I was thinking that I would finish this month off with something profond, instead I have a head full off snot.
I'm off to bed with a Lem-sip.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Blech
I was thinking that I would finish this month off with something profond, instead I have a head full off snot.
I'm off to bed with a Lem-sip.
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Weeping Willow
I absolutely love these trees, they bring back warm fuzzy memories of childhood.
My Primary school had one at the bottom of the playing field. It was by far the biggest Willow tree I have ever seen,it's long branches drooped so far and were so thick the grass had died underneath it and a big well had developed all the way around.
On the really hot days it would turn into a classroom, our teachers would take turns in taking their classes down under the tree for reading and creative writing. I remember those classes more than any other.
During playtime it would be turned into a hospital, a house, a zoo or a speedway.
When I got older and was dealing with the tumultuous teen years, as a refuge on days when things were just too much to handle I would walk up the road to the school and go sit under the Willow, write in my journal or just sit and be alone with my thoughts. The calm would wash over me as I sat beneath those boughs and I would go home with a restored spirit.
My very first best friend had a Weeping Willow in her backyard, her Dad hung a rope ladder from it and we would climb up into the boughs and hide away from her annoying little sister, quite often we would scurry up the rungs of the ladder and then pull it up there with us so there was no way she would interrupt our secret meetings.God those days were so much fun.
As an adult I had always wanted a house with a Weeping Willow tree and after 16 years in the U.S.A that dream finally became a reality and we have a pretty mature one in our back garden, I love it. On days like today when it is a little too warm to sit out in the sun I take my chair, my cup of tea and a book and go sit under it, often Reagan will come with me and that is where we have our quiet time.
Often the kids and their friends will have picnics underneath it, sometimes they'll pitch a tent underneath it and turn it into a clubhouse and sometimes they'll just lay underneath it, but already I see it becoming one of their favorite places to hang out just as the one at my school was mine.
I think it's time to hang a rope ladder from ours and maybe Ben and his friends can retreat up there when his annoying little sister wants to be with them all the time, just so long as he pulls it up there with him ;-)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
This one is for you Lisa
This is my all time favorite pasta dish. I came across it last year when I was training for my first big race, 'The Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon' . It was published in runners World and is what one athlete eats every night before participating in a Marathon. It is so good I could eat it every night.
Lisa is a great friend of mine and is getting ready to run her first Marathon on Sunday, thinking about it gets me all choked up, I remember ugly crying when I crossed the finish line after running 13 miles, Lisa will be bawling like a baby, I just know it.
Lisa I'm so freaking proud of you, here's a recipe just for you, I know you're loading up on the carbs this week.
Chicken Scallopini with Linguine and Spinach
8 ounces whole-wheat linguine
4 chicken breasts (each about 5 ounces)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cups or one package baby spinach
1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
11/2 cups Bertolli Organic Olive Oil, Basil, and Garlic sauce*
1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
Cook pasta according to package directions. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme. Preheat a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides and cook until done (about seven minutes each side). Remove from pan. In skillet, saute garlic, spinach, and basil with olive oil over high heat. Drain pasta and add it to the skillet, remove from heat, and combine with spinach mixture. Place pasta in serving dish, top with heated tomato sauce and sliced chicken breasts. Garnish with parsley and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serves four.
Calories: 550
Fat: 16 g
Carbs: 51 g
Protein: 49 g
Broadmoor Tomato Sauce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces (1 cup) canned crushed tomatoes with liquid
4 ounces (1/2 cup) tomato puree
1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, coarse chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
In a saucepan over medium heat, saut?he oil, shallot, and garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, puree, and tomato liquid, bring to a simmer. Stir in herbs and season with salt and pepper. Continue to simmer on reduced heat for 15 minutes. Adjust consistency with water and season to taste.
Lisa is a great friend of mine and is getting ready to run her first Marathon on Sunday, thinking about it gets me all choked up, I remember ugly crying when I crossed the finish line after running 13 miles, Lisa will be bawling like a baby, I just know it.
Lisa I'm so freaking proud of you, here's a recipe just for you, I know you're loading up on the carbs this week.
Chicken Scallopini with Linguine and Spinach
8 ounces whole-wheat linguine
4 chicken breasts (each about 5 ounces)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cups or one package baby spinach
1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
11/2 cups Bertolli Organic Olive Oil, Basil, and Garlic sauce*
1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
Cook pasta according to package directions. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme. Preheat a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides and cook until done (about seven minutes each side). Remove from pan. In skillet, saute garlic, spinach, and basil with olive oil over high heat. Drain pasta and add it to the skillet, remove from heat, and combine with spinach mixture. Place pasta in serving dish, top with heated tomato sauce and sliced chicken breasts. Garnish with parsley and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serves four.
