If I remember correctly last year I did 'The Twelve Recipes of Christmas'....Here's #2 for this year.

Macaroon Sandwich Cookies

1 tube Pillbury Sugar cookie dough
1.5 c. shredded coconut
1 tsp. coconut extract.

4 squares baking chocolate
3 T. milk

Set cookie dough out for one hour to get to room temp.

Combine cookie dough, coconut, and extract in kitchen aid mixer. Run until thoroughly blended. Refridgerate for 30 mins.

Remove dough from fridge. Make 1/2" balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until edges are just golden.

In microwave safe bowl, heat chocolate squares and 3T. milk on low. Stop microwave several time to stir until smooth.

When cookies are cool, put 1/2 tsp chocolate icing on one cookie and top with additional cookie. YUM!!!!

Double Layer Peppermint Fudge

I've been gone for a long time so here is a sweet treat for all of you! Happy Holidays!


Double Layer Peppermint Fudge

1 bag(12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy chocolate frosting.

1 bag white chocolate chips
1 container Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy vanilla frosting

red food color

1/2 cup. crushed candy cane.

Sprinkles.

Line a 13x9 inch pan with foil, leaving soil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan. lightly grease foil with cooking spray.

In 3 qt. sauce pan heat chocolate chips and chocolate frosting on LOW heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and spread in greased pan. Refrigerate 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in another 3 qt. sauce pan, heat white chips and vanilla icing on LOW heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in desired amount of food coloring and crushed peppermint. Pour over chocolate mixture, sprinkle with colored sugar if desired, and let refrigerate for 1 hr.

Cut into squares and serve.

The Top Ten Right Now

These are the things that are rocking my world right now, in no particular order

1. Cream of Wheat made with Vanilla Almond milk, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. It is just the thing for dinner on a cold, rainy night.

2. That I found $130 worth of toys at the thrift store today....spent $16. A lot of happiness will happen Christmas morning for a minimal expense.

3. Finding out that Palmolive Eco dishwasher soap works just as good as the soap I'd been using...half the price.

4. Hosting a holiday market at my house in a week.

5. Seeing history somewhat repeat itself in my child loving, laughing and fighting with her cousins.

6. My little man finding new words every day....todays word, 'noon l' (noodle)

7. Fantastic impromptu playdates that last longer than intended because the kiddos are playing nice. The fabulous coffee and mommy talk that comes with that.

8. Having all THREE Christmas Trees up and decorated before December 1st. Yes, we have three. Rich's, mine, and one for Nora. I guess at some point we will have to get a 4th for Trent.

9. Nora helping me clean out her toys to give away to charity.

10. Being focused on making memories this holiday season. Sometimes, it's good to forget all the pomp and circumstance and soak up the feeling of hope, joy and love.

It's a Fly By

I have been remiss in keeping this updated. Ooops.

Nora went to Disneyworld with her Nonni for 5 days. It was her birthday present. She had SO much fun and has voted Splash Mountain the best ride ever!

I've been keeping busy with craft fairs. The last two haven't been so great for sales, so that stinks. But the other vendors/ladies have been fantastic company. I treasure all the networking and adult conversation.

I've been trying to get the house in order, to no avail. Trent is a little tornado that comes through 5 mins after I clean.

Rich's sister and her family are up for the week. The cousins are having multitudes of fun together. Lots of giggling, running and wrestling. Calling each other silly names. And generally not stopping the fun for meals. The giggle into the night, tucked in a bed together like little monkeys. These memories are just precious to me.

Michael has taken to playing with Trent and says, 'He will be his 'best' cousin'. There is a 5.5 yr age difference but a lot of love.

Our little guy has learned a few more words since the last post...

R2 - ah two
Books - bots

He LOVES books. At this age you could not keep Nora still enough to read one. Trent snuggles into your arms with his blankets and just sighs as the book opens. Going to be a book worm like mommy and daddy.

'What's That!'

It seems impossible but we've entered the 'wha dis'....'wha dat' stage with our happy little guy. He happily walks around pointing and jabbering, but never stops long enough to hear the answer!

His Helen Keller moment happened last week when I handed him a stick of cheese, told him 'cheese'. His little voice came up with 'Che shhh' The 's' is very quietly said at the end, so stinking cute!

And so begins the flood of words. And because I will forget, I need to write down all the things he can say right now at 16.5 mths.

Boo(possibly his favorite game)
Da eee - Daddy
May may - mommy
Nah Nah - Nora

Bee bee - his blanket or lovie
Baaaa - ball
Buh - book

nigh nigh - night night
Hi
Bye
No - likes to say 'No Nah Nah'
Dah dough - Thank you

Ou - out
stuh - stuck
dow - down
up

Meow - mouth

Vrrrrr - the sound a car makes
Wow!
Whoa!

Mah - milk
Chee s - cheese
Nana - banana
Nuuuuu - noodle
bahr - bar, like a cereal bar

Wha' dis?
Wha' da?

The 6pm Bedtime

When you have kids, time changes are ROUGH. Nobody is happy for several days afterwards.

This past Saturday night before the fall back, we had a Greek dinner party at our house. Mommy and Daddy were having so much fun, ummm, drinking wine that we looked up and it was 10:15pm! Oooops! To the childrens' credit, they were having a great time laughing and playing with one of the guests....I am pretty sure they reached the hyper-tired state where everything makes them giggle.

We shuffled them upstairs to bed at 10:30 and rejoined the party until everyone left our house at 1am. Staying up that late makes me feel young and exciting, not like the SAHM and wife.

On Sunday, Nora was a disaster. Whine, whine, and more whine. And mommy and daddy's bodies just wanted to be lazy because of the wine, wine and more wine from the night before. We begged her to lay down for a nap, tried the lay down for a movie trick...nothing worked.

Nonni and Dohm, the grandparents, came over for dinner at 5:15. So grateful for the Chinese take-out they brought simplifying Sunday night dinner.

Nora started complaining about just wanting to go to bed at 5:45pm. She doesn't like Chinese, but had eaten a third of her dinner.

Now, she's tried this trick before to get out of eating dinner. After stories she will say she's changed her mind, she's not tired.

This was NOT the night to pull this. We called her bluff. She got down and gave the grandparents kisses goodnight. Then asked if someone would read books with her.

The reply, 'I'm sorry hon, but it is dinner time right now. If you want snuggles and a book you can wait until we are done eating. There will be no tv or playtime if you go upstairs. You said you were tired, you may sit in your bed and look at books if you want.''

''ok, mommy and daddy'' Didn't here another peep out of her.

The grandparents left around 6:15 and I went to check on Nora. Imagine my surprise when I came around the corner to darkness in her room. Quietly, opened the door to a sleeping child in the covers.

And what is that!

She cleaned up her room before bed like we always ask, without being told! All the legos were put away safely.

Night light was on.

And to top it off, she turned on her humidifier for herself! She told us this morning she remembered it helps her with her breath at night. (She has a bad cold)

My girl is getting so big! How did this happen! We are so proud of you for the responsible little girl you are becoming.

Blackmail

Just a few quick 'notes' to keep in the box to blackmail the kids later on in life.

++++++++

Nora coming out of the 1/2 bath pulling at her pants.

R: Honey, what are you doing?
N: These, these princess pants keep getting stuck in my poopy thing.
R: That would be called a wedgie.

++++++++

Came around the corner to find Nora screaming because Trent had his hands in the toilet....Lord help me. The kid was eating toilet paper out of the toilet! I don't even know if we should feel good that Nora only peed?

MIA

Sorry folks....working on my business and some personal things right now. Small hiatus from the blog.

My Little Star

After a hard week, it was a great surprise to wake up to Trent. On the Today Show. Because him talking to R2D2 went viral! OMG! There's my little midget on national television.

Trent, you are mommy's brightest light on her best and hardest days. It warms my heart that so many people get to see your smiling face and share in your joy. You have always been our happy guy.

Enough said. I am a proud mommy of that little man.

He Said, She Said.

And on our 8th anniversary, we proved how well matched we are. Here are the cards we gave each other....

