Sharing

This idea was taken from Veg Bitch, a blog I found while looking around on Swap-bot. I was bored, it's yucky out, Payton is sleeping, and Phoebe is actually letting me play on the computer all by myself!!! Can the day get any better?!?! I don't think so... oh unless, I had some Ben and Jerry's left, but other than that, I doubt it!!

So here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.

2. Share 5 facts about yourself.

3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post and list their names, linking to them.

4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.

So here are my 5 facts:

1. I am obsessive ... I clean up toys as soon as I walk in the house, I don't even think about it. I know I'm like that about other things, I just have a hard time realizing I do it until someone points it out. I guess I wouldn't be so obsessive if I actually thought about it.

2. I have been a "Weight Watcher" for 2.5 yrs. Sometimes are better than others and right now I am happy as long as I don't gain any weight. I want to lose 25 more pounds. I've already lost 65. Right now, I need to start focusing more though... I can't figure out why it isn't clicking anymore!

3. I'm a perfectionist. I need things to be done right. I joined Swap-bot and Chef Hubby thinks I'm crazy!! I overdo everything, thinking that it just isn't good enough. I have to admit though, whenever I finish a project, it looks pretty impressive... hey slow and steady, right?!

4. I never wanted to be a mom when I was little. Seriously! You know the girls who say, "I've always wanted a bunch of kids" or "I've always known I wanted to be a mom"... not me. When we played house, I refused to be the mom - ever! I always had to be the kid or the aunt, or the friend... never Mom. As soon as I found out that I was pregnant for the first time, it all changed. I LOVE being a mommy and I would never ever ever want to change that. (not that could anyway, but you know what I mean!)

5. I'm a punk. Not a pink hair, leopard print punk... a pain in the ass punk. Whenever my daughters pull a fit because they don't get what they want, Chef Hubby looks at me. Not that I through a tantrum or anything, I just like to get my way. He loves saying, "Just like their mommy" or something smartass like that. I am so in love with him because he still loves me, even though I'm a punk.

Anyway, now I'm supposed to tag people so, here it goes... you may be it!!
My Crafty Mess
Sycamore Stirrings
The Lazy Organizer
Ophelia Blooming
My Own Little Space

OK - I've Got Pics!!

Ok - so this is one of the cookbooks I made for Swap-bot. I found this awesome tutorial about how to make a journal, but I can't for the life of me find the link again... sorry!!! I have been dying to try this and I finally got my chance. For this swap we were supposed to include 4-5 recipes for healthier kids recipes. I ended up using 19 recipes and then added a page of "easy swaps" that I have found to make recipes not "as bad". This is the book:

I found the picture in Parent's Magazine and feel in LOVE with it! Doesn't it just fit!

This is the front inside page:

This is an example of one of the pages... I tried to make it look professional!!! hehe

Now, I have been wanting to do the Muffin Tin Monday thing that Sycamore Stirrings did a few weeks ago, but never seemed to pull it together. Well, today was the day!! The kids were hungry. I didn't have a clue what to make... so here's what they got:

From left to right:

cookie crisp cereal, raisins, american cheese, watermelon,

raisin toast, strawberries, white cheddar cheez its, smartfood,

shelled edamame, waffles, hot dog, gummi worms.

It was a hit... they actually ate more of the stuff I thought they would avoid, like the edamame, and a lot less of the stuff I thought would be a sure thing, like the hot dogs.

Oh, well. As long as they ate!!!

Phew... so now, I think I'm all caught up on my promises!! Have a good one :o)

I've Been Slacking!!

Ok - so it's been a little while since I last posted and let me start by saying - I lost a pound and a half - GO ME!!! lol... ok that being said. I know I was supposed to post about last weekend. I have to admit though, I didn't get any pics.

We went to a renaissance fair and there were people dressed in the garb that was popular in the medieval times. They were selling all kinds of stuff. It was a lot of fun! We actually had packed a lunch and ended up eating in the back of our Odyssey (I love my car!) I put the third row seats down and there was plenty of room - out of the sun!

I ended up grabbing 6.5 feet of leather so I can start making some of the toolbox jewelry that I have been dreaming about. I also was able to get some of the leather working accessories and tools. Chef Hubby got a new pouch for all of his "enchanted items" when he does his Live Action Role Playing (LARP). He also picked up some other enchanted items, but that's his little thing... lol.

