Today I published what is surely one of my new favorite recipes over at Smartini. It's for Caramel Bars and they will make you close your eyes and say 'Oooh, that is good!' I have it on several people's authority that they are fantastic, since I was nice (or stupid) enough to share with a whole hall full of people at work.
Check 'em out. They are worth another lap around the track to make up for all of the naughtiness. But wait! They have oatmeal! That makes them health food, right?!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Broadcast...
I will be on a slight blog hiatus for the next few days... But until I return, I leave you with this:
Last night while jogging, the song "No Air" pipes in through my headphones. Is this ironic or do the local DJ's know exactly what I'm doing?
On the way home from aforementioned jogging experience, I get behind a car that has the vanity plate "R2D2LVR". And it's a chick. Are you serious?! Wow, I bet you are quite the popular gal at all the Star Wars conventions.
Ella tells me "I just as soon you". What? Really.
Tonight Ella asks "What's yapping mean?" followed by "What's constant mean?". I'm guessing that she has been told (at preschool?) that there was constant yapping. Uh. Huh.
I filled up the gas tank on my HONDA ACCORD and it cost me fifty dollars. Fifty-freakin'-dollars! I know that there are plenty of you out there who it's not uncommon to spend that much at the pump but for pete's sake, FIFTTY DOLLARS on an ACCORD? Good. Grief.
A meal at the Waffle House is in my future and I couldn't be more excited! :)
Barefoot Wine = yummy. Also, a dab of peanut butter on ginger snap cookies = yummy.
We turned on the AC for the first time tonight. It was a really nice evening, but the girls' rooms don't have that great of air flow, so AC it is. Spring, I welcome you with open arms! And a glass of wine!
Four new tires on an old ass Explorer leave us slightly lighter in the pockets. But bring on the snow! Bring on the water! My ever faithful green girl is ready! I, however, will be too busy to drive due to a) the out of control cost of gas, see above, and b) the fact that I now have to clip coupons til kingdom come to pay for said new tires.
Who wants more wine and cookies? Me! Who cares if the next time she runs to work off that wine and those cookies she has 'no air'? Not me!
Last night while jogging, the song "No Air" pipes in through my headphones. Is this ironic or do the local DJ's know exactly what I'm doing?
On the way home from aforementioned jogging experience, I get behind a car that has the vanity plate "R2D2LVR". And it's a chick. Are you serious?! Wow, I bet you are quite the popular gal at all the Star Wars conventions.
Ella tells me "I just as soon you
Tonight Ella asks "What's yapping mean?" followed by "What's constant mean?". I'm guessing that she has been told (at preschool?) that there was constant yapping. Uh. Huh.
I filled up the gas tank on my HONDA ACCORD and it cost me fifty dollars. Fifty-freakin'-dollars! I know that there are plenty of you out there who it's not uncommon to spend that much at the pump but for pete's sake, FIFTTY DOLLARS on an ACCORD? Good. Grief.
A meal at the Waffle House is in my future and I couldn't be more excited! :)
Barefoot Wine = yummy. Also, a dab of peanut butter on ginger snap cookies = yummy.
We turned on the AC for the first time tonight. It was a really nice evening, but the girls' rooms don't have that great of air flow, so AC it is. Spring, I welcome you with open arms! And a glass of wine!
Four new tires on an old ass Explorer leave us slightly lighter in the pockets. But bring on the snow! Bring on the water! My ever faithful green girl is ready! I, however, will be too busy to drive due to a) the out of control cost of gas, see above, and b) the fact that I now have to clip coupons til kingdom come to pay for said new tires.
Who wants more wine and cookies? Me! Who cares if the next time she runs to work off that wine and those cookies she has 'no air'? Not me!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tweezed
I think that there should be a universal rule that any vehicle a woman is in should have a pair of good, sharp tweezers in it. They are a handy tool, to be sure, but nothing else will do when you happen to glance in the mirror while you're stuck in traffic and realize that there are just some eyebrow hairs that don't show up under your bathroom light no matter how hard you look and posture yourself. And now that these things have come to light, they are glaringly obvious to everyone on the planet as well as the fact that you haven't had a good wax in a tiny bit too long. It becomes a matter of national emergency, really.
