knowing me, knowing you - march

Time once again for that monthly interview project I started. I hope you play along as well. Just answer the questions on your own blog (or in the comments if you don't have a blog of your very own) and then come back here to sign the Mr. Linky.

#1 What is your dream life?

Well really I'm already living it. I know... cliche. Recently there have been some hefty jackpots in the lottery so that's usually time to play... "what if?" What if we won? I think it's safe to say we'd buy a farm. Mike would like to buy an established place, but I'd rather buy a sizeable piece of land and build my dream home. You know something with a finished basement, guest suite, master suite, a bathroom the girls could share, huge chef's kitchen with professional grade appliances and acres of granite counter tops. And enough acreage for Mike to plow up and plant and harvest. I could see us keeping horses too.

#2 Do you play games online?

Yep I sure do. I love scrabble on facebook. And there's a Yoville obsession sweeping through work I've gotten caught up in. Kinda. I'm dipping a toe in. I love diner dash and those types of time management games. So much so I've been logging into Abby's webkinz account and playing pizza palace. Yep a grown woman playing with her daughter's webkinz at midnight. I'm that cool.

#3 Seen anything good lately?

Robin and I saw Confessions of a Shopaholic which was great, but not what I had pictured in my head while reading the book. That's a bit hard to reconcile sometimes. And Mike and I just saw Gran Torino which was nothing like I was expecting, but wow! Clint Eastwood is really incredible in this. Mike deemed it his favourite Eastwood role yet.

#4 What is your favourite pizza combination?

Usually we go with the old standby pepperoni, bacon and mushroom. This past weekend we mixed it up with mushroom, grilled chicken and feta. Oh yum!

#5 How are you with houseplants?

I am useless with plants. I've had houseplants over the years of course. Usually gifts and I usually manage to kill them in no time. The one exception being the Christmas Cactus I had forever that I even got to bloom. I'd probably still have it if not for the cat completely destroying it one day. This Christmas Abby picked out a plant for me while she was shopping with Papa. Clearly she hasn't been paying attention the past six and a half years, but my baby girl bought it for me and I am determined to keep it alive. Wish me luck.




So now the rules, they're pretty simple. Post your answers to these questions on your own blog in the next few days. Remember to link back here in your post and sign the Mr. Linky too, so we can all see what you have to say. Please make sure you link to your actual KMKY post and not your blog's front page. Any front page links will be deleted. And most importantly, have fun!

thankful thursday

It's that time of the week again. Time to list things I am thankful for. It's been said that doing this will increase your level of happiness by 25%. And I am all in for that.

I am thankful for....

1) New old friends. We had a great dinner this week with Mary-Lynne and Terry, who specifically asked if I would be blogging about it. Terry and I chatted while ML & Mike rocked out to Guitar Hero. It must be noted that ML kicked Michael's ass on multiple songs. And then I made a spectacle of myself by hula hooping with the Wii Fit to lots of comments from the peanut gallery behind me. We've known ML and Terry for years, but this was our first "date" and judging by the amount of fun we had it will be the first date of many.

2) High speed internet. Thanks to the RocketStick from Rogers. It's not 100% yet, but it's getting there. Where my desk is situated is a bit of a cell phone dead zone. So I'm going to pick up a 6 foot usb cable so I can move the rocketstick to a spot where it will get better reception. You kow instead of moving the entire desk. Really though the majority of the time I'm connecting to the 3G network. Which sounds cool even if I have no idea what that means.

3) Jenni! We've been neighbours for years now. Wow! A lot of years. Like over a decade. And I think by this stage of our relationship I can say we're officially friends now too. This week Abby's school went skating. Abby doesn't skate, but decided she'd like to try. She decided this the day before the trip. We had no skates for her and Mike and I were both working the next day. Jenni to the rescue. After Mike called her she was over in five minutes with skates to fit Abby. She had also volunteered to go on the trip, so the next day she helped get Abby suited up and skated with her as well. It's always easier on a working Mom when you know your kids are in good hands. Luckily Mike was able to sneak away from work to see her and get some pictures (that are on his cellphone and I don't know how to get them off, but they're there). This is another one of those times when thank you doesn't seem to be enough to express what I'm feeling, but it's the best I got. So thanks Jen!

