Countdown to Cleveland - Day 18

MY MORNING WAKE-UP CALL CAME BRIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THANKS TO THE LITTLE MAN WHO COULDN'T WAIT TO FACE THE DAY.  I AM NOT ACCUSTOMED TO GETTING ONLY FIVE HOURS OF SLEEP, SO AFTER PLUCKING OUR CHATTY BOY FROM HIS CRIB I WENT DIRECTLY TO OUR KEURIG COFFEE MAKER.  LOVE. INSTANT. COFFEE. 

AFTER THE ENTIRE CREW WAS UP, WE HEADED DOWNTOWN TO MEET THE STACEYS FOR OUR FINAL TRIP TO THE FARMER'S MARKET. 

WE JUST LOVE THIS VIEW OF THE CITY AND LAKE MONONA.

THESE HAND-HOLDING SWEETIES, FILLED OUR MORNING WITH CHEERFUL MELODIES AS THEY WALKED THE STREETS SINGING. 

YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS LITTLE GUY HAD BEEN THE ONE WITH ONLY FIVE HOURS OF SLEEP.  HE WAS A TAD STRUNG OUT, SO THE LITTLE LADY OFFERED HIM HER AVIATOR SUNGLASSES TO HELP TAKE THE EDGE OFF.

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO START THE DAY THAN WITH A CHOCOLATE "SPARKLE" DONUT.

FEELING REVIVED, THE LITTLE MAN ENJOYED RUNNING IN THE LAWN AROUND THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

FAREWELL SWEET FARMER'S MARKET! 

 WE WILL MISS YOUR CROWDED SIDEWALKS, AMAZING PASTRIES, BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AND PRODUCE, STREET PERFORMERS, FREE BALLOONS, CHEESE CURDS, AND THE MEMORIES YOU PROVIDED US.

AFTER A GIGANTIC FAMILY NAP, WE ANXIOUSLY AWAITED THE ARRIVAL OF DOC, MIMI, DAWNIE, BOBBY, PAPA, AND NANY WHO WERE COMING TO ATTEND JEFF'S GRADUATION THAT EVENING.

WE KICKED OFF THE CELEBRATION WITH A CHAMPAGNE TOAST. 

OUR SWEET ONES WERE QUITE INTRIGUED BY THE POPPING OF THE CORK, AND COULD NOT TAKE THEIR EYES OFF THE NOISE-MAKING BOTTLE.

THE NEWLYWEDS!

JEFF RECEIVED SO MANY WONDERFUL CARDS, FILLED WITH WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT, AND WELL WISHES.

WE SURPRISED HIM WITH A NEW KENNETH COLE BRIEFCASE, WHICH HE WAS THRILLED TO RECEIVE.


WE WERE SO BLESSED TO HOST OUR FAMILY IN OUR TOWN HOME ONE FINAL TIME BEFORE THE BIG MOVE.  IT WAS AN AFTERNOON FILLED WITH JOY AND GRATITUDE AS WE CELEBRATED JEFF'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS.  WE ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE CRYING TO A MINIMUM, FOCUSING ON THE GRADUATION AND NOT THE MOVE.  OUR HEARTS WERE FULL THAT DAY AS WE HONORED A VERY SPECIAL MAN IN OUR LIVES.

Countdown to Cleveland - Day 17

FRIDAY WAS A SPECIAL DAY FOR OUR FAMILY AS SOME OF OUR DEAREST FRIENDS HAD ARRIVED IN MADISON TO CELEBRATE JEFF'S GRADUATION FROM RESIDENCY.  WE COULD NOT WAIT TO SPEND TIME WITH THE STACEYS.

WITH ALL THE PACKING I HAVE BEEN DOING LATELY, I HAVE DEVISED A WORKABLE SOLUTION FOR KEEPING OUR SWEET ONES CONTAINED WHILE I RUN AROUND THE HOUSE AND HAUL BOXES.  THANKS TO THE iPAD, OUR CHILDREN'S LOVE OF TOY STORY 3, AND THE LITTLE LADY'S WATCHFUL CARE OVER HER BROTHER THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS PROVEN TO BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL.

(YES.  THEY ARE HOLDING HANDS BETWEEN THE CRIB RAILS.)

THE LITTLE LADY'S VERSION OF PACKING.

