{tasty tuesdays} The introduction!

Every Tuesday, I'll post a recipe. Something easy, something yummy, something quick and budget-friendly. Because that's how I roll in the kitchen, at least in this season of my life. I'm definitely not a gourmet, but I do love to cook and bake-- something I inherited from my mother, who is a wonderful chef and very creative in the kitchen.

Besides, as an added bonus, it will get me an easy posting at least once a week, right? :)

To kick us off, here's the recipe for the Oreo Pie I made on Valentine's Day, as requested by Ashley. It is ridiculously easy, but oh-so-yummy! (click on the link above to see a picture-- I forgot to insert one here at the beginning when I should have)

Fabulously Pink Oreo Pie

1 package (8 oz.)) cream cheese, softened*

1/3 cup pwd. sugar

1 carton (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed*

Food coloring

1 1/2 cups coarsely crushed oreo cookies

1 chocolate graham cracker crust

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping, along with your choice of food coloring (you could leave it white, but where is the fun in that? I used pink, but it can be changed up depending upon the occasion). Gently stir in 1 cup of the crushed cookies. Spoon into crust. Top with remaining cookies. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours before slicing.

*I used 1/3 less fat cream cheese and fat free whipped topping to cut down on the calories. It still tasted great!

If you prefer to make your own crust instead of buying one, as I did, here is the simple recipe for

Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust

1/3 cup melted butter

1 1/4 cups finely crushed chocolate graham crackers (about 18)

Stir butter and crackers together. Press evenly onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Chill about one hour or until firm (or, bake in a 375 degree oven for about 4-5 minutes).

Of course, since you are refrigerating this pie anyway, there is no need to do either step before putting in the filling. Also, just for extra pizzazz, I put a few crushed-up oreos in the crust and not quite as many graham crackers.

This pie is also delicious frozen. It's almost like an ice-cream treat.

Enjoy!

***edit*** some of you may be wondering why I posted "Tasty Tuesdays" on a MONDAY. Well, to put your mind at ease concerning how dumb I am, I wrote it out on Monday and then posted it Tuesday, not realizing that it would show the day I wrote it instead of when I actually posted it to my blog. Good to know for the future! From now on, Tasty Tuesdays will actually be on Tuesday.

A momentous occasion.

You may ask, what is so momentous about this post? It looks just like any other post... you know, words and stuff.

But, no. For me, this is a big deal.

I got tagged... for the first time ever!

Getting "tagged" almost seems to be a rite of passage or something like that. I feel like such a part of the blogging community. :)

Ashley did me the honors. Thanks, Ashley! Mine probably won't be as entertaining as yours, but here goes...

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag three people.

ONE. If I am needing a little bit of "therapy" in my day, I sit down and play the piano. It always soothes me.

TWO. I am addicted to the show Project Runway. It amazes me to see what those people can do with a piece of fabric and an idea. Someday, I would LOVE to be able to design my own clothes. Now, if only I could learn how to sew properly...

THREE. I am half Swiss. My Dad immigrated to the States from Switzerland when he was 12 years old. Someday, if at all possible, I plan to visit that beautiful country and see the places where my dad spent the first years of his life.

FOUR. Sometimes, when I have a lot on my mind, I talk to myself (usually while I'm busy doing something, like showering or cleaning). It helps me to get my thoughts in order and can even help me take my mind off of something I'm nervous or concerned about. That way, it's not just swirling around up there in my head; I feel like I've gotten it out. The only time this habit of mine is embarassing is when my husband happens to walk into the room while I'm in the middle of one of my "conversations". Then he laughs at me. Meanypants. :)

FIVE. I can rock a Minnesotan accent (I was born and lived there for the first ten years of my life--apparently those roots are still hidden in there somewhere). Oh yah, you betcha.

SIX. My sense of humor is the corniest ever. Seriously. It's so corny that you could probably put a little butter and salt on it and eat it right off the cob.
See, the sad thing is, as I typed that, I was giggling to myself. Perfect example.


Hmmm... let's see. I tag:

Davi
Megan
and Stephanie!

Quite a party!

Emma and Annabelle decided to have a tea party in the living room today.

As you can see, it took quite the preparation-- just setting the table was an arduous task as they carted all those dishes from their room. I'm not sure who they all invited, but I'm certain they had quite the guest list in their little heads.

Ah, little girls and tea parties! What's not to love...

So emotional, baby

My last post about "whumping"-- yes, I really am dorky enough to make up my own silly words-- is a clue to the kind of week it's been. Both of my girls have been on what I can only describe as emotional overload. Lots of crying, whining, and grumping; over things that you wouldn't think are a big deal. But, apparently, when little sister gets two more crackers than Emma, the world really IS coming to an end!!

It's been especially challenging with Emma. Annabelle whines and cries a lot too, but I can deal with it (except when I can't stand it anymore and it drives me insane :)) from her-- she's only two, and while I certainly am trying to train her out of things like that already, I do have to remember that she doesn't even really talk yet, and make some allowances for that. She is still learning how to communicate in a form other than her emotions like crying. Emma, however, is a different story. She knows how to tell us exactly what is on her mind, what she wants or needs, or if something is not right in her little world. So when she cries continually I know that it is nothing but emotion with her. It is amazing how little it takes to reduce her to tears and sobbing, and how quickly-- and often-- she reacts in this way. I don't ever want her to think me unfeeling and unsympathetic, but I also don't want to encourage and validate her tears all the time.

