I'm Not Even Sure Where to Begin

My little blog, I know I have neglected you.  I know.  You don't need to keep reminding me with your baleful stares and spotty August posts.  I'm back again, and I promise to do better.  We have much to catch up on, so let's begin with a new look for Fall (OK, it's now September, we can proclaim our love for Fall even though it's supposed to be 96 today).

Do you like it?  I think it feels Fall-ish without being too overwhelming.

Anyway....I promise, we will catch up on all the summer happenings, and yes, it feels crazy that summer is essentially over despite the fact that I vividly remember it being June 15th just yesterday, and then feeling like summer was going to be a giant void of packing and moving and unpacking and no fun whatsoever.

I was wrong.

It was mostly about the packing and the moving and the unpacking, but the Fun was there too.  Oh boy, was it there.

So let's begin by showing my geek side, and talking about cupcakes.  Not just any cupcakes, but Harry Potter cupcakes.

Yes.

OK, I can't even remember which cupcake recipe I used exactly...because the blog page I borrowed this from didn't specify, and 2 months have passed since I made these, and I am a giant dork.  I think it was just a basic devil's food cupcake recipe. 

Oh, and let me insert the back story, too.  Harry Potter came out, and some Michigan friends threw a great Harry Potter party.  They asked that you either bring a Harry Potter food, or dress up.  We were already partly packed & I was frazzled, so food it was!  And of course, if it's a party, I have to do cupcakes.  I found a recipe for Cauldron Cakes based on the Felix Felicis potion, and who couldn't use a little more good luck?  I had to modify it a bit because it was blazing hot in my kitchen, and there's no way I could pipe the cauldron handle & have it not melt into a tiny pool of brown goo, so instead of Cauldron 'Cakes, we have just plain Felix Felicis Cupcakes, and boy were they GOOD.  

I won't detail the whole process, but I will say that the secret to the goodness was coring out the center of the cupcake, dabbing ganache inside, then piping in marshmallow filling.  YES.  It was hard not to simply eat the ganache by the spoonful, but when combined with the marshmallow filling and the devil's food cupcake, it was even more amazing. One last time.... AMAZING.    

So there you have it.  Fun party, great food, and I even got to sneak away that Monday & watch the movie in blissful peace.  Yay!  

A Day at the Beach

Out of sheer boredom and a driving to desire to Get! Out! of the! HEAT!, we took a drive north.  It brought us to Port Huron, and the melding of the St. Clair River with Lake Huron.  Until recently, we did not know about the sandy beaches and calm waters of the Lake.  Nor did we know of the random beach closures due to E. coli.  By continuing our journey north, we prevailed.  A lovely stretch of sandy beach was found and claimed to be our own: Lakeport State Park  Day Use Area, to be exact. (Note: this location requires the Michigan Recreation Passport.  We didn't have one, but it was mid-week & the entrance wasn't staffed, so we took our chances.)

This man was in love with the sand, the water, and the sunshine. 

This girl paddled and dove and built a masterful sandcastle.

(Look at those legs!  I swear, she has grown 3 inches this summer)

Although the beach was far more rocky than my old Southern California haunts, we acclimated.  A few feet into the lake, the poky rocks turned to soft sand and I was content to hover in the water while my children plotted and dug and poured sand to their hearts' content.  Despite the sizzling sun, it was still 15 degrees cooler by the lake than at home.  After hours of sunscreen, paddling, rock throwing, moat building, and snorkeling, we headed home.  

Our evening was capped off by spotting this:

  Although we personally did not taste-test the efficacy of this statement, I stand by my credo: If you have to use neon to claim how great your food is, it probably isn't.  

Ballet Recital

I'm only about 3.5 weeks late in posting this, but here are some snaps from Big Sis' ballet recital:

Her class did a dance from Tangled, and she did an amazing job.  

I don't have any shots from the actual recital because I had to pick between still shots & video (they only allow filming during the dress rehearsal, and they only do one run-through). I missed the video last year, so I had to give it a try this time.  

We'll be starting with another new dance studio in September. 

Although the lack of continuity is a little frustrating (another downside to moving often), it has given us good exposure to how different studios are run & the different methods of teaching. 

At least she still loves to dance! 

Michigan Bucket List: Mackinac Island

A few weeks back, we found ourselves with a free weekend.  Given that our days in Michigan are limited, we decided to cross off a must-see: Mackinac Island.

