Happy 100th birthday!

Happy birthday to you...

Circa 2006

Our house turned 100 this year. It took 2 years to build originally and was completed in 1910. I wanted to write a post about our house this year to commemorate the home and all of the work we put into it. Nothing like waiting till the last minute, eh? :)

My Christmas gift

I once took a photography class after college. I had fun but I didn't have the best camera. I knew that I could probably take better pictures if I just had the right camera.

Fast forward 8 years.

Christmas Fondue

I know a lot of people who celebrate Christmas around a pot of fondue. Call me unoriginal, I decided to do the same thing this year.

My kind of winter activity

Last week, my husband and I pile our kids in the car, picked up my brother and sister-in-law and headed to the Phalen Park light show in St. Paul.

Life: beautiful (and snowy!)

Have you read this magazine yet?

If Martha Stewart were to become a devout Christian, this is the magazine she would publish. The photographs are beautiful, the recipes delicious, the craft ideas genius and the articles are... ok, I need to read the articles. I've started a few of them, but I just can't stop looking at the pictures!

The Science of Baking, Part 1: Red Velvet Cupcakes

I feel like there is so much that I don't know about baking. People say it is a science and everything must be just right in order for something to come out perfect and delicious. Having a science major in college, I am naturally curious about what these "laws of baking" are. If you are too, join me in this journey I'm going to call...

The Science of Baking

Part 1: the purpose of baking soda

Christmas Cookies!

One of my favorite holiday traditions was decorating Christmas cookies at my parent's house growing up. Our gingerbread man tradition didn't start until we were a bit older, but we embraced it fully.

We LOVE Lego's!

With three boys at home, Lego's are a part of the family. They live in every room of our house. They join us at the dinner table (when I am not paying attention), they sleep with us, play with us, and challenge our minds (...and patience when stepped on).

With boys I expected Lego's to be a part of their development. What I didn't expect: MY recent obsession with Lego's. Ok, I'm being very vulnerable here admitting my love of Lego's...When I told my husband about a Lego set that I want to buy for myself he said, "that's not nerdy at all".

Ugh.

The obsession began with this set:

Retirement Cookies

After working at 3M for 35 (or so) years, my dad retired this summer. It was his first job out of graduate school, and he's been there ever since! His job took us to Washington, D.C. for a year (I was in 5th grade), which provided a very diverse learning environment for me coming from a not-so-diverse Minnesota suburb! His job then took us to Brussels, Belgium for two years (I was in 8-9th grade). I was pretty upset at the time, trying to get the hang of junior high, but those two years in Europe were amazing for my maturity and our family bond.

Besides all the moves, 3M has been really good to my dad and I have fond memories of the people he worked with and visiting him as a little girl. My parents had an intimate retirement dinner at their home this summer with friends that have been an important part of his career at 3M. I wanted to provide something special for the party as a surprise.

Intro to Cake Pops!

I have been obsessed with a baker named Bakerella. She makes these things called cake pops and cake balls that are really good, but also very fun to make! To see her creations, check out her blog here. But... maybe you shouldn't look at her cake pops before looking at mine! :) Hers are amazing!! She also just released a cookbook.

My first attempt at these balls was this past spring. I wanted something unique to give to the kids' teachers as a thank you at the end of the year. So I made apples!

Pumpkin Pound Cake

I love fall.

I love the rich colors of gold, red, orange and yellow.

I love the smells of bonfires, crisp leaves, cinnamon, and apples.

I love the comfort of cooler weather and outdoor activities with my kids.

I especially love the flavors of spice, sweet apples, and rich pumpkin.

So I decided to make something that encompassed all the flavors of fall: a pumpkin pound cake with apple cider caramel sauce!

But first a visit to the pumpkin patch for some inspiration...

Hawaiian wedding

A lady that used to nanny our children while I was in school got married last month. When I saw the Hawaiian style invitation, I was very curious to see what the wedding was going to be like. My two oldest were invited to be junior groomsmen, too, so they got to sport Hawaiian shirts and shorts (and sandals!). No tuxes were seen at this wedding!

Chicago, Chicago...

I recently fell in love.

With Chicago!

My husband and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Chicago withOUT our three boys. Just us. Thank you, Mom and Dad!

Jane Austen bridal shower

After my last blog entry I felt I should write about something more positive and uplifting. Rainbows and puppies perhaps? I have nothing much to say about rainbows at the moment, and the only thing I can say about puppies is that I've always wanted one... The thought filled all of my childhood diaries, and every Christmas and birthday I held my breath, hoping... I even created a small black lab puppy out of my mom's old stockings, put eyes on him and gave him a tail. Then I'd carry it around with me, imagining I was holding a real puppy in my arms.

