Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
what's cooking wednesday - carrot cake
I don't make this carrot cake often and I'm not sure why because it is delicious, so says me and the lovely judges at the fair this past weekend. Yep, another award winning cake for me. And since I'm a giving kind of girl I'm going to share the recipe with all of you.
Carrot Cake
3 cups grated carrot
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup golden raisins
Beat together the eggs, oil and white sugar. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the carrots and raisins. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into a well greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 - 70 minutes or until done.
Frost with Cream cheese icing...
2 8oz bricks of cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a medium bowl cream together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and the gradually mix in icing sugar. Store in the fridge after use.
Recipe notes: I make only one small change. I skip the nutmeg and make it a 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Maybe a little more. Make it for Thanksgiving dinner. You won't be sorry!
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Carrot Cake
3 cups grated carrot
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup golden raisins
Beat together the eggs, oil and white sugar. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the carrots and raisins. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into a well greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 - 70 minutes or until done.
Frost with Cream cheese icing...
2 8oz bricks of cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a medium bowl cream together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and the gradually mix in icing sugar. Store in the fridge after use.
Recipe notes: I make only one small change. I skip the nutmeg and make it a 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon. Maybe a little more. Make it for Thanksgiving dinner. You won't be sorry!
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Monday, September 28, 2009
and that's it for another year
Well that's it. The fair is over. Packed up. Hauled away. Cleaned up. The girls have their father back. I have my husband back. Everything is slowly settling back into normal. Well once we get through the flurry of "wrap up meetings" that Mike will have to attend. Then we can declare things normal once again.
I can't say that we've seen much of Mike since Last Wednesday afternoon. Even when we were in the same geographical location we were rarely together. The only exception being bed and we were both passed out cold, so I'm not sure that counts. I don't think I was anticipating how much work Mike was going to do. While he's been heavily involved with the School Fair for years, it's a relatively light workload. Most of the work for School Fair is completed before the fair officially opens and the rest of the weekend is spent "babysitting" the building to make sure no child's art work meets with foul play. Meaning it was easy for Mike to slip away for a break or some family time. This is not true when you're the second vice president. Before I go much further I have to tell you, I am in no way complaining. Mike and I discussed what would be required of him as 2nd VP and as he made his way up the chain. I agreed that it was an exciting opportunity and I completely support him. Even still, this weekend was tough.
Maya didn't see him for two days (he left the house before she got up and didn't get back until long after she was in bed), which I think contributed to her whine factor on Sunday. With everyone busy with fair obligations on Sunday I attempted to take the girls around on my own. Mike did break away for about an hour while they did the ride and games thing. I think we managed okay, the girls and I, for the most part. I mean the girls had fun, but it was a little tiring/stressful for Mommy. It's these sort of situations when I find the age gap between them absolutely huge. And really with so much stimulation around, Maya really needs one to one attention. She is getting so much better handling things socially, but she's far from Abby's level of "social independence". So there was some whining and a couple of minor meltdowns and a titch of clinginess, but overall I think they both enjoyed themselves.
Abby jumped at the chance to get her face painted.
And Maya had hers done as well. Which shocked me because it required a stranger to touch her. She sat in my lap while she had it done, wouldn't do it otherwise and afterward wasn't quite sure if the whole face painting thing was the best idea. Then she touched her face. Before the face paint dried and got face paint on her fingers. Oh the horror. No, seriously. And then there was the whole hotdog on a bun debacle. No matter, that I took it out of the bun. Her appetite had been ruined.
The face paint barely survived the whole facepainting/hot bog bun ordeal. Can you see the tracks her tears carved through the make up? Luckily a chocolate milk and an ice cream cone brought everything back down to an even keel. Yes, I bought her off with chocolate. I'm not proud, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I just barely got a chance to peek in the hall at the homecraft exhibits. Not long enough to know how I did overall. For that I had to wait until Mike picked them up this morning. In photography I scored one first, three thirds, and two fourths. Not bad at all. My jam got shut out, but I picked up a first for that carrot cake, so I am pleased overall and cannot wait to do it all again next year.
The girls scored a couple of webkinz, thanks to Grandma Linda footing the bill for the webkinz wheel of fortune. We checked out the antique tractors and steam engine, which Abby thought was pretty darn cool. We saw the baby pigs, a cow or two, some chicks (which Maya loved and which now live at ML's house, so guess where we're going this week?) and the donkey our cat is named after. We bought some kettle corn and some butter tart fudge that I was going to share with Papa, but it was so delicious I may have accidentally eaten the whole piece by myself. And then Mike realized a life long dream....
It cannot be understated how much Mike loves the Duke's of Hazzard TV show. He may forget to bring home milk or cat food, but he knows every minute of every episode in the entire series. He couldn't tell you how much the girls weighed at birth (he could ballpark it), but he could tell you what the General Lee's license plate is. He is on the committe that organized the antique tractor/classic car show and he decided he was going to find a general lee to come and display at the fair. And he did.
