Friday, March 28, 2008
Roasted Cauliflower with Paprika
Here’s a really simple recipe for roasted cauliflower that I tried tonight. The whole family gave it a thumbs up, so I’ll definitely make it again. I got it out of my Everyday Food magazine (thanks, Melissa!).
1 head cauliflower, cored and broken into small florets
2 T. olive oil
1 1/2 t. paprika
coarse salt and ground pepper
Preheat oven to 450. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread cauliflower on foil. Sprinkle with oil and paprika; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and lightly browned, 20-25 minutes, tossing once.
Easy, no?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
We celebrated this morning by making green eggs. Tomorrow Jack wants to make purple eggs. =)
The kids ate in shifts, since Abby was up around 7 and Jack didn’t stumble downstairs until close to 8:30! I used to wish Abby slept in later like her brother, but I’ve really grown to love this one-on-one time with her. Anyway, notice the sprinkles in Jack’s hand. He thought those made the eggs taste “extra yummy.”
Enjoying those eggs!
My Mom sent them several fun projects to work on this month for Saint Patrick’s Day and Easter. So gearing up for today’s green festivities, they spent the past week making Leprechaun Books (and Jack is learning to read his), coloring shamrocks, and graphing M&M’s on a rainbow. My Mom has worked in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and now with her school’s Reading Recovery program, for the past 30+ years so she loves putting these things together for the kids. We love reaping the benefits of her experience and creativity! She thinks of so many fun and educational things for them to do and makes life more exciting around here! =)
After breakfast, I dropped the kids off at Annette’s house for the day. Yes, THE DAY! Several months ago we started trading off whole days of babysitting for one another. Annette often takes sub days, and I like to just get a day to myself! The kids enjoy playing with their cousins all day, so they’re quite happy with the arrangement too. I get the whole gang on Thursday and thanks to my Mom, we may just graph some jellybeans or something…!
On a final note, this weekend we got a playset for the kids. Here they are enjoying it. There’s a slide on the far end, too - it just wasn’t on quite yet when this picture was snapped. I feel a lot of fun summer playing comin’ on!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Beginnings of Bachelorhood
One of the most rewarding aspects of motherhood to me is watching my kids learn something new. Last month Jack learned a new skill - he can make his own PB & J. When I got out all the fixings to make his lunch one afternoon he asked, “Mom, can I do it?” My heart kind of sighed as I thought about the mess it would be, how frustrated he would get, and then how I’d have to clean it up and also still make the sandwich. Shoving my personal feelings aside, I bit my tongue and choked out, “Sure. Give it a try.” He needed a little bit of help here and there, but he surprised me at what a good job he did! There was a ton of peanut butter on it, and the jelly squished out the sides, but he enjoyed every bite. I am so glad I gave him the opportunity to do it because he not only got a yummy sandwich, but a big confidence boost too! It was a nice reminder to me that I need to be careful to let him enjoy being a kid, and not keep him from experiences because I selfishly don’t want to clean up a mess or deal with a problem.
Getting nice and sticky!
Mission completion!
