New Blog Launch

Just want to invite anyone that's interested in my new blog project.  It's totally different than this blog, and might only be entertaining to college friends.  If you have an offbeat sense of humor you may find it funny as well.  It's sort of like The Onion, but all articles revolve around one person.  If you're interested the site is http://theyearofphil.blogspot.com/

Halloween Cookies

So we needed a project today. So many of my friends have sick kids that we didn't have any play dates that week. For me this equals BORING. I think Colin feels the same. He might not know it, but he does. It's difficult to think of things to do w/a 15 month old. The weather hasn't been all that cooperative and I don't want to drag him all over the place w/him not feeling that great himself.

My answer in these situations is usually cookies. He likes to watch me stir. He likes to sit up on the counter and attempt to mimic me if possible. So I decided we would make some homemade butter cookies to decorate for Halloween.

I got the cookie dough mixed before he woke from morning nap. I got it rolled out while he played after lunch. This was a major success b/c C usually hates me doing anything that takes my attention away or anything he can't join. So I was thrilled when I got the rolled dough back in the fridge w/o any major difficulties. Except I had to wash my hands about 50 times b/c C has a bit of a cold and majorly icky, runny nose. So now my hands feel like they might fall off, but I avoided getting snot on most of my furniture b/c now he climbs all over everything and he knows how to use the back of his hand to wipe his nose. So it's a battle as you other moms know to keep the nose clean w/o making it raw.

Then I had to wait 10 min and here is where the trouble began. C and I went to his room to start packing for the trip to St. Louis this weekend. C was thrilled to be in his room to play. Then I had to go back to kitchen to cut out the shapes of cookies. Mini-meltdown 1. Easily traversed. First batch in oven--we return to pack. We get through the second batch w/a slightly more peeved C, but no major meltdown. Then the dreaded third batch (from the remains of the dough re-rolled). Now this is at least 3o min into this part of the process and he's starting to freak out. Why aren't you playing w/ me, mommy, pick me up, mommy. Waaaaa! He can't really say any of that, but his motions express his feeling. How does a great mom counteract this? I don't know. I put him over my back and shoulders (I kind of drape him over my back and hold on to him by his arms), and we look for balls that he's been throwing. This makes C very happy and buys me 2-3 min a time.

Finally, cookies are done and we finish packing while cookies cool. If you haven't noticed these are time consuming cookies you decorate. Well, as well as I can decorate w/ or around a toddler. So it's time to decorate. I set C up on the counter w/ a measuring cup, a plastic fork, and a spice container. I start whisking milk and cream cheese. He wants to put his fork in the start of the frosting. BAD IDEA! Remember the nose. Yuck! So I successfully avoid the fork by putting a tiny bit of water in his measuring cup so he can stir his own "icing." I finally get this combined, which took forever and added the powdered sugar. He's watching and copying, but now he's growing bored. I start to apply my icing to the pumpkins. C would like to help, so I play keep away trying not to knock over my various sprinkles and colored sugars. I use the orange sugar I made to decorate. I put the bowl back down and move the plate of pumpkins. I turn back and C has found the bowl w/extra orange sugar--which I had a spoon in it I'd left--I see him eating the dyed sugar w/the spoon. Nice. I let him be. Throwing caution to the wind that he needs to take a nap any minute and he's eating straight sugar. Shoveling it in, but in my selfishness I let him continue b/c he's not bugging me. I get to the ghosts and he keeps trying to grab them, but finds his sugar again. Then I move on to the witches. At this point he tried to get to the knife block--I moved it. Then he has the food coloring and is using the blue as a spoon? He's found some other sugar I had mixed--he puts the dye (w/the cap on) in his mouth and then uses it sort of like a spoon to attract the sugar. Disgusting but entertaining to him. I get the rest decorated w/little more calamity except he knocks my container of dyed sugars off the counter, which evidently wasn't tightly closed over the blue, and now I have blue on my floor. So I get on the floor to clean it. I look up and C is not moving to his belly (up on the counter) to better see me. NOOOOO! I yell--I mean quietly mention, and he just looks at me. I tell him to get back on his bottom and he does. He finds various other things on the counter I didn't even know were there and put them in his mouth while I started to clean. Then he started crying b/c he wanted cookies. I let him have a couple bites and then decided it was time for a nap. He was exhausted and I'm exhausted, but I'm not really a napper. Wish I was.

First words and the Corn Maze

So Colin has been a bit under the weather this weekend, which sucks since Scott came home, but we went ahead and ventured out to the Shryock's Callaway Farms and Corn Maze this afternoon. Our friends are owners and it's a "Mid-Missouri Tradition," so we didn't want to leave the area w/o partaking. The corn maze was REALLY MUDDY due to all the rain last week, so we had to carry Colin most of the time, but he seemed to enjoy it--especially the kettle corn.

On a side note we have our first legitimate word from Colin. Drum roll please...any guesses? Not mommy, not daddy, but ball, which sounds like buh. To Colin ball is an all encompassing noun for any variety of ball as well as football or soccer on television as well as a verb meaning to throw.

