Christmas Baking

Some of the best memories that I have are those of my Mom and I baking goodies at Christmas time.  I'm not sure how old I was when I started "helping" or exactly at what point my Mom considered me a real help.  But I do remember pulling up a chair to the counter and helping to make cookies.  I especially loved making sugar cookies.  Of course, for a different reason than most.  The recipe that my Mom used at that time was one that had to be refridgerated overnight.  It also happened to be about the best tasting dough ever :)  I think Mom got to the point that she'd make a double batch knowing that I'd be sneaking dough from the bowl throughout that night and morning!

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We made lots of different goodies and I've helped her in three different houses.  No matter how big one's kitchen is, around Christmas time, it is never big enough!  I was usually in charge of making the peanut butter star cookies (one of my favorite still!), frosting and decorating the sugar cookies, peanut butter crackers and peanut clusters, white covered pretzels.  I would also sometimes help with the cherry mash and/or the O'Henry Bars (known as Scotcharoos to some).

Now that I'm no longer able to help my Mom with the Christmas baking due to distance, I try to make some goodies of my own.  Here is the list of things I plan on making this year:

• Sugar Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Peanut Butter Fudge
• Two-layer Fudge (maybe)
• Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• O'Henry Bars

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One thing I see lacking from my list is something mint.  Anyone have a great Christmas time recipe with mint?  Like a good chocolate mint fudge recipe?

Anyhoo, I know Owen will love to help me with making the cookies and hopefully next year I can start including Quinnie too!

What is your favorite Christmas time goodie?

Quinnie Update

Quinn has been making awesome progress!

Things that she has accomplished lately have been very big things (the biggest things that she got the extra help for).  She has really started to take off in about the last 10 days.  She is walking everywhere it seems now.  She can even bend down to pick up a toy without falling (which I think is really good considering how long she has had her total balance just standing!).  I have also seen her start to walk backwards a little bit!

She has started to pick up her food!!!  On the 11th, our developmental specialist came to our house for her session (we thought it would be good for her to see Quinn in both her daycare and home environments).  While she was here, one of the things we were doing is eating.  Quinn had a few beef and noodles, peanut butter jelly, and applesauce (last minute meal).  This was the first time that I saw her dive in at home (she had been picking up food at daycare which was making mommy a bit jealous).  I teased our specialist that she just might have to come over for dinner all of the time.  Quinn has been doing pretty good since.  I found out that one of the things that might have been preventing her was me:  without even thinking, I automatically put food in her right hand, as well as the spoon.  When she eats on her own, she is using her left hand.  So, Quinn might be a lefty - but it doesn't matter to me.  Whatever works best for her!

On Saturday, she started doing some pretty good block stacking.  This was the first time that I saw her build (she always loved to knock them down).  Without my helping to steady or re-align the blocks, she was able to get to putting a 5th block on before it would fall.  Pretty good Quinnie-Q!

She has also gotten such long hair now that I had to get some little clips for her hair.  Isn't she cute?

Outfit of the Week

This week's outfit just makes me want to cuddle up by a fire and drink hot chocolate with my kids.  Maybe even a few good rounds of Candy Land or Scrabble Scoop :)


Shirt:  Old Navy Women's Perfect Crew Neck Tee (Long Sleeve) in Dragon Green - current price:  $14.50

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Cardigan:  Old Navy Women's Open Front Crochet Cardigan in Cinnamon - current price:  $25.00

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Jeans: Curvy Bootcut Jean sin Gotham Wash - Current Price of $49.99 at New York and Company. I am definitely a fan of these jeans as they give a curvier gal a nice fit, especially in the hips and thighs! Also, always watch for NYandCompany coupons and deals as I have never paid full price for a pair of jeans there yet!

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Shoes:  Aerosales Pepperoni Mule in Chocolate Brown - current price:  $39.95 at DSW.

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Earrings:  1928 Brass-Tone Simulated Crystal Floral Drop Earrings - current price:  $9.10 at Kohls.

