Ten on Tuesday

1. Monday we had Pot Roast and Mashed Potatoes made using the Pioneer Woman's recipe.  I think the key though was that the beef was from my parents' herd, and the herbs, onions and carrots were fresh from my garden (planted by my B and parents in the spring). I could literally not get the carrots into pieces quickly enough for M.  Delicious and wrapped in family.

2. I tried these cheddar apple scones over the weekend and am convinced they would have been spectacular, if not for my forgetting to leave the oven on after baking the apples which resulted in dough with the butter melted out.... I did finish cooking them, but not nearly what they could have been.

3. We went to the Zoo again this weekend and actually saw more animals than usual.  B specifically requested seeing the bats so off we went through the Oklahoma Trails exhibit.  I think my favorite part was watching M and Daddy slide together.  Too adorable!

4.  Tracie and I ventured out to the Parade of Homes this weekend.  I was surprised at the range.  I think the most "Wow" house we saw happened to be across the street from a Parade Home, but was incredible.  I did see a more reasonable house run by iPad that I would love.  One or the other of us need to consider making more money before that is going to work though....

5.  Incredibly in the last month or so I have discovered that three very close friends that had struggled a little with getting pregnant over the last year or so are all pregnant!  It is so amazing and exciting. I am so thrilled for all three!

6. M's costume assembly continues.  This is why I start so far in advance. I tend to do things in spurts and all the being away from home isn't helping.  Today, we found red tights and sparkly red shoes.  We still need to attach the strap and some sort of stem/leaf hat (ideas?).  I bought a little felt to work on the latter, but my find a green bow instead.  We shall see! B's costume is, of course, ready and tried on daily.

7.  If you follow my facebook feed you know that my kids have been engaged in what I've termed "competitive helping." This seems to be largely about each trying to be the most helpful with whatever we're up to. On Saturday, for example, they had to both help Daddy move the laundry from washer to dryer and hamper to washer.  Turns out that there might be such a thing as too much help, but we're not turning any of it away.  Other chores include: dishes (with much help), cooking assistant, putting away clothes, clearing/setting the table, vaccuuming, general clean-up/pickup, and more as assigned. Love it.

8. This evening the boys went to swimming while M and I stayed home and had a dance party.  It evolved into more a read The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! party, but fun times nonetheless.  I love seeing B come home just after swimming as he is so enthusiastic.  He is signed up for the "Eels" class next month and Maggie & I will be doing the baby class just before that.  Much swimming fun!

9. Today, I ventured into the next phase of my scrapbooking obsession.  After holding out for what seems like years (and has been at least one year), I finally joined the fun and bought my first Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist  at my local Scrapbook store.  I have, thus far, misted everything in sight with the two colors I purchased and am loving it, as promised.  Look for much more "misting" in future layouts.  So cool!

10.  Jamie,in her post, pondered chicken tortilla soup recipes so I'm going to share my current favorite here that is delightfully full of veggies.  It definitely feels like soup weather so maybe we'll make some too. Do you have any favorite soup recipes to share? I'd love to see them and keep the chain going.  Drop me a comment below or do your own blog post and I'll share it with others here.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

Ps. As usual, amazon.com links are affiliate links and all opinions my own.