Deceptively Delicious - Take Two

I would like to first point out that this recipe was made BY REQUEST of one of my children. Truly. So, Katherine, this one's for you. Today's secret ingredients were carrot puree' and cauliflower puree'. The recipe was Carrot Muffins with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. These were met with a little more approval than the brownies. Of course, everyone but Jeff knew what the secret ingredients were before even taking the first bite.

Note to anyone trying this method: make sure your veggies are completely smooth. Katherine took one bite and found a huge hunk of cauliflower in her muffin. Not good. She thought they were pretty good. Abigail said, "They're not bad..." and Jeff said, "I ate two!" (Nice try. I know you finished off Abigail's for her.) I haven't tried them yet because I'm waiting to have one later with a cup of hot tea.

I guess the funniest comment of the night came from Rebecca, as we were discussing why someone would put ground up vegetables in "regular" food. "Why are you upsetting the balance of nature??!!??" Because I can, Rebecca. Because I can. Sigh...

Squirrels Beware - This Could Be Your Fate

Looks like someone's taking action against the squirrels.

Read here.

Deceptively Delicious?

I came across this cookbook and thought it sounded like a great plan. Basically, you puree' fruits and vegetables and add them to your food before cooking. The idea is that your children will get the fruits and vegetables they need without the whining/begging/pleading that goes along with "eat your green vegetables."  The trick comes when they don't realize the veggies are in the food. Yea, right. My first clue should have been when I realized the author's children are 6, 4 and 2 -- plenty young enough to be molded to eat these types of food and develop a taste for them early on.  Since mine are 16, 13 and 11, I probably waited a little too long, but hey, the cookbook only came out last year!  

My mistake was in starting with a dessert.  Brownies.  They are made with wonderful ingredients -- chocolate, cocoa powder, brown sugar, etc.  Oh, yea, and 1/2 cup each of carrot and spinach purees'.  I thought I was busted when Rebecca asked to lick the bowl.  Looking down, horrified, at the tiny pieces of spinach on the spoon, I said, "Uh, um...uh, this has raw egg in it. Not good for you!" and promptly dumped it in the sink.  

The brownies were beautiful. I cut them into perfectly shaped pieces and dusted them lightly with powdered sugar. Then, I arranged them on a nice cut glass plate.  Everyone couldn't wait to bite into them after dinner. Katherine was the first vict....uh, I mean, the first one to taste them.  Well, the jig was up after the first taster. She immediately wanted to know what was wrong with the brownies. They were weird.  

Here's Abigail trying to figure out what was in the brownies that made them taste so strange.  She tried to be polite by taking a few tiny bites, but hers ended up in the garbage. (Yes, I found it Abigail...where you tried to hide it under the Doritoes bag.)

Rebecca came in later. "Oooo....powdered sugar!" (my sweet-tooth kid) One tiny nibble was all it took for her to run screaming down the street. "What's wrong with these?  They're nasty!"

Jeff was the most gracious.  He managed to eat two -- topped with Cookies and Cream ice cream, but hey, at least he tried.  I thought they were ok. Really, they weren't that bad. And, each one had 3 grams of fiber. So, that's a plus, right? How many other brownie recipes can make that claim?

I am unwavering in my plan to get my family eating more vegetables. Besides, I did not stand in the kitchen for 3 hours roasting/steaming/slicing/chopping/blending to throw it all away! So, when they least expect it, there may be some butternut squash in their casserole.  And, hopefully it will be deceptively delicious.

No Girl is an Island

No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; John Donne

Abigail created this salt dough island for a project at school after reading "Call It Courage." She was very imaginative, and did most of the design and work herself.  The trees were straws, wrapped in jute and topped with fake leaves. She had a tiny lime tree and banana tree.  The lagoon even boasted a miniature gray shark fin. I was impressed with how she painted the salt dough in varying shades of green.  Great job, Abi G.

MY NEW MOTTO...

Panda Party

With Monday being a school holiday, we held Abigail's 11th birthday party -- finally! It was An Amazing Panda Adventure. We watched that movie, ate yummy chinese from Panda Express (some of us with chopsticks) and opened presents. Then, we ate delicious panda cake. "I want an ear! I want a foot!" everyone said. Abigail kept saying, "You can't eat the face!!!" Too funny. I have to admit, it is harder to cut into an animal shaped cake than a rectangle. As Barb said, "At least you didn't make the insides red velvet." Well, yeah.

Cute party favors in chinese takeout boxes.

Abigail, Emma, Claire

Ally, Brittany

He's too cute to eat!
(but we managed anyway)

Finish Strong!

The Grace Prep 8th Grade Lady Lions volleyball team wrapped up their great season with a second place finish at the Liberty Christian Tournament today.  This was our final day of volleyball, and I think everyone in the house is looking forward to the two week break before basketball starts.   Rebecca had a really good year, and her skills have improved so much.

Tired, but happy winner

My game buddies -- Angela and Lisa

The Fuschia Girls

Happy 11th Birthday, Abigail!

My sweet Abigail Grace, sucking her fingers and rubbing the satin lining out of Lambie's ears...

Some pictures taken since Abigail's last birthday...





Abigail means "father's joy," but she is her mother's also. Our family would not be complete without her funny faces, sweet hugs and grown-up vocabulary. After all, as Rebecca reminded me yesterday, she is our "sweetie baby."

Happy Birthday, dear Abigail. Happy Birthday to You!

The Last Rose of Summer

When I was growing up my mother would often say, "I look like the last rose of summer."  I have been known to use that very quote myself, especially on days where I feel like my appearance is wilted, tired or faded.  As I was walking around my backyard yesterday, I thought of those words -- how summer weather is almost gone and the flowers of that season are slowly fading. While I am excited about the appearance of fall with its pumpkins, mums and cooler weather, there are still a few plants holding onto the last little bit of summer.

These little red flowers just popped up a few days ago. They are especially enjoyable to me because my nanny always had them in her yard, and they make me think of her.

My rosemary plant (right) didn't fare so well. Oh well...if I want fresh rosemary chicken, I'll just go to Macaroni Grill.


I had great success with my potted tomatoes this year. I did finally give them over to the squirrels. That's right, you little evil things, have them!

Hydranges, even faded ones, are still my favorites.

Couldn't resist pics of our sweet little bunnies.

And, finally...the last rose of summer.

Our Volleyball Life

In our family, fall = volleyball, not football. (Well, except for Jeff, for whom fall = both.) Two nights a week will find us in a gym watching games somewhere in the metroplex. Rebecca was excited to make the gold team this year. This past weekend she played a tournament in Cedar Hill with the navy team, who needed an extra player.  It was a long weekend, three matches on Friday night and several on Saturday. The team hung on to capture a 3rd place trophy.  And, Rebecca loooovvvves trophies.

It is amazing to watch how much she has improved this year. She is a really good all-around player. And, due to subs needed on the navy team, has ended up playing on both navy and gold teams.  We're very proud of her hard work and commitment to her teams.  So, if you're ever free on a Monday or Thursday, give us a call and come enjoy some fall volleyball.

BFF'S - Emily, Amanda and Becky