A Preview

Today Phillip came and asked me where the checkbook is. I was thinking Maybe Luke asked him to look at it for part of school? But he’s not here! Maybe he got back and sent Phillip for it for some reason? But I just said, “Why?” He said, “Because I need to look at it.” Now I was really curious! Why does he need to look at the checkbook? Isn’t he a little young for this? I just looked at him a bit confused, and he said, “I need it for school.”

Then it dawned on me. He was referring to the score key for his school work!! Mystery solved!

But maybe I just got a little preview of what may be coming in a few years?

Raining the Right Direction?

While driving this evening in the rain, I had this conversation with my sons.

Phillip: Mom, is it raining the right direction for trees and flowers to grow?

me: What?

Phillip: Is it raining the right direction for trees and flowers to grow?

me: Yes, it is. (although not sure what he’s talking about)

Peter: What, Mom?

me: I said it is raining the right direction for stuff to grow.

Phillip: Oh, then that means the church will grow now! (with a smirk)

I think Phillip has learned a bit of sarcasm. Wonder where he picked that up? 😀

A Kind Inspiration

Today at Stop & Shop, the lady behind me in the checkout line was very kind to me. I forgot something pretty close to where I was checking out, and she actually offered to go get it for me and was still smiling when she returned! How often does that happen?

While putting my groceries (and kids) in the car, I heard the lady parked next to me on the phone asking someone about jumper cables. (Yes, it took me this long to notice her hood was up!)

Well, I had just been treated very kindly, so I was inspired to pass the kindness on. So, I started helping her look around for someone with jumper cables, thinking who better to jump her off than someone in a 15 passenger van, especially since I happened to be parked right beside her?

Once I was done helping her, I made my grand exit. I walked around the front of my van, and suddenly I was flat on my back! Yes, it happened that fast. I have no idea what happened, but one minute I was up, and the next I was down. I fell over a shrub and ended up laughing on the ground while the lady I helped stood helplessly over me saying, “Are you alright?”

By the way, did I ever tell you that my name means “gazelle,” which happens to be a very graceful animal! Ha!

A New Hand

While at our church‘s Fun Fair this past Saturday, I was holding Candice’s hand while we waited in line for a slush. I let go of her for a few seconds and then took her hand again. After a few minutes I looked down to an adorable little girl with long dark curly hair and eyes of unrecognition! I was holding the wrong little girl’s hand!

I said, “Oh! You’re not my little girl!” and she smiled a bit sheepishly. Evidently she reached up for my hand as unobservantly as I reached down for hers! After making sure she found her mommy, I went on my way with Candice!

Confused Doctor

This is a monologue from back in January that I never posted. I think this was Phillip.*

Let me take your temperature.
Tick, tick, tick!
Yep, you’re still alive.
Now let’s take your pulse.
Wow! 120! You’re burning up!
We need to get you to the hospital quick.

*Anna just informed me that he may have gotten this idea from his uncle. 😉 Still funny, though!

Banana Bread Recipe

Because of my experience with food allergies, I have learned that you can substitute one banana per egg in many recipes and still get a nice moist texture. Of course some recipes just don’t work with banana (like brownies or pie), but it works great for banana bread (and pancakes too!). Since Phillip is no longer allergic to eggs, I recently decided to make this recipe with eggs instead of the extra bananas. Surprisingly, it was not as good. So now we almost always use twice the amount of bananas to make a most delicious banana bread. Enjoy!!

Ingredients

  • 2 c all purpose flour
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/2 c margarine or butter
  • 1-1/4 c sugar
  • 2 eggs (or bananas)
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 1/3 milk (or soy milk/water)
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9x5x3 inch loaf pan & set aside.
  2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, & salt. Set aside.
  3. In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat margarine/butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs & vanilla until blended, scraping sides occasionally.
  4. Stir in banana.
  5. Alternately add flour mixture with milk until blended, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
  6. Evenly spoon batter into prepared pan.
  7. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan
  9. Allow to cool completely
  10. Makes 1 loaf

Back to Stay?

I have taken quite a vacation from my blog! Have you missed me? Oh well! Even if you haven’t, you’ll have to put up with my writings about daily life. I have missed sharing it with you. Stay tuned for more every day details and the continuation of my 100 Things series.

We’ll start off with some sayings from (almost) 4 year old Bethany. (If you follow me on twitter, these may sound a bit familiar).

“I was a pencil, but then I grew up into a person.”

“Boys don’t have brains because they can’t talk.”

Bethany (to Peter): “I will never like you again!”
Me: “That wasn’t very nice.”
Bethany: “OK, Peter, I’ll like you tomorrow.”

By a Quiet Stream