Maybe just a little glove box kit that contains all such tools that a girl really needs when out and about? I think I smell a sure fire hit... And won't I have the neatly plucked eyebrows to show for it!
Maybe just a little glove box kit that contains all such tools that a girl really needs when out and about? I think I smell a sure fire hit... And won't I have the neatly plucked eyebrows to show for it!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Favorite Website
The Weekly Special at Smartini is for each of us to post about our favorite website. Below is my post about my fave. This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone... I pass along recipes from here all the time! How's about y'all do me a favor, in return for all the fabulous recipes I have sent your way, and go to Smartini and tell us about your favorite website? We are all fiends of the Internet and just looove to check out new stuff!
From Smartini:
Mmm... There's always something cooking over at Allrecipes.com. (Or at least about a million things I should be cooking.) This is my main go-to site for anything that's going on in the kitchen and favorite landing spot on the web. As I stated before, you really shouldn't drink on an empty stomach, and this cooking site on crack is there to help. It is so crazy good that not only is food involved, drinks are too!
From Smartini:
Mmm... There's always something cooking over at Allrecipes.com. (Or at least about a million things I should be cooking.) This is my main go-to site for anything that's going on in the kitchen and favorite landing spot on the web. As I stated before, you really shouldn't drink on an empty stomach, and this cooking site on crack is there to help. It is so crazy good that not only is food involved, drinks are too!
I really enjoy making good food and All Recipes just feeds the need. You can search for recipes by name, ingredients, type, occasion, etc. and come up with loads of results. Gotta love those moments when you stand in your kitchen with the cabinet doors flung open saying to yourself 'Now what can I make with rice, chicken and peas?" Seventy-three meals, actually!) Also, once you are a member you can keep a virtual recipe box of your favorite recipes and find them easily when you need them.
But perhaps the best thing about All Recipes is the user reviews. Users can rate the recipe by awarding stars and leave comments about their results and any suggestions. These are just so handy for helping me determine if I want to try the recipe and any alterations I should make. While there is advertising on the site, it is subtle and easily looked past with no pop ups. (Newsweek: take note!)
Now, who feels like cooking?! Here are some recent favorites from All Recipes (with some personal adjustments):
Monster Cookies
Dill Dip
Apple Butter
Mexican Style Meat
Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
And now that I look at the homepage, that Chicken Peanut Mole with Cilantro Rice is looking rather good... must add that to the list of things I should be cooking!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
400 Posts!
Woo hoo! Four hundred times I have hit the 'Publish' button. Ok, 399 until I get done typing... Let's all celebrate by making some Texas Caviar!
I posted the recipe over at Smartini, a site that you should be checking regularly for sheer brilliance on everyone's part. Many thanks go out to Laura, Karen and Susan who already are regulars at the bar. I knew I could count on you girls to imbibe with me!
Fridays are WTFriday at Smartini and I have just finished creating a fantastical WTF? post that includes a serious wardrobe malfunction on the part of a semi famous musician. The picture is worth a thousand words... The three main ones that come to mind are W. T. F. ?!
I posted the recipe over at Smartini, a site that you should be checking regularly for sheer brilliance on everyone's part. Many thanks go out to Laura, Karen and Susan who already are regulars at the bar. I knew I could count on you girls to imbibe with me!
Fridays are WTFriday at Smartini and I have just finished creating a fantastical WTF? post that includes a serious wardrobe malfunction on the part of a semi famous musician. The picture is worth a thousand words... The three main ones that come to mind are W. T. F. ?!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A.K. Today
Ashley Kate:
* has discovered that she has the ability to put her toes in her mouth
* continues to engage me in the diaper war, insisting on rolling over constantly
* has discovered that she has the ability to put her toes in her mouth
* continues to engage me in the diaper war, insisting on rolling over constantly
* got her first servings of really soupy cereal and seems to mildly like it
* got her first serving of slightly thicker cereal and did not like it at all
* can't keep those damn fingers out of her mouth
* log rolls across the room in the blink of an eye
* doesn't do so hot with the whole sitting up business, but is fab with the spitting up business
* thinks its really, really funny to 'stand up' and get her legs underneath her
* seems to be getting some of her hair back
* loves her big sister
* is a counted blessing each and every day
(I apologize for the slight blurriness of these photos, but the flash was just too harsh!)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It Just Doesn't Stop
More Ella Grace:
The other day my mom tells Ella that she's sending her a dress. The next day we stop by the mailbox and lo and behold there is a package. Ella asks if it's her dress from Grandmama and I say no, that the package isn't big enough to be a dress. I suppose she didn't hear me and thought she should put it some terms that we would understand a bit better. Like 'Did MEGAN'S MOM send me a dress?!' Heaven. Help. Me.
