What’s going on? May 16, 2008

Hello! No more conspiracies I promise.

I am recovering from a hysterectomy that was done Monday the 12th. I am fine - just sore.

Previous to my surgery, I tested for my blue belt and passed. Now is the level where we get to start fighting each other. We need to get sparring gear and everything! I am hoping the doctor will clear me for going back to karate soon. I miss it.

The girls started gymnastics and they love it! Seth started drums. School is winding down - our last day is May 28th. We have a busy summer planned - lots of activities to do but I left some down time also.

I planted more vegetables - I will let you know how I did. I am trying sun sugar tomato, bush tomato, basil, cilantro (which all the neighbor boys love to eat), pumpkins, yellow squash, zucchini, red onion, green onions, cucumbers and purple bell peppers. I am trying the last six in an Earth Box. Supposedly, you get a better product and more from growing it in there. My red onions are starting to come up. I also planted near the wall - baby carrots, butter lettuce, okra, bush beans and broccoli - but the dog got into the dirt where I planted the seedlings so I am not sure what is going to come up!

We plan on doing more hiking this summer and more exploring around town. We discovered recently while going out to eat, that our kids have forgotten how to do that. (It was like watching a very bad car accident - it was so violent but you just watched anyway cause it was so freaky!) We have been cooking A LOT at home so the necessity of going out to eat had gone away. But we decided to use some free coupons to a place we liked before and our normal kids turned psycho. So, this summer we will be practicing good restaurant manners.

I need to go take my meds so that I can feel better. Hope all is well.

A little concerning April 9, 2008

Hello all. Awhile ago, I received what I thought at first to be a funny email from a friend. It was about a major talk show lady being the anti-christ. (I do not want the name up so that it will not come up in a search). Then I saw a YouTube video about a new church starting by this person. I am a previous viewer like a lot of you but please google the real names and do the research.

Okay, enough of the doom and gloom. Darling hubby of mine took me on a fantastic date the other night to the Melting Pot. Awhile ago I posted a question asking if it was worth the money. We did the 3 course meal plus a free coupon for the fourth dessert course - It was so good. He was totally into cooking the meat - me not so much - I loved the veggies! Good thing those were never ending! Go register online for the ClubFondue and you get coupons - the last one saved us $14! Thanks honey for an awesome date!

We are doing well here - I am looking forward to school being out soon! I tested in early March for my orange belt and testing in May for my blue belt. You should see my round house kicks - watch out Danielson!

I slowed down on the cooking thing because I started working at our local 5 star 5 diamond hotel. I worked in an old English pub that was rebuilt here in the states! It was fun but not worth the money and the toll it took on the family by me being gone. At least I know I am still hireable! Hope to post more regularly but I need to go walk to pick up the kids!

I have a secret! January 4, 2008

My family has been eating LOTS of veggies that I have been sneaking into their food! I credit The Sneaky Chef and Deceptively Delicious with the ideas! I received these books for Christmas from my brother and sister-in-law.

Granted, my kids are pretty good eaters and do eat good shares of fruits and veggies - it is my husband that I need to get to eat his veggies. Now, he already knew what I was up to because I am steaming lots of veggies and then throwing them in my food processor and he knew about the books. He said I could do this. Well, I have not tried any of the recipes yet from their books, but instead, took their concepts and added them to my recipes.

For example, I added pureed sweet potatoes and mushrooms to a Hamburger Helper box dinner (not our usual dinner - but got for 50 cents a box! So good occasionally), added pureed cauliflower to my enchilada casserole and tonight I added pureed spinach, squash and zucchini to my homemade spaghetti sauce and threw it over whole wheat spaghetti with some melted mozzarella.

My family eats lots of salads as side dishes and until now, I have not been able to get my youngest to eat it. She finally did and likes it. I was so spoiled when I worked at CJ, I got the best ranch dressing for free every week. I have had the hardest time finding a bottled ranch dressing that myself and the kids like. From one of the books listed above they suggested taking Paul Newman’s ranch because of the ingredients and mixing it with a bit of plain yogurt. We love this - it is so tasty. I also have been leaving carrot chips and fruit out before dinner even starts as appetizers and my kids have been loving this.

I really credit these books with reteaching me good basic healthy ideas. I strongly suggest to take a peak at this. I know this may cause some controversy to the hard core disciplinarians that say put it on the plate and make them eat it. I know I did not like most veggies until I was in my mid-twenties. So in the meanwhile, I will put it on their plate AND sneak it in! I will let you know of what other recipes I have tried with success that sneak in veggies!