True fans find true fans, I think. And that was certainly the case here. The guy that owns the car was nice enough to let Mike slide behind the wheel for some pictures. Truly the highlight of Mike's weekend and something to cross off his bucket list.
And now as Mike's work is finished, mine is just beginning. I have 111 pages of information to get onto the appropriate spreadsheets. I've managed about 30 pages so far. Then there's the pay outs to organize. After that some fine tuning of the system so it works a little better for me. I aim to have the entire project done by the end of October. Wish me luck!
I can't say that we've seen much of Mike since Last Wednesday afternoon. Even when we were in the same geographical location we were rarely together. The only exception being bed and we were both passed out cold, so I'm not sure that counts. I don't think I was anticipating how much work Mike was going to do. While he's been heavily involved with the School Fair for years, it's a relatively light workload. Most of the work for School Fair is completed before the fair officially opens and the rest of the weekend is spent "babysitting" the building to make sure no child's art work meets with foul play. Meaning it was easy for Mike to slip away for a break or some family time. This is not true when you're the second vice president. Before I go much further I have to tell you, I am in no way complaining. Mike and I discussed what would be required of him as 2nd VP and as he made his way up the chain. I agreed that it was an exciting opportunity and I completely support him. Even still, this weekend was tough.
Maya didn't see him for two days (he left the house before she got up and didn't get back until long after she was in bed), which I think contributed to her whine factor on Sunday. With everyone busy with fair obligations on Sunday I attempted to take the girls around on my own. Mike did break away for about an hour while they did the ride and games thing. I think we managed okay, the girls and I, for the most part. I mean the girls had fun, but it was a little tiring/stressful for Mommy. It's these sort of situations when I find the age gap between them absolutely huge. And really with so much stimulation around, Maya really needs one to one attention. She is getting so much better handling things socially, but she's far from Abby's level of "social independence". So there was some whining and a couple of minor meltdowns and a titch of clinginess, but overall I think they both enjoyed themselves.
Abby jumped at the chance to get her face painted.
And Maya had hers done as well. Which shocked me because it required a stranger to touch her. She sat in my lap while she had it done, wouldn't do it otherwise and afterward wasn't quite sure if the whole face painting thing was the best idea. Then she touched her face. Before the face paint dried and got face paint on her fingers. Oh the horror. No, seriously. And then there was the whole hotdog on a bun debacle. No matter, that I took it out of the bun. Her appetite had been ruined.
The face paint barely survived the whole facepainting/hot bog bun ordeal. Can you see the tracks her tears carved through the make up? Luckily a chocolate milk and an ice cream cone brought everything back down to an even keel. Yes, I bought her off with chocolate. I'm not proud, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I just barely got a chance to peek in the hall at the homecraft exhibits. Not long enough to know how I did overall. For that I had to wait until Mike picked them up this morning. In photography I scored one first, three thirds, and two fourths. Not bad at all. My jam got shut out, but I picked up a first for that carrot cake, so I am pleased overall and cannot wait to do it all again next year.
The girls scored a couple of webkinz, thanks to Grandma Linda footing the bill for the webkinz wheel of fortune. We checked out the antique tractors and steam engine, which Abby thought was pretty darn cool. We saw the baby pigs, a cow or two, some chicks (which Maya loved and which now live at ML's house, so guess where we're going this week?) and the donkey our cat is named after. We bought some kettle corn and some butter tart fudge that I was going to share with Papa, but it was so delicious I may have accidentally eaten the whole piece by myself. And then Mike realized a life long dream....
It cannot be understated how much Mike loves the Duke's of Hazzard TV show. He may forget to bring home milk or cat food, but he knows every minute of every episode in the entire series. He couldn't tell you how much the girls weighed at birth (he could ballpark it), but he could tell you what the General Lee's license plate is. He is on the committe that organized the antique tractor/classic car show and he decided he was going to find a general lee to come and display at the fair. And he did.
True fans find true fans, I think. And that was certainly the case here. The guy that owns the car was nice enough to let Mike slide behind the wheel for some pictures. Truly the highlight of Mike's weekend and something to cross off his bucket list.
And now as Mike's work is finished, mine is just beginning. I have 111 pages of information to get onto the appropriate spreadsheets. I've managed about 30 pages so far. Then there's the pay outs to organize. After that some fine tuning of the system so it works a little better for me. I aim to have the entire project done by the end of October. Wish me luck!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
introducing simba, the lion king
It's bedtime. Maya is all tucked in and is now having a conversation with her BFF - blankey. Abby is just climbing into bed when she asks me if she's old enough to walk over to her BFF's house all by herself. I ponder for a moment (it's hard letting go isn't it?). It's only across the street and a couple of houses down. Hmmm.
Me: Well, you're seven now. I think you could probably walk over to Maddie's by yourself.
