Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Recipes and Advertising
For those who were wondering, I get a lot of my recipes (or ideas for recipes) from Photina and her blog "Whats Cooking at Our House"
She has contributed to my biweekly meal plans more than once, and I have yet to find something listed that my family won't eat.
Hope you don't mind my shameless advertising P!
I'm off to hunt down my lasagna recipe, so stay tuned. Will update this post when I find it. Its somewhere on this mess I call my workspace
She has contributed to my biweekly meal plans more than once, and I have yet to find something listed that my family won't eat.
Hope you don't mind my shameless advertising P!
I'm off to hunt down my lasagna recipe, so stay tuned. Will update this post when I find it. Its somewhere on this mess I call my workspace
Friday, November 26, 2010
Pumpkin Muffins :)
Ingredients:
1.5 c flour
1t baking powder
1c canned pumpkin
1/3c veg oil
2 large eggs
1t pumpkin pie spice
1.25c sugar
1/2t baking soda
1/2t salt
1t cinnamon
Mix flour and baking powder in a small bowl. Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the flour/baking soda into the other ingredients, stirring until just combined. Pour into greased muffin tins (or paper cups) and bake @ 350* for 25-30 minutes. Top with cinnamon and sugar or frosting of your choice (picture shows a modified cream cheese frosting)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Today's projects
I have a strong urge to completely sanitize this house. Sean is battling a cold right now, Liam was sick a couple of weeks ago, and of course there's the constant nagging in the back of my head that its never clean or good enough (no matter how many times he says it is). So hopefully I can find some peace in a sparkly clean house today.
I'm hoping that the mail is friendly today, and that both my SBX gift card (love Swagbucks!) and Sean's anniversary gift make their way here. I owe Melynda a giant latte, and my wedding anniversary is on the first. Not a whole lot of time Mr. Mailman!!
I'm hoping that the mail is friendly today, and that both my SBX gift card (love Swagbucks!) and Sean's anniversary gift make their way here. I owe Melynda a giant latte, and my wedding anniversary is on the first. Not a whole lot of time Mr. Mailman!!
30DOM:7
A photo that makes you happy
Going to make me choose? Harsh!
Well, here's a couple that some of you may have never seen before. Part of my super secret project that everyone will see very very soon!
Going to make me choose? Harsh!
Well, here's a couple that some of you may have never seen before. Part of my super secret project that everyone will see very very soon!
and of course, this phenomenal shot from Liam's birthday party <3
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Homemade Granola Bars
A word of caution... they're still in the oven. Haven't tried them yet, though the batter/dough tasted pretty good =D
I made 3 different types, some with raisins, some with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and some with slivered almonds. Here's the basic recipe for all three:
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
Liquids:
1/2 cup honey
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 veggie oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350* and generously grease a 9 x 13 pan
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Create a well in the middle, and add the wet ingredients. Mix well with hands and then pat evenly into the greased pan.
Options:
I made 3 types of bars all in the same pan at one time. I used 1/2 cup chocolate and peanut butter chips for 1/3 of the pan, 1/2 cup raisins for the second 1/3 of the pan, and just under a 1/2 cup slivered almonds for the last 1/3. I spread them on top of the bar mixture, and so far it looks pretty good!
If you want all one flavor (and mixed in) simply use 3/4 cup of raisins/chips/almonds and mix in before spreading into pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the bars begin to turn golden brown on the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut while still warm. DO NOT wait until fully cooled, or they will be too hard to cut.
Makes 24 bars =)
Calories for how I made them:
Chocolate and peanut butter chip bars = 142 c each
Raisin bars = 128 c each
almond bars = 137 c each
I made 3 different types, some with raisins, some with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and some with slivered almonds. Here's the basic recipe for all three:
Dry Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat germ
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
Liquids:
1/2 cup honey
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 veggie oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350* and generously grease a 9 x 13 pan
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Create a well in the middle, and add the wet ingredients. Mix well with hands and then pat evenly into the greased pan.
Options:
I made 3 types of bars all in the same pan at one time. I used 1/2 cup chocolate and peanut butter chips for 1/3 of the pan, 1/2 cup raisins for the second 1/3 of the pan, and just under a 1/2 cup slivered almonds for the last 1/3. I spread them on top of the bar mixture, and so far it looks pretty good!
