Mama Robin

This was going yo be my post for Mother’s Day, but my computer and internet have not been cooperating lately. This explains the drop in activity on my blog. I am working to fix it and I do apologize.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Now back to my post…….

My four five year old son came running in from outside last week, completely thrilled with his discovery. Tucked between boards of their “fort” he found a bird’s nest with a single “meenie-ture” blue egg.

          

I explained to him that it is a robin’s nest, and that those are the birds we see hopping around the yard searching for worms. He became even more excited; we were going to have a baby robin!

That first day he checked “our nest” about every half hour or so.  Seriously.  No exaggeration. Each time ended with “there’s no baby robin yet mom!”  No disappointment.  No frustration.  But each time with just as much excitement as when he first told me of his discovery.  But how long would that last?

A brief nature lesson for those of you who don’t know:  birds will lay multiple eggs over the course of days, 1 each day, until they have “enough.” Then they will tend to them until they hatch. What “enough” is depends on the type of bird. For a robin, it’s usually about 4-5 eggs.

This means we had a few days to go until mama robin even began to sit on her nest!  So I wanted to explain this to him in a way that he would understand, but also in a way that he would remain excited.  I think I succeeded because the updates come less frequent now…a little anyway. BUT, they are alway delivered with just as much enthusiasm.

Of course the updates have changed over the course of the week, from 2 eggs, to 3, and finally 4!

And now mama robin is finally sitting on her nest. Except when she becomes irritated…enter me with camera. She then retreats noisily to the nearest tree.

 

(And don’t worry she comes right back)

I tried to get a shot of her on the nest but I can’t get as close to her as my son can. My only guess is she’s become comfortable with him over the course of building her nest and laying her eggs. I think that’s so cool. He goes out and plays and she just watches and waits.  Waits for the four, almost featherless, birds to emerge from their eggs.  Tiny and helpless.  Mama Robin’s wait will be over and the most important job of her life begins.

Then it will be our turn to watch.  Watch as she feeds and cares for them as they grow.  Watch as she prepares them to leave the nest to be on their own.  Isn’t nature amazing?  And getting to be a witness to it all is such a great learning experience!  I’m so glad she chose our yard for her home this summer!

And now I wonder, who will be more exited when the eggs start hatching:  little W or Mama Robin?

My Liebster Award … Someone Reads My Blog?

My normal morning routine is to get the kids off to school, husband off to work, and sit down, check my blog, and all things web-related.  Much to my surprise a few days ago, when I had a lovely comment from Kaela, at The Girl Who Blogs, saying she nominated me for a Liebster Award.  I had three thoughts all at once:

“THANK YOU!”

“Some one reads my blog?”  and,

“Wait, what is a Liebster Award?”

My limited, oh so limited, German vocabulary, left over from high school, tells me that “liebe” is German and has something to do with “love.” (I may have actually learned something…I’m sure Frau Knapp would be so proud).   A quick search told me that the Liebster award “supposedly” started in Germany to give smaller bloggers recognition for their hard work.

How cool is that?

Other than the German root, there isn’t any specifics on how it was started, and the rules seem to change over time.  In this instance, I need to do:  List eleven random facts about myself, answer eleven questions given to me by The Girl Who Blogs, and nominate eleven small blogs (200-300 followers).  Let’s get started!

Eleven random facts about Me:

1. I’m a Christian.  Although I go to church, I don’t define myself by a religion or man-made rules.

2. I’m an only child. There are some days I’m glad, there are days that I wish I had siblings.

3. There are two things I don’t want near me:  spiders & feet, especially hairy feet (spiders are always “big & hairy”).  I don’t want to touch or look at them.  Or think about them for that matter…yuck!

4. I love reading.  If I find a book I like, I will read it more than once.  My top re-read books:  Gone With the Wind (3), To Kill a Mockingbird (4).  I need to find more time to read. I really want to read The Shack again!

5.  I crochet.  My Granny taught me when I was little.   She taught me how to sew also.  I love doing both.  It makes me feel close to her.  She has been gone for quite a few years now and I miss her everyday.