This week I have been OBSESSED with my swap-bot swaps. I signed up for a few cookbook swaps and they went from needing 4-5 recipes, as posted to each containing about 19-2o recipes. I had sooo much fun making them though!! I got some pics, but haven't uploaded them yet. I will try to do that tonight.

I think I'm going to do Muffing Tin Monday today, because I don't really have anything planned and I think the kids are getting hungry. Have a great rest of the weekend!!

The Dreaded Scale!!

OK - So today is my second week back to Weight Watchers... and I really didn't do as well as I wanted to do this past week. So I'm scared. Now don't get me wrong, WW isn't about other people knowing your weight, but I'm afraid that I'm going to disappoint myself, if that makes ANY sense at all?!!?

I wanted to lose 2 lbs this week, but after this weekend (I'll tell you all about that in the next post), I decided that 1 lb would be acceptable, but today I got on my scale at home, and it's gonna be cutting it close! OK - do me a favor and think light thoughts for me... lmao!!

Swapping

One of my best buds, Elizabeth turned me onto Swap-bot and OMG!!! I love love love it~ I mean seriously, who doesn't love sending people things and getting mail?!? Today I got two packages in the mail. One was from a mix CD swap. It was actually a musical scavenger hunt... sound interesting? It sure is!

Each person had two partners and you create a mix CD using the categories that were given. For example, you needed to find a song with poor grammar, a song that told a story, one that was less 2 minutes, one that was longer than 5 minutes, or even one that mentions a country other than your own... sound interesting?! It was! Hubby and I were having a blast trying to figure out which songs to use.

AND - I got a package from Australia!! That's the first international mail I have ever received, so it makes it even cooler!! I was involved with a Sticker Swap and she sent me some super cool ones :o) I can't wait to use them, so I hope Phoebe doesn't catch a glimpse... hehe!

But now I signed up for the coolest swap ever... It's called Cookbook Craze! I have to make a mini cookbook for 2 people. I am so excited, but a little nervous... what if they don't like the food? Even more stressful... I signed up for a healthy kids cookbook. Now I'm not a diehard health nut, but I think I know what's good for my babies.

At least I did until I started scanning websites for other options for healthy kids recipes. Man, I hope that the people I'm sending the recipes aren't offended but my "ignorance"... apparently, cauliflower is the new pasta and potatoe. I mean I have a recipe for using pumpkin instead of butter and whole wheat pasta instead of the white for macaroni and cheese, but cauliflower instead of pasta - do kids really fall for that?

Wish me luck... I think I'm gonna need it!!

OMG - This is an awesome idea!!!

I was surfing some of my favorite blogs and came across Sycamore Stirrings blog. As usual, it was cute and fun, but today I was so impressed by a new concept... She calls is Muffin Tin Monday.


She takes out a muffin tin and in each of the compartments, she puts some finger foods for the kids to eat. Check it out. It is so cool!! I even called my hubby over to show him. This is definitely an idea that I will be borrowing!! Yay!

Sunday Brunch

OK, so we had Sunday brunch again today and let me just tell you, I am now a HUGE fan of egg bakes. I don't know what else to call them, but they are great!!

Chef Hubby whipped up a sweet and a savory one today... I am including the recipes, so feel free to try em, but please remember that he did work hard at creating these, so at least give him some credit - thanks!

Here's the sweet:

Choc-Banana Bread Pudding - 350 deg for approx 90 mins

3 ripe bananas
1 cup of chocolate chips
10 eggs
1.5 cups light cream
1tsp kosher salt
1 cup gran sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 cups cubed raisin bread

Whisk eggs, cream, bananas, vanilla, salt and sugar until well combined but will not be smooth. Tossed together in a bowl with bread and chocolate chips then spread evenly into a greased 9x13inch baking dish. Feel free to add some extra choco chips or raisins on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 90 mins. Check for doneness (kinda like a cake). Makes enough for ten people. Maybe more... but not today... hehe! It was sooo yummy! He served it with warmed maple syrup on the side, but no one even used that - it was good all on it's own.

