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Thursday, December 29, 2011

Pirate Pasta from Parents mag- big hit with the kids..very easy

Pirate Pasta


Pirate Pasta
Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 8

  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories 231
  • Protein(gm)12
  • Carbohydrate(gm)36
  • Fat, total(gm)5
  • Cholesterol(mg)55
  • Saturated fat(gm)1
  • Monosaturated fat(gm)3
  • Dietary Fiber, total(gm)5
  • Sugar, total(gm)2
  • Vitamin A(IU)1166
  • Vitamin C(mg)9
  • Thiamin(mg)0
  • Riboflavin(mg)0
  • Niacin(mg)1
  • Pyridoxine (Vit. B6)(mg)0
  • Cobalamin (Vit. B12)(µg)0
  • Sodium(mg)136
  • Potassium(mg)64
  • Calcium(DV %)30
  • Iron(DV %)3

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ingredients
  • 1 13 1/4 ounce package dried whole grain pasta shells
  • 2 4 ounce package frozen cooked tiny shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 5 ounce package fresh baby spinach
  • 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Sea salt and pepper
Make It 1. In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions, adding the shrimp the last 1 minute of cooking. Drain and return to pot.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add spinach. Cook, tossing with tongs, for 1 to 2 minutes or until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon peel and juice.
3. Add spinach mixture to pasta mixture in pot. Toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle each serving with additional olive oil, if desired.
 
Makes: 8 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

YUMMY BLACK BEAN SOUP RECIPE

Here's a basic recipe riffed off The Silver Palate

Black Bean Soup with Chicken Sausage

Ingredients:
1-pound bag of black beans
(Follow above prep, or somehow soak and cook the beans in a stock you like. What you will need is a pot full of cooked beans with about four inches of broth above the beans.)
Or you could skip all that and crack open four or five cans of black beans. Rinse them and then add to your favorite stock.
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
1 red or yellow pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 zucchini or a hand full of green beans, chopped small
1 large can diced tomatoes
5 links chicken sausage, cut into very small pieces
2 teaspoons cumin
pinch of dried oregano
crushed red pepper, or cayenne
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon sherry
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or white if you don’t have brown, or suconot)
For garnish bowls
Cilantro, finely chopped
lime wedges
grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, or your favorite)
sliced jalapenos
sour cream
Start with the beans and broth in a big soup pot. Add the tomatoes with the juice and put on simmer.
In a deep frying pan pour olive oil to coat bottom. When the oil releases a fruity smell add the crushed red pepper, then the garlic. Let it release, then add the onion. Let it sweat a little, but not brown. Then add the other veggies. Let them sweat a bit. Add cumin and oregano.
Move the veggies over to the side of the pan and add the chicken sausage. Let the chicken sausage brown a bit, then stir it in with the veggies.
After it has cooked a bit, dump the whole load into the soup pot. Cook for about an hour. Add the sherry and the sugar. Cook for another 45 minutes. (If you don’t have this much time, just add the sherry and sugar with everything else.)
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with quinoa, which is delicious scooped right into the bowl, and garnish dishes so people can dress the soup themselves.
This soup is even better the next day.

MY FIRST BORN SON'S SURGERY

Gabe was SOO brave today- I am so proud of him! All the doctors and
nurses couldn't believe how amazing he was- not once did he cry or
complain- he was VERRY laid back- we woke up at 5- headed to the
hospital (just gabe and I, as daddy stayed home with harry to let him
sleep a little) got him checked in- headed to pre-op to get
settled..and then i walked with the whole team as they wheeled him in
his bed into the operating room.. And that's when I lost it- this team
was amazing- one girl in the front is blowing bubbles for gabe to pop
as we walked down the long hall- everyone was holding a hand, leg, arm
of his, rubbing it- telling him how amazing he was- then we got into
the room- and they put the mask over his face (he chose root beer
flavor gas) and he took a few breaths, gave my hand one BIG squeeze-
and he was out! - and so was I- back the waiting room- for over an hour-
but luckily daddy and harry came and soon after the doctor came and
told us that everything went great





