Royally Good Weekend

9 years ago I lived someplace else. Someplace that a native Wyomingite doesn't really like to admit (though I really don't mind.).....I lived in Colorado. For a year. (I can hear the gasps from the masses)

Out of college my husband and I moved to Colorado Springs, which at the time and is still, a booming, fast growing city. We were lucky enough to have moved into a community with a built in family of sorts. Some blood, some not. But since we were all so far away from our real families... we made our own. It's the place where we gathered for everything. (hence my love for feeding giant groups of people on a regular basis.) It's the place where we started things on fire (another time...), where there was heartache and happiness. To say the least, it was a beautiful place to start.

This weekend was the first time I have been back for 8 years and it's so amazing how it comes back to you (though parts are nearly unrecognizable!) I stayed with friends that truly make me happy to be around and I miss seeing them.

But, while I lived down south, there were a lot of things I didn't see while there (mainly because newly weds are normally kinda broke, and we were no exception.) So, this weekend, instead of going to aquarium (I'm sooo sorry I disappointed my kiddo.) I drug my family on an adventure. Which turned out to be a wonderful one at that!

We went to the Royal Gorge just south of Colorado Springs near Canon City. It was amazing. Though I will admit, I always find it strange that in America we are charged to see the natural wonders of the world. And, while I can visit the beautiful scenery...I can also ride a carousel and pet a donkey.



that's me an Park.... I thought it was pretty quick of me to catch us in the mirror as we were whirling by!

I love how lovingly he looks while being pet. He looks like he wants to kiss my kiddo!

I tried to point this out, to give you an idea of how big it is!.... the circle is the tram you can ride across (which of course I rode the tram!!!)

Most everything that was man made was built with this quartz.

This is what we rode to the bottom.

And, in Canon City there is a Winery. At an Abbey. God Bless those Nuns.

And this.... 8 years ago, he was a baby. And now, he was looking out for my baby. He slept in a cot next to him and protected him from all the things he hates. Thanks T. for being so great!!!

Different, But Not.

I broke my toe the day before I got married.
On a pew.
Because my wedding day would not have been "me" without some sort of incident like that.
My soon to be husband laughed and pointed.... and then consoled me.
I wore house slippers under my dress instead of my satin shoes.
and... it really didn't bother me at all.

It was beautiful that day. The sun shone all day, especially through the windows at the church. Which is what I remember most about the ceremony. Not what the pastor was saying to me, but how how God was lighting the church. (I think a lot of brides don't have any idea what the ceremony was actually like.)

My Polish grandmother said the only thing she remembered was that we danced like wild heathens. And she loved watching every minute of my giant wedding gown bopping up and down.

And 9 years later....I break my toe, at least once a year. My husband still laughs, and then consoles. I still walk around our house, looking at the beautiful light in the evening, oblivious to what's going on around me. I still dance like a wild heathen. Nothing has changed, yet everything has changed.

Happy 9 Mr. K.

Song: As Long as You Follow, Fleetwood Mac

Maybe

Why did I choose today of all days to drag him outside, barefoot in the grass?

Maybe it's because we spend the afternoon wrapped up in blankets.
Maybe it's because I watched a wind gust past my fifth story window earlier that made me feel like I was Dorothy.
Maybe it's because we were under another tornado watch.
Maybe it's because there was snow flying 45 miles away from us.
Maybe because it's suppose to frost tonight.
Maybe it's because I'm cutting his hair tomorrow and I will miss it.
Maybe it's because he was in such a beautiful mood.
Maybe it was because the sun came out for a while this evening that made me believe it was summer.
Maybe I was afraid the blooms would blow off my first flowering tree and I would miss it.
Maybe it's because his smile and his twinkling eyes make a gloomy day so much better.
Maybe, just maybe... it was just because.


Oh.. I and did promise him he could jam out to one of his favorite songs:

Supermassive Black Hole, Muse

Family

They had so much fun together. They looked like they got along really well (which for siblings, that isn't always the case!) They played. They giggled. They laughed whole heartedly. It's so fun to be able to spend time with families who truly enjoy each other's company!

