Crafts, parties and SODA!

What have we been up to?

Well, not much really.  We spend some time at home and sometime out with friends.  When we stay home, I try to do some kind of craft with Jeanne.  I don't get to do this everyday, but I'm happy (and she's happier) when we do.

 

Mixing paint is fun, but painting your own body is much more fun.  Thank you washable paint!

 

 Here, I put paint inside ziplock bags and taped them to the window and different heights so Jeanne and Loki could squish and mix the paints together without making a mess.  They didn't think it was as cool as I did, but they still played with it a bit. 

Jeanne making faces in the paint.

I needed to find another use for this table, time for BOOKS! This allows Loki to walk around the table and check out the pictures.  Sometimes Jeanne will read to Loki.

While picking up dinner, I got Jeanne a soda, her first.  Root beer, she really enjoyed it, and in classic Jeanne fashion, she barely had a third of her cup and was done. 

We went to a birthday party for a friend. 

 

BIRTHDAY BOY!   Happy 3rd birthday!

 The kids enjoying their "Blue's Clues" cupcakes.  Jeanne is the youngest of the 'big kids' but she does all right.  There is a 3, a 4, and at least two 5 year olds in this picture.  There were more kids, around enjoying cake, and I was trying not to step on them.  In this I succeed.

While the birthday boy was opening presents, all the kids gathered around him to see all the cool new toys he got.  While they were occupied, they left their cake and ice cream on the floor.

This little bugger is birthday boy's little sister.  She's (I think) around 16 months old.  This beautiful girl, walked over to the cakes, sat down and grabbed a fork, and a bite or two, or three while none of the kids noticed.

When I see this picture, this is what I think she is thinking: 

"Hey lady, don't tell that kid over there alright"?

Ahh, beans.  Just in case you haven't figured it out yet, I ADORE heirloom beans.  I get them from "Rancho Gordo"  These here are called Good Mother Stallard.  They have a beautiful color. Deep purple and maroon with white speckles.
Here they are dry.

 

Then you soak them in water for about 6 hours.

 

....

....

....

 6 hours later.  See how much they expand!
Look at their skin, all wrinkled and juicy.  Plump little jewels waiting to be EATEN.

  This particular bean has a thicker skin, and an amazing flavor. 

Not like anything you buy in the grocery store.  

Goya beans are tasteless fiber fillers, these beans are heaven.

Put them in the slow cooker, and cover with 2 inches of water over the beans. 

Cook over night or about 6-8 hours.

Let cool, and separate into 3 bags, and cover with the broth (this helps against freezer burn, and you can use the broth for seasoning and further cooking with).

YUM!

Then, season or eat plain.  Either way is sure to bring a smile to your face.

And her are some photos of Jeanne and Loki playing with the kitchen.  Loki loves to bang open and shut the doors.  While he does this Jeanne talks to him about doing the dishes and cooking.  

It's usually quite adorable.

 

And here is when the kitchen first arrived in our home.

May 2010, Jeanne gets her kitchen!   Check out how tall she has grown! 

 Now, she's taller than the 'fridge'!