Couldn't Ask For More: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Simplicity...Continuing to Let Go

"Simplicity in your lifestyle will ensure you a happy life."

That was the fortune I found in a cookie last week. I'm not really one to believe in fortunes stashed inside the fortune cookie, unless they're verses I place inside homemade fortune cookies, but this one did spark interest as we continue to try to simplify by shedding the extra "stuff" accumulated.

Almond Cake

If you're looking for a buttery, rich, dense, great with a cup of coffee kind of cake...look no further!

Field Tripping with Grandma: The Mission at San Juan Capistrano

"When the swallows come back to Capistrano," Grandma began singing when I told her we'd be heading to San Juan Capistrano to field trip at the mission. Interestingly enough, this song was written and released in 1939 when my Grandma was 13 years old. This is the same age as our oldest son. It's fun to think of my little grandma as a 13 year old girl singing this song.

Grandma Gets Her First Mani & Pedi

We are blessed to have Grandma visiting once again. She arrived late last night and we're already filling our days with good times.

Today after schooling, a trip to the Goodwill, and swimming I asked Grandma if she'd like to go for a manicure and pedicure. At first, she looked at me with surprised eyes and then shook her head, "No." I asked why not and then asked if she took good care of her nails and toes. She proceeded to take off her white tennis shoes and socks, which are on from sun-up until she climbs in bed, to show me her little feeties. One glance and I said, "We're going in."

Lakers v. Clippers Date Night VIPs

I love it when a blessing comes our way and we are able to escape on a much needed date night.

My hub called me a couple weeks ago to let me know he was given a couple tickets, and a parking pass, to the Clippers v. Lakers game. I was so excited as I love a date night and a night in Los Angeles makes the event even more exciting.

After getting the kids squared away we headed to LA. I drove because everyone (mainly me) will be in a much better mood if I drive. Traffic was good. Great conversation catching up. With all the great conversation I forgot to even ask where we'd be sitting. Once before we went to a game and had great seats, I think 100 level; I thought this time they'd be the same.

Zucchini Salad

A girlfriend gave me Jamie Oliver's Meals in Minutes recently. I must say I'm very impressed with the layout. Jamie provides a menu for dinner, then gives step by step preparation guidelines to successfully have a tasty, unique dinner on the table, in minutes. While perusing the pages, I couldn't decide where to begin, so I started with page one.

Heart Changes

I think I could be in the process of a heart change, maybe a growth spurt, or maybe like The Grinch, my heart is growing more love and compassion.

After reading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love last year, I was impressed to do something in service to the homeless. In that previous blog entry I shared my feeling about the homeless and about specific homeless folk in our area.

We've been faithful handing out baggies and backpacks (We have an abundance of drawstring backpacks we've been using too. They work great!) filled with goodies when we come in contact with the homeless. The kids really love it. They're always disappointed if we see a homeless person and don't have a baggie. I hear, "Mom, we need to get another baggie in the car."

Yes we do.

This year Francis Chan spoke twice at our church. One service was a pre-Easter worship service and the other was on Easter morning.

Another Chocolate Chip Cookie Miette Style

I never tire of trying Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes. There are some better than others, but for the most part, these all-time favorites are always a best-loved treat for the family and neighborhood kids.

This recipe comes from a cookbook called Miette. I have to say, if I was a cookbook, I wouldn't mind looking like Miette. The photos are beautiful. The size is perfect, but the best aesthetic exterior feature is the adorable scalloped edge. The scalloped edge was the first thing that attracted me to this book. What budding baker could resist cracking open a book that has such beautiful feminine detail? Love it!

Creativity is Alive!

I love this video of Caine's Arcade! Imagination at work!

Click here to view.

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Easter Birds Nests

We tried another bird's nest idea this Easter. This one is with Chow Mein noodles and Whoppers Robin Eggs. It's a very simple combination of ingredients, yet they are OH SO tasty!

My Girlie made them along with her BFF. I love their friendship! Lots of giggles, and lots of fun!

How cute are they?!?!

Easter Rice Krispies Nests

Despite the many cookie recipes I try, a favorite among the kids, and Hub especially, are Rice Krispies treats. I remember the early days in college when I first met my sweetheart and wanted to impress him with some good home cooking. Sadly, in my tiny dorm room I only had a microwave and a pot for boiling water. Sometimes you have to make due and in this mini-dorm room microwave I would whip up Rice Krispies treats for him and they stole his heart!

Spring Training Highlights Seattle Mariners (con't)

Okay, forgive me for making this a two-part post, but I was having photo posting issues. So this is a bit like Take 2: Mariners Spring Training vs. The Kansas City Royals March 14, 2012.

The cutie fans

This was an awesome almost save by Ichiro

Hi Ichi!

This is Danielle. She is Ichiro's biggest fan! Her mom (on left) said her room is covered with Ichiro posters. I took a number of photos of him to email to them.

Danielle

My cuties!

Thanks guys! Great game!

What a beautiful night in Peoria!

Spring Training Highlights Seattle Mariners

Living in southern California, hasn't changed how our littles feel about the Mariners. They are still a favorite team with the boys so we couldn't miss seeing them in action while in Arizona. And, they are great about signing autographs/balls for the kids. It's great when a team appreciates the fans.

The line-up against the Royals

Mike Wilson signing for the kids

Mike Wilson

Vinnie Catricala

The kids with Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson

Vinnie Catricala

Vinnie Catricala and to the left is one of "The Old Bats"

Mike Saunders and... leaning over-someone's agent

Mike Saunders and one of The Old Bats. The Old Bats know EVERYTHING about the Mariners!

Mike Saunders

Michael Saunders

The back of The Old Bats.

Story about the Old Bats...You can't miss their bright pink sign and white spiky hair. These quintessential Mariners fans sit along the first base line out toward right field. They are stocked with a line up of Tootsie pop suckers set out to entice the ambling players as they walk onto the field. Knowing who prefers the raspberry sucker over the chocolate or who hit a double recently appeals to the players. The players really seem to appreciate those who know the game and know the statistics. With game stubs in hand adorned with sticky notes of highlights of past games they call the players over, "Mr. Saunders, ..." and then they make small talk, ask performance questions, and ever-so-politely ask players to sign for the kids. Love it! These gals love their baseball! They keep score at every game and are willing to teach a baseball-know-nothing something.

We met these gals last year and when we hit the field in Peoria this year we kept our eyes out for The Old Bats. They were right where we left them last year. We were able to sit with them again and hopefully next year we'll find them in along the sidelines cheering on the team!