Lot's of moving happening this month. The biggest move of all involves my family - they are moving out of the area to be closer to my dad's job. They will be gone by the middle of May :-( I'm pretty sad about them moving - but I know it will be better for everyone to live in the same area. My dad won't have to work away from the family anymore! Besides - my sister Rosie is staying here and my sister Hannah is staying for the summer!
The other move that's taking place is... My blog is moving to Wordpress! New style. New name.
Keep an eye out for the reveal!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
4.19.2012
3.21.2012
Celebrations
Once again I have fallen down on the blog writing job. Maybe this will cheer you up... A post - with pictures!
March 17th (Saint Patrick's Day) was also my brother Kealen's 16th birthday! In honor of this momentous occasion, we (the siblings) decided to continue our newly begun tradition and take the birthday boy out for a fancy dinner at a snazzy local restaurant. This tradition first started when Kealen, Noah, Rosie and I surprised Hannah for her 18th birthday by getting all dressed up and going out for an amazing meal... I think that may have been the first time we'd ever done something together, without the rest of the family or countless friends tagging along. In any case - we all agree that this is a tradition worthy of continuing! We also agree that it is just way to expensive to do for every birthday, so we're limiting it to 16th, 18th and 30th birthdays (I had to talk them into that last one.)
These evenings have been full of silly conversations, delicious food (very important on a Farris outing) and for some odd reason - bathroom rating?
Kealen's celebration took place at the little Prospect Street Cafe in downtown Bellingham.
Here are a few pictures to show you the fun we had, good food we ate and the following horrible games we bowled!
Happy birthday Kealen-boy!
March 17th (Saint Patrick's Day) was also my brother Kealen's 16th birthday! In honor of this momentous occasion, we (the siblings) decided to continue our newly begun tradition and take the birthday boy out for a fancy dinner at a snazzy local restaurant. This tradition first started when Kealen, Noah, Rosie and I surprised Hannah for her 18th birthday by getting all dressed up and going out for an amazing meal... I think that may have been the first time we'd ever done something together, without the rest of the family or countless friends tagging along. In any case - we all agree that this is a tradition worthy of continuing! We also agree that it is just way to expensive to do for every birthday, so we're limiting it to 16th, 18th and 30th birthdays (I had to talk them into that last one.)
These evenings have been full of silly conversations, delicious food (very important on a Farris outing) and for some odd reason - bathroom rating?
Here are a few pictures to show you the fun we had, good food we ate and the following horrible games we bowled!
Happy birthday Kealen-boy!
3.06.2012
Family Ties
Sometimes it is so hard to put into words the thoughts that are chasing each other around inside my head. This is one of those times...
The death of my cousin has reminded me once again how important family is and how necessary it is to cultivate and maintain those long distance family relationships.
So - if I am related to you, I want you to know how very much I love you!
The death of my cousin has reminded me once again how important family is and how necessary it is to cultivate and maintain those long distance family relationships.
So - if I am related to you, I want you to know how very much I love you!
3.03.2012
Life vs Death
This week has been hard. Emotionally. Mentally. I'm tired and I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to think or feel anymore.
Wednesday was a mixed up jumble of almost every emotion there is.
Frustrations from a disconnected phone and a disorganized job.
Excitement because one of the girls from my house FINALLY went into labor!
Worry and concern that she would think I didn't care because I couldn't text from my disconnected phone.
And then...
Stunning, tears-running-down-the-face sadness when we got the news that my cousin Ian had been killed by a train.
Helplessness as I watched my mother mourn this cousin that I barely knew.
Blank. Nothing. Sometimes feeling like I had to remind myself how to breathe.
JOY! Excitement. I got the text that told me a new little baby girl had arrived!
One life had ended, another began.
Even now... as thoughts tumble around my brain... I don't know what to think.
Maybe I'll be able to grab one and hold onto it... later.
(I've noticed that this post is incredibly depressing. I will write a more cheerful post, detailing the positive ways this week has affected me, in the near future. Thanks for reading!)
Wednesday was a mixed up jumble of almost every emotion there is.
Frustrations from a disconnected phone and a disorganized job.
Excitement because one of the girls from my house FINALLY went into labor!
Worry and concern that she would think I didn't care because I couldn't text from my disconnected phone.
And then...
Stunning, tears-running-down-the-face sadness when we got the news that my cousin Ian had been killed by a train.
Helplessness as I watched my mother mourn this cousin that I barely knew.
