Since Abby and Auntie K asked, here are the recipes for the puffy pancakes and the cake mix cookies.
PUFFY PANCAKES:
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Farenheit. Put 1/4 cup of butter or margarine in a 9" x 13" casserole dish and place it in the oven to melt the butter.
Meanwhile, whisk together 3/4 cup white flour, 3/4 cup milk, and 3 eggs. Blend well. When the butter is melted, blend the mixture one more time, then pour directly into the casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
The pancake can be served with syrup, jam, or butter and powdered sugar (our favorite!).
To increase the recipe, add 1/4 cup flour and milk for each egg.
CAKE MIX COOKIES:
Mix 1 egg, 1 melted stick of margarine (1/2 cup), and one box of cake mix. Roll into balls or drop onto cookie sheet 2" apart. Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 8 to 10 minutes.
So there you are. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 27
Sunday, March 23
Happy Birthday, Grandma!
My grandmother's birthday was on Friday, so I thought that the pictures below would make an excellent birthday card. Happy Birthday, Grandma! 29 never looked so good!
Happy Birthday, Grandma Great! Hope it was ele-fun!
As you can see here, Annika's artistic skills are maturing without any interference--or help--from me. She's holding a self portrait in purple crayon. My little baby is growing up!
And now we move on to the incident of the week. As per Sister Beck's advice during her last Conference address, I have been including the children in my daily chores. They love helping me dust, especially, because the duster from Dollar Tree is so colorful and fun!
Well, it was, anyway.
Friday, I had to take a quick potty break during our chore time. Annika was soon banging on the bathroom door, yelling indistinctly. At last I finally understood: She wanted me to help her get the duster off of the light bulb in her bedroom.
It had gotten stuck to the light bulb as Annika was dusting and melted a good chunk of the duster. The smell was slightly horrible, but other than that, a pretty funny incident. We took a picture of the light bulb itself, which still works. We just had to wait for the plastic/nylon mess to cool off so it could be removed.
Last, and possibly least, is our Fun in the Kitchen segment. Below is a picture of my magic gravy boat. It's much prettier than the Pyrex measuring cup I've been using, and it was only $6! $6! At Linens 'n' Things. I went in looking for a knife block and came out hoping I could conjure up a genie.
I recently reconnected with some great and dear friends from college, including my friend Janell. She and my friend Jason's wife both mentioned making puffy pancakes for breakfast (Jason's wife in her family blog) and I figured I had to try it out, being from the mouth of two witnesses and all.
It was delicious! Better yet, it was easy to make and the kids *loved* it! I hate making breakfast, but I think this one may become a staple in our household.
And to finish, we made cake mix cookies and dyed them green for St. Patrick's day. Yum! The girls helped roll the balls--they had a blast and it made a great Family Home Evening activity.
Happy Birthday, Grandma Great! Hope it was ele-fun!
As you can see here, Annika's artistic skills are maturing without any interference--or help--from me. She's holding a self portrait in purple crayon. My little baby is growing up!And now we move on to the incident of the week. As per Sister Beck's advice during her last Conference address, I have been including the children in my daily chores. They love helping me dust, especially, because the duster from Dollar Tree is so colorful and fun!
Well, it was, anyway.
Friday, I had to take a quick potty break during our chore time. Annika was soon banging on the bathroom door, yelling indistinctly. At last I finally understood: She wanted me to help her get the duster off of the light bulb in her bedroom.
It had gotten stuck to the light bulb as Annika was dusting and melted a good chunk of the duster. The smell was slightly horrible, but other than that, a pretty funny incident. We took a picture of the light bulb itself, which still works. We just had to wait for the plastic/nylon mess to cool off so it could be removed.
Last, and possibly least, is our Fun in the Kitchen segment. Below is a picture of my magic gravy boat. It's much prettier than the Pyrex measuring cup I've been using, and it was only $6! $6! At Linens 'n' Things. I went in looking for a knife block and came out hoping I could conjure up a genie.
