Waiting until the last minute...

So, today is the day to eat the egg or have egg on my face. :) I'm going to eat the egg. How will it be prepared? Deviled! I am bringing deviled eggs to a New Year's party tonight and since this appetizer highlights the yolk, I figure it has to count. So.... I will have Ted take a picture of yours truly eating the yellow school bus on white with paprika please.

Happy New Year to you, my readers. I am thankful for your encouragement to keep on keepin on. May 2010 hold joyous unexpected surprises for you and yours!

Love,

Robin

AMAZING Mahi Mahi Tacos

Ok, rarely do I brag on my cooking, but these are out of this world! Even my mom who was a wee bit frightened by the sound of a fish taco tried them and fell in love. Give the recipe a whirl and you too will be saying, "Looks like we're having fish tonight!" (Quote from Finding Nemo-shark scene.)

Mahi Mahi Tacos

Mahi Mahi is a beautiful fish with yummy white meat. It is so nice they named it twice, as my grandma Lorna would say!

Ingredients:

2 pounds, or more, of skinless Mahi Mahi fillet (We buy the frozen bag at Costco and use 3 fillets.)

2-4 T olive oil

1 -2 limes (Depends on if they are big or mini limes.)

1/2 cup cilantro - finely chopped

salt and pepper

Taco Ingredients:

finely sliced cabbage (A short cut? Buy the bag of ready to make cole-slaw)

diced red onion

pico de gallo

sour cream

avocados (This is a must have for Ted in anything resembling Mexican cuisine.)

cheese

warmed tortilla shells (We use white flour shells.... terrible I know.)

Directions:

Grill the fish. When it is done, flake it into a glass cake pan. Mix the olive oil and lime juice with the cilantro. Pour this over the fish. It should be a little liquidy as you don't want the fish drying out. Salt and pepper. Place the glass pan in the oven and keep warmed at 250 degrees while you prep the remaining ingredients.

Dress the taco's and enjoy! Bonn apatite

*For a side..... we usually serve brown rice with black beans - two favorites in our house.

Baked Potato Soup

I should be writing my Christmas cards right now, but posting this yummy recipe seems like more fun at the moment. This is easy, easy so enjoy!

Ingredients:

bacon, I use turkey due to my no thank you on pork.

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup all purpose flour

7 cups of milk

4 large baked potatoes, cubed (I leave the skins on)

4 green onions, chopped

1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook bacon to your liking, drain and crumble. Set aside

2. In a stock pot, melt the butter on a medium heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in potatoes and onions. Bring to a boil stirring frequently.

3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper. Continue stirring until all the cheese is melted.

4. Serve and sprinkle the top with crumpled bacon. Bonn apatite!

*This soup is excellent served in a bread bowl. yummy yummy

Joy filled heart

I am sorry to have posted an I am bummed out post and not countered it with life is filled with joy again post. Thank you to my dear readers for checking in on me. I really am doing great and have not turned green and grinchy on you. :)

Enjoy Christmas with your families and I will be doing the same. Thank you for reading about a year with chickens. It's an adventure!

Lots of Love,

Robin

The Play Report

The rendition of the Christmas Story was performed on Tuesday evening for the lil Sprouts dads. The kids did amazing! I was proud of Natalie who said her lines clear, loud and with heart. I think back to her first reaction to even the thought of being in a play. Pure panic I tell you. Oh Nat, you've come so far! She truly had a FUN time and it was such a confidence boost for her. I was proud that Lydia did not interject a dragon in the play. She went on stage, with costume and seemed to have fun. She LOVES being included in 'school things' and she played an important part. Will enthusiastically rode his horse to visit Bethlehem. He stalled admiring the Christmas tree, but quickly snapped back into character. He seemed a little nervous, but went on stage and did his lines regardless. Natalie, William and Lydia your mama is so proud of you! I can't wait to see the tape and see it from "the audience"!

The flop in our family really came on my part. I messed up all over the place and have been working on getting over it. I forgot to take off an inn keepers apron and when she was a magi another mom had to pause the play to take it off.... I tried to give the magi gifts before they even said their lines.... and I lead the kids in O Holy Night ahead of the piano and before the last line was shared. I needed more dress rehearsals...... This was all very humbling for me and is teaching me to remember that it isn't about ME and that the kids had a blast regardless and oblivious to my fumbles.

So, way to go lil Sprouts actors and actresses you were wonderful, you worked hard and I am so proud of you!

