Happy Birthday, Hallie!

You can read her birth story here.

I can't believe she is four. It sounds so old.

Hallie, you are beautiful, funny, sensitive and caring. You make people laugh whether you want them to or not (usually not) and you charm people with your precious voice. You are a mama's girl, but love playing with your daddy, and secretly love when he torments you. You still sleep with Purple Baby and your Special Pillow and love, love, love to have your back scratched (on the itchy spots!).

On that stormy day four years ago, I knew our lives were changing forever. But I never knew how much you would bless our lives. Your daddy and I love you so much! Happy birthday!

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Birthday Comparison.

Every year we celebrate Hallie's birthday with my mom at the Lake of the Ozarks. It's full of swimming, boating, food, dogs and fun! Her step-cousin Vinnie has a birthday July 3rd and it's so fun to see the two tow-heads blow out candles together. The three kids get along so well and have a blast together. It's always sad when we have to leave.

2009

2010

2008

2010

2008

2009

2010

Party Prep.

I am in full party-planning mode. We have lots to do this weekend, but are spacing it out so hopefully it won't be too nuts Sunday morning! On the agenda for today:

Friday


Clean Bathrooms
Wal-Mart Shopping
Pick up Chairs/Tables
Vacuum
Steam Mop
Dust
Arrange Guestrooms
Make pizza dough for Saturday
Burgers on the grill

Picture from last year:

 

Follow-Up Fourth.

After Hallie and I rolled back into town Sunday afternoon, we took quickie naps and headed to Springfield where Dave was going sound for Fireworks at the Capitol (or whatever it was called). I'm really not sure.

We waited 30 minutes in line to get kettle corn, because Hallie was desperate for popcorn. So we waited...and waited....and then it poured...poured harder....and then we finally got the flippin' kettle corn. We ran back to the tented area, soaking wet. Hallie took one bit and declared, "yucky."

Awesome.

I managed to get some great pictures though, despite my camera sucking in every way possible.

She wore those headphones for about two minutes before she got bored. We were there from about 6-10pm, and she did great! The rain was a bummer, but we managed to have fun and got to see and hang out with Dave at the same time. It was a great Fourth!

Birthday Prep.

I am such a loser.

I made an excel spreadsheet titled, "party plan." I have it broken down by days, and then what needs to be accomplished on said day, and then a place to check when it is complete.

I love lists.

My dad and grandma Chronister are coming Friday night and you can bet that I have updated my list to include any activities they can assist with - such as cooking, cleaning, and just doing everything for me. I wish.

I moved my schedule up a little, so I can have ample time to get the guest rooms ready and clean the bathrooms. The rest of the cleaning will be done either Friday (pending the schedule) or for sure by Saturday.

Today is Tuesday. I have nothing planned except to visit Lucille and hopefully weed my garden. It is over-run with weeds! Look at this!

That is a giant zucchini plant that has only gotten bigger since this picture was taken.

Happy 4th! Etc.

(late, I know)

Here's a preview of our weekend.

Do you see what I see?

A Peaches 'n Cream Barbie circa 1985???? Yes, that's right, my favorite Barbie from way-back-when has been reproduced. The feet are a little shorter than I remember, but it really brought me back. I have spent hours Hallie has spent hours playing with her.

I love that my favorite Barbie when I was four is now her favorite Barbie when she is almost four. Circle of life.

This weekend is Hallie's birthday party. In just a few short days my baby will be four years old. It just doesn't seem right. I want to freeze her at this stage and let her be almost-four forever.

We have a family party planned that is going to rock her socks off - think bounce house (thanks, Abbie!), swimming pool and heavily sprinkled cupcakes. Those who are missing it (Nell. Liz), you're gonna miss out!

I have mapped out my week of cleaning + party prep. It's going to be awesome.

Homemade Fishsticks.

We have tons of frozen blue gill/bass from our pond filling up our deep freeze. So it's either have a fish fry or find some recipes to use it up. We already had a fish fry a month or so ago, so I decided to try my hand at some homemade fishsticks.

These were pretty good! Next time I will ramp up the spices, but all-in-all it was good - crunchy, not too fishy, good!

Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with Herb Dipping Sauce


from Everyday Food

Ingredients:
1 large egg

coarse salt and ground pepper

2 cups panko

1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound tilapia fillets


Sauce:

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving

2 teaspoons prepared white horseradish


Directions:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees F, with racks in the middle of the oven. Line a baking sheet with non-stick aluminum foil.

