The Wallworks

Monday, October 17, 2011

Mom's Birthday

Saturday was my mom's birthday.  She's 66!  She was 27 when she had me, her 5th child.  I was 27 when I had my first child.  She went on to have 4 more boys after me.  Those little boys gave me so much grief growing up.  But now when the girls complain about Ethan I just look at them like I am so bored and say, "You have One little brother, I had Four.  Deal with it".  I use that excuse every time, and every time it works like a charm.


 Lila, Me, Mom, Dad, nephew Andrew, Ethan & Emry - Glenn is taking the photo.    
Obviously my kids were not cooperating.

We had a birthday dinner on Sunday.  I made the salad and rolls & mom made the roast and vegetables.  So nice that she also brought sweet potatoes especially for me.  All served on my new table cloth which I am in love with.


The rolls turned out DIVINE if I do say so myself (and I do).  I'll be the first to say when I make a disaster, but these were not.  I always cross my fingers when making bread and hope the stars align.  HERE is the recipe.  I used 3 parts white flour to 1 part wheat.  I also used dough enhancer and vital wheat gluten (1 T each) which helped them turn out soft and fluffy.

On Saturday Mom and I had the best day ever.  I called her up and told her we were going shopping.  Mitchell style of course.  We hit up 2 Thrift Stores and struck gold.

I got more shirts!!  I got the 2 below, plus the one I am wearing on the bike (below) all $3 each, a sweater (from the boys dept. whatever) $1.75, the velour sweatsuit (a little snug but you can't be too picky when thrifting) $3, and 2 table cloths at $2 each (one below left, and the one in the dinner shot).




 Also got $4 worth of books.  I scored big time on these as 2 are huge sticker books with all the stickers intact and unused.  I am saving all these for a reward for when the kids show good behavior.  It might be a while.  The Oprah is for me of course.  It is from this year and only 50cents.  I love her magazine.


I was so happy with all that I got, you'd think it was my birthday.   Then we went to Costco for lunch (2 ceasar salads) and to pick up the Sunday roast. 

I enjoyed our day of shopping and lunch with just us two.  I was telling Mom in Costco how I couldn't have imagined a day like this a few years ago.  I had no family around and my kids were so little I never left them for more than a quick run to the grocery store. 

To be able to just roam the stores and shop with abandon (you can do that when after hours of shopping and 3 full bags you've spent less than $20) was so much fun.  Glad I could spend the day with you Mom!



12 comments:

  1. Family time is always fun! Happy belated to your mama. And you poor thing! FOUR brothers? Wow. I have one and he annoyed me so much growing up. I can't imagine three times that torment!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fun day and a great birthday dinner!! The dinner looks awesome!! The roast and roll, yum!!! Sweet potatoes (yams) yum!!! You have such a cute family!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marie, I love the picture you took of dinner! It looks great. Happy Birthday Lona!!!! (spelling?)
    Your mom is great and so talented. I'm so happy for you to have her so close. A dream come true for sure. Love you, Shauna

    PS. I love what you tell the girls about Ethan that's awesome and so right on. Maybe you are really tough- not because of the gangsters but because of four brothers?.....just a thought...:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes you're right. They ruined so many of my barbies, that has to jade a little girl somewhat.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The rolls look divine...........heavenly that is!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a wonderful day spent with your Mom. Especially with all that Thrifting going on. I believe you may be the West Coast Thrift Store Queen!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness- you're family is just too darn cute! :) What a great birthday celebration! And those rolls look delish! And... that's alot of books for $4. :) I need to do some of your kind of shopping. The computer paper isn't cutting it anymore for coloring. ha!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A happy birthday to your lovely mum. A day spent well and a glorious way to make so many memories

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey! Saw this today and it make me think of you...Pumpkin Pie Smoothie 1/2 banana (peeled, frozen, diced) ~1/3 cup pumpkin puree (Libby’s) ~1/3 cup FF plain Greek yogurt ~3/4-1cup lt vanilla soy milk (or milk of choice) Few shakes of pumpkin spice (Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice) Few shakes of cinnamon (optional) Pinch of cloves 1tsp vanilla 4-5 ice cubes

    ReplyDelete
  10. I grind my own wheat too, and we have seven kids. I am doing to print off the roll recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those rolls look delicious. You found some great deals shopping. Love the striped shirt you are wearing in the picture.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy birthday to your mom! Those rolls do look superb. Gluten free just does not have the same effect, sadly.

    And the shopping! You just cannot get good deals in France. No Targets, no Costcos. Even a week's worth of groceries at Leader Price (one of the cheapest stores) is about $150.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.