Train Museum

This Saturday November 5th, is a free day at the Colorado Train Museum in Golden Co. I know that we will be there taking pictures of the girls with the many different trains. I have never been there before and I know that Kyky looks forward to going.

43 Things

I found this website listed in a magazine awhile back and thought that it was so cool. Its called 43things.com, you make a list of your goals, share your progress, and cheer each others on. So far I have 15 things on my list of things that I would like to accomplish and have been able to complete one thing. It helps to me see what areas in my life that I need to focus on and feel like I have a little more direction in my life.

There's this cool little thing on the site called the personal challenge you pick one of the goals from your list, decide when you are going to have it done by and the consequences of not completing it in that time frame. there's also a magic 8 ball magic prediction that helps you come up with more goals for the future, kinda gives the creativity pot a stir.

What do you want to do with your life, what things would you like to accomplish?

Election day party

Tried out a Sweet Potato Pancakes recipe this morning for my girls, fun and seasonal...

Sweet Potato Pancakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoons cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
2 cups milk
4 teaspoons melted butter, plus more for greasing skillet
2 whole eggs
1 sweet potato, cooked until tender, peeled and pureed (I cheated and used canned)

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix together and whisk until smooth. Cook batches in buttered skillet on medium high temperature until bubbles form on the surface, then turn over and cook until dark golden brown.

Tonight we are going to the in-laws for an election day party, figure we can take the left over Halloween candy in case things start going the wrong direction. I have high hopes for the future of this country though, there are so many people out of work and families losing their homes. I hope and pray that our new president can turn this all around for us.

Found a cool and fun Election day party menu at Southern Living that most any one can enjoy...

Red and Blue Margaritas
Shrimp Shooters
Political Pizzas
Comforting Chili
Sweet Endings

Sounds yummy to me :o)

Tea for one

One of the things that I love to do is to set by myself with a cup of True Blueberry tea in the morning before the rest of the house stirs and kids wake up and venture out of their rooms. I just set in a big over sized chair and stair out the window, there's something so incredible relaxing about being able to have that few minutes to myself before the craziness of the day sucks me in.

I know that the Celestial Seasonings factory is in Boulder, Co and yet I have never been on the free tour. My in laws go regularly to buy tea in large quantities, they love the blueberry as much as I do. I've been told that they have a little tea shop that you can buy tea, and other great gifts and the also have the Celestial Cafe in case you wont to get a bite to eat after the tour. They have tours every hour from 10-4, Saturdays 10-3, Sundays 11-3. Only Children 5 and older can go some of the scents might be a bet strong for kids younger then that.

Here's a link to the website...
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/index.html

Waffle Recipe and Clothing sale link

Last August Kylee was the flower girl in my brother-in-laws wedding. We didn't have to buy a dress for her because the bride found a place online to rent a flower girl dress from. The company is now going out of business and is having a big sale on all of their children's clothes.
http://www.gagas.com/ They have some really cute things, and I highly suggest that anybody that needs some for nice clothes go there for the good deals. There not going to be around for to much longer.

Awhile back I found this supper yummy Waffle recipe and thought that I would share it with everybody. Its called....

The Waffle Of Insane Greatness
3/4 Cup flour
1/4 Cup Cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk (I like it both ways)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter and syrup, for serving

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and soda, and salt; mix well. Add milk, veggie oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and mix well. Let the batter sit for 30 minutes.

Preheat waffle iron. No need to use spray non-stick spray on iron, the oil in the batter will allow it to release easily. Follow directions on your waffle iron to prepare waffles. Serve immediately.

The time has come

The time has finally come to lower the mattress in Baby Grace's crib. We took it to the lowest setting today, I can't believe that she has really gotten that big. Even though shes going to have her first birthday in January it feels like we just brought her home from the hospital. She was such an itty bitty little thing, we actually had to get her a little preemie outfit while at the hospital so she wouldn't have to go home in just a onesie and her snowsuit. The newborn outfit that big sister Kylee had picked out was just huge on her. Can't believe that I'm feeling so nostalgic just moving the mattress down. Wonder what I'm going to be like when we turn her crib into a toddler bed.

Kylee also picked out the bedding for her crib, I felt it would help her to feel more involved when sister came. So little sister wouldn't end up with cowboys or cars or something else along those lines I actually found several that I liked and let her pick from the ones I likes. She picked out a very cute one by Baby Connection called "Lady Bug" it has lots of flowers and pastel colors, and little lady bugs. Every time Kyky looks at it shes says, "I picked that for her".

As of today Grace's first birthday is 76 days away. Kylee is already making plans for it, she thinks baby sister should have a princess party for her first one, with lots of pink and purple (kylees favorite colors). Sounds an awful lot like the birthday party that we had for Kyky in September.

Today is Halloween and Kyky is so excited to go to school that shes been wearing her backpack around the house. Shes like I'm ready to go mom, and its not even lunch time yet. She goes to afternoon kindergarten, shes a funny little princess. Yesterday I caught her explaining the intricacies of "Trick or Treating" to Grace. I tried to get it on video but she got embarrassed when I pulled out the camcorder, we will definitely get some footage of the festivities tonight.

Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat

I'm horrible when it comes to candy, I love most of it. The only way I can keep from eating all the candy before the trick or treaters come to the door is to get something that I really don't like or just not buy any at all. This year I've been hearing a lot about "low-calorie" Halloween candy and did a little research. You can eat ..... and be OK (keeping in mind that I didn't mean the whole bag just a few of them)

Sugarless Gum, Bubble Gum, Twizzler Bites, Jelly Beans, Bit-O-Honey, Tootsie Rolls, Raisinets, Gumdrops, Skittles, Starburst, Piece of Taffy, Tootsie Roll Pops, Gummi Bears

10 Tricks I found online to help avoid the candy bucket

1. Buy Candy you don't like.
2. Savor one piece of your favorite candy a day.
3. Out of sight, out of mind.
4. Chew Gum
5. Replace the candy with fruit you like.
6. Move the candy bucket.
7. Count the empty wrappers.
8. Manage hunger.
10. Sip on a low cal beverage.