Calories: 550
Fat: 16 g
Carbs: 51 g
Protein: 49 g
Broadmoor Tomato Sauce
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces (1 cup) canned crushed tomatoes with liquid
4 ounces (1/2 cup) tomato puree
1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, coarse chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
In a saucepan over medium heat, saut?he oil, shallot, and garlic. Add crushed tomatoes, puree, and tomato liquid, bring to a simmer. Stir in herbs and season with salt and pepper. Continue to simmer on reduced heat for 15 minutes. Adjust consistency with water and season to taste.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
My favorite 3 kids
I know, not very original, but do you know how hard it is to take a pic of all 3 kids together ? Very rarely are they all home together, generally one of the older 2 is out doing something with friends and then to get them all together not fighting and in great moods is even rarer, so just humor me on this one ;-)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Our favorite salad
This salad is awesome, even people who claim to not like salad can't get enough of it and people who claim not to like onions don't even realise they just ate some ;-)
It's a great salad year round, not just for the summer, with it's vibrant shades of red and green it brightens up a Christmas buffet table too.
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
DRESSING
1 Lemon
2 Tbs White wine vinegar
1/3 C sugar
1 Tbs Vegetable Oil
1Tsp Poppy seeds
SALAD
1/4 C Sliced natural almonds, toasted (Optional)
8 oz (1 1/2 C) strawberries hulled and sliced
1/2 Medium cucumber sliced, and cut in half
1/4 Small red onion sliced
1 Pkg (6oz) Baby spinach
For dressing, juice lemon, measure 2 Tbs of juice and add to the rest of the dressing ingrdiants, whisk together until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Toss all of the salad ingrediants together, pour dressing over the top, toss again, serve and ENJOY !!!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A week of favorites
This week I have chosen to go with a theme. I will be posting 7 of my Summer Favorites.
Today is a glorious day, perfect for sitting outside with a pitcher of homemade lemonade. My first installment here is going to be my favorite lemonade recipe, be warned it's alcoholic ;-)
ELECTRIC LEMONADE
INGREDIENTS
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 large mint sprig, finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
8 ounces lemon-flavored vodka
Splash of sparkling water
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest for garnish
Mix the sugar and water in a small pot and boil for 3 minutes to make a simple syrup. Let cool.
In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup syrup (leftover syrup can be refrigerated indefinitely), the lemon juice and the chopped mint. Pour mixture into ice-cube tray and freeze for one hour.
In a blender, blend together frozen cubes, sparkling water, chopped mint and vodka.
Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon zest.
For more great cocktail recipes, check here
Today is a glorious day, perfect for sitting outside with a pitcher of homemade lemonade. My first installment here is going to be my favorite lemonade recipe, be warned it's alcoholic ;-)
ELECTRIC LEMONADE
INGREDIENTS
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 large mint sprig, finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
8 ounces lemon-flavored vodka
Splash of sparkling water
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest for garnish
Mix the sugar and water in a small pot and boil for 3 minutes to make a simple syrup. Let cool.
In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup syrup (leftover syrup can be refrigerated indefinitely), the lemon juice and the chopped mint. Pour mixture into ice-cube tray and freeze for one hour.
In a blender, blend together frozen cubes, sparkling water, chopped mint and vodka.
Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon zest.
For more great cocktail recipes, check here
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Summer reading
Summer is definitely my favorite time of year. I love to curl up under a tree,lay out at the pool or laze on the beach with a good book, it just seems like the thing to do.
This year I need some new reads,my all time favorite easy reading book and what I class as a perfect Summer read is this it is one of the very few books that has really touched me, it has made me laugh out loud, as well as shed a few tears. I've read it every Summer now for the last 9 years and I think it's time for a change.
So now that I've shared my favorite read with you, help me out and tell me what your, favorite Summer read is. Nothing too thought provoking now, this is one of the few times I let my brain rest up.
This year I need some new reads,my all time favorite easy reading book and what I class as a perfect Summer read is this it is one of the very few books that has really touched me, it has made me laugh out loud, as well as shed a few tears. I've read it every Summer now for the last 9 years and I think it's time for a change.
So now that I've shared my favorite read with you, help me out and tell me what your, favorite Summer read is. Nothing too thought provoking now, this is one of the few times I let my brain rest up.
Friday, May 23, 2008
My new favorite cupcake
This cupcake is wonderful, tastes so fresh and citrusy, perfect for the Summer.
The only thing different I would do is to add a little more sugar to make it stiffer and refrigerate the frosting before use, it has a pretty runny consistency.
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix 1 pkg. (4-serving) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling 1 cup water 4 egg whites 2 Tbsp. oil 1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar 1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened 2 Tbsp. lemon juice PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups.
BAKE 21 to 24 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
MEANWHILE, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.
The only thing different I would do is to add a little more sugar to make it stiffer and refrigerate the frosting before use, it has a pretty runny consistency.
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix 1 pkg. (4-serving) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling 1 cup water 4 egg whites 2 Tbsp. oil 1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar 1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened 2 Tbsp. lemon juice PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups.
BAKE 21 to 24 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
MEANWHILE, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Spaghetti - Woes
This week I appear to be having a little pasta crisis.