THE LITTLE MAN OFFERS UP A HEARTY "CHEESE" EACH TIME I PULL OUT MY CAMERA TO DOCUMENT OUR LIFE.  WHAT A WELL TRAINED BOY!

A SWEET REUNION OF FRIENDS.

SINCE THE STACEYS MOVE ONE YEAR AGO, THE LITTLE LADY CONTINUES TO SPEAK OF THEM OFTEN, "CALL" AND "TEXT" THEM ON HER PLAY CELL PHONES, AND REQUESTS TO GO TO ARKANSAS EVERY FEW MONTHS.  THEY HAVE BECOME PART OF OUR FAMILY, AND WE WERE SO BLESSED BY THEIR RETURN TO MADISON TO SHARE IN OUR CELEBRATION.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMMENTED ON OUR SWEET GIRL'S WARDROBE, WE OWE MUCH OF HER LOOK TO ANNALISE'S STUNNING HAND-ME-DOWNS.   THESE TWO ARE QUITE THE FASHIONABLE PAIR.

AFTER A DELICIOUS BRUNCH AT HUBBARD AVENUE DINER (A FAVORITE), THE KIDS WERE READY TO SETTLE DOWN FOR THEIR AFTERNOON NAPS.  UPON WAKING, CHARLOTTE WAS THRILLED TO DISCOVER A FUZZY CATERPILLAR ON OUR PORCH.  SHE IS QUICK TO SCOOP THEM UP AND LET THEM CRAWL ON HER ARMS, OR FLING THEM ONTO ME IN AN EFFORT TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE.

AND, NO AFTERNOON WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A LITTLE PACKING.  EMPTY BOXES ARE THE NEW GO-TO-TOY IN OUR HOUSEHOLD.

"BUBBLE WRAP!!!"

WE HAD ARRANGED FOR A SITTER TO COME THAT EVENING, SO THAT WE COULD ENJOY SOME ADULT CONVERSATION AND CATCH UP WITH OUR LONG, LOST FRIENDS.  IT FELT JUST LIKE OLD TIMES AS WE DINED AT GRAZE FOR DINNER AND ENJOYED AN AFTER DINNER DRINK AT MERCHANT.   OUR NIGHT WAS FILLED WITH SATISFYING FOOD, HEARTY LAUGHTER AND REMINISCING.  IT WAS SO GOOD TO HAVE HEATH AND ADRIANA BACK IN MADISON; IT HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT THEM. 

LOVE THESE LADIES.  


AFTER OUR TIME AT MERCHANT, WE LEFT THE GENTLEMEN DOWNTOWN AND US GIRLS RETURNED HOME TO OUR PLACE WHERE WE SAT ON THE COUCH CHATTING AND LAUGHING UNTIL 1am.   IT WAS THE PERFECT ENDING TO A MEMORABLE DAY.   THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE SATISFYING THAN SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH DEAR FRIENDS.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - The trouble with toliet paper



Motherhood as a Mission Field

Motherhood as a Mission Field

Countdown to Cleveland - Day 16

WE WERE EXCITED TO BEGIN OUR MORNING AS WE HAD TWO PLAY DATES SCHEDULED BEFORE LUNCH.  WE MADE A QUICK TRIP TO OUR FAVORITE DONUT SHOP, SCOTT'S, FOR "SPARKLE" DONUTS AND DONUT HOLES.  WE THEN MADE OUR WAY TO THE HOLBERT'S HOUSE FOR A DONUT PICNIC AND FUN.  THE HOLBERTS ARE ONE OF THREE FAMILIES WHO MOVED TO MADISON TO HELP PLANT THE VINE CHURCH.   WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY BLESSED BY OUR INTERACTIONS WITH THIS LOVING FAMILY, AND HAVE APPRECIATED THEIR PRAYERFUL SUPPORT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

HAPPY CHILDREN.

INFAMOUS DONUT "CHEESE"

SWEET GRACE AND CHARLOTTE HAVE BECOME FAST FRIENDS.  THEY ARE OFTEN FOUND AROUND CHURCH HOLDING HANDS, CHASING THEIR YOUNGER BROTHERS, OR DANCING IN THE AISLES. 

ENJOYING THE ATTENTION OF ANOTHER MOMMY.

AFTER OUR TIME WITH THE HOLBERTS, WE TRANSITIONED TO OUR LAST SOS PLAYGROUP AT A FAVORITE PARK. 

