The Good Home Cook Book

Recently, I was privledge to get to participate in reviewing "The Good Home Cookbook", thanks to the lovely people at Abrams Books.


Can I just say....totally love this book!
I have a slight obsession with cookbooks so I am always looking for new one.
This one fits with my collection great.
To be honest, I would probably replace my Betty Crocker cook book with this.


The book covers it all.
With over 1000 recipes, it should.
You get recipes ranging from Breakfast (German Pancakes) to Drinks (Switchel!).
Plus there is a section for utensils & equipments, cooking terms, freezing & thawing & much more (like Holiday Menu ideas...Hello! I always need help in this realm of my cooking).


Recently I made the Spaghetti w/ Olive Oil & Garlic (found on pg 260).
Bobster really liked it.
I thought it was a bit spicy
BUT
like any recipe you can enhance it to your tastes.


The recipes provided by real home cooks, with tidbits & stories along the way.

It has a great index if you are looking for something specific & a conversion chart for those of us who can't convert ounces to grams & so on (um, I would so fall into this category).


This book would make a great wedding shower gift or a just starting out gift.
Even experienced cooks would appreciate this book.


So if you are in the market for some yummy, new ideas in the kitchen, get this book!


Do you already have this book? What do you think of it?
If not, tell me what your fav cookbook is from your library!


Late!

Am I.....

The only one who wants one of these:



That's right.
The Cricket Expression.

I will watch this infommercial every time it's on.
Just this morning.
Instead of watching the news & getting informed, I watched the Cricket infommercial & thought "oooooh, aaaah, I need that!"

Sure I have to drag my scrapping supplies out of every nook & cranny of this place, b/c I live in a shoe and I probably haven't scrapped since January b/c of being tired & what not
BUT
I need the Cricket. (whew! Boys & girls, can you say "Run on sentence!")

I just watch this one over & over again & think how cool everything they make is.
Totally love this!
Must have one!
Some day, right?

I am also a big fan of the infommercial for the little steamer I think it's called.
It's with an older lady with big hair & some guy.
It's a round, red unit & she makes sliders & omelets & pizza out of leftovers, in like seconds!!!
Must have one of those as well.
Sigh.

So my question is......what "must have" item do you need from an infommercial?

Late!

39? No you mean 29!

Oh Snap!

How did I get to be 39?????????

Well, happy birthday to me. (and Torreh!!!)

Late!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Grr!

Polly Parrot

Do you have one?

See that adorable, yet messy face up there?

He is our Polly Parrot.

Hence the following:
Driving with the family.
Bobster gets cut off.
He passes the offender and calls him "Douchebag"
An elegant word that is not used often enough.

About one minute later, Cheeks was being tortured by a sibling & to get him off his back Cheeks called him.....
Yep.
"Douthebag" (He can't say is ch's that well).

Makes a mother proud.
Heart just swelled with pride.

Of course, my heart swelled again at the playground.
There's my angelic little boy, steering the wheel on the race car yelling "Damn It!"

Obviously, Bobster & I really need to start to watch what we say.
Sometimes our temper gets the best of us.
I definitely don't need Cheeks arriving at daycare & calling another child a "Douthebag"
Not good!

Do you have a Polly Parrot?

Late!

Total Spave!!!!

I so spaved today!
Thank you Rite Aid for having a kick tushie sale.
Well it was kick tushie when coupons were used.

Here's the 411 (I am so down on my teen lingo, am I not? LOL).

Anyway missing from the above pic is 2 3 Musketeer bars.
They are in my snack drawer at work.
I had a B1G1 coupon for them from the Mars Real Chocolate Promo that is going on through out the summer.
Well they were also on sale at Rite Aid for B1G1.
So I got both for free.
Score!

Next up.
Dawn Dish Detergent.
On sale for .99 cents each.
I had .20 cents off coupons...2 of them.
Came to .79 cents each.

Now the Bounty Paper towels were also BIGI @ $1.29 ea.
I had $1.00/2 coupons.
So .29 cents for both or in essence .15 cents each.

Grand total for 4 paper towels, 2 dish liquids & 2 candy bars:
$2.36!
Hello!
Total spave!!!


My girlfriend at work went with me & used her B1G1 free coupons to score this:

For .06 cents.

Um, yea......06 cents!

We both totally spaved!!!!!

