Seriously??

I received this email from a popular diaper company.  I subscribe to their email list in hopes of getting free offers and coupons.  I wasn't really expecting this??   Seriously?  So what they are saying- in my spare time (what little I have) I want to play games with pirates and dirty diapers filled with poop???






However, it is free..... maybe I will download it............

Maple Syrup Season in New England

Last weekend was the big weekend for maple syrup farms in Maine to open up their sap houses to the public.  We were lucky enough to be invited to a private sap house to watch how syrup is collected and made.  My kids loved it.  But I have to be honest-I think the biggest kid -my husband- enjoyed it the most!  Maybe it was the beer or the male bonding, but he enjoyed learning the whole process.   In fact, he has already offered to help again next year.

It smells SOOO yummy inside!

 Syrup face.

While the males bonded and processed the syrup the moms cooked about 100 pancakes, bacon and sausage to bring back down to the sap house for dinner to be enjoyed with all the fresh maple syrup! 

 

Feeling like Gardening

We had snow yesterday.  Today when I woke up it was 26 degrees.  The fire is going, it has been going all week despite this being the first week of spring.  In order to keep my chin up I have pulled out all the seed packets and have started to think about getting ready for the garden and planting seeds indoors.

and looking at last years garden pics make me happy.

I can see why you would be confused

One of our favorite book series is the Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson.   On each page Olivia is able to pick out the bear, the wren, the raven, the gopher, the mole, the badger, the mouse and the hare. Phew- it takes us a while to get through each book-but a fun game.

When we get to this page below we run into a problem.  She refuses to see that the gopher in this picture is indeed a gopher and not Plumpy.   (He's the fat one in the middle)

I guess I can see where she might get things mixed up. 

First Day of Spring?

This was out my window today.  Not looking very "springish" to me??

Moving forward...

or at least getting into a new routine since the loss of our dog, Tia.   As you can imagine grieving with children is very different.  There are lots of very tough questions to "try" and answer and some that just make you laugh out loud.  and some, well, are just plain not helpful.........

Olivia " Mommy, don't cry, we will just get another one"

Abby "Mommy, how does Tia get to Heaven, is there some special kind of vet car that takes her there"

Olivia "Mommy, boy you are gonna be sad when Plumpy dies"

Abby (this is asked of me on a daily basis)  " Mommy, are you still sad about Tia.  Are you gonna cry again?"

On a special note, this little reminder arrived at our house this past week from our vet.  It was all wrapped in tissue paper and a ribbon.  A very nice imprint of her giant paw.   They were very kind about the whole thing.

and some really nice friends sent us this fruit bouquet.  The girls loved it.  You would have thought they delivered a basket of kittens and money the way they were so excited.

Yes, Abby is wearing a bathing suit.  I have no excuse-it was just easier to let her wear it vs. argue.

Monday Meatloaf

Actually it is called Turkey Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Jam AND it was GOOD!  Really good and even the littles liked it!

Turkey Meatloaf with Spicy Tomato Jam 

Recipe from Country Living

• 3 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon(s) olive oil
• 1/2 pound(s) shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
• 3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/4 teaspoon(s) finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 3 tablespoon(s) diced roasted red peppers
• 2 pound(s) ground turkey (1 pound each white and dark meat)
• 1 1/2 cup(s) bread crumbs
• 2 clove(s) (medium) garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 teaspoon(s) ground ginger
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 can(s) (14.5-ounce) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper
• 2 tablespoon(s) balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup(s) light-brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) allspice

  

Directions

 

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Sauté mushrooms until just beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 1/4 teaspoon thyme. Continue to brown mushrooms, stirring, about 6 minutes more. Stir in roasted red peppers. Transfer mixture to a plate and let cool.

 

2.Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix turkey, bread crumbs, garlic, sage, ginger, half the onion, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons thyme. Using your hands, pack half the turkey mixture into a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan. Top with an even layer of mushroom mixture. Cover with remaining turkey and pat down. Bake for 40 minutes.

 

3.Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat remaining oil and cook remaining onion until softened, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes, crushed red pepper, vinegar, brown sugar, and allspice; simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.

 

4.Remove meatloaf from oven and spread 3/4 cup tomato jam on top. Return to oven and bake until meatloaf reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 30 minutes more. Let cool in pan, about 10 minutes. Turn out and slice. Serve with remaining tomato jam on the side.