The Final Birthdays

And now for the Birthday Wrap-Up, 2012 edition.

Clayton had a great 9th birthday, complete with a day off school for PD day (best birthday EVER!) and swimming with the fam and his friend Nolan that night.  He requested an ice cream cake, but we don't have anywhere in town that makes them, so I had to get creative.  This cake is a recipe I have saved in my box for 10 years but never done.  Well worth it...

See the excitement?

Malcolm's big day came 10 days later.  He was home with me all day so he helped make and decorate his own cake.  He found out Aunt Emily's birthday is only 3 days after his and that she loves Swedish Berries, so he saved her a piece of cake in the freezer and took it down this weekend.  I'm sure it wasn't too delicious by then, but it's the thought, right?

And that concludes the birthdays for this year.  All in all, pretty successful.  The kids only wanted money which, in my opinion, is about the easiest and best gift for me to give them.  No toys scattered and broken the next day.  In fact they receive money from all their grandparents too, so our trip to Edmontont this weekend yielded fantastic results.  Things I never would have bought them on my own.  Plus they've been saving their money from allowances, so that brought the total up.

The boys pooled their money together and bought a Wii to replace their broken console they have been missing since August.  Madison finally got a pet.  She bought herself a budgie in the city and carried it all the way back in a box.  It's name is Isabella (or Izzy) and she (we hope it's a she) is beautiful.  Madi is using the cage from Dan's work right now until we can locate one in her price range, so it's way fancier than it will be in the end.

A New Career Path

I recently made the decision to begin teaching piano lessons again.  When looking around for a teacher for my own kids, I realized it was slim pickin's around here, so I'm gonna give it a go.

I'm really excited.  I've been reading and planning, prepping games and activities and theory lessons.  I'm tring to incorporate internet resources too, as much as possible.  It's gonna be a fun time!

Things are going good so far.  I put a few posters up around town last week and so far 4 students have signed up.  They're all beginners, so it will be a good chance for me to go back to the basics. 

Here we go, so wish me luck!  Lessons start next week.

p.s.  I started a new blog for my piano 'business' with info etc.  Right now it's not much, but I plan on having categories for practice tips and links to various websites that are useful at home, as well as information on what's going on in our studio.  This will grow as the number of students increases, but if you want to check it out, try highprairiepianoteacher.blogspot.com

Comments and suggestions from outside sources would be welcome as I shape and hone this.  And it actually worked!  I decided to tap into the internet saavy world we live in and people have actually gone to look at it.  Much better than giving the info over the phone a hundred times.

Good Reads

As many of you may know, I'm a sucker for a good whodunit, especially the English village variety.  In the past couple of weeks I have read two that I particularly enjoyed.  Just some ideas in case you're looking for something new to read...

1. "Still Life"  by Louise Penny



I read another book by this author a few years ago and really enjoyed it, then took it back to the library without imprinting the title or author on my brain.  I stumbled across this, her first book, and remembered why I liked the other one.  She is Canadian and her books take place in Quebec.  Very well written and keeps you guessing til the end.


2. "The Killings in Badger's Grift" by Caroline Graham



While living with my parents I became as addicted to the British murder drama as my dad.  I PVR them every Saturday night, in particular Midsomer Murders.  Love it.  While watching, I noticed they acknowledged Caroline Graham as the original concept idea.  Based on her books.  Looked them up in the library and gave it a go.  It did not disappoint.  If you've ever watched the show (and you should!) the characters in the book read just like they are portrayed on tv.  The storyline is captivating, and moves along at a good pace with just enough surprise moments to keep you going.

Powdered Sugar Morning

This morning it looked like a bag of powdered sugar had been opened up and dumped over everything:

Beautiful!

And inside our house spring is coming early:

Because we don't have a garden, we are going to try container gardening this summer.  We've already started some plants to get things on the go.   We have tomatoes, zucchini, kolrabi, and various flowers starting to pop up.  We are planning to keep them in the house as long as we have to, then transfer the pots outside.  Here's hoping!

Vampire Repellent Chicken

Dan also suggested "Transylvania Chicken", since you could eat it and then visit there unharmed.  Hee hee. 

This is one of the best crockpot chicken dishes we've had yet.  Don't be put off by the amount of garlic.  By leaving the skins on the cloves it lessens the flavor, but you can also fiddle with how much you use.  The first time I only put in about half, but yesterday we went full out and it was soooo much better. 

Of course, we love garlic. 

Try it.  It's very easy, very quick to put together but it tastes like you spent hours on it in the end.  I think I will try using a whole fryer next time for a change up. 


Super Garlic Crockpot Chicken Thighs/Legs  (Vampire Repellent)

Place 20 cloves of garlic in your crockpot.  Leave the skins on.

6 chicken pieces (or however many you need to make)

Brush the chicken with olive oil, then rub with salt and steak spice.  You could also use rosemary, red pepper flakes, etc.  Whatever you like and want to use.

Put the chicken pieces into the pot.  I usually put some of the garlic on top of the chicken too.

Pour 1/3 c. of chicken stock over everything.

Cook on low for 7 hours.

Just before dinner, place the chicken under the broiler (on low) in your oven for 5 minutes.

Serve with whatever sides you like and enjoy the fall-off-the-bone garlic goodness.


Be prepared if you are at home all day.  This chicken smells so good cooking away that you will be foaming at the mouth by supper.  If you like garlic, that is....

Winter Fun

Last weekend we were invited by the Peace River Branch High Councilman to their winter activitity.  We though it was also a good chance to visit the cheaper grocery stores.

The activity was great.  They had skates available for the kids, sleds for everyone's use, and a big fire to sit around.  There was also a chili cook-off and hot dogs to keep everyone's tummies happy.

Another good thing was getting to see my cousin Angie and her family.  I only wish I had gotten a photo with them... next time!

Birthday #2 and Self-Portraits

Our second birthday of the year is Spencer.  He's now officially 5 years old.  His choice of dinner was chicken alfredo and broccoli, which he wanted recorded visually.

And his choice of cake was blessedly easy - white cake, chocolate icing on the sides, blue icing on the top with smarties sprinkled on.  And it was pretty tasty too!

Can you believe our 'baby' is now 5?  How time flies!

Madison and Spencer traced each other and colored their own self-portraits.  Cause these aren't freaky to come across in the middle of the night...