6. The pointy end of my corn on the cob needs to point to the left when I’m eating it.  I don’t know why, it just does.

7.  I say “ba-tato” not “potato,” … thanks to my husband for pointing this out to me.

8. I’m an aunt to 36, great-aunt to 3, and a step-aunt to 3.  I love them.

9.  I am addicted to dry roasted peanuts and coffee.  I consume them almost daily and in large quantities.  Not at the same time though.

10.  I have a degree in accounting which I needed to be a stay at home mom.  Kidding.  I actually do the books for our family business.

11.  I enjoy genealogy.  I think it’s very cool to learn where my family came from, the kind of lives they had and even what they looked like if possible.

Kaela‘s Eleven Questions:

1. What is your favorite book? I’d have to say two:  Gone with the Wind and The Shack.  Both amazing in different ways.

2. What is your dream job?  Right now I have my dream job, staying home and raising my kids.  Once they’re grown?  I’d love to be able to find a way to earn money sewing or something else involving one of my hobbies.  I really don’t want to have to work for someone else.

3. Who inspires you?  My husband.  He encourages me and makes me feel I can do anything. He is part of who I am and I love him.

4. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?  BLESSED.

5. Cabin or beach house? Why?  Cabin.  Cabin to me means mountains.  Mountains means snow.  I love them both.

6. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?  Fly a plane.  That would be awesome!  I’d also love to learn to sing, but since I don’t have the voice, I would need magic for that one!

7. What does your name mean?  Kimberly – (English) chief, ruler

8. What is your best memory?  The day my husband proposed to me.  Without that day, I wouldn’t have my husband and 4 beautiful children.  It is the memory that created my life as it is today. (wedding, births are equally as memorable, but not possible without this day!)

9. What is one chore you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning showers/tubs.  I would rather clean 10 toilets to one tub.

10.  If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?  Cliff jumping and deep-sea diving.  I’d be terrified to do both otherwise.  Deep water causes me anxiety and well cliff jumping is just dangerous

11.  Why do you write? I write because it’s just another form of talking and I love to talk.  It gives me a means of sharing things I enjoy without cornering someone and torturing them with the details.  People are free to read or not read my blog.  I also journal which is another great outlet…..I’ve always enjoyed writing, but in school I didn’t feel we were encouraged to enjoy it.  Now I can do it how and when I like.  I am free to enjoy it!

My Liebster Nominees are:

The goal here is to list 11, but these are the blogs I follow that meet the criteria (from what I can tell) and are deserving of the award!  If you can list 11 then please do!

1. The Involuntary Housewife

2. The happy, homeschooling, Hoosier housewife

3. Keeping Up With the Farmer’s Daughter

4.  Fellow Does Fab

5.  Hens & Chicks Vintage

6. Laura Huber

7. Super Stay at Home Mommy

8. Whims

Eleven Questions for My Nominees:

1.  If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy/do?

2.  What is the first movie you saw in a theater?

3.  What is your dream car?

4.  How would your closest friend describe you?

5.  What is your most cherished possession?

6.  What does “happy” mean to you?

7.  If you could pick it, what would be your last meal?

8.  If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would you pick and why?

9.  What is your favorite junk food?

10.  What song have you listened to most often in the last few days?

11.  If you were stranded on a remote island, what three things would you want with you (besides food & water)?

Wow that was fun!  I encourage you to visit my nominees and enjoys the stories, tips and points-of-view they offer.

Thanks so much again Kaela for the nomination!!  It’s always fun knowing that someone enjoys what you do!

May the Fourth be With You

Say what??  You heard me right.  Today is May the 4th, a.k.a. Star Wars Day.  A day set aside by fans for all things Star Wars.  Are you a fan?  Maybe, maybe not.  It’s possible you think it’s silly.  All I know is my kids smile every time they say “May the 4th be with you,” and that, my friend, makes me smile too.

Jedi

Sith

Droid……doesn’t matter….

 

Get your Jedi on.  Watch one of the movies, where your fav Star Wars t-shirt, maybe where a costume….

