Whirlwind Weekend

This post is for my mom. Because no matter how ordinary I think my day was, she always wants to hear about it. In full detail.

This weekend we celebrated Cory's 39th birthday, which included fashioning a poster-sized card from the girls and doing a little shopping for his gift. His parents took us to Azteca Saturday night, and Sunday after church we spent a pretty low key day at home, which involved working on the bathroom (pictures coming as soon as he finishes), making banana bread, dressing up the dog and completing a puzzle. I'd say more, but since a picture is worth a 1000 words......Enjoy!

The banana bread didn't warrant a picture, but it tasted pretty good and while it wasn't my mother in law's recipe (which is DIVINE - this recipe is NOT as good :), it's super quick to whip up, and though it still takes an hour to bake, the simplicity makes it worth the wait:

Super Simple Banana Bread

2-1/3 cups Bisquick

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon (can be omitted)

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

3 large eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x5x3 loaf pan. Add all ingredients into a bowl, mix until fully combined and pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake approximately 1 hour. Slice and enjoy!

What I've Been Up To Lately....

This week, the cutie patootie seen here has been walking around saying "I'm bored....I want to do something FUN. " Now her idea of fun and mine are probably quite different, but we did make an attempt to complete some projects and have some fun.

First we made new slip covers for the throw pillows on the couch. Generally this involves me sewing and Autumn cutting scraps of fabric. The pillow covers only took a few minutes and turned out pretty cute. And no matter what, they're red, white and blue, so how bad could they be?!

Next we made brownies. Pretty easy seeing how all we had to do was rip open the Pillsbury box and add a few ingredients. The chocolate chips made them absolutely irresistible.

While waiting for said brownies to bake, we painted our toenails a nice, subdued color. It's becoming flip-flop season you know, and that means beautiful toenails!

Last, and definitely LEAST.....we tried out a new recipe for play-clay. What a disaster. I thought it was supposed to be like play-doh but apparently not. It turned out more like sand.....even though in reality I think it looks like blueberry muffin mix. The dog must have thought so too because he kept trying to eat it. The recipe called for flour, salt, oil and food coloring. I added the correct ingredients but it was still too dry to stick together, so I added an additional tablespoon of oil. Then I added more oil. And more. Finally it began to stick, but it never did turn out like play-doh or clay. Oh well, Autumn thought it was a ton of fun.

Happy Mother's Day

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31

A Feel Good Post!

It's no secret....I love animals. And I've always loved otters. I mean, what's not to love? They're soft, and cuddly and playful and just look at those babies. Aren't they adorable? I'd like to add otters to my wishlist which also includes a cow, chickens and a goat. Oh and a Shetland Pony. I like how short they are :)

Why is this man wearing gloves? He's missing out on the experience. I'd be willing to suffer some cuts and scratches for a chance to hold that otter pup!