Mountain Adventures

I always have had a fresh Christmas tree in my house. I have fond memories of cutting them down with my family when I was growing up and freezing in the cold while trudging through the mountain snow trying to find the perfect one. That's the thing about mountain trees....they are never perfect, but they are special because of the effort it took to get them. I also remember driving a blue station wagon to get them. My family wasn't too much of far cry from the Grizzwalds. We even lost our tree once on the way home.

I've been buying trees off the lots for a few years now as it has been difficult to get out there with such a tiny little guy or with a big fat belly. Just wasn't plausible. But this year was the year. However, taking a nearly three year old trudging through the snow proved to be a daunting task. Fun though. Lets just say, he and I weren't much help in the actual process as we spent most of out time examining other things.


He was carried most of the way, because even though he had 42 layers of clothing on, the snow was scary to walk in. Once he did get down and walk, it was mesorizing to him.

Mostly because it tasted so good.

He just couldn't get enough.

He must have eaten half the snow on the mountain.

And when he was done he admired the sounds around him.

But decided that snow eating was much more fun.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! (and for those non-American readers, a wonderful 27th of November!) It was, as usual, mass chaos at my house. We fed both sides of our family and had a hoot of a time. Food was overflowing and even though it was afternoon before it was all done, it was worth the wait.... because it was fabulous!!! I didn't get the chance to photograph all the food to post the recipes, but I promise, next year I will be more proactive about that. I can tell you that a turkey brine makes all the difference in the taste of a turkey. That you can cut a pumpkin with a hack saw if you need to. That draining water from the pot beneath the mashed potatoes is always pretty important and that seeing people that I love devour food was worth all the work.

In the spirit of the day, we wore these. We collected the feathers this summer while narrowly escaping goose attacks. My kiddo knows how to make them look good too!

I also started a book of thanks this year. For those that wanted, you could write in the book of what you are thankful for. This way I'll be able to go back and remember what we were doing, who we were with and where we were at each Thanksgiving.

Can You.......

name them all?

I happened upon this great website (click here) with great activities for kiddos the other day. It has gobs of fun projects for the ankle biters, and many of them are food oriented.... which, since my kiddo can't cut or glue yet, and LOVES to "make" in the kitchen (that's his word for cooking)....it's absolutely perfect.

Today we made pilgrim hats. He went a little crazy on the chocolate and they came out a little messier than expected, but still, they were sooooo fun to make. Give the site a click. It's really fun and I already have so many more projects we want to try!!!!

Runner Up

So what do you do when you have three quarters of a bag of fresh ruby colored cranberries? Pop em' like M&M's? Probably not. I had never eaten a whole cranberry before today (uncooked) and I was taken a back. Extraordinarily sour. Well, I decided to figure out how to make cranberry sauce, since Thanksgiving is coming just around the bend, and it is a staple of most Thanksgiving meals. However, being the eccentric I am..... I really prefer the jelly cranberries over anything homemade. I mean the jelly ones with no whole cranberries in them that slide out of the can and leave the little rings around them. It's pretty much the only thing I ate at Thanksgiving up until the age of 25. This however, as my son put it...."it's delicious mommy, you gotta try it." (He's my little guinea pig sometimes and to my dismay, he used the word "delicious" .....a two year old. As I sat at the table, enjoying my cranberries, he looks at me and said, also to my dismay "Did you have just one more bite mommy?.....Good job!" )

Cranberry sauce is insanely easy to make. 3 ingredients. That's all.

So if you are interested in something a little different next Thursday at the table, that will make your house smell scrumptious, make these.

Maple Cranberry Sauce

1 1/2 cups maple syrup

1/3 cup water

1bag fresh cranberries

Mix ingredients together and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once cranberries start to pop bring down the heat and simmer (covered) for about 15 minutes. remove from heat, let cool and then serve.

Bringing Nature In

The last few days, here on the prairie, have been unseasonable warm. So, what do you do on an unseasonably warm day.... collect pine cones and random outside artifacts with your favorite shaggy haired little boy to bring inside and decorate your home. I'm big on decorating for any holiday, but in the last few years have gone the more "natural" route. Instead of cute figurines, I bring in pretty dried things from outside. Makes it more interesting. And lets face it....when you can make something for free or close to it and it looks great.... it means more.