How have you spaved lately?
Share a good deal with me!

Late!

Too Hot to Cook ~ Champagne!!!

Today's recipe comes from Val @ Frugal Family Fun Blog (one of my fav blogs...I follow & read her updates everyday...the girl has mad skillz @ creating imaginative play for little ones!)


Val left this recipe in my comments & it sounds so yummy & hello, EASY! I had to share it with all my loyal readers....all 2 of you :>)


It's for the crockpot & here it is!!!!


Take a whole chicken and cook it in the cheapest bottle of champagne that you can find.
Add some chopped white onion and a little fresh parsley.
Cook about 8 hours.
Serve with rice and green beans.


So, go visit Val & tell her I sent you.
Before you go, leave me a great Too Hot to Cook recipe in my comments & you could be featured in an upcoming Too Hot to Cook post!!!


Late!

Wordless Wednesday ~ So how YOU doin!?

Um....

Today is the the viewing for Michael Jackson.
It's taking place at the Staples Center in L.A.
A state that is bankrupt. Has nooooo money.

So, the Staples Center is being used.
Basically an entire police force is being used for crowd control. (so criminals ,feel free to run amok in LA!)
Not to mention other employees that will be there.

Is all the necessary?

Really, don't get me wrong. I feel sorry for the Jackson family (minus Joe Jackson, he's a putz!). They lost a son, a child. I couldn't get over that if it were to happen. Michael was young...50...almost 51. I feel sorry for his children. They lost the only parent they know, at such young ages.

Do I think the Jackson family should have made tickets to his viewing a lottery?
Do I think they should allow anyone who can get a ticket to view him?
NO!

I understand that Jackson was a pop icon.
I like some of his songs.
I understand he did a lot of good in this world.
I also understand he had child molestation counts against him that were settled "out of court."

What I don't understand is why the spectactle?
Did Ed McMahon get this?
Did Farrah?
How about Karl Malden?

No.
They were viewed, buried & put to rest.
End of story.

Death isn't your final show, you final star.

I think that having this Jackson viewing is a circus for all of us to watch.
Let the man rest.

Honestly, I don't care who you are, I never want to go to viewings.
Ever.
I do go but hate every minute at them.

I just feel that this is a lot of money going towards something that the world can do with out.
Did Ronald Reagan get this fanfar when he died?
No.
Did Ray Charles?
How about our local news reporter, Gary Papa?
He was an icon to the Philadelphia area yet his family did it privately.

If you are a fan of MJ & agree with this viewing, great.
I respect your views.
If you agree with me, awesome, if you don't, so be it.

So I will keep the Jackson family in my prayers that they are able to get thru their grief.
I just still wonder if perhaps all this $$$ being spent today on this "circus of a viewing" couldn't have been donated to one of the charities Michael supported & his family had a ceremony for themselves & friends. No fans.

Late!

Monday, Monday, I would sing the rest of the lyrics but um, I don't know them

Here we are.

Survivors of July 4th, 2009.

Whew!

Made it through.


Lots of time spent outdoors since the weather couldn't have been more perfect.


Got to go see Fireworks.

Everytime one would go off as it ended Cheeks would yell "Do it again!"

Cheeks got to spend lots of time with Brandon, my sister's boyfriend's son. He is about 8 months older than Cheeks.

Finally we topped of the holiday with some chocolate covered pretzels.

Why so serious?

How was your weekend?

Late!

Too Hot to Cook ~ Featured Recipe from my sister

This is my sister:
She blogs here My Rambles

This is her recipe for when it's too Hot to Cook outside (like today...ick!)


3 cans of Campbells CHEDDAR CHEESE soup
A head of fresh broccoli
chicken breast.

Put one can of soup on the bottom to coat the pot, than add the chicken & the broccoli w/2 more cans of soup.

Cook for about 8 hours and serve w/egg noodles or rice!

There ya have it folks...another great & easy recipe.

Share a recipe in the comments & you maybe featured in an upcoming Too Hot to Cook post this summer.


Late!

Jersey Corn - It can't be beat

I have thank the Westmont Farmer's Market for having some Jersey fresh corn tonight.
I saw some tweets about it on Twitter (follow me...mkw70) & asked some local girls if they knew how much per ear.
Well .50 cents per ear was the price so I went after picking up Cheeks from daycare.


The market is held on the side street in that upper pic.
It was really nice albeit small.


