Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Long Winter's Nap
So today is my last day of work until January 13th, which is awesome, I can't even tell you how much I am looking forward to this. 2 1/2 weeks of nothing but Nate... and visiting... and housework... and...
ok, I am trying to keep this break very low key, but there are a few projects that I would like to see to completion while I am off:
1. Iron... I haven't ironed anything since I went back to work in May... it is time.
2. Condition the Leather Furniture
3. Make Laundry Soap... it is an experiment and it can't hurt to try.
4. Clean/Re-Org the Closet Across from the Washer
5. Move Stuff to the Shed... baby clothes, Exersaucer, Jumperaroo, stuff!
This being said, I don't know how much blogging I will get to do. Bear with me... I will be back in full force after 1/13/09.
:)
ok, I am trying to keep this break very low key, but there are a few projects that I would like to see to completion while I am off:
1. Iron... I haven't ironed anything since I went back to work in May... it is time.
2. Condition the Leather Furniture
3. Make Laundry Soap... it is an experiment and it can't hurt to try.
4. Clean/Re-Org the Closet Across from the Washer
5. Move Stuff to the Shed... baby clothes, Exersaucer, Jumperaroo, stuff!
This being said, I don't know how much blogging I will get to do. Bear with me... I will be back in full force after 1/13/09.
:)
An Open Letter to My Breast Pump
Dear Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump,
I am growing tired of our relationship. I am beginning to feel like it is very one-sided: I give, you take, I give, you take... over and over and over again.
You are becoming a drain on me, a dead weight that I am lugging around day after day. Quite frankly... you are sucking the life out of me!
For the moment I am willing to stick with you for the sake of the child, but one day in the not so distant future I will get tired of your endless droning and your neediness and we will be through!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
More Baking
I was officially finished my holiday baking earlier this week when I finished off my peppermint bark. I scaled back my baking this year because I don;t really have the energy or time, but did not do away with it completely because I like to bake and it is a holiday tradition and if Mystic Pizza taught me nothing it is that you "Don't monkey with tradition!"
That was all well and good until I saw Martha Stewart make Candied Ginger Shortbread Wedges. I have a weakness for shortbread and for candied ginger, so I will be making these tonight.
That was all well and good until I saw Martha Stewart make Candied Ginger Shortbread Wedges. I have a weakness for shortbread and for candied ginger, so I will be making these tonight.
Friday, December 12, 2008
It is 9:28 in the morning...
I am sitting at my desk drinking my coffee and eating chex mix.
Don't look at me that way... it has cereal in it...
That is all.
Don't look at me that way... it has cereal in it...
That is all.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Holiday Baking
It's official... I began my holiday baking last night with my absolute favorite... Peanut Butter Fudge.
Here is the recipe (It is SUPER easy)
2 cups Sugar
3/4 cup Milk
1 7oz. jar of marshmallow fluff
1 1/3 cups peanut butter (must use a peanut spread like Jiff or Skippy, the recipe doesn't set with natural peanut butter, I tried)
Bring sugar and milk to a boil in medium saucepan.
Boil for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in fluff and peanut butter.
Combine well. Pour into 8x8 or 9x9 pan (line it with foil first for easy removal) and chill.
Cut into square and enjoy!
This year I will also be making peppermint bark, earl grey shortbread, and chex mix.
Here is the recipe (It is SUPER easy)
2 cups Sugar
3/4 cup Milk
1 7oz. jar of marshmallow fluff
1 1/3 cups peanut butter (must use a peanut spread like Jiff or Skippy, the recipe doesn't set with natural peanut butter, I tried)
Bring sugar and milk to a boil in medium saucepan.
Boil for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in fluff and peanut butter.
Combine well. Pour into 8x8 or 9x9 pan (line it with foil first for easy removal) and chill.
Cut into square and enjoy!
This year I will also be making peppermint bark, earl grey shortbread, and chex mix.
Gymboree
I have issues with enrolling babies (10 months old) in classes. I personally think it is absolutely ridiculous and ludicrous and that too much of children's lives are scheduled and I flat out won't do it to my kid.
SO... I have a question for all of you out there is bloggy land. Did you pop your little (baby) critters into classes like gymboree? Am I a horrible neglectful mother for not doing so? Is Nate the only 10 month old not in a class?
[I removed this rest of this post so that I don't make anybody mad lest they recognize themselves]
SO... I have a question for all of you out there is bloggy land. Did you pop your little (baby) critters into classes like gymboree? Am I a horrible neglectful mother for not doing so? Is Nate the only 10 month old not in a class?
