The First of a Couple of Things

I simply can not believe how my little sons are growing up.  It seems that each day brings on new advancement in some area of their lives.

Completely fascinating to watch their personalities, speech and humor develop.

My love for them increases to new levels that I never thought imaginable.

I was worried when I was pregnant with Drake.  I didn't know how it would be possible to love my second boy as much as I did Cole.  And I didn't think that fair.

Oh for the words to describe the love for your first child - the introduction of a brand new love that a woman has never known until she holds that firstborn in her arms seconds after his birth.  A soul that she brought into this world through God's design.  A baby that was known by God before He even formed him in her womb.  A baby that was created specifically for her and she for him.  A baby that is her very own.  To provide, to cherish, to protect....and to LOVE.

That last part was the easiest.  And I did it well.

How could this be matched when I had another son?  No probable way.

BUT...

Somehow, some way, God rendered me an abundance of love to lavish on my second-born, chunky, adorable little boy.  Thankfully.

Drake is 10 months old now.  He started waving bye-bye this last weekend.  To a stranger in McDonald's.  Lovely.  Not to his mommy or daddy, but some crazy lady got him to wave at her.

He just flaps his hands and gives that contagious smile.  He's quite proud of his accomplishments.

Cole is 2 years and 11 months old.   This week, a definite first.  He has always been a good "talker."  At 10 months old, he was already saying lots of words.  And these past 6 months, he has just floored me with the way that he's been putting (LONG) sentences together.  Several sentences together - short paragraphs.  I could listen to him talk all day.  Which I do.  He never stops.  Good thing I like it.

Wow.  Kinda resembles his mom and her blog.  

I was putting him to bed Sunday night - going through the normal routine.  Which is...he gets in bed.  (He used to play with his cars for a bit, and then fall asleep without me doing any of the following.)  I sometimes give him a snack in bed and brush his teeth in there as well.  Not always.  But after I have taken care of all that...the following occurs.  I ask, "Do you wanna play a bit or do you want me to cover you up?"  He says (as of recently), "I want you do cubber me up," with an excitement like it's the coolest thing ever.  I cover him up, and go to the armouire because I know what he's going to say next..."I need dox (socks).  My feet dold, and you put dox on and dey won't be." Usually something along those lines.  :)  I turn the sound machine on in the closet if I haven't already.  Go back to his crib and we talk and pray.  I savor these times.

I am the one that normally starts the conversation though.  Not on Sunday night.  I had gone to the closet to turn on the sound machine, and Cole had stopped talking for a few seconds.  Pure miracle right there.  Obviously, something was running through his little brain.

First time that he has ever started a topic of conversation TOTALLY UNRELATED to something that we had been conversing about previously.

Cole: "Mommy, you yike yemonade?
Me, taken back: "Oh yes, I love lemonade.  Do you?"
Cole: "Yah. I weally yike milk.  And orange duice."
Me: "Me too.
Cole: "And I yike yemonade."

So, our first conversation that Cole initiated, was about our favorite drinks.  How cute!  Now, I'll remember it forever.

Anxious to see what other memories will be had when my blessings wake in about 30 minutes.  Love them so much.

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We'll Miss You, Boy.

The hardest thing I've ever, ever done.

Today, we said our final goodbye's to Tucker, our faithful Golden Retriever of 12 years.   

My dad wanted me to help take Tucker in today, because my mom couldn't bring herself to be there.

I don't blame her.  At all.

I loved this dog.  Even though I didn't reside in the same house as he did for the past 6 years since getting married, I still had many years with him.  Many memories.  He was the best dog.

THE best.

I once followed a news story where after some terrible aftermath of a natural disaster, golden retrievers were brought in to help these people cope and place them back on the road to recovery.

I remember in one of my own trivial "disasters" - back in my dating years.

My first heartbreak.

I had always been the bearer of bad news.  But...not that March afternoon in the commons.  Out of nowhere.  He thought we should take spend some time apart.  I was devastated.  I was 18, and I thought my life was over.

I went home...crying.  Sobbing.  Life wasn't fair.

I was in the living room - no one was home yet.  Tucker nudged the french doors open enough to squeeze through.  And he came over to me, sensing something was wrong.  Then when nothing else could have possibly picked up my spirits - that silly dog started playing tug-o-war with my scrunchi.  And he wouldn't stop.  Until he had me laughing.  He helped me realize that things were going to be okay...that I could laugh again.

He helped our family through many hard times.

What a good pet.

I had to drive today with Tucker in the back seat.  His window rolled down.  Every turn, every lane change, took me closer to the inevitable.  Made me so sad.  Lots of tears.

I didn't want to have to be involved in this.  But, I did it.  For my parents.  I did it for them.  Imagining their pain with the way I felt.  I knew I had to do it.

I petted him until he was gone.

Cole will miss his "Tuck-tuck."  We will miss our almost daily visits to see him.  But, we know we did what we needed to do.

I'll miss you, boy.  Thanks for the wonderful memories.

