Snack Date

Today I invited Ashley and Lincoln out for an afternoon snack when I got off work. I had forgotten that we had done this a couple of times last winter when we were feeling cooped up. With Ashley in the final days of pregnancy it seemed like a good idea. Ashley got to choose and Lincoln got chocolate milk. He took his first drink and said, "It's chocolate, Mommy, its chocolate!" It was a very nice snack date with chips, queso and chocolate milk. Just perfect.

Mowgli Treats

 I have Lincoln and Mowgli here today. It's a good Monday! We have had such a sweet peaceful day, especially now that it's nap time. Lincoln enjoyed giving Mowgli treats after lunch and Mowgli enjoyed it even more.

Spicy Sausage Pasta

I may have found a new favorite dinner recipe. A co-worker suggested it and I have made it twice this week. The spicy sausage pasta is wonderful and pretty healthy. The turkey sausage was a delicious change from my usual chicken and I got to use lots of spinach as well. At my co-workers suggested I used plain greek yogurt instead of the half and half and made it even more healthy. I made it for Ashley and Travis on our storm night then made it again this weekend for Dale's birthday meal. I loved it both times.

Stormy Night

 Rain, sleet, snow and ice were in the forecast for Thursday night so I suggested a slumber party to Ashley and she agreed. We had planned to get together on Friday morning so there was no reason to be stranded separately. I packed a bag, picked up a few things and headed over to enjoy the storm from the comfort of Travis and Ashley's house. I made dinner and played play dough. We had plenty of time for stories, snuggles and dancing but the best part was morning jammie time. When Lincoln woke up we took some books and cuddled together in my cozy bed to read. I love a slumber party. This might become a tradition.

Parmesan Spinach Cakes

When I saw this recipe I said, "I am certainly not making these." Ten minutes later I was in the kitchen mixing them up. What's a girl to do when she has a two and a half pound bag of spinach? Seriously, it's the size of a pillow. I am always looking for ways to add good nutrients to our meals and spinach is a good addition. I like Costco. Dale loves Costco. Hence the huge bag of spinach. It will get used. I have put lots of it through the food processor already, but on to the Parmesan Spinach Cakes.

I had all the ingredients and plenty of spinach so I headed to the kitchen and Dale followed me with the camera to document the vividly colored cakes. They are only seventy calories each and packed with nutrition and flavor. Cottage cheese, parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, minced garlic and lots of spinach were a good combination. If I make them again I will bake them a bit longer hoping for a better texture. It was a fun thing to try on a wintery day.

Quilting Weather

It doesn't feel like winter is letting up yet. This has left me some extra time for being snuggled in the house. I did walk outside twice Saturday but I had to battle this heavy snow and wind. I know it's good for me to get outside but I look forward to a light jacket and no snow boots on my walks.

For now I will appreciate the extra time for knitting and quilting as I get ready for the arrival of my second grandson in the next few weeks. The little cotton wash cloths are light green but its hard to see the color. His quilt is filled with color and I am excited to see him laying on it in the next month.

Valentine Basketball

 UNI Women's basketball was our Valentine evening entertainment. Dale met Lincoln and me at the game when he got to town and we had a great time. The mascots, TC and TK are always a big draw for Lincoln and tonight it was extra special. Lincoln was thrilled and not at all shy.

 Lincoln had his little stuffed TC and the mascots were impressed by that. Lincoln was happy to show them. It was so nice to get so much attention from the mascots right before the game started.

 Before the basketball game Lincoln and I stopped at Cup of Joe for a Valentine treat. It's a special place and Lincoln loves being there. I think he was pretty impressed by the heart shaped cherry cookie too. It wasn't a big fancy evening but I think all three of us had a great time.