Mine:

To my husband on our anniversary
Our life is filled with simple, ordinary days.
Working hard, doing things around the house,
raising a family.
But somehow, it all works out.
And somehow you know just how to make our
life together fun.
They're just simple, ordinary days that
keep out little world running.
But I can't think of anything that
could make me happier.


His:

A happy marriage is what happens
while two good people are busy
trying to make it through another year of
paying their bills, running their errands,
doing their chores, keeping sight of their dreams, and somehow,
always finding the time to show how much they care.
Our life is pretty busy, and I may not always say everything
that comes into my mind and heart each day.
But what really matters in my world is that we are together, and however busy life may get, I don't forget that...ever.

Rich gave me his first before he left for work and I smiled to myself while folding the laundry after I read it.

After a nice dinner out, I gave him mine. He immediately laughed, looked up and said, ''We picked out almost the same card!''

It's nice to know we are still thinking the same after 10 yrs of knowing, loving and dreaming of the other.

Happy Anniversary hon!

Notes from the Craft Fair

Wow! I think my brain is still rebooting and defragging from two weeks of manic sewing, insomniac nights, and general chaos.

There were moments I hated myself for being 'that' mom. I can't tell you how many movies Nora watched in the afternoon so I could stare at a little needle bobbing up and down.

The prayers I sent up for Trent to sleep just 10 more minutes so I could finish a seam or embroidery stitch.

Copious withdrawals from the 'marriage bank' on weekends so I could get 10 items a day finished with no interruption. Bless, bless my very hands on, kiddo loving, patient, supportive husband.

There was the last minute scramble for babysitting when Rich had a deadline at work come up. Again the thankfulness that we have awesome friends that stepped in to take Nora and Trent.

Nora got to stay with our friend, Tricia. Tricia took Nora shopping, to Moe's Mexican for queso lunch, to feed her horse carrots and brush him, and to a neighbors to play dress up. Tricia, who proclaims to be a neurotic mommy of one handled two kiddos like a pro!

Trent got to hang with our friend Alisha all day. She welcomed the snuggles from our little midget. Her boys are 7 and 9 so no more snuggling from them!

I guess that was all really pre-fair notes. oops....let me get myself back on track here.

Craft fairs are interesting. Good people watching.

All the grey haired ladies wandering around turning the sewn goods over and over and discussing how they are made. Odds are they are seamstress wizards themselves.

The confusing phenomenon of women going nuts over your stuff...screaming CUTE CUTE and then walking away, having purchased nothing. Mixed signals much?!

It's like a room full of addicts with cocaine and heroine sitting on every table. Crafters are right brained and now you've put them all in one room with 1000's of juicy ideas. So. hard. not. to. buy. EVERYTHING!.

The 70+ yr old man trying to peddle wooden Snoopy merchandise like it's THE thing to have this Xmas. With all the wood carving he did, Woody would be so much more appropriate.

How people were flocking to the Pampered Chef, 31, etc. booths. These things are not a craft and admittedly it got under my skin. Nothing against those of you selling those things, because I purchase them It's just the fundamental thought that they did not craft any part of these things, while I spent over 100 hrs making my stuff.

Kids with money can be your best sales. These two little girls ate up the flower hair clips with the $20 their mom gave them. On the opposite side, I had a 12 yr old run off across the fair with a purse to see if grandma would buy it. Hey, hey, you didn't pay for that! Come back!!!!! (Grandma did buy it in the end)

In the end, I made enough money to make it worth it. All I can really ask.

And at the end of a Perfect Day

Bliss.

Get up. Drink the required 3 cups of coffee to be 'happy' mommy.

Take kiddo to preschool, where she excitedly chirps 'Byyyeee Buddy!!!' at her brother. Pull away being SO grateful for my easy going, cherub. Look at the cherub in the back seat eagerly sucking down his second milk of the day.

Ahhhh...

Go across the street to the thrift store to hunt down some needed items for crafting. Successfully find lots of little jean jumpers to add ruffles to.

Onto the next store, can't find what I'm looking for but WOW! Yellow cork wedge heels from American Eagle for $4. They are mine!!! Along with two pairs of winter jammies for Trent at $1 a piece and a $3 Aurora costume for Nora. I'll convince her later that Aurora is all the rage for Halloween this year.

Back in the car, up to the landscaper's shop I got. Good, he's not here this makes for a faster drop off. Slip those through the mail slot and high tail it south.

Cherub is now starting to grow devilish horns in the back seat due to being in car for way longer than mommy said.

Stop by Goodwill....still looking for hat stands to use as display pieces at the craft fair. No luck.....errrrr.

Pick up kiddo from preschool. Lunch. Movie for the oldest, naptime for the youngest. This equals me sitting my butt in a sewing chair and becoming a schnitzel monster on the floor of the sewing room.

Kiddo wakes up...outside time! Somewhere in there laundry got started and caramel corn was made.

Sitting on the back patio with my laptop and WHOA!!!!! Rich is home at 5pm! Today is just getting better and better.

Over dinner we discuss the weird rotten funk smell that permeated the house earlier in the day....and is still lingering despite excessive candle usage. Family dinner over, I chase Trent into Rich's office.

OMG! Nooooooooo!

But yes, my oldest did. She brought her 10 lb pumpkin into the house to 'show' daddy this weekend.

The problem, it didn't get put back outside.

There it sat on Rich's hardwood desk. Exploded. Oozing. Putrid smell emitting. Dripping into the carpet. Sludge across the desk absorbing into paperwork.

Sighhhhh. And Rich was complaining about the diaper he just had to change. I'll trade ya hon!

Get the largest mixing bowl. Get the largest spatula. Get the biggest gulp of fresh air I can. Scoop! RUN......to the back door.

At least this will be good compost for the garden.

Eeeeeeee, Bracing for a Sew-A-Thon

Holy moly...can't believe I did this!

First off, thanks for all the support from my online and IRL friends! I think you all gave me the courage to put my neck out there. Face one more fear.

I hate rejection and this craft fair stuff has you set up from the beginning. Here in the south, all the fairs are juried. As Rich likes to describe it, a bunch of sorority sisters sit around and decide if you are 'cool' enough to join the show.

Considering most of them happen at churches, that whole idea of judgement seems a little back asswards. But whatever.

Submit the application and wait. I thought the selection date had already passed so it hit me out of now where today when I got the acceptance email.

Guess I'll be seeing a lot more of my sewing machine in the next 16 days.

And then standing in front of my booth, crossing my fingers that people like my designs. It's all a popularity contest that makes me uncomfortable. But I have to do this, gotta have some guts in life.

Rah Rah Ruffles

The girly girl in this tomboy has found an outlet. So I've started making Rah Rah Ruffle pants and skirts for my Etsy shop. The ruffles on the pants are meant to coordinate with your teams colors, easily match it with a school t-shirt.

Here are the ones I have so far! If you happen upon this post in the wide searching web, email me if you want something custom.

Nora's Georgia Tech(Black and Gold) Rah Rah pants


Nora modeling Virginia Tech Rah Rah's (look it's a picture of my kiddo!)


My niece, Callie's Red Raider Texas Tech Rah Rah's - The cuteness of 12 mth size just kills me!


The original prototype - University of Georgia Rah Rahs


The original prototype of a Rah Rah Ruffles Skirt - Red and White

Trent's Happenings

The little dude is on the go! Mommy is definitely getting re-educated in the ways of boys versus girls.

He likes to climb, if it has an edge he is there.

He runs so fast that when he falls down, his arms catch his body but the noggin still hits the concrete. It is a horrific noise. (shudder) This maneuver has resulted in constant scabs on his forehead. Even cuter, he will go 'talk' to the spot after he recovers from the fall. I'm sure the concrete takes his finger pointing and jabbering to heart.

Screaming. Save me now. Boys like to scream all. the. time. His sister is a great cohort for this game.

Throwing things. All balls, blocks, or sand must be thrown multiple times with shrieking.(see above)

Cars are awesome! If they make noise, it's even better.

The attention span is limited....maybe 5 minutes per toy. AND if you don't show us another one we will walk around aimlessly and obliviously to the overflowing buckets.

