Sheer Bliss

I live for moments that I refer to as "sheer bliss." Saturday was a sheer bliss day. I had a photo session in the morning. It was the same baby that I got to photograph in the hospital 3 weeks ago. It was a good session and I got the most gorgeous mother and baby image ever. Every so often, I click the shutter, and then cheer out loud! The clients always look at me like I am crazy....sweet, but crazy. This was one of those cheering shots. (I love it in black and white more, but I thought I would show the color.) I titled it "Sunshine for the soul."

Here is another favorite:

The rest of Saturday was spent out on our deck. We emptied the hot tub, and then I climbed in and scrubbed it clean. Lincoln put together Wyatt's sand box, and I tried to help where I could. The kids ran in the yard. Natalia chased birds, and one poor bunny. Wyatt chased Natalia, trying to get her not to run. He wanted to sneak up on the birds, she kept scaring them off. It was so peaceful and the weather was perfect. I am dreading the humidity. I hope it never comes!!! (ha ha) The day ended with a trip to Baskin Robins. My favorite flavor is chocolate peanut butter...I haven't had a scoop of that for probably a year. It was just as good as I remembered. Yum.

I let the kids go splash in the puddles on Thursday. We walked around our neighborhood searching for the best puddles. They got so muddy, and had a great time. It was nice to get out of the house. Of course it wasn't for them, it was for me. The light was so pretty.

Ramble

Saturday I had a session in Arlington. It started off wonderfully, but ended badly because the little guy had a fever. I may have to go back.

I went shopping with Christie for my Mother's day. I really enjoyed the time off. Lincoln was such an amazing Dad that day. When I got home I saw that he had let the kids paint with watercolors. It made me so happy, I took a picture of the mess. He took them to Chick fil'a for lunch, and Thai food for dinner. Wyatt calls the Thai restaurant the "place with lots of flavor." Funny. The kids both love the pad thai, and eat tons of it. Lincoln had to take Talia to the potty, and motioned for the waitress to keep a eye on Wyatt. (The people know Lincoln so well at this restaurant...they don't even let him order a drink anymore. They just bring it to him after he sits down at "his" table.) When Lincoln came back the waitress was feeding Wyatt rice with a spoon. =)

Sunday was nice. Natalia woke up at 6:30, and Lincoln got up with her. As they were leaving the room, Wyatt came in and told me he would keep me company. Lincoln and the kids brought me breakfast in bed. Talia and Wyatt kept sneaking my blackberries. I told Lincoln that I didn't mind sharing with them. (If my brothers and sisters had sampled my Mother's breakfast in bed....there wouldn't have been any left for her. =) Lincoln brought in a big present. It was wrapped in the paper Lincoln had use to protect the table from the watercoloring the day before. He got me a Bose Sounddock for my ipod. I am so happy, we have never danced so much in this house! The best present I got for mother's day.....my kids fell asleep for the entire sacrament meeting. I got to hear everything, and hold them at the same time. Wonderful. Lincoln had to fly out to Texas, and will be gone until Friday. (I am slow posting this so I only have one day left.)

This week has been a hard one. There is so much going on, and I am always two steps behind. I also have a toddler that is always about 20 steps ahead of me, and she will not willingly come back! She bit me today. Right on the back on my thigh. We had just finished a story about a crocodile, and she was acting like one. I screamed, and then calmly got the Tabasco out. I don't think it even phased her. She cried for 2 seconds, and told me that goes on my food. I am glad her first bite was me and not some other child. I hope there isn't a second bite.

(How do elephants kiss?)

I didn't get to go to recipe swap this month. (Like usual.) I was particularly sad this time, because it was "sensational salads." My favorite!

Here are a few salad recipes that I love:

Western Salad
2 15 oz cans ranch style Texas beans (drain one)
1 purple onion sliced
1 C Cheddar Cheese
1 can whole olives
4 tomatoes, cut chunky
4-5 avocados , cut chunky
1 10 oz. regular sized Fritoz

Dressing:
1/2 cup oil
1/8 cup Ketchup
1/2 t. grated onion
1/2 t. dry mustard
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 C vinegar
1/4 C sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. celery seed
pinch of garlic powder

The night before, marinate the beans, olives, and onions in the dressing.

