Birthday Cake!

Our Prince Valiant turned 16 a few weeks ago.  Poor guy, however, can't have wheat or dairy without really paying the price.   That made birthday cake a challenge.

Still, we came up with a solution...rice crispie bar birthday cake!  Ta da!  I even used our three round cake pans.  The only problem?  The candles actually burned the cake in places where the flame got a little close.  Still, it was a hoot and he loved it.   Anybody have any other birthday cake alternatives?

Today is my birthday!

I can't believe it...I am 48 years old already.  I remember when I was a little girl, thinking that I'd be too old to appreciate anything when the new millennium came.  I was 37 when the calendar flipped over to 2000 and I was definitely not too old to appreciate anything...

Fast forward 11 years and I still feel young.  Vibrant.  Joyful.  Downright happy.  My life is so wonderful (which is not the same as perfect...is there such a thing?).  I just feel so fortunate to have been blessed with all that I have been given.  It is humbling, how fortunate I am...surrounded by love and laughter to insulate me from the trials and tribulations that touch all of our lives.

So, Happy Birthday to Me...I am a lucky woman!

One more little bunting/pennant/whatever...

My little niece is turning two this week!  (Time sure flies...)  Anyway, the kids and I got to meet her in person this summer and she was adorable.   Since she lives on the East Coast, I don't know much of what she plays with or what she likes to do, so I decided against sending a toy. 

Still, I wanted to send something special and I know she knows the letters of her name.  I came up with this (sorry for the bad photos...I had to finish it up late Sunday night to make the mail on Monday.)

What do you think?  I just love the "little girl" fabrics.  Buttercup is so "old" now, that I can't get away with too many of these anymore.   The Silhouette came the to rescue again and helped with cutting out all the shapes...letters, flowers...they were easy. 

There are some little fairy faces peaking out behind the letters or in the flowers.  (I thought a two-year old would like those!)  I added some rick rack to make it more fun.

I think it turned out nice and girly...I hope she likes it.

Number 1 Song (on the day you were born!)

The kids and I were goofing around after watching Big Bang Theory last night when I got the great idea to find out what songs were Number 1 on Billboard's Chart on the day each of us were born.

Have you ever done this?  It is so funny.

This is the song was Number 1 on the day I was born:



"Winchester Cathedral" by the New Vaudeville Band was Number One the day Superman was born. The kids? "Believe" by Cher for Buttercup, "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men for Valiant, and " All the Man I Need" by Whitney Houston for Charming.  Oh, and "Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins was Number 1 the day Superman and I tied the knot!

Want to do it yourself? Head over to Josh Hosler Number One in History to find out.  You just plug in the Month and the Day and scroll through the years.  It is that easy.

Shoot Me - 30 of 52 - Birthday Edition

Yesterday was my 47th birthday.  I know, I know...I don't look a day over 46!

Anyway, my friends took me to lunch at Red Robin and the hapless gentlemen who held the door for us all as we were leaving got roped into snapping one photo.  While he had us all facing into the sun, the fact that we actually got a picture still makes me smile.  (Did I mention he was wearing biker gear and Harley Davidson written across his back?  It was really too funny.)

So, my Shoot Me for this week is a picture that was actually taken yesterday...how cool is that?  These are some really wonderful women who went out of their way to make me feel special on my birthday.  I am truly blessed.  (Oh, and because we're out of school, we didn't have to line up in height order...I don't have to be at the end of the line any more!  Woot!)

Head over to Carin's and join the Shoot Me party.  Just get in the picture...it doesn't have to be a special occasion.  It is just your life...real and uncensored.

Shoot Me - River Edition (23 of 52)

Sunday marked the occasion of my dad's birthday.  I loaded up the kids, a cooler, and headed out to his new place to help in celebrate.  (Wasn't that nice of me?  With Superman overseas and Charming on his own, we're not so much of a descending hoard of locusts these days.  Now we're more like annoying gnats...you can't really avoid us, but you don't run for cover, either.)

Anyway, Grandpa John and Nana's new house is on the river.  Unfortunately, the path to the river is a) in disrepair and b) down a steep incline.  That means the kids love it and the adults often take a pass.  It was hot on Sunday, though, so I headed down to join the kids.  It wasn't easy.   Seriously.  I descended the last 8 feet on my butt.  Once there, however, it was bliss.

See?  Here I am.

