tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643477685893118132024-02-07T00:05:09.670-05:00MommyYo- trying to finish the day and the laundryholleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-53964058882903690812018-01-12T07:09:00.001-05:002018-01-12T07:09:40.062-05:00The BEST chocolate chip cookie on Earth<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Week 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attempted Pin: Copycat NYC Levian Bakery Chocoalte Chip Cookie Recipe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Score: 7 NAILED it! (After some tweaks)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love chocolate. Wait. I love DARK chocolate. I'm not tempted by anything with white or milk chocolate, which probably saves me thousands of calories....but when good quality dark chocolate crosses my path, I can't resist. I love the deep, luscious, bitter sweet taste as it melts in my mouth. When I first discovered Ghiradelli makes extra large bittersweet dark chocolate chips, I swore off Nestle, store brand, and Hershey's. There is no competition. Guittard is okay, but Ghiradelli is the BOMB. Not only is the flavor exponentially more delicious, but their enormous size makes baked goods look beautiful and the gooey factor is sublime. And for the most part only about .50 more per bag, so totally worth it! When they go on sale, I am known to purchase 10 or 12 bags...there's always room in the pantry for my dark chocolate fix! Our grocery store had them priced to sell after Christmas...$1.33 a bag, so I may have bought 21 bags. ( Don’t judge until you taste! )</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHE94VL1w8Sj5J_aQslK3Vw9JXi4x16y3kb2l1oadkI31iTWU9eFdoDGrk__GnrHIZDPx6iCJXhyphenhyphenznLyyiCSQ_UKMCPjcsq3V2d9H0rbW6qp7j91Njpz812dNv-UY_ZHXRwlcD0we39Zc/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHE94VL1w8Sj5J_aQslK3Vw9JXi4x16y3kb2l1oadkI31iTWU9eFdoDGrk__GnrHIZDPx6iCJXhyphenhyphenznLyyiCSQ_UKMCPjcsq3V2d9H0rbW6qp7j91Njpz812dNv-UY_ZHXRwlcD0we39Zc/s200/IMG_0776.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love to bake. And I have a major sweet tooth. But I do not care for store made or prepackaged baked goods. They just don't taste flavorful. So, I bake some sort of sweet about once a week, if I'm being honest. It's usually something chocolatey. My love for chocolate has spurred a decade long search for THE perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I think this is purely based on personal preference...some people may prefer flat or crunchy cookies...or cookies that have a meager amount of chocolate chips. I have no idea why. Blech. My perfect cookie is one that can hold its shape- not cakey- but dense and moist (borderline gooey) and preferably with AT LEAST one dark chocolate chip per bite. And I know that shortening is effective in obtaining a thick, dense cookie, but I just can't bring myself to cook or bake with it. I've been through Pinterest and google testing any recipe that claims to be the best of these qualities and without Crisco...and have only found one that I consider worthy of giving as a gift or serving to guests. Levian, a bakery in New York City, is known for their cookies. You can order and have them shipped world wide. So when I stumbled across a recipe that claims to be a Levain knock off, I was thrilled! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are a ton of Levian "copycat" recipes on Pinterest. </span></span><br />
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https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=levian%20chocolate%20chip%20cookie%20recipe&rs=typed&term_meta[]=levian%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=chocolate%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=chip%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=cookie%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=recipe%7Ctyped<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I tried about 10 different versions and then perfected it to my taste buds. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recipe calls for cold butter and the directions warn not to mix longer than just to blend the ingredients. This keeps the ingredients cold and the flour from getting too overworked. I use egg product because egg yolks gross me out (and I feel a little less guilty when I snack on the dough) and I always vigorously shake the egg container before pouring to whip them up a bit. The dough takes minutes to make. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my cookie scooper, 1/4 C</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 oz cookies</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW5bGq-pudynrzt_dmr7kSx9a7UIifyHMfPLPQ7oK5Q_pL59kriw27196HLbNUOuXjNsEciLM9AaHSmyDH9CfgeHDZH_JQ05PXE7aDkzVpPl5tbSH2XSDY4v3pVaKDaWaVZfNA_HQCZii/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW5bGq-pudynrzt_dmr7kSx9a7UIifyHMfPLPQ7oK5Q_pL59kriw27196HLbNUOuXjNsEciLM9AaHSmyDH9CfgeHDZH_JQ05PXE7aDkzVpPl5tbSH2XSDY4v3pVaKDaWaVZfNA_HQCZii/s200/IMG_0843.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cookies are enormous, and I have found that adding cornstarch ensures a thick, dense texture (without having to resort to Crisco). It's also recommended that you refrigerate or freeze the cookie dough balls for at least two hours before baking to prevent any spreading during baking. I usually make one cookie for anyone in the house interested, and then freeze the rest as dough balls so that we can just bake them as needed (or snack on the frozen dough balls when my children are not looking.) As you can tell from the recipe below, two sticks of butter only yields 14 of these monster cookies. Yes they are fat pills. But they are worth it!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes it's a pain to adjust the temperature during the baking process. But baking at a higher temp initially helps "plump" the cookies and brown the edges. Trust me, you will be rewarded for the effort! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are not a chocolate fanatic (seriously, what's wrong with you??!), you can reduce the chocolate chips to 1 cup (they are so big and full of flavor that the cookies still manage to taste delicious. Enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Levian Copycat Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">makes 14 enormous cookies or 40 2-inch cookies</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 sticks cold butter, cut into small cubes 1 tsp baking powder</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 c brown sugar 1/2 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 c granulated sugar 2 T corn starch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tsp vanilla 3 c flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 eggs 3/4 t sea salt (fine grain)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 c Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Using an stand or hand held mixer, beat butter and sugars until just creams. Add egg and vanilla and mix just until incorporated. Stir in dry ingredients until batter is uniform (do not over stir) and then stir in 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Divide dough into 14 dough balls (4 oz each), adding chocolate chips to the top of each. You can also sprinkle a tiny bit of fine grain sea salt on top to bring out the sweetness of the bittersweet chocolate. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chill at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 and bake for 8 minutes, then reduce the temp to 325 and bake another 4-5 minutes just until cookies appear set. </span>If you make them smaller (1 oversized tablespoon), you can get more than three dozen cookies easily (if you are not "tasting" the dough). If you make smaller 4 oz cookies, reduce baking time from 8 minutes to 6 minutes at 375 and then bake 4-5 minutes at 325.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remove from t</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he oven and allow to sit on the baking sheet for another 8-10 minutes (you must resist stuffing them into your mouth, they have to finish baking.) They will taste delicious but fall apart if you try to eat them before they have fully cooled. The cooled result will still have amazing melty chocolate chips, and the texture will be thick, dense, and not overly sweet. </span></span><br />
<br />holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-90733299768393460872018-01-09T06:40:00.000-05:002018-01-09T06:40:00.703-05:002018 Pinterest Challenge<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am severely addicted to Pinterest. I pop on to look for “the perfect gift” or best cookie recipe or DIY home improvement...and can’t stop. I like to think that I’m creative and crafty, but most of the time I need inspiration. Like maybe even “step by step” inspiration. And that is why Pinterest has sucked me in and cannot resist it calling to me every time I see an adorable baby outfit or have a craving for something sweet from my oven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve organized my boards into holidays and kid stuff and beauty and cleaning tips...but if I’m honest, I have a 10 to 1 ration of food boards to any other topic. Aaaaaand if I’m really showing my cards, the majority of my boards are dessert recipes. Surely it’s possible to find the world’s most delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe, the deepest darkest richest flourless chocolate cake recipe, the healthiest tastiest easiest recipe for a sweet that I can pass off for a breakfast dish. And so I “pin” away. Some may have boards designated for poultry, and seafood, and dairy. I have several boards just on cakes. So I was feeling a little foolish about my somewhat skewed lineup of Pinterest interests, I thought 2018 would be a good year to test out one of my pinned ideas once a week. I will do my best to alternate between topics and not focus only on my desserts...but I’m not making any promises. I figure 2018 will be a year for testing new ideas...and as I test to see if I have a Pinterest “win” or a Pinterest “fail” (you know you’ve scrolled through pictures before of crafts and wedding cakes gone wrong) maybe it will save others from attempting the impossible or inedible. 😉</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, tomorrow I will post my first.</span>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-33891515515052217402017-08-14T16:12:00.000-04:002017-08-14T16:12:10.458-04:00It's been a few years and a few kids since my last post...but I've decided to resume by blogging since my memory is crap and these posts will be something I will cherish one day when my kids are out of the nest and I can't remember one detail about the little years. I laughed when looking at the picture of my oldest daughter wearing a very generous helping of mascara and eyeliner...just this week my youngest daughter decided to dabble in the art of makeup application. This scenario was doubly delicious as the makeup she raided was my eldest daughters'! Ha!! Payback!<br />