And the savory:

Ham and Egg Bake - 350 deg for approx 90 mins

10 oz heirloom cherry tomatoes
1lb diced ham (a good one - not pressed, or in terms I know... "real ham")
12 eggs
1.5 cups light cream
1 tbsp kosher salt
Pepper to taste
1 tbsp of granulated garlic
Assorted fresh herbs, rosemary, oregano, sage… tbsp or so chopped - (tbsp total, not each)
4 cups cubed Italian bread

Whisk eggs, cream and herbs, salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs. Tossed together in a bowl with bread, ham and tomatoes until all the bread is coated. Then spread evenly into a greased 9x13inch baking dish bake at 350 degrees for about 90 mins. Check for doneness (kinda like a cake). Makes enough for ten people.

Like I said this was AWESOME! Everyone left very satisfied and looking forward to the next invite... hehe

We also served it with some fresh cut pineapple, sharlyn and cabasa melons. Those were yummy too! We have a specialty gourmet outlet a few blocks away and it's very tempting to try the produce and just about everything else they offer! They even have recipe samples and food tastings on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Definitely not a let down - ever!

If you want to check out some of their products it's Sid Wainer and Sons, New Bedford, MA. Even the kids like going there. The one ingredient we make sure to never run out of is the Sweet Chili Sauce. Man, it kicks up marinades or can even stand on its own. Try a Sweet Chili Chicken nugget. We usually do it on a stick so it's a sate and makes a perfect appetizer. Marinade it for a few hours prior to cooking, and they will fly off the tray at any party - guaranteed!

Yard Sale!!

So, I finally got to go yard saling today... I love yard saling, but Hubby, not so much. So he went to the Newport Chowderfest, so I picked my mom and headed out. It was going slow, but we were looking for a posted yard sale and came across a random one. Sometimes those are the BEST!

I had been unofficially yard saling once this year, because a friend at work had a little tikes house her daughter outgrew and I bought it while she was having a yard sale. BUT I was supposed to come by last summer to pick up... oops. Did I mention I am a procrastinator?

Ok - forget it, none of this matters!! I have to show you what I found...

Isn't it great?!? The desk and chair are both adjustable and Phoebe and Payton LOVE them!! I'm going to sand them down and refinish them, but we are definitely looking forward to the kids getting lots of use out of this set!! Can you tell I'm excited.... hehe :o) Oh and the best part - it was only $25. I tried to get it cheaper, but wasn't going to walk away. Anyway, that was my find. Have a good one!

Hot Mamas!!

Have you ever just needed to talk or work off some bad energy? Well, you are not alone!! Fortunately, for me, my friends feel the same way. Three of us have the mornings off so we all get together and walk. We average about 3.5miles, but don't ask how long it takes cuz that all depends on the day! The top ten reasons for stopping while on our walk...

10. Need to wipe boogahs
9. Need to take off a layer
8. Lost a toy
7. Mommy needs a drink (we're not very good at drinking and walking... hehe)
6. Need to get the kids a drink
5. Lost a sock
4. Getting the kids a snack
3. Kid jumped out of the sit-n-stand
2. Lost a binky
And the number 1 reason for stopping...

1. Somebody needs a hug!!

Now how you turn down a hug, right?!?!

I love love love my walks with my mommy friends. We were friends before we were all mommies, but I think we've all gotten that much closer after the kids. In total, there are 3 boys and 3 girls. Right now, it's just me, EL, and LH, but very very soon, JP will be joining us for our morning strolls. All of our schedules are different. One is a stay-at-home mom, two are part-time, and one is full time with summers off, but we all have the same set-up... Mommy, Daddy, and kids... animals vary between households, as well. Which typically means that we have the same frustrations, needs, and wants... lol.

We walk around the local zoo and then head in after we're through so the kids get to check out the animals. Or we head to water and walk the boardwalk with the breeze cooling us off on the hot days. OR we head to the back roads of the neighboring town and do the hills while EL explains the history behind each house. Where ever we go is special. There is always a ending we try to avoid if we only have time to walk and not play. That adds a hint of stress... but it's worth it!

The conversations change daily and we know that it's OK to say whatever's on our minds. The past week two of us have experienced a close loss, but even that was easier to deal with knowing that in the morning we would once again walk and talk with our friends. It isn't always easy to get up and head out, but it's getting better. We motivate each other and the kids (and Rebel) really look forward to it.

I know in the winter I hate being cold, so I can't even imagine going out, but right now, I'm relishing these little moments where I can be myself. I can be an ear or a voice. But most of all I get to be with my friends... I don't know what I'd do without "my girls"!