Meet my friends Calvin and Hobbes.

These guys make me laugh.

15 days left to eat THE EGG

Just recalled my earlier post declaring I would eat one of our "farm" fresh eggs before the new year. Suddenly, with only 15 days between me and the yolky school bus, I have the flee feeling. Anyone relate? Ever volunteer to do something that is months away and then as it approaches the reality of what you've said you'd do sinks in. I've been there too. So a few cliches come to mind... the glass is half full. I mean at least I have food to eat, right? Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. Hope! Maybe they will cease laying and there will be no egg to eat. Or, grin and bare it. Which is probably the most appropriate for the given egg eating dilemma. I'll be sure and post a pic of me savoring every bite! Ha!!

A down day...

I'm needing hundreds of super smoochies and hugs from my fam today. It's been a down day. Blah blah blah.... And so close to Christmas? I'm sure my moods are breaking international laws.

So, I will attempt to instead be thankful. My nephew Briggs was realeased from the hospital today, after open heart surgery. All my kids are zonked out enjoying dream land. The house is very quiet. I have great friends. There is homemade fudge in my house. Hmmm... not working yet, I think I'll try a hot bath with a lil Calvin and Hobbes.

4 boxes down, 1 to go

*4 Christmas boxes have been mailed and the last one WILL be mailed tomorrow morning.

That to say, something confuses me....... I mailed a cereal box sized package and it was just under $10, my sister mailed a box equal to 4 cereal boxes, containing all our gifts and a B-day present, and it was just over $10. I don't get it. *Both were sent parcel post. Is it all about the weight and the size doesn't matter? If so, I think I should've sent those items in a huge box filled with tissue because it would've been more fun to open. Instead, I pack as efficiently as possible, even cutting down the sides where the space is not needed. Hmmm....

Maybe the post office could offer classes educating package sending customers to the in's and out's of mailing boxes. Yes, I would be the first in line to sign up.

Facebook post, what do you want for Christmas?

I posted a what do you want for Christmas on facebook expecting light hearted funny responses. However, this wasn't what I got. Instead, I got heartfelt pleas for things like one more baby for our family, joy for my family, that my husband would not be deployed again to Iraq. It made me cry and now again I'm crying..... I have so much to be thankful for. My family is healthy, my husband loves me and our family, We love God, Ted has a great job and we have 3 amazing kids. So, in that same vain, what do I want for Christmas? I've already got it.

I fired up my oven today.

I just began Christmas baking. During my childhood, my mom, sister and I started way early and would freeze the creations. I would "secretly" sneak in the deep freeze and snatch some of the goodies. I especially liked the frozen white almond bark dipped pretzels. Yummy! Or the handmade chocolate dipped caramels. Ok, now I am drooling. My poor mom when it came time to put the plates of goodies together, which she gave to everyone we knew, was sometimes shocked to see a tin no longer full. Sorry about that mom! I'm sure you contemplated placing a padlock on that deep freeze, and you probably should have done just that. :) It's different for my family today, we don't have lots of functions that we bring baked goods to and our family can only eat so much.... although I do sometimes wonder when the 'too much' point will come as we have several sweet tooth's.... So, today I made fudge and peanut butter/Hershey kiss cookies. Both remind me of my Grandma Lorraine at Christmas time. We have our lil sprouts home school Christmas play tonight and I intentionally signed up for cookies so I would have a reason and the accountability(!) to bake.

Lydia edits her inn keeper line....

My kids are practicing their lines for an upcoming Christmas play. Natalie is Mary, Will is a magi and Lydia is an innkeeper in scene 1 and 2 and an angel in scenes 3 and 4. To prepare, we have been practicing our lines at home. Natalie has 2 lines, Lydia has 1 and Will has 2.

One day while we were practicing, Lydia said her line like this, "Sorry. We are booked. Try next door DRAGON." She smiled pleased with her editing. I tried desperately not to laugh and explained that there were no dragons in this play. She said, "Oh, ok. I'll do it again mommy." She did it again, this time whispering dragon. I again explained there was still no dragon in the play. Her third attempt went like this. "Sorry, we are booked. Look! A star. Look how bright it is!!" to which Will replied, "That's my line! MOM she's taking my line." Everyone went crazy and then I joined in and realized my voice was raised and here we were practicing our Christmas play. We took a break....