Abby: Sweet! And I don't have to tell you I'm going.
Me: Oh no. You're only seven. That's not quite old enough to be wandering around the neighbourhood without me or Dad knowing where you are.
Abby: How about when I'm fifteen?
Me: Can we not talk about you turning fifteen? Because I didn't even want you to turn seven.
Abby: I know you didn't, but Mom I have to grow up. It's my life cycle.
Me: Your what?
Abby: My life cycle. You know, you're a baby, then a toddler, then a kid and a kid, then almost a teenager, then a teenager, then an adult, almost a grandparent, a grandparent. Then you die. It's my life cycle.
Me: I see.
Abby: And it just keeps going and going and going and going. Forever.
Me: And who told you all of this.
Abby: I dunno. I just know it.
Me: Well, you're seven now. I think you could probably walk over to Maddie's by yourself.
Abby: Sweet! And I don't have to tell you I'm going.
Me: Oh no. You're only seven. That's not quite old enough to be wandering around the neighbourhood without me or Dad knowing where you are.
Abby: How about when I'm fifteen?
Me: Can we not talk about you turning fifteen? Because I didn't even want you to turn seven.
Abby: I know you didn't, but Mom I have to grow up. It's my life cycle.
Me: Your what?
Abby: My life cycle. You know, you're a baby, then a toddler, then a kid and a kid, then almost a teenager, then a teenager, then an adult, almost a grandparent, a grandparent. Then you die. It's my life cycle.
Me: I see.
Abby: And it just keeps going and going and going and going. Forever.
Me: And who told you all of this.
Abby: I dunno. I just know it.
Friday, September 25, 2009
firday high five - what i won
I only had time on Thursday for a quick stroll through the hall where the homecraft exhibits are displayed and this was even before judging had been completed, but out of the photos I entered this much I do know.....
For this week's Friday High Five - what I won
First!! This one took first. I am over the moon because when I took it I thought to myself - that's a good picture! Thankfully the judges thought so too. Also this was in the Advanced category. Really pleased. Mike also entered in this category and took third.
This one was good enough to take fourth in the blurred category.
This one was third in At The Fair.
Here's another third - Farm Fence. I feel I must tell you that Mike took first in this one and he was certain my picture was better than his.
And I think this is a totally sweet photo of new life on the farm (animals) and I don't think it won a thing. I'll have to take a closer look tomorrow.
I think I entered about a dozen all together. I'm looking forward to having the time to really check them out tomorrow, to see how the rest of them fared (no pun intended).
For this week's Friday High Five - what I won
First!! This one took first. I am over the moon because when I took it I thought to myself - that's a good picture! Thankfully the judges thought so too. Also this was in the Advanced category. Really pleased. Mike also entered in this category and took third.
This one was good enough to take fourth in the blurred category.
This one was third in At The Fair.
Here's another third - Farm Fence. I feel I must tell you that Mike took first in this one and he was certain my picture was better than his.
And I think this is a totally sweet photo of new life on the farm (animals) and I don't think it won a thing. I'll have to take a closer look tomorrow.
I think I entered about a dozen all together. I'm looking forward to having the time to really check them out tomorrow, to see how the rest of them fared (no pun intended).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
you capture - happiness
Yesterday I spent the day up to my eyeballs in creativity. As I have mentioned my Michael is a member of the executive for our local agricultural society. This society is responsible for the organization of our local agricultural fair. This year is the first year at the society's brand new site. New buildings, new grounds, new opportunities - it's an exciting time to be a volunteer. I have to admit, previous to this year, my volunteerism has been isolated to holding down the fort here, while Mike is out at endless meetings, but this year it's a whole other ballgame.
Mike comes by his love of the fair honestly, his Dad has been a volunteer there for decades. Papa has worked on many different areas of the fair, but currently he is the School Fair Manager. Which is a huge job. He visits many of the area schools several times a year to pick up and drop off things like prize lists, art work and prize winnings. He organizes the volunteers to accomplish what needs to get done in preparation for fair time. He answers questions, puts out fires, builds what he needs to to make the displays look nice, worries about things like making sure the tags are showing so the kids and their parents can easily see there name and their ribbon. And he stresses. Is it all going to come together? (Yes it did. Of course it did. It does every year) Are we on time? Over time? Making good time? (Great time. This year we made great time) Will there be enough hands to do all the work? (Too many hands this year. It was a scramble to find them all something to do. The new site has lots of people excited) All of our work was done and the building tidied well before opening ceremonies. Letting us enjoy ride night, a volunteer appreciation night where the rides are free, without worrying about work that still needed to be done.
