Friday, March 27, 2009

Leavin on a Jet Plane!!!


Here we go again, folks! I must say that I'm less rose-colored-glasses about the flight this time around. Last time just wasn't that fun. Can't say I'm really too excited about it. Excited about the destination in Idaho, yes. Visiting grandparents with Gwen, oh yeah. Spring break in general and getting to hang out with Eric no test-strings attached, no question! But towing along a 4 1/2 month old who is just starting to get the hang of a nap and bed time routine and doesn't like slight disruptions in her groove... doesn't really strike me as an adventure this time around. At least Eric will be with me this time. He's so much better at handling that kind of stress. Maybe I just need to work on my positive thinking. "no blowouts... no blowouts... no blowouts..."

And I need to pack. and do the cloth diaper laundry. and the regular laundry so we have clothes to put in those suitcases. And take books back to the library. And clean the toilets. And do the dishes. and why am I writing this post again? ;)

wish us luck with tomorrow's flight!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Does Gwen Look Like Daddy?

Does Gwen Look Like Daddy?

Does she have Daddy's eyes?

She's laughing at the possibilities!

Does she have Daddy's smile?

Concentrate... don't make any hasty judgment calls... this requires focus...

or Daddy's crying face?

Now THERE'S a tragic thought!

maybe she's just cute, like Daddy's impish face?


Or does she just look like Mommy? Now don't get TOO excited about this!


What do YOU think?

Friday, March 20, 2009

Recipes!

Semi Spicy Barbeque Roast (Crockpot)
Got this recipe from a friend's blog. She is a native Texan, connoisseur of BBQ meats, and a great cook. Originally the recipe was for oven roasted BBQ Brisket, but I altered it to be a crockpot roast. Delicious!

•roast (no more than 4 lbs)
•1 cup of white grape juice (or can use chicken broth)
•3 cups of apple cider (we improvised with wassail)
•1/4 cup of honey
•2 tablespoons of dijon mustard
•1/4 cup of soy sauce
•1 tablespoon of whole coriander (I actually used ground coriander bc it is cheaper.)
•2 tablespoons of firmly packed brown sugar
•1 tablespoon of minced garlic
•1 tablespoon of fresh ginger powder
•1/8 teaspoon sprigs of fresh thyme (I used dry)
•2 chopped chipotle chili in adobo sauce (if you like it spicy... we do)

Combine all the ingredients, minus the roast, and put it into your crockpot. Then put the meat in the pan, cover, and simmer on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours til roast is tender and shreds easily. Cut off portions to serve. And put that Bull's Eye away. You won't even need it.

Barbequed Beef Brisket (as the website said "for those stormy, tornado-watch Texas days")
If you'd like to make the brisket as the original recipe intended, make the sauce the same. Then put the brisket in a roasting pan instead of the crockpot. fat side up--do NOT trim the fat beforehand. Put the lid on, heat the oven to 275, and stick that sucker in for at least 5 hours. When you're ready to eat, put the roast on a cutting board (there will be TONS of juice in the pan), and scrape off all the fat on top. It should easily slide off. Then slice the brisket across the grain and smother it in juice from the pan.


Sweet Seasoned Cabbage*

•2 tablespoons butter or margarine
•1 tablespoon canola oil
•8 cups shredded green cabbage (about 1 normal-sized head)
•1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
•3-4 garlic cloves, minced (I use 4)
•1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
•salt
•fresh ground black pepper

Directions
1. In a large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat; add cabbage, garlic and brown sugar to pan.Sauté until the cabbage is limp, about 5 minutes or so.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in vinegar.
3. Cook, stirring very often, for approximately 20 minutes; taste and if cabbage is too crunchy for you, continue to cook for a few more minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.
*from Recipezaar "Cabbage for People Who Don't Like Cabbage"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Lucky St. Patty's Day!

Lucky me, Gwen went down EASILY for 2 of her 3 naps, giving me time to experiment (please ignore the painfully ugly rainbow-- I improvised!) with some different icing tips (namely the grass one) and make this:

Lucky Eric, he got to eat butter chocolate cake with a layer of mint cream in the middle that looked like this:

Lucky you, I'm including recipes for our DELICIOUS Ireland-inspired (sort of) dinner: semi-spicy BBQ Roast and Sweet Seasoned Cabbage in my next blog entry!

Lucky Gwen, she got to take a fun bath which is her favorite part of her pre-bedtime ritual:

Lucky Grandparents, get to see another cute pic of Gwen:

Lucky all of us, it is finally warming up and we are taking advantage by spending time outside!


