What $3 Can Buy

This past weekend our local library held a fundraising book sale and I found some more titles to heap atop my "to read" pile.



I had been slowly working my way through "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe the last few weeks, had renewed it once and was sad to have to return it to the library only 1/3 completed. What to do?! I can count on one hand the books I've started and not finished!



Guess what I found for 50 cents?



I also found 2 hardback books, one of which is "The Greatest Generation Speaks--Letters and Reflections" by Tom Brokaw. I'm excited to crack that one open. I used the video series somewhat when I taught the 20th century units in my World History class. Personal stories from the 20th century completely fascinate me.



Also, I picked up another 50 cent paperback by an author I recognized. I LOVED the two titles I've read of hers so far. "Flower Net" by Lisa See should not disappoint.



If I hadn't just unloaded a bunch of boxes of books from our basement recently I could have gone hog wild in that room. And to think I didn't even approach the children's table.



Even though it's a far cry from what I had in Maryland, I love my little, local, library!

Homemade Naan

We like garlic in this household. And now that warmer, albeit wet, weather is upon us we are grillin'. Alot.



I found this super easy recipe for naan on allrecipes. The site never disappoints folks.



For those of you not familiar with naan, let me sing it's praises in 3 simple words: GRILLED. GARLICKY. BREAD. It's ethnic Indian; as much a staple to their table as curry.



You do have to plan ahead, as it needs to rise a total of 90 minutes. I made it with grilled chicken and cucumber salad, but plan to make it alongside shishkabobs in the near future. The leftovers are great for a little sandwich too!



Naan


1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)
1 c. warm water
1/4 c. white sugar
3 Tbsp. milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp. salt
4 c. (+ 1/2 c. for kneading) bread flour (I used regular all-purpose)
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 c. butter, melted


1. Use a medium bowl to dissolve yeast into the water. Let stand 10 mins. until frothy.
2. Stir sugar, milk, egg, salt, and 4 c. flour into the yeast mixture, then gradually add remaining flour, kneading for a few minutes until smooth and easy to handle without sticking.
3. Transfer dough to a well-oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise for an hour or until dough has doubled in size.
4. Punch dough down and knead in the garlic. Pinch off small handfuls, about the size of a golf ball, and after rolling place on a tray. Cover with a towel again and allow to rise 30 minutes.
5. Heat grill to medium-high heat. At grill side, flatten each dough ball into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill, then grill rounds for 2-4 minutes until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter and flip over. Brush cooked side with butter while underside cooks for 2-4 minutes more.


***I halved the recipe and it yielded 9 (4") rounds.

Garlic Shrimp & Pasta

This is a really tasty, light meal. Perfect for warmer weather and paired with a salad.

1 lb. uncooked linguini or spaghetti pasta

3 Tbsp. butter

1/2 c. dry white cooking wine (sherry is good too)

2 tsp. minced garlic

1/4 tsp. dried parsley

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

splash of heavy cream (opt.)

salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled & deveined (I also remove the tails), thawed

freshly shredded parmesan, to serve

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. Meanwhile, melt butter in large, flat saucepan over low heat. Then add wine, seasonings, and cream and increase heat to medium. Simmer 3-5 minutes.

3. Increase temp. to medium-high, add shrimp, and cook 3-4 minutes. (Don't overcook; you want them to be just slightly pink.)

4. Serve immediately.

***Makes 3-4 servings.

Revisiting Some Hairy Situations

Hair + kids = One big, fat, continuous ?

Can I get an "AMEN"?

What do you do when...

...your kid has a long mohawk on top, virtually nothing on the sides, a bald spot in the back, and a really long and scary-looking fringe at the base of the neckline?

You buzz it off with the clippers. You heard me. I know she's a girl, but desperate times call for desperate measures.





Eventually you have enough shag on top again to do the whale spout thingy.






But anything (even a flatulent fly) can turn it quickly into this. That's quite the visual, ain't?)




At this point they begin to give you grief about this hair nonsense and it shows.

Then, all of a sudden, one day you wake up with hair envy...

...and you get to start all over with Child #2.