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Unfortunately, she chose to adorn herself in "all day" wear blond red lipstick, so at first sight of her, I thought we were headed to the ER. Then once I realized it wasn't blood I discovered it was akin to the pink ink stain on the dress in the Cat in the Hat...when I picked her up to carry her to the tub, my hands were also stained....then the floor, the wall, the bathtub...and no amount of rubbing with soap was effective, it just continued spreading. Now somehow Inwas covered in oily sticky red stain 😫. Amd of course all of this happens 10 minutes before school pick up. The first week of school. And I have a kindergartener. Arg. By God 's grace we have a random loofah hanging on the shower in the kids' bathroom that has never been used and, with the help of 1/2 a bottle of baby shampoo, it miraculously sends the murderous stains down the drain. Whew. Of course this all happened within 5 minutes of her having a bath. Of course it took her less than 30 seconds. I was foolishly enjoying a rare stint of quiet and non-physical contact and getting dressed for the day. "How sweet she is to be entertaining herself in her room," I thought. Nope. Of course I took pictures. Of course I was laughing. But she did not enjoy one second of the exfoliation. I do think it will be a picture for her baby book!<br />
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holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-7075730504433816252013-09-23T02:32:00.004-04:002013-09-23T02:32:48.557-04:00Outsmarting the picture framesI have decided to get serious with organized parenting. (Ok, waiting 8 years may not have been the smartest way to get started...) I think I actually did have a handle on the situation until our last move and our third child came along...or was it the move before that? Sheesh. Clearly, this moving every three years and having babies every two years has kept me busy doing things other than organizing. But my eldest is borderline OCD and he has recently inspired me (along with an episode of "Wife Swap") to get my booty in gear.<br />
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I know. "Wife Swap" is probably not the best source for parenting advice or organizational strategy. But with four kids in three sports, two musical lessons, two in scouts, plus school clubs and our family activities...we have alot going on each week. Suri is not cutting it. Relying on my iphone calendar reminders and my wall calendar and my email account and my husband has resulted in missed birthday parties, lost school supply lists, last minute scrambling and yelling to get to an event, and a stressed out mom.<br />
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I went to the dollar store and bought several dry erase charts. One was dedicated for "weekly activities," one was for a shopping list that the kids could add to, and one was for a "star chart." Then I bought three packs of shiny stars and let each child pick one color that would be their stars. We've been using the charts for three weeks, and I have to say, I'm impressed! Though my 4 year old doesn't really care one way or the other, my older two are on the BALL! I haven't had to remind them to do things AND my son is practicing piano in the mornings before school (on his own accord) to earn extra stars. Yeeeea me!!!! So, this chart thing is a little more work that I thought, but worth it. Now, for phase two....refining the system.<br />
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I foolishly thought that these fancy (haha) dollar store dry erase boards would easily release the star stickers. Nope. Plus, (as you can imagine), the these charts were not the most appealing things to see taped to the side of the fridge. Bright primary colors, random cartoon frogs and ducks....you get the picture. It did not bode well with my OCD.<br />
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I decided to commit to something a little more permanent. (Plus I had a kitchen wall that needed some eye candy.) So, I found some adorable frames at Michaels that were on clearance and went to work finding some cute scrapbook paper that would match my newly painted kitchen. This took way longer than it should have...but that's because I'm a second guesser. ("Should I buy it? Yes, I can return it. But I must remember to keep the receipt handy. And put the item in the car.......or else I could just save it for another project???" Daaaaah.)<br />
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I then used word to type out the text that was on the cheap-0 charts. I did add some personalized chores and decided to have a "menu" of how the kids could redeem their stars. (Getting to choose the music in the car, a piece of gum, a confiscated toy, a date with mom or dad, a play date or sleep over, a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, etc.) Yes! It all matched! I chose to leave two of the frames without text so I could write notes, use it as a weekly menu board, etc. Flexibility! My plan was to hang these and then use the dry erase marker directly on the glass. Of course, I had to hang them high enough where the kids couldn't reach and give themselves extra stars (ok, so I opted for initials...I am not peeling 50 stars off the glass every Sunday!) <br />
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Now, I love the look of collages on the wall, but we did that project on our staircase and it was a total PIA. How the heck do people do that without an acrobat or some kind of snazzy ladder? Ours turned out ok, but I had to do the splits with one leg on the banister and one on the ladder. NE who, it was the measuring out the distances between the frames and then between the holes and then leveling them and centering them on the wall that was the biggest downer. So, I had a stroke of genus tonight.<br />
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1. I designed the layout by laying the frames on our floor (the wood planks helped me align the frames without a ruler.)<br />
2. I flipped the frames face down and then broke out some leftover painter's tape and made a square, with the tape bordering the frames (sticky side down, so that it sticks to the frame.) I also made sure to cross over where the hangers where on the frames (you can add extra pieces of tape that go all the way across if you have more than 4 frames.)<br />
3. With a pen, I marked (and poked a hole) in the tape on top of the spot where the hangers were.<br />
4. Then I peeled the tape off the frames and placed it on the wall, using a level to make sure the horizontal and vertical lines were straight. I used my handy J hook hanger things where the holes were, peeled the tape off the walls, and hung the pictures. I was sooooo exited! Our staircase has about 3 dozen extra holes where we mismeasured or didn't like how it looked once it was on the wall. But this took me about 10 minutes (I suck at using a level) and no extra holes in the wall! Here are some pictures.<br />
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Hope it helps some one else, too!</div>
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<br />holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-987940481363102732013-09-18T23:12:00.001-04:002013-09-23T02:39:04.432-04:00Arrrrr Matey! Pirate makeup made easy.Arrrrr Matey! It's Pirrrrate Day!<br />
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I love the theme dress up days at school. I loved them when I was a kid, too. But now.....now I'm armed with Pinterest! I may even be slightly overwhelmed with all the amazing ideas. And maybe a little worried that my "costume on the fly" won't come close to all those other kids with fellow Pinning mommies. This is where I happily play my, "I have four kids" card. Plus, after three house on Pinterest getting all those good ideas, it's too dang late in the evening to whip up a costume fit for Broadway. So I wing it.<br />
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Last year, I lucked out and found an actual pirate costume in our dress up bin. Score! One costume down, one to go. What the frick do pirates wear??! Stripes. Yes, stripes. I stumble across my daughter's Fourth of July dress....red and white stripes are piratey, yes???! Score! I find a bandana and a scarf at the bottom of the Halloween bin (mental note, get rid of all the slutty costumes I thought were cute on me before kid #3 and #4.) Oooo, and dress up beads. Perfect!<br />
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Now for makeup. The pirate trademarks include<br />
1)a parrot (I did not have any kind of bird other than a Beanie Baby, and I couldn't figure out how to perch that on their shoulder for the school day)<br />
2) a peg leg (not gonna happen)<br />
3) a hook (Yes!!! This was part of a Captain Hook costume several years back...woo hoo!)<br />
4) an eye patch<br />
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I like the idea of an eye patch. It's an easy prop, you can stick it in their pocket or maybe they can wear it as a headband when they get sick of being a cyclopse...but my daughter is very particular about how things "feel" (which translates to a total pain about what she wears.) I knew the elastic band would drive her bonkers. She is also irresponsible with her stuff and I figured I didn't want to give her the one we had because I knew she would lose it.<br />
