"We didn't spare the words..."

"...and on the way they enjoyed the food that wasn't fast, and the friendships that held, we didn't spare the words. We shared them. We meant them. and they served us well." - Jodi Hills

For Christmas Sara gave me the most wonderful tray with the quote above written on it.  I LOVE it.  I love what it says and how it pertains to our meal co-op. I have written this before but I love the meals (that is beyond question) but I also love that we are four friends, four families, who care about each other and check in at a minimum of once a week despite our busy lives.  I know if I need something one of them will step in to help - no matter the need and I would of course do the same for them.

We've been exchanging meals since August 17, 2008.  That's about 2 1/2 years - CRAZY!  We've had a change in families and some minor tweaks but otherwise it is still pretty true to form. 

Just for fun (I know my dad enjoys hearing the variety of meals we get) here are the next couple of weeks of meals: 

4/3 - Pasta Primavera Alfredo, Chipotle Beef Taquitos, Curly Noodle Pork

4/10 - Curried Chicken and Chickpeas, Thai Chicken and Noodle Salad, Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

4/17 - Edamame Pate Turkey Sandwiches, Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers, Pizza Loaves

We have had spring break so occasionally one person opts out and then we only have three meals that week.  

Thank you meal co-op ladies!  I love you :)

 

Ahhhhhh - My address for the summer!

We finally invested in a new outdoor furniture set.  I am beyond excited to have a comfortable place to eat and relax outdoors this summer!  Once it's warm the backyard is always open and we love visitors so don't hesitate to stop by to play and enjoy a beverage. :)  I did happen to purchase some Summer Shandy last week too....  Spring is on my mind!

Why do I live here?

It looks like mini-styrofoam balls but it's far from it.  It's HAIL!  Today, middle of the day, the sky turns dark and we begin to hear hail pounding down from the sky.  It was fast and furious - like nothing I've ever seen before.

At first Braden wanted to run out and play but then both kids got a little scared.  Rightly so - it was truly a sight to see.  Mind you - we had green grass without a trace of snow before this lovely storm.

I often ask myself why we live here during times like this!  I wish I could pick up all of my friends and family and move us somewhere warm. :)

A BUBBLE BATH

Olivia decided to empty half of the bottle of bubble bath into the water recently!  Needless to say, it was bubblerific.

Home made Cinnamon Rolls

As I've mentioned I have the baking bug right now.  I wish I didn't as it means that I am also eating all that I bake!  I try to give most of it away but inevitably I end up with a good amount in my tummy.  The chef has to sample the goods right?

I found a recipe on my new favorite blog and cookbook.  It's called Our Best Bites.  Everything I have made (well - with the exception of one thing) has turned out amazing.  I even got out the stand mixer and felt so fancy. :)

I don't usually take pictures but had fun doing so.  Not sure what I am doing wrong that this was a little dark.  Dough was rising... This is somehow very therapeutic.

All ready to sit in the fridge overnight - don't they look incredible!

We got so excited about eating them I forgot to take a pic before we dug in!!!  They were sooooo good.

Braden sure thought so!

Olivia too!

And Norah likes anything that is either sweet or is bread.  Those are pretty much her staples much to my dismay.

Maybe I need to start to specialize in veggie dishes. Ha!  That certainly would help my tummy. :)

Honey Cakes

One of the things that Olivia and I really enjoy doing together is baking!  We've been doing a lot of it around here and are always looking for reasons to whip up a yummy batch of something or other.  Tomorrow is our neighbor Charlotte's 3rd birthday so Olivia chose a recipe out of her cookbook.  We made honey cakes and thankfully they turned out great.  They are darling and are delicious.  The best part is that they are made with honey and apple puree with just a little added brown sugar.  

Nina, another friend, was over this morning and she joined us in the pouring and mixing!  She also helped form the bumble bees!

Give it a try if you have time - again... delicious!!!

Honey Cakes

(makes 6 cupcakes)

½ stick of butter

¼ cup, packed light brown sugar

4 T honey

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla

2 T apple puree

2/3 c self-rising flour

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

powdered sugar (optional)

For the bees:

7oz marzipan

writing icing

slivered almonds

food coloring

1  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with baking cups. Put the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in the honey and beat everything together until fluffy.

2       In another bowl, beat the egg, vanilla and apple puree, then beat this into the butter mixture. Sift the flour, cinnamon and ginger over the top.

3.     Fold in the dry ingredients until well mixed.

4.     Fill the baking cups with the mixture. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until rise, golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

5.     To make the bees, share the heads and bodies from the marzipan and gently squash them together so they stick.

6.     Paint on the bees’ faces and stripes using writing icing. Push slivered almonds into the back for wings. 

7.     Dust the tops with powdered sugar (I sifted it on top) and place bees in the cener. Enjoy!

March Date Night

For Christmas I gave Steve 6 months of date nights with a babysitter arranged and fun ideas planned.  For March we went indoor rock climbing.  It was so much fun and we can't wait to take the kids.

We flew up some of the climbs and others were too challenging so we definitely have a lot of room for growth.

After climbing we went to dinner and had a wonderful time catching up.  I love our dates and can't wait until next month. Love you sweetie!!!!