#124

 I'm back!  I can't promise that I'll be posting consistently for a while...But I have a really good excuse:)  And she's the cutest excuse ever...if I do say so myself:)

Raimy and Saylor meeting their newbie

Rennix meeting her baby sister

Saylor is in love

Daddy and his new princess

#123

So to experiment with the almond milk flavor a little bit more I bought a few different kinds of vanilla extract.  It actually makes a huge difference.  So... (yes I'm weird) I looked up recipes for vanilla extract online.  I'm currently 5 weeks into the 8 week process..  I am making madagascar vanilla, tahitian vanilla and Ugandan vanilla extracts.  I'll let you know in a few weeks if they are good:)

Stupid easy way to make vanilla extract:

-Choose your vanilla bean type.  I bought mine from the online retailer Beanilla.  They have a huge selection of beans and the prices compared with the grocery stores in my area are amazing.

-split 5 beans lengthwise

Put in a glass container and cover with 8 ounces of 35%+ vodka.  Then just shake once a week for 8 weeks and your done... 

I love extracts... so I am want to try making my own almond, peppermint and orange too...why not!

#122

Anyone drink almond milk?

I was told recently that I needed to post how I make almond milk:)  Everyone I've made it in front of, has started exclusively making it for their families as well.  It is Soooo easy, saves a TON of money and you can change up the recipe to fit your liking!

I make 3 gallons a week!  Yes I have piglets!!  If your fam drinks almond milk you will be amazed at how much better it tastes homemade.  It's also one of those items that you can buy organic and still be shocked at the ingredients list.  With all the preservatives and my favorite 'natural flavors' you don't know what you are drinking!  Once you look up what 'natural flavors' can entail you will probably steer clear...yuck!

So here it is:

To make about a half gallon (depends on your blender)

-a good blender
-a milk straining bag
-1 1/2 cups almonds (give or take, experiment with different amounts until you find what fits your                 liking)
-5 pitted dates (you can you use figs too...again depending on how sweet you want it, add or subtract)
-a splash of vanilla extract
-a pinch of salt

My out of focus ingredients:)

Soak your almonds overnight in water.  I use filtered water because it absorbs into the almonds.  If you wouldn't drink from your tap don't use it:)
Once they are finished, drain and really rinse them well, until the water runs clear.

I then throw them and all the ingredients into my trustee vita-mix, fill with filtered water and blend.

Before

After

Pour the blended mixture into the strainer over a pitcher.  Let sit for a few minutes to let gravity do most of the works.  Then 'milk' the bag... strangely enough like you would milk a cow!

Voila!  You're finished!  You can use what's left of the almonds to make flour!  My mom makes the most amazing cookies out of her leftovers(I'll ask her for the recipe)!  

I let the milk sit for a few hours in the fridge before drinking.  Make sure you shake it up everytime before pouring...it does settle.

You can experiment with any kind of nut.  Hazelnuts, cashews etc.  I haven't tried any others yet but am interested in trying cashews...

#121

About 2 hours from Los Angeles is a small mountain town called Oak Glen... My sister, the kids and I visited for the first time yesterday.  OH MY WORD!  I want to move there!  If you are in Southern California I highly recommend taking this day trip.
Oak Glen is described as "New England in SoCal".  The temperature is usually 20 degrees cooler than the valley, so with this hundred plus heat we ran away looking for easier weather:)  The entirety of Oak Glen is basically covered in every kind of apple tree imaginable!  Orchards cover the mountains...it is beautiful.  They also grow pretty much everything else as well!
Our first stop was Riley's Farm.  It felt like we had gone back in time!  The farm was originally built in 1880 and it still holds that charm.
We started the morning with an apple tasting, deciding our favorites before going out picking.  (Although if you're going to visit and go picking I'd go to Snow-Line farm a few miles down the road, because Riley's is so popular and the ripe fruit is stripped before the other farms) They have a few stores on the 760 acres that sell the YUMMIEST jams and apple butters, colonial themed everything, old wooden toys, bonnets, candy and they make their own historical movies that are sold there as well!  They have many demonstrations going on as you stroll, how to press cider, candle dipping, ink and quill lessons etc.
We ended our trip to Riley's with a sit down dinner at Hawk's Head Public house.  There is live music and all the servers sing!  My sister and I decided we wanted to live in Oak Glen and work here:)
We stopped at a few of the country stores along the stretch, each neat in it's own way.  There were apple stands everywhere.  We stopped at Snow-Line before heading home.  I had read online that they make fresh apple donuts.  We grew up next to a cider mill in Franklin Michigan and the smell of apple donuts is one of our favorite earliest memories.  So we HAD to stop and eat some with the kids!  I ordered 2 dozen mini's and we ate them all within minutes!!

Outside one of the stores on the property

Isn't this land beautiful?!!

After running and picking all day these babies crashed!!

Hawk's Head Public House

The Armory Band in the BBQ restaurant

Just singing under trees

Our Lunch

My sister Ashley

My sis and Saylor, a server lighting the candle chandeliers and the musicians

Raimy enjoying fresh pressed cider

We will return often...it was a wonderful trip.  Can't wait until fall when the weather cools and they start selling pumpkins:)

#120

American Girl Store has a yearly event they call "Dinner With Dad".  So Jon surprised Saylor yesterday by taking her to this special luncheon!  The store is located in an awesome outdoor shopping center which also has a movie theater.  So Raimy and I rode with them and had a special date of our own.  Before we left, Raimy flew out of the house dressed as Captain America.  Not a rarity...hahaha.  Yes I had already had him dressed as a normal child..... Oh well...go for it Raim.  Wish I could dress as Wonder Woman whenever I felt like it... after all I do feel like her at times... maybe tomorrow...
We went and saw "The Odd Life of Timothy Green".  I had been told this movie was a little slow but it was the only one he could actually see:)  It ended up being a sweet little treat.  For many reasons this film was super emotional for me...(post to follow).  Raimy cracked up at many parts and he actually understood the story.
The Grove was crowded and Raimy really stood out..hahaha....I now know what it feels like to walk around with a superstar.  Everyone took pictures as he posed like a crime fighter!

Walking to the car after our fun day

Little Say making a wish at the fountain

Saylor waiting to be seated

Captain America protecting his girl 

#119

How How How have 2 years gone by!!

My baby Renn just turned 2!!!  We spent the day at Disneyland. We had some family and friends join us and it was a magical day:)  If you ever go to Disney I highly recommend the character breakfast.  As you sit you are literally BOMBARDED by every character while eating.  The kids flipped out..of course...  Rennix went crazy over Minnie.  She cried "Peeze Minnie Wait, Peeze, Peeze!" over and over again as Minnies handler pulled her away.  Her stuffed Minnie is now loved even more.  I don't think any stuffed animal in history has received so many kisses!!

I'm in shock that this tiny button is officially a toddler!!!

1 day old

thanks Karen Nadalin for this ADORABLE shot!

Taking a break after dancing all her energy out:)

Uncle Tyler and Rennix- wearing the Langseth birthday girl hat...oh traditions...and yes I did get the silhouette from Main Street made as well,  but I didn't get a picture:)

Saylor, Auntie Ash, Uncle Ty and Raimy

I wonder if she's having fun

The fam with Goofy

Batman joined us

The matching fairies:)

Only picture I got of all 3 of them.  Hahaha 

Sisters

Character breakfast

Crashed before the fireworks and somehow slept through the show!!!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby!  I love you my spunky, opinionated, independent and hysterical tiny bear!!!  I adore everything about you!  I am so thankful you are mine:)