As it usually does, my good intentions of planned out meals changed this week. Last night the kids ate leftover spaghetti and bread. They love it, it's good for them so everyone was fine with that. I have been chilled to the bone lately and very tired. I figured out this morning that I must be on the verge of a cold. So on my every 3-4 day trip to Trader Joe's for milk I picked up some generic form of Airborne. That stuff generally helps me knock out a cold fairly quickly and I hope that helps this time! I used to use the Zicam spray (still do on the kids) but then I realized that I would feel sick to my stomach right after using it. Well that's not good on top of feeling icky from a cold anyway! So I changed to the Airborne and had good luck. The cheaper version (with the same ingredients except more Vitamin A) tastes like Tang.
Last night I intended to make my yummy creamed turkey (Turkey a la King pretty much) but after two exciting games of Candy Land with DD, I was wiped and needed a nap. Believe me, I stifled the yawns through the game - she was thrilled beyond belief and beat me fair & square. I kept having to go ALL THE FREAKING WAY BACK to the candy cane. grrrrr. I just wanted the game done. My dear sweet daughter (amazing how tonsils can make them into a devil child, take the tonsils away and she's sweet again!) covered me up with a stack of FG's freshly folded golf towels and I promptly fell asleep. She even covered my ear and tucked the towel under my chin. How could I NOT sleep???
So FG got off his lazy ass, I mean, took the bull by the horns and got them their spaghetti while I snoozed. By the time I got up, it was time for him to leave for work and I wasn't feeling up to making the white sauce or baking the biscuts. I nuked a frozen dinner and went about my business.
So today is freezing. I'm not "feeling" a pizza at all. I started a yummy pot of broccoli cheese soup in the crock pot. It's a recipe orginally from The Fix it and Forget it Entertaining cookbook but of course I tweak everything. I did follow the recipe the first time I made it but decied it needed something and added bacon the next time. So now I saute the chopped bacon with the onions and potatoes. It's perfect for a freezing, grey day like today!
* Exported from MasterCook *
Broccoli, Potato and Cheese Soup
Recipe By :Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining (Slow Cooker)
Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups potato -- cubed
3 tablespoons onion -- chopped
10 ounces broccoli florets -- thawed
2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- melted
1 tablespoon flour
2 cups processed American cheese -- velveeta, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
1 can evaporated milk
Cook potatoes and onion in boiling water (or broth) in saucepan until potatoes are crisp-tender.
Drain. Place in slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients. Stir together.
Cover. Cook on low 4 hours. Stir occasionally.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Organizational Challenge!
Yep, in more ways than one. This space was driving me nuts for months. Then, LIGHBULB!, I see the 30 Day Organizational Challenge on and decide what the heck, I can enter that AND get my cabinet spruced up!
1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?Procrastination. I just kept shoving stuff in the cabinet and quickly closing the door. Because of the baby locks, they didn't pop open.
I overcame it by setting aside the time one day and just digging in. I had to make myself just DO IT and have it be done telling myself I would feel a little weight lifted off my shoulders after I did.
2. Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?The baskets now make it so much easier to know where everything came from and where to put it back. The shelf separator makes it easier to access the serving dishes so they are just easier to put away. I have gotten back into the habit of not tossing every homeless item in there as well. Discipline, baby, discipline. Easier to do when it's organized!
3. What did you do with the “stuff” you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?
Most of it was craft stuff I was saving for DD's preschool. I bagged it up and took it in the next day. Other than that, there wasn't much that didn't belong in there or that I found a better fit for in the same cabinet! About the only thing I did toss was the candles that were burned down to the bottom. It also got me to finish off the few that had an hour or so left of burning to them.
4. Now that you have completed the challenge, do you think having and keeping your space organized will make a difference in your life?
It already has. Thanksgiving dinner was easier to deal with because the flower vase was easy for FG to get out, and the serving dishes that we used from the cabinet were easier for MIL to know where to put away after the meal. I also found room for the large square platter that was being stored in the coat closet because I *thought* I had no room for it! I've gotten back to burning scented candles because I can see them again when I want to choose a scent. And that just makes a home more cozy on a cold day, doesn't it? :D
6. Why do you think you should win the challenge?
I took a small, annoying, cluttered, unorganized space and made it useful again! I'm keeping up with it easily as is the rest of my family. It's benefitted everyone in my house with that one simple project. I think that was the point of the challenge even though it was only one small cabinet.
1. What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?Procrastination. I just kept shoving stuff in the cabinet and quickly closing the door. Because of the baby locks, they didn't pop open.
I overcame it by setting aside the time one day and just digging in. I had to make myself just DO IT and have it be done telling myself I would feel a little weight lifted off my shoulders after I did.
2. Tell us what kind of changes/habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?The baskets now make it so much easier to know where everything came from and where to put it back. The shelf separator makes it easier to access the serving dishes so they are just easier to put away. I have gotten back into the habit of not tossing every homeless item in there as well. Discipline, baby, discipline. Easier to do when it's organized!
3. What did you do with the “stuff” you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?
Most of it was craft stuff I was saving for DD's preschool. I bagged it up and took it in the next day. Other than that, there wasn't much that didn't belong in there or that I found a better fit for in the same cabinet! About the only thing I did toss was the candles that were burned down to the bottom. It also got me to finish off the few that had an hour or so left of burning to them.
4. Now that you have completed the challenge, do you think having and keeping your space organized will make a difference in your life?
