Farming it.

Given that I grew up on a farm and most of my mom's side are farmers, it's very odd to me to have to seek out farming opportunities for my little guy.  Of course, if I lived closer to my hometown, I'm sure my son would have regular tractor rides and be a helpful milker.  Since 6 1/2 hours is too far to drive for a milking, we must find farms near us. 

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension was were it was at for us.  My little guy was noticing, but not believing he was going to be able to see the animals at first.

His first steps into the barn included pointing. 

But then there was giggling, cheering and lots of waving and saying "Hi" to the animals.

 

 

 

Horses too, which he said were scary, and he wanted to be in mama or dada's arms.  Can't complain about that!  And really, how big these animals must look to him.

 
And real live tractors, now that's excitement right there.


When we left the barn, a farmer asked our little guy what he thought.  His response?  A vivacious "WOW" and then a round of applause.  We have a little farmer right here.

It looks like we shall be farming it again soon. 

Cinnamon Rolls

My husband loves loves loves the pecan sticky buns I make him. Now, I like sticky buns, but not as much as I love cinnamon rolls.  Yes, there is a difference.  Sticky buns are like a pasty, cinnamon rolls are more doughy.  I have never had the perfect recipe...but I've got the perfect one now.  They're delicious.  So good that it prompted my husband to exclaim "This is why I married you!".  I do wonder if I was not a baker if I'd be still single?  

Anyway, here they are.  I should have drizzled the frosting all pretty like so they'd look fancier in the pictures.  But, that would mean that I would have to wait just a bit longer to enjoy them.  I "needed" to eat them asap.  Worth every calorie.

 

 

The recipe is a combination from here and here, as well as a spin by me.

Cinnamon Rolls

DOUGH

• 2 packages yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm (not hot) water
• 1 small can evaporated milk at room temperature
• 2/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 6 - 8 cups flour

 FILLING

• 4 T butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 T. cinnamon

 TOPPING

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 4 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
• Splashes of milk to get the perfect consistency

Preparation:

Mix the first three ingredients.  Let stand until foams. Add the next five ingredients and knead to make soft dough.  Turn into greased bowl.  Cover with damp towel or greased plastic wrap and let rise in warm place (I usually preheat oven to 170, then shut off and leave light on) for 1 hour.  Punch down.  Roll on a floured service into ~15 by 20 inch rectangle.  Spread butter on dough.  Mix cinnamon and sugar and spread over butter.  Roll into a tight long log and cut into  1 1/2 inch slices.  Place in greased 9x13 pan or two 9 inch circle pans.  Let rise for 30-45 minutes.  Bake 350 for around 20 minutes, or until slightly browned at top.  Whip all ingredients for topping and spread while the rolls are still warm. 

Miniature Picnic Table

"Do you ever think your ideas are over the top?"  That's what my husband said to me when he discovered what I was working on.  WHAT?  Over the top?!  No, I don't think this is over the top.  I mean, if you were a kid, would you wanted a miniature picnic table for your bears?  One that matches the 'just my size' picnic table your mama made for you?  I think he was just afraid that I'd ask him to be involved. Which he did help me make a couple cuts, so I guess his concern was justified.  But tell me, do you think this is over the top?

 

Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks Mr. Earl the bear needs a picnic table his size to enjoy the felt fruits (also mama made).  

 

Here you can see both picnic tables I made.

My little guy was delighted to play initially.

 

But soon, he decided he'd rather have Earl the bear sit next to him at his picnic table. 

 Okay, so maybe my husband was right.  Maybe the bear size picnic table wasn't necessary.  But do I at least get points for cuteness?! 

Summer Commitment #2

Summer Commitment #2 is family time will triumph our to do list, not just occasionally, but at least once a week.  That's right...at least once a week, we're going to put a family outing ahead of house painting, laundry, meal making, weeding, etc.  We seem to get precious little family time between our opposite schedules and the amount of overtime my husband usually has to do.  Last year, particularly because our new garage needed priming and painting, we spent too much time on household chores.  We still did family stuff, but that took second seat. This year is going to be different.  This year family time will come before our to do list.  Because these times with our little ones are too precious to miss.

I dare say we're off to a good start. Happiness is...

A sweet path to the beach, in spring weather...

 

 Enjoying new green and noticing new buds.

 


Appreciating serene marsh pools, and then oooing in excitement as the minnows scatter.

 Loving that the sun is so warm that outer layers need to come off.

 Noticing little friends from summers past are enjoying the weather, too.

 Feeling the sense of peace upon arriving at our destination.

Admiring our sleeping angel and the beautiful surroundings.

But waking him so he could enjoy life at the beach too.

Enjoying time with mama.

Learning to skip stones with dada.

And celebrating the life within and thinking about bringing her to the beach along with us.  Oh, the memories that await!

Nothing tops days like this.  Not a single thing that we ignored from our to do list would be more memorable.

Appliqued Whale Shirt...Woosh! (Free Template)

My little one loves whales.  He has been pointing to his only whale shirt, saying "WOOSH" for quite some time.  However, his only whale shirt is now a shirt that shows off that little belly of his.  Waaay too small, but he loves it and asks for it.  We got in a little squabble, as he insisted he was going to wear it out and about.  A new whale shirt that fit was next on my agenda.  The plain blue shirt I got for a buck at a thrift store would do the trick, particularly since it's the size up...it should fit for a while. (Template at bottom of post.)

WOOSH!

He loves it.  Can't get enough of touching that whale and saying "woosh".

Loves it so much that he wants to wear it filthy. With his too-big goretex hat ($2.00 thrifting score!) and his too big boots (from the BOG), he looks like he's about ready to hop on that whaling boat.

Gotta love a kid who loves mama made.

Here's the free template in case you wanted to make a go. I searched online for a template, but I never like what I see online.  So, I drew my own whale.  I used fleece, which is nice because the edges don't fray.  Therefore, I didn't have to finish the edges, I can just stitch with a straight stitch.  It was a super quick project completed while he napped.  The eye and nose are embroidered by hand.