Ok by me tho.
They had the corn that I wanted
&
Fresh rhubarb which I have been dying to get my hands on to make something yummy
&
They was a bakery stand selling cookies so Cheeks was happy as well.


Let me tell you, the corn was so friggen yummy!
Nice & sweet.
And this is the 1st time I ever cooked corn on the cob & had no idea it turned yellow when it was cooked. I thought it was yellow all the time. This was the sweet corn that starts out white but in the water for a bit & yellow it was.
Don't laugh @ me!
You have all done something or thought something silly in your lifetime too. Tee hee.


I highly suggest if you are in the area or in NJ anytime soon, make sure to get some of our corn.
It ROCKS!


What do you like to buy at your local Farmer's Market?
Do you support local food?
I'm interested in knowing.
Do tell.


Late!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Climb Every Mountain!

Sesame Place.
This was how you got to the top of the slide.
Clever!


Late!

Cheek"ism"s

Scene:
My kitchen.
Just Cheeks & I.

Act:
Cheeks is clowning around when he trips over his own 2 feet & flies sideways into my washer.
Cheeks looks at his mommy & says:

"I've been drinking!"


Scene:
Van w/ family

Act:
Bobster & the mommy are playfully discussing what RPM's stand for. TimBob joins in the conversation. The Mommy will insist that RPM stands for Rotations per Mile. Bobster & TimBob are trying to keep their composure while telling her it stands for Revolutions per Minute (whatever!).
Cheeks decides to help out by saying(Loudly):

"Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Stop! First it's &*&#*$&("

This scene replays for about 2 miles or so.


Scene:
Van w/ parents

Act:
Parents are discussing what not to say to other drivers while Cheeks is in the car.
Parents are under the impressions that Cheeks is so preoccupied with his toys & sippy cup that he isn't paying attention. After discussing the final phrase, under her breath, of what not to say to people who tick you off while driving Cheeks repeats:

"What the f*ck, j*off!?"

Parents ignore & hope it goes away. (so far it hasn't been said again...whew, crisis averted for now!)


So, what "ism's" have your children uttered??


Late!

Spave!

I so just spaved!
Seriously.
Doesn't look like a lot
BUT
Let me tell you about my quick trip to Shop Rite. (which I tried to link but I keep get an error message)


Anywho, I ran over there while Cheeks is down for his nap.
Luvs was on sale for $6.49 ~ and with someone not interested in potty training we needed them.


I also picked up the Sunlight for .77cents.


I agreed to review the Bagelfuls for Blissfully Domestic so I had a free coupon (review to follow soon) and I also had a coupon for free M&M's from the chocolate promo that is currently going on (they are not in the photo......I can't be held responsible for my lack of restraint when it comes to chocolate!).


Next the Juicy Juice Immune Juice is new & ShopRite had spit out 2 coupons for me to use on my next trip. One for $1 off & the other was a B1G1. Well, they were on sale for 2/$5.....so I got one free & one for $1.50....in essence .75 cents each...HELLO! Total spave!


I also had $1 off Perdue Chicken nuggets & ShopRite carries them for $3.99 so in the end I paid $2.99.



The Poise Pads were another freebie thanks for Catalina @ Shop Rite.



My total before coupons $23.22.
After coupons $11.85.
Go me!
Would have been less but the cashier didn't take off my .5 cents for my canvas bag.
O well.



How have you spaved this weekend?
Late!

Too Hot to Cook ~ The Crockpot Edition

It is no secret I am a crock pot lover.

Love it!

In the hot weather months I use it even more.

I have a miniscule in size kitchen & a huge crockpot. It does NOT heat up my kitchen.

One of Bobster's fav foods in the crockpot is "Roast Beef"

Here is my simple easy recipe.....it's a no brainer.

Place approx 4oz of water in crockpot.

Cut up one clove of garlic, chopped is fine, throw in water.

Place roast in pot ~ partially frozen is ok.

Season roast w/ s&p.

Also cut up another 4 cloves of garlic & place on roast.

Turn on crockpot, low for 8-10 hrs.

About 3 hrs before you are going to eat, add some fresh baby carrots & cut up red potatoes.

Serve!

My goodness, so yummy & so easy~!

Share with me a good crock pot recipe.

Late!

Wordless Wednesday~I will help you!

