Monday, November 23, 2009

A Recipe for Fun!

My friend Amy and I have known each other since before our children were born. Our eldest children used to have playdates while they were still in diapers. Although we had managed to visit each other through the years none of our kids had seen each other for more than 7 years. But on Saturday Amy and her wild things came to our house.
My middle son Matt cleaned out a pumpkin early that morning and roasted the pieces in the oven.

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When our friends came over that afternoon the house had an interesting aroma of roasted pumpkin and pizza! We all ate some pizza and the teen girls started playing with Luca.
At first he was shy! But soon he realized that playing with two teen girls wasn't so bad, and he could be the center of attention.

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We soon headed to a park very near our house where the shenannigans began.

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Some of them thought they were mountain goats.

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"Come on girl, you can make it!"

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There was some posing.

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...and more posing.

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And in the end, it was the biggest and coolest wild things that remained on the top of the mountain.

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Then it was time to say good bye to the playground.


And I commenced with the cooking bootcamp! Well why not? I love getting kids in the kitchen with me, and everyone enjoyed a turn. We took the pumpkin that M had roasted and scooped out the pulp away from the peel, and then pureed it. To that we added a few eggs, some ricotta cheese, nutmeg, salt and parmesan to make a filling for tortellini. We made the pasta ...

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These girls said they felt like an Italian grandma!

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And everyone got the chance to fill and shape by hand the tortellini.

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We boiled our tortellini which by the way wanted to stay stuck together all in one lump. Luckily for us the water separated the tortellini and it turned out nicely. We served it very simply, with butter and fresh sage and a sprinkle of parmesan for those who wanted it.

The next morning, we made homemade crepes, filled with Nutella, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries, and as much whipped cream as anyone wanted...

Little Luca said it was very good!

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Friday, November 13, 2009

Chocolate Encrusted Toes (No, Really)!

My youngest wild thing doesn't really like sweet things, at least anything sweeter than natural fruit. At least that's what I have always thought. Imagine my surprise then when I walked into the dining room and saw this!

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Apparently, if you hunt sweet things down all by yourself, open the box, and open the individual packet- then sweet things taste great!

Also? If you then take your toes and dip them in the powdered chocolate, then lick them, and repeat- it tastes even better!

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This is my reality. Help?

Have a beautiful week end my friends!

love,
Amber

Friday, November 6, 2009

Friday Photo - At Play

boys and knights and dragons

Several years ago my eldest two used to do this. They played! Now they still play but it is different, not spontaneous playing with knights and dragons and each other, but games on the computer or x box. So, all you mammas out there who have children, snap pictures of them playing. The time slips away faster than anyone can imagine.

knights and dragons

Look at his face! He is lit up from inside with imagination! I already miss this.