About a year ago I ended up agreeing to help out with the paperwork involved with the school fair. Yesterday the judges arrived and began the judging process. Then volunteers, in teams of two, follow behind - one records the child's name, school and what they won and the other staples on the appropriate ribbon. Now a clipboard, piled high with sheet after sheet, of information about the prize winners sits on my desk. Over the next little while I'll go through each sheet and input all that information onto spreadsheets organized by school. Then I'll figure out how much money is required to pay out all the prize winners and then break it all down into envelopes for each individual kid at each school so Papa can deliver it to them. It seems like an insane project to take on, but I did and for a couple of reasons. One, it's actually something I enjoy. The organization of all that information. The setting up of the spreadsheets with the columns and formulas and what not. All from scratch since all this figuring used to be done by hand. (Oh my gosh!!) The inputting. I actually enjoy the inputting. Seeing the pages move from the clipboard to the completed stack. But larger than all that, to help out Papa. To make it one less thing he had to worry or stress about. And that makes me happy.
All of that to tell you in a roundabout way that this week's you capture is Happiness. So why did I tell you all of that just to show you a few pictures? Because today is Papa's birthday! Which went largely uncelebrated today with all the work we were doing. Although I did bring him a piece of award winning carrot cake (yep, my cake took first place again this year!) Also because this year Papa is being awarded with his life membership, as decided by the board in recognition of all his hard work over the years. It's a big honour within the society and we're all very proud of him. That also makes me happy.
The new school fair building. All entries judged, tagged and recorded. The protective screens are put in place last. Finished early. That makes me happy.
Prize winning pumpkins. Abby's took first place. (It's the fifth one down.) That makes me happy.
Fall flowerbeds in front of the new main building. The colours make me happy.
These girls! Of course they make me happy.
you capture hosted by:
Mike comes by his love of the fair honestly, his Dad has been a volunteer there for decades. Papa has worked on many different areas of the fair, but currently he is the School Fair Manager. Which is a huge job. He visits many of the area schools several times a year to pick up and drop off things like prize lists, art work and prize winnings. He organizes the volunteers to accomplish what needs to get done in preparation for fair time. He answers questions, puts out fires, builds what he needs to to make the displays look nice, worries about things like making sure the tags are showing so the kids and their parents can easily see there name and their ribbon. And he stresses. Is it all going to come together? (Yes it did. Of course it did. It does every year) Are we on time? Over time? Making good time? (Great time. This year we made great time) Will there be enough hands to do all the work? (Too many hands this year. It was a scramble to find them all something to do. The new site has lots of people excited) All of our work was done and the building tidied well before opening ceremonies. Letting us enjoy ride night, a volunteer appreciation night where the rides are free, without worrying about work that still needed to be done.
About a year ago I ended up agreeing to help out with the paperwork involved with the school fair. Yesterday the judges arrived and began the judging process. Then volunteers, in teams of two, follow behind - one records the child's name, school and what they won and the other staples on the appropriate ribbon. Now a clipboard, piled high with sheet after sheet, of information about the prize winners sits on my desk. Over the next little while I'll go through each sheet and input all that information onto spreadsheets organized by school. Then I'll figure out how much money is required to pay out all the prize winners and then break it all down into envelopes for each individual kid at each school so Papa can deliver it to them. It seems like an insane project to take on, but I did and for a couple of reasons. One, it's actually something I enjoy. The organization of all that information. The setting up of the spreadsheets with the columns and formulas and what not. All from scratch since all this figuring used to be done by hand. (Oh my gosh!!) The inputting. I actually enjoy the inputting. Seeing the pages move from the clipboard to the completed stack. But larger than all that, to help out Papa. To make it one less thing he had to worry or stress about. And that makes me happy.
All of that to tell you in a roundabout way that this week's you capture is Happiness. So why did I tell you all of that just to show you a few pictures? Because today is Papa's birthday! Which went largely uncelebrated today with all the work we were doing. Although I did bring him a piece of award winning carrot cake (yep, my cake took first place again this year!) Also because this year Papa is being awarded with his life membership, as decided by the board in recognition of all his hard work over the years. It's a big honour within the society and we're all very proud of him. That also makes me happy.
The new school fair building. All entries judged, tagged and recorded. The protective screens are put in place last. Finished early. That makes me happy.
Prize winning pumpkins. Abby's took first place. (It's the fifth one down.) That makes me happy.
Fall flowerbeds in front of the new main building. The colours make me happy.
These girls! Of course they make me happy.
you capture hosted by:
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
what's cooking wednesday
Another easy recipe I am annoyed I didn't find until the end of summer. Here's hoping the weather stays nice enough for barbecuing for a little while yet.
Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Bagged coleslaw mix (or grate up your own... it's your party, go nuts!)
Ranch salad dressing
blue cheese crumbles
Empty the bag of salad into a large bowl. Add ranch dressing until you reach the desired consistency. Sprinkle in blue cheese crumbles, to taste, toss and serve.
Recipe Notes: I stumbled across the recipe at some point during a mindless internet surfing session. The original recipe recommending putting the slaw in a burger dipped in wing sauce. We tried it and it wasn't great. So we tried it again with *chicken* burgers and it's one of our new favourite dinners. And the great news is, the entire family loves chicken burgers! Winner winner, chicken dinner!
