Talking in Circles

I recently discovered something new to me: Almond Butter.  Basically, peanut butter made with almonds instead of peanuts.  I had a recipe for granola bars that called for it, so I bought it.  I was too impatient to wait for it to go on sale, so don't gag on your coffee when I tell you it cost me ten bucks.  Yikes!  I could have gotten one for $4-5, but it didn't have the dark flecks, and the flecks mean that it was made with the skins on, which adds extra flavor and antioxidants (whatever that means).  So I went for the good (and organic) stuff.  Apparently you can also get cashew and hazelnut butters.  Intriguing!  Anyway, I really like it!  And when I read the ingredients, my jaw dropped:

Seriously?  Almonds.  And that's it.  Crazy.  I really like it with cranberries on toast...

Have I talked about Christian in a while?  He's my buddy.  He thinks old-school headphones are the bomb... 

He is to the age now that he can handle doing small art projects with me, like watercolor painting or using small kid scissors to cut a paper into a million pieces (this gives me a good 10 minutes to get something done!).  He's also been dying to get outside...

Don't laugh at his boots: he thinks they're awesome (and so will his sisters!).  Christian appeared ready for the outdoors yesterday (including keys in his pocket to drive) so I let him go out while I gave the girls lunch (with a watchful eye of course).  But he wandered too far after being warned to come closer, so I had to go retrieve him.  He informed me that he couldn't find the creek.  The CREEK!  Umm no, it's a RIVER and it is a 7 minute walk through the woods behind our house.  I took him there one time in the fall: and he remembers.  I promptly told him that there are big animals in the trees that might bite him if he goes in without mommy or daddy.  No more outside time that day, but he did have fun jumping in some puddles...

 A few weeks ago, it was warm enough to go out in shorts, but there was still snow on the ground...

Can you tell that this kid has a ton of personality?  He's so much like Simon it's rediculous.

Selah and Jadah really like going up the steps. I only allow them the chance when it is time to go upstairs.  Selah usually wins.

I also noticed the other day that they both had their ankles crossed while they were in their highchairs.  Christian did this all the time when he was little... I love it!

Simon's been busy at work but is doing a terrific job sticking it out in this tough season.  He was sweet on my birthday and sent me flowers and a card with coupons for a "night-off" for me, dinner out, and a trip to Hobby Lobby to get whatever I need to redo our family room.  Lovely!  He's been excellent about spending time with us when he can and helping me with the kids. 

I am also so thankful for my friend Trudy.  We just sorta hit it off and have had some fun playdates with our kids.  But she was so sweet to take me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday!  I don't know the last time I went on a girl-date?!?!...definitely years ago.  We went to a German place to eat: wow so good!  She also made me cake and homemade ice cream.  Look who feels super special now!?  Me me me!  Splendid, I couldn't ask for a better friend, she's an answer to prayer (and for more reasons than her cake and ice cream)!  Also, she keeps a cute little blog! (or you can go to her old blog to read about her and her husband living in Scotland for the past few years!  How cool would it be to live abroad for a while!?)

I was eating more of her cake a few minutes ago (it has chocolate icing), and I had the brilliant idea to spread some almond butter on top.  Delicious!... I wonder how it would taste in other recipes that call for peanut butter?
Well, we're back at almond butter.  What'd I tell ya?  Full circle!

Come back tomorrow to see how my closet-decluttering-event went down!