Monday, September 29, 2008

Almost Oct!

Wow its hard to believe its almost Oct. SO much to do so little time. I have to sew my garb for the campout and my halloween costume. I am just starting my garb today and think I can pull it off without having to buy too much stuff. My costume is another thing altogether. Its going to be hard to make.
I just wanted to take a quick minute to report how much better Zach's behavior has been lately. And I have not spanked him since I reported I did. I am trying really hard to be patient with him, and to talk softly to him when he does need some correction. It seems to be paying off.
We had a pretty stellar weekend. I made like 50 muffins for the Lawrence Community Environmental School yard/bake sale. Since they charged a buck a piece for them I feel like I contributed nicely, not to mention the other items I donated.
Friday was a great day. Zach had preschool, we took our family pictures there and his school pictures. Gene and I had some quality time since Zach was at school and I did not have to babysit any kids. Then the preschool had babysitting in the evening and we were able to go out for drinks with friends.
On Sat after I attended the yard/bake sale we had some quiet time at home. Gene got some side work, and then my step-dad spent the night since he was attending the Nascar race. I have to report he was very well behaved this weekend.
I spent most of Sunday catching up on housework, while Gene and Zach went to watch the model airplane show and later some father and son fishing. Although they did not catch anything they had fun anyways.
Since my stepdad was staying here he was able to bring us a recliner they were gving us.
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We really needed some more furniture anyways, having only a couch was not always comfortable. We were happy to welcome this piece of furniture into our home, its not only comfy, but Zach loves to rock in it with me.
I have some cutting and sewing to start on, and if I am lucky I might get a shower in before my babysitting kiddo gets here. Here's hoping...toodles.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Yummy muffin Tuesday

Yummmm, what could be a better way than starting this day with a yummy healthy muffin.
Here's my recipe for them:

Banana Chocolate chip muffins
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp ground flax
1/4 cup chocolate chips
optional: 1/2 cup nuts (I used walnuts)

Mix all ingredients stirring until just mixed, over mixing will cause tough muffins.
Fill well greased muffin cups(I used bakers joy spray), about 1/2 way to 3/4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. Try not to eat too many warm with butter.
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I was invited to be the food coordinator at a big camping event in a few weeks. I have to think about it, but I am quite sure we do want to go for the camping, and Gene wants to go for the meat cutting demonstration. I will have to make us some clothes though because we will be required to wear period garb..ie Medival wear, easy enough I just have to get started right away. So I might actually have some sewing to post about hooray!

I found a picture of the horrid caterpillar on my camera, it has now changed and we are awaiting for it to turn into the moth it is to become.
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Its not the best but gives you an idea.

Monday, September 22, 2008

wow long week and long weekend!

Well we have been busy around here. I had a lot of babysitting last week, and this weekend we attended a party, a birthday party and had a visit from my parents. I cleaned my booty off and now I want a little rest. I am feeling really good about myself financially and it really helps decrease Gene's stress as well.
Having my mom finally visit was a relief because she has a tendency to make judgements about stuff she knows nothing about, like our house. She now realizes it not a shack, or falling down... cause those are the kind of judgements she made..cause that is just her.
I have endured her subtle comments about our furniture, my marriage and Zach's behavior, and she was not even here for 24 hours! Ahh mom, love her, hate her, she is my mom. It makes me wonder..will Zach resent me too someday? Why is is the older I get the more I find myself acting like her/turing into her. Not that I don't respect her, she has had a pretty tough life, and been dealt a heavy hand.
I did get some sewing done, mom brought me her pants to hem up..lol
In exchange she brought us a ham, a pork roast, and a ham steak, from a family friend, and they are all organic! She promises to get me some of the organic beef they will be getting soon.
Now if I only had a freezer!

In the holiday spirit the babysitting kids and I colored fall leaf pictures.
Happy first day of Fall!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Imitation is better than real life

So yesterday thanks to the better and no raining weather Gene finally got a chance to mow the well watered lawn. Zach did the same, complete with swearing at his mower!
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He yelled at his mower "why doesn't this damn thing work right?"
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So cute..and funny! He even came in for his break and asked for a beer..haha.
I don't think so buddy.
We found an awesome caterpillar, a Pandora Sphinx Moth caterpillar. No pic cause it did not photograph well. But here is a link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eumorpha_pandorus
The thing is friggin huge! As big as my ringfinger.
Well it got out of the aquarium and was loose in the house for about 24 hours. This thing creeps me out for 2 reasons:
a. its huge and ugly
b. it spits out this green foamy stuff when you touch it..ewww.
I put out some grape leaves; it primary food source and this morning Gene found it wondering around..he got foamed...yuck. He was pissed at me, but he will get over it..lol.
Its now safe in the aquarium with a weighted top. While we were looking for this thing yesterday we found to chrysili? Chrysilisses?? Anyways from a few other escapees, and we retuned them to the safety of the aquarium. Although the big one still freaks me out its nice to have something different from all of our black swallowtail ones. Even if it was trying to eat my grape leaves. I got a few leaves from the preschool cause they have a more mature grapevine, and mine is just a baby plant. We are headed out to our grapevines this morning to check for more of these giant squirmies.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Friday

Friday again. I worked on re-hashing a pair of pants and my halloween costume today. I guess my Fridays are freed up now since I am no longer watching the little boy two days a week. Oh well easy come easy go. I hate that Gene does not work on Fridays now. Well for the next month or so anyways.