Ok, maybe not.  That’s a little over the top, even for our family.  (And no, we don’t go trotting around in costume, this is from Halloween 2011, note pumpkins)

The point is, have fun, I know we will.  Celebrate Star Wars Day how you see best, and……..

 

A fan of Star Wars, are you?

 

Chicken Pot Pie, Anyone?

My kids have been begging me to buy chicken pot pie.  I made the mistake of buying the frozen, pop-in-the-oven pie when I was suffering from morning sickness.  It’s salty, processed and of course my kids loved it. I don’t know about you but I try to limit my processed foods as much as I can without going to extremes. I just feel better serving my family food when I know what the ingredients are and how to pronounce them. My answer? If I can make it from scratch I often do.

I remembered making chicken pot pie in the past, but it had been a while.  Once I decided to add it to my weekly menu, I started thinking about how to go about making it. I looked through some recipes, suggestions, and tried to recall what I did the last time (because I didn’t write it down, despite my husband’s frequent suggestions any time I make a new recipe). This is the result…

Best Ever Chicken Pot Pie

2 unbaked pie crusts for 9″ pie plate

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

2 – 12 oz pkgs frozen mixed vegetables

2 tsp chicken bouillon

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup butter

1 tsp poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp celery seed

1/3 cup flour

2/3 cup milk

salt and pepper

Heat oven to 425°. Put the chicken and one bag of veggies in a pot and fill with water until just covered. Boil for 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 cups of broth (to make gravy). Add 2 tsp bouillion to broth, stir and set aside until later.

In a skillet heat butter, add onion, cook about 2 minutes. Add the poultry seasoning and celery seed continue cooking until onion is tender. Stir in flour. Slowly add reserved broth. It will get lumpy, keep stirring, it will get better. Slowly add milk. Continue cooking/stirring until mixture thickens; about 1 minute after mixture begins to boil.

Now you need to mix together the chicken, vegetables (adding the second bag of veggies at this time), and gravy. Add salt and pepper to taste. I used a large mixing bowl for this part; do what works for you!

Pour mixture into the prepared bottom pie crust. Cover with the top crust, seal edges, and cut a slit for steam to escape.

Bake until nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let it sit for a few minutes, then slice and serve!

A couple of side notes: 1. I used frozen vegetables, but you could substitute any variety fresh or frozen that you prefer. 2. Your favorite pie crust recipe will work great, but if you prefer, you could use frozen crust

And there you have it, a tasty substitute for a frozen food favorite!

Don’t forget to find me on Facebook and Twitter!

I haven’t been able to get in my sewing room for a week now, but I promise an easy sewing project is coming!  I am also going to be starting a new quilt for R (my 8 yo), that I can’t wait to share!

What new recipes have you tried?  Are you working on any crafty project?  I’d love to hear from you!

Who I Am: May Edition

Where have the months gone?  It’s May 1st already.  If time flies when you’re having fun, then 2013 is totally a party!

I started the “Who I Am” series in February, and have been doing pretty good at remembering.  That is, if you forget last month when I was late.  But, hey, I just had a baby, give a girl a break.  I had some much important baby holding/spoiling to do!

This month I am continuing to share with you some of my interests.  I picked photography.  Am I a professional? Absolutely not (typed as I laugh to myself).  It’s a hobby.  I take pictures of EVERYTHING.  One might say I am a photographaholic.  My friends would probably tell you this is an understatement.  I love pictures.  I also find it stressful to throw any pictures away.  Yours, mine, a complete stranger’s.  Doesn’t matter.  It can be a blurry thumb picture.  I keep them.  I probably need a 12-step program for it or something.  But because of the harassment help of a close friend, I am getting better!

I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember.  I actually learned from my dad.  He was the picture-taker in our family.  When I was little he let me use his big, fancy camera (I was little, it seemed complicated, therefore “fancy” in my young mind).  I did pretty good I guess, because my parents actually bought me a 35mm (I feel old) camera.  They probably thought it was a good idea.  That was until they had to buy the film and then have the pictures developed (even the blurry ones that I wouldn’t throw away).  That poor little camera took more pictures than it was probably prepared to do.

