MS 150

This weekend Ben rode his bike in the MS 150... a fund raiser ride for people with multiple sclerosis.  It was 82 miles one day, and 82 miles the next day.  I drove and stayed there with Ben and took these shots.  This first one is of Ben getting ready to ride on the first day.  Oh, and yes, we did get up way before dawn, both days.  He was pumped.

This is a team picture.  His team was called "United We Ride."  These are not all of the people in his team.  This ride had about 2,000 riders and his team probably had 250.

I arrived at 11:45 and they were finishing setting up really.  I thought maybe Ben would be in at 12:30 or so if he had really good time.  Well... I hear my name and Ben is sitting there eating oreos.  He was the very first rider to come in and he was there alone for about 10 minutes before the next rider came in.  I told him he was a total ninja warrior on that bike of his.  I could tell he was happy.  He rode 82 miles in just under 4 hours.  He must be Lance Armstrong's baby or somethin'!

Here we are on day two ready to see daddy at the finish line.  We were determined to get there earlier this time.

Here's Zeke with his tamborine to celebrate his daddy.

Ben came in with a group of riders- 6 of them in the lead.  They did some formations that helped with the wind... kind of like geese.  I am so proud of his accomplishment!!

Freezer Cooking- Meat and Cheese Burritos

I have decided that I am going to do one freezer meal a week and stock up my freezer with things that we can have for dinner on nights that I don't feel like cooking, or for a wholesome lunch sometime.  I chose these because they are easy, have few ingredients and can be cooked straight from frozen.  By the way, I got this idea from this blog:  http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/  Love that blog!

1 pound ground beef, venison or turkey (I used turkey and I doubled the recipe)
sea salt to taste
3/4 C shredded cheese (I used a mexican blend)
1 C salsa
10-12 whole wheat torillas (you can make your own, but I chose to buy some whole grain wraps they sell at Aldi... they are 100 calories and big)

To Freeze:  Lay burritos burritos barely touching in a casserole dish.
To Reheat:  Put on a baking sheet.  If they are thawed, warm in the oven for about 15 minutes.  If burritos are frozen, leave them in the oven for about 30 minutes.

*The nice thing about this frozen meal is that you can vary the fillings and make it whatever you prefer.

Gwen Dancing

Did ya get all that?  I didn't think so.  She insists on wearing that skirt every day now.  I think it is very cute.  She dances like this and she doesn't have any dancing Barbie movies or anything like that to show her how people dance.  (although she will gladly accept a copy of that for Christmas Aunt Stephanie)  Her current favorite song is "I've Been Working On The Railroad."  She calls it the "train one" in her monologue.  These little every day moments are so precious to me.

Today

We studied mushrooms today.  We made one out of a toilet roll.

This is what Zeke was doing.  

Bath time giggles.

Big Flake

If you are a long time reader of this blog you know about how I am strangely interested in big corn flakes.  This has to be the largest I've ever found.  It's spectacular! :)

Excited

Just yesterday I received the sticker labels for my homemade vanilla jars.  I think they are so cute and I'm excited to give them as gifts.  Many of you all will receive some of this vanilla, so just look surprised ok?

Something I wasn't so excited about today?  How I left the room for a millisecond and this is what I came back to.  And no, I didn't throw it away.  I rolled it up the best I could and stuck it in the drawer.  Let's just say it looks a little disheveled.

First Dentist's Visit

Here's Gwen with the dentist this morning.  She went back there without me and opened really well for them.  She chose a necklace from the treasure chest afterwards and got a bag of things like a new toothbrush and all.  She looked in the bag and said "WOW it's amazing!"  She's becoming such a big girl!

Meal Plan

cabbage rolls, cut veggies
glazed salmon, rice, zucchini
egg salad sandwiches, ranch bean soup
chicken strips, sweet potatoes, green beans
ambrosia fruit salad, sloppy cornbread, salad and cut veggies

* hummus.. still haven't made it.
*applesauce- my neighbor gave me some great apples and I'm going to make applesauce with it.

Bollywood

Not only do I love Indian food, but I love their culture in many ways.  This song is better than Thriller.



Beki told me about an Indian actor that has a double thumb.  Hum... interesting.  I asked her if that might deter him from being chosen for roles...

Not so much.  Made me laugh... hope it makes you laugh too.

Take A Look

Today we went to a gym for a birthday party.  They had this nifty three seater swing.  Most kids got on there and were afraid once it started...

Not my Gwen!  HA!