Ok, I'm feeling better now. You? Good.

My brother married an amazing woman this summer. I was fortunate enough to plan a bridal shower for her this spring, along with my other brother's (also amazing) wife. Knowing that the bride-to-be enjoys Jane Austen, we decided to do an English tea, complete with scones, sandwiches, cookies, and of course tea!

Unwelcome discipline

Want to know one of my greatest pet peeves?

I know you're dying to find out...

I was at the check-out lane in Target this morning when the cashier thought it'd be a good idea to "correct" my children in front of me. Along with groceries, I purchased a snorkel set for my 7-year-old and a boogie board for my 4-year-old. They have become fish this summer and I know they'd get good use out of them, so...

S'mores brownies

So I was thinking last night how good s'mores sounded. But it looked like a storm was coming through, plus it felt like 110 degrees outside, and I'm a wimp when it comes to weather. I like being comfortable in my air conditioned, bug-free house.

So I made s'mores brownies!

County Fair

What's your favorite part of the fair?

I always enjoyed looking at the horses and watching them compete. Horses are so giant and strong, yet at the same time beautiful and gentle.

The Drive-In

Summers in Minnesota are short-lived. Minnesotans are REALLY good at making the most of their short summer by packing it full of fun and memorable activities. One of my favorite summer memories from my childhood was going to the drive-in movie theater. I remember going in our PJ's, bringing blankets, sleeping bags, and homemade popcorn, and camping out on the roof of our old station wagon to watch the movie.

Bird nest cupcakes

About a month ago, I went out to our front porch to water my hanging plants.

As I pulled the plant down to water it, a bird flew out of the pot. I thought that was kind of strange, but didn't think twice about it until I saw what was nestled inside:

Levi's birthday

My baby is 7!

When Levi said he wanted a Mario birthday party, I was stuck creatively. The last time I had any experience with Mario was when I was in junior high. I was addicted to Super Mario Bros. and would play that video game every day after school until I rescued the princess. I haven't played since. I usually do a themed cake for my kids' birthdays, so I wasn't sure how I was going to do this one. But then I saw these guys:

Alien Cookies

Did you cry at Toy Story 3?

I did.

My oldest is only 7 and I'm already thinking about how sad it's going to be to say goodbye to him when he decides to leave the nest.

So when Andy's mom walks into his room after he's packed for college and says, "oh, Andy...", I almost lost it. My two oldest boys were sitting next to me, and I'm so glad it was dark in that theater...

On a much brighter side, I couldn't get enough of those cute, little aliens.

"The claw..."

We were getting together with some of my old high school friends and all of their kids, so I thought I'd make some alien cookies the weekend after the movie opened.

Strawberry picking

Pop Quiz:

What is one advantage of lots of spring rain in Minnesota?

An abundance of beautiful and flavorful strawberries!

Fourth of July Cake

Happy 4th of July, everyone! To honor this holiday (keeping my deployed sister-in-law in mind as well), I made a cake. I can take no credit for the cake, however, as I completely copied it from another blogger I am addicted to (iambaker), who was inspired by yet another blogger (17andbaking). Don't you love blogging? I do! Before you see the cake, please read my disclaimer: I am a novice cake baker/decorator. I also happen to be somewhat of a perfectionist. So of course I found many flaws during and after the creation of the cake. But I still had a lot of fun, especially trying a technique I've never done before. AND I know what I'll try next time.

Why Boys are More Better than Girls

I started flipping through a book this afternoon looking for some advice on something that happened today (material for a future post), when I came across something very funny. The book is Bringing up Boys by James Dobson. It’s a must-read for parents of boys as he has so much invaluable wisdom about raising boys. Toward the beginning of the book he tells of a little girl who wrote him with a list stating why girls are better than boys. It was very cute, but he decided to give boys a chance for a rebuttal by sending in their own opinions. Here is a partial list: (items with ** are my thoughts)