I recently reconnected with some great and dear friends from college, including my friend Janell. She and my friend Jason's wife both mentioned making puffy pancakes for breakfast (Jason's wife in her family blog) and I figured I had to try it out, being from the mouth of two witnesses and all.
It was delicious! Better yet, it was easy to make and the kids *loved* it! I hate making breakfast, but I think this one may become a staple in our household.
And to finish, we made cake mix cookies and dyed them green for St. Patrick's day. Yum! The girls helped roll the balls--they had a blast and it made a great Family Home Evening activity.
Friday, March 14
more quips of wisdom
I thought I would give Karie another break from writing, not that she really wanted it. But really, we have collected a couple of great quotes from Annika and Afton this week, and I feel that the world will just be a much happier place once we share them!
Yesterday I was sitting on the couch with Afton and we were eating a snack together. Now, Afton has developed a habit of late of chewing on her fingers when she is bored, and I think she forgot that she was trying to eat something and absentmindedly stuck her thumb in her mouth while she was chewing. The next thing we know we hear a tiny yelp of pain and then Afton sticks her hand up into my face and says, "Daddy, my mouth ate my thumb!" Classic.
On Monday night we decided to take in a movie at the discount theater here in Tempe. We took the girls to see "Enchanted" which they got bored with half way through. Annika will tell you that the only part of the movie she liked was "when they kissed on the wet dripping roof". But that is not the good quote. Afterwards we stopped by a Poppa Johns Pizza place because they were having a really good deal on a large pizza and it has been a long time since we have had anything but cheap frozen pizza. As anyone who is familiar with Poppa Johns will know, they always put a Jalapeno pepper in the box with the pizza. As I went to throw the box away when we were done Annika noticed the pepper still in the box and wanted to know what it was. So we explained that it was a Jalapeno pepper and that unless her Aunt Jess was around, nobody else really needed to eat it. After dinner Annika went into her room to play and Karie over heard her singing to herself, "Jalapeno. PEP! PERS!" I wish there were a better way to convey the sound of her singing this, it was really cute.
Finally, my favorite quote comes from Afton. About a week ago Karie and I were getting ready to go to bed, it was somewhere between 10 and 11. Afton all of the sudden comes out of her room crying and looking for Karie. So Karie picked her up and sat down on our bed with her. Somehow Afton ended up lying on the bed, and Karie and I were both sitting on the bed with her. If I remember correctly Afton had been complaining about her stomach hurting just before we put her to bed, and this seemed to be the issue that had awoken her. Well, we soon discovered that the source of the problem was a build up of gas that needed to be released, and when she was done, in this very tiny, very tired voice Afton said, "Hey, my bottom sings!"
That may just become the new way of referring to that phenomenon in our home now.
And lest you being to wonder how in the world I have had time to go to a movie with my family, sit and eat a snack with my daughter, and have time to write this post, I will let you know that I have not suddenly quit school and given up on my future. I am enjoying a relaxing spring break. I allowed myself to put aside the homework, and take a break from internship. I did do some job hunting during my free time, but I also just tried to enjoy some time with my kids and my wife for a change. I also got to take in a spring training baseball game with my father-in-law. (Thanks again for the hot dog Steve!) That is one thing I will really miss about living in Arizona. Spring training tickets are cheap, and the seats are always great.
Today is the last free day however. Tomorrow I must get back to the grind to prepare myself for Monday. Just eight more weeks, just eight more weeks, just eight more weeks.....
Yesterday I was sitting on the couch with Afton and we were eating a snack together. Now, Afton has developed a habit of late of chewing on her fingers when she is bored, and I think she forgot that she was trying to eat something and absentmindedly stuck her thumb in her mouth while she was chewing. The next thing we know we hear a tiny yelp of pain and then Afton sticks her hand up into my face and says, "Daddy, my mouth ate my thumb!" Classic.