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So I came up with using my grocery store liquid eye liner. I've McGeyver'd all kinds of painted faces at the zoo with this magical little tool. I used it for my son's eye brows, too...I gave him sort of an angry jack-0-lantern look. It totally went with the scruffy beard! And then I gave my daughter a goatee with it, too! All in about 5 minutes. The bonus, she got lots of ooos and aaaahs at school (she loves the attention) and didn't have any l about it. Woo hoo!<br />
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<br />holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-87570497265995364252013-09-18T22:28:00.005-04:002013-09-23T02:38:05.296-04:00Airplane Tag BlanketSo last week we had a friend's baby shower and I got a boost of creativity around 10pm the night before the shower. I already had the rest of the gift wrapped, but I absolutely LOVE cute home made baby stuff and a brilliant idea popped into my head. Our Marine hubbies both fly C-130's and my poor boys already have their rooms decked out with airplane stuff...but this was fresh blood! I could make them some sort of cargo airplane looking craft. Something useful, but not as quick lived as burp cloths....a taggie blanket! I surfed Pinterest for ideas and decided it was easy enough. Then I surfed Google for KC-130 airplanes (so I could be anatomically correct...very important to my husband.) Yes yes yes! Simple lines, a few windows, I can totally pull this off in a few hours!<br />
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So...down to the craft room I went, scavenging for coordinating fabric and ribbons. Yes! Finally, my ridiculously large assortment of impulse Michael's and JoAnne's purchases was going to save me a trip to the store (Walmart, specifically because it is the only craft store open past ten and avoiding that store at that time of evening made it worth EVERY penny.)<br />
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I love the pink and brown and blue and brown combo, so when I saw several coordinating fabrics and ribbons at the craft store a year or two ago, I bought the whole shebang. I also had some minky fabric and some super soft polished felt. Since I recently made my daughter's tooth fairy pillow, I also had some of that pillow stuffing material- yes! Now I just had to make a template. All the DIY taggies I found on Pinterest recommended a 1/4 inch allowance for seams...so I broke in to my daughter's Hello Kitty jumbo size coloring book (9x14) and used a sheet to draw my template. I freehanded in pencil and got the ok from my husband ("This looks like a C-130, right honey??!") Then I added 1/4 inch dotted line and cut it out. I doubled the fabric (one layer of white minky, one layer of the brown and blue print, since she is having a boy) and put it right to right facing.<br />
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I cut it with my handy fabric rotary tool. Then I cut out 5 different coordinating ribbons- some satin, some grosgrain, one felt...each 5 inches. Then I took the felt and cut out little windows and the nose of the plane. I used the "no sew" fabric stuff and just ironed this on, I didn't want there to be stitch marks.<br />
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My husband had pointed out that my airplane didn't have any engines, so I used some blue stitched ribbon and sewed it on to the wings like a double bow...they are SUPPOSED to be engines. Use your imagination!<br />
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Then I stuffed it and sewed. It came out pretty darn cute. Not quite as cute as I pictured, but good enough to give as a gift. It will only take me five more to perfect it. <br />
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<br />holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-16820219017179160702013-01-15T00:24:00.003-05:002013-09-23T02:38:25.799-04:00New Years' Resolutions for 2014?Well, so much for wiping the slate clean. Getting a fresh start. Starting off on the right foot. Being on top of my game. It is two weeks - 14 days- into 2013 and already my resolution is a bust.<br />
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My biggest struggle (which I maintain is an inherited trait) is that I cannot arrive anywhere on time. Anywhere. Wait! I take that back...my fourth child was born on his actual due date. Does that count, or does he get the credit for that???! Did you see the date of my last post? This one is nearly two years late!!!!<br />
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I am physically unable to be punctual (and "early" is only mentioned in our house when we talk about what time the children wake.)<br />
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As I said, I blame this on a long family line of tardiness...my grandmother and my mother are infamous for arriving after events (like weddings, parties, and holidays) have ended. Yes, ended! And I am carrying the torch. I wish I could say that it is because I have four children who dilly dally or fight or have tantrums or lock themselves in the bathroom. Nope. I was rarely prompt even before having to take children to the potty, put on their socks (six times), find the hidden keys, pack sippy cups and snacks and find blankies or DS chargers or change blow out diapers or clean off barf or slobber from myself.<br />
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I could shower the day before, set out my clothes, tell myself the event begins hours before...nothing works. Just ask my poor (overly prompt ) Marine husband. Or my neighbors, who see me running the 80-pound double jogger every morning up our hill and slip the older two through the school doors just as the bell is ringing.<br />
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So last year, I had mentally planned and prepared for this to be my new daily resolution: arrive 10 minutes early to everything (even having dinner ready!!!!) My friends would surely appreciate not having to always wait on me. It could set a better example for my children. Cut out 1/2 the stress in my life. And keep my husband from going completely grey before 45.<br />
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My plan was simple. Just set a reminder alarm on my phone for event...every event- kids school, lunch time, nap time, library time, zumba class...all of it. I don't know what happened. Every member of our family got some form of a cold over Christmas and my plan crumbled. I was over tired and unprepared. 2013 has come and I haven't had ONE successful day. Uggg! <br />
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I am blaming Siri. Isn't she supposed to be my personal assistant? She is toast.<br />
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Can we please have a do over???<br />
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And if anyone out there has any secrets to being early - who am I kidding- prompt to events...by all means, do share!<br />
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Gotta run. I'm late!holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-34469389529671322752011-07-05T23:04:00.004-04:002011-07-05T23:51:04.045-04:00A few of my favorite things.....PIZZA!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu3IFe3JV3O9E8lFmyNKqUXKf9sC1o0NV6CAXqmSHFFZTXUfXq8m4gCbAmF53ggIIB50trXRdJfEtowLA1qXrmJPlxadHDKd71FBIMeLvPkbyShupP2Jj0fcBEoh-EFHamD3M2Tm4TnS9/s1600/spin+feta.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu3IFe3JV3O9E8lFmyNKqUXKf9sC1o0NV6CAXqmSHFFZTXUfXq8m4gCbAmF53ggIIB50trXRdJfEtowLA1qXrmJPlxadHDKd71FBIMeLvPkbyShupP2Jj0fcBEoh-EFHamD3M2Tm4TnS9/s200/spin+feta.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626081822470312498" /></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our Sunday night tradition is home made pizza and a movie night with the whole family. Yesterday we were on family vacation with the whole extended family- all 21- so I felt inspired to step up my same old easy prep pizza crust recipe. The one I have used for years because it is easy, quick (15 minutes rise time) and comes out pretty darn tasty. But after living a few years in New York and eating the fabulous pizza in the city (my culinary weaknesses are dark chocolate and fresh baked breads), I thought this the perfect opportunity to test out a new recipe that promised all the crunch and chewiness of New York City pizza crusts on my unsuspecting family. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After a quick search online (I say quick, but the lake house has dial up so it was actually agonizingly slow), I found a recipe that had been saved by nearly 8,000 people. After reading the reviews, I was sold. I made enough for 5 large pizzas and just as it promised, the crunch and the chewy doughy texture were delivered! I stuck with my favorite recipes: cheese for the kiddos, supreme, caramelized onion with goat cheese and roasted peppers, and spinach, garlic and feta. The pizzas were a hit! (My kids actually prefer the spinach feta so I usually skip the plain cheese altogether.) The recipes follow.