Highlights of 2010: January-March

I know everyone says this, but I can't believe this year is almost over.  What even happened this year?  And how did it go so fast?!  I am taking this opportunity to join in the 2010 Review Extravaganza and look back at some of my favorite things from this year.  This week: January through March.

January:

I started my photo blog and have successfully taken a picture EVERY SINGLE DAY!!

Madeline turned two and we celebrated with a PINK party.  Everything was pink: her clothes, the plates and plasticware, balloons, cupcakes, and her crown!  Plus, she just looked so cute that day:

February:

Ethan learned how to read.  Really, he just taught himself.  He had only been four for two months and he began reading.  He's now read over 300 books.  But I'll never forget when I realized he had figured it out.  I wrote about it here.

March:

We moved!  And I loved my house then and I love it now. 

Because of the move, Ethan met his very first friend.  It was a sweet little post, you can read it again if you'd like by clicking here.

That's all for now!

Tis the Season

Is anyone else feeling like they wish every day had a few more hours in it?  Perhaps hours where the kids needed to sleep, but you didn't? 

This time of year, I am always so excited and happy and busy with self-inflicted things to do.  But I LOVE IT.  I just have a hard time loving the laundry and the dishes as much as I did in previous months.  I wish the house could clean itself while I stood in line at the Post Office holding packages and that it would be okay to eat Christmas cookies for dinner.  Sigh . . .

There is a good part of daily chores however, it's the Christmas music that is playing while you work!

December's Recipe

Quick Cheesy Ravioli Bake

The Best 30-Minutes Meals (From the Editors of Cook’s Illustrated)

Fresh ravioli is preferred, but 1pound of frozen can be substituted.

1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1 TBLS olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 TBLS tomato paste
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
3 TBLS minced fresh basil
¼ cup heavy cream
Salt and ground black pepper
2 (9 oz.) packages fresh cheese ravioli
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in large pot.

Cook sausage in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking meat up with wooden spoon, until lightly browned and no longer pink, about five minutes. Drain meat and set aside.

Add oil, garlic, and tomato paste to skillet and return to medium heat until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in tomatoes and reserved sausage and cook until slightly thickened 8-10 minutes. Stir in basil and cream and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, about two minutes. Remove skillet from heat, cover, and set aside.

Add 1 TBLS salt and ravioli to boiling water and cook, stirring often, until tender. Drain and return to pot.

Stir sauce into ravioli and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread mixture into 13x9 dish and sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Serve.

A Diaper Bag for Madeline's Babies

I finished another sewing project - one I can actually post here since Madeline doesn't read my blog.  For Christmas, Madeline will be getting a diaper bag for her babies:

I made the pattern up using the same idea as the Halloween bags I made, only changing the dimensions slightly.  I also added front and inside pockets.

 Speaking of the inside, here is a peak:

 It has a diaper, change pad, and wipes.  I was planning on making all these things but when I saw them at Target for a few dollars I decided to save myself the time.  The wipe container didn't come with wipes though, so I made a few of those.

Hopefully come Christmas, Madeline will be the only person left in the house changing diapers!  We're getting close now . . .

ps-if you haven't said yet, I'd still love to hear your vote for favorite family picture below, thanks!

Family Pictures

I mentioned yesterday that my uncle took our family pictures last month.  He gave them to me a couple of days ago and I'm really happy with how they turned out!  I can't decide which ones to print.  I'd be interested in hearing which one is your favorite: 1, 2, 3, or 4.

November's Ten Things

Another month has flown by.  This one was full of gratitude for things big and small.  Here are:




1.  Playing in the Fall leaves

 2.  Making sugar cookies

 3.  Getting our family picture taken by my uncle!  I'll post them tomorrow . . .

4.  Celebrating my 7th Anniversary with Todd - well okay, you get a sneak peak after all, my uncle took this picture too:

 5.  Having a warm home with a heater that works well.  I smile about that every single cold day.

6.  Enjoying Thanksgiving with family and good food

7.  Going to the Aquarium - here is a salamander

 8.  Decorating for Christmas

9.  Singing in the Assembly Hall

10.  Playing in the snow

It's Beginning . . .

There is even more snow than this now:

 Over a foot and a half, I think!  Shoveling my driveway is on the to-do list today . . .

Meanwhile, I'm starting to get excited about making things with these fabrics.  I have to be good though, and finish three more sewing projects first!  Only three!  I'm ahead of last year.

 We are also enjoying our tree!  I bought a lot of new ornaments after Christmas last year, so it was fun to decorate the tree this year with all the new pretty things.

Yes, I do believe it's beginning to look a lot . . .