at the AWANA drive-in

AWANA does a drive-in movie night once a year where the kids get to bring a cardboard box car and watch a movie under the stars.  Due to poor planning, Lyla did not go last year.  But we planned ahead this time and marked it on our calendars.  I reminded Travis a few nights prior to drive-in night that he needs to make her a car.  Although he had so many other things going on, he decided to start on it right away.  I encouraged him to keep it simple, but in true Travis form, once he gets going he wants it to be exactly right.  He pulled an all-nighter on Monday night to make this awesome rat-rod for Lyla.  He used a diaper box for the body, pizza boxes, paper plates for wheels, paper towel rolls for the pipes, plastic bins for the front and back windshield, water bottles for the headlights and tail-lights, and a bottle cap for the fuel cap.  What a great creation!  I was shocked when I came downstairs in the morning to see this bad boy in our kitchen.  Lyla was pretty jazzed too.

We pulled up to AWANA and the kids got to "park" their cars wherever they wanted.  Some of these cars were really spectacular!

There was a volkswagon bus, hot pink cadillac, princess carriage, old-school batmobile, and so much more.  Some of these parents really spent time on these beauties.  A few of them even had working headlights!

130 kids watching Veggietales as the sun goes down.

Lyla sat still in her very cramped car enjoying the movie.  I somehow was able to stuff her in this thing with an entire mexican blanket to keep her warm and her jacket to use as a pillow.  Her little arms could barely maneuver enough to hold onto her box of popcorn.

She had such a great time and she was very proud of her little vehicle.  She got lots of comments like, "cool car, lyla!" to which she replied, "Thanks, but it's not a car, it's a rat rod".  She is surely her father's daughter.

daddy/daughter date night

Lyla's first date with her daddy was a huge success!  They both had an amazing time and Trav did everything he could do to make it an extra special evening.  He wanted to make Lyla feel like a princess.  I was so excited about their date that I bought her a new fancy dress weeks ago.  She couldn't wait to dress up for her daddy and go out on her first date ever.

We prepared for the date by making Travis a little surprise.  We worked together to make a boutonniere using some lavender in our front yard.  It was super simple to do.  We just cut some lavender, tied the stems together with twist ties, and then wrapped some lace ribbon around it.  Voila!  Grab a pin and you have a homemade boutonniere. 

Travis arrived at the door to pick up Lyla with a bouquet of flowers.  She couldn't believe they were for her.  She kept bringing them to me and saying they were mine. 

Daddy tries on the boutonniere.

Trav let Lyla choose any place she wanted to go to dinner.  She didn't even take more than two seconds to think about it before she shouted out, "Sushi!"  He took her to our favorite sushi spot in town, Hana Sushi.  She ordered tamago (cooked chicken egg) and philadelphia roll.

When they arrived at Reliance Church for the ice cream and movie, the ladies of our church gave them the red carpet treatment.  Literally, they had a red carpet for them to walk in on!  There were bags of popcorn for the movie, strawberry water, ice cream and tons of toppings, etc.  All the daddies and daughters got to share in some ice cream and then cuddle up on the floor with blankets and pillows to enjoy the Muppets movie.

I think Lyla will cherish this memory of her very first date forever.  The photo below was given to Lyla in a little frame as a keepsake of the night and it is now on the shelf above her bed.  What a sweet memory to keep in her heart forever! 

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward." -Psalms 127:3

sausage and herb stuffing

serves 8-10

ingredients:

16 cups 1-inch foccacia bread cubes (1 1/2 pound loaf)

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 onions)

1 cup medium-diced celery (2 stalks)

2 granny smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large-diced

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound sweet italian sausage, casings removed

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup dried cranberries

directions:

pre-heat oven to 300 degrees

place the bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake for 7 minutes. Raise the oven temp to 350 degrees. Remove the bread cubes to a very large bowl.

meanwhile, in a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the onions, celery, apples, parsley, salt and pepper. Saute over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened. Add the veggies into the bowl with the bread cubes.

In the same saute pan, cook the sausage over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until browned and cooked through, breaking up the sausage with a fork while cooking. Add to the bread cubes and veggies.

Add the chicken stock and cranberries to the mixture, mix well, and pour into a 9 x 12-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, until browned on top and hot in the middle. Serve warm. Enjoy!

getting crafty: initial frames

While shopping for baby shower gifts, I was inspired by an item on etsy and decided to make my own initial frames to give to friends. It was so much fun putting these gifts together for friends that are expecting...and some who had their babies a while ago. "p is for piper" is for my friend devon whose piper turned 1 a few months back. "m is for miles" is for my friend leigh anne who is due today!

Here's the collection. They are all unique and made with love!

New addition to the playroom

Travis built these shelves over labor day weekend. I was so proud of him for busting out this project so quickly. It used to be just an empty cubby, and now it is functional space. I can't wait to go antique shopping/garage sale-ing to pick up some storage jars or some other cool containers to put on the shelves.

Christmas cocktails, anyone?

I made some festive cranberry-orange vodka in mason jars for Christmas gifts this year. I haven't tasted it, but it sure looks pretty.

Ingredients:

Makes 4 cups.

1 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 piece fresh orange peel (2-by-1-inch)
3 cups vodka

Directions:

In a small saucepan, heat cranberries, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves, the liquid begins to turn a light-pink color, and the cranberries just begin to pop. Pour the cranberries and the liquid into a large glass jar; stir in peel and vodka. Cover, and let stand at room temperature at least 3 days or up to one month. Strain before serving.

Cheers!