4) Notes in my mailbox. It was lovely today to come home to a beautiful picture of Lily-Pie in my mailbox. She is the sweetest baby. I cannot believe it's been a week since I've seen her. Oh and her Mom too:)

5) Aveeno Baby Fragrance Free Daily Lotion. This is the first hand cream that actually delivers on it's "protects for 24 hours" promise. My hands are exposed to more than their fair share of our harsh Canadian winters on a daily basis. They usually spend the entire winter dry and cracked. I have tried a myriad of lotions over the years. Last year I happened upon Silicone Glove (a gift from Darlene), which was great, but the fragrance got to be overpowering for how often I needed to apply it (for it to be effective) and Avon no longer carries it as far as I can tell. Then one day, on a whim, I used Maya's Aveeno Baby and my hands are no longer dry and cracked. The best part, I put it on once every evening and my hands are still soft and moisturizer the next day. It's one magical hand cream. I highly recommend it.

And what are you thankful for?

what's cooking wednesday - dutch baby

So I just finished reading The Single Wife by Nina Soloman, which was a great read even if I was a little underwhelmed with the ending. Kind of. I mean as far as storyline goes I thought.... oh that's it.... a little bit. I think I was waiting for a shocking twist. Thinking about it as I write this the ending, from the main character's standpoint, makes perfect sense. It's kind of a "good for you" sort of moment. Anyway the point of all this is, there was several mentions of a "dutch baby" in this book. Now if you're anything like me you're asking yourself, what the heck is a dutch baby? And if you're anything like me you have a subscription to Canadian Living and this month's issue would just so happen to have a recipe for a dutch baby. And if you're anything like me you're going to have to make one. Or two.

Oh and dutch baby = oven pancake.

Oh and today = Pancake Tuesday.



Dutch Baby

4 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter
4 lemon wedges
2 tbsp icing sugar

In a blender, blend together eggs, flour and milk until smooth.

Divide butter between two lightly greased 8 inch round metal cake pans. Heat pans in a 400 degree oven until bubbly 1 -2 minutes.

Leaving pans in the oven, immediately pour half of the egg mixture into each. Bake until pancake puffs and edges are browned about 15 minutes. Quickly invert over plates. Squeeze lemon over top and sprinkle with sugar.

Recipe Notes: Well I skipped the lemon part, because I wasn't sure how this would go over. I also think I may have forgotten to melt the butter in the cake pan before because I don't remember doing it. Of course I don't' remember not doing it either... so who's to say? Only 50% of the inhabitants of my house liked this, but you may be surprised when I start naming names. Abby (!!) and I both enjoyed it. Mike tried it, but did not like it and Maya wouldn't come within 10 feet of the table. They call it a pancake, but the taste reminds me of french toast. That egg soaked bread kind of taste. In the future I think I'll have the recipe to make the perfect amount for Abby and I to share.




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. 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. Much to Kaffy's chagrin, 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.

tiny moments - hide and seek

Maya: Daddy you play hide and seek with me?
Mike: Sure.
Maya: Count to ten!

Bet you can't find her.

cookies for Jesus

Okay the sugar cookies may be becoming "a thing". I love making them so much and they look so pretty. I am thinking about incorporating them into my Relay for Life Fundraising. I am thinking about working them into some fundraising I will be doing at work and for Abby's school. Sugar cookies are on my mind a lot.

So much so that when Mike mentioned that this Sunday was the potluck lunch at church I immediately said....

Oh, I should make sugar cookies.

And Mike said.....

Yeah, too bad you didn't have a cross cookie cutter.

And then he laughed, because that would be funny.



