Making Butter

What better way to pass a long summer evening than by reading a good book together as a family? We are currently in the middle of "Little House in the Big Woods." I insisted on reading this particular title. If I had to hear Pa speak with the voice of Sean Connery I would be scarred for life.

As we were reading the chapter about Ma making butter, I remembered that we have this lovely wooden butter mold from Grandmother Hinton (Benny's mom):

It is cracked, but isn't it lovely?

So last night we made butter. The children really enjoyed shaking the jar of cream, salt, and a few marbles for agitation. We tried taking turns telling part of a story while shaking, but that only lasted until we got to Katie, who makes everything into a story about herself being half-dragon. Then we tried singing as we churned, but they were all being too silly.

 Daddy and the Girls

 Go, Audrey!

Katie Takes a Turn

Owen is a BLUR!

Next, the kids watched me try to work all of the buttermilk out of the butter. I will confess that I didn't do a very good job, resulting in poor results later with the butter mold.

Katie, what are you doing?!?!

We had saved a bit of the cream to whip with sugar. While we waited for the butter to harden a bit in the refrigerator, the kids dipped apples in whipped cream. YUM!

Then it was time to try the mold. Owen watched me pack it down:

And out it plopped. Very, very messy looking. But still delicious! (For those who are tempted to say that I should have done _________ to prevent the butter from sticking to the mold, let me inform you that it was 9:30 and I really didn't care anymore.)

This morning I made gluten-free biscuits with the buttermilk and then spread the fresh butter and some honey on them. Even I had a bite...so good!

Adventures in Homemaking

Who says it's boring to be a stay-at-home mom? Where else can you see...

...a boy sleeping in his pillowcase?


...exploded potatoes (on July 4th, no less; I thought the neighbors had some incredible fireworks!)?


...a for-real shiner (he lost a fight with the side of the swimming pool)?


...a MATER cake (Happy Birthday, my big 4-year-old!)?


...kids making homemade ice-cream, and...


...eating it?


...homemade yogurt dripping whey over a sink (looks nasty but it tasted great)?


...a yogurt-eating dinosaur?


And now for a couple of pics from the Navy Lake fireworks show. Audrey and "Grandma #3," Ms. Teri:


Daddy and Audie


Daddy and Katie

Catching Up

At some point I had wonderful posts all blogged out in my mind for the following activities. And those posts are still there - in my mind. Since most of these events took place months ago, and since today is Christmas with many more fun things to blog upon, I need to just move on. But not before a token picture and comment for the Ghost of Blog Posts Past!

First we have a trip to Valentine Park, with an autumn walk in the woods:






Soon after we made one last trip to the Memphis Zoo before our yearly membership expired. This is Audrey, who honestly believed she had escaped from me in "Once Upon a Farm."



Another highlight was the birth of Isaac, my sweet new nephew. Over 9 lbs. but supposedly three weeks early! LOL!



Couldn't pass up this cute one of the cousins!

Catching Up, Part 3

These are the last of the photos I had formatted, but I'd better get busy. I have some sweet footage of my sister in a dinosaur costume and my dad in a wig. (That's how my side of the family rolls at Christmas.)

Kevin had a great birthday, complete with a blackberry cobbler (thanks for the recipe, Ms. Teri!) and an Andrew Peterson "Behold the Lamb of God" CD (if you do not own this you MUST get it for next Christmas!!!) Katie and I serenaded him with some "opera" to end his evening. (Okay, so it was "Amarilli, mia bella," which is technically an art song, but Katie thinks she's singing opera. LOL!)



We always make a trip to the Munford Christmas Parade. This year we ran into our friends and neighbors Lisa (the fantastic beautician) and Anthony, which made the evening even better!



And since Lisa and family went out of town for Christmas this year, we "cat sat." Here are my kids with Santa Screech and his brother, Nosey:



Merry Christmas to all my blog-reading friends!

Take Me To the Fair, Part One

We ended up taking two trips to the Mid-South Fair this year. This was the last year for the fair to be held in Midtown Memphis. For me, this meant bidding farewell to old childhood memories, as well as making a few new ones for my own children.

Our first visit was a gig, in a very loose sense of the term. Susan, one of our church pianists/keyboardists, hooked our praise team up to play in the Creative Arts Building. Kevin and I were amused when Cindy, our fair contact, refered to Sue as our "Promoter." Very funny.

We left in two mini-vans because bands have to haul stuff. Pretty appropriate for our gang, though - that's how we roll. After a wrong turn and plenty of lighthearted banter, we made it to the parking lot and waited on Cindy to show up on her golf cart.

You may never see Todd driving one of these babies again, so enjoy. He looks thrilled, doesn't he?



Roger thought he was cute to sit on our luggage rack with his legs hanging over the back, so Kevin turned on the rear washer/wipers. This is Roger venting his wrath.



The gig itself went well after a bit of trial-and-error with the sound system. Most of our fans were in attendance - Mom, Trish, Katie, Elisabeth, Roger's parents, Allison and her dad. All in all, a great time.

A week or so later, Kevin and I returned with the kids. Mom came along, too, although we couldn't persuade her to ride anything. At least she got her caramel apple, and even tried funnel cake...FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! (I can't believe that.)

Kevin and Owen on "The Bee Ride"



Katie and Mama Stuck in the Maze

This is just one funny thing to watch. Kids just run smack into the glass constantly. I can't say much for myself, though; I came out right behind the guy who sits at the front and makes sure you are tall enough, instead of upstairs!



Hi, Grandma! (Don't be mad that I put you on here!)

Take Me To the Fair, Part Two

My kids are fearless. They rode everything they were tall enough to ride. Katie even went with Kevin and me on the double log ride and a mid-sized roller coaster! Here she is enjoying what I would call the "Whiplash Cars."



Owen's favorite, by far, was one of those rides with the rope bridges, obstacles, and the big slide at the end. He went on it almost TWENTY times. Mom and I just sat on the bench and rested while he played and Kevin took Katie on some bigger rides. Here is my boy, and this is his Fierce Sliding Face:



And what's a good fair without some totally unhealthy fair food? Corn on the cob, dripping with butter, and a big ol' slice of pepperoni pizza:





When it was time to go, I got an extra-special surprise....

In the days of my own childhood, we only went to the fair a handful of times. But we always went with our friends Mr. Harold, "Miss" Dianne, and their boys. I have such fond memories of riding all the rides and can still hear echoes of the adults' conversation. All day long I had a flood of memories wash over me. As we sat on the bench waiting on Kevin to bring a funnel cake - our last hurrah - who should I spot but Mr. Harold? He probably thought I was crazy to chase him down, but I just had to say hello. It was such a fitting end to the night, and to the Midtown Edition of the Mid-South Fair!

Something a Bit Nicer To Look At

Owen in-utero



Katie, about the same time



My favorite newborn picture of Owen



Katie and Mommy goofing off



Beautiful Katie



Katie and Cousin Ana



Owen in his woolies



Owen's first oatmeal



My Babies





The Great Turkey Race



Kevin's Turkey



Lots 'O Turkeys



Two Butterballs



Katie trimming the Christmas tree