Right before serving add all of the remaining ingredients.


Italian Bread Salad

1-2 French bread loaves, or baguettes
olive oil
Italian dressing (I like Newman's Own)
Parmesan Cheese

Toppings can include:
Roma tomatoes
Spinach
olives
artichoke hearts
onions
sun dried tomatoes
pepperoni
fresh basil
mozzarella cubes
peppers
(anything Italian!)

Slice bread, and brush with olive oil. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Toast bread at 400 degrees to a golden brown.
When bread is cool, cut into bite sized cubes.
Add your toppings, dressing, and cheese. Toss and serve immediately.

Oriental Chicken Salad

Chicken breasts
1/2 bag of Salad
1/2 bag of shredded cabbage
1/2 package of won ton wrappers
2 packages of Chicken Top Ramen (save seasoning for the dressing)
1/2 cup almonds
green onions
mandarin oranges
sesame seeds

Dressing:
2 packages chicken top ramen seasoning
3 tablespoons white sugar
4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
Add 1 T. hot water, and whisk dressing.
Then add 1 cup veg. oil

Cook chicken (season to liking), and cut into bite size pieces.
Heat oil in a sauce pan for won tons. You can fry the whole won ton and crumble when cool, or cut into strips with pizza cutter and fry.
Crush the ramen noodles while they are still in the bag. (I never use all the noodles.)

Mix everything in a big bowl. Pour dressing on individual salads.

Pear pecan salad

1 bag of Spring Salad mix
1 cup of pecans
2-3 T. sugar
1 pear sliced
crazins
Blue cheese or fresh Parmesan (use the slicing side of your cheese grater, and go for super thin slices.)

Dressing:
Whatever you have on hand that is light.
Or I make a dressing in the food processor with a little syrup from can of pears, 1 half of a canned pear, balsamic vinegar, and a little oil.

In a small pan, heat sugar and nuts over a med-low heat. Keep a close eye and stir constantly when the sugar starts to melt. When all the nuts are coated, transfer nuts to a plate and cool.

Everything on a plate...dressing...yum.

Cucumber Beet Salad

Put a layer of canned beets on a plate
then a layer of peeled and sliced cucumbers
crumble on some blue cheese
drizzle the plate with balsamic vinegar
slat and pepper.

(Lincoln and I ate this Salad at a restaurant in Oregon on our 4th anniversary. Simple and delicious.)

A quick Flashback Friday from me.

A few of my blogging friends have started to do something called a flashback Friday. I am going to start doing it as well....because it is a great way to get all my most prized memories in one spot. I just hope to have pictures to go along with those memories.

We lived in Oregon for 3.5 years. We spent 3 of those 3.5 years at the coast. Just kidding. I wish we would have. I love the Oregon coast, it makes me so happy.

I love
the tide pools
the rocks
the tall grasses in Seaside
the smell
the clamming
the sand dollars
the clam chowder at Moe's
the wind
the fact that you have to wear a jacket most days on the beach
the Fourth of July fireworks
the crazy seagulls that flew over our heads, wanting to eat our sandwiches (their poop was like rain!)
the sound of the waves
the time I made (my Mom was a big help too) a sandcake for Lincoln's 22nd birthday...with a feather for the candle. We were at hug point.
the starfish
the time Lincoln and Spencer (his little bro) made two big crabs fight...and I watched in horror as they pinched off each others limbs.
the whippet (Cyrus) running in the sand
the long walks on the beach
the first time we went to the coast was in February. I wore capris and just about froze. =)
the breakfasts at Pig n' Pancake
the kites
the beach in Gearhart.....you can drive on it.
the 4 passenger bike rentals in Seaside....don't rent for two hours, there is no way you can peddle those things for that long.
the people who went with us....my Mom and Dad, Spencer, Rebekah and Maxximus, Logan, Kayelynn and Travis, and the Kerrs.
the girls night. I was newly pregnant with Talia. Someone asked who was pregnant, and I remember being so giddy, but keeping my mouth shut!
the sunsets
most of all.......the pictures!



These pictures are from one of my happiest/saddest days. We went to the beach with some wonderful friends. It was our last visit to the coast, before we moved to Maryland.

I've always wanted a little boy named James.