[I removed this rest of this post so that I don't make anybody mad lest they recognize themselves]
I Knew it Was Going to be a Good Day...
when I pulled into the Wawa to get gas this morning and it took less than $20 to fill the tank of my (small) SUV. $1.69 a gallon... WOO HOO!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Animal Fair
I have been trying to remember the words to this song (so that I could sing it to Nate) for months now with no avail. Google to the rescue!
"I went to the animal fair
The birds and the beasts were there
The old baboon by the light of the moon
Was combing his auburn hair
The monkey he got drunk
And fell on the elephant's trunk
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees
And what became of the monk, the monk, the monk?"
"I went to the animal fair
The birds and the beasts were there
The old baboon by the light of the moon
Was combing his auburn hair
The monkey he got drunk
And fell on the elephant's trunk
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees
And what became of the monk, the monk, the monk?"
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
Today is my birthday... at 11:57 am I will be 32... sometimes it is hard for me to believe because I don't feel the way 32 sounds (whatever that means). To celebrate Nate, my mom, and I will out shopping the Black Friday sales. I got some very lovely gifts from hubby:
A new wallet (itsn't it yummy):
New PJs:
And from Nate, a new key fob to replace the bottle opener from college:
Anyway, have a cupcake on me...
A new wallet (itsn't it yummy):
New PJs:
And from Nate, a new key fob to replace the bottle opener from college:
Anyway, have a cupcake on me...
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Grocery Game
Has anyone tried this? Know anything about this? Any info would be appreciated good or bad.
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Better than Starbucks???
I didn't think that I would utter those words, but here I go... I think I have found coffee better than Starbucks.
Seattle's Best Coffee (their cafes are inside Borders Books & Music) make a Gingerbread Latte that is to die for... especially since it comes with a little tiny gingerbread man stuck in the whipped cream! Team this up with a snickerdoodle (Oh...my...god... are they good!) and you have a wonderful afternoon treat.
And since Borders send me coupons at least once a week and sometimes there are coupons for beverages and pastries (Something Starbucks doesn't do) Seattle's Best Coffee trumps Starbucks in my book.
Click here for a Seattle's Best Coupon (Free Drink!!!)
Seattle's Best Coffee (their cafes are inside Borders Books & Music) make a Gingerbread Latte that is to die for... especially since it comes with a little tiny gingerbread man stuck in the whipped cream! Team this up with a snickerdoodle (Oh...my...god... are they good!) and you have a wonderful afternoon treat.
And since Borders send me coupons at least once a week and sometimes there are coupons for beverages and pastries (Something Starbucks doesn't do) Seattle's Best Coffee trumps Starbucks in my book.
Click here for a Seattle's Best Coupon (Free Drink!!!)
A Thanksgiving Recipe
I do not cook Thanksgiving dinner, my mother-in-law does. So, I don't get to make all the trappings of your traditional dinner, I bring whatever it is that she needs. In this case, a veggie. So I will be making Paula Dean's Green Bean Bundles... So, easy, so good!
Ingredients
* 1 pound fresh green beans
* Olive oil
* Salt and pepper
* Bacon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Blanch green beans for 3 minutes. Toss them in olive oil and salt and pepper. Bundle about 5 green beans and wrap a piece of bacon around the bundle. Place in a roasting pan and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until bacon is cooked.
Yum!
Ingredients
* 1 pound fresh green beans
* Olive oil
* Salt and pepper
* Bacon
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Blanch green beans for 3 minutes. Toss them in olive oil and salt and pepper. Bundle about 5 green beans and wrap a piece of bacon around the bundle. Place in a roasting pan and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until bacon is cooked.
Yum!
Favorite Christmas Movies
I am feeling quite festive today, for no particular reason, so I give to you my top three Christmas Movies:
2. The Muppet Christmas Carroll
3. Emmitt Otter's Jug Band Christmas
That is all.
1. Love Actually
2. The Muppet Christmas Carroll
3. Emmitt Otter's Jug Band Christmas
That is all.
Friday, November 21, 2008
A guest... almost...
I opened the living room curtains this morning to find this guy standing at the bottom of the front steps looking at the door as if he was considering ringing the bell...
I guess he decided not too because he trotted off down the sidewalk, crossed the street, and disappeared.
I guess he decided not too because he trotted off down the sidewalk, crossed the street, and disappeared.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Weeknight Italian Soup
I created this last night and it was a huge success.
