Grocery Bag

The weather is cold here, so we need to keep the kitchen warm.  Have a wonderful MLK week!

Day One

Chicken and lentil burgers from Everyday Food Magazine

with roasted potatoes, romaine salad and oranges slices

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Day Two

Stir-fried shrimp in tomato cream sauce by Madhur Jaffrey

with basmati rice and steamed broccoli

This recipe also works well with tofu in place of shrimp.  We go easy on the cayenne pepper, using only a few shakes.

Recipe and photo from Food.com

Day Three

Santa Fe Chicken Salad by the Cheesecake Factory

with cheese quesadillas

This salad is my favorite menu item at the Cheesecake Factory restaurant.  

It is an easy salad to serve for company.

Photo and recipe from The Cheesecake Factory

Day Four

Butternut squash couscous from Real Simple Magazine

with steamed peas and pear slices

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

Day Five

Green chili posole from Everyday Food Magazine

with applesauce and homemade rolls

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Blessings on your kitchen!

Why I shouldn't let my child stand in the grocery cart

Alert: 

The following story could seriously compromise my Mother-of-the-Year application.  Come to think of it, there are so many things that would compromise my application, I shouldn't apply anyway.

First, some pertinent background:

There are many ways that Buddy Bear differs from his siblings.  One way that he defies my previous parenting experience is with his impressive, and sometimes death-defying, gross-motor confidence.  In contrast to his relatively physically cautious siblings, Buddy Bear rarely hesitates when it comes to new physical challenges.  He is delighted to climb the highest seats, stairs or tables, loves to wrestle with his brother, and is undaunted by super speeds.  Hey, a Buddy needs to keep up with his beloved siblings, doesn't he?

So, I was in no way surprised yesterday when, while at the grocery store with me, Buddy Bear did not want to sit securely in the grocery cart.  Our compromise, since we were in the produce department with too many temptations for little wandering hands, was to let him stand in the front large section of the cart.  This seemed reasonable, given that the front side of the cart measured up to his chest, I was was holding onto the back of the cart, and we were standing stationary in front of the lettuces.

However, I had not accounted for Buddy Bear's curiosity streak.  

All of a sudden, my attention was wrenched from the price of the lettuce bags to the sight of Buddy Bear slowly tipping himself, head first, without a sound, out and over the front of the cart.  As if in slow-motion, I watched as he seemed to suspend himself upside down in mid-air, before slowly falling to the floor onto his head.  I am not sure which one of us was more horrified by the unpleasant THUD of his head hitting the floor.  

Hugging poor, shrieking Buddy Bear in my arms, I could not have been more thankful for the cranial cushion provided by his very cute and relatively padded monkey-faced toboggan hat.  Thank you, Lord.  Thanks should also be extended to the crowd of customers, also present in the produce department, who witnessed the whole event.  Each went about his or her business without a sending single scowl, derogatory remark or killer-eye stare my way.  I already felt like I deserved a parental time-out, and I greatly appreciated the mercy of the quiet crowd.

Buddy Bear is doing great, I am thankful to say.  He probably won't enjoy as much freedom during our next grocery run, which is probably for the best.  Hopefully, I can help him find better ways to leave his mark on the world.

To the ice

This season, we have traded in our swimming lessons (which went swimmingly this fall, I am thankful to say) for ice skating lessons.  G-Bear and E-Bear only have one native Minnesotan parent, and neither T nor I would describe ourselves as ice skaters (although he is quite proficient for a native Southerner, certainly better than me).  Yet, after the fun of our December ice rink outings, we purchased two pairs of used children's skates at a local used sporting good store for $20 a piece and signed the kids up for 1/2 hour per week lessons.  Despite their hereditary disadvantage, the Bears are taking to the ice like champs.

So far, the kids have learned how to fall down (on cue, no less, to the tune of "Ring Around the Rosie"), get back to standing by themselves, and march-step a few steps at a time.  The kids seem to love their lessons, all ankle blisters have healed and hardened, and not a single tear has been shed.  I'd say we're on a roll! 

