More Pictures of James

Grimm's Fairy Tales

I got a book of Grimm's Fairy Tales from the adult section of the library this week. They are gruesome, and Claire and Lily love them. Claire told me again today about the evil queen who ate the heart and lungs of who she thought was Snow White, but was actually a deer, thanks to the mercy of the woodsmen sent to kill the fair princess. Maybe exposing my daughters to this literature should bother me more than it does. I guess I appreciate them knowing the real story instead of the syrupy-sweet Disney version.

Full-Body Kitchen Bibs

I (almost) always wear an apron when I work in the kitchen. Whenever I forget, I usually end up with a grease, tomato or other form of perma-stain on my clothes. My absolute favorite apron I stole from my mom (which she received as a gift from my adventuresome grandma upon her return of touring Kentucky distilleries). It's a bright red Makers Mark apron. To be honest, despite having been a bartender, I didn't know what Makers Mark was when I stole it. I wore it around unashamed as a vicar's and pastor's wife before it dawned on me why I was receiving disapproving glances from lay visitors. Whatever. It's still my favorite. It fits the best and is the perfect length. I recommend that all who work in a kitchen un-aproned to go to the store to buy one. It will change your life (or at least for sloppy people like me, the time spent laundering clothes).

James Aaron 2

Logistics from Charles:
James Aaron
9:31 am
9 lbs 9 oz (ouch!)
21.5 inches long
tufts of blonde hair
looks like uncle Kyle
good sleeper
eating is going well
good pooper

Pencils

Lily has been asking me for pencils the last few days.
"What? Pencils? You like to draw with markers."
Today--she finally explained--"Pencils, with the salt on them."
PRETZELS. Duh.

Ramen Noodles

I love that Ramen Noodle Coleslaw that shows up at Lutheran potlucks-- crunchy, salty, nutty, and sweet all at the same time. I had a craving for it the other day and I had never made it myself. So, I got a recipe off of allrecipes.com (the best website for haute Midwestern cuisine) and added Ramen Noodles to my grocery list.

I had never bought Ramen Noodles before. Do you know how weird it was for me? Really weird. Buying prophylactics weird. I never buy processed foods like that--I "shop" the perimeter of the grocery store like they taught goody-two-shoes-me in nutrition class. I felt kinda dirty putting my 15 cent package in the cart. Did you know that you can actually buy a case at a time? Who eats a $3 case of Ramen Noodles? That's a lot of salty noodles!

I made the salad. It was delicious. Chris actually had to tell me in a firm voice "Erin. Put the cabbage down."

James Aaron

James Aaron was born sometime this morning. 9 lbs 9oz!!!! 21 1/2 inches. A future Cornhusker?

I will post pictures and more details about the new baby and weary momma as I get them from Charles.

Applesauce

It is finished. At least for this year. One bushel. Last year I did two. I don't have the energy for more--though I know the kids would be happy if I did.

Christopher's Sign

Chris went to the Cubs game in Chicago last Friday. He made this sign to show his public mourning of the Brewers giving up first place to the Cubs.

Labor Day

Kristen is in labor! I am so excited!

Puritan Clothing

Why do children's clothing designers insist on baby pink and soft yellow--especially bibs? I think all bibs should be brown. Dark brown. Just think....they would never get stained.
I think that the Puritans were on to something... maybe their brown and black wardrobe wasn't a crazy religious idea as previously thought... maybe the drab color choice was the unanimous vote of all the women who understood that spaghetti sauce isn't easy to get off a white shirt (or khaki uniform jumper---grrr). I vote that everyone should wear brown/ black again so my family won't stick out as the crazy pastor's family when we start wearing exclusively brown/ black outfits.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 31st Anniversary Mom and Dad! Kristen--hurry up and have that baby!

Lists

I was at a "come to my house and buy stuff so I get free stuff" party the other night (why do women have these parties?) and the hostess was talking about being a "list person". She said that she will actually write things on her list that she has already done, just to cross them off. I could completely sympathize. I do it too, because I am also a list person. I love cuddling up with my notebook to make lists; weekly menu plans, grocery lists, to do lists. I don't understand how some women survive without making lists. I am too busy to remember everything and when I cross things out it feels like I am actually accomplishing something everyday. Even if it is just items like making dinner, or calling my mom or reading to my daughters--things that I do almost everyday, I feel great satisfaction looking at a list all crossed out.