So cute!!

Payton was playing quietly in her room, so I got nervous... lol. When I walked in, I knew I had to get picture. This is my little baby...

She was actually looking at the book and talking as though she was actually reading. It was so adorable!! My babies are both getting so big!!

I am definitely not going to miss this age, though!!! Maybe these moments, but NOT this age!!

Little Girl Growing Up...

Phoebe is almost 4yrs old and I know she's growing up, but the other day she blew my mind. She had me fix something in the living room and then stated, "Mommy, you're busy, so I'm gonna make my own peanut butter and jelly sandwich". OK, I figured that she would go into the kitchen then call me because she wouldn't be able to actually do it.

We could hear the fridge open, the stool sliding and the rattling of utensils, so I had to check.

She needed help getting the bread, but she had everything else out. Oh, and I had to open the jars. Then she got to work... Jelly

Apparently, she needed to clean the knife before she started with the peanut butter - yuck!

Now the peanut butter... choosy moms choose Jif... right?

She doesn't like crusts so we use the Pampered Chef cutter to make our own little "encrustables"

See - perfect!!

So when it was done, she ran off and ate it - sorry... but I think we know what that looks like!!

A Weekend Away

Aaahhh... it was so nice this weekend! Henry and I were able to get away for the whole weekend without kids. Well, I'm back now and ready to tell all about my big 10 year class reunion! Ok, so not much to tell. I was expecting to see a bunch of people and hang out and share stories, and all that typical reunion stuff... well, some of that happened, but definitely not on the scale you might expect.

I went to small New England liberal arts college. To show just how small, my graduating class was 137 students. Yes, it was small! But I loved it... so much, in fact, that my husband brought me there to propose. See that's school loyalty, right?! Anyway, I checked the site before heading up and saw that there were 8 people "pre-registered" for my class. No big deal, I mean, I wasn't registered. Come on there are gonna be people there, right?

We headed up Friday night and decided to skip the "festivities" on campus and stayed close to the bed and breakfast we were staying at, The Candlelite Inn in Bradford, NH. We checked in, dumped our stuff and headed about a mile to The Appleseed Restaurant. The food and atmosphere were great and we headed back to the room full and ready to enjoy our first night without the kids... aaahhh!

Upon arriving at the campus Saturday, I couldn't help but notice that it was EMPTY! I mean short of a few tents I was starting to think I had arrived on the wrong weekend. I "checked in", but found that it wasn't necessary for the events I was planning on attending. I gotta tell you it was not looking good. I told Henry we were heading out, figured shopping was better than this. (Well, let's be honest, shopping is the best - right?)

I stopped in the bookstore to find a jacket - which they didn't have - so I ended up with a tank top and some shorts for sleeping. Then started heading back to car. Finally... I ran into 5 women that I graduated with - YIPEE!! They looked awesome. They were excited to see me and we caught up really quick, promising to meet again for the "class picture" later that night. We shopped some more... hehe - did I mention, I love to shop? and then headed back to the B&B to change.

I got all dolled up for evening out and headed back to campus for the picture! It was fun. We left with plans of returning after our dinner at the Inn at Pleasant Lake. Now, I had every intention of coming back, but man... the food was absolutely amazing, 5 courses of chefs choice dining (Chef Brian Mackenzie), a bottle of "Angel Tears" wine - yummy, and just a phenomenal experience. We ended up heading home full, happy, and me a lot tipsy - oops!

Did I mention how amazing the B&B was? Henry found it for us when he was planning to propose. It's The Candlelite Inn, owned by Marilyn and Les Gordon - wonderful people. They go above and beyond for your comfort and convenience. Henry had asked them to have some flowers in the room for me when we arrived. This is what I found:

Aren't they gorgeous?!?!

He asked to have reservations somewhere special; they arranged our dinner at the Inn at Pleasant Lake. They serve a three course breakfast every morning that is served with juice, coffee, tea, and water. The breakfast even includes dessert and Sunday's dessert was Lemonad Pie! How can you have a bad day when it starts with dessert?

Thank you, Marilyn and Les for the excellent accomodations and

Thank you Brian Mackenzie for the absolutely fabulous meal!!!

We are already trying to figure out when we can get back up there!