Spring Break 2010

We had a nice Spring Break in Indiana. The weather was great and seeing "old" friends was fantastic. Luckily, it was such a joy to see everyone without sadness in leaving (because what would be the point in that???). Normally I am picture-crazy with the kids, but for this trip, I made a point to take a picture of MY buddies (once the camera was charged of course :)

Here we are, just the ladies. I haven't had a ladies night out in about a year, so this was great. It warmed my heart to see these old friends and catch up on their lives.

We were able to picnic in the park with my blogging-buddies. Since we have kept in touch via our blogs, it hadn't seemed like a year since I had seen these folks. Matthew was the photographer here, sorry I didn't take the time to crop the picture! I still have about 10 loads of laundry to put away.

Matthew told us that several kids in his class were going to Florida for Spring Break. Ken asked him, "where would you rather go, Florida or Indiana?" We were not surprised with the answer of Indiana and below are the 2 main reasons why.

Excuse the glare. By the time we found J., the car line was about to move, so I had to click fast! Matthew was able to spend Wednesday afternoon with his buddy.

Matthew could barely wait until Thursday to see D. Luckily they got to stuff eggs, hang out and then re-meet for pizza that night.

Egg stuffing.

The kids and I helped our Mother to Mother friends stuff Eggs for the Egg Hunt. The kids enjoyed being on this side of the hunt. We also got to hang out with many of our favorite people!

All the kids were a great help...even Anna! She really was!.....it wasn't until the very end that she (and the other kids) got to thinking that they might want to sample the contents of an egg! Luckily by that time we were done and headed to the playground!

Pizza Chef
The gals....we started getting together with our families for food, fun and cards (the guys did most of the card playing) when our now 5th grade boys were heading into kindergarten...whew that was a long time ago.

The guys.....I can't tell you how nice it was to have had a group of friends where the entire family could gather and enjoy. Of course Ken made the mistake of saying, "you don't get that chemistry just anywhere"....which then he quickly modified, "but I am sure we will again really soon".

The kids..... I was going to impress you all (ok only MJ) and show a picture of the same group of kids many years ago....I know the pictures exists, but lets just put that on the list of things I need to organize. Anna is awake now and I have run out of time! I will just end with .... it was great to see everyone again!

Here is my somewhat successful quilt wall, with Carolyn's quilt put up on it. Actually, since this picture was taken, I have finished the quilt top! Yeah!! Glad to have the wall, so Anna didn't feel the desire to walk on/mess up the blocks. I know the quilt is a bit loud, but Carolyn seems to love it (kissing both me and the quilt last week when I showed it to her). She has been helping me piece a striped back of coordinating fabrics. (Joel's quilt top also is finished - before Christmas I think! Need to finish the back of that one too.)

Below see the reason why I was able to finish Carolyn's quilt top. Praise God for Little People and their ability to entertain my children (in this case Anna).

P.S. I finished my niece's quilt for her Confirmation about a month ago- may add a bit more quilting to a few blocks, so haven't posted it yet. I have the 2 baby quilts done, except the binding - hope to take them both to Omaha March 22nd! We'll see if I can get the binding put on before my Midwestern tour of: Marion Iowa (Sunday), North English Iowa (Monday), heading south (Tuesday) Evansville/Newburgh (Wed - Friday), St. Louis (Friday), Burlington (Friday-Monday), Ankeny (Sunday night), Omaha (for work) (Monday)..then Ken leaves for Chicago as soon as I return from Omaha.....whew!

Mom thanks Percy Jackson, Matthew thanks Mom!

Matthew REALLY wants to see the Percy Jackson and the Olympians movie. Last week I had a brainstorm. I told him that his room needed to be clean and his Dad would go with him to the movie. I said there are two levels of clean. One level (nothing on the floor, dresser and headboard) gets you a ride to the movie and someone (Dad) to watch it with you (and since it is Dad - buttery popcorn at the theater!). The second level gets you a free movie! I am proud to say I will pony up for the movie.