If you want all one flavor (and mixed in) simply use 3/4 cup of raisins/chips/almonds and mix in before spreading into pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the bars begin to turn golden brown on the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut while still warm. DO NOT wait until fully cooled, or they will be too hard to cut.
Makes 24 bars =)
Calories for how I made them:
Chocolate and peanut butter chip bars = 142 c each
Raisin bars = 128 c each
almond bars = 137 c each
30DOM:6
Day 6 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy
I started this entry days ago. Sadly I only got as far as the title and the "Day 6-...". A perfect example of my lack of concentration!
The thing that "tickles my fancy" today, is actually a news report that we watched last night on China, and how economically they are set to pass up the US, and how they already surpass us in early education. Did you know that Chinese students are learning English at the age of 2? That at 10 they are fluent? No offense to any teachers out there, but our education system just isn't cutting it! What do most American 2 year olds know best? Yo Gabba Gabba and Spongebob. Oh, and lets not forget Dora! Lets be honest here. We're doing our country a great disservice, and it all starts with our kids.
After watching this segment and having a long heart to heart with my husband, we've come to the conclusion that we will not be sheep and allow our children to follow that same path. We want our kids to have better than we did as children. Better than we have now. Not easier, but better. My list for Santa this year is to bring Liam some preschool books, blocks, counters, and other various things. For me? The Spanish program that I took in middle school. I was darn near fluent, and I intend to pick it back up and then teach my children. When they are in middle school and high school, they can work on becoming trilingual while everyone else is just starting with a second language.
Don't get me wrong, we want our children to enjoy their childhood. Kids grow up fast enough as it is, but they are growing up in the wrong ways. Violence and sexuality are being learned so early on. Five year olds threatening to kill other children over a box of cereal! Parents, this is our fault. And its our job to pull them back in. Its our job to raise them right, and give them the positive opportunities that will help them in the future; in turn bringing our country back from the brink.
I could go on and on and on, but I haven't had my coffee yet, and I'm already struggling to form coherent thoughts let alone write them out for you to follow along. I can guarantee that there will be more on this in the future.
I started this entry days ago. Sadly I only got as far as the title and the "Day 6-...". A perfect example of my lack of concentration!
The thing that "tickles my fancy" today, is actually a news report that we watched last night on China, and how economically they are set to pass up the US, and how they already surpass us in early education. Did you know that Chinese students are learning English at the age of 2? That at 10 they are fluent? No offense to any teachers out there, but our education system just isn't cutting it! What do most American 2 year olds know best? Yo Gabba Gabba and Spongebob. Oh, and lets not forget Dora! Lets be honest here. We're doing our country a great disservice, and it all starts with our kids.
After watching this segment and having a long heart to heart with my husband, we've come to the conclusion that we will not be sheep and allow our children to follow that same path. We want our kids to have better than we did as children. Better than we have now. Not easier, but better. My list for Santa this year is to bring Liam some preschool books, blocks, counters, and other various things. For me? The Spanish program that I took in middle school. I was darn near fluent, and I intend to pick it back up and then teach my children. When they are in middle school and high school, they can work on becoming trilingual while everyone else is just starting with a second language.
Don't get me wrong, we want our children to enjoy their childhood. Kids grow up fast enough as it is, but they are growing up in the wrong ways. Violence and sexuality are being learned so early on. Five year olds threatening to kill other children over a box of cereal! Parents, this is our fault. And its our job to pull them back in. Its our job to raise them right, and give them the positive opportunities that will help them in the future; in turn bringing our country back from the brink.
I could go on and on and on, but I haven't had my coffee yet, and I'm already struggling to form coherent thoughts let alone write them out for you to follow along. I can guarantee that there will be more on this in the future.
Friday, November 12, 2010
30DOM:5
Day 05 - your favorite quote
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
I have a lot of favorite quotes, but this is the one on my FB at the moment. People seem to just want the easy way out of things, and they don't want anything to do with something that resembles work. I can understand being smart and not doing everything the hard way, but mostly it seems like people are just lazy.
