Artist of the Week

Look who's the Artist of the Week! C! My friend Tami sent me this picture when she was at the school today. I'll get to see it in person tomorrow during my lunch duty shift. He's very excited.

Out of Hibernation

Can you believe it's January and I got to ride my bike today? Outside? In Wisconsin? Not only that, I really enjoyed it! It was a gorgeous sunny day in the 40s. Besides my running tights, I had to borrow all of Brian's cold weather gear (since I don't own any). In fact, I didn't even have any wheels on my bike -- thinking it would be a few months before I'd be riding again. I borrowed Brian's Pablove wheels, but have got to say, they look pretty nice on my bike. I haven't ridden since the beginning of September and was a bit rusty. And while it looks like the warm weather is going to stay for a couple days, it's going to be cold towards the end of the week. If anything though, it makes me realize it's time to get myself on a trainer -- only a few months until Spring!

Soccer Weekend

Soccer with H on Saturday. Soccer with C on Sunday. Both scored goals, and had an absolute blast playing their very first indoor season games. In fact, it was the first time H ever played indoor, and he played better than ever. And in between we got some stuff done around the house and even made it out for brunch. It was a pretty nice weekend.

VIP

Look who came up for a visit today! Melissa. Oh my gosh, I sure do miss her. It was so great catching up. I'm already so excited for our next visit. P.S. Nice slippers, Ang. I probably could have put some shoes on. But I have a cold, remember? Not really thinking clearly. Anyhow, what a great day.

Inspiration Files :: Swedish Summer Home

 

 

I know, I know ... a summer house and it's winter. Or, at least it's supposed to be. It actually felt like a beautiful spring day. Here's another from the archives -- one I just don't want to forget. I could easily see spending time here. (via Bliss Blog, photos by Rachel Smith)

Ginger, Lemon, Honey

Woke up with a headache, and now I'm sniffly. Drinking lots of this, hoping it goes away.

Art by C :: Abstract Self-Portrait

Something to Remember

The kids went back to the school today, and Brian back to work. It was just Storm and me around the house. I had grand plans of putting in a big day of work since I was trapped without a car. But when I realized my office was still closed for the holidays, I decided to take the day off too! And I used it to get organized around the house. The tree came down. I weeded through holiday decorations we haven't used for awhile. I did about seven loads of laundry. I took the dog for a long walk. Oh, and I got my car back this afternoon, so that's a good thing. Decided it was time to go through my Google Reader too. Lots of good stuff from long ago for the inspiration files. I also found this image and figured it was a good reminder to help kick off the new year. (via It's Mary Ruffle)

New Year's Day at Ray's

We woke up this morning and took The Frig's over to Alterra for a little breakfast, then headed on over to Ray's before they went back to Chicago. Ever since Brian took H to Ray's MTB on Monday, he's been begging to go back. He absolutely loves it there. The boys were trying to go on Friday, but the timing was just off and they were not able to make it. Today worked out great though -- especially since our friend David from Chicago had planned on coming up with his son and nephew so we got to meet them there (our friend Eric runs the place, so he was there with his wife and two of their kids too -- so fun). I thought the park would be packed, but it wasn't. And it was perfect. This time, C even got in the action. H has been on a bike for a long time. But it's just not something C completely feels comfortable with. He did great today -- spending most of the time in the practice section before making his way to the flat track that goes around the entire course. I spent a lot of my time running after him, while Brian and H tackled the harder course. Even though C did a great job riding, his favorite thing still was taking breaks and jumping into the foam pit (which my husband did a 360 into on his bike, by the way -- pretty impressive). It was a really fun day. Such a great place.

Can't post without including this adorable photo of Brian and little A. It was taken at Ray's right before they left. Sad. I miss them already.

New Year's Eve Celebration

After we had gotten home from the nature center -- and endured the whole car fiasco -- we started making dinner. Over the past few years, we've spent Christmas with the Elsmo's enjoying a relaxing dinner consisting of several courses. We of course love eating this way, but so do our kids! And we really missed a meal like that over the holidays (we miss the Elsmo's too....), so decided New Year's Eve. was the perfect occasion. Scott, Ali and A swung by for a little visit in the afternoon, which seemed very appropriate. They are such a huge part of our "new" Wisconsin life -- and it was so great to do a little pre-New Year celebration with them. Around 6pm, my cousin, Justin, and his family (who just moved to the area a month ago from Tampa, Florida) came over to join us. We had such a great time. Justin, Amy and the girl's had to leave around 9pm for another celebration, while Chris, Penny, Brian and I continued eating and trying to stay awake until midnight. The three youngest kids crashed around 9:30 p.m. H did his best to stay awake until 12:00, but fell asleep on the sofa a few minutes shy of it. Honestly, we didn't stay awake much past -- but we did it!

New Year's Eve. Celebration Dinner:
Olive Cheese Puffs
Mediterranean Salad with Prosciutto and Pomegranate || Bon Appetit
French Onion Soup || Paula Deen
Mushroom Ravioli with Green Pea Purée || Vegetarian Times
Steamed Mussels || Tyler Florence
Caramel Budino with Salted Caramel Sauce || Bon Appetit

The Frigs Visit

Oh my gosh, it was so much fun with Chris, Penny and the girls. We really didn't have any plans except to ring in the New Year together. On Saturday, Brian and Chris ended up going on a bike ride. So Penny and I loaded up the kids and went for a little hike at the nature center. So much fun. They kids are seriously so cute together. Unfortunately, on the way out, my car suddenly died and I ended up having to get it towed! We'll find out what the deal is tomorrow. I was just so happy it happened on the last day of 2011, instead of the first day of the new year! That would have really been terrible.