Buddy Bear is our trooper spectator.  Snacks are key to keep him busy, as he would much rather be out on the ice with his siblings.  We are all spellbound by the spectacle of the Zamboni cleaning the ice after the lesson time.  E-Bear keeps asking me, "What is that thing called again?"

Today G-Bear announced: "Mom, do you know what I would like to be when I grow up?  An ice skating teacher."

Sure thing, sweetie!  For now, let's work on that step-step-glide.

Grocery Bag

For all of Advent and our Christmas holiday, I took a break from our Grocery Bag meal planning.  I enjoyed a little extra free time on the weekend (put to good use!) and relied on our meal plans from weeks past to help us stay on track for both grocery shopping and dinner.  But, it is a new year, the holiday season is giving way to January realities, and it is time to plan anew!  So, welcome to our first Grocery Bag of 2013.

Cooking in the New Year can be challenging.  No one wants to come off the high of holiday food to bland, boring fare.  Even with global fruits and vegetables, the produce department can be uninspiring at times in January.  The seasonal citrus fruits & pears, brussels sprouts, winter squash and winter greens are worth our time.  Don't the forget beans and lentils!  They can be a great change of pace for meat in soups or long-simmering dishes.

Day One

Tortellini with lemon and brussels sprouts from Everyday Food Magazine

with homemade bread

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Day Two

Slow cooker garlic chicken with couscous from Everyday Food Magazine

with lemon vinaigrette green beans from Fine Cooking Magazine

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Day Three

Steak au poivre with roasted potatoes and carrots from Everyday Food Magazine

with steamed cauliflower

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Day Four

Curried lentil and chickpea stew from MyRecipes

with basmati rice and mixed green salad

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

Day Five

Spaghetti with caramelized onions and yogurt from Martha Stewart Living

with homemade rolls and steamed peas

Photo and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

Blessings on your kitchen this week.

Twelve Days of Christmas 2012

Yes, our Christmas tree is still up.

Hey, the twelve days of Christmas just ended on Sunday,
school only restarted yesterday,
and we had a lot of Christmas to celebrate.

Here is our twelve day Christmas recap, not quite as extensive as last year, but full of the highlights nonetheless.

[To the tune of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas]

In the twelve days of Christmas, our thankful family....

Enjoyed Twelve Days of Dress-Up,
We have met an impressive cast of characters this Christmas, including Robin Hood, Peter Pan & Wendy, Knights and Dragons, crazy kooks, Woody and Jesse, Mommy Mary & Daddy Joseph & their Donkey, Brides & Grooms, many Disney Princesses & their Beaus, and so many more.  The imaginations are impressive at our house, as is our ever-growing stash of dress-up clothes.)

ooks, Woody and Jesse, Mommy Mary & Daddy Joseph & their Donkey, Brides & Grooms, many Disney Princesses & their Beaus, and so many more.  The imaginations are impressive at our house, as is our ever-growing stash of dress-up clothes.

Eleven Icy Snow Days,
We made the most of the cold temperatures and snowy days, playing outside as much as our frozen feet and fingers would allows.  We have learned that the key is good snow gear!  The best part of playing in the snow, other than the snow itself, is coming inside for hot chocolate afterwards :)

Ten Johnson Cousins,
The Johnson Christmas reunion was a truly a treat this year.  We welcomed baby cousin H for the first time, and all ten cousins reveled in rambunctiousness for three days.  Aunt A and Uncle B treated us to a gender-revealing party, where we learned that we'll have another new baby girl cousin this spring!  This crew is ever-growing in sweetness and stature, eagerly welcoming newbies to the ranks.

Nana with her ten grandchildren.

Nine steps on Christmas morning
Every year since I can remember, we have gathered at MoMo and Papa's steps on Christmas morning for the unveiling of the Christmas living room and the awaiting surprises.  Once again this year, where Aunt K, Uncle C and I used to sit, five grandchildren eagerly awaited permission to descend.  Let the Christmas morning magic begin!

Buddy Bear, E-Bear, G-Bear and their cousins, ready for Christmas morning.