Monday, December 26, 2011

Melissa Coleman :: Author :: This Life Is in Your Hands

Melissa Coleman :: Author :: This Life Is in Your Hands

WHAT A GREAT BOOK...
if anyone is looking for a amazing book that you cant put down-
Set on a rugged coastal homestead during the 1970s, This Life Is in Your Hands introduces a superb young writer driven by the need to uncover the truth of a childhood tragedy and connect anew with the beauty and vitality of the back-to-the land ideal that shaped her early years.
this is what i wrote on her facebook page
OMG.... i felt like i was reading about my own childhood..BUT not quite..
I was so moved by your writting, your beautiful story telling- and the way that you captured it all and put it into such an amazing memoire... I immediatly told my mom- dad, sister, friends to read it because it moved me so much..my heart just connected and ached for you all- as a mom, and a daughter- i empathasixed with everyone..and ehen i read about that the guy who did the burt and I stoires was at your place- i even more was freaking out b/c my father (who had a very similar upbringing as your dad and mom) tells me those funny stores with his nose plugged ll the time "bert and i..." just so many parallels to my upbringing- except ours was in vermont at the end of a dirt road and eventually accepted some modern advances- such as a washing machiene- and one day- maybe 10 - 15 years later- even HEAT-
anyway- i wont go on and on
I just wantes to let you know how amazined i was by your book- how beautiful writen it was- how i thought you did such an amaziog job of telling your story. I would love to know how everyone is now

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Soup's On!

Soup's On!


This is SO yummy- SO easy- very cheap- I didn't even have to go to the grocery store
(although i did omit the celery)
and best of all ... everyone in the family LOVED it

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

That time of the month

So I have noticed..especially the older I get, or maybe just since having kids, my periods have gotten stronger , but I have also noticed SUCH stages of my cycle that occur EVERY month..
For example
After my period is over,., I'm am the BEST to be around, to even keeled, happy, spirits UP
Then about second week..when I'm ovulating ..all I want is WINGS?? Maybe this is closer to the week before my period ..but WiNGS?? It's been like this for almost. Year, hot wings ..and daily..
Nothing else, but wings
The a few days before my period..like 4-5 chocolate..not much, but I notice that I crave a little bite of Brandon's chocolate ice cream, or need a few bits of chocolate , or a piece of. Choc. Cookie
Then period comes. I feel bloated, tired, irritable( that may be more in the chocolate stage) verrrry weepy
And then it's gone ..
And it's smooth sailing again

Oh I feel so gutted for the female race, so unfair to have to go through these ups and downs and the cyclical changes ALL the time..
Hmmmmm
I can't imagine what it must be like to walk a day in a A mans shoes

GREAT find at Costco today

Not only is it adorable.. The kids love it , AND.. It inspires them to drink TONS of water:)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Paint in Numbers

Paint in Numbers: Crafts: Time to Party and Paint

Finally- a new cool place to do crafts with the kids- think this sounds great
especially with the Holidays approaching- gifts??
I can't wait to try it with the boys

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Happiness..a given gift, or a lifelong excercise


So I am curious..
Are some people just born happy..positive people
And are others..always spry of struggling to get there.. Never quite satisfied..always having to TRY to be happy??
Or is it, location of where you,live? Maybe the neighborhood/town/state is just wrong for you..and if you moved to a ,ore suitable place..THEN you would be happy??
This is a question I think we are all plagued with, but tonight I am especially worried about it because of my husband
He Is similar enough to me, that I can understand him
But at the same time..I have lived with him for 10years and after this last move..away from our families, home, life and all the sacrifices myself and our two little joys have made
I find myself less and less patient with his " unhappiness "
Tonight I overheard him on the phone basically saying how much he didn't like it here, how he was just counting down the days until winter was over
And this made me sad .. Mad.. Confused
We moved here for his work after all..
And. Think I hoped that after passing his huge exam..then he would be happy
I am afraid... He is one of those..wishers..never quite content..never going to be happy types
Ever since I have known him he has talked of saving his money for retirement, how amazing retirement would be..
I just wonder..why waist life not letting yourself be happy.waiting for something to make you happy ..shouldn't it just happen?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thursday, September 29, 2011

TARGET chooses Williston

TARGET chooses Williston

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO

it's been 2 VERY long years that i have been without my targee...

when we moved here two years ago- and i found out there was no target in the whole STATE- i couldn't believe it

I packed the boys in to the car and drove to Plattsburg NY ...to get my fix..

and Now....After many quiet rumors- it looks like its true.. TARGET is ..not only coming to VERMONT..but its coming to my town.. and RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME :)))))
oh happy day

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Rabe-and-White Bean Stoup Recipe - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Rabe-and-White Bean Stoup Recipe - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Dinner tonight..
very good- hearty- good for a cold fall night- although it was a bit more time consuming than I thought... for just a pretty good meal..
That being said- I would try it- I am always looking for a yummy one pot meal that's healthy and my husband will like as well

OH AND... I added crushed red pepper flakes- bc i like spice and that made it FAB!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Delicious dinner..

