Living in Munchkinland

This weekend we all went to Inks Lake for Davis' cub scout campout. I used to love to camp very much but we tried when the kids were little and it was a disaster. This was a big test to see if we could have a successful campout and learn to love camping again. We took the scenic route up to Inks Lake and it was gorgeous. The weather was perfect- upper sixties and low seventies and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We didn't get the best of camp sites, but it was okay. We were surrounded on three sides with cactus. Most of the Tiger Cubs were already there when we arrived. We set up our tent and then Michael and Davis attended a pack meeting while I explored the camp ground with Sam and Dean. Later in the afternoon we all went on a two mile hike that was very challenging for the kids. Sam really struggled and all the Tiger cubs were exhausted at the end. So were we! It took us two hours and I can't believe it was really only two miles. After the hike I poured m...

I took Davis into the dentist today. We went to see Dr. Matt Johnson who is the best, coolest, nicest dentist ever. He really listens to the kids and I can't say enough about how great his whole office is. Which is good because today was not a regular cleaning. Davis has a habit of having his permanent teeth come in at an angle toward his tongue, which doesn't fully sever the root of his baby tooth. The baby tooth remains slightly wiggly and the permanent tooth comes in behind the baby tooth at an angle. This is not good. It is also a sign that our sweet little man will need braces someday. There just isn't room in his mouth for all those teeth. Today he had two wiggly teeth on either side of his permanent teeth on the bottom. Usually kids lose the bottom two and then the top two, but that is not the way Davis' mouth chooses to go and that is okay. Dr. Matt said it would be best to take out both of the wiggly teeth. He gave Davis some nitrous oxide, put Star...

Last night after I finished the night time routine of singing and chatting and cuddling with Sam, I was just slipping out the door when he said, "Mommy? When I grow up, will I have to be apart from you?" "No baby, you can stay with me as long as you want to," I told him as I turned back to the bed. "Good," Sam said, "I want to live with you forever". He snuggled into his bed and closed his eyes and I felt loved from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

I made Apple Maple Butter today and the whole house smells wonderful. The bit I tasted was delicious and I can't wait to open up my first jar and slather it on some apple cake. (Yes, I have a plan.) I got the recipe from my new canning cookbook called Tart and Sweet , by Kelly Geary and Jessie Knadler. Apple Maple Butter 4 pounds mixed apples, peeled, cored, bruises removed, and cut into 1/2 inch wedges 1 cup maple sugar (I used palm sugar) 1 cup sugar 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 star anise pods Juice of 1 lemon Place the apples, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves, star anise, and lemon juice in a large heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a simmer over medium-hihg heat, stirring frequently. Lower the heat a bit and continue to stir. The apples will begin to break down after about 20 minutes, but you can help this process along by mashing with a potato masher or a wooden spoon and stirring often. A...

Sunday: Teriyaki Tofu with steamed broccoli, carrots and brown rice from Peas and Thank You Monday: Black Bean Burgers with steamed Artichokes and Kale chips from Peas and Thank You Tuesday:Spinach Linguine with Edamame Pesto from Appetite for Reduction Wednesday: Crock Pot Day! Kung Pao Chick'n from my Vegan Crockpot cookbook Thursday: Tempeh Chili Friday: Corn, Potato Chowder with cornbread This week I am also going to do some canning and make Apple Maple Butter from my new canning cookbook, Tart and Sweet

This week we celebrated lots of birthdays. My dad, Uncle Larry, my mom and my cousin's boyfriend all celebrate a birthday within a week of each other. And then next week we'll celebrate my grandmother's and our neighbor's. We had a special birthday ranch happy hour this week with a gift exchange and fancy cake. The boys made birthday presents (finger puppets and mandalas)and enjoyed their creation and wrapping. It was good fun. Last night my dad's band played at Cheatham Street. Michael and I got a sitter and met our friends Anne, Jeff, Elizabeth and Zach at one of our newer restaurants in town called Vodka Street. The food was okay, and the martini's were very smooth, but the best part of the evening was getting to spend some grown-up time with our friends. After dinner we headed for Cheatham Street. The band was rockin' and there was a big crowd there to help celebrate my dad's birthday. There were so many people I knew from growing up in Sa...

Every Sunday I make out the week's menu and a grocery list. Lunches are usually Amy's frozen entrees, left overs, salads, or tortilla wraps with hummus and cheese. I thought I might post the menu every once in a while, both so I can remember what I made and also in case it might start a dialog. I'd love to hear what your week's menu contains. This week: Monday- Sushi Roll Edamame Salad with steamed Salmon and Miso-Onion Dressing from Appetite for Reduction Tuesday- Quinoa pasta with Eggplant and Seitan (I made this one up and Michael can't get enough of it) Wednesday- Crock pot day! We're having Pumpkin and White Bean Lasagna and salad from The Vegan Slowcooker Thursday- Lentil and Eggplant Chili Mole with Scallion Corn Bread (Uncle Larry has lots of eggplant in his garden) from Appetite for Reduction Friday- Pizza and Thai Crunch Salad from Peas and Thank You Saturday- we'll go out with friends before my dad's gig at Cheatham Street. Sunday- Pantry/F...