News from the Coop

The coop is a buzz these days the "ladies" are all so excited. The gossip around the hen house is that they are getting a new house and although this rumor has been going around for quite some time this weekend the building began.

After being consulted on design the "ladies" choose an A frame English style house. For the time being it is just framed in but hopefully this weekend will be moving time. I think the ladies have already picked out their nesting spots

Summer's Here

Memorial Day has come and gone, the kids are out of school, the pool has opened and the days are getting HOT all this can only mean one thing SUMMER is here!

End of Year party

I can hardly believe Caleb is out of Kindergarten where did this year go? I know if each year goes this fast we will be watching him walk out of high school in no time, so I will cherish these days and I remember this thought when Caleb and Ella are driving me nuts this summer!

In his class singing a song for the moms

Last Day worship time

That sweet little boy that timidly walked into a new school last August walked out today a 1st Grader saying good-bye to all his friends, it has been a GREAT year!

On the Table this week

Trying to get myself back on schedule so I am posting menus again

Monday- Rigitoni with Sausage Tomato Sauce, Arugula and Parmesan
Tuesday- Red Leaf and Red Cabbage Salad with Tarragon Chicken
Wednesday -Shanghai Stir-fried Beef & Broccoli
Thursday-Baja-Style Fish tacos with Southwestern Slaw
Friday -Pizza Night
Saturday - Mini Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
Sunday- Braised Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Cook along with me
Rigitoni with Spicy Sausage Tomato Sauce , arugula and Parmesan
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 pounds fresh hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree
8 ounces rigatoni2 cups (packed) fresh arugula, stemmed
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat.
Add onion; sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add garlic; stir 1 minute.
Add sausage; cook until browned, breaking up with back of spoon, about 5 minutes.
Drain drippings from pot.
Add wine, diced tomatoes with juice, and crushed tomatoes; increase heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally.
DO AHEAD:
Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly.
Refrigerate uncovered until cool, then cover and keep chilled.
Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain.
Stir pasta, arugula, basil, and oregano into tomato sauce.
Simmer until arugula wilts, stirring often, about 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to large bowl.
Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Check back this week for more recipes

Moms

This is for all my moms out there, if this is not currently your life just wait it will be. Everything a mom says in a 24 hour day put to William Tell Overture - a personal favorite
Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day

Turn off the MP3 music so you can enjoy this
>

Super Caleb

I hope by speeding the slide show up you can get the full effect of "flying"
This post is a special thanks to Jimmy who put up the rope swing
Please take note of the "Super Caleb" attire...jeans-very rugged for whatever situation you find yourself in, cape-a must for a superhero, rubber boots-not a traditional part of the superheros attire but proven handy in many a sticky situation(and they are quick and easy to put on)

Surgery,Dinner, Broken Bones and Princesses

So the last 2 weeks have been insane and gone by in a whirl wind. They started off with Caleb having his adenoids out.

He was quite excited about the fact that he got a popsicle and the fact that Ella would be so jealous. He also liked the fact that he got to wear his pajamas to the hospital. And when we got there he got to wear a "cool" gown.

The surgery went well and to quote the Dr "those were huge". In recovery he was asking for Jack and the nurse thought he wanted to eat at Jack's but for those of you who know Caleb you know what he wanted. Fortunatly his other nurse had already met Mr. Old Jack.

Finally came the best part of all

the popsicle, which made and discomfort of the surgery worth while. To quote Caleb "that wasn't so bad". He managed to take it easy for a few hours but by that afternoon was swinging on his rope swing and came to me and said"mom I'm starving I need a cheeseburger" so much for all the soft food I purchased! The funniest part of the whole day was when Ella was wanting some attention and Caleb said"Ella it's not about you today, it's about me".

The Saturday after Caleb had his adenoids out we headed down to Dothan to help my parents with their first farm dinner. What is a farm dinner you ask? Well just that a dinner on the farm with food grown on the farm or nearby. We had a great group of people and the evening was just beautiful the "crowning" moment was when the full moon rose up over the farm a beautiful sight to behold. For pictures go to Waterberry Farm here

Just when I thought life was going to slow down and I could get ready for Ella's 3rd birthday, Ella fell out of the car getting out one afternoon. She complained her elbow (meaning shoulder) hurt but we just thought she wrentched it, but Friday morning it was clear to me something more was wrong. Sure enough she had broken her collar bone, poor girl. As a bribe to get through the long day at the docs I promised we would get ice cream on the way home. While at the grocery picking out ice cream Caleb kept saying what he wanted Ella says frustrated "it's about me today Caleb!"

Finally Ella's birthday is here and after working late into the night I got it all done. All our little princesses showed up and so did Cinderella. It was a good party, Ella is still talking about it but boy did it leave me exhausted.
So this week has been about R&R and getting back on schedule