SUCH SWEET GIRLS.

THIS LITTLE GUY PREFERS HIS SWING STATIONARY.

OUR SWEET ONES ENJOYING THEIR DONUT HOLES.

IT WAS THE PERFECT MORNING TO SPEND OUTSIDE, MAKING MEMORIES WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITE FRIENDS.  THE KIDS WERE EAGER TO GET INTO THEIR BEDS FOR NAP TIME, AFTER A FULL MORNING OF PLAY.  I SPENT THE AFTERNOON ENJOYING THE GENTLE BREEZE AS I PACKED, BLOGGED, AND RESTED. 

AFTER NAPS, WE TOOK A STROLL TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD POND.  EACH TIME THAT I AM THERE, I AM REMINDED HOW QUICKLY OUR SWEET ONES ARE GROWING.  I CAN STILL REMEMBER STROLLING OUR BABY GIRL PAST THE LAKE, AND NOW I WATCH IN AWE AS OUR TWO SPIRITED CHILDREN RUN DOWN THE VERY SAME PATH.  SO MANY MEMORIES TO CHERISH...

AS I TYPE, THE SUN IS SETTING OVER OUR FIELD AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS QUIET. THE LITTLE MAN IS SLEEPING PEACEFULLY.  JEFF IS HOME AFTER A LONG DAY OF OPERATING, AND HE AND THE LITTLE LADY ARE WATCHING MUSIC VIDEOS ON HIS ipad.  A ROSATTI'S PIZZA BOX LAYS OPEN ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTER, THE PIZZA HALF CONSUMED.   WE ARE TIRED, CONTENT, AND BLESSED.



Peanut Butter Pie ~ Sealed with Kisses

I MADE THIS PIE FOR JEFF'S BIRTHDAY, AND RECENTLY MADE IT AGAIN FOR MY BIBLE STUDY GIRLS.  IT IS A SWEET INDULGENCE.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND MAKING IT FOR THOSE LOVED ONES THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE SWEET ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Ingredients:

Crust

30 vanilla or chocolate wafers (I used vanilla both times.)

1/3 cup lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

chocolate kisses to decorate (optional)

To make the crust: Combine the wafers and peanuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and process until finely ground.  Add the butter and pulse a few times until incorporated.  Using your fingers, press the mixture evenly into the bottom and all the way up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it firmly.  Bake until fragrant, about 15 minutes.  Transfer the pie dish to a wire rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Put the peanut butter in a medium bowl.  Set aside.  Combine the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about two minutes.  The cream should slowly fall over forward when lifted with a whisk.  Alternatively, use an electric hand mixer.

Using a rubber spatula, gently stir about half of the whipped cream into the peanut butter.  Then transfer this mixture into the remaining whipped cream mixture and beat on medium speed until just incorporated.  Do not overmix.  (I recommend a small taste test at this point.  You will not be disappointed.)

Pour the filling into the cooled crust and spread evenly.  Arrange the chocolate kisses in a circular fashion on the outside edge of the filling.  Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or as long as overnight.  Slice and serve with a drizzle of chocolate or chocolate shavings.

Enjoy!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - The Contents of His Locker

Countdown to Cleveland - Day 15

IF I'M HONEST, OUR WEDNESDAY GOT OFF TO A ROUGH START AND CONTINUED DOWN THE PATH OF IRRITABILITY, UNPREDICTABILITY, AND IMPATIENCE.  HOWEVER, THERE WERE MOMENTS OF CALM, PRODUCTIVITY, AND CREATIVITY SCATTERED THROUGHOUT AND THAT IS WHAT I'M CHOOSING TO HIGHLIGHT FOR DAY 15.


EARLY MORNING DISTRACTION
(AKA - THE DUSTBUSTER)

THE WEATHER WAS GLOOMY AND RAINY, A PERFECT DAY TO PULL OUT THE FLASHLIGHTS FOR LIGHT SHOWS AND SHADOW FUN.

"TENTS!"

A SUBTLE LOOK OF DISSATISFACTION THAT CONTINUED TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY.

BY 8:00am WE WERE EXHAUSTED.

AT 10:45am MY CREW WAS REQUESTING LUNCH, SO LUNCH WE MADE.  IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME MAKING INDIVIDUAL ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZAS, AND THEY PROVED TO BE A BIG HIT!  I FOUND IT HUMOROUS THAT IT WAS THE LITTLE LADY WHO WAS MORE INTERESTED IN SNACKING ON THE CHEESE, LEAVING THE LITTLE MAN TO THE TASK OF TOPPING THE PIZZAS.

