The Gordon's Visit

My parents came to visit us for the first time (It's kind of a long way from Texas!!!) they came to see us through the early stages of the biggest snow storm western Washington has had in years!!! "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers ... " And left in the wee hours of the morning through what might turn out to be an extension of this fun filled storm.

Oh, did I mention we have been snowed in for a few days now??? This city shuts down, Brandon tried to go the bank and it wasn't open - snow, roads are closed - snow, pass is closed - snow, church is canceled - snow... Brandon hasn't worked since Wednesday. Oh global warming, where are you when we need you? It's cold here, is it cold where you are??? But of course we have been enjoying a little holiday before the holiday :)

I wanted you to notice Kenzie in the picture of her and my mom - we decided to walk to a little pond a half block away from our apartment, she walks, oh so happily, running most of the time through snow as deep as her little legs and then notice the last picture - kicking and screaming on her daddy's shoulder, somebody didn't want to go home... :)

These pictures were taken yesterday (Sunday morning - and yes church was canceled again... ) since then we have gotten another 6 inches of snow... Yippee!!!!!

I'll be gone from my happy little bloggers world for a while but when I get back it will be just in time to announce ...

The Bradshaw's Visit...

My kids have been SPOILED ROTTEN these last two weeks. Last week Brandon's parents came for a visit. This week my parents came to see us and left today, tomorrow we are going to the Bradshaw's for Christmas. You know the misery time that follows a departure from the beloved grandparents??? That will go on for a LONG time after Christmas - but it is TOTALLY worth it!!!!My kids - as are most others around this age ... or maybe it's just mine... are so into making faces, I can count on them to make a silly face every picture so I'm just going with the flow hoping this phase will end soon :) Judging from past family photos I don't think it will ... sigh... so, now all the pictures are silly faces. This time we got Grandpa and Grandma in on the silly face gig - no they don't usually make these faces, they are reserved for grandchildren only - my kids loved looking at these pictures because normally they are the only ones with a case of crazy face...

The coolest thing happened - we were driving around, me, the kids, g-pa & g-ma and I saw a bald eagle flying around one of our subdivisions ponds. I told everyone and my father in law made a U turn so we could go see it. There it was in all it's glory swooping around the pond, bothering the ducks and probably going after the fish. It was so pretty. Good teaching opportunity too - my mother in law got out a quarter and we started teaching Pickle about the beautiful bird we were looking at.

It's beginning to look a bit like Christmas.

We got a call 7 am saying church was canceled so we looked outside and this pedidly amount of snow was the culprit... well that and the rain that had frozen the streets and multitude of hills into ice skating rinks. Our playground is also an ice rink, if you can see it in the picture, this morning its solid enough to hold all of us up - too bad we don't have any skates :)

My husband loves me thissssssssssssssss much!!!!!

Well, he did it. He is perfect - for a few weeks anyway:) He of his own free will and choice, made me a gluten free birthday cake and bought my favorite icing. I have been struggling for months to get better at altering normal meals to be gluten free and baking - with some success and lots of trying again when I calm down :) I'll tell you this. It's been really hard. I sort of feel like it's taken over my life. Take everything you ever learned about cooking and throw it out the window - literally.

But he did it, just for me, he did it!!!!! :)

I know that is the ugliest cake you probably have ever seen, and there is a hole cut out of the center because it was raw, that was then filled in with icing, then there wasn't enough icing for the whole cake cause it was all in the center, and it tasted horrible, although it was better the next day and if you mixed it with loads of ice cream:) My husband loves me.

I had a fabulous day. We got ALL of our Christmas shopping done and had time for some meeeeee shopping (thank you Ron & Gwen!!! and thank you to Jess & Jaron for babysitting) Brandon was a trooper, if your husband is like mine you understand what this means - to have your husband hold your purse and all the purchases through 3 solid hours of shopping. Yet more proof of his love :) Thank you everyone for such a wonderfully perfect day!

Yes, if you are wondering, I turned 3 :)

Just cause I loved it!

Flaming Geyser & Fall meets King Co.