This evening Ella says that she would be 'shocked and amazed' if something or another happened. That's all her daddy, right there, shocked and amazed.
E.G. and I went to a local track this afternoon where I jogged and she rode her bike. The plan was to pop into the grocery store afterwards for a few necessities, a plan that wasn't thought out all that well. I tell Ella that I sure do need a tan and when I go into the store in my shorts it's going to be scary. She promptly comes home and tells David 'Mama was scary in the grocery store!'
Also tonight, after Ella had been in her room taking forever to get her pajamas on, I call down the hall and ask what she's doing. To which she replies "I'm just taking care of a few things."
Once the 'few things' have been taken care of (which involved putting on lots of play jewelry) David begins asking her to put away some of her toys.
David: Well, number one, you need to put away your Lincoln Logs.
Ella begins putting away Lincoln Logs.
Ella: No number two, I don't want a number two...
(I hide my face and start to laugh, sneaking a look at David who didn't quite understand what she meant)
David: You don't want what?
Ella: A number two; something else to put away.
(me still hiding and laughing, David catches me and tries to hide his laugh too)
David: Sorry, sweetie, you need to put your bike away.
Ella puts her bike away.
David: And your ball, please put that away too.
Ella, laughing: I said no two and you were planning on it [all along]!
David, laughing: Also! Put your ball away, also!
You know, when other parents told us that our kids would mimic us and say what we say, I never thought that it would apply to everyday phrases and admonitions. I pretty much assumed that meant cussing. Cuss around your kids and you will hear it back. But oh no, no! And the thing is, it's not like I'm saying stuff to Ella that is bad, it's just when she says it back to me then I'm affronted by it. Like after I bump my elbow on something, her telling me 'that's why you should watch where you're going!' or getting shushed if I make a loud noise while Ashley's sleeping. It's all things that I have said to her, but when bounced back at me seen so wrong!
The kicker in all of this is that everyone tells me that this is my child saying all this! Mine all mine. I'm sort of proud in a narcissistic way but then come to the reality that holy shit this is how smart my mouth is! There is a future for Ella Grace at Smartini yet! Oh, and by the way, I bet that Ashley Kate won't be any better, having two smarty pants to learn from!
The other day my mom tells Ella that she's sending her a dress. The next day we stop by the mailbox and lo and behold there is a package. Ella asks if it's her dress from Grandmama and I say no, that the package isn't big enough to be a dress. I suppose she didn't hear me and thought she should put it some terms that we would understand a bit better. Like 'Did MEGAN'S MOM send me a dress?!' Heaven. Help. Me.
This evening Ella says that she would be 'shocked and amazed' if something or another happened. That's all her daddy, right there, shocked and amazed.
E.G. and I went to a local track this afternoon where I jogged and she rode her bike. The plan was to pop into the grocery store afterwards for a few necessities, a plan that wasn't thought out all that well. I tell Ella that I sure do need a tan and when I go into the store in my shorts it's going to be scary. She promptly comes home and tells David 'Mama was scary in the grocery store!'
Also tonight, after Ella had been in her room taking forever to get her pajamas on, I call down the hall and ask what she's doing. To which she replies "I'm just taking care of a few things."
Once the 'few things' have been taken care of (which involved putting on lots of play jewelry) David begins asking her to put away some of her toys.
David: Well, number one, you need to put away your Lincoln Logs.
Ella begins putting away Lincoln Logs.
Ella: No number two, I don't want a number two...
(I hide my face and start to laugh, sneaking a look at David who didn't quite understand what she meant)
David: You don't want what?
