March 21, 2008
March 18, 2008
Taking Care of Yourself
I'm not sure if I've regressed or progressed, but none-the-less it makes me happy to do little things for myself. Shortly after I moved to Las Vegas I realized from listening to chit chat from the girls at work that it was quite normal to go for several pedicures during the summer to keep one's feet looking great. After all feet are a fashion in this climate.
At first I thought, "oh my, how pampered are they!" Mind you Greg and I were just coming out of our starving student phase (although we never got to the starving point...) Anyway, I wasn't used to have a little extra money to do things like pedicures. Well, now almost seven years later, I've fully embraced the idea and I too now treat myself to a few pedicures during the summer. This week is Spring Break at UNLV, so what better way to celebrate than take a lunch time pedi-break.
And thanks to Liesl, my fav hairdresser and friend, a new do too!
At first I thought, "oh my, how pampered are they!" Mind you Greg and I were just coming out of our starving student phase (although we never got to the starving point...) Anyway, I wasn't used to have a little extra money to do things like pedicures. Well, now almost seven years later, I've fully embraced the idea and I too now treat myself to a few pedicures during the summer. This week is Spring Break at UNLV, so what better way to celebrate than take a lunch time pedi-break.
And thanks to Liesl, my fav hairdresser and friend, a new do too!
The Photo Shoot That Was Not to Be
So, you are probably wondering where those cute family pics I promised to post...well, here's the story...
I should have know the day was doomed when Cole woke up crying at 5:30 a.m...
After painstakingly searching for something that would match the 'boys' (I lump Greg into that category too) outfits , I was finally looking presentable. Cole's hair was spiked and Greg was ready. We head off to the portrait studio and Cole's happily playing (okay, more like throwing) legos while we wait for our turn.
Finally after 20 min., they call our name. And all of a sudden its like the portrait backdrop is the forbidden forest. Cole will not set foot on the backdrop, not even a toe. We cajole and play ball, the portrait ladies make faces and noises, they bring out props and stuffed toys. No matter what we do he will not set foot on the backdrop. Greg lifts him and tries to bring him into the frame of the camera and he rears up flailing like a fish on a hook. I take him into the bathroom for a cool off period, but that doesn't work either.
So, after 20 min. of this we are all a sweaty grumpy mess and no one feels like smiling. We decide that he's not 'warming' up to anything and we re-book for another attempt next Saturday. But here's the real kicker and (as my friend Sarah pointed out) maybe the indication we have a really smart (aleck) kid... We pull into the garage and as I'm getting Cole out of his car seat he looks up at me and sweetly smiles and says "CHEESE." Urrgg!
After the annoyance subsided, I thought since we were all dressed up we should try and get some shots in the backyard. Cole was perfectly happy to pose as long as it was atop his slide.
I should have know the day was doomed when Cole woke up crying at 5:30 a.m...
After painstakingly searching for something that would match the 'boys' (I lump Greg into that category too) outfits , I was finally looking presentable. Cole's hair was spiked and Greg was ready. We head off to the portrait studio and Cole's happily playing (okay, more like throwing) legos while we wait for our turn.
Finally after 20 min., they call our name. And all of a sudden its like the portrait backdrop is the forbidden forest. Cole will not set foot on the backdrop, not even a toe. We cajole and play ball, the portrait ladies make faces and noises, they bring out props and stuffed toys. No matter what we do he will not set foot on the backdrop. Greg lifts him and tries to bring him into the frame of the camera and he rears up flailing like a fish on a hook. I take him into the bathroom for a cool off period, but that doesn't work either.
So, after 20 min. of this we are all a sweaty grumpy mess and no one feels like smiling. We decide that he's not 'warming' up to anything and we re-book for another attempt next Saturday. But here's the real kicker and (as my friend Sarah pointed out) maybe the indication we have a really smart (aleck) kid... We pull into the garage and as I'm getting Cole out of his car seat he looks up at me and sweetly smiles and says "CHEESE." Urrgg!
After the annoyance subsided, I thought since we were all dressed up we should try and get some shots in the backyard. Cole was perfectly happy to pose as long as it was atop his slide.
