A healthier alternative to the "Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies" on the lid of the Quakers box of oatmeal. Great for those who can't have dairy (Rafe!). Gabi went so far as to say these are "more much better" than when we make the cookies according to the recipe.
1/2 cup applesauce (we use non sweetened--just apples, water, and vit C)
3/4 cup white sugar (you can skimp here, last time we didn't have quite that much and it was fine)
1 egg
3/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
Stir together applesauce and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; stir. Combine flour, baking soda, and cinnamon; stir with wet ingredients. Stir in oatmeal. Bake for 10-12 minutes, let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, and enjoy! Makes 24 cookies. I don't use the mixer at all for this recipe--just a spoon.
My timer just went off... gotta run! Enjoy!!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Potty Training Success! && SDS St. Patrick's Day && New Family Addition!
Potty Training Success!
Addy's been staying dry all night for about two weeks now. For almost a week she's been peeing in the potty first thing every morning. Yesterday I decided we were ready to take the next step. I put underwear on her instead of a diaper. The whole day she only had one accident--during speech--probably because we were a bit distracted! She even pooped in the potty no problem at all. Rafe surprised me and twice while Addy was going to the bathroom he ripped his diaper off and peed in his potty seat! Guess he's catching on from watching Addy.
Today Addy wore underwear the entire day and had no accidents! She did a great job! I didn't even put a diaper on her at nap time. This afternoon we were going outside to play, so I tried to put a diaper on her, but she said, "No, I don't like Elmo." Then she said she needed to go potty and peed before going outside. What a big girl!! Rafe also peed in his potty seat once today. He's doing it completely on his own; I'm not going to push him.
Super Duper Special St. Patrick's Day
Today at dinner I was telling the kids how when Alli and I were little girls, on St. Patrick's Day, Grandma (my mom) would pour milk in our breakfast glasses, and the milk would turn green! I told them what mom had told us--leprechauns had turned our milk green for St. Paddy's Day! Gabi asked if their milk would be green tomorrow, and I told her that we'd just have to see!
About thirty minutes later, Gabi came over, very concerned that her milk would be green. Lol I couldn't believe that she would be apprehensive about that! She wondered how it was going to taste, and said she wanted her milk to be pink or red or orange--not green. I told her green was for St. Patrick's Day and that I could call the leprechauns and ask them to only turn my milk green this year.
Later I told her I had talked to them. She was relieved her milk wasn't going to be green tomorrow and decided she might take a tiny sip of my milk, and maybe next year she would have them turn her milk green.
Perhaps it would have been easier to put the food coloring at the bottom of their cup without telling them about it the day before...
New Addition to the Family
No, not another baby! Well, not another human baby anyway. We're getting a male pekingese--Gizmo-- sometime in the near future, probably next Friday. Mitch and I have been tossing around the idea since these pups were one week old. After finding life with three dogs much easier than I anticipated (besides the skunk ordeal..), we're ready to take the plunge.
We went to see them yesterday (they're a little over 5wks old), and I knew I'd fall in in love. The dad looked just like my old pekingese, Bear, in the face, and the pup we chose has Bear's coloring. The whole litter of seven was adorable--a bunch of little fluff balls. The girls and I are so excited. Rafe seems to be a "big dog" kind of guy.. he's not too sure about having to be "soft." Mitch is swapping out manual labor for the pup which is also nice!!
I don't have reservations about how Barkley will do. She did very well with the beagles. They were biting her, and she did nothing but sniff them. So long as she can get a smell for an animal, she's okay with it. Again, except for the skunk! I know she'll do well with a "little brother," but they won't be able to meet for about a month due to the quarantine.
It's true: Mitch and I are happiest when we've bitten off slightly more than we can chew... isn't life boring otherwise?
We've been enjoying this nice weather!!
Addy's been staying dry all night for about two weeks now. For almost a week she's been peeing in the potty first thing every morning. Yesterday I decided we were ready to take the next step. I put underwear on her instead of a diaper. The whole day she only had one accident--during speech--probably because we were a bit distracted! She even pooped in the potty no problem at all. Rafe surprised me and twice while Addy was going to the bathroom he ripped his diaper off and peed in his potty seat! Guess he's catching on from watching Addy.
Today Addy wore underwear the entire day and had no accidents! She did a great job! I didn't even put a diaper on her at nap time. This afternoon we were going outside to play, so I tried to put a diaper on her, but she said, "No, I don't like Elmo." Then she said she needed to go potty and peed before going outside. What a big girl!! Rafe also peed in his potty seat once today. He's doing it completely on his own; I'm not going to push him.