Did I mention I wasn't dressed for swimming?  No?  Well, I didn't let that stop me.

As you can see, the kids were having a blast.

What can I say?  A day at the lake brings out the goofy in everyone.

Man, I love these kids.

Our neighbors were there, too...Buddy seemed to be having a good time.

In the end, so did Grandpa John and that is what it was all about, right.

The end of a long, fun day.

Head over to Carin's at Forever in Blue Jeans and join Shoot Me.  Get yourself in the picture (as you can see, it doesn't have to be many of them!) 

Shoot Me! 9 of 52

Carin at Forever in Blue Jeans has challenged YOU to get in YOUR pictures for an entire year. This is definitely an easier said than done kind of project, but everyone is having fun with it and I'm really glad I'm doing it. To see how others have gotten themselves in the pictures, head over and check out their entries this week. There are some really creative people out there. (Hey, Superman, didn't you say you'd be jumping in to this, too? Where are you? We need a hero!)

Okay, so I'm already nine weeks into this challenge (unbelievable!) and still going strong. Unfortunately, I still snapping when I can as opposed to thinking it through, but hey, I'll take credit for doing at least that!

This is a picture of my Prince Charming with me, the Queen(!), on the occasion of his 19th birthday. Nineteen?! Already? Where did the time go? Actually, Charming was a true prince and smiled a big smile when I whipped out the camera on the way back to his dorms and said,
"Wait! I need a picture with you for my blog post!" He admitted that he'd actually been reading my blog (I'm shocked!) and that he likes the project, so he cheerfully let me snap three whole pictures! This is the one that has the best shot of him in it, so in honor of his birthday, I went with it.

Thanks again, Charming! You are an awesome son...

Hey, Superman...

This is my birthday month, as you know, and I thought I'd give you a few hints for things I might like. Don't get me wrong. You take wonderful care of me and the kids all year long and I am truly blessed in every way. But, my birthday is coming up and you always say that you don't know what to get me and after 21 years together, I've decided to not just give you hints but actually give you real suggestions. So, if you feel like you want to buy me a present, I don't want you to flounder around looking for ideas. (Conveniently, Christmas is also right around the corner, so you can carry this list over, okay?)


Syl at Live, Smile, Run just concluded a 30 Day Shred Challenge which I missed (okay, I didn't even know about it until I started reading about people suffering through it and thought, "Hey, that sounds fun!"), but...she's starting another one November 15 - December 15 to help us all get through the holiday eating season in a positive manner. Doesn't that sound super fun? The only problem? I don't have Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD, so I can't participate. (See how easy this is? Real Suggestion #1: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shread DVD)


As you got to enjoy last week, I'm finally branching out when it comes to making bread and am bravely trying recipes that don't include steps like "add ingredients to your breadmaker in the ordered suggested by the manufacturer" and "then just use the dough setting on your breadmaker". I know you'd really like me to make Baguettes, Sour Dough, and other terrific stuff and the bloggers who tend to do these things all swear by The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread by Peter Reinhart. Oh, I'll still need the blogger's for their tips and experience, but apparently, making bread will be much easier for me if I have this kitchen staple. (Real Suggestions #2: The Bread Baker's Apprentice)

Speaking of food, you know that I've been slowly moving our family to a healthier way of eating over the past few years. (Remember the split I forced between you and your Betty "Mrs. Butterworths"? What about making you dump Jif for real peanut butter?) Anyway, I check this book, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, out at the library and it is just too meaty to process in the month they give you. (I know 30 days is a lot for one book, but still, there is a lot to digest). I'd love to learn more about grains and fats and grass-fed cows, etc., even if I don't plan to adhere to all of it. I promise I'll still make you fattening baked goods. I just want to continue to learn more and more about the food we eat. (Real Suggestion #3: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon)

Oh, yeah, and just in case you wondered who I am and what happened your wife: I thought I could be a grown-up and suck it up, but now that I've gone a full winter without my seat heater, I must admit the truth. I am a baby, a big giant baby who truly and sincerely misses her seat heater. (And it really isn't helping that Buttercup slips into the passenger seat and grins at me as she says, "Oh, Mommy, I love MY seat heater. Don't you wish you had one, too?" So, if you wanted to, you could get me a seat heater for my car. I know it wouldn't be integrated like my other one, but it also wouldn't cost $1300 like the dealer wanted you to give him to get me a new seat. Look at this one. It is genuine faux leather! Pretty cool, isn't it? (Real Suggestion #4: A Seat Heater for my car.)