This is the Mackinac Bridge - the state of Michigan's single largest asset. 

(as viewed from the UP)

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

The Bridge as viewed from Mackinac Point.

We took the ferry over to Mackinac Island, 

and walked over to Fort Mackinac which has been restored to its 19th century glory. 

No cars are allowed on the island (not even for locals), 

and everyone either walks, rides bicycles, or takes horse-drawn carriages.  

View of the Fort from Main Street

Weapons demonstration. 

Much of the Fort has been restored, 

and 14 different buildings show vignettes of a soldier's life in the late 1800's. 

The family as 19th century soldiers

The island as viewed from the Fort

And of course, we had to see the Grand Hotel.

Built in 1887, it boasts "The world's largest front porch".  

Geraniums are the hotel's trademark flower, and were even woven into the hotel's carpet. 

It is a very PROPER place.  

I'm so glad we made the time for this little getaway.  

The Island was quaint, the weather was gorgeous (the second day), and the kids were fascinated by the Fort.  Absolutely worth a visit if you're in the area. 

No Spending Progress

Day 1: After 4 days of the stomach flu, I woke up feeling better.  Coupled with sunshine and day 2 of Spring Break, I decided it was time for family fun.  I knew my membership was up soon so I made the executive decision, and we packed up to head out to the Detroit Zoo.  I did stop at the grocery and bought snacks to tide us over.  I also topped off the gas in my car – all allowed under the ‘rules’ for April.  I found myself thinking about hot chocolate and cherry limeades from Sonic.  But I was strong, and made it through the day.  Dinner at home, and all was well.   Total spent: $0

Day 2:  A very lazy Saturday at home.  No errands, just chores and reading and games.  Total spent: $0

Day 3:  Big Daddy suggested we go to IKEA, and who am I turn down a voluntary family trip to my favorite furniture megastore?  We made the trip and although I wrote imaginary checks as we meandered through sofas, kitchens, and storage, we spent no actual $$.  The day turned rainy, and we spent the rest of the afternoon movie surfing, reading, and playing dress-up.  Total spent: $0

Day 4: It was a rainy day, so we huddled down inside.  I caught up on the household chores, and we only left the comfort of our home to stretch our legs at the library.  Although I gazed longingly at the Sonic drive-through (half price Cherry Limeades!), I sped by and stayed strong.  I did go to the pharmacy to pick up an Rx, but avoided the Easter candy and nail polish aisles.  Total spent: $0

Day 5: Another cold, overcast day.  Took the kids out for a walk & it was SNOWING.  I am so over winter.  I had a new book to read (from the library), so I was fairly distracted.  Ran to the grocery store for a few things, but was not tempted by anything ‘extra’.  Total spent: $0

Day 6:  I think this is feeling more difficult because the kids have been home for Spring Break (school starts again on Monday!).  I want to do fun things with them, but I am not finding anything that is free and local.  Must schedule playdates soon.  Occupied most of my day with creating listings on eBay.  My version of Spring Cleaning, I guess.  Total spent: $0

Day 7: No luck scheduling playdates.  Sold an item on Craigslist & found it enormously satisfying.  Also cleaned out bits of the basement, garage, and back yard.  Did not leave the house.  Am wondering if I am becoming agoraphobic.  Am also realizing how many email lists I am on – they always seem to arrive touting some new discount or deal.  Difficult on my resolve, but I am staying strong.  It is feeling a little less like punishment & more like ‘the new normal’.  Total spent: $0

Apple Delight

(I guess I should be happy he is focused on getting his daily allowance of fruit & fiber)

Three!

I am boggled that not only are we halfway through March of 2011, my Baby Boy is also 3! 

We started our day with donuts & presents. 

Frog Pillow Pet from Grandma Huff.  A HUGE hit. 

More Thomas from Mom & Dad

3!

During errands that morning, he got the special treat of riding with Bob the Builder. 

Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger. 

Big Sis loves to play dress-up.... 

and in the interest of keeping him out of high heels & feather boas, 

we thought a costume of his own would be most fitting. 

As requested: fried rice for dinner. 

Flingsmash cake!

 Happy Birthday Big J!