Yeah, I totally did.

the grandparents club - part one

As a kid growing up Dave and I spent a lot of time with our extended family on both my Mom and my Dad's side. There were countless weekend afternoons spent with Aunts, Uncles, cousins and of course my Grandparents at their respective houses.

My Mom's parents lived on a farm where my Mom grew up. Time spent there meant climbing trees, picking raspberries, tire swings, lying on a blanket under the shade of the trees, sitting on the tractor or the grader (it was even better if the grader was hooked up to the tractor) and bean salad in my Aunt's tupperware (something I have never developed a taste for, but it still makes the odd appearance at family functions).

My Dad's parents lived in a small house a few blocks from ours in the city. The same house my Dad grew up in. Time spent there meant wading pools by the patio, soccer croquet, lounge chairs, fish shaped crackers, being called "my pet" and the most delicious belgian cookies you've ever tasted in your life.

I've read somewhere, long forgotten now, that kids that had regular quality family time have higher self esteem, do better in school and are less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol. I thought about my own childhood and all the wonderful memories I have of time spent with family. I managed to grow up without giving my Mom too much grief (no need to comment here Mother.... move along) and I'm sure those two facts are related.

Before Christmas all of this was on my mind a lot. Mike and I are from the "it takes a village to raise a child camp". We receive a tremendous amount of support from our families that comes in many different forms and it is all greatly appreciated. The girl's grandparents are all active in their lives, but it's pretty organic. There's no real rhyme or reason to it. They babysit as necessary. Or they take the kids overnight when they know I we need a break. Or they let me vent about any one of the million things that make being Maya's Mom a challenge. And there is so much more that the kids are never aware of. So I thought I should show them that family time is important in a tangible way and just like that I created the Grandparent's Club. For Christmas they all received a card, inside I listed the particulars of their Club and each Club is unique to the receiving Grandparent.

Two months into the project and I have to say I am enjoying it immensely. Mike worried that the gift of these Clubs would make us look "poor". [insert eye roll here] Like when you were a kid and made your Mom coupon books. I say it's probably the greatest gift I could have given all of us. Mike now agrees.

Stayed tuned for Part 2 - The Dinner of the Month Club.

twist the knife

Maya: Mommy you pick me up?
Me: Mommy can't pick you up right now. I'm making dinner.
Maya: Mommmmmeeeee! Up! Pick me up. Pick me up.
Me: Sweetie I'm trying to get dinner in the oven and then I'll pick you up.
Maya: Want up.
Me: Daddy can pick you up.
Maya: Don't want Daddy! Want Mommy pick me up.
Me: I can't right this second.
Maya: Don't you want hug and kiss me?!

She's only three and already playing the Mommy Guilt Card.

thankful thursday

Today is Thursday right? Man that Monday off really messed me up this week. Anyway I am reasonably sure that this is Thursday an therefore time for thankful Thursday because I am all about increasing my happiness by 25%.

I am thankful....

1) for an evening spent with Auntie Yoli who is home for a little visit. Abby was thrilled to see her, as was I. She's been so busy at work we haven't even had time to chat or skype. Was great to see her in person.

2) that by the time most of you read this it will be Friday y'all. For a short week it's been a rather draining one. I am looking forward to the weekend.

3) for plans for some girlie time with my Robin tomorrow night. Just the recharge I need. Love her!

4) that the house got cleaned for this evening's festivities. That means a clean house to come home to tomorrow night.

5) our family got some happy news this week. I'm not going to share it right now, but rest assured it was something special.

What are you thankful for?

what's cooking wednesday - homemade granola bars

Here's the thing, you give me Monday off and all of the sudden I'm a day behind. So while yesterday was Tuesday and traditionally the night I would post my What's Cooking Wednesday post so it's all ready for you guys Wednesday morning. Well I thought it was only Monday. I realized it this morning when the alarm went off. Oops.

So here you go, What's Cooking Wednesday a day late.

