“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
― Morrie Schwartz
3 months ago
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
― J.R.R. Tolkien
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“The most important things in life aren’t things.”
Anthony J D’Angelo
Anthony J D’Angelo
Monday, June 28, 2010
Big Time Rush - Famous
They're a modern day version of The Monkees, complete with the goofy TV show. And I can't get this song out of my head!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.”
― Win Borden
― Win Borden
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
another search
We were looking for a release date of this single and album.
Baker Street (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
January 1978
Baker Street (song) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
January 1978
Monday, June 07, 2010
second search of the day
coppertone sport spray pump bottle - Google Search
and it came up with no solution for me - it doesn't exist anymore. Boo!
and it came up with no solution for me - it doesn't exist anymore. Boo!
my question of the day
My personal question of the day that I Googled an answer for was "What are the pesticide residue levels in orange juice?"
The answers that I came up with were:
"Six foods had very low TI's (10 or less) each time they were tested: Frozen/canned corn, milk, U.S. orange juice, U.S. broccoli, bananas, and canned peaches. Not quite as low, but still relatively "clean," were frozen/canned sweet peas, U.S. and imported apple juice, frozen winter squash from Mexico, tomatoes from Canada, Brazilian orange juice, and U.S. wheat." From http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/pesresinfood.html
"Pesticides are not the only contaminants in food that may affect children's health adversely. Industrial contaminants (such as dioxins, PCBs, and mercury), microbial contaminants (such as E. coli), and natural contaminants (such as aflatoxin) also can be found in foods. The Pesticide Data Program does not analyze foods for the presence of these types of contaminants, although other government programs monitor for some of them." From http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/food_contam.htm
"9 Pesticide Residues Found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program" From http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=OJ I'm going to bookmark this website for future reference, it's fantastic!
"· U.S.-grown produce generally is more likely to have higher residues than imported fruits and vegetables. There are a few significant exceptions - such as tomatoes grown in Mexico - but the data do not support the stereotype that imports have worse pesticide problems than domestic produce.
· Organochlorine pesticides banned in the 1970s still show up in foods that kids eat today. For instance, dieldrin remains in soil, and crops such as squash, cantaloupe, soybeans, sweet potatoes and spinach contain significant residues. Although its use is banned, FDA "action levels" permit dieldrin residues in foods that are higher than the EPA says is "safe."
· Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, was detected in 22 foods the PDP tested from 1994 through 1998. The highest chlorpyrifos residues show up in apples from New Zealand, grapes from Chile, tomatoes from Mexico, and domestically grown soybeans." From http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_food_safety/002324.html
I'm not sure how to interpret the information from this site but it's good for searching a WIDE variety of food items for pesticides http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp
The motherload of info on orange juice! http://www.amazon.com/Squeezed-About-Orange-Agrarian-Studies/dp/0300164556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275925384&sr=8-1 "The flavor is sourced from all parts of oranges everywhere…Typically, the orange oils and essences that juice concentrators collect during evaporation are sold to flavor manufacturers, who then reconfigure these by-products…into ‘flavor packs’ for reintroduction into orange juice."
"despite what advertisers claim, most orange juice is neither fresh nor natural (not in the way most of us would define those terms). Think about it; how could it be truly fresh year-round, when oranges are a seasonal product? Sure, it may be “not from concentrate,” but raw juice is often heated, stripped of its volatile compounds and flavor-rich oils, and stored for as long as a year before it reaches the consumer. Something called “the flavor pack” is used to return most of the “natural” aroma and taste to the product." From http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2010/04/27/squeezed-the-secrets-of-the-orange-juice-industry/
and the final hit from the first page of Google returns:
"Many parents depend on apple juice as a staple in their children’s meals and snacks away from home. However, apples are one of the Dirty Dozen. Washing and peeling do not remove pesticide residue. As a result, you can expect that any apple juice made from conventionally grown apples will also contain higher pesticide residues. A simple switch to orange juice will reduce the amount of pesticides going into growing bodies, with a healthy dose of vitamin C included." From http://hubpages.com/hub/Five-Easy-Ways-to-Reduce-Your-Familys-Pesticide-consumption
And an interesting personal note -
Last month several cartons of the orange juice that we normally get (HEB Groves Choice Lots of Pulp not from concentrate) had a definite tangerine or truly fresh-squeezed taste to them. It's a taste I normally equate with our homemade fresh orange juice made from oranges from The Valley in mid-winter which is when they are actually ripe for the picking. It was GOOD! So either it was from 6-month-old US stock from the winter and just now hitting the shelves or it was new stock from South America where it's now becoming mid-winter.
The answers that I came up with were:
"Six foods had very low TI's (10 or less) each time they were tested: Frozen/canned corn, milk, U.S. orange juice, U.S. broccoli, bananas, and canned peaches. Not quite as low, but still relatively "clean," were frozen/canned sweet peas, U.S. and imported apple juice, frozen winter squash from Mexico, tomatoes from Canada, Brazilian orange juice, and U.S. wheat." From http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/pesresinfood.html
"Pesticides are not the only contaminants in food that may affect children's health adversely. Industrial contaminants (such as dioxins, PCBs, and mercury), microbial contaminants (such as E. coli), and natural contaminants (such as aflatoxin) also can be found in foods. The Pesticide Data Program does not analyze foods for the presence of these types of contaminants, although other government programs monitor for some of them." From http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/food_contam.htm
"9 Pesticide Residues Found by the USDA Pesticide Data Program" From http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=OJ I'm going to bookmark this website for future reference, it's fantastic!
"· U.S.-grown produce generally is more likely to have higher residues than imported fruits and vegetables. There are a few significant exceptions - such as tomatoes grown in Mexico - but the data do not support the stereotype that imports have worse pesticide problems than domestic produce.
· Organochlorine pesticides banned in the 1970s still show up in foods that kids eat today. For instance, dieldrin remains in soil, and crops such as squash, cantaloupe, soybeans, sweet potatoes and spinach contain significant residues. Although its use is banned, FDA "action levels" permit dieldrin residues in foods that are higher than the EPA says is "safe."
· Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, was detected in 22 foods the PDP tested from 1994 through 1998. The highest chlorpyrifos residues show up in apples from New Zealand, grapes from Chile, tomatoes from Mexico, and domestically grown soybeans." From http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_food_safety/002324.html
I'm not sure how to interpret the information from this site but it's good for searching a WIDE variety of food items for pesticides http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp
The motherload of info on orange juice! http://www.amazon.com/Squeezed-About-Orange-Agrarian-Studies/dp/0300164556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275925384&sr=8-1 "The flavor is sourced from all parts of oranges everywhere…Typically, the orange oils and essences that juice concentrators collect during evaporation are sold to flavor manufacturers, who then reconfigure these by-products…into ‘flavor packs’ for reintroduction into orange juice."
"despite what advertisers claim, most orange juice is neither fresh nor natural (not in the way most of us would define those terms). Think about it; how could it be truly fresh year-round, when oranges are a seasonal product? Sure, it may be “not from concentrate,” but raw juice is often heated, stripped of its volatile compounds and flavor-rich oils, and stored for as long as a year before it reaches the consumer. Something called “the flavor pack” is used to return most of the “natural” aroma and taste to the product." From http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2010/04/27/squeezed-the-secrets-of-the-orange-juice-industry/
and the final hit from the first page of Google returns:
"Many parents depend on apple juice as a staple in their children’s meals and snacks away from home. However, apples are one of the Dirty Dozen. Washing and peeling do not remove pesticide residue. As a result, you can expect that any apple juice made from conventionally grown apples will also contain higher pesticide residues. A simple switch to orange juice will reduce the amount of pesticides going into growing bodies, with a healthy dose of vitamin C included." From http://hubpages.com/hub/Five-Easy-Ways-to-Reduce-Your-Familys-Pesticide-consumption
And an interesting personal note -
Last month several cartons of the orange juice that we normally get (HEB Groves Choice Lots of Pulp not from concentrate) had a definite tangerine or truly fresh-squeezed taste to them. It's a taste I normally equate with our homemade fresh orange juice made from oranges from The Valley in mid-winter which is when they are actually ripe for the picking. It was GOOD! So either it was from 6-month-old US stock from the winter and just now hitting the shelves or it was new stock from South America where it's now becoming mid-winter.
Friday, June 04, 2010
enough
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
― Buddha
― Buddha
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Waylon on the hunt
From last month. On Friday Park Days Waylon spends over 2 hours swimming in the creek hunting dragonflies, water striders, tadpoles, fish and birds.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
maybe again when she turns 16
6 years ago today, Giselle awoke to a ceiling full of 3 dozen balloons on her 3rd birthday. Never again have I surprised her like that but maybe I'll do it again when she turns 16. 16 dozen balloons - now THAT will be impressive!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
― James Arthur Baldwin
― James Arthur Baldwin
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
Texas Stars
We went to our first Texas Stars ice hockey game tonight. The kids had a blast and we'll be sure to go again, a lot!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Alyss of Wonderland
I just finished reading book one of three in the Looking Glass trilogy by Frank Beddor. And I just finished reserving the next 2 books in the series online with the City library system!
I've been on a string of successes with the books that I've chosen to check out of the library and have just poured through them. Giselle has been inspired by this and reads her books at every opportunity - first thing in the morning, after school, and before bed.
I've been on a string of successes with the books that I've chosen to check out of the library and have just poured through them. Giselle has been inspired by this and reads her books at every opportunity - first thing in the morning, after school, and before bed.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Saturday, May 01, 2010
reading and water
I spent 6 hours today reading the entire book "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike. Most of that time I was sitting out on the back porch overseeing the kids play with the hose - filling the pool twice and using one of the Slip-n-Slides for the first time this season. Waylon was not impressed - he prefers his water in creek or river form like it was for 2 hours yesterday at the park.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage." ― Martin Luther
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Jars Of Clay - Flood
We didn't take any pictures but we saw this band sing this song and others live at the State Capitol this afternoon in support of The United Methodist Church's Imagine No Malaria campaign kickoff. It was a really good show and a lot of money was raised.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
love bites
Waylon is a nibbler, especially when he's really happy. Fingers and bums are his favorite.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Books
As a family we're reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. We're on book 2 of 5.
Giselle is currently reading the Pure Dead series by Debi Gliori. She's on book 2 of 6.
Paul's currently reading every Pokemon book that the library has in stock.
I'm currently reading all the books in the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong (and rereading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer for the 5th time).
Joe's reading some manual or another.
Giselle is currently reading the Pure Dead series by Debi Gliori. She's on book 2 of 6.
Paul's currently reading every Pokemon book that the library has in stock.
I'm currently reading all the books in the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong (and rereading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer for the 5th time).
Joe's reading some manual or another.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
He's Here!!!
Waylon on his first morning, out cruising the property line.
Checking on the birds in the neighbor's back yard.
Making a second lap around.
After a hard afternoon at the park.
Learning what "dog tired" means - 7 am run, 8 am breakfast, play in the back yard, 10 am walk, car trips all over town, another walk, playing in the backyard, swimming and playing with other dogs at the park for 2 & 1/2 hours, pre-dinner nap (picture), dinner, help take out the trash, another run at 9 pm, and he put himself to bed at 9:15!
Checking on the birds in the neighbor's back yard.
Making a second lap around.
After a hard afternoon at the park.
Learning what "dog tired" means - 7 am run, 8 am breakfast, play in the back yard, 10 am walk, car trips all over town, another walk, playing in the backyard, swimming and playing with other dogs at the park for 2 & 1/2 hours, pre-dinner nap (picture), dinner, help take out the trash, another run at 9 pm, and he put himself to bed at 9:15!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Praying Manti
The first of our 2 Chinese Praying Mantis egg sacks hatched today!
So, we're in the middle of school, I think we were just finishing History (Story of the World Volume 2), and all of a sudden Giselle shouts out "It's hatching! My praying mantis egg is hatching!!" After staring at it for a few minutes, we decide that it'd be better to let them all hatch out outside in freedom instead of in the mesh cage. It took quite a while for them all to hatch. I got some weeding done in the meantime. The instructions said that from 20 to 200 would hatch, I think we got the 200 one! Hopefully Paul's has just as many inside when it hatches in another few days.
I took pictures but they were so tiny and almost see-through so they didn't photograph very well. Not that that's stopped me from posting pictures before. It's mainly that I didn't feel like downloading them onto the computer.
So, we're in the middle of school, I think we were just finishing History (Story of the World Volume 2), and all of a sudden Giselle shouts out "It's hatching! My praying mantis egg is hatching!!" After staring at it for a few minutes, we decide that it'd be better to let them all hatch out outside in freedom instead of in the mesh cage. It took quite a while for them all to hatch. I got some weeding done in the meantime. The instructions said that from 20 to 200 would hatch, I think we got the 200 one! Hopefully Paul's has just as many inside when it hatches in another few days.
I took pictures but they were so tiny and almost see-through so they didn't photograph very well. Not that that's stopped me from posting pictures before. It's mainly that I didn't feel like downloading them onto the computer.
Monday, April 05, 2010
soon?
We're still giving Joe some time but the kids and I are going to explode if we don't have one of these by Memorial Day!
Seriously, aren't these the cutest dogs?!
Seriously, aren't these the cutest dogs?!
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Saturday, April 03, 2010
not posting!
I sent a lot of great pictures from the carnival tonight but since none of my mobile pics are uploading STILL none of them are here currently.
We had a lot of fun!
I'll post the pictures here another day.
We had a lot of fun!
I'll post the pictures here another day.
Friday, April 02, 2010
An early dinner at Romeo's 3-30
We stopped by Romeo's restaurant on Barton Springs after the museum for an early dinner.
Laguna Gloria with friends 3-30
A last minute field trip to the Laguna Gloria Art Museum with another home school family. A great way to spend a beautiful day.
+ one more kid 03-28
We added another child to the fun and ended up with 5 kids and 1 adult riding home on the golf cart
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
― Eleanor Roosevelt
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
problem
I've been trying to post pictures mobilly for the last several days but none of them have been getting through. Sorry
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Real Simple Magazine Daily Thought
“Friendship, love, health, energy, enthusiasm, and joy are the things that make life worth living and exploring.”
― Denise Austin
― Denise Austin
Senor Don Gato
We learned this song in Spanish Class today and this, by far, is the best video for the song!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Annual events
Every year on Thanksgiving weekend we put up the greenhouse and every year on the weekend closest to the Ides of March (the 15th) we take down the greenhouse. And by 'we' I mean me with some minor assistance on the main panel.
So today I took down 2 of the 3 panels; I'll take down the 3rd panel tomorrow evening or Monday morning.
So today I took down 2 of the 3 panels; I'll take down the 3rd panel tomorrow evening or Monday morning.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
50% Off Mexican Food at Iron Cactus - LivingSocial Deals
50% Off Mexican Food at Iron Cactus - LivingSocial Deals
Offer is good for only another 20 hours from now. Must be used by May 31, 2010. Good at the Galleria location!
Offer is good for only another 20 hours from now. Must be used by May 31, 2010. Good at the Galleria location!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Dr Laura's opinion and me agreeing
Doctor Laura on the devaluation of real relationships by the "Famous People"
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2010/02/25/hollywood-hookups/
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2010/02/25/hollywood-hookups/
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Spring is here!
Tomorrow is the unofficial First Day of Spring here - true winter starts Jan 1 and ends Feb 14 in Austin. We'll maybe have about a dozen random nights with a freeze between now and March 12 but pretty much all the days will be above 55 from here on out. Sorry friends in the NE, but this's why I live HERE not where you are.
My Father's House
My Father's House
words and music copyright by Audio Adrenaline
I don't know where you lay your head
or where you call your home
I don't know where you eat your meals
or where you talk on the phone
I don't know if you got a cook
a butler or a maid
I don't know if you got a yard
with a hammock in the shade
I don't know if you got some shelter
say a place to hide
I don't know if you live with friends
in whom you can confide
I don't know if you got a family
say a mom or dad
I don't know if you feel love at all
but I bet you wish you had
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
It's a big big house
with lots and lots a room
A big big table
with lots and lots of food
A big big yard
where we can play football
A big big house
Its my Fathers house
Ibidibidee bop bop bow whew! yeah!
All I know is a big ole house
with rooms for everyone
All I know is lots a land
where we can play and run
All I know is you need love
and I've got a family
All I know is you're all alone
so why not come with me?
