Green Skies

We had some really funky weather yesterday.

After church and lunch and a failed attempt at a nap on Natalia's part, we decided to take a stroll through one of the parks not far from our house. Just as we were finishing the loop we noticed the skies darkening in the distance. Natalia played for a bit on the playground with Daddy before Adam started to get fussy and we headed towards the car. By this time the black clouds were moving in and it started thundering.

As we drove towards home the skies turned a funky green color and Pete commented that if this were Kansas, people would be headed for their basements. We were completely unaware of how true his words were!

We pulled into our parking space just as the skies opened up. Hail and rain pummeled us as Pete and Natalia raced towards the front porch and I yanked Adam's car seat out of the back of the car. There was no way I was leaving him in the car by himself! I got nailed on the back by a piece of hail the size of a superball in the process.

Turns out there was a tornado warning!

Natalia was a little frightened by all of our excitement. She kept lamenting quite dramatically that she didn't want it to snow!!! Now Daddy was going to have to get out the snow shovels again!!!

Soon enough though the storm passed and the skies brightened and all was right again.

Here is something that just ain't right though!

How can he be doing this already I ask you!?!?

Happy Birthday Avery!

As I mentioned earlier, we were celebrating our nephew/cousin Avery's 2nd birthday this week. Last night both sides of the family were together and it was a lot of fun for all ages.

My youngest brother and his girlfriend were able to join us from Philly, which was great. The adult to children ratio keeps getting smaller. Ari (7 mos.) and Adam (3 1/2 mos.) were the newest additions...and Joe and Kim are expecting another in August!

Here's a few snapshots from our loud and crazy night together. I think it would be interesting to know the decibel level of some of our gatherings! :oP The "big kid" in the picture below is my younger brother Joe.

The birthday boy.

And yesterday Natalia wanted to go take a walk in the rain with Daddy, so here she is, all ready and waiting. :o)

Lovin' It

There's just something about chubby thighs, tiny toes, little hands, and a solid little body snuggled up against you.

Here's the view from where I sit.

Breakfast For Dinner

I just saw my aunt's post on quiche and it made me hungry for this Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole. Super yummy and easy!

8 frozen hashbrown patties
6-8 slices cheese (Swiss or a good White American)
1 dozen eggs (or 10 with 1/2 c. milk)
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 medium onion, chopped (opt.)
1 lb. cooked bacon or sausage*, chopped
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

*I like to use turkey sausage

Layer hashbrowns in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13. Follow with sliced cheese. Beat the eggs and add mustard before pouring over top of cheese. Top with remaining ingredients in the order they are listed. Bake uncovered at 350 for 40 mins. or till set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 mins. before serving.

Is It Friday?

That's been the number one concern of my 3 year old this week. Why, you ask? Well, because Friday is her cousin Avery's birthday party.

I'd like to believe she's excited merely because she'll get to see her cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents...that she's happy for what the day will bring for someone else, namely the birthday boy. But no...I suspect there's more to it than that.

When the package arrived in the mail yesterday, I asked her if she wanted to see it before it was wrapped. It was one of those floor mats with interlocking foam pieces--roads and scenery--perfect for playing cars. (I wanted to see if all the pieces were there.)

I reminded her that we weren't going to play with it--just check it out. She was okay with that. She was even fine with helping me pick out a gift bag and tissue paper from my supply box upstairs. Then it was naptime and all of a sudden you would have thought the world was ending! She was "devastated" that Friday was 3 whole days away! Oh the drama! :o)

It took her a good hour and a half before she took a nap, but she did take one. But I had to laugh when the first words out of her mouth upon waking up was, "it is Friday yet?"
(This morning too!)

Thankfully, Friday is now only 2 days away.

The clincher for me was what she said this afternoon. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Mom, I be patient 2 more days. I not going to grab Avery's present. I going to say, "Excuse me Avery. You share with me?"

:o)

I Must Be Crazy...

I had my usual "haircut props" handy--well, it's basically one prop.

A Dum Dum lollipop.

Usually it provides enough licks to last through a kiddos haircut. It usually helps to distract them enough to sit still while I do my thing.

I guess my girlie is determined to prove me wrong at every turn...so very wrong. HA HA

The Before:

2 minutes in, the lollipop was gone! AHHHH!

The After:

I just wanted to even out the back. I still don't know if I accomplished that or not! We'll see.

Chicken Tetrazini with Carrots and Apples

This is one meal we received after having Adam that, to me, spells COMFORT FOOD.

They are both recipes I've been serving half and freezing the rest for an easy meal later.

Enjoy!


Chicken Tetrazini

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
4 c. milk
2 c. cooked and cubed chicken
1 box angel hair pasta, cooked according to package instructions
1 c. mayo
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 TBsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. celery seed

Melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in salt and flour while microwaving milk for 2 mins. Slowly add milk to make a white sauce. Stir until thickened, then add to cooked pasta and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a 9 x 13 or 2 smaller oven safe dishes. Cover and bake at 350 for 45-60 mins.

*I like to break the angel hair pasta in half before cooking so the mixing of ingredients is easier later.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Baked Carrots and Apples

3 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick strips
6 red delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 TBsp. orange (or lemon) juice
4 TBsp. butter, melted

*if you 1/2 the amount of carrots and apples, keep the "sauce" ingredient amounts the same

Cook carrots in water just until tender.
Combine apples and carrots in greased baking dish.
Combine remaining ingredients and pour over mixture.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 mins.