Cuddles. Cuddles are our favorite thing. Every morning he must have 10 minutes of cuddles before playing starts. I can't complain about this one.

Anything with an electrical current will be investigated. The gadgets are HIS, do not argue.

He's obsessed with shoes. He knows when shoes are put on we are going ''Byyyyyyye!''

I'd love to post more, but Trent just walked out of the bathroom with the toilet brush for the 10 time this morning!

Randomness from Nora

***There is no indigo in the rainbows, because the angels ate it.

***''mommy don't worry you be ok, you only stay up late'' - Nora's response to me having to finish a birthday party present after a hard day

***''I had a dream that ants where coming out of Aiden's eyes and then he turned into a monkey''....describing the scary dream she had that had her in our bed at 6am.

***''When I get big. I will have a big voice, not a little voice.''

***''Mommy tears were falling when they made me nap. I was sad you were not there.'' Telling me that she cried during naptime at drop-in daycare. Successfully crushed mommy's heart!

Hairbands!

This one all started because Nora received one as a gift over a year ago. LOVE them!

"http://www.etsy.com/listing/81717604/yellow-poppy-hair-band-with-clip?ref=pr_shop"

"http://www.etsy.com/listing/81718002/red-chrysanthemum-headband-with-clip?ref=pr_shop"

Skirts on Etsy!!!

LOVING this! Here's just a sampling of all the little skirts I've made and placed in my Etsy Shop.....http://www.etsy.com/people/TheSnuggledStitch?ref=si_pr






Oh....coming soon! Harry Potter Hooded Sorting Hat Towels! (The drawings are on my work table now.)

Desperate Housewife Confessional

Guilty! So darn guilty of cutting corners!

My list of offenses is long.

Give kiddos afternoon snack of pretzels and cheez-Its on area rug...YES, ON the rug. Trent is sure to dump the bowl out anyway. I just give it a quick vacuum later.

Run the dishwasher half full because washing sippy cups by hand is not happening.

I use a toilet bowl brush to clean my tile grout, because it's faster. This brush is ONLY used in the shower.

Vacuum off the top of the stove and kitchen table with an attachment. Don't judge! The vacuum was there and I thought, what the heck!

Piled all the shoes into a laundry basket to make the downstairs seem more organized.

Did the same thing with stacks of bills, now have a whole tupperware bin of 4 mths of paperwork....at least it's no longer scattered.

Handed the 4 yr old a rag and the Pledge...have fun honey!

Sofa Shopping

We hate shopping.

Both of us.

Which makes the idea of sofa shopping, together and ON a holiday weekend almost unbearable.

It was just time to pull the trigger on this and put a swift death to the Salvation Army couch in the den. I've owned it for 10 yrs and at $300 it was my first independent, large furniture purchase. You might be asking why a Salvation Army couch was $300....because it is/was an Ethan Allen couch! No longer in perfect condition thanks to Phebs using the corners as a scratching post. Reason #4 or #5 the cat had to go.

Back to the post....

So the pain began. In a store, walk around, walk around. Out of store. Next store....thankfully, they are all in a row or across the street from one another over on Barrett Parkway. It kept us from getting into the car and saying 'I quit.' So easy to do after being verbally molested by a dozen salesmen in every store. They were almost leaping from behind furniture screaming '''Ooo oooo pick me, pick me!'' like Donkey.

There were a few guidelines we set for our adventure into Furnitureland.

No one wants to ride 'b****' on a sofa. There will be three cushions or the couch is immediately eliminated.

Oversize furniture is out, we are not giants and neither are the people we know.

Loose back cushions are out. Kids only throw them off the sofa and play trampoline on them, thus wearing them out LONG before they should be.

Deep sofas are a no. I'm not a midget but I'm pretty sure my femur is not 3' long.

Lastly, there will be no tufting that looks like a nipple on the arm, back or seat of the couch.

The good news is, we found a couch and two chairs that meet this crazy criteria.

AND

we got an exercise in marital communication and negotiation at the same time. Thankful to report both parties survived emotionally and physically unscathed until the next challenge.

My First Garage Sale

Embarrassing to admit, but I've never garage saled. LOVE the thrift stores and consignment places, fear someone's driveway. So, as I hosted my first EVER garage sale yesterday I contemplated the why of this.

One, the idea of driving around endlessly looking for an item, not my idea of fun. Odds that the three thrift stores within a mile of each other having what I want is almost 100% chance. The cost of gas these days is just not worth the adventure.

Two, haggling. My none confrontational personality did NOT like negotiating with people over price. I priced everything fairly, no more or even less than thrift store prices.

Three, lying. I REALLY don't think you just came to this country if you drive up in your Cadillac and speak perfect English. If you want everything for $5, just tell me.

But, despite the things I don't like...there were some great moment too.

Trent was my helper most of the morning. He acted as garage sale greeter and entertainment. Toddling out to the end of the driveway to say 'hi' to anyone who pulled up. Then, following them around babbling like a little salesman. It was awesome.

Rich went off to play tennis and took Nora with him. They returned an hour later with Andrew. The two amigos played in the sprinkler or slip and slide for the next three hours.

And for all this effort we did make over $200, much more than the pessimistic husband expected. HA!

Now for us to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Rapunzel Towel!

Color me CREATIVE! Loving it! And so is Nora.



You can find these in my Etsy Shoppe. Here: http://www.etsy.com/people/TheSnuggledStitch?ref=si_pr

I will make them to order. The colors may vary a little depending on the towels available.

All in a Name

This is just irony for ya. Schneider -The Schneider surname was generally adopted by one who made outer garments; a tailor. From the the German verb schneiden, meaning "to cut." And in my maiden names meaning, I have found my happiness. The sewing room calls to me during naptime. Ideas reel through my mind laying awake at night. The crazy irony just makes me laugh, who would have thought!

Etsy Shoppe!

I can NOT believe I did it! You can now find my sewing stuff here!

http://www.etsy.com/people/TheSnuggledStitch?ref=si_pr

A Smattering

I've been gone a while, super busy!

**Putting new sod down in the back yard is a huge amount of work. BUT, we will have more lawn now and less mulching.

**Rearranged the den a million times and it's finally to my liking.

** Painted the master bedroom the same dreamy green as the bathroom. LOOOOVE!

** Cleaned out all the closets and garage for a yard sale.

** Been sewing up a crazy storm in my sewing room! You can see all the latest projects at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Snuggled-Stitch/113488372075395. More coming soon

** Nora started her third year of preschool!

** We also had her in the ER for the first time with 105 degree fever. NOT fun.

** The little dude finally found his walking legs. And subsequently, his climbing legs. Lord help me he's a goat in toddler's skin.

** Watched the in-laws animals while they were gone! Craziness, please don't make us do that often. Love the animals, not so much the nights apart from hubby.

**Started very part-time work with a landscaper

** Cooking meals for all the preggos and new baby mommies I know. Driving up to Suwanee every other week to help a twin preggo mommy. Her daughter is just eating up the 4-5 hrs of play time with Nora.


That should about cover it. This post is about as disorganized as my brain these days.

Szechuan Turkey Meatballs.

Another great experiment that got the hubby's approval!. Keeping with the theme, of 'use what I have' I found some frozen ground turkey breast in the freezer and went from there.


1 lb ground turkey(1% fat)
1/3 c. chopped green onion
2 Tablespoons Szechuan stir Fry Sauce(not the paste!)
1 egg
4 T. sesame seeds
1 T. soy sauce
1/2 c. red bell pepper, finely diced.
1/2 tube whole wheat saltine, crushed.

1 T. Szechuan Stir Fry Sauce(Mix with water below)
3 T. water.

In large mixing bowl combine ingredients and knead together with hands or wooden spoon. Feel free to use your Kitchen Aide with a meat hook, I just don't like messing up another utensil.

On stove, heat up 2 T. olive or sesame oil in large skillet, on medium to medium low heat.

Form 16-24 meatballs depending on preferred size and place in hot oil. Cook on each side approximately 8 mins. When nice browned on each side add additional sauce and 3 T. water and gently stir meatballs to glaze them.

I served this with a mix of Chinese veggies steamed in soy sauce and garlic. You could always add some plain brown rice if you want.