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Front Porch Facelift

Sitting outside.  On my porch.  Writing about my porch makeover.   

My legs dangling.  Swing rocking back and forth.  Slight breeze blowing through the porch openings.

Life is SO wonderfully good.  I am incredibly blessed.

Before of porch.  Not so pretty.

After. Truly, my oasis.

I spend much of my alone time here.  Probably too much.  

Also, I have Cole (& Drake) playing out front in the bigger part of our yard.  Most of the time.

Where I can keep my eyes on the porch children.        

       Some of the things that I just love.      

Ideally, I would like to stain the deck and add a cheaper copycat of this rug.  I just don't know how much longer we'll be here.  So we shall see if I dish more money out on the project.
(Which as you know, wasn't much...beautiful, thrifty pretties excite me.)

And yes, I had to add a picture of the seat cushion and four pillows that I, yes I, sewed.  I'm quite proud of the way they turned out.  Bet you can't tell at all.

My first sewing project = pure giddiness of success.

Love the way the porch looks and how it makes me feel.

Thought I should give you an idea of what I've been enjoying these past several weeks.
Fall is just around the corner.
Soon, these flowers will be replaced with other beauties such as mums and calendulas.
Will enjoy this as long as I can.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour.

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My Ever So Special Firstborn

This stage of Cole's life has trumped all others that I thought were "the best yet." Having an absolute blast with that child o' mine. 

The BEST WELL-SPENT money EVER couponing = several 8-pack packages of paper towels for $2.25. Today, they've provided lots and lots of comical playtime for Mommy & Cole. They've been made into towers and beds, been beaten to death by ball bats, and smashed to smithereens by Cole (& Mommy - apologies for the disturbing mental picture) running, jumping and diving on them.  Poor things...they'll never stand upright in their packages again.  But hey, they're still usable and definitely considered a multi-purpose towel now in my book.  

While waiting for some "action to happen" during a break to take Cole to the potty, I was reading to him.  A favorite book of mine (thanks to a dear friend, Shana Smith).  But today, I could hardly get through it.  My animated voices did aid in stifling tears.  Some.

"I fell in love with you the day you were born.
You made my heart smile.
You'll always be a part of me, and I'll be a part of you.
So who do I love the best?
That's easy.
I love all my cubs.
But there's no one like you, my special firstborn."
                                                                       - Dr. Kevin Leman

And you, dear Cole, are one SPECIAL firstborn.

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Raspberry Pie Bars

Dessert.  Raspberries.  Butter.  More butter.

Words that make me smile.  Yah, this recipe is a keeper.  :)

The ingredients that have caused me to be loopy with butter and giddiness.  You're not seeing things.  That is three sticks of butter.  If you're trying to lose any amount of weight, you probably just need to click outta this recipe right now and head back to Pinterest in search of some lower fat recipes.

Mix the all-purpose flour, sugar and salt in a bowl.  Then go and take a blurry picture of it for your blog.  Combine well.

This is the crazy part.  The recipe called for you to get your food processor out and cut the butter into it that way.  I was too lazy to retrieve my processor out of the lower cupboards, so I used my pastry cutter.  To cut in THREE STICKS OF BUTTER.  Um, not so lazy after all.  I got a good workout in.  Something's not right in my head.  But if you do really wanna talk about lazy, I abhor washing those pastry cutters after they're all filled up with greasy butter.  

Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumbled up goods for the topping.  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Take the flour/butter mixture and press into the bottom of the pan.  Make a nice thick crust.  

Those fingerprints kinda freak me out a bit.  

Whisk 4 eggs together.  Action shot.

Add your sugar, sour cream, flour, salt, lemon zest and almond extract and stir until combined.

Fold in raspberries.

Remember the goods?  Well, now just take what you have left and sprinkle all over the top of the berry mixture.  Go heavy.  :)

Yum.  Yum.  Yum.

Hot from the oven.  You notice the recipe calls for bars.  I just couldn't wait that long.  So, I had some scoops with some more scoops of vanilla bean ice cream.  

I'm fat and happy.  It's been a long day though so I deserve a second helping.

You'll want one too.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Raspberry Pie Bars

Thanks, Josie.

Crust and Topping

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled

Fruit Filling

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup flour
• pinch salt
• zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 2 (16-oz) packages fresh raspberries, thawed and drained

To make the crust and topping, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. 

Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse a few times to mix.  Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes, and add to the flour mixture.  Process until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly, 30-60 seconds.

Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to use as the topping.  Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan, and bake 12-15 minutes.  Cool for at least 10 minutes.

To make the filling, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, salt, lemon zest, and almond extract.  Gently fold in the berries and spoon the mixture over the crust.  Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture evenly over the filling, and bake 45 to 55 minutes.

Cool at least 1 hour before cutting into bars, or scoop out of the pan to serve cobbler-style.

