Determination

Ever since Day ONE when Emma started crawling, she has spent forever trying to get up the little step from the family room to the kitchen. No matter how many times she slipped off or fell down, she would get up and try again. The other day (when my camera was still working...can't you tell I am a little bitter about the situation) I captured the first time she got up on the step and then slid off and then the next day got a picture (those things I used to take everyday to fulfill my passion and dream of being a photographer) of her accomplishment!

**First day she actually made it up even for a brief moment.**

**I was in the kitchen and when I turned around this is what I saw!**

**Very proud of her success at making it all the way up the step, now she is everywhere and loves to eat the magnets off the fridge!** (I would video, but again don't have a camera...ok, enough complaining...for today!)

Family Favorites

Here are some recipes I grew up with and now make for my family and we LOVE THEM!!
Popovers
Chocolate Pudding
and a new dessert I made and the best kind of these I have had:
Lemon Squares

Fun at Marmee's

These are pics my mom sent me from when she watched the girls the other day...they had way too much fun!! (glad someone's camera works...yes I am complaining and whining!)

Tips & Savings

I wanted to pass along this neat website I have seen on a couple of blogs lately and finally gave it a try. These past couple of months I have been "shopping" around for the best places to do grocery shopping. While sometimes, you just have to watch the deals and coupons and get the better price, I have found that Super Walmart usually either matches or beats those prices. I tried out the one near us in Poulsbo finally and the past two weeks have done all my grocery shopping there. I have been very impressed with their selections and produce and PRICES most of all. Then when I add in all my coupons it is even a bigger savings. I clip them out of the paper and lately been finding A LOT online. I look at my shopping list and then search online for specific coupons. For example I was going to buy some Uncle Ben's rice...went to their site and got a $2 coupon!! I knew I was going to buy some General Mills items like granola bars and cereal...went to their website and saved $1.50....same goes for Huggies, Gerber, etc. You just print and off you go!! Then THIS SITE is so neat. You plus in the stores you shop at and your location and it basically tells you all the deals going on that week....and you can search by store or item...it is AWESOME. When you find the deals you want, you create a shopping list and then print it out and it tells you where to go. For other items, Costco still beats the deal when you compare the price and quantity. If you have any tips....let me know, but truly check out this site and find coupons....I saved almost $10 last time.

Menu Plan Monday

I updated last week's menu plan with what we had on Sunday and another dish my mom made with our meal on Friday. Good stuff. When I try new recipes, I will put them in RED and then leave a note to say if it was a winner or not!

Monday: Steak-Um Hot Sandwiches with peppers, onions and mushrooms, Applesauce, Baby Carrots and Waffle Fries
Tuesday: Cold Sandwiches to go to the last concert in the park - Navy Band playing
Wednesday: Sauteed Chicken Cutlets with Lime Sauce, VERY VERY YUMMY, Brown Rice and Sauteed Zucchini from garden
Thursday: Grilled Brauts, Potato Salad and Carrots
Friday: Tuna Casserole
Saturday: Marinated and Grilled London Broil (the marinade was good, but not a big fan of London Broil cut of meat), Layered Salad
Sunday: Dinner with Family, TBD

Sad in Seattle...

...because this weekend our camera DIED!!! So sad, as I probably use my camera almost everyday! The CCD card or reader or something died....basically the part that takes the pictures and after several estimates, it would cost at least $250 to fix! So we are in the deciding time for a new camera. We really would like to get a nice one and maybe have a cheap one that we could just take on the go and that still does video capability because the nice ones I guess don't have that feature. So...if anyone has any tips or suggestions please pass on! We will hopefully decide soon because I HATE not having my camera....so it might be a much less "colorful" posting for a bit.

Snack Time

Nothing like sitting in a big girl chair and enjoying a yummy combo of carrot, pears and rice cereal! Want to join me?

Splish Splash

Last week we actually had some warm days of summer...and the kiddies (and Papa) got to get in the little pool. Angel loved going from her sandbox to her chair and into the pool and back again. Emma LOVED the water and never wanted to get out. She even survived some "dunks" her big sister poured over her head and didn't seem to mind at all. Fun times!

of course some video...with what else? Angel singing (she does all day!)

