My Heart, My Home: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

A New Challenge !

I remember when I was training for my first 5K. I was so nervous to run an entire 3.1 miles without stopping. That thought was just crazy. After accomplishing that goal I set a new one, my first triathlon. After completing the Evergreen Triathlon I decided that I wanted to rank in the top 5 for my age group. The next summer I came in at #6. Just shy of my goal. Two weeks ago I achieved my goal and ranked #4 in my age group :)

So it is time to set a new goal. I have mentioned this next move into insanity and extreme physical training to some people. But I am now prepared to really commit and say out loud my next goal. On September 26th I will be one of the many crazy people running in the Quad City 1/2 marathon !

I just finished week 3 of my 1/2 marathon training. I made myself get out of bed before 5 am and hit the pavement. I was able to get in 10 miles before Aaron headed to work at 7 am. Training for a triathlon is a cake walk compared to this. I finished 10 miles and I was sweaty and my legs hurt with every step. But the important thing would be the first two words of that last sentence..I finished :)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Crescent Rolls!

I have been putting off this recipe for months. The reason for my procrastination- the idea of making 32 rolls at once was daunting. Guess what?? They are super easy to make!! And the kids LOVED them!! I now have 32 rolls in my freezer waiting to be thawed and baked whenever I need them :)

Make-Ahead Crescent Rolls (makes 32 rolls)
2 Tablespoons dry yeast, heaping
1/3 cup warm water
9 cups flour, divided (I used 3 cups white, 3 cups whole wheat, 3 cups white whole wheat)
2 cups warm milk
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar (In the future I might try honey for a portion of this amount)
6 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
3-4 Tablespoons butter, melted

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add 4 cups flour, milk, butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Beat 2 minutes or until smooth.
2. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto floured board and knead lightly. (Or, knead in mixer until sides of bowl are clean, then knead two more minutes.)
3. Place in a greased bowl, turning dough once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (1-3 hours).
4. Punch dough down and divide into four equal parts. Roll each part into a 12-inch circle and brush with melted butter.
5. Cut each circle into 8 pie-shaped wedges.
6. Roll up each wedge for wide edge to tip of dough and pinch to seal. Place rolls, top down, on baking sheets and freeze. When frozen, place in freezer bags and keep frozen until needed.
7. To bake: Take out as many frozen rolls as you’ll need and place them on a greased baking sheet. Thaw for five hours or until doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven. Remove and serve immediately or cool on wire racks.

If you would like to see picture instructions go to Money Saving Mom!

Board Games!!!

It is always both good and bad when the boys play battleship. There is no editing in these photographs. They are in the order in which they occurred...

And then theirs Elliana, she just loves to play games :)

We are enjoying our last week of summer break. We have been doing a little school throughout the summer. But our school year officially starts on August 2nd. Why do we start so early? There are many reasons-

1. We have a better chance of finishing the school year early :)

2. If the kids need extra time on a certain subject we can spread things out as along as they need.

3. Chances are one or more of my kids will get sick this year. Because we homeschool they can't just miss a day of school, make up some worksheets and jump back in when they are well. We stop everything and pick it all up when they are healthy. For every day that they are sick we are a day behind.

4. Field trips!!!

5. There will be days when my kids are grumpy and sluggish. Try as I might, on those days we might not get everything done.

6. I will most likely get sick during the school year. Unfortunately I can't call in and have a substitute teacher take my place :)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

A Wonderful Vacation :)

It has been a great week! Our vacation was jam packed with great activities, friends and family. We will be studying Abraham Lincoln this year so we hopped in the car for a day trip to New Salem. The kids had a great time. A love trips that are fun and educational :)

We also took a trip to the St. Louis Zoo. They have an exhibit that allows you to touch and feed sting rays! The kids LOVED getting up close and personal with these awesome animals.

Elliana and I spent some girl time at the hair salon :) She got her very first hair cut (just a trim) and I got a trim too... :)

On the days that we were not out of town we headed to Lake Evergreen. We ended up spending three days on the Lake. We rented canoes, a paddle boat and a motor boat (through out the three days). We LOVE being adventurous and getting out into nature. We even saw a bald eagle :)

We ended our week with an overnight trip to the Quad Cities. We were able to visit my mom and Aaron's grandparents. It was so sweet to see the way Elliana talked and acted around her Grandma's. She could tell that these ladies were something special :) I remember being the same way around my grandma's :) During our stay in the Quad Cities I ran the Bix (a 7 mile run up many hills..it was awesome!) and we visited with some wonderful friends that we don't get to see very often. Jared and Beth are amazing people that inspire me to be a better parent. I love visiting with them :) We were so busy having fun we didn't take any pictures of our time up north.