Frog Eye Salad

This is a great cold salad that is sweet and tangy but most importantly FUN.  The children and I wanted to make something good but also that would be appealing to kids for our family reunion.  We call it Frog Eye Salad because of the shape of the pasta (acini de pepe...when cooked looks like "frog eyes" (the size of bee-bee's).  I had a wonderful friend in college that shared this recipe with me and would like to pass it on to you.  Enjoy!!!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup pineapple juice
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup Acini De Pepe
2 cans (15 oz Mandarin Oranges, drained)
1 can (20 oz) Chuck pineapple, drained (save juice if 100%)
1 can (20 oz) Crushed pineapple, drained
1 carton (8 oz) dairy whipped topping (Cool Whip)
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Directions:
In a small saucepan mix sugar, flour, and salt, stir in pineapple juice and egg. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly until thickened.  Add lemon juice.  Set aside and cool.  Cook Acini De Pepe according to package directions. Combine cookd mixture with the Acini De Pepe. Cover. Place in refridgerator until chilled. Combine remaining ingredients, stir lightly. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Serves 10-15.

*If you have trouble locating the Acini De Pepe pasta, you could get a thin spaghetti and break/cut it in tiny 1/4" pieces.

Moving to a Big Bed

I was looking back through some of my pictures and realized that I never blogged about a milestone in Tennyson's life.  On April 13, 2010, age 22 months, she woke up from her nap with no idea that would be her last rest in the crib.  When Mark and I began to move things out of her room to rearrange she became quite upset about the whole situation and went and sat in the spot where bed was supposed to be.  It didn't last too long because once we assembled the big bed she was very excited.  She transitioned very well, without any falls and enjoys playing in her room or reading books in the rocking chair until we awaken in the mornings. 
Here is a picture of her awakening from her last nap in the crib.

Here is a recent picture asleep in her big bed.

So much more...

Today we "kicked off" our Summer Schedule.  The children and I have been making a list of our goals to accomplish while we are home together and organizing our plan to achieve it.  Over the next few weeks I will share with you some images of our fun family time.

We had our first of this season cooking class today.

But in reality it was so much more. Not only did it provided an opportunity for us to be together, it included a Math lesson (the children each had a set of measuring cups and they had to identify the fraction I called out or offer an equivalent). And for the boys, a Writing lesson (they had to write out the grocery list).

And just as important a Nutrition lesson.  It is important even at a young age to learn how to keep our bodies healthy.  It is a rare day that one of the kids is not in the kitchen helping me cook.  

We usually have muffins of some kind made.  I usually double the recipe and put 1/2 in the refridgerator and freeze the rest.  A dear friend of mine, Mrs. Smith, shared this recipe of her mother's. These muffins are not only delicious but a healthy option for a snack.  I will share the recipe with you....YUMM!

Mama's Apple Muffins (breakfast or snack)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 stick real butter softened

2 cups chooped fresh apple

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds)

1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk ( if you don't have any in your fridge try this substitute: 1/2 Tbls lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make  1/2 cup total. Let stande 5 minutes before using).

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and then dry ingredients.

Stir in apples, raisins, nuts and mix well.

Add buttermilk and vanilla and stir just until blended.

Pour in muffin cups that are filled with liners or the pan is sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

(I like to use a large ice cream scoop to fill the muffin tin.  It not only keeps them a similar size the kids have fun doing it with less mess).

Bake 30 at 350 degrees.  Makes approx 30 medium muffins. Freezes well!

9 Days of Bliss

My mother-in-law came to visit us from San Diego, California May 13-21.  I appreciate her husband sharing her with us for that time. It is a sacricfice on her part to leave and come and help out on our hillside. I must say that this visit was one of my very favorite. It may have not been the most entertaining trip for her but hopefully it was a relaxing vacation.  It was nice to sit around and chit-chat and not worry about the daily grind.  It was fun to have her take part in our children's school events and just have her company.  Now that she is back across the country we are getting acquainted with our new Summer schedule.

Ft. Morgan Beach Club Weekend Getaway

Late Friday afternoon we decided to pack a quick bag and head to the beach for the weekend.  It has been quite some time since we  have left our hillside so it was a fun, quick getaway.  The boys were elated to sleep in the condo and to swim and play on the beach.  The water was still cold but they did not seem to mind.  Despite the wind being really strong the temperature was nice and the waves were 6-8' (that's big for the Gulf of Mexico). 

On Sunday we rode the Ferry from Ft. Morgan to Dauphin Island.  Along the way we were able to see some of the efforts being made to protect the coastline from the oil spill.  The Boom Technology team's were there placing the boom's, the oil pumper trucks lined the streets on Dauphin Island along with other relief teams from the coastguard to Military Convoy's and news teams.  It was a great time to teach the children.  Now, we are saying our prayers that the ocean and wind's calm so the boom's will be effective and that the oil can be contained. The oil is said to reach the Alabama coastline tonight.

Braxton is playing Captain Hook in a Peter Pan graduation play at his school in a couple of weeks. Needless to say the boys had fun pretending to look for pirates as well as checking out the big oil rigs with the monoscope.  They had just watched an episode on Build It Bigger about oil rigs so they were intrigued.

Here a Chick, There a Chic

This Spring one of our range hens became broody.  We decided to let her set her clutch of eggs so Tennyson could experience the chicks.  These images are of her holding a chick for the first time.

Let's just say this little chick learned to fly a little earlier than its siblings.