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>NY Pizza Dough</b> (makes one 16 inch, two 12 inch, or 6 individual pizza crusts)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 1/2 c warm water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 t salt (I use sea salt)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4 1/2 c bread flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2 t active dry yeast</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1 c bread flour, as needed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1 T <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EVOO</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Directions: Pour warm water in to a bowl and sprinkle the flour and salt so it sits on top of the water. Make a hole with a knife and add the yeast. Let sit 20 min. Knead with dough hook 10 min on your food processor (can also use a hand mixer with 1 beater.) Add additional 1/2 to 1 cup flour and knead additional 5-10 min until dough is elastic and soft. Dough will be extremely wet and sticky, so hand kneading is not recommended. Form into round shape. Grease 1 T of a large bowl with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EVOO</span>, wiping the entire bowl to coat. Place the dough ball in the bowl and place in the fridge for 4 hrs to overnight. When ready to use, preheat oven to 500 degrees and allow dough to come to room temp. Roll out and poke with a fork on the surface. Bake for 3 minutes, remove from the oven and add sauce and desired toppings/ cheese. Bake an additional 5-8 minutes, depending on size of pizza.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza</b>: Toast 1/4 cup pine nuts in small saute pan until browned. Remove and add 1/2 cup thinly sliced yellow onions. Cook on low heat in a well greased pan until soft and tender. Prepare roasted red peppers by thinly slicing. Crumble 1/2 cup goat cheese and set aside. To assemble pizza: Bake crust with thin layer of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mozzarella</span> cheese (no sauce). When fully cooked, add slices of red pepper (so they radiate from the center), pine nuts, onions, and goat cheese. Serve.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Spinach Feta Pizza</b>: Saute 3/4 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen), 1/3 cup thinly sliced yellow onion, and 2 cloves pressed garlic until fragrant and tender. Season with salt and pepper. Dice a Roma tomato into small 1/2 inch cubes and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and oregano. To assemble pizza: Prepare crust and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. When fully cooked, top with the spinach mixture, tomatoes, and sprinkle with crumbled feta.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">YUM!</span></div>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-38520939727535821542010-10-02T16:06:00.002-04:002010-10-02T16:26:55.761-04:00Twirly skirts and tutus...twenty-four sevenCaroline is in a new phase. She insists on wearing fancy skirts and dresses every day. Normally I set her clothes out the night before, and I'll give her an option of shorts or pants? Leggings or dress? Etc. Now I try to find creative ways she can put a tutu or skirt on under a dress or over her leggings...after all, a girl needs to be wearing play clothes when she's planning on digging in the dirt after moles or hanging upside down on the monkey bars at school. Luckily, she has a healthy supply of dress up tutus (why any one girl needs 5 tutus I don't know....but I'm SURE I had a perfectly reasonable justification for each purchase!)<div><br /></div><div>I am now wondering how long this obsession will continue...days? Months? Years???? </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I guess I will just have to settle with buying out all the adorable dresses I can find. It's therapy, really.</div>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-80686963682695442232010-08-24T00:57:00.010-04:002010-08-24T02:04:46.774-04:00While we were sleeping<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jRcqlVSj1naClM5Je3kxu81a_o8-01BAQXxnRd9VkDIN4iuD4XloteMqZPMoVnk5iSqtEQjj_SiqKsCYHok1ApdGjdZ7Plq5uVE3LkZBWQjg3Ikc8ikecoBeQ64LdNK-z88Wnm4qmkYF/s1600/caroline+with+smokey+eyes.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jRcqlVSj1naClM5Je3kxu81a_o8-01BAQXxnRd9VkDIN4iuD4XloteMqZPMoVnk5iSqtEQjj_SiqKsCYHok1ApdGjdZ7Plq5uVE3LkZBWQjg3Ikc8ikecoBeQ64LdNK-z88Wnm4qmkYF/s200/caroline+with+smokey+eyes.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508852618241383218" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br />So Caroline has gotten exceptionally sneaky lately...it's been mostly just swiping food from the pantry like dry cereal or juice boxes or dry pasta. I'm not quite sure if it's a ploy for attention or for the thrill of the hunt...or just to see how far she can go, but tonight Caroline explored new territory: my makeup drawer.<br /><br />She was supposed to be upstairs sleeping. We went upstairs to check on the kids and found Caroline in her bathroom looking like a sorority girl the morning after a really great party. No, actually it looks much much worse.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlbi4dPdkXlY-u6nSgHT-AU7HNraSaVkTZJdTg4c1kU4w4ovIPRLr4H-JQfvoByr1Z-JbQKIhhs9wn-O1VWj1Yh2ZSmu6ed7jNDSgib-jKWu5tMt_VK2WWEBac0ChTgn-uzQA_gsbVPJm/s1600/crime+scene.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlbi4dPdkXlY-u6nSgHT-AU7HNraSaVkTZJdTg4c1kU4w4ovIPRLr4H-JQfvoByr1Z-JbQKIhhs9wn-O1VWj1Yh2ZSmu6ed7jNDSgib-jKWu5tMt_VK2WWEBac0ChTgn-uzQA_gsbVPJm/s200/crime+scene.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508852820501116130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do I really have to explain how this happened? I did take a picture of the crime scene:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am somewhat speechless. </span></div>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-62371090466625032372010-06-18T00:35:00.009-04:002010-06-18T04:21:21.760-04:00Road TripWe are now on day 17 of our cross country road trip. What began as a 10 day cross country move from New York to California is evolving into a game of "how many sights can we see before we hit California." After nearly 4000 miles (many of which were NOT in the western direction), I think we're ready to settle in our new home Monterey.<br /><br />The trip has been an adventure, and very enjoyable for all of us...with the exception of a few sibling spats and pre nap spouts. The driving is a breeze.(Of course, my husband does all of the driving, so I can't take much of the credit.) And our destinations have all been better than we expected- great weather, serendipitous opportunities, relaxed time to catch up with family/ friends, and no snafus or injuries or breakdowns. The tricky part is at night trying to configure the sleeping arrangements and getting three little ones to quiet down and drift off to la la land in one small room...and then the time between their bed time and ours when we struggle to keep quiet or surf the Internet and in the bathroom until we're sure they're completely asleep. Even then, we can't turn on the tv. I did bring cards and Scrabble, thinking they are nice quiet games. Not happening. (SERIOUSLY, anyone have any ideas they're willing to share?????) I have managed to watch a catch up with my summer Lifetime tv shows on the computer, thanks to my handy earphones. I brought a pair for PR, but he prefers sleeping over watching Army Wives. Hmph.<br /><br /><br />Day 1: Niagara Falls, Canada<br />Day 2: Grosse Pt, MI<br />Day 3: Dayton, OH<br />Day 4: Indianapolis, IN<br />Day 5-7: Grand Rapids, MI<br />Day 8-9: Chicago, IL<br />Day 10: Sheboygan, WI<br />Day 11: Davenport, IL<br />Day 12: Omaha, NB<br />Day 13: en route to South Dakota<br />Day 14: South Dakota sights<br />Day 15-16: Yellowstone<br />Day 17: Idaho Falls, ID<br />Day 18: Elko, NV?<br />Day 19: Reno, NV?<br />Day 20: Sacramento & San Fran??????<br /><br />Niagara Falls: Amazing, of course. The town actually had more family stuff than I remembered, I wish we had spent an entire day and evening there...we arrived too late our first day to do more than drive through the main drag. Lady of the Mist was a big hit, especially with Owen. Caroline wasn't crazy about the spraying water, but the poncho made up for that. <br /><br />Indianapolis: JUST missed the Indy 500 parade by a few days, but the kids museum was the best I've seen. Huge, hands on, and for all ages- even my new walker.<br /><br />Chicago:I LOVE the city. Sooooo much to do, tons of kids stuff. We definitely needed more time there. None of us were crazy for the pizza.<br /><br />Jelly Belly Factory: Well, it was okay. Definitely something to do to break up the trip and get out of the car. The tour was mostly just driving a little tram and watching videos on making the jelly beans....but the kids didn't complain when the each got a bag of candy at the end of the tour!<br /><br />Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Bear Mtn,& Devil's Tower: All so close you really should do them all...but I do wish we had made time to hike Devil's Tower and stay for the evening Mt. Rushmore "lighting" with the Nat'l Anthem. Bear Mtn was the kid's favorite, tons of animals and we didn't even have to leave the car!<br /><br />Yellowstone: It was truly breathtaking. I wish we had been there a week- even in the cold weather. We were astounded that we saw so much wild life- a grizzly walked right past our car while we were trying to drive in the park, there were TONS of bison, we happened upon a few moose, an elk, two black bears, a baby coyote, and lots of Osprey. (Most we saw between 6:30 and 8 on our way out of the park.)Can you believe it snowed today, in mid June??!!! I'm sure I took at least 200 pictures.<br /><br />Grand Tetons: Beautiful. We only drove through and stopped to take pictures.<br /><br />I highly recommend "Amazing Places to Take Kids," a book filled with destinations in all of North America. We've already hit 10 or so places, and two or three that we only knew about because of the book: the Jelly Belly Factory in Ohio. the Indianapolis Children's Museum, and Wild Bill's Cultural Center in Wyoming. After all, the trip has to be fun for the kids if the adults are hoping to have fun, right?<br /><br />The journey continues....holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-50402435749718425382010-05-09T00:07:00.000-04:002010-05-09T00:07:47.544-04:00Sew Posh BoutiqueJust found the CUTEST website...and it's run by a military wife...so I wanted to pass it along...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sewposhboutique.com/servlet/Page?template=thanks&PHPSESSID=kk5ickss1bbsc7pgif6u9iit74&PHPSESSID=kk5ickss1bbsc7pgif6u9iit74">Sew Posh Boutique</a>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-91099099438029976522010-05-05T22:44:00.011-04:002010-05-05T23:08:10.589-04:00Date Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZvy7lNWPANl6fb_HSo9zDoJFCpF6bGdR29I4JnPMj_F2-bOzI3ljLe1WG7_WBrDTjJ_ndFpJoara6kSY-XeiqlHvAFfu2qImYOncJEGrFtG6Z4mvZX9q75plZtN6KxQzY8GNujK9r-OX/s1600/DSCN0913.