Domestic

Martha Stewart would be proud of me this week. She might even want to hirer me. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m experiencing a domestic frenzy of sorts. I can’t seem to stop doing terribly domestic things. I’m a housewife by trade so I do domestic things all the time (some less exciting than others) but this week is something else all together.

For instance…

…check out this fridge. Have you ever seen a fridge so sparkling clean and orderly? I really went to town on it, with toothbrush, Clorox and all. (I usually don’t keep that many eggs, but it was Easter)

Can you see smiling Rachel Ray hiding behind the ground flax seed, so happy to be living in my newly cleaned fridge?

I’ve even got the makings of some yogurt cheese, all wrapped in cheese cloth and Saran, there on the bottom shelf. I can’t stop making yogurt cheese. It’s so good on bagels, sandwiches, or as a base for creamy (and healthier) dips. Hey, maybe I’ll trying making my own bagels? Hummmm….

In my frenzy, I mixed up and baked a huge batch of homemade granola.

I’m always trying different recipes for granola because I’m obsessed with it and everyone at my house loves to eat it (except Jeffrey of course). I’ve tried many recipes I like, but I think I’ve finally found the quintessential one. It’s got the perfect ratio of nuts to grains. It’s not too sweet, but sweet enough, and it’s crunchy, not chewy. I don’t like chewy granola.

Recipe found here. I tweaked it a bit, but not much. (Left out the millet because I didn’t have any, and accidentally left out the brown sugar. Thought I would miss it, but I don’t)

And, as if that wasn’t enough, I baked up a batch of homemade bread…

…my neighbor Cherish’s recipe. Turns out perfectly every time. You can’t mess it up.

Nothing says domestic like the smell of home made bread in the house.

I also finished all the laundry (including ironing) in one day, organized cupboards and closets, cleaned the boys bathroom more thoroughly than usual (YUCK, boys pee everywhere!) and subsequently completed a myriad of other less exciting, but essential domestic tasks. (Let’s not leave Mike out of this either, he cleaned out the van and the garage this week).

Look at us go! Do you think this might have something to do with Spring arriving? If I didn’t know better I’d say I was nesting.

After this week, do you think Martha would hire me?

I don’t know? She might want to think twice. Ever since my cousin Stephen started working for Martha, many years ago, I’ve had these reoccurring dreams that I’m working as Martha’s personal assistant and I simply cannot seem to complete the basic tasks that she assigns me. For example…we’re at a photo shoot and she asks me to iron her blouse. A simple enough task, but I can’t find the ironing board, the blasted iron won’t heat up when I turn it on, and the starch spray can malfunctions just as she comes around the corner in her skivvies demanding her blouse.

Or…we’re at her house in Bedford, taking photos of her impeccably manicured vegetable garden for the magazine. I’m the designated photographer, but I can’t seem to take any pictures that don’t show an ugly, unsightly chain link fence in the background or foreground. She then asks me to bring her a freshly picked beet and I accidentally bring her a bunch of radishes instead.  In all these dreams I’m running around frantically, knowing that Martha is going to rail on me any second, and completely humiliated that I can’t complete the simplest of domestic tasks for the goddess of domesticity.

What could these dreams mean, and why do I keep having them over and over again? Anybody want to take a crack at interpreting? Stephen, is it your fault? In all these dreams you’re always there, performing perfectly, where as I am a mess.

I think these dreams could be revealing something about my deepest insecurities or my worst fears; or maybe they’re just comical (they are comical) and really mean nothing at all, but I’m not sure. Any guesses?

While you figure it out I think I’ll go have myself a bowl of homemade granola with yogurt cheese.

Speaking of Martha…look who showed up in the May issue of MSL. See if you can spot anyone you know….

Hint: You might see me and Karen, Mary Kate and Jenny, Meredith B, Grace and Joyce, Emilie (tiny), John D, Aunt Rosie, and Mlle. Marguerite.

Thanks Stephen, for making us all cool and famous!

Making Room

Around here there is a growing, zealous trend (at least in some circles), towards less commercialization of holidays that are meant to be religious. I’m sure you’ve heard the debate many times, “How can we keep Christ in Christmas and the miracle of the Resurrection in Easter when Santa and the Easter Bunny are part of the deal?” People have somehow decided that if Santa and the Easter Bunny show up, Jesus won’t.

I do think there is some truth to this, and I agree that the religious significance of certain holidays tends to get a bit lost in the craziness, but…I’m not quite ready to throw over Santa and the big bunny just yet. Some of my happiest memories as a child involved Santa down the chimney and baskets from the Easter Bunny; yet I still managed to gain a deep love, respect and testimony for my Savior, His birth, His Atonement and the miracle of His Resurrection. I managed to make room for both in my life. I think my kids will manage to do the same.

So…in short…the Easter Bunny still shows up at our house on Easter, and so does Jesus. (Not literally, but you know what I mean)

After an exhaustive search (the bunny was a good hider this year) the kids finally found their baskets (or buckets in this case)…

We colored eggs too. The egg is a beautiful symbol of the promise of new birth and new life. Coloring eggs with the hues of spring is a lovely (and messy) tradition. This year my mom watched us color eggs all the way from New Zealand via Skype. She had the privilege of seeing me, the careful parent, be the only one who spilled a cup of Easter egg dye; a lovely puddle of pink stain on the white counter top.

