eating a rainbow . . .

This is my mom's favorite meal.  

She tells me - she could eat it every night.

I tell her it's "magic".

Then she just laughs and shakes her head at me.  

HAPPY MONDAY!

origami . . . charlotte . . . and ramen

 Charlotte saw me folding paper cranes and wanted to make some herself.  She told the that she liked origami and she wanted to do it all by herself.  

She asked for a little help at first . . . then decided that she was able to do it . . . 

. . . so well in fact, that she folded this "origami bubble gum."

I love ramen . . . I have a weakness for ramen.  I think I could eat it nearly everyday.

So finally decided to find a recipe and make some.  It turned out pretty good . . . and I can't wait to make it again and try something a little different. 

. . . .and - if you haven't seen the movie - Ramen Girl - find it and watch it! 

A bowl of ramen is a self-contained universe with life from the sea, the mountains, and the earth. All existing in perfect harmony. Harmony is essential. What holds it all together is the broth. The broth gives life to the ramen.

~ Maezumi, Ramen Girl

doodles, paint, and omelets . . . . and withdrawals

 I needed a reminder today . . . 

"Faith isn't a feeling.  It's a choice to trust God

even when the road ahead seems uncertain."

~ Dave Willis.org

  . . . doodles and paint

. . . and when my husband makes an omelet - it smiles!

I needed smiling omelets today.  

I quit drinking coffee on Thursday.  Just typing that makes me wonder what was I was thinking? I drank a few cups of tea to get me through the headache . . . and I thought that would be it, but NO - there seems to be more to it.  It has been five days . . . I am so tired and feel like I am just off or in a fog . . . I guess sluggish is a good word.  I'm congested and even though the worst of the headache is gone . . . it feels like it is still right there under the surface.   By 3:00 in the afternoon I can't keep my eyes open . . . I have just given in to a 3 hour nap every afternoon . . . and I don't usually take naps.  Of course I had to get online a find out what I could about caffeine withdrawal.  Who would of thought . . . and what was I thinking?  I love coffee!  . . . did I mention that I LOVE COFFEE!

I actually made the decision due to some health issues . . . so it is a good decision.  

I am drinking herbal tea (which is NOT coffee) . . . but I love the message on my tea bag tonight.

The JOY of cooking with Charlotte . . .

Sometimes you have to spend time with

a child so you can understand life again.  

I am a messy cook . . . a pretty good cook, but very messy.  Let Charlotte help and it is a kitchen disaster, She helped me make enchiladas tonight and I will probably be finding spatters of enchilada sauce for the next few days.  We cook, we laugh, we take pictures, and make a mess . . .  

This is truly a joy for me . . . spatters and all.  

St. Patrick's Day dinner . . . .

 It is a tradition in our house to have corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day.  It probably is my favorite meal . . . I really should make it more often.  I was actually going to make it for Christmas this past year, but for some reason decided on something else.  

So we celebrated St. Patrick's Day . . . 

. . . corned beef & cabbage, carrots, mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce, and homemade soda bread

. . . and even some footprints and gold candy left behind by a leprechaun for Charlotte.  

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

banana cream pie . . .

You create your own opportunities

~ and sometimes they're really quite delicious.

This is what happened in my kitchen tonight.  I had decided not to make it because it was getting late . . . but my dear friend needs a banana cream pie on her birthday tomorrow.  So I am up late making a pie, making a mess, and making it so that I will probably be tired tomorrow. 

The pie turned out wonderful . . . I can't wait to taste it. 

photo challenge 1/23/15 . . . technology

 As much as I think people need to unplug and spend a little less time looking at their phones, ipads, computers . . . I do like the internet and being able to find just about anything I want to find.

Today it was a coconut cream pie recipe . . . 

Happy National Pie Day!

Saturday . . .

I love when Richard makes breakfast!

photo challenge 1/22/16 . . . snack

 I made such a good choice for a snack at work this afternoon . . . an orange and a little bit of popcorn.  But . . . 

. . . on the way to meeting friends for dinner we walked past one of those charming little bakeries that tend to lure me inside.  I did pick out something small . . . and they were so good!  You can't go wrong with raspberry cheesecake.  

cake & buttons

To go along with my photo challenge for today . . . 

pineapple upside down cake was a must tonight.  Simple recipe - here.

DELICIOUS!  

I was also in the mood to play with buttons.  

I sorted out pink ones, red ones, white ones . . . thinking Valentine's day of course.

Buttons are always fun and I like how the little heart turned out. 

I used 28 gauge wire.  After just stringing the buttons on the wire the heart was a little flimsy, so I cut another piece of wire and wrapped it around the wire holding the button . . . on the back side of the heart . . . wrapping the wire 2-3 time around the wire in between each button.  (if that even makes sense).  If I make another one I will take some pictures.  

Pumpkin Carving Night 2015

 We started with some pumpkins . . . 

  some treats . . . 

some decorations . . . .

 and some food . . . 

 We had little guys . . . 

 and a little bit older guys . . . 

 some of the same old faces . . . 

  . . . and some new faces visiting from afar. 

  We had some serious pumpkin carvers . . . 

and little ones who couldn't sit still. 

There were more pumpkins than ever . . .  a lot of fun . . . and a little bit of chaos (the kind that reminds you that surrounding yourself with friends a family 

is what life is all about).

Family isn't always blood

It's the people in your life who want you in theirs.

The ones who accept you for who you are.

The ones who would do anything to see you smile,

and who love you no matter what. 

3 things . . . and corn beef & cabbage

March Photo Challenge - 3/17/15 . . . 3 Things.

These are the three Pandora charms that the all kids gave me for my birthday.  The purple heart represent February . . . Jake picked out the cross - he is very aware of his mother's faith, and Luke chose the Lucky Cat - he knows what I like.  The bracelet is very special to me.

It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without corn beef and cabbage.  It is always such a great meal.  Luke added a new salad to the menu this year consisting of cabbage, oven roasted potatoes and carrots and a spicy mustard dressing.  It was delicious . . . we will definitely be making it again next year.  

. . . mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce, soda bread, and a delicious pastry that Jennifer brought for dessert.  As usual, I ask myself . . . why do we only make this meal only once a year?

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Pi Day . . .

Dutch Apple . . . with vanilla ice cream.

I had hoped to also make a banana cream pie today, but didn't have time . . . maybe tomorrow.

March photo challenge . . . 3/14 - Pi Day

random pics on a thursday . . .