Ever just feel inadequate

I have been trying really hard to keep my blog upbeat, kicky, fun.
Sometimes, it just doesn't work out that way.


I have just been having a lot of sad days lately.
My dr. has increased my happy medicine for one week out of the month to see if that helps with things
BUT
between the nasty weather the South Jersey region has been experiencing & my own personal problems it has taken it's toll.


I just feel inadequate in a lot of aspects of my life.
Am I a good person?
I thought I was until today when someone accused me of cheating & lying to them.
I didn't do either.
I never would.


Am I a good homemaker?
I have dust balls the size of Texas in all the bedrooms & my bathroom floor needs to be moped for some time now.


Am I a decent financial analysis person?
Ha!
Ask me about my bills, rent & car payments & I can tell you the first names of the bill collectors who call.


Do I feel like a failure as a parent?
Yep.
I know my little guy is only 2 & a lot has to do with that age
BUT
It doesn't help that I have lost my temper with him or I try different types of discipline & it's not working.
I am more laxed about things then some people I know.
Guess I should be on top of it.


Do I want to get out of bed in the morning?
Not particulary.
I do, obviously, but if I could bury my head & sleep away my problems I would


This isn't meant to be a "pity" post.
Just a post to vent.
The lady who accused me of cheating & lying to her really upset me.
I don't do either.
I like to think I am a pretty nice person who tries to help people.
Yes, I can be a snotty bitch
BUT
a liar & a cheat?
NO!


I have rambled on enough.
If you have gotten this far, pat yourself on the back & let me know.
I will send you a congrats card for reading so far down.


Late!

That'll wake you up!

Avert your eyes!
Avert your eyes!

Yes, tis me.
After a long day at work.
Sans make up.
I really don't wear it.
Once in a while.

That's right...take in the pasty skin, double chin & hair that needs to cut.
I am a vision no?


I figured since I am writing at the beginning of my day, I would throw in a pic of me at the end of the day, in traffic.
Why am I up so early?
Work for one
BUT
More so because at friggin 6 AM the twonship decided to cut down some trees & do utility pole work across the street from my house.
Thanks Haddon Twp!
I appreciate it.
As does the 2 yo upstairs who you woke up.
Good times.


So on that note, I am outty
BUT
1st I want you to tell me what do you think of Jon & Kate's decision?
I was up last night & kept waking up feeling very sad for them & the kids.
Heartbreaking, I wish they could have worked things out.


Late!

Kraft First Taste

Offer no longer valid.
Ok, you so have to get in on this one.
I have been signed up for awhile.
Totally free.
NO SPAM.
You get to try items for free, give your reviews etc.
Recently I was given the chance to try some DiGiorno Pizza for free.
Um, YUM!
All I had to do was print the coupon.


There are forums, etc & the program is, did I say...FREE!
So what are you waiting for....
GO!
Sign up! (Just click the box up there!)
Get!


Late!

And we have had our 1st "sting" of the summer season

Cheeks has had his 1st be sting.
Poor kid.
He thought he was cupping his hands to pick up a lady bug....."note to self.....remind Cheeks lady bugs are red & black...not black & yellow".


He had leaned down to, what I thought, was pick a flower.
I saw him cup his hand & then I saw a small black bug fly away.
He looked like he had been slapped in the face, turned to me, grabbed his wrist & said "AAAH, Ladybug!!!!"
So I told him I thought he got stung & we headed back to the Nana's b/c we were on foot & her house was closer.



So Nana hightailed it to the store to get some liquid Benadryl, while I called poison control b/c I never had to deal with a bee sting before.
PopPop Bob manned the fort by holding ice on Cheeks hand...he got stung btwn the thumb & his forefinger.
Cheeks cried for maybe 25 seconds & then he was over it.


Poison control said to sprinkle meat tenderizer or baking soda on it. It takes the sting out.
They also said to just keep an eye on him for 30 mins & if he was to have a reaction it would happen in that time frame.



Well, thankfully, nothing came out of it except he now has his 1st bee sting.
Poor kid.
He's really keeping me on my toes b/c earlier he fell & scrapped his knee & elbows.
Sigh.



So, um, how are your kids bringing in the summer season?



Late!

Philadelphia Mourns

The Philadelphia are is mourning the loss of another great guy.
Gary Papa, Sportscaster, of Action News, Channel 6 passed away today,
He had been battling prostrate cancer since 2004.