We went to Chuck e cheese on Monday night with the Wall family. Lincoln was flying out to Florida, and Christie's husband was on call.....so we had to get out with our kids. We had a good time. Our pizza was stone cold, and they had to remake it for us. Natalia and Wyatt would go spend their token(s) and come running back for more. Instant babysitting. Except once Natalia came running back with a bulb syringe! Gross.

At this Chuck E Cheese there is a play structure that has tunnels attached to the ceiling. There was a woman that told her little boy it was time to go, and he immediately climbed up into the tunnels. She could not get him to come down. If she was Christie Wall she would have just climbed up there and got him. (She wasn't shaped like Christie, so that may have been why she didn't.) Once she acted like she was leaving without him, he slowly came out to see if she had left him. She ran to grab him, but he was much to quick and made it back in the tunnels. I started to feel sorry for her. She was so embarrassed. She was yelling, and hiding, and everyone there was quite entertained watching her. He came out and went back in two more times. I walked over and said, "Let me help you get him out." I asked her is name, and she told me it was James. She acted like she was leaving. I yelled up to James, and said "James, you better run to get your Mommy. If she leaves I will be your new Mommy.....and I am not a nice Mommy, James....I am a mean Mommy," in my meanest voice. =) He began to climb down. When he was out I said, "Do you want your Mom, or do you want *ME* to be your Mommy?" Again with a mean voice. He said "You," and grabbed my hand. Talk about backfire!

I walked (actually I had to drag) him over to his mother.

James is my maiden name. I have always wanted to use it for a little boy of mine. =) Little did I know I'd get him at Chuck E Cheese.

Sunset

Soar
Golden
Spring Sprint
Nail biter.

FIVE

Wyatt had his fifth birthday on Tuesday. It has gone by too quickly! He woke up on Tuesday with a smile on his face. We cuddled for a minute, and I told him about the day he was born..... (five year old version!)

You were born on a beautiful spring day. Right before you came, Grandma and Grandpa James came into the hospital room. They had been driving all day from Utah to Oregon, and showed up just 35 minutes before you came. When you came into the world, the first thing you did was pee all over the doctor and your Mom. (Wyatt always giggles at that part!) Grandma called you "little squirt!" Then they cleaned you up, and wrapped you in a blanket. They put you on my chest, and I hugged you so tight. Then Daddy came a gave me a big kiss. Grandpa wanted to hold you, so he took you over by the window and sang, "Sweetly sings the donkey on his way to hay. Somebody must go with him or he'll run away. He haw He haw, hehaw hehaw hehaw."

Then we took a long nap, because we were both so tired. It was a wonderful day.

--------------------------------------------

On Tuesday night we went to go eat crab. Wyatt peeled and ate so much crab. Talia fell and hit her lip on her chair, so I took her outside. I grabbed a sugar packet, on my way out. The blood got all over her shirt, but as soon as I put a little sugar in her mouth the bleeding STOPPED. As in no more blood. That is the best trick in the world. (Sara M. taught me that!) We had such a nice time, after the fall anyway. We had blueberry and strawberry shortcake when we got home. Delicious!

I got Wyatt a Rescue Heroes base, and 10 guys at the nearly new sale. All of that was only $40. =) He is so happy and hasn't stopped playing with it. He (I should say *I*, because it is for my sanity) got a sandbox, and tubers and zots. Grandma James sent a Stars Wars ship, and show. The Tidwell family sent you a fun game and some cool cars. What a birthday!

Tonight we are going to Medieval Times! You are taking your best friend Alex. Woohoo! What a fun night.



You are such a smart boy. You are sweet, you always help your Mom, play games with Dad, and look out for you little sister. You tell funny jokes, and build the most amazing things out of legos. You hate enchiladas and lasagna. You always like your peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich cut into a house shape. You say, "bless Mom, bless Dad," at the beginning of every prayer...but never Natalia. You love when Daddy catches squirrels, and when he leaves to let them go you say, "the squirrels are going to a better place." You want to be a worker in demolition when you grow up. You always have a stick in your hand. You always tell us you love us! We LOVE you so much! You are such a blessing in our lives, and we are happy you are part of our family.


Happy Birthday Wyatt!


Family picture, August 2002.

Your first photo session! =) Four months old.

Blessing day, at Grandma's house......You are two months old here.