My Days are Numbered

...since Emma has started crawling...last Friday. And she is getting faster every day!!

Bye Bye Aunt Caitlin

Caitlin left to go back to college this past weekend. We will miss you and can't believe this is your last year. We look forward to watching those Concordia Soccer Games this season. (also, her wedding date is set for August 1, 2009!)

A new addition...

...the potty chair!! We recently (and finally!) went and got the "big girl" potty. Angel has been dragging it to every room with her and getting used to sitting on it. Now that I have the pull ups (and used up all my excuses of a new baby, vacation trips, no potty etc)...I think it is time to start. I believe she is ready and I hope this new adventure and training goes well, really not looking forward to it. Wish me luck and if you have any pointers....PLEASE PASS THEM ON!

Homemade Baby Food

Well, last week was the first time for Emma that I did my BIG homemade baby food day. It is so nice to get this done and have the flexibility of grabbing whatever cube of food I need from the freezer. Not only does this save a ton of money and not having to get overloaded with empty baby food jars, it is healthier with no preservatives and gives you the ability to give small portions at a time and mix all kinds of food combos together. I mostly steam everything, but I did bake the squash and boil the peas. I use THIS website for tips and tricks. I then blend everything and pour the purees in ice cube trays because each cube is about one ounce of food. Then I freeze and put in labeled Ziploc bags. Here is what I was able to make out of everything:

2 sweet potatoes = 30 ounces

1 butternut squash = 38 ounces

1 acorn squash = 13 ounces

6 pears = 26 ounces

4 peaches = 26 ounces

11 carrots = 18 ounces

1/2 bag peas = 25 ounces

Recipes to Share

This is our FAVORITE chicken wing recipe: Cindy's Tasty Wings

I think I have given this recipe before, but here it is again and I added about 2 cups of lentils last time and it was EVEN BETTER and really filled out the flavor and soup: Italian Vegetable Soup

And I tried these for dessert the other day...click on picture for recipe. They were yummy, although I think made mine too big so they were not as chewy and that is why I had a lot of filling leftover as well. Will just have to try again!!

All by myself...

This morning was a crazy morning...trying to get the regular duties accomplished plus dealing with new medical insurance decisions since my hubby got his new job. I was also trying to get the grocery list for the week done and well...let's just say both the girls wanted my attention and all I wanted was one moment...all by myself.

My mom offered to watch the girls with Alli while I went and did my grocery shopping...all by myself. (I am so fortunate to have them close by and help out when needed!) So I dropped them off and was on my way...all by myself. I got to listen to my own music, I got to use my purse and NOT the diaper bag and I got to walk through the store and shop...all by myself.

It was definitely a treat to be able to go to the grocery store and not worry about a fussy baby, and a big "helper" toddler to also keep an eye on. It was a little odd to be...all by myself. I missed giving those little heads kisses and having someone to talk to and my arms and hands seemed much too empty.

When I went back to pick the girls up...they had had WAY TOO MUCH FUN. Marmee had given them lunch and they had a blast playing in the pool (will post pics once my mom send them to me...so cute!). On the way home, even though I definitely enjoyed the peace and quiet and moments to get my errands done....as I looked at my two girls in the mirror, I realized that I am so blessed to have such a sweet little family and would never truly want to be...all by myself. Amazing what a much needed little break after a CRAZY morning can make you realize and appreciate!!

Menu Monday is Back...