I grew up watching Gary Papa on the news.
I was an adult before I realized there were other sports casters & news channels out there.


Gary had a great personality & a warmth that exuded from the screen.


My prayers are with Gary's family.
Gary, you will be missed!!!

J+K soon to be J-K......

or so the rumor has it.


From the buzz on the internet, radio & tv, Jon & Kate are going to have an "announcement" on Monday's show that will affect everyone.
The announcement is touted as being the big "D"...divorce.


If this is true or not, no one will know until Monday.
I hope it is not.
I hope they can work it out.


With everyone turning to Kate for spanking Leah, she is on the hot seat right now.
Do I agree with her spanking Leah?
Hells yea.
She misbehaved after repeatedly being asked by her mom to stop blowing the whistle.
Kate didn't grab a bat & beat her.
She spanked her.
I was spanked.
I turned out ok....well the occasional tick pops up but what can u do.
Do I think Kate needs more media attention?
Do the kids?
Does Jon?


Nope.
Leave them alone in this.
Divorce is hard enough.
I can't imagine going through one with a child, let alone 8.


Of course, the media will put their own spin on their "impending announcement of the big D" & if they do divorce, the media will be all over them like cream in a Twinkie.
I haven't really caught the show since it's premiere over Memorial Day weekend.
Not because I haven't wanted to watch, I just love that Colin, but because I forget it's on.
Would I watch if they focused on their divorce...no.
It's a private matter.
One that unless you are part of the couple going thru it, you don't know how it feels.


For me, if felt like a kick in the stomach.
I still think if I piss off Bobster, he will just leave.
Up & go.
Never look back.
Those are my own issues that I have to work thru (thank God for antidepressents!!)


Now kids are involved.
Already one of the sextuplets told her daddy she missed him when he had to work.
Little ones don't understand.
That's what is the saddest.


So perhaps we should just let them deal with their issues privately....even if one is rumored to want it out there.
I like Kate.
I think she's a good mom.
I like John....I think he has poor judgement but nothing has been "proven" yet that he cheated.
I hope they stay together
BUT
It is what it is.


What do you all think?


Late!

PSA: Remember the Mute Button

*Disclaimer: all names have been changed to protect the innocent*


If you are expecting a call from a business it is a good idea to either just turn your phone off so it goes direct to voice mail or perhaps hit the mute button for a moment while you finish what you were talking about so you can take the phone call.


Exhibit A.

Meghanina works in an industry where she must call certain clients back.
So Meghanina must call Jim.


Dials the phone, Jim picks up, Meghanina introduces herself.


Jim says "Can you hold for a minute?"
Meghanina "Sure"


At this point, she thinks he has hit the mute button.
Sadly for Jim he has not.
Hence the following:


Jim "So, um, I can just put it right on my member?"
Voice in background "No Jim, I don't recommend that you put alcohol on your member, just apply the cream that I have prescribed & come see us in a week so we can see if it's cleared up"
Jim: "Ok, just the cream. Thanx."


Little silence, phone shuffling, then Jim announces to Meghanina that he is back on the phone & what can he do for her.


Meghanina's first thought is to have not do anything to her for fear of contracting something that only pencillen will get rid of.
*shudder*


With grace & dignity Meghanina finishes her phone conversation with the infected Jim & hangs up. She proceeds to share this news with her department who all go "OMG!" & can't believe it.


So faithful readers, if you are in a situation like Jim, remember to double check that mute button!


Now tell me, any embarrasing moments like that ever happen to you?


Late!

Wordless Wednesday~1984 called, they want their hairstyle & earrings back!

Ah.
9th grade.
Good for me.
Was it good for you?


Late!

Vampires are all the rage, so donate today.

Since Vampires are the big deal now (Hello...Team Edward here!!), I decided I would beat them to their own game.

This past Friday my work had the Red Cross bus come to the parking lot & those of us who signed up let the vampires suck us dry.

Last time I tried to donate I had low iron. This time I past the iron test with flying colors (13.4) & my blood pressure was good (104/62) so I was given the a-ok to give. I managed to fill my bag in 6 minutes flat. I am a good bleeder!

They ask some crazy questions before you can give. My favorite is "Are you still a woman?" Well when I put my bra on that morning I was, but God knows what happen on the way to work.