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Bagged coleslaw mix (or grate up your own... it's your party, go nuts!)
Ranch salad dressing
blue cheese crumbles
Empty the bag of salad into a large bowl. Add ranch dressing until you reach the desired consistency. Sprinkle in blue cheese crumbles, to taste, toss and serve.
Recipe Notes: I stumbled across the recipe at some point during a mindless internet surfing session. The original recipe recommending putting the slaw in a burger dipped in wing sauce. We tried it and it wasn't great. So we tried it again with *chicken* burgers and it's one of our new favourite dinners. And the great news is, the entire family loves chicken burgers! Winner winner, chicken dinner!
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Monday, September 21, 2009
family fun night - bonfire
I got the idea for last week's family fun night while I was cutting the grass. I pushed the lawnmower around the fire pit and thought to myself, we should have a fire. These cool early fall evening are just perfect for sitting out by a fire. We decided not to let the kids in on the plan and instead set them up in the toyroom with a movie while Mike got the fire going and I set out the snacks. Can't have a bonfire with weenies and marshmallows.
I got the girls to change into their jammies before they came outside. We did a lot of camping when I was a kid and being outside in my jammies by a campfire is one of the many good memories I have of my childhood.
Abby thought the whole jammies outside thing was just "weird". And I was all like, really?! Are you sure you're my daughter? Because you know, I'm looking for any excuse to wear my jammies.
Maya was a really great marshmallow roaster. If you like them blackened... and I do.
But for every six she cooked, she ate zero. So, for every six marshmallows she roasted, she gave six marshmallows to me. I was game for the first couple, but then I started tossing them into the fire when she wasn't looking.
After we ate we sat around watching the stars come out while Abby explained that we were in outer space and she'd just really like to know if there was life on other planets. And did you know? Stars are asteroids.
Both girls declared it the "best day ever!" Which, okay, they say a lot and it's from Spongebob, but I'll take it.
How was your family fun night?
I got the girls to change into their jammies before they came outside. We did a lot of camping when I was a kid and being outside in my jammies by a campfire is one of the many good memories I have of my childhood.
Abby thought the whole jammies outside thing was just "weird". And I was all like, really?! Are you sure you're my daughter? Because you know, I'm looking for any excuse to wear my jammies.
Maya was a really great marshmallow roaster. If you like them blackened... and I do.
But for every six she cooked, she ate zero. So, for every six marshmallows she roasted, she gave six marshmallows to me. I was game for the first couple, but then I started tossing them into the fire when she wasn't looking.
After we ate we sat around watching the stars come out while Abby explained that we were in outer space and she'd just really like to know if there was life on other planets. And did you know? Stars are asteroids.
Both girls declared it the "best day ever!" Which, okay, they say a lot and it's from Spongebob, but I'll take it.
How was your family fun night?
Sunday, September 20, 2009
getting crafty
It's just been a hive of activity here this weekend. Entries for the fair must be dropped off Wednesday night so this weekend has been all about that last minute push to get everything done. Yesterday Abby and Maya, even though she's too young to enter anything yet, made tiaras and sashes suitable for the fair queen. We turned a milk carton into a baby pig. We made a necklace all to go along with the pasta picture, original drawing and scrapbook page we've already completed.
This afternoon while our chicken was roasting on the barbecue we created some Christmas ornaments. A category Abby took second in last year (I think). With her painted lightbulb with sparkly gems.
This year we went with styrofoam balls, sequins, beads and straight pins.
Abby really enjoyed making these. It's a great craft for an older child who can handle the straight pins themselves. Having done it I think it's probably helpful to give the balls a quick spray with some spray paint. That's a lot of white to cover with sequins and beads for the little ones.
In the next couple of days we'll be working on rice krispie squares and cupcakes for Abby to decorate. As for me I've got a carrot cake I plan on entering. We'll see if I can bring home the red (ribbon) again this year.
This afternoon while our chicken was roasting on the barbecue we created some Christmas ornaments. A category Abby took second in last year (I think). With her painted lightbulb with sparkly gems.
This year we went with styrofoam balls, sequins, beads and straight pins.
Abby really enjoyed making these. It's a great craft for an older child who can handle the straight pins themselves. Having done it I think it's probably helpful to give the balls a quick spray with some spray paint. That's a lot of white to cover with sequins and beads for the little ones.
In the next couple of days we'll be working on rice krispie squares and cupcakes for Abby to decorate. As for me I've got a carrot cake I plan on entering. We'll see if I can bring home the red (ribbon) again this year.
Friday, September 18, 2009
friday high five - a laptop of my own
Now this may have come up before, but it bears repeating, I would really love a laptop. I say a laptop of my own, but who are we kidding. They'd all have their sticky little fingers all over it. And I'm including Michael in that statement. Now I realize that I don't need a laptop, but that doesn't mean I don't want one anyway. Actually after this past week I've come to realize it probably isn't a bad idea at all and for this week's Friday High Five, here's why....