A few weeks ago (I'm a bit behind on posting...) we went to a beautiful park, the beauty mostly due to the AMAZING fall colors around here. Gorgeous and magnificent. So here are a few pictures. I'm not the best photographer but I sure do enjoy taking pictures! Make sure to click on them to get all the details!
This is the parks namesake. A little methane seeping out from somewhere in the earths core creating a constantly burning little fire - it was even raining that day but it didn't put out this little light o' mine... It made me think of the 10 virgins, just waiting for the bridegroom, 5 of them with their little lamps ready and enough oil to last the night - in this case gas rather than oil but I'm sure you get it...

I love living here, I love almost everything about this area. It is so beautiful. The Lord has truly blessed this area with some amazing artwork. I am continually amazed that any one place could be so beautiful. It is better than Picasso, way better than Pollock - I just don't get him, maybe I'm not artsy fartsy enough, but most of it looks like scribbles to me... sorry, random!

We have been adventuring out a little less mainly because we've been so busy but partly because of the rain, which tries to stop us - it only succeeds when it adds cold and wind - otherwise we don't mind mud, oh oops, I mean much...

Mom, these mossy tree pictures are for you. I remember one of our houses you trying forever to get moss to grow between the stepping stones. I thought it was so funny, clearly it was funny because I remember it 15 years later :) Come, take moss from us Mom, we have plenty to spare...I just like this little tree, it looked so pretty, we were driving around looking at potential customers and I jumped out of the car to photograph this. The kids were a little freaked out, they thought Brandon was leaving me there. :) Isn't it wonderful how a plain, ordinary tree can turn into this?!?!?!

Dillon-isms

Recent funny little comments from the Dillynator.

Singing in the car with Brandon -
Dillon starts jammin' out when this song comes on in the truck so Brandon says:
Dad - you like this song? (Listening to Jesse McCartney Leavin - ummm don't watch the video just listen :) )
Dillon - Yeah, I like this one, stop singing!

Once again singing with Brandon, Dillon in his seat just singing to himself
"103.3 turning to Apologize... IT'S TOO LATE TO 'POLOGIZE"
He can sing almost the whole song, it's his favorite.

My children recently learned some devastating news... they probably will never have a dog. This is crushing - horrible, misery inducing, life altering, pick one - to them as you who have met my children will know. That was a few weeks ago after we can home from my parents and the beloved Bowzer, the Bowz is the greatest thing in the world to them, particularly Kenzie who is a dog lover extraordinaire. Okay back to the story...

I'm in the kitchen - where I live... :)
Dill - Mom, are you allergic to baby bears?
Me - Well, I think so but I've never been around one
Dill - so does that mean we can get one ?
Me - uhhh, no.
Dill - I would keep its house in my room and carry it with me everywhere and you would never even see it, now can I have a baby bear?


Later that day...
Mom, are you allergic to alligators?



I know these things are mainly adorable to the mother of the child, but I wanted to record them :)

IT TOOK ME 25 YEARS AND 11 MONTHS TO LEARN THIS!?!?!?

Life's lessons are so unexpected. As I contemplate this post I can hear my mothers words echoing in my head. They are reverberating around in there like a record with a scratch. Why is it so hard to obey? My mother, who is twice my age and more than triple my intellectual power and street smarts :) has told me certain things over and over so many times if I think about them I can hear her voice just like she is standing next to me instead of 2,533 miles away.

I believe mothers specialize in nagging. It is the only way things happen to our satisfaction and proper timing. I prefer to call it gently nudging. Kind of like when you are pregnant and you first feel your baby kicking. It starts out so little, just little whispers of a flutter against you. Then as the fetus grows those flutters become a little more noticeable and grow even still to be, well, rather unpleasant, particularly around your internal organs that are unaccustomed to being assaulted by feet. I regularly "nudge" members of my family, the way my mother nudged me, her mother did her and so on, throughout all of human existence, with the possible exception of the Garden of Eden. Eve doesn't seem like a gentle nudger, not until they got kicked out of there anyway, I like to think of her as more of a do-it-yourselfer...

For my wonderful children and husband the initial nudge is so gentle and sweet - they are my soft little flutterings and whisper sweet voice. Then it grows, depending on the importance of the issue it can grow exponentially and other flutters just turn into nudges and grow into taps - at times incessant tapping, not unlike the torture we inflicted as children involving sitting on someone and "tapping" their forehead until they can name 10 cereals.