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Thanksgiving

I know everyone else is probably doing a post just like this, but it is a good time to remember what we are thankful for.  I personally hope that this day of reflection puts a lasting memory of what we are thankful for as we turn toward Christmas.  I say that as I have found it a little ironic that after we sit around a table with lots of good food telling each other what we are thankful for (which are generally NOT material things) we turn around the next day (or this year in a few hours?) to fight someone over a tv!

So here is my list (not exhaustive) of the things that I'm thankful for:

1. My husband and kiddos - I am very thankful to have a pretty good husband and kids.  I am most thankful about that we are all currently in (relatively) good health.  Especially with Quinn being a bit behind, we were a bit concerned that something was medically (either physically or mentally) wrong.  We are very glad that it is just a developmental delay and that she is making some good progress.
2. Jobs - I am thankful that both my husband and I have stable jobs.  We went through a tough time at the beginning of this year with my husband losing his job, but he was able to find something pretty quickly.  Without having these jobs we would be unable to help provide so many things for our family (shelter, food, and the non-necessities)
3. My parents - I am so thankful to have been raised by two parents who not only loved me (and now my own little family) unconditionally, but have been such great role models individually and as a couple.  I am especially thankful that my mom seems to be recovering well from her hip replacement surgery and that my dad is happy in his semi-retirement.
4. My health - Although I am not exactly "fit" I have been very lucky to (knock on wood) not have had a lot of health issues.  Minus my little fainting spell that put me in the ER for stitches, I have been pretty "sick-free." 
5. Technology - this may seem to be a strange one, but without technology, my life would not be as filled.  All this technology allows me to talk to my family that I am not close to (either via phone or webcam!), or share pictures with each other.  Although the distance between where we currently are and our family is pretty far, these luxuries make it a bit easier.
6. A new church family - some of you may have already read about my most recent church experience, but I am so thankful that I have found a place that makes us feel so welcome and restores my faith every time that I attend.

I will be cooking our own little Thanksgiving for just us.  Although it might not be as good as what I'm used to (Grandma's gravy, Aunt Jodi's rolls...mmm), it will still be good!

• turkey
• gravy
• rolls
• mashed potatoes
• green beans
• snicker salad
• cheesecake

Have a great Thanksgiving!  What are you most thankful for?

5K

Saturday was my first 5K!  I wasn't able to (nearly) complete the C25K program that I started, but I did do it!  It was definitely a chilly morning (around 40 degrees with a pretty good wind).  I was wearing my Nebraska hoodie and long-sleeve t-shirt (there weren't a lot of people in red, so I was sometimes easy to spot).

I ran into some people I knew there, who were actually one of the sponsors (The Community).  It was so great running into people I knew as they were able to motivate me and support me at the end!  (Plus, I had witnesses to my completion).  I also had a colleague (who is much more of a runner) do the 5K with me!

I do have to admit two things that I should have known/realized that I did not. 

1. A 5K is 3.1 miles (not just 3 miles).  I know 0.1 miles is not much more, but it was my nemesis!
2. There were going to be lots of hills.  (I'm used to running in a very non-hilly area or around a track so, this was a "surprise")

My goal was to run when I could and only walk when I needed to.  My time goal was definitely under 60 minutes, would like to be under 50 minutes.

I started out strong.  I got the first mile done in about 14 minutes (not too bad for me).  Then there was a long winding hill (small incline but for a long distance).  Got the second mile done at 31:20.  (Note that my awewsome colleague had already finished by this point)  I had a "kid" that I kept passing or being passed by.  I really wanted to make my goal of 50 minutes so I was running down every hill and walking up once the momentum passed.  My colleague showed up with about a half a mile to go as she said this was the point that she could have used a cheerleader (especially as we have another long small incline hill).  I was able to run about the last quarter mile and finished at:  50:03.

3 seconds!  Darn it! This is why that 0.1 mile was my nemesis.  If it had only been 3 miles I would have made my goal.  But it is ok - I was definitely close!

Hoping to try again the spring with a goal of breaking 43 minutes! 

I was definitely very sore the next day and Monday.  My sides hurt, the backs of my calves hurt.  But I DID IT!!!

Are there really coincidences in life?