Song: We Are Family, Sister Sledge

The Days Before....

They were so playful and fun and energetic. You could really tell they loved each other and were truly excited to be getting married. It was really really refreshing!
They are getting married in the sand, which to me sounds so perfect. I hope the sun shines brightly on them, and the sand feels good between their toes, and the breeze cools them on their beautiful day.

I had sooo much fun with you guys! Thanks for being such good sports!

Song: This Year's Love, David Gray

Rainy Days and Saturdays

I raced to their house thinking I would have just enough time to grab these kiddos and run outside with them.... but just as I was ringing the doorbell.... the rain came. So we stayed inside. So....we were able to work with the beautiful window light. Have I ever mentioned how I love window light. Well... I do. So very much!

Song: Kentucky Rain, Elvis

Visitors

More than likely if you leave your child with me by themselves for more than an hour, I will normally do their hair, dress them up, let them play in my jewelry, eat candy, bake cakes or cookies, and take a few pictures. (Girls anyway!!!)

It's been a while since this soft spoken princess have been to play without her parents... so we had a ball! I even got her to eat half of her supper she didn't want in the first place. (No, I didn't tell her she would shrink, I only use that trick on the picky prehistoric animal lover)

Song: Beat It, Michael Jackson

(Because I know it's her favorite)

Never Say Never

Before I had a kiddo... there were a lot of things I was never going to say. Not necessarily things my mom said to me, but just things I could never hear myself saying


Over the last couple of days, I'm amazed at what comes out of my mouth and my kiddo's for that matter... for instance:

"Don't you talk to me in that tone of voice."

" Do you want to go to the circus this weekend? You should think about changing your attitude then."

"Don't you scoot around in those jeans.... go put on your after-school clothes."

"It's not your turn to talk."

"Stop being a Veliciraptor and eat your dinner."

"You have to take at least one more bite or you will shrink."


"You have to drink all your milk or your bones will break."

"Brush your teeth or they will fall out."

And my kiddo to his school director after a diatribe about some sort of dinosaur....
His teacher: "You know so much about dinosaurs. I bet you are going to be a dinosaur scientist."
Park: "You mean a paleontologist?"


He's so little, yet so old. I love it when he throws his head back and laughs and giggles. No matter how many times a day I have to argue with him, or tell him no, or tell him what to do, the laugh..... will always trump it. Please God, make time slow down.





Song: Never Say Never, The Fray

He makes me a better me.

Thanks Daddy for taking a few pictures of us. I had a beautiful day.

And just because I like it and it's light hearted and my kiddo dances to it.

Song: Love It All, The Kooks

Unexpected

Over the last few years, the people who have known me the longest, known the pre-mom me, have told me they are surprised. They are surprised by the type of mom I am. Not what they expected.

I let my kiddo get dirty. I let him run around with a messy face and crazed hair. I let him get covered in glue and flour and sugar and mud and paint. I never worry too much about germs. I don't make him wash his hands every hour or scrub him down with antibacterial hand cleanser.
He's my glimpse into childhood through a different set of eyes. I'm a mom who encourages wild dreaming and free thinking while at the same time adamant about learning something every single day. I want him to notice how beautiful the world is around him. How every day is special.

He makes me want to be a better person.
He makes me want to make my life more meaningful.
He makes me daydream more.
He makes my story more interesting.
He makes me a better me.

I found this video several months ago. I watch occasionally, when I've feeling doubtful, or sentimental, because it just says it all.....

Giant

This little one had every expression in the book. It was a blast!!! And even though it was cold enough in the month of May for him to be wearing sweaters and hats.... it was still really fun to get to know him a little!

And I've had lots of people try to have their puppies in the photos...a lot of times it doesn't work. This girl was the most well behaved one I've had...which is a good thing because she was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!! She was a Newfoundland. So pretty much a fluffy horse.

My Butterbean used to perk his ears to this one.
Song: The Puppy Song, Harry Nilsson

Food to Match

A couple of fiesta recipes as promised!