I conclude these thoughts with one thing remaining unsaid which I dedicate to my dearest nudger, who nudged and tapped me through the first 25 years and 11 months of my existence.

Mother, I gargled hot salt water and dang it all, it worked.

My BFF

(photo courtesy of google who led me to someone elses blog:) )

This stuff is AMAZING!!! The catch is you have to start it within a few hours of discovering you have a cold.

I was visiting teaching a couple months ago and in between making the calls and showing up I had started in on a HORRIBLE cold, within hours, you could tell it was "that" cold - usually my colds last for weeks with the hacking - going to make you throw up cough and making my asthma act of somethin' fierce thus making a cold way more miserable. Our bishops wife (who I visit teach) ran up, grabbed a q-tip and Zicam and made me shove it up my nose (yes, a little awkward but worth every second!!!) It's not instant relief or anything, it just makes your cold go away faster. Rather than the usual 2+ weeks a cold usually lasts me, it was gone in a couple days and being gone so quickly it didn't even impact my asthma - YEAHHHHH! As normal breather ya'll might not understand the importance of this - but to a wheezing geezer, this is HUGE! It has been my constant companion during these last few months and as I pass yet another cold this week with great ease and "very little inconvenience to myself" (random P&P quote, for those completely obsessed - or maybe it's just me???) I will willingly pay $12 for a couple days worth of a cold. (if you google Zicam coupons you can print a $1 off coupon, I'm big into coupons...) Another bonus, since my colds have been so short my kids haven't gotten them once! Yeah for healthy kids!!!!!

Mama, I done did git the gator.

More from the sunny south. My Mom emailed me the pictures and now I happily relate to you the joys of "Gator Country."















I would like to introduce you to Banana. She is an albino bermese python, would you like one?














More introductions, this is Chubbs, he is a 3 year old alligator who is unable to open his mouth - that's why he's so little and they can pass him around to 2 & 4 year olds without fear :)

Dillon held him too, but it was very quick and he was pretty nervous so I grabbed him away rather quickly. I'd like you to notice my expression, yes, that is a blissful grimace :)














Kenzie was more than willing to hold the alligator, the lizard and the snake, she's one tough cookie - I wouldn't mess with her :)














This is Big Al, he is the largest alligator in captivity weighing in at over 1000 lbs and 13 1/2 feet long. We went when the gators were getting ready to hibernate. In the winter they slow their hearts down so that they only beat 3 times per minute. They also don't eat anything because it would rot in their belly's and kill them. Delightful knowledge gained in Gator Country, so educational. However next time we will go when they are HUNGRY, it would be more fun :)

The man poking Big Al was very interesting, I had no idea there were people in the world that had such interest in these foul beasts. He loved them!!! He knew everything there was to know and was genuinely concerned about their well being and happiness! It was so interesting, I really learned more than I ever cared to know about alligators and crocodiles - and now that I am in the know, I have permission to call them crocs and gators...

Did any of you know that alligators hiss, I didn't either, it comes right before the SNAP! :)

Our Trick or Treaters

Dorothy and the Scarecrow were very willing to be photographed, the witch was not so keen since the tin man's costume didn't fit.

A New & Useful Tag

A new sort of tag - I'm rather excited about it, everyone loves new recipes, especially if someone else already says they are good.

Dinner Tag: 5 Meals, 5 Recipes, 5 Favorites...

You post 5 of your favorite meals (or whatever you can come up with and feel like typing out!) with accompanying recipes, there should be a good mix of easy, quick meals and maybe one or two nicer meals and throw in one you've been meaning to try but never get around to it - we'll tell you if it's any good... Double points if any of your meals are or can be made gluten free :) Pictures are worth extra credit. You can do 5 all at once or spread it out over 5 days.