Ok Angie, aren't you proud of me?? I am finally getting around to posting the menu Mondays again. This is a huge help for me to plan my weekly meals and a huge help to the food budget to only get what we need!! So just in case you were curious as to what meals we are enjoying this week...(you can click on links for recipes)
Monday: Chicken Pesto (YUMMY!!! and so EASY, thanks Mom Hartsell) I halved the recipe and it still made a lot. I also used pesto sauce in a jar already made and used Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for more flavor, Uncle Ben's Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Rice, Asparagus
Tuesday: Tri-Tips (seasoned with garlic & onion powder and Montreal steak seasoning and grilled), Orzo Pasta, Cold Broccoli Raisin Salad
Wednesday: Smothered Chicken with Garlic (thanks to my sis for this recipe...really like the LEMON taste to it), Green Beans and Mashed potatoes
Thursday: Beef Daube Provencal (Jason really liked this one, will be good on cold days for sure!) over Noodles, Crusty Cuban Homemade Bread
Friday: Zucchini Quiche (with zucchini from garden), Applesauce and Baby Carrots, mom made Spaghetti with Broccoli and Lemon (SO GOOD!, has a little bite to it)
Saturday: Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Peach Barbecue Sauce (delicious and flavorful, thanks Mom Hartsell), Red Potatoes (cut up and baked with olive oil and seasonings), Salad
Sunday: Dinner with Family, TBD - Chicken Chili & Cornbread

Happy Birthday Nannie

We hope you had a very happy day today, we miss and love you lots!!!

Just in case I need to sing...

...Angel has been walking around with her microphone in her pocket today. She loves all the songs of the Laurie Berkner Band (thanks Joanie for the awesome DVD!). Her latest is the Moon Moon Moon song. Translation when you listen: Moon, moon moon, shining bright...moon moon moon, I can see, moon moon moon you're taking care of me. At least this is the part we got on video....we are going to need to get the other DVDs to expand the song lists! (and yes those are her slipper clogs from Holland that Aunt Caitlin got her and the only shoes she has been wanting to wear lately...even to sleep!)

Color Blue and Little Trucks?

Yes, those are a few of the things we will have to start getting used to as my sister Meghan just found out she is having a BOY!!!! As one of four girls, and now having two of my own, adding a little man to the family will be lots of fun...I can actually look at the boy clothes and toys now too!! Congrats Megs and Chris and can't wait to meet Little Mr. Sturhahn!!

Yummy Recipes

I made this salad, Brown Rice Lentil Salad, last weekend and it was a HUGE hit. Great for the summertime!!

This ice cream topping, Sunshine Sundae Topping, is one I grew up with and always make. We love it!!

Hubby Recommends...

...this Book by Stephen Wood.

Summertime Gardens

One of the reasons my hubby and I love this time of year is all the pretty flowers and gardens we get to grow. My husband really wishes he had a farm to experiment and grow all the things he would like to. He did everything organic this year and is trying some new things. Now if only it would stay warm so things would produce fruit!! I finally got around to taking some pictures. My mom and Jason planted a beautiful front flower bed while I was in NYC....I was so surprised and it made the front of the house look so much better....it was just dead space before. And the flowers are just starting to bloom!!

The new sign we got at the Lavender Festival

Front of the house

The garden mom and Jason did....love the Hosta
love the trailing petunias

love the Martha Washington Geraniums

went with the red, white & blue theme again this year on the back porch

I need to harvest the herbs, dry and store them for the year!

Growing tomatoes upside down, supposed to help with disease

the big garden

Monster tomato plants

First HUGE zucchini

Corn

A trash can of potatoes...we will see how many we get

pumpkins

Should I be worried?

This is how Angel has decided to wear her socks this past week...on her hands...all the time. She will read books like this, clean things with them and spend hours taking them off and putting them back on....her hands!! Hoping this phase passes really soon...she wonders why she is complaining that her feet are cold!!

Update

Thank you for all the prayers being offered for my mother-in-law, Mary Hartsell. The two spots she had biopsied came back negative...good news!! So now she has a surgery date schedule for August 14th to remove more tissue and do the lymph node tests and remove any ones that test positive. We are hoping and praying that the lymph nodes are clean because then she would not need chemo. She will be staying overnight after the surgery and then have some recovery time ahead. Three weeks later she will start radiation treatment five times a week for 6 weeks. So...please keep the prayers going and we just wish we were closer to be there with you mom and keep you company and give you lots of hugs and kisses!!

Craicmore

Last Friday, Casey, Alli and Caitlin joined us down at the Boardwalk for the Craicmore Concert. They were really good and play contemporary traditional celtic music. It brought me back to the time I visited Scotland and Ireland!!

Trying New Things...

like zwieback toast and sippy cups!

Miss Potato Head