Today we used leaves, pine cones, corn husks (that were laying in my poor abandoned garden) and cranberries (which were on sale at the super market that is within walking distance from my house, which was giving away free cake today......never know what luck you will run into on a random Wednesday around here!) It'll be perfect for Thanksgiving guests to see as they walk in the door next week.

Another....mine!

Editing the little red head last night brought back some great memories for me. So I thought I would share.... this was mine. One month old. Look at that little smirk, he was born ornery with a twinkle in his eye!

Most Changed

I voted this little one the most changed of the year. The first time I photographed him he had blond hair. When his mom brought him around the corner I thought the afternoon sunshine was playing tricks on me.... but no... he hair is now, unmistakeably RED!!! I loved it. I have a little soft spot for red heads... my baby had crazy bright red hair for about 4 months, and I miss it just a little.

Extras

She had a few friends over today when I arrived at her house, all of which were under a year old....and who can resist 10 baby feet all in a row?

She's one of my serious babies....
and then when she smiles, her ornery side comes shining through!

Curls

Winter has just set in here on the Front Range with the first snow....I'll admit, this is my least favorite time of year....except when I wake up on a sunny Saturday morning and go spend and hour or so with little girls made of all sugar. Between her eyes and her hair, I could have used her to sweeten my coffee...... just dipped her right in! She chattered the whole time and what do you know, this cold winter day, I got hugs to warm me up before I left!

New Home

My home is his now. Meet my new pound puppy. He doesn't have a name yet since he's only been here a few hours. He has the sweetest disposition of any dog I have ever met. He's a year and a half old and insanely cuddly and quiet and mellow. Just what was needed around here!
Welcome home new puppy!

Raspberries

I love it when on a random Wednesday my daddy drops by my office with surprises. I won't lie... I love presents! He brought me 10 pounds of raspberries and blackberries. Just when the gloomy leafless trees are starting to get me down a bit, he reminds me there is still color in the world. Beautiful red and dark amethyst berry-licious colors.

So I decided I couldn't be the only one who gets to enjoy the colors and tastes. And I happen to know someone that turned 30 today. I spread the love of berries and offered up my condolences by surprising the newly 30 year old with White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse. (I of course had to keep enough for a photo...and maybe a little for later. )

So thanks dad for starting the chain of love!

White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse

1 ten ounce package of raspberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
6 ounces white chocolate
1 drop red food coloring

Process berries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain mixture into a small bowl and discard seeds (I skipped the straining part)
In heavy saucepan on low heat, warm 1/4 of the cream and the white chocolate. stirring constantly until chocolate melts. Let mixture cool until lukewarm and then add 1 tablespoon of raspberry sauce and food coloring.
In large bowl whip remaining cream until it forms soft peaks and then add melted chocolate mixture until there are no streaks.
Serve in parfait dishes and top with sauce.

6 hours....

I have six whole hours to myself today. Just mine. They belong to just me.

No, I did not lay in bed and watch a movie or TV. I did not sleep in.

I did paint my nails.

I did walk slowly around the house listening to all the quiet.... then proceeded to blare happy-day off tunes.

I did take a new picture... one that I've always wanted to try without a munchkin supersplashing me. Then I drank my coffee while sitting in the leaves. Something I recommend to every one.

I did wipe a snowflake from my cheek. (Is it really that time?)

I did read a magazine and a chapter of a new book.

I did look for a new dog.

I did look for a new house.

I did not find either.

I did catch up with myself for just a minute.....off to do some more catching.

Just...

Just two weeks old. And a big sister that loves to give kisses!

Afternoon By the Bluffs....

of Chugwater. I took a tiny winding road, that reminded me so much of the winding roads in Europe, to get to the little ranch on the outskirts of Chugwater Wyoming. When I got there I found this adorable 1 year old whose brand new teeth were the highlight of my day. Her mama had her all decked out, perfect if you ask me! I just fell in love with her hat.