Happy Spring!

I know I have been a little missing lately. Don't worry, don't panic! It happens every year about this time. I have crazy Destination Imagination prep to do. It takes up a crazy amount of my time, but it is worth it when the kids do their best and are so proud of all of their accomplishments. I'm a little nervous, I have one kid out with the contagious pneumonia, and 3 other kids in that same class also have it. Most of my team is from that class (including my son) I'm really hoping I don't have a team full of pneumonia (or a houseful to be honest,) during competition. Send healthy vibes our way please.
So I will be sporadic, but here I promise!

Hey, it's spring! Does it look like spring at your house? Mine doesn't really. The only thing I know is I have literally 32+ squirrels in my backyard picking up my walnuts that we didn't get picked up before winter. They are chasing each other and eating and having a great time. I tried to catch it on video, but it was so dark and dull outside you couldn't pick out much of the squirrels.

I thought since there hasn't been much content to this blog lately, I'd re mention a website I go to frequently to find out about the child appropriateness of different movies, games, books, TV, music, etc... Many of you probably know about it, but I have found it invaluable. I can't read every book my kids want to read to see if they are appropriate. I wish I could. Also, my oldest was reading at an 8th grade level in 2nd grade, so I needed to see which books would engage him, but weren't wrong for him. So anyway, I love Common Sense Media, you get kids ratings, adult ratings, and the actual web site's ratings. You can read comments on the language, sex, violence, product placement, drinking/drugs/smoking, and the moral/message. It's great. Check it out, bookmark it. I go back to it a lot. I even have convinced my kids they won't like certain movies/books by the ratings, so we didn't have to go see a stinker movie at movie theater prices.

**Not affiliated, just like it, and use it**

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Liam is 10!

On Sunday, it was Liam's 10th birthday. He's our middle child. I have definitely noticed that we have less pictures of him than anyone else (why is that?)

He's my sensitive child, with huge daredevil moments, but the rest of the time he's a bit timid to try new things.

He loves dragons, and crafting, and video games. He loves cooking, camping, soccer, and dyeing his hair.

Ginger Molasses Cookies

I found out today that I had to make 3 dozen cookies for 4H. I wasn't sure what to do, I didn't have much time. I picked the cookie that has never failed me and the kids and hubby love. I've been making these cookies for years and always get compliments and requests for the recipe. I give them the recipe, and people say they never taste as good as mine. Well, there is a secret, and I'm going to share it with all of you today.


Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ingredients

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling cookies
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup un-sulphured molasses

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375F.
Cream butter and sugars together until nice and fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Add egg, vanilla, & molasses and beat.
In a separate bowl combine flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, black pepper and cloves.
Combine wet ingredient mix with dry ingredient mix until well combined.
Place remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar in shallow bowl. Scoop dough with small cookie scoop. Form into balls and roll in sugar. Place them on an ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-13 minutes. You want to slightly under cook them, or they become quite hard. Let them cool on baking pan for about 3 minutes. Remove, from pan and let cook on a wire rack. These freeze well and pack well for shipping also the recipe is fine doubled.

Ok, so that's the recipe. It's good if you follow those directions, now here's the key to making them great.
You MUST use freshly ground cloves! I have a small mortar and pestle, but you could use a bowl and the back or a spoon or a spice grinder. It makes an enormous difference!

Yep, that's it, I know it sounds silly, and it really isn't a big deal, but it is a huge difference trust me. I hope you enjoy, if you make them let me know if you like them.

Buttons?

Where are all of the buttons? I remember when I was younger, every thrift store, garage sale, flea market, you name it, had jars, boxes, or bags of buttons. And they were dirt cheap. I can't seem to find any bulk buttons anywhere, and the few I do find are crazy expensive. I love buttons....

Does anyone have a great source for inexpensive buttons. Am I out of the loop at some obvious place to acquire buttons?

Row Robin Signups are CLOSED!

I am very excited to see so many participants. If you emailed me and I haven't gotten back to you please email me again. The list of participants are;
Tab (Me)
Bobbi
Sudi-Laura
Harley
Melissa
Tracey
Valerie
Darlene
Carrie
Natasha
Lori
Angela
Robin
Marty
Margaret
Jessica
Dianne
Susan

I am working on making groups now, so if I missed someone please let me know ASAP. I've been checking my spam folder and everything, so I'm quite sure I didn't, but if I did, please let me know.
I will hopefully get the groups out by tomorrow night.