I don't know about you, but pasta seems to be served at just about every other dinner time around here
Last night I promised the kids spaghetti for dinner, everything was going well, the sauce smelt and tasted incredible, the salad was good and crisp, the garlic bread was ready for the oven and the water was ready for the noodles, the time came to pour the noodles into the water and Egads, no spaghetti noodles, I had enough for 1/2 a serving, I had enough Angel Hair for maybe a 1/4 of a serving, so I improvised and used Rotini noodles instead, of course I only had about 2 servings in regular Rotini and another 2 in wheat and so I threw them together thinking nobody would notice. WRONG, the first words out of Ben's mouth were "Why are the noodles different colored ?" I lied and told him I'd bought fun colored pasta, if the word wheat passed my lips, the dinner would have stayed on his plate. Sadly, Rotini and spaghetti sauce just don't taste the same as using good old spaghetti noodles, but they ate it with out too many complaints all the same.
Now fast forward to tonight, Marc is out playing Golf, Ben is eating at a friends house, Victoria doesn't eat until much later, so it was just Reagan to cook for, Mac and Cheese with tuna fish was screaming her name, had everything ready and what do you know ? No flipping macaroni noodles, BUT I did have Bow Tie pasta, so that's what I served her, she looked dubious at first, until I made up a story telling her this was special girl pasta,telling her to look at how pretty the bows were on her plate, she gave me a look that said "Mom you're full of it." But being the good kid that she is she tucked in and for the first night in days, maybe even weeks, her plate was cleaned. YAY, for girl food !!
So I have to ask all of you wonderful cooks out there, what is a favorite side at your dinner table ? Pasta in all shapes and sizes is getting a little tedious, potatoes get boring as does rice and I'm running out of ideas.
I don't know about you, but pasta seems to be served at just about every other dinner time around here
Last night I promised the kids spaghetti for dinner, everything was going well, the sauce smelt and tasted incredible, the salad was good and crisp, the garlic bread was ready for the oven and the water was ready for the noodles, the time came to pour the noodles into the water and Egads, no spaghetti noodles, I had enough for 1/2 a serving, I had enough Angel Hair for maybe a 1/4 of a serving, so I improvised and used Rotini noodles instead, of course I only had about 2 servings in regular Rotini and another 2 in wheat and so I threw them together thinking nobody would notice. WRONG, the first words out of Ben's mouth were "Why are the noodles different colored ?" I lied and told him I'd bought fun colored pasta, if the word wheat passed my lips, the dinner would have stayed on his plate. Sadly, Rotini and spaghetti sauce just don't taste the same as using good old spaghetti noodles, but they ate it with out too many complaints all the same.
Now fast forward to tonight, Marc is out playing Golf, Ben is eating at a friends house, Victoria doesn't eat until much later, so it was just Reagan to cook for, Mac and Cheese with tuna fish was screaming her name, had everything ready and what do you know ? No flipping macaroni noodles, BUT I did have Bow Tie pasta, so that's what I served her, she looked dubious at first, until I made up a story telling her this was special girl pasta,telling her to look at how pretty the bows were on her plate, she gave me a look that said "Mom you're full of it." But being the good kid that she is she tucked in and for the first night in days, maybe even weeks, her plate was cleaned. YAY, for girl food !!
So I have to ask all of you wonderful cooks out there, what is a favorite side at your dinner table ? Pasta in all shapes and sizes is getting a little tedious, potatoes get boring as does rice and I'm running out of ideas.
Monday, May 19, 2008
It only stands to reason
That if you put nectar out for the Hummingbirds and Orioles, seed for the finches and other wild birds and dried corn for the squirrels, that as soon as you plant lettuces the bunnies will think that they're for them.
The logic of nature I guess... AAAGGGHHH
The logic of nature I guess... AAAGGGHHH
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Think Spring
My friend Erin gave a blog challenge to post pics of all things green and spring like around your house, so here's to meeting that challenge.
Excuse the front of the house this was before we mowed the grass or trimmed back the hedges. Check out the out of control lavender. Back in MN I couldn't get it to grow, here it's like wild fire.
Excuse the front of the house this was before we mowed the grass or trimmed back the hedges. Check out the out of control lavender. Back in MN I couldn't get it to grow, here it's like wild fire.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Rain, rain go away
Come again on a dry Summers Day.
Geez, it just won't stop coming down, if I hear one more smart alec comment from someone talking about all the rain in England I think I'll direct them here to Maryland, then they'll really know what rain is like.
I am so desperate to plant my seedlings, every time I get out there or make plans to, the heavens open, I think tomorrow I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and plant them anyway and hope and pray they don't get washed away.
Seeings as we were stuck inside today Reagan and I made some yummy freezer jam from the strawberries we picked yesterday and boy, is it good ? YUM !!
Geez, it just won't stop coming down, if I hear one more smart alec comment from someone talking about all the rain in England I think I'll direct them here to Maryland, then they'll really know what rain is like.
I am so desperate to plant my seedlings, every time I get out there or make plans to, the heavens open, I think tomorrow I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and plant them anyway and hope and pray they don't get washed away.
