Back to school - again

Hubby, AKA "Teach", started back to school today. He is helping open a brand new school.


A week ago it still looked like this:

So I hope they got everything in place before the bell rang this morning. Best of luck, hon! I know it will be a great year.

My two girls holding hands. Cute, huh?

Life rolls on...

We are desperately trying to find our new groove AKA school schedule and routine. The boys went back last week and it has been interesting keeping Princess from boredom and still caring for Rosebud and her increasing need for movement and stimulation. She is learning every day right before my eyes.


Some highlights of the last week and first day of school:

Potter

Bugs

Jedi

Getting to the school

All lined up and praying mom doesn't embarrass him

We spent the first day playing "school"

Oh my heavens, she looks so old here

I wanted to work on a few projects.

Why are MY tools always missing when I get the tool set out?

Little stinker with her new love: graham crackers

The week capped off with a gorgeous sunset, snapped by Potter.

We will find our groove, I know we will! One of these days...

Low Fat Brownies

So I was intrigued by all I was hearing of ways to use use pureed beans in baked goods in place of fat (oil, butter). I needed to know if it was just as good as people said.

I cooked up a bag of dried white beans last week and froze them in one cup portions. I put the contents of one container in my little food chopper and added a bit of the water to get it to a thick gravy-ish, pastey consistency.

Here is the recipe I used, from an Amish cookbook.

Chocolate Brownies

2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp salt

Combine ingredients. Bake in greased 9x13 pan at 350 about 25 min.


Well, I decided to use 1/4 cup butter plus 1/2 cup bean puree in place of 3/4 cup butter.. It was fantastic! Seriously, we loved it.

OK, I confess that I frosted them but still. They were moist and fudgy and I think it might be too dangerous to make these, even if there is less fat. YUM.

It didn't take long to gobble them up.



Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting (BH & Gardens New Cookbook)

In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup buttermilk. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Stir in 2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla. Whisk till smooth. Pour over brownies.

Daddy week

Play, play, play.

That's pretty much what we did for 10 days.

Today Strider went back to the classroom to prepare for

another year of molding Jr High minds.

Tomorrow the boys make the long walk back to elementary.

Here is a recap of our summer's final breaths...

The downtown city library:

Cool kids cave with "hieroglyphics"

A reading nook for the little ones

Reading a horse book, of course.

Daddy reading to the boys

Temple Square

The beautiful Christus statue

Salt Lake Temple grounds

views from the Church Office Building

Davis County Fair

And dear ol' Daddy made time to take each child on a special date. Princess got a surprise ride on a carousel. She had never seen one before!

There were many times we'd just catch the kids getting along or being cute together. It was so awesome to be relaxed.

Until this.

Um, mom is not so relaxed.

Miss smarty pants Rosebud thinks she can stand.

Bugs took this shot, which is why she is missing a head.

Glad he grabbed the camera.

I was too busy screaming.

It's summer!

I know, I know. That's not news.

But it really is summer finally.


Strider finished school today. One more intense semester is done. Three courses left to take. He is getting SO close!

He has all this coming week at home before he starts teaching prep. So we finally have family time.


We have had "Daddy Week" on the calendar for a long time. Forgive me for taking the phone off the hook and locking the door. We are spending some very overdue time together.

Barely hanging on

If I don't get

or

or
or

very soon, I am going to die.

Secret Life of Bees

I have been meaning to read this book for years. I have even had my sister's copy for months, just staring at me from the bedside table. I was about to begin another book on Saturday, but then I put it back and picked this up.

I read it in two days, and I even made dinner and everything! (Just illustrating that it was an easy read) I really loved it.

I have not read something that well-written in a long time. So full. I felt like every word in this book was on purpose. It made me both cry and laugh. If you're wondering if you should read it I say do it.

My 3 favorite quotes:

"It's something everybody wants - for someone to see the hurt done to them
and set it down like it matters".

"It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what
sort of heartbreak is happening".

"That's the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to
love - but to persist in love".

Now I'm going to rent the movie.

Menu Plan Monday

Well, I'll be! Last post was my 500th post. I didn't even notice. Well, happy half a thousand to me.


Anyway, I seriously need a menu. We have been SO shooting from the hip for the last little while.


Monday: Chicken and rice soup
Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff with whole wheat noodles
Wednesday: BBQ ribs, potatoes, corn, cornbread
Thursday: Chicken broccoli braid with peaches
Friday: Pork tenderloin (anybody have a great way to cook this?)
Saturday: Hot dogs
Sunday: with family


I want to try Crispy Cheese Crackers and Orange Cream Dessert. Mmmmm

A-okay

Thanks everybody. My wisdom teeth went very smoothly. I only needed one Lortab afterward, compared to 'round the clock meds for a week prior. I guess that's a sign they really needed out of there! I was so thankful to not be in tons of pain. I had lots of plans for the weekend and didn't have to miss any of them!