Blank. Nothing. Sometimes feeling like I had to remind myself how to breathe.
JOY! Excitement. I got the text that told me a new little baby girl had arrived!
One life had ended, another began.
Even now... as thoughts tumble around my brain... I don't know what to think.
Maybe I'll be able to grab one and hold onto it... later.
(I've noticed that this post is incredibly depressing. I will write a more cheerful post, detailing the positive ways this week has affected me, in the near future. Thanks for reading!)
6.27.2011
Book "review"
Few and Far Between: Moments in the North American Desert by John Martin CampbellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ok... I have a confession. John Martin Campbell is my grandfather. My moms dad. It's true. So I suppose you could say I "have" to like his books. Truth is though... I really just love the pictures! Some more than others. This book, for instance, is all about deserts - and I love anything to do with the desert. I actually had to ask him in particular for a copy of this book. I love it! The pictures. The fact that my grandfather took the pictures. I don't usually even bother to read the words. I just drink in the pictures...
View all my reviews
4.28.2011
Quick Post
I know... I know... I've taken WAY to long of a break from posting. So here's a really quick post about - My mom's blog! Check out someone who DOES post on a regular basis here!
This is what my mom has to say about her blog, "I would like all Christian women to pause regularly in the midst of their busy lives and think about what choices they are making with their time. Are they living their lives in a way that will most profoundly influence the next generation to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? This means being there; fully (not distracted by too many activities or even church commitments). I am encouraging women everywhere to get a bit more introspective, to recognize their great worth in God’s kingdom, to learn to say “no” to false guilt and “yes” to joy and peace."
Check out her inspirational articles and advice on practical living!
(In the meantime, I'll get back to working on MY posts.)
This is what my mom has to say about her blog, "I would like all Christian women to pause regularly in the midst of their busy lives and think about what choices they are making with their time. Are they living their lives in a way that will most profoundly influence the next generation to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ? This means being there; fully (not distracted by too many activities or even church commitments). I am encouraging women everywhere to get a bit more introspective, to recognize their great worth in God’s kingdom, to learn to say “no” to false guilt and “yes” to joy and peace."
Check out her inspirational articles and advice on practical living!
(In the meantime, I'll get back to working on MY posts.)
4.13.2011
The Challenge & Meal #1
My challenge for the next couple of days is... feed myself and four hungry active kids three meals a day while my mom is in Portland at Hannah's debate tournament! Oh - and try to use up random food that's in the freezer at the same time.
Stay tuned to see how I respond to this challenge and what I unearth from the freezer!
Meal Number One - Wednesday Lunch
I got to my parents house about an hour before the younger kids had to be at their friends house for a weekly play date. (That was bad planning on my part.)
I scrambled through the cupboards trying to find SOMETHING to feed them that could be thrown together quickly and keep them going for most of the afternoon. Solution? Tuna and Rice Casserole!
cooked rice leftover from dinner last night
4 cans of tuna
1/2 of a giant can of cream of mushroom soup
Italian seasonings
dried minced garlic
salt
grated cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 400.
Throw cold rice in a 9x13 pan, break up any big chunks so it will heat evenly. Dump undrained tuna on top of rice and spread out to cover evenly. Sprinkle seasonings, garlic and salt evenly over everything. Plop cream of mushroom soup across pan and spread to cover. Throw in oven and cook until nearly hot. Pull out of oven, stir around to combine all ingredients and sprinkle top with cheese. Put back in oven until cheese is melted and casserole is completely hot.
Serve!
Encourage the one child that doesn't like it to eat it anyways 'cause that's all she's getting and then rush kids to car and off to friends house!
Stay tuned to see how I respond to this challenge and what I unearth from the freezer!
Meal Number One - Wednesday Lunch
I got to my parents house about an hour before the younger kids had to be at their friends house for a weekly play date. (That was bad planning on my part.)
I scrambled through the cupboards trying to find SOMETHING to feed them that could be thrown together quickly and keep them going for most of the afternoon. Solution? Tuna and Rice Casserole!
cooked rice leftover from dinner last night
4 cans of tuna
1/2 of a giant can of cream of mushroom soup
Italian seasonings
dried minced garlic
salt
grated cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 400.
Throw cold rice in a 9x13 pan, break up any big chunks so it will heat evenly. Dump undrained tuna on top of rice and spread out to cover evenly. Sprinkle seasonings, garlic and salt evenly over everything. Plop cream of mushroom soup across pan and spread to cover. Throw in oven and cook until nearly hot. Pull out of oven, stir around to combine all ingredients and sprinkle top with cheese. Put back in oven until cheese is melted and casserole is completely hot.
