The Wonderful World of Senses

Well, it was my turn to teach Joy School again. This time the lessons this week are on the five senses. It was pretty funny having the kids try to put a ball in bowl across the room without using various parts of their bodies. For instance, blindfolding their eyes, or covering their ears. I think the most fun was when they couldn't use their legs- I had to show them how they might push with their hands or roll across the room. It is not vary easy to roll on the ground when several months pregnant. I was glad that they were the only witnesses since they don't notice things like that!

We got to taste and smell various powders; pepper, jello, cocoa, salt, sugar. When asked what they thought each was, one of the little boys said "sugar" for everything from jello to black pepper!

Below I've posted the audio file of sounds that we made so that we could learn more about hearing.

Ben is back home after a trip to Texas, for work, and Colorado, for play. Ok, so the Colorado wasn't just play- he went to see his brother Jeremiah. They seem to have enjoyed it, and I am enjoying having Ben back to myself- with a couple (make that a few) munchkins in between!

Another one on the way!!

I just glanced at the last few posts and realized that last I posted about the girls, D was only 3 months old. Now she is 14 months old and everywhere. We are 3 months away from having baby #3 with a twist since they are getting a Brother. Felicity Couldn't be happier since that is what she asked for and Danarra has no idea what is coming!

Our curly headed Danarra is into everything and loves Books-she brings them to anyone she thinks might know how to read them to her, Stuffed animals and dolls- she'll grin and give them big hugs- often she categorizes smalled children in this group as well and Mommy has to save the other child from smothering or being knocked over!

Beautiful energetic Felicity has started Joy School (Mommy and two other ladies are the teachers). She is proud of all her pictures and loves to tell everyone about her school. She is a big girl!!!

Mommy is teaching Joy school next week for the first time and is a bit nervous- probably should just make sure she reads and prepares her lessons. It is also a challenge to be prepared for a new little one but I can't wait until he comes- December 18 is the due date and we'll be thrilled to meet him!

Like a bad Penney, I'm back!!!

Well, my cousin reminded me about a month ago that I have been lax about my online blogging correspondence. So I guess that means that someone actually looks at this thing!

So today I was trying to decide what to do for dinner and figured that I can type and think at the same time.

Here are my thoughts:

I have some salmon that should be eaten in the freezer and haven't had salmon since Mom and Dad got back from dip netting on the Kenai River!

I have several Zucchini and a large Ziploc of Carrots that are on the counter from my mother-in-law's trip to the local U-Pick farm

2 Mushrooms

Some red, yellow and orange Peppers

1 Roasted Garlic

Peaches from the freezer

Now to find something to do with all this bounty...

Bake the salmon with something yummy, serve with pasta (Julienne Zucchini, Roasted Garlic, Olive oil, a few red pepper flakes,??)

Salmon en Papillote - Salmon and julienne/ thin sliced vegetables cooked in parchment paper

Hmmm...

Ok I'll Pan fry the salmon with a seafood rub and then finish it in the oven while I saute up some of the Zucchini (julienned) in olive oil, roasted garlic and Red Pepper flakes. Add 1/4 Red Onion (sliced), a tablespoon of Flour, a can of diced tomatoes. Heat until bubbling. Serve it over Angel Hair Pasta .

And the peaches... with strawberries or triple berry blend? Cobbler, Crisp, Pie, tart?

after a search online I found a strawberry Peach upside down cake using cake mix, strawberry and peach jello with peaches- substitute raspberry jello and we have Melba upside down cake

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,186,147161-252193,00.html

STRAWBERRY-PEACH UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

1 can (29 oz.) sliced peaches 1 pkg. strawberry Jello (4 serving size) 1 pkg. peach Jello (4 serving size) 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/3 c. butter (melted) 1 pkg. yellow cake mix Arrange peaches in buttered 13x9 inch pan. Combine strawberry and peach Jello and cinnamon in small bowl. Sprinkle about 3/4 of the mixture evenly over peaches; dot with butter. Prepare cake mix according to package instructions. Pour 3/4 of the batter into pan. Stir remaining gelatin mixture into remaining cake batter. Blend well and pour over batter in pan. Swirl spatula through batter to marble. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 45 minutes or until fork comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes. Turn out onto platter and cool. May top with Cool Whip.

Menu tonight:

Pan fried Salmon with Zucchini Tomato Pasta (topped with a little fresh Parmesan)

Melba Upside Down Cake with whipped cream on top!!!!