But every month (that's EVERY 3-4 weeks, because this kid's hair growth rivals a Chia Pet!) you have to pull out those trusty clippers again...

...because otherwise this happens. No matter the hair products and hat-smashing tricks. Cockle-doodle-DOOOOOO!

And that's no fun at all.

But, in the end, it's only hair. This too shall pass.

Hope you got a few laughs. :-)

Easter Fun

My photos from this past holiday weekend are pretty random; not a lot of equal representation.


We went to our church's Good Friday evening service since my mother-in-law was coming on Sunday morning for brunch. Pete kindly took charge of Adam so I was able to enjoy the service.



Any other moms out there feel as desperate as I for sermons? I try to listen to them later in the week since they are posted online, but I am usually interrupted without fail. This season shall pass I know...but I really appreciated being able to truly take part this past Friday night.



Anyway, Saturday was an at-home-project-oriented-day. Natalia and I painted eggs. Sunday morning the kids found their hidden Easter baskets (and later wore them as hats), we had a nice brunch with Babcia Maria and skyped Pete's brother in Belgium. Adam took his usual nap, powering up for our evening at my parent's house with the family.





It was another gorgeous day outside and we made good use of it. The kids rode their bikes/scooters and Adam kicked this ball around for the longest time.




We finished the weekend with a very traditional Lancaster County Easter meal: hamloaf, potatoes, corn, various salads, applesauce, and dessert. This year I contributed a cake; tandy cake made in layers and a bird's nest on top.

Melt some semi-sweet chocolate chips, toss with almost a full bag of chow mein noodles, then press quickly into a shallow but wide soup/salad bowl lined with wax paper. Let dry completely, then decorate with Marshmallow Peeps and either jelly beans or speckled chocolate eggs.

My aunt Joyce (from Georgia) has been here for a few weeks and we enjoyed having her join us for Easter. My sister-in-law Kim, Mom, Joyce and I had a few laughs over how crazy it is when everyone is together, when the kiddies are young and numerous. The common utterance, "I know I looked at you all day, but did I even get to ask you how you are doing?" has proven to be something handed down to every generation of young mothers.


Overall though we wouldn't trade being together for anything. We are so blessed.

Bloggin' Buddies

I met Annette last year.

She found me via this wonderful medium we call bloggyworld, and when we compared notes I decided she was my long-lost identical twin. Not really, but the similarities between us are unreal. Except they're real. Really.

Ok, my point.

She came to visit! (They live alittle over an hour away.)

This was the second time we've met face-to-face and I hope there are many more occasions. She and her two children, Meghan and Evan (6 mos. younger than Natalia, and 2 mos. older than Adam) joined us for the morning.

The weather was perfect, the kids got along well, we only had a few toddler incidents...but that's normal, and she and I actually got to start and finish most of our conversations! :-)

Not only is Annette a sweet individual, but her family life, faith, and outlook on life makes her a kindred spirit.






Evan and Adam took alternating naps, otherwise we would have had all 4 in our little photo session. Alas, no picture of Annette and I. No other adult was present to hand off the camera.

Thank you for coming Whipples! Hope to see you again soon!

4 Goin' On 30

I truly feel like I'm talking to an adult sometimes! Until she turns on the babytalk and reminds me she doesn't want to grow up. That's life with a 4 year old--a rollercoaster ride.

Here are two of her latest:


We've been making arrangements to buy/haul a new mattress/boxspring. After Pete talked to my dad the other night asking to borrow his pickup truck, Natalia was handed the phone for a few minutes. You can now understand why I call her my "event coordinator-in-training".

Natalia: "Grandpa, I was just calling to see if your big truck is ah-bale-able. We need to get a new bed. Can I come tomorrow?


This past week we had some special friends visit. After they left to go home though, we discovered a special blanket and stuffed animal had been left behind. I called my friend's cell and home and left messages, and then Natalia and I went outside to enjoy the sunny afternoon. As she was riding her bike, she of course was pretending to do the very thing I had just done. Stick (aka phone) in hand, she began leaving a voicemail message as she was riding along on the sidewalk. I cracked up and commended her for her roadway safety when I heard her say, "Excuse me a minute, I need to pull over."