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZvy7lNWPANl6fb_HSo9zDoJFCpF6bGdR29I4JnPMj_F2-bOzI3ljLe1WG7_WBrDTjJ_ndFpJoara6kSY-XeiqlHvAFfu2qImYOncJEGrFtG6Z4mvZX9q75plZtN6KxQzY8GNujK9r-OX/s200/DSCN0913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467982938199603874" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We headed to the city for a Broadway show this week...and after much pleading my wonderful husband agreed to take a pre</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-show detour to the Waffles and Dinges </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">truck. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What is Waffles and Dinges<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, you ask? Two weeks ago, I too was unfamiliar. Then one night when PR was out of town I was enjoying the Food Network and was introduced to this NYC food vendor on Bobby Flay's</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> "Throw Down</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">." He had challenged the owner, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thomas DeGeest</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> and was overwhelmingly defeated with his scrumptious liege waffle...which he served spread with spekuloos </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">spread (think Nutella consistency with the taste of graham crackers), then topped with whipped cream AND powdered sugar.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:georgia, serif;"> So.....not exactly low fat or healthy....but so very very delicious! </span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The liege is a dense waffle made with dough, not batter. The sugar used is a "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Belgian</span> pearl" sugar </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">which <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">caramelizes</span> when the waffle is cooking. Yum. Very different from the light and crispy ones. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It was quite a treat. (My mouth is watering as I type and I'm regretting that we have already packed </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">our waffle maker in preparation for our move. Gr.)We then speed walked back to the theatre district </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and enjoyed the music, singing, and all that jazz. </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We did NOT get accosted by two shady NY cops, visit topless (but nicely chiseled) men from my past, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">or dance dirty for the mayor of NYC...but still, it was a lovely date night in the city.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">Oh, and in case the liege sounds irresistible to you, here's a recipe:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">http://liegewaffle.wordpress.com/liege-waffle-recipe-liege-gaufre-recette/</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">PS. Is it just me, or does my Date Night title not fit with the picture of me engulfing that waffle?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div></div></div>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-35793062604627479552010-04-06T22:23:00.003-04:002010-04-07T02:49:24.553-04:00My little locksmithToday Caroline discovered a new trick: locking the door. She slipped into the house today while I was still unloading Hudson from his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">car seat</span>. I followed her to the door...it was locked. I was helpless- my arms were otherwise engaged with Hudson and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caroline's</span> shoes. (when she can't undress completely due to car seat constraints, she opts for purging <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hair bows</span>, socks, shoes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">sippy</span></span> cups, and anything else she can reach and throw on the floor- she's like an erupting volcano! ) I calmly ask Caroline to unlock the door (be cool or she'll know she's one up on you!) She replies, "I can't!" She rattles the knob, and turns the handle but doesn't seem to touch the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">deadbolt</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ug</span></span>. Like a bossy parent (hm, where did she learn that?), Caroline instructs me -by yelling through the door- to "Go through the other door mommy!!" My options are limited, so I walk around to the front and try my luck. Locked. To add whipped cream and a cherry to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caroline's</span> sweet stunt, PR is flying today and Hudson is overdue for his nap. I can only imagine what sort of adventure Caroline is having inside- raiding the pantry or my makeup drawer or something messier.<br /><br />I'm thinking the only thing left to do is panic and break through a window. But wait! We live in base housing and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">maintenance</span> office has a key! I call and within 5 minutes time, I have learned a BIG lesson in homeland security and have regained access to the house.<br /><br />Where was Caroline? She had stripped down to nothing and put herself down for a nap.holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-79397243869873288492010-03-06T00:03:00.003-05:002010-03-06T00:37:10.549-05:00New foods for HudsonHudson had a very eventful culinary day. Today I introduced him to salmon, which I was excited to see him devour. Now his list of foods is a stunning FOUR. Today Hudson also had a few new tastes that neither of us was expecting. During lunch Caroline decided to share her peanut butter sandwich with Hudson. And like any self respecting peanut butter eater, she trained him to finish it off with her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">sippy</span> cup of milk. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eeeeeek</span>!)<br />First I will vent. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ug</span>. I can't count how many times I've talked to the kids about sharing their food with Hudson, about how Hudson's tummy is not quite ready for all the fun foods we eat (especially peanut butter!!!!), and how Hudson can only drink mommy's milk or water. Apparently, Caroline was consulting her personal parenting notes today. Glad to know I'm making such an impact!!<br />I had foolishly run upstairs to deliver a stack of laundry while she sat at the kitchen table with her lunch and Hudson sat in his high chair with his finger foods. I suspect that Caroline knew she was doing something taboo, as she was crying when I returned...complaining about hitting her cheek on a drawer that was ajar. She is all about playing the "I'm cute and sweet and have a boo boo so how can you be upset with me?" But I have finally mastered the art of decoding my daughter. It's all in how you ask the question. After scanning the room and seeing a happy and sticky little boy with the forbidden food I asked my crying little girl, "Did you hear mommy coming down the stairs and hit your eye as you were running to your seat? Were you feeding Hudson your food even though you know it might be dangerous to him?" Because she is two and wonderfully and thankfully and painfully honest she replies with a sniffle, "Yes!"<br />Of course I gave her a reassuring hug and a kiss on the injury...but she also got a repeat lesson in the dangers of being devious and food allergies. Something tells me I need to read another parenting book or something, because this kid is as stubborn and assertive as her mother.<br /><br />I am happy to report that Hudson didn't have any reaction to the PB or cow's milk...yet.holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-47296514151850255332010-03-02T20:13:00.002-05:002010-03-02T20:18:43.962-05:00Least comfortable and appealing place to sleepLast night I went to check on the kids before turning in for the night and discovered Owen sleeping on the bathroom floor. I literally stopped in my tracks, as this was a very curious situation. Not only was he in his deep REM laying on the bathroom floor, but he was face down and had his pajama pants around his ankles with his rear for all to see. Hm. Without trying to sound too much like Forrest Gump, I really don't have anything else to say about it. (But I do admit to snapping a picture to show him when he thinks he's hot stuff in 10 years or so.)holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-36708478805165568392010-02-27T14:07:00.003-05:002010-02-27T15:15:13.563-05:00Where is she....I had a dog growing up that always hid under the kitchen table after (or while) some sort of crime had been committed. Now I have a daughter who does the same.<br /><br />My first clue is always the lack of whining, questioning, or singing...when it's quiet I know she's up to no good. I look around, calling her name in a curious and nonthreatening tone. "Caroline??? Where a---<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">rrrr</span></span>----<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">eee</span></span> you?" I ask sweetly. Innocent until proven guilty, right? I check the pantry, because she had a phase recently that included sneaking in the pantry, closing the door, and then snacking on something until she was discovered. It was usually dry pasta (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ick</span></span>) or peanut butter, which she would lick with her ridiculously long tongue (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ick</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ick</span></span>.) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span></span>...not there.