Seeings as we were stuck inside today Reagan and I made some yummy freezer jam from the strawberries we picked yesterday and boy, is it good ? YUM !!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Want some extra dough ?
And who doesn't ? If you sign up for Revolution Money Exchange (RME) before the end of the day today, May 15, you'll get $25 free deposited into your account. RME is like Paypal, but with no fees. Once you have an account you can spend your money online, or transfer it into your checking account. Pretty awesome huh ? I will now be accepting RME over in my Etsy store along with many others.
Soooo sign up and go shopping ;-)
Thanks for the heads up Bean
Soooo sign up and go shopping ;-)
Thanks for the heads up Bean
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Happy Hump Day
Holy busy day. Ever had one of those days where you barely have time to pee ? That was our day today.
In the midst of it all Reagan and I decided that we needed to bake a cake for desert, just because. A Red Velvet Torte with Dream whip topping... YUM !! Reagan had a blast decorating it and I think she did a pretty good job, don't you ?
Sometimes you just have to take time out of a busy day to have fun and find something to celebrate, tonight after dinner we'll eat a slice of that cake and celebrate all that we accomplished today, the fact that a hectic first half to the week is over and it's only 3 days 'til the weekend... YAY !!!
In the midst of it all Reagan and I decided that we needed to bake a cake for desert, just because. A Red Velvet Torte with Dream whip topping... YUM !! Reagan had a blast decorating it and I think she did a pretty good job, don't you ?
Sometimes you just have to take time out of a busy day to have fun and find something to celebrate, tonight after dinner we'll eat a slice of that cake and celebrate all that we accomplished today, the fact that a hectic first half to the week is over and it's only 3 days 'til the weekend... YAY !!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Lusting
Ever seen something that you want so badly you dream about it ? That's me and these sandals. I really need black strappy sandals but these gold ones are screaming at me to buy them.
Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out
That's a little saying my Grandad used to say every Spring when the first rays of sun would poke from behind the clouds. He was a wonderful gardener, spending hours a day tending to his flower beds, hedges and lawns. The day before he died he was out weeding and getting everything ready to plant the 100 Geraniums he'd just had delivered. He was a patient man never hurrying the planting season, me on the other hand, not so patient. When I moved from England to Virginia, Spring arrived a lot earlier and I was able to plant earlier than May and that made me happy, we then moved to Minnesota where we could still have snow on the ground in May and the nurseries wouldn't even start opening up until Mother's Day weekend. Well now I'm in Maryland and the weather warms up quicker just like in Virginia, I was so excited to go off and buy plants and herbs last week, the day was gorgeous and the weather had been that way for a week,Reagan and I loaded up a wagon of Geraniums, Marigolds, Superbells, Double Petunias, Basil, Purple Basil and strawberries, came home planted most of them and built a scarecrow for the vegetable garden.
Just a mere 12 hours later the weather changed, the temps dipped and the rains came down and it remained that way for 4 days.
A horrible storm with pouring rains and high winds whipped through here Sunday night on into yesterday, I went outside to assess the damage, my scarecrow is a heap on the ground, the vege garden looks like a mud pool, I had to go hunt for some geraniums as they were no longer on the table, they were up turned and on the other side of the patio, my Basil was snapped in half and we have a swimming pool on top of the cover of our swimming pool. Now today I have to go about damage control.
Had I just heeded what Grandad said I wouldn't be going to all this trouble today.
Older really is wiser huh ?
Just a mere 12 hours later the weather changed, the temps dipped and the rains came down and it remained that way for 4 days.
A horrible storm with pouring rains and high winds whipped through here Sunday night on into yesterday, I went outside to assess the damage, my scarecrow is a heap on the ground, the vege garden looks like a mud pool, I had to go hunt for some geraniums as they were no longer on the table, they were up turned and on the other side of the patio, my Basil was snapped in half and we have a swimming pool on top of the cover of our swimming pool. Now today I have to go about damage control.
Had I just heeded what Grandad said I wouldn't be going to all this trouble today.
Older really is wiser huh ?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day Mum. Though I'll never get to hold your hand again I will always hold you in my heart.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A girl's gotta do what a girl wants to do
Once in a blue moon right ?
Marc has been gone since Tuesday and won't be home until late tomorrow night, it's been a long, busy week and that's ok.
Today I had a list as long as my arm of things I needed to get done and how many of those things do you think I actually got done ? Not a darn thing, and that is totally ok in my world.
My day started with coming down pouring my coffee and taking it up to bed with me and I read some more of my book LOVE this book, if you're looking for a good read I highly recommend this. I spoke to a girlfriend on the phone for a good long while, between us we found the solution to world peace, at least in our corner of the world, then I came down and cleaned my kitchen from top to bottom, not because I had to but because I wanted to, tidied the house and then sat down to a movie and watched it all the way through without one interruption, it was bliss.
I don't remember the last time I had a day like this, it was certainly over due and I feel wonderfully rejuvenated for it.
