Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!

Our kiddos

After school we took a walk along the creek in the bottom pasture.  I attempted to take a few pics of the kids but just as we began Tennyson got bit by a fire ant and then the boys heard the UPS man pull up and they ran up to meet him.  So, this is what we got.  Asher & Tennyson had so much fun picking wildflowers.  I am always amazed at how fast they grow. Ages:  Braxton 7, Asher 5, Tennyson 2.

I threw in two of Braxton because it is not often that I get him to slow down.

Tennyson and her baby, 'George'.

New Orleans Weekend Trip

We went to New Orleans October 8-11 for a reptile show.  It was a nice trip and we were able to enjoy the Cajun Spirit and food at a local jazz festival.  The kids enjoyed dancing and watching the band play spoons on  his chest and listen to the accordian.  We all enjoyed a taxi ride and people watching as we strolled the streets of downtown in the evening.  The kids had a great time with Miss Elizabeth swimming, playing laser tag, and visiting the aquarium in the riverfront district, while Mark and I worked the reptile show.  They came and visited us at the show and got to see the Bird and Croc Experience.

In this pic below we were on our way home and stopped off the side of the road just to see if we could see an aligator.  As we opened the car doors we saw a huge splash and were amazed to find this aligator so close.  He was attempting to get a dead fish on the ramp. Miss Elizabeth is pictured with Mark and the kids.

Upon returning home Mark and I were unloading and Tennyson woke up and came out and slept in a bin while we finished our work.

We have a new reptile on our hill...African Spurred Tortoise or Sulcata Tortoise.  You can go to our snake blog to read more on them if you wish: http://sandboamorphs.blogspot.com/ . Here are a few images of them.

Fun times with Tenny

I am not the girliest of girls but I must admit I had fun painting Tennyson toe nails yesterday for the first time.  She sat so still and was so proud.
First nail painting for Tennyson age 2 years 4 months

Yesterday we had a package arrive from Nana of things she had so graciously gotten for the children.  She had made this monkey quilt and pillow for Tennyson.  She was so excited she pulled it out of the box and went and got it bed.

Harvest time

Asher and I have begun to harvest the basil from the garden.  He has been amazed at how much it has grown since we planted it and enjoys watching the bees visit its tiny white flowers.  We have already dried and chopped and put the basil into several jars and this is our second batch we are about to begin.

We saved some of the fresh basil and used it to make a delicious Basil Fritata last night with supper and served it on toasted french baguettes.  It tasted delicious!
Here is the recipe if you would like to try it sometime.
Basil Prosciutto Frittata-yumm good

4 Tbls olive oil (evoo)
1 medium size potato, peeled, cut into ¼ in cubes
½ onion, diced finely
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste
6 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup grated parmesan
2 oz sliced prosciutto, coarsly chopped (or deli ham super thin sliced)-prosciutto is better
2 Tbls chopped FRESH basil
1 loaf of Honey Wheat Baugettes (looks like small french bread loaf)

Heat the oil in a 10" skillet over medium heat. Add potato, onion, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute unitl the potato is golden and crisp on outside and tender inside, about 10-15 min.

Preheat broiler. Whisk the eggs, cream, parmesan, prosciutto and basil together and pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Make sure everything is evenly distributed. Cook without stiring until the the egg mixture is almost set but the top is still loose, about 5-8 min on med-low heat. Place the skillet under the broiler. Broil until the top is set and golden brown, about 5 min. PLEASE remember to protect your hands from the HOT handle on the pan!  Using a rubber spatula, loosen the frittata from the skillet and onto a cutting board. Cut into small wedges or squares to fit the bread.

Slice the bread into ½" pices and broil for 2 min or lightly toast. Arrange the frittata peices on each piece to make a sandwich. Make sure the toasted sides of the bread are facing out. Enjoy!

Flying Flapjacks

Mark told me that if I heard strange noises in the kitchen I might want to get up and check on it because he overheard Asher talking about wanting to surprise me and making flapjacks.  Mark said his plan included flipping them high and going out for the pass to catch them on a plate.  We were not that concerned because we did not think he knew how to make the batter alone.  Later in the night we remembered that I had already mixed up some pancake batter and had it ready in the fridge....Yikes!!!!! Our deal has always been that I make the batter and Mark cooks them up so sure enough I walked into two of my favorite men making sport of it all.....see below!

What a fun breakfast!

Asher's Soup

With Autumn arriving I think a lot about comfort foods....soup, using the last of items from the garden, etc...I have been making a lot of various soups from vegetabe beef soup to French Onion Soup.  Well, I woke up day before yesterday and Asher had already put on a pot of soup.  He was very creative and Tennyson was right by his side learning and eating. Here are some pictures to show his hard work.

Asher & Tennyson are best buddies...he is so patient with his sister and loves and protects her

I began teaching the boys how to use a knife and cut when they were about 12 months with a Melissa & Doug cutting set.  Both boys are excellent little chefs at ages 7 and 5and can cut as well as Mark and I.

His soup was a pot full of lettuce, carrots, bananas, grapes, tomatoes in a pot of water seasoned with salt and pepper...I'm so proud of Tennyson eating a whole bowlful.

Asher had also picked many pepper and tomatillos and parsely from the garden.  Tennyson loves to accompany Asher to pick the garden.  She picks and feeds both of them Stevia "sugarbush" while he picks the rest.