Super Duper Special St. Patrick's Day
Today at dinner I was telling the kids how when Alli and I were little girls, on St. Patrick's Day, Grandma (my mom) would pour milk in our breakfast glasses, and the milk would turn green! I told them what mom had told us--leprechauns had turned our milk green for St. Paddy's Day! Gabi asked if their milk would be green tomorrow, and I told her that we'd just have to see!
About thirty minutes later, Gabi came over, very concerned that her milk would be green. Lol I couldn't believe that she would be apprehensive about that! She wondered how it was going to taste, and said she wanted her milk to be pink or red or orange--not green. I told her green was for St. Patrick's Day and that I could call the leprechauns and ask them to only turn my milk green this year.
Later I told her I had talked to them. She was relieved her milk wasn't going to be green tomorrow and decided she might take a tiny sip of my milk, and maybe next year she would have them turn her milk green.
Perhaps it would have been easier to put the food coloring at the bottom of their cup without telling them about it the day before...
New Addition to the Family
No, not another baby! Well, not another human baby anyway. We're getting a male pekingese--Gizmo-- sometime in the near future, probably next Friday. Mitch and I have been tossing around the idea since these pups were one week old. After finding life with three dogs much easier than I anticipated (besides the skunk ordeal..), we're ready to take the plunge.
We went to see them yesterday (they're a little over 5wks old), and I knew I'd fall in in love. The dad looked just like my old pekingese, Bear, in the face, and the pup we chose has Bear's coloring. The whole litter of seven was adorable--a bunch of little fluff balls. The girls and I are so excited. Rafe seems to be a "big dog" kind of guy.. he's not too sure about having to be "soft." Mitch is swapping out manual labor for the pup which is also nice!!
I don't have reservations about how Barkley will do. She did very well with the beagles. They were biting her, and she did nothing but sniff them. So long as she can get a smell for an animal, she's okay with it. Again, except for the skunk! I know she'll do well with a "little brother," but they won't be able to meet for about a month due to the quarantine.
It's true: Mitch and I are happiest when we've bitten off slightly more than we can chew... isn't life boring otherwise?
We've been enjoying this nice weather!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Garden 2011
It's that time of year! I placed our seed order from Fedco this morning. I buy through this company because they sell tons of heirloom seed varieties. They also sell some hybrids, but they are clearly noted to be hybrids. And all of the seeds--heirloom or hybrid--are non-GMOs (genetically modified). Additionally, they send refunds out with your seed order if they're unable to fill a request, or you can request them to substitute with another variety. My only problem with them is they're left-wing nuts. Not kidding. Examples from their catalogue:
Really folks, raise the top income bracket rate to 60%??
Anyway, If could find a better company with such competitive pricing, I'd jump ship. As it is, they are the best. Apparently even I can put up with the libs for awhile to satisfy my own needs, lol. They have multiple divisions: Fedco Seeds, Fedco Trees (fruiting/nut trees and berries), Moose Tubers (potatoes, onion sets), Fedco Bulbs (bulbs including garlic), and Organic Growers Supplies (cover crops and supplies). Fifty dollars later, I've got a good idea of how this year's garden will be shaping up.
I ordered bush beans, pole beans, kidney beans, two varieties of corn, two varieties of shell peas, muskmelon (aka cantaloupe), two varieties of watermelon, cucumber, zucchini, acorn squash, two varieties of pumpkin, gourd mix, two varieties of carrots, two varieties of spinach, five types of lettuce including romaine, loose leaf, iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, pimiento peppers, anaheim peppers, four varieties of tomatoes, and two varieties of sunflower!! I have navy beans I also intend to plant, as well as a third variety of watermelon. I'm getting really, really excited.
We have a couple friends who own a huge lot adjoining the one their house sits on. If we can get it all worked out, I'm planning on having a mini pumpkin patch complete with gourds, pie pumpkins, and jack-o-lantern pumpkins there. Ever since my [childhood] pumpkin patch closed down, I've been completely unsatisfied with the others we've tried. Figured I may as well bring it "in house." I'll probably be planting most of my bigger vining crops and probably the corn crop on their land.
Note: Alli and I are both growing a lot of vegetables and some fruit this year. We'll be selling our surplus--mainly because we aren't yet skilled on "putting it up" for the winter. First come, first serve basis, as crops mature. Interested in something specific? Leave a message, and I'll try to plant some extra.
As far as fruit goes, only the melons will be considered as surplus. My family will for sure eat or freeze all the blueberries from my bushes, and we do know how to make jelly from the extra berries! We're putting in an order for strawberries and raspberries and possibly some fruit trees tomorrow. That's the last day to order for the year from Fedco Trees, so if you want to add your order to ours, let me know ASAP! Shipping from Fedco Trees is $19, so the more people we divide it by, the less you'll have to pay. Like I said, tomorrow is the last day to order from the Trees division, so hurry. If you're wanting seeds, shipping is free over $30, and you can purchase seeds all the way through September 30.