It already has. Thanksgiving dinner was easier to deal with because the flower vase was easy for FG to get out, and the serving dishes that we used from the cabinet were easier for MIL to know where to put away after the meal. I also found room for the large square platter that was being stored in the coat closet because I *thought* I had no room for it! I've gotten back to burning scented candles because I can see them again when I want to choose a scent. And that just makes a home more cozy on a cold day, doesn't it? :D
6. Why do you think you should win the challenge?
I took a small, annoying, cluttered, unorganized space and made it useful again! I'm keeping up with it easily as is the rest of my family. It's benefitted everyone in my house with that one simple project. I think that was the point of the challenge even though it was only one small cabinet.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Menu Plan Monday
Hellooooo! Yes, this week DOES involve Thanksgiving leftovers :) But we had a "repeat dinner" last night of all the turkey day feast so now it's time to get creative with that turkey. Besides sandwiches, of course!
Sunday: Repeat Thanksgiving, only easier because it was heat & eat!
Monday: Spaghetti, bread, salad
Tuesday: Leftover turkey in some sort of casserole - need to search recipes.
Wednesday: Hot dogs, veggies, noodles or mac & cheese (college basketball night)
Thursday: FG works but the kids and I will have Turkey a la King - yum! (FG hates it)
Friday: Homemade pizza
Saturday: take out or go out, Mama's not cookin'
Off to make some tea to get the chill off my bones and do some housework. I need to start planning my holiday party sweets and work on invitations. Ugh. I want to keep it really small this year. DS is already mad because I told him I'm skipping the chocolate fountain this year. I told him he can do it for his birthday in Jauary if he wants.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
I'm entering a cookie contest
It's for our local paper. I've never done anything like that before. But I saw the details and thought, what the heck! I have nothing to LOSE. There's no entry fee other than the cookies I provide so why not? You never know, I may actually place!
I'm making a recipe that my grandma taught me. It's one of my dad's favorite cookies at Christmas. They took me a few years to get right - the dough is very sticky and not easy to handle. Here's the recipe:
Bell Cookies
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon cream
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons maraschino cherry liquid from jar
1 1/2 cups pecans -- chopped
1 tablespoon margarine -- melted
1/2 cup maraschino cherries -- cut in 1/2
Sift dry ingredients and set aside.
Cream together margarine and sugar. When well combined add corn syrup, cream and egg. Beat until well combined.
Slowly add flour mixture until combined.
Chill dough until easily handled.
Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, cherry juice, chopped pecans and melted margarine.
Roll dough onto floured surface. Cut circles with cookie cutter or top of a glass.
Place circles on ungreased cookie sheet. Add 1/2 teaspoon - 1 teaspoon of filling into center and fold over tops at an angle so it looks like a bell. Place 1/2 marachino cheery at the widest part of fold on top of filling.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 - 15 min.
Cookies will be puffed up. Let cool slightly on cookie sheet and remove to cool on wire rack.
Store in tightly covered container with waxed paper in between each layer to keep moist and from sticking to each other.
I'm making a recipe that my grandma taught me. It's one of my dad's favorite cookies at Christmas. They took me a few years to get right - the dough is very sticky and not easy to handle. Here's the recipe:
Bell Cookies
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon cream
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons maraschino cherry liquid from jar
1 1/2 cups pecans -- chopped
1 tablespoon margarine -- melted
1/2 cup maraschino cherries -- cut in 1/2
Sift dry ingredients and set aside.
Cream together margarine and sugar. When well combined add corn syrup, cream and egg. Beat until well combined.
Slowly add flour mixture until combined.
Chill dough until easily handled.
Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, cherry juice, chopped pecans and melted margarine.
Roll dough onto floured surface. Cut circles with cookie cutter or top of a glass.
Place circles on ungreased cookie sheet. Add 1/2 teaspoon - 1 teaspoon of filling into center and fold over tops at an angle so it looks like a bell. Place 1/2 marachino cheery at the widest part of fold on top of filling.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 - 15 min.
Cookies will be puffed up. Let cool slightly on cookie sheet and remove to cool on wire rack.
Store in tightly covered container with waxed paper in between each layer to keep moist and from sticking to each other.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
My funny funny son
First off, things are getting better here. DD is getting more back to herself. NO MORE CODEINE for this girl. I honestly think that was making her nuts. Since we stopped it and it's getting out of her system, she's back to "normal" three year old stuff. She has bronchitis on top of healing from surgery which makes her cry because it hurts when she coughs but I do belive her throat is healing very well. She ate cereal for breakfast and wolfed it down so I have to belive it's feeling just fine.
Now onto my funny kid. Yesterday DS was telling me that a 3rd grader was calling him a "Shrimp" on the playground. Thankfully, these things don't really get him down. He gives it right back and thinks it's all in fun. (I pray that it stays that way for the rest of his life!!!) So in telling me this story he says "I heard him call me that and then when I went to say something to him, he ran away. But I don't care what he says or that he's a 3rd grader. I bet he doesn't even know the square root of 64. He probably thinks it's SEVEN!" and then busted into laughter. Yes, I have a nerd. And he's right too. I bet this 3rd grader doesn't know the square root of 64 because I as a 36 year old adult with a college education had to stop and think about it! I'm sure that would put that 3rd grader right into his place if DS ever got a chance to say it to him.
And just now as I am preparing for our big feast tomorrow, I took the pumpkin pie out of the oven. The steam was rising and the custard settling so it looked like the pie had a heartbeat. I called the kids over and they climbed onto the kitchen bench to watch the pie. We watched it for a good 5 minutes and they kept saying "It's ALIVE!" Then DS wanted to know WHY it was like that so we went over molecules and gases, liquids and solids. Unfortunately that's about the extent of my chemistry knowledge (is that even chemistry???) and he's going to surpass me before I know it. Thank goodness I got him a book about how things work for Christmas. Mom needs to have all the answers, ya know.