Our eggs, although colorful, were just standard. If you want to see much more impressive ones by Emilie and gang, click here.

Later that evening we had a wonderful FHE about the true meaning of Easter. It’s always amazing to me how quiet and attentive my kids are when we discuss anything at all about the Savior. A natural, quiet reverence settles over them, which is something rare and nice. I love being able to teach my children about what is true and what matters most. I know they feel and know that Jesus and his gifts to us are in a whole different league than the Easter Bunny.

Garden Tomb – from Google Images

My cousin Sonja has a 9 year old son going through cancer treatments. He will have his leg amputated early next month. Sonja wrote this beautiful Easter post. I loved what she had to say about the restoration that comes with the miracle of the Resurrection. It has became that much more personal to her this year.

To end our celebrations the kids and I indulged in the perfect Easter treat: Peep S’mores. I love S’mores, and yes…they are better with Peeps. These will be a new Easter tradition in our family from now on. Because I say so.

It was a beautiful Easter, with room for it all.

I hope you had a happy Easter too!

Cousin Tulo a.k.a. Winnie’s Nemesis

Cousin Tulo came for a visit. Consequently, Winnie’s day was turned completely upside down. My poor girl has no idea what to make of her canine cousin. She can’t decide whether to love him or hate him. Mostly she tolerates him…not even that so much.

I think Tulo is totally adorable. He reminds me of a dog version of Huckleberry Finn.

Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer, any attention I give Tulo make’s Winnie incredibly jealous. So of course I give him as much attention as possible.

Given Winnie’s jealousy problem, this could easily be a violent confrontation, but no worries…it’s only a friendly wrestle. After Tulo’s been at our house for a few hours Winnie eventually gives in. Even she can’t resist having someone of her own size and species to play with.

Mike has a treat and both dogs want it bad. Here we have a friendly paw shaking competition going on. The prize: dog jerky.

It was a close contest. I can’t remember who won.

Eventually Uncle Jeff came and picked up Tulo. Winnie was thrilled to be the queen of the house once again. She’s a spoiled rotten dog and intends to stay that way. It’s not really all that difficult for her because she’s our easy favorite and we treat her as such.

The Queen on her throne.

My New Nephew

Samuel V. Stauffer was born April 13th at 6:49 p.m. He weighed a whooping 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 21 inches long. He’s a big, beautiful, healthy baby boy and everyone is in love with him. How can you not love a baby with enough hair to part on the side and comb over. Love the hair!

I went to visit baby Sam. I could’ve sat there and held him all day if there weren’t others who wanted to hold him too.

See. I can’t keep my fingers out of his hair. It’s so soft. His little head reminds me of a Pillow Pet. Maybe this one. My babies are so bald when they are born that I’m extra fascinated (and jealous) of babies who have hair.

I brought him a little present.

Eric and Emily are in love with their new baby. They are both completely smitten. It’s no wonder.

Sam’s siblings seem to like him too…

… Jenny is going to be a great big sister…

…And Paul is happy to finally have a brother.

This little one on the other hand, isn’t so sure about this new bundle of baby. She considers him ponderously, will tentatively touch his hair, but she hasn’t warmed up yet. She’s mostly concerned about why her mom is in the hospital and not home to make her a bowl of oatmeal and play the ‘Goodnight Moon’ game. Her life is going to be a bit different from now on.

I’m feeling bad for my mom and dad away in New Zealand. Eric and Em have Skyped with them often to let them see their new little grandson through the computer screen. I’m sure they are both wishing they could reach through the screen and hold little Sam; smell him, kiss him, do some cuddling. Missing the birth of a new grand baby would, in my opinion, be the most challenging part of serving a senior couple mission. My parents won’t get their hands on this little guy until he is over a year old! They will also miss the birth of another granddaughter. Andrew and Laurie are expecting a baby girl this summer.

I promised my mom I would give the babies lots of kisses in her behalf. I want to do whatever I can. I’m helpful like that. :-)

Congratulations Eric and Em. I’m so glad he’s here, healthy and happy. I love you all!

I’ll be up again soon to cuddle and kiss him some more.

Balloons, Bikes, Cake, Cousins, Candles, Pizza and Pirates…

…or in other words…the boys turned 7!

I’m not going to wax all cliché with statements like  ‘I don’t know where the time’s gone’ or ‘I can’t believe my boys are 7’ or ‘It seems like only yesterday they were tiny babies,’ but, I am going to proudly say that Mike and I have survived 7 years raising our wild twin boys and are still alive to tell about it. That my friends, is most certainly something to celebrate!

It’s been touch-and-go at times, but when I look back over the last 7 years, all I can say is that it’s been an adventure like no other. I adore my crazy boys!

J and J enjoyed two (because everything comes in twos around here) celebrations for their birthday. It was one good thing after another…

…starting with some birthday morning gift unwrapping. Thanks grandmas and grandpas!