~ to be finished later ~
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
I have a lot of favorite quotes, but this is the one on my FB at the moment. People seem to just want the easy way out of things, and they don't want anything to do with something that resembles work. I can understand being smart and not doing everything the hard way, but mostly it seems like people are just lazy.
~ to be finished later ~
Thursday, November 11, 2010
30DOM:4
Day 04 - your favorite book
I think my all time favorite is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I've had my own struggles with faith, this book sort of personifies that for me. I've come to accept that my beliefs don't fit with any one structured faith. I'm a Catholic without the pomp and grandeur. A Christian without being evangelical. What can I say, I'm complicated!
I think my all time favorite is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I've had my own struggles with faith, this book sort of personifies that for me. I've come to accept that my beliefs don't fit with any one structured faith. I'm a Catholic without the pomp and grandeur. A Christian without being evangelical. What can I say, I'm complicated!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Step away from the cleaning supplies!
Ok, yes I've turned into somewhat of a clean freak. Somewhat! I haven't jumped off the edge of sanity into the land of Monk and his OCD. Not yet anyways =D
I spend way too much money on cleaning supplies however, and since I use them so often I was very happy when Jessica shared her recipe for a homemade cleaning solution. And yes, it does work quite well.
Mix together:
Oh and if you have a bug phobia like I do, it seems to deter the cockroaches. Worth its weight in gold just for that factor alone!
I have yet to use essential oils, but since I like the smell of tea tree oil (it smells clean to me) I'm in no rush to find it and buy it. The TT oil was $8 at walmart for a small jar, but a little goes a long way.
My next project is to perfect homemade laundry detergent. I may be a SAHM with no income of my own at the moment, but I refuse to be less than productive and I'll save money every chance I get. It makes me feel better and soothes my income lacking soul.
I spend way too much money on cleaning supplies however, and since I use them so often I was very happy when Jessica shared her recipe for a homemade cleaning solution. And yes, it does work quite well.
Mix together:
Half vinegar
Half water
Tea tree oil until you can smell it
Essential oil opt
One pump hand soap
Oh and if you have a bug phobia like I do, it seems to deter the cockroaches. Worth its weight in gold just for that factor alone!
I have yet to use essential oils, but since I like the smell of tea tree oil (it smells clean to me) I'm in no rush to find it and buy it. The TT oil was $8 at walmart for a small jar, but a little goes a long way.
My next project is to perfect homemade laundry detergent. I may be a SAHM with no income of my own at the moment, but I refuse to be less than productive and I'll save money every chance I get. It makes me feel better and soothes my income lacking soul.
30DOM:3
Favorite TV Show...
My favorite non-kid's show would have to be Reba. Even though my kids are still very young, I've always been able to relate on some level to her character. Maybe its the thinly veiled sarcasm that is present in every episode? Or maybe its how she gives everything to everyone but still maintains her wit and personality. I sort of look up to the fictional Reba, except for you know, the whole divorced-mother-of-a-teenage-mom-who-lives-in-her-house-with-her-teenage-husband-and-daughter thing. Oh and the ex-husband's mistress turned wife thing. Not in my house sister!
Sean watches it with me sometimes (yes I do have a few seasons on DVD =D) and he'll start randomly laughing and saying that he sees me doing the same things or saying the same things in the future. I sometimes wonder if thats a good thing or not.... haha!
My favorite non-kid's show would have to be Reba. Even though my kids are still very young, I've always been able to relate on some level to her character. Maybe its the thinly veiled sarcasm that is present in every episode? Or maybe its how she gives everything to everyone but still maintains her wit and personality. I sort of look up to the fictional Reba, except for you know, the whole divorced-mother-of-a-teenage-mom-who-lives-in-her-house-with-her-teenage-husband-and-daughter thing. Oh and the ex-husband's mistress turned wife thing. Not in my house sister!
Sean watches it with me sometimes (yes I do have a few seasons on DVD =D) and he'll start randomly laughing and saying that he sees me doing the same things or saying the same things in the future. I sometimes wonder if thats a good thing or not.... haha!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
30DOM:2
Favorite Movie? Do I have one of those anymore? Hmmmm....it used to be The 5th Element with Bruce Willis, but I guess I've moved on. I love the original Karate Kid and the 3 Ninjas, various musicals (Rent anyone?), and the occasional chick flick. "Its Complicated" was cute, but I wouldn't classify any of those as my favorite. Guess I don't watch enough TV anymore.
