Do Ants Have Noses?

Today Max asked me if ants have noses. I think he's asked me this before, but today he insisted that I “look it up.” So I did-- ants smell with their antennae. “What about crabs?” (I looked it up.) Crabs smell with their antennules. “What about beetles?” According to Wikipedia, beetles smell with their antennae too. Over lunch he thought of some more-- “What about flies, I forgot to ask about them. Oh, and do they have eyes?”

Remember before the Internet, when parents could just say, “I don't know?”

Proposition 8 in Plain English

This YouTube video acknowledges the respect we feel for those who choose alternative lifestyles, and simply explains the important issues surrounding California Proposition 8. Help protect our schools, our families, and our society.

Proposition 8 in Plain English

Pumpkin Waffles with Buttermilk Syrup

We had these for dinner last night. My sister-in-law, Laura, will forever be one of my favorite people for sharing this recipe:). My suggestion: double the syrup. It's that good.

Served them with this (which Jeff made by the way):

And this:

Recipes below (except for the orange juice. It was Minute Maid. Original. Low pulp. With calcium.)

Pumpkin Waffles and Buttermilk Syrup Batter: 2 c. flour 2 Tbsp. baking powder 2 Tbsp. cinnamon 1 Tbsp. sugar ½ tsp. nutmeg ¼ tsp. salt Mix ingredients together, then add: 4 egg yolks (save whites) 1 c. pumpkin 1 Tbsp. vanilla 1 ½ c. milk ¾ c. melted margarine Then beat 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold them into the batter. Cook in waffle iron. Buttermilk Syrup: 1/4 cup butter (NOT margarine) ½ c. buttermilk (or substitute 1 Tbsp. lemon juice + ½ c. milk) 1 c. sugar 1 tsp. light corn syrup Bring to a boil and take off heat. Add 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla. It will bubble up quite a bit, so make sure your pan is large enough. Stir until it settles. Serve warm over pumpkin waffles. Yummy!

Easy Breakfast Casserole

2 cups dry chicken stove top stuffing mix (from the canister)
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cubed ham (or use Bob Evans Sausage, cooked, drained well, and crumbled)
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a 9 x 12 baking dish.
   
2. Mix all the ingredients together.
   
3. Pour into prepared baking dish.
   
4. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until set.
   

Fine.

Today, Max and Micah were eating lunch when the phone rang. While I was the on the phone, Micah kept screaming over and over (not an uncommon occurrence and nothing to be alarmed about.) When I hung up, I went to the table and said, “Micah, what do you need?”

He said, “More quesedilla.”

“Okay,” I said in an exasperated tone (think long, drawn-out "a" sound.)

He responded, “Fine.” (think long, drawn-own "i" sound.)

Funny. That's exactly what my tone said, not “okay,” but “fine.”

Protecting Marriage

Here is a news clip from Tony Perkins-- President of the Family Research Council in Washington D.C. He talks with parents of a five year old, and parents of a seven year old in Massachusetts about the changes in public school since same-sex marriage became legal. We need to do all we can to protect our families by protecting traditional marriage.