Owl Art

Yesterday we made thumb print owls.  Here are the ones I did to show Gwen.

Here are hers.  She also decided she was going to make a "humongous" caterpillar with the pink ink.  Every day she says things that surprise me.  She says things like "oh, I know mommy" (like she has an idea) and "you remember don't you?" and "look mommy, a crescent moon!" and I just stand there in surprise.  She was rolling on the floor yesterday and said "see, it's not too bad" and then cackled out a laugh.  Her prayers are beginning to make sense.  Last night she thanked God for green beans!  Every night she requests the same two songs, Twinkle twinkle little star and Edelweiss.  I'm really enjoying this age with Gwen, except for the fits and constant correcting.  :)  

Processed Food

In my desire to make nourishing foods for my family, I've been reading up about processed foods and what constitutes as processed.  This article really was great.  How much processed foods do you guys eat?

http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/processedfoods.htm

Lenexa Spinach Festival

We went to the Lenexa Spinach Festival today.  I know, a little odd, so that's why I had to go.  Apparently, Lenexa was famous for spinach at one time in the early 1900s.  Here's Gwen on her first pony ride.

Here I am with my little man.  He is a DOLL BABY!

This picture captures Gwen's personality I think.  She has such spirit and is so fun loving.  LOVE HER

Here's Zeke with Popeye and Olive Oil.  Gwen decided she didn't want any part of a picture with the characters.  What a surprise right?

Christmas 06 Owl Spotting

I thought I had a picture of an owl that I saw in Alabama.  I found it and it is a spotted owl just for the record.  Isn't it lovely???

My New Obsession- Owls

It all started with this.



Now Gwen wants to fly around the house like an owl, we've painted an owl picture today, and read a book about owls.  She especially liked looking at the egg pictures.  My favorite kind of owl is the barn owl.  Here it is.  I REALLY want to see one.  BAD.

Before and After- The Kitchen

This is before we moved in.  Country blue plaid wallpaper... gotta love it!

The kitchen is the first room we did.  This is how it is today.  Sorry, I didn't clean up for these photos...but I thought you needed to see how we really live.  We display Gwen's art above the table.  I hope you are enjoying these before and afters as much as I am.  It's been a LONG process.

Our Clock

Pistachio-Basil Pesto

For those of you that have basil plants.  I think next time I'll double the recipe if I have enough basil.  I'm using up the basil before it gets cold and dies!  By the way, I'm so excited... last night I ordered bottles for my homemade vanilla extract and I'm going to order custom stickers to go on as labels!

2 garlic cloves (if you like garlic... add more like I did)
1/2 C shelled pistachios
2 C loosely packed basil
1 T lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 C extra virgin olive oil
1/4 C Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (I used Romano)

1.  Place garlic in food processor; pulse until chopped.  Add pistachios, basil, lemon juice and salt; pulse until nuts are finely chopped.  Add olive oil gradually through food chute and process until well combined.  Add cheese and pulse 2 or 3 times.  Makes about 1 C.  I also added a little water to mine because I wanted it a runnier consistency.  Pesto is great on tomato sandwiches (Ben had last night) or pizza or with pasta.  A little goes a long way.  I froze this in an ice cube tray to use later in winter.

Meal Plan

Cabbage rolls, green beans
grilled shrimp and bell peppers, brown rice
zucchini boats, salad
seasoned chicken, sweet potatoes or broccoli
dal makani mix, chipati
crepes, fruit salad

*pistachio-basil pesto
*hummus

It's beginning to be cooler weather here and so I'm using up my basil before it gets too cold.  I can freeze this pesto in ice cube trays and use whenever.  Hummus is just good to have around this house.  Everyone likes it very much.

Memorial Day and Memories

Ben and the kids.

We went to see Ben's Grandparents this weekend out at the farm and they had some fruit outside and LOADS of butterflies.  We talked about how the butterflies could smell the fruit.  I'm going to have to look that up!

Here's Grandpa seeing how his hat would fit Zeke.

The ladies and sleeping Zeke.

You can always depend on Grandma to bring fireworks.

Me, Beki and Gwen.  So far I'm lost 17lbs.  Got a ways to go, but it's a start!

Gwen and her friend Katie Beth.

Grandma gave me a cookbook and I was greatly disturbed by some of the recipes in there.  Like this page... squirrel pot pie followed by possum.  Um... if you click on the photo you can find out to cook a possum.  NOT for the weak of stomach.  YUCK!