I laughed out loud-

Should be listening in class, but this was too good!

Look! A Post!

After taking my last final for the term today (WAHOO!) I came home and sat… I don’t feel really productive, but it felt SO good! I have a whole ton of photos as a catch-up from what you have been missing here. But the photos I didn’t take are first-

• Dan and Abi both sick… it has been miserable around here for FIVE days! FIVE!!! I have felt more like a hospital (cooking, cleaning, drugging :) ) than a home with a happy, wonderful wife!
• More of Dan being sick – this time at nights. No sleep for mom! (which makes kind of a witch… hence, why there isn’t photos)
• Crazy school schedule! Finishing this term was honestly a marathon for me. Can I be done yet?
• And – you can see from the rest of the photos what our past month has brought us----

First and foremost, the Bowdabra! Get ready all those moms that are going to have baby girls… this is coming your way! I am quite obsessed with making the most adorable bows in so little time. It makes me feel accomplished.

Because I have all this to get done. Tiff, these photos are for you. I couldn’t help but remember the photos you posted on your blog about your house, and I felt normal :) My mom called me today to ask if that was my laundry… yes mom, it was. I have to put it on the couch so it gets folded.

and a kitchen sink to go with it. I spared the toilets, carpets, garbage, windows, etc for you :)

 

Abi has insisted on dressing herself lately. Here she is sporting the swimsuit over pants, with a “dancing skirt” on too.

 

We have started letting Abi help in the kitchen so much. I have loved it too. It really allows her to feel accomplished and included.

Abi and mom at work over Memorial Day weekend. Um… my one day off from school happened to be the busiest weekend of the year for our store. So, I worked and got no recoup from it. But I did get paid and I am buying one of these….

 

I happened to take a class on cooking steaks and realized this is a perfect addition to my kitchen. I can’t wait to try it this weekend for Father’s Day!

Abi at our pool. She begs every day, multiple times, to get in her Nemo diaper and floaty. I am so glad she loves the water! And now that my summer school schedule allows me to be home during the afternoon, you know where to find us!!!

Abi HATES when Dan leaves for work. She does everything to get him to stay.

Dan seems to hate work too :) Before he got sick he was able to go paintballing with some friends. When I found out he took MY camera, I knew what Father’s Day was going to bring him. But don’t tell him… :)

Just our cute Abi…

 

And here is my Ballroom team for the Spring. I have loved it so much! We worked so hard at 7 am every day of the week!

 

As you can see, this is when Abi was sick… and Dan was sick the next morning. Blah!

 

Abi feeling better, but Dan sick on the couch.

 

I took my sick children to Macey’s to get soft-serve Ice Cream and a Red box movie. Abi wanted to share her germs with you though… enjoy!

 

 

needing a push

oh am I trunky or what?!?! I need such a huge push to make it through until graduation. I am just dying to get out! Can I just move on to some new and exciting things? I have so many things I want to do, but just have to wait… this is worse than a long line in Wal-mart. Yuck!

Abi interacts with Dora

Today was the first day that Abi interacted while watching Dora. It was really fun to listen to. And she finally let me get some homework done!

Abi speaks in Spanish

Abi has started speaking words in Spanish that we didn’t know she knew. It has surprised us at her understanding. She likes Luna and pantelones.

 

Abi and her gum

Abi had her first taste of gum this weekend. naturally we urged her to keep chewing… and it didn’t happen :) It was fun to watch her.

Abi and the egg

Abi helped me crack eggs for breakfast on Sunday. She proceeded to throw one of her shells away (the other was in the pan). Anyway she missed and proceeded to exclaim. “Dang it!” That got us rolling on the ground in laughter.

Abi’s Voice

Abi likes to sing lately. She has been singing everything! Even her prayers. But she also loves her ABI C’s, tinkle star, and the Happy Fam-li-ly songs.   

Cheese!!!

