Paul and Meredith readying their barricades for (according to Paul) an 'Epic Snowball Fight'
Snowballs at the ready!
It's all in good fun!
Christopher gets stuck with shovelling duty - but was rewarded with $$$ for a pizza lunch!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snow Day!
The kids got the day off from school, so I got the pleasure of working from home :)
Paul and Meredith readying their barricades for (according to Paul) an 'Epic Snowball Fight'
Snowballs at the ready!
It's all in good fun!
Christopher gets stuck with shovelling duty - but was rewarded with $$$ for a pizza lunch!
Paul and Meredith readying their barricades for (according to Paul) an 'Epic Snowball Fight'
Snowballs at the ready!
It's all in good fun!
Christopher gets stuck with shovelling duty - but was rewarded with $$$ for a pizza lunch!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Overcompensating
After my little guilt trip the last couple of weeks about doing all these handy dandy things I've been reading about on OTHER PEOPLE'S blogs - I think I subconsciously turned myself into Julia Child AND Martha Stewart today!
I started the morning with a major baking session. The family awoke to the wonderful aroma of:
A dozen Cinnamon Swirl muffins
A half dozen Banana Nut muffins
2 dozen Peanut Butter cookies with mini Reeses peanut butter chips
A batch of brownies
Don't be too amazed, as all of the above were NOT from scratch! But it was made with love, all the same! :) The cookies are already gone, and a major dent has been put in the muffin stash...
Not to be outdone (by myself!) I then moved on to some homemade bread
2 French Baguettes
Cheesy Onion Focaccia bread
The baguettes never even made it off the cookie sheet, warm bread and butter is a big hit in this house! The focaccia bread is more geared to grown up taste buds, so it has lasted a little longer.
I got the baguette recipe by way of MommySnacks - it can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Baguettes/Detail.aspx - I've made them twice, and they've disappeared both times!
The Cheesy Onion Focaccia was a first timer for me, but I'll defintely be making it again - find it here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cheesy-Onion-Focaccia/Detail.aspx
Up to my eyeballs with baking (and washing the dishes associated with it) I decided to move onto a few crafty ideas I've had on my To Do List...
We've had two memory boards sitting up in the attic, since they were too good to throw away but the color schemes didn't really match any room in the house. So the girls and I took a trip to Joann's and they each picked up some fabric, ribbon and buttons in colors to match their rooms. Then, back home to put together these:
Abby's:
Meredith's:
Sorry, no before pictures...I haven't gotten that good yet! And I'm not sure of the specific website I got this idea from, I've seen it done on a few...
While we were in Joann's the girls fell in love with some glittery tulle that was on sale, so I agreed to splurge so we (I) could make some tutus. One done, one to go...
Meredith's:
(Yes that is a can spray paint on the plywood floor! We are in the process of re-doing Abby's room!)
Yet again, I can't recall the website I saw the directions on - but it was really easy - I simply measured a strip of elastic around Meredith's waist and knotted it together. I then cut strips of tulle, about 2" wide by a foot long (I didn't bother to measure, just eyeballed it). Alternating hot pink and purple strips, I tied them onto the elastic using (what I believe is called) a reef knot. It wasn't too long before Meredith was sliding it on! And it hasn't been off of her since!
I got a little sick of the knot tying, though, so Abby's will have to wait a little bit (hers is going to be yellow and orange).
Enough crafting for one day, I guess...On to cooking supper! I was craving one of my favorites - Sausage with potatoes, onions and peppers:
I've never had a 'real' recipe for this - I kind of make it up as I go along. I dice whatever potatoes I have in the house (tonight about 6-8 small red ones), slice some onion, and green pepper (when I have them, which I did tonight!) - then throw them all into the big frying pan with some olive oil and and Italian seasoning. I cook them about 15 minutes, then slice up 6-8 Italian sausages and add them to the pan. I cook it all together for another 15-20 minutes. Spoon it into a bowl and enjoy. I've finished one helping while writing this, and will probably go back for another (if there's anything left when I go into the kitchen to check)!
I think it's finally time to relax a little! And I should probably go do a load or two (or 5) of laundry...Then again, we just got word that school is already cancelled tomorrow because we are expecting 12-15 inches of snow starting tonight - Maybe I should make the kids do laundry all day tomorrow! Woo hoo! That would make for a fun Snow Day - Sorry kids, Mommy played all day, so you get to do her chores!
I started the morning with a major baking session. The family awoke to the wonderful aroma of:
A half dozen Banana Nut muffins
2 dozen Peanut Butter cookies with mini Reeses peanut butter chips
A batch of brownies
Don't be too amazed, as all of the above were NOT from scratch! But it was made with love, all the same! :) The cookies are already gone, and a major dent has been put in the muffin stash...
