It's been far to long and so much has changed.  Gone are the quiet days of only two tots in the house.  We are now a blended family of 7.  My partner and I and then 5 boisterous, wacky little ones.  They range in ages from 6 to almost 12.  It is a wild ride everyday, but we are still here working to find the little moments in everyday.  I can't wait to share the new stuff I have learned.  OH yeah...... cake baking, melon carving, crafts abound.  It has been a busy few years and I am so glad to be back.  Look forward to more ideas for keeping the kids involved.  Always reaching for a way to keep the sanity, keep family first and try to teach them to do better than we did.  You never know what theme or crazy idea I will come up with next so hang on and join the journey!!!  Coming this week is planning an anime 12th birthday on a budget.  Through trials and budget crisis we will make it happen.  For the Bug!!!!!

Never underestimate the nurture you can find in nature

A trip to the park for us starts with the kids playing and mom enjoying her most recent paranormal romance novel. But never fails to end in nature walks and brother sister bonding.  Out never fails to amaze me the bond that siblings have. Of grew up an only child but learn everyday through my kids.  The fact that they can annoy the piddle out of each other one minute and come together for a stroll in. the park ending in a nature chat with mom.  Out is amazing and the message of the day comes from it live and love every minute you have, don't let the little stuff keep you from the ones you love.

Peanut Butter Critters

Home made candy who could ask for more?  Taterbug can that's who, they wanted peanut butter numminess with a kick, so mom put together peanut butter critters.  An afternoon of fun and believe it or not we still have a few left, but it has only been a day.  

To start with you will need a few things, most if you are crafty or cooky you have at home already:

 1 1/2 cup peanut butter (oh ya the good stuff)

1 cup butter (butter/margarine, what ever mashes your potatoes)

6 cups powdered sugar (melt in your mouth wonderfulness)

1 package chocolate flavored almond bark (of course chocolate it is candy after all)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla (in tons of things, though we can't always taste it)

wax paper (a must for a crafting house)

tiny cookie cutters (cause you never know when you will need them)

a freezer ( though I am sure you all have one)

a double boiler ( fancy way of saying a plain metal bowl to fit over a pot with an inch or so of boiling water)

To start we got a big bowl and measured out the powdered sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and butter ( we melted it for easier mixing).  This is now mixed, it gets to be a bit of a workout, so it works best to all take turns, it is a little messy with powdered sugar but that is half the fun.  The kids had a blast working so hard to stir the mix close to the end, we so earned those critters.  Nest I lined a cookie sheet with wax paper and then placed all of the peanut butter mixture onto it and spread it evenly ( it helps to get a second piece of wax paper so the kids can help press it around and still not get messy).  Once it is in an even sheet place the whole thing in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.  Now grab another cookie sheet and line it with wax paper, to put all your critters.  Using your small cookie cutters cut out as many shapes as you can from your sheet of peanut butter mixture.  We used the leftover mixture to make into balls so we didn't waste a bit.  Return the little guys to the freezer again and get your double boiler ready and chocolate melting.  It is important to have the shapes frozen before dipping so they don't break apart on you.  Once the almond bark is melted and smooth begin dipping the critters one by one and then returning them to their lined cookie sheet.  We kept them on the sheet until solid and then packed some away in sealed containers.  They store very well in the freezer, and on a warm afternoon are great still cold.  These treats will melt in your mouth and the kids will have almost as much fun eating them as they did making them.  It is all about the process, the light in their eyes, and the grins on their faces through out the whole things.  The hardest part is remembering to take pictures through the process.  If you try this let me know, see what fun alternatives you can come up with and share, we are thinking about making shaped mints and adding food coloring, one of my favorite things.

Drea

Hello world, welcome to my wierd and wacky view...

I am a creative, and odd person.  I decided weird wasn't an odd enough word so yes it is misspelled, call it part of my charm.  I know that is an odd way to start out, but hey honesty is the best policy.  I am going to offer a look into my way of viewing things.  Be cautioned, odd things may happen, fun stuff for sure, and even a few you may want to try at home.  Everyone has there own way of doing things, in our house it tends to get colorful, giggly, sometimes loud, and generally ends with wow, I didn't know I could do that.  I hope that everyone finds a little something to enjoy.  There will be fun new recipes, craft ideas that the kids can't get enough of, odd things to do with your spare time and maybe even a few books to add to your reading lists.  If you are ready to come along for the ride, then lets go...  Oh ya, forgot to mention happy dances are common here, you may be cautious or nervous to join, but the power of a happy dance is amazing, try it and see.

Drea