Buffalo chicken thighs...from cooking light
So very yummy


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, September 26, 2011

http://www.athleta.net/chi/2011/09/23/30-days-of-new-challenge-giveaway/?tid=atem000541&EV=ATHB9252011&CD=ABRLU_AAC&DI=60822074

http://www.athleta.net/chi/2011/09/23/30-days-of-new-challenge-giveaway/?tid=atem000541&EV=ATHB9252011&CD=ABRLU_AAC&DI=60822074

I WANT TO GET MORE INTO MOUNTAIN BIKING- AS AN AVID RUNNER- I HAVE STARTED TO ENJOY HOPING ON MY BIKE BEFORE I GET THE BOYS FROM SCHOOL- AND I FIND THAT I AM EXHILARATED- I LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF THE HILLS- ROCKS- CRAZY TERRAIN- AND ALL THE WHILE- TAKING IN THE BREATH TAKING FALL FOLIAGE HAPPENING ALL AROUND ME

Sunday, September 25, 2011

A day in the life of a stay at home mama: WHAT A GREAT DAY WITH MY SWEET LITTLE FAMILY

A day in the life of a stay at home mama: WHAT A GREAT DAY WITH MY SWEET LITTLE FAMILY: TODAY WAS A DAY I HOPE TO HOLD CLOSE FOR A LONG TIME... these past few weeks i have been feeling so disconnected- with the boys seeming so ...

WHAT A GREAT DAY WITH MY SWEET LITTLE FAMILY


TODAY WAS A DAY I HOPE TO HOLD CLOSE FOR A LONG TIME...
these past few weeks i have been feeling so disconnected- with the boys seeming so old- school starting- my hubby and I passing like 2 ships in the night..
But, today- today was a perfect day..
the sun was out and warm- and we all had a blast
its been a long time since all 4 of us have had sach a special great time together..all as one..
and i got it today- i feel so fulfilled...
sometimes- its a MUST..to just pack everyone into the car- away from tv, Wii, neighborhood kids coming over to distract them...and take off for the day- so the family can come together- really connect
most weekends at home I feel like its so easy for us all- to slip into our webs- the kids go off with the neighborhood kids- hubby gets into golf ot football on tv and i seek and SEEK trying to find that connection...often left feeling lolney- ending up cleaning, cooking, paying bills, etc. and i hate how unconnected i feel at the end of the weekend- our only time we have together as a family..because i know once monday comes- daddy goes back to work all hours- and the boys and i get back into the routine of shool, tennis, soccer, homework- bed, etc etc
and i end up feeling sooo sick of the monitney
but today WAS AMAZING... a day to hold onto and remember and hope for many more like it to come
today i feel happy. i feel in love and loved

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Saturday, September 24, 2011

ENJOY THEM NOW BECAUSE THEY WILL BE GONE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT

There he is ...my BABY boy.. so sweet, so loving...I found some old movies the other day that we watched and he was 3 - his brother about 8 months- and his little VOICE... oh my lord- it took every ounce of power i could muster not to blubber on and on about- WHERE DID MY BABIES GO??? how did they get old SO fast
This is something older women have said to me all the time- in passing..Commenting on how cute they are/were.. and they always would sigh and say- enjoy 'em now because they be grown before you know it.
And man if that aint the truth..
But what I am trying to do (its almost impossible) is enjoy them NOW? why do I look behind me all the time- missing this time or that- or this stage or time..
I need to try to LIVE IN THE MOMENT....
but why is that so hard for me to do????
will I always struggle with this, or, is it simply, that that time- that precious time when your children are babies/toddlers..is one of the most precious times ever? before they can really argue with you- complain- disagree...
im not sure- reagrdless- I LOVE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM.... they are the best things that have ever happened to me and I feel sort of like in a mid life crissis now- at each stage- as they need me less and less
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

BEST EVER SHRIMP/PASTA RECIPE

SOOO EASY.. SOOO YUMMY AND BEST OF ALL- EVERYONE LOVED IT- KIDS, HUBBY AND ME :)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

I want a man cave

Am I crazy???
First of all..why was/ is it..only men can have a cave..
A quiet special place to retreat.. All of the,luxuries they desire,.no kids..wife allowed..only tv, recliners , food and beer
And where does the woman go? The kitchen???
Well screw that..
I want my own man cave
At the end of the day..(9 ) kids asleep
All I Want is to retreat with my book, tv shows, glass of wine
And not be bothered???