Not to be outdone (by myself!) I then moved on to some homemade bread
Cheesy Onion Focaccia bread
The baguettes never even made it off the cookie sheet, warm bread and butter is a big hit in this house! The focaccia bread is more geared to grown up taste buds, so it has lasted a little longer.
I got the baguette recipe by way of MommySnacks - it can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Baguettes/Detail.aspx - I've made them twice, and they've disappeared both times!
The Cheesy Onion Focaccia was a first timer for me, but I'll defintely be making it again - find it here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cheesy-Onion-Focaccia/Detail.aspx
Up to my eyeballs with baking (and washing the dishes associated with it) I decided to move onto a few crafty ideas I've had on my To Do List...
We've had two memory boards sitting up in the attic, since they were too good to throw away but the color schemes didn't really match any room in the house. So the girls and I took a trip to Joann's and they each picked up some fabric, ribbon and buttons in colors to match their rooms. Then, back home to put together these:
Abby's:
Meredith's:
Sorry, no before pictures...I haven't gotten that good yet! And I'm not sure of the specific website I got this idea from, I've seen it done on a few...
While we were in Joann's the girls fell in love with some glittery tulle that was on sale, so I agreed to splurge so we (I) could make some tutus. One done, one to go...
Meredith's:
(Yes that is a can spray paint on the plywood floor! We are in the process of re-doing Abby's room!)
Yet again, I can't recall the website I saw the directions on - but it was really easy - I simply measured a strip of elastic around Meredith's waist and knotted it together. I then cut strips of tulle, about 2" wide by a foot long (I didn't bother to measure, just eyeballed it). Alternating hot pink and purple strips, I tied them onto the elastic using (what I believe is called) a reef knot. It wasn't too long before Meredith was sliding it on! And it hasn't been off of her since!
I got a little sick of the knot tying, though, so Abby's will have to wait a little bit (hers is going to be yellow and orange).
Enough crafting for one day, I guess...On to cooking supper! I was craving one of my favorites - Sausage with potatoes, onions and peppers:
I've never had a 'real' recipe for this - I kind of make it up as I go along. I dice whatever potatoes I have in the house (tonight about 6-8 small red ones), slice some onion, and green pepper (when I have them, which I did tonight!) - then throw them all into the big frying pan with some olive oil and and Italian seasoning. I cook them about 15 minutes, then slice up 6-8 Italian sausages and add them to the pan. I cook it all together for another 15-20 minutes. Spoon it into a bowl and enjoy. I've finished one helping while writing this, and will probably go back for another (if there's anything left when I go into the kitchen to check)!
I think it's finally time to relax a little! And I should probably go do a load or two (or 5) of laundry...Then again, we just got word that school is already cancelled tomorrow because we are expecting 12-15 inches of snow starting tonight - Maybe I should make the kids do laundry all day tomorrow! Woo hoo! That would make for a fun Snow Day - Sorry kids, Mommy played all day, so you get to do her chores!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Lord...I need help!
After I totally vent about not having time to keep this little blog up to date, don't I go and spend hours updating my new Facebook account!
At least in the process of uploading some photo albums, I did find ONE good picture of the marshmallow lollipops Paul, Meredith and I made for our valentines.
Nothing like a little sugar rush on a stick to let someone know you love them!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Why Can't I Be Like Them...
I have become obsessed with blogging - the only problem is that it isn't my own blogging I have become obsessed with!
I can easily spend hours reading other people's blogs - and they can be about anything - decorating, crafting, living frugally, cooking, motherhood...you name it, I'll read it - I can't wait to go through my Favorites list and see what each of my new 'friends' are sharing today. I laugh at their jokes, read their tips, make mental notes of the crafts and recipes I must try...
And yet, here my little blog sits, lonely, asking where it's love is...I don't mean to make it feel deserted...For every banner I've assembled, each new menu I've prepared, and every stinkin' thing I've spray painted (Thanks to blogging, I've seen the light, and am now completely hooked on spray painting anything and everything)my intention to was take a picture and write a little synopsis, just like all the other lovely ladies do...But for some reasons the pictures and words never came...
Oh, how I've enjoyed looking around my house and seeing all the changes these fine blogs have spurred in me and my home! Oh, how jealous I am that these folks are able to all the things they have taught me and actually blog about it too!
I want to take part in Tablescape Thursday and Works for Me Wednesday!
I want to add a comment and link to the adorable Amore banner I made for Valentine's Day!