BY 1:30pm NAPS WERE OVER.  AT LEAST JOE'S WAS; THE LITTLE LADY COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO SLEEP IN SPITE OF REPEATED VISITS FROM MOMMY TO RUB HER CHEEK.  IN AN EFFORT TO CALM THE CHAOS, WE EACH SELECTED A MAGAZINE FOR A QUIET TIME OF READING.  YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO KNOW BOTH CHILDREN PICKED OUT AN ISSUE OF "THE ECONOMIST"  WHILE I OPTED FOR "PARENTS" MAGAZINE.

ANOTHER MAMA-NEEDS-A-MINUTE-OF-QUIET-CONSTRUCTIVE-PLAY BRAINSTORM RESULTED IN THIS ACTIVITY - GROUPING TOYS BY COLOR.  BOTH SWEET ONES FOUND IT TO BE QUITE STIMULATING, AND PROCEEDED TO "GROCERY SHOP" ONCE THE TOYS WERE CATEGORIZED.

"UH-OHHHHH!" 
SWEET JOE DUMPS THE POT OF TOYS ONCE AGAIN.

JEFF ARRIVED HOME AT 6 JUST IN TIME FOR BATH TIME, ALLOWING ME A MOMENT TO SLIP AWAY AND PREPARE FOR WHAT WAS SURE TO BE THE SWEETEST PART OF MY DAY - DINNER OUT WITH TWO INCREDIBLE GIRLFRIENDS.

I PICKED UP MY DATES, AND WE HEADED TO BONFYRE, ONE OF OUR FAVORITE MADISON RESTAURANTS.  WE HAD A GOOD LAUGH AS WE WAITED FOR OUR TABLE AND OBSERVED THE ACTIVITY AROUND US, RECOGNIZING THAT LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE HOME DOES IN FACT EXIST AFTER 7pm. 

OUR MEALS WERE QUITE SATISFYING AND WE ENJOYED A FEW HOURS OF UNINTERRUPTED CONVERSATION, AND REMINISCED OF OUR SHARED TIME IN MADISON.  THIS SEASON OF LIFE HAS BROUGHT ME A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE LORD'S TIMING AND PROVISION.  OVER THE PAST YEAR, HE ALLOWED THESE TWO WOMEN TO MINISTER TO ME AND MY FAMILY IN VERY SPECIFIC AND UNIQUE WAYS.  I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THEM, RAISE CHILDREN ALONG SIDE THEM, LAUGH WITH THEM, AND BE INSPIRED BY THEM.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - "On Daddy's Watch"



Curried Couscous

I MADE THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS PAST SUNDAY WHILE ENTERTAINING.  I SERVED IT ALONG SIDE ROASTED CHICKEN BREASTS AND A FRESH TOMATO SALAD.  IT WAS A LOVELY SUMMER MEAL, AND THE KIDS AND I HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE LEFTOVER COUSCOUS ALL WEEK LONG. 

(It's from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook in case you're wondering.  And, while it's a lot of ingredients, it is easy and fun to prepare.)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups couscous

1 Tablespoon unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1/4 cup plain yogurt (I used Greek)

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 Teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 Teaspoon curry powder

1/4 Teaspoon tumeric

 (When I went to my spice shelf, all I had was an empty container, thus this ingredient was left out.)

1 1/2 Teaspoons kosher salt

1 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup grated (or small-diced) carrots (I opted diced.)

1/2 cup minced fresh-flat leaf parsley

1/2 cup dried currents, golden raisins or raisins (Having small children, I have an excess of plain ol' raisins, so that was the obvious choice.)

1/4 cup sliced almonds

2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

1/4 cup small-diced red onion

Place the couscous in a medium bowl.  Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous.  Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork. 

Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, tumeric, salt and pepper.  Pour over the fluffed couscous and mix well with a fork.  Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, and red onions; mix well and taste for seasoning.  Serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!



