A Seuss Celebration

Today was our first ever Dr. Seuss Birthday Extravaganza. (And I thought I should blog about it. Because really. Every time you say the word BLOG doesn't a small part of you feel like a character in a Seuss story?) It was a success, thanks almost exclusively to ANNE (without whose reminders I would forget entirely about Dr. Seuss's birthday), and to NICOLE (without whose Seuss donations our party would have lacked significant flare. Nicole, do you remember how awesome your commons room was?? I remember.)

We started the day with stories, of course!

What is your favorite? I can never decide mine. Green Eggs...The Grinch...Oh, the Thinks...Horton...lately I've been oh, so fond of Yertle the Turtle.

Uuuum. Nope. Can't decide.

By 10 we had read every Seuss book in the house (twice), and thought we'd better restock.

So we trekked... to our favorite place...
only to find the 813 G277 shelves EMPTY. That's what you get for being a last-minute mom. You can be sure there were a few tears shed. Not mine! Come on people, I'm not that sentimental! They weren't his either.

(Who needs books when you've got fingers?!)

BUT. We didn't leave the library totally empty handed. Lucy carried two cassette tapes home in her Dr. Seuss backpack and we spent the afternoon listening to stories while coloring a few familiar characters. Daddy came home just in time for a little...
And then...

What did you expect? Roast Beast? (Maybe next year. With a little Schlopp. Cherry topped, of course.) When Wes blessed our food, he expressed gratitude for creative minds that make the world a better, happier place. I said a hearty AMEN.

After dinner we watched half of Horton Hears a Who. Which we all like.
And it was a long, FUN day.

So get yourselves on up and have a little Seuss celebration! ASAP! "Whatever that means. Probably, 'Act Swiftly Awesome Pachyderm.'"

As Requested

I used this recipe for our cake balls. Good ol' Pioneer Woman!

IN LOVE: Valentine's Day Memories

Go, dogs, go! The light is green now!

Hope your day of love was wonderful, too!

Picture a Christmas

Grandma's Gumdrop Cookies...

Lucy's First Ponytail...



Aunt Laurie/Aunt Maria's Sugar Cookies...recipe here

click here for some real domestic inspiration (and for the best oatmeal carmelitas recipe around. )

"GLOWING Lights!!" with Uncle Brent... Lights Before Christmas (Dec. 1-23, 2007, dusk-11pm) at Layton Commons Park (437 N. Wasatch Dr.). FABULOUS lights for little ones...small park, tons of lights, not many people.

A twirling, whirling Christmas Dress...


And "a little baby Jesus..."
who remains, "Lord of all this revelling."

Merry Week-before-Christmas!!

I posted the meatball recipe mentioned last week here, for those interested parties.

A Favorite Fall Recipe

Part of last weekend's Bountiful adventures included a nostalgic batch of PUFFED RICE BALLS...

I remember the delight my small-girl-heart used to experience when I would walk into our dimly lit kitchen after school and see these gooey goodies resting atop the counter on their wax paper beds. I remember them always perfectly proportioned, perfectly round, in perfect rows. A perfect sight.

Ingredients:
2 c brown sugar
1/2 c butter
1 c white corn syrup
Bring to boil...

Slowly add one can sweetened condensced milk. (Do you love the ingredients so far? I never claimed this was a health food, folks! =)

Stir to a soft ball stage or about 240 degrees. Add 1 tsp. vanilla.

Pour over 3 gallons popped corn (we use about 3/4 lb. puffed rice cereal), stiring gently.

Let cool briefly (but not too long! Mixture will harden.) Wet hands slightly with cold water and form into balls.
This little chef was a brilliant helper.

Thanks for the fun, girls!!

(I can't quite label this activity "simply sensational." Sensational, yes, and certainly not very complex, but the high temperatures and the hand work both require a bit of consentration . If you want total simplicity - stick with rice crispie treats :)

Peach Days

Smiling days Golden days

Plain days

Olden days

Fresh days

Fall days Special daysAll daysWarm from the oven days

Crisp Autumn lovin' days

recipe here