Swinging on Birches

Does this face look like it's capable of doing something mischievous? Yes, you say?  Well, you're probably right.  Especially in light of yesterday's exploits. I have a nutcracker sitting on our fireplace mantel  from when I saw the ballet as a little girl.  Wardie, of course, loves it since it's breakable and up too high for him to reach.  Shocking.  He calls him "man" and loves to hold and play with him.  (I'm not too worried as it's already been well-loved throughout the years, but it is still special to me). So, yesterday I came home from work to my wonderful husband and Wardie, who had been spending the day together.  Wardie asked for the "man" and curiously, he was nowhere to be found.  Hubby thought he had been put somewhere special, but clearly, that was not the case.  So, "man" was missing. Finally, Wardie ran to the stairs and said, "up."  He then proceeded to climb the stairs and run into ...

I'm not apologizing. Well, that's partially true.  I'll apologize if I do something wrong or if I offend someone of if I hurt somebody.  But, I'm tired of being made to feel bad for who I am. Like everyone else, I'm a complicated human being.  A mixed bag.  When I try and describe myself, I find that I am passionate, happy, tired, angry, loving, excited, wondering, child-like, mature, quick-witted, a slow learner.  I believe in relaxation, but that idle hands are indeed the devil's workshop.  I believe in cooking dinner and ordering a pizza when you're tired.  I believe in a strong family and supportive friends.  I believe that issues should be addressed in a kind manner.  I believe humor can solve many problems.  I believe in technology and in candles.  I believe in helping others to get started, but working to do the best you can to stay on your own two feet.  And a number of other things, I'm sure. I think som...

Ok, another delicious recipe that Wardie loves!  I also love it because it's healthy, cheap and easy--the trifecta:)  I found it in an old issue of Parenting magazine and tweaked it a bit. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas (found in the aisle with the dried beans) 1/2 onion, chopped (it calls for a whole one, but I think that's too much) 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1 c fresh parsley leaves 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cumin (I added a bit more of this--it's the crucial flavor) 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (can be a bit spicy for little ones, not necessary) Flour Olive oil Pita pockets (I use wheat ones, which were delicious!) Cherry tomatoes, sliced Lettuce leaves, torn Plain Greek Yogurt Mint, chopped Get some water boiling in a large pot.  Add a little salt and then the chickpeas.  The recipe says to cook these for 10 minutes, or until slightly softened, but I think you need to do this way longer.  I recommend about 20 minutes or ...

Things that I found on the floor of my bedroom tonight: Plastic golf club Kid potty Baby doll Discarded footy pajamas Leap pad Tiny socks

I'm a procrastinator.  (Insert collective 'gasp' here...)  Ok, I know this is a well-known fact to anyone who knows me, but I have a VERY hard time doing little bits of projects to keep up on things.  For example, I can't fold clothes bit by bit, but would rather fold a week's worth of laundry in an evening.  Same with groceries.  Or cleaning. But, I'm worst with papers.  I've had this little room under an eave in our house that I've been dying to turn into a crafty space for quite some time now.  Bryan has all of his "toys" in the basement now, and that space has just been sitting there for me.  And sitting.  And sitting. For some people, this isn't an issue.  But with my weird brain and it's lack of normal functioning, I couldn't let myself do ANY little projects until this room was ready.  And yet, I couldn't bring myself to get through this entire room at once because it was such a big job. So, finally, last Saturday n...

I love rhubarb.  Especially when paired with sugar:) This recipe is from an old Ohio State Grange cookbook and is as close as we've come so far to the one Bryan's grandma Mary used to make. Ingredients: 1 c sugar 1 T butter, softened 2 T flour 2 eggs, separated 1 c milk 1 c cooked rhubarb (I cut fresh rhubarb in chunks and boil in a pan of water until very soft) (I added a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg and just a hint of cloves to mine and really liked the flavor) Cream sugar and butter. Add flour and egg yolks, mix thoroughly. Add milk, rhubarb and lastly fold in beaten egg whites. Line glass pie dish with pastry, pour in above mixture. Bake at 425 F for 20 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 F for 10-15 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between center and crust comes out clean. Yum! .

Ok, I know these don't sound delicious.  Or kid-friendly.  But, why would I post it if they weren't?  I promise that if you eat these when they're still warm they are delicious.  And easy.  And kid-friendly.  I found this recipe in Kiwi magazine and tried it out multiple times this summer.  Big hit!  It's become my summer addiction once the kale is ready in the garden...yum! Here's what you need: Fresh kale stalks Extra virgin olive oil Sea salt or kosher salt Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Take out a cookie sheet with a lip around the edge.  Tear off the kale leaves from the stalk and spread them out on the cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with a little olive oil and use some tongs to turn them over, making sure both sides are coated.  I find it best to err on the side of not enough oil and then add a bit more rather than having too much on the pan.  Sprinkle kosher salt over the top. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the le...