Ella: A number two; something else to put away.
(me still hiding and laughing, David catches me and tries to hide his laugh too)
David: Sorry, sweetie, you need to put your bike away.
Ella puts her bike away.
David: And your ball, please put that away too.
Ella, laughing: I said no two and you were planning on it [all along]!
David, laughing: Also! Put your ball away, also!
You know, when other parents told us that our kids would mimic us and say what we say, I never thought that it would apply to everyday phrases and admonitions. I pretty much assumed that meant cussing. Cuss around your kids and you will hear it back. But oh no, no! And the thing is, it's not like I'm saying stuff to Ella that is bad, it's just when she says it back to me then I'm affronted by it. Like after I bump my elbow on something, her telling me 'that's why you should watch where you're going!' or getting shushed if I make a loud noise while Ashley's sleeping. It's all things that I have said to her, but when bounced back at me seen so wrong!
The kicker in all of this is that everyone tells me that this is my child saying all this! Mine all mine. I'm sort of proud in a narcissistic way but then come to the reality that holy shit this is how smart my mouth is! There is a future for Ella Grace at Smartini yet! Oh, and by the way, I bet that Ashley Kate won't be any better, having two smarty pants to learn from!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
From the Daily Report, Again
Yesterday's report from preschool included this:
"... Ella is still having a little difficulty with her friends. She tries to be the teacher and the kids tell her they don't like it and she does it anyway."
Like a good mom I snickered at this. I guess I shouldn't because that means she is a little Miss Bossy Pants but it still makes me laugh!
David commented that maybe that's her Aunt Jamie coming out in her... Apparently Jamie liked to play teacher too, and I'm going to guess that it was with David as the student even after he said he didn't like it! (Which makes me laugh, too!)
"... Ella is still having a little difficulty with her friends. She tries to be the teacher and the kids tell her they don't like it and she does it anyway."
Like a good mom I snickered at this. I guess I shouldn't because that means she is a little Miss Bossy Pants but it still makes me laugh!
David commented that maybe that's her Aunt Jamie coming out in her... Apparently Jamie liked to play teacher too, and I'm going to guess that it was with David as the student even after he said he didn't like it! (Which makes me laugh, too!)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Horse Show #2
Saturday we took Ella to another horse show. This one was yet again a very small, laid back deal and she definitely got a ribbon (I made sure to check beforehand!).
As we drove over Ella said 'Aww, Scooter's my buddy!'. Yessirree.
Such a professional cowgirl
Ella with the loot: two cups, a hoof pick and a Super Star! ribbon
I don't think you get more official than having your very own back number!
As we drove over Ella said 'Aww, Scooter's my buddy!'. Yessirree.While We Were Out
If you haven't checked out the hippest spot in town, Smartini, then you haven't seen this madness. This is what happens when I start feeling sorry for Maggie and let her inside while we run out 'real quick'. I'm sure there was some help from another dog I may know, but these incidences only seem to happen when Maggie is around so that's why she got the mug shot!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Escapades from the Crib
The other day I laid Ashley down, thinking that she might be in need of a nap. Apparently she had other things on her mind. Like snatching off her socks. When it was obvious that she was not going to take a nap, I went it to pick her up and found this:
Quoted
Ella, from a recent expedition to the mall for new shirts for me:
"You look pregnant in that shirt."
"That looks like a stay at home shirt."
(After being told that we were going to go pay and then I stopped to look at another rack) "This doesn't look like going to pay."
Wow. I guess the tongue sticking out incident was just the beginning...
"You look pregnant in that shirt."
"That looks like a stay at home shirt."
(After being told that we were going to go pay and then I stopped to look at another rack) "This doesn't look like going to pay."
Wow. I guess the tongue sticking out incident was just the beginning...
Smartini
You are all invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of Smartini, a fabulous business venture between myself and five other blogger friends. It's a bar, of the internet variety, that serves up cold drinks in the form of news, celebs, creative writing, recipes and snark. With six of us posting you are guaranteed to find something new and interesting every day, if not throughout the day. We serve all ages, 24 hours a day!
