Miles at the Pumpkin Patch

2010 (just turned 1)

2011 (just turned 2)

Just a Quick Update

Life has been busy lately, but I'll get back to regular posting soon.  In the meantime, follow me on Twitter (@trishwhimsy), or keep an eye on the Twitter feed on the right side of the page.  Even when I don't have time to do a full post, I try to take quick snapshots of the kids on my phone to post there - just click the links that start with "twitgoo."

When I get a chance, I'll update with pictures of our recent Dewberry Farm visit!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

I was in a cookie-making mood the other day (baking is therapeutic for me), and wanted to do something other than the usual chocolate chip.  I looked in the cupboard and realized I had bag of Reese's peanut butter chips that were going to expire soon, and chocolate and peanut butter together sounded perfect.  I took this recipe straight from Baking Bites, and they were fantastic!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies (from Baking Bites)

(makes about 4 dozen)

2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups combo of chocolate chips and peanut butter chips

-Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

-In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

-In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. With the mixer on low, beat in the flour mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl, and continue to beat until all of the dry mix has been incorporated. Stir in the chips by hand.

-Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 to 3-inches between cookies to allow for spread.

-Bake for 9-11 minutes, until cookies are set at the edges and tops are slightly cracked looking.

-Cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack.

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

A Love of Reading

Gisèle was enjoying some time alone in the kitchen, reading quietly while comfortably ensconced on a cushion on the floor, when...

... along came Miles, curious to see what his big sister was up to.  He brought along his own cushion, of course.  If you're going to crash a private reading party, it's only polite to bring your own cushion.  It took him a little bit of effort to get his cushion placed just right, but... 

... he eventually got it situated just so, and he settled in right next to his favorite person in the whole world.  The first thing out of his mouth, naturally, was, "What dat, Gel?"  She told him the name of the book, and then went a step further... 

... and decided to "read" it to him.  She knew that was one of the things he loved best - being read to - and since she's such a good big sister, she gave up her quiet time to spend it with him.  So, that's how the picture of Gisèle reading in the kitchen turned into...

... Gisèle reading to Miles in the kitchen.

Attention, One and All!

Step right up, ladies and gentleman of all ages!  I give to you the amazing Mr. Miles, who, at only 2 years 1 month, went poo-poo in the potty his first time doing anything at all in the potty!  What a Marvel!  What a Stupendous Feat!  What a Magnificent Achievement!

Of course, as soon as he stood up, he worriedly gripped my arm, pointed at the potty, and asked, "What DAT?!" 

Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

(New, obviously!)

Giants

Me:  "So when you become a grown-up, you stop getting taller."
Gisele:  "Why? Because God doesn't want you to break the ceiling?  And mamas can't be giants. At least not in Texas, where we live."

"Setting"

(A long time ago, I came upon oneword.com - a great resource for anyone with writer's block.  One Word inspired today's post.)


Setting?  The first thing I think about is place settings.  I don't know why that comes to mind, really, because we don't even have a proper dining room table.  We have a breakfast nook table that is just the right size for the four of us, but if we have anyone else over, we have to use our card table and folding chairs and set them up in the dining room.  (That also means moving our breakfast nook table to the dining room, which is a bit of a pain.)  Now that I think about place settings, though, it makes me think about all of the beautiful dishes there are out there...  Here are a few that make me smile:

from Anthropologie

from Hideminy

from Anthropologie

 

from Anthropologie

Halloween 2011

Trick-or-treating was a lot of fun this year!  Miles actually knew what it all meant, and was able to participate on his own, though he is in a whispering phase and his "trick or treat" and "tay-too" ("thank you") could rarely be heard.  Gisèle, of course, marched right up to each door, announced, "We're here!" and said "Happy Halloween!" along with her traditional "trick or treat!" greetings.  I think her favorite part, though, might have been handing out candy back at our own house when we got back after our hour of walking.  She was so proud to put candy in other kids' buckets!