From the Apple Orchard

These photos were taken at the apple orchard that my family made an annual pilgrimage to while I was growing up. It was wonderful to take my family there for the first time this year. I got a bushel of apple seconds to make applesauce...we'll see if I feel ambitious enough to do any more than that.

From the Walk

Claire loves her frogs.

The flower child--aptly named after a flower.

Play Dough

I hate play dough. HATE IT! Whenever my girls play with it I find little bits of dried play dough all over my house for days--under the couch cushions, in the tread of my shoes, under rugs, in carpet, first floor, upstairs, basement, the garage!--everywhere. The mess factor is why I hate it so much. Whoever invented play dough should be required to clean up after children whenever they play with it.
I make the play dough out of flour, salt, boiling water, alum and oil. It is cheap and easy enough to make at home. Who buys play dough in the store? But the bigger, more important question is---who buys the play dough toys and accessories that actually help children to make a bigger mess? You know, the squish it and hair grows out the top kind? My kids are crazy messy with just forks and toothpicks.
My sister in-law lets her kids get out the play dough once a month. Me? I allow a bi-annual play dough marathon in my house. I make it in the morning. The kids think that I am the greatest mom in the universe and they play all day, making a inconceivable mess. I clean up in the evening and throw it in the trash.
We just finished a marathon yesterday.

9/11

Pastor Petersen had a good post this morning about September 11th. I thought that I would pass it on.

Most of us remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on that beautifully clear and sunny morning. Christopher and I were living in Connecticut (he was on vicarage). I was attending the local community college, and when I came into the student union after my Business Law class, I saw the jumbo TV screens filled with images of burning buildings. Everywhere I turned students were crying. "My dad!" "My uncle works in the towers!" "My best friend's mom!" It was horrible. I felt vulnerable and sick. I drove home immediately. That afternoon while visiting sick members in the hospital, Christopher said that he could see smoke rising from New York City in the distance. I remember sitting in the study that evening listening to President Bush address the nation, and being very moved by his words.

Pictures

Fall

Today is the first Wisconsin fall day this year--rainy, cold, and soup sounds soooo good. Claire has been asking for lentil soup. I have put off making it until the weather turned chilly...it is going to be on the table tonight.

Left Behind

To say that Lily misses Claire during the day is a severe understatement. She drags herself around the house following me, feigning that she has no idea what she can play by herself. (This is ridiculous because Lily is the friend to all imaginary friends--she can play with people who don't exist. Her play is remarkable to watch--so creative!) She asks me a gazillion times each day: "When are we going to get Claire?" I feel badly for her. As the oldest kid in my family I never had to feel this way. I left my brother and sister to go to school. But Chris, on the other hand, can tell some pitiful stories about being "left behind" as a child.

I Got Ran Over

After dinner this evening our family walked to the girls' favorite parishioner's house. George turned 90 this past spring and loves Claire and Lily as much as they love him. His pockets are always full of treats (messy chocolate treats) for my daughters.
Claire rode her bike (sans training wheels) and Lily ran along side her. I really don't know how it happened, but Lily got ran over by the bike. She cried for a little while, but the thought of chocolate kept her motivated to continue running. When we got to his house, Lily exclaimed to George while pointing to her scrapes "I GOT RAN OVER!" It was rather funny and the look on George's face was priceless.

Bumper Crop

All the rain we got a few weeks ago has resulted in an amazing swarm of VICIOUS mosquitoes. They are everywhere and they attack whenever we are outside. The girls have temporarily given up on their sandbox.
We went for a hike at a local state park on Monday, an activity all 5 of us enjoy doing together. I was walking briskly, waving them away from my body and mosquitoes were still biting me. Claire, Lily and I were near tears as we literally ran back to the car after a pathetic .5 mile walk in the woods. The girls have pink welts all over their bodies.
I picked a few tomatoes in the garden yesterday and was bit 3 times on my FACE!

Pear and Custard Pie

I made this Pear and Custard Pie on Sunday for dessert. It was soooo good, in a British sort of way: completely understated, but sweet and very satisfying. The hardest part was cutting pears (which isn't very hard).

Clare B.

Claire told me that there was a new boy in her class named "Clare Barrens" so he was called Clare B. and she was called Claire S. I talked with her teacher this morning. Turns out the new boy's name is Raphael.

Dress Up

Why? #2

Claire's ink graffiti to the minivan's interior. Magic Eraser didn't get it off. Any ideas to clean it up?
My girls are having a marathon naughty streak. For the past week it is one thing right after another. I am more than a little tired of their behavior. I am running out of ideas and patience.