Un-Gourmet Recipes

Ok....I'm experimenting and these came out REALLY well. This weeks challenge...COOK OUT OF THE HOUSE!. It forces you to get creative and truly see how the budget can stretch.


Spaghetti Meat Sauce - Total Cost - $6

1 pkg. ground beef (1.5 lbs) and frozen is fine.
1 can Hunt's Garlic and Herb Canned pasta sauce
1/2 onion, large diced
1 T. garlic powder
1 tsp garlic salt
2 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp oregano

Simmer all ingredients on LOW for 8 hrs. Boil noodles of your choice and serve on top. Note: I put the ground beef in a perfectly frozen rectangle and didn't break up the piece until time to serve.


*************************************************************8

Sherry Chicken with Wild Rice - Total cost $10

2-3 lbs boneless chicken
1 c. cooking sherry
1 c. water
1/2 tsp curry powder(optional)
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
2 stalks celery, large diced
1 onion, large diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

2 pkgs Mahatma Wild Rice
1 sm. can mushrooms


Put first 9 ingredient in crock pot and simmer on low all day. An HOUR before dinner, turn to high and add Rice, 1 c. of water, and mushrooms. Cook 45 mins until rice is done.

Inside Her Head.

Sometime you wonder, what's going on in that head. The craziness you find ends up be hysterical interpretations and insights.

''Daddy, my brain is hungry! It wants to learn'' Good to hear because you are going back to preschool in three days! In truth, it's been a rough month with mommy weaning off some meds and finding her mental balance. We both need a long break from the submersion of summer vacation.

*****

Me commenting on Trent becoming a crazy walker....''Buddy! Did the light bulb finally go off in there?'' I rubbed his fuzzy head and he just giggled and kept trucking...left, right, left whooooooa, whew, right, left, right....

Nora, ''Mommy the 'keleton and brain are in his head. The brain does not light up, only at night it glows.''

huh?

*****

''I can't find my scissors, I think the white monster took them. He's the sneaky one.''

*****

''Mommy on Nonni's side of the garage there is a car, on Dome's side is lots of stuff.'' A true observation of my mildly hoarding father in law.

*****

''I am getting bigger?''

''Yes''

''Eeeeee! My cheeks are getting bigger?!!!''

''You are excited about that?''

''Yes.''

*****

''I had a bad dream. The aliens. They come and get me and little buddy. The poke us with owies.''

(?????? I promise we are not watching an Alien abduction shows in this house!)

Mommy LOOK!

One of my PP sisters just posted about this and thus inspired a blog.

**********************************************************************************

I don't like this stage. It is a necessary evil, but patience and feigned excitement wears thin by the end of the day

Mommy, I have something to tell you......(insert random comments)

* Han-du is at Ms. Nastia's
* I am getting bigger and bigger!
* I do not like bread.

Mommy, I have something to show you......(insert random item)

* Pennies lined up around the edge of a stool
* One plastic cup per dining room chair
* Trent covered in lotion

Mommy, look what I can do.................(insert random physical feat)

* Standing on one leg like a flamingo
* Jumping over a toy golf club
* Prancing like a ballerina

AND

The worst one by far.

Mommy, I wanted to sing you a song. (Me shiver) Here it comes, brace for it, the worlds most annoying song.

''La la gola la la gol, la la gola la la gol.''

It seems Nora has made up this song and won't forget it! She sings it randomly all. day. long. A tune that makes her happy has become nails on the chalkboard to us.

Joyful Angst.

Yesterday.

It was NOT my day. Should of just stayed in bed, but it was a 'for my friends' day.

Get up, spill coffee, run errands, lost a receipt, get home.

Find a bill that hasn't been paid and that the fridge was left ajar. Freezer will need defrosting.

Pork Roast in crockpot with bbq sauce...taking dinner to a friend who just had a baby. Ohhhhhh, can't wait to snuggle me some newborn.

Feed the kids lunch. Watch Trent happily enjoy his food, half on and half off his tray...mess mess mess on the floor. The vacuum will solve that later.

Check on dinner, and burn my finger.

Time for kidlet nap. Fill bottle with milk and promptly knock it over. Milk on the counter, down the cabinet, on the red stool, on the floor. I was going to wash that towel anyway....clean up mess.

Sewing. Must get curtains finished for a friend. Her principal is asking where they are, the view of the playground needs to be blocked off. Machine is my enemy today....bobbin runs out mid-seam, jam a needle into the thread well. Heaven help me. My cathartic sewing has gone awry.

Short nap! Not what I had planned.

Time to finish dinner....pull greenbeans out of drawer and onto the floor. Somehow the bag was upside down. Pick up green beans, wash green beans again.

Let poor Trent scream on the floor for 'uppies'. Love you buddy, but I have to get this done.

Cook, cook....drive to friends, car out of gas, errrr....baked apple lid came off in route, syrupy, cinnamon goodness everywhere.

Come home, finish our dinner.

Run upstairs to finish curtain #2, deliver to friend.

Come home, and look around at the mess my house is because I wanted to help friends, joy at the chaos I'm willing to endure to serve others.

Such a juxtaposition of thoughts, but so appropriate sometimes.

Color Me Happy

Ask Nora, she will tell you....''Mommy was over the red.''

After 7 years of a autumn maple red kitchen, it is gone, gone, gone! Don't know where the inspiration came from but it is now Palamino Gold....apricot to simplify.

Who knew a soul could be rejuvenated so readily by color. Cooking in sunshine is what it feels like.

To the hubbys' chagrin, a Pandora's box of renovation and simplification has been opened. This desperate housewife is trying not to stray into the realm of ridiculous expenditure on decoration.

Paint is cheap. Kitchen is done, check.....Nora's room is Lilac Bouquet(lavender)...and now to attack my red bedroom. Soon to be Flecked Gold, a shade of light yellowy green moss. Coolness, earthy smells, calm breezes are all I imagine in this hue.

As a friend pointed out, I was living in a LOT of red rooms between the kitchen and the master bedroom. Red is the color of passion, blood, love, anger and many other strong emotions.

Strong emotion has ruled my life for many months and it is ebbing now...calming, coloring my soul with happiness in this new life.

Yummy French Food!

Here are the recipes from last night.

Classic French Chicken in White Wine Sauce.

Butter
4 lbs of thin chicken breast
salt pepper

1 medium onion chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
4 oz. diced prosciutto
1 c. dry white wine
2 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. light cream
2 T. cornstarch

Melt butter in large skillet over med. heat(approx 2 T.) Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in skillet until both sides are brown, approx. mins per side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside..

Add onion, carrot, celery, and prosciutto into pan with additional tablespoon of butter. Saute until onions are browning. Approx 8-10 mins. Add the wine and chicken stock to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Put the chicken back in the pan, reduce heat to simmer, cover skillet with lid for 20-25 mins.

Remove chicken from pan. Turn heat to high and bring remaining liquid to boil. Combine cream and corn starch in bowl and whisk together. Pour into boiling liquid and stir to thicken.

Place chicken on plates and cover in wine sauce...serve with preferred sides.


Pork Tenderloin with Gremalata Marinade.

2.5 lbs pork tenderloin
Olive Oil
Cavender's Seasoning

2 cans. chicken broth
1 orange, peel grated and orange sliced
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
2 bay leaves
3/4 c. honey, divided
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 T. fresh thyme chopped finely
3 T. fresh rosemary chopped finely

Turn gas grill on and warm to medium heat. Rub tenderloin with olive oil, season to taste with Cavender's seasoning or similar. Place on grill for 10 mins. each side.

While tenderloin is cooking.....In sauce pan bring the chicken broth, 3 orange slices, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leavces, 1/2 c. honey and pepper to boil. Let simmer for 20 mins.

In small bowl, Combine grated orange, thyme, rosemary, 1/4 c. honey, and 1/4 c. brown sugar. Mix together well to make orange Gremolata.

Take pork tenderloin off grill and place in grill safe dish(aluminium roasting pan)....pour herbed brother over tenderloin. Cover tenderloin with gremolata.