(but alas, its now packed away until next year)
I want to share that I only spent $7.38 out of pocket at Shaw's last week but came home with $42 worth of groceries!
So here and now, I pledge that I will not:
1) Pack away another cute holiday decoration I made...
2) Rave to only my family how awesome that recipe for Teriyaki Tenderloin was...
3) Send chocolate dipped marshmallow lollipops or ice cream cone cupcakes into school for a child's class celebration...
4) Walk out of Shaws after saving 80% on my receipt only to toss it into the trash when I get home...
5) Spray paint another frame, paint another chalkboard, or use scrapbooking paper in some unique way...
Without giving credit where credit is due, and sharing the fruits of THEIR labor (and amazing talents) with everyone else!
Wish me luck! I'll need it!
P.S. For those that might be interested, I've added a Blog List of some of my new Favorite Blogs!
I can easily spend hours reading other people's blogs - and they can be about anything - decorating, crafting, living frugally, cooking, motherhood...you name it, I'll read it - I can't wait to go through my Favorites list and see what each of my new 'friends' are sharing today. I laugh at their jokes, read their tips, make mental notes of the crafts and recipes I must try...
And yet, here my little blog sits, lonely, asking where it's love is...I don't mean to make it feel deserted...For every banner I've assembled, each new menu I've prepared, and every stinkin' thing I've spray painted (Thanks to blogging, I've seen the light, and am now completely hooked on spray painting anything and everything)my intention to was take a picture and write a little synopsis, just like all the other lovely ladies do...But for some reasons the pictures and words never came...
Oh, how I've enjoyed looking around my house and seeing all the changes these fine blogs have spurred in me and my home! Oh, how jealous I am that these folks are able to all the things they have taught me and actually blog about it too!
I want to add a comment and link to the adorable Amore banner I made for Valentine's Day!
(but alas, its now packed away until next year)
I want to share that I only spent $7.38 out of pocket at Shaw's last week but came home with $42 worth of groceries!
So here and now, I pledge that I will not:
2) Rave to only my family how awesome that recipe for Teriyaki Tenderloin was...
3) Send chocolate dipped marshmallow lollipops or ice cream cone cupcakes into school for a child's class celebration...
4) Walk out of Shaws after saving 80% on my receipt only to toss it into the trash when I get home...
5) Spray paint another frame, paint another chalkboard, or use scrapbooking paper in some unique way...
Without giving credit where credit is due, and sharing the fruits of THEIR labor (and amazing talents) with everyone else!
Wish me luck! I'll need it!
P.S. For those that might be interested, I've added a Blog List of some of my new Favorite Blogs!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
Meredith & I set the table
Appetizers to tide the troops over until dinnertime
The family settles in to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Have Stove, Will Bake...
We typically go to my sister's house for a big, family Thanksgiving dinner. About 5 years ago my husband convinced me to give dinner a try at home, with just the immediate family. Well, the WHOLE family ended up with a horrible throwing up bug, so the turkey never even got into the oven and I swore that Thanksgiving would be at my sister's from there on out.
So, here we are. I gave into Michael again this year, and agreed to once again attempt Thanksgiving at the Bilbo's.
So, wouldn't you know it? A week and a half before Thanksgiving, my oven decides to die. Don't know what the heck happened, Meredith & I were making cookies, and when after waiting the 12 minutes for them to cook, I peeked into the oven and they were still cookie dough. Because the oven was 17 years old, we decided it wasn't worth having someone come to look at it - we'd invest in a new one instead.
After shopping around, I found the exact stove I wanted and proceeded to find out that it was not in stock in any local stores, so we'd have to order it online. Not a problem, still plenty of time to get it delivered...or so I thought. We ended up with a delivery date of the day before Thanksgiving - cutting it mighty close, but I can do it!
So, my stove gets delivered at 11am on the day before Thanksgiving. I go to the store to get the connector hose needed to install it (forgot to order it when I bought the stove), then anxiously await Michael's arrival home from work. Number 1 on the Honey Do list is the stove, so he gets to work immediately. After about 20 minutes of prep, he realizes the connector hose is too short - so back to the store we go only to find out that by Massachusetts law they are unable to sell any longer hoses. Ducky! Less than 24 hours before Thanksgiving and I still haven't starting cooking a thing!
So, at about 5pm Michael and Paul end up getting into the truck for a road trip to New Hampshire to buy a longer hose. Thank goodness for 'lawless' NH! :)
We finally got the stove installed and working at about 7:30 pm and the girls and I started a mad baking session! Woo hoo! Thanksgiving dinner here we come!
P.S. We're now going to have to switch the whole kitchen over to Stainless! I love it!!
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