This post is what I do when I am suppose to be making our meal and grocery lists for the next 2 weeks during quiet time! This isn't going to be an easy one, recipes take time but maybe you already know the ones you want to do. It's soup season, we do A LOT of soup in the winter, we are sick of it by spring, but that is what winter and fall are all about :)

Chicken Noodle Soup
2 chicken breasts
1/4 c. finely chopped onions
4 c. water
2 1/2 c. water with 2 - 3 chicken bouillon cubes
3/4 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c, finely diced celery - I've started using celery salt a lot and sure like it so I've been doing some of that and cutting out a bit of salt.
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/4 tsp. thyme
Pinch pepper
Couple handfuls of spinach - chopped up tiny - I know this might not sound good, but spinach really adds good flavor and it's so healthy - you can go ahead and make dessert cause you ate spinach with dinner:)

Here's the recipe for homemade noodles, this is the key to the whole recipe, these are the secret! Don't get lazy and throw in egg noodles, it won't be near as good. I am missing this recipe as I haven't yet tried making GF noodles.

1 c. flour - I usually end up adding a lot more flour but this is a starting point
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. salt

Stir together with fork, until stiff, but not so stiff you can't roll them. May have to add more flour. Then mix with hands. Roll out like pie dough, slice into strips with sharp knife. Slowly add noodles into broth for 10-15 min, they'll usually float up once they are done. Boil SLOWLY.

Cook onions and stir 1-2 min. Don't brown. Add all ingredients, except noodles & spinach. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low simmer, uncovered and cook 30 min. until chicken is tender. Remove chicken, shred and add back to pan. Add noodles & spinach and cook.

Minestrone Soup
(This makes tons, I half it)
All veggies cut into bite size pieces

1. 1 lb ground beef, cooked
2. 6 T butter
3. 3 carrots
4. 2 stalks celery
5. 1-2 small onions
6. 1 clove garlic, minced
7. 1/2 head cabbage
8. 1 head cauliflower
9. 2 cans tomato sauce
10. 6-8 c. water
11. 2 tsp salt
12. 4-8 beef bouillon cubes
13. 1/4 tsp oregano
14. 1/2 tsp pepper
15. 4 potatoes
16. 2 zucchinis
17. 10 oz. chopped spinach (I know that might sound gross but it really adds so much flavor and nutrients!)

Directions:
Stir fry first 8 ingredients 20 minutes
Add 8-15 and boil, then simmer for 30 minutes
When 5 minutes left, add spinach.
And you're done, eat it up!

Cilantro Cream Sauce
This isn't a meal but it is so good it should be! We use it as salsa, or in any meal that we want to top with sour cream. It is seriously freakin' AMAZING!!!
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 (7 ounce) can tomatillo salsa - we just use normal salsa, but you want the tomatillo if you want it to be spicy.
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, pepper, celery salt, cumin, garlic powder, cilantro and lime juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Clam Chowder
3 (6.5 ounce) cans clams - don't drain
6 slices bacon, cooked & chopped up
1 cup minced onion
1 cup diced celery
2 cups cubed potatoes - or more, we like lots of potatoes
1 cup diced carrots
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
ground black pepper to taste
Drain juice from clams into a large skillet over the onions, celery, potatoes and carrots. Add water to cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetables, bacon and clam juice. Heat through, but do not boil. Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar, and season with salt and pepper.


Beef & Broccoli
1 pound beef sirloin, cut in thin strips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups broccoli, cut up

marinade:
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
gravy:
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water or broth

Stir marinade ingredients in a medium bowl, add beef and let marinade in refrigerator for 15 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together gravy ingredients and set aside.
Cook beef in a large skillet or wok with hot oil and set aside.
Cook broccoli with 1/4 cup of water until tender crisp (about 8 minutes).
Return meat to skillet with vegetables. Stir in gravy. Cook till gravy is thickened (about 1 minute).

Okay, so this took a little longer than I had intended! But if you are interested I tag the following people, good luck, I am so excited for new food!!!
Alexis
Jessica
Jo
Julie
Michelle
Tara

TEXAS!!!

Last week we were in Texas, just me 'n' the kids - I haven't been there before and I hadn't seen my dad in so long, almost 2 years I think! That's longer than any gal should go and we found an awesome deal on tickets so off we went.

We had a BLAST! The kids were in heaven, the dog (Bowzer), the fish tank, the turtles (they live on a golf course and there is a pond with turtles that they feed), the lizards ( that climbed on the windows when it was dark outside so that they could catch the bugs bouncing off the glass trying to get the light inside ), the gigantinormous yard, it was so great. My kids have never been so happy, they were free. We need a house.