During this time my children weren't locked in their rooms, Victoria was out doing whatever 16 y/o girls do on a weekend and the other 2 were over playing at a friends house,they came back for a little and grabbed a snack and then they were gone again.
Well off to cook dinner..Spaghetti with meatballs, a green salad and warm garlic bread sounds pretty yum and a great way to finish out the day.
Marc has been gone since Tuesday and won't be home until late tomorrow night, it's been a long, busy week and that's ok.
Today I had a list as long as my arm of things I needed to get done and how many of those things do you think I actually got done ? Not a darn thing, and that is totally ok in my world.
My day started with coming down pouring my coffee and taking it up to bed with me and I read some more of my book LOVE this book, if you're looking for a good read I highly recommend this. I spoke to a girlfriend on the phone for a good long while, between us we found the solution to world peace, at least in our corner of the world, then I came down and cleaned my kitchen from top to bottom, not because I had to but because I wanted to, tidied the house and then sat down to a movie and watched it all the way through without one interruption, it was bliss.
I don't remember the last time I had a day like this, it was certainly over due and I feel wonderfully rejuvenated for it.
During this time my children weren't locked in their rooms, Victoria was out doing whatever 16 y/o girls do on a weekend and the other 2 were over playing at a friends house,they came back for a little and grabbed a snack and then they were gone again.
Well off to cook dinner..Spaghetti with meatballs, a green salad and warm garlic bread sounds pretty yum and a great way to finish out the day.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Life's an adventure
From one day to the next we never know what little adventure life is going to throw our way do we ?
Earlier today Victoria called me from school, a fight had broken out in a hallway just as she was walking by, one of the boys was bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose, got up ran past her and spit, spraying blood all over her.. GROSS !!! so she needed me to take her a change of clothes, Reagan and I went over to the school and were waiting out in the office while Victoria used their bathroom to change. Reagan was sat on a bench that had steel seats every 3 inches. I was talking to one of the ladies at the desk when all of a sudden we heard an ear piercing scream come from Reagan, I looked down and her leg was jammed tight between 2 of the seats, how in the world she got it stuck like that is anyone's guess. I tried to lift it out, no dice, tried to twist her leg in a different direction, not happening, next thing I knew the school nurse had been called down, everyone was crowding the waiting area wondering what was happening, the nurse called for a custodian, Reagan was wailing and the awful mother I am I was trying to stifle the laughter that wanted to explode from my soul. I had visions of firefighters coming to cut the seats apart, I'm wondering how the hell she got her leg jammed like that, I'm thinking of peoples conversation around the dinner table tonight, I'm seeing humor in the situation, ayayaye.
To redeem myself, the Super Hero Mother I am, I somehow managed push the edge of the seat out just a tad to pop her leg out cleanly, no windex, Dove kitchen soap or firefighters were needed, just a Mommy's super powers ;-)
Normally I don't name names, but Mrs Anderson was awesome, she talked to Reagan throughout the whole ordeal, gave her stickers and M&Ms afterwards and then told Victoria she was going to excuse her for the rest of the day seeings as she was contaminated with somebody else's blood, she felt she should go home and take a long hot shower, I agreed.
Poor Reagan was quite mortified by the whole thing, when I told her she needed to tell Daddy what happened today, she looked me square in the eye and said "I don't ever want to talk about it again." Alrighty then.
Earlier today Victoria called me from school, a fight had broken out in a hallway just as she was walking by, one of the boys was bleeding profusely from his mouth and nose, got up ran past her and spit, spraying blood all over her.. GROSS !!! so she needed me to take her a change of clothes, Reagan and I went over to the school and were waiting out in the office while Victoria used their bathroom to change. Reagan was sat on a bench that had steel seats every 3 inches. I was talking to one of the ladies at the desk when all of a sudden we heard an ear piercing scream come from Reagan, I looked down and her leg was jammed tight between 2 of the seats, how in the world she got it stuck like that is anyone's guess. I tried to lift it out, no dice, tried to twist her leg in a different direction, not happening, next thing I knew the school nurse had been called down, everyone was crowding the waiting area wondering what was happening, the nurse called for a custodian, Reagan was wailing and the awful mother I am I was trying to stifle the laughter that wanted to explode from my soul. I had visions of firefighters coming to cut the seats apart, I'm wondering how the hell she got her leg jammed like that, I'm thinking of peoples conversation around the dinner table tonight, I'm seeing humor in the situation, ayayaye.
To redeem myself, the Super Hero Mother I am, I somehow managed push the edge of the seat out just a tad to pop her leg out cleanly, no windex, Dove kitchen soap or firefighters were needed, just a Mommy's super powers ;-)
Normally I don't name names, but Mrs Anderson was awesome, she talked to Reagan throughout the whole ordeal, gave her stickers and M&Ms afterwards and then told Victoria she was going to excuse her for the rest of the day seeings as she was contaminated with somebody else's blood, she felt she should go home and take a long hot shower, I agreed.
