Morning Scones With Da

This past weekend Paul made scones for us. He loves scones and has learned to make some of the best chocolate chip scones I've ever had. Tyler is still enjoying the old tea set he found in my childhood dish cabinet. So it was Tea and Scones with "Da" (Tyler's name for his grandfather).

Tea and Scones

The Scone

A New Year, An Old Dilemma

So here we are in January 2011. I have not made any official New Year's Resolutions, but I do have something I very much want to accomplish this year (and forever). I want to spend more time doing self-care/pampering and more time making my home a lovely place. Time is one of the difficulties, but in all honestly I waste a ton of it on stupid things like dopey TV shows, computer solitaire, and other stuff like that.

I have this dream vision. In the vision I am the type of person who relishes exercise, is rested and well turned out fashion and make-up-wise, makes a little sanctuary of peace and beauty in her home, and spends time creatively (music, sewing, etc.). I do some of these things, some of the time. I don't know why I keep getting in my own way. It is a dilemma.

So my goal or resolution for this year is to try and be that woman I described above, the majority of the time. (Wish me luck - I will surely need it!)

First Snow!

Our First snow this past weekend brought lots of fun. Tyler and I walked in the snow, built a snowman (his carrot nose was from our vegetable garden, freshly dug up!). And our resident squirrel-pal came to the door for some nuts (he is exceedingly bold!).

Tyler and me

The Little Snowman

Our Pal

Butterflies and Frogs - The Milwaukee Museum

During Thanksgiving week we took a trip up to Milwaukee. We went to the Pabst Mansion (one of my absolute favorite historic mansions), the Milwaukee Museum, and to The Safe House (a spy-themed restaurant). It was fun and especially nice because all of us were able to go. Here are some photos:

Here are the kids with butterflies:

Grandson - what a cutie!

Julie - "wearing" a big butterfly

Kristin - two butterflies landed on her, including the big one

Close-up of the big one

On Robert too

And here are the big boys at The Safe House:

The Gentleman Joins Us For Tea

At Movie Night this past Friday, Tyler and Paul returned home at about 9:30 PM from the "Tree Place" (an indoor shopping mall with a huge artificial hollow tree that kids can climb in, slide down built-in slides, etc.). Tyler likes to say hello to the Tea Ladies and partake of the yummies served. This time he wanted tea, and he wanted it in a tea cup. As I would not let a four year old use one of my good china cups, Paul dug out an old tea set that we discovered was stored in the toy cabinet my dad built that was recently moved into Tyler's closet.

No cream, one sugar

Ahhhh!

Autumn

Phyllo-Crusted Apple Tart

While hunting for low-fat dessert recipes at the library, I found this:

I'd give the source, but I simply jotted down the recipe quickly while Tyler was enjoying the library. I'll have to find the name of the cookbook. Anyway, it was delicious.