4.30.2012

Mmmmm

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Our first rhubarb harvest.  We found and used this recipe but added some strawberries to the sauce. 
Delicious.

Rhubarb Breakfast Bars
Crust and Topping
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
1 1/2 C oats
3/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/3 C applesauce
5 T butter, divided and melted

Rhubarb Sauce
5 C rhubarb
1/8 C water
1/2 C sugar (you may wish to add more or less, to taste)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
(Chop rhubarb into small pieces. Place into a medium saucepan. Add sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Stir constantly as the rhubarb cooks apart.)
 
Begin by mixing together the whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl.  Once well mixed, divide the dry mixture. Remove 1/3 of the mixture and place it in a smaller bowl.

With the remaining 2/3 of the oats/flour, add in the applesauce.  Then, add in 2 T melted butter. Mix until crumbly. Press the crumbly mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 glass baking dish. Mix the 1/3 of the oats/flour mixture with the remaining 3 T melted butter. Pour the 8 oz {feel free to use more, if you want a more gooey/thick center} of sauce over the top of the crust. Spread the filling evenly over the crust.  Top with the oat-butter topping mixture. Bake the bars in an oven pre-heated to 375. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until bars are lightly browned.

4.29.2012

4.27.2012

A Few Moments From Our Week

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It was a long intense week spent tending to sick kids.  Most notably it got a little scary with Nora as we were sent to Children's hospital on Tuesday night with a horrible cough, high fever, and a disinterest in nursing.  Thankfully all is okay, though I can't help but still feel awful about all the poking and prodding that was done to her.  But she is slowly getting better.  She was smiling and "talking" again tonight so I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be too much longer before this awful cough goes away.  My poor babe.

Despite all this we did mange to fit some goodness in our week.  But I'm too tired to write anymore at the moment so a few pictures will have to do. 

4.18.2012

Sisters

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4.15.2012

Slow Motion and Small Steps

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Before Nora was born I had several long talks with myself about how different the pace would be around here with a new baby.  (Remember this Amy.  You have gotten use to parenting two fairly self-sufficient children, it's going to feel very different.  Things will move SLOWLY.  Really slowly.  Don't panic.)  These talks helped a lot.  Whenever I find myself getting frustrated with all the things I want to get done I remind myself of these conversations and the fact that there is nothing to be surprised about here.  I knew this is how it would be.  And of course, as with all things, it will pass.

I have also found that making incredibly small lists helps.  For example, this weekend one of my goals was to transplant two strawberry runners into a new bed.  I transplanted five (awesome, I'm already ahead).  I also made the lofty goal of getting the potatoes planted and managed to get that done too.  The other thing I'm working on is my "oh wells".  For example, I wanted to get some sewing in this weekend, didn't happen.  Oh well.  I wanted to mop the floors this weekend, didn't happen.  Oh well.  I wanted to go jogging twice, made it once.  Oh well (well actually "way to go" is probably more like it since until last weekend I hadn't been jogging in over a decade but you get the idea).

And what I am learning to pay attention to instead, are the things NOT on my list that get done.  I spent time with my family this weekend.  I connected with each of my children this weekend.  I gave lots of snuggles this weekend.  I read books with a babe under each arm.  I nursed.  These are the things that really matter. 

Small steps. 
Enjoy the ride.
There's plenty of time for all of it.

My Little Chefs

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4.11.2012

Farm Gathering Baskets

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This was my Easter present to my little ones.  There is always something to be "gathered" around here, whether it's eggs, flowers, or something from the garden.  So I decided we needed some baskets dedicated to just that (because if there is one thing we don't have enough of around here it's baskets). I found the baskets at the Goodwill and simply hemmed up some handkerchiefs to go inside. I made a tag for each basket- and done. Yes even Nora gets one. It won't be long before she'll be right behind them.

4.09.2012

Easter

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No need to adjust your computer monitor.  That's just us, out hunting for Easter Eggs at 6:15 in the morning.  Ahem. 

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It was a nice day.  We spent the morning at home searching for eggs, relaxing and (for those six and under) eating way too much candy.  Then we headed over to Grandma Lee's for more of the same.

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4.03.2012

Happiness

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This picture was taken from the second floor of the (amazing) Stillwater library.  Those sunny stained glass windows seemed to be a nice little reminder for me.  A reminder of how happy I was at that moment.  A reminder of how well this day was going.  Unlike the last three days that is. 
Saturday, not so good. 
Sunday worse. 
Monday off to a very rocky start (although the second half was pretty good). 

But today, today was really good.   We spent the whole afternoon at the library.  We read and read and read.  Everyone was in a good mood.  Nora slept in my sling happily the whole time.  Everyone found good books to check out.  It was sunny when we got home.  Grace and Jackson played outside (and got along).  Dinner was yummy.  The kids are now in bed.  And now I'm going to read my new books.

4.02.2012

New (Happy) Pants

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These pictures were taken from one very (short) unsuccessful walk (where Nora decided she wasn't in the mood for such things) and one very successful park stop (where Nora took a nap in my sling). 

These pants are so bright and cheery.  They make me smile... especially on this little boy.