Now onto my funny kid. Yesterday DS was telling me that a 3rd grader was calling him a "Shrimp" on the playground. Thankfully, these things don't really get him down. He gives it right back and thinks it's all in fun. (I pray that it stays that way for the rest of his life!!!) So in telling me this story he says "I heard him call me that and then when I went to say something to him, he ran away. But I don't care what he says or that he's a 3rd grader. I bet he doesn't even know the square root of 64. He probably thinks it's SEVEN!" and then busted into laughter. Yes, I have a nerd. And he's right too. I bet this 3rd grader doesn't know the square root of 64 because I as a 36 year old adult with a college education had to stop and think about it! I'm sure that would put that 3rd grader right into his place if DS ever got a chance to say it to him.
And just now as I am preparing for our big feast tomorrow, I took the pumpkin pie out of the oven. The steam was rising and the custard settling so it looked like the pie had a heartbeat. I called the kids over and they climbed onto the kitchen bench to watch the pie. We watched it for a good 5 minutes and they kept saying "It's ALIVE!" Then DS wanted to know WHY it was like that so we went over molecules and gases, liquids and solids. Unfortunately that's about the extent of my chemistry knowledge (is that even chemistry???) and he's going to surpass me before I know it. Thank goodness I got him a book about how things work for Christmas. Mom needs to have all the answers, ya know.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Eh, yeah, not so good here
I knew it would be tough but it's not turning out how I expected. DD's recovery sucks. There have been more tears here from me and her than in a normal month to two. She's SO stubborn and I am so determined that I will "win" some of the battles that it ends up in all out war. Yeah. Not so good. She feels like shit, I know but does she have to act like such a shit? It's constant WHINE WHINE WHINE and scream if she doesn't get her way. That's not good for her throat. And she's not talking well either. I don't know if there's a problem or if it's sore from all her screaming but she hasn't spoken normally at all since her surgery. It all goes through her nose and she's very hard to understand. I'm going to call the Dr. - again. I already called because she has this nasty cough and they put her on antibiotics and cough meds. I think they screwed up the antibiotics because it says to take for 14 days and they have lasted 5 1/2. I'm giving the right dosage but someone, somewhere screwed up.
Anyway, I am not having a good time of things. I am also hosting Thanksgiving. I'm praying she improves her attitude a bit. I already heard from my father how I must let her get away with everything because she doesn't act like that for them. When she does, my mom apparently stops it immediately. Well, how f'ing special for you! Thanks for making me feel like even more crap than I already do!
:( WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Anyway, I am not having a good time of things. I am also hosting Thanksgiving. I'm praying she improves her attitude a bit. I already heard from my father how I must let her get away with everything because she doesn't act like that for them. When she does, my mom apparently stops it immediately. Well, how f'ing special for you! Thanks for making me feel like even more crap than I already do!
:( WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Monday, November 12, 2007
WTF?! When it's weird, it's weird....
I'm so glad this weekend is over. Now I want this week to fly by.
Let's do a little recap:
Friday night, great gatherng with some friends. Nice little party at our house to help out my friend's Silpada business. Tried on some cool jewelry and had a really nice evening.
Lazy Saturday morning, FG is playing a video game with DS and the phone rings. Long, personal story but BIL is in the hospial by his own doing. Great. FG hates hospitals and is now completely annoyed at his brother.
My mom comes to pick up the kids, DS and FG are attempting to visit BIL at the hospital. No go since he's busy with a Dr. in the room. FG does NOT hang out at a hospital any second longer than necessary so he comes home. My mom gets the kiddos off and running to spend the night with her and my dad. FG and I load up and go back to the hospital. I wait in the waiting room. Now I'm not trying to be conceited but I figure the last thing BIL needs to see is his brother who "has it all" (his words) stroll in with his wife while he's laying there miserable and mentally unstable. I was dressed and done to spend the day with my husband and not my kids so I looked pretty (no, I'm really NOT trying to be conceited!) I'm sure in the eyes of the evil wife of FIL, I'm absolutely horrible for not visiting. F her. FG agrees with me - BIL needs to see his brother and that's it. Not be reminded that we've made our marriage work, made good choices and upgraded houses over the years, have a couple of great kids....all when he didn't do those things.
We leave the hospital and drive to a town down south of us where we have a g/c at a resort/spa. Except they can't follow through with the terms of the g/c so we go down to straighten it out or (hopefully) get the $ back from it. They work it out and we leave. Bummer. I was hoping for the $. Oh well. MIL will never seem to get it that we can't always just take off for a weekend when we have two little kids. She said she would babysit overnight - nah ah! Not happening!
Driving through another town we decide to stop and buy a new carpet cleaner. Ours died an untimely death but our carpets are in desperate need. It makes more sense than paying somone else to come in and clean them. Whoohoo. Great Saturday night plans huh? I tell FG I'm starving and we need to go to dinner.
We run home, he changes his clothes and then we head up to dinner at a little local place in the woods.
Except instead of just heading inside, we walk through the rustic, tree-smattered parking lot and see a guy laying spread eagle in the middle of the parking lot. FG hestitates but we agree we have to go see if he's ok. He's at the base of a short set of stairs that can be treacherous sometimes - especially if you are drunk, wearing flip flops and shorts (it was about 45 degrees - dumbass). The guy says "Yeah, I'm good" and starts to get up. FG says, "No, stay here we'll call you a cab." thinking "Like hell I'm letting you get in a car and drive down this highway that lots of my friends and family drive on!" Then he notices the blood. The guy's head is bleeding like crazy and he was laying a big puddle. So I rush into the restaurant and tell the dimwit girl at the hostess stand that there's a guy bleeding in the parking lot and we need and ambulance.
Fire dept and ambulance shows up, FG tells them everything we know and helps them out then we go in and decide we need a good drink! Then dimwit girl crosses our name off the wait list for a table in some sort of confusion. We wait and wait. This a little local place but popular and cozy. I go ask again they finally seat us right away.
Then, there's another embarassing personal story involving sex and a lost condom but like I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't want to give too many details about stuff when it involves FG. Let's just say that's never ever happened to us and it just added to our freaky day!