Happy Birthday to my hubby! December 22, 2007

Today Jon is 36! Happy Birthday sweetie! I love you so much. Jon requested a mellow day at home. Tonight I am taking him to the Golden Bee which is an Irish singing bar that serves Guinness.

Happy Birthday to our oldest! December 20, 2007

Just wanted to let you know that our oldest celebrated 8 years alive! I took him to his recent well visit and he is all healthy. The heart murmur he as had since he was 1 finally disappeared! The kids have the 17th thru the 2nd off from school.

Update - I am a yellow belt in karate! Merry Christmas!

Well, I have never… November 26, 2007

Went Black Friday shopping when it was 10 degrees! Got some good deals though!
Had most of my Christmas shopping done before December even started!
Tried an eggnog latte at Starbucks - pretty good!
Made a turkey - came out great!
Got food poisoning - I feel better now.
Tried crocheting. Made a blanket.

Did you try anything new this month?

Wow! It’s been a long time! November 3, 2007

Hello! I cannot believe it has been almost two months since my last post. Yes, I suffer from busy just like everyone else!

I know per Jon’s website that you have seen the fall colors, our first snow and Halloween fun! I have never been trick or treating before in 30 degree weather - without a jacket! Yikes! It took me awhile to warm up. Went thru all the candy and came up with different piles - mom and dad’s secret stash, holiday baking, stuff to save for next year and oh, yeah, the kids stuff! I want to use some of the chocolate pieces for my Christmas cookies! Per the official neighbor count - we had 182 trick or treaters.

We are having a season of lots of people visiting - I love it! We are enjoying the company and I am enjoying not cooking! I think I cooked every night for a whole month without going out! That is a record for us. Most times we go out once or twice a month. I am getting ready for Thanksgiving - I love that holiday. So often it gets overlooked because of the Christmas season, but I think it is great to sit with friends and family and be thankful! So, my parents are coming out for turkey day week and we are hosting a friend thanksgiving the Saturday before.

The kids are doing awesome! Busy with school, friends and extra activities. There social calendar is getting full. Karate is going well - I am switching to an adult class because I am ready to test for yellow belt (exciting!) and the kids should be ready by the end of the month. I finally bought all my snow gear - our first snow I could not go out and play because I had nothing - I went out in my pj’s. So snow already! None is expected for awhile. Bummer.

I think I might actually get caught up on my scrapbooking - I am six years behind and two kids behind. A neighborhood crafting group just started once a week - so I will bring all my stuff. We recently completed 120 pop up books on Germany for my son’s grade level because I am the room mom - it took us ladies about 25 hours to get it done! Instead of Halloween, they learn about Germany - flag, history and food and complete the section by doing a 1.5 mile walk called a Voksmarch. They wore a pretzel around their neck and had a blast!

I will ask Jon later to help with more pics - just an fyi - on my hubby’s site - the pumpkins we are carving are the ones I grew! I also roasted some pumpkin seeds - hard to get away from that crazy pumpkin pulp - but yummy! I had a ton of tomatoes also!

About food… September 10, 2007

Okay - I have a ton of extra hamburger buns - what else can I do with them besides the obvious? I have seen the poor man’s garlic bread and we are having some BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches soon but can you help a girl out?

I also made one of my favorite recipes tonight. Here it is:

Chex® Muddy Buddies®

Another popular name for this favorite mix is “puppy food”. Chow down; it’s doggone good!

Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:15 min
Makes:18 servings (1/2 cup each)
Ingredients:
9 cups Chex® cereal (any variety - I used the new chocolate flavor)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation Directions:
1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, stir together chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Stove-Top Directions: Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

1 Serving: Calories 220 (Calories from Fat 80); Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 200mg; Total Carbohydrate 30g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 17g); Protein 3g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 6%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 6%; Iron 25% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

This is so good! Enjoy!

California - here we come! September 4, 2007

Right back where we started from…

We are getting ready to see some old friends, go to Disneyland and me - going to the Women of Faith conference. So excited. The first thing we are doing is going to dinner at the Claim Jumper - man I missed that place!

See you there!

White and Nerdy September 2, 2007

We took our kids to go see Weird Al in concert at the Colorado State Fair. We had a lot of fun. That guy is a total genius! The kids had a lot of fun. Rachel stayed with grandparents so it was good time with the oldest kids. I think my favorite songs are White and Nerdy and the ones based on Billy Joel songs.

We also saw an 80 foot dive into a ten foot swimming pool, pig races, sting rays, tigers, sand sculpture based on Alice in Wonderland and a spray painting artist. The kids had a lot of fun and we did not get home until 12 on a school night which they thought was pretty cool. It got me thinking how long can I get away with going to concerts with my kids. I hope they will always want me to go. Probably not but we enjoyed the time together none the less.