Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Traditions 2

Well normally, we make gingerbread houses at Christmas time BUT this year we didn't have enough time. So I surprised the boys with Valentine candies & clearance priced houses ($1.00 - my mom found them in Monroe at Swiss Colony). Usually, we use graham crackers & cream of tartar frosting - so this time it was fun using the REAL thing!

Later in the day, my mom called and asked if Meg made a house and Caleb replied, "Grandma, Megan doesn't get into stuff like that". And it's true! : ( When she was younger - she would but now she has NO interest at all. Sometimes, I "threaten" her that her kids better get the opportunity to do this fun stuff- and she says "Oh, mom, they will"!

So that is why there aren't any pictures of Megan! Although I do make her "help" or participate sometimes. Today, she practiced the piano while we created masterpieces.

Happy 200th Birthday, President Lincoln!

We have been studying the Presidents this semester. So today, we skipped down the line to Abe Lincoln. What a great President he was. My boys have always had an interest in Lincoln. So in '07, when we went to Springfield, IL - we visited his REALLY NEAT museum. It was a very moving experience and a great history lesson for us all. I would encourage everyone to visit there sometime. Well anyway ~ the boys wanted to dress up for our lesson today, but then Caleb chickened out - which is unusual. He loves to dress old fahioned. We also signed up to watch a webcast about Lincoln through the History Channel and at the last minute it wouldn't allow us to view it. : (

Valentine Traditions

Valentine's Day is one of my most favorite holidays! Every year, we make Gramma Rehfeldt's sugar cookies (although Gramma calls them butter cookies). Gramma always made a triple recipe - so that's what I always make. Gramma likes her baked "well done" and no frosting and we like ours soft with frosting. This is just one our Valentine traditions.

Gramma's Recipe ~
2/3 cup margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
4 tsp. milk
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
Mix & chill for 1 hour ~ Bake @ 350 on an ungreased cookie sheet