If you remember our butterflies from last year and want to try it yourself, buy Dill (Mammoth is the variety we use) seed soon. It easily "goes to seed" (replants itself for next year) and will be a super duper special tradition for years to come. Swallowtail butterflies, as caterpillars, love dill. If you plant it, they will come and lay eggs. I promise. I'm going to have an entire post on it later including all the important details. I'll even be selling "Butterfly Boxes" if you don't have a green thumb or don't have room for a garden. It's simply a wonderful, easy project to do with kids!
Barkley Update: She's doing alright. She threw up multiple times after the booster vaccine, but she seems like she's going to be okay. She has had a hard time with vaccines before.
Beagle Update: Still vicious! They fight sooo much! I find myself yelling, "knock it off" a quite a few times through the day (per instructions from Mitch's sister).
Chicks Update: I need to take a pic! They're really growing and feathering out. I'm continuing to wean them to tolerate cooler temps by moving the brooder box light up. Hopefully Mitch finishes the coop within the next few weeks as temperatures continue to warm up.
Now we hear dire
forecasts from the Tea Party that President Obama’s
modest proposal to restore the rate to a whopping
38.5% from its present 35% will cripple the economy
even though it affects only our wealthiest 2%.
He ought to raise it to 60%!Really folks, raise the top income bracket rate to 60%??
Anyway, If could find a better company with such competitive pricing, I'd jump ship. As it is, they are the best. Apparently even I can put up with the libs for awhile to satisfy my own needs, lol. They have multiple divisions: Fedco Seeds, Fedco Trees (fruiting/nut trees and berries), Moose Tubers (potatoes, onion sets), Fedco Bulbs (bulbs including garlic), and Organic Growers Supplies (cover crops and supplies). Fifty dollars later, I've got a good idea of how this year's garden will be shaping up.
I ordered bush beans, pole beans, kidney beans, two varieties of corn, two varieties of shell peas, muskmelon (aka cantaloupe), two varieties of watermelon, cucumber, zucchini, acorn squash, two varieties of pumpkin, gourd mix, two varieties of carrots, two varieties of spinach, five types of lettuce including romaine, loose leaf, iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, pimiento peppers, anaheim peppers, four varieties of tomatoes, and two varieties of sunflower!! I have navy beans I also intend to plant, as well as a third variety of watermelon. I'm getting really, really excited.
We have a couple friends who own a huge lot adjoining the one their house sits on. If we can get it all worked out, I'm planning on having a mini pumpkin patch complete with gourds, pie pumpkins, and jack-o-lantern pumpkins there. Ever since my [childhood] pumpkin patch closed down, I've been completely unsatisfied with the others we've tried. Figured I may as well bring it "in house." I'll probably be planting most of my bigger vining crops and probably the corn crop on their land.
Note: Alli and I are both growing a lot of vegetables and some fruit this year. We'll be selling our surplus--mainly because we aren't yet skilled on "putting it up" for the winter. First come, first serve basis, as crops mature. Interested in something specific? Leave a message, and I'll try to plant some extra.
As far as fruit goes, only the melons will be considered as surplus. My family will for sure eat or freeze all the blueberries from my bushes, and we do know how to make jelly from the extra berries! We're putting in an order for strawberries and raspberries and possibly some fruit trees tomorrow. That's the last day to order for the year from Fedco Trees, so if you want to add your order to ours, let me know ASAP! Shipping from Fedco Trees is $19, so the more people we divide it by, the less you'll have to pay. Like I said, tomorrow is the last day to order from the Trees division, so hurry. If you're wanting seeds, shipping is free over $30, and you can purchase seeds all the way through September 30.
If you remember our butterflies from last year and want to try it yourself, buy Dill (Mammoth is the variety we use) seed soon. It easily "goes to seed" (replants itself for next year) and will be a super duper special tradition for years to come. Swallowtail butterflies, as caterpillars, love dill. If you plant it, they will come and lay eggs. I promise. I'm going to have an entire post on it later including all the important details. I'll even be selling "Butterfly Boxes" if you don't have a green thumb or don't have room for a garden. It's simply a wonderful, easy project to do with kids!
Barkley Update: She's doing alright. She threw up multiple times after the booster vaccine, but she seems like she's going to be okay. She has had a hard time with vaccines before.
Beagle Update: Still vicious! They fight sooo much! I find myself yelling, "knock it off" a quite a few times through the day (per instructions from Mitch's sister).
Chicks Update: I need to take a pic! They're really growing and feathering out. I'm continuing to wean them to tolerate cooler temps by moving the brooder box light up. Hopefully Mitch finishes the coop within the next few weeks as temperatures continue to warm up.
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