March 14, 2008
Cheeser!
I just love how Cole's little personality is developing. Most of the time he's a little ham, but of course he does have his moments. He loves saying "CHEESE" and clenching his teeth whenever I'm trying to get a cute picture. So, we'll see how Saturday's photo shoot goes. We are getting his 2 yr. old portraits done on Sat. No worries....I'll be sure to share on the blog.
March 10, 2008
Birthday Cakes & Parties
In Feb. Greg and Cole celebrated their birthdays. Since Greg's birthday is first, his day was a trial run for two new cake recipes (courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Feb. issue). I couldn't find a plain round cake pan and as often as I bake cakes I wasn't sure if I even had one. Thanks to Grandma Ackroyd I found a star and a heart pan and I was set.
By the time Cole's birthday rolled around, I discovered that way in the back of the cupboard, low and behold I had a set of round cake pans. So sorry Greg, I hope your friends stop teasing you about your juvenile cakes...I was just trying to keep you young! I had great ideas for Cole's cake, but in the end he got a cupcake and a repeat of the buttermilk white cake with coconut Dad loved so much.
We made an unexpected trip to Canada to go to my Grandpa Kincade's funeral and celebrated Cole's 2nd birthday in Canada with Grandma and Grandpa Ackroyd. Grandma made Cole a cream puff ice cream birthday cake.
..And then we stoped (at a layover in the Salt Lake City Airport) and celebrated with Grandma Childs, Aunts Lindy and Tonya, and cousins Boston, Carson, Avery and Ashlyn. They greeted us with cowboy hats and Quiznos.
All in all, I think it was a pretty good birthday month. Now I can't wait for mine!
In case you are interested in the recipes...here you go:
Buttermilk White Cake with Coconut
4 egg whites
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 shortening
2 tsp. vanilla
Buttercream frosting & 2 cups coconut chips or flaked coconut
1. Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 min. Preheat oven to 350. Greae and flour two 9-inch round baking pans; set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add buttermilk, shortening, and vanilla; beat on low until combined. Beat on medium 2 minutes more, scraping bowl. Add egg whites; beat 2 minutes more. (Batter will appear curdled.)
3. Spread in pans, Bake 25-30 min. Cool for 10 min.
4. Frost and sprinkle with flaked coconut.
Chocolate-Sour Cream Cake (very rich)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted
8 oz. carton dairy sour cream
1 cup milk
1. Let eggs stand at room temperature 30 min. Preheat oven 350. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. In small bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl beat shortening and sugar on med. speed until combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in melted chocolate and sour cream. Alternatively add flour mixture and milk; beat on low after each addition just until combined. Spread batter in prepared pans.
3. Bake 25 min. Cool 10 min.
4. Prepare Fudgy Frosting: In large pan over low heat melt and stir one 12-oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate pieces and 1/2 cup butter. Cool 10 min. Stir in 8-oz. pkg of sour cream. Stir 4 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar. Stir until smooth and ice cake
By the time Cole's birthday rolled around, I discovered that way in the back of the cupboard, low and behold I had a set of round cake pans. So sorry Greg, I hope your friends stop teasing you about your juvenile cakes...I was just trying to keep you young! I had great ideas for Cole's cake, but in the end he got a cupcake and a repeat of the buttermilk white cake with coconut Dad loved so much.
We made an unexpected trip to Canada to go to my Grandpa Kincade's funeral and celebrated Cole's 2nd birthday in Canada with Grandma and Grandpa Ackroyd. Grandma made Cole a cream puff ice cream birthday cake.
..And then we stoped (at a layover in the Salt Lake City Airport) and celebrated with Grandma Childs, Aunts Lindy and Tonya, and cousins Boston, Carson, Avery and Ashlyn. They greeted us with cowboy hats and Quiznos.
All in all, I think it was a pretty good birthday month. Now I can't wait for mine!