To days of inspiration,
Playing hookey, making something
Out of nothing, the need
To express-
To communicate,
To going against the grain,
Going insane,
Going mad
To loving tension, no pension
To more than one dimension,
To starving for attention,
Hating convention, hating pretension,
Not to mention of course,
Hating dear old mom and dad
To riding your bike
Midday past the three piece suits-
To fruits- To no absolutes-
To Absolut- To choice-
To the Village Voice-
To any passing fad
To being an us- For once-
Instead of a them-
La Vie Boheme
La Vie Boheme
It goes by too quickly!
Time flies and it needs to slow down. Now. I insist!
Seriously though, where has the last two years gone? I remember that night in the hospital, hooked up to all those silly machines like it was yesterday. I remember the smell of the hospital, of brand new baby (something that was noticeably missing when B was born - I have no idea why). And now my tiny baby is no longer :( He's a big boy (literally and figuratively) who is learning how to count and say his alphabet. He's a big boy who feeds himself, undresses himself (we're working on getting dressed, but he'd much rather be naked), and uses the potty. He's a big boy who's learning how to use Daddy's tools and catches bugs to bring to mommy. I'm afraid if I blink he's going to be the big boy who is driving away to college. The big boy who is at the altar waiting for his bride, the future mother of my grandkids.
Holy wow I've gotten ahead of myself. Here's some pictures of my big boy. I'm going to go enjoy watching him color on Handy Manny and try to forget the images of him being all grown up.
Seriously though, where has the last two years gone? I remember that night in the hospital, hooked up to all those silly machines like it was yesterday. I remember the smell of the hospital, of brand new baby (something that was noticeably missing when B was born - I have no idea why). And now my tiny baby is no longer :( He's a big boy (literally and figuratively) who is learning how to count and say his alphabet. He's a big boy who feeds himself, undresses himself (we're working on getting dressed, but he'd much rather be naked), and uses the potty. He's a big boy who's learning how to use Daddy's tools and catches bugs to bring to mommy. I'm afraid if I blink he's going to be the big boy who is driving away to college. The big boy who is at the altar waiting for his bride, the future mother of my grandkids.
Holy wow I've gotten ahead of myself. Here's some pictures of my big boy. I'm going to go enjoy watching him color on Handy Manny and try to forget the images of him being all grown up.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
blog prompts and blackberry wine
I figured doing the 30 Days of Me would trigger my creative side. Toss in some blackberry wine and you're probably not going to get me to shut up!
Anyways, I just wanted to talk about how proud I am of our little boy. Liam will be 2 on Tuesday (09NOV), and we recently started really focusing on potty training. I never wanted to push him because I believe that its one of those things that you just don't rush. About 2 weeks ago, I asked Liam if he wanted to go use the potty. I was just putting the feelers out there, wasn't going to make him do it, except his response was "no potty" followed quickly by "diaper?"
Oh boy. If he can ask for a diaper, bring me his diapers when he wants/needs to be changed, and even try to wipe himself... I think its time. I answered his request with a very solid "no more diapers" and since we ran out of them we've stuck to it. We started being completely diaper free the middle of this past week. We went out to the mall on Thursday, I had plastic pants on him over his underwear and I took him to the restroom every 15-20 minutes. He never actually peed on the toilet there, but stayed dry for 6 hours! I rewarded him with a happy meal. Since then we've only had a handful of accidents (and its now Sunday, woohoo!), and he will get himself into the bathroom when he has to go. He may not always make it into the toilet (sometimes its on the bathroom rug) but you know what, he's trying.
We started off by having him sit on the toilet for 5 minutes every 15 minutes, he moved up to 5 minutes every 20 minutes by Friday, and Saturday we weren't really using the timer at all. We'd ask him when we remembered (maybe every half hour? 40 minutes?) and he had no accidents at all! Last night and today he's been sick so we haven't pushed him a bit, so he's been in cloth diapers since he first got sick. I still won't buy diapers.