My kids love granola bars, but they can get pricey at the rate a family of four can go through them. One box will not last the week when there are four lunches to be packed five days a week. So I was intrigued when I stumbled across this recipe for granola bars. I was going to give them a try, but it took multiple attempts to get all the ingredients from the store and into the house. Don't ask me why, they were all on my grocery list, but every week I would forget the rice krispies. Anyway it took a while, but finally it was mission accomplished.



Homemade Granola Bars

4 cups Rice Krispies

4 cups oats

16 oz. large marshmallows (about 450g for us Canadians)

1 cube butter (1/2 cup)

1 T. peanut butter (optional)

1 cup miniature M & Ms (found with the chocolate chips) or 1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Combine cereal, oats, chocolate and/or M & Ms in a large bowl. In a microwave-safe dish (I use a large glass bowl), microwave marshmellows, butter and peanut butter. Cook one minute; stir; cook one more minute; stir. Pour over cereal mixture, stir, then press into 9 x 13 buttered pan. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Recipe Notes: Well I skipped the peanut butter because it's just not allowed at school. I really loved this recipe for how quick and easy it was to put together. I lined my 9X13 pan with waxed paper so went it was set I could lift the whole thing out. That made cutting them into bars a lot easier. I divided the pan into thirds along the long side and cut them into bars that were similar in size and shape to a store bought granola bar. I got about 36 bars and it only cost me a fraction what it would have it if I'd purchased 36 bars at the store. I have to admit I wasn't sure Abby was going to like them, but.....



she did!!




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. 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. Much to Kaffy's chagrin, 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.

tiny moments - second in a series

Daddy you take picture my finger?

this and that

Well it's week one of the to do list laundry plan and I'm already failing miserably. I have four baskets of clean clothes that need to be folded, but they aren't. And on the slight chance that it does get folded before I hit the bed, it is not going to get put away. I'm trying not to be too discouraged.

So what was I doing instead of folding laundry. Well I went over and hogged up Lily-Pie's cuddle time all afternoon. And before that I "enjoyed" a massage courtesy of my Mom. "Enjoyed" because I had two kids climbing all over me and Return to Neverland playing on the dvd player while Maya fed me bites of her pretzels. So it was far from a zen experience, but still better than no massage at all.

Speaking of Lily-Pie, her Mommy has a brand new blog devoted to Lily-Pie and her big sisters.Hmmm does this mean I can't call her The Mommy Project anymore?

Cadoo is one of the funniest games to play! There's a little bit of charades, a little pictionary and touch of sculpting with playdoh. I think we may start hosting a family game night with other families just to play it. We usually play with Abby and I against Mike. Although I don't technically play. I'm just there to help Abby read the cards. And now I'm thinking Disney Scene it would be a great game to host another family with. I just need to find the game players out there in my circle.

And I still have much to tell you. A full report on how the Grandparent's club is working out, a product review or two and I'm sure there will be more hilarious stories of my children their potty mouths.

yeah, you heard me

It was bright and sunny yesterday, if a little cold, so Mike decided it would be a great day to take down the Christmas lights. Yes we still had our lights up (and on every night). When he was finished he screwed the regular light bulb back and and then knocked on the front door. He wanted me to turn the outside light on so he could make sure the bulb hadn't burned out. I knew that, but since I'm somewhat of a smart ass I opened the door a crack and said...

We're happy with our religion, thanks for stopping by.

And then I shut the door on him. And from behind me Abby calls out...

Open the door, say that again and then tell him to get his ass in here.

And I did the thing parents should never do in these situations... I laughed until I cried. I was laughing so hard I couldn't even repeat what she had said to Mike.

cookie bouquets

Valentine's Day isn't really a big deal in our house. Mike and I don't exchange cards or anything on a normal, but I did want to do a little something special for the girls. So I attempted cookie bouquets.



Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.

happy valentine's day, here's a blob

This morning Abby wrapped her arms around me and told me she loved me with a big smile. She was excited to go to school to celebrate Have a Heart Day and it showed all over her face.

Me: I love you too. You know you have my heart right?
Abby: Yep.
Me: Where do you keep it?
Abby: Right here. (she pats a spot over her own heart)
Me: Awww. (as I melt into a pile of goo)
Abby: You know our hearts don't look like Valentine hearts.
Me: Oh?! (I admit I'm a little thrown by the turn in the conversation) Umm, what does it look like?
Abby: It's just a blob.

thankful thursday

Just trying to up the happy quotient by 25% here just by listing the 5 things I am thankful for. So lets get right to it;

I am thankful for....

1) Six and a half. Abby is now six and a half and wow! Is that great. Tonight Mike had a meeting and Maya was playing her favourite role of Miss Cranky Pants. I asked Abby if she was done her valentines yet... she wasn't. So she gathered up her cards and her class list and headed up to her bedroom. She shut the door and did them all by herself. I didn't hear a peep out of her. Awesome!

2) The Mommy Project getting highspeed internet. Know why? Cause she lives right across the street. So odds are good I will be able to get it. And this is highspeed without the need for an antenna on the roof. Awesome!

3) For finally seeing Lily-Pie! She is just so sweet. Makes me pause and really consider another baby. Even though my head tells me the risk is too great. So I guess Normie will just have to put up with me being at her place all the time to cuddle Lily-Pie. Awesome!



4) My boy getting through on American Idol. I show I've never really watched before. Young man who lost his wife... yeah that will get me every time. I feel emotionally invested now, so I must watch. Awesome!

5) Discovering Flight of the Conchords, a very funny show on HBO Canada. My favourite episode, the one with the gang, Bret and the Tough Brets. My exact kind of humour. Awesome!

to do in oh nine

So I can't remember where I saw this originally. I read a lot of blogs, y'all. Way more than I should on dial up. It takes me forever to load and read and then if I want to comment. Forgetaboutit. Well look at me wandering around over here off topic. Anyway, what I saw was a to do list instead of New Year's Resolutions. So for the past month or so I've had a list floating around my desk I've been adding to.

So in the next year I would like to....

- Get the girls their SIN cards.
- Keep consistently on top of the laundry (snort!)
- Do more low cost big fun entertaining
- Recycle a sweater
- Have all the tax info to the accountant before the last possible minute
- Attempt some canning
- Make more home made gifts
- Be more organized in the morning
- Donate my hair to charity
- Catch up on the stack of dvds and books I have
- Make a digital scrapbook of last year's pictures
- Make a chicken pot pie
- Teach myself to knit in the round
- Compile Abby's fair ribbons into a hybrid scrapbook for her
- Have my bedroom look like a grown up's room and not a starving college student's
- Participate in my second Relay For Life
- Make a successful batch of Chex Mix
- Make caramel corn
- Have a perogie making day like I used to with my Grandma
- Have Mom show me how to make cabbage rolls Grandma's way... again... this time pay closer attention
- Host Game Night
- Find couples to come to game night (accepting applications!)

I think I'll pop a link to this list over into the side bar and cross items off as I complete them. And what about you? What's on your to do list?

what's cooking wednesday - chocolate buttercream frosting

First off I am very excited to tell you that I finally got to meet The Mommy Project's Lily-Pie. What a sweet baby. I seriously could have held her all night, but the kids and the husband and dinner and all that racket. So I had to give her back to her Mommy and take my brood home. What she doesn't know is I am totally coming back next week. Before we left the house I asked Mike if he thought I should bring the camera, his reply... I can't believe you're even asking me. So I took the camera and Michael was nice enough to snap a couple of shots of Lily-Pie and I. And a couple of Abby, the baby and I. Then he started pressing buttons.