Above note the trophy case Matthew made with the help of J.F. (M.F.'s hubby) in Cub scouts. Also we are still Colts fans. Below, note Matthew's wonderful Cub scout awards on the wall. We also rearranged the furniture (in hopes of making less places for "stuff" to accumulate). I think re-arranging also makes you feel like you accomplished a great deal - and gets absolutely everything out from under the bed.

Background info.....probably more information that anyone cares about, but it makes this clean room accomplishment special to me.

Matthew had a Pokemon DS game he wanted to sell, but it had gone through the washing machine. It still worked and so I told him I would buy it from him and then Joel could earn it off me (since he wanted it). In the end, both boys did jobs for me and I "bought" the game for $5. Fast forward to the point where Matthew is trying to clean his room. He was trying to get me to help and I told him that I would clean his room for $35 or would help him for one hour for $20 (really a good deal if you think that in the end he would score the free movie). He decided that this was a bit too much, so we bargained that I would give him 15 minutes of my time and he would give Joel the game for free. Again a good deal, because I can really get a lot done in 15 minutes (I actually finished his whole closet, which was the deal breaker on the free movie).

The next morning, when he still didn't have everything done, I told him that I would help him and he could help me later, since we both wanted to try to improve the cleanliness of our world. His room looked great and he has been a great helper to me outside of his room! (I also reminded him that I only work on his room as hard as he does.) He also appreciates my time a bit more! When he wasn't going to make it to the movie last week because his room wasn't done in time for the Saturday late show, I told him I wasn't going to take off work for him to see the movie Sunday, since he didn't get his job done on time. He proceeded to try to figure out how to pay me for 2 hours of work, so he could go. Let's just say we talked him out of that! Still glad that he is starting to understand and appreciate his mom. He also has kept his room clean all week! I am encouraging him to do a bit everyday to maintain his room - knock wood. Now we just need to finish the rest of the house - my room included!

Cook it day.

I am not sure when I decided today would be a big "cook" day. I decided to prep and freeze the meat for our Mexican dinner Saturday night, so that I could work and clean on Saturday before our guests arrive. I then proceeded to make turkey soup for dinner tonight. I then decided to make rolls to go with our dinner. Then Matthew asked if I would make his favorite breakfast bars.....

So it really wasn't until we were in the middle of making the bars/rolls that I realized - I just had a major food prep day. Except for the messy kitchen, everything went well! I think the wonderful temperatures (we are above freezing folks - I feel like I am in Florida!) and the sun have given me lots of energy.

Below you will see our "Butterhorn rolls". (I had MANY helpers for this and even more for the oatmeal bars below. The kitchen was a disaster, but everyone had fun making some fantastic food.)

Here is where I got the recipe - and perhaps the motivation to make a few big batches of needed food items. I am going to make these for Carolyn's First Communion Party! They are delish! Next time I am going to halve the recipe and make the dough in my bread machine for easy prep.

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/03/make-ahead-butterhorns-recipe.html

Below are the most wonderful oatmeal bars ever. Matthew loves oatmeal bars (with peanut butter on top). He eats them frequently for breakfast, but the kind from Quaker are a bit expensive and I figure it has to be more healthy to make your own. I had that idea for a long time, never finding a good recipe (not trying too hard really), but then a friend brought these to our Faith and Friendship group. She then provided me with the recipe and brought me flax seeds and oats as well! Going above and beyond the call of duty when someone LOVES your cooking.

I am hooked (as are the other members of my family - well not Ken, but he isn't an oatmeal guy). The first time I made these, I forgot the flour. They are less bar like, but great with milk poured on the top (the way Joel, Carolyn and I like it). So today I made a batch with and without flour. Once you have all the ingredients out, the second batch takes 2 minutes. Today I didn't have any applesauce, so I just cup up an apple. Haven't tried it yet, but think it will be good!

Chewy Granola Bars
Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
  
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
  
• ½ cup applesauce
  
  
• 2/3 cup honey
  
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  
  
• ¾ C chopped almonds (or other nut)
  
  
• ¼ C flax seeds
  
  
• 1 C craisins or raisins
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.

3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chewy-Granola-Bars/Detail.aspx
EASY EASY EASY YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY