...this is the story of a girl who married her best friend, settled down in the desert, has two amazing children and who loves to create anything with her hands. This is my journey...
Wednesday, December 31
Monday, December 29
HOw to make marshmellows...Marshmeddows recipe
So here's the recipe....
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
vegetable-oil cooking spray
1. coat a 12x17" rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray:line with parchment paper. Then spray parchment paper: set aside. Pour 1/3 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle with gelatin; let mixture soften, about 5 minutes.
2. Place sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/3 cup water in a medium saucepan. Cover; bring to a boil.
Remove lid; cook, swirling pan occasionally, until 'soft-ball stage' about 5 minutes.
3.With mixer on low speed, whisk gelatin mixture, and slowly pour the syrup in a steady stream down the side of thw bowl ( to avoid splattering). Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is thick, white and has almost tripled in volume, about 12 minutes Add vanilla, and beat 30 seconds to combine.
4. pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand at room temp, uncovered, until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
5. Coat a 1 or 2 inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Cut out as many individual marshmallows as possible; coat cutter with more spray as needed. can be stored in an airtight container at room temp for up to a week.
So now Myla says marshmallows... but it sounds like... marshmeddows.... They lasted a long time it seems... every moment being asked for another marshmeddow... just two more marshmeddows.... please? But they were a hit and I think that I just might make them each year.
Sunday, December 14
a big HOLIDAY....
They had been decorating the cookies and Mario called her name... this is the way she would look up at us!!!!! She did this like 5x's in a row!!! We were laughing, which made her eyes twinkle even more. She really is a little angel!!! We just love her.
And what can I say about the thoughtful little boy who can spell all his own? He melts my heart.
He dressed himself... AND fixed his own hair. Do you see the little bit sticking up? He used my hair products... and he combs the front over to the side. He loves vest. And he loves projects. So this picture says alot about my son. I want to grab and kiss that little chin of his!!!
then we saw Sponge Bob.... and chased him...
and we got him...
Notice that my kids are not in the picture. Both kids are naturally shy (though I hate that word) and both of them do not care to be hugging and loving on large characters. I see the other kids who ran up to SpongeBob and almost knocked him down... mine chased him to get a better look, but thought that was just fine to get a wave.
Friday, December 12
Happy Holidays...
Thursday, December 11
Randomness.... hmmmm....
1. I met and fell in love with my husband when I was 18. I'm now 29. I feel very fortunate to have found him so very young. To watch him become the husband and dad that he is today is such a wonderful gift. I think it makes me love him more.
2. We named our son based on the fiction character Korbin Dallas from The FifthElement. We put the name in a drawer in the back of our minds and years later, the moment we found out we were expecting, there it was.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, hubby put Leeloo on the list. Sorry, but I had to draw the line somewhere.
3. My economics teacher my senior year of high school was also my mom's economics teacher her senior year, Mr. Weeks. He was the toughest teacher and he had such a reputation for just that, even then. I remember having 'Zero Days'. They were random, we never knew when, and he would call your name, you stand, he asks a question and you either got a '100' or you got a '0'. Did I mention that you could get called multiple times during that hour?
4. I like to watch Mixed Martial Arts. UFC and PRIDE. I first thought that it was barbaric and disgusting, and every now and then it still looks that way, but hubby, with his wrestling history, has finally convinced me of the technique behind the fight. Every Wednesday night we record the UFC House, and usually rotate houses with a friend on the nights the fights are on 'pay per view'. Its awesome... no, really. I'm actually learning things like, "Rear Naked Choke" or what an "Arm Bar"is ... (I have no way of knowing if that is in fact the spelling or the correct names, but its what is sounds like they are saying.)... I even have a favorite fighter, Anderson Silva. And George St.Pierre.
5. I was born on Six Six. June 6th that is. The year of 2006... I had this sales associate, I was buying a nursing bra, my little girl was only 12 days old, at Motherhood Maternity of all places, go on and on about how they would be too scared to even leave their home that day... and on and on they went. I thought it was cool in a weird way. Not in that way... just that my birthday... well you get it... it wasn't like 07-07-07... but I had my glory. My niece was born 03-03-06, which I think is neat. And while we are on numbers, this tops the cake, my son was born 6-22 and during that time I was the store manager for store #622. Weird.
6. You never know what color my hair might be. As of right now I have a light brown... with a bit of peek a boo lights underneath. I tried to go for natural. The problem is I'm not sure what that is. Every since I turned 17, my first ever color, seen here, I have HAD to do something to it. I have learned that it is much easier to save your money and pay someone to do it for you.
There is a on going joke that the kids will be going through our family photos and be like... "Who are all these random ladies with dad?" I have had platinum blonde, kinda blonde, I've been a brunette, red head, black with blonde, black with red, boring brown, dark purplish, uuummm... did I mention one time I tried to get a perm and had to cut almost every bit of my hair off. I had a short pixie cut following that traumatic event. So no, there is nothing that could scare me with hair. Its just hair and it will grow back. Hopefully.
I enjoyed this meme very much. So, again tag you are it. Leave a comment and let me know if you have contributed... I can't wait to see... and learn.
Wednesday, December 10
my first....(and my second)
When if first happened... I didn't know what to do. I was running around in a circle basically. We were sitting at the computer googling 'dehydration in toddlers', because she had diarrhea for over 24hrs, when she kinda burped. Nothing. Then she did it again and all I could do was say ... " Oh God... Oh God" and before I knew it we were in the kitchen... she was spewing all over us and the floor because her mom was so scared by the amounts coming out her that she couldn't even remember to try to catch it at least a bowl. I was a freaked out mess. Which is wild because I am more calm with bleeding wounds from the head than I was with puking. I was about to rush her to the er with us covered in throw up!!!! Luckily Julie called at that moment of my panic. She calmed me down and told me to change my clothes before I left. I think that's when I snapped out of it.
I laugh at myself when I think about what a frazzled mess I was... as for the second time... even though it was as much as a surprise as the first time... I ran straight to the bathroom and she was able to go into the toilet. This did not make her feel better about the idea at all. She in between would say " I don't awnt to" and cried the whole time. I felt horrible for her.
I can not explain the amount of laundry that I have done in the past 3 days, but its been alot. I feel as if the washer and dryer are going constantly. (And yes... I have started using the dryer again. But come spring.... I promise to be line drying all over again.)
Other news would be that I got tagged for my first time officially... go on over to gonzomamaknits and see for your self. I am to list six random things about myself and tag six others. I will have to save this awesome post for later today... but I will be pondering my answers... and if you are reading this then you are tagged, especially if you are kidsideup, CrazyMOm, Girlwithagreencard, MommyKnows, okay see thats only four. SO tag your it. Beeeee looking for my return.
p.s. I saw Twilight again. Last Sunday my book club went... how could I not go with my girls to see it. I mean, we all read the series together for goodness sake. It was great to have already seen it and them not. I kept looking around at their faces during random parts... priceless. And seeing it for the second time... the baseball scene might have been my favorite. The song, the smiles... the part when Edward and Emmett collide and fall down laughing. Awesome... Smasome... When it goes to the cheap show I just might go again!!!! And soundtrack I have already started downloading. anyways......
Saturday, December 6
Silence of the mom....
We got our tree up. No decorations yet. Thats tonight or tommorow's family project, including the lights outfront. I kinda want to put up lights on the back patio. We'll see.
I did get to see Twlight. Finally!!!! I very much enjoyed being taken back to the beginning of Edward and Bella. What a ride. I think they did what they could, and fudged when they had to... like the Cullens house. For those who love this couple... I looked long and hard for the perfect video... and by golly I think I got it. So, enjoy... if you haven't then maybe this will entice you.
Even hubby enjoyed it. He surprised me and took me to the movies... I had no clue. He pulled into the parking lot... and I'm like..."We're going to the movies?" and he just smiles. As we are walking up I have not one clue what we would be going to see... and then as we approach the ticket booth and I see the showings... I knew. Mario can be very sweet.
So it was awesome I thought. And not even so much then. But now. When my mind wonders back to the movie and I think that I just loved it. All the parts. Trying to fill hubby in on all the info with Victoria and the other books was fun. I was tripping all over myself with information.
Anyhoo... have a great weekend.
Tuesday, December 2
a little something I like...
I have the whole season saved on my dvr. Tonight hubby went to a work thing and I am catching up on my show. I tell you I am only the second show of the season (I think it was recorded like 10/5... isnt that crazy. I have like 6 to watch. And I plan to. Tonight its me and Carolan catching up on my most favorite family ever. I want to be either the mom of this large family, who is played by one of my favorite people, Sally Fields... or I want to be Kitty. I think. She's a Republican, though. (just kidding... but being married to Rob Lowe must have its benefits ;) Anyways... this is one of the shows that I fell in love with instantly... its in its third season. You should really check it out. It touches all sorts of subjects from the war, politics, family issues, its very humorous and yet it can have very high emotions... and I highly recommend it.
write again when I am all done watching...
*** update... I watched 4 shows last night... with three more to go to catch up. The last show I watched was awesome. Nora, the mom, is trying to start a life for herself. She has raised all these kids and has done some enoromous projects with fundraising and sorts... but in reality has no resume. She's a stay at home mom. She goes off on this guy because of it, he seems to think she has no experience. Well, she let him have it. And as a stay at home mom, I loved it.
Sunday, November 30
just a little note....
Sorry some of the colors are all wrong for this background. I was forced to change it because it read Happy Thanksgiving. I picked out the Christmas theme that I want but I'm not really ready to commit to the holiday just yet.
Lets enjoy fall for all that its worth. YOu are welcome to pull up a chair anytime... if you come now you could enjoy these cookies with me. Maybe even dunk them in your coffee. Do you know that Myla likes coffee? Horrible. But I relish in the thought of the day that she and I can sit at the kitchen table with a cup of joe and chit chat. This is something I do with my mom and my nanny. Sometimes it is us all together, and now with the distance between us, its cute my grandmother will purposely fix a cup of coffee and go out to her swing to chat with me on the phone.
Myla's coffee now consist of ruffly 6-8oz of milk in her sippy cup... a splash of creamer and a dash of coffee. And she always tells me, 'not too hot mommy'... and I tell her...'Be careful, go slow."
She says..."I bigger, now"
I say... "You are bigger now"
she says..."I bigger' n ToeToe"
I say... "Your bigger than Corbyn?"
she says..."Uh... huh... I bigger' n ToeToe"
I say..."Oh..."
Wednesday, November 26
Tuesday, November 25
here I am... hiding under a rock...
With good reason... I think anyway. Over the weekend, Friday night actually, Corbyn developed pink eye... both eyes... and Myla's been congested for quite a while, it was into the 11th day. So a Saturday doctors appt was just what we had...each had their own doses 2 and 3x's daily. I have disinfected every square inch of this house... multiple times. Even the pillows were washed, dried, and then put into the sun for the afternoon.
I do feel like I am back on track though... we even walked to school to pick up Corbyn ... it has been quite pleasant out...
I made 2 pumpkin pies this evening in order of getting ready and in the mood for Thankgiving... recipe here if you want to try it... (it really is the best pumpkin pie, ever. My kids will tell you so. My husband too. Did I mention that it was really easy???)
But I have been baking AND I have been working out... both really good signs for me.
take care and i hope to be back soon.
(p.s. please say an extra prayer for my sister in law, she is really having a tough time right now and needs all the positive energy sent to her ...she doesn't really see how great she can be... )
so with that said... take care and be very thankful for all that matters to you... be thankful.
later.
Sunday, November 23
pass it on...
take this video as you will. I thought it was beautiful. Simple.
Hope to inspire you. Be thankful this week and every week.
later my friends.
Monday, November 17
Kitchen Poetry:: 5
Sunday, November 16
lazy maisy's.....
Today... we all woke up late. The kids had these, but in strawberry. The parents had pumpkin cake.
Football was on ALL day. That is a given. I watch a little. After 10 years its starting to leave an impression on me... if I could just sit through the whole thing.
Myla is still feeling out of sorts. We took a steamy shower and her nose was just pouring. Using squrit of eucalyptus oil really helps out when you have a child with a cold. And it last nearly forever it seems because you only have to use a spot.
They jumped on the trampoline. They made limeade juice again. Played with playdough, homemade playdough. (toot toot)...thats my horn ;) just kidding.
We clipped coupons. I organinzed my coupons... again.
WE all took a nap. Except for Corbyn, he played with Legos. We have a nice set up for naps. Me and the little girl go to my bed... Dad falls alseep watching football on the couch (its his favorite thing to do in the whole wide world) and Corbyn plays on the floor next to him with
We moved Corbyn's furniture around in his room.
We had breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs and bacon. Very yummy.
And then I cleaned the kitchen. Monday morning is no good to start with a sink full of dirty dishes, pots and pans.
Off to get the kids settled.
Have a great night.
(p.s. Maisy is now one of Myla's favorite. Corbyn still gets caught watching it... but thinks he's much too old for it.)
Saturday, November 15
Kitchen Poetry::4
Friday, November 14
thoughtful friday...
Summer or winter, day or night,
The woods are ever a new delight;
They give us peace, and they make us strong,
Such wonderful balms to them belong;
So, living or dying, I'll take my ease,
Under the trees, under the trees.
--Richard Henry Stoddard
Today I had a great time in my son's class. I do wonder however, what else is out there in the way of education. I was a little alarmed by the amount of parent participation... one little girl hasn't completed her homepackets in two weeks. Even her school work for that amount of time was still in her folder. THis is one of the first things that my son WANTS me to see when he walks in the door. Its part of our routine. And who knows there could be all sorts of things going on in their life and who am I to judge. She is such a cute little girl and, well I invision all parents being as 'into' school as me... wanting to do everything I can to help him prepare to succeed all on his own. Oh well... more on that later... just wanted to get that off my chest. later.
Thursday, November 13
I'm starting to slack....
So no picture for Kitchen Poetry... not much of a post for NaBloPoMo... no time for even linking those two because I am so tired that I am about to pass out typing this. What is happening to me... its only 7:48pm....
Tomorrow I volunteer in Co'b's class... ALL DAY!!!! Wish me luck.
Wednesday, November 12
Wanda Sykes, you go girl...
Wanda Sykes... I love her. Listen to her take on the bailout...I know that its a little late, but wanted to humor you.
Tuesday, November 11
Kitchen Poetry::3
Monday, November 10
Kitchen Poetry::2
Campbells all the way. Though I have always been interested in making my own, I never have. Yet. A little salt, a little pepper and a little Italian seasong...its umm..uumm.. good.
I am very lucky, it is one of the few things that my husband and I throughly enjoy and the kids do too.
I remember at the hospital, hours after giving birth to my son, I was starving. It was around 4 in the morning and I had just finished nursing him and thought that I would walk down to the kitchen that they had for the patients and their spouses. (we had such an amazing experience) Mario had asked me to bring him back ceral, Frosted Flakes to be exact and milk (he had already been and knew the inventory)... I walked down the hall and I couldn't believe my eyes... there were miniture size cans of tomato soup (I even remember thinking they were cute, it must have been the hormones!!!!!) I poked around the cabinets and found stryofoam bowls and plastic spoons... and heated it up. Yes in the styrofoam bowl, shame on me. What was funny about this was the look on the nurse's face who passed me on my way back to the room... minutes after 4 am and she sees me carrying a steaming bowl of tomato soup... two small milk cartons (one for me, one for hubby) and a single serving bowl of ceral... she just smiled and I smiled back. That was it. But, back in the room while I was eating my soup it was like pure heaven and sweet home contentment... nothing could have been better at that moment. It was warm and cozy all the way down.