So, since yesterday was a cold one here on the prairie, and a day of food celebration at my house, I thought I would give this a try. It's been in my file of recipes for about three years and I've never made it. I didn't think I would like it.....BUT turns out, it's pretty fantastic. I loved it. Others loved it and it's really good left over!

Chili’s Chicken Enchilada Soup

1/2 C. Vegetable oil

1/4 C. Chicken base

3 C. diced Yellow Onions

2 tsp. ground Cumin2 tsp. Chili Powder

2 tsp. granulated Garlic1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper

2 C. Masa Harina4 qt. Water (divided)

2 C. crushed Tomatoes

1/2 lb. processed American cheese, cut in small cube

3 lb. cooked, cubed chicken

In large pot, place oil, chicken base, onion and spices. Saute until onions are soft and clear, about 5 minutes. In another container, combine Masa Harina with 1 quart water. Stir until all lumps dissolve. Add to sauteed onions and bring to boil. Once mixture starts to bubble, continue cooking 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This will eliminate any raw taste from Masa Harina. Add remaining 3 quarts water to pot. Add tomatoes; let mixture return to boil stirring occasionally.Add cheese to soup. Cook stirring occasionally, until cheese melts. Add chicken; heat through. Makes 1 1/2 gallons or 16-20 servings.
Please note you must mix in the mesa harina into 1 quart of broth completely. If you add the masa harina into the soup directly it will be difficult to mix in and may be lumpy. If you feel 2 cups is too much masa harina I have made the soup with 1 1/2 cups successfully.

Last year, someone made this cake and brought to my house and it was devoured. So I decided to try it this year, and once again it was devoured. People love this cake....I think mainly because it's light not so heavy and seriously tasty!!!! And the picture kind of stinks... because this is the last piece kind of beat up...but I ate directly after I took it anyway!

It came from Tasty Kitchen from Ree herself... so of course it's fattening. But, what the heck, if I'm going to eat enchiladas, tortillas and drink margaritas... you can bet I'm going to eat dessert!

1 cup All-purpose Flour
1-½ teaspoon Baking Powder
¼ teaspoons Salt
5 whole Eggs
1 cup Sugar, Divided
1 teaspoon Vanilla
⅓ cups Milk
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 can Sweetened, Condensed Milk
¼ cups Heavy Cream
_____
FOR THE ICING:
1 pint Heavy Cream, For Whipping
3 Tablespoons Sugar (I used powdered sugar)

Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan liberally until coated.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Separate eggs.
Beat egg yolks with 3/4 cup sugar on high speed until yolks are pale yellow. Stir in milk and vanilla. Pour egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir very gently until combined.
Beat egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. With the mixer on, pour in remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until egg whites are stiff but not dry.
Fold egg white mixture into the batter very gently until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and spread to even out the surface.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn cake out onto a rimmed platter and allow to cool.
Combine condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream in a small pitcher. When cake is cool, pierce the surface with a fork several times. Slowly drizzle all but about 1 cup of the milk mixture—try to get as much around the edges of the cake as you can.
Allow the cake to absorb the milk mixture for 30 minutes. To ice the cake, whip 1 pint heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of sugar until thick and spreadable.Spread over the surface of the cake. Decorate cake with whole or chopped maraschino cherries. Cut into squares and serve.

Song: Chery Pink and Apple Blossom White, Perez Prado

Getting Ready To Feast

So... besides fresh fruit and flowers in my house there is one more thing that I have A LOT of, at all times. Candles. I love good smelling candles and normally as soon as I walk in the door I turn on some good tunes and light the candles. On days like this, when I plan on feeding the masses, I like to have something flickering while we eat, argue politics and religion, share embarrassing moments, run in circles after the children, dogs and cats, dance madly.... you get the gist.

So, I thought these were a really really simple idea, and I can use them again for summertime festivities. I just recycled some old candles and wrapped them with colored rope that I got for a dollar. I hot glued them in several places. Parker was able to help and it took 5 minutes. Pretty inexpensive. Pretty fast.

Stay tuned for some awesome recipes!!!!

Song: Cha Cha, Chelo