the resident roamer

I started taking this video this afternoon to try and capture Miriam and Abbie giggling together, but (as it usually happens), they stopped shortly after I started filming.  Instead, I decided to follow Abbie around (who was following Miriam around) to show why Matt has begun calling her our "resident roamer."

{sorry my fingers are in the way for over half the video.  I guess I am still learning how to take video on my iPhone}

vinegar, part two

I got a few comments on the vinegar post that I thought would be worth sharing for those of you interested in using it as a cleaner (or for other uses as I found out).  

"Vinegar is also a great window/ mirror cleaner when diluted a bit with water.
Also, when boiling eggs.... Add a bit to the water when you put in the eggs- it hardens the shells and they're easier to peel..."

"also to clean the bathroom/tub. my mom uses it like crazy and the smell goes away after a little bit."

"I use it to clean my counters, make fabric softener, heartburn, mirrors and glass, and toilet cleaner...to name a few."

Thanks for the ideas!  I will be giving those a try.  Let me know if there are any other vinegar uses.  Otherwise, I'm done with vinegar posts for awhile.  I promise.

the wonder of vinegar

I know I haven't updated on family things for us in quite some time, but basically...we've all been sick in one way or another much of this month.  So, not too much new to report.  On that note, I thought I'd pass on a few tips I've learned about vinegar (who knew it can be used for more than just cooking?).  When I began cloth diapering awhile back, my friend Amber (who also sold me the cloth diapers) told me that I should do an extra rinse on my diapers as often as possible with a 1/4 cup of vinegar.  Apparently, it helps restore the pH of the cloth diapers and helps with diaper rash.  Also, I've heard that adding vinegar to the rinse cycle of any laundry is effective.  I really don't know the ins and outs of why it's good, but I've heard this from more than one source.

Another use I've found for vinegar?  Using it as a rinse aid in my dishwasher!  I've actually found that it works better than the rinse aids I buy at the store (and it's much cheaper!).  We don't have a water softener, so we really can tell the difference without the rinse aid.

And finally, although I haven't tried this because I'm still somewhat skeptical...apparently vinegar can replace pretty much any of the regular household cleaners you may have (and thereby saving a ton of money).  We still have a lot of cleaners around here, so maybe when they run out, I will try that.  Does anyone have any experience with cleaning with vinegar?  I guess I'm still learning more about it, but my curiosity has been piqued!  Also, in a quick google search, I found this book that seems like it would be a great resource for starting to clean with vinegar.  I can't really review it since I've never read it, but if you are interested, it was recommended on another site.  Happy cleaning!

amazing chocolate chip cookies

Today winter decided to remind us that it is, indeed, still winter by dumping several inches of snow over our freshly melted snow (or grass we finally could see after a few months).  So, similar to our last huge snowstorm, I decided to stay inside and bake cookies!  I wanted to pass along this recipe for chocolate chip cookies someone shared with me in college.  Every time I make them, people comment on how wonderful they are.  It's a simple recipe, but these are the best cookies in the world.  

Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2	cups butter or margarine, softened
1 1/4	cups granulated sugar
1 1/4	cups packed brown sugar
1	tablespoon vanilla
2	eggs
4	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2	teaspoons baking soda
1	teaspoon salt
1	package (24 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (4 cups) Heat oven to 350ºF. Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs in large bowl using spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack; cool. The recipe is from Betty Crocker and, just like the name says, calls for a lot of butter.  Probably why they're so good.  One of the tricks is to use a wooden spoon to mix it all together (like it says) because I think that helps the butter not get so broken up and make the cookies taste yummier!  I also bake for just 11 minutes because I like my cookies a little on the softer side.  Enjoy!

Favorite things

I was glancing through some pictures on my phone tonight and found

this one. And then I realized that it contained several of my

favorite things: Target, diet coke, Miriam and Abbie. Of course, the

last two are definitely my most favorite!

Sleeping beauties

We are on the road to my parents' house, and this is my beautiful view when I turn around.

Play day

Yesterday we ventured to the mall play area for a bit to have the
girls run around. They both loved it...Abbie mostly just sat in the
boat and giggled while Miriam climbed and ran. They also tagged along
with me while I shopped for a few minutes. All in all, a good
afternoon! I'm so thankful it's easier to get out now that the
weather is warmer (although we're still getting out to go in
somewhere. One step at a time). But I hear 50* on Thursday? Loving
this weather!

caption needed

Earlier this week, I walked into the living room to find this:

It gave me quite the laugh.  Then I showed Matt and he grabbed the camera.  I'm still not sure how it ended up that way, but we both found it humorous.  So then he posted the picture on Facebook this morning with this explanation:

We honestly have no idea how this grandma ended up in this position--either the cats, Miriam, or Abbie. However, part of me wonders if it was the grandma herself avoiding the car roll-over that you see in the background--Matrix-like.

I thought that was quite clever!  But, I thought it would be fun to see if anyone else could come up with a clever caption to this odd photo.  Ideas?

In other news, I will just jot down my top ten events/thoughts from the week:

1) We all had the flu starting with the girls last Saturday.  It has lingered on through the week and we are extremely thankful to be at the tail end of it.  Yuck.

2) Abbie is walking EVERYWHERE.  I love it.  Some moms dread when their kids become mobile, but I so enjoy it.  I think they are happier, too, because they can get to where they want to be (and sometimes in some clever spots!).

3) Cooking has gone downhill this week.  Probably because we've all been sick and not really eating much anyway.  I'm hoping to resume a meal plan again soon.

4) I am ready for winter to be done.  I typically love this season, but this year has seemed to drag on.  The forecasted 40's for this next week have me so excited!

5) My "read through the Bible in a year" has been going really well!  I am so thankful to be in the routine of reading Scripture again.

6) I have started up rehearsals with the symphony again.  Enjoying that.

7) I can't wait to go outside for a walk soon.

8) I don't mind doing laundry.  I just don't like folding clothes and putting them away.

9) I can't believe Abbie's birthday is coming up so soon!

10) Did I mention I can't wait for spring?

unscripted thoughts

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to update here (again), so I'm just going to write what comes to my mind and stop when I run out of things to say.  This may be a short or extremely long post.  Hard to say.  Our kiddos have been sick.  Not sure where it came from seeing as we've been pretty cooped up the last few weeks.  But we did venture out to the Children's Museum the other night, so that must be the culprit.  As much as I hate to see them sick, we do always enjoy the extra cuddles.  

This little one almost never falls asleep on anyone, so we know she's not feeling well.  

We had plans for the Superbowl tonight, so left the girls with their grandparents while we headed out of town.  They seemed to be doing much better today, so we felt like it would be okay.  But it sounds like they've been extra cuddly there, too.  

I have mixed feelings about the Superbowl.  The Minnesota girl in me kind of wants the Packers to lose miserably, but I also live in Wisconsin.  But I think I still want the Steelers to win.  Sorry Wisconsin family and friends.  I still like you, though!

I'm being called to play "500."  I guess this ends the unscripted thoughts.

waiting

Have I mentioned this girl adores her Papa?  Yes, I believe I have.  Not only does she squeal with delight when he comes home from work and run after him whenever she hears his voice, but she also stands outside the bathroom door in the morning waiting for him to get out of the shower.  

Isn't it precious?