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
It's a big big house
with lots and lots a room
A big big table
with lots and lots of food
A big big yard
where we can play football
A big big house
Its my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
It's a big big house
with lots and lots a room
A big big table
with lots and lots of food
A big big yard
where we can play football
A big big house
Its my Fathers house
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
more
Oh, and 5 more Lego kits and 2 more Playmobil kits entered the house this evening from the party. Good thing Paul got some bigger storage bins for his birthday too!!
soap
I just gotta say, I LOVE the scent of the Lemon Verbena Mrs Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap. It's just so refreshing!!
Sunday, bloody Sunday
One kid sliced his finger open at the party today on the bamboo stays inside of the Mexican pinata. He and his brother got their cupcake and ice cream cup to-go.
The rest of the party stayed blood free which is actually a pretty amazing feat considering that in just our group there were 15 boys and 2 girls riding around the park on scooters, bikes, roller blades and skate boards.
Once again, the weather was in our favor for an outdoor party in the middle of January. It wasn't the 66 to 68 degrees they had promised but 63 was wonderful in the sunshine.
I need to work on the latest knitting projects (another hat for me, another washcloth, and a sample square) and finish them up so I can start on the hats for preemies that our church knitting group is starting on and a scarf for a friend so I'm outta here.
The rest of the party stayed blood free which is actually a pretty amazing feat considering that in just our group there were 15 boys and 2 girls riding around the park on scooters, bikes, roller blades and skate boards.
Once again, the weather was in our favor for an outdoor party in the middle of January. It wasn't the 66 to 68 degrees they had promised but 63 was wonderful in the sunshine.
I need to work on the latest knitting projects (another hat for me, another washcloth, and a sample square) and finish them up so I can start on the hats for preemies that our church knitting group is starting on and a scarf for a friend so I'm outta here.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
making the cupcakes
I'm about to start making the cupcakes. For the first time I'm going to use cake flour, wish me luck!
Friday, January 15, 2010
The pirate ship has docked
Playmobil set no 5775 with 291 pieces is now fully assembled!
I love that Playmobil instructions are so detailed that they even show how to tie the correct boating knots when putting the strings on the ship!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
new
We got 4 foot by 2 foot drip pans to contain the dog's drips while she sleeps. They work well!
Paul got a giant Playmobil pirate ship for his birthday today. I haven't finished building it yet.
Only 14 cookies remain of the 91 baked this afternoon.
I lit 36 snake fireworks in the church parking lot after dinner tonight to the delight of a half-dozen small boys and girls.
Everyone at dinner at church tonight sang "Happy Birthday" to Paul after the opening prayer.
Paul woke up this morning and said that he had just had the greatest dream. He said he dreamed that he got a giant hug from everyone and that was the greatest gift that he could ask for. What an awesome kid! So Giselle climbed over me and gave him a giant hug. Another awesome kid!
Paul got a giant Playmobil pirate ship for his birthday today. I haven't finished building it yet.
Only 14 cookies remain of the 91 baked this afternoon.
I lit 36 snake fireworks in the church parking lot after dinner tonight to the delight of a half-dozen small boys and girls.
Everyone at dinner at church tonight sang "Happy Birthday" to Paul after the opening prayer.
Paul woke up this morning and said that he had just had the greatest dream. He said he dreamed that he got a giant hug from everyone and that was the greatest gift that he could ask for. What an awesome kid! So Giselle climbed over me and gave him a giant hug. Another awesome kid!
Saturday, January 09, 2010
too cold
Paul and I spent the day inside playing Legos and Sega Genesis video games.
Giselle spent the day down in the workshop with Joe. They went out for lunch with some other people but Paul and I stayed home.
Giselle spent the day down in the workshop with Joe. They went out for lunch with some other people but Paul and I stayed home.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Baby it's cold outside
It was fun to watch my VERY COLD dehydrated outdoor potted plants spring back to life after I poured water on the soil. See, the roots of a potted plant with dried out soil can easily be as cold as the air temperature (below freezing). BUT if the soil is damp (full of water) then the soil and the roots in it stay at the temp of the frozen water (32 degrees). This is why you can stay warm in an igloo when it's 30 below zero outside - with all of that ice, the air around you stays at 32 degrees instead of dropping lower.
