squeeky clean

Ivar loves to take baths as much as I do. Though he is more fond of sucking wet towels while taking his baths than I am. I like bath time at our house because it is such a family affair. Bath time means all three of us are huddled closely together at the end of the day. And I think it will stay that way for a while because I am afraid to give Ivar a bath without Rory nearby to help with the wet-baby-into-dry-towel transfer. That's a tricky, wiggly, slippery maneuver. So until I find my third and forth arms, each night around 7 you can find the three of us splashing together in our kitchen sink.

part of this complete breakfast

I've got a recipe to share with you this morning. It's my grandma's oatmeal. She has completely changed the way I look at oatmeal and now I eat it every single morning. For real. I haven't missed a morning since the bowl she made for me in Mesa.

It's because this isn't really oatmeal. It's like hot granola cereal when she's done with it, and it is so divine. And it keeps me full easily until lunchtime.

Grandma's Oatmeal: (single serving)
Place 3/4 cup water, a few dried cherries, a small handful of raisins,
and a dash of salt in a sauce pan and bring to boil.

In the meantime crumble a few black walnuts in the bottom of the
bowl you'll eat your oatmeal in. Cut 6-7 grapes in half. Add those to the bowl.

Stir in 1/3 cup quick oats to the boiling water. Turn down heat
and stir occasionally until the water is absorbed.

Spoon oatmeal onto walnuts and grapes.
Dab on some butter and sprinkle on brown sugar.

THIS IS DELICIOUS. I use Steel Cut Oats because I once heard dr. oz say they're really good for you. And I don't really use that much butter or brown sugar. There is so much other stuff going on in this oatmeal that these two aren't quite as necessary as they are in a typical bowl of oatmeal.

The grapes are crazy good. You know how oatmeal usually sort of coats your mouth with mush? The grapes sort of cut through that because they're so juicy. I would have never thought of putting grapes in oatmeal, but Grandma did and now we know.

So enjoy. It's a fantastic, cozy way to enjoy a hot breakfast in the cold of winter.

handmade baby

My friend from high school, Crystal, made this hat for Ivar. I adore it. It's so sweet and I love that it has ear flaps. Ivar loves it too. He can grab things now and is a fan of putting whatever he was able to grasp into his mouth, so the strings on this hat keep him really busy.

My sister-in-law, Sara, made these little slippers for him. They are so stinking cute and STAY ON HIS FEET! A serious bonus in baby footwear.

I am inspired. I want to learn how to crochet. And if that doesn't happen for a while, I want to get crafty again. It's been a long, long time and I miss making stuff. Maybe this weekend...

wolf blitzer and troy groves

My brother-in-law was on CNN last night on a few different shows. He and Sara and the band were stranded in Chicago during the blizzard...

great, great grandsons

This is pretty cool. These two little boys have the same great, great grandparents. It makes them third cousins on Rory's side. I wish I had someway to show this in a family tree, because I finally just wrapped my visual head around it, but I think it is so amazing to think that four generations later, these little boys will grow up knowing each other as family. It reminds me of Sara's song, "to my great, great, great grandson, live in peace." It's amazing how the heritage of one couple four generations ago is still felt so strongly today.

I like this picture. I think it looks like Henry is saying, "tell me again how we're related?"

And the mama's. Marlene's cousin Debbie had us over for a new baby brunch. It was a fantastic morning with two new moms so happy to be out of the house for the morning! Thanks Debbie for having us over. I wish I had a picture of all of us!