1/4c Applesauce + 1/2tsp Baking Powder= 1 Egg??

Tommie wanted cookies. We only had one egg and needed two for this AMAZING COOKIE RECIPE. (if you want it, leave a comment and it's yours)

We had applesauce though. I had heard once that you can substitute applesauce for an egg...so I googled it and found multiple people suggesting 1/4c applesauce + 1/2tsp baking powder= 1 egg.

Eagerly, we mixed it up and set it to bake!

Things were looking great.

Except I guess the sugar in the applesauce made them stick to the pan...and I think the baking powder makes them a little to fluffy for my taste.

One pan didn't stick though. And they TASTED GREAT! I don't think I'll use this substitute again though. So if you're wondering, the formula I used in my title is not entirely accurate in my book. But we did enjoy the cookies we got!

In other domestic news, I started quilting! Actually, here's a peek, I've got the front pieced together...now to trim my pieces and stitch the front together. I can't believe I'm quilting.

Here's to domesticity.

Dreams

Liliana to me this morning when I got her up: "Mommy, where are the people?"

Me: "What people, baby?"

Liliana: "My friends?"

Me: "Which friends, honey?"

Liliana: "The ones that came in my room."

Me (now alarmed): "What?! Which ones that came in your room? Who came in your room?"

Liliana: "Mommy, the cows."

Me: "What cows?"

Liliana: "The cows from Chick-fil-A with Aspen."

Me: "Oh, I don't know honey."

She's having dreams and can finally tell us about them.

Awesome.

Boys and Babies

We have some great guys in our family. I saw clear evidence of this last week while I was in Colorado. The kids made the most of the attention the uncles and daddies were willing to give, and those of us with the cameras did the same. Enjoy:

They look a little bit alike, don't they? We got this shot of Tommie and Truett hanging out at Chili's with Tommie's mom during her lunch break.

There is never an end to the request for Uncle Grant to "hold you?!" He almost always obliges, no matter the number of children...which of course, is why Grant is the dangerous/loving uncle. ;)

Uncle Mike is basically a second father to Liliana. Here she is in Idaho Springs with Mike and Aspen. We had just eaten lunch at our favorite pizza joint, Beau Jo's, and decided to snap some shots in front of the frozen waterfall/water wheel.

Here's to men who: aren't afraid to shoot guns, sleep in snow caves, look death and health in the eyes, rise to the occasion, pray for wisdom, pray for forgiveness, kiss their wives, plan dates, play airplane for way too long, befriend the friendless, cook, try new things, seek out adventure, hike an unmarked path, say bedtime prayers, tell bedtime stories, swim with babies, make family a priority, make God a priority and love life- all in front of the children who call them heroes.

Thanks for helping to make our vacation to Colorado amazing.

We're Baaack...

We're home from Colorado, where our gorgeous niece, Aspen, had her first birthday party.

We had more fun than we could have imagined! And now of course, we're gonna work on getting back in gear here in Colorado(and getting rid of a nasty cold the kiddos shared with each other....and Tommie). Stories and photos to come.

Losing It...

Have you ever lost something so great, it sits in the middle of your chest for longer than you could have ever imagined...sometimes making you catch your breath because it's just too heavy, and sometimes.... just seeming invisible? Have you ever lost someone and it made you feel the same way?

Have you ever woken up and realized a dream you had was dead now, lost and gone because the time for that opportunity had passed you by? Did you cry for it? Did you remember it later, much later, and still miss it?

Have you ever grieved for a loss you know is coming? You know you shouldn't think about it, but you know you will be bereaved soon enough and it just all seems too much.

Loss, and Grief...something I've thought about lately because of circumstances in my own life, yes, but also in the lives of those I know.

How heavy the burden of grief, how unexpected the torment it can make you experience even in times of great happiness and growth. Sometimes, without warning, you realize your loss and it stretches out your insides so tightly that you're sure if you open your mouth, nothing but a small cry could escape...you wouldn't even have tears, just a small, small cry.