Our thermometer is reading 33 right now right next to the house. Too bad that's Fahrenheit not Celsius.
Our thermometer is reading 33 right now right next to the house. Too bad that's Fahrenheit not Celsius.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
tooth
Paul lost tooth number 7 during dinner tonight. Top right 2nd incisor. That's 7 teeth out and in since March plus two 6-yr-old molars since December of 08. Giselle is anxious for her top two canine teeth to come out just not before her two bottom canines finish coming in all the way.
upcoming
Well, the invitation has been sent so it's time to make room for more Playmobil and Lego sets.
I'll make 6 dozen cookies to take to PE on the real birthday, another 6 dozen to take to dinner at church that night, and then the cake(?) for the party. I'm thinking cupcakes though because they're easier to serve but it's more fun for me to decorate a cake. I'll have to pour through my cookie recipes to find several that will decorate easily. I might really NEED to buy some flour this time around, instead of THINKING that I need to - I've actually used up all those packages that I kept buying every time.
Oh, and I can't forget to get to buy hot chocolate mix. I know, gross and lazy. But I've got to make enough for 13 active boys and that's the easiest way to make bulk. Wait, no it's not. It'd take just as long to boil water as it would to heat the milk and melt the chocolate. That's it, no fake hot chocolate for THIS birthday party! Assuming 2 cups per kid makes 26 cups of hot chocolate, times 8 oz per cup equals ... 208 oz ... 2 gallons of milk should do it just fine and I just so happen to have a 2 gallon Thermos beverage container.
I'll need some mini marshmallows to go with it, either that or some cans of whipped cream. Oh, I see a food fight in my future if I get the whipped cream so that's out. Do I get the old fashioned paper cups with the fold-out handles or just get the plastic cups and let the kids burn their hands?
Decisions, decisions!
I'll make 6 dozen cookies to take to PE on the real birthday, another 6 dozen to take to dinner at church that night, and then the cake(?) for the party. I'm thinking cupcakes though because they're easier to serve but it's more fun for me to decorate a cake. I'll have to pour through my cookie recipes to find several that will decorate easily. I might really NEED to buy some flour this time around, instead of THINKING that I need to - I've actually used up all those packages that I kept buying every time.
Oh, and I can't forget to get to buy hot chocolate mix. I know, gross and lazy. But I've got to make enough for 13 active boys and that's the easiest way to make bulk. Wait, no it's not. It'd take just as long to boil water as it would to heat the milk and melt the chocolate. That's it, no fake hot chocolate for THIS birthday party! Assuming 2 cups per kid makes 26 cups of hot chocolate, times 8 oz per cup equals ... 208 oz ... 2 gallons of milk should do it just fine and I just so happen to have a 2 gallon Thermos beverage container.
I'll need some mini marshmallows to go with it, either that or some cans of whipped cream. Oh, I see a food fight in my future if I get the whipped cream so that's out. Do I get the old fashioned paper cups with the fold-out handles or just get the plastic cups and let the kids burn their hands?
Decisions, decisions!
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
un-socialized
So my unsocialized homeschooled 8 yr old is at her second sleepover with public schooled kids in as many nights. I'm awaiting a request for another one tomorrow night but that one will be turned down since we've got a family game-night party to go to instead. There are another 3 possible sleepovers before AISD starts up again on Tuesday, I'm sure that her dance card will be full.
We watched Ella Enchanted at last night's sleepover. Joe liked it a lot.
We watched Ella Enchanted at last night's sleepover. Joe liked it a lot.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Blech!
A day of cold rain - Blech!
3 days of no rain and 60 degrees - not so blech.
Hurry up tomorrow!
3 days of no rain and 60 degrees - not so blech.
Hurry up tomorrow!
Dr Laura AGAIN
Dr Laura's got it right, or rather, one of her callers has got it right.
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2009/12/29/the-most-important-job-in-the-world/
http://www.drlaurablog.com/2009/12/29/the-most-important-job-in-the-world/
Saturday, December 26, 2009
presents
I am delighted to report that, other than the DVD set of all 124 episodes of The Pink Panther and a GIANT cool clock, not a single electronic or battery powered gift was received by any household members this Christmas!
