My Life as I Knew it...

... was many things. It was busy. It was fun from time to time. It was filled with people and day to day activities. What I didn't know was that life as I knew it was lacking. There was a huge void. I mean wide open gaping pit. How could I have been so lost? Don't worry, I've been rescued. The gap as been filled. By what? Why these!I have recently been on a Scones kick thanks to "THE" Domestic Goddess herself. I was recently talking to my mom about this fattening path I've been headed down and she thought she would help to add on the pounds I've been working so hard to shed, and sent me a new scone recipe that she had recently enjoyed. So I decided to give it a shot today. And they are my FAVORITE. So because I loved them so much I thought I would share the recipe with all of you. (And I hear you laughing at my ugly brown plates. But I'll have you know that I love those plates. They were Jason's great grandpa's plates... you know the one we honored by giving Benton his middle name, Gainford.)

Apricot-Orange Cream Scones
2 cups flour
3 Tbs. Sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup white vanilla chips
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 Tbs. Orange Juice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. In lg bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, orange peel and salt. Mix well. Add apricots and white vanilla chips. Add whipping cream all at once; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

On lightly floured surface knead dought 6-7 times until smooth. Divide dough in half. Pat each half into 6" founds; cut each into 4 wedges. Place 2" apart on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-13 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 min. Meanwhile, in small bowl, blend powdered sugar and enough orange juice for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle icing over warm scones. Serve warm.

Notes: For the lightest, most tender scones, quickly mix and shape the dough, handling it as little as possible. Use only a sprinkle of flour on the work surface.

We miss you Susan!

Before moving to come to Medical School, I worked full time and Tab went to an in home child care. Susan did such a great job. Tab just loved her. I always felt safe leaving him with her. So the other day we received a note in the mail from her. I was telling Jason about it and Tab must have overheard. So the next day we were in the car going somewhere as usual. And also as usual Tab told me where he thought that we should be going. Usually he decides he wants to go to a friend's house, Walmart, HyVee, Nursery, or the Candy Store (thanks grandpa). However that day he decided that he was going to Susan's house. I tried to inform him that we were actually going to Walmart... or wherever we were going. But he was very persistent that we go to Susan's house for a visit. I reminded him that Susan lived in Utah and that we were in Missouri. He just cried and cried that he wanted Susan. So, Susan there you go, I don't think Tab will ever forget you.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Yesterday was Jason's birthday. He's 27. I can't believe it. I told him the other day that he was getting old. I mean 27... come on. He looked at me and said... and remind me, how old are you turning. Gulp... nevermind... you're young. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY!

So, I hate fish. I mean HATE HATE HATE fish. But, Jason loves it and wanted it for his birthday. So I agreed to make it for him. With some suggestions from a friend, I came up with this. It is a bed of Fettucine Alfredo topped with fresh mushrooms, asparagus, capers and tomatoes that I sauted in butter. Then I put the pan fried Salmon on top of that. And served it with a salad. Other than the nasty fish, doesn't it just look yummy.

Then Jason requested that I make this cake.It is called Luscious 4 Layer Pumpkin Cake. It is yummy but for some reason I hate making this cake. But I gladly gave in for such an occassion.

And you may ask, what does a newly 27 year old do on his birthday.

Why homework of course.

My Family of Boys

Since so many see so little in common between Tab and Benton. Please consider the following...

5 Months

They both had the same start...

And really, they both look so much like their daddy. I couldn't be prouder.

A Little OCD

Tab has recently discovered that oranges are something he likes. So we have been encouraging him to eat them. However every time I peel an orange for him, he insists on pulling the pieces apart and lining them up on his plate. And yes they all must be facing the same direction. Trust me, I tried to turn one backwards and he would have none of that. See...

What's That You Say?

Posting pictures of my laundry doesn't count? It doesn't satisfy your need to know the happenings here? Fine. I know this is really all that you are looking for.

The Bane of My Existance

First, let me apologize for my long absence. I have received quite a bit of... well... let's just say prodding to post. I told myself I wasn't going to post again until I had organized all of the pictures on my computer. And however much I would love to say that I have, it just wouldn't be true. I started though. Anyway..

THIS! THIS is the bane of my existence. Two days shy of a weeks worth of laundry.

And because I swear we didn't have this much laundry before, I decided to torture myself by dividing the laundry into piles and decide who the guilty party was. I was sure that it was going to be Benton. After all, I didn't see the change until after he was born, and he is a big spitter so I feel like I'm always washing blankets and burp cloths and bibs, etc. But I decided I needed to be scientific about it or something. So I separated it and lined it up. I was surprised by what I found. From left to right: Jason's, Mine, Tab's, Benton's.

And just so you can really tell.

Jason is the guilty party. Not only is his pile far higher than anyone else's it is in the biggest basket. I guess I shouldn't be surprised the man does change his clothes three times a day.

I swear that is a huge pile of laundry for 4 people. And Jason thinks I'm weird when I drool over things like this and this in the home depot ads. And he thinks I'm odd for having this fabulous laundry room all planned out in my "dream house". This is why. I only have two kids and it takes me two days with my crappy washer and dryer to do the laundry. I'm scared to think about what it will be like with more.