My real question to my faithful readers is:
Have you given blood lately?
When was the last time?
Are you a regular donator?
Let me know!

Late!

Alert!

My friend Preston, from Me & the Blue Skies is having a contest.
Oh that's right...a contest.


It's for an "Out of the Box" box!
Check it out: Me & The Blue Skies


This contest is only open until June 22.
So, hurry, go enter.
Preston has many ways to earn many entries.


Well, what are you waiting for!
Go visit Preston!


Late!

Foto Flashback Friday

Ah the late 80's.

Good for me, were they good for you?
1989.
Back when I was thin & a brunette.
Good times.
Good times.

Now I am fluffy in all the wrong places & a red head.
How did that happen?
Right, I like to overeat & I "enhance" my hair.


So, got a pic to share from back in the day?
Share!


Late!

Too Hot Too Cook ~ Graham Cracker Pudding

I am sure I have posted this before
BUT
It's a sure-fire easy, peasy cottage cheesey Too Hot To Cook recipe!


You need:
Chocolate Pudding
Vanilla Pudding
Graham Crackers
Cool Whip.


Get a square dish...I like to use one of my Pyrex dishes for this.


Lay graham crackers on bottom.


Pour in prepared chocolate pudding.


Add layer of graham crackers on top of chocolate puddig.


Pour in prepared vanilla pudding.


Cover top with Cool Whip.


Add some chocolate shavings for garnish.


Chill in fridge for at least 2 hours.


Viola!
Instant dessert & this is YUMMY!


So what is your go to "To Hot to Cook" dessert for the warmer months?


Late!

Money Can't Buy You Love BUT It Can Buy You Children

Well, if the rumors are true, Friday will be the grand announcement that Madonna is now allowed to adopt the child from Malawi that she has been trying to for the past few month.


Hmmm, now I admire Madonna for lots of reasons, say being a good business woman, a talented artist, and persistant!

What I don't admire is someone who has a ton of money "buying" a child.
A child from another country as well.

Every child deserves a home.
I would like to let Madonna know...charity begins at home there missy!

Why don't you use the money you have earned over the span of your career and perhaps adopt a toddler in this country?
How many older children are in foster care? Or on the streets? Or in abusive homes? How many will never know a warm bed? a warm meal? or what it is like to be loved?

Madonna, your money would go far in the US...yes, even in this economy.
Take a look at the malnourished, starved for attention children that live in this country.
Our country has poverty, strife and illness.
While we are the strongest nation, we have our share of children that need good homes.

I do not begrudge "Mercy" a warm home & bed & a loving family but what about the "Mercy's" of the US.
If I could I would throw my money out there & adopt an older child who needs a home in this country.
So if anyone knows where I can adopt a child for the amount of my savings ($100 or so) let me know.


Money works in mysterious or not so mysterious ways.
It allows those to buy their way around rules.
So much for the residency law of that country.
Or for the judge standing behind his ruling.


I wish you luck Madonna in your adoption but perhaps, in the future, you will look in your own country for another child to adopt.
And you know what, that goes for you, Angelina & Brad. How about adopting the next Jolie-Pitt from here in the US?
Just a thought.


I know I will probably receive flack for this post
BUT
So be it.
My blog so.....


Well tell me, what is your opinion?


Late!

Wordless Wednesday~Brothers

Bobster & Chuckster.
I am a lucky woman, no?
Tee hee.


Late!

Before you know it....

July 4th will be here.
Can you believe it?
It's already June 8th.
Sigh.
My mom used to tell me once you have kids the years fly by.
I digress.
Anyone since 4th of July will be coming soon I thought it would be fun to visit some "holiday" inspiration.
Take this groovey invitation:
It's from DearSweetheartStudio.

Wouldn't you love to receive or get one of these in the mail for the big party celebrating our nations freedom?

Of course, you must set a festive mood for your soiree & what better to help then these sweet pillows from GrandGSGeneralStore

Imagine them sitting on some outside benches or chair. CUTEOf course, dressing the part is a must & JMBabyBoutique has it going on for the little men in your life!
Of course, you can forget lights & how cha cha are theseSo now that I have gotten some of the particulars out of the way.
What do we eat?

Tell me what's on your 4th of July menu?


Late!

How to get some quiet time for yourself?

Tire their tushies out!

