Learning your letters

I've been doing a very informal schooling with Abby.  Basically, she is learning all the time but we've tried working on identifying and writing the letters 'A' and 'B'.   We made pretzels last week and shaped them into her name  (Interesting how they each got bigger, huh?)  As we drive in the car or walk along, Abby can pick out the different letters, especially 'A'.   Sometimes I wonder if she is learning and if I should be doing more but then she'll say something that completely blows me away with her comprehension of the world around her.  I think for now, I'll just continue working on letters and allow her to enjoy figuring out the world around her.

Out for a walk

We've been having a warming trend here in Green Bay.   It was in the upper 30's today and sunny too.  And Paul's day off so we got to take a short family walk.  How wonderful to get out and breathe some fresh air.

Notice no coat for Daddy - it is just that warm!

The Mountains Bow Down

The Mountains Bow Down is an easy read yet keeps your attention throughout the whole book.   FBI agent Raleigh Harmon sets out on a cruise to Alaska as a sort of vacation.  While on board, a movie star's wife is murdered.  Raleigh has just a week to solve the mystery before all the vacationers go back home.  I like to try to guess "who dun it"? when I read mysteries and in this particular novel, I didn't feel like the audience was let in on enough of the clues to figure it out.   I was more along for the ride with the FBI agent.  In a way this is fitting with it being written in first person.   I also realized that this is a book in a series and I haven't read the first two yet.   I think this would help give more depth to her character if I had been familiar with the others in the series.  I was a bit surprised that there wasn't more insight into her spiritual life or her dependence upon the Lord.  It was perhaps more like a secular fiction just without the language.  Overall, I enjoyed it and would read more stories by Giorello in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Go Pack Go!

We have quickly embraced Green Bay in their favorite past-time of FOOTBALL!!!  Both Paul and I love football so this wasn't a hard part of the culture to adapt to.  We have had to learn all the specifics of Green Bay Packer football, all the players, the coaches, the dynamics and the fans.  Green Bay has amazing fans who live and breathe Packer Football.  So many of the houses that we looked at had Packer Bars in the basement.   We couldn't be prouder though that the Packers are going to the Superbowl.   We are ready with our t-shirts and our cheering voices.   Everytime Abby sees a Packer sign or outfit, she says "Go Pack".   I really wish I could figure out how to upload a video (without it taking 3 hours and shutting internet down).   If you have any great ideas, please, please, share them with me.

Hoping for lots of touchdowns!!!

"Go Pack Go"

Yummy Delicousness

A couple weeks ago we had brunch at our ladies bible study and one lady brought this.

Oh how good it was!  And then I decided that I needed to make it for Paul too.   I got the recipe and made it and oh how delicious it is.    Would you like to make it too?  It is super easy!!!!  

Here is the recipe:
Put 24 frozen bread rolls in a bundt pan.

Mix up the following ingredients and pour over frozen rolls. 
1 package butterscotch pudding (NOT instant)

½ cup brown sugar

¾ tsp cinnamon

½ cup chopped nuts

Melt 6 tablespoons of butter and pour over the rolls and dry mixture.  Place seran wrap over and allow to rise overnight.(If you live in a warm climate, you may want to do this a lot later in the night so that they don't rise too much)

In the morning, bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.  Invert and eat yummy deliciousness!!!!!

Sledding

Today we went sledding for the second time this season.  The first time we used cardboard boxes and since then, we splurged on some real plastic sleds.   Today wasn't quite so cold - only in the 20's!

Unfortunately, Silas did not appreciate being outside very much.  Also, his snowpants were so tight that he couldn't walk.

 Abby on the other hand totally enjoyed her time. Daddy would carry her up the hill and then she would get to slide "down...down...down". 

 Making snow angels!

Getting snow all over her face!

Daddy

Mommy

Trying to upload a video but it isn't working yet....stay tuned!

Jack Daniels Cookbook

I received this cookbook from Thomas Nelson Publishing for free in return for a review.  First of all, there was a mix-up in the ordering and they were very quick to remedy the situation - thanks Thomas Nelson!   This is a cookbook which goes beyond just using Jack Daniels.  There are many other southern delicious items to make.   I am excited to make a lot of the sauces that do incorporate Jack Daniels especially come summer time when we have the grill out!   Over all, a great book to just even look through!  It gives a lot of the history too of the Tennessee area.