Oh, we spent Sunday morning cleaning the carpets. We were a bit exhausted mentally on Saturday night and went to sleep early!
Let's do a little recap:
Friday night, great gatherng with some friends. Nice little party at our house to help out my friend's Silpada business. Tried on some cool jewelry and had a really nice evening.
Lazy Saturday morning, FG is playing a video game with DS and the phone rings. Long, personal story but BIL is in the hospial by his own doing. Great. FG hates hospitals and is now completely annoyed at his brother.
My mom comes to pick up the kids, DS and FG are attempting to visit BIL at the hospital. No go since he's busy with a Dr. in the room. FG does NOT hang out at a hospital any second longer than necessary so he comes home. My mom gets the kiddos off and running to spend the night with her and my dad. FG and I load up and go back to the hospital. I wait in the waiting room. Now I'm not trying to be conceited but I figure the last thing BIL needs to see is his brother who "has it all" (his words) stroll in with his wife while he's laying there miserable and mentally unstable. I was dressed and done to spend the day with my husband and not my kids so I looked pretty (no, I'm really NOT trying to be conceited!) I'm sure in the eyes of the evil wife of FIL, I'm absolutely horrible for not visiting. F her. FG agrees with me - BIL needs to see his brother and that's it. Not be reminded that we've made our marriage work, made good choices and upgraded houses over the years, have a couple of great kids....all when he didn't do those things.
We leave the hospital and drive to a town down south of us where we have a g/c at a resort/spa. Except they can't follow through with the terms of the g/c so we go down to straighten it out or (hopefully) get the $ back from it. They work it out and we leave. Bummer. I was hoping for the $. Oh well. MIL will never seem to get it that we can't always just take off for a weekend when we have two little kids. She said she would babysit overnight - nah ah! Not happening!
Driving through another town we decide to stop and buy a new carpet cleaner. Ours died an untimely death but our carpets are in desperate need. It makes more sense than paying somone else to come in and clean them. Whoohoo. Great Saturday night plans huh? I tell FG I'm starving and we need to go to dinner.
We run home, he changes his clothes and then we head up to dinner at a little local place in the woods.
Except instead of just heading inside, we walk through the rustic, tree-smattered parking lot and see a guy laying spread eagle in the middle of the parking lot. FG hestitates but we agree we have to go see if he's ok. He's at the base of a short set of stairs that can be treacherous sometimes - especially if you are drunk, wearing flip flops and shorts (it was about 45 degrees - dumbass). The guy says "Yeah, I'm good" and starts to get up. FG says, "No, stay here we'll call you a cab." thinking "Like hell I'm letting you get in a car and drive down this highway that lots of my friends and family drive on!" Then he notices the blood. The guy's head is bleeding like crazy and he was laying a big puddle. So I rush into the restaurant and tell the dimwit girl at the hostess stand that there's a guy bleeding in the parking lot and we need and ambulance.
Fire dept and ambulance shows up, FG tells them everything we know and helps them out then we go in and decide we need a good drink! Then dimwit girl crosses our name off the wait list for a table in some sort of confusion. We wait and wait. This a little local place but popular and cozy. I go ask again they finally seat us right away.
Then, there's another embarassing personal story involving sex and a lost condom but like I mentioned in an earlier post, I don't want to give too many details about stuff when it involves FG. Let's just say that's never ever happened to us and it just added to our freaky day!
Oh, we spent Sunday morning cleaning the carpets. We were a bit exhausted mentally on Saturday night and went to sleep early!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Weekly Menu Plan!
Here's the menu for this week. It's probably going to change because DD is getting her tonsils & adenoids out on Wednesday morning. I have to have her at the hospital at 6 am so I'm not sure how much I'll feel up to cooking on Wednesday evening. Not to mention my #1 priority will be taking care of her. My family won't starve but they probably won't eat great homemade meals all week either. :(
Sunday: Baked fish, roasted red potatoes, roasted squash - plan for last Wednesday and we ended up going having to go out to dinner with some of FG's clients.
Monday: Beef Fajitas, rice
Tuesday: Baked chicken strips, noodles, veggies
Wednesday: Sweet & sour pork over rice.
Thursday: FG works, whatever I find to feel DS - probably frozen pizza
Friday: Pizza or take out
Saturday: FG is gone to a dinner so whatever DS and I find to eat.
Sorry, not a great menu plan for the week! But it's about all I can promise for now! I'm conserving energy for cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner next week anyway. :)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Another busy day!
Fridays I usually clean. So I have to clean today. I also have to make sure the house is presentable for company as I am having a jewelry party tonight. I don't have many coming but that's ok. I did it to help out my friend who is just starting out with this business. It's Silpada in case you don't know it. Anyway, thankfully I already have a big pan of ziti made and I bought bagged salad. Damn, I can't forget to make the bread!! I'm making this for dessert. It's a recipe my grandma used to make and my mom loves. I have been craving it and I happen to have some yummy, beautiful fresh raspberries to garnish it with!
Raspberry Dream Torte
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
10 ounces raspberries, frozen
1 1/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup butter -- melted
3/4 cup butter
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
whipped cream
Defrost raspberries.
Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and 1/4 cup melted butter. Press into bottom of spring-form pan.
Cream remaining butter and powdered sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Beating well after each addition.
Blend in extracts.
Spread over crumb layer.
Chill until firm.
Combine sugar, cornstarch and raspberries. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and clear. Cool.
Pour raspberry filling over torte.
Refrigerate several hours.
Garnish with rosettes of whipped cream before serving.
