Highlights of the Day:

-Katie made her bed all by herself and did a great job;  we painted a ceramic pig piggy bank (thanks Aunt Amanda).

-Doing mixed fraction math homework with Colin (loving his new 4th grade math group);

-Watching Sean grab at everything (holding onto his pants, blankie, binky);

-A rub on the back and a "thanks for a great dinner, honey" from the hubby

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We spent Christmas at home this year. Just our little family of 5. It was quiet. It was peaceful. We were all sick. Well, except for Colin. Katie was so sick that she woke up, saw her presents from Santa, played a little with them, and then went back to bed until after 11. She woke up for a bit and went back to bed. She had no interest in opening the rest of her presents until later that afternoon.

As I sat there watching my children enjoying the day and opening their presents, I held my new baby boy and just thanked our Heavenly Father for all the blessings in my life. I have been so blessed. It hasn't all been easy, but I am thankful for those challenges and I know that I learned what I was supposed to and grew so much from them. I can't wait for this new year to start and look forward to all the things that Heavenly Father has in store for me. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This digital greeting made with Smilebox

Introducing...

Sean Patrick McCarthy. Born Friday, November 18th at 7:29am. 7lbs. 3 oz. and 20 1/2 in. long. Our little Sean has a full head of red hair. You bet his big sister, Katie, was thrilled about his hair color! Here's a few pictures for now.

What Have We Been Up To?

Well, I've been growing a baby. I know I haven't posted since July. Those pickles have been brining since then and can't wait to have them for Thanksgiving. So just been busy with life, kids, hubby, house, and...oh yeah...growing a baby for the last 37 weeks. Only 2 more weeks left until my c-section. We can't wait! We are all excited! So...we are still here. I am sure I will make up for what I haven't posted with all the new baby news. Just wait.

From Cucumbers to Pickles

This is our little cucumber patch. We are growing the "muncher" variety. Burpless.

One late afternoon, we picked 10 cucumbers at one time. 10! There are only so many cucumbers you can eat before they start to get rubbery and soft. You can't freeze them. You can't dry them. So on a whim, at about 7 o'clock at night, we decided to break from our "freezer only preserving" (just having made a batch of boysenberry jam a few days before) and bite the bullet and actually, for real, pickle these babies.

We didn't have a canning pot, or pickling salt. I had 3 new wide-mouth jars on hand, but when Mike went out to get a canning pot and the salt, he also picked up a dozen wide-mouth quart jars. Needless to say, the three I had on hand were just right for the 10 cucumbers. We decided to cut them into spears, since they were just the right size. One tip: stuff 'em in real tight.

Dill, of course. We have this dilemma in our house. I love dill. My husband loves sweet. My kids...don't care because they don't eat 'em...yet. But since I allowed my husband to shoot the photos and he got my pregger belly in the pics, I won with dill...and garlic!

Stuff the dill, flowers and stems, into the jars. These are dill, so don't skimp on the dill!

Whole garlic cloves, peeled, have been added at this point. 2 cloves for each jar. I guess I should mention at this point that the brine has been simmering away already. Water, white vinegar, and pickling salt. That's it. That's the brine.

Pour the brine into the jars, using a wide-mouth funnel is very helpful. Just fill up the jars and leave a 1/2 inch space at the top. Then seal them up with the lids and rings. I do this part because if I let my husband do it, he would probably end up tightening too tight and break the top of the jar off. Did I ever tell you about the time he put up the garage door opener and sheared a bolt right off the thing? Well, that's another story.

Sitting pretty in the water bath. Put the jars on the rack. Very important, the rack. Set them in the water. Bring this giant pot to a boil and then let it boil for 15 minutes. Some say 5; some say 10. I was being cautious so I did 15.
You will see them start to turn from the bright green, fresh looking color to this. What kind of green would you call that? But it looks like pickles to me!The whole process from start to finish to about 2 hours. Enough time for us to be done and sit down to watch the Bachelorette. 20 minutes after they came out of the water bath, all 3 lids popped. Let me tell you, when you "can," you just sit and pray for those lids to pop. And when they did...it was like angels singing in my kitchen. And then my husband and I did a high-5.

Salt. Pink Salt.

Do yourself a favor and pick this up. I used it in some muffins I recently made. You can taste it. I promise. You use it just as you would regular salt, but Pink Salt is purer and higher in mineral content. The picture doesn't do the color justice. It is much more pink in person. Sprinkle some on top of brownies. Yum. Or even better, brownies drizzled with caramel and then sprinkle some pink salt on top...heaven. Sprinkle some on top of vanilla ice cream. Double Yum!