And then…

…since we had family in town, we headed up to Cache Valley and straight-away recruited a few cousins to be party guests. Because what’s a proper party without some cousins as party guests? (I’m in love with this picture by the way. All their adorable faces lit up in birthday candle glow).

The boys requested pizza for their birthday dinner. No surprise there.

Birthday cake for dessert.

Requested: Picnic cake. (Aunt Laura was especially happy with this choice. She’s always been a big fan).

I get a kick out of this cake every year. Mike requests it for his birthday cake, Mary Kate wants it for hers, and now the boys. It’s become the official Dickey Family birthday cake. It’s certainly not your traditional birthday cake with it’s total lack of globs of brightly colored frosting and layers filled with raspberry goo. Just look at the poor thing. It’s not so pretty. But, despite it’s lack of beauty, it is delicious, in all it chocolate chip and brown sugar glory. Everyone digs it. This one was gobbled up in two seconds flat.

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After returning from Cache Valley we commenced the second of our two celebrations with a trip to Toys-R-Us to pick out bikes. It’s been a few years since we’ve bought bikes for the boys. They’ve completely out grown their bikes from years ago. In fact it’s quite comical to see the boys riding around on the tiny things, their knees practically hitting their eye sockets as they pedal down the road.

New bikes were definitely in order and the boys thought it was totally the bees-knees to go bike shopping and pick their own new bikes…

…awe, now these are just right. Perfect fit for two very tall 7 year olds.

Off to the check out counter…

With bike purchases complete, it was off to Pirate Island, which is basically a pirate themed version of Chucky Cheese, a veritable Los Vegas for children. Incredibly kitschy this place, but the kids were IN LOVE…

…waterfalls, treasure chests, and skeleton pirates, all for your eyes to behold just as soon as you walk in the front door!

For celebration #2 we recruited yet another cousin, Miss Emily. She was totally down with the pirate theme and the Root Beer…

It will shock you to learn that we had pizza again for dinner.

After pizza, a bunch of waiters in terrible pirate costumes came and sang a silly pirate version of ‘happy birthday.’ They sang with really pathetic pirate accents and were totally off key, but…they brought ice cream sundaes with chocolate sauce and whipped cream for the birthday boys. It was 7 year old bliss I’m tellin’ ya.

Then it was off to the pirate arcade. This is were it started to feel a bit like a kid version of Vegas…

…The boys played game after game, Emily continued her obsession with Ski Ball, and Mary Kate hoarded her precious tickets like a miser. She earned over 100 of those things! 

The kids had a blast playing everything from Ski Ball to Pac-Man, and then…

…as soon as the kids had cashed in their piles of tickets for some terrible prizes that they were totally thrilled with…just like that…the party was over. Another year come and gone, vanished, just like the Black Pearl in Pirates of the Caribbean.

My boys are now officially 7, and even though I was trying not to be cliché, I can’t help myself, I’m going to say it anyway…

’I don’t know where the time’s gone,’  ‘I can’t believe my boys are seven’ and ‘It seems like only yesterday that they were tiny babies.’

They aren’t tiny babies anymore, but boy do I love, LOVE these two crazy, wonderful boys.

Happy Birthday my pirates! Because of you my life is an adventure. I love you both!

A Visit From ‘Squiggles The Beautiful’ (And Family)

Last weekend we were happily graced with the presences of Miss Squiggles The Beautiful  (that’s my new official title for her). After meeting her for the first time over a year ago, at long last, we got to see her again. She is bigger now (not by much) and so stinkin’ sweet. She was certainly the star of the weekend. No doubt about it!

At first Miss Squiggles was a little shy of us, not really having seen us before, but she warmed up considerably, mostly due to some unabashed bribing from her Uncle Mike.

Squiggles didn’t take to Mike at first, in fact, she was determined not to like him at all…until he brought out his secret weapon….

….a strawberry flavored lollipop that caused her to seriously reconsider the relationship. She hesitated a long while, wondering if she should take the bait, but eventually….

….she gave in. She really liked the lollipop, but you can tell by the look on her face that she’s still a bit suspicious of Uncle Mike. She’s not sure about him at all. A scary guy with candy.

Unlike her Uncle Mike, Squiggles took to the kiddos right away, especially her cousin Mary Kate whom she enjoyed very much…

Squiggles is a serious momma’s girl, but she was A-Okay with Mary Kate. I think Laura wanted to take Mary Kate home with her to Boston to be her nanny. Mary Kate would be good at that because she never get’s tired of babies.

I made friends with Squiggles too, and totally fell in love with her. She is a tiny, beautiful, little peanut.

Luckily Squiggles also brought her parents with her to Utah because we actually really like them too.

It was so good to see Laura and Tim. We miss them very much. I’m not a big fan of family living far away, but it does make for some special times when they do come for a visit.

Uncle Tim…the official Ice Cream Man

I feel like such a lucky girl, having been blessed with the most incredible in-laws whom I happen to like very much.

Thanks for visiting Laura and Tim, and for bringing your delightful daughter to entertain and charm us all. We love you and miss you!