Brandon ended up not being able to come so Dillon informed everyone around us on the airplane ride there that Daddy had to stay home and clean the whole house :)

Rules for our next trip to TX...
NO sitting next to drunk people on the plane
Bring a back up DVD player
Have "OFF" available at all times
Bring Brandon with us or we aren't coming home :)
Go to Gator Country when we get to see them hungrier and crankier and when I have the extra memory card with me... there are pictures of us holding a little 3 year old gator but they are on my mammas camera, I'll post them when I get them.
Bring an extra empty suitcase
Hide Bowzers water and food - he can feed himself, Kenzie just doesn't realize that.

Kenzie - 5 mosquito bites - $165
Dillon - 16 mosquito bites - $165
Natalie - 32 mosquito bites - $165
Spending a week in Texas with your parents - priceless. :)

The Plane Ride Home

This is a letter I sent to Delta Airlines following our recent trip to visit my parents in Texas (which was DELIGHTFUL!!!! and I will blog about later it's been a little crazy around here since we got home. Jo, can this count as disappointing?) I know there are more details than any of you need but I just copy and pasted it :)

To the complaints department of Delta Airlines,

I recently returned from the most miserable flights I have ever been on. Connection flight DL 1226 from Salt Lake City to Seattle on October 26^th.

Seated next to my 26 month old daughter was a completely inebriated woman. I couldn't move my daughter because my son (4) was on the other side of the isle and I needed to be able to reach both of them (row 18, seats B, C, and D were ours and I couldn't have her sitting alone in seat B).

This woman was swearing and miserable. She hated Delta, children, Mormons, Utah, the stupid Mormons who had kicked her out of the bar before her flight, flight attendants, checking baggage, no room in over head compartments, (which she stored hers at our feet! Placing her bags in a nearby over head compartment was apparently completely out of the question even though I pointed out several places) charging for headphones, and charging for beer. I could tell this woman had issues and possibly was physiologically challenged. I tried to take a high road, I made nice – I ignored her when she used offensive derogatory language and consoled her as she complained about everything I listed – however being a Mormon it was very difficult, and as you can imagine I kept my mouth shut about my religious beliefs. My daughter began to get wiggly; she's 2, that happens. She stood in my lap and turned my light on and off, this woman informed me that it was enough and turned my light off. I told her that it entertained my daughter and kept her from crying. The woman then told me I needed to – I'll spare you the language and translate – "beat her bum" I informed her I didn't do that to my children and she told me to shut my *bleeping* mouth so I held it wide open, sorry. Then my daughter began to buckle and unbuckle my seatbelt each time exclaiming – ta daa! (It was actually really quiet because she had a binky in her mouth) and clapping. This woman grabbed her beer glass and threw the beverage on my child, my barely 2 year old daughter and said (in writing you can't grasp intonation and sarcasm but let me tell you it was DRIPPING with it)"Oh, oooooooooopps, sorry 'bout that!" I had had enough. I pushed my call light and yelled my head off! By then the flight attendant rushed over to investigate the situation and the kind woman to the other side of my son (18 A) offered us her seat. You can correlate with any number of people, I would refer you to her (18 A) if necessary or to those seated in rows 17 C, D, and E or row 19 C, D, and E as they all witnessed her "issues". The only further incident happened when multiple times she would look over and ask, "You happy now, huh, you happy now?" I'm not exactly certain how I could be happy holding a beer soaked, scared 2 year old, and calming an angry, scared 4 year old (who had no concept of beer, until this incident)

Delta should not serve alcohol to people who are so clearly already above the limit for a public place, if you are uncertain ask the person seated around them. If that were already the case, we would possibly have been spared such an ugly experience and the worst we would have had to put up with was a woman with a nasty, dirty mouth.

This should not have happened. This woman verbally assaulted a baby and its mother, and assaulted the baby with an alcoholic beverage. I should have had the police come but after such a long miserable day the last thing I wanted to do was stay another 2 hours speaking to the police! This woman was out of control. She should be fined the cost of our tickets, dry cleaning, and never allowed on Delta again!

PS They replied with $100 on my next Delta flight.

Kenzie, the almost a big girl!