Feeling Lucky lately? :)

Monday, March 16, 2009

last chance!

hey, so far i've only gotten 2 replies to my FREE gift give away! are you guys shy? think i'm kidding? don't want to "burden" me with giving you a gift? well....

too bad!

if i don't get 3 more replies by Thursday, i will randomly select 3 of you to whom i will give a gift! take that! you're not getting out of receiving goodies THAT easily!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Pay it Forward: Just for Fun a Random Gift Giveaway

A friend of mine posted this on her blog and I have gladly decided to play along. How about spreading some creative sunshine? And I LOVE giving gifts! (I couldn't abide by the 'draw-one-member-of-the-family-to-give-a-gift' rule this year--- I gifted to each individual!)

Edited from Sara's blog:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. If you have a request, I'd be happy to entertain it...(within reason, of course, and my budget.) This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1-I make no guarantees that you will like what I make for you! But I hope you will...
2-What I create will be just for you. Or maybe a member of your family if you'd rather.
3-Give me at least til August to finish, please, unless you are moving and need it sooner... then I'm sure we can work something out. And if you are long distance, I'll probably send via cheapest shipping.

The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to post this same information on their blog and leave a comment telling me they did will win a lovely homemade gift by me! Have fun with this!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Bad and The Good

Bad News: The distance from one end of the Chicago airport to the other is long when you're carrying a getting-heavy baby in your arms.
Good News: I'm buff. We made it. ;)

Bad News: Gwen had a 4-direction blowout ON the plane ride from Chicago to Tulsa (out both legs, front, and back!)
Good News: the kind gentleman in the seat next to me said he wanted to stretch his legs... and let me change her in his seat.

Bad News: The rest of the plane hated me because Gwen was so fussy, stinky, and poopy all over.
Good News: I'll probably never see any of them ever again.

Bad News: My parents were sick when I got there.
Good News: I got to relax and watch HGTV, History channel, and food network... something I really enjoyed since we don't have a tv in Ohio!

Bad News: I attended an excruciating workout that left my muscles absolutely UNRESPONSIVE for 2 days. I'm not kidding, I couldn't sit, stand, kneel, or lift my legs to put on my socks without assistance!
Good News: What a great work out! and my folks let me soak in their jacuzzi.

Bad News: Gwen and I got really sick too: fever, sinus infection, ear infection, and lost voice.
Good News: I was still able to go to the Saturday luncheon musical production of the Ten Virgins in which my sister was singing, see my bff Jennie and her baby, and enjoy the gorgeous 80 degree weather.

Bad News: None of my friends except my dear best friend Jennie ever contacted me to get together.
Good News: I didn't have to try to look presentable in something other than pjs or act energetic in my sickie state.

Bad News: Visiting the doctor on vacation always stinks.
Good News: I got a prescription for some antibiotics that are sure to help me feel better! Plus we have great insurance that had only a 35 dollar copay for appointment and drugs!

Bad News: 35 dollar copay wasn't in the budget for the trip.
Good News: My mom generously covered the tab.

Bad News: apparently antihistamines and decongestants also dry up breast milk...
Good News: We caught it in time to prevent SERIOUS trouble! and thank you Tamara for letting me borrow your excellent pump!

Bad News: Since Gwen was sick, she was very needy and I didn't have the energy to take care of her.
Good News: Grandma, Grandpa, and an umbrella stroller. Nuf said.

Bad News: Gwen's photos for her 4 month mark can't upload from my mom's camera to her computer because it is so outdated.
Good News: My mom took THE cutest picture of Gwen EVER and I can't wait to share it with all of you!

Bad News: I was sick for our family Sushi party at my sister's house.
Good News: I didn't have to "contaminate" any food or utensils by contributing my hand to chopping veggies... and just got to enjoy all the deliciousness!

Bad News: Flight delayed out of Tulsa put us in Chicago late and we had to cross the entire airport to make our next flight...
Good News: The umbrella stroller made running with Gwen and carry on bag a piece of cake. I was sweaty, but we made it.

Bad News: Gwen peed in her outfit and I only had a onesie to changer her into so her legs were exposed through the entire return trip.
Good News: Everybody still thought she was adorable, I had a nice warm blanket to wrap her legs in, and she was beautifully compliant on both flights thanks to baby tylenol!

Bad News: Gwen misses Grandma and Grandpa already!
Good News: We finally got to see Daddy/Eric again!... and we're already trying to find time for another trip!