Poor Reagan was quite mortified by the whole thing, when I told her she needed to tell Daddy what happened today, she looked me square in the eye and said "I don't ever want to talk about it again." Alrighty then.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Who knew ?
My kids are driving me crazy each night with dinnertime pickiness, seriously they drive me NUTS !!! Reagan is the worst, every night it's a negotiation, doesn't matter how small the portion is that I put on her plate, she'll push 95% of it to one side and ask "If I eat this much, do I get desert ?" I swear each night gets a tad bit more frustrating than the night before.
I decided that I needed to find a really good desert that would entice her to eat the whole plateful and came across the cutest box of ice cream treats. Reagan is a huge dog lover, so what better treat than a box with a super cute doggie on the outside, right ? The fact that the box states no sugar added and high quality protein was definitely an added bonus so I decided that though they were quite a bit more than I would usually pay for an ice cream treat, the payoff was worth it and so I bought these home with me.
Too bad I didn't see the Purina logo up in the top left hand corner or read the rest of the box, Winchester our big black Lab will be one happy puppy tonight.
Ice cream treats for dogs, who knew ?
I decided that I needed to find a really good desert that would entice her to eat the whole plateful and came across the cutest box of ice cream treats. Reagan is a huge dog lover, so what better treat than a box with a super cute doggie on the outside, right ? The fact that the box states no sugar added and high quality protein was definitely an added bonus so I decided that though they were quite a bit more than I would usually pay for an ice cream treat, the payoff was worth it and so I bought these home with me.
Too bad I didn't see the Purina logo up in the top left hand corner or read the rest of the box, Winchester our big black Lab will be one happy puppy tonight.
Ice cream treats for dogs, who knew ?
Missed another day
Today I'll make up for the missed post yesterday and blog twice today, be warned the first won't be too friendly. I have learnt that to blog at night is not such a good idea, either I'm too tired or Victoria beats me to the computer, she doesn't get on it a whole lot so for one hour before she goes to bed I'm not going to fight her for it.
Now to my vent.
Mean people truly SUCK !! Back in April some woman found my store and apparently fell in love with my tampon holders she emailed me gushing about them and asked if I would be interested in donating one or two for a silent online auction fundraiser, she gave me a link to her website etc, everything seemed legit so I did. Long and the short of it, I was scammed and the bitch was just too damn cheap to buy her own for a massive $7.00. I sent her 2 as promised and never heard another word back from her, I have emailed her numerous times and NOTHING !! I checked her website and sure, she's advertising the auction but is it actually taking place as it should be ? NO !!!! Has she had the decency to respond to any of my emails ? Of course not. People like her need to look deep inside of themselves and reflect on how their actions affect so many others, because of her the next time I am asked to donate something I will be thinking twice about it. People like her make it very difficult for the really good people out there who truly strive to make a difference .
Now to my vent.
Mean people truly SUCK !! Back in April some woman found my store and apparently fell in love with my tampon holders she emailed me gushing about them and asked if I would be interested in donating one or two for a silent online auction fundraiser, she gave me a link to her website etc, everything seemed legit so I did. Long and the short of it, I was scammed and the bitch was just too damn cheap to buy her own for a massive $7.00. I sent her 2 as promised and never heard another word back from her, I have emailed her numerous times and NOTHING !! I checked her website and sure, she's advertising the auction but is it actually taking place as it should be ? NO !!!! Has she had the decency to respond to any of my emails ? Of course not. People like her need to look deep inside of themselves and reflect on how their actions affect so many others, because of her the next time I am asked to donate something I will be thinking twice about it. People like her make it very difficult for the really good people out there who truly strive to make a difference .
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
They're baaaack
The Hummingbirds that is. Thank goodness, back in November Reagan was indignant and not too happy with me. Now with the return of sunshine and warmer temps they have returned and we are sooooo happy that we had to go out and buy them new food and a new feeder, we will put it all up tomorrow and Reagan will be a happy camper for the next 6 months
Monday, May 5, 2008
TAG.... I'm it.
My friend Bean tagged me for this Meme, in order to help me through my 'A Post A Day In May Challenge'.. Thanks Bean
WHAT WAS I DOING 10 YEARS AGO ?
I was the mom of a 6 month baby boy and a 6 year old girl, living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I was a Brownie troop leader, Room Mother, Helps Ministry leader, living and loving life.
MY TO DO LIST/ WHAT I ACTUALLY DID RECENTLY
Things to do:
Harden up the seedlings ready for planting
Make up hanging baskets for the front porch
Plant Basil
Fill planters for the back yard
Buy Hummingbird food and fill their feeders
Buy candles for the gazebo
Sign up Reagan for T Ball
Sign up Victoria for Summer swim team
Go Summer clothes shopping for me... Wheeeee ;-)
And the list goes on and on and on.....
Things accomplished:
Prepared the ground for the vegetable garden
Finally got my MD drivers license.... Yay me ;-)
Swept off the front porch
Weeded and prepared garden beds to grow Basil, Cilantro,and Garlic.