On Monday night we decided to take in a movie at the discount theater here in Tempe. We took the girls to see "Enchanted" which they got bored with half way through. Annika will tell you that the only part of the movie she liked was "when they kissed on the wet dripping roof". But that is not the good quote. Afterwards we stopped by a Poppa Johns Pizza place because they were having a really good deal on a large pizza and it has been a long time since we have had anything but cheap frozen pizza. As anyone who is familiar with Poppa Johns will know, they always put a Jalapeno pepper in the box with the pizza. As I went to throw the box away when we were done Annika noticed the pepper still in the box and wanted to know what it was. So we explained that it was a Jalapeno pepper and that unless her Aunt Jess was around, nobody else really needed to eat it. After dinner Annika went into her room to play and Karie over heard her singing to herself, "Jalapeno. PEP! PERS!" I wish there were a better way to convey the sound of her singing this, it was really cute.
Finally, my favorite quote comes from Afton. About a week ago Karie and I were getting ready to go to bed, it was somewhere between 10 and 11. Afton all of the sudden comes out of her room crying and looking for Karie. So Karie picked her up and sat down on our bed with her. Somehow Afton ended up lying on the bed, and Karie and I were both sitting on the bed with her. If I remember correctly Afton had been complaining about her stomach hurting just before we put her to bed, and this seemed to be the issue that had awoken her. Well, we soon discovered that the source of the problem was a build up of gas that needed to be released, and when she was done, in this very tiny, very tired voice Afton said, "Hey, my bottom sings!"
That may just become the new way of referring to that phenomenon in our home now.
And lest you being to wonder how in the world I have had time to go to a movie with my family, sit and eat a snack with my daughter, and have time to write this post, I will let you know that I have not suddenly quit school and given up on my future. I am enjoying a relaxing spring break. I allowed myself to put aside the homework, and take a break from internship. I did do some job hunting during my free time, but I also just tried to enjoy some time with my kids and my wife for a change. I also got to take in a spring training baseball game with my father-in-law. (Thanks again for the hot dog Steve!) That is one thing I will really miss about living in Arizona. Spring training tickets are cheap, and the seats are always great.
Today is the last free day however. Tomorrow I must get back to the grind to prepare myself for Monday. Just eight more weeks, just eight more weeks, just eight more weeks.....
Tuesday, March 11
Roasting Marshmallows
Annika's been after us to roast marshmallows for a while. We thought about camping, but the idea of keeping track of Afton near a roaring fire makes me feel faint. Also, Arizona's already dry and dusty and gas is expensive. So we sprung for an inexpensive grill and some BBQ skewers from the dollar store. That was MUCH easier!
It's not the best picture in the world, but you can see the hot coals and the marshmallows above them.
And with the flash you can actually see the participants! I made the girls wear aprons because they do so love to decorate themselves in gooey, drippy food.
Afton had a lot more fun than this picture would indicate.
See what I mean about the self-decoration? But Annika was thrilled that we had roasted marshmallows, so we're calling it a success.
It's not the best picture in the world, but you can see the hot coals and the marshmallows above them.
And with the flash you can actually see the participants! I made the girls wear aprons because they do so love to decorate themselves in gooey, drippy food.
Afton had a lot more fun than this picture would indicate.
See what I mean about the self-decoration? But Annika was thrilled that we had roasted marshmallows, so we're calling it a success.Monday, March 10
As Promised, Part Two
Just to be clear, I by no means meant to slight anyone that I've actually kept up with for the past few years, or whom I rediscovered more than a year ago, or any of my online friends, period. You all have tremendously cool lives. I just chose to highlight the friends that I've found again in the past week or so. (Or, in the case of the Angora Bunny Herder, I hope to hear from in the next week. Or month.)
Anyway, communications between my computer and Blogger are limited at best, so the pictures will be coming in a trickle, as opposed to the normal flood.
I was going to go to Estrella War this year, but the one-day pass was up $10 from last year--no way could I afford that PLUS the hour and a half (each way!) it would take to get out to the site. And all the classes I wanted to take cost money. Really, it wasn't worth it for one day. So a group of us from the ward decided to go to the Renaissance Festival instead. Since Annika is old enough to appreciate it and stick with me, but young enough to get in for free, I decided to take her.