And this has nothing to do with salt, but I picked up some more of these at the same time because I was out of them. Freshly grated nutmeg ain't got nothing on the ground up stuff. Do yourself another favor and get some, too. I always add just a pinch to my banana bread and it makes your palette think, "what is that hint of yumminess?" You can also add it to eggs. Yes, eggs. Especially omelet-ly type egg dishes. My favorite is a quinoa and feta egg scramble. But that's for another post.

One more time...

First there was this...

and then this..Baby McCarthy (kid #3) is on its way! Baby is due November 26th. Doctor's appointment and ultrasound at 9 weeks all clear and everything looks good. So I though it was time to tell why I have been MIA and mysteriously "not feeling well" to put an end to the rumors and mystery. This will be the last one for us. Just keeping our fingers crossed and praying that all will go well with this pregnancy and we can greet our little one on November 18th. Yes. Can you believe that they already scheduled the C-section?! With our first baby, Colin, being breech I delivered C-section. So it's C-section for every baby now.

We are very excited! Colin wants a baby brother; Katie wants a baby sister. We'll take what we are given. Winter holidays around our house are going to be crazy busy. Our anniversary in the first part of November, Baby #3 due late November, Thanksgiving, Katie's 4th birthday on December 7th, then Christmas, and Colin's 8th birthday on January 13th. We are ready for the ride!

the BIG 40!

My husband turned 40 yesterday. He's been pouting about it all month. But his spirits were cheered up when his birthday adventure started yesterday morning. (Excuse the beard. He's growing it for a musical play our church is doing for Easter. I think it makes him look much older. Under the pile of hair is a baby face.)

It was really Colin's idea. His little 7 year old head came up with a scavenger hunt...hiding all the presents and then making up clues to find them. He helped me write about half of the scavenger poem. I couldn't believe the rhymes he came up with.

Mike got to look for one present in the morning, because I thought he could use it throughout the day...an Otterbox for his smart phone. His other phone cover literally disintegrated into pieces this last month and he had just gotten it for Christmas. If you have never heard of Otterbox, you have to get one for your smart phone. Worth every penny.

After Mike came home from work, the hunt continued. I know he had a good time searching for everything and the expressions on the kids' faces were reward enough. Of course he got Lego set (Star Wars) and a new Kurt Elling CD.

I made a chocolate cake that everyone devoured, but still have leftovers. We sang happy birthday and had cake and Mike built Legos with the kids. A quiet birthday at home, but it was super fun. Looks like he survived turning 40, after all!

so excited to build Legos he couldn't even finish his dinner.

Colin loves Legos...

...and so does Katie!

My Little Irish Beauties

These are my kids. One boy. One girl. He's a blondie. She's a red-head. He has green eyes. She has blue eyes. Their last name tells of their Irish ancestry. Her physical traits speak for themselves.

Did I mention she's a red-head? With the personality to match. Just look at that face. Could you ever imagine that her nickname is "the red-headed dragon?"

My kids are my heart. At times they make me crazy, want to rip my hair out. At times they are angels. With every hug, kiss, smile I know they are children of God sent to me to tend on this earth and everyday I am thankful for that. I marvel at their intelligence, bravery, and innocence. They are what get me through each one of these days.

Slow Cooker Spiced Chicken Stew with Carrots

It's good. Really, really good.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/slow-cooker-spiced-chicken-stew-with-carrots?backto=true&backtourl=%2Fphotogallery%2Fslow-cooker-recipes

A Little Too Much Valentines

This year it seems that I overextended myself. I feel like I have been living in my kitchen for the past week. Between cooking, baking, washing dish upon dish, I am officially on strike! Well, at least for the weekend.

It all started when I started making these beauties, all decked out for Valentines Day, for cooking class for a Relief Society Activity:

and of course some of these, too...it's Valentine's Day, so let's print off a cute tag to go along with it...and since I happen to have the pie dough and cherry pie filling on hand, why not whip up these Pie Pops for the gals to try? Thanks to Bakerella for all the great ideas and yummy "pop" recipes, oh and the pictures, too.