Today would be a great day to wander over to the bar. It's unofficially WTF? Friday, which will leave you confused yet feeling incredibly normal... especially after you see my contribution! :)
www.smartinibar.blogspot.com Add it to your faves!
Today would be a great day to wander over to the bar. It's unofficially WTF? Friday, which will leave you confused yet feeling incredibly normal... especially after you see my contribution! :)
www.smartinibar.blogspot.com Add it to your faves!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Trick Rider
This is what happens when I get photo editing software that I can actually use. Somebody stop me!
Ella has really taken to doing tricks on her bike, many of which involve standing on the seat. I have one other picture (that I will try to post later) of her on just one foot with the other kicked up behind her which is pretty impressive! Maybe I should be worried about what this type of behavior, at 4 years old, implies for later in life. I think I need to keep my first aid kit handy for, oh, say, the next 14 years!
Ella has really taken to doing tricks on her bike, many of which involve standing on the seat. I have one other picture (that I will try to post later) of her on just one foot with the other kicked up behind her which is pretty impressive! Maybe I should be worried about what this type of behavior, at 4 years old, implies for later in life. I think I need to keep my first aid kit handy for, oh, say, the next 14 years!
Miss Mountain Biker, Ella Grace
Monday, April 07, 2008
Dill Dip
Oh, my, have I come across a recipe that I will use over and over again! Dill dip happens to be one of those things that I could eat my weight in and not think twice. Judging from the response to it at work today (which was to scrape the bottom of the bread bowl it was in before noon), I'm not the only one! Give this recipe a shot the next time you have to contribute to the snack table at a social function. Hell, don't even wait for a social function. Just make it and plunk yourself down on the couch. You won't be going anywhere for a while.
Dill Dip
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise - real, not Miracle Whip
2 2/3 cups sour cream
1 Tbsp dried parsely flakes
3 Tbsp dill weed
3 Tbsp grated onion
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
Combine all in a bowl and let sit over night for flavors to blend. Serve with beer bread, chips or vegetables.
Dill Dip
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise - real, not Miracle Whip
2 2/3 cups sour cream
1 Tbsp dried parsely flakes
3 Tbsp dill weed
3 Tbsp grated onion
1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
Combine all in a bowl and let sit over night for flavors to blend. Serve with beer bread, chips or vegetables.
Sunday Afternoon Ladies
Sunday afternoon proved the perfect time for another photo shoot of my girls. I'm a sucker for Ella and Ashley any old time, but especially when the light is just right and their eyes really shine. Love. It.
And then there is this picture, which cracks me up. Look at what perspective does to Ashley's arm! It looks like a tree trunk!
Friday, April 04, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Nap Time
In the spirit of Pen's picture of N.Lo on break, I caught Ashley on her afternoon break. She has really taken to sucking on her fingers and prefers to sleep on her stomach, just like N.Lo. She also takes really, really long naps on her stomach too (we're talking 4-5 hours)!
Who Wants a Margarita?
This weekend I realized that I have not shared with you one of my favorite recipes yet: Knock You Nekkid Margaritas! It's definitely a recipe to keep handy, whether you like margaritas or not... you never know when a Cinco de Mayo party will break out at your house, right?!
Knock You Nekkid Margaritas
1 12 oz can limeade concentrate, thawed
12 oz 7 Up
12 oz bottle or can of beer
6 to 12 oz tequila
Mix all together. Using the limeade can to measure the 7 Up and tequila makes it a cinch!
Two things: You might want to strain the limeade if you don't like pulp and I found that 9 oz of tequila makes it plenty strong. If you use 12 oz, you might need to change the name to Knock You Out Margaritas! Either way, beware because these go down easy and pack a punch!
Knock You Nekkid Margaritas
1 12 oz can limeade concentrate, thawed
12 oz 7 Up
12 oz bottle or can of beer
6 to 12 oz tequila
Mix all together. Using the limeade can to measure the 7 Up and tequila makes it a cinch!
Two things: You might want to strain the limeade if you don't like pulp and I found that 9 oz of tequila makes it plenty strong. If you use 12 oz, you might need to change the name to Knock You Out Margaritas! Either way, beware because these go down easy and pack a punch!
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