As you can see, Afton was quite envious. We saw several acts involving animals and/or juggling (though no one was juggling animals--too bad!), which Annika loved. We also saw Tartanic, a bagpipe rock band that I absolutely loved last year. They've reconfigured themselves, I thought for the better, but we went to the first show and it was one long commercial for their website and new CDs. There was not much in the way of actual music. I bought their CD at the beginning of the show, anticipating great things, but alas. Now I have buyer's remorse. The CD, Unstoppable, is wannabe po-mo impressionistic bagpipe rock, not chock full of their reimagined takes on traditional tunes like I was hoping for. The lukewarm CD I bought from last year will have to suffice. What a disappointment!
Anyway, we also saw Clan Tynker, a joust, the Birds of Prey show, the Wyld Men, the petting zoo full of medieval farm animals (cows, horses, sheep, goats), and lots and lots of things for sale. Annika and I, and the lovely patient women we went with, had a good time. Annika's already talking about next year.
And here's an experiment with the camera sans flash. I have a great camera. I should really learn how to use it. Fun Annika Trivia: The stuffed animal is a girl named Kuzco. As in The Emperor's New Groove.
More to come later, when Blogger and my computer decide to be friends again.
Anyway, communications between my computer and Blogger are limited at best, so the pictures will be coming in a trickle, as opposed to the normal flood.
I was going to go to Estrella War this year, but the one-day pass was up $10 from last year--no way could I afford that PLUS the hour and a half (each way!) it would take to get out to the site. And all the classes I wanted to take cost money. Really, it wasn't worth it for one day. So a group of us from the ward decided to go to the Renaissance Festival instead. Since Annika is old enough to appreciate it and stick with me, but young enough to get in for free, I decided to take her.
As you can see, Afton was quite envious. We saw several acts involving animals and/or juggling (though no one was juggling animals--too bad!), which Annika loved. We also saw Tartanic, a bagpipe rock band that I absolutely loved last year. They've reconfigured themselves, I thought for the better, but we went to the first show and it was one long commercial for their website and new CDs. There was not much in the way of actual music. I bought their CD at the beginning of the show, anticipating great things, but alas. Now I have buyer's remorse. The CD, Unstoppable, is wannabe po-mo impressionistic bagpipe rock, not chock full of their reimagined takes on traditional tunes like I was hoping for. The lukewarm CD I bought from last year will have to suffice. What a disappointment!Anyway, we also saw Clan Tynker, a joust, the Birds of Prey show, the Wyld Men, the petting zoo full of medieval farm animals (cows, horses, sheep, goats), and lots and lots of things for sale. Annika and I, and the lovely patient women we went with, had a good time. Annika's already talking about next year.
And here's an experiment with the camera sans flash. I have a great camera. I should really learn how to use it. Fun Annika Trivia: The stuffed animal is a girl named Kuzco. As in The Emperor's New Groove.
More to come later, when Blogger and my computer decide to be friends again.
Sunday, March 9
Because I Love Stories
This is going to have to be a two-part update, since Blogger/Google is not uploading my photos of our recent activities and it's past my bedtime.
Anyway, Annika has been pulling out our old photo albums recently, mine and Mat's. I have two--one documents my trip to England in 1995 through my freshman year at BYU, the other covers the very tail end of freshman year and my first year living in Campus Plaza. Seeing those familiar faces from days of yore made me nostalgic, so I decided to use my friend Google to find these people. That didn't work so well, but then it dawned on me that we're all BYU alumni. Ha HA! BYU's Alumni directory was much more fruitful. I found people I haven't been able to trade life event stories with in eight plus years! (BTW, for those of you just described, I've been married for nearly seven years, we have two girls (4 & 2.5 years old), and my husband is finishing his master's in counseling.)
