Creative Dating

So, I guess after all these years I still am unclear of the profession of the person I'm married to.  Does that mean I don't know "who" I'm married to?!?!  He's not really a dispatcher, mechanic, truck driver, teacher, DOT inspector, farmer, volunteer, problem solver...  He's all of those and so much more, but no matter how many hats he wears during a given week, he is still most importantly my husband and the father of our children.

Work/commitments/volunteering have been crazy busy around here lately. Fulfilling for sure, but challenging at times, too.  Our baby, Kate, turns 5 on Sunday and we made some time to go shopping for her gifts Saturday.  This is where the creative dating comes in.  We don't often get babysitters, so when it actually all works out we try and capitalize on the opportunity.

The girls and I spent Saturday morning at a bridal shower at church.  When I came home there was a vase of flowers on the counter, I asked Jake where they came from and he said, "What flowers?" typical 10 year old boy response...I asked Scott when he came home from work what the flowers were all about - flowers don't often just "appear" on my counter.  He said, "They're for you."  I pointed out the fact that there was no card.  Scott's response was, "Baby, everything you already know is what I would have written on that card.  I don't do cards."  Point taken.

Anyhow.  After flying through The Country Collage, Harley Davidson, Mills Fleet Farm, Kohl's, Target, and The Children's Place, we finally had everything we needed for Kate's birthday - not fancy, but we DO live in Southern Minnesota!  The "Dad" part was taken care of.  Then Scott took the time to take me to one of OUR FAVORITE places to eat in Mankato - Number 4!

Now on to the "Husband" part.  Scott knows I'm passionate about my food - I like it to look pretty and taste phenomenal!  He takes the time to research restaurants he thinks we might like.  A couple of years ago he came across Number 4 and it's been a go-to ever since.  We opted for quick sandwiches, so Scott splurged and tried their signature Bloody Mary, "The Weekender."  Prior to a year ago we had never tried Bloody Marys, so I decided to research it and make Scott one for Father's Day.  Since then he has become quite the connoisseur.  Scott was impressed by "The Weekender" and it was a good appetizer, too, as you can see!  The food there does not disappoint!  I had a sandwich called a "Sweetie Thai" - grilled chicken, smoked bacon, truffle and jalapeno cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet Thai chili sauce on a sourdough hoagie - the truffle and jalapeno cream cheese was amazing!  Scott had a "Compton Burger" - pastrami, apple wood smoked bacon, pickles, American and Swiss cheese, and spicy Dijon mustard.  You should check out Number 4 if you like to step outside the box with your food!  My favorite part is our "tradition" of ending each meal at Number 4 by sharing the Creme Brulee Sampler - this time the flavors were pistachio, white chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate....YYYUUUMMM!

We learn to treasure the creative moments we do have together - the spontaneous "date" built into a shopping trip, Mexican take out to eat watching our favorite TV series finale after the kids go to bed, a pizza and movie night together at home, even following Scott to drop off trucks so that we can have time together on the ride home....it's not about the cost or location - it's about the person and conversation.

A few reasons why life is Gouda! :)

When things seem overwhelming, disappointing, or hurtful, I sometimes need to just step back and look at the things that are good and right in life.  I am thankful for our group of wonderful friends who are doing a much better job of "making the time" to get together.  I am thankful for my children's accomplishments, which number so many more than mine at their age.  I am thankful for brothers and sisters that share in the work and the joy of our children's accomplishments.  I am thankful for the talents God has blessed me with. I am thankful for my husband who works SO hard (with many long days and late hours that know no "seasons") so that we can live life our way.  Here is a snapshot of last weekend with the Runges (give or take a few days) and how our life is "Gouda" no matter what.

Friday morning I made a batch of marshmallow fondant for a cake I was decorating.  Fondant is like play dough for bakers - you can color it, roll it out, and make shapes out of it.  I took a community ed class a few years ago where I worked with it for the first time - a lot of fun, but store bought fondant does NOT taste good - so I typically op to make it from scratch.  It's labor intensive and messy, but SOOO much better!

