2011 Project

So, I decided to make the girls bags for birthday presents this year. This is my first one. It originally was for Amanda's March 1st birthday. Then I decided she would probably rather pick out her own pattern and fabric so I decided to keep this one. The year I made aprons, I made for everyone but me. This way I get one for sure! I may be a little late but Amanda did pick out a pattern and is still looking for the fabric.....Molly is too......and Jen you probably should start looking........(I got the fabric and pattern from sewmamasew.com. It is Mod Flowers from the Sugar Pop fabric collection by Liz Scott for Moda. The pattern is Frenchy Bags by Amy Butler.)

Brett's Home

He arrived home after working in North Dakota last fall and skiing this winter in Utah looking like this.
But he cleaned up nice!

Last of the Braces

Phew......these are the last two to get braces. Unfortunately, all you kids except Matt and Wade, got my teeth. Small jaw and crowded teeth. Jeanie and Danny have been doing great with them. Not too........much complaining about sore teeth. For the second appointment, Danny picked pink and purple brackets! When he first got them on, Danny came to bring me back to talk to the orthodontist:

Doctor: Danny, show your mom what color you picked.
Danny: laughing shows me the pink and purple
Me: Dan??!! Come on.......
Jeanie: Danny, your such a girl!!!

Later we were at the dinner table and
Kaitlin says: Danny, show Dad your braces.
He starts laughing and shows Dad.
Dad: Dan! Are you serious?!
Danny: ahhh............Pink..........you know.........for Skin Cancer...........
Good one Dan!

A Silver Medal

Danny played in the State Finals Special Olympics Basketball Tournament. They won Silver Medals.
Dan getting his medal.
Dan and his awesome coaches.
Danny wore both his gold medal from last year and his silver medal to school one day. I told him that was fine but he couldn't wear it again the next day. He, of course, wanted to wear it again as I am sure he got plenty of attention for them. I explained that it was okay to wear them and show his classmates but if he keeps wearing them, then it would be really showing off and bragging. He didn't get it. Kaitlin was bringing him to the library so she came down wearing all her "medals", academic letter, honor cords, HOSA medals....and said, "Dan, should I wear these to the library?!" We all had a good laugh, but of course Danny thought she SHOULD wear them to the library!

Rueben Soup

I made this soup a couple weeks ago. As usual, it is from tasteofhome.com. It was excellent but a bit rich. I think next time I will do half milk and half cream or maybe even all milk. It was even better on the second day!

RUEBEN SOUP

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3/4 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• 2 cups chopped cooked corned beef
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Rye croutons, optional

Directions

• In a large saucepan, saute onion and celery in butter until tender. Add broth and baking soda. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually add to pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
• Reduce heat. Add sauerkraut, cream and corned beef; simmer and stir for 15 minutes. Add cheese; heat until melted. Add salt and pepper. Garnish with croutons if desired. Yield: about 6 servings.

Snow Day

We didn't get the blizzard of the century they were predicting but we did get a pretty good dumping. Molly and I got started with the Yooper Scoopers when we were saved by the neighbor man Dan! That sure put a smile on our faces! Thank you Dan!!! Don't let our Danny's shoveling fool you. I think he took about 5 swipes with the shovel and called it good!