So I need to clean, make this somewhat complicated dessert (only because it has so many steps and waiting in between), pick up the kids from school - at two different schools with in 10 minutes of each other's dismissal!, rush DS to get a haircut, find the yummy recipe for onion dip I saw awhile back and make that, make the bread, toss the salad and I wanted to make a dressing for it too, try to get medicine in the cat - oh yeah, that's a treat & 1/2!, chill water/beer/soda for my guests, figure out which wine I want to open and change my clothes to be pretty and presentable for my friends! So busy day again. I just hope the kids, mainly DS, are well behaved today. If DS is a little shit again I won't see the whites of his eyes for the rest of the day. He can stay in his room and pout. Oh yeah, FG isn't much help (here's my "my husband is an ass" moment) because he's playing golf. When I asked him yesterday he said he didn't have much going on today. I called to see if he could pick up DS and he hestitates and does his "annoyed" noise. Yeah, thanks pal. This is three times in a row I've asked for your help when you told me you didn't have much going on and you've turned out to schedule golf. Yes, I AM keeping score.
Raspberry Dream Torte
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
10 ounces raspberries, frozen
1 1/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup butter -- melted
3/4 cup butter
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
whipped cream
Defrost raspberries.
Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and 1/4 cup melted butter. Press into bottom of spring-form pan.
Cream remaining butter and powdered sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Beating well after each addition.
Blend in extracts.
Spread over crumb layer.
Chill until firm.
Combine sugar, cornstarch and raspberries. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and clear. Cool.
Pour raspberry filling over torte.
Refrigerate several hours.
Garnish with rosettes of whipped cream before serving.
So I need to clean, make this somewhat complicated dessert (only because it has so many steps and waiting in between), pick up the kids from school - at two different schools with in 10 minutes of each other's dismissal!, rush DS to get a haircut, find the yummy recipe for onion dip I saw awhile back and make that, make the bread, toss the salad and I wanted to make a dressing for it too, try to get medicine in the cat - oh yeah, that's a treat & 1/2!, chill water/beer/soda for my guests, figure out which wine I want to open and change my clothes to be pretty and presentable for my friends! So busy day again. I just hope the kids, mainly DS, are well behaved today. If DS is a little shit again I won't see the whites of his eyes for the rest of the day. He can stay in his room and pout. Oh yeah, FG isn't much help (here's my "my husband is an ass" moment) because he's playing golf. When I asked him yesterday he said he didn't have much going on today. I called to see if he could pick up DS and he hestitates and does his "annoyed" noise. Yeah, thanks pal. This is three times in a row I've asked for your help when you told me you didn't have much going on and you've turned out to schedule golf. Yes, I AM keeping score.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Busy bad day
Today:
Sick kitty - went to the vet. She's home and ok but on meds with still no solid answers as to what is exactly wrong with her.
New playgroup for DD - went well. Nice ladies. Normal with normal kids (meaning I couldn't see any major little hurricanes in the group that I wouldn't want in my house.)
Parent/Teacher conference - GREAT! Glowing reviews from the teacher! DS is doing awesome!
Birthday Party - DS was a complete and utter shit and embarassed me to no end. I am at my wits end with how he acted. Sent him to bed, without me reading to him, at 7 pm. He told me I hurt his feelings, I told him when he is the way he was today people don't like to be around people like that so he should just be alone and think about it. He cried. I didn't feel ONE BIT of guilt. He made his choice, he has to live with it and hopefully he'll think about that the next time he is faced with a choice like today. I'm wondering WHEN he is going to realize the world does NOT revolve around him and yes he IS important but that doesn't mean others are not important and he always gets his way.
DD was fine but came home very tired. Read her stories and she was asleep by 7:45.
I need a drink.
Sick kitty - went to the vet. She's home and ok but on meds with still no solid answers as to what is exactly wrong with her.
New playgroup for DD - went well. Nice ladies. Normal with normal kids (meaning I couldn't see any major little hurricanes in the group that I wouldn't want in my house.)
Parent/Teacher conference - GREAT! Glowing reviews from the teacher! DS is doing awesome!
Birthday Party - DS was a complete and utter shit and embarassed me to no end. I am at my wits end with how he acted. Sent him to bed, without me reading to him, at 7 pm. He told me I hurt his feelings, I told him when he is the way he was today people don't like to be around people like that so he should just be alone and think about it. He cried. I didn't feel ONE BIT of guilt. He made his choice, he has to live with it and hopefully he'll think about that the next time he is faced with a choice like today. I'm wondering WHEN he is going to realize the world does NOT revolve around him and yes he IS important but that doesn't mean others are not important and he always gets his way.
DD was fine but came home very tired. Read her stories and she was asleep by 7:45.
I need a drink.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Recipes by request!
Ok, Madre Adoptiva asked me to list my recipes from my MPM. Which, btw, comes from www.orgjunkie.com :)
Chicken Picatta
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 boned and skinned chicken breast halves
1 egg
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 cup boiling water
Beat egg with 1 T. lemon juice. Mix flour, garlic and paprika. Coat chicken in egg then in flour mixture. In skillet, melt margarine and brown chicken. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water and add 2T. lemon juice. Pour liquid into skillet, cover & simmer for 20 minutes. Turn chicken after 10 minutes.
Parmesan Couscous
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 can chicken broth
3/4 cup couscous
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; stir in couscous. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in cheese and parsley.
The Shrimp in cream sauce is pretty much made up.
I take 1 tablespoon of butter and a drizzle of olive oil. Heat it in a skillet and add some pressed or jarred garlic. Saute for a bit careful not to burn. Add a couple of tablespoons of flour. Add 1 cup chicken broth and whisk. Whisk in 1 cup of heavy cream and add cleaned shrimp. Then add 1/2 package of frozen spinach that has been wrung dry - breaking it up as I add it. Simmer but don't boil for a few mintues until shrimp is cooked. Add a few handfuls of grated parmesean cheese, salt and pepper to taste. You can add nutmeg if you like too. Simmer a few mintues longer, stirring the cheese in. Serve over noodles.