I am beginning to see what a delicate balance I must strike here with my little daughter. I want her to realize that emotions, whether they are happy or sad, are a gift from God. He created us to feel joy, to know pain, to laugh, to cry. We shouldn't feel like we need to banish them from our lives and avoid expressing them whenever possible. It is these emotions and feelings that can define certain times in our life and lend memories a poignant beauty: such as the blissful joy I knew when I married Jeremy or saw my daughters for the first time, or the pain and heartache that we feel when someone we love must leave our lives. It is even ok to allow ourselves tears or joy over the smaller things, like losing something important to you or getting flowers as a special surprise.

But, I also want her to learn that it is so important to not allow our emotions to rule us. I have seen lives that are ruined by emotions and the decisions that are based off of them. I've learned firsthand that emotions must be tempered with reason and rationality, and of course most importantly-- what Scripture tells us. I want to be able to teach Emma this and give her the tools for coping with life's disappointments, whether they be big or small, in a way that will glorify God and benefit her.

My prayer is that all my children can enjoy a life that is rich and beautiful with the texture emotion brings to it, yet at the same time know how to employ their self-control and reason. I am still working on this myself, but the fact that I have these little ones to teach makes me want to work even harder so my example can be a good one.

I know Emma is young, and it will be a while before she experiences all that life can hold. But if I can start here, and help her cope with the silly little things like her favorite show not coming on, then hopefully the Lord can use that to prepare her for when the real disappointments must come. And for the times when tears must be shed, I hope she knows that her mommy will always be right there with a shoulder to cry on.

Mommy Vocabulary

Whumping: v. A combination form of grumping and whining, usually emitted from a small child, which serves to drive the mother of said child insane.

i.e. "You have been doing nothing but whumping all morning long, no matter what I do, and now I am just going to go scream into a pillow."

we heart valentine's day!

In years past, Jeremy and I have gone out on dates for Valentine's Day. Dates are always lovely and much-appreciated, of course. However, in more recent years, we've decided NOT to go out, because it is crazy-busy and we always end up waiting for what seems like hours. Not to mention how tricky it is to try and find a baby-sitter on an evening when everyone else has the same idea.

So, last night, we had a fun little family dinner here at home. And I have to say, I LOVED making Valentine's Day a family affair. The girls and I decorated the dining room in all the valentine-y things we could find while we waiited for our valentine ("Daddy") to walk through the door, I made a spaghetti dinner, and we all sat down to enjoy each other by candlelight. After we ate the girls had an early bedtime since they were tuckered out from a busy day with no naps, and Jeremy and I were able to spend some time together. Just to give you an idea of how romantic we are, our evening ended (at 10:00!) with Jeremy asleep on the couch and me watching Project Runway while I sniffled like crazy and my nose turned red from the nasty cold I started to feel coming on towards the end of the day. Oh yeah, baby. We are HOT.

I know it might not sound that great, but it really was the perfect evening, at least for this time around: relaxing, homey, and quiet. Here are some pictures to show you how much fun we really did have. This is what our dining room looked like after we girls got ahold of it. Yes, I know these decorations are so cheesy and cliche' (hearts, flowers, AND teddy bears... oh my); but please keep in mind that my four-year old daughter helped me and she had some very definite opinions. :)

I did like the way my bouquet turned out: pink carnations, red flowers of some sort, and white feathers, for just the right girly touch.

For dessert, I made what I like to call Fabulously Pink Oreo Pie. Yes, it is very pink. And yes, it was very yummy.

Here are my two little "Valentine fairies" who pranced about the room with their wands as we decorated, turning everything into a pink valentine wonderland-- or so Emma claimed that's how it all came to be. Sounds right to me!

The only lovely part of this evening I don't have a picture of to share with you is my valentine-- the one besides those two muchkins, that is. But words can say how great he is even better, although nothing tangible can truly capture all he means to me. I love him ever so much, for all he is and does, and treasure each day God gives me with my Jeremy-- and that is why a hot Valentine's date with my husband doesn't make or break this day. Just being with him is enough.

It's the Little Things.

Being a mom is hard. It's work, it's frustrating, it's challenging, it's exhausting.

But... it is also a myriad of little blessings that make up a great big wonderful reward.

It's little noses wrinkled up in laughter. Curly, tousled heads peeping over the bed to say good morning. Soft babyish lips kissing my cheek. Listening to two sisters laugh hysterically because someone tooted in the bathtub. Watching eager faces light up as the page of our favorite book is turned. It's small hands playing gently with my hair as stories are told. Round little bellies that beg to be kissed and tickled. Blue, blue eyes that smile as we play at the park. It's overhearing their conversations as they play-- "Annabelle, sometimes little people just aren't as big as big people, but sometimes they can grow, so you can come with me anyway." It's hearing childish voices tell me of God and things in the Bible. Sweet "I love you's" and bear hugs at bedtime. An unexpected pair of arms wrapped around my leg as I do dishes at the sink. Little pink-painted toes and princesses dancing in the living room. Long dark lashes laying over rosy soft cheeks as I kiss sleeping faces.

Someday, Lord willing, it will be the big things; watching my kids get married, seeing their children, rejoicing in how they serve God in many different ways. But right now, while they are young, it is the little things that I treasure.

And they make everything else so worth it.

Hello bloggity world!

I know, I've been very bad about posting lately. I can blame that on a number of things, most of which I will not bore you with here.

But I will say this: I just finished a major project that has been hanging over my head for so long, and that feels great. I promise to take pictures and share with you all!

Real posts to come SOON! Or at least as soon as I get around to it.

I hope you are all having a lovely week so far. :)

new!

I would just like to say "THANK YOU" to my dear cousin Stephanie for my lovely new blog look! I simply couldn't take credit for all this fabulousness. :) She's a cute page wizard.