Poems by Us

I love to read Dr. Seuss stories. Some of them tend to get a little tricky but I am attracted to the rhymes. The years of reading to the boys have brought many authors into our home. Yet to be honest, I still love the fun rhymes best. We have tried our hand at poetry and creative writing. The best one Drew has composed is one titled "The Wicked Sheep of Wiskey Gap". Like most writers the things I write about have to do with family activites and experiences. One was about eating ants because Hyrum and Carter have eaten some. I even wrote a lenghty clean up poem. I won't bore you will all of my stories and such but here are a few collective efforts for you to enjoy.

Signs of Fall
Leaves falling
Birds migrating
Sweater wearing
Mushroom hunting
Jam making
Flowers dying
Wood stacking
Garden harvesting
Trick or treating
Others helping
Signs of Winter
Fires burning
Snow falling
Gloves warming
Star gazing
Toboggan riding
Fort building
Present wrapping
Lights shining
Carols singing
Signs of Spring
Dandelions Flowering
Grass growing
Trees budding
Birds nesting
Children playing
Hummingbirds humming
Geese returning
Bike riding
Signs of Summer
Gardens growing
People swimming
Baby birds chirping
Lawn mowing
Salmon fishing
Sunset watching
Beach exploring
-by Hyrum and Mom

There's a spider in the window. He's lurking there I know
Can't see him cause he's hiding, but his web awaits his foe.
-by Dexter and Mom


I Like Ants
Do you like ants?
I do.
Some are red.
Some are black.
Some are big.
Some are small.
Some are fast.
Some are slow.
Ants live in the dirt in my backyard.
When ants crawl on me they tickle my arms and my legs and my belly.

Have you ever eaten one?
I have.
Some are juicy.
Some are dry.
Some are like bubblegum.
Some are spicy.
Some are crunchy.
Some are squishy.
Some tickle my insides and make me itchy.
They tickle my arms and my legs and my belly.
Ants are delicious.
-by Mom

In the Kitchen with Carter and Drew

I must not tell a lie. I dislike cooking everyday, day after day. In the summertime Drew shares his culinary expertise with us. Yum Yum! It is a welcome change from the regular routine of Mom's cooking. I like having helpers in the kitchen. It does involve more clean up for me but I enjoy the taste of someone elses cooking. Carter began helping in the kitchen a few years ago when he learned to make cream puffs. Unfortuneately they only turned out right the next time he tried making them. The next 3 times were a flop. Since then Carter has tried quite a few things from eggs to noodles. The most popular and most used recipes are as follows, Waffles by Carter and Cookies by Drew.If you venture to use a recipe I hope you enjoy the fruits of your labours as much as we do! :)

Waffles

2 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Preheat waffle maker
In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and creamy. Continue beating adding milk. Mix dry ingredients together and gradually add to milk and egg mixture; beat until smooth.
Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites and melted butter.
Add 1/2 cup batter to preheated waffle maker. Close waffle maker. Bake until golden. Approx. 3 min.
-courtesy of Philips

Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips (Preference milk chocolate)

Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla.
Stir flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda together and add. Stir in chips.
Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake in 350 F oven for 10 min.
-courtesy of Company's Coming Cookies