It's like candy.

We have two pecan trees in our front yard that went crazy this year. We have pecans coming out of our ears. I spent about an hour the other day shelling some, and I didn't even make a dent in our supply. But I had shelled just enough for a batch of granola. Yum. I love granola. The recipe I use comes from my mom's friend, Ann. I don't think she'd mind if I shared it with you.

Ann H*'s Cottage Granola

4 cups Old Fashioned Oats
2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup canola oil
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 small pkg craisens (optional)

Mix all of the ingredients except craisens and spread on a baking sheet or two. Bake at 300 degrees, for about 40 to 50 minutes, checking and stirring every 20 minutes or so. I like my granola slightly well done, so I bake it for about 50 minutes. Cool completely. Add craisens. Try not to eat it all at once. Store in an airtight container.

in her element

Stella started ballet this week. It is her dream come true. She's been reliving every moment of her class every day since. She's even taken to sleeping in her ballet slippers.

This is why we live in Arizona.

Family bike rides are quickly becoming our favorite evening activity.

Crawling babies and cutting sewing patterns don't mix.

Just FYI.

I'm not sure why I thought they would.

from the bottom of my heart

some of the gifts for the girls of Lua Nova

The thing I love most about blogging is the community it creates. It makes me feel like we are all in this together, you know? We admire, support, and help each other, even though we've mostly never met in real life. I love being part of it.

So a few months ago, when I was looking for scrapbooks for our sisters in Brazil, I knew I could count on you. Your response was wonderful! Thank you, friends! I sincerely call you my friends, for your generosity and kindness have proven your goodness, and I am lucky to have you.

Thank you. Thank you.

My sister has arrived safely back in Brazil, scrapbooks and other supplies tucked in her suitcases, and she wanted to say thank you, as well.

lemons and treats

I love when our lemons are ripe and ready to be picked. We had a bumper crop this year, so many lemons that the branches of our poor tree are sagging to the ground. I will be busy picking, juicing, freezing, and scheming up some sort of lemon treat to bake tomorrow.

You see, another of my resolutions this year is to make a treat actually feel like a treat again. I'm sorry to say that treats had become rather ordinary around our house. They were much too common, too every day. Oliver had come to expect dessert every night, and Stella was requesting candy with breakfast. In short, we were eating far too much sugar than was good for us. Something had to change. So I threw the candy away and now we only bake something yummy to eat on Saturdays. It is something we plan for and look forward to all week. I like that it makes a treat feel special, you know. . . like a treat!

I'm thinking of making this. It's a classic and one of my very favorites.

p.s. I sneak a few chocolate chips here and there. They help take the edge off. :)

Safety First

The baby gate is up. We're fully mobile around here.

some freshening up

Yesterday our sheets disintegrated. When we woke up there was a big hole right at my feet. So off I went to HomeGoods. While I was there I picked up this pretty top. Is it wrong that a new blouse can make me so happy?

Also, I changed the look of my blog a little bit. I realize that it looks almost exactly the same as before, but fresher, right? I'm not one for big change, anyway.

For some reason I've been having a hard time feeling motivated this new year. Have you? Guy, I don't know what the deal is. I think maybe an exercise regimen is my answer. So starting at 5 o'clock tomorrow morning, I'll be jogging with some friends. Ack! That's so not me. And 5 o'clock is really early (especially since I still get up about 3 times a night with Mr. Elliot and/or Stella!). But I am desperately out of shape, and I need help. My mind and body could both use a little freshening up, if you know what I mean. I'll let you know how it goes.

Other than that, all is quiet around here. Our house smells like a campfire as we've been having nightly fires in our fireplace and roasting lots of marshmallows. It's been cozy.

How is your New Year so far?

a resolution

This year, I am letting some things go. Instead of rushing around during Elliot's nap to get housework done this morning, I am letting my laundry sit unfolded so I can play princess play-doh with Stella. I'll get to the laundry sometime, but Stella will come first.

We both feel really good about it.