1. Have I told you how much I love Twitter? Because I really do. Don't ask me why, because I can't explain it to people who don't already get it. Lucky for me my buddy Normie, from the Mommy Project fame gets it. I have found that we tend to live Tweet the same TV shows. Having a laptop would eliminate the need for me to race off to the office during commercial breaks to see if the MP thinks Julie Chen is wearing a bump it and a horrendous maternity dress too. And American Idol is just around the corner. More tweeting to do.
2. Photos! I am taking tons of pictures these days. Which is great and fun and all of that, but now I have to teach myself how to use photo editing software. Which at this point may as well be written in greek. I have no idea. It would be nice to be able to take the laptop somewhere quiet to play. Or be able to work away uninterrupted by folks who want to play webkinz world or search kijiji for a used snowblower or download horrible music from way back inthe 80's.
3. Maya! I was wandering around facebook the other day when I had to leave my desk chair for some such reason. By the time I got back a moment later Maya was in my seat and had clicked her way through to playhouse disney and had started some such game. She's three! And that makes one more person I have to share computer/internet time with.
4. I'm not going to lie. Sometimes it would be nice to use the internet from my bed. Completely frivolous, sure, but even still it would be nice.
5. And finally I don't really have a 5th reason that isn't a rehash of what I've mentioned above. Let's just say I really want one for purely selfish reasons and leave it at that.
1. Have I told you how much I love Twitter? Because I really do. Don't ask me why, because I can't explain it to people who don't already get it. Lucky for me my buddy Normie, from the Mommy Project fame gets it. I have found that we tend to live Tweet the same TV shows. Having a laptop would eliminate the need for me to race off to the office during commercial breaks to see if the MP thinks Julie Chen is wearing a bump it and a horrendous maternity dress too. And American Idol is just around the corner. More tweeting to do.
2. Photos! I am taking tons of pictures these days. Which is great and fun and all of that, but now I have to teach myself how to use photo editing software. Which at this point may as well be written in greek. I have no idea. It would be nice to be able to take the laptop somewhere quiet to play. Or be able to work away uninterrupted by folks who want to play webkinz world or search kijiji for a used snowblower or download horrible music from way back inthe 80's.
3. Maya! I was wandering around facebook the other day when I had to leave my desk chair for some such reason. By the time I got back a moment later Maya was in my seat and had clicked her way through to playhouse disney and had started some such game. She's three! And that makes one more person I have to share computer/internet time with.
4. I'm not going to lie. Sometimes it would be nice to use the internet from my bed. Completely frivolous, sure, but even still it would be nice.
5. And finally I don't really have a 5th reason that isn't a rehash of what I've mentioned above. Let's just say I really want one for purely selfish reasons and leave it at that.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
you capture - macro
This week's you capture prompt was macro. It was fun getting up close and personal with some object I found around my house.
Like this cog in the lockout game Abby and I played last week.
This was not an easy shot to get. A close up of the TV in our bedroom.
The rocks in out driveway.
A bit of plant fluff on the old bell we got from Papa Al's.
The weathered ends of our garage roof.
you capture, hosted by:
Like this cog in the lockout game Abby and I played last week.
This was not an easy shot to get. A close up of the TV in our bedroom.
The rocks in out driveway.
A bit of plant fluff on the old bell we got from Papa Al's.
The weathered ends of our garage roof.
you capture, hosted by:
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
ouch, that one kind of hurt
I'm in the shower and Abby is hanging out in the bathroom. Just keeping me company. Which is nice because everyone knows if you're a Mom you are not allowed to be in the bathroom by yourself. Ever. So I'm showering and Abby is non stop chattering on the other side of the shower curtain.....
Abby: You know we used to be apes? A long long long time ago. We used to be apes.
Me: Really, where did you hear that?
Abby: At school. It was a really long time ago. Before this family was even born. A really long time ago. Like back in the 80's.
Abby: You know we used to be apes? A long long long time ago. We used to be apes.
Me: Really, where did you hear that?
Abby: At school. It was a really long time ago. Before this family was even born. A really long time ago. Like back in the 80's.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
what's cooking wednesday - garlic butter
This week's recipe is an easy one to throw together. Even better if you make a bunch you'll always have some ready in your fridge. It's good for many applications.
Garlic Butter
1 cup butter, softened
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
fresh ground pepper, to taste
Take all ingredients and mix well in a small bowl or make it even easier and toss it all in your food processor.
Recipe Notes: I made this not long ago to use for garlic bread. I enjoyed it much more than the garlic spreads you can buy in the store. Oh and those measurements are rough estimates. I just threw everything in the bowl and mixed it up. I made extra tonight to have some on hand. Abby loves her grilled cheese made with garlic butter. She's also not above throwing a piece of bread in the toaster and have garlic toast.