Kenzie got a new bed last week. She is doing great, but it took a couple nights and some well placed spiders :) On Wednesday (yet another night I had to be away, this time for mutual) Brandon was having a difficult time getting Kenzie to stay in her bed, sooooo... he went and started rummaging in her closet, grabbed a handful of "spiders" and threw them on the floor and told her not to come out of bed or the spiders will get her... (there wasn't really any spiders real or pretend) This is of her first night - after her parents won the battle of the sleep at 10pm...




Jubilant celebrations the next morning!

I'm Having an Affair . . .

Although I never thought the day would come that those words would come forth from my lips, it's true, dastardly and horribly true... (don't stop reading!!!)

I am an Idaho girl to the core, my heart will always belong there, but I have recently fallen in love, again. North-western Washington has made a play for me. It is trying to steal a place in occupied territory. I cannot tell you the beauty of this area, you know if you have been here. It is beyond compare (with anything I have experienced thus far in my short existence) I love it here.

On one hand you have some of God's art work at it's finest. Puget Sound and it's many beauties, Mount Rainier peaking/peeking out at you in between the clouds, and our newest exploration, Point Defiance Park (the zoo and aquarium are somewhat famous but the park is what should be - and most of it is free which is a price tag I most admire!) After today's adventure, I might have to be dragged from this city kicking and screaming. I am as happy as a bear in the honey pot, now if I could only find a way of transporting all the people from Idaho who are still tugging my heart strings - and the ones in Utah and Texas, life would be perfect!

For my big city loving husband I bring you the other hand... Seattle, as much big city as an Idaho boy can handle and much more! For myself though, I stay far away - unless he is driving ...

As for my title - never you worry, Mr. Bradshaw is so thoroughly adored that my heart - although fickle when the matter of land is in reference, it is not where my Colonel Brandon is concerned!

In case you noticed, not that you could help it, yes I've been reading Austen - with all the joy and fondness my heart can issue. :)

Amazing Spanish Rice (also gluten free!)

I'll have you know, if I post a recipe - you should try it, because it is really good. I may not be the best photog but I is a good cooker :)



(Fancy gourds courtesy of my in-laws)
So here it is, I'd double it though because you will want to eat it for dessert, that is, if everything you typically eat for dessert has been taken away by one wicked doctor, a blood test, genetics and your husband and kids are snacking away on really yummy looking cookies :) ...

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chicken stock
  
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (we didn't use this as we are not big tomato fans)
  
• 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• parsley to taste (actually I just like the splash of color :) )

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Saute rice, onion, and bell pepper until rice is browned and onions are tender.
2. Stir in water and tomatoes. Add seasonings. Cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

Makernoni and Sheesh

Macaroni & cheese is a staple among mothers. For years I fought the dreaded "box" and eventually I caved. I love the stuff - homemade though, the box is one thing I can easily live without! My mom makes the best, it's so simple and yummy. For my Boise friends do a mourning celiac a favor and go downtown to Louisiana Fried Chicken on Broadway, eat it in honor of me :) They make the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten...

So I'm sure you are wondering about this tribute to macaroni and cheese of all things. I've been cravin' the stuff, it had been invading my dreams and keeping me awake - well not really I just really missed it - yes more than cake, more than Brandon's heavenly chocolate chip cookies (he has a magic touch), more than the chocolate chip pumpkin bread and danish almond puff pastries I make this time of year - oh the baking I am missing out on (why couldn't I have found out after Christmas???), but yes I had a hankerin' for mac & cheese, I'm a little different.

I made some. Rice noodles and cornstarch, but I made it and it tasted pretty good. A new celiac friend of mine said that when she keeps her expectations really low, things end up tasting pretty good :) Well, if you've stuck with me this long, now you know - mac n' cheese is edible for non-wheaties ... as long as I make it and it doesn't come from a box :)

One tidbit for ya...

I love this picture - her little finger just up there like she's saying, "Excuse me, if I could make a point?" Or, "One minute mom, Dillon and I are talking!" Just precious...