Cover pan with lid or foil and place back on grill at low setting.....roast for approx. 35-40 mins.

Slice and serve with bread to soak up juices....YUMMY!

French Food

We are hosting our dinner club tomorrow night. Be back with recipes, if they turn out well.

Classic French Herb Chicken with Prosciutto. (wow, I spelled that right!)
Orange Herb Pork Tenderloin.

I'm going to roast some apples and potatoes to go with. Others are bringing the bread, salads, and desserts.

Mommy - 0, Nora - 1

So, the whole plan to give Nora cold milk is not going well.

She told me it was yucky last night after only 40 secs in the microwave. The thought of warm milk gives me the barf shivers and SHE thinks this is tasty!

The ladies at daycare used to joke about her milk being 1 degree off boiling for her to like it...baby had a mouth of steal.

I digressed.

My mind was on getting the smallest kidlet to bed so I said, 'I'm sorry, that's the way it is tonight. If you don't like it, then no milk.' This statement kills me because at $4 a half gallon Lactose Free milk is like liquid gold in this house.

Not liking my answer she must have snuck downstairs.

Proud little girl saunters back thru the stair gate and proclaims..''AHHHH, that's good milk! Mommy, I put it in the microwave all by myself and shut the door. The buttons went Beeeeeep, then it went round and round.''

''really?''

''I stuck my finger in like you, it's not too hot. I checked, I was careful.''

Now thinking of a new strategy...

*********************************************************************************
Adding a small story here.

Nora just found a new way to lead brother up the stairs in the morning...one cheerio per stair, he eats them as he goes. She is completely amused.

Forever, a moment, a whisper....

Someone once told me, there are three types of friends and each person has a distinct definition of each.

Life long, the ones that you always talk to, have always been there. The friends that are closer than family. Your life novel carries them to the end.

Purposeful, these friends see you through a period of your life. Touching your spirit just enough to nudge you down a path. Call them a supporting character that appears for a few chapters.

Whispers. There for just a moment, putting a brief sentence into your story.

There is an emotional honesty to the last fifteen years of my life, trying to grow into an adult. The journey filled with shifting moods. Pride, happiness, envy, joy, pain, love, temptation, jealousy, laughter.

Life long friends can be connected to all of these and still love you. Recognize your faults for the human condition God created in us. Wait patiently in the wings for you to turn a corner in triumph.

Problems lie in the middle for me. The what could have been gets to me. In most cases, I understand the natural ebb of relationships. Others are a mystery.

I don't like the loose ends, tickling my conscience with a sand paper edge. With the predisposition to internally interrogate myself, I make my own assumptions. To afraid to ask for an answer. Does anyone want to look at themselves in the mirror that closely?

I tell myself over and over....let go, let go, ...let go.

I pray to leave only happiness and contentment in this world, knowing it's not humanly possible. It is possible to forgive. So much harder to forgive oneself than others.

Let go, let go.....let go. A whisper I say to myself.

I Fall Down...

...But don't get up again, walking is slowing me down.

Little man needs to figure this walking thing out! It's been three weeks since he took those first steps at Mimi and Poppie's on July 11th.

A holding pattern has emerged. Up, walk 4-8 steps, lose balance, cry in disappointment and skitter off crawling. Content to be a floor dweller.

Is this a confidence thing? Every mom tells me their boys walked later than the girls.

Part of me thinks he's just attached to idea of riding on my hip. Forever, asking for his 'meh meh.' with his hands extended. I can not refuse his little face and quivering lip.

Maybe sister is making the game of horsey chase too exciting. Minutes filled with giggles and screeches around the coffee table, peeking underneath and turning around to say 'Boooooo!' Best little buddy game EVER!

I must be grateful though. That he is a happy, happy child that is so eager to please us. He will walk when he will walk.

In the years ahead, he will fall down many times, in many ways trying to learn life lessons.

Just A Normal Day....

Opened my eyes to see the clock. Noooooo, go back to sleep! Six-forty five are you insane little man, go back to sleep.

No dice. Stumble down the stairs with ecstatically chipper boy. Put him on floor, drag out milk and creamer. Concentrate for 5 seconds, do not give baby Mocha chino flavored milk.

Peruse the bill board, pay seven bills and hand those to the hubby while kissing him out the door.

Forty minutes later, swig stone cold coffee down and run out the door. Bank, thrift store, Old Time Pottery, gas, and another thrift store...random thought across my brain. Memo: Did you put your new tag on the license plate? Nooooo! Oh, dear night, where is it, where is it! If I lost it do I have to pay advelorum taxes again? Found it! Stick it there, say blessed thank you for a cop not pulling me over in the meantime.

Home, lunch, now grumpy little man down for nap. Toss the laundry in, look out the back windows. That wooded mess is ticking me off...collect leaf bags, trim trim trim, finding my zen happy place while snipping away. Get Nora Popsicle, swing her, discover spiders in her playhouse. Snip, snip...oh that is so much better!

Weed the veggie garden, pick the tomatoes and cucumbers. Trim the basil. Water everything.

Shower, switch laundry and lay like vegetable on the couch for an hour watching WordWorld with Nora. Chat it up with friend expecting twins, have fun discussing baby names. Little man wakes up, play ball game, listen to him fuss, snacks for everybody, and pick up toys.

Why do I hear water running? Oh for heavens sake! Left the hose on in the garden for 3 hrs, water bill is going to be fantastic.

Oh good. Rich is home. Eat a hurried dinner and send him off to tire the kids out. Clean the kitchen and take out trash. Switch the laundry and put some away.

Play a riveting game of find the toy pieces. Exhaust all possibilities trying to find 4 balls, two puzzle pieces and a Barbie crown.

Draw on client plan for two hours. Contemplate a glass of wine and good book later.

Bath time and snuggles for kidlets.....what will I do with myself tomorrow?

I hope it's as interesting as today.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I will admit to eating these for breakfast, telling a lie that the oatmeal makes them healthy. HA!

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 stick butter
1/4 c. crisco
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt.
2 eggs.
2 c. oatmeal
1.5 c. chocolate chips
2 c. flour

Mix first 7 ingredients in Kitchen Aide mixer until smooth. Add oatmeal and mix well. Add desired amount of chocolate chips. I find that 1.5 cups is a good amount. Funny enough, my Granny used to hand place 3 chocolate chips onto each cookie once on the tray. Not much of a sweet tooth. Back to the recipe.....Add two cups of flour and mix thoroughly.

Spoon batter onto cookie sheets, balls should be about 1" in diameter. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Monsters

It's official, we have monsters in our closets and under the beds! They come in many different shapes and sizes. At all times of the night they 'neak from their hiding places in brothers room to 'boo' you.

One calls itself Tootie. He's a tricky one, starting off white and turning to many different colors. He laughs.

His friend, the Goblin is white and round with red eyes! He has ten feet and can run really fast. He peeks out of things and says, 'Boo!' You must feed him chicken nuggets to keep him happy.

Beware of the Octadogger, an eight-sided monster with 10 HANDS! Scarily enough, he eats his hands. His diet consists of ''loca milk'' a rare and mysterious substance.

Use all caution when approaching any of these monsters. It is advised to run from them quickly and seek shelter in a parents bed. Do NOT agree to return for a minimum of three hours.

Trent

Handsome little man.

How big you've gotten.

Beautiful slate blue eyes and honey hair.

Little words escape your mouth

First tentative steps on wobbly legs.

Games of tilt your head.

Giggles and squeals at sisterly love.

Perfect little fingers and toes

Cuddle me with your warmth.

Always.



Love

''Mehmeh'' (the way you say momma at 13 mths)

Conversations with Dad

Dad is a man of few words when it comes to the touchy, emotional subjects of life. It makes deep and thoughtful conversations with him even more dear to me when they happen.

How he sits there and asks questions without looking you in the eye. In my heart, I know it's because he will fall apart to see deep emotion in another persons eyes. We couldn't look at each other before walking down the aisle for this very reason.

He struggles to phrase the questions just right. There is a catch in his voice that tells me all I really need to know.

He cares. He loves. He cherishes.

If you read this dad. I love you too.

