Winter Projects

I have wanted a Murphy bed in our basement for a long time. I felt that it would be the best use of our space and kind of fun. Dad was here one day to help "us" (Travis really) get started. That was good it gave us confidence, initiative and a boost start. Do you like their handy saw horses?

We had fun trying out all of the shelves as they got built. Travis really wanted them to be strong enough for what ever we ever thought we wanted to store on them down the road. They are holding up so far :). At this point we do not have any doors on them but maybe some day that would be nice to add, I mostly like open areas though so it likely will never happen. 

There are some minor glitches, like I can't put it away by myself since it is so heavy, but I have a few helpers around here so for now that isn't a problem. All in all it was a pretty fun project that we  are very happy to have. 
I need to have a complete cleaning in the basement to complete the project and I keep managing to put that off. Maybe the end will come soon and I won't have too.

Wanderings

Some time this winter we went to the Minnesota Institute of Art. I may be the only person in our family who thinks that place is cool and wants to go there, but I have a bunch of good sports around so they went with me.
We went this time to focus on ancient China history since we were there for a few weeks in our history. They had some videos about that time period we could watch as well. They were pretty neat but lots and long so we only watched a few as there is more to life than sitting in a dark room watching a screen.
Not many can carry off wearing cowboy boots and polyester shorts but my six year old can, and look classily handsome!

We went to the James J. Hill house the other day on a tour. It is quite pretty. Made us house jealous though, their first floor hallway has the same square footage as our whole house, so my men tell me, I didn't do the math. He offered the bishop a quarter of a million dollars in 1876 to not build the cathedral where it is sitting, I guess he thought it would block his view to much. That man was very industrious. 

Part of the servants porch.

Toodle-do,
~Anna

Recital Bars

Beatrice had her recital yesterday evening and I was to take a sweet treat to share afterwards. Not really in the mood for baking once I remembered my responsibilities yesterday afternoon I thought of this recipe only because of the appropriateness of the name Recital Bars. They are also very quick and simple to make making them a perfect treat for more than just when you are going to a recital.

I haven't shared a recipe here for awhile so I thought I would give this one to you. I got the recipe out of our church cookbook. It was submitted by someone who plays music for her profession so I suppose she had her share of recitals over the years.

Recital Bars

These are pretty sweet, it wouldn't hurt to cut the sugar down a bit. You can't too much or they won't stick correctly though.

Melt together:

1 cup butter

1cup sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

Stir in :

4 cups oatmeal

Pat in bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan that is greased, bake for 12 minutes at 350*. Allow to cool and set for a bit.

Melt together: 

6 ounces chocolate chips. (I used more than this, this time)

2/3 c. peanut butter (I never measure this, too messy :)

Spread over oatmeal base.

Allow to set for a bit and cut into small squares. Serve whenever you are ready for them. 

I also have a recipe for funeral bars so someday if I need them I might share that recipe with you, too. Fun names.

Luckily Bea performed yesterday evening because while she was brushing her teeth last night she rested her hand in the door jam of the boys room and got her fingers rather mushed. They are working fine today but we did have our worries about them for a bit.

Ta ta,

~Anna