Cut tilapia filets in half lengthwise, and then again the other direction. You now have 4 sticks per filet.

Crack egg into shallow bowl, lightly beat with fork. Season with salt and pepper. In another shallow bowl, combine panko, Old Bay, and olive oil.

Dip each tilapia stick into egg, shaking off the excess; then into panko mixture, pressing mixture so that it sticks.

Place on prepared baking sheet and bake 12-15 minutes, until panko is lightly browned and fish is cooked through.

Meanwhile, mix all sauce ingredients in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and serve alongside fish sticks.

Whew.

I made the mistake of screwing with my template a bit...
...and then I really just screwed it up.

But I think we are back in business.

Now I think everyone who reads this is either my friend or family member. So, can you please do me a favor? If you look over here ---------------------------------------->

there are ads. If you click on them, I get paid.

Click.

Don't Mind the Mess.

Life With Masons is under construction!

How Does My Garden Grow?

Awesome, thanks for asking!

This is why I grew a garden.

So that Hal can eat tomatoes right off the vine, as she pleases.

And she certainly pleases.

Cucumbers, zucchini...makes me so happy!

Puppy X's 2, Please!

Look what showed up at our house.

Remember that scary sound? Oh wait - I don't think I published that story.

Backstory:

I was roasting on the front porch last Sunday while Dave and Hallie napped. When suddenly I started hearing "yip, yip, yip," but much scarier sounding. I put on my rubber boots and hiked down into the hollow (or whatevever that would be) and found...nothing.

So here's what the nothing was, I'm sure.

I was thrilled. Zoey,

Not so much.

If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a puppy (or two) give them my phone number!

Like, Totally.

Like, today, I like, totally got my ears pierced.

At age 29.

PS - who knew I had so many freckles? And a beard? But don't look at that, okay?

PPS - I really want these earrings, okay? And these! Oh what the heck, and these.

Swimmer.

Swim Lesson #1 - Hallie sobbed the entire time. And I am not exaggerating. She sobbed the.entire.time. It was heartbreaking. I'm thinking of pulling her out. I'm thinking of putting a hit out on the swim teacher, nancy.

Swim Lesson #2 - see above. At the end, Swim Teacher Nancy suggests that she might do better if we observe from above.

Swim Lesson #3 - Hallie is hysterical when I leave her below. I go back down to take her potty and make the deal - if she doesn't cry, I will stay. No more crying.

Swim Lesson #4 - awesome. Smiling and everything.

Swim Lesson #5 - even more awesome. Lots of smiling. Loving the lessons.

Swim Lesson #6 - holy crap, she's swimming.

Weekend swim time with friends - I can't turn my back on her. She refuses to swim with any sort of floation device - arm floaties, swim belt, life jacket, etc. Instead she jumps into the water, comes up, takes a breath and swims all over the place.

Thank you, Nancy.

What's Up?

1. I parted my hair in the middle today. Like, a flashback to college. Our student worker didn't like it, but I told her that her opinion is not valid.

2. Hallie informed me and Dave that she wanted to be a mermaid when she grew up.

3. I am wearing a shirt my mother-in-law bought me at a garage sale. And I didn't wash it first. (it was brand new with tags, but I know).

4. I have had a headache on and off for almost five days now.

5. I am working on my sweating. Oh yes you read that correctly. One of my favorite people, Alison, hooked me up with her prescription Dry Sol. Google it. It burned a bit last night but hello, no sweat today. Seriously.

6. I am re-thinking my entire wardrobe now that I don't have to worry about pit stains.

7. I am so gross.

8. I had a blast with my friends from college on Friday night. Minus one. A Very important one.

9. Hallie had a hard time falling asleep at Erin's house this weekend. Because she had bad feelings. Breaks your heart!

10. I love Patty with straight hair. I love Patty no matter what!

Burt.

I love Zoey, but I miss Burt (right). He was such a good boy.

Sad.

You Lookin' At Me?

I just found these pictures.

Pictures of Dave taking pictures of Hallie taking pictures of Dave.

Do you follow?

Do You See What I See?

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I smell it.

From these three.

Yep.

In Disguise.

Certainly this is not my daughter.

This is a picture of an almost-four-year-old.

My daughter is still just a tiny baby.

Forever.

R.I.P Little Mole.

This tiny mole was left by Zoey as a testimony of her mole-hunting ability.

Well done.

Hallie, sadly, is attached to moles.

