Random Thoughts

1. Gardening
Buttercups are one of my favorite flowers that I haven't tried to grow in my garden. I also really love blue flowers. I think mostly because they're so few of them. I'm in the mood to start planting but the weather isn't cooperating and we've been so busy. Maybe this weekend we'll make a trip to Lowe's and a garden nursery.

2. Patio

I saw a patio set that was pretty affordable in wrought iron. I'd really like a table and chairs to eat outside on but part of me feels silly when our dining and sunroom tables are just on the other side of the windows!

3. Exercise

Yoga 3 times a week and elliptical trainer 6 or 7 days a week 40 mins plus I started running a bit. I ran/walked 2 miles yesterday which is not bad considering my feet problem. Today my feet are doing okay but not 100% after running. The elliptical is a lot easier on them. I think I'll invest in a good pair of running shoes since I'd like to run outside more this summer. U2's Beautiful Day is the best running song ever!

4. Summer

I'm looking over summer classes and thinking what to sign Connor up for. There's tumbling, tennis, T-ball & soccer, swimming, Kindermusik, VBS, and outdoor camps. Now what to do with Lucas? I like to keep them busy and out of trouble!

Strawberry Bread

Strawberries are in season down here and we have been buying them in bulk. I received this delicious recipe from a friend and it has been a big hit around our house these past couple of weeks! It is packed with fresh strawberries, so it's a healthy snack for Ben, too!

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups fresh strawberries (I like to add a little more)
3 1/8 cups all-purpose flour (can use whole-wheat flour)
2 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans (I usually leave these out)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Slice strawberries, and place in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle lightly with sugar, and set aside while preparing bread mixture.

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in large bowl: mix well. Blend oil and eggs into strawberries. Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Stir in pecans (optional). Divide batter into pans.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn loaves out, and cool completely.

This recipe freezes well and can also be made in muffin tins.

New Blog

Our new blog is about our interests which means this is a KID FREE ZONE or at least as free as possible. (I'm up for posting kid related finds/ideas that would be great for everyone.) The blog can be a place where we share our hobbies, ideas, great finds, and anything else that will inspire, support, and help us find an outlet to express ourselves. Here are some topics that we can post about:

Recipes

Cooking

Gadgets

Photography

Photoshop

Exercise

Pregnancy

Knitting

Crocheting

Books

Homeschooling

Sports

TV

Movies

Coupons

Websites

Family

Crafts

House