Memories of age 2-3:

• His vocabulary is huge & he loves to talk.  
• He is still small for his age.  Because he is small - but very verbal - strangers often have no idea how old he is.... guesses range from a tiny 4 year old to an incredibly advanced 2 year old.  
• He is potty trained!  He uses a pull-up at night, but we're going to wean him off that after the move this summer. 
• He is outgrowing his nap.  Although Mama isn't thrilled with it, it usually means a solid 10 hours of sleep at night (which Mama LOVES).
• He has begun to mimic some of the things we say.  Ex: "Um, excuse me, I'm talking here.", "Hello?  Can you hear me?", "Mama, I just need a minute."
• He loves to jump, run, and swing.  He loves the slide, goes nuts at the bouncehouse, and can kick a ball really well.  He is learning to catch a ball.  Loves the water, and will jump in without hesitation.  Does not like to float on his back. 
• Favorite toys: Thomas trains, Buzz, Woody, Hot Wheels cars, Legos.  
• Likes to be read to.  Favorite Book: Go Dog, Go.  
• Questions everything.  "What's this?  Why?  Where are we going?"  Sometimes makes us feel like this is the Spanish Inquisition (without the Rack, of course). 
• Is very social.  Loves to play with friends and visit other people's homes.  
• Wants to be in the middle of whatever we are doing.  If I am exercising, or in the kitchen, he is right next to me - either copying what I'm doing, or playing close by.  
• Knows all his letters and can count to 10.  Knows colors, shapes, and almost any animal you show him.  
• Is a picky eater.  Enjoys strawberries, macaroni & cheese, fried rice, peanut butter & jelly (likes to make his own sandwich), chicken nuggets, bananas, nectarines, milk.  Will pretend to gag if he is encouraged to eat a bite of something he thinks he doesn't like (broccoli). 
• Favorite color: Orange!
• Is fascinated by the current Red Lobster commercial & will watch it, eyes unblinking, until the end when he asks when we go there.  

Quilting

The long awaited quilt is finished.  I only bought the fabric 18 months ago.... and started it last January.  I am a girl who will not be rushed, OK?

Honestly though, I have never been more challenged or more proud of a craft project.  From choosing the fabrics to deciding on a pattern to troubleshooting the multitude of problems I came across, I did it all myself.  I had it half quilted last Spring, then let it languish through the Summer (It was too hot to wrestle all that fabric).  I conjured up additional delays in the Fall (I was busy!) and into December (It's CHRISTMAS, I just can't right now).  I finally sat down and finished the quilting, then delayed a few more weeks due to binding intimidation.  At long last I found a tutorial that allowed me to knock it out in a week!  I am not a seamstress or a quilter, but I think it looks pretty good.

I used a Disappearing Nine Patch pattern, with sashing to increase the overall size of the quilt.  Although I love it (as does the recipient who is excited to receive it on her 7th birthday), I don't think I will attempt another quilt until I have a machine that can really handle it.  My little Brother did a good job, but was a tiny bit overwhelmed at times.  Much like its operator.  In the end, we both won.

Fighting the Power

After a horrible, awful, no-good, very bad Monday, Tuesday dawned with hope and light.  

Well, it dawned with hope anyway.  The light came later - about 2 hours after I got up at 5am (J, we really gotta talk about these early mornings wake ups).  And the hope was coupled with RAIN.  Yes, RAIN, in the midst of a grey January morning.  Who ever heard of rain and ice together?  Michigan, that's who! And apparently my driveway had to get in on the action, as it was coated with a thin sheet of ice from back door to garage. 

Despite a slippery start, I knocked out my early morning errand, played a few rounds of Mario Kart (as Donkey Kong, per request of the 2 year old - I think he sees a kindred spirit in that ridiculous ape), and then headed out to the thrift store and one of my 3 favorite shopping destinations: The Costco.  

First, I scored a new cookbook.  $3.95.  Not bad!  I expect it to fully live up to its lofty claims, and I am already feeling very trusting towards all 350 recipes.  Maybe I should do a Julie & Julia thing and make a recipe a day for a year.  

Maybe not.  (My jeans are already thanking me).

Next, I went to The Costco.  Ah Costco, I do love thee.  Where else can one purchase a new sofa, a gallon of milk, 18 lbs. of apples, 2 dozen tennis balls, a gas generator, and a prescription for allergy medicine all in the same visit?  

(fyi, I only bought one of these items)  

But I did buy 20.23 pounds of pork.  Apparently I decided that our household was in the midst of a pork shortage that must. be. rectified.   I really think that the weather just made the idea of pulled pork sandwiches sound irresistible.  So, now my freezer is filled with swine and my belly is full of churro and hot dog.  

