Delivery Day

It's been decided, in twelve long days I'll become a new mother. That day, I'll...well, I'll leave the rest up to your imagination. Can't think of an easter memory I'd like to share and only have one cute picture. Well, nostalgic anyway.

This is where I'd like to be, at the cabin. Not preparing for "busy season" at work, holding down the fort while my husband braves the trenches. Plus that new baby yet to arrive, during the chaos.

School lets out soon into summer vacation, and then we'll begin. Summer Performing Arts and new Helping Hands (community service for twelve-and-up year olds). Library reading programs, diabetes camp, the so-needed pool weather.

I'm nine months pregnant, and yes I can feel it.

Birthday parties, galore!

Threw another one today, this one for my seven year old and all his boy buddies at school. Talk about wild children enclosed in one space, well at least it had crawling tunnels. Still though, could not control their energies or redirect themselves into constructive activities for the life of them. It wasn't even normal.

But we survived it and took lots of cute pictures. We have three February's in our family, including my daughter (now 9). And so it was bowling, and bowling back-to-back, same day, ...and now this one at the playcenter.

Not much

Other than the school year's whips and whirls, the starts and stops that are continuous...the prayers that insist 3 day weeks, they come sooner and more often. I'm at a standstill. Watching for inspiration that comes in the form of weather, the peeks underneath all that snow, tremendous views of heavenly green.

Thanks to living in North Dakota, we've suffered through blasts of 40 below weather, that comes and stays, then barely leaves except to hover slightly closer to zero. Painful to say the least. As I stay inside or force myself outward to pick kids up or run errands, I cringe it's no fun.

When my plans can begin, we'll be barbecuing and park-going. Attending those camps, and that performing arts opportunity for Lauren. Plus library programs and swimming, soaking up sun and meet-ups with friends. After months and months of waiting, our newborn arrives to drip in our love.

That damn Barnes and Noble

Christopher Kimball sent me to bn.com with a mere "My 10 Favorite Cookbooks" email. Like definitely! Indeed the new Crystal Bowersox CD would make a wonderful self-present,...for Valentine's Day?

Of course I had to stop by toys to see which delights I could find for Taylor, my about-to-turn nine year old daughter. And I'm passing up the I Love You tree? Made of Shrinky Dinks! There's an Easter version which is equally nostalgic and trendy (raising mine to be artists). Had to remind myself to wait on the Scholastic, Inc Style Studio, another brilliant toy birthed by Klutz. Maybe in June.

Speaking of about-to-be thirteen year old fashion designing daughters, and presents, and planning ahead like attentive mothers should...paint by number cupcakes would be just right for her. And ten dollars I can afford!

Cooking

I returned from the grocery store after a well-spent, efficient trip. Got every item on my list and luckily without trying. Began in the music...it's Taylor's birthday, do I get KidzBop 19 or Taylor Swift's old CD Fearless. Kidz Bop, apparently.

But it's when I got home that I amazed myself most. I picked up my kids, then admired my purchases, and here's just the breads:

2 packs hot dog buns (bought those no-nitrate Angus weiners, Oscar Mayer)

2 loaves brown bread (New England to be exact)

Then, a pack of petite kaiser rolls (until I learn to make them myself), for deli meats upon deli meats, upon cheeses.

Oh, just a little black forest ham paired eagerly with imported Austrian Swiss ($9.99/lb...free 1/2 lb cheese w/ every 1-1/2 lb meat purchase, Archer Farms). And some oven roasted turkey with friendly muenster (a whole pound!)

What surprised me as I layed my goods before me, was the basil and feta I needed for tonight's Balsamic Chicken Noodle Bowl...like heaven with pesto.

And I'm developing a new relationship with my freezer.

Snowplay

3-Bean Salad

1 can yellow string beans, drained
1 can green string beans, drained
1 can red kidney beans, drained

1 med onion, diced
2 med green peppers, diced

(mix)

1 can tomato soup
1/2 c. salad oil
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. vinegar
1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tsp mustard

(blend)

Pour over beans, refrigerate overnight.