In case you are interested in the recipes...here you go:
Buttermilk White Cake with Coconut
4 egg whites
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 shortening
2 tsp. vanilla
Buttercream frosting & 2 cups coconut chips or flaked coconut
1. Let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 min. Preheat oven to 350. Greae and flour two 9-inch round baking pans; set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add buttermilk, shortening, and vanilla; beat on low until combined. Beat on medium 2 minutes more, scraping bowl. Add egg whites; beat 2 minutes more. (Batter will appear curdled.)
3. Spread in pans, Bake 25-30 min. Cool for 10 min.
4. Frost and sprinkle with flaked coconut.
Chocolate-Sour Cream Cake (very rich)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted
8 oz. carton dairy sour cream
1 cup milk
1. Let eggs stand at room temperature 30 min. Preheat oven 350. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. In small bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl beat shortening and sugar on med. speed until combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in melted chocolate and sour cream. Alternatively add flour mixture and milk; beat on low after each addition just until combined. Spread batter in prepared pans.
3. Bake 25 min. Cool 10 min.
4. Prepare Fudgy Frosting: In large pan over low heat melt and stir one 12-oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate pieces and 1/2 cup butter. Cool 10 min. Stir in 8-oz. pkg of sour cream. Stir 4 1/2 cups of sifted powdered sugar. Stir until smooth and ice cake
March 06, 2008
Oatmeal Scotchies
I made these cookies last night at our FHC recipe and book exchange girls night. I have to stop making them because all I do is eat them...and now Cole wakes up in the a.m. and the first thing he asks for is "cookie?"
Oatmeal Scotchies – by Barb Childs
1 c. butter (or substitute ½ c. of butter for applesauce)
¾ c. white sugar
¾ c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1tsp. Vanilla
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. cinnamon
3 c. quick cooking oatmeal
1 ¼ all-purpose flour
11 oz. pkg. of butterscotch chips (or chocolate)
Cream together butter, sugar and eggs. Then add remaining ingredients. Use cookie ball scoop and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (for easy clean up). Bake at 350 for 10 – 12 min.
March 04, 2008
Planning Ahead Doesn't Always Save Time
Despite my best efforts to plan ahead I always seem to end up making more work for myself.
Case in point: While strolling through the Green Valley District this weekend I decided to poke my head into Gymboree. Of course I found stuff Cole absolutely needed and to boot Greg even suggested that I get a gift for an upcoming baby shower he knew I was going to. (So handy to have a husband who reminds you of more reasons to shop). So, I gladly started looking through baby girl clothes. Found an adorable outfit and got a cute gift box. I was so pleased with myself. I was a whole two weeks early and I could check that off my list. Two days later, I was still feeling pretty good about being so efficient until I over heard a conversation about the upcoming baby shower and the BABY BOY they are expecting...duh, what? How did I get that wrong? Oh well I thought, once again...despite my best efforts to be "all together" the truth shines through and I am reminded that I am far from as "all together" as I want to be and oddly as people seem think I am (or, at least that's what they tell me).
My girlfriend's theory is that we all feel much more crazy inside than we project. So, if you feel like you are falling apart remember most people can detect no clue that you are as crazy as you feel. Doesn't that make you feel better? It does me.
Case in point: While strolling through the Green Valley District this weekend I decided to poke my head into Gymboree. Of course I found stuff Cole absolutely needed and to boot Greg even suggested that I get a gift for an upcoming baby shower he knew I was going to. (So handy to have a husband who reminds you of more reasons to shop). So, I gladly started looking through baby girl clothes. Found an adorable outfit and got a cute gift box. I was so pleased with myself. I was a whole two weeks early and I could check that off my list. Two days later, I was still feeling pretty good about being so efficient until I over heard a conversation about the upcoming baby shower and the BABY BOY they are expecting...duh, what? How did I get that wrong? Oh well I thought, once again...despite my best efforts to be "all together" the truth shines through and I am reminded that I am far from as "all together" as I want to be and oddly as people seem think I am (or, at least that's what they tell me).
My girlfriend's theory is that we all feel much more crazy inside than we project. So, if you feel like you are falling apart remember most people can detect no clue that you are as crazy as you feel. Doesn't that make you feel better? It does me.
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