Finished Summer clothes shopping for all 3 kids
SNACKS I ENJOY
I'm not really a snacker, usually it's a piece of fruit or a chocolate rice cake spread with peanut butter, when I'm PMS'ing I'll munch on chips.
THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE
Phew, that's a lot of money. Pay off all outstanding debt for us and other family members, buy a farm and become self sufficient, donate a huge chunk towards Pediatric Cancer research, set up hospitals in 3rd world countries where natives can recieve adequate medical attention and medicines/ vaccinations.
3 BAD HABITS
Procrastination
Disorganization
Horder
5 PLACES I'VE LIVED
Reading, England
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Marshall, Minnesota
Salisbury, Maryland
JOBS I'VE HAD
Paper round, retail sales, nurse, makeup/skin consultant, stage makeup artist, receptionist, accounts clerk
4 PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTING BLOGS THAT I'D LIKE TO TAG
Lisa
Hilly
Marly
Maria
WHAT WAS I DOING 10 YEARS AGO ?
I was the mom of a 6 month baby boy and a 6 year old girl, living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I was a Brownie troop leader, Room Mother, Helps Ministry leader, living and loving life.
MY TO DO LIST/ WHAT I ACTUALLY DID RECENTLY
Things to do:
Harden up the seedlings ready for planting
Make up hanging baskets for the front porch
Plant Basil
Fill planters for the back yard
Buy Hummingbird food and fill their feeders
Buy candles for the gazebo
Sign up Reagan for T Ball
Sign up Victoria for Summer swim team
Go Summer clothes shopping for me... Wheeeee ;-)
And the list goes on and on and on.....
Things accomplished:
Prepared the ground for the vegetable garden
Finally got my MD drivers license.... Yay me ;-)
Swept off the front porch
Weeded and prepared garden beds to grow Basil, Cilantro,and Garlic.
Finished Summer clothes shopping for all 3 kids
SNACKS I ENJOY
I'm not really a snacker, usually it's a piece of fruit or a chocolate rice cake spread with peanut butter, when I'm PMS'ing I'll munch on chips.
THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE
Phew, that's a lot of money. Pay off all outstanding debt for us and other family members, buy a farm and become self sufficient, donate a huge chunk towards Pediatric Cancer research, set up hospitals in 3rd world countries where natives can recieve adequate medical attention and medicines/ vaccinations.
3 BAD HABITS
Procrastination
Disorganization
Horder
5 PLACES I'VE LIVED
Reading, England
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Marshall, Minnesota
Salisbury, Maryland
JOBS I'VE HAD
Paper round, retail sales, nurse, makeup/skin consultant, stage makeup artist, receptionist, accounts clerk
4 PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTING BLOGS THAT I'D LIKE TO TAG
Lisa
Hilly
Marly
Maria
OOOPS...
So my intent to post every day in May hit a glitch yesterday, I was so tired by the time the kids were in bed that I had to retire myself, the idea of writing something was more than my poor tired brain could do, so maybe I'll post twice today ;-)
I do want to share this about Reagan though because it was so darn cute. As is the norm for her she will jump into bed and snuggle for a few minutes with me first thing in the morning. Yesterday she was snuggling for a short while looking deep in thought and then bounced out the bed and said "I'll be right back." About 10 mins later she walked into my room with a bowl of my favorite cereal, a yogurt and a spoon and exclaimed "Breakfast in bed, because I love you." She then went on to explain that she would have put milk in the cereal but she couldn't pour it out of the jug without spilling and so she thought I could add my yogurt to the cereal, which I did and it was pretty darn good.
So, so sweet and for no other reason than because she loves me. Made up for the near heart attack she gave me the other day, dont'cha think ?
I do want to share this about Reagan though because it was so darn cute. As is the norm for her she will jump into bed and snuggle for a few minutes with me first thing in the morning. Yesterday she was snuggling for a short while looking deep in thought and then bounced out the bed and said "I'll be right back." About 10 mins later she walked into my room with a bowl of my favorite cereal, a yogurt and a spoon and exclaimed "Breakfast in bed, because I love you." She then went on to explain that she would have put milk in the cereal but she couldn't pour it out of the jug without spilling and so she thought I could add my yogurt to the cereal, which I did and it was pretty darn good.
So, so sweet and for no other reason than because she loves me. Made up for the near heart attack she gave me the other day, dont'cha think ?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Great start to the weekend and I really mean it
Today was one of those days where you would love for it to go on forever.
It started off bright and early with Ben and I taking off and having a Mother/Son morning, we hit a few yard sales and left empty handed, then headed to the Mall to pick up some Early Bird Specials from Penneys, to help complete Ben's Summer wardrobe, after that it was off to IHOP where Ben salivated over my crepes only to spit them out in his napkin (Poor kid was not swallowing those things,you'd have thought they were made with arsenic) and gave me the biggest compliment ever, "They're nothing like your crepes Mom, yours are the best, I'm never eating anyone elses again" Awwww, how sweet, maybe it's because I stuff his with icecream.
