MY TWIN

It's been very apparent that Ivy is my look alike and here is more proof. My Brother, Danny (blondie in the pic), found a bunch of slides spilled around my Grandma's vacated dairy home. He gathered them up and has been scanning them in. I saw this and was, once again, amazed by the uncanny resemblance. The elder in braids is my sister, Amy. This is where I grew up in Harvest Valley, Arizona. My parents still live near there on what my mom affectionately calls Paradise Island. I love taking a good walk down memory lane.

SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON REMAKE

Rusty has been working on our treehouse for years and January marked phase 2 of the "Treehouse." He's been wanting to add the second level of it, but I was so nervous. Not so much now there are rungs. Yes, it needs a coat of stain, but between rain, drying out time, Saturdays filled with activities...well, we just haven't got to it. But soon. Perhaps this Spring. There is some talk of a crow's nest. Not sure that will pass the MARC (Mom's Architectual Review Committee).

AS PROMISED

I've NEVER made waffles...until 3 weeks ago when Santa brought me a waffle maker. Sad, huh? Well now I'm hooked. We started with Bisquik, but then I found this terrific recipe where I don't have to separate the eggs, but I do follow the "beat eggs for 1 minute' instruction. I also sprinkle with chocolate chips before 'closing' the waffle hatch/lid for baking. Then I take some frozen strawberries, add a little water, & about 2 Tablespoons of sugar. Simmer that strawberry mixture on the stove. I spoon some strawberries over the chocolate chip waffle and crown with whipped topping. Mmmmmmmmmmm!

I give to you, the new found waffle recipe....

3 cups sifted flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 1/4 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter, margarine, or vegetable oil

Sift flour with baking powder, salt, and sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat eggs for 1 minute.

Add milk & vanilla extract to beaten eggs. Add milk-egg mixture to dry ingredients; beat only until well blended. Add butter (or margarine or oil) and beat until blended. Bake in preheated waffle iron. Makes about 5 cups batter or about 9 round waffles.

"MOM, I'M A SUCKER,"

Asa tells me.
After my third batch of homemade suckers, Asa comes up behind me....Yep. Looks like a sucker to me. lol Asaism #268

"I'M SO LUCKY!"

Asa told us upon return from morning out with Dad.
Rusty takes a child to breakfast every couple of weeks. This week was Asa's turn. They took a detour by Home Depot for the Kids Free workshop and then it was off to the Canton Riverstone McDonalds. According to Asa, they were sitting at the counter, eating, when a worker said to Asa "Hey Kid, come here." With a mischevious look, they asked if he had a sister? He affirmmed and the prize was his!

"MOM, LOOK AT MY ARMPITS"

"MY EAR'S NOT WORKING,"

Says Asa to Dad on Sunday morning.



Asa thought it would be a nifty idea to make an impression of his ear with SILLY PUTTY. Not so silly. I was thankful Rusty hadn't left for meetings yet so he could deal with this one