I have been having a pretty tough time lately in many aspects of my life, but probably the biggest is the amount of work that I need to do for my job and how it gets in the way of the other things in my life.  I had so much to do this weekend (I had 2 sets of quizzes, 2 sets of small homeworks, 1 set of large homeworks and a set of in-class and take-homes to grade).  In addition, I had a few other things to do.  So I had planned to "skip" church on Sunday so I would have some more time to get things done.

Yet my son woke up on Sunday and asked me if we were going to go to church as he really wanted to go.  I told him it was a little late to get ready for early church but that we could go to late church.  As we made our way into church, many people greeted us with smiles and saying how glad they were to see us. 

Owen got to hear a children's message about being thankful for so much around us and that all the things around us are made possible by God.  He then went with the rest of the children to their "children's church."

We sang some pretty songs, we all had a good laugh when it was time for the offering as the baskets were not in their normal spots and we could put our offering "anywhere" up front, to which someone put theirs on top of the pastor's coffee cup.  Then we got to the "sermon."  Instead of the pastor doing the sermon, he made in an open mic about what we are all thankful for.  As I listened to people talk about what they were thankful for - someone in their family being saved during a horendous car accident, about being saved from cancer, having lost their job and a new one was found, about a family who was thankful for food being provided when they were out, it brought tears to my eyes.  One little girl said this which just made me smile:  "I'm thankful for God and Jesus because they are like magic!"  When I heard these people talk about what they were thankful for, the thing I was most thankful for at that moment was that my son is the one who wanted to go to church this morning and had I not, I would have missed out on all of this.  Is all the grading that I have to do really all that much of a "problem?"  At the end of the service we also had a father and son join the church and they were asked to "remember their baptism." 

At the end of the service I found Owen and asked him for a great big hug and thanked him for wanting to come to church today and that I loved him so much!

I don't think that this was just a coincidence.  I believe I was guided to be there on Sunday so that I too could remember what was most important and to remember my baptism as well.  I am thankful for this lesson that God has taught me!

"but with God, all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26

A day in my life...

November 15th, 2011

A lot of people may wonder what I do all day.  So I thought I would give you a glimpse of what one of my days is like.  I tried to pick a more "typical" day vs. a jam-packed or extra-light day in my life.

I guess that technically November 15th started with me going to bed at 12:15 am (up grading papers).  I haven't been feeling to well so I was up a couple of times coughing but was able to go to sleep pretty easily.

Around 7am I got up and got myself dressed.  I then woke up Owen and Quinn to go downstairs.  Got Quinn a cup of milk (she eats her breakfast at daycare) and Owen some frozen waffles for breakfast.  I then usually put on The Backyardigans or Word World for them to watch while they have their food/milk and while I finish getting ready (It also so happens to let them know when we will be leaving as we leave about right after the show is done.)  When Owen is done eating breakfast, he goes upstairs to get dressed and brush his teeth.  Once I'm done getting myself ready, I get Quinn dressed, do her hair and brush her teeth.  I then take everything out to the car that I need that day and then come back inside to get the kids to go (around 7:50)

First, I drop Owen off at daycare around 8am (he had kindergarten there before he is bused to "regular" kindergarten).  Then Quinn and I get back in the car and we make the drive to her daycare for drop-off around 8:30.  Then I go to work and am in my office around 8:45.

I get my Diet Dr. Pepper, log-on to my computer to answer emails and get my examples printed off for class and then make copies of those.  I eat my granola bar and head down to my first class around 9:20am and get out of my second class around 12:15pm.  I eat my lunch and work on editing a paper.  I have office hours from 12:45 - 1:30 and one student pops in around 1 and stays for about 10 minutes.  I head down to teach my third class around 1:30 and get done teaching around 3pm.

I go upstairs to drop my stuff off, grab a pen and paper to go down to my meeting at 3:05.  Meeting lasts until 4:15 and then I am asked some extra questions by colleagues until 4:45.  I head upstairs, get a few things ready for the next day, pack-up my backpack with some more grading and head out to get Quinn around 5:15 and we make our drive home.  We get home around 6pm.

Brandon had started making chili before I got home and I finished it.  We have supper around 6:45.  We clean up and get the kids ready for baths at 7:30- Daddy takes Owen and I take Quinn.  Both kids are in their jammies and we give them their bedtime snack (or treat if they earned it).  We read a couple of stories downstairs before brushing teeth and going to bed.  Quinn is in bed around 8:30 and Owen shortly after around 8:45 (we get his clothes out for the next day).