Then my son needed something to pass out to his class for Valentine's Day! I haven't baked enough, why not make these? M&M Cakies. I'd never heard of them before a friend shared the recipe. Gave them a try. My kids love them. And much easier than making other cookies. Then I needed something to package the cookies in for my son to pass out. Clear, cello bags on hand? Nope. Big heart stamp and ink? Check. Brown paper lunch sacks? Check. Clear sandwich bags? Check. Insert cookie into sandwich bag. Cut 3 inches off the top off the brown paper lunch sack. Stamp a big heart in your Valentine color of choice in the middle. Insert wrapped cookie into paper sack, keeping it flat. Fold the top of the sack over. Oh, remember those cute cake pop tags mentioned above, well they work as a Valentine as well. Staple said Valentine to the folded portion of the paper bag with a colored staple and, viola! You have yourself homespun Valentine packaging. And they turned out much cuter than imagined. You would think I would have taken a picture of it before I sent them off. Well, you would be wrong. I didn't. I think my brain officially shut down at about 9:38 pm last night.

But, alas, my week of cooking wasn't over. This morning, I made 2 dozen scrambled eggs. Topped 'em with cheese, cause they were for some very cute 1st graders. What kid doesn't like cheese?! Why was I up at 7am making 2 dozen scrambled eggs? I helped make a waffle breakfast for my son's classroom. 8am. Yeah, I know, I'm crazy. Getting that together was a lot of work. Oh, did I fail to mention I am one of the room mom's for his class. Yup. I am. Anyway, getting it together was a lot of work, but it went smoothly, thanks to some very helpful and willing parents and one other very awesome room mom (you rock, M.S.). The kids really enjoyed it and ate it up, and came back for seconds. At least the outlets in our classroom were working. That's another story that I won't get into.

So a mountain of dishes, a nice 2 inch burn on the top of my hand, and one jealous husband later(I told him he couldn't sample any of the food I made until I was sure that I had enough), I am tuckered out and the kitchen is officially closed for the weekend!

Do you think I will have to cook for Valentine's Day?

Happy Valentines Day, Everyone!

The Vintage Pearl: little ballerina. (a giveaway!)

I love this store. She makes the cutest things. I would love this for my little Katie who just started dance classes. I was the same age as her when I started dance classes. It would be a great present for Valentines Day. Check out the link and browse through her stuff. The Vintage Pearl: little ballerina. (a giveaway!)

Be Mine

I'm always looking for a new idea for holidays. Isn't this too cute!? Go here to Craftily Ever After to get this. http://craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com/2011/01/free-valentines-day-subway-art.html

Another Year Older...

7 years ago today, Colin Brian came into this world and joined our family. At about 34 weeks I found out he was breech, so I ended up having a c-section. At 6 lbs. 6oz. he was a little squirt.

This is the night before my c-section

"Hi, mommy. I see you..."Daddy and Colin.Finally sleeping peacefully.1st day home. He was such a cuddler.

Colin has grown into a smart, helpful, sensitive boy. He loves his sister and is so patient with her. Happy 7th Birthday, Colin. We love you!

This was taken this morning. He's been wanting a bike since his last birthday. He can't wait to ride it when he gets home from school.

Growing Up

This is Colin and Katie on their first Sunday of 2011.

Colin started a new class this year and turns 7 on January 13th. Katie left the nursery and is now in Primary with Colin. She is in the 3 year old Sunbeam class. They are getting so big and growing up so fast. Katie loved her first time in primary and her teacher said she did well. I bet it's hard leaving the toys, snacks, and playtime of nursery behind and having a 3 year old sit for almost 2 hours during primary.

They really are best buds. Big brother and little sister. Isn't she pretty? Isn't he handsome?

Over the River and Through the Rain...

It rained when we left California and it rained all the way to Sun City, Arizona. It rained, rained, and it was foggy and windy, and floody. It rained a couple days in Arizona, and the temperature was less than to be desired (freezing, in fact). But we had a wonderful time with Mike's mom, his sister and husband the kids' only McCarthy cousin, Georgia. Mike's brother, Tim and his girlfriend also flew down from Oakland to spend a few days with us.

We went to the Musical Instrument Museum and the Phoenix Children's Museum. The Children's Museum will be on our to do list the next time we are down there. It is a sight to behold.

Santa was very kind to the kids and so were mom, dad, Grandma and Aunt Amanda and Uncle Moose, Uncle Tim and Melissa. Katie got ballet slippers and tap shoes from Aunt Amanda, as she starts dance class next week. Grandma made the cutest nap/bed rolls for the kids, including a matching pillow. They also got a few Wii games, including Disney Sing It, and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Colin even got his own mini Wii-mote and nunchuk from Santa. I got a new purse and The Pioneer Woman's cookbook from Mike, and a beautiful new blue and yellow quilt from my wonderfully talented mother-in-law (and finished just in the nick of time!). I'm a happy gal!

