One Reason Why I Think it's Cool That I'm Turning Into My Mom

My mom is pretty much a genius in the kitchen. She can whip up the most delicious food at a moment's notice, and it doesn't seem to take her any time or effort at all (I know it does, Mom - but you sure do a good job of masking it). My kids talk about eating breakfast burritos at Grandma's house, complete with freshly homemade whole wheat tortillas & all the fixin's. Mind you, whenever she cooks, she has to prepare enough for her own 6 ravenous sons and 2 daughters and now all of their spouses and children. It is no small feat, that's for sure. My mom is famous in our small town for making a few things, one of which is her rolls. I have heard many references to Marla's Rolls and people wishing they could make rolls like Marla. My sister and I are among these hopefuls; somehow the roll-making gene was not passed on to us. It is amazing to watch my mom make rolls - she forms them so effortlessly and they turn out all soft and perfectly round...and not a single drop of dough sticks to her fingers while she's doing it. I remember the first time I made rolls as a married woman - I thought I was pretty cool and that my husband was gonna LOVE me - it was not nearly as easy as Mom made it look and I failed quite miserably. First of all, I can not shape them without getting at least half of the dough stuck in between my fingers, and then they are all misshapen and ugly. And most of the time, they don't rise at all so they just end up being tough and lumpy and really not desirable at all - nothing like the soft, melt-in-your-mouth Marla's Rolls.

I have tried everything and nothing has worked. I have even lived at different altitudes and tried several different recipes and ovens...nothing. I have resigned myself to the fact that I may never be able to make yummy rolls like Mom and that they may as well be called biscuits when I make them. (That's for you, Dad)! But yesterday, I had a breakthrough: I thought I was going to be taking dinner to a lady down the street so I decided to try the rolls again. I made bread too, which I can do, so I figured if the rolls didn't turn out then I'd just give her some bread with her dinner instead. What happened was magic. The dough just worked with my fingers and they just formed so effortlessly, with almost no help from me it seemed. They rose beautifully and baked to perfection. I tasted one later and felt like I was literally eating one of Marla's Rolls. Really, it was that good.

Now unfortunately, my sweet neighbor ended up having dinner with family so she did not get to sample this delightful culinary creation of mine but my family sure enjoyed them. In fact, they were dug into and halfway eaten before I had the thought to take a picture. I really hope that this was not a fluke occurrence and that I'll be able to make rolls this delicious again...thanks, Mom, for teaching me everything I know in the kitchen and everywhere else. I couldn't ask for a better mother.

P.S. If anyone wants the recipe for my mom's famous rolls, just look in any Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook...it's their basic roll recipe. Somehow, they just taste better when Marla makes them.

Somebody Help Me Out Here

So when I was pregnant with Cade, I got a great idea for a boy name: Willem. Jeff & I both have Williams in our family history but I liked this variation better. Jeff basically vetoed it from the get-go but I continued to ask other family members and friends for their opinion. The basic response I would get was "Hmmm. Willem? Really? Hmmm. No, I don't like it. Actually, it's kind of an ugly name." Of course, since we are expecting another boy and struggling a little in the name area, I decided to bring it up again. Again, shot down by my dear husband. And again, no one else seems to appreciate it either. I've given up hope of ever being able to use this awesome name but it would be nice if I could find someone out there who sees how cool it really is. Anyone?

Also, I like the name Crandall. It is a family name but I had never thought of it until I read it in my baby name book and I fell in love with it. Pretty sure it's one of Jeff's least favorite names ever (it's a toss-up between that and Willem) so it is definitely out as well. What's your take on this one?

Your Memory of Me

I thought this was such a cute idea that I had to do it.

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!


2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Happy Birthday Cole!

Tomorrow is my little boy's 3rd birthday - I can't believe it! The time has gone by so quickly, it is hard to believe he is 3 already! Cole has always been such a pleasant little guy, from the second he was born. He is very laid-back most of the time, but has a little stubborn streak in him that I can't quite figure out where it came from. Cole is a snuggler and often comes up to me and gives me a hug and says, "I love you." Most of the time he doesn't want to be a big boy but prefers to be a little boy and says that he "doesn't want to grow up." That is, unless I tell him that he can grow up to be big and strong like his dad and uncles. Here he is:

Cole at 1 year

Cole on his 2 yr. birthday

Cole at 3 years (almost)

Cole just barely learned how to ride his bike without training wheels (actually, he didn't really have to learn. Jeff said he just pushed him off once and he started going). He is really really good at it but the funny thing is, he is scared to death and thinks he's going to fall. So he will be pedaling down the street doing such a good job but yelling & crying the whole time. It is such a crack-up.

Another funny thing about Cole - the other day I accidentally called him 'sweet pea' and he quickly informed me that Madlyn is 'sweet pea', not him. I asked him what he wanted me to call him instead and he said "Big C Courtesy". That is what Jeff calls him, ya know, after the Courtesy Chevrolet commercials. I thought that was pretty funny. He is definitely a daddy's boy. Oh, and he only likes to be told that he is 'sharp', not handsome, because that is what Grandpa Davis called him one time and now every time I call him handsome he gets upset and says that he is not handsome, he is sharp.

Well, Happy Birthday Cole! We love you and are so happy you are in our family.