Eight Ice Skates
With Buddy Bear cheering us on from the sideboards, we have enjoyed every slip and slide of our first Christmas ice skating together.  In our future for 2013 includes skating school for E-Bear and G-Bear (only because T and I couldn't ever hope to teach them ourselves), and hopefully many more fun times at the rink.  We are a riot on the ice!

Happily on the ice this Christmas.

Seven Christmas Visitors
The treat of our Christmas was having Nana, YaYa, GP, Aunt K, Uncle T, cousin Harkin and cousin Tobi all in town with us.  G-Bear, E-Bear and Buddy Bear had the time of their lives with their two beloved Boston cousins and all "five" grandparents showering love and affection upon them.  

GP, YaYa, Aunt K, Uncle T, cousins Harkin and Tobi.

A Six-foot Toboggan
We were all excited to open Uncle C's gift to all of us this year.  What could it be??  A toboggan sled!  

Uncle C's toboggan gift on Christmas morning.

Five Tobogganeers!

The five cousins on the toboggan.

Uncle C's toboggan turned out to be even more fun than we expected.   Thanks to Uncle T, Papa, Uncle C and T for making all the fun possible.

Uncle T pushes as Papa waits at the bottom.

What fun!

Four messy hands
Last Christmas, Buddy Bear and his best buddy, Cousin T, were trying their hands at Cheerios for the first time.  This year, nothing holds them back!  These two never miss a chance to join in, or sneak a snack, especially if they can do it together.

Buddy Bear and Cousin T

Three Glowing Grams
Yaya, MoMo and Nana with their grandkids.  These three grandmas will spoil you rotten, if they don't love you to death first.  Thanks, super-grandmoms, for an awesome Christmas together.

Two amazing hosts
Yes, MoMo and Papa did it again, hosting spectacular celebrations for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and numerous days both before and after.  They are creating quite a legacy of generosity and delight, blessing us all in so many ways.

and.....

One Grateful, Thankful Family!

Our living room on Christmas morning.

Lord, we are so thankful for all the blessings of this Christmas season, 
especially Jesus' birth and the chance to share our joy with those we love.  

We hope you have had a truly wonderful Christmas season as well.  As the chill of winter sets in, may happy memories and reminders of this season warm us all until spring.  

Going to Miami

We were gone exactly 24 hours, 15 minutes.

Miami bound.

The journey wasn't easy.

Catching a catnap on the airport floor.  

But we made it.

Roll Tide!

The past four years have been full of unforgettable moments for Alabama fans.  We have watched most of it from afar, albeit with fanatic faithfulness.  But yesterday, T and his brother L continued their family tradition, and we joining throngs of Bama faithful at the BCS championship game. 

The stadium was a sport fan's dream.  It began as a magical night for both Bama and Irish fans.

In the end, well, most people know how it ended.  We emerged exhausted and exhilarated as the team accepted their fifteenth National Championship title.  Incredible!  Four hours later, we were on a plane back home.  But we won't forget Miami for a long time.

Roll Tide Roll.

Happy New Year, and a Surprise Announcement

2013 has arrived!

In 2012,

I withdrew from the Match, 

we celebrated five years with G-Bear,

and one year with Buddy Bear.

We said good-bye to friends and our home in Carolina,

 and began anew in Minnesota.

We attended new schools for the very first time,

said goodbye to the curls, tried a new haircut style.

 We hailed four years with dear E-Bear,

welcomed a baptism for Buddy Bear,

and shoveled the snow away with great flair.

After so many blessings, can this next year compare?

No time to look back, it is time to press on,

the Lord gives a new year, there is work to be done.

But surely our greatest excitement to share,

is the anticipation of another baby Bear!

In April, we'll add a new babe to our team, 

please join us in praying for 2013!

May 2013 be filled with God's grace and blessings in all of our lives!  Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, 

from the 

Happily Ever Johnsons!

May the joy of the Father, the love of the Son, and the peace of the Spirit

be with you and your family this Christmas Season.

Happily Ever,
The Johnsons