Cousins

My cousin has been visiting from New Zealand, he leaves next Wednesday and it's been lovely having him visit. We went to Jasper Winery to listen to music and our friends (Jami and Jim) met us there, it was a great time catching up with all and chatting. Then he stayed over night with us and we chatted until the early morning hours (I saw the newspaper delivery guy) and watched the thunderstorm roll in. It's been ages since I've been up that late and considering my little ones would be awake in a few hours, we finally went to bed. I'm doing pretty well considering, but we'll see how that lasts later today.
We shared memories, talked about what's been going on since the last time we saw each other and just talked. The last time he was here in Iowa was 10 years ago, Darren and I had just started dating (7 months) and I was still in college.
I've seen my cousin on both trips we've made to New Zealand, but it's amazing how differently life has been through these years. We had a bbq for him last weekend and I invited a few friends and family over and last night, he said how great it's all been and how beautiful my life is (and it is). And it hit me, life isn't about those big moments or waiting for what's next, it's the accumulation of all the small, quirky, everyday stuff that give your life meaning and flavor. And my life is beautiful and full because of the people I surround myself with, my friends, my family, my children - those are the real relationships and I can't push relationships with those that really don't have an interest in our life.
It's nice to have him here and just spend that time with one another, I will miss him greatly when he leaves.

"Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa - Let us keep close together, not wide apart" - Maori Proverb

The chickens are growing....

They are huge, well compared to when we brought them home. We are still unsure if one is a rooster, there has been no crowing (at least none we can hear), but one is getting spurs on the back of it's feet and someone had told us that is indicative of a rooster. I'm hoping that he/she is not as both have seem to adjust to life with us. They let us touch them, pick them up, feed them and if they are inside their coop and I come outside and call to them, they come running out.

It's been quite fun having the chickens and I know that I would be a wee sad if we had to say goodbye to one.

The kids enjoy watching them and feeding them and although I know for sure that Yoder (our dog) would love to get at them, for the most part both dogs just seem to adjust to having them in the backyard. When we first put them in the coop, everytime they would walk outside to their pen, the dogs would bark at them, but the chickens have adjusted and so have the dogs.

Anyway....just wanted to post an update and new picture of Shelle and Auroara.

Yum, Yum

Updated: I made some more lavender cupcakes and this time used a buttercream frosting and by far this was the best! It was a nice flavor, the glaze seemed to make the cupcakes a bit much on the sweetness factor, but the buttercream was perfect combination. I will definitely be using buttercream for future attempts.

Well I finally attempted to make the lavender cupcakes. Anytime I am making a batter from scratch, it makes me a wee nervous because if you don't get it right, it affects the entire batter, taste, and look.
The recipe for the batter was surprisingly simple and they were quite good, there was just a hint of lavender, almost a softness, but they were delish.

The only thing I would change, is perhaps using a buttercream frosting instead of the icing glaze that was recommended. So, the next time I make these, which will definitely be again, I will use buttercream frosting.

Here is the recipe:
Ingredients for cupcakes

1/2 c granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1/2 c butter (room temp)
2 eggs
1 c self-rising flour
2 Tablespoons milk

Ingredients for icing:

1 1/2 c powdered sugar, sifted
1 egg white
food coloring (purple or green)
12 sprigs of fresh lavender

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line muffin tin with cupcake liners
2. Put the sugar and lavender flowers in a food processor. Process briefly to mix
3. Mix the lavender sugar into a bowl with the butter and beat together until pale and fluffy
4. Beat the eggs into the butter mixture, one at a time, then sift in the flour and fold gently. Stir in the milk, then spoon the mixture into the muffin cups.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, depending on your oven (mine took 15 minutes). The cupcakes should have risen and be a golden color
6. Let the cupcakes cool

Icing:

1. Gradually beat the powdered sugar into the egg white in a bowl, then add a few drops of food coloring
2. Spoon the icing over the cupcakes, then top each one with a sprig of fresh lavender or candy sprinkles. Let set before serving

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?" - Winnie-the-Pooh

I'm not gonna grow up.....

Isn't that how we would like it to be for our children? We went and saw Toy Story 3 and when we came home, I was watching my son play with his toy Buzz and I asked if he was going to take Buzz with him to college. He replied, "Nope, I'm not gonna grow up, I'm gonna stay your little boy forever."

And then a few days later, we were at the dinner table and he says, "Momma didn't you tell me that you don't want me to grow?" To which I said, "yes I did, but you know there is nothing we can do, you're gonna grow and become a big boy" and then he crosses his arms and in a matter of fact voice, says, "that's it I'm not eating any healthy foods so I won't grow!"

I love witnessing my children in action, their amazement and curiosity of the world. And as much as I would love for them to stay little forever, I love witnessing them grow. And I know the time will come when my children are grown, I will be reflecting back on all these moments and wonder where it all went. So until then I'm gonna savor my moments with them, enjoy their silliness (even though sometimes it drives me crazy) and enjoy being their mommy, because that too will one day simply become "mom."

"All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, ‘Oh, why can’t you remain like this for ever!’ This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end." — J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)