The Crafts

Matt and Kate ran a few errands together on Saturday morning. They went grocery shopping, visited Scheel's and ate at Long John Silvers. (Obviously I wasn't with them or I probably would have protested eating there.) Kate came home with a new visor.  She LOVES it! Matt, too, loves visors.  Wears them all summer long...except in this picture. I bought myself a few cans of spray paint over the weekend. And I've already made good use of them. This chair was a fine gray/blue color.  But now it rocks in a pretty shade of pink. Kate loves it of course...she loves anything pink. Here she is relaxing on her pink chair in her heart jammies while downing a Union Station malt. Ahhhh...summer..... And last but not least...we have a new friend at our house.  An unwanted friend, really. This long haired, black and white cat pranced its way onto our porch Sunday afternoon and hasn't left since. She slept in the garage.  (Without us knowing.) And when the girls and I went ou...

The Saturday before Easter we made the short drive to Union, Iowa to visit Matt's grandma and other relatives on his mom's side of the family. CJ had a little too much fun at Easter dinner and had to have her clothes cleaned. LeAnn says her style gives a whole new meaning to casual dining! I think I have to agree! All the little girls had an Easter egg hunt outside. (I only mention the girls because there are no little boys in this family.  There are a couple of boys, but they're aren't little anymore.) Below is Kate and Ella after finding lots of candy filled eggs. Two cute blondies...

These pics are so fabulously adorable that I don't have a single thing to say about them. What cuties!

My favorite cereal in all the land is granola. But it is expensive. So I've been trying recipe after recipe to come up with the best tasting homemade granola. . I have never found one I love...until today... Hands-on time: 5 minutes Total time: 25 minutes 4 C old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking) 1 C sliced almonds (or slivered or whole...whatever you like) 1/2 C shredded coconut 1/2 C honey 2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 C dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, raisins, etc...) *Heat oven to 350 degrees. *On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the oats, almonds and coconut with honey, oil and salt. *Bake, tossing once, until golden and crisp (20 minutes) *Add dried fruit and toss to combine. *Let cool. YUMMMMMMM!!!!!! When I originally posted this I accidentally typed 1/4  C of honey but it should be 1/2 C honey!

Disclaimer:  I LOVE goodies such as cookies, brownies and almost all things sugar.  I really like the occasional chip or bag of popcorn, but... The girls and I ran to Walmart this morning to buy groceries.  While waiting in line to pay I was being nosey.  I looked around to see what groceries other people were purchasing.  You know what I saw....processed everything.  I didn't see a single fresh fruit or veggie.  I saw packaged cookies, bags of popcorn, piles of meat, and gallons upon gallons of fruit drinks (not juice).  I saw cases of soda and dozens of frozen waffles and pancakes.  And I saw sweet little children watching their mamas pay for it.  Now I am not perfect nor will I pretend to be.  I eat dessert just about everyday.  But I can also say that our kitchen is stocked with apples, grapes, plums, dried fruits, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, corn and more.  I have tried really hard over the last 6...

No, I didn't misspell theatre in the title.  I wanted it to sound extra fancy so I wrote the word like the British. Although I'm not sure they are really that much fancier than us. Each and almost every Friday night is movie night in the Craft house. Tonight's selection is Sleeping Beauty. However, Matt and I will not be in attendance. Rather my wonderful husband hired us a babysitter. We are going out on a date. Isn't he the best!! Apparently I was the only person watching the movie last Friday night.

OK...so apparently I am the only one who voted that CJ is Baby B. That's because I was trying to throw you all off...but it didn't work. You are all so smart. Similar to when Kate turned 7 months, it was difficult to get a good shot of CJ with her 7 month sign and basketball. And here is Kate acting just as curious. CJ wants to eat everything...including basketballs...and paper...and leaves...and diapers...and... Kate didn't smile much for pictures when she was little.  But she sure was cute. Here is what was left of CJ's 7 month sign by the end of our photo session. She looks like she could care less. 7 Months Updates *Two nights ago CJ slept until 6!  And last night she made it until 5:30!  PROGRESS! *CJ LOVES to eat...bananas, prunes, mango, apricot, sweet potatoes...you name it, as long as it isn't carrots...but I don't blame her.  I strongly dislike cooked carrots, too. *CJ now waves hello and goodbye...and does so all the time.  See pic below. *She is si...