For quietly asking me how I'm doing these days. Graciously accepting my answer that I'm ok. Learning to live for me and not others expectations. And not taking any insult in the statement.

You accepted this quiet person that doesn't want grandious things, wild vacations or hundreds of friends. I know it's hard to see happiness in the solitude that I surround myself with most of the time.

For saying you just want to see me happy. And asking questions about what makes me happy and smiling at the answers.

I am finding my way slowly. Limiting the interactions that bring me pain and anxiety and raising my soul through newfound ventures.

Thank you so much giving 15 minutes of your heart that I will never forget.

Potty Thoughts from Nora

Hi there! Nora here, to give you my potty thoughts for the month....

First off, always remember to flush. If you don't flush, it gets really stinky and ewwwiee. You have to hold your nose and push the flusher. This is a hard lesson after being at Mimi and Poppie's for two weeks.

If there are 4 on top and one at the bottom, this means you win. Mommy is not convinced that this should be a game. Although, I find it hysterical to have a pooping game. A girl has to have goals in life.

Brother peed standing up, on mommy's bathtub! That's ok. Just don't drink the yellow water!. Brother is a boy. Boys have BIG poops, girls have little poops. Daddy is constantly amazed at brother and calls him Super Poo and Diaper Destroyer.

There was this time at Mimi and Poppie's when, I think my poopie peed a little. Mommy just held her face in her hand and shook her head. She says I'm killing her with the potty humor.

When your tummy gets really sick, mommy will yell at you to GET to the potty! Throw ups go in the potty too, NOT on the carpet. That is gross, Loki throws up on the carpet because she eats hair. I just have to get the stomach bug out of me, not hair.

Lastly, don't poop on your throw up, it will be sad. You have to flush first, but if you can't, I think that is OK. Just say sorry to the poopies.

Blogging My Birthday!

Midnight to midnight!

Went to bed at midnight after watching 'Red Riding Hood' with Rich. Really good movie, little suspenseful for me.

Woke up at 430am for no good reason. Just laid in bed thinking about my day until I drifted back to sleep.

Kiddos woke up at 9am! All moms should agree that it is a luxury to sleep that late. Thank you littles for that present.

Hubby rolled over and said, 'Happy Birthday love.' then went to get the kids. Ahhhh....two more minutes in my bed to stretch like a cat and get motivated.

Coffee!

Cartoons with the kids while I check email. WOW! 42 emails from Facebook, I think it's a record.

Confirm client appts. and babysitting for later this afternoon. Yes, I'm working on my birthday. Going to make some money so I can buy myself a present! (Thinking about a massage in the near future)

Talked to a friend on the phone.

My laptop just charged itself for the first time in three weeks! The battery had stopped charging, leaving me permanently connected to the cord. Rock on!

Finished painting Nora's room purple...pictures to come.

And dropped the kids off at a friends for 4 hrs, so I could go see clients.

Two awesome clients later, picked up happy and tired kiddos.

Hubby walked through the door with dinner from a favorite restaurant. At family dinner.

Played with the kiddos and sent them to bed with daddy....mommy was off duty for the night.

At some birthday cake...twice in one day since it's was breakfast.

And now for some time with Rich.

Doesn't sounds like much, but was perfect for me.

(To be continued later today)

White Bean Hummus

1 can white Northern Beans(I use the Kroger brand)
1 T. lemon juice
1 tsp. Garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt.
Fresh basil to taste.

Put in blender and push GO! May need to add a little water to get it to mix. You can experiment with the ingredients.

lemon juice, oregano, feta, and Greek Olives in it for a Greek style. I
Roasted Red pepper, jalepeno, chili powder, garlic powder and a dash of cumin

This makes as much as a Sabra container for basically the cost of the can of beans(1.19), plus a few random ingredients. It freezes really well too!

Almost 3 wks!

Oh dear. Can you tell I've been a little busy or away?

Quick recap.....

- Fly to Texas

- Meet cousin, Callie and Aunt Cari

- Go to the park for hours, run around, feed the ducks, and get tired.

- Swimming at the 'Y' with the family.

- Have fabulous Birthday party for Trent. Complete with dinosaur birthday cake iced by Poppi.

- Go to Wildlife Ranch for the second time so brother can check out the animals. Auntie 'M' forgets Callie's bottle at home...oops.

- Nail salon time for the girls. Everyone gets pedicures and Nora picks out the colors with some coaching.

- Attend a family party for my cousin, Kathleen and her new husband Arthur. They eloped April 1st.

- Wake up to oldest kiddo barfing at 2am. Clean sheets and repeat 6 times before 5am, when brother wakes up barfing. Mommy had a fantastic night!?

- Get in a nap, Nora's feeling better, leave Rich at home with Trent. Go to Kathleen and Arthur's reception.

- Rich gets sick.

- Take kiddos to hometown 4th of July parade.

- Rich feeling better so we head off to a bbq on the Guadalupe River.

- Everyone is on the mend...NOT. Amanda gets sick. This virus is a vicious 36 hr bug.

- Mimi gets sick.

- That's it, we are changing the plane tickets to stay longer. Rich goes home, me and the kids stay. (4 out of 8 days were ruined by someone down with the barfs)

- Continue to stay in Texas for another week and have an uneventful visit.

Basil Walnut Orzo

This was an experiment last night when I forgot to start the homemade garlic fries. Ooops! At least the oops led to a new recipe.

Basil Walnut Orzo

1 c. uncooked orzo pasta
1 T. olive oil
6 c. water
1/2 c. fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. garlic salt.
3/4 c. low fat mozzerella cheese.
3/4 c. walnuts chopped.

(Jennie - some of those sun dried tomatoes might rock in this!)

1. Put orzo, olive oil, and water in sauce pan. Bring to boil. Turn down to low heat and let simmer five minutes. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking to bottom of pan

2. Add basil, black pepper, garlic powder, and garlic salt.

3. Cover sauce pan and let simmer for additional 6-9 minutes.

4. When orzo is cooked, take pan off heat. Stir in mozzerella cheese and pour into serving dish. Sprinkle walnuts across top.

This was the perfect complement to the Salmon fillet we were eating.

Salmon Fillet with fresh Dill

1 lb. salmon fillet
3 T. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. butter or margerine

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. Cover baking pan with foil.

2. Place salmon on ungreased foil.

3. Sprinkle salmon with dill and salt.

4. Bake salmon for 30 mins.

5. Take out of over and place butter on top of salmon, return to over for 3-4 mins.

6. Remove salmon from oven. Use a spatula to separate salmon meat from skin, the skin should be stuck to the foil. Serve onto plates or serving platter.

Mexican Pizza

Going to have to type this quick....lots to do around here.

Mexican Pizza

1 Mama Mia Ultra Thin Crust
1 can Fat Free Roserita Refried Beans (I like the Lime and Chili flavor)
1 c. chopped cilantro
1 1/2 c. prepared, seasoned taco meat(beef or chicken, I used leftovers from taco night)
1 1/2 c. Mexican shredded cheese
1/4 c. chopped purple Onion
3/4 c. chopped red pepper.


1. Preheat over to 400 degrees

2. Place crust on pizza stone and spread 1/2 the can of refried beans on crust.

3. Layer remaining ingredients onto

4. Cook pizza for 15 mins or until cheese is starting to get brown.

Yummy!

The Snuggled Stitch!

Welcome!!!

You can find my newest venture here!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Snuggled-Stitch/113488372075395#!/pages/The-Snuggled-Stitch/113488372075395?v=wall

Please feel free to email me any questions or thoughts.

Business Names

This is HARD people!

Leave it to my sister to make a suggestion. ''You should google all those and make sure there aren't too many stores with the same name.'''

Here's the short list as of today....The goal is to make my website the within the first ten suggestions if someone searches. The two with + signs are the front runners for me.

Little Firebug Designs

Heritage Baby Designs+

The Enchanted Stitch

The Snuggled Stitch+ (There’s only one similar)

Well.

That intermission from life was fun...back to the regularly scheduled programming.

Dear AF

You know I love you. We've been together for too many years to count.