Around 9pm I watch a show that I had taped (GLEE).  Then I watch another show (Chopped) and another show (90120 - I know!) while I am grading some exams.  I then go through Owen's backpack and get it ready for tomorrow and head to bed around 11:30pm. 

So there you have it - a typical day in my life!

C25K Update

The day is upon us...Saturday.  Am I ready?  I am ready to be there and try my best.  Will I be running the entire thing - no.

Unfortunately this has been a rough semester and although I hate making excuses, my family comes before my running.  My health comes before my running.  So I WILL be there will bells on this Saturday and I WILL complete the entire "race" but for me the race I want to do is complete in under an hour.  That is a realistic goal.

To all of those out there who knew I would fail at completing this, you may have been right...for now.  I WILL try again and I WIll succeed.

(I will always be honest about it, but I will succeed one day!)

Outfit of the Week

This one is more for the casual weekend out and about or just lounging at home playing with my kiddos.   


Top:  Old Navy NYC Graphic Baseball T - current price:  $16.94

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Bottoms:  Old Navy Dreamer Bootcut Jeans - current price:  $34.50

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Jacket:  Old Navy Performance Fleece Half-zip Pullover - current price:  $17.50.

Shoes:  Old Navy Cord Sneakers - current price:  $12.50

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Hope we all had a good weekend and that you'll have a great week!

Quinnie Update

Quinn has been making some good progress in the last few weeks.  She has started walking more and more, and a lot of it she is initiating herself now.  By that I mean, about a week or so ago, if we stood her up a few steps away from, say the couch, she'd take some steps to get there.  But now she will let go of the couch and walk toward something (or someone else).  I think it will only be a matter of time before she is walking like a pro and I begin to wonder why I was looking forward to this as I chase her around :)

Her eating hasn't made as good of strides.  Don't get me wrong, she is eating a good amount of food and I'm really thinking that she will be ON the chart at 18 months (in December) when it comes to her weight.  However, when she drinks out of her sippy cup, she still "dribbles" a lot.  Anytime we try to give her a different cup (with a non-soft spout) she is not having it!  I'm trying (as suggested by our developmental specialist) to try to giver her a different cup once a day and not to be overly pushy about it.  At daycare, she is picking up quite a bit of her food to eat, but she isn't really doing that at home.  It is partly our fault as most of the food I've been making lately hasn't exactly been finger food (potato soup anyone?).  This Friday, the specialist is coming to our house to help so she can see how she is in this environment and give us suggestions, so wish us luck!

As another update which is sort of a random aside, I have finally broken down and bought her some hair clips.  Her hair wants to go straight into her eyes (even when I part her hair, it makes its way back to her forehead (and thus over her eyes!).

Outfit of the Week

This outfit is a between season outfit probably more fitting for fall or spring time.  Yet this is sometimes a good time of the year to be buying this stuff as some of the items can be at really good prices!


Top:  Old Navy Women's 3/4 Sleeve Chiffon Top in Cool Floral - current price:  $25.00.  This drop-waisted shirt with elastic give you the fit around the waist that one needs but the length to make is less daring when in public (especially when being at the chalkboard for me!)

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Pants:  New York and Company's 7th Avenue City Stretch in Winter White - current price:  $54.95.  No white after Labor Day? - This rule no longer applies.  Take a cute pair of white trousers and dress them up with a cute top or a nice and warm sweater!

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Shoes:  Kelly & Katie Mollie Sandal - current price at DSW:  $29.94 (on clearance!).  Ok, so these shoes are technically out of season, but why not dream?  They look so gorgeous with this outfit, I just couldn't resist!

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Necklace:  New York and Company's Three Strand Shimmer Beads Necklace - current price:  $19.95.  With the top above, you don't want a real simple necklace or it will easily get lost with this pattern.  This necklace is bold in style but not in color - a perfect match for this outfit!

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Hope you enjoy this outfit!  Have a great week!