(By the way, the tooth fairy even had to pay a visit while The Frigs were here).

Celebrating 40

Whoa. What a whirlwind weekend. Seriously, it was so much fun. And I'm honestly sitting here, just so happy and content ... thinking my life is pretty much the best ever. There's really no better feeling.

Friday afternoon, Chris & Penny and the girls drove up from Chicago. It's been a few months since we've seen them last, and was just so awesome getting to spend a few days with them. I really, really miss them! They had spent the night before at a water park, so were pretty beat. Fortunately they didn't mind that we had another party to attend that night. In fact, they suggested a slumber party with the boys. It worked out great, and the kids loved just hanging out. They've kind of grown up together, and it's really quite amazing seeing them together. The reason Brian and I had to leave, was to celebrate our friend Kim's 40th birthday! It was a surprise party, and Jesse did an amazing job planning it. I hadn't seen Kim and Jesse for a few years. They lived in California, and just recently moved to Montreal, Canada. Our friends Greg & Yvonne were also in town from California. (Quick side note story: Yvonne and Brian went to school together. We were at their house for dinner about 12 years ago, when we started talking about their neighbors. Turns out, it was Kim and Jesse -- and Brian and Jesse grew up in Racine together. We've tight ever since.) Anyhow, it's been a couple years since I've seen Greg & Yvonne too! We also got to see some friends from Chicago who came up for the occasion (Another small world story -- our friends Paul and Roger have a house in Michigan where they spend a lot of time.  And their neighbors are good friends of theirs, who we've known for years! Strange.). We just had so much fun hanging out and being goofy (and clearly immature ... as seen from the fake breasts -- a gift from the birthday girl's mom, by the way). We even danced the night away! Before we knew it, it was 1:00 in the morning. And we still had an hour drive back home. But I honestly didn't want the night to end. I adore these people, and hope it's not another three years before we get to see each other again.

2011 Year in Review

Friends from Oak Park are about to arrive to spend a few days with us -- then it's back to school on Monday for the boys. One week of vacation was not enough, if I do say so myself. I feel like 2011 was the year of transitions. Not a bad year by any means. But in 2012, I hope to feel more settled. I need to keep working on my patience and try to be less stressed out (ugh, such a struggle but swear I'm getting better). I want to get out and explore -- there's so much awesomeness around here. It's the year of the PFour -- I can tell.

Here's some of the highlights of our 2011:

- We listed our house for sale (and it went under contract in less than three weeks)
- We survived the big snow storm of 2011 (in fact, we kind of loved being cooped up for a few days)
- We dined at Alinea with Leif & Melissa
- Brian celebrated the big 4-0
- We visited my parents in Florida
- H turned 9
- Celebrated friendship with an absolutely amazing evening
- We moved to Wisconsin
- After sitting in the sidelines for many years, C finally started playing soccer
- Went to Next :: Paris
- Really enjoyed hosting guests
- Spend many hours swimming in lakes
- My sister and I did a mud run
- Brian completed in a few different races
- C turned 7
- H started 4th grade, and C 1st
- Brian and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary
- C lost his first tooth
- Brian rode over 600 miles in a week with Pablove Across America
- Brian and I went to England with our friends Lora and Bill to see a Manchester United game

Whoa. Quite the year! Can't wait for the next.

Wishing you the best year yet in 2012!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

I feel like I've been eating and drinking for a month straight. Before I get back on track -- maybe eating some greens and oh, I don't know ... run more than once a week -- I wanted to show you the cute gifts we made this year. Hot chocolate on a stick with homemade marshmallows! Yum. We gave them as teacher gifts (along with a gift card), to our family and even our friends who came over for Christmas Eve. They were delicious in hot milk (4-8 oz per stick) and even on their own. Yum. (Idea originally found last year here.)

Cocoa Blocks
From King Arthur Flour, kingarthurflour.com

- ½ cup heavy cream
- 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 cups)
- 3 cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (chopped chocolate bars or chips)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened baking chocolate
- wooden sticks

Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Heat the cream and condensed milk over low heat until steaming. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate; allow it to gently melt.

After about 10 minutes, return the chocolate mixture to low heat to completely melt the chocolate. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is thick and shiny. Add a few drops of flavoring oil if you like; hazelnut, coffee, or vanilla are popular flavors. (NOTE: I used vanilla)

Pour the chocolate mixture into the pan; shake the pan gently to level. Sprinkle with cocoa, if desired. Set aside overnight to slowly set up.

Run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn out onto a clean cutting surface.

Slice into 1 ¼" cubes. Heat a knife in hot water and wipe dry before each cut, for smoothest cuts.

Stick a wooden stick into the center of each block.

Roll in cocoa or crushed peppermint candy, if desired. (NOTE: I did not)

Wrap in waxed paper, parchment, or plastic wrap to store.

Yield: about 3 dozen blocks.

Homemade Marshmallows
From Alton Brown, FoodNetwork.com

- 3 packages unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup ice cold water, divided
- 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Nonstick spray

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer set up with the whisk attachment along with 1/2 cup of the water.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans as follows.

Combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners’ sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.