizzas)
For the dough:
1 1/4 cups warm (100 to 110 degrees) water
2 packages dry yeast
1 TB honey
3 TB good olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
2 tsp. kosher salt
For the toppings (you can use whatever you like -- we usually keep it very simple: mozzarella, red onion, red pepper, tomatoes and fresh basil):
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound mozzarella, grated
1/2 pound Italian Fontina cheese, grated
1/2 pound mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, sliced
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and julienned
1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced and julienned
1 bunch arugula, cleaned and dried
6 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 bunch basil leaves, cleaned and dried
4 garlic cloves, roasted
Crushed red pepper flakes
For the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups flour, then the salt, and mix. While mixing, add 1 more cup flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with flour if necessary to keep it from sticking to the bowl. When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it several times to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each one into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
If you've chilled dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature. Roll and stretch each ball into a rough 8-inch circle and place them all on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. You will be able to fit 2 pizzas on each 18x13-inch baking sheet.
Brush dough with olive oil (or sauce) and add any toppings you wish, piling them high. Drizzle each pizza with 1 TB olive oil and bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is crisp and toppings are cooked.
*** NOTE: We usually use sauce and don't drizzle the oil on top. Also, at least in our oven, they seem to be done after about 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
California Pizzas
(Makes 6 pizzas)
For the dough:
1 1/4 cups warm (100 to 110 degrees) water
2 packages dry yeast
1 TB honey
3 TB good olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
2 tsp. kosher salt
For the toppings (you can use whatever you like -- we usually keep it very simple: mozzarella, red onion, red pepper, tomatoes and fresh basil):
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound mozzarella, grated
1/2 pound Italian Fontina cheese, grated
1/2 pound mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, sliced
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and julienned
1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced and julienned
1 bunch arugula, cleaned and dried
6 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 bunch basil leaves, cleaned and dried
4 garlic cloves, roasted
Crushed red pepper flakes
For the dough, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add 3 cups flour, then the salt, and mix. While mixing, add 1 more cup flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead the dough on low to medium speed for about 10 minutes until smooth, sprinkling it with flour if necessary to keep it from sticking to the bowl. When the dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured board and knead by hand a dozen times. It should be smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl and turn it several times to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each one into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking sheet and cover them with a damp towel. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
If you've chilled dough, take it out of the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes ahead to let it come to room temperature. Roll and stretch each ball into a rough 8-inch circle and place them all on baking sheets sprinkled with cornmeal. You will be able to fit 2 pizzas on each 18x13-inch baking sheet.
Brush dough with olive oil (or sauce) and add any toppings you wish, piling them high. Drizzle each pizza with 1 TB olive oil and bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is crisp and toppings are cooked.
*** NOTE: We usually use sauce and don't drizzle the oil on top. Also, at least in our oven, they seem to be done after about 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Spotlight on Jane
Jane is so much fun these days! Busy, but an absolute riot. We all just love to sit and watch her. She really likes to play to the crowd with smiles and funny faces. Most recently she loves to shake her head in a silly way and thinks it's hilarious when we imitate her. She also loves to scrunch up her face and squeeze her eyes shut. She started folding her arms for prayers and is gradually saying a few more words although, Uh-huh, shaking her head, and demanding grunts are what she uses the most. She just started saying "baby" today and loved pointing to all of the babies she saw in church. Jane also loves "talking" on the phone and will say "Hello" over and over again before she then gets distracted by the buttons. Nay-nay (as the other girls often call her) also loves to play peek-a-boo and getcha. She also LOVES to dance and sway to music and really gets into it. She always wants to participate when I am practicing piano with the girls and taps in beat really well. She also hums "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on pitch (for some reason this song is a real favorite at our house). She still loves to read stories, but lately has preferred turning through the pages at warp speed rather than taking the time for Mommy to read the actual story. She has the cutest little lilting run and loves to run around. She is a real ham and such a precious little girl! We love having her in our family!
Spotlight on Abby
Abby showing off the duds we brought her from GuatemalaAt just over three, Abby is coming into her own. She loves school and is becoming much more social. Almost every day she asks, "What friend can I have over today?" Here are some of her favorite things:
Color: pink
Friends: Eliza that's at church and Lucy
Favorite thing to do: color
Favorite animal: stripey (her webkinz tiger)
Game: Cariboo from Christmas
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Family Activity: Making a fort
Family Fort FunPerson I want to be like: Daddy
Story: Daddy's Rupert the Frog stories
TV Show: Dora the Explorer
Movie: Lion King
Book: No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Thing to do at School: play duplos
Trip: New York City
Favorite Person in the Scriptures: Jesus
Favorite food: Chicken and chicken nuggets
Favorite treat: licorice
Favorite thing to do outside: slippy slide
What I want to be when I grow up: a big kid
Well on her way to becoming a big kid -- Abby's first day of Primary at church.
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