4 Cups Chicken Broth/Stock
2 Cans Zucchini in Tomato Sauce
1 Can White Beans (Drained and Rinsed)
1 Can tomatoes with Italian Seasonings
1 Cup Macaroni (I used organic whole wheat, but use what you have)
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat until just boiling. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the dried pasta, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
I made this as a side to homemade chicken fingers, but hubby ended up eating only the soup. I just had the left overs for lunch. Yum!
4 Cups Chicken Broth/Stock
2 Cans Zucchini in Tomato Sauce
1 Can White Beans (Drained and Rinsed)
1 Can tomatoes with Italian Seasonings
1 Cup Macaroni (I used organic whole wheat, but use what you have)
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat until just boiling. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the dried pasta, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
I made this as a side to homemade chicken fingers, but hubby ended up eating only the soup. I just had the left overs for lunch. Yum!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thanksgiving on the Cheap
On the news this morning there was a segment about how to host a "cheap" Thanksgiving and the best the reporter could come up with was to buy Wegman's Pre-made Thanksgiving dinner for $99.
Well, I don't cook Thanksgiving dinner, my mother-in-law does, so this really isn't a concern of mine, but that got me thinking. $99 does not seem that cheap to me. In fact, I am SURE that I could do better out of the supermarket flyers sitting on my kitchen counter.
So let's try, shall we?
Wegman's Premium Turkey Dinner contains:
1 turkey (12-14 pounds)
Traditional Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Turkey gravy
Broccoli and Cauliflower with pine nuts
Mashed potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Relish
Ok, let's break it down (and we'll assume that the person doesn't like to cook since they are looking at buying a pre-made dinner)
Turkey -- for me it would be free, I qualify at my supermarket = $0
Stuffing -- Stove top is $.99 a Walmart x 2 boxes = $2
Green Bean Casserole -- Frozen green beans $1.00 a bag , cream of mushroom soup, $.79, French fried onions, $2.59 (couldn't find a sale) = $3.40
Turkey gravy -- $1 a can x 2 = $2
Broccoli & Cauliflower with pine nut -- $10 (pine nuts are expensive and $3.00 per lb. for fresh veg.)
Mashed potatoes -- $2.50 for 5 pounds = $2.50
Sweet potatoes -- $2.50 for 5 pounds $1.00 for mini marshmallows = $3.50
Cranberries -- $.88 a can at Walmart x 2 (1 jellied, 1 chunky) = $ 1.76
Ingredients you might not have on hand:
Butter -- $2.50 per pound
Heavy Cream -- $2.00 per pint
Total == $29.66
Now, I am assuming you already have spices, onions, milk, kitchen basics, etc. but... I think you see my point.
The "Cheap" dinner being hocked on my local news is $69.34 more expensive than what I could put together from sale circulars (and that isn't even using coupons!)
Well, I don't cook Thanksgiving dinner, my mother-in-law does, so this really isn't a concern of mine, but that got me thinking. $99 does not seem that cheap to me. In fact, I am SURE that I could do better out of the supermarket flyers sitting on my kitchen counter.
So let's try, shall we?
Wegman's Premium Turkey Dinner contains:
1 turkey (12-14 pounds)
Traditional Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Turkey gravy
Broccoli and Cauliflower with pine nuts
Mashed potatoes
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Relish
Ok, let's break it down (and we'll assume that the person doesn't like to cook since they are looking at buying a pre-made dinner)
Turkey -- for me it would be free, I qualify at my supermarket = $0
Stuffing -- Stove top is $.99 a Walmart x 2 boxes = $2
Green Bean Casserole -- Frozen green beans $1.00 a bag , cream of mushroom soup, $.79, French fried onions, $2.59 (couldn't find a sale) = $3.40
Turkey gravy -- $1 a can x 2 = $2
Broccoli & Cauliflower with pine nut -- $10 (pine nuts are expensive and $3.00 per lb. for fresh veg.)
Mashed potatoes -- $2.50 for 5 pounds = $2.50
Sweet potatoes -- $2.50 for 5 pounds $1.00 for mini marshmallows = $3.50
Cranberries -- $.88 a can at Walmart x 2 (1 jellied, 1 chunky) = $ 1.76
Ingredients you might not have on hand:
Butter -- $2.50 per pound
Heavy Cream -- $2.00 per pint
Total == $29.66
Now, I am assuming you already have spices, onions, milk, kitchen basics, etc. but... I think you see my point.
The "Cheap" dinner being hocked on my local news is $69.34 more expensive than what I could put together from sale circulars (and that isn't even using coupons!)
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