Overheard

Andrew:  My favorite activity is resting.

Doug laughs.

Andrew: And I like reading.  I can read while I am resting.

Olympic Curling

As The Games come to a close, here's a look at one of the most unusual sports.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

"And the crowd goes wild!"

The Disheveled Diva

Here's a confession: I'm sometimes a little jealous of those dainty little girls in smocked dresses and perfectly coiffed hair complete with bows as large as their heads.

True, we've got pig tails.

But it's often a stringy mess as her fine hair escapes from the confines of elastic.

And she does have bling.

Which may or may not make up for the fact that

there's usually some other type of substance on her face.



But the delightful smile and giggles are completely her own.

And I am so blessed that she is mine.

Is it Winter?

It's hard to believe it was snowing just a week ago.

 

As the mercury climbed into the 70s today, we threw open the windows and doors and welcomed fresh breezes.  The kids escaped out of doors to swing and sketch, to dig holes and dump water, and the evening was capped off with finger-lasers after dinner.

National Cabbage Day

I don't usually keep with these random "holidays,"

but I happened to see this somewhere and immediately thought "Cabbage Rolls."

My grandparents would be thrilled to know how much my kids enjoy this dish.

How fitting they should help.

Most family gatherings featured Cabbage Rolls.  Sure, there was always the requisite turkey for Thanksgiving and ham at Christmas, but you could count on cabbage rolls (and I still find turkey and ham a little lackluster in comparison).

My grandmother passed on her technique which she had learned initially from my Hungarian grandfather and his sisters (yes, this was her method of measuring salt).

It's all pretty simple: ground pork & beef, salt & pepper, rice

combined and wrapped in a gently steamed cabbage leaf.

A steamer basket fills the bottom of a large pot

 in which the cabbage rolls are layered with sauerkraut and tomatoes.

Don't forget the stuffed pepper in the center of the pot.

Top with a simple gravy of water, cornstarch, and paprika (of course).

Cover and simmer for about 3 hours.

Enjoy!

Katherine at Seven Months

Even with a cruddy nose and chapped cheeks she's a sweetheart!

Happy Valentine's Day

So thankful to be celebrating with the many loves in my life!

"Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening"

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think its queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Even More Snow Fun

We had called the boys in just as the snow started up in earnest so they were excited to wake up to a winter wonderland.  By 7:30 they were bundled up and out the door.

 

 

 

They abandoned topping off their snow structure in favor of snow men and snowball fights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the perfect snow day.  We started off the morning with at least 4 inches of powder and temperatures hovering at freezing.  The mercury quickly rose which made for pleasant playing, but most of the snow was gone by the end of the day without any of the nasty, muddy slushiness.