Multitude Monday

Multitude Monday is about intentionally fixing my eyes on God's blessings, big and small, whatever the season, whether life is good or the road has been rocky.

57. 8 months with this little munchkin

58. a morning playdate with a neighbor up the street... complete with traveling to Mexico via a loveseat "airplane," a "train" with chairs in the hallway, a "boat" box in the attic, dancing to Swan Lake, and art... who knew so much could be packed into less than 2 hours.
59. a "letter and shape" walk on a beautiful fall afternoon
60. french toast for dinner
61. a complete night of sleep for mommy
62. late sleepers this morning
63. a chance for a morning coffee and quiet time before the little ones woke up
64. a TOTALLY HILARIOUS talent show at our church on Saturday night... the laughter continues to spill over
65. a very funny daddy who helped bring the house down (along with many other very talented people at our church)
66. the anticipation of next talent show
67. checking some moving "to dos" off the list last night
68. a sweet card from my aunt

A Taste of Fall

Despite needing to pack for next week's big move, the girls and I decided to have kind of a "normal" day and enjoy fall with a trip to Russell Orchards. We got our "classic" pumpkin pictures, fed the animals, ate apple cider donuts and picked up some pumpkins to decorate at home. It was great just to be out for a while and continue to ignore the task at hand... I suppose I'm continuing to ignore it now!

Enjoy the pics of the day!

Elizabeth at almost 8 months old!

"Little House on the Prairie" Grace... she wanted to wear this hat:-)!

I'm not even sure what to write for this caption!

Painting their little pumpkins

Digging out the seeds and membranes (Gracie didn't like this job, until we brought out the spoons)

We baked the pumpkin seeds and had them for supper with our Friday night pizza. They were a big hit with all of us!

Daddy carving the pumpkin.

We need to get a candle for in the pumpkin and when we do, I'll be sure to post the finished product!

For the last 4 years, I've gotten pictures of my "pumpkin snatcher." To see those pictures, look here. And here is the four year old pumpkin snatcher.

Multitude Monday

Multitude Monday is about intentionally fixing my eyes on God's blessings, big and small, whatever the season, whether life is good or the road has been rocky.

Here is my continuation from last Multitude Monday.

 
40. another bedroom (and a backyard)
41. Gracie's enthusiastic "Momma's back"
42. An opportunity to study Hebrews with other women
43. a supportive husband
44. a fun week with Nana
45. opportunities to pray for others
46. breakfast with just my mom
47. weeding out "stuff"
48. an encouraging email
49. a much needed talk with a friend
50. Elizabeth's morning happy sounds
51. a crazy game of hide and seek complete with LOTS of little girl laughter
52. two loads of "stuff" to the new house
53. birthday party at a campground with friends
54. babies who fall asleep in your arms
55. evening in a quiet house
56. a phone conversation with mom and dad

Springtime Citrus Cake

For my mom's birthday cake, I used a new recipe. It is actually a recipe I picked up randomly at Ace Hardware... yes, you read that right. Hannah and I happened to go to Ace on a day they had a demonstration. We had a sample of this cake... yummy!


Springtime Citrus Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1-2 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tsp lemon extract
1 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 325. 

Generously spray with nonstick cooking spray 10-inch bundt pan or 10-1 cup ramekins. (I used 2 round cake pans.)

Into a bowl, sift (or whisk) together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, cream 1 cup butter and granulated sugar; beat at high speed until mixture is very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down side of bowl frequently. Blend in lemon zest.

Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, adding each in 2 additions.

Scrape sides of bowl frequently. Pour batter into prepared cake pan(s); bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 38 minutes, or until a cake tester or wooden pick inserted near the center of cake comes out clean.

Cool in pan 10 minutes.

For the orange cream cheese frosting:
1 lb powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1 navel orange, zested and juiced

Beat sugar, cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add zest and just enough orange jice to make frosting spreadable.

The Finale: Nana's Birthday Week

On Saturday evening, (after nana and her sisters went on a fabulous whale watch ~ you'll have to get pictures from them) we gathered for a birthday supper of Seared Haddock with Edamame Succatash, spinach/apple/mozarella salad and rice. The meal was concluded with Hannah's special "Sea Glass Cake" for nana. The cake, Springtime Citrus Cake, was a new recipe for me and I found it particularly yummy (that recipe may need to be a future post). Enjoy the pics of the evening!

Preparing the "Sea Glass" Cake with Daddy

The table set and ready for our special guests

Make a wish, nana

The special birthday party with Nana, Aunt Faye, Aunt Glynette, and Aunt Jean

Nana, her girls and Daryl

Day 3: Nana's Birthday Week

On Wednesday, the weather was just perfect, so we took Nana down to the beach for a picnic. Not only did we have some yummy food together, our "collectors" (nana and Hannah) had lots of fun finding treasures on the beach.

Picnic with Nana

Watching the cruise ship anchored in the harbor

Hannah finding treasures

Just one more 'nack

Our little Bee

My chunk-a-munk

Wednesday afternoon, Gracie had her 2 year check-up. She had to get 3 "ou-wees" and that made her (and mommy) very sad. She did perk up a bit when she was allowed into the doctor's treasure box. The nurse felt so bad she told her to take as much as she wanted! Thankfully, Gracie limited her loot to 4 things and a bucket.

Thursday morning nana and mommy got a "girls-morning-out" breakfast at a local breakfast joint. Then mommy went to work and nana waited for her sisters to arrive. Thursday and Friday we got to spend some time with Aunt Jean, Aunt Faye, and Aunt Glynette. Silly mommy forgot to bring her camera for those adventures and will need to wait for nana's pictures.

Stay tuned for Saturday's Birthday Bash... including Nana's Sea Glass Cake!

Day 2: Nana's Birthday Week

Today Hannah went to preschool, so Grace had some special time with Nana. Tuesdays are typically our library day and Grace participates in a library playgroup that begins with a time of play, followed by a book, a simple craft, parachute time, and songs. She loves it and often sings the various songs or does the hand motions throughout the week.

Playtime with Nana

Elizabeth just completing the puzzle

Grace preparing to sing "Mr. Sun" (each song has a prop that goes with it)

Miss Connie does an incredible job with the kids. Hannah LOVED the group when she was 18 months to 3 years. Now its Gracie's turn. I'm excited that I have one more girl to bring to the group!

This actually took place last night, but I thought I would include it here. Enjoy!