Soup and grilled cheese is my slacker mom soup of open a can, pour into pan, heat, serve. :)
I bake fish fillets dipped in a bit of egg/milk and then into Panko or bread crumbs with whatever seasoning I dump in. Roasted red potatoes I just cube up washed red potatoes, toss with olive oil, seasonings and some parsley. Bake in a 400 degree oven until they are tender on the inside and a bit crispy on the outside.
Baked Ziti is a stand-by. It's for my Silpada jewelry party on Friday. All I have to do is defrost the one I made a couple of weeks ago and bake it!
Enjoy!!!
Chicken Picatta
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 boned and skinned chicken breast halves
1 egg
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 chicken bouillon cube
1/2 cup boiling water
Beat egg with 1 T. lemon juice. Mix flour, garlic and paprika. Coat chicken in egg then in flour mixture. In skillet, melt margarine and brown chicken. Dissolve bouillon in boiling water and add 2T. lemon juice. Pour liquid into skillet, cover & simmer for 20 minutes. Turn chicken after 10 minutes.
Parmesan Couscous
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 can chicken broth
3/4 cup couscous
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; stir in couscous. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in cheese and parsley.
The Shrimp in cream sauce is pretty much made up.
I take 1 tablespoon of butter and a drizzle of olive oil. Heat it in a skillet and add some pressed or jarred garlic. Saute for a bit careful not to burn. Add a couple of tablespoons of flour. Add 1 cup chicken broth and whisk. Whisk in 1 cup of heavy cream and add cleaned shrimp. Then add 1/2 package of frozen spinach that has been wrung dry - breaking it up as I add it. Simmer but don't boil for a few mintues until shrimp is cooked. Add a few handfuls of grated parmesean cheese, salt and pepper to taste. You can add nutmeg if you like too. Simmer a few mintues longer, stirring the cheese in. Serve over noodles.
Soup and grilled cheese is my slacker mom soup of open a can, pour into pan, heat, serve. :)
I bake fish fillets dipped in a bit of egg/milk and then into Panko or bread crumbs with whatever seasoning I dump in. Roasted red potatoes I just cube up washed red potatoes, toss with olive oil, seasonings and some parsley. Bake in a 400 degree oven until they are tender on the inside and a bit crispy on the outside.
Baked Ziti is a stand-by. It's for my Silpada jewelry party on Friday. All I have to do is defrost the one I made a couple of weeks ago and bake it!
Enjoy!!!
Monday, November 05, 2007
oh la la!
Let's talk about sex. Oh no! Yes, I SAID IT. Most of my good friends are mothers/parents so it's quite obvious they have HAD SEX at least once. Why is is that some are so afraid to admit it or talk about it?
I'm not. Ask me anything and I'll probably give you an answer as long as it doesn't embarass FG. I do have to respect his privacy because while I can talk about me and that's my own issue, I can't very well breach the respect boundary for him. But yeah, it generally involves him!
I love a good romp in the sheets (or the shower, or bathroom vanity, or stairs, or couch....). I get pretty pouty when I don't get one. I wasn't always that way but having kids had a GOOD affect on me in that it seemed to put my hormones in overdrive. Well, I do have to say that part of that is the fact I stopped taking the Pill. Oh man did that mess with me. Once I let my body do it's own thing, that's kind of all my body wanted to do. So going off the Pill was really good for our sex life.
I find that we have a better relationship when we're gettin' some too. And having been together for so long now (yikes over 15 years - ey yi yi, when did I get old?) we have learned a lot about each other and learned to get creative. One thing having kids did do to me is make me less sensative so it takes a lot more help to get to the Big O, or in my personal prefernce, many of the Big O's. So toys are present in the bedroom in a discreet box that hopefully my kids will never venture to look in. (Don't worry, as they get older I will hide it someplace than under the bed and most likely lock it but then I worry a lock will simply peak more curiosity!) Toys are not always present in the bed but I seem to know when I need a bit of extra help along the way. Thankfully, FG is ok with it because he seems to understand. Or he's just figured out that I'm even more crabby if I am left hanging on the edge than if I'm not getting any at all! I don't know. I don't ask because it's working for us at the moment.
I do hope that this continues until we are old and it grosses even us out. I love to feel close to him and a few Big O's aren't bad either!
I'm not. Ask me anything and I'll probably give you an answer as long as it doesn't embarass FG. I do have to respect his privacy because while I can talk about me and that's my own issue, I can't very well breach the respect boundary for him. But yeah, it generally involves him!
I love a good romp in the sheets (or the shower, or bathroom vanity, or stairs, or couch....). I get pretty pouty when I don't get one. I wasn't always that way but having kids had a GOOD affect on me in that it seemed to put my hormones in overdrive. Well, I do have to say that part of that is the fact I stopped taking the Pill. Oh man did that mess with me. Once I let my body do it's own thing, that's kind of all my body wanted to do. So going off the Pill was really good for our sex life.
I find that we have a better relationship when we're gettin' some too. And having been together for so long now (yikes over 15 years - ey yi yi, when did I get old?) we have learned a lot about each other and learned to get creative. One thing having kids did do to me is make me less sensative so it takes a lot more help to get to the Big O, or in my personal prefernce, many of the Big O's. So toys are present in the bedroom in a discreet box that hopefully my kids will never venture to look in. (Don't worry, as they get older I will hide it someplace than under the bed and most likely lock it but then I worry a lock will simply peak more curiosity!) Toys are not always present in the bed but I seem to know when I need a bit of extra help along the way. Thankfully, FG is ok with it because he seems to understand. Or he's just figured out that I'm even more crabby if I am left hanging on the edge than if I'm not getting any at all! I don't know. I don't ask because it's working for us at the moment.
I do hope that this continues until we are old and it grosses even us out. I love to feel close to him and a few Big O's aren't bad either!
Breaking up... with a friend.