See, I told you it was going to be a good day.     

The Post Where I Express My Disappointment With The Month of January

January, you get a bad rap.  I'm not saying you don't deserve it, but part of it is not your fault.  Much like August, your position on the calendar is much to blame for your unfortunate reputation.  You lie in that peculiar no-man's land of time, trapped between the excitement of the December holidays and the far-off possibilities of Spring.

While you begin with a bang, it's not always of the joyous variety.  The pressure of resolutions and change and examining the imperfect are not my idea of a good time (not that I am opposed to self-review, it's just that 1/1 is in direct conflict to my feelings that this should be an ongoing process vs. a yearly one).  Mother Nature's wintery penchant for grey skies and frigid temperatures do nothing to enhance your questionable reputation. And 31 days of this drudgery??  FAR too much.  

So I mark off the days with an increasingly heavy hand, eyes glazed over with thoughts of sunny skies and Caribbean breezes.  Florida's siren song is calling... if only my lottery ticket seller/ Fairy Godmother/ Guardian Angel would hear it too.  In the meantime, I fill your days with phone calls and playdates, spicy food and woolen mittens.

And PS - I'd still rather be cold than hot, so January, you totally have the edge over August!!

Cautiously Optimistic

I don't do resolutions, and am feeling lukewarm about penning a set of 2011 "Goals" (aka resolutions renamed).

So instead, I give you my theme for the year:

Cautiously Optimistic

I've read much online about how awful 2010 for so many people.  I empathize, but can't say it was the same for us.  Oh sure, we've had our share of down years.  Usually it's the odd numbers for us, which doesn't bode well for 2011, but I am entering the New Year feeling..... hopeful.

This will be a year of closure and new beginnings.  It will likely contain at least one major move, and we will even reach a Major Life Milestone (or two or three).  I have no illusions that there will be some big bumps in the road, but for now, I feel calm, I feel capable, and I feel ready.

Happy New Year to All!  

End of Year Newsletter

I decided against doing Christmas cards this year.  For the amount of work involved, and the excessive amount of time I was spending thinking about how/when/where to capture the perfect picture, it just didn't seem worth it.  

So for the two people who really appreciate cards from us, I'm sorry.  

And for the other two who are still reading, I give you the Huff Family Newsletter.  I'm posting this on New Year's Eve, so I feel I can still call it a Holiday Newsletter AND a 2010 recap.  Click twice to enlarge into readability.  And you're welcome.    

Snow Day, Part I

It started snowing on Sunday morning.  A wet, heavy snow that I knew would turn to ice that night.  I shovelled at about 10 am, wanting to get a jump on it & make sure we would have a clear path out for church.  In the end it was a wasted effort because it just kept coming & coming.  

Monday morning, I woke up at 6am to begin again.  I shovelled for 75 minutes (5" of snow over an inch+ of ice), then frantically got the kids up & going for school.  Silly Mama - forgot to check the school closures... because why would school be closed from a few inches of snow???  There was blue sky for Pete's Sake!  We re-routed to the grocery store to stock up on ice melt & turkey burgers, then headed home to warm up.  

Enter Snow Day, Part I

They "played" in the snow, but it didn't last long.  -9 degrees is not conducive to play or snowman building.  We learned the hard way.  

After hot chocolate and grilled cheeses sandwiches, the crafting & Mario Kart competitions began.  

I finally finished my door snakes, just in time for the frigid weather.  Know what they are filled with?  Kitty Litter!  It's a little dusty, but much cheaper than buying beans or rice.

We also caught up on some Advent Activities such as making a "Gingerbread" House.  Both the kids pitched in to decorate, and of course we had to add a mascot - a glittered triceratops to guard our precious abode.  Every home should have one.  Big Sis started her sibling gift for J, and we'll finish that up during Snow Day, Part II (today!).  

Attack of the Christmas Mice

Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Mice

They look simple, but making 25 of them was a little ambitious for early December (much cutting of felt).  Thankfully, I started a few weeks in advance & did one step each day.... and enlisting the forced labor of my 1st grader didn't hurt either.

I think the end result is totally worth the effort.  I hope her classmates love them as much as she does!

The Remains

Remember this from yesterday's baking disasters?  