Ahhhh...Sunshine

It's been 1 week since I'd seen the sun, but today it's back. Prior to today 6 out of 8 days had been without sun--either raining or gloomy overcast. Looks like we may have turned the corner. I was starting to feel like the itsy bitsy spider--in the first part of the song. Why am I thinking itsy bitsy spider? It's Colin's new favorite song. We sing it before nap, and he's not satisfied unless we/I sing it 3 times at least. Now I'm on the topic what's the deal w/the book the eensy weensy spider--don't they know it's itsy bitsy. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

First Bonfire/Weenie Roast

Marshmallow face
So much fun!

Helping roast a weenie.

Enjoying the dog.

So I know I said we wouldn't be eating hot dogs in the near future, but we had a weenie roast to celebrate all the Dankel family October b-days. So, Colin had his second and third hot dogs this weekend. I sort of shudder to think of this, but I'm going to press on and pretend it's okay I fed my child mystery meat (even though it's not all that much of a mystery anymore).

Colin loved the fire, but had a healthy since of caution.

Ladies and Gentleman--we have a cheeser

Easy as Apple Pie

So you know I LOVE to cook and sometimes bake. Here's my perfected apple pie. It tastes good and it comes out looking like it's supposed to look. I've made good ones before, but I've found the best crust recipe--literally. It's from the book The Best Recipe. The crust is crunchy, but not dry. I made a fresh blueberry pie with the recipe also this summer. These are the apples we picked at Eckert's. The Jonathan apples worked beautifully in the pie.

Side note--if you're not sure what the bird in the middle is for--it's not decoration.--though it does look pretty cute--even though I hate birds. It lets the steam escape from the pie.

Eckert's Last Weekend

Fun from last weekend. Colin loved going to Eckert's, and so did I. Maybe next time we'll pick a pumpkin too.

Obviously doesn't understand how to drive w/o cutting off your head.
One of these weighs almost double Colin's weight.

Picking up apples or at least a stick?

You looking at me?

Yummy, apple. I still can't get this apple juice out of his shirt. Any ideas? I've tried Non-chlorine bleach, shout, and naptha soap

New camera

I'm popeye the sailor man.
Thinking about going down the slide.

Yes. I will go down the slide!

I did NOT put him in this kennel. He likes to climb in this one and Cosmo's soft crate. As you can see he was giving Kona a ball to keep him company.

He looks like a smartie pants in training. I think his first sentence will be something sarcastic.

Halloween Practice

So Brenda found this costume for Colin last year on clearance. I decided I better try it on to make sure it fits. It does as you can see for yourself. I need to find some black pants, and the outfit also has yellow feet I didn't subject him to this morning. When I put it on him I laughed so hard he was confused. He wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. Then I put the hat on, and he couldn't figure it out. His neck is too short, so it doesn't really go under his chin, but fits more like a chin strap. But darn it's cute.

Batman never had to deal with this penguin.

Black Bean Burgers

So it's been challenging figuring out things to cook for just me and Colin. I want to cook and still make our food, but it's a pain cooking for one person and hoping a toddler will eat it as well. I've been pretty successful so far. The other challenge: simple things. Since Scott isn't here to help distract Colin, if we've had a bad day cooking is near impossible w/o constant whining and being pushed/pulled on by the little guy. So what I cook needs to be quick, and hopefully makes 2-3 meals for us--another reason Colin needs to like it. I also want it to be healthy with a good mix of vegetables and protein. Alas, it has been difficult. And finally, and equally as important, cheap or relatively so. Thus far we've had zucchini pasta (an old favorite--so easy), hamburger/potato/broccoli/cauliflower/tomato casserole--just starting to work on this one. Tonight though I think I hit a homerun. I know lots of people make bean burgers, but I've only tried one other time--with success--but I always forget what I do. I don't write my concoctions down usually b/c I don't measure things. I subscribe to the Mark Bittman style of cooking--in that you do what feels right. If you don't want to follow a recipe exactly, don't. So my style of cooking is a bit organic-w/o the organic products.

So on to the black bean burgers, which I should really call 3-bean burgers. Here's how they went down.

1 can black beans- mashed
1 can garbanzo beans/chick peas- mashed as best as you can
1/2 finely chopped med. onion
1/2 finely chopped red pepper
veggie puree (I used some I had frozen for Colin--it included lima beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and corn--sounds gross and icky, but it's a tasty combo)
oatmeal (the cheap uncooked kind in the big circular tube)--about a cup or more
salt
pepper
garlic, minced
2 eggs, lightly beaten

You mix all this stuff together. Then you cover and let chill until easily handled--about 1 hour.

Fry in olive oil or grill. I've done both when working w/bean burgers. The only problem is they crumble badly, so grilling is really messy.

I intended to serve on buns, but mine were freezer burned, so we just ate straight. I'm a ketchup girl, so that was my condiment of choice.

Some ideas for changing it up. I think I'll add a dash of hot sauce to the mix. Green chiles could be good, too. Could I make it like ground beef for lasagna? A bean loaf? Hmmm. Things to consider. I would have taken a picture, but I need a different memory card for my camera.

