First Snow Day in 2016

When it comes to snow days, Mina and I are very much alike.

We are enamored with the beauty of it, but when people make us get out IN it -- let's just say we're less than jazzed about it.

Daniel and Aubrey, on the other hand, love being out in the snow. It's as if the freezing temperatures and wetness from snow have no effect on their happiness. In fact, I often wonder if they realize those things are actually unpleasant. They're just so "okay" with it. You can even see it in their faces below.  "Ahh, just a regular lovely day outside. I am so comfortable and at peace with nature." 

Poor Mina is like, "Ehh, exactly how much longer do I have do this..."

After about 20 minutes (and that's being generous), Mina and I came inside and proceeded to drink our weight in hot chocolate. Which is everyone's favorite part of a snow day...

Three Things Thursday

Thing 1: Weather

Signs of Spring started popping up here in Cleveland despite the cooler temps...

And then it warmed up beautifully and even exotic pets were out enjoying the fresh air!

And then this happened...

And we spent the afternoon watching (and singing) Frozen because it just made sense.

Thing 2: Books

Daniel started reading chapter books with Aubrey this year. I decided I wanted in on the action too because -- Good Lord -- Mina wants the same 10 page books read from dusk till dawn.

Curling up with my big girl and reading a book has been beyond delightful. It's the perfect afternoon wind-down after school and once I put Mina down for her nap. I'm going to miss that sweet time with her when she's in school all day next year. (Waaaaaaah!!)

A bonus is when there's a movie based on one of the books. After we read the book, we pile up and watch the movie together. I love how (so far) Aubrey's decided that she likes the books more than the movies. She'll often say during the movie, "That's such-and-such character?! I had a totally different picture in my head! I like my brain idea more..."

Here are a chunk of the books we have read: The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, Ramona the Pest, Shanghai Secret, and The Lion's Paw. Daniel has also been reading her the Chronicles of Narnia set. I asked her today what her favorite one has been so far and she said The Secret Garden. We just finished The Jungle Book last week, and she's trying to decide between Mary Poppins, The Voyages of Dr. Doolittle and Pollyanna right now.

And, just a sidenote: When did Aubrey turn into a full-blown big girl?

Thing 3: Recipes

My friend posted this Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Copycat recipe on Pinterest. I have never heard of Cafe Rio -- much less eaten at one -- but after trying this, I'm pretty sure I'd want to eat there at least once a week.

It's a crock-pot recipe (three cheers!), and you can eat it any way you like: taco salad, soft tacos, or just on a bed of romaine lettuce. My girls gobbled it up in quesadillas. It's SO good.

Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken with Cilantro-Ranch Dressing 

       (Image via here)

PREP TIME:  10 MINS

COOK TIME:  5 HOURS

TOTAL TIME:  5 HOURS 10 MINS

SERVES: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• ½ cup zesty italian dressing
• ¾ tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ tablespoon chili powder
• ½ tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 1 oz package dry ranch dressing mix
• ½ cup water
• 
  
• Optional toppings:
• minced cilantro
• roma tomatoes, chopped
• olives
• fresh lettuce
• cilantro ranch dressing

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all of the ingredients except for the chicken into your slow cooker. Mix until combined.
2. Add the chicken and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high 3-4 hours until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked throughout.
3. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred. Replace the chicken back in the slow cooker and mix with the juices. Enjoy!

Cilantro Ranch Dressing

      (Image via here)

INgredients

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)
1 cup buttermilk
2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno (if you like it mild, just remove the seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all ingredients together in the blender or food processor. That’s it!

I just realized this would be a perfect dish for Cinco de Mayo!
How fantastico!

Stuck in a Snow Globe.

Winter in Cleveland is exactly how you'd imagine Winter in Cleveland.

It's freezing cold (wind chills in the negatives).

It snows nearly every day.

And no one seems to notice.

I walked out to start the car before taking Aubrey to preschool to find this kid just riding his bike in 8-10 inches of snow. WHAT?!

I feel like we're stuck in a snow globe.

And considering we've had snow since before Halloween, I'm about to lose my mind...

Nevermind.
Too late.

Heavy Heart

So many people lost everything today in the massive storm and tornado that ravaged Moore, Oklahoma.
About 15 miles from where we live.
Homes leveled.
Cars thrown and flattened.
Schools destroyed with students and teachers trapped in the rubble.
Injuries and  death of both young and old.
No rhyme or reason from my earthly eyes that have been fighting back tears all evening.

So tonight, before you go to sleep, please pray for these families.
Families who are hurting.
Families who have no home.
Families who are lost.
Families whose arms are longing for their loved ones.
Thank God that He can make all things new.
That He can make even the worst disaster into something beautiful.

