I am a fortunate girl. I get to bake for my job.

I’ve had my drivers license for a little over 16 years and have never received a traffic ticket. But, I can say in the last 3 years; since moving back to the Chicago area, I have killed 3 squirrels. The first 2 was horrid. I remember calling Nathan at work sobbing…I truly was sad, but also VERY pregnant with Penelope. The worst part, the “running over” was on my street (both) and so I would pass the poor souls until the snow covered them up and they disintegrated.

So- last Saturday I struck again! It was awful because I was going about 55 mph and I couldn’t just slam on my breaks. The poor little guy was in the center of the street and couldn’t make up his mind so he was skittering about back and forth…and then…

Ironically, Simon studied squirrels in preschool this week. I don’t know, maybe it’s not a coincidence. Maybe the victims came back to haunt me.


I really do love you little guys, even though you eat all my bird seed meant for the birds!

I am amazed with how well Simon can write his name. Sometimes he decides to use all the right letters, but in a different order. I’m sure his teacher wants to pull her hair out!

I love this busy picture of the kids. They are so content to paint…again, I love the lighting in our house in the morning. So much creative magic!

I’ve had my drivers license for a little over 16 years and have never received a traffic ticket. But, I can say in the last 3 years; since moving back to the Chicago area, I have killed 3 squirrels. The first 2 was horrid. I remember calling Nathan at work sobbing…I truly was sad, but also VERY pregnant with Penelope. The worst part, the “running over” was on my street (both) and so I would pass the poor souls until the snow covered them up and they disintegrated.

So- last Saturday I struck again! It was awful because I was going about 55 mph and I couldn’t just slam on my breaks. The poor little guy was in the center of the street and couldn’t make up his mind so he was skittering about back and forth…and then…

Ironically, Simon studied squirrels in preschool this week. I don’t know, maybe it’s not a coincidence. Maybe the victims came back to haunt me.


I really do love you little guys, even though you eat all my bird seed meant for the birds!

I am amazed with how well Simon can write his name. Sometimes he decides to use all the right letters, but in a different order. I’m sure his teacher wants to pull her hair out!

I love this busy picture of the kids. They are so content to paint…again, I love the lighting in our house in the morning. So much creative magic!

I sure hope I don’t become patient #4.

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I sure hope I don’t become patient #4.

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Before reading any further, please know that I am not trying to boast. This is just a circumstance that our family experienced and I like to share it with you…

Last night after going out to dinner, I noticed a homeless man at an intersection. Every so often I will see someone desperate asking to work for food and I just am filled with sadness. Well, this time I just mentioned to Nathan that we need to give…whatever is in my wallet is his. The urge to reach out was so great! So we turned the car around and rolled the window down to extend some acknowledgement of this man…the face, the expression, his eyes were full of such gratefulness that I will never ever forget it. He thanked us with a whisper and humbleness that he will forever be in my mind and heart.

Reaching out to the poor is so important. There faces are truly the faces of God. They are reminders that we are to be grateful for what we have, and to give to those who don’t. There faces show are mortality and the need for compassion.

Anyway, it is my desire for my children to learn love and charity. I am grateful that they witnessed this and hope it will be in their memories forwever.

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Before reading any further, please know that I am not trying to boast. This is just a circumstance that our family experienced and I like to share it with you…

Last night after going out to dinner, I noticed a homeless man at an intersection. Every so often I will see someone desperate asking to work for food and I just am filled with sadness. Well, this time I just mentioned to Nathan that we need to give…whatever is in my wallet is his. The urge to reach out was so great! So we turned the car around and rolled the window down to extend some acknowledgement of this man…the face, the expression, his eyes were full of such gratefulness that I will never ever forget it. He thanked us with a whisper and humbleness that he will forever be in my mind and heart.

Reaching out to the poor is so important. There faces are truly the faces of God. They are reminders that we are to be grateful for what we have, and to give to those who don’t. There faces show are mortality and the need for compassion.

Anyway, it is my desire for my children to learn love and charity. I am grateful that they witnessed this and hope it will be in their memories forwever.

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I roasted a chicken on Tuesday (see previous post on meals) and decided to make stock. I am embarassed to admit that I have never made stock, I always have purchased a good base for my soups. So, with some advice from my sister and Matt, I took the plunge and I am so thrilled of the results.

If you are a vegetarian, the photos below may not be for you! Sorry!


I roasted the carcass and onions in a 375 oven for about 45 minutes. I didn’t have any carrots or other goodies to throw in, but actually the simple combination was fine. The roasting allows for the broth to become a carmel brown…yes!


I filled a pot with water that just barely covered the bones. I simmered the mixture for about an hour.


Here is a beautiful visual of the golden mixture! It was so delicous that it was difficult for me not to drink it…the stock will be used for some tortilla soup on Saturday!

I don’t have a very sophisticated set up. My collander worked fine, draining the bones and onions.


I love this “sparkly” shot…I guess you could say it’s self portrait…the reflection picks up on my shirt and camera.

I hope this helps for those that have always wanted to make stock. I now am so sad that for years I have tossed all those chickens…so sorry…no more I say. I will fully use what has been provided…next challenge, vegetable stock.

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I roasted a chicken on Tuesday (see previous post on meals) and decided to make stock. I am embarassed to admit that I have never made stock, I always have purchased a good base for my soups. So, with some advice from my sister and Matt, I took the plunge and I am so thrilled of the results.

If you are a vegetarian, the photos below may not be for you! Sorry!


I roasted the carcass and onions in a 375 oven for about 45 minutes. I didn’t have any carrots or other goodies to throw in, but actually the simple combination was fine. The roasting allows for the broth to become a carmel brown…yes!


I filled a pot with water that just barely covered the bones. I simmered the mixture for about an hour.


Here is a beautiful visual of the golden mixture! It was so delicous that it was difficult for me not to drink it…the stock will be used for some tortilla soup on Saturday!

I don’t have a very sophisticated set up. My collander worked fine, draining the bones and onions.


I love this “sparkly” shot…I guess you could say it’s self portrait…the reflection picks up on my shirt and camera.

I hope this helps for those that have always wanted to make stock. I now am so sad that for years I have tossed all those chickens…so sorry…no more I say. I will fully use what has been provided…next challenge, vegetable stock.

Comments (0)
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