For all you young brides out there who think that none of the things I have asked for are romantic, I have to respectfully disagree. There is nothing more romantic than getting a gift you truly want, you'll truly use, and understanding that your husband got it for you. A marriage is not made by grand gestures, but instead, it is made up of all the little things you do for each other each and every day. That, my dears, is truly a romantic life. (Did I mention that Superman and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this December? That was the voice of experience sharing that bit of advice!)

Birthdays!!

July 11 is a big day! Not only is it my dad's birthday (Happy Birthday, Dad!), but it is my sister Kate's (LoveAphid) birthday, too! How cool is that? Never a year goes by that I don't think of Katie when I celebrate my dad's birthday and finally I get to celebrate both this year. I love it.

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, Dear Dad and Katie,
Happy Birthday to you!

...and many more!

So, Dad I hope you can still taste the cake we made for you last weekend (it was a bit dry, sorry about that!) and know we love you and the kids are totally bugging me about you and Nana moving up here. Happy Birthday! We love you!

Kate, I hope you're out having fun for your birthday! (I'm so glad your present got there on time...unfortunately, I just found a little something that was supposed to have been included, so now I need to begin another box for you!)

So, if you wouldn't mind, would you please head over to say Happy Birthday to Kate at our shared blog: www.365thingsyoudidntknow.blogspot.com. She'll love it!

Cupcakes and the end of "Birthday Season"...

I know I've been absent the past few days, sneaking in posts in the late hours of the evening, but there is a good reason. March 25 marks the last birthday of "Birthday Season" in the Nagle household. You don't know what "Birthday Season" is? Well, let me tell you. With the conclusion of the "Holidays" our family just segues into "Birthday Season". Two days after Valentine's is Valiant's birthday, followed ten days later by Charming's birthday and concluding 27 days later with Buttercup's birthday. This year was especially festive (and busy) because the kids all had milestone birthdays: one became a teenager, one became an adult, and one hit double-digits. (I'll admit, the whole "double-digits" one was a surprise to me, but hey, I went with it!) I'll freely admit it...I'm tired.

Yesterday was Museum Day, so we hit the museum to see our friends, then we suprised Buttercup (and Valiant - Charming was working) with Olive Garden for dinner (we had saved gift cards) and then I took Buttercup shopping for some clothes (that is all she wanted this year--she's growing up! No more Barbie Pink.) Tomorrow we join a bunch of homeschoolers for a get together and, in honor of Buttercup's birthday, we are bringing cupcakes. Now, of course, I could have bought the lovely Costco cupcakes and made this a quick and easy thing, but I decided I could do it myself (even though I've never decorated a cupcake in my life). Since Thursday is also the day I make some treat for Superman to take to his office for his Friday meeting, I just doubled the number of cupcakes I needed (which meant two boxes of cake mix) and went for it. Because I combined regular-sized cupcakes with minis, I ended up with close to 60 cupcakes. As if that weren't enough, I even decided to brave the dreaded pastry bag to make the frosting swirly. Buttercup wanted blue frosting for all of them, but I used up every last bit of vanilla frosting mix I had (next time I'll make it from scratch, but this was the powdered stuff), so I switched to chocolate and used up every last bit of it, too. I now know that doing cupcakes the right way uses a ton of frosting--I'll plan better the next time.

So, tomorrow evening Buttercup will have two friends over and they will have pizza and Cold Stone and birthday season will officially conclude...

... and, this year at least, spring break begins...sigh...

P.S. I promise to be back posting new recipes and new craft ideas, as well as some easy sewing projects in the next few days...I just have to get the candy confetti cleaned up.

Happy Birthday, Buttercup!

Just in case you missed me today, I thought I should let you know, I had a bigger name on the other line (sorry...what can I say?). I've spent the day celebrating a very important anniversary...

On this day ten years ago, at 3:08 p.m., Princess Buttercup was born and our world was forever changed! I went from being outnumbered by MEN, to living in Barbie Pink. As you can see by her self-designed outfit for the post party celebration (following her 2nd birthday), Buttercup has always wanted to do things her way! What can I say, it works for her (especially the heels!)...

So,

Happy Double Digits, Buttercup! We love you!