And give extra snuggles and good-night kisses to your sweeties.
Hold them extra tight tonight.
Thank the Lord.
I know I am...

Weathering Storms

Yesterday turned out to be rather stormy.

Both figuratively and literally.

I received email after email of adoption delays:


...your paperwork was lost in the change-over to the new process...

...I am so sorry I failed to send these, but this is a new process for home study only families and I simply failed to include the paperwork...

...also, because you are adopting from China, you will be required to complete the attached documents...

...we have the following documents, however, they are not notarized and the documents for your dossier will require a notary statement and attestation of the signatures... 

 
It almost became a joke each time I checked my email -- another unread sucker punch awaiting.

But we knew there would be days like this when it came to the adoption process.
It won't be our last day either.
With each email blow, I kept hearing, "It's okay, Ashley...it's okay..." in my heart.
I know God's timing is perfect in all things.
I know "it's okay..." even when it doesn't seem that way.



Just after getting Aubrey in bed, Daniel and I grabbed some strawberry delight from the fridge and headed to our room to work on the adoption paperwork that we now faced and turned on the OKC Thunder game.

{Two minutes later...}

"Are those tornado sirens?"

"Huh?"

"Tornado sirens...I think I hear tornado sirens..."

"Yep, those are tornado sirens."

{Rain and hail begins pounding the house.}

"Daddy!"

{Grabbed shoes, scooped Aubrey out of bed, put on helmets, and squeezed in our closet under the stairs.}

"I'm kinda scared, Mom."

{Power goes out.}

Thirty minutes of prayer, singing songs, reading books, and playing with Alphie the Robot -- we emerged from our closet shelter by the glow of Aubrey's princess flashlight. We were safe. Well, except for our bathroom skylight -- it wasn't a fan of the grapefruit size hail.

We made a little pallet by our bed for Aubrey and all of us tossed and turn with hot, tired bodies begging for sleep.

But this morning, the sun is shining bright.
The power is back on.
Daniel is off to work.
Aubrey and I spent our mid-morning cleaning up the storm's debris...even laughing and singing while we worked.
Went to the grocery store and prepped for tonight's dinner.
Aubrey is actually taking an afternoon nap.
I have a few moments to write this blog post.

The storm has passed.
And we survived.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 

Fudge!

Last year I didn't make a single batch of fudge.
Tragic.
I wasn't about to let a second year go by without making it, so this week I made FOUR batches.

Tuesday was a lovely brisk and bright Fall day -- perfect for making fudge!
(Did you know you can't make fudge on a cloudy/rainy day? It's true. It won't "set". I learned that from my Mama, and she learned it from her Mama, who probably learned it from her Mama. So don't make fudge on a cloudy/rainy day, mmmkay?)

Back to the FOUR batches...
Chocolate.
Peanut Butter.
Chocolate/Peanut Butter Combo.

And, the wild card...
Cake Batter Fudge.

By the way, it's been nearly impossible to keep certain little sticky fingers out of the fudge...

So...if you make fudge, be sure to keep your eye out for this girl.
She's notorious for stealing fudge.
Authorities are referring to her as The Fudge Felon.

So what's the best way to keep your fudge safe?

Share with your friends and neighbors!

{Free Thanksgiving Printables}

 ________________________________________________

Chocolate Fantasy Fudge
*Recipe found on the back of most Marshmallow Creme jars. It's the recipe my mom always used. It's simple and delicious!

Ingredients

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)

1-1/2 pkg. (12 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate*, chopped

1 jar (7 oz.) Marshmallow Creme

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional in our house)

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Line 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.

Pour into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

*For the Peanut Butter Fudge, just substitute 12 ounces of peanut butter in place of the 12 ounces of chocolate.

Cake Batter Fudge
*Recipe found here.

Ingredients

¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz.) package white chocolate chips
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
Rainbow Sprinkles

Directions 

Pour milk and white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until white chocolate is almost completely melted. Stir until completely blended, melted, and smooth.

Immediately add vanilla and almond extracts and combine thoroughly.

Add a handful or so of rainbow sprinkles and fold into the mixture.

Transfer to an aluminum-foil lined 8×8 inch baking pan. Add sprinkles as topping if desired.
Let set at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Sunday Snapshots

Sunday Snapshot

Not exactly the "wind blown" look I was going for...

Weathering Storms

As many of you know, we've been having some crazy weather lately.

Nothing, nothing like what was experienced in Alabama or Joplin, MO. I am still really shaken up by the destruction those areas are suffering through right now.

Living in Oklahoma, which is known for it's extreme tornado activity, has made me quite nervous when it comes to severe weather.

Just the other night, I was kept wide awake as our house was pummeled with hail for a full hour. I can't tell you how LOUD it is when there are thousands of ice balls slamming into your house.