But after months of emotional torture and mental breaks, I think you owe me an explanation for this sudden change in behavior. Is the crazy diet not working? Is it the hours I'm keeping?

Your cheating with him again.

I understand Mr. P. Cos is a very smooth talker. He convinces all the ladies that less is more. Being seven days late is the new 'on time' and you need to make people wait for you. Can't say that really makes my heart grow fonder of Mr. Pee Crazy On Sticks.

In fact, I'm getting down right frustrated with the financial expenditure this little affair is costing me. These white plastic sticks must be lined in gold for the price I'm paying.

The self deception is just taking a toll. There is not a sperms' chance in a hottub of an 'oops' but you can't tell that to my subconscious. Sleepless nights, the emotional edge and body aches later I might as well be pregnant.

Please get back to me about your conclusions on our relationship status ASAP.

Sincerely,

Amanda



Disclaimer: In NO way are we trying to get pregnant.

Virus Instructions.

Nora just doesn't get sick. EVER!

And when your kid is blessed with the hearty immune system of her parents, you just take it for granted. Until, the random illness strikes and your child looks at you through pitiful eyes.

''Why am I sick mommy?''

Hmmmm. How to explain?

I can say, do not tell your child that they caught a little bug and it's in their tummy. This only results in an epic freak out about a bug living inside them.

Upon further questioning do not say that you poop out the bug. Your child will now spend ridiculous amounts of time on the potty. Endless coaxing conversations will occur with the 'bug' about how she will sit and sit until it comes out.

Definitely agree that the bug is mean and will be squished by poop. You must find this hysterical.

Do tolerate all the moaning and whining about the little bug.

Under no circumstances give a timeline for the little bug's death. This only results in being asked ever 5 mins if said bug's demise has happened.

If the child is sleeping, you need to sleep too. They might wake up at 4:30 in the morning and want to have a long talk.

Do not get annoyed with the child's chipper disposition the next morning, as they insist the 'spend the night' next to them was fun.

Coffee is essential. Enough said.

Fish Taco Salad

Keep an open mind people! It's tasty, I promise.

My sister adores fish tacos, and I've always thought her crazy for it. I pinged her yesterday for the recipe deciding it was time to broaden the culinary horizon a little.

A tweak here and there and this is what I came up with. Not super gourmet but fast.

1 Morton's frozen tilapia, grilled fillet.

4 c. Shredded fresh spinach

3/4 c. chopped tomato (I used cherry tomatoes from our garden)
1/4 c. cilantro
1/8 c. chopped onion
1 T. lime juice
garlic salt to taste

3/4 c. black beans. (See ''Beans Take A Bath Post)

1. Shred the tilapia fillet and set aside.

2. Chopped the spinach and put on plate.

3. Combine tomato, cilantro, onion, lime juice, and garlic salt in bowl....Mix.

4. Place 'pico' mixture on spinach, layering black beans and then tilapia.

I found this so tasty as is, there was no need to add any dressing such as a Creamy Jalepeno or Cilantro dressing. Of course, you could actually MAKE this into tacos or just eat it with a few corn tortillas.

The X Chromosome Instructions

There are some things that must come inherently to men, right from the get go.

All boys will lead with thier heads, succumbing to many more cranial bruising than sisters ever did. The parents should start questioning possible deduction of IQ points based on the multiple traumas per hour.

The toilet should be worshiped, splash in, and drummed on when we find it shut. Be sure to scream with rage over this injustice. Bonus points if there's a new roll of toilet paper to unfoil, your older sibling forgot to flush, AND the lid was left up.

Obsession over electrical devices will start early. The siren call of a purring blowdryer is a little man's best friend, play with this machine whenever possible.

Definitely, sucker mommy at all times for more snuggles. Milk every sob for all it's worth.

You are male, this means you can poop with the best of them. Astounding sounds, sizes and colors are expected.

Get dirty. Head to toe coverage in food, dirt, poo, pee, milk, and other creative substances is appreciated.

Trucks and cars make the noise 'vrmmmmm'. As a male, you will know and master this sound as one of the first three words. Without anyone telling you how to make this sound.

Flirting. Learn early.

The Beans are Taking A Bath

Saving money just makes me giddy!

Yesterday, my girl and I got cooking in the kitchen again. I got out the crockpot to a chant of 'We are making a recipe, a recipe. We making a recipe!'' Nora thinks butter goes in everything so out came a stick of butter from the fridge. To her disappointment the recipe was for black beans in the crockpot.

Complete bummer for her.

Then, I poured the 8 cups of water over the 1 lb of black beans to let them soak. ''Mommy, what you doing to the beans!'' Explaining they needed to be washed, I came up with the parallel thought that ''Beans are taking a bath.''

The recipe took on new life as Nora shrieked about how silly the beans were for taking a bath in my pot. (Let them soak overnight)

Next morning, I chopped up a whole clump of cilantro and threw it in the crockpot with a tsp. of salt, 2 T. of garlic powder and an additional 3 c. of water.

A fabulous, low cooked 6 hrs later, the crockpot had created the equivalent of 9-10 cans of black beans! All for the astounding cost of around $0.25/can!

A Reverberation....

I realized the blog is remiss of a happy post as of late. I apologize, my mind and emotions have been distracted by other things. It is amazing the time that passes by when you are busy and content with life. Although, sometimes there's a reverberation in the air that breaths more happiness into your day.....laughter.

In a moment, the car ride to Art camp transforms into fits of giggles. Nora has stated she is going to Art preschool not camp. You camp outside in a tent with the stars. Who am I to tell her she is wrong, I will blame the complexity of the English language.

The art of speaking is such a gift, especially when it comes from your children. Trent is trying to tame his tongue into syllables....slowly finding 'boo!' He is the spirit of happiness as he chants 'Boo!' at his sister to tell her to play with him. And the cackling ensues from both of them.

There is a flow of jovial banter that fills the house between all of us. My heart feeds on this, sucks life from it.

Good Things Come...

If you wait long enough.

The last several months have been filled with such highs and lows. I've learned to face them one at a time, as best as I can. The journey has brought me to a different place.

The start of a new business, as scary as it is exciting.

A peace in my life that I can not describe.

Dropping old worries and just moving on to tomorrow.

The courage to go on new adventures with the kids by myself.

Turning from the crowd and not caring if they look as I walk away.

Embracing my roll as mom, a badge of honor instead of duty.

A closer relationship with my family.

Knowing exactly who I am, not living in someone else's image of me.

Here I am. I waited. I was patient.

Good things are only to come.

Bridges Burn

I'm tired.

Tired of the effort some things take.

I'm tired and need to just let go.

Tired of feeling like I did something wrong.

Watch the bridge burn and know it's for the best.

Tired of taking one for the team.

It does not lead to a safe harbor.

Tired of rebuilding from the cinders.

The boards have incompatible flaws.

Tired of telling myself, maybe this time.

Bridges burn.

Guacomole Salsa!

Not that my stomach is up for this after Salmonallapalooza '11, but I can at least type about food on Foodie Friday. Right now anything culinary is evil and will remain so for a while. Glad I ate myself silly last weekend at our Argentinian Wine/Dinner Club, those extra calories are coming in handy.

Among the tastiness was this classic from my kitchen. It was one of the first things I made for Rich when we started dating. He is an avid chips and salsa fan and it completely won him over.

2 cans. petite diced tomatos
1 med. onion
2 c. chopped cilantro
2 T. chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
jalapeno to taste

Put all that in a blender or food processor and push 'frappe'.....yummy! Note: Rich used habenero's once....NOT a good idea. One habenero = flaming hot sauce that was not even edible.

Amanda's Guacomole

6 avocado's diced
2 T. chili powder
1.5 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup onion finely diced
1 c. cilantro finely diced
1 T. lime juice

To help chopping the cilantro, put the bunch in the freezer until stiff. It will cut beautifully with a large butcher knife after frozen.

Put all ingredients in bowl and mix. Let sit for at least an hour to let flavors set.

I Crush Spiders.

It's official.

What can I say, my flesh is an endorphin covered magnet for stinging insects, eight legged and flying a like.

Let's take a minute to list my encounters with the venomous kind.