Somehow my quiet Saturday night went from one child to three.
No biggie.
I fed them pasta.
Ice cream sandwiches
Then
Headed to the local playground for 2 hrs.

I went at about 7 so it wasn't hot.
It was crowded as heck & trying to watch 3 children while they run like uncaged monkeys is near impossible
BUT
I told the girls they always had to be able to see me & I be able to see them
&
We had no problems.
They were all so good.
Sure Cheeks took off on me
&
I had to chase him
Which means I had to run.
Right there, not pretty but I did it.
Needed oxygen but no big deal.

We came home.
They all had a drink (vodka, helps them sleep!)
Then I read them a bed time story or two
&
Lights out!

Haven't heard a peep since.
Ah.
Quiet.
How I love thee!

What did you do today?

Late!

Bring back the old school!

So Sesame Street is a pretty big deal in our house.
Let's face it, it's most likely a pretty big deal in any house with a toddler/preschooler or even young child.





Sesame Street premiered the year I was born (quick, everyone do the math!) so I grew up with it. I have aged accordingly, yet Big Bird is still 6. I digress.



Now while Cheeks is a huge, Huge, HUGE fan of Elmo, he also likes Bert & Ernie.
As do I.
I am a fan of the original "muppet" Bert & Ernie.
Apparently, Sesame Street has come out with a new version.
Um, pardon my French, but WTF is that?????
Claymation Bert & Ernie!
What a rip off.
I want the real thing.
Everything doesn't have to be CG'd these days.


Sesame Street does have some of the old clips from when I was little.
Like the Ladybug picnic sketch....LOVE IT!
BUT
Really? Did they have to mess w/ Bert & Ernie?
So disappointing & albeit a bit creepy.
Not creepy like the Hamster commercial for Kia, but creepy like "Ew."


Tell me, what do you think of them?
Are you a fan of Sesame Street?


Let me know.


Late!

Here is our 2nd installment of the Too Hot to Cook series for summer 09!

Today is Hawaiian Chicken in the crockpot!

Ingredients:
2/3c soy sauce
1c crushed garlic (I use one whole garlic & just chop it up)
2TBS sugar
1/4tsp ginger
chicken (up to you what you use...I tend to make this using thighs)

Place chicken in bottom of crockpot.
Place crushed garlic on top of chicken.

In separate bowl combine rest of ingrediends, stir to dissovle sugar & garlic.

Dump over chicken in crockpot.

Cook on high 4-5hrs or low 8-10hrs.

I add a can of pineapple chunks & it's juice about 30 minutes before I am serving.

My family loves this.

Best of all a crockpot doesn't heat up your kitchen in the hot summer time.

What is your go to recipe for those hot days?

Late!

Wordless Wednesday~"Cheeks, Mr Cheeks"

Hello ladies

This is what I find on my phone.
He told me "I just want to use it to take some pics of motorcycles to send to a friend"
Hmmmm.....is this friend....FEMALE!



This one has his father's way with the ladies.
We are in trouble people!
Big trouble.



Of course, a future "girl" in his life will have to be an heiress b/c this mere 15 yo eats like a 300lb, 6'7 NBA player.
I will be cleaning up dinner & as soon as I am done, he comes in the kitchen to make a sandwich.
The best was last week.
He couldn't find the bread I had in the kitchen so he chose 2 cinnamon raisin bagels.
Sure, no biggie.
EXCEPT
He used them for tuna.
Tuna flavored with hot sauce.
I just about threw up in my mouth when I saw that.



So my question readers is........
What crazy concotions have you come with to eat that you like?



Late!

Menu Planning Monday

This is my 1st time participating in this particular meme.
I finally had 10 minutes to look at the ads over my weekend from Hell & make a plan.


So here is what my non creative when it comes to food brain came up with.


Sunday: Hawaiian Chicken (will post recipe this week on Too Hot Too Cook Thursday), parmesan green beans, curly fries & corn bread.


Monday: Easy Peasy Pork Chops
Mac & Cheese, left over parmesan green beans


Tuesday: Spaghetti w/ sausage (hot & sweet)


Wednesday: Hamburgers, french fries & asparugs


Thursday: Breakfast for dinner


Friday: Perhaps pizza....not sure


Saturday: Will be just me & Cheeks so possibly scamming a family member for a free meal, I mean we will be seeking the company of one of our most loved relatives to spend dinner with :>)


So what's on your menu this week?


Late!