Look who is coming to dinner...

Some of our best friends came over for dinner tonight. James and Luke could not have been more excited to see these two walk in the door.

Luke and Caroline were fast friends. Ready...set..go!

Luke kept trying to steal kisses, he is a charmer that one!

Eli and James instantly went downstairs. No thanks, I don't need dinner when my best bud is here to visit. Lots of cars and lots of tools, what more could these guys need?

Little sister sure can keep up with the big kids!

We had a blast guys, let's do it again!

Steamed Carrot Pudding

Yes folks I was at it again last night. We tried a whole new recipe for a steamed pudding as we had some carrots that just had to be used. I LOVE STEAMED PUDDING. I have a feeling I may never make a baked cake again.

I forgot to take a picture last night, but took one this morning. You can see this will be gone after dinner tonight. Zoom out a bit and you can see who was eager to dig in this morning after breakfast....

I found the recipe here. But I had to half it due to the size of my pan. I also didn't have all the spices on hand so kinda fudged it with what I had. Lastly, the raisins were omitted because I detest raisins. I don't like them hot, I don't like them cold and I don't like them covered in chocolate. Yuck yuck yuck!

Steamed Carrot Pudding
*0.25 cup butter (mine was melted)
*0.25 cup granulated sugar
*0.25 cup molasses
*0.13 cup dark rum
*0.75 cup all purpose flour
*1 teaspoon ground ginger
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*0.25 teaspoon baking soda
*1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Pretty much you mix is all together, throw it into your buttered pan, put that pan in a water bath and cook for 1.5 hours on a low boil. Delicious!

Welcome Dean!

My newest nephew was born this morning bright and early, meet Dean. What a sweetie! We cannot wait to give him a big hug.

Maybe it is just me, but he looks very much like his cousin James (picture below). Those BIG eyes on both of them make them look so wise.

Congratulations Julie and Jeff!

Humor Me

Yes, I know this is not a food blog. Yes, I know you really just come here to see pictures of the kids. But humor me, my inner Mrs. Homemaker is in full force this week.

It is starting to feel like fall here in Virginia! Today the windows are all open and the air is cool and I wanted to bake something. That something turned out to be Ginger Cookies.

So yummy and they make me feel like fall is really here! I adapted the recipe for Gingersnaps from my favorite Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

Ginger Cookies
2.5 cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
0.75 cup butter
0.25 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.25 cup candied ginger

Mix it all together and roll in granulated sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes a batch or until they start to crack on top.

YUM YUM YUM!

I cannot wait until fall is officially here! Sweaters, pumpkin and spiced cookies here I come!

Thoughts on Steamed Pudding

So I am completely intrigued by the concept of steaming a chocolate cake. So much so that we have round two for dessert tonight. I made a few alterations to the original recipe, and thought I would pass them along just in case anyone actually was going to try it....

Here is my modified list of ingredients:

Steamed Chocolate Pudding

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
1 heaping cup Reese's peanut butter chips

And because I wish I had the time and energy to host my own food blog, here are pictures:

I am sure my waist line will not appreciate many more attempts at steamed pudding, but my taste buds can't get enough!

What do my little babushkas think?

James' exact words were "Luke stop eating, James needs to share your cake." I think that means he liked it.

What's up!

Sorry about neglecting this blog lately faithful readers. This past week we all had colds, had friends and family in town, and FINALLY finished negotiations on selling our condo. Not popping the champagne open just yet, I am a pessimist and am waiting until ALL the papers are signed at closing. So in a nutshell we have been busy.

Some really fun things we have been doing lately......

**Watching way too much TV. Lots of Bob the Builder and Wheels on the Bus.

**Discovered a work out tape for kids called MonkeyDoos. Try it, you won't be disappointed. James slept SOOOO well that night. I did too.

**Tried a new recipe for a steamed pudding. Really fun and really moist cake. Totally satisfied my chocolate craving.

**Discovered how much we love sunglasses. Don't they look like they are up to no good....looks like trouble times two to me.

**Moved our pool inside and filled it with balls. Luke LOVES this! Plus I love it because I don't have to be outside in the oppressive heat.

**James, aka Bob the Builder, fixing everything. Can James fix it? YES HE CAN!

I'll try to be better about posting more often. Until then hop on over here and make a chocolate cake for yourself. YUM!

Hangin' with Uncle Robert

The boys are getting a lot of time to hang with Uncle Robert lately, and they love it! Luke especially likes all the extra stories.

Practice Napping

I found these cute little fold out couches on craigs list. James loves to pretend he is taking a nap, and today Luke decided to join the fun. Needless to say they didn't get much rest.

The boys peacefully napping. I love Luke's long legs sticking out of the blanket.


Watch out James, Luke is coming in for the tackle!

Luke taking over BOTH beds.

Silly guys!

Missing Grammy

Grammy was in town for the last couple of weeks and we had so much fun! James is still telling me he is going to go play with Grammy, or asking "where is Grammy?". Sweet boy is not sure why she was here when he went down for his nap, but gone when he woke up.

Love you Grammy! We miss you so much!

Carousel

Today we went to the park in search of a train ride. The train was closed, but the carousel was open!

Luke couldn't get to it fast enough. He was so excited!

Luke was ready to ride, James wasn't too sure about it.

Then James decided to try too because he could ride a lion. Luke no longer was so sure about riding alone.

But right before the ride started they both were seated on their animals. A seal for Luke and a lion for James. It was so much fun!