I suffered through another 35mm, then finally, in 2004 I bought my first digital camera.  I never looked back.  Being able to take as many pictures as I want is amazing!  I, of course, love taking photographs of my family, but I also enjoy scenery and nature pictures.  I have even been honored enough to take senior pictures for two nieces and will soon be taking them for one of my nephews!  I love that my hobby can also help others.  Being able to preserve memories this way is amazing!

I thought you may be interested in the kind of pictures I take.  I looked through some photos on my computer and found some I enjoy, and thought maybe you would too…..

A Day Lily in my garden:

The Great Smoky Mtns

                       

The Old Mill, Pigeon Forge, TN

A baby raccoon that visited my yard:

Steam engines at a local antique farm machinery show:

Like I said, I am not a professional by any means.  I just love taking pictures.  And that’s what a hobby is about; something you enjoy doing so much, you’ll do it for free

For more about my interests, check out the past “Who I Am” posts:

Who I Am: February Edition

Who I Am: March Edition

Who I am: April Edition

Fancy Banana Bread (with Cream Cheese Filling!)

Let me start by saying, my family loves banana bread. Pretty much every bread recipe in the world makes two loaves, right? Well when I make banana bread, there is usually some left that doesn’t get eaten.  I always thought it was because eventually you just get tired of eating it (you know, two loaves and all). Until now. After I made this, I knew immediately that it is the most delicious banana bread I have ever tasted. Ever.

I’ve seen a few versions of this floating around the web, none of which site a source. But at any rate, I made a couple changes to the version I found, so there it is:

 

 

Fancy Banana Bread
(with Cream Cheese Filling)

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp Sour Cream
1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt
3 mashed, ripe bananas (the blacker the better!)
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350, grease two loaf pans and set aside.

Cream together the sugar and butter. Add eggs, mix well. In a separate bowl mix the sour cream and baking soda, then add to sugar mixture. Add the salt, bananas, flour and cinnamon, mix until just blended. Add the nuts and stir.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp flour
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all topping ingredients together in a small bowl.

Now spread one-fourth of the batter into each loaf pan.

Spread half of the filling mixture, on top of the batter, in each pan.

Finish off by dividing the remaining batter evenly between each pan.

Mix together 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle on top of each loaf.

Bake for approximately one hour, check for doneness.

 

I actually made two batches of this starting Thursday afternoon.  Every last teenie tiny crumb was devoured by Monday morning. Yes, you did the math correctly, that means 4 loaves. Since there are 5 people in my house that can actually eat it (only two of which are adults), that means that we each ate close to an entire loaf. Each! I always say all things in moderation, obviously we need to revisit that definition……

Look here for another recipe using over-ripe bananas:

Bananas for Breakfast

 

 

Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup

As you might remember, I often make crock pot meals on Mondays. It’s a busy day for my family, and being able to have supper ready and waiting takes some of the craziness out of our evening.  Yesterday we dined on a new, easy recipe. Sooo very easy. And what makes it better? It was also tasty! My husband and three boys all liked it!

Before we get to the recipe, for those of you wondering, fagioli means “with beans.” So now that you’ve received your Italian lesson for the day……..

Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup
( slightly adapted from the original recipe, found here)

1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained
15 ounces Great Northern beans
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups hot water
2 1/2 tsp beef bouillon granules
29 ounces canned whole tomatoes
black pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried basil
cayenne pepper to taste
2 cups macaroni, cooked

Dump all ingredients, except macaroni, into crock pot and cook on high for about 5 hours, or low for about 8-10. Add the macaroni about 30 minutes before serving. My tomatoes didn’t break down during cooking, so I crushed them with a spoon when I added the macaroni. You should also taste the soup at this time and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

We served the soup with a bit of freshly grated parmesan cheese and a few croutons on top. I think that this recipe would be equally delicious with shredded chicken or possibly ground turkey. The next time we have this meal, I plan on serving it with a side salad and some homemade rolls or bread.

I hope you give this a try the next time you’re planning a meal for a hectic day!

I am currently working on another recipe, in addition to an easy sewing project, so watch for those in a future post!

Is there anything in particular you are interested in me blogging about? Suggestions are always welcome!