Molasses candy

Hallie loves the "Little House" series, and we have three that we've almost completely worn out reading for the past three years.  And probably our favorite one is "Chirstmas in the big woods," because whenever we get to the part about Laura and Mary making molasses candy with Ma, Hallie expresses her desire for us to try making it.

So after three years of talking about trying it, I finally made it a priority out of sheer fear that Hallie was going to sail through childhood without ever filling pans with snow and making swirly little designs out of this simple candy syrup.

The day before, Elon took Hallie to the library to check out the Little House Cookbook.

So during Chandler's nap, I set out the pans, and figured it would for sure happen if I had the ingredients sitting on the counter ready to be poured into the saucepan.

Plus I told Hallie before she got on the bus that we'd make the molasses candy when she got home.  That was probably the most effective thing I could have done in ensuring that molasses candy be made that day.  

And just like clockwork, when she got off the bus, the first thing out of her mouth was, "are we still making molasses candy?"  And I was grateful I could say "yes" with flying colors!  I told her to go in and hang up her backpack and then we'd grab the pans sitting in the entryway and head right back out to fill them with snow.  As we were heading out the door she said, "I can't believe the day is finally here!"  


And I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I handed her a long-handled serving spoon to fill the pans with.  

But I'll tell you what, I'm grateful this shovel was hanging in the garage, because it got the job done lickity split, ensuring that we'd finish while the sun was still up.

Then we headed in for the "heating and stirring" portion of the process.


And Hallie is an expert pour-er.

And stirrer.

Once it had boiled up to a scary temp (with me stirring), Hallie went out and hauled all those pans of snow inside by herself!

And the pouring began.

Funny they didn't turn out quite as attractive as they were in the book :)

And lets just say that the tasting portion of the activity yielded a little girl with a very questionable look on her face.  

In fact, it would've been nice if there was a note to the parents printed up on the same page as the recipe that reads:

         "Attention Parents:

                     If your child has ever eaten a lolly-pop, skittles, m&m's, or any of the like, they will most likely think this candy is nasty."

But we had fun determining some of the shapes.  Can you find the giant #4, U, M, whimsical tea kettle, sitting cat, rainbow, and the little boy driving a car?  

So now I can be at ease to have indulged Hallie and I in something we've been talking about doing for sooo long. 

And even though it didn't turn out to be the most palatable, it made for a fun memory with lots of laughs. (Especially when Elon came home and politely declined a piece ;))

My Golden Birthday

I really had no intention of blogging about my birthday, but it just so happens that this particular one is most likely going down as my favorite yet. 

Yes it was my golden birthday (28 on the 28th) and I swear I'm one of two people who know what a golden birthday even is because everybody else seems to be surprised by the concept.  The back story on how I know, is that at age 15-ish, I went to babysit for a boy (and his younger siblings) who was soon turning 12, and his dad told me that his son's golden birthday was coming up- 12 on the 12th of whatever month it happened to be, and among all the useful knowledge I've learned and forgotten over the years, that one stuck like glue to my brain for 10+ years.   

Anyway, that has nothing to do with why this birthday is blog-worthy.

It has more to do with Hallie getting really into gifts from her, which is really fun to see.   And the day before I became a late twenty, she insisted that her dad take her birthday shopping for me.  So off they went, and they were gone for a really long time.

When they came back, it would be an understatement to say she was bursting at the seams with excitement.  So much so, I thought I might just have to open it a day early.

She said, "I just can't wait for you to see your present!" about 237 times.

Elon then informed me (in private) that she was very particular about what she wanted to get me, and there was absolutely no swaying her, so he hoped I could just "love" it for her.  Of course I didn't need that last bit of instruction, in fact I couldn't wait to see what my Hallie's "100%-gift-from-her" was going to be.  And if nothing else, I was going to love it entirely for that very reason.

So the next day,  I got up to a decorated chair, which pulled at my heart strings when Elon told me Hallie had gotten up early and was busy cutting and gluing (yeah gluing) those little squares on.

Then I opened the card from Elon and Hallie, which had me rolling, cuz if you knew what kind of week Chandler and I have had, you would understand why they just had to get me this one: 

Yup, it's been one wet and poopy adventure after another! (more on that later).


So then came the moment Hallie and I were waiting for.


And I LOVED it!
 
I would not have guessed it in a million years.  


Elon said she waded through a thousand patterns before she decided on this particular one- (It being one of the only dress patterns with modest sleeve options).  Then I have this mental picture of them going over to the giant drawers to locate this pattern (what a great dad!)

And then choosing the fabric was another very lengthy process.  They (with the help of the "fabric lady") narrowed it down to this one.  

Despite Elon's efforts to talk her into going to TJ Maxx to buy me a dress already made, she shot it down with a hefty dose of Hallie logic - "she needs to practice sewing dad." which I find very ironic seeing how a few weeks ago I had a running list of things not to pursue in this season of life I am in, and sewing was one of them.  I guess I'll just have to pull that pattern out, and learn how to do it.  I say "I" but I've already recruited my mom's help :) 


So guess who will be wearing purple next Easter Sunday??  (Once pregnant bellies and nursing are a temporary thing of the past.)  Believe it or not I am so looking forward to making this dress and wearing it.  Was there ever a sweeter gift from a little girl to her mom?!  The thought of Hallie loving me so much to give that much thought to my special day turns my heart to mush, and makes my eyes swim.  


This is why I had to post about my birthday :)

I do however have to hand it to Elon for pampering me with a yummy breakfast, then blindly taking me to Longfellow's greenhouse since my birthday happens to fall in the bitter cold with constant gray skies (which I thought was so creative).  Then we took advantage of my free movie, and dinner!  All around it was a fantastic day.