Let me tell you about Michael... technology, not really his thing. He tries, God love him, but often fails miserably. So the new camera (which I triple love) he hates. Largely because he's left handed, I think, and it's definitely a right handed person's camera. So in trying to show Abby the pictures he had already taken he was deleting them. So they're all gone. Except for....



and one other one of.... you guessed it Michael and the baby. Luckily The Mommy Project snapped a few with her camera that she can hook up to her brand new laptop and then upload to the internet with her fancy high speed. Why yes I am totally jealous, why do you ask?

Now I could go on and on about the baby, did I mention she's cute? Because she totally is. Oh the pain in my ovaries..... it is killing me. But I know you're here because it's What's Cooking Wednesday and right now you're four paragraphs in wondering where the damn food is already. Since I'm a people pleaser..... here's what you came for.



Chocolate Buttercream frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate melted and cooled
3 - 4 tbsp milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter in a medium bowl with a spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and chocolate.

Gradually beat in just enough milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. Frosts a 13x9 inch cake or a 8 or 9 inch two-layer cake.

Recipe Notes: Very easy to make, especially with that fancy new mixer of mine. Mike liked it better than the canned stuff since it wasn't overly sweet. I made it to go with an orange cake which was a hit with Grandma Linda, Abby and Maya. Not so much with Mike or I and I don't think I ever got Papa's vote on the issue. I loved being able to get my tips out and play around a little. That is the best thing about making my own frosting, working on my skillz.




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. 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. Much to Kaffy's chagrin, 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.

a little of this a little of that

I have one ear that's a little plugged up and is causing me to hear a whooshing sound. I only really notice it when it's quiet, but then it's all I hear. Driving me freakin' batty.

Abby is supposed to have a poem memorized to recite in class on Thursday. I haven't been able to come up with anything suitable. Any and all suggestions gratefully accepted. Luckily she's quick to memorize stuff.

Mike had another meeting tonight and I had plans to get lots done and instead did nothing. I only feel a little bit guilty about that.

Just after Christmas they had a magnetic roller coaster set on sale for $50 at Wally. Regular price was $90. Mike wanted it desperately, but I managed to talk him out of it. Then they dropped it down to $20 so guess what I have set up on my kitchen table? Yeah, a roller coaster. He and the girls can't keep their hands off it. They also can't keep from knocked the magnetic marble off the track either. I am not ashamed to admit after listening to it hit the floor for the 703rd time I confiscated all five marbles.

Bloglines is being really irritating these days. I really must switch to google reader.

I need to figure out a way to go without sleep.

tiny moment - a simple request

Daddy you take a picture my hand?

thankful thursday - the late edition

Is it too late for thankful thursday? I think not and it's my world, so my rules! I don't want to miss out on the chance to make my life 25% happier just because I collapsed from exhaustion... more on that later, for now, onto the list......

I am thankful for......

1) Grandma Linda and Papa, who graciously offered to take Abby and Maya overnight. I don't usually look forward to the kids being gone, but this time I did. Oh the Mommy guilt, it is killing me. To be fair it's been a long uphill climb around here going all the way back to the fall when Mike had his surgery. Then there was the stint on nights and the holidays and then Mike's hours being cut and then we all got sick. At some point Maya turned into a spider monkey who hangs on me constantly. So a break was definitely necessary.

2) The bulkbarn where I stocked up last night on some crafty baking stuff for some ideas I have floating around in this head of mine. Although I couldn't seem to find the gel food colouring I like to use. They do have a great cake decorating section that I don't often get a chance to drool over. Oh and they had toxic waste candies that Mike noticed and pointed out to me.

3) Uncle G-Mac, great Uncle to the girls and the gift giver of a most appreciated East Side Marios gift card that Mike and I used to treat ourselves last night.

4) My Darlene, for the "you're not a bad Mommy for wanting a night off from the kids" pep talk. Love you for it.