Tuesday, Tuesday, Touch Your Shoe Day...random thoughts and a doll birthday party...

As you've probably guessed, I've decided to let Tuesday be the day I share some of the randomness that fills my mind and my life. Some of it is mundane and some of it is profound. Some of it just, well, there, bouncing around in my brain.

I've been thinking a lot about a sentence I read on a new blog I found, "Cultivating Home" written by Hannah: "My response is my responsibility." It resonated with me and has had me pondering the way it truly effects all our lives. This one sentence is so profoundly simple and, yet, it is the key to everything.

Think about it...say it...process it. My response is my responsibility.

The simple truth is that we do not have control over the actions of others. The only control we have is in how we choose to respond to those actions. We have the choice, the power, to determine the course of things by our responses to each and every incident in our lives. Will our actions be contrary to our states values and beliefs or will our actions serve to reinforce our commitment to our values? Whether we are yelling at our children, getting angry at our husbands, or being hurt by our friends, truly it is our choice to respond that way. Even more importantly, we have the responsibility for the response we choose. If an argument ensues because we chose not to control our temper, that was our choice. If a battle ensues because we decided fighting was an appropriate response, that was our choice. If hurt feelings result because we allowed ourselves to make it all about us, then that was our choice and we bear the responsibility for the consequences. This is so powerful, don't you think? Every day, every interaction, My response is my responsibility. By consciously taking responsibility for how I choose to respond in any given situation, I choose the quality of my life every single day. Wow!


Not all is profundity in the Nagle5 household. Oh, no. We also find time to host doll birthday parties. Yep, you heard me: "Doll Birthday Party". My I be the first to say, "Welcome to Girl World!" For the second year running, Buttercup has hosted a doll birthday party for her two American Girl dolls, Josefina and Marisa. She baked a heart-shaped cake, frosted it and decorated it with sprinkles and candles, then bribed her brother and his friends with cake if they would sing, and even had presents (each girl got a magnifying glass to help them study the strange and wonderful things they might find in their world). (Poor Mr. R only has sons and could not figure out what the heck we were doing...especially when Superman got into the spirit and sang to the "girls".) A good time was had by all, the girls loved their presents and their party, and Mr. R's sons and wife got cake, too.

So, think about your responsibility for your response to the situations you find yourself faced with, but also think about doll birthday parties. You need to have balance in your life, you know?

P.S. Can Spring really be right around the corner when the weatherman predicts sub-zero temperatures for tonight? Sheesh!

Happy Birthday, Eveline!

Today is my sweet SIL Eveline's birthday. Her husband (my brother) just shipped out for a new duty assignment, so she is alone on her birthday! I wish we could be there with her right now, because she has been such a blessing to our family. I could not have wished for a better SIL. She is the perfect foil for our loud, passionate family...calm and lady-like in the face of our stormy natures. She is the perfect wife for my brother, a wonderful sister to me, and an awesome aunt to my children. Now, if I could only talk her into moving to the Pacific Northwest! Until then, phone calls, emails, snail mail, and now blogs will have to do!

Happy Birthday, Eveline!

We love you!

Loved the way this turned out...

As promised, here is a picture of Valiant's birthday cake. I wanted festive without frosting overload (he's not a big frosting man), happy without juvenile or girly (13-year old boys and frosting roses don't mix), and I think I achieved it with this cake. He "ordered" yellow cake with chocolate frosting, so I had no leeway there. The dots, however, were a surprise, so I had free reign. I made a batch of Royal Icing, made it up in different colors, and squeezed it out onto wax paper in circles of varying size, then I let the icing get hard in the refrigerator and used a spatula to pull them off the wax paper and stuck them in the frosting. Easy peasy and not a frosting flower in sight! What do you think?

I have another teenager now!

I can't really believe it, but it is true. Today is Valiant's 13th birthday! I can't believe how the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday that he was my beautiful little baby and now he's (as he tells me) "a Man". (Wasn't he just the prettiest baby?) We feel so proud and blessed that Valiant is our son. He's strong and caring, he's honorable and philosophical. He already tries to live his life in a mindful manner. He's creative and funny, keeping us in stitches most of the time. He's always stretching and growing in ways that surprise us. He adores his little sister and his older brother and tries to be there for them in any way he can.

Happy Birthday, Valiant! We love you and think you're amazing!