Why my daughter is dangerous

A has been pretty intent on fixing stuff lately. Last weekend Chris scraped a computer and she handed him the parts in correct order and told him where they went as she wasn't exactly happy to not put the computer back together. Today I was working on the tablet and turn around to find this. She has opened up her puppy to expose the battery box. She has also retrieved a set of micro drivers that Chris uses to take stuff a part. She find the correct Philips head for the puppy and starts trying to open up the battery compartment. I don't know why she wants the batteries out, but she seems quite determined to make it happen.

In other news, we had a 2.9 earthquake last Sunday. It was shortly before 4 pm and it sounded like an explosion. We got the house shaking, explosion sound and the concussive wave almost all simultaneously. Apparently we were less than 3 miles from the epicenter, so it makes sense. We didn't immediately think earthquake, but tried to think of what else could do that. Later it was all over the news, so fun fun. I love moving to all these places that aren't supposed to have earthquakes but actually do.

We also finally got some sun. The plants in the garden that haven't drowned or been eaten by slugs are starting to thrive. If I can get enough basil to make some pesto I'll be happy.

Chris found out this past week that his co-manager of the stockroom is leaving in a few weeks, which means Chris gets to work close to 55 hours a week until they bring in someone else. He had kind of worked out a schedule of noon to nine on Mondays and Tuesdays, but now he'll get to go in at eight. He isn't super happy about this and I'm left wondering why he has to pick up the slack because the uni won't replace the guy immediately. We will have to see how A does with this too. This past week when he worked until late she was not a happy girl. They described her as a holy terror at school in fact Tuesday and Wednesday, so we will see what this does to her (and to me as I'm exhausted from work and all).

Well, we are moving on to sewing pins so I should go tame A before she makes a real mess.

Peanut Butter Scones

So peanut butter has been a big deal lately. A loves it and will eat spoonfuls of it these days. She has always had a thing for it. Since it isn't quite pumpkin season (that's next week as next week is September and September is when I get rid of last years frozen pumpkin if we have any left) and we wanted scones for this wonderfully cool mountain morning (it is about 50 outside), I made peanut butter-oatmeal-chocolate chip scones. I made a variety of scones actually all with a peanut butter-oat base.

Recipe:

2 c flour (I used 1 c sorghum, 1 c brown rice, 1/2 c oat, 1/2 c arrowroot powder + 1/2 tsp gelatin + 1 tsp gum)
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 c oats
1/4 c cold butter in cubes
3/4 c buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 c peanut butter
add ins: chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, whatever you want really

Pre-heat oven to 400F. Mix the first five ingredients well. Add in the butter bit by bit until you get a cornmeal consistency. To the buttermilk add the egg and whisk together. Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry mixture.  Add the peanut butter. As you shape the scones put your add-ins in and work them in well. The original recipe called for doing this all by hand, but I'm a lazy baker and used my kitchen aid. On a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, shape the dough into a circle that is about an inch thick. Cut the scones, but do not separate them. Bake until done (they bounce back, a toothpick comes out clean, however you can tell something baked is done) which for us was about 20 minutes. Should make around 8 scones.

As you can see, my math was a little off as I grabbed the wrong measuring cup for the flour. I used six half cups as opposed to six third cups. Thankfully I realized it and was able to adjust the mixture so that I really made a 1.5 recipe. I ended up with a lot of scones, so the freezer will get some. I did a few plain, a few with raisins, a few with raisins and chocolate chips, and some with just chocolate chips. Here is a picture of what they looked like when they went into the oven (and there is another wedge on a 2nd cookie sheet):

And one of what they looked like when they came out:

After they are done do let them cool and re-cut them.

I apparently need to get the recipe book they came from, Baked, so I added it to my Amazon wishlist.

Happy Baking! If you decide to try this recipe please let me know what you think!

Sandbox with Chris

This week we have had a few more dry days. I say dry, but it is still 94% humidity and overcast most of the time. I just mean it isn't raining. Here are some great A pictures that Chris took at the park this week. A and Chris love the park, and she never seems to go and play as much with me. They go several times a week if we get dinner done in time and there are several other families they have met and play with at the park. As you can see in the pictures -- A has decided that the sandbox rocks. We're working on building stuff with sand, but she seems to enjoy just shoveling and stomping it too. With it being so wet this summer it has been difficult to get in the sandbox to play, so these are some rare pictures.

Fingerpainting

A has decided she likes to paint. It is a fun evening activity that can take 15 minutes to an hour. Tonight it was about half an hour or so and we got some masterpieces. If you'd like one for your fridge please let me know and I will snail mail it to you.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Well, since the beginning of July we have had a grand total of six or seven days with no rain. A's favorite song has become "Rain, Rain, Go Away! Come again another day!" She says it as we drive to work/school, drive home, or want to go to the park. We have decided to keep a towel in the car to dry slides, swings, etc at the park for the times when the sun pops out from behind the clouds and we make a mad dash to the park with everyone else in town. Thankfully town isn't that large so it isn't a huge deal and we still get to play. All of the rain has drowned our garden and what few herbs have grown are overrun with pests. I should be able to bring some plants inside soon though since our basement renter finally moved all of his junk out!

A is really starting to talk and most of the words are understandable by everyone, not just mom and dad. She can count to ten and say parts of her ABCs. I suppose it was Thursday night, Chris and I were doing dishes and A decided to join us. So she brought her step stool to the middle of the sink, helped "wash" after Chris before I rinsed and we sang the ABCs. I'm working on teaching her to count and the ABCs in German as well. She seems to be developing a slight drawl, so we really need to move from NC.

Chris starts term this week. There will be night classes on Monday and Tuesday, so we will see how the term goes. It should be rather exciting as A has also become a daddy's girl to a fault. She wouldn't let me drive her home from church today since daddy was available. Chris is starting to burn out a bit with the tech crew at church, but that's mainly because there aren't really enough people helping out.

Work for me brings a media fill this week, so it should be interesting. We are supposed to work 12 hour days and such, but since Chris can't stay home with A and NC has a rule about a max of 50 hours of daycare a week... I won't be doing 12 hour days. It is a blessing that A couldn't get into dayschool around the university so that I have to pick her up and leave since our insurance says no children allowed in our building. I can't even go back and sign paperwork that may need a signature these days. We will get a lot of stuff done this week though as not everyone can be in the cleanrooms the entire time. I actually imagine the schedule will be easier than our regular weekly schedule since at least we know what each day holds.

Anyway, it is bedtime for the chipmunk (one of A's nicknames since she loves to stuff her cheeks with food) and me as days start early here. Hopefully we will get some dry weather, but it doesn't really look like it will be this week. Hope all is well with you.