More food talk-
We learned how to make homemade cheese in our foods class. It is a great way to have the family interact with you in the kitchen. This would also make great gifts.

This kit can be found at www.austinhomebrew.com

AHS Mozzarella Cheese Kit

$14.99

This kit contains the basic ingredients you need to make mozzarella cheese in less than an hour. The kit makes twenty 3/4 lb batches of cheese.

The kit includes:

• Detailed Instructions
• Citric Acid
• Calcium Chloride
• Vegetable Rennet Tablets
• Cheese Salt

All you need is a 6 quart pot (or larger) and milk. The kit will last 2 years in the refrigerator.

OR... you can make cheese without a kit.

Ingredients
1 qt of fresh whole milk
1 cup active-culture buttermilk
2tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
3/4 tsp salt

Pour milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place on low heat stirring so that skin doeesn't form. Slowly bring up to 175*. Pour in buttermilk and lemon juice. Turn off heat. Stir gently. Milk will begin to curdle. Curds and whey will form. If it doesn't start to curdle within 30 seconds, add another tsp of lemon juice. When separated, let sit for 10 minutes undisturbed.

put a colander over a stockpot. Place 4 layers of cheese cloth over the colander. After 10 minutes, ladle curd into the cheesecloth. Leave in the colander for 5 minutes to drain. Gather the cheese cloth and tie at the top. Secure by tying on to a wooden spoon as support over the top of the colander. Let drain for 30 minutes.

Snip off the top of the cheese cloth. Place in bowl and sprinkle with salt and mix into cheese.

Great placed in the fridge overnight to let the flavors develop. Serve with drizzled olive oil and fresh black pepper. Can be used the way ricotta, cream or cottage cheese is used.

I cannot wait to try this!!!

may be an overload for you…

so here they are… well at least a couple out of the 400+ photos Carly took of me the other week. I am just tickled pink at the way these turned out. Love, love, LOVE that girl to death! She is just amazing and so talented. We do ballroom together too… awesome! Click on the photos below to go to the album.

View Full Album

You can check out her blog here http://carlythornockphotography.blogspot.com/

Did you know…

• the average American spends $5.00 for every minute they are in a grocery store?
• 2 out of 3 items in your cart are impulse buys?

I watched a movie in my cooking class this past week that really inspired me to not go to the grocery store hungry!… and with kids. It made me sick thinking that I spent that much on things that we really could do without. So I am trying to do things differently now. Here are some tips that I gleaned from the class

• Make a weekly shopping plan- take ONLY the amount of money you will spend on one week’s worth
• Check newspaper ads – buy staple items on sale and stock up
• check your inventory- LOOK in your fridge before you go to the store. I cannot tell you how many times I have come home and realized I already had what I bought.
• Kids- shop when they are rested, when the store is less crowded, let them add one item to the cart – in my opinion, don’t go with your child if you can manage it. You need to pay attention to prices and labels. You can’t do that AND keep a kid in the cart (or 2 for that matter).
• Coupons- use the for food WHEN the price is right
• Know the store layout – it will help you make your list in order that you go through the store. this  will save you time and money
• Be aware of marketing techniques- end of aisle displays aren’t always good deals
• EAT BEFORE YOU SHOP!!!
• Limit convenience foods- they are ALWAYS higher prices
• Read the labels
• Ingredients- are always listed largest quantity to smallest… watch that sugar!
• Check dates for freshness- you don’t even want to know about expired meat being repackaged! YUCK!
• Eat meat less often- use beans and lentils if you can
• Choose brown or enriched rice… they are healthier for you
• Plan meals around specials
• Make a LIST!!!
• Know your prices- why you shouldn’t take your kids shopping
• Be sure to check the scanner for pricing errors – check your receipts before you leave the store
• Use unit pricing
• Try store brands – they may taste better than you expect
• Buy fruit and veggies in season
• Start a garden at home

Hope these tips help you in your next shopping experience!!!