Five Brown Kids

We had a great Easter Weekend. The Ricks showed up Thursday after lunch and we were busy non-stop til noon on Monday. We picnicked on Pei Wei take out, swam at the Y during a rainy day. Camped in the backyard complete with fire pit and JUMBO marshmallow smores. Enjoyed a grownups only evening of crazy card games with a bunch of friends, hunted for eggs, swam in the lake, golfed, ate yummy food, went running to burn off some yummy food. (And of course Tyrone studied lots - joining us at supper time each day) Have you noticed a trend these past few weekends? My best friends have moved away but they have not left me... I don't live near any family but the Cleverlys and Ricks have sure made good substitutes for the past 8 years. Thanks guys!

Cane River by Lalita Tademy My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was up until 4:30 last night finishing this book. As a rule I avoid Oprah's book club recommendations because they are usually too painful and depressing but this book I loved. This sentence sums it all up "They could ask whatever they wanted, but what he should have been marking in the book was family, and landholder, and educated, each generation gathering momentum, adding something special to the brew." (pg 297) I talked about some momentum in our family here .

This makes a tasty and healthy dinner. I really like the texture and flavor of barley but before this I'd only had it in beef and barley soup. I think you'll like it Emily! Hearty Bean & Barley Soup 1/2 onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup of baby carrots, diced 1 package of turkey Kielbasa, sliced into 1/2″ pieces 2 (32oz) containers of chicken stock 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 cup pearled barley 2 cans of Navy beans, drained (I used Great Northern) 1 can of diced tomatoes In large sauce/soup pan, over medium-high heat, saute carrots, onion, garlic and kielbasa in oil for a few minutes. Reduce heat and cook 5 minutes. Add the broth, Italian seasoning, and barley, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 40-45 minutes until barley is cooked. Add beans and tomatoes and let simmer for a few more minutes before serving. Source .

Let me preface this weekend recap by saying that 9 months into this first year of anesthesia school I have totally over dosed on my kids. I am completely drained from my efforts to provide for their endless needs this year while coping with some serious stress and not enough help. (Just 18 days away now!) Tyrone's rotation this week was the evening shift from 3-11. That meant on Thursday I picked up the boys, came home for a brief snack, took Taye to swim, back tracked a few miles to take Jaxon to soccer, left Jaxon there in capable hands to go pick up Taye, then back to soccer to wrap up, then home for supper and bed - which is still a major process even with two bigs boys. (No one likes the same books any more.) Friday afternoon and eve I also had all the kids. Saturday morning I was running by myself and took Jaxon with (on his bike) so Tyrone could study in peace (take one boy out of the equation and all is well). That gave me 8 miles of listening to Jaxon talk. Then I came...

This is a preview to 10 years of Brown Family videos I've been working on!

This sauce is fantastic. And so easy you'll never use jarred sauce again. I would mix it with noodles and grilled chicken and some grilled veggies if you're on the ball. The author recommends using it as pizza sauce . Try it friends! 2 cups low-fat milk 1/3 cup low fat cream cheese 2 tbsp flour 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp butter 3 garlic cloves 1 cup grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese Toss the milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt in a blender and process until smooth. In a sauce pan, melt butter on med-high heat and add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add milk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly for about 3 or 4 minutes or until it just comes to a simmer. Keep stirring and let it cook for a few minutes more until it becomes much thicker. When it's nice and thick add the cheese, stir it up and then cover immediately. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken upon standing. Also, if you have leftovers in the fridge, the sauce will thicken almost into...

Conversation from the backseat that I overheard. "Who do you think is smarter, Mom or Dad?" "Dad is smart at helping people who are dying..." "Yeah, and Mom is smart at cleaning up!" Thirteen year of primary education and a bachelors degree and I can sweep floors like a professional!

We love the Y(MCA). Last summer when Taye started year-around swim I envisioned dropping him off and then entertaining my two youngest for two hours while he swam. It turned out so much better than I imagined. Tonight we all headed to the Y. Taye had swim practice, Tyrone had basketball, Scotia and Jaxon played at the funhouse playground while I worked out and then Scotia had swim lessons and Jaxon and I swam laps (in preparation for summer swim). Then we all showered and came home to eat. Divine! Second, I made calzones the other night. I was getting ready to put them on plates when Taye requested one "with lettuce", it took me a minute to figure out that he meant spinach and then I had to tell him that I made pepperoni and mozzarella ones this time. He was a little ticked, "I don't like that kind Mom, next time make spinach ones." No kidding. I should start praying now that he doesn't marry a Utah "tator tot casserole" girl.

This is an easy side dish that I loved as a kid. I was already on a ginger kick then. It's perfect with some white fish doused in lemon and rice or cous cous on the side. Steam a head of broccoli until it is bright green. In a separate pan/skillet melt a TBSP of butter, add the zest and juice of one lemon and grate in a pile of fresh ginger. Once it's all combined stir the broccoli into the sauce and serve warm.

Courtney had a brilliant plan to meet in DC during spring break and see the sites. I'll play a Kate Morton on you and tell you the end before the beginning. Sunday night I pulled into the driveway. Left my shoes in the car. Walked up the stairs, brushed my teeth. Climbed into bed and slept. Tyrone must have retrieved the kids because they are still here... The trip to DC was great! I loved seeing all the sites and hanging out with my favorite friend. But putting the three boys together (Andrew, Jax and Taye) was like adding fuel to a blazing fire. They used the city as their personal urban jungle gym. Every fence, every step, every bench, every tree, every lawn was for running, climbing, jumping or wrestling. They spent the entire weekend seeing who could possibly exert the most amount of energy and I'll just tell you that Andrew won! He's a machine! Scotia and Tobias were wonderful when they weren't arguing about who got to push the stroller or ride in ...

It's four to one in this house that these granola bars are the best. (I still vote for these ) I think we can use the term "granola bar" lightly here. It's mostly a cookie bar. But my kids love them! 3/4 cup butter 1 1/4 cup flour 1/3 cup corn syrup 1 egg 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 tsp salt 2 cups rolled oats 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup chocolate chips Melt butter in a pan. Stir in all other ingredients, using half the chocolate chips in the batter. Spread in a greased 9x9 pan and bake at 375 for around 25 minutes. (Don't hold me to that) Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining chips. Cool and slice.