Anyways, I just wanted to talk about how proud I am of our little boy. Liam will be 2 on Tuesday (09NOV), and we recently started really focusing on potty training. I never wanted to push him because I believe that its one of those things that you just don't rush. About 2 weeks ago, I asked Liam if he wanted to go use the potty. I was just putting the feelers out there, wasn't going to make him do it, except his response was "no potty" followed quickly by "diaper?"
Oh boy. If he can ask for a diaper, bring me his diapers when he wants/needs to be changed, and even try to wipe himself... I think its time. I answered his request with a very solid "no more diapers" and since we ran out of them we've stuck to it. We started being completely diaper free the middle of this past week. We went out to the mall on Thursday, I had plastic pants on him over his underwear and I took him to the restroom every 15-20 minutes. He never actually peed on the toilet there, but stayed dry for 6 hours! I rewarded him with a happy meal. Since then we've only had a handful of accidents (and its now Sunday, woohoo!), and he will get himself into the bathroom when he has to go. He may not always make it into the toilet (sometimes its on the bathroom rug) but you know what, he's trying.
We started off by having him sit on the toilet for 5 minutes every 15 minutes, he moved up to 5 minutes every 20 minutes by Friday, and Saturday we weren't really using the timer at all. We'd ask him when we remembered (maybe every half hour? 40 minutes?) and he had no accidents at all! Last night and today he's been sick so we haven't pushed him a bit, so he's been in cloth diapers since he first got sick. I still won't buy diapers.
30DOM:1
Favorite song I believe it is?
I posted the video in another post, but my all time favorite is Toby Keith's "Huckleberry". It is hands down my song for my husband. There's many many reasons for it, its just sweet and simple like we are. Ok, like our relationship is. Here's the lyrics:
I posted the video in another post, but my all time favorite is Toby Keith's "Huckleberry". It is hands down my song for my husband. There's many many reasons for it, its just sweet and simple like we are. Ok, like our relationship is. Here's the lyrics:
Just off of the two-lane where the school bus used to stop
Was a little wooden A-frame with a yellow tin roof top
One day it was raining on this world
She said ‘have you ever really, really ever kissed a girl?’
Baby I’ll be your Huckleberry, you don’t have to double dare me
If the storm gets wild and scary count on me to be right there
You’re so extra ordinary sweet like maraschino cherries
We’ll grow up and we’ll get married
I’m gonna be your Huckleberry
Later on that summer we went to the county fair
They had a brand new roller coaster and everyone was scared
It was two bucks to experience the thrill
She said ‘come on boy let’s get in line I’ll ride it if you will’
Baby I’ll be your Huckleberry, you don’t have to double dare me
If the ride gets wild and scary count on me to be right there
You’re so extra ordinary sweet like maraschino cherries
We’ll grow up and we’ll get married
I’m gonna be your Huckleberry
Snuck off on a slow dance at the junior/senior prom
Went lookin’ for some romance before I had to get her home
Steamin’ up the windows of my car
She said ‘until I get my wedding ring boy we can’t go that far’
Baby I’ll be your Huckleberry, you don’t have to double dare me
If the world gets wild and scary count on me to be right there
You’re so extra ordinary sweet like maraschino cherries
We grew up and we got married
Now look at those three little Huckleberries
30 Days of Me
Since I lack the creativity to come up with interesting posts on my own, I figured I'd follow the herd and use these for blog prompts =) Stay tuned.....
Day 01 - your favorite song
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote
Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - a fanfic
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - this month, in great detail
Day 28 - this year, in great detail
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 02 - your favorite movie
Day 03 - your favorite television program
Day 04 - your favorite book
Day 05 - your favorite quote
Day 06 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 - a photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - a fanfic
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a YouTube video
Day 24 - whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - this month, in great detail
Day 28 - this year, in great detail
Day 29 - hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - whatever tickles your fancy
Monday, November 1, 2010
I promise I didn't forget you!
Its been a while eh? I've been meaning to jump back on here, but laziness and procrastination are my forte =D
I'll finish this one later when I can actually think of something worth blogging about.
PS: Photina, if you read this, I really need help making this thing look spiffy. Pweasssseee =)
I'll finish this one later when I can actually think of something worth blogging about.
PS: Photina, if you read this, I really need help making this thing look spiffy. Pweasssseee =)
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