That Elusive Gingerbread Man

I love fall.

I love Thanksgiving.

I love cookies, and chocolate, and baking.

This is my favorite time of year.
The only time that I like pumpkin (and still only in a dessert). They finally put salt on my toffee nut mocha at Starbucks. The garden retires, making room in my schedule for things like baking!

This year I have made so many new things for the season; cookies, pancakes, and scones. But my favorite by far is not so much for the taste, but for the fun of it.

Gingerbread men.

Granted unless you adore molasses and ginger, this cookie isn't the most tantalizing thing you will eat. But the process of making them is so much fun, it make it taste that much better.

I thought it would be a fun experience for the kids to make the gingerbread men, and we ended up inviting friends and family to play along with us!

 

Jessie helping everyone get dough rolled out.

 

We did things a little different than most; we decorated the gingerbread men before baking them instead of after. And instead of using icing, we used things like m&ms, chocolate chips, pecans and caramel bits. This made it easier for my kids to decorate, since they are too young to use a piping bag. We also had different cutters like leaves and acorns.

 

 

Gracie and I look like we're concentrating.

 

 

Lechelle tirelessly helped Sabrina decorate many gingerbread men. They both were covered in flour when she was finished.

 

 

She did most of the decorating herself, mostly with green m&ms.

 

 

This picture was taken after Sabrina accidently got her elbow in Ryder's gingerbread man. He wasn't thrilled.

 

 

Gracie and Ava came up with lots of creative ideas. Here Gracie made a larger leaf out of several smaller leaves.

 

 

This was Sabrina's greatest creation.

 

 

This was Ryder's favorite. It is Iron Man, and the dough on the face is a mask. There is, in fact, m&m eyes underneath the "mask."

 

 

Ryder's face when he finished his Iron Man gingerbread man.

 

 

Everyone got to make all that they wanted, and we ended up with quite a variety of gingerbread men! When we were all finished, we enjoyed hot chocolate with our fresh baked cookies.

 

This was such a fun activity, and it was nice that it was so kid friendly; even my two year old could do it! I believe we have started a new tradition for Thanksgiving!

 

 

Daffodil Walk

There's a garden in the area that is solid daffodils. This is the perfect time of year to visit because the daffodils are in full bloom.

Daddy and Ryder crossing the bridge to the flowers.

Ryder following Uncle Jeff.

The flowers were beautiful.

Family picture time!

4 months along!

I think I've felt the baby move here recently. That's a month sooner than last time, but everything seems to be happening a month sooner this time. Let's just hope the baby doesn't decide to come a month earlier, I want him/her to be fully cooked. Although Ryder was 8lbs 5 oz and born a few days early, so maybe I don't want this one to last as long because I don't want him/her to be any bigger than Ryder was! We'll just wait and see.

Whew...What a Week!

As I sit here and sip my second helping of Nick's home made wine, I think back on the recent events that have driven me to it.

Ryder was sick this week. It's the first time that he has been really sick. Throwing up and just giving me that empty stare. Ugh. Praying that he doesn't throw up tonight. He was much better this evening, like, totally normal, but still, I hope his stomach is back to normal.

I went to the dentist this week. Had my first filling ever. GAH!

Biggest thing of all, I weaned Ryder. I have been dreading this for a WHILE, but while on our recent trip, I decided that as soon as we got home, Ryder was getting weaned. Well, I did it. I had to go cold turkey, which was not ideal but for the best in this particular situation. I tried the gradual thing once before and it was just too confusing to him to have it available sometimes but not others. So we cut it off. Totally. And you know what? He's taken it really well. Me on the other hand, I'm still awaiting great relief. Seems like the pain is waning though. I found a great article for weaning cold turkey, and thought I'd post it. There are many reasons to wean this way, even though it's not preferred. Keep your cabbage handy!

http://www.superactivities.com/help-for-weaning.html#

What this is all boiling down to is that while there has been little activity on my blog, there has been much happening in the real world. I hope to post some different projects soon, but no promises. We have another big trip coming up and there's just no telling how soon I'll get to it.

Till then, later!

Busy Busy!

Sorry for the lack of activity, but things have just been a little busy lately. Between kindergarten graduation (heh heh), and a combo holyday/holiday weekend, my time for blogging is little to none at the moment. To top it off, Summer Reading at the library is coming up within a month and Ryder's birthday is right after that.

I'll probably be posting some projects soon, sewing and cooking alike. Got some cool squash recipes which are appropriate for the harvest season. Also have some dress and T-shirt ideas. Just gotta have the time to work on 'em.

Here's some cool country pictures for your enjoyment. I love the country.

I'm a sucker for mushrooms.

This rabbit was chillin' in our driveway for a while.

Enjoying the evening when it's cool-er.

Ryder loves to be outside.

Coy Up A Creek

 We were out walking around Sunday, looking at our creek after the torrential rains. We were admiring the big waterfall, when Nick spotted a huge orange fish in the water! He ran to get his net and boots and waded into the water. He scooped it up in his net and ran up the bank to show Ryder and me. It turned out to be a coy fish, like one from a pond. Don't know how it ended up in our creek, but here are some pictures of it!

This is a view of the fish while it was in the water. Kinda blurry, but you can see the orange of the scales.

 A close up of the coy.

My first video uploaded. Nick thought it was a carp at first, but later looked it up and confirmed its identity as a coy. We were so excited!
By the way, Nick let the fish go in our pond, and most likely he traveled upstream.

Baby Foodie

Ryder has become quite the little food lover since we've started feeding him solid food. It was a little slow in the beginning, but soon he was eating it up. I've really had a good time feeding him different foods and coming up with combinations.

I'll admit though, I had no clue what was okay to start him with and what I needed to wait on. My mom found this awesome website that gives guidance on what foods are good at what ages, as well as how to prepare them. I prefer to feed Ryder instead of letting him feed himself. Frankly, I'm lazy and don't want to clean up a huge mess every time he eats, and I really don't think much food would make it to his mouth. My mom did the same thing; she fed us until we were old enough to use utensils or to know better about eating instead of playing with the food.

Anyway, I thought I would share this website because I really love it, and, from the looks of it, Ryder does as well!

Momtastic's Wholesome Baby Food
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/solids.htm

"Ridin' Slow on Sunday Morning..."

Okay, so it was afternoon. Ryder was needing a little perk and the beautiful sun was beckoning me. Nick took us for a ride on the gator, nice and slow. It is a beautiful time of year in Texas; a late fall/winter look everywhere. You can see through all the trees across woods you'd never normally see from the trails.

There's something so awesome about living in the country. So much freedom and enjoyment to be had in the simplest things, such as a ride around your own property.

Ryder when the ride started...

Ryder at the end of the ride.

(don't worry, he wasn't like this the whole time)

Love your kingdom.

WELCOME!

Hi everyone! Here I am in the blogging world. Welcome to my family and friends! I hope I can keep this up and keep things interesting...we'll see! Enjoy!