Having children is FUN!

This is my boy. He is getting very big. He is just as smart as his sister and even more aware of when mom and dad are busy and he can get into things he should not. Here he is smiling at me because his sister Winter just colored on him with a marker. When I asked him what happened to him, he just laughed, like "wouldn't you like to know." It was a good look into the future when he comes in late at night. I'll ask "where have you been?" He'll just laugh that knowing laugh.
While Ledger got colored on a little, it was nothing compared to what Winter did to herself. Anyone ever heard of Tammy Fae Baker? Winter is reclaiming her style for her own. I didn't tell her she was in trouble or anything. I just told her I wanted to take her picture, but she still wouldn't look at the camera.
These are her legs. I call it, camo a la Winter. She was just getting ready for hunting with her Grandpa Jones.
Yes, I realize this means she was unsupervised long enough to have done this to herself and her brother. I am a working mom and at times having a minute to get something done is nice. I was fairly certain she knew the markers where for only on paper.
This is the look I got when I reminded her she isn't supposed to color on herself and Ledger.
And this is her face when I told her she'd be in big trouble if she did it again. Who thinks that face says, you can't stop me?! or "I can't hear you."

Curly Cue

Recently I bought the most fabulous invention for a little girls hair.
FOAM CURLERS!! Seriously how did I not remember these things?
Winter loves having her hair done (having is different from getting) and her aunt Shaylee would sometimes curl it with a flat iron when she was watching her. I am not that skilled with hot irons and my own hair so Winter suffered from my short coming. But now look...
LOTS of oh so beautiful "look at me!" curls.
She loves them and has asked for them everyday since the first day. I do it special for school days so we are down to just twice a week :)
Can you believe the looks this girl gives me? Sheeessh
Good thing she is cute.
And has the best combination of my killer eyes with her daddy's coloring.

So glad to be out of the house

I am pretty sure my children had cabin fever. Between the many sicknesses and crazy episodes, it's possible I was suffering from it as well. Today was a beautiful day.


He is getting big. Very independent and oh so smart, Ledger loves to be outside.

My unwilling model.
Big boy driving the tractor at Wheeler Farm.
This terribly dirt animal is a cow. Winter got to milk it. Mmmm fresh milk from a disgustingly dirty beast.
LOOK! She did it! She got milk to come out!
He like the camera.
Winter look at mommy.
This is her dramatic moment when she decided I wasn't going to leave her alone.
Classic case. There is something in the hole that you want. You squeeze your hand in so you can reach it out. Only problem is now that you have something in your hand, your hand is too big to come back out of the hole.
Looks like it should come out, but it won't.
Hard as he may try, it's not going to fit.
It was a good day :)

Cheese Fondue

Once upon a time a 16 year old Virginia girl worked at the Melting Pot. Fast forward 10+ years, here is a guide to a similar cheese fondue. This is a guide NOT a recipe. It changes every time I make it and that is part of the fun. Enjoy!

Begin by putting warm fresh beer into a double boiler. 1/2 bottle for two people, full bottle for 3-4.

Then add mustard powder. About a table spoon.Let bubbles combine. Bring double boiler to a boil. Let beer heat up to hot. It won't boil but you want it very hot.
While the beer is getting hot prepare your cheese. You will need 1/3 swiss 2/3 cheddar for a cheddar fondue. You need the swiss for creamy texture. You can do 1/4 swiss and 3/4 cheddar but no less on the swiss. For an extra delicious cheese use Gruyère as a sub for the swiss. Buyer beware, it can be pricey. Gruyère is sweet but slightly salty, with a flavor that varies widely with age. It is often described as creamy and nutty when young, becoming with age more assertive, earthy, and complex. Gruyère is generally known as one of the finest cheeses for baking, having a distinctive but not overpowering taste. I shredded my swiss with a food processor.
Now comes the secret ingredient. The cheese needs to be coated with flour. It helps the cheese from clumping together once it begins to melt. Flour is also an excellent way to emulsify the beer and oils from the cheese.Add a little at a time. By now the cheese is getting to be room temperature and may be already trying to stick together.
Super easy way to mix and keep your hands clean, ziplock.Finished product should look similar to this.
This is enough for two batches.A fork is the best tool in the kitchen for mixing up the cheese and beer.
Take one handful of the cheese combo and put it into the hot beer.
Bubbles are a good sign everything is as it should be.
The cheese that was just added should be melted and stringy.
Add a few more handfuls. Let it get warm before attempting to stir it all together.
Three additional things to make this amazing.To peel the garlic you can crush it first with the flat side of a knife.
This is a garlic press and probably the most used gadget in my kitchen.Before adding those yummies, stir up your cheese. It's all in the wrist. You want to fold it over itself so the hot cheese on the bottom lays onto of the cooler cheese on top. Again, again, again. If it gets all chunky and you think you are ruining it, be calm. Make sure it is heating up and give the cheese a little more time to melt down.
Creamy and smooth.
Add fresh ground black pepper.
Worcestershire sauce.
Pressed garlicMix until all are combined. Cheese should be ribbon like with pulled through the air. Thick but smooth pancake batter.
Yum yum!
Dippers are up to you. We usually like corn chips, apples, pears, carrots, broccoli, and bread. We have had lots of others too. Cheese is good on most things.
Well that is it. My secret revealed. I have had the knowledge for a very long time. Sorry I didn't share it sooner.