I have been very patient with Zach, and everytime I think things are going well he does something like insult me, by using a bad word, only because he did not get his way. After a mouth washing and a time out he still refused to apologize to me. He is so strong willed. Something I am sure that will serve him well in his adult life, but it makes me crazy. I have not spanked, but Gene is not totally on board with the either, although he has not spanked him he has threatened too.

The weather here seems more like Florida these past few days. Hot, humid and sticky. I thought it was going to cool down tonight. So I made stew for dinner. Although it was good, it just was not the right weather for it. Speaking of weather we had a tornado warning here this afternoon. We thought the tornado season was over..wtf! I am really wishing we could turn on some AC but Gene says no..WAHHHH
Here is the stew recipe I made today and cooked in the crockpot:

Lamb and veggie stew
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound lamb stew meat, cubed
3 cups beef broth
1 T white wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 cup peeled, sliced carrots
2 cups peeled, chopped sweet potatoes
2 cups sliced celery
1 cup chopped yellow squash
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
all-purpose flour for coating meat

Salt and pepper meat. Coat with flour and brown in oil. Place in crockpot with chopped veggies. Add all remaining ingredients, cook on high for 1 hour and then on low for 4-6 hours or until meat is done. Remove bay leaf before serving.
I feel good about this meal, because everything I used was local, which is part of the reason it was probably so good. Just not good for warm weather..chow

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ravioli as promised

Well we ended making the rest of the ravioli last night as we ran out of dough.
The pumpkin ravioli turned out great and sooo delish! Here are some pics:
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Our first pumpkin that we grew is what we made the raviolis with.
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Cut it up and steamed with the veggie steamer basket for about 40 minutes, so the skin could be removed.
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After it was cooled and peeled I blended it with a small container of ricotta cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
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Instead of making my dough I cheated and used these potsticker wraps, you can use wonton wrappers or flour eggroll wrappers too.
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I moisten the wrapper edges with water and place about a tablespoon of filling in each wrapper, then I top with another wrapper and seal all around so filling does not come out.
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Boil in salted water for 3-5 minutes. Then place in sage butter. I made the sage butter by putting a stick of butter in a pan and warming it with about a tablespoon of dried sage, and warming until bitter was melted and I could smell the sage.
Remove them from the butter and plate them, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve!
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They should be served with a green, we ate brussell sprouts with ours. OH what a treat, these were better than any food we have eaten in a long time!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

little cooking, no sewing and lotsa bitchy

Yup, wow with all the sitting I have been doing there is scarcely time to blog!
I had a housefull on Friday. I made some coinage, but I am exhausted. It feels nice though, being able to contribute again. I think it helps Gene feel better too. Now I just have to figure out how to save some of it. Gene needs a new van, and I would like a mini-van, to haul kiddos around in.
We had company on Friday night and also entertained yesterday. Last nite we just vegged out. And the same today. Except today I have to tidy the house before the week begins. :)
I am going to try to make some pumpkin raviolis on Monday, and that ought to be fun, I will def take some pictures of that.
Zach has been a handful lately but that is not unusual for him. I have been trying to just remind myself to be firm but calm..very hard for me the LEO lady. I got good results and shorter fits today when I remembered to do this. Once in Walgreens and another time at Kwik shop(gas station). He threw a fit in Walgreens because I would not buy him anything. And then in Kwik Shop, he helped himself to a donut, which I had to buy because he touched it..the little shit. We talked about stealing and how bad that is. He kept telling, me but you paid for it! He is so smart, it just blows me away sometimes. I really hate taking him to the store, and will try to avoid it at all costs this week. I should change this blog name to cooksewbitchyparenting..lol! Hope this day finds you in a happy state of mind. Evie

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The work is calling.

Well it has been quite a ride the past couple of weeks. I started a job, I quit a job. I am no longer babysitting, for the young girl who runs a home daycare. Instead I am watching the little girl (that I have been wanting to watch), fulltime. I also start watching another little boy on Thurs/Friday. It's nice how these things just sorta fell my way..of course I have been asking the universe to send me some way for me to make money and to stay home too. Its perfect and I think it will be fun and a great thing for me and my family. I am excited about these little people and I love children...its a wonder I don't go into teaching. Maybe someday??
Dinner plans are shaping up very nicely and I plan on making this tonight:
Greek Style chicken
1 cup yogurt, plain plain low-fat
1 tablespoon lemon zest finely grated peel of a lemon
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons oregano finely chopped, fresh
2 tablespoons parsley leaves chopped finely, fresh
1 clove garlic peeled and forced through a press
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground or to taste
2lbs chicken pieces or breasts

Directions
1. Combine the yogurt, lemon peel and juice, oregano, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper.

2. Put the chicken into a dish and spread about 1/4 cup of the yogurt sauce over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate a few hours, or longer if possible. Cover and refrigerate the remaining yogurt sauce.

3. Place the chicken on a rack in a baking pan and bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven 30 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and continue cooking about 5 minutes, until the chicken is browned on top and cooked through.

4. Spoon the yogurt sauce over the chicken and serve.

I am serving this with pita wedges and a greek style salad with feta and olives.

I had a nice time with Gene and Zach picking raspberries with my neighbors last night. Now what to do with them? I am thinking about making some cordial, or jam. My neighbors are going to be giving us some raspberry shoots in the fall, since our raspberries died this summer. I hope to have nice big thicket like they do in a couple of years. They are so yummy, and its nice to have some free fruit! I am scheduled to pick them again on thursday since they are tired of picking them. So we will have lots of them.
The weather is fall like today, I am happy to have it too. I am missing the New England fall already, luckily there are lots of trees here so we will get a hint of it. For now the windows and doors are open for the first time in awhile and I love the cool damp breeze.