Ta-Da: A Mother's Day Tea!

This year we were so excited to create an elegant Mother's Day Tea for Clista, my mother-in-law. 

Together, the daugthers and daughters-in-law fussed in the kitchen to our hearts content, then donned our pearls, and arrayed the table with the fruits of our labors!

{Note how talented my sister-in-law Elizabeth is. 

She made that incredible floral print dress!}

The Menu

Petite Turkey Crossaint Sandwiches

Sun-dried Tomato & Feta Puff Pastry Crisps

Classic Scones

Chocolate Orange Squares

Chocolate Truffles

Fresh Fruit

Parmesean Twists

Crackers & Fresh Herb Cheese

Herbal Teas

She arrived under the pretenses of helping Samuel with a Mother's Day Gift for me, and was delightfully surprised!

Clista and her beautiful daughters (from the left: Rachel, Leah, & Elizabeth).

We had such a great time, and it really was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this great woman who has helped to influence us all for good.

We love you!

{Note:  Jessica, my sister-in-law wasn't able to attend but we sure missed her!}

Mother & Daughter Tea

The girls school held their first annual Mother & Daughter Tea.  I volunteered to dress a table, and it was so fun getting out the nice dishes to create a whimsical setting for my daughters.

After setting up, there was a mad dash for home to get ready for the event.  This was real dress-up affair, and the girls and I had fun getting girly and posing for pictures on the lawn.

The tea party itself was amazing!  And I wish I took photos of all the delicious treats.  I don't think anyone managed to snap a photo though, in the blink of an eye they were all gone!

We had some great mother-daughter time, and this tradition is something we'll surely continue!  I especially can't wait for my youngest daughter, Iris, to join us.  She played tea-party at home with dad, but I know she'll be thrilled to join our table next year as an honest-to-goodness kindergartner!

Until then...

One lump or two?

Dr. Heartthrob is in the House!

Okay, we'll Joe isn't a doctor,

but he is officially a NURSE!

CONGRATULATIONS JOSEPH! 

We couldn't be happier!

Here's my brother-in-law with his saint-of-a-wife Jessica.

This accomplishment really was a united effort,

and together they made this happen.

The heartthrob reference comes from his days as a youth when he was voted hottest guy in his stake.  Jessica was basically the only girl who DIDN'T swoon all over him, and of course, that's who he married!

Now that the party's over,

roll up those sleeves,

slap on those gloves,

and tell someone to bend over!

Love,

The Samuel Elmers

 

Milestone: Suction Cups

Don't you love it when they can finally sit up in the tub?

Yes, their older.

And they have more balance.

But it's mostly because those cheekies act as suction cups!

I love you Gabriel!

Cinnamon Spiced Spanish Rice

I love this dish, and the combination of spices, especially the cinnamon and garlic, make the house smell amazing!

Cinnamon Spiced Spanish Rice

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

Pam Cooking Spray

1 1/2 c. white long-grained rice

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

2 c. chicken stock
1 c. water

Directions

Heat a saucepan over medium heat and spray liberally with Pam Cooking Spray.

Add the rice and all the spices and stir to combine.  Allow the rice to toast for several minutes, stirring regularly to prevent burning.

Lower the heat and slowly pour in the chicken stock and water.  

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.

Then lower the heat to it's lowest setting and cover for 20 minutes.

Fluff with a fork, add additional salt if desired, and...

Enjoy!

A Boy and His Dad...

This is something I cherish.

A First.

A Rite of Passage.

Tradition.

Chocolate Orange Squares

If you're a chocolate lover like me, you'll like this recipe with fresh oranges which give the chocolate a rich depth of flavor. 

Chocolate Orange Squares

Makes 24 squares

Ingredients

One Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Family Size Brownie Mix

1/2 c. Applesauce

1/4 c. Water

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tbs. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

 2-3 tbs. Orange Zest (the zest of 1 1/2 large oranges)

3 tbs. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice (juice of 1/2 an orange)

1 1/2 c. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips, divided

Directions

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 in. glass pan with Pam and set aside.

Mix all the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, in a large mixing bowl.

Pour into the pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle with 1/2 c. of chocolate chips, and with a rubber spatula, press gently into the mix and smooth the top layer.  All the chocolate chips should now be just below the surface.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until set.

Sprinkle the remaining chips over the top and turn off the oven and close the door for one minute to allow them to melt.

Remove the brownies from the oven, and with a rubber spatula, gently spread the melted chocolate chips into a layer of frosting.  Use a light hand, so as not to tear the top of the brownies.

Let set, cut into small squares, and...

Enjoy!

My Walk to the Library with Five Kids in Tow...

As you can imagine,

it all begain with the thought...

"It's not that far, right?"

Sigh.

It IS that far.

But, we survived,

and we had a great time too!

It all began as a result of my seeing how increasigly tiny our house was getting.  Samuel was working on a take home final and studying for yet another.  And after a particularly grueling week it all culminated with a super stressful on-line timed test in which the clock was ticking and you apparently needed TOTAL SILENCE!

Normally, Samuel is super easy-going and can function at top capacity even with three to four kids hanging from his earlobes, but the pressure was on to secure A's in both of these classes and I could see he needed some much needed
"quiet time". 

I know that term well, because I need it often too! 

Anyhow, I got the idea in my head to take the kids to the library and park. 
Not particulary adventuresome,
but what if we walked the 3+ miles instead? 

The kids were thrilled,

so we loaded up the double stroller,

said good luck to dad

(who thought I was nuts and said "good luck" to me too!), 

and we hit the road...

literally!

No hike is complete without a walking stick!

Or a romp in the meadow...

And even though there were signs of weariness, big sisters stepped in to lend a hand...

...and give words of encouragment!

After spying a huge turtle in the creek,

peering into the Oak Forest,

and catching sight of several baseball games,

we crashed under the trees!

We made it!

Time for lunch!

And how enjoyable is it to eat cheese and crackers atop the cool green grass and under the shady canopy of trees?

Bliss!

We hit the park and played in the sand...

...the water...

...and anywhere we could find some shade!

And after a romp on the swings...

...we hit the library to read abit before calling dad to...

PICK US UP!

Happy Trails...

Regrets...

I can't NOT get in on the fun when my sisters are all over it, right?

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

...but on second thought...

...don't look at me!

First Freebies

I'm officially in!

Couponing is awesome!

Yes, it's quite labor intensive.  

At least I find that to be true now.

But the rewards are so, so sweet!

{Sometimes literally so!}

Happy Smart Shopping!