<br /><br />Next, I scanned the computer area, as she enjoys popping the tiny magnets from the "chore chart" into her mouth like M&Ms. No, she doesn't eat them...she just has a mouth <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fetish</span>. I guess I should be thankful she doesn't have a nose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fetish</span>! Not there...<br /><br />I cringe to think what sort of mess/project/experiment may be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurring</span> in the bathroom. Sometimes I'll find an entire box worth of tissues, each used for a single touch of the nose then wadded up and placed on a square tile- so that each tile has one used tissue adorning it. (My daughter, the artist.) Other times I will find the sink filled with water and the bath toys from upstairs (or any other toys that might fit into the sink) and the tell tale trail of water to her exact position. I actually prefer those options over the last...the messiest. She is quite <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">independent</span> in the bathroom, so she will confidently go in, lock the door and do her business. We haven't quite mastered the "big potty," so sometimes she will use her little Bjorn potty. All is good in the world until she tries to "tidy up" after herself. She will attempt to pour the contents of the little potty into the big potty...and this is rarely a complete success. I will come in (long after she has been there) to find a pretty good indication of every single move she made while in the bathroom. Of course I can't get upset, because she's doing such a wonderful job with it all and truly TRYING to clean up the mess. But can I just say that it is not a pleasant task.<br /><br />Back to the subject. So, if there is no signs of her presence in the potty, I know she must be 1) either trying on my shoes in my closet; or 2) under the kitchen table hiding from me. So far she's been under the table about 10 times...eating Owen's Valentine's Day candy, licking from the peanut butter jar, snacking on Hudson's "Veggie Puffs," or munching on her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">barrettes</span>. She's also hid under the bar stool, although this is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">definitely</span> not a good hiding place, as I can see her clearly. And once or twice I've caught her under the dining room table with something fun, like the watercolor paints (RED) and Silly Putty (yes, I did have to cut it from her hair.)<br /><br />What's the deal? Is it part of her game? Is she trying to have a snack AND play hide and seek with me? I doubt I'll ever know. The hardest part is once I find her, she has such an adorable little smile on her face that it's near impossible to focus on crime! I send her to the stairs for her time out for not "asking" for whatever it is that she's swiped...all the while hoping that these are NOT indicative of her behavior as a teenager.holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-79269545801269427722010-02-06T22:52:00.003-05:002010-02-06T23:04:23.651-05:00Naked GirlAs a bonus to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caroline's</span> "changing into several outfits and tutus a day" <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fetish</span>, we see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> of her in the raw form. Until now, this has been restricted to home shows...but this week Caroline took her "show" on the road.<br /><br />We were across the street for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">play date</span> and Caroline was feeling so at home, apparently, that she decided it was time to shed her clothes. She and her little partner in crime, London, tiptoed upstairs to dissect the pajama drawer of London's older sister. However, the mismatched slumber girls had their flannels on for only a short time. Just seconds after the fashion show, Owen appeared to announce that there was a "vagina party" taking place in the laundry room. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmm</span>.<br /><br />I'm hoping this term was one of Owen's creations and not something he's seen on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">tv</span> or heard about at school (Christian education has made some big changes, I guess.)<br /><br />Owen does have an active imagination...once, when I was nursing Hudson he asked if I had "milk" on one side and "food" on the other.holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-21924510459709698362010-02-01T21:18:00.005-05:002010-02-01T21:39:28.236-05:00How does she know to use the permanent marker???!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4_YULsBdyvuttn633wkiqV6CLLvE3kPOF7HrO35nEq1bF0wy5y3Abe8VfdJLbJsOcFAsuFxVydFhsF72uQ-8iSEhLmE-E7J2PwltYVmc-5qSBbSzBjiCUVUTDEuml5z4pLGSVCXJ1BMS/s1600-h/IMG_5982.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433465289743480866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4_YULsBdyvuttn633wkiqV6CLLvE3kPOF7HrO35nEq1bF0wy5y3Abe8VfdJLbJsOcFAsuFxVydFhsF72uQ-8iSEhLmE-E7J2PwltYVmc-5qSBbSzBjiCUVUTDEuml5z4pLGSVCXJ1BMS/s200/IMG_5982.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ug</span></span>. This is NOT what I want to discover on my way upstairs to bed. There is only one possible offender: Caroline. Owen does not snoop in the "mommy only" drawers and Hudson is not yet tall enough. Plus, Caroline has not been caught doing anything sneaky or messy in the last 3 hours, so I'm not entirely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprised</span>. I am a little curious though, as to why she replaced the cap. Did she make a horrible mess on something large and important (like the wall or carpet) and try to wash or cover up the marks and then, realizing that she had made a grave mistake, cover the pen with its cap- vowing never again to be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mischievous</span>? No. </div><div> </div><div>I searched the house for signs of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caroline's</span></span> signature- the hallways, bedrooms, furniture...all free from black scribbles. After 10 minutes of investigating, I decide to call it a night. Today I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">completely</span> forgot about the incident...until this evening, when I pull out Hudson's Christmas puppy (the one that sings his name and the one he enjoys giving wet willies.) Either it's the ghetto puppy version Tag, or Caroline has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">graffitied</span></span> the back of the poor green fluffy pup. </div><div> </div><div>Inside, I'm a bit relieved. Frankly I don't think Hudson cares much, although all the slobbering he does on his things I hope his mouth avoids the permanent marked backside of Tag. It can't be good to digest. I also hope that was her only victim.</div><div> </div><div>Caroline lucked out tonight, as I made the discovery while we had company over and the kids were off to bed afterwards. Should I make her scrub the little hound to help her learn about the idea of permanence? Hm. I'm sure she'll commit some other offense by morning and we'll be dealing with that instead.</div>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-87240186923538997032010-02-01T20:51:00.005-05:002010-02-01T21:04:13.812-05:00Late night Balmex finger painting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-6Ui_8TB23MUZ5dZ47GGD0EqNEJgPNLu9qvIIyIIGrtduRg4KRCrI20mdAv-ARn0LsU9Py_BBSz4x2I2mT_-IgiWZulyr1TE-laraMGJVpA8bKDcOKCTTgDKIZ_oJjs8meemxc8GHAR2/s1600-h/IMG_5973.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433458337618798274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-6Ui_8TB23MUZ5dZ47GGD0EqNEJgPNLu9qvIIyIIGrtduRg4KRCrI20mdAv-ARn0LsU9Py_BBSz4x2I2mT_-IgiWZulyr1TE-laraMGJVpA8bKDcOKCTTgDKIZ_oJjs8meemxc8GHAR2/s200/IMG_5973.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is a small snapshot (literally) of the kids' bathroom last night. I walked in the house after a quick trip to the grocery store (quick because there were no children with me) and PR informed me that Caroline had been busy in the bathroom. You see, Caroline duped her sweet but gullible daddy into leaving her door ajar. She then broke free and headed straight for the bathroom in search for some messy entertainment. I scanned the rest of the bathroom for evidence before deciding on a guess of her motives and sneaky activities. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The evidence in custody:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:georgia;">pile of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">balmexed</span> baby washcloths</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;">baby hair brush covered in diaper rash cream</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;">several pairs of socks, pajama pieces, and undergarments shoved into the trash (also covered in- you guessed it- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Balmex</span>.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;">2 tubes of assorted baby diaper rash cream, nearly empty</span></li><li><span style="font-family:georgia;">smeared fingerprints made from diaper rash cream</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:georgia;">No Sherlock Holmes required here. But I'm not sure if she first found the tubes and then looked for something to decorate or actually made the mess and was trying to clean up the crime scene. Lucky for us, the floors are tile. Lucky for her, she was already sleeping when I discovered the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Balmexed</span> bathroom.</span></p>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-57618500734838064912010-01-28T02:02:00.005-05:002010-01-28T02:35:57.392-05:00Young families should have their very own restaurants...Tonight PR and I foolishly attempted to dine at a restaurant...with the children. Why do we torture ourselves and our fellow diners? Well for one obvious reason, really: I don't feel like cooking or cleaning up afterward! I've spent the entire day tidying and wiping down and clearing off and putting away and cooking the other meals. I know it's part of my job right now as "CEO of the household," but I do have evenings when I've decided that I'd like to eat my meal sitting down and maybe even eat when it's still hot! This was one of those nights. The kids were good all day and PR was home relatively early, so we ventured out...and regretted nearly every moment.