2.27.2011

oranges

We've really been into oranges around here lately. They just taste so good on a cold, windy day. They feel a little bit like spring.

I recently made orange yogurt muffins which were delicious. The glaze is the perfect touch.

Orange Yogurt Muffins
From Light & Tasty

1/2 c. sugar, divided
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
2 Tbsp. water
5 Tbsp. butter, cubed
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
3/4 c. plain yogurt (we used greek yogurt)
3/4 c. milk
Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. grated orange peel

In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 c. sugar, orange peel and water. Cook and stir over low heat for 3-5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add butter; stir until melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and remaining sugar. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, yogurt, milk, and reserved butter mixture. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Coat muffin cups with cooking spray; fill each with about 1/4 c. batter. Bake at 375 for 13-18 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients and spoon over warm muffins. Yum!

Mason has been surviving on oranges the past few days. He eats them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And Mr. Independent will only eat them if he gets to peel them himself. Then he says "pull apart" as he pulls apart each little segment. He sure is a cutie enjoying his Cuties:)

2.18.2011

right now

Just a few things I'm loving right now:

~ice water...I can't seem to get enough

~doing puzzles with mason

~dark chocolate

~squeezing in time for knitting and sewing

~browsing the seed catalogs and planning our garden

~lots of time with friends and family last weekend and much more this weekend!
~oranges, or anything citrus really

~mason patting my belly and saying "nice baby"

~watching mason learn to count (1 to 10, yeah!)

~little baby girl keeping me company all night with her kicks and punches

~ryan taking over all of mason's bath time duties

~our cozy, warm house (that still needs some pictures or something on the walls)

~antique shopping

~getting letters in the mail

~5 more weeks until my due date:)


2.08.2011

snow day

School got cancelled today, which means I get an extra day with this sweet little boy:
And my big boy too. We started the day with banana walnut pancakes. I love when we get to eat breakfast together. Almost as much as I love pancakes.
Then mason and I read every book he owns. Twice. Then we did all his puzzles about five times. I love playing with him and watching him learn new things. Today we've been working on all the animals and the sounds that they make. I think the rooster has got to be my favorite.

During naptime ryan and I both tackled our evergrowing to-do lists. Ryan's been working in the garage...hanging boards for the ceiling and lights that will be put up next. I've been working in my craft room. Still organizing and rearranging. It's almost done though and it will be nice to cross that off the list.

Homemade pizza for dinner makes for a pretty great snowy tuesday!

2.07.2011

cold

It's been cold and snowy around here. I think I've had my fair share of driving in it. I headed out on Wednesday afternoon to a reading conference in Denver. This is by far the best reading conference available and I try to go every year, plus I get to see my mom. I was not disappointed. I came back with several new ideas for my classroom and renewed energy for the rest of the year (ok, the rest of my time until baby girl is here!) Mason got to spend some time with Nana and he had a blast painting, reading, coloring, and playing with all the toys at Nana's house. We didn't head home until Saturday. Let me just mention that with all this driving (and the slower pace due to the weather...) I am in love with books on tape. I "read" one and a half books during this trip and am almost done with the second one just driving around town back at home.

Besides the conference, the highlight of the trip was a scrapbooking night with my bf, mindy. We met at Archiver's for one of their crops. I haven't stayed up until 11:00 scrapbooking in a long time, but with mindy the time just flew by. Just another reason I wish we lived closer...so thankful for her friendship.

Mason loves this weather. Everytime he looks outside he says "brrrrr" and shakes his body. I don't know how many times he repeats the word "snow" in one day. He is so good about bundling up and heading out. Plus, he's just too cute in that hat (thanks mindy!)