Lemon Sandwich Cookies

We're entering birthday season again. That must be why I have 'cake' on the brain. While searching for a cake recipe in this book:

I found a yummy lemon cookie recipe. I love anything lemon! The best part? Only 4 ingredients!

Cookie (slightly adapted from the above book):

1 pkg. lemon cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. lemon zest

Mix ingredients with an electirc mixer on low for 1 minute. Shape dough into 1" balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased baking sheets and press with the botton of a glass. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

I then 'sandwiched' the cookies with a lemon buttercream icing. All I did was make a standard buttercream icing and added 1 tbsp. of lemon juice.

I don't even want to guess at the calories...but they sure were yummy!

I'm still looking for a cake recipe!

Flannel Board Reminder Chart

We were given 'visual reminders' for our morning/afternoon routine. The last time we tried this, my youngest ripped it down and wanted nothing to do with it. I thought that we should at least try it again seeing as our social worker went to all the work to do them.

I wanted it to be fun and look pretty.

I remembered the Sunday School flannel boards that were used to visually tell stories and I thought it would be perfect for being able to 'move' our routine around if we needed to. I wrapped a piece of foam board with flannel fabric and put tape on the back of the pics.

And, not to be outdone, her sister has one as well:

As they go through their routine, they 'move' the pics from above the line to below the line. Our mornings should go much smoother...

...no guarantees!

(But it's still up - that says something)

While I was in their bedrooms taking pictures, I also snapped a picture of these cute wreaths that was given to each of the girls for Christmas:

My talented friend actually made 10 of them!

What's your Color?

My Better Homes than ours and Gardens magazine came in the mail last week. On the day that it comes, I usually rush home from the mail box to grab a diet coke and read a bit before the after school rush. 

In the magazine, they also have a little section as to what's new on their web site. This month, you can take a 'Color Personality Quiz'. Once done, they'll show you pictures of how to incorporate your 'color' into your home.  (It kind of reminded me of the '80s when we all wore make up and clothes as to the 'season' we were. Come on - I know you remember that!).

Personally, I didn't really care what color I was, because I usually do what I want, but I thought it was fun to see what they came up with (and I liked looking at the pictures!):





green

  

blue



red



yellow

So...what color are you?

A Letter

To my husband:

While you were away, I had such great plans for the house. Yes, it involved a paint brush and a screwdriver and maybe some other power tools.

I know that you would have helped me with these projects, but I find that sometimes it's easier to do first, and ask later. You know, like last year when I took the fireplace apart and then we had to wait for your brother from Camrose to come and help put it back together. (But you got to use his new tool, right? Wasn't that fun?!?). And it does look much better without the yucky brass, don't you think?

However, I didn't plan on being sick all week and not getting any sleep. So the projects will have to wait. And I KNOW you told the girls to let you know if I used any tools. In fact, when I used a screwdriver to change the batteries in this,

they both screamed "NO TOOLS. DADDY SAID NO TOOLS!". Huh?

(Maybe I'll ask for my own tools for my birthday!)

I love you. Come home soon. And we can paint together!

Weekend Guests

They came. They ate. They left.

They were here for most of the day, so I guess that means we're pretty good hosts!

Oh yeah, they also made a mess with the bird feeder and the compost bin.

In a Mood

Yesterday, we recieved a call from our youngest's SLP (speech language pathologist) from school. She gave us some mixed news. There has definately been progress since the beginning of the year. But there has also been setbacks and issues in the classroom.

I tried. I really did. I tried to focus on the positive. Not the negative. Well-meaning people tell me that there are children and families that face far worse. So I told myself that all evening...Until I went to bed and cried myself to sleep.

You see, even though there are children that face worse, it doesn't negate (sp?) the fact that I want what's best for my child.

I have DREAMS for my children. And HOPE. Even if it's the simple act of making a FRIEND in the classroom.

So I figured that I'm allowed to feel this way. Even if it's just for the evening.

Because it never lasts forever. And then the hope returns.



A picture she made for her older sister after we dropped her off at brownie camp



Crafters-in-Training

This past weekend was cold. Really cold. It was a weekend to stay indoors.

The girls thought that their American Girl dolls needed warmer clothing than what's in their closet (!). Thankfully, they had a plan. 

(Really, nothing warms my heart like my girls wanting to 'craft' together. Either #1. they're older OR #2. their mom has more patience than she used to Or #3. a bit of both!)

Anyways, back to their plan...

They found this article in the AG magazine. Touques:

Thankfully, we had all the supplies. I had no intention of driving around in -30 degree weather for a doll's touque. I do have priorities. (But, if it was for my project...)



mitten, ribbon and sequins

 We put the mitten on the doll's head and tied the fingers together with a ribbon:

Cut the tips of the fingers off (on the mitten)

And added some decoration:

I'm pretty proud of them!

G'day Mates!

(Actually, I think that it's still the middle of the night over there)

This is for Mom and Dad: The girls want to remind you to take pictures of these:

And these:

But stay away from these:



And, Dad, if you can find us one of these, we'd love you!

Preferably 4' x 4' (it can fit in your luggage, right?)

We hope that you've caught up on sleep. You aren't missing much - just a snowstorm! Enjoy your tour!

A New Year...A time to Return

Today was the first day that I had the house to myself since before Christmas. My hubby went back to work and the kids were back at school.

The guest room is vacant.

There's no fighting or laughter.

The decorations are now completely down.

It felt empty.

I felt a little bit lost.

I had no plan...sure there's always something to do. But not like it was a few weeks ago.

As I reflected, I realized that all the time I spent before Christmas making gifts, spending time with my crafting friend, actually made Christmas all the more important to me:


room decor for my girls



Neck Warmers for the girls and their friends



Calendar for my husband



Chalkboard Coasters

wreaths for neighbors and sister



 I know that there were more that I'm forgetting about...like pretzels... and costumes...and glass block presents...I just don't have a picture of them!

Anyways, back to what I was saying...

I loved the crafting...and sewing...and candy making...but for January, I think that I need to return to the one project that gives me pure joy... 

The one thing that needs alone and quiet time...

My first love... 

Scrapbooking!

We Saw the Wizard

What a great way to spend New Year's Day! Mom and Dad treated us to The Wizard of Oz. The seats were awesome (first row!) and the girls loved every minute of it! We even made sure that they had shoes to match Dorothy's!

I hope that everyone had an awesome Christmas and New Years! It was a great break! I can't believe that the kids go back to school tomorrow!