After school while the fondant was resting, I took the girls to our dear friend, Emily's, to get their hair cut.  Since the girls have long hair, it seriously is only like an annual thing - we need to get better about that....

Kate's "after" - she loves her "short" hair!

I guess this is how Keeley felt about her "before" hair...

A little time being pampered goes a long way! ;)

Late Friday night I finished the cake for a sweet girl I've know since the day she was born!

After dropping the cake off Saturday morning, Jake, Keeley, and I headed to New Ulm for their first ever piano exams.  They were so relieved when they were done!

Then we ran back home to get ready for en evening full of fun with friends - which is where the Gouda comes in. I wanted to make something new and unique for Easter, and Keeley loves Gouda cheese and dips, so I came up with a Smoked Gouda with Bacon Dip.  I made it for a second time so I could tweak the recipe and I think it turned out even better!  (I'll share the recipe at the bottom.)

My favorite way to see our kitchen!  A full, loud, busy kitchen is a HAPPY KITCHEN!

After supper the kids made the Moms go downstairs and play Mario Cart on the Wii - I might have taken 1st place, just sayin'!

To keep it fair the Dads had to play, too!

While I was getting the kids a bedtime snack of "cake sandwiches" (I save the tops I cut off the cakes to level them and then spread frosting on one and top it with the other and cut them into mini cake triangles of deliciousness) Scott pulled out the 2 little cakes I had made with the extra batter.  He then proceeded to demonstrate his mad decorating skills and whipped up a mini cake for Krista whose birthday is on the 23rd.

Not too shabby!  He must have had a good teacher! ;)

Sunday afternoon piano recital.  All the Brown cousin piano players - Payton, Keeley, Jacob, Emilia, and Vince - they did a wonderful job!

So proud of these kids - they both passed their piano exams with High Distinction!

A little supper celebration for Payton, Keeley, and Jake for completing their piano exams.

Monday night supper and ice cream with our favorite neighbor girls, Sara & Barbara, who just returned home after a 2 week vacation - it was entirely too quiet while they were gone!

SMOKY GOUDA BACON DIP

8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature (I used reduced fat)

2 - 5.3 oz. containers plain Greek yogurt (that's the only size I could find in St. James!)

4 oz. Gouda cheese, shredded

4 oz. Smoked Gouda cheese, shredded

1 clove garlic, minced

3 green onions, sliced

8 strips of bacon, split

Chives (optional)

Mix cream cheese, yogurt, both Gouda cheeses, garlic, 2 of the green onions, sliced, 6 strips of bacon, crumbled, and some chopped up chives, if you have them, in a blender or food processor.  When it is thoroughly mixed, scoop into a serving bowl.  Top with the remaining 2 strips of bacon, crumbled, the last sliced green onion, and additional chives.  We devour our dip with Town House Sea Salt Pretzel Thins!

All about Easter!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!  We LOVE holidays and Easter is no exception!  I love that after attending Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services we begin our Sunday bright and early at the 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service.  Then we enjoy a pancake breakfast at church.  Then it's back to church for the 9 a.m. service which the kids sing in.  After celebrating Jesus rising from the dead, we spend the day at a farm near Fairfax with Scott's extended family which is always a wonderful time!  Here are a few of our Easter highlights!

We try to teach our children that it is important to dress nice when you are going to church.  It is God's house and that is a simple way to show respect.  Easter and Christmas are special occasions and the kids often get a new outfit to wear.  I love the fancy Easter dresses and remember white gloves and Easter bonnets from when I was little. Being the second daughter, I didn't always get a new dress and often wore hand-me-downs and I'm sure I didn't think that was fair and was probably quite vocal about it!

