Fun with the Parentals

We enjoyed a fun weekend with Mom and Dad. It was a super rainy weekend, so we stayed indoors and made applesauce with our avalanche of apples (from apple picking and our weekly farmer's market baskets).

Someday, I'd like to learn to do some canning. It was a pleasure to stand beside my sweet mom and slice, dice and cook apples. My mother, Mamaw and aunts have a tradition of canning fresh, garden veggies and fruit. They make it look easy, and all have closets full of beautiful cans filled with sauerkraut, beans, tomatoes, peaches, etc. My Mamaw has at least 100+ jars in her storage closet at all times. It really is a beautiful tradition that I'd love to share in. I do make preserves, so the applesauce is attempt number two!
S. was happy as a clam to have Mamaw and Papaw at our house. She and Papaw played about 100 games of hide and go seek. Her game technique is quite the site to see, and was the source of endless giggles for us. She covers her little eyes (halfway) with her fists, and then chases after the hider while counting at the top of her lungs! She is quite thrilled to yell, "Here I come!" immediately followed by, "I find you!"

The best part of the weekend was snuggling up in Papaw's lap for some good book reading! Thanks to Mom and Dad for watching "The Nut" while we saw The Color Purple! The rare date night was MUCH appreciated!

The Joy of Baking

Anyone seen Julie and Julia yet? We loved it, and came home as even bigger wanna-be foodies. Feeling inspired, my little co-baker and I embarked on an effort to make apple, raisin muffins.

Just to channel some Julia, we used our best French accents to read aloud the recipe.

We were soon lost in the joy of baking, as we sniffed and tasted cinnamon, sliced apples, measured, poured, stirred and mixed.
As helpful as the little baker was, the temptation to place raisins in interesting places caused her to lose her focus for a bit. On the milk carton lid...

and down the paper towel roll.
After the strategic raisin placement, it was time to start placing the muffin cups in the pan, counting as we went. This proved to be quite interesting, so we did it approximately 11 times.

Luckily, just when or energies were running on low, a member of our back-up baking team arrived. In order to allow him to participate, we asked him to prove that he was up for the task. I am happy to say that his skills cut the mustard. He had a mean stirring technique that ended up making all the difference.

From there, it was game on for tag team toddler baking.

As you can see, they took their roles very seriously.

“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there's a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.” ~Barbara Costikyan

More Strawberry Goodness

After you do some serious playing in a water table out on a sunny deck, how does one cool off?

You strip down to your diaper and snuggle up in mom's arms with a homemade strawberry kiwi frozen yogurt pop.
You just can't eat that cool sweet strawberry goodness fast enough. Before you know it, it is rolling down your chin and onto your belly.

Then you try to cool off even more by swirling it around on your sweaty chest.

Feeling refreshed, you give mom a big snuggle to show your appreciation for the sweet treat.

Ah, summer. Bring it on. Messes and all.

We Admit It...

We openly recognize that we are pizza fanatics. (It's a requirement if you are from New York.)Bring on the sauce. Bring on the cheesy goodness. Pizza of choice? Mark's homemade pizza pie.

Sophia is....well...a fan.
She gets messy, stringy, greasy and generally bath ready.
With a belly full of yumminess and cheeks slathered in sauce, she can't help but spread some love
(onto my favorite white t-shirt.).