Well, after I finished sobbing quietly into gently cupped hands, I wiped away my salty remorse & bagged up the remains.  

Today was filled with errands and I was finally able to sit down at 1 pm for a hasty lunch.  Chili consumed, I opened the bag of cake crumbles & popped a piece in my mouth.  It was chocolatey, cinnamony goodness.  It was delicious, delightful, delectable.  I wanted more, and probably could have consumed every crumb if decorum and my jeans would have allowed.  It made me want to go out and buy a proper Bundt pan.  If I eat this for breakfast, I may do just that.

In the meantime, here is the recipe.  Make this tonight, then give it to someone you love.  Because if you don't get it out of the house you may eat the whole thing in 24 hours.  This recipe is from The Food Librarian, and I can see why it's her favorite Bundt recipe.

Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt Cake
Recipe from The Food Librarian.  

1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/4 cup + 1T (or 5T) cocoa powder

2 cups AP flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 cup buttermilk
1 t baking soda

2 eggs
1 t vanilla

1. Bring to a boil in a pot: water, oil, butter, cocoa powder.
2. In a large bowl, with a whisk, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon.
3. Add the chocolate mixture to the flour and mix until combined.
4. Add the buttermilk and baking soda and mix. 
5. In a small bowl, mix the eggs and the vanilla.  Add to the batter and combine.  
6. Pour batter into a greased 10 or 12-cup Bundt pan.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes (start checking it at 25 minutes).  
7. Cool in pan. 
8. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze of powdered sugar mixed with milk or water.    

Cooking Disasters

In the last 24 hours, I have burnt 2 batches of toffee (4 pounds of butter & 4 cups of sugar GONE) and I destroyed a DELICIOUS cake.

The first batch of toffee was my fault - heat too high.  The second batch... I don't know.  It was going well, then it separated & burnt.  I stirred for an hour before I finally gave up.  I really think that a big part of my problem is the electric stove.  The temperature gauges are inconsistent & attempting to make minor adjustments either turn the heat too high or too low.   

I DID manage to make a half batch that turned out well.  Not fantastic, but good.  I changed pots, burners & recipes... and when I began to heat the sugar & butter, I walked away from it.  When I came back it was bubbling & I checked the temperature then immediately poured it over the nuts.  Easy-peasy, and put my previous hours of stirring to shame.  

And then there was the cake.  

The recipe was amazing - a Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt Cake.  My pan was inferior.  I attempted to use a silicone mini bundt pan & despite a profuse application of sprayed lubrication, everything just stuck & fell apart.  

I may be done with Christmas baking for this year.

(And yes, that is mint green ceramic tile you see under my cake.  This is one Klassy Kitchen I'm cooking in!)

Visit to Santa

Saturday morning's Advent activity was a Visit to Santa.

Back story: After talking it over, we decided this was the only decent weekend to make it happen, so I did a quick envelope switcheroo, and began to mentally prepare myself for the havoc of a Saturday with Santa.   This preparation apparently included the following delusion: "Santa opens 2 hours before the mall does.  If we get there a little before everything opens and put our name on the list right away, we should be able to get in and out pretty quickly."

Apparently arriving at 9:30 was also the idea of at least 50 other families, and signing in immediately gave us an 11:30 return time to see Santa.  Le sigh.

Here's what we did to kill the time:

• Dropped off letters to be mailed to the North Pole.  
• Waited in line for hot chocolate. 
• Waited in line for snacks. 
• Took pictures of kids running. 
• Took pictures of kids next to trees. 
• Took pictures of kids next to poinsettias. 
• Took pictures of kids next to garland. 
• Found a locker to dump our outerwear.  
• Visited the bathroom 3 times. 
• Visited Lego store. 
• Watched Big J run - FOR AN HOUR. 

Mailing a Letter to Santa.  They had a really neat setup where the kids can post a letter & it gets sucked up a long tube to the top of the mall (3 stories up) & "sent" to Santa.  The Postmaster was really great & made each child feel special as they handed over their precious lists.   

In the inner sanctum, waiting to see Santa.  

The Big Man himself.  J has been SO EXCITED to see Santa, but we weren't sure what would happen when he saw him up close.  Sis went first, then J joined her & he did great!  Spoke up loud & clear, and there was no apprehension at all.  

I really liked that we had the option to take our own pictures (as many as we wanted) for just a few dollars (as opposed to the package deal for almost $40!).  

A successful day.