I don't know what will happen on Tuesday night when this is performed for our audience of dad's. It is hard to say if my 3 year old will place a dragon in the scene or roll change, stealing her magi brother's lines. She's got enough spunk to do it, I'm praying she just doesn't think of it at the moment. Then again, if she does a laugh will be shared from the audience I am sure. You beat to your own drum Lydia, and again our family wouldn't be complete without your beat. Love you pumpkin.

Your wenis

Did I get your attention? I recently learned that the rough skin on the outside of the elbow is called wenis. Truly, it is! Now don't get me wrong, I am not going to rush out and teach this to my toddlers. I mean can you imagine that mishap at the grocery store? Natalie says to her brother, "Will I got your wenis." Everyone looks, I try to explain... no one believes me. Yada yada yada But I do encourage you to grab your husbands elbow skin and say, "I got your wenis!". Laughter is good.

I want sheep

I want sheep. What? Your year with chickens is still in progress! I know, I know but I am reading this wonderful book called Scouting the Divine by Margaret Feinberg and now I want sheep. Yes, sheep. What is Ted going to say? I have no idea, I'm not sure how to break it to him. Maybe I'll start knitting like mad and then he will come up with the idea thinking it will save money on yarn in the long run. Ha Ha good luck with that angle. I've seen your washcloths. Hush hush I can now make a beautiful washcloth thank you very much. Maybe the thought will fade. We'll see. Yes, we'll see.

A Bridesmade Roadtrip (and a very very merry random post from yours truly.)

Have you been in lots of weddings? Why not take all those bridesmaid dresses and take a road trip with some girls this spring or summer. You could start planning this great adventure now. (I say the girls, because I don't think a man could truly appreciate this experience.) Here's what you could do....

1. Choose a destination. Mount Rushmore? The Grand Canyon? The largest ball of twine? A big city near your town? You get the idea....

2. Round up some adventure seeking friends

3. Pack all those dresses you were promised, "Really, I think you could wear my bridesmade dress again."

4. Along the route, take photos of you by interesting sites wearing the dresses. For example in Jamestown, ND there is an albino buffalo. Wouldn't that make a lovely backdrop to that dress from your best friend's cousins wedding? LOL

5. When you return, make a postcard of you in the dress and send it to your friend. Say something like, "You were right! I was able to wear the dress again."

I think this kind of trip sounds like a BLAST! I have been in 3 weddings and would need to work hard to locate the dresses. HOWEVER, I think it would even be fun to buy hideous dresses at Goodwill, give them a good story to tell and take them along too.

The point is FUN! We all need to laugh and have more fun. Be inspired and watch out America, a bridesmaid road trip may be coming through your town soon.....

My Christmas Kitchen Window

Well, all the owls had to come down, fall is done. Although those adorable tea towels on the copper rod were my fav, it was fun to switch it up for Christmas time. Plus, when I pull the hooters back out in 9 months, I will be giggled to put them back in place. So, with that, here is my simple kitchen window sill for Christmas.

*Notice the blue lights? (They are a bit hard to make out...) These are so nostalgic for me. Growing up, we always decorated our tree in the old school C9 blue lights. As the years went by, the lights burned out and it became harder and harder to replace the blue bulbs. Eventually, we went with all white mini lights. Funny, it's the blue ones I remember from childhood the most.

Adventures in needle felting

Well, let me just say that I have REALLY been enjoying needle felting. It is a total blast! I have created mostly felted acorns but also constructed a heart ornament for my nephew Briggs. He is having open heart surgery this Thursday, so it seemed a fitting ornament to adorn his present this year.

Why I am liking needle felting you may be wondering.... It is a relatively speedy process and lets face it I can be impatient when it comes to crafting. :) I also love the texture of roving wool. The one negative is the needles are SO sharp and I do routinely stab myself thus forcing a break, at times when blood is drawn. I'm hopeful this side effect will vanish with practice.

counting down...

Feeling a little pressure tonight on the Christmas gift front, yet not enough to get moving. Can anyone relate? We need to mail our ND, MN and GA packages soon to save the wallet on fast shipping charges that otherwise may apply. :) I him and hah too much really. Most of them are complete, I just keep analyzing each gift. Oh yes, and the Christmas picture and cards have not been taken, signed or addressed yet. I'm going to work on savoring the joy in the moment this week, otherwise Christmas will be here and gone in a wink.

Will and his wife.... of someday

I kissed my sons cheek before dinner and told him that someday he would be a GREAT husband. He smiled and said simply, Thanks mom. Then said, I'm going to build her house. Your wife's? I asked. Yes, he said. She's going to saw the wood. And then she's going to grow babies. How many I asked. 3 girls and 5 boys he said with a smile.

