Boating boy

Boating seems to have the same effect on Will as swimming.

Crepes

My blender gets a workout every weekday for my breakfast smoothie, but this past weekend, it was used for a greater purpose: crepes! I whipped up the recipe from my Betty Crocker cookbook and poured out a dozen thin crepes, just like the ones I remember mom making when we were little. I stuffed mine with strawberries and vanilla yogurt and drizzled some melted dark chocolate chips over the top.

Crepes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp. stick margarine or butter, melted
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs

Add all ingredients into blender and mix well. Refrigerate for an hour. Heat a large skillet over medium and coat with cooking spray. For each crepe, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter into skillet. Immediately rotate skillet until thin film covers bottom and cook until light brown. Run wide spatula around edge to loosen; turn and cook other side until light brown. Stack crepes, placing waxed paper between each; keep covered.

May days

Some photos from May are now available, ranging from a mother's day picnic celebration to baths in the kitchen sink.

Remodeled

The bathroom renovation is complete, and we couldn't be happier to have a working tub and shower once again! Before and after photos are here.

Mr. and Mrs.

Congratulations to Paris and James, who tied the knot last weekend with a beautiful ceremony and outdoor reception. More photos from the wedding weekend are now online.

Don't call me Hef

The bathroom renovation project didn't phase Will at all. He simply donned his robe and relocated his nightly bath to the kitchen sink.

Famous (among dozens)

During a recent walk through Oakley Square, Will and I discovered that a photo of us eating Aglamesis Brothers ice cream during an Oakley After Hours Friday had made the park board. I told Will not to let the fame go to his head.

Packed

I can't wait until Will is big enough to wear a backpack, like this Zoo Pack from Skip Hop. I figure I will only have a small window to outfit him with cutesy items before he discovers army men and superhero stuff.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sister-in-law makes the most delicious chocolate chip cookies and was kind enough to share some of her secrets with me. Her version is based off the original Tollhouse recipe, but the fat is cut in half and the flour is doubled. The result is irresistible!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 pkg. dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture, then chocolate chips. The dough may be more dry than what you are used to; this is normal for this version. I use a small mechanical cookie scoop to drop round balls of dough onto silpat-lined baking sheets. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until barely golden brown (the cookies will barely spread.) Enjoy with a large glass of milk.

My little swimmer

What does a full day of swimming in Grandma & Grandpa's pool do to my boys? Doug & Will enjoyed some serious nap times over the holiday weekend.

Fabric Flowers

When I find the time to be crafty again, I definitely want to flower up a t-shirt or two using this technique from katie did, but I think I'd use more of a cascading arrangement instead of a tight collar. I can't spend too much time on her blog, though, because I feel like an underachiever looking at all of the gorgeous clothes she makes for her beautiful children.

Photos

I finally finished uploading the full set of photos from March and April. Contrary to photographic evidence, Will does have other clothes besides a blue striped shirt. Apparently, those are the only days that I take photos.

Best Friends

Hey, Oakley, want to hang out on the porch and chew on stuff? Cool.

Cous Cous and Steak Salad

I was pleasantly surprised to find that a dinner I put together one evening was even better the next day as a leftover ‘salad.’

Next-Day Cous Cous and Steak Salad
Flatiron steak, seasoned with salt & pepper, grilled and thinly sliced
Cous cous prepared with chicken stock
Fresh spinach sautéed with garlic and cranberries
Cashew pieces

Toss all ingredients together in a bowl and enjoy!

Cookie Cake

What's better than a giant cookie? A cake in the shape of a giant cookie. Williams-Sonoma now offers the Goldtouch™ Sandwich-Cookie Cake Pan. Serve with a large glass of milk.