Umm, did anyone notice it is OCTOBER??? When did that happen??? (uhhh, after September...) I am experiencing some sort of mental difficulty :)

Happy news though, I spent $70.74 and with all my coupons and store deals I saved $65.29. I was as happy as a bear in the honeycomb!!! What a good shopping trip. I am not going to buy deodorant, toothpaste or shampoo & conditioner for a good couple years! :) More happy news, it doesn't get very cold here, we just get to explore in the rain :)

The Mariners

Another Seattle adventure for the Bradshaw family. Monday night was family night at Safeco field. Brandon and I braved extreme, and by extreme I mean taking our children out for MANY hours of sitting in one spot - we ventured out to a Mariners game with a few of our friends from the ward. We had a WONDERFUL time. The kids were good (good requiring you note that they are 2 and 4, they were as good as can be expected for a 3 hour baseball game) It was so fun. They did, however, get more enjoyment out of seeing the airplanes fly over the stadium than they did from the game. Kenzie loved the music, every time it came on she would dance and go crazy, even when the music was done - she loves dancing! Dillon had so much fun, he wanted to go back tonight (because Brandon went back, he got some REALLY good tickets from a co-worker and was going to take Dillon - who turned out to be very naughty today. . .) At one point during the game we asked him who was playing (Mariners & Angels) he informed us that it was the Mormons :) Go Mormons!!!

Brownies & Maple Bars

Life has thrown a new twist at me. I don't have a positive diagnosis, but I do have a blood test leading to my conclusion that I have celiac, yes I will eventually have the biopsy all of my family is bugging me to have but until then a positive reaction to my lack of gluten, is enough for me. I will keep you posted, if it is to the contrary I will post mounds recipes in a renewed salute to the joy and ease of wheat, if I am right, you can refer to my blog for various gluten free recipes in a salute to something else entirely.

I've watched for years as my father and sister have dealt with this disease and once you are eating the right thing it is completely manageable and pain free, if I must add yet another to my list of medical ailments I would choose this over MANY others! All I have to do is avoid gluten... although my passion for the sometimes floury substance is not as deep ceded as my husband's I am gradually realizing things I can no longer have and each day is getting a little harder -- oh, I can have them, I just have to make them from scratch and using strange expensive ingredients. I didn't realize how much emotion I had been holding in until I got to a friends blog (Meg, I will call her a friend even though we only met once because of how much emotional attachment her gluten free (gf) food blog now holds for me) She did this, not for herself but for the man she loves - certainly I can for myself? She had a gf brownie recipe, I love brownies. They are delectable and divine, I have spent years (5) finding the best brownie recipe only to be cut down once it's found, but I will prevail. I know my sister is a vast resource for my venture into gluten free - she has been doing it for 15 years now, but there was some block in my mind. Like if I called her it would all be true and she would console me, I do not want to be comforted, at this point I'm not sure if it's real and maybe a bit in denial - I don't have it for sure yet - this could all go away.

I am going to be me again. This will not stop me, it is only a speed bump. I feel like I am acting so silly over something so unimportant in the great plan of happiness, this makes me feel better, but I can't seem to stop myself from moping. All day long my mind is humming with activity - what else can't I eat? When is the next realization of a forgotten but much beloved treat going to hit? Maple bars, mmmmm, I loved maple bars but I would never voluntarily make them for fear of seeing what is actually in them... Ovaltine too, I don't know anything about it's claim on nutritional value but it does make a fabulous chocolate milk! Sorry for this post, it is against my better nature to post things relating to my serious side but it is quite a liberating experience, possibly I will delete it in a few hours and possibly not :)

Oops...

Kenzie has been potty training lately and doing quite well, despite her very lazy mother :) Today I was taking her potty and my mind was quite on other things. I was placing her on the "potty" and gradually become aware that normally she would be sitting by now and what .... oops, ummm, I put my toddler in the toilet. I had forgotten to put her little training seat on and her scrawny little hind parts went right through into the toilet. This isn't the first time that has happened mind you, but it is the first time it was her mother who did it :)

If, by chance she ever manages to be potty trained - it won't have been any of my doing :)

More Recipes, Powerball & Oatmeal Cake

These were requested from me so I thought I'd just post them and everyone can have them - I don't like making things unless I see a picture, sorry no cake picture, just make it - it's good! But here is a random little girl holding a Powerball, it's from the magazine WonderTime.

PowerBall - to replace the "dough balls" (frozen balls of cookie dough) I usually give my kids to snack on, I'm such a good mom, here have some raw eggs, butter and sugar for a snack :) We all have our faults...

