Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. July 24th is Amelia Earhart Day.  Earhart was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.  What's something you've recently accomplished solo?

I've been sitting here trying to think of something I've accomplished solo and keep drawing a blank. It has been years since I was able to solo anything. From the moment Sailor came on the scene there has always been someone shadowing me and trying to help on some level. Cleaning, baking, cooking, laundry, reading, playing, eating, talking. Solo is almost a foreign word to me. Even things like recently designing something on the computer wasn't exactly solo with interested  children at my elbows watching what I was doing.

2.  What's one product you use that never ever fails?

Hope's Perfect Glass is the one product that has never failed for me. It's the best streak free window cleaner I know of.

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

I feel like I have I have found my place in the world. It's being a wife and mother, my favorite thing in the world.

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?

I don't remember what it was called, some type of old black and white mystery. But I do remember how mind numbingly boring it was. There was no plot and the storyline was just one long confusing boring mess and it simply ended abruptly with out ever finding out anything.

5. What's the last fun thing you did?

One of the fun highlights of our summer was when we were visiting LV's parents. On the last evening we were there we were all out in the yard playing an old schoolyard game of Andy Over and once it was too dark for that it was time to catch lightening bugs.

We had a lot of fun since then, but that is one evening that stands out as one that will be a fun memory for years to come.

6. The month of July is named for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar...ever been to Rome? What's your favorite Italian dish?

I have never been to Rome. My favorite Italian dish, oh my, that's hard, because I really love Italian food and don't think I can choose a favorite.

7. What is one piece of advice you'd offer new mom Kate Middleton?

To go with her instincts, and cherish every moment.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Getting close to officially being a toddler.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding

A friend recently introduced me to a most delightful dessert, and after the first taste I knew immediately I have to have the recipe.

 

This layered pudding has to be the best thing I ever ate that involved both chocolate and peanut butter and is definitely going into our family's best of the best recipe file.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding

 

24 oreos, divided

2 Tbsp butter, softened

1 8oz pkg cream cheese, softened

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1-½ cup powdered sugar, divided

1 carton (16oz) whipped topping

10 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

1 cup cold milk

1 package 3.9oz instant chocolate pudding mix

 

Crush 18 oreos, mix in softened butter and press in bottom of a 9" sqaure dish; set aside.

 

In a large bowl, place creamcheese, peanut butter, and one cup of powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping and spread over oreo crust. Sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups.

 

In another large bowl beat milk, chocolate pudding mix, and remaining powdered sugar on low speed for two minutes and allow to set for an additional two minutes then add remaining whipped top and fold together gently. Spread over pudding and peanut butter cup layer. Crush remaining oreos and sprinkle over the top.

 

Cover and chill for several hours before serving.

 

Enjoy!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard?  Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

The last time I sent a postcard was seven years ago when we were visiting New Mexico and I sent one to both of my little brothers. I can't remember the last time I received one. My Grandma Mast used to send each of her grandchildren a postcard when ever they visited the health mines in Boulder Montana. Grandma had trouble with arthritis and would come home feeling good. Not sure how long that feeling lasted since they went every summer.

I do save postcards I receive, but I don't collect them when I travel and have stopped sending them as well.

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Eating at restaurants. Nothing says vacation to me as much as enjoying several meals a day without having to worry about cooking or cleanup.

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

LV would say I'm not good at hiding my feelings at all, but I think that's because he knows me so well. I like to think I'm not that transparent to other people.

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?

We still receive telephone books, but we never use them. Internet searches are the route we take in our home when we need a business phone number.

The only good thing about telephone books is that Buddy loves tearing the pages out and stays happily entertained like that for long periods of time. He seems to get all his destructive energy out on those and all other books he treats nicely.

5. Would you rather be first or last?

If it's something that makes me feel competitive I like being first. Anything else I don't like being first or last, but would rather be somewhere in the middle.

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park?  Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

The last time I was at a park was two years ago when we visited New Germany State Park. I simply sat on a bench under a shade tree while the rest enjoyed swimming in the lake.

7.  What was one of your worst ideas?

How far back can I go? I can think of several bad ideas, but they shall remain a secret. If it's okay to take one from my childhood I once tried to make a special frosting for my Mom's birthday cake and ended up with a horrible orange-ish brown, brittle lemon flavored mess.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Rosebud is fascinated with this castle in Kentucky. She took this picture after reading the sign that proclaimed it to be a place for weddings. Thankfully she is much too young to be making wedding plans.

Buddy

Grandma's house is such a fun place for everyone. Buddy absolutely loved his first visit there.

 

Riding on the little wagon.

 

Eating cheerios at a little table he set by himself. I was surprised he could even find the little dish with cheerios with the way he crowded his table.

 

Baskets of books, a huge toybox filled to the brim, and a sandbox big enough for several families he was busy the entire time we were there.

 

I think he feels the same as Sunbeam, when she quoted," The only thing wrong with Grandma and Grandpa's house is that it is too far away."

Grandma's Flowers

LV's mother loves her flowers and has created multiple flowerbeds around their house, at the end of their driveway, and scattered through out their yard. In front of the house she has a huge flowerbed with a birdbath in the middle. We enjoyed watching bluebirds use it. Her lilac bushes are covered in beautiful blooms long after lilac season is over because she planted climbing roses right next to them.

And if there is a spot where flowers don't seem to grow very well she will use flower pots.

 

Here are two samples of the beauty around their house for you to enjoy.