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Glorious Chicken ~ With FOUR Main Ingredients

I don't know about you, but I love changing things up when it comes to the menu.  I am the queen at trying new things.  And most of the time, I'm not disappointed.  For the first year or two of our marriage, I cooked something new almost every night.  I can think of 2 things I've made since that time that we didn't couldn't eat.  That bad.  One was a turkey meatloaf (just threw up a little in my throat) that never set up.  And the other was a Thai Peanut Chicken dish (oohh, shiver).  I steer clear of Thai now - people or food.

Totally kidding.

This chicken got R.A.V.I.N.G reviews online, and hellllo - it only required four main ingredients.  FOUR.  4.  Quatro.  Ya better believe it's one I would try.  Super easy, few ingredients and tastaaayyy.  Not many recipes fall under those categories.  Oh man, am I glad I tried it!!

Here's the small ensemble.  Small ensembles are overrated, everywhere.  From recipes to just singing in a group.  I love 'em.

Lay chicken in a 9x13 dish.  Ground some fresh peppercorn pepper and sea salt over the chicken to your liking.  

Mix 1/2 cup of Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar together.  The pure syrup is like $8 bucks a bottle.  I'm not sure how the cheaper stuff would work out.

To do list: stop biting nails and get a manicure.  Nasties.

Pour mixture over prepared chicken.

Isn't this incredibly hard work?

If you'd like a torching of your eyebrows, open oven and take a picture of your chicken baking.  Wow, 450 degrees is hot stuff.

Bake for 40-45 minutes.  Once done, sprinkle rosemary on top.  Or don't.  It's good either way.  It's so tender, you can cut it with a spoon.  Which yes, I did.  My fork was overtaken by my toddler.

Put on a plate with green beans from your garden and buttery, red potatoes and chow down.

Star Rating: ★★★★★★★★★ (sighhh, got carried away.)
Thanks, Rachel and whoever you got it from. You have changed my life.

RECIPE: Glorious Chicken

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 C. Dijon mustard
1/4 C. pure maple syrup
1 T. red wine vinegar
Salt
Pepper
Rosemary

Instructions:
Lay trimmed chicken breasts in baking dish.  Salt and pepper to your liking.  Mix the Dijon mustard, maple syrup and red wine vinegar together.  Poor over chicken.  Bake at 450 for 40 minutes.  Sprinkle rosemary on chicken before serving.

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Soup & Salad Night ~ Zuppa Toscana, Baby!

Presentation of food is a big thing to me.  It obviously isn't everything, but apparently, it really helps with ignorant eaters.  If it looks fantabulous, then it's the best they've ever experienced.  Which I can handle.

I love making my food look pretty.  Satisfies something way down deep in me.  I promise I'm not that much of a freak.  Just sounds like it.  A lot.

A tidbit for those that would like to impress for less - find a dish that looks like you've already knocked it outta the park.  Good chance, when your peeps bite into it, you'll already have them hooked by the way of them just admiring your beautifully prepared food.

Tonight was a simple soup & salad night.  Who doesn't love that combo?  My suggestion for your next soup/salad menu - go with the following and you will not be disappointed.

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana and a Cobb Salad.

For the salad, grab what you love and assemble it like so on a bed of leaf lettuce and romaine hearts.  I had chicken, boiled eggs, grape tomatoes, avocado, shredded mozzarella and bacon.  You can do a tasty balsamic vinaigrette (which takes just a couple more minutes to whip up) or you can stick with Peppercorn Ranch like we did tonight.  Actually that soup was just begging to be eaten, and I didn't want to spend a mere second longer in the kitchen.

The Zuppa Toscana was AHHHH (singing a high C kinda ahhhhh)!  I adapted the recipe slightly.  Definitely could have eaten a couple more bowls.  Even my 2-year old was slurping the last bits of his second bowl out like he hadn't eaten in several days...which in reality, he had just consumed three waffles with preserves moments before dinner.  More waffles than any one person should probably consume in a week.  Let alone, one afternoon.

Let me say this to protect myself.  If you are looking for the exact recipe for Olive Garden's soup, this will not be the exact depending on the type of Italian sausage you buy.  The exactness is probably determined by the spiceyness, but I loved this.  Enough of the exact-ic-ities. ;)

Recipe for the soup.  Here you go.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

RECIPE: Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana

Adapted from Pastry Affair

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 tea. paprika

1 white onion, chopped

2 tea. garlic, minced

8-10 C. chicken broth

Red pepper flakes, optional (I only put a dash or two to spice things up a bit.) 

4-5 Russet potatoes, sliced 1/4" thin

1 C. heavy whipping cream

2-3 C. kale

Salt and pepper to taste

Freshly grated parmesan for topping

Instructions:

Brown sausage with paprika.  Once cooked, move sausage to another bowl and drain excess fat.  Set aside.  

Use the same pan.  Add onions and garlic and cook to soften, about 10 minutes.  Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Add sliced potatoes and simmer until they are softened, about 25-30 minutes.  Add heavy whipping cream, kale and sausage.  Cook until thoroughly heated.  Garnish with parmesan.

Indulge.  In at least 4 bowls.  It's almost fat-free.

UPDATE: Those of you who don't get me - that last line was a total falsehood.  TOTAL.  

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