Mix 1 C. peanut butter and 1 c. honey until smooth, gradually add in 3 cups oats and 1/2 c. ground flaxseed. Add 1 c. chocolate chips and 1 c. any combination of dried fruit and nuts (try chopped peanuts with raisins and craisins or blueberries) and smoosh together by hand or gently with your mixer. Roll into ping-pong sized balls. You can eat them right away but they will be less sticky after a night in the fridge. They freeze really well too layered on wax paper in an airtight container. Makes 40 - 48 balls.

Oatmeal Cake - this stuff is delicious!!!
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. shortening
1c. sugar
1c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt, vanilla & baking soda
1 1/3 c. flour
Topping:
6 T. butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 c. coconut
1 c. nuts (we just added extra coconut)
1/4 c. cream or evap. milk
1 tsp vanilla
Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand until cool. Cream together shortening, sugar and eggs. Add oatmeal to mixture. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Mix well, Bake 350 to 35 minutes while cake is hot spread with topping and cook under the broiler for 3 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned

Topping
Put butter in pan and melt over low heat. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Spread over top of cake and broil.

This cake keeps very well - if you hide it. It is perfectly acceptable as breakfast food, while your kids are eating their own oatmeal with a measly half teaspoon of brown sugar and some honey :)

A favorite quote

I believe in myself. I do not mean to say this with egotism or arrogance, but I believe in my capacity to do good, to make some contribution to the society of which we are a part. I believe that I am a child of God endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us. I do no have to be a scrub, though my contribution may be small, I can perform it with dignity and offer it with unselfishness. My talents may not be great, but I can use to them to bless the lives of others. I can be the one who does his work with pride in that which comes from his hand and mind. I can be one who works with respect for my associates, for their opinions, for their beliefs to help them should they stumble. I believe in the principle that I can make a difference in this world.


Gordon B. Hinkley 1991

Dang Blasted STUPID GUM!!!!

Earlier today... It's minutes before nap time - the lets get just a bit more energy out of her so she'll nap longer kind of day and she is rather cranky. Dillon LOVES gum, he practically lives for gum, he always has to be chewing on something and to save his already gnawed fingernails and nearby toys - we give him gum - it's solves the problem. BUT, now Kenzie - with her ever watchful eye - has picked up on this and thinks she gets some too, if I don't, she usually digs it out of the trash so I just give it to her, it keeps her happy. What happened this morning then is probably my fault. I gave them gum hoping they would leave me alone and let me finish the dishes before quiet time (so then it's all mine! My stolen moment during the day :) ) They were perfectly happy chewing and playing until Kenzie comes up to me with her wad in her hair, a half inch from her scalp on the tip top of her noggin. Not cut-able, I am far too vain to allow that sort of digression from her beautiful face! Back to present... I spent the last hour scratching, combing, tugging, and oiling then bathing, shampooing and re-shampooing Kenzie's head. She did okay, only minimal crying even with all the hair that ended up being pulled out in the process. I'd always heard peanut butter but I can't do that ... so I looked up other methods and saw others had success with olive oil - it's not as easy as they say - of course they were using it on 6 year old and mine is 2... could have been the problem. NO MORE GUM FOR KENZIE!

The PARTY!!!

Ain't no party like a Bradshaw party cause the Bradshaw parties don't stop!!!

These two monkeys probably thought their b-days were a whole week rather than just one day! We left to see Brandon's parents on Tuesday and that night they had cake & ice cream for Kenzie (and presents of course!!! His parents took the kids to Toys R Us and let them pick out their own toys - it actually went better than I thought it would - there was very little screaming :) ) Then we got to my sisters house Wednesday and played and played, we were so busy! (I'll do the trip in a separate post) Friday we had a wedding reception (Congrats Erin & Taylor - I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING - except your wedding!!! Can anyone email me pictures???) with candy and cake and cheesecake - divine cheesecake - Saturday we had a BIG b-day party with all 16 cousins plus a few of our Boise friends and cake and ice cream... then we went back to Bran's parents on Sunday (it's on the way to and from Boise) and they had a little party for Dillon, and then we got home Monday and we had presents for the kids... were they partied out??? Nope, we got home and they wanted to go back to Grandmas house!

Kenzie has two new expressions when anyone tells her to smile, she either squints her eyes really tight shut or opens her mouth. Take your pick... :)