Although a handheld GPS unit for geocaching like our friends got WOULD be fun!
Although a handheld GPS unit for geocaching like our friends got WOULD be fun!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas food 2009
Breakfast:
baked blueberry french toast
bagels and english muffins with blueberry cream cheese, smoked salmon mousse, pineapple cream cheese, garlic basil cream cheese, and plain cream cheese
Lunch:
molten brownies
special dip with orange peppers and cauliflower
olives
jalapeno cheese balls
hatch green chili chips
crackers
muenster and brie cheese
nuts
chex mix
pretzel wreaths
candy
spiced shrimp
pizza quesadillas
candy
oranges & bananas
Dinner:
smoked turkey
smoked
potatoes
roasted green beans
dressing
salad
roasted ayote & pipian squashes
yeast rolls
assorted wines
Shiner Cheer beer
sparkling grape juice
chocolate cherry cheesecake
jumbleberry crunch pie w/ fresh whipped cream
baked blueberry french toast
bagels and english muffins with blueberry cream cheese, smoked salmon mousse, pineapple cream cheese, garlic basil cream cheese, and plain cream cheese
Lunch:
molten brownies
special dip with orange peppers and cauliflower
olives
jalapeno cheese balls
hatch green chili chips
crackers
muenster and brie cheese
nuts
chex mix
pretzel wreaths
candy
spiced shrimp
pizza quesadillas
candy
oranges & bananas
Dinner:
smoked turkey
smoked
potatoes
roasted green beans
dressing
salad
roasted ayote & pipian squashes
yeast rolls
assorted wines
Shiner Cheer beer
sparkling grape juice
chocolate cherry cheesecake
jumbleberry crunch pie w/ fresh whipped cream
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Eating the gingerbread house
Follow-up: Less than one hour after this picture was taken, the remains were thrown away. The fun in gingerbread houses is in the making, not necessarily in the eating.
Monday, December 21, 2009
sale shopping
9 pm at Michael's (Have to go back tomorrow because they misapplied my 50% off coupon).
10 pm at Old Navy (Awesome sales for stocking up on winter coats for the kids for the next few years).
11 pm at Toys-R-Us (They were out of stock of the item I was going for but I got something to tide us over until I find what I'm really looking for.
10 pm at Old Navy (Awesome sales for stocking up on winter coats for the kids for the next few years).
11 pm at Toys-R-Us (They were out of stock of the item I was going for but I got something to tide us over until I find what I'm really looking for.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Lunch at Hut's
Friday, December 18, 2009
Frisbees
I bought 9 of these http://s3.amazonaws.com/wootsaleimages/Wham-O_Soft_Catch_Frisbee_Disc___3_PackpxlDetail.jpg for the kids (and Joe and me) for Christmas. Because like squirt guns, you can never have too many Frisbees!
soon
This afternoon as I bailed on loading the bikes onto the bike rack to take to the park because I didn't want to have to unload them and put them away before we went to dinner. Because of that I've bought us a giant cable lock for Christmas to lock the bikes to the car in the future. Then again, I didn't feel like having to unload the bikes and put them away in the shed AFTER dinner either so...
But by this time next week the kids will both be proud owners of Razor A2 Scooters and I'll be able to toss them into the back of the car every week to take to the park on Fridays and for after Saints on Wednesdays!
Although it IS good exercise to load and unload the bikes from the hitch-mounted 50 lb bike rack that has to installed and removed every time we use them. The disadvantage of living on a poorly paved hill in a hilly neighborhood, oh well...
But by this time next week the kids will both be proud owners of Razor A2 Scooters and I'll be able to toss them into the back of the car every week to take to the park on Fridays and for after Saints on Wednesdays!
Although it IS good exercise to load and unload the bikes from the hitch-mounted 50 lb bike rack that has to installed and removed every time we use them. The disadvantage of living on a poorly paved hill in a hilly neighborhood, oh well...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
joining the masses
I got the last 2 Razor Scooters today at Toys-R-Us while the kids were at PE. The place wasn't as crazy as I expected it to be but it was still a pretty full store. The checkout lanes were moving very well - many lanes open and no lane had more than 2 people in it - one person checking out and one person waiting. I was impressed.
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