Then just yesterday, our family scurried into the space under our stairs and donned some protective headgear as tornado warnings were being broadcasted on all stations. We had a family "tornado drill" earlier, so Aubrey was pumped about it. She actually thought the whole event was lots of fun.

Aubrey's helmet was a little too small, so we let her wear the bigger one (our neighbor's extra motorcycle helmet) -- which provided some much needed comedic relief.

Even Lovey was ready with her make-shift helmet from a princess knee pad...

Our "safety shelter" under the stairs was complete with flashlights, bottled waters, food, first aid kit, helmets, shoes, coats, and a mattress. We even had Aubrey put on her toddler harness backpack so that we could hold on to her if a tornado blew through. I was mentally scarred when I heard about children being sucked out of homes during these tornadic winds.

At one point there were at least three (some stations reported five) tornadoes at one time in Oklahoma City. One was 8 miles from our house. I'm telling you what...when you have your lights flickering, tornado sirens going off, and you see these images on TV -- you get a little panic stricken and feel the urge to start reciting Psalm 23.

I am so thankful for our family's safety. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families whose lives and homes were devastated by the storms.

Sunday Snapshot

{Kentucky flood ~ May 2011}

Sunday Snapshots

I'm sure you're all aware that we had a blizzard in Oklahoma last week.
It was our SECOND blizzard experience since moving here.
That's two blizzards in two years.
Not that I'm keeping count or anything.

Now, when you get blizzard amounts of snow,
you're required to play in it at least once.

So you dig out the way too small for you now snowsuits and layer up.

You breathe in the fresh, brisk air.You make the customary snow angel.

And as heavenly as the snow may seem...You reach a point when you've finally had enough.

And I'd say we've ALL had enough.
Of the snow, that is.

"Phil"-ing the Love

Groundhog's Day is a typically overlooked holiday. Well, minus the 2 minute or so LIVE broadcast on news stations every February 2nd morning.

Well, when you've been trapped inside due to a blustery blizzard, you find ways to make even the remotely random events into something much more.

So while many people were over Mr. Punxsutawney Phil by lunchtime (except for the residents in Punxsutawney, PA., I'm sure), we were still having some groundhog fun around here.

As you can see, Mr. Phil has been showing up all over the place.

When Aubrey realized there was more than one little groundhog hiding
around the house, she became pretty excited.

"Loooook, Mommy! TWO Phils! They are friends!"

Now amidst all this fun, I must inform you that just a few weeks ago,

I sent my own little woodchuck outside for a weather prediction,
and she DID see her shadow...

And while I truly hope Punxsutawney Phil is right,
it sure doesn't look like we'll be swinging into Spring anytime soon...
*******

The little "Phils" that are popping up all over our house were intended to perch on cupcakes. But I don't have the ingredients on hand to make any, so we're just making do with some hide-and-seek groundhog fun. Click here if you are interested in making this cute little fella.

Home For the Holidays: Sunday Snapshots

Well, this will be the last of the "Home for the Holidays" recap posts from our visit to Kentucky.

We had such an incredible time spending 10 days with our family over Christmas and New Years. It really spoiled us and made it even harder to leave. Aubrey had us all wiping away tears when she said, "I don't want to go to Oklahoma. I wanna stay in Kentucky." as we loaded up the car to get on the road to OKC.

Thank you to Zubie and Grammy & Pop Pop for letting us come and totally overtake your homes!

Here are some snapshots from our visit...

Aubrey at Winter Wonderland in downtown Owensboro with ticket in hand.
She wouldn't let us leave without having a turn on the reindeer ride.

One $2 ticket for 30 seconds of fun.I could write an entire post based on this picture.
It's one of my favorites.
Getting all dolled up in Grammy's bathroom.

As I have mentioned before, Aubrey LOVES the WonderPets. In each episode there is an animal in trouble that the WonderPets save. Well, Aubrey likes to invent her own episodes. Below is a picture of a baby piglet stuck in a cage. Aubrey rallies everyone around and makes us all sing the Teamwork song while we rescue the animal.
"What's going to work....TEAMWORK!"
If someone was sitting in Pop Pop's chair (especially around bedtime),
you can bet they had company.

Aubrey is Daniel's little shadow,

especially when he does things like climbing the ladder in Zubie's study.

The Funny Musician and The Drama Queen.
This was Daniel's "clubhouse" growing up. He helped build it with his dad and brother. It's currently abandoned, but I hear there's an out-of-town little lady who has expressed interest in it. Maybe it'll be on the market in a few years...

And lastly, Aubrey wearing the garland from the Christmas tree.
Just one of the reasons our tree in Oklahoma was totally bare this year.
So, if you haven't already...
Take down those Christmas decorations, and let's jump into the New Year!
*******
Happy Sunday!