Serve!
Encourage the one child that doesn't like it to eat it anyways 'cause that's all she's getting and then rush kids to car and off to friends house!
7.26.2010
Gabe!
I realized I haven't said a word about my new little brother yet :-) My parents are adopting a little boy from foster care! His name is Gabriel (Gabe), he just turned seven, and after some really intense struggles with the state and other people - he has been placed permanently with our family! Which means that even though they can't adopt him for another six months... he's ours and here to stay! This little guy needs so much love, and in return he is very loving :-) He doesn't like the color of his hair or his skin because his step-dad told him over and over how ugly he was. He doesn't like his name because his mom gave it to him. Not to mention the abuse and abandonment. So we try to rub his head at every opportunity and tell him how handsome his curls are! We tell him how we've always wanted a little brown brother and my mom says how she's always wanted a Gabriel (which is true)!
This whole situation is going to be a growing experience for all of us - but it is being made easier by a little boy who it TRYing to love his Forever Family!
Welcome to the family Gabe... we love you already!
12.27.2009
Christmas Dinner
Phillip and I spent all of Christmas day cooking food, mixing drinks and watching movies. Then around 6:30 we headed over to the Saunders for Christmas dinner... we brought the appetizer and dessert and here is what we(I) made!
Tomato Bruschetta (recipe from The Old Post Office) (we cut this recipe by about 3/4ths)
-about 20 Tomatoes (4lbs) diced and drained
-1/3 cup minced garlic
-12 oz diced red onion (about 1 1/2 large onions) diced very small
-1 1/2 cups basil leaves, chopped
-1/2 cup chopped parsley
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper
-1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/4 cup red wine vinegar
-1/4 cup olive oil
combine ingredients and serve with a sliced baguette or serve on crostini and top with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Yum Yum! This recipe is very light and refreshing - and not to filling!
For dessert I made a recipe that the Co-op is considering making. It was very fast and easy to make, and oh so tasty!
Chocolate Fruit Purses - Preheat oven to 400
-1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (or any other berry/ fruit that goes well with chocolate)
-2 Tblsp sugar
-1Tblsp cornstarch
-1/2 cup semi-sweet choc. chips
-1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
Combine fruit, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring often - until it thickens (5 min). Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips.
On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry. Stretch lightly (or roll with a rolling pin) to form a larger square. Cut into quarters to form four squares. Mound 1/4 of filling in the center of each square. Lift the four corners up and over filling and twist together to form a small topknot. Pinch each side seam to seal pastries.
(I actually turned this into a more personal pastry by cutting each sheet of puff pastry into nine smaller squares and putting a spoonful of the filling in each one. If you go with this method you can actually begin before the pastry is totally thawed out, although it is very helpful to roll the pastry out so you have more dough to work with.)
Place on a baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden - about 20 min.
Tomato Bruschetta (recipe from The Old Post Office) (we cut this recipe by about 3/4ths)
-about 20 Tomatoes (4lbs) diced and drained
-1/3 cup minced garlic
-12 oz diced red onion (about 1 1/2 large onions) diced very small
-1 1/2 cups basil leaves, chopped
-1/2 cup chopped parsley
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper
-1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/4 cup red wine vinegar
-1/4 cup olive oil
combine ingredients and serve with a sliced baguette or serve on crostini and top with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Yum Yum! This recipe is very light and refreshing - and not to filling!
For dessert I made a recipe that the Co-op is considering making. It was very fast and easy to make, and oh so tasty!
Chocolate Fruit Purses - Preheat oven to 400
-1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (or any other berry/ fruit that goes well with chocolate)
-2 Tblsp sugar
-1Tblsp cornstarch
-1/2 cup semi-sweet choc. chips
-1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
Combine fruit, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring often - until it thickens (5 min). Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips.
On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry. Stretch lightly (or roll with a rolling pin) to form a larger square. Cut into quarters to form four squares. Mound 1/4 of filling in the center of each square. Lift the four corners up and over filling and twist together to form a small topknot. Pinch each side seam to seal pastries.
(I actually turned this into a more personal pastry by cutting each sheet of puff pastry into nine smaller squares and putting a spoonful of the filling in each one. If you go with this method you can actually begin before the pastry is totally thawed out, although it is very helpful to roll the pastry out so you have more dough to work with.)
Place on a baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden - about 20 min.
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