Happy Valentine's Day

Giving Mommy and Daddy a date night might be part of the motivation but spending time with this little guy on Valentine's Day brings me great joy! Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Sub Zero

 Thanks to temperatures below zero I headed to Young Arena this morning to get my walking done. Obviously the sun was hitting this sign because it didn't get this warm till noon or after. I did bundle up for a walk around the block when Mowgli came to visit this afternoon but I won't be doing all of my walking outside when its this cold. I am aiming for five miles and 12,000 steps each day and I usually get it. Young Arena is a great facility but it's so much better to be out walking in the woods or around the lake. Hopefully March will be better than February.

Fun in the Snow

 I may be tired of shoveling and wearing my yak-traxs to walk on the snowy streets but when Lincoln came dressed in snow pants and said, "Outside, shovel, fun, come on!" Dale and I were happy go to out and play. The snow is deep in parts of the yard, well above my boots and high on Lincoln's thighs so we held hands while we made tracks in the fresh snow.

 The snow was fluffy and glittery but Dale was able to make a couple of snow balls by warming it in his hands. Lincoln was pleased and enjoyed throwing the balls into the fluffy snow. Coming in for warm cookies was almost as much fun as playing in the snow.

Jay's Choice

When I suggested that I would like to cook dinner for Jay when he stopped over one night last week this was his request. We don't have a name for it but when he mentioned Velveeta and cream of something soup, I said that I really don't cook with those anymore. After a few minutes I decided that I would still like to make this dish. Neither of us has had it for years but I went to the store and made the dish just like I used to make it back in the 90s, Velveeta, cream of mushroom soup, ground beef and macaroni. I think my friend, Ann told me about this for a quick meal for a family but it was still yummy. The best part was having Jay over for dinner!

Florida Fun

The last weekend of January was a wonderful three days of Florida and friends for me. I was so excited to visit Bob and Chris again this year. I always love walking with Chris here at home but it's extra special when we get to walk the Gulf Coast of Florida together.

 It's impossible to tell but this gorgeous sunset was right behind Chris and me. Beers and sunset on the beach then we moved inside to hear a fantastic band for a couple of hours. There are so many fun places along the coast and Bob and Chris know where to go.

 

 John's Pass was new to me this year. The shops and music were fun but I was especially drawn to the area where the commercial fisherman were working and the birds were abundant. I just love the waterfowl in the southern climates and we got plenty of bird watching. I really love the pelicans who swoop by the balcony while we drink our morning coffee.

 

 

The food was so fresh and tasty. Chris is great in the kitchen and we ate lots of yummy things. After watching the fishermen loading huge grouper it was especially delicious to enjoy the grouper salad. A Saturday morning trip to the Flea Market and Farmers Market was "so Florida." The berries were the best that I have ever tasted and it was fun to see fresh fish on the tables with all the very fresh produce.

As much as I love the opportunity to explore new areas the biggest draw is to spend time with wonderful friends while enjoying this gorgeous water, sand and sky. I feel very fortunate to have that long weekend in Florida with Bob and Chris.

 

 

 

Super Bowl Date

My Super Bowl Sunday was very peaceful. I invited Lincoln to spend the night. We ate healthy, headed for bed at half time and missed most of the game because of dinner and bath. It was perfect for me. In the future I expect that there might be more junk food and later bedtimes. Hopefully those games will be more fun to watch anyway. Super Bowl is always a special day for me, reminding me of the day that Jay was born 33 Super Bowls ago.

Winter Walking

 The malls and hospital hallways are less than motivating for my walking. Although I am appreciative to have those comfortable options I always prefer to get my exercise outdoors. Even with cold, snow and wind chill warnings I got out and walked in my neighborhood a few times this weekend. The snow is too deep on the trails but the streets are passable.  I can still get Mowgli out for a walk if I bundle up very well and its a great break for me from the indoor walks.

Look at my Shadow

Lincoln's words often surprise and delight me as he constantly learns so many new things. He came over and helped me work on my driveway this week and said, "Look at my shadow, Grammy!" His company makes the job much more fun. I have been out to clear the driveway three times since I returned from Florida last Monday. No wonder I haven't had time to sort and blog my photos yet.