Skates for Boo

Rebekah knew just where to go when she decided she wanted skates like her sisters. She called gramma as soon as we got home from skating last week. She knew the older girls had gotten their skates from gramma and was sure gamma must have her skates. Well in true gramma form a package arrived today for Rebekah from gramma. And you guessed it . . .

Skates! Pink skates! And just the right size!

This picture says it all.


Rebekah tried them out on the carpet in the kitchen. She actually stood and walked pretty well in them.

It was too cold to head to the rink today. But you can be sure that as soon as it gets a little warmer all of the girls will be using their new skates.

For the Birds

We woke this morning to single digit temps and gusting winds. The girls were concerned about all our feathered friends in the woods, so we decided to make them a treat. Peanut butter and pine cone feeders are nothing new, but they are fun and sticky to make.

Each child had their own sheet pan, bowl of peanut butter, ramekin of seed, pine cone and knife. The sheet pan greatly reduces the mess and helps keep it contained.

Rebekah had never made these and was very excited. In her usual style she was focused and precise. The peanut butter layer had to be just so.

And as for sprinkling the seeds, every inch of peanut butter had to be covered with all the different types of seed.

Hannah was a pro having done this before and finished her feeder before the rest of us had the peanut butter on.

The rolling technique worked well.


A quick run outside was all we could take. The mercury had only climbed to 9 degrees. But now we have some beautiful feeders on the tree across the drive. And we can watch our feathered friends from the window as we cuddle by the wood stove.

You can see more of our pine cone feeders over at Sarah's blog. And stop by The Magic Onions to see what others are doing to explore nature this time of year.

You Got Peanut Butter in My Chocolate - Sandwich Cookies

Anyone who has ever visited knows that there is always some homemade sweet treat just waiting to be munched on. So I am always on the look out for new recipes. This is the latest.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

• 10 oz milk chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups flour

Melt chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl for about a minute on 50% power, stir and continue until completely melted. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and peanut butter. Add sugar, soda, baking powder and salt. Beat to combine. Add eggs, milk, vanilla, and melted chocolate; beat until combine. Add cocoa powder and flour and combine. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto a parchment line baking sheet. Bake for 9 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees. Cool slightly and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Filling

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup fluff
• 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. You can beat in a little milk to get it to a spreadable consistency if needed.

To assemble cookies, spread filling on the flat side of a cookie and top with another cookie.

Enjoy!

I'm a Big Girl Now!

It was both a sad and happy moment as I packed up all the cloth diapers. Yes Rebekah is a big girl now using the potty! I am happy to see the diaper stage gone . . . again, but a little sad that my baby is getting so big.

The cloth diapers are now on their way to another home. I will miss seeing them on the laundry line this spring.

If you have never considered cloth, you really should for so many reasons. They are so much more economical. We spent just over $200.00 from new born to potty trained, and that includes quite a few expensive Fuzzy Bunz that you could do without. Cloth diapers are so much better for the environment. A quick search of the web will give you tons of information about the benefits of cloth diapering.

Solitude Saturday

A toasty fire, a warm cup of coffee, and a new knitting project. Who could ask for more?

Little Hands

Even though Rebekah is now three and is a "big girl" she is my little girl. Her little hands are always busy. This week was no exception. I had fun watching her touch, feel, press and pinch a wide variety of things.

She loves to play with dough of all sorts. Above she helps make flour tortillas for lunch. I don't think her tortilla ever made it to the pan. she just kept rolling and flipping and poking it.

The play dough Hannah made her for Christmas has been a big hit. She loves to fill cookie cutters with lots of little pieces.

And then there was pizza night. She did it just like dad! First forming the crust . . .

. . . and then a sprinkle of cheese.

I just love those little hands, especially when they are inside mine.

Skating Update

The girls had so much fun skating last week that we thought we would check out some of the thrift stores and see if we could find them some skates. There are a few good thrift stores near Gramma's house so we were telling her our plan. Big mistake, because you know how grammas are. The girls went out with her and came home with brand new skates! Thanks Gramma!



Here is a short video of the girls skating on the little rink in the center of town. They are doing pretty well if you ask me. Rebekah couldn't miss out on the action so she is skating on her boots. Now she wants skates too. Watch out Gramma!