Friday, November 19, 2010

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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In gratitude this week for:
  • a little toddler rock & roll
  • a fabulous Thanksgiving with our Awesome homeschool group
  • a girls only weekend
  • long awaited time with friends for Hannah

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny from the wonderful blog Small Thing for her weekly "Yarn Along". A wonderful place to share what we are knitting/crafting and reading. Two of may very favorite things.

Last week I shared the start of this yellow sweater. The fourth Christmas sweater. I have made a lot of progress, but it has been tedious to say the least. The yarn is the beautiful Malabrigo Lace. Oh is it soft and wonderful to knit with. My problem is the lace weight. What was I thinking - knitting a adult size sweater in lace weight yarn. Bulky from now one I tell you!

My next problem is the complexity of the pattern. Now please note I know this is probably simple for most, but I only taught myself to knit about 15 months ago. The pattern just has a lot going on at the same time - waist shaping, tucks, neck and arm hole shaping all happen simultaneously. I had to go out and pick up a few row counters in different colors so I could try and keep track. I have finished the first tuck and so far so good. I am really hoping to finish the sweater in time. Oh and I don't even want to think about the other knitted items on my list . . . I think I can, I think I can.

Needles to say my reading for the week has been this sweater pattern. That counts, doesn't it? Of course there was school reading with the girls and bedtime stories for the little one, but that doesn't really count.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Oliver Twist

The girls were so blessed to be part of another wonderful Children's Stage Adventure's production. I am still amazed at what two hardworking actor/teachers can do with 50 children in five days. If you aren't familiar with Children's Stage Adventures you really should visit their website.

This years play was Oliver Twist. And of the five productions the girls have been in with Children's Stage Adventures, I have to say it was the BEST!

Hannah was cast as a Londoner. I just think she is so cute in her cap and floor length dress. I was so proud of her. She isn't the actress in the family ans at first wasn't sure if she wanted to participate. However, even after the first day she was all smiles, learning the songs and practicing her lines.


Sarah was cast as Nancy the heroine of the story. She was so excited about her part and did a wonderful job. She loves the theater and it really shows. She has come a long way since her first performance in Princess and the Pea four years ago.


Truly everyone of these children did an amazing job. It was a long but wonderful week. A big thanks to the mom's that made this happen for our kids. You are awesome. Can't wait till next year.



And for those of you who didn't make it to the show, we will have a DVD of the performance soon. so just let me know if you'd like to see it. I think we will do a showing at some point too.



Friday, November 12, 2010

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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In gratitude this week for:
  • a wonderful six months of riding, sad to see it end
  • a fourth Christmas sweater started and moving right along
  • a week of theater camp for the older girls
  • many play dates for Rebekah with Emmie and Mollie

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Yarn Along

Last weeks Yarn Along was so much fun, I couldn't pass up the chance to join in the fun again. It was inspiring to see all the lovely knitting going on right now, especially knowing that most of it is for gifting.

I finished up the sweater I was working on last week and have cast on the fourth Christmas sweater - yeah! I just might get them all finished. Of course I made the mistake of saving the hardest for last. This yellow sweater will be beautiful if I can figure it out. However, knitting an adult size sweater with lace weight yarn and using a pattern that has one keeping track of three different steps at the same time may have me pulling my hair out before it is done. Luckily we have a fabulous new yarn shop in town that I know will come to my rescue if I get stuck.

Ad for the reading this week, most of it is for my littlest. The older girls are in a play this week and aren't around much. So Rebekah and I have been having a wonderful time finding "new" book on the shelves. The Little Red Hen has been a huge hit, because Rebekah can "read" it along with me. It is a special book to me as it was my mother's. She even printed her name in it.

It must be the week for old books, because the other book I'm reading is The American Frugal Housewife. Originally published in 1828 it is full of tidbits that are still sound today.

Here is the pile of Christmas sweaters that is slowly but surely growing. Hopefully, I'll get them all finished along with the other knitting and sewing projects.

Thanks to Ginny from the blog Small Things for hosting Yarn Along. You really must take a peak at what all the other ladies on this meme are up too.

Friday, November 5, 2010

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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In gratitude this week for:
  • a day of dress up and sweets
  • a third Christmas sweater almost done
  • a fabulous dinner cooked by my wonderful husband
  • the little everyday things with my girls

Wishing you all a glorious weekend!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cheesey Pasta and Broccoli Bake

We don't do a lot of sandwiches around here. I find that lunch meat is expensive and really not all that good for you. So we are always on the lookout for simple yet tasty and healthy dishes for lunch. Today we tried a new one, and with a few modifications I think it will be a keeper. The only drawback - it takes a bit of time therefore planning ahead.

Cheesy Pasta and Broccoli Bake

  • 3 cup whole wheat macaroni or pasta shape of you choice
  • 2 cups broccoli - this is one of the changes we made it with 1 cup which was not enough
  • 3 cups shredded cheese - we made it with mozzarella but will change to cheddar
  • 1 3/4cups milk
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmigiano - we didn't use this much
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 4 eggs lightly beaten - next time we'll use three
  • 1 tsp salt
  • fresh ground pepper to taste

Cook macaroni as directed on package, add broccoli when there is about two minutes left. Drain. To pasta and broccoli add 2 cups shredded cheese, milk, 1/2 cup parmigiano, onion, eggs and seasonings. Pour into a buttered 9x13" baking dish. Sprinkle with the reaming cheeses. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

So what are you serving for lunch? We love to hear and if you have a link to a recipe please share.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Yarn Along

I thought it would be fun to join Ginny from the blog Small Things and share what we are reading and what is currently on the knitting needles. Reading and knitting, two of my favorite things so this weekly meme is right up my alley.

At the moment, most of my reading is aloud to the children. We are reading the third book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series, The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma. All of us have really enjoyed the books in this series.

I have found it hard to find time to read a book for myself. It seems cookbooks and magazines are more my speed right now. Currently I'm enjoying Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day. I need to bite the bullet and whip up a batch of dough. for some reason I'm having a difficult time putting aside our tried and true bread recipe to try something different.

As for my needles, this is one of the sweaters I am making for a special someone for Christmas. That is all I can say, as I don't want to spoil the surprise. I do have a few other projects in the works as well. Seems that one knitting project is no longer enough. When knitting a sweater or other large project I need to have a small project going that gives me that sense of finishing something. Anyone else feel this way?