ARRRRRGGGHHH!!! I have too many things running around my head at the moment. I need to get some of it out so I will probably have a few posts today to clear my head.
First of the day...
I have this person in my life who I used to consider a friend. As I get older I realize that the gift of friendship is precious. I need to give a part of myself to my friends and need to know that they graciously accept it and treasure it. Vice Versa. FG and I don't have a large amount of truly close friends. But, as we get older, grow together and our lives go through different stages we have a great close knit few groups. We are picky too. Our time and children are precious. We want to surround our children with people who love them like extended family, we want to spend time with people who love and respect us as ourselves. I would, and do, trust the lives of my children with our friends. They are people we could call in the middle of the night or an emergency at any time and they would help.
Back to this person in my life. I know she doesn't "get" it. I know she just probably thinks I'm the biggest bitch. I'm not even bothering to tell her the reasons I pulled back from her. I've learned in my past experiences that it does no good unless the person really wants to know and make a change. I don't think this person is even CLOSE to that revelation. FG and I had some experiences in the past that taught us about give and take. We had some friends who constantly took from us but when it was time to give, it wasn't happening. We felt bad, used and unliked. That's how I realized one day things were going with this person. She called me when she needed something - a void to fill, advice from a parent with an older child, to tag along on something I had planned, a contact to reach more people, a client to buy whatever At-Home product she was selling at the moment... FG took her DH golfing a few times, we invited them to dinner, to stay with us at our family cabin etc. She would tell me about girl's nights out with other people, having people over to their house etc. I slowly started to realize I was being used. She didn't invite me or us but it's not like she didn't invite ANYONE - she was telling me about things that she did and could have included me in.
So I stopped calling her altogether. She certainly didn't pick up the phone and call either. I'm sure she probably wondered why I stopped contact. Then one day, she called me and I didn't answer. She left a message asking if I was still regularly getting together with a group of moms. I thought, like an idiot, that maybe I had read her wrong and it probably took a lot to call me like that after so long. UNTIL I did talk to her again. Then I find out she's selling some new product. I realized, again, I was being used. She didn't really want to talk to ME, she wanted to get back "in" with some of my friends. Yeah, those same friends who DO call to talk to me, invite my family to gatherings, are shoulders for me to cry on or arms to wrap around me in an excited hug. So not only was she using me, she was going to use people dear to me. She had previously had contact with these same friends but did she ever call them, invite them over either? Nope.
Now I see her regularly and we are civil. Again, I'm sure she thinks I'm a complete bitch and I don't really care anymore. I am friendly and say hello, ask her how she is etc. I get quite the 'tude from her though. What's funny, is another dear friend of mine was at a "thing" with her and said, "Gosh, she seems really snobbish now." Yup. With NO reason either. But oh well, she's pretty much out of my life and now that leaves more time and effort for true friends. This is a lesson I wish I would have learned a lot earlier in my life and I do hope my children can learn from my examples of the people we surround ourselves with. The people worth the effort.
First of the day...
I have this person in my life who I used to consider a friend. As I get older I realize that the gift of friendship is precious. I need to give a part of myself to my friends and need to know that they graciously accept it and treasure it. Vice Versa. FG and I don't have a large amount of truly close friends. But, as we get older, grow together and our lives go through different stages we have a great close knit few groups. We are picky too. Our time and children are precious. We want to surround our children with people who love them like extended family, we want to spend time with people who love and respect us as ourselves. I would, and do, trust the lives of my children with our friends. They are people we could call in the middle of the night or an emergency at any time and they would help.
Back to this person in my life. I know she doesn't "get" it. I know she just probably thinks I'm the biggest bitch. I'm not even bothering to tell her the reasons I pulled back from her. I've learned in my past experiences that it does no good unless the person really wants to know and make a change. I don't think this person is even CLOSE to that revelation. FG and I had some experiences in the past that taught us about give and take. We had some friends who constantly took from us but when it was time to give, it wasn't happening. We felt bad, used and unliked. That's how I realized one day things were going with this person. She called me when she needed something - a void to fill, advice from a parent with an older child, to tag along on something I had planned, a contact to reach more people, a client to buy whatever At-Home product she was selling at the moment... FG took her DH golfing a few times, we invited them to dinner, to stay with us at our family cabin etc. She would tell me about girl's nights out with other people, having people over to their house etc. I slowly started to realize I was being used. She didn't invite me or us but it's not like she didn't invite ANYONE - she was telling me about things that she did and could have included me in.
So I stopped calling her altogether. She certainly didn't pick up the phone and call either. I'm sure she probably wondered why I stopped contact. Then one day, she called me and I didn't answer. She left a message asking if I was still regularly getting together with a group of moms. I thought, like an idiot, that maybe I had read her wrong and it probably took a lot to call me like that after so long. UNTIL I did talk to her again. Then I find out she's selling some new product. I realized, again, I was being used. She didn't really want to talk to ME, she wanted to get back "in" with some of my friends. Yeah, those same friends who DO call to talk to me, invite my family to gatherings, are shoulders for me to cry on or arms to wrap around me in an excited hug. So not only was she using me, she was going to use people dear to me. She had previously had contact with these same friends but did she ever call them, invite them over either? Nope.
Now I see her regularly and we are civil. Again, I'm sure she thinks I'm a complete bitch and I don't really care anymore. I am friendly and say hello, ask her how she is etc. I get quite the 'tude from her though. What's funny, is another dear friend of mine was at a "thing" with her and said, "Gosh, she seems really snobbish now." Yup. With NO reason either. But oh well, she's pretty much out of my life and now that leaves more time and effort for true friends. This is a lesson I wish I would have learned a lot earlier in my life and I do hope my children can learn from my examples of the people we surround ourselves with. The people worth the effort.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
My first published Menu Plan :)
- Ok, I'm a newbie at sharing this but I've been writing it on a whiteboard on my fridge for YEARS. Just ask my friend Madre Adoptiva as she has seen it on my fridge in years past. When I'm good about it, I'm good about it. When I forget, the kids eat a lot of chicken nuggets and frozen pizza.