<br /><br />Two of my three are actually very well behaved. Can you guess which child has a hard time sitting at any one place for more than a nanosecond? My darling sweet Caroline, though she has a heart of gold, has the attention span of a mini <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pinscher</span></span>. (She yaps and whines a bit like one, too.) I really can't fault her, partly because she's so dang cute and partly because she's 2 1/2. But because Owen sat for 2 1/2 hour meals on cruise ships at 9 mos, 18 mos, and 3 I have a very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">distorted</span> vision of children's table <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">etiquette</span>.<br /><br />Here's what I propose. Restaurants with designated times or days for parents with little Carolines. Clearly there is a time when older couples go out to dine- 4:00 or so. Maybe we could slide into the next slot, say 5:15 or so? It would prevent those horrible stares from tables of "date night" couples who have actually spent money on a babysitter to escape their normal dinner entertainment- or worse yet- those diners who don't own such animated appendages (and most certainly do not appreciate the sights and sounds that come with them!) Owen IS quiet. Hudson can be quiet. But Caroline...well, she didn't come with that setting.<br /><br />Until the time that such places exist, I suppose we will continue our futile effort: dining pleasantly with three young children. To those who have conquered this feat- kudos! To those who are looking for ideas to ease the pain while dining out, this is what works best for our family:<br /><br />-<strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Junky</span></span> toys</strong>. These are those toys that come in the fast food <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">kiddie</span></span> meals. I try to keep a stash in the car or my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">over sized</span>, chaotic purse. And if you lose or forget them, well really that's a bonus.<br />-<strong>Crayons </strong>and some sort of paper. While many restaurants now offer this, my children always want the same (or different) color than the other, whichever is not available. I keep a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Ziploc</span> bag of crayons in my purse.<br />-<strong>Mini play dough containers</strong>. The restaurant will be so very appreciative if they have carpet, but it can create a good 15 minutes of quiet!<br />-If you are dining at a pizza or an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Italian</span> place, ask if they can bring some <strong>dough</strong> for the kids to play with...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">CPK</span></span> does it if you ask.<br />-<strong>Order an appetizer</strong> or the kids meal as soon as you are seated. My kids take forever to eat, so once the food is on the table, we're usually in good shape.<br />-<strong>Play "I Spy"</strong><br /><strong>-Keep a stash of mini books or activity pads/magazines in the car</strong><br /><strong>-Bring your own little snack: dried cereal, trail mix, dried fruit </strong>this will keep them busy until the meal arrives.<br />-Take them to the rest room to take care of business and <strong>wash hands</strong>. Who knows how many germs they have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquired</span> since leaving the car...and, if nothing else, it's a trip through the restaurant.holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-82952447955405562092010-01-26T21:27:00.007-05:002010-06-18T00:35:04.293-04:00Cupcakes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWpAlZCPsoA01_5LyJ8Mu9Rnkgh2eysMAXNzKdrBw3VthoLgTWOGG_1TAKuL1y3mCbPyx180nG4lkoh0LU-k7-uoiIl3pbgW_gM3BAcb8zK2WDyT4u_WtMnRfWnRj9_JEO25N8UGPDD47/s1600-h/IMG_5953.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431242749373138898" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWpAlZCPsoA01_5LyJ8Mu9Rnkgh2eysMAXNzKdrBw3VthoLgTWOGG_1TAKuL1y3mCbPyx180nG4lkoh0LU-k7-uoiIl3pbgW_gM3BAcb8zK2WDyT4u_WtMnRfWnRj9_JEO25N8UGPDD47/s200/IMG_5953.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our MOPs group topic this month was birthday parties and I was trying to think of something creative and fun to do...and I couldn't help but bust out my cupcake pan. Cupcakes are so fun, I don't know why kids' birthdays are the only time I can enjoy them without feeling guilty. If you think about it, they are portion control, right? Works for me.<br /><br />I've created some pretty fun cakes and cupcakes for my kids, but I wanted to do some experimentation with new ideas...so I made two from my repertoire and two new and fun ideas: a pirate, a ladybug, princess, and lion themed cupcakes. All very easy, only the princess cakes used fondant. The rest were frosted with butter cream and embellished with candies and that fabulous "Cookie Frosting" made by CakeMate. I like that it dries quickly and once they are decorated there's no worry about colors or designs getting distorted, melted, or squished in any way. (Though I"m guessing the secret formula in those tubes is not all natural.)<br /><p>Decorating cupcakes is a wonderful activity during a birthday party or celebration, as it takes some amount of concentration, seated time, and very little effort for the party planner! I would only suggest that the top coat of frosting and any fondant be made ahead of time. (Fondant is easier for kids to decorate if it has hardened.) Just have tubes of frosting or individual dishes of frosting for kids to use as the "glue." Kids are very creative and will make their own little masterpieces.</p>These can easily be made into cakes using a round cake pan, just substitute larger cookie or candy pieces (ie chocolate covered Oreo vice Junior Mint, regular sized chocolate chip for eyes, etc.) You can also use brownie mix when making cupcakes. It's not as crumbly for kids to eat, which is good for them AND whoever is cleaning up after the party. One other note, for toddler parties, I highly recommend making cupcakes in the mini muffin pans. You can buy lollipop sticks at Michael's and stand them in some craft foam for a cute effect. Most kids really only want a bite or two (or just the frosting) and most every kid likes eating food off a stick!<br /><br />Here's a quick and easy set of notes to recreate the cupcakes:<br /><p><u><strong><span style="color:#cc9933;">Lion</span>:</strong></u> Frost with "golden yellow" Gel color. While frosting is wet, coat edges with shaved chocolate (I used dark.) Cut mini-Nilla cookies in half with a butcher knife and press into the cupcakes to create the ears. The eyes are created by dipping mini-chocolate chips into white frosting upside down and pressing into the cupcake...dip just enough so the "whites of the eyes" can be seen. It creates a more dramatic effect than with chocolate chip alone. The nose, mouth, and eyebrows were drawn with CakeMate's "Chocolate" cookie frosting.</p><p><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong><u>Pirate</u>:</strong></span> Frost with "skin color" Gel color. The pirate's patch is a junior mint (how easy!) The other eye is created as described above, by dipping a mini-chocolate chip (upside down) into a bit of white frosting. The rest of the eye patch and mustache were drawn with CakeMate's Chocolate cookie frosting. The mouth is a piece of licorice string cut and pressed into the frosting.</p><p><strong><u><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Princess:</span></u></strong> Frost with pink or purple. I also made the cake inside pink, although funfetti would be cute, too (if you can stand the taste.) To make the crown, color premade or homemade fondant (I prefer the recipe for marshmallow fondant, it has a little better taste) with your choice of princess color. Roll into long rectangles and cut to 10 inches by 6 inches. Then cut this piece in half, to make two 10x3 pieces. Using the wide round base of a pastry tip, cut out 1/2 circles along one edge of each (this will be the top of the crown.) Space it as you prefer, the one pictured is about 1/4 inch apart. Carefully lift the "crown" and place it along the edge of the cupcake, pressing and blending the ends together. The inside is filled with pink and white sugar crystals, and the outside has mini gummy bears (they looked like gems) and gobstoppers and nerds (I know, not very tasty, but it's difficult to find pink and purple colored candy!)</p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><u>Ladybug:</u></span></strong> Frost with red "no taste" gel. Use red rope licorice cut into 2 inch pieces as the antennae; press ends into the cupcake. Mini chocolate chips dipped (pointed side) into white frosting and then pressed into the cupcake make the eyes. Wings are drawn with CakeMate's Chocolate cookie frosting, and the spots are mini chocolate chips pressed pointed side down into the frosting. Easy!</p>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-31800198275218803672010-01-08T21:52:00.003-05:002010-01-08T22:27:52.609-05:00A lifetime supply of laundryFirst I must confess that I absolutely detest ironing. I am quite blessed in that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">PR's</span> work clothes are his flight suit, which never needs to be ironed and that I rarely wear any of the items in my closet that need a clean press. Because of my ironing issue, and because I do like the satisfaction of a job complete, I have always washed laundry on Wednesdays...as many loads as needed until every last article was clean and put back in its place. However, it's only hours later that something that was clean is now dirty and the cycle continues, until the laundry baskets are spilling on to the floor- which is my "nails on the chalkboard." Things <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">strewn</span> on the floor makes me absolutely bonkers...even if it is a pile of freshly folded clothes just waiting to be stowed in their proper drawers...