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Garlic Butter
1 cup butter, softened
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
fresh ground pepper, to taste
Take all ingredients and mix well in a small bowl or make it even easier and toss it all in your food processor.
Recipe Notes: I made this not long ago to use for garlic bread. I enjoyed it much more than the garlic spreads you can buy in the store. Oh and those measurements are rough estimates. I just threw everything in the bowl and mixed it up. I made extra tonight to have some on hand. Abby loves her grilled cheese made with garlic butter. She's also not above throwing a piece of bread in the toaster and have garlic toast.
What is What's Cooking Wednesday and how can I play?
What's cooking Wednesday was born out of a desire to get out of that what's for dinner rut. Playing is easy, on Wednesday post a recipe that has been tried and tested by you and then pop over here and add your name to the Mr. Linky. When entering your name also add the name of the recipe in brackets and make sure you link to your What's Cooking Wednesday post and not just your blog's front page. *All front page links will be deleted!* Don't make me be a jerk. And don't forget to link back here, the home of What's Cooking Wednesday.
So for example I would write Shan (Speedy Chicken Stir Fry) in the name section. For the URL section I would post this: http://shanrev.blogspot.com/2007/10/whats-cooking-wednesday-speedy-chicken.html
I'll let you in on a little secret, my WCW recipes are almost never made on a Wednesday. So feel free to cook and photograph whenever you have time and join us posting on Wednesday
Monday, September 14, 2009
family fun night - back to school
So the theme for last week's Family Fun Night as suggested by my buddy Normie over at the Mommy Project was Back to School. A timely suggestion, to be sure, but one that totally stymied me. I had nothing. In the end I think it worked out okay for me though.
You see we traumatized Maya Friday afternoon by getting her hair cut. She cried before, during and after. She was not happy we had a couple of inches taken off the length. She cried so much she exhausted herself and fell asleep on the couch at about 5:30. Every other time she's done this she's slept right through till morning. So I moved her up to her bed and figured I wouldn't hear from her again.
With Maya asleep Abby and I retired to our bedroom to watch our new favourite show....
The Penguins of Madagascar. I love that they got their own show. Well deserved. I triple love those penguins.
We hung out and chatted about her first week of school. Her new teacher, the new kid in the class, who sits in her group. All the important stuff.
And we played lockout. A great two player game, where you have to move 10 discs down through the cogs. You turn the cogs with a key and while your key is in a cog, it's locked out for the player on the other side. The cogs are offset on each side, so while you're moving your discs down, you could be helping or hurting your opponent. Make sense? It's a fun little game that even MyPie managed the fundamentals of.
You know when she woke up from her "nap" at 9 pm (and then stayed up until 4 am. Fun times.)
So it may not have been my most elaborate Family Fun Night. There were no themed snacks, no decorations, so huge crafty production. Just a simple night hanging out with my girls.
You see we traumatized Maya Friday afternoon by getting her hair cut. She cried before, during and after. She was not happy we had a couple of inches taken off the length. She cried so much she exhausted herself and fell asleep on the couch at about 5:30. Every other time she's done this she's slept right through till morning. So I moved her up to her bed and figured I wouldn't hear from her again.
With Maya asleep Abby and I retired to our bedroom to watch our new favourite show....
The Penguins of Madagascar. I love that they got their own show. Well deserved. I triple love those penguins.
We hung out and chatted about her first week of school. Her new teacher, the new kid in the class, who sits in her group. All the important stuff.
And we played lockout. A great two player game, where you have to move 10 discs down through the cogs. You turn the cogs with a key and while your key is in a cog, it's locked out for the player on the other side. The cogs are offset on each side, so while you're moving your discs down, you could be helping or hurting your opponent. Make sense? It's a fun little game that even MyPie managed the fundamentals of.
You know when she woke up from her "nap" at 9 pm (and then stayed up until 4 am. Fun times.)
So it may not have been my most elaborate Family Fun Night. There were no themed snacks, no decorations, so huge crafty production. Just a simple night hanging out with my girls.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
totally random
I feel like I spent most of this weekend asleep. I think that was largely because I was awake when I should have been asleep and asleep when I should have been awake.
Mike and I took a fruitless trip to the flea market this morning. Where we over heard the following cellphone conversation.... Hey you collect the original Star Trek, right? Cause I'm at a flea market and they have these Star Trek movies. It's Frank. What do you mean you don't know who I am. I've talked to you a million times. Frank. You know, Frank. Guy, I can't believe you're saying you don't know who I am. It's Frank. I'm the guy... you know.... the wop. Yeah, they're VHS. Oh you're only looking for dvd, huh? Cause they got the whole set.
Seriously! That's what he said. Mike and I could barely contain ourselves. The call went on a little longer, but that was the highlight of it right there.