Then we headed out, finished up his Summer wardrobe shopping and went home, where we were greeted by Reagan who was ecstatic that we bought her clothes too and big relief to me, she loved them all.
This afternoon the weather was gorgeous and so I finished getting the vegetable garden ready for my seedlings,it was a lot of hard work, but I was immediately rewarded with a pretty tan and will be greatly rewarded in a month or so when we start harvesting all the goodies.
I also got to meet a neighbor who's house backs up to ours, she is also planting a garden and so we stood for a good hour yacking about what we hope to get out of our planting and learnt some things about each other, both of our families are going to get together tomorrow evening and cook out.
After the crappy reception we received from our next door neighbors when we moved in, it was so nice to meet nice, down to earth people.
After a wonderful dinner consumed in our new gazebo we headed in, Ben went to a Baseball game, Victoria has gone to friends and Reagan is getting ready to jump in the tub, she is one dirty, grimey little girl, always proof that she has had a great day, her highlight being walking in the garden dirt in bare feet.
If only everyday could be this carefree.
It started off bright and early with Ben and I taking off and having a Mother/Son morning, we hit a few yard sales and left empty handed, then headed to the Mall to pick up some Early Bird Specials from Penneys, to help complete Ben's Summer wardrobe, after that it was off to IHOP where Ben salivated over my crepes only to spit them out in his napkin (Poor kid was not swallowing those things,you'd have thought they were made with arsenic) and gave me the biggest compliment ever, "They're nothing like your crepes Mom, yours are the best, I'm never eating anyone elses again" Awwww, how sweet, maybe it's because I stuff his with icecream.
Then we headed out, finished up his Summer wardrobe shopping and went home, where we were greeted by Reagan who was ecstatic that we bought her clothes too and big relief to me, she loved them all.
This afternoon the weather was gorgeous and so I finished getting the vegetable garden ready for my seedlings,it was a lot of hard work, but I was immediately rewarded with a pretty tan and will be greatly rewarded in a month or so when we start harvesting all the goodies.
I also got to meet a neighbor who's house backs up to ours, she is also planting a garden and so we stood for a good hour yacking about what we hope to get out of our planting and learnt some things about each other, both of our families are going to get together tomorrow evening and cook out.
After the crappy reception we received from our next door neighbors when we moved in, it was so nice to meet nice, down to earth people.
After a wonderful dinner consumed in our new gazebo we headed in, Ben went to a Baseball game, Victoria has gone to friends and Reagan is getting ready to jump in the tub, she is one dirty, grimey little girl, always proof that she has had a great day, her highlight being walking in the garden dirt in bare feet.
If only everyday could be this carefree.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sick sense of humor
Yesterday morning I was having a frustrating time photographing my memo boards so I was a little neglectful of Reagan, leaving the TV to babysit while I kept snapping away. After about 15 mins she headed into the kitchen and called out "Mom, I need your help." I told her I'd be down shortly, 2 secs later (patience isn't a gift that comes easily to her) she called up again "I really need you Mom." Now I'm getting a little irritated, I'm trying to make a buck and all she wants to do is play some flipping computer game, so I said rather sternly "I'll get there in a minute" 10 seconds later and I hear in a pitiful tone "Mom, please help me." Now I'm pissed, I yell "I'm coming down right now." Well it was a couple of mins later, I walked out into the kitchen only to see my child layed out on the floor, arms limp at her side, head flopped to one side and her eyes closed. My heart leapt into my chest, I honestly thought I was going to throw up, I grabbed the phone and then bent down and with my empty hand went to check her pulse at which time she opened her eyes and screamed "BOO !!". Holy Shit, I about crapped my pants. She laughed her ass off thinking it was the funniest thing in the world and then looked at me all innocently and said "Now will you get me on Littlest Pet Shop ?" I obliged with heart still racing and a grin spreading across my face, you see I remember doing that very same thing to my brother, only at the time I was selling and being trained to use Leichner stage make up and had just gone to a conference and had, had one on one time with one of the top make up artists in England. I had a capsule of fake blood, broke it open and held it in the corner of my mouth, I made a noise in our spare room that sounded like someone falling, my brother rushed in only to find me laying on the floor and blood pouring from my mouth, Chris ran out screaming "Mum, Mum, Penny's dead." To which I jumped up and yelled "April Fools."
Now what possessed Reagan to do what she did yesterday I have no idea but it gave me a chuckle and bought back some happy memories, LOL. Sorry Chris ;-)
Now what possessed Reagan to do what she did yesterday I have no idea but it gave me a chuckle and bought back some happy memories, LOL. Sorry Chris ;-)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
New in the shop
After a lot of headache I have finally listed 4 chalk message boards in my store I think they make great gifts for just about everyone, adults and kids alike, Ben has already begged me for the Camo one, kids love chalk don't they ?
Anyway if you want an affordable gift and not something that's going to get thrown at the back of the closet and will actually get used maybe you should pop on over ;-)
Anyway if you want an affordable gift and not something that's going to get thrown at the back of the closet and will actually get used maybe you should pop on over ;-)
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