I've always been interested in people's life stories. Lately I've loved hearing about friends from college and what life has handed them. For instance, one of my friends works for the gov't and lived for THREE YEARS in the Middle East with his little family. How cool is that? Another lives in southern Utah and tests ground before houses are built on it. I imagine him with a giant drill bringing up core samples or something like that. And yet another friend of mine is Navy JAG (my mind leaps to the tv show first)--I'll bet there are some cool stories there, too, but I probably don't have the security clearance necessary to hear them. And how do I know about gov't security clearances? Because at one point, one of Mat's friends worked with a gov't contractor developing stuff he couldn't even tell us about. Another friend of mine just complete her master's in history and now is in a historical land preservation master's program (I think I have that right). Plus, she's raising Angora bunnies. And yet ANOTHER friend of mine has been living 20 minutes away from me for the past three years. When did I find this out? About six weeks ago when we randomly ran into each other at the same bookstore.
So what's the moral of this story? First, if I email out of the blue, I really do want to know what you've been up to for the past x number of years and I'm not just doing it for the shock value. Secondly, you should all start a blog! It's easier to keep up with people that way, or at least have people keep up with you without writing the same email over and over again. Thirdly, Mat's looking for a medical counseling position--if you know of any leads, please email us.
Oh wait. That should have been in the last post. :D
I'm grateful for the technology we have these days, that allows me to dig up and get reacquainted with people who were my favorite part of my college years. And that allows me to write ONE blog post that can easily be read by all the new friends I'm rediscovering, for if there's one tendency that I've always hated in myself, it is redundancy. And being a bad correspondent. But mostly redundancy.
Anyway, Annika has been pulling out our old photo albums recently, mine and Mat's. I have two--one documents my trip to England in 1995 through my freshman year at BYU, the other covers the very tail end of freshman year and my first year living in Campus Plaza. Seeing those familiar faces from days of yore made me nostalgic, so I decided to use my friend Google to find these people. That didn't work so well, but then it dawned on me that we're all BYU alumni. Ha HA! BYU's Alumni directory was much more fruitful. I found people I haven't been able to trade life event stories with in eight plus years! (BTW, for those of you just described, I've been married for nearly seven years, we have two girls (4 & 2.5 years old), and my husband is finishing his master's in counseling.)
I've always been interested in people's life stories. Lately I've loved hearing about friends from college and what life has handed them. For instance, one of my friends works for the gov't and lived for THREE YEARS in the Middle East with his little family. How cool is that? Another lives in southern Utah and tests ground before houses are built on it. I imagine him with a giant drill bringing up core samples or something like that. And yet another friend of mine is Navy JAG (my mind leaps to the tv show first)--I'll bet there are some cool stories there, too, but I probably don't have the security clearance necessary to hear them. And how do I know about gov't security clearances? Because at one point, one of Mat's friends worked with a gov't contractor developing stuff he couldn't even tell us about. Another friend of mine just complete her master's in history and now is in a historical land preservation master's program (I think I have that right). Plus, she's raising Angora bunnies. And yet ANOTHER friend of mine has been living 20 minutes away from me for the past three years. When did I find this out? About six weeks ago when we randomly ran into each other at the same bookstore.
So what's the moral of this story? First, if I email out of the blue, I really do want to know what you've been up to for the past x number of years and I'm not just doing it for the shock value. Secondly, you should all start a blog! It's easier to keep up with people that way, or at least have people keep up with you without writing the same email over and over again. Thirdly, Mat's looking for a medical counseling position--if you know of any leads, please email us.
Oh wait. That should have been in the last post. :D
I'm grateful for the technology we have these days, that allows me to dig up and get reacquainted with people who were my favorite part of my college years. And that allows me to write ONE blog post that can easily be read by all the new friends I'm rediscovering, for if there's one tendency that I've always hated in myself, it is redundancy. And being a bad correspondent. But mostly redundancy.
Thursday, March 6
Mat is looking for a job
I'm trying to get the word out in any way that I can.
I'll be graduating in May, and I'd like to be employed soon thereafter. So if you happen to know of any places or people that I should be looking to for jobs as a licensed counselor/therapist I would love to hear from you.
If you don't have any ideas for me, that's o.k., I'll still like you.
-Mat
I'll be graduating in May, and I'd like to be employed soon thereafter. So if you happen to know of any places or people that I should be looking to for jobs as a licensed counselor/therapist I would love to hear from you.
If you don't have any ideas for me, that's o.k., I'll still like you.
-Mat
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