Inspiration Friday

After hearing this week about Kim Kardashian filing for divorce after being married for a little more than 2 months, I was upset.  Not about them in particular breaking up, but about how some people look at marriage.  It seems as though a lot of people have the mentality "if it doesn't work out, we'll just get divorced."  I feel that people are treating a marriage too lightly - this should be a forever commitment not a until something better comes along commitment.


Let me say that my marriage is not perfect by any means.  We go through our own ups and downs but we always know that the other will be there for us.  We have our fights, sometimes too often but I know that I am the one who instigates the majority of them even when it may not have been my true intent.  (For those of you that know me, you know that I'm a sensitive person which doesn't help matters here!)

So for my inspiration going into this weekend, I wanted to make a list of the top 5 reasons I love my husband so much!

1. He has a vast sense of humor - this is so great because he smiles and laughs so much.  It makes me want to do so more too!
2. His knowledge about cars and sports- he may not be a mechanic or athlete, but his expertise in these areas can come in very useful (and be a little sexy at times too!)
3. How large his heart is - he may come across as a tough guy, but he can be so loving and caring (but it also means that he can be vulnerable and get hurt too).
4. He is a dreamer - this is good for me as sometimes I'm too grounded.  We balance each other well here!
5. He was smart and chose to love me with his whole heart and make a commitment to us and our family.

Love you!

Daddy with Owen:

Daddy with Quinnie:

Baked Potato Soup

 It is that time of year again to start bringing out all the soup recipes.  One of my favorite soups of all time is the potato soup from Outback Steakhouse (minus the chives).  I had a "recipe" for potato soup, but I wanted their recipe!  So I searched online and found one that was believed to be real close to tasting like Outback's - so I had to try it.  It is unbeliveably good (even my husband raves about it and he not one to get overly excited about sharing recipes).  So below is the recipe:

Potato Soup Recipe Here

Ingredients

Potatoes (6-8 depending on the size)

1 Onion, diced

4 14oz cans of chicken broth

2 cups water

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1 dash of basil

1 dash of sugar

2 sticks of butter

3/4 cup of flour

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Garnish

4-6 pieces of cooked bacon, chopped

Chopped chives (amount depends on your preference – I like a lot)

2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack / Cheddar cheese blend.

Directions

Bake the potatoes, set aside to peel later.  (I definitely say to BAKE them - so much better!)

In a large soup pot, melt the butter over a low to medium heat, being careful not to burn it.

Add the onion and cook until softened.

 

Add the flour and stir while it cooks for about 3 minutes.

Slowly add the chicken broth, water, salt, pepper, basil and sugar.

Bring to a boil, stirring often with a wire whisk.

Gradually add the heavy cream until you’ve reached the proper consistency.

Chop the potatoes into bite sized cubes and add to the soup.

Simmer for approximately 5 minutes to bring the potatoes to temperature.

Ladle the soup into individual bowls and garnish with chopped bacon, chives and the cheese blend.

Enjoy!

Mmmmm!

(Please note that I usually cut this batch in half!  That is enough for 1 meal for all 4 of us, plus 2 lunches for leftovers :)    )

Sookie

You may have been paying close enough attention in my Friday post to know that we have introduced a new member to our family:  Sookie

We didn't make this decision lightly - a pet is a big deal and a big responsibility. Owen and I visited a couple of pets at a shelter by the library and he seemed to be doing pretty well with the cats but was a bit inimated by the dogs.

So far things have been going well - Sookie has been a pretty good kitty.  She has had no accidents, is eating well, and hasn't make a mess of things.  In addition, she is using the cardboard scratcher that we bought her.  All in all, a good girl!

Halloween!!

It was a crazy Monday!  Didn't get off work until about 5 and then traffic was crazy.  Got home around ten to six, fed Quinn, got costumes on and off we went!

Quinnie wasn't out for too long - about 15 minutes and then went back home with Daddy.  This year I took Owen around.  At every house before we went up I would say "trick or treat and thank you" so that he would (hopefully) remember.  We have also really been working on him crossing the street without us so we ask him what to do and he'll say "look for cars."  So we were at one house and he forgot to say thank you, so we said "what do you say?" and he said "look for cars."  Ah, kids - trying to teach him too many things at once.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!