They're 10 today...

A great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my very favorite twins.  I hope you both have a fantastic day!

And, of course, Happy Easter to everyone!

Starting her next project...

It's what's for dinner...

She was so excited to hold the pager because usually her siblings do, but tonight we enjoyed some one on one time while dress shopping. Although I can't show you the whole dress before her district band concert, here's a sneak peek:

Miscalculation

I would dare say that this poor little ladybug made a mistake.  It's kinda hard to judge their emotions, but my impression was that he was furious!

8th Grade Science Fair

This evening he finally got to share his work with the public.  He was so dedicated to this project, figuring out all of the details and making sure that he documented everything.  When people asked him questions, he gave clear, precise answers.  We were very impressed with all of the projects that we saw tonight, especially the tesla coil that one of his friends built.  Shocking!  

Spring has sprung!

These little guys that have popped up in my mother's garden are such a wonderful sight for sore eyes.  That spot of color, in an otherwise brown and white landscape, looks so cheerful!

Grammie & Grampa's House

The kiddos all love to visit Grammie & Grampa's house, and they're so comfortable and relaxed there; they make themselves right-at-home.  This was the scene in the living room within 5 minutes of our arrival yesterday morning.

Maine Maple Sunday

Mischief Makers

This afternoon we celebrated the twins' 10th birthday.  I couldn't believe it when I came around the corner and caught my husband encouraging one of them to swipe frosting off the side of her cake!

I scream, you scream...

We all scream for ice cream!

We may be freezing our butts off, but we waited all winter for this - opening day at our favorite ice cream shop!  We even took some home for the boys to enjoy!!

Arbitrage

Smart movie. Susan Sarandon stole the show, as usual. I still can't decide how I feel about Gere's character though. Hate? Respect? This one will make you think...

Finished It

Considering how active and busy I am, it probably will come as no surprise that I hate being sick, especially when it means missing work.  However, I wasn't completely unproductive today - I got some stitching done. There is yet another rooster to add to my collection!

Last Day of Winter

Mother Nature decided to send us a snowstorm for her last hurrah this winter.  The boys & I decided to forego the car and ski down to the mailbox.  The conditions were absolutely perfect for skiing, so we also went for a trek through the woods with Amber.

Fruity Granola

Every single morning last week sounded kinda like this...

"Mom, the granola is good, but it needs more fruit in it."

"Mom, yummy granola, but you should put more fruit in next time." 

"Are you gonna make more granola?  Did you buy fruit?"

"I like that you're making our cereal now, but it really needs fruit."

You get the picture...

Hopefully this week's batch of granola will satisfy him!

That looks good enough to eat, doesn't it?

Her New Racoons

These took her weeks to complete...I'm so proud of her for sticking with it and finishing them, despite the fact that she really wanted to switch to a quicker project.

They came out soooo super cute and we LOVE them!

Trinka

Meet Trinka, the chinchilla.  We had never pet a chinchilla before, so we were completely amazed by how incredibly soft her fur is.  She is super cute too!

Nordic Season Ends

This evening we attended the Nordic End-of-Year Awards Ceremony and family pot-luck dinner.  It was sad to see the season come to an end, but we all enjoyed spending the evening visiting with our team friends and their families.  Plus, the food was really yummy.  We can't wait until Nordic starts again next year!

Pickled Eggs

Another egg recipe:

Everyone has an opinion on these - you either love them or hate them.

How do you feel about them?

Hungry Hollow Country Store

Exhausting and stressful would be good words to describe my work day.

Cooking supper was not something that I was looking forward to because I just didn't have enough energy. 

Boy, was I glad to see the 'Open' flag out at Hungry Hollow!

She makes the BEST chicken pot pie.

Mr. Determination

He told me that he didn't care that it was raining.

As long as there is a little bit of snow on the ground, he's going skiing!

Chocolate Fix

Some days there just doesn't seem to be enough chocolate to help me cope...

And then, I bake this cake, and all is right with the World again.

It's so easy to make, that even the kiddos know how to bake it.  

You have no excuse not to try it the next time that you need a chocolate fix!

Devil's Food Cake

5 tbsp melted butter (or vegetable oil)

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup hot water

2 tsp instant coffee (dissolved in the water)

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch salt

Mix ingredients together and pour into a greased & floured 8 inch by 8 inch pan.  (To make it even easier, I bake it in the stoneware bowl that I mix it in!) Bake 350 degrees Farenheit.  After it cools a bit, sprinkle powdered confectioner's sugar on the top.  

Homemade Peanut Butter

Step #2: Grinding the peanuts in the food processor

 

Also known as: "It's like magic!"

And, that's it!  No need to add sugar, oil, salt...anything.  The kiddos have not complained once about switching from the store-bought peanut butter.  They are really having fun making their own, and I feel so much better knowing that they are eating a much healthier version of their favorite food. 

1st Spring Run

This afternoon, Maine experienced some wonderful spring-like temperatures.

So, the girls & I took a run around Paris Hill.

They earned this attitude shot:

They did a great job maintaining a pace of 10 minutes per mile with me, completing 2 miles with ease!

'Who Do You Love?

Tonight I was lucky enough to see a concert by George Thorogood and the Detroyers at the State Theatre in Portland, and pushy enough to get myself and my sister-in-law into the front row.  He is an amazing showman - so much fun to watch! And being right there, against the rail, having him make eye contact and play for us was incredible!

They're all part of the family...

...even Walter VanGoober VIII!

Homemade Peanut Butter

Step #1: Shelling

Also known as: Quality Family Time.

Hibiscus Bloom

When you wake up to yet another dreary day, it's really nice to walk into the kitchen and see this tribute from the tropics!

Teaching himself to solder...

He's making an alarm that he promises will be so loud that it will drive us crazy. That's just great.

Yay!  It works...

But, it is really loud and annoying, so we're going to install it at Grammie & Grampa's house, since they're the ones that gave him this electric project kit.

She'll be a trick rider yet!

She was enjoying a photo session with her pony, and then discovered that snow pants are slippery!  It's a good thing that Lily is so good-natured.  You can see how bothered she is by all that hysterical laughter.  Not a bit.  But, poor Amber didn't know what to think!

Building confidence...

...one batch of cookies at a time!

Scouting Honors

I asked them to pose with their Scout Master this evening, after he presented them with their most recently earned merit badges and new ranking. We are so proud of them!