5) And my Michael, who when I did give in to the exhaustion, cleaned the whole house, made the kids lunches and put out the garbage. Okay so here's the story, after getting only a couple hours of sleep Wednesday night I was planning on going to bed early Thursday night. We put the kids to bed and I was going to watch The Office and set the recorder to record Grey's and Private Practice. Only I had no blank dvds, it takes about 2 minutes to erase a dvd. So I hit erase and laid down on the bed to wait for it to finish. I think I saw the "7% erased" mark and was out like a light.

laying the ground rules

Since Maya got sick and has been cranky and miserable Mike and I decided to relent and let her have her sucky back. Maya could not have been happier with that decision. Yesterday she sat in my lap as I showed her the pictures of Lily-Pie.

Me: Isn't the baby pretty, Maya?
Maya: uh huh.
Me: Do you think we should have a new baby at our house?*
Maya: I'm not sharing my sucky!

*oh how I wish!

i remember sleep

I'm not quite sure who I feel more sorry for at this point, Maya or myself. She's still not 100% over this cold. There seems to be a dry cough that likes to linger and it makes her uncomfortable through the night. It doesn't truly wake her up, but brings to that half awake and whining stage, on and off all night long. Mike and I split duties with her last night, I took the first half of the night and he took the second. Now I just managed to sneak away after being in bed with her since 9:30. Nothing like sharing a twin bed with a tossing and turning pre-schooler.

Even more frustrating than the broken and/or lack of sleep is the fact that this nasty cold of Maya's is keeping all of us from meeting The Mommy Project's newest edition (Abby and her ear infection helped too). Although she did post pictures on her blog so I finally got a peek at her. She's beautiful, by the way. And makes my ovaries ache. Also I find it extremely ironic that my Little My Pie is keeping me from her Lily-Pie.

And now off I go to try and get some sleep before she needs me again. At which point I plan on rolling over and telling Michael it's his turn.

what's cooking wednesday - new england pot roast

I guess you could say I'm in a funk when it comes to roast beef. I do the same thing with it every time. Throw it in the crockpot with some water, soy sauce and garlic. That's it. Not long ago I was flipping through my Betty Crocker Big Red Cookbook and this recipe caught my eye.



4 lb cross rib roast
1 - 2 tsp salt
1tsp pepper
1 jar (8 oz) prepared horseradish
1 cup water
8 small potatoes cut in half
8 medium carrots cut into fourths
8 small onions

Cook beef in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat until brown on all sides. Place potatoes, carrots and onions in a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Place beef on vegetables, Mix horseradish, salt and pepper together and spread over roast beef. Pour water into slow cooker. Cover and cook for 8 - 10 hours on low or until beef and vegetables are tender.

Recipe Notes: Well Mike and I really enjoyed this. The girls refused to try it. Their loss. I was a little worried that the taste of horseradish would be overwhelming (as much as I love it), but it really mellowed out while it was cooking. I didn't bother browning the roast first because it seemed like a waste of time and a pain in the ass and not necessarily in that order. I also skipped the potatoes and veggies in the crock because I just don't care for them done that way. I'll definitely be making this again.





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. 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. Much to Kaffy's chagrin, 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.

i really don't

Seems like Maya's been getting a lot of air time lately, so how about a little chuckle from Abby tonight? She was playing in the living room climbing all over the wing back chair in the corner. I can't remember exactly what I said to her, but I do remember tacking on an empty threat to "kick her butt."

She paused in her play and looked at me.

Abby: What about ass?
Me: Fine, I'll kick your ass.
Abby: Aww, you say that all the time.

who's teaching her this stuff

Maya and I are hanging out on our bed. I was setting the dvd recorder up to record a movie for them and she was playing her favourite game... what are you doing Mommy? It goes on forever, just like pop-a-matic Trouble. So as we're lying there she says...

Maya: Guess what Mama! Guess! Guess what!
Me: What sweetie?
Maya: Mommy, guess what?
at this point she is crawling over me on her way to the head of the bed.
Me: What, baby?
Maya: I fart on Daddy's pillow!
as she parks her butt right on Michael's pillow