Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Winter Eggs

Dear Mom,
Golda and Gloria have been laying one egg a day for me since Golda's egg debut on Christmas Eve! I didn't expect the girls to begin laying until spring, since Winter's short days and cold temperatures are not ideal for hens to begin producing. The girls proved me wrong! Marge is a bit behind the others, although I'm happy to report that she is showing signs of laying soon! Maybe she will deliver on Valentine's Day! Meg is conserving her energy; she is using it to keep all 22 ounces of herself warm. Perhaps her dainty, cream-colored eggs will arrive in time for Easter!
Love, Bonnie Jo

Happy Snow Day!

Dear Mom,
We woke up to lots of snow this morning!
It is still snowing and we are supposed to get a wintry mix of snow and ice later this afternoon. No, we don't have to go anywhere and yes, David is being careful driving in it!
School was cancelled and we are all loving it:







The teenager













The diva









The pipsqueak

















The neighbors















And me! I am drinking coffee in my favorite mug and finishing a sweater that I am knitting for the store (Yarns & Fabrications in West Chester, OH). I am knitting a Knitting Pure & Simple pattern #257, the Split Neck T-Shirt for Women. I am teaching a neck-down sweater class so this is my store sample. I am using the Louet Gems, a beautiful light worsted weight. It is surprisingly soft and wonderful to work with!!

The most important thing today: Happy Birthday, Kim!!!
Hope you have a day full of knitting, reading and relaxing!!!
Love, Wendy

48 Years

Dear Mom,

Forty-eight years ago today you became a Mom for the first time. I learned how to be a good wife and mother from you. Thank you for being a Good Example to us!


This is what greeted me this morning when I came downstairs to fix breakfast for the kids. Oreo is on TOP of the guinea pig igloo looking for her lettuce and carrots! Lucy is standing on the pellet dish.




After getting the kids out the door, I had a a healthy breakfast of homemade yogurt and my granola. This morning I learned that if you forget to turn off the yogurt maker when you go to bed and the yogurt cooks for..... let's say an extra eight hours,











it is still good.



Kim's Granola
(makes a whole bunch)

In a turkey roasting pan, combine:
1- 42 oz box old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 c brown sugar
2c slice almonds
1 1/2 t salt.


In a separate bowl, combine, and then add to ingredients in roasting pan, mixing well:
3/4 c canola oil
1/3 c honey
1/4 c blackstrap molasses
1 1/2 t vanilla


Bake at 350 until a dark toasty brown, stirring every 15 minutes or so.


Remove from oven and stir in
12 0z craisins
8 oz dried blueberries
6 oz dried cherries
1 c flax seed


Cool and store in airtight containers.



Keep warm and be careful if it snows like they are saying!
Love,
Kim