Mike got a smart phone after wanting one for over 2 years and I even hooked him up with accessories for it. Mike's mom sent us home with a kid's table from Ikea and two chairs to match. She even made little chair pads in that matches the fabric from their bed rolls. Katie got her first Duplo Legos (Toy Story ones) from Uncle Tim and Melissa. They got us a great set of prep bowls, and reusable paper-like towels.

I even got to make the kids new pillow cases thanks to the patient instruction of my mother-in-law, cut squares for a new quilt that she will make for Katie. She even sent me home with over 100 fabric squares for a quilt that I will be attempting this year. There are many more wonderful presents that we received that we are so grateful for.

We had a wonderful time in Arizona. After an all night drive home (getting home at 4:30am)with rain only when we hit Tulare County we are exhausted and taking the day to recover before the week starts again.

Too bad that Katie missed her first day of Primary today. But I guess next week will be the "first" day for her.

Onto the next: Colin's 7th birthday in 11 days!

We're Ready for Christmas

Are you?

Giveaways at The Vintage Pearl

The Vintage Pearl is having a couple giveaways. One is for a Vintage Silver Pendant Necklace and the other if for a Rustic Bloom Necklace. Both are very lovely. Go to her blog to check them out and the giveaway, too!

http://www.thevintagepearl.blogspot.com/

Traditions

Since Halloween is on a Sunday this year, we won't be participating in the usual fair of Trick or Treating. We are choosing to obey the Sabbath and to keep it holy. I didn't even buy new Halloween costumes this year. Our 2 year old is too young to complain, but our almost 7 year old son is a bit put off by it and doesn't fully understand why it is he won't be scoring hoards of candy this year. Oh, we'll still carve our Jack-o-lanterns and I still put up my Halloween decorations.

But, we are going to focus on our roots and traditions. Growing up, my family had many Halloween traditions. My mom would make a dinner in a pumpkin - delicious, meaty, cheesy and laced with pimento olives. Also on the table were rolls, jello molds in the shapes of a ghost and pumpkin, a salad (I think) and for dessert - the Chocolate Cream Snow Ghost Pie. Before partaking of this creamy, chocolaty, whipped cream-topped confection, my mom would read the story of why there was a slice missing from it. Ooooo. Scary. Not really. But it was always fun to listen to. In our neighborhood, there was one house that had a cotton candy machine. Now that was cool. You bet there was always a line of trick or treaters waiting for this tower of spun sugar. There he was, every year with his cotton candy. Awesome.

I've grown up. Got married. Got the 2 kids. I've carried my mom's dinner in a pumpkin tradition to my own family. Even got my husband to like the olives ;). The cotton candy man is gone, though. Thankfully, we are having a Trunk or Treat at our church this year on the Friday before Halloween and you can bet there will be a cotton candy machine!

So with Halloween on a Sunday, and being the faithful, obedient Latter-day Saint that I am, I will obey the Sabbath and show my children that we can still have a fun and tradition-filled Halloween without gorging on tons of candy.

So here's where the new traditions start. My husband has Irish roots. Uh, duh. Look at our last name. A few years ago I looked up "Traditional Irish Halloween." I was excited with what I found. I found a few things including a few recipes that I never made. But this is the year! So in addition to my mom's dinner in a pumpkin goulash (that will be eaten earlier in the week), I will be making some Irish Halloween recipes that will be eaten on Halloween Eve.

Colcannon. It literally means "white head." Now don't get grossed out. It's not that kind of white head. It's mashed potatoes, kale, butter, salt, and pepper. Sounds pretty harmless, right? You can also add milk, cream (yum!), leeks (double yum!), onions, chives, or garlic. This is a year-round staple food of the Irish, but at Halloween it's choc full of surprises - literally. It is served with prizes of small coins concealed in it.

Barm Brack. A yeasty bread with raisins, currants, even candied orange and lemon peel and usually made in flattened rounds. Often served toasted with butter along with tea. I've made Irish soda bread before, but this is sweeter than that because of the raisins. Barm Brack is the center of an Irish Halloween custom. The bread traditionally contains various objects baked into the bread and is used as a sort of fortune-telling game. The objects include: a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin, and a ring. Each item carries a meaning to the person who gets it in their slice of bread. The pea, the person would not marry that year; the stick, "to beat one's wife with," would have an unhappy marriage or continually be in disputes; the cloth or rag, would have bad luck or be poor; the coin, would enjoy good fortune or be rich; and the ring, would be wed within the year. Okay, I admit a few of these are a little off-putting, but it's just supposed to be for fun. I think I might just put a toy ring in the one I cook. Not too sure about baking all those other things in it.

Can't wait to try all this out and to see how my kids handle staying in this year.