Weekend photos part 1

So our camera broke this weekend, so the grands have all the photos. All of these photos are from my dad, who we only saw briefly on Sunday. They were with us part of the time in St. Louis last weekend as well.

Update: instead of boots I opted for a camera since as previously mentioned, we got a new camera yesterday, but I'm still learning how to use it.

This shows up a bit grainy on the blog, but I love this pic!

Last weekend at the zoo.

Stuckmeyer Farms last weekend.

The b-day ended up lasting all weekend. We got to catch up a little bit w/college friends, play games w/Sarah and Mitch (plus some of their friends they loaned me for my b-day), and get pumpkins and apples from Eckert's. Colin loved Eckert's. I don't have any of these photos yet. But will post them soon.

Thanks to Sarah for making us do something just for me for my b-day (the game night).

Musings on turning 30--Caution post may be whiny and self-indulgent

So last night I had a total breakdown about turning 30. I did not want to go there. I don't know what the big deal is, but it made me feel really sorry for myself. I thought about all the things I don't like about my life/self, and basically worked myself into a major funk. I was feeling sorry for myself that we weren't doing anything for my b-day. Do you remember the pirate party for Scott? I was really upset. The mean reds--for all you Breakfast at Tiffany fans. Anyway--this morning--the actual day--things look a bit brighter. I woke up to a screaming baby at 6:30, but was able to calm him down w/in 10 min and head back to bed for a while. Then when C woke up at normal time, Scott got up with him, and let me sleep in for a while. I just laid under the covers trying to keep warm and going in and out of a light sleep. When I came down to the kitchen there were balloons and signs wishing me a happy b-day (a Dankel tradition) and the b-day singing. Colin wanted it to be sung again, so we had an encore performance. I got a super cute, vintage looking apron from Don and Brenda that I love! Scott was really excited about his gift for me, so he gave it to me as soon as he got here at 10:30 last night. Warning: if you knew us when we got engaged, it is a repeat performance. So I open the bag, and it's this really big, super nice toffee-colored purse w/chocolate colored accents. Very chic. I look at it, and can't even feign enthusiasm (much like seeing my first engagement ring). Instead I'm thinking, what the hell am I going to do with this purse? It's too nice to lug around all the time w/baby in tow. It will constantly slip off my arm, and I won't carry it due to the complete inconvenience of it. Plus it was pricey, so I also won't carry it b/c I won't want to get snacks and stickers and ink and who knows what else on it. Scott says, "Well, I got it for you for when we go someplace nice." I think when do we go any where nice? Needless to say he was very disappointed that I didn't swoon over the purse and I was disappointed he didn't get me something practical, more my style. Side note: Scott was ticked that I was so excited about an apron and not the purse. A man should never attempt to pick out a woman's purse. A woman has enough trouble picking out her own purse. I of course felt guilty that I didn't love the purse. I think I'll get boots instead. You know, it is a lot colder in Bloomington. Do you recall the whole cross country skiing thing?

Here's proof to the cold. Scott is rarely cold. He rarely wears a coat, even when others are freezing. He calls me Wednesday and asks me to bring him warmer clothes. He wants long-sleeved stuff and sweatshirts. Ha! So I think I might better invest in some nice boots. On principal I find Uggs really ugly, except the loafers--those are cute, but I think I might get something like them to keep my puppies warm. I might look stupid, but I won't suffer frost-bite.

Things I'm looking forward to:

We get to see our college friends this afternoon--down side, we won't get to hang out too much b/c we will have Colin with us--lots of reasons why no one else was available to watch him today.

We might go out tonight w/Sarah and Mitch. But what do you do post dinner? I think I'm old b/c I can't figure out what we should do, and games are more fun with over 4 people.

We might get to go apple picking tomorrow. I'm very excited about this. I think Colin will like it, and I've never done it before. Hopefully the weather cooperates and my parents will arrive at a time that makes it a viable option.

Hopefully selling our house soon and moving to Bloomington so we can all be together as a family again.

Play Date

I'm terrible about taking my camera places, but I remembered today. Colin had a playdate with his buddy Adam. Adam is just a couple months older than C, and they've known each other since birth. Adam has a sweet big sis, Hannah (age 4), that drew/stickered Colin's very first picture when he was born. We got to go and play with them today with their cousin Isabella the princess and their great mom, Jeanne. We had a good time, and Jeanne even fed us. What a sweetie. It's been so nice getting out of the house and hanging out with friends and their kids. In the last 2 weeks since we've been alone we've had 3 playdates. That's amazing considering we've only been at home 10 days. So thanks to my great friends for taking care of us, and keeping me and Colin from going stir crazy.

Posing for a pic in the little house the boys loved to play inside--before they figured out it was more fun to push it over. Boys will be boys. Isabella was looking at Jeanne instead of me and the camera.
Buds

I can never get him straight on. He won't sit/stand still long enough.

But this cutie knows how to pose for a photo!

It was a rainy day, so the kids had to play inside, but Colin loved all the different toys. It was the first time I've really seen him play with another kid, not just along side.