1.31.2010

Finally…PEOPLE!!!

IMG_6176IMG_6177

Then back to solitary confinement!

IMG_6185IMG_6189

More Wii…with a twist or in a bag!!!

IMG_6196IMG_6197

And dinner by candlelight?!?!  We need to get out of the house!!!

1.30.2010

Hibernation…Day #3

IMG_6123IMG_6122

The view from the Balcony…

IMG_6126IMG_6139IMG_6132IMG_6130IMG_6136

Testing the streets…desperate for entertainment and new movies!!!

IMG_6147IMG_6155IMG_6157

Not sure what they were thinking?!?!

1.29.2010

Tea, Cookies & Wii…

IMG_6073 IMG_6074 2010-01-29

What a great night!!!

A REAL Blogger!?!?

I have been blogging for almost 4 years!!!  I began blogging as a way to share our lives with our family…who at the time lived 9 time zones away.  I have fallen in love with blogging.  It has become away for me to process our day and thoughts and record special memories that I want to cherish. 

Other than a few family members and one or two friends, I never dreamed someone would think that I have “readers” or that The 4 Sullivans would be mention outside of my own conversations!!!

But today I received an email from a real author who has written books we have in our personal library!!!

Dear Kristie,

My name is…

I don’t know a whole lot about children’s book promotion, but I figured the blogging world was a good place to start!  I heard about your blog from some mommy-friends of mine, so I decided to send you a quick email.

I was wondering if you would take a look at the book to see if it’s something that your readers might be interested in.

I know that this is totally silly and was probably a mass email that was sent to everyone with a blog address, but I am shocked and thrilled to to think I actually have READERS…not to mention, totally excited to get to read a great children’s book!!!

Day #2…Confinement

IMG_5964 IMG_6012IMG_5966IMG_6000IMG_5973IMG_5991

IMG_5994IMG_6008

My Snow Angel…

IMG_5998 IMG_5999 

IMG_6033 IMG_6039 IMG_6043 IMG_6045 IMG_6053

Snow Ice Cream…

IMG_6054 IMG_6057 IMG_6064  IMG_6068

1.28.2010

5:00 Update…

IMG_5919IMG_5948IMG_5925IMG_5942IMG_5943

and only 3 cookies left!!!

Awesome Cookies!!!

20100121-tows-oatmeal-cookies-125x163 

Yesterday, Oprah discussed Food 101 with Michael Pollan and Alicia Silverstone.  It was very interesting, informative and challenging!!!  Oprah shared the recipe to these healthy cookie alternative on her website.

I have been trying to limit my caffeine and sugar intake, which does not mix well with solitary confinement and whinny kids!!!  I substituted dark chocolate chips for the dried fruit and have eaten 7 already…they are fabulous!!!

Ingredients:

Oatmeal, Walnut and Dried Plum Cookies

  • 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup maple sugar (can omit or use just a little natural sugar)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup safflower oil (or unsweetened applesauce)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. molasses
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried plums or other dried fruit (or chocolate)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine the oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the syrup, oil, vanilla extract, and molasses. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir to combine. Fold in the dried plums and nuts.
Using your hands, roll tablespoon-size scoops of dough into balls. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet and press down slightly on the balls to flatten the tops. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a baking rack to cool completely.
For variety, replace the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour, barley flour, spelt flour, or a gluten-free baking mix (choose one that does not include baking soda and baking powder). You can also substitute chocolate chips for the dried fruit and any kind of nuts for the walnuts.

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone. Published by Rodale Books. © 2009.

Hibernation…

IMG_5866IMG_5865 

Hibernation has begun…

IMG_5882

Emme is already wanting to go outside!!!

IMG_5901IMG_5895

1.27.2010

Hibernation Preparation…

IMG_5774IMG_5776IMG_5780IMG_5778IMG_5782IMG_5812 IMG_5785 IMG_5790 IMG_5791IMG_5792IMG_5821IMG_5840 

What a great day!!!  Tomorrow…freezing temps, ice, PJs and movies!!!