So here's my plan for this week. I start my weekly planning on Sunday usually as I generally make a large Sunday dinner. By the end of the week, I'm wiped out and not all that much in the mood to cook anymore. Plus Friday and Saturday are generally busy days and we either have friends over, go to friend's houses, eat out, have a football/basketball game to go to.... you get the idea. It's unpredictable and hard to plan out at the beginning of the week. Here goes!
- Sunday: French Onion Soup, Chicken Picatta, Parmesean Cous Cous, Veggies
- Monday: Shrimp in cream sauce w/ spinach served over noodles.
- Tuesday: Soup and Grilled Cheese
- Wednesday: Baked Fish, Roasted Red Potatoes, Roasted Squash
- Thursday: FG works so it's usually a very kid-friendly meal
- Friday: Baked Ziti, Sweet French Bread, Salad
- Saturday: Out with Friends
The french onion soup is simmering on the stove now and I can't wait to eat a big bowl! I tried a new recipe and it already tastes soooo good! I can't wait to get some toasted cheesy bread on it. mmmmmmmmmm
Friday, November 02, 2007
Proud Mama
DS brought home his first 1st grade report card today. He did well! They don't give actual grades just O, S, I. He got all S or S+! And they had their school Spell-a-thon today. We've been working hard practicing the words on the list and I am proud to say our hard work paid off. He got all 30 of them correct!
Some of you know I had my little guy tested right after he turned 4. His preschool teacher recommended it because he was getting into a bit more trouble in school than usual. Not bad trouble, just trouble with things like playing with the art drying rack and turning it into a spaceship - that kind of trouble. He's always been a fairly impressive kid to talk to but he had these ladies in the testing lab blown away. Of course, they got Mom all worked up telling me how intelligent he is and how we should look into private school or at the very least Gifted and Talented programs through the school district. So that stuff has always been at the back of my head. Then he started school and I'm not sure if it's him or the school system but he's much more of a "typical student" now. He's still very smart but I don't think he's necessarily the smartest in his classes. He's definitely intelligent but I'm not positive it's all book smart intelligence. He's got some social issues that he needs to work on and I have a feeling those interfere with him being a complete standout on the grading scale - if that makes sense. For me, it's something I have to change my thinking on. I had to stop thinking of him as this little genius who is smarter than most other kids. Every parent thinks their child is the best, I'm no exception. I still have very high standards for him and expectations thatI know he can reach but I also learned to let him just be a regular kid too. I still challenge the heck out of him at home and go beyond what he is learning at school. But I just think he takes after his daddy a bit in that school work isn't the most important thing to him. He's got a whole world going on in his own head and doesn't always want to be bothered by reading a book or learning how to subtract numbers (though he is doing excellent at math - it's just a concept that is easy for him and he didn't get that from ME!).
It will be interesting to see this journey of his. As his parent I have the responsibilty to foster the best in him and figure out the best way to do that. As his parent I also get a front row seat in his life to watch this wonderful performance!
Oh, he doesn't seem phased by the good job he did. He's not asking for any special treatment or extras. I told him I'm proud of him and asked him if he wanted to do something special like go out to dinner. He said sure, and named his favorite local pizza place. That's not unusual though, he asks to go almost every week. I have a feeling he would be acting excatly the same way if he had gotten a bad report card too. It just doesn't matter that much to him, which blows ME away because it always mattered to me. And he's pretty competative always wanting to "win the game" but I guess to him, school work isn't in the same league as Domino's, Go Fish, Crazy Eights or Uno.
Some of you know I had my little guy tested right after he turned 4. His preschool teacher recommended it because he was getting into a bit more trouble in school than usual. Not bad trouble, just trouble with things like playing with the art drying rack and turning it into a spaceship - that kind of trouble. He's always been a fairly impressive kid to talk to but he had these ladies in the testing lab blown away. Of course, they got Mom all worked up telling me how intelligent he is and how we should look into private school or at the very least Gifted and Talented programs through the school district. So that stuff has always been at the back of my head. Then he started school and I'm not sure if it's him or the school system but he's much more of a "typical student" now. He's still very smart but I don't think he's necessarily the smartest in his classes. He's definitely intelligent but I'm not positive it's all book smart intelligence. He's got some social issues that he needs to work on and I have a feeling those interfere with him being a complete standout on the grading scale - if that makes sense. For me, it's something I have to change my thinking on. I had to stop thinking of him as this little genius who is smarter than most other kids. Every parent thinks their child is the best, I'm no exception. I still have very high standards for him and expectations thatI know he can reach but I also learned to let him just be a regular kid too. I still challenge the heck out of him at home and go beyond what he is learning at school. But I just think he takes after his daddy a bit in that school work isn't the most important thing to him. He's got a whole world going on in his own head and doesn't always want to be bothered by reading a book or learning how to subtract numbers (though he is doing excellent at math - it's just a concept that is easy for him and he didn't get that from ME!).
It will be interesting to see this journey of his. As his parent I have the responsibilty to foster the best in him and figure out the best way to do that. As his parent I also get a front row seat in his life to watch this wonderful performance!
Oh, he doesn't seem phased by the good job he did. He's not asking for any special treatment or extras. I told him I'm proud of him and asked him if he wanted to do something special like go out to dinner. He said sure, and named his favorite local pizza place. That's not unusual though, he asks to go almost every week. I have a feeling he would be acting excatly the same way if he had gotten a bad report card too. It just doesn't matter that much to him, which blows ME away because it always mattered to me. And he's pretty competative always wanting to "win the game" but I guess to him, school work isn't in the same league as Domino's, Go Fish, Crazy Eights or Uno.
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