Down on the farm....part two

Down on the farm....part one...

E's class had the opportunity to visit our pastor's small farm late last week. E's been able to visit there several times before, but it was fun for her to visit with her sweet teacher and sweet little friends from school, for a completely different experience! Such fun!

Future career path...

From time to time, my dear friend Amy has a feature on her blog called potential future career paths....it features cute pics of her sweet daughter Caroline doing various things. I thought of Amy and Caroline when I snapped these pics. Can YOU guess what "job" these photos made me think of?

(Hint: "I'd like to buy a vowel...")

Springtime storms...

Unlike most children, E is not afraid of storms, thunder and lightning (not yet, anyway). We had a big storm roll through a few evenings ago....E was enchanted by the thunder, lightning and heavy rain. She got one of her books about storms and read it in front of the patio door while watching the storm, eating popcorn and snuggling with her favorite stuffed mouse. Too cute!

Spring Break Recap: more snow in Texas!

Spring Break Recap: playtime with a friend....and a baby!

Last week, E also enjoyed seeing her best-bud-from-church, Hailey.....and Hailey's new little sister, Ryleigh. E was enthralled with baby Ryleigh, telling us that she was so beautiful and so sweet over and over again. Such a fun morning! (And I got my fill of baby cuddles, too....so sweet!)

Spring Break Recap: playtime with a friend and storytime at the library

Last week on Spring Break, E enjoyed a day with Gramma as well as a day full of errands with Mommy (although halfway through grocery shopping, she did admit "Mommy, I don't want to be your big helper anymore....can we just go home and play?")

We also enjoyed a playdate with E's best-bud-from-school, Emma. We played at Emma's house for a while, then trekked together to the local library for storytime. Both of these girls adore books, love the library and love to read! (It may have something to do with the fact that their mommies are major bookworms, too!) E also discovered the "easy reader" books section....I could not get her to leave! She's reading simple books now and wanted to stay and read every single one!

Spring has sprung!

Beautiful blue skies!

Budding trees!

Wispy white clouds!

Love it!

Beauty: a three-year-old's perspective

Dandelions

Welcome children of the Spring,

In your garbs of green and gold,

Lifting up your sun-crowned heads

On the verdant plain and wold.

As a bright and joyous troop

From the breast of earth ye came

Fair and lovely are your cheeks,

With sun-kisses all aflame.

In the dusty streets and lanes,

Where the lowly children play,

There as gentle friends ye smile,

Making brighter life's highway

Dewdrops and the morning sun,

Weave your garments fair and bright,

And we welcome you to-day

As the children of the light.

Children of the earth and sun.

We are slow to understand

All the richness of the gifts

Flowing from our Father's hand.

Were our vision clearer far,

In this sin-dimmed world of ours,

Would we not more thankful be

For the love that sends us flowers?

Welcome, early visitants,

With your sun-crowned golden hair,

With your message to our hearts

Of our Father's loving care.

(poem by Frances Ellen Watkins)

Domestic Diva Experiments: Are Homemade Bubbles Better?

Fellow moms out there....you MUST try this. These bubbles are miles and miles better than the cheapie store variety. And this recipe makes tons, so you have plenty to play with (and to spill, if you're like us at this house).

Just to clarify, this bubble in the photo above is about the size of a volleyball. No, I am not kidding! We do have the big mega-big-bubble wands from the dollar store, but these super bubbles go on and on and last and last. Try it! You'll love 'em!

Recipe here!

Daddy's girl: sand for his little sweetheart!

Hubby got fresh sand for E's beloved sandbox over the weekend....the special delivery was complete with a sweet message to E from Daddy!

Daddy's Girl: in the garden

Hubby and I have been working outside to clean up the flowerbeds. Yay, Spring! (Boo, allergies!) E helped hubby spread mulch over the weekend....don't you love those pint-sized garden gloves? (Thanks, Gramma!)

The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play...

Guess what someone's favorite new book and DVD are at the moment?

Domestic Diva Experiment: homemade stromboli

Merciful goodness....hold on to your hats! This recipe is not only to die for (insert swoon here), it is SO EASY! (But shhhhh....don't tell your family....make them think you slaved all day!) We all adored this, I will be be making again often! Thanks to my dear friend Amy S. for this recipe. There are so many ways you could vary this, but here's a starter recipe:

2 loaves of frozen loaves bread dough (Amy S. and I both like Rhodes)
1/4 lb thinly sliced mozzarella (or shredded or whatever you have on hand)
1/4 lb. thinly sliced provolone
1/4 lb. thinly sliced turkey
1/4 lb. thinly sliced ham
1/4 lb. thinly sliced salami

(ASC note: I used turkey and pepperoni for the version you see pictured, along with shreeded mozzarella and shredded parm. Anything would work, though...)

Defrost bread dough. (I left mine out on the counter on a cookie sheet all day.) Spread/Roll out each piece on greased cookie sheet. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic salt and oregano. Layer cheeses and meat (any order) on both loaves. Start on the short side and roll, tucking sides after each turn. Place seam side down on cookie sheet. (I bake 2 loaves on the same cookie sheet making sure there's enough room in between loaves.) Brush loaves with olive oil and sprinkle with basil/oregano.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes uncovered and an additional 10-15 minutes covered with foil.
Top with warm marinara sauce. (And try not to drool...)

Is anyone else laughing at the last photo....the one of my daughter pointing to her plate? For the record, she was saying "Mommy, take a photo of my food, too!" Those of you who know me know that I have a slight obsession with my camera - I may take photos a bit too much around here. And yes, I often take photos of food. I'm weird like that...

Lutheran Schools Week: Storybook Character

On Thursday, E got to dress up as a favorite storybook character for school. What's any girlie-girl, pink-and-purple loving gal to choose? Princess of course!

Lutheran Schools Week: Foreign Culture

Last week was "Lutheran Schools Week" at E's school. Each day was a special dress day for the kids. Tuesday we were tasked with finding a "foreign culture" outfit. E voted for "hula girl"....I'm not sure how foreign it is, but it worked, and she just looked so darn cute!

Domestic Diva Experiment: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pizza

Craving a tasty dessert and want something that's quick and easy to make? Whip up an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie pizza! E and I made this in a flash this morning. Absolutely divine!

Domestic Diva: sausage rice tomato soup

Tried this wonderful recipe a few days ago - yum! We'll be adding this one to our "tried and true" list of favorites! So easy, and so good!

Playtime pretend

E recently scored a clean set of makeup brushes and a nifty folding compact mirror. She's been enjoying "playing makeup"....and she's also tried to share the fun with our cat, Victoria. Shockingly, Victoria's been very patient with the whole process. And E's loving every minute of it!

Today was a beautiful day...

(If you blow the above pic up on your screen,

you can see the bubble popping in her face...amazing!

Got lucky with the camera...)

...beautiful weather outside and beautiful memories

for this mommy as I watched my sweet girl

enjoy simple joys!