1. Boys can sit in front of a scary movie and not close their eyes once.

2. Boys don’t have to sit down every time they go. (**but they should for a cleaner bathroom!!)

3. Boys don’t get embarrassed easily.

4. Boys can go to the bathroom in the woods. (**or off the deck when Mom’s not looking)

5. Boys can climb trees better.

6. Boys don’t worry about “diet-this” and “diet-that”

7. Boys are better tractor drivers than girls.

8. Boys rite better than girls. (**how cute is that?!)

9. Boys can build better forts than girls.

10. Boys can take pain better than girls.

11. Boys are way more cooler.

12. Boys don’t waste their life at the mall. (**it’s not all a waste…)

13. Boys aren’t afraid of reptiels.

14. Boys shave more than girls. (**WHAT?!)

15. Boys don’t do all those wiggaly movmets when they walk.

16. Boys aren’t smart alickes.

17. Boys don’t cray and feel sorry when they kill a fly.

18. Boys don’t use as much deodarent.

19. Boys learn to make funny noises with their armpits faster.

20. Boys can tie better knots – especially girls pony tails. (** I think that’s happened to me before…)

21. Boys get to blow up more stuff.

22. Without boys there would be no babies.

23. Boys don’t WINE.

24. Boys hum best.

25. Boys are proud of their odor.

26. Boys don’t hog the phone.

27. Boys bait their own hook when they fish.

28. Boys don’t wake up with bad hair. (** I beg to differ)

29. Boys don’t take two million years to get ready.

30. Boys couldn’t care less about Barby.

31. Boys don’t care if their noses aren’t perfect.

32. Boys respect everything and everyone including GIRLS! (**that’s the hope!)

Hope this put a smile on your face! Enjoy your boys!

Hello, Dolly!

I couldn't help but notice the lack of girl toys in my house one day when a girlfriend and her kids were over. Her daughter was wandering around our house looking for something to do while all the boys were chasing each other with light sabers. I got out some pop beads that were given to us a few years ago and she spent her time making necklaces, bracelets and anklets. I think she ended up having a good time!

So I started looking twice at girl toys next time I stopped at a garage sale. I picked up a few things here and there, telling myself I would not buy anything new, just used. But then the Target trap got me. I was minding my own business checking things off my list when I just happened to notice an end cap with very cute little dolls ON SALE. I wanted one. She even came with a little stroller! And a little jacket, little booties, and a pink nuk! I wasn't paying full price so somehow that was enough to convince me to buy it.

I brought our new member of the family home and the boys were really excited to unpack her and get her all put together. But the second I did they decided to have drag races with her around the house. Who could give her the fastest, most intense stroller ride of her life? The race was on! They even decided to put a sand bucket over her head (because that would make the ride more exciting?). But what came next I wasn't ready for...

My 4-year-old flipped her upside-down and started slamming her head against the floor, over and over and over and over... I had to intervene. After all, she is the closest thing I have to a daughter.

I'm not completely foreign to boys, I grew up with two brothers. But I didn't expect this. I think it hurt me more than it hurt her. Why did he do that? I know boys are more kinesthetic and less relational, so that's probably how he saw this new doll, perhaps thinking, "what can she do? What can I do to her?" rather than, "what will my relationship be with this doll?". I told my mom about this and after a good laugh she asked if he took her clothes off yet. I frowned and said "no". Maybe that's next, but at least I'll be ready!

Let me introduce myself

I stumbled across blogging quite accidently one day when I was searching the web for inspiration. I was helping host a Jane Austen themed bridal shower (more on Jane Austen later!) for my brother’s fiance, and wanted to find some tea related recipes and/or decorations. I stumbled across a few baking blogs and became addicted immediately. There are other people out there who are just as passionate about decorative cookies and beautiful cakes as I am?! And they care about the visual presentation of food by taking gorgeous photographs of their baked goods? AND they have small kids at home?

So I started thinking about starting a blog myself. What would I write about? What am I passionate about? What do I struggle with/think about/want to share? I was in the kitchen the other evening looking for my spatula. Tired of looking for my belongings that seem to get misplaced often (sometimes my fault, but mostly not), I let out an exhaustive cry: "Where is my spatula?!" Just as I was finished with my pity party, I heard a clinking noise by the oven. I looked down, and there was my 1-year-old pushing silverware in a 1 inch crack just below the oven and above the cabinet it sits on. So that's where the silverware has been hiding! No doubt my spatula made its way in there, too. Can't I just bake some cookies without going on a treasure hunt first? But then again, that wouldn't be as fun, would it?

Because I currently spend 90% of my waking hours with my three sons (and eventually my husband), most of my daily thoughts, struggles and joy revolve around them. The remaining 10% of my time is spent delighting in the hobbies that also give me joy: baking, crafts, and reading. Having children around while trying to explore my more creative side has its unique challenges. Hopefully through this process I will be encouraged to know that I am not alone in this journey of raising young children (especially boys) while trying to express other sides of me. Hopefully I can also encourage other mothers out there through my stories and experiences. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a few laughs along the way…