2, of the many, gifts our youngest has been given

You are a lover of music Lyds. The music comes on and you are clapping to the beat, and dancing at only 3 years of age. Joy washes over your face at the sound of music. I love watching this gift develop in you. Oh the places your musical talent will take you!

You also have quite the sense of smell! (Like your mother) You are the first to declare, "Someone farted." "I smell cookies." "I smell sugar bugs." It always gives me a giggle to hear you broadcast your olfactory reactions.

12 Christmas Traditions in our family of 5

1. We always have a live tree - In our opinion there is just NO other way to do it.
2. Christmas Cards are sent to close friends and all our family.
3. We watch the Grinch at least 5 times, and sometimes we begin before October is through.
4. Every child receives a new ornament each year that represents that year for them. (This year each child is getting a hand felted barred rock hen to remember our family's year with chickens.)
5. Our Christmas feast consists of homemade soup and bread. Yep, that's it. Until we can enjoy cooking a huge feast as a family, we will have it simple and just be together.
6. We delight in eating Cinnamon rolls Christmas morning.
7. New pajamas are opened on Christmas Eve and worn that evening. (Confession- they are not washed before they are worn.)
8. Underwear, toothbrush and an orange are in the stockings every year, along with some lil toys or such. Food and 'essentials' are a blessing!
9. The tree is tinseled Christmas Eve night while everyone is sleeping.
10. A new ornament is bought each year for mom and dad that also represents something from the year.
11. We read the Christmas story and the Night Before Christmas.
12. We go on long drives with hot chocolate to ooh and ahh at lights.

Clyde n Dales

We got our tree last Saturday and it is so perfect! It is tall, about 10 1/2 feet and very thin. It is actually the same circumference at the bottom as it is at the top. I love it! We found it almost immediately, but we always enjoy walking the fields so we did that and then returned back to this one. My husband is the best dad ever! He is a big kid, really. :) He and the kids played hide n seek in the trees, we drank cider (more than our share!), rode on the horse carriage and had lots of fun!

The kids got to pet Ted (the horse!) and Andy. As we walked away, Will said, "That horse had privates mom. I forgot to not look at them." Kids are funny!

The tree was decorated on Sunday and it is gorgeous! We buy the kids an ornament each year that in some way represents that year for them. It was a blast pulling them out and telling each story of where and why it came from. Natalie especially enjoyed the stories, and told many to us as she remembered from years past. I love traditions! It's the most wonderful time of the year.

A large bird.....

My husband arranged for us to purchase an organic turkey from a guy he works with who has a side buffalo farm in Elma. Ted said he wanted a "big" one. I shared my concern and he assured me that in years past the "big" ones were 18 - 20 pounds tops.

A few months past.....

We got the call on a Saturday that our bird was ready to come pick up in Elma (about 40 min. away.) The bird weighed 36 pounds. Yes, 36 pounds! And yes, this is the "ready for the oven" weight. I did some quick calculating and said, "Oh my goodness Ted!" After a $2 discount, the bird rang in at $115. Did I mention we went to a friend's house for Thanksgiving and didn't cook a bird this year?!?

I was more than a little shocked and my reaction could've been sprinkled with love.... My husband's response was PERFECT. It calmed me, made me laugh and REMEMBER that these are the crazy little things I ADORE about him. He said, "I know it's bigger than we thought, but let's let it be one of those funny little things. Someday when we're old and using our walkers, we can look at each other and say 36 pound turkey and bust a gut laughing." I knew he was right. It is hilarious and forever memory has been made.

So, just how long does one cook a 36 pound bird? We've heard between 10 - 14 hours... We'll give a full report once we cook it. :) Ted, I love you and I adore how passionate you are about going for the biggest and best.

Turkey Gobble Contest

We were invited to a friends house this year for Thanksgiving. We brought an activity to share and it was a turkey gobble contest. Ted recorded all the kids performing their best gobble, unannounced to the parents. Before dessert, we gathered everyone together and played each turkey call and the adults voted on their favorite one. It was hard because there were lots of good ones! After the winner was declared, we had all the dads go behind a sheet. They got to listen to a real turkey call and then they each took turns mimicking a turkey. The kids got to guess which gobble came from which dad. This was hilarious! I was so impressed by the men's gobbles. We all had a good laugh. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with amazing food, friends and laughter! We are blessed.