Apparently she is so sad for this mole's mother, who is probably waiting for him to come home. Pooooor little mole mommy.

It was pretty cute.

PS - Zoey will come and kill your moles for a price. I hear the going rate is $25/mole. Excellent.

One, Two, Etc.

I am counting my blessings today.

1. Ripe cucumbers and zucchini in my garden.

2. Heat. Oh, I love the heat.

3. Subway for lunch.

4. A new book.

5. A family I love who loves me too.

6. Etc.

There. I feel better.

Keepin' On.

My 30 Before 30

Finished some super cute bottom-half cafe curtains for my laundry room! I made them a smidgeon too short, so I need to lengthen the hem. But I'm counting it as done. Because it's my list.


1. Successfully grow a garden (that one is going great!)

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Learn to play "Dawn" (from Pride and Prejudice) on the piano.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Take Hallie to the Shedd Aquarium.

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (november!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 10 pounds.

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)

19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Smokey & Casper.

Meet our two horses.

Smokey and Casper - just like my dad's! (can you tell Hallie picked out the names?)















Aren't they super sweet????

This one (I think Casper?) loved the carrots and apples we brought over.

And yes, that is a disgusting amount of drool/slobber/horse saliva coming out. This was the best picture we got of it. You can't see how much of it ended up on our sweet blonde girl. GROSS.

PS - They are not really our horses. They are in the pasture at the pond, where we live. Handy, with zero committment. Gotta love that!

PPS - Did you know Dave is scared of horses? Well, of them kicking? Hysterical.

Lot Lizards Love Enchiladas.

These were awesome. I was drinking the sauce. Gross, but oh-so-good.


Tex-Mex Truckstop Enchiladas



1 lb lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeño, minced (just used a bit of diced)

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Black pepper, cumin, and chili powder for seasoning mixture

1 roasted mild pepper such as Pablano (I omitted)

1/2 cup beef stock (I used beef broth - would have used chicken too)

1/3 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen (frozen)

salt to taste (kosher)

double recipe of Jessica’s Enchilada sauce (below)

corn tortillas (I used flour, because think corn is gross)

grated cheese of your choice (mozz and cheddar)

Chopped onion for garnish (optional) (nah)



Brown ground beef in a skillet with onions, jalapeño pepper, and garlic. Season with black pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Drain excess grease.



Add stock, chopped roasted pepper and corn. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Filling can be made 1 day ahead. Reheat filling before using.



Preheat oven to 350. Grease a baking dish.



Warm tortillas in microwave until softened and pliable. Using tongs, dip tortilla in sauce to lightly coat. Lay on a plate and add about 2-3 rounded tablespoons of beef filling on top. Sprinkle grated cheese over mixture and roll enchilada snugly. Transfer to baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.



Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas, submerging them in the sauce. Bake for about 25 minutes (I covered them with foil). Once sauce is bubbling and enchiladas are heated throughout, remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese and onion (if desired). Place in oven for a few minutes to melt cheese.



Enchilada Sauce

(Jessica)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder





Use this economical sauce to prepare enchiladas or any recipe calling for enchilada sauce.



*Heat oil in large 2-quart saucepan; stir in flour and chili powder; cook for 1 minute.

*Add remaining ingredients bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.

*Makes about 3 cups sauce.

I am On a Roll!

Roll, not role. *Sigh*

I love Hibatchi.

My 30 Before 30


1. Successfully grow a garden (that one is going great!)

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Learn to play "Dawn" (from Pride and Prejudice) on the piano.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Take Hallie to the Shedd Aquarium.

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (november!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 10 pounds.

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)

19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Swagger Wagon.

I'm sure you've already seen it, but here's a shoutout to all my peeps with a SwaggerWagon.

Look Familiar?

2008

2010 

These Two.

They take the best pictures together.

God Bless The Telephone Trick.

Do you remember this post? Where my camera broke? My OLD camera? And I was so bummed to have to buy a new one?

But then I did?

And then do you remember this post? Where my new camera broke, but I googled and fixed it with that super cool "telephone trick" aka "beating your camera until it submits?"

Well.

I was digging through our junk drawer to find something, and I found my old camera. And I wondered....hmm....I wonder if it just needs a good kick in the butt to get working again.

It did.

I am thrilled. Beyond thrilled, actually. this camera is much better than my new one, in terms of lighting and such. they are both just the point and shoot. But regardless...YAY!!!!!