A Project for Henny

I didn't think I was such a sentimental person... that is, until I had kids. Talk about learning about yourself. Wow.

Our Caboose is turning 2 in about a month, give or take. (Technically he should be turning two on March 22nd, but we all know how that went, don't we?) I always try to do a little something handmade for my kiddos on their special days, and I was having trouble coming up with something I could make for our Little Man that he'd like and use.

Then, about a week ago, I was cleaning out kid closets, lamenting the pace at which they are both outgrowing beloved outfits, and it hit me- make Little Linus a blanket. Not just any blanket, oh no... a blanket out of scraps from the jammies and shirts that we so readily associate with his second year. Eureka.

So as time has allowed I've been sneaking up to a corner of our 'home office,' cutting up footie sleepers and t-shirts, and piecing them together. A piece of fleece for the middle, the blanket he came home from the hospital with for the back, and a sense of satisfaction and sentimentality enough to go around.

Now, if only I could find more than 20 minutes at a time to work on this thing...

8/52

A portrait of my kids every week for 52 weeks

Henry pulling on his favorite Mama-made hat, so proud he can do it by himself

Audrey on the back porch, watching Gramps and Bubba play with Leeloo

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving...

...a chilly, door-buster trip to my most favorite childhood zoo, and the chance to share it with my own kiddos. We didn't see all of it... this time... but we'll be back.

Oh yes. We'll be back.

Banana Custard Pancakes

This weekend has been much time outside, much sunshine, a chill to the breezes, and big appetites.

Today, we woke up to another bea-u-tee-ful morning, and we celebrated with the invention of a new recipe.

Pancakes for breakfast: Sunday norm.

Banana Custard Pancakes for breakfast: Sunday spectacular. A perfect accompaniment to the amazing sunshine pouring through all our windows.

Note: these pancakes fry up crisp and caramelized on the outside, and have the soft fluffy texture on the inside that you'd expect from the interior of a perfect slice of French toast. However, they do not reheat in the microwave well- either re-grill in extra butter, toast in a toaster oven, or eat them all when they're fresh!

Banana Custard Pancakes

Makes about 24 pancakes

In a blender, combine:

1 ripe banana

2 large eggs

1 generous teaspoon vanilla

2-3 TBS good honey

2 TBS neutral-tasting oil (or melted butter)

1 C milk

3/4 C ricotta cheese

Blend until bubbly and smooth, then add:

1/2 C cooked (aka leftover) oatmeal

1 1/2 C whole wheat pastry flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

~1/2 tsp salt

Blend again until smooth.

On a griddle preheated to 350 F (or a pan on medium heat), melt some butter, and pour batter in ~1/4 cup portions onto hot surface. Allow to cook until bubbles form on the surface and don't fill in when they pop. Carefully flip and allow to cook on the other side for ~45 seconds, or until gently lifting an edge reveals golden brown goodness. Serve immediately (and in my personal opinion, these babies need neither butter nor syrup, they're that good). 

Henry ate 6, no kidding.

Enjoy, and happy weekending!

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

A (Belated) Monday in Photos

7/52

A portrait of my kids every week for 52 weeks

Henry after breakfast, on Sissy's step (that was once Mama's step), peeking at Leeloo

Audrey outside in late afternoon sunlight

Right Now

Right now, I'm...

...noticing more and more the increasing light that's chasing away the last of this mild winter.
...watching a beautiful fuchsia glow rise around the trees on the eastern horizon.
...listening to Henry talk quietly to himself in his bed... apparently, whatever he's saying right now is quite funny, because he's cracking himself up.
...shaking my head at all the cars, trucks, and school buses scattered around the house, left in most inconvenient pathways and thresholds, but representing such loving sibling play (I know what our soon-to-be-two-year-old's birthday party theme will beeeee!).
...feeling shocked that I just typed "soon-to-be-two-year-old." Holy cow.
...thinking spring fever is settling over the inhabitants of this house. There is definitely a little extra energy in the air, and even the furry family members feel it.
...wondering if the 20% chances of rain sprinkled throughout this week will turn in to anything.
...smiling at the results from a little someone's second haircut.
...loving a bowl of my mom's potato leek soup on a sunny, windy, still-a-bit-chilly day, and all the leftovers from the giant pot she made us.

Strangely, this month has seemed to take it's time on the calendar, yet each day has seemed to fly by. Now, here we are, starting the last full week of February. For us, that means that the last chance for feeling the chill of 'not-summer' is quickly drawing to a close, the time to start digging in the garden has begun, and a big boy birthday that's felt oh-so-far-away is almost here.

As the energy all around us starts to awaken and ramp up, let us find a good pace, keep time with the rhythm of our natural world, and soak it all in. Happy Monday.

Not Again...

What is it about late winter and plumbing problems for us? At least- this time- we had enough warning before the water had to be turned of to fill the bathtub and procure some jugs of drinking-quality water. What a difference.

Still, it just reiterated how taken for granted this simple commodity really is. How many times did I turn a faucet, try the ice maker, or reach to flush a potty without a second thought, only to be greeted with dry gurgles and gasps? And we were only without running water for about 14 or 15 hours... and we knew it was coming... and we still had power. It really puts in to perspective what people are going through right now because of natural disasters, etc. Wow.

That being said, I also owe a shout-out to the men in my life; their willingness to drop everything and root around in 40-degree, 2-foot-deep mud for hours without a second thought and their amazing craftiness probably saved us upwards of $500 (maybe even more), and that makes them nothing short of heroes in my opinion.

However, it would be nice if we could stop short of making this an annual tradition. I mean, seriously... two years in a row, same problem, same mud, and almost the exact same leak... all I can say is ugh.

Ugh... and I'm so glad we have such awesome family support.  

February Fourteenth, in Photos

6/52

A portrait of my kids every week for 52 weeks

Henry in the unusually warm late winter sun

Audrey waiting on the family to load into the car to run errands

(Audrey's from a few weeks ago, but I couldn't resist it)