If I fix it, it has the ingredients mentioned earlier, and I add water. If hubby fixes it, its the same spices and he adds milk. We both love each others, but we still fix it different ways. And well the grill cheese is just an awesome excuse to dip your crust into the soup. Umm... Ummm... good I say or rather, we say...
This is a book given to me from my mother in law. She had given me some really cool items and this vintage cookbook is just one of them. There are more pictures of this book and another from the 1940's on my flickr page.
Well... I will see you tomorrow...have a good night with big dreams.
Sunday, November 9
Sunday with the family.... plus..../Kitchen Poetry ::1
Then we had breakfast. Last week my friend Julie mentioned that her friend's mom, when she was a little girl, use to make them Mickey Mouse pancakes... what a brillant idea, it had never even occured to me to do that. Easy I thought. And it was, but a few had some wonky ears. (so this is my first post for Kitchen Poetry as seen here at Simple Sparrow.
Then... we headed off to the zoo. We love the zoo. And with the great weather we are FINALLY having, it was even better. The first stop was the tree house... Pie Pie had such a great time inside... this was us.
The kids love to watch any and all animals... but this visit the ducks were the most special.
We had a great day with no rush. And to top the great day off, it rained. Yes!!!!!
Saturday, November 8
HOw to make a MUMMY tutorial:
*I bought 4 yds of an off white, very thin fabric (off the $1 a yd table)... this was plenty for my 5 yr old.
*I used gray sweat pants and a long sleeve gray t-shirt.
* 2-3 rolls of iron on adhesive tape, ultra hold.
If you plan to 'dye' the fabric... I would recommend doing it before you cut the strips (I had a huge ball of a tangle mess... and had to iron each individual strip... ugh...)
STEP ONE:
I made little snips with the scissors about 2 or 3 inches apart... and then pulled and ripped into strips.... it gave the fabric a torn look... here are the piles below.
STEP TWO:
I started from the bottom... (follow the directions on the tape)... iron tape on the pants...let cool... peel off paper.... lay strip of fabric down in place... iron again.... let cool to set before pulling too much...
(at first it was a little awkward, but quickly I got a system... because you have to let the strips cool before you could peel and get started on the next step... I started ironing on a couple of strips at a time... see below)
STEP THREE and FOUR and FIVE:
Iron, flip, iron, flip.... I would take a strip, start the end on the inseam, iron and then flip the pants over... and iron it on the back... then would flip it back over and raise it a bit and iron that side. Around and around I went.
(I also left some long pieces hanging randomly on the pants and shirt for a more 'mummy' look. And some of the long strips in turn were tied together, there is one at the bottom left leg, with a little knot.)
If you can tell from the picture, the entire strip isn't ironed on... just the width of the tape per strip... that allowed the strips not to look so stiff... they were soft and flow(y).
Some parts were a little tricky. Like the neck of the shirt. I didn't want it to be to tight to fit on my son's head. I made sure to keep the buttons undone (there were three little buttons up top) and made sure the strip was loose that went along that area) Also, notice the pants have pockets? Well, I didn't cover those up...(he wanted to keep his scary pointed teeth in there) so I just left that area with long strips or or about and inch or two left hanging.)
This was my work space... I sat here for quite a while on two different nights. Hubby and I watched t.v., well he watched I listened.
And here is my little mummy... my scary mummy. (he did not want to be cute.)
This costume was very forgiving. After doing and covering up with strips... I would take random smaller pieces and fit them in wherever they were needed.
We had plenty of strips left over... which we wrapped his head... and had a couple drap over his arms.
Happy Haunting!!!! (and good luck)