We drained the pool this weekend. Seemed like we barely used it this summer. Here's hoping for a warmer one next year.
Mike is on the hunt for a good used snow blower. I can't believe it's time to be thinking about snow already.
Mike and I took a fruitless trip to the flea market this morning. Where we over heard the following cellphone conversation.... Hey you collect the original Star Trek, right? Cause I'm at a flea market and they have these Star Trek movies. It's Frank. What do you mean you don't know who I am. I've talked to you a million times. Frank. You know, Frank. Guy, I can't believe you're saying you don't know who I am. It's Frank. I'm the guy... you know.... the wop. Yeah, they're VHS. Oh you're only looking for dvd, huh? Cause they got the whole set.
Seriously! That's what he said. Mike and I could barely contain ourselves. The call went on a little longer, but that was the highlight of it right there.
We drained the pool this weekend. Seemed like we barely used it this summer. Here's hoping for a warmer one next year.
Mike is on the hunt for a good used snow blower. I can't believe it's time to be thinking about snow already.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
jammie movie afternoon
Today was the day the girls had been waiting forever for. It was jammie movie afternoon over at The Mommy Project's house. As the clock hands passed by 4 am this morning I resorted to threatening to cancel jammie movie afternoon if they didn't go to bed and stay there quietly until the sun came up. And that folks, was the phrase that pays - in the wee hours of this morning anyway.
I wish I could tell you all the fun that was had at jammie movie afternoon, but I dropped my cuties off and came back home to climb right into my bed and I slept. So lovely. I did snap some pictures of the kids on the way though.
They were not pleased with the delay.
This is Maya saying - come on Mama! Hold my hand! Let's go! When I was just trying to get a shot of them holding hands.
Of course once we got across the street, all bets were off. Abby took off running as soon as she saw Maddie out in front of the house. And there's Maya just trying to keep up. Story of her life.
I wish I could tell you all the fun that was had at jammie movie afternoon, but I dropped my cuties off and came back home to climb right into my bed and I slept. So lovely. I did snap some pictures of the kids on the way though.
They were not pleased with the delay.
This is Maya saying - come on Mama! Hold my hand! Let's go! When I was just trying to get a shot of them holding hands.
Of course once we got across the street, all bets were off. Abby took off running as soon as she saw Maddie out in front of the house. And there's Maya just trying to keep up. Story of her life.
friday high five - in my head
Well for this week's Friday High Five, the five thoughts that are rattling around in my head right now.
1. I am so tired. Why didn't Maya sleep through the night like she normally does when she crashes after the sitters? It was a six hour power nap and now she's ready to go. I have been up for twenty-three hours now. This sucks ass.
2. I should get an iPhone. My cellie is on life support. There's a "good deal" on iPhone's right now. I should get one.
3. I shouldn't get an iPhone. Good deal or not it's still an extravagance I can do without right now. I cheaper phone and plan with Koodo is the better idea.
4. Why did I not hear Maya sneak up the stairs? Why did she wake up Abby? Now they're both up at 3:28am. This sucks ass.
5. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
1. I am so tired. Why didn't Maya sleep through the night like she normally does when she crashes after the sitters? It was a six hour power nap and now she's ready to go. I have been up for twenty-three hours now. This sucks ass.
2. I should get an iPhone. My cellie is on life support. There's a "good deal" on iPhone's right now. I should get one.
3. I shouldn't get an iPhone. Good deal or not it's still an extravagance I can do without right now. I cheaper phone and plan with Koodo is the better idea.
4. Why did I not hear Maya sneak up the stairs? Why did she wake up Abby? Now they're both up at 3:28am. This sucks ass.
5. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Thursday, September 10, 2009
you capture - never before
This past weekend Mike and I took in the Paris fair sans kids, but with ML and T. The Paris Fair is ML's "home fair", the one she started volunteering at (and still does). We were kid free so we could check out Canadian country music cutie Shane Yellowbird in concert. Being at the fair without the kids allowed me to play around with my camera and snap pictures of things I'd never taken pictures of before. Just in time for this week's.....
Speaking of Canadian cutie, Shane Yellowbird, here he is. Okay I have to admit, I didn't actually take this picture. ML used her fair connections and got someone down in front of the stage to snap these for me.
There was a diving group performing there. Very interesting to watch. Here's the entire team diving at the same time.
Get your belt buckles here!
Maybe a hat to go with that buckle?
Then we'll have a caramel apple.
With our lime green baboon.
you capture - hosted by:
Speaking of Canadian cutie, Shane Yellowbird, here he is. Okay I have to admit, I didn't actually take this picture. ML used her fair connections and got someone down in front of the stage to snap these for me.
There was a diving group performing there. Very interesting to watch. Here's the entire team diving at the same time.
Get your belt buckles here!
Maybe a hat to go with that buckle?
Then we'll have a caramel apple.
With our lime green baboon.
you capture - hosted by:
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