Grief is relative I'm learning. We may think what we're grieving for is too small to matter. But you know, if it's something we're grieving for, that just can't be true-it must matter. It may be hard for others to understand, but after reading a certain book, I think I have a healthier perspective on the issue.

All that to say, I've had a hard time with this move to Virginia. My grief over the loss of the life (as a whole) that I had in Colorado is real and sometimes sneaks up on me.

I'm learning to move on though. I'm also learning that moving on doesn't mean I won't sometimes need to cry or remember what I've lost....and remember the blessings I have now. Virginia is becoming my home.

As I'm set to return to Colorado next week for the first time since our move, I'm ready to remember that Virginia is where God called us. It's where our new memories will happen and it's where adventure will call my name for now. So for now, that's home and I'm ready to love it.

I know you have something you've lost. Know that grief is good and the future is bright.

Beignets

Well, the way I made them they would probably be called DOUGHNUTS.

Either way, they were magnifique.

Anyone else out there been to Cafe du Monde and gotten hooked on their beignets, perfectly powdered with sugar in a brown paper sack? You just can't recreate that French Quarter feel at home...

Anyway, happy Wednesday morning to me and Liliana!

Terrifyingly Awesome

On Sunday night in Virginia Beach, Tommie and I were home. We didn't have small group because of the snow, so we were looking forward to an early evening, trying to catch up on some sleep. We watched some shows and hopped in the shower, ready to head to bed as soon as we got out.

We got in and had just gotten our hair wet when, THE POWER WENT OUT!!!! There are no windows in our bathroom, so it was DARK. Tommie, without missing a beat, hopped out of the shower to walk through the house and make sure all was safe. Meanwhile, I'm still in the shower...in the DARK. Tommie was still looking around and the kids were sleeping, so I didn't want to yell for him, but after a minute or two, I started getting nervous. If someone was in the house, surely they would know exactly where I was cause the shower was running! But I didn't want to risk getting out in the dark either, especially if the boogeyman was already in my bedroom!

So I did the only thing I could think to do, I crouched down in the shower and looked for a weapon. I saw a shower pouf, a bar of soap, a shampoo bottle...and MY RAZOR. Obviously, I then unsheathed my trusty razor and laid in wait for whatever villain would be sorry enough to cross my and my Bic Soleil's path.

Thankfully, it was about 30seconds later when Tommie got back and did NOT surprise me and my weapon. He said the lights weren't out on the street (which made me glad for choosing a weapon), and that I should get out and follow him as he got a different weapon I will not name and searched the house more thoroughly-by iPhone flashlight. And I grabbed a candle. I was pretty nervous at this point, but the house was clear and we checked on the kids multiple times.

In fact, a piece of decor that my sister Kendra gave me came in quite useful as I checked on the kids and made my way through the house:

It's a blown-glass candle holder and candle from Williamsburg. You know, the kind with the little fingerhole and tray that pilgrims used. It rocked.

Anyway, crisis averted, Tommie and I called the power company and found out our side of the street is on a different circuit than the rest of our neighborhood, which is why all the other lights were still on. We also found out, at 10p.m., that our power would probably be out until 2a.m.(it was). So we put some extra blankets on the kiddos and our bed, sat by a fire in the fireplace for a while and then resumed our plan of going to bed early.

And I dreamt of killing people with my razor....no, just kidding. I didn't really have dreams at all that night. Thank Goodness.

Snowy Weekend!!!

This weekend we had a welcome, but long-forgotten, unexpected visitor: SNOW!

We heard there might be some snow, but we were really only thinking flurries. Much to our surprise, we woke up Saturday morning to 6-8" of the lovely white magic maker! Liliana played outside with the neighbor kids and then Tommie, Wayne and Kendall had a MASSIVE snowball fight in the backyard. Even Maple seemed to be happily reminded of our former snow glory in CO...she played outside for probably 20min with Tommie and the boys despite the fact that the snow was up to her chest!

What a fun weekend. And there's still snow outside!

Also, for no reason, this:
p.s. I have a great story about something terrifyingly awesome that happened last night that I don't have time to post right now. So check back later for a post that will surely make you laugh...