Prince Charming

This child likes to earn money. In fact she's the only child in the house who understands that extra jobs bring in extra dough. A few days ago she wanted to spend her cash. As I drove her to the store we talked about the things she could buy. I mentioned that she had enough to buy something big like a good toy or a new pair of cute shoes or a dress. She said "why would I buy a dress?" I responded "Well, you like looking nice so maybe you want a new pretty dress for church". (Brace yourself) She then said "so I can attract all of the boys?"

silence

"NO, said I. You are SEVEN and we'll get you a new toy."

Sweet

Yesterday I needed sugar. I declared to Eddie that I would be making a dessert and asked if he had any input. He replied that a cobbler or crisp would be tasty. I then informed him that the request will only be considered if the item contained 1. Sugar and 2. Chocolate.

I considered trying to convince him of the fact that a cobbler or crisp could actually be considered a "salad" with our dinner since both items contain fruit (and even REAL fruit- unlike the gelled wobbly fruit some people call "salad"). But, as much as I love sugar I want my offspring to grow up knowing that salad contains vegetables and not cookies.

I decided to make these (Magic Cookie Bars III) tasty chocolate and sugar containing numbers. However to my horror, when I opened the can of sweetened condensed milk the recipe called for......... it was brown like this. I have opened brown milk before and it is not pleasant to your olfactory senses. I threw it away and pouted (no other cans in the house). Then I went to this very computer and looked for a substitute for sweetened condensed milk- and what do you know there is such a thing.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 cup of dry milk

2/3 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of boiling water

3 T of melted butter

combine all in a blender and you get one homemade, cheaper, and not brown can of sweetened condensed milk.

It worked fabulously. The treats were consumed. Momma saved the day ( well, only for me but doesn't that count?).

I will never again buy a can of sweetened condensed milk so that it can sit in my cupboard turning brown. This is way too easy, and did I say cheaper?!

Durans

About two weeks ago I told Mom that I would put some of these pics of Shirl and her stinkin cute fam on this site. And then I forgot, until now. (Am I a Utard if I say fam?)

oh, my babe, not shirls

The Things They Say

Eddie really likes Dances with Wolves. We recorded it yesterday while it played on TV. I watched a bit as I folded laundry and after a while Elizabeth wandered into the room. The scene happened to be one where a lot of Sioux (I think) was being spoken and so there were subtitles. Elizabeth asked me what they were saying and so I read them to her. A few seconds later she said "Mom, when did you learn how to read Indian?"............................................OH DEAR.

Ginger Cabin

Well, Christmas items are almost put away. I wanted to share our gingerbread house with you and have just been slow.

Carolyn and I made this house. It took awhile. We built up the walls as high as we could with pretzels and then let it dry overnight. Overall it was about three separate building sessions. It was fun to make but after the house was done... i was done. We never did any trees or landscaping the way we originally planed.

But, it did have a chimney for Santa.







The kids couldn't wait to eat it, which grossed me out...but they wanted to. Mmmm stale pretzels with royal icing cement.







I also have to share this picture with you. Will received this play outfit from Grandma A. When he had it all put on he exclaimed "OKAY, I'm ready to KILL!" I picked this out by the way... great job mom.







And last of all a few of you wanted to know how to make these ornaments.





I got the idea here:

http://www.makeandtakes.com/link/scrabble-tile-pendant-tutorial