Countdown to Cleveland - Day 14

TUESDAY BEGAN WITH BIRDS CHIRPING, SUN STREAMING, AND OUR SWEET ONES WAKING AT SEVEN.  JEFF LINGERED A LITTLE LONGER THAN USUAL THIS MORNING, AND THE KIDS ENJOYED SENDING HIM ON HIS WAY WITH GIANT HUGS AND TENDER KISSES.  I DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GOOD MORNING TO RUN ERRANDS AND PURCHASE A FEW GIFTS FOR UPCOMING GRADUATIONS, BIRTHDAYS, AND GOOD-BYES.  WE WERE IN THE VAN EARLY WITH WINDOWS DOWN AND MUSIC TURNED UP.

THE LITTLE MAN ENJOYED HIS NEW READING MATERIAL.

THE LITTLE LADY AND I ENJOYED A FEW FAVORITE TRACKS FROM ADELE'S NEW CD.

OUR FIRST STOP - THE "ESCALATOR" TARGET (AKA - TARGET AT HILLDALE)

THIS TARGET IS A REAL TREAT FOR THE KIDS, AS IT IS SLIGHTLY OUT OF THE WAY AND NOT OUR USUAL SPOT FOR SHOPPING.

THEY ENJOY:

-THE COVERED PARKING GARAGE

-THE LARGE ESCALATOR

-DOUBLE SEATED CARTS

-THE ELEVATORS THAT TAKE YOU BACK TO THE GROUND FLOOR.

AFTER TARGET, WE HIT UP "THE BUCKY BADGER BOOK STORE"  (AKA - BARNES AND NOBLE).  WE HAPPENED UPON THEIR TUESDAY MORNING STORY TIME, AND DECIDED TO ENJOY A FEW SHORT STORIES, FINGER RHYMES AND SONGS.  WE THEN MADE OUR WAY TO THE CHILDREN'S SECTION, FOR NO VISIT TO B & N WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TRIP THE TRAIN TABLE.

SUCH CONCENTRATION.

THE LITTLE LADY TREATED ME TO A SPIDER MAN READ ALOUD.

AFTER A TACO BELL LUNCH (YOU CAN GUESS WHO REQUESTED THAT), I ENJOYED A PEACEFUL AFTERNOON OF REFLECTION AS THE CHILDREN NAPPED.  I SPENT TIME WRITING OUT CARDS FOR FATHER'S DAY AND GRADUATION, AND THAT IS WHEN THE WATER WORKS STARTED.  WHILE I AM A SENTIMENTAL PERSON, I DON'T ENJOY THE MID-DAY CRY.  BUT, AS I SAT DOWN TO TELL MY HUSBAND IN WORDS WHAT THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE MEANT TO ME, I WAS OVERCOME WITH EMOTION.  IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AFTER 13 YEARS OF EDUCATION, JEFF WILL BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO OBTAINING A POSITION AS A FULL-TIME PLASTIC SURGEON.  IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME THAT I BEGAN MY TEACHING CAREER AT AGE 22, AND AT AGE 32 JEFF WILL (FINALLY) HAVE HIS OWN OPERATING ROOM.  WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW PROUD I AM OF HIM.

AFTER THE KIDS WOKE AND I RETOUCHED MY MAKE-UP, WE HEADED TO MY FRIEND JULIE'S HOUSE FOR AN AFTERNOON OF PLAY.  JULIE AND I BECAME FRIENDS THROUGH THE SIGNIFICANT OTHER SOCIETY, PARTICIPATING IN BOOK CLUB TOGETHER AND THEN RESTAURANT CLUB.  SHE IS MY VERY FAVORITE AUSTRALIAN, AND I HAVE LOVED GETTING TO KNOW HER AND HER CHILDREN DURING OUR TIME IN MADISON.  I COULD LISTEN TO HER TALK ALL DAY LONG; EVERYTHING SOUNDS BETTER IN HER ACCENT.

THE LITTLE LADY WAS THRILLED TO PLAY WITH OTHER (AND OLDER) GIRLS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE DISCOVERED THE DRAWER OF DRESS-UP CLOTHING.  THE GIRLS PRANCED AROUND AS LITTLE FAIRIES ALL AFTERNOON, DECORATED COOKIES, AND CHASED AFTER THE LITTLE BROTHERS. 

FEELING QUITE PRETTY.  NOTE TO SELF.  PURCHASE DRESS-UP CLOTHES.

AFTER OUR SWEET ONES WERE IN BED, JEFF AND I ENJOYED THE QUIET AFTER A BUSY DAY OF ACTIVITY.