Age 8 - stepped on a bee while running through the grass in the back yard. WHY! Why was the bumble bee in the grass? Go find a flower!

Age 10 - Came InCHES from stepping on a scorpion in my parents bedroom in the middle of the night. I just remember mom saying STOP, don't move.

Age 22 - Stung on the shoulder by a hornet while running into the house. I had come home on a lunch break from my internship in Austin to turn off the iron from that morning. Did some incredible drafting that afternoon back in the office with an ice pack on my shoulder.

Age 22 and 3 wks - Biten by a wolf spider while sleeping on inside of left elbow. I guess I rolled over and pissed it off? The bite swelled up like Mt. Vesuvius on my arm and itched for weeks on end. I went back to college with that thing healing up looking like a leprosy ulcer. I was hawwwt!

And now we come to this last weekend. I have been on a mission to get the 8-9' holly hedge along our property line under control. Taming this thing is no small feat. Clippers, large loppers, and a tempermental chain saw later fifty percent is done.

I'm feeling good. Goals are getting met. Wine party Saturday night and the yard is cleaned up again, as is evident by the 30 leaf bags against the garage.

(What a coinkydink, I just noticed this! A twelve year space between incidents again! I love some good irony)

Go inside and get my gourmet groove on. Whipping up the guacomole and home-made salsa and wow....what the heck! Burning on the back of my leg, right where my butt cheek meets my thigh. Whatever, probably got scratched by a branch that went up my shorts. Those holly hedges can get frisky.

Time for a shower. WHOA! This thing looks like a chaffing blister about 1" across. Weird. Party on, fajitas, wine, friends, and some bocci ball.

Speaking of balls, it is now 11 pm and my blister is an orb sticking off the underside of my thigh. I can't sit down for fear of bursting the little planet and causing a river of goodness knows what to run down my thigh.

Midnight, everyone is gone.

Rich inspects the orb. It has two satellite blisters now of lesser proportion. Great.

Google it, google, google......mmmm concensus is spider bite. And not just any spider, a brown recluse!!!

The trifecta of stinging insects is complete. Bee, hornet, brown recluse. Seems I was just working my way up the chain of severity.

What did I do to deserve this one!? Other than chop down the little guys' habitat, he didn't have to go all commando operations on me up the shorts. Then again, I find it funny to imagine the little guy falling into the cellulite pit on my backside. Let's be honest after two kids the area is losing it's firmness. Spidey's last ditch effort to get out got him crushed by my gluts and buttocks...to which he declared 'TAKE THAT'.

Not every day a girl gets to say, 'I can crush spiders with my A**'.

Now to wait. Will my body just heal or are we talking about a nasty lesion of the buttocks.

Your A Parent When

you say things like...

''Did you wang your head?'' And your mind doesn't go into the gutter

''You know, it's wrong but I can now identify what food he pooped.'' You can thank Rich for that insightful moment.

''Nora! Stop taking pictures of mommy naked!'' A new favorite game is taking TONS of pics with the digital camera, toys, cups, brother, you name it! On a side note, the shot of my backside showed me that my butt isn't as bad as I thought, at least from the level of a preschoolers eyes.

''My day just got more interesting, Nora puked in the car. She is now on site with me in a purple hoodie and heart panties.'' Fantastic parenting moment from yesterday as Nora went to work with me.

You commend your infant for making snot in record breaking proportions and aren't grossed out but somewhat impressed.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Come the most fascinating and confusing thoughts. Sometimes it leaves you wondering about the existential world and messages from beyond.

Nora has had a couple of these in recent months. (For my PP sisters, I told you about the first two a while back)

We were driving in the car to preschool and she says, 'Mommy.? I don't want you to die. ok?'

HUH!?

This completely got to my anxiety levels as I believe that kiddos are more open spiritually to the other side. (My older sister asked about a dead relative she had never met in the weeks before she died.) Had to talk to the therapist about this one and how it weaves into my fear of dying while my children are young. I know I'm not in control of my time here, but it's a selfish human wish that I cling to.

We were snuggling one night and Nora says, 'I will miss my room mommy. When, when there's a fire and my pretty pictures go away.'...She was talking about the watercolor mural I did above her bed.

Once again OMG! Having a fire in the house, especially on the childrens end is one of my biggest fears

And now this.....

Sweetpea, did you have a bad dream last night? You yelled in your sleep, mommy came in and held you for a while.

''Yeah, I was far far away mommy. And I yelled help help. You said my name, Nora Paige Willman. I did not want to go. There was a thing, like white and glowy up there.''

The deeply spiritual side of me interprets this as her seeing a glimpse of heaven and maybe an angel speaking to her. I am strangely calmed by this dream of hers. It does not frighten me to think that there are angels watching over my child.

Growing up...A mommy's heartache.

Mommyhood moves too fast at times. You turn around and it seems like it's just been a moment since you heard them first cry.

And the cry turns to sweet babbles.

We call Trent our little Pterodactyl because he's always screeched at the top of his lungs. Most likely in an effort to be heard over his sister, chatty one that she is.

The good news is.....Trent can TALK!

Trent can say 'Dee dee'...which means daddy! Of course, its always daddy first. He is a tried and true mamma's boy so I'm not too worried about where his loyalty lies.

He also says 'Boo'. Nora is constantly playing the 'boo game' with him so it's really no surprise.

Along with his newest trick of waving comes 'haaaaaaa!'...We are taking this to mean 'hi' in Trent-speak.

We get lots of waves and 'haaaaa' as he cruises around the coffee table these days.

Where did my baby go?! He still looks like a baby with his pudgy thighs, scarce hairline and sucking on his left pointer finger. Have I ever mentioned that he does that? There must be sugar in the left pointer finger, it is the favored one.

To add more ache to mommy's heart, I found two 'byes' under Nora's bed today. One was an old Avent style cut all the way down. The other, a Nuby butterfly half destroyed. Ironically, it has been a little over a year since the 'byes' were taken away. I kept them and lovingly placed the two in a drawer to remember how little she once was.

The Do's and Don'ts of Vacation.

DO invited the grandparents to come with. This has many advantages that go beyond traveling baby sitters.

DON'T let the women do all the packing and then get frustrated when supplies are not as accessible as you like.

DO take a lot of reading, even if you're too busy looking at the ocean to crack the spine.

DON'T forget if you travel on Sunday, in the middle of no where Georgia, you may be hard pressed to find a restaurant open. God bless the blue laws that still exist in po-dunk America.

DO suck up your fear of heights to climb up and down 178 steps of a lighthouse with your kids. Nothing compares to the preschooler shrieking at the sight of expansive ocean. OR, her explanation that the lighthouse tells the ships, ''STOP, go that way, don't hit the beach!''

DON'T get too frustrated with service at dinner, except in extreme situations. You are ON vacation. Relax.

DO take your entire medicine cabinet in case a viral monster takes down half your crew.

DON'T set an alarm.

DO take a trolley tour of the town if possible.

DON'T worry about splitting up to do different things for a while. The stories at dinner are awesome.

DO take video of your kid saying ''Herrrmit Craaaabs!'' at random strangers to record their reaction.

DON'T fold your husbands flip flops inside a beach chair...you will forget them.

DO say a thankful prayer when your children behave like angels despite crazy schedules and late nights.

DON'T forget the coffee. Preschoolers get exceptionally excited about the beach, go to bed ridiculously late and wake up at 7am screaming for their bathing suit.

DO convince your kiddo to curl up for story time with Poppy. I only wish I'd snapped a picture.

DON'T ever forget how it was to travel with small kids, you'll need this learned patience later in life for your own grandkids.

DO bring most food from home. These towns know they have a captive audience, you will be overcharged for every miscellaneous food item.

DON'T go on a diet before the trip, this will only lead to frustration when faced with tasty beach restaurant food.

DO stay up late to take a long walk.

DON'T forget to people watch, that's some good, free entertainment.

DO find an authentic ice cream parlor and treat yourself.

DON'T mind that your infant is eating piles of sand, consider it a good fiber source.

DO have those long conversations you'll remember later.

DON'T do too much in one day, remember quality not quantity of memories.