<br /><br />*side note: My husband is an awesome laundry man. He will toil with those tall and mighty (by mighty, I mean potent) hampers until all clothes have been put through the ringer. However, he then folds them and forms them into the leaning tower of laundry and places them along the upstairs hallway like tiny ancient ruins. And those towers are just too tempting for Caroline not to run through, stomp on, or kick over like a little Godzilla. Do I complain that the job has not been completed and snicker when the neatly folded clothes have become hallway <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">lillypads</span> for my little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">froggers</span>? No. Of course I appreciate the effort...but really I'd rather do it so that it gets completely done and I don't have to look at those daunting towers every night waiting to see if he might decide to put them in their proper place. So my new system will actually solve this issue, and the job will be complete from start to finish- hooray!<br /><br />This week I had a laundry epiphany. Seriously. It will completely demolish my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ever flowing</span> piles of clothes in the hampers and on the laundry room floor! How, you ask? My new strategy is simple and brilliant. One load of laundry every (week)night. After we put the kids to bed, I bring down their dirties and gather the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">goopy</span> bibs and the overripe dishtowel and pop it in the wash. We have our down time while the laundry is washed and dried, and then it gets folded and put away while the children are nestled snugly in their beds. I know, it sounds simple. But it never <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurred</span> to me to do just one load a day- or I would foolishly start the load at the beginning of the day (only to forget about it and have to rerun it in the wash hours later or try halfheartedly to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">dewrinkle</span> by putting the "fluff" cycle on the dryer.) No no no. You see, all those lovely smelly rags and bibs and socks and last minute-must-have-for-tomorrow items are not ready or remembered unless you wait until the kiddos are in bed. AND when they're awake I rarely have the time to sort socks and his/hers/mine and actually place them in their drawers. I figure I can alternate whites one night, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">darks</span> the next so not all the laundry will be done at once, but I will avoid having those huge armloads to carry down and I might actually remember to treat the stain since it has just <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurred</span>. Hooray!!!!! <br /><br />It is just my first week of this new life strategy. I will report my progress in a few months, but I am quite optimistic that this will be one for the books!holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-26556866325544601852009-12-04T22:12:00.004-05:002009-12-04T22:50:40.599-05:00Christmas...an excuse to shop!<span style="font-family:georgia;">Oh, how I used to love to shop. I would enjoy browsing, too...I didn't have to actually spend any money, but I was quite talented in the sport during my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre-</span>Caroline years. Caroline does NOT have the gift. Not yet, anyway. Her favorite thing to do while in a store (or mall or airport or county fair or theme park...) is run full speed in the opposite direction of me, jollily laughing and escaping me by just a hair- so as to elevate the fun (for her.) Yes she will also, on occasion, run through the aisles and hide under the clothes racks...but I think that's just when she gets out of breath and needs a little breather for the next round. On extra special days she might even throw in a loud shriek or two. </span><br /><br />Yesterday bible study was cancelled, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity (read excuse) to hire a babysitter and do some Christmas shopping for the kids. I probably should have left PR at home, as shopping for him is on the same "fun" scale as having his appendix removed, but I thought he would be helpful (wrong) and enjoy picking things out for his children. Owen wanted a robot, and we had no idea what to get Caroline...Hudson will probably receive one of the toys Owen got for his first Christmas (really, do you think he's going to complain?!) The first 10 minutes at the first store were okay. But he then reached his tolerance of annual shopping minutes and began complaining about getting home (cleverly blaming it on the babysitter.) I admit, I was trying to sneak in a little extra sight seeing in the women's shoe department...but what woman can resist? Shoes are fun and fabulous and an excusable indulgence! Plus, I was sort of looking for new running shoes for him. (He didn't buy that line, either.) I left barefooted, but we accomplished our main objective. However, it was painful (for both of us).<br /><br />Oh, did I mention we ended up buying the kids' gifts online?<br /><br />The robot is SUPER cool. Check out the video!!! <a href="http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/toys/robots/robotics/tri-bot">http://www.wowwee.com/en/products/toys/robots/robotics/tri-bot</a><br /><br />Caroline is getting a little play house (which she can clutter and destroy all to herself.)<br /><a href="http://www.target.com/Playskool-Rose-Petal-Cottage-Mega/dp/B001603UBY/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1">http://www.target.com/Playskool-Rose-Petal-Cottage-Mega/dp/B001603UBY/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1</a>holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-464347768589311813.post-12999410594938731062009-12-01T23:34:00.004-05:002009-12-02T00:00:06.439-05:00Ideas for making family memoriesSo we had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Orlando...lots of family, great weather, Disney, several mornings of sleeping until 7:30am. Unfortunately, our family lost its patriarch the week before. My Pop Pop was an amazing man. Well, first off he put up with all the women in the family (we're ALL talkers, not just me.) Not just our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">yakity</span> yakking, but our sermons on how we know best about various topics, our crazy antics, our quirky <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">obsessions</span>, and our bossing him around.<br /><br />The man was 92 years old and had at least three mothers. I remember during one of his visits to our home, I had made him spaghetti squash with pesto. Now, I think it's absolutely delicious. But this is a meat and potatoes man. I'm not quite sure what I was thinking...maybe I had convinced myself that he'd think it was actually just pasta that was quite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">al</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dente</span>? Anyhow, the man took his first bite and didn't say a word, but I could see his look of confusion- what is this girl feeding me??! Despite this, he finished it.<br /><br />My memories of my Pop Pop include chocolate chocolate and more chocolate, with some trips to Disney, playing his favorite card game cribbage, sitting with him while he would watch Cash Cab or Dirty Jobs, dining at one of his favorite places, Bob Evans, and his famous expression, "Oh?"<br /><br />I feel blessed that we were close. I made a point to call often, visit as much as possible, and plan vacations with him. Can you believe in the last 10 years of his life he travelled with us to Ireland, cruised with us through the Baltic, Alaska waters, and Med...as well as a few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Caribbean</span> Cruises. (I'm talking WITH the kids.)<br /><br />And reflecting on the times we shared, my only wish is that my kids will remember him. Owen is only 5, Caroline 2....Hudson is only 7 months. Why did I not break out the video and tape more? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Grrr</span>. Pictures are just not the same. And so I urge those who would like to capture memories and precious moments...and create opportunity for you and your children to hold on to loved ones in your life, I give you these suggestions I wish I had thought of before I lost my grandparents:<br />-My grandmother was an opera singer...why couldn't I have taped her singing lullabies or children's songs...or even saved old tapes of her performing for the kids to watch???! How cool for kids to know something about their grandparents before they were grandparents?<br />-Record grandparents reading bedtime stories. Have you ever read, "I love you through and through?" A precious story. And how cool to hear a grandparent saying "I love you" to your child.<br />-Interview family members on their past. This is especially cool if they have stories to share that you may have not heard....how they met their mate, what they wanted to do as a child, their favorite flavor of ice cream....anything, really. If you have older kids, they can write the questions and do the interview. We were lucky enough to have a few interviews...whenever my Pop Pop would start telling an old sea story, I would turn on the camera and try and get it on film. And my cousin's son did a school project and interviewed Pop on how he won the Purple Heart, what it was like in the Navy, questions about fighting in a war....it was wonderful!<br />-Capture moments of the family members interacting with your children. I have Pop Pop tooting a train whistle with Owen while they create a track for Thomas, reading him a sailor story book.<br /><br />That's all for now....holleruschttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03069101481644489471noreply@blogger.com0