Kate surprised me by having no qualms about wearing Keeley's old Easter dress.  Keeley surprised me when I took her shopping for an Easter dress.  We went to Kohl's and she quickly picked out two - she does NOT like trying clothes on!  She liked the bling on the pink dress but liked the style of the blue dress.  After a couple minutes she said, "Do I get to wear by sparkly heel sandals with either one of them?"  I said, "Of course."  Then she shocked me by saying, "Weeeellllll, I think I'm going to go with the blue one.  I like the pink one and it is fancier but pink is not really my thing and I'll probably wear the blue one more."  I almost started crying!  She's only 8 and she's supposed to want the fancy dress!  She's not supposed to be so rational about it!  Anywho, we bought the blue one and she was beautiful!

Even though I say I'm not going to be ironing the Easter clothes the night before, it never fails....

New to the Easter prep this year was French braids.  Since the girls hair is curly and long it tends to be a nightmare in the morning.  We have finally come up with a routine that works and everyone loves.  On shower night they get a braid.  They wear the braid the next day and night.  On the second morning they take the braid out and have gorgeous wavy hair!  (This will be important later!)  

Bright and bushy tailed on our way to the Sunrise Service!  (With hairstyle #1...)

After 9 o'clock church with hairstyle #2.  Back story here...Scott is obsessed with the girl's hair.  If he is home on shower night, he is typically the one to wash and condition their hair.  He also has a coconut oil, water, brush ritual that he does after showers and on Sunday mornings.  My job is to style and accessorize their hair.  He wanted their hair braided before bed so that it would be wavy for Easter church in the morning.  Weeelll, that didn't happen so well this time.  We didn't take into account that the braid wouldn't have an entire day to set and Scott was not happy with the frizzy hair when we took the braids out.  We had to come home between church services so he could wet down and re-do their hair (with lots of tears from Keeley!)

The girls filling the water glasses at Paul & Janet's

Janet announcing the winner of the bunny counting contest - there are 127 bunnies at her house!  Keeley was the lucky winner with a count of 126.

Runge Cousins!

Fun in the shop!

Pinatas!

The Easter March before the hunt!

READY....SET....

GO!!!!!  I LOVE the excitement on their faces!!!

Filling their baskets!

The beautiful ladies with the middle name "Christine".

Everyone in the family with the first name "Sam".

Easter wore Kate out!

After supper and an egg hunt at Grandpa & Grandma Runges we finally got PJs on and had our Easter hunt at home.  Yes, the prizes included a bag of their favorite chips for each of them - simple things! :)

My kids love deviled eggs and we don't just make them on special occasions - last week we made them because it was Wednesday!  If your kids dyed Easter eggs and you have a bunch sitting around, this is a great way to use them up.

 To hard boil eggs, place them in a pot and cover them with water until it is 1 inch over the top of the eggs.  Bring them to a boil.  Boil them for one minute, then cover them and remove them from the heat.  After they have sat for 15 minutes, drain and run them under cold water.

Thankfully my kids love to peel hard boiled eggs - even better when we can keep the shell mess outside!

Once the shells are removed, cut the eggs in half the long way.

Then scoop the middles out into a bowl.

Mash them up using a pastry blender or fork.

Then add in the seasonings and mix again.

Once again the handy dandy Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator to the rescue - it's the perfect way to quickly fill the egg whites and make them look pretty!

After they are filled, sprinkle the tops with a little paprika.

Then dress them up with a little bit of parsley or chives.

Delicious, decadent deviled eggs!

DEVILED EGGS

1 dozen hard boiled eggs - shells removed

1 Clove of Garlic, minced

1/2 C. mayo or miracle whip (we use half of each)

1/2 tsp. dried parsley (or chop up some fresh)

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. tarragon

1/8 tsp. celery salt

Black pepper

Chives (optional)

Paprika

Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Cut eggs in half the long way.  Use a spoon to scoop the yolks into a separate bowl.  Smash the yolks using a pastry blender or fork.  Add in mayo, dried parsley, dry mustard, onion powder, tarragon, celery salt, some fresh cut chives (optional), and black pepper to taste.  Mix until well blended.  Using a spoon or Easy Accent Decorator (even a spritz cookie pump would do the trick), place an even amount of egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves.  Sprinkle with paprika and add a small piece of fresh parsley.