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday, September 16, 2011

HE PASSED

Well, after 2 years of studying, 3 times of taking and failing..
My husband passed his huge test today (24? 36?)
For the past two years he has worked from 7 am until 7 pm then went to study until 10 or 11 and most weekends were spent studying
This left e boys and I alone, much of the time..
Milestones were missed, TBAll games never attended, parent teacher conferences ..not attended
This took a huge tole out on our family
Many arguments were had, tears cried, kids scared
Both of us stressed to the max
Me being the sole caregiver for our two young boys 24/7
He running a company full time PLUS spending every free moment studying for this test.
And now, today..finally..he passed
And I'm not sure how I feel.
Of corse I am thrilled for all of us..but at the same time, all that time lost, routines adjusted to, closeness pretty shaky
I think that I am feeling a bit apprehensive, scared, unsure
Can we find our place together again? We have gotten so used to being separate..
Has anything really changed? Do I wAnt it to change?
Hmmmm
Regardless
We made a nice celebration for him tonight
Here are some pics






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Harte Cir,Williston,United States

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Great find for the kids!!

Found this at the Christmas tree store today..1/2 off..only $14 and the boys LOVED it!!
It is called

Discovery Kids Cardboard Color Me Play House
You can just google it





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Monday, September 12, 2011

Indian summer

What a day..80 degrees..so warm, sunny and perfect ..it made me REALLY not want summer to go..pool closed today as well
Tonight at bath time, my 4 year old came to me with a shell in his hand and said, mommy, If gretty ( my mom, his grandmother) is at the beach (they live in SC) I can talk to her with my shell
And he sat listening to the sounds..telling me it was the ocean inside there
Then he put it up to his mouth and said ..gretty, I love you!
Such good boys..they are my heart and soul and everything

Oh my favorite site of the day is

GetUncommon.com

You can upload pics and make your own iPhone case ..very cool!




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Thursday, September 1, 2011

School starts ..heavy hearts


Hmmmmmmmm
Sooooo, why am I having such a hard time now that school is back in session?
My baby boy started first day..new teacher, new room...none of his old friends fro kindergarten with him,,and he did GREAT..loved it..
But I cried and have felt weepy for two days
I am feeling ..almost ..like an empty nester?
My youngest will start his last year of pre school next week..
And I know i have one more year before there both in school full time
Why don't I feel happy? Finally..after all the selfless giving I have done....gotten used to Absolutely NO ME time..
But yet, I like being a mommy ..I like taking care of them..and I don't feel ready to move on..
So of corse I have been thinking more lately about wether or not we should have another, and I'm so confused if this is just about the boys getting older and me not knowing about what my role is, will be..
Or if it is a real legitimate thing that we should consider
How do we decide??? There are so many negatives and positives on the subject
I am mostly afraid to go back to that place we left so long ago...sleepless nights, pregnancy, PPD??
but on the other hand, I can't imagine never getting e chance to hold another child of our own, to see them eat their first food, take their first step..
Wouldn't it be great for the boys to have a sibling?

Oh boy... Lots of questions swimming around in my head..
I never have been good at change


- Posted using BlogPress from my iP

Sunday, August 28, 2011

A day in the life of a stay at home mama: Irene..your killing me

A day in the life of a stay at home mama: Irene..your killing me: Who would have thought two Years after moving from south Carolina to Vermont..I would be sitting up in our bedroom..listening to the wind ho...

Irene..your killing me

Who would have thought two Years after moving from south Carolina to Vermont..I would be sitting up in our bedroom..listening to the wind howling, rain pouring down, and watching devastating footage of this beautiful..and very far removed from any coast..state..being washed away
My childhood hometown is literally being flooded with water, bridges washed away, roads eroded
It's heartbreaking even more, because this spring, Vermont ( and NH ) went through some of the worst flooding in history.
The boys and I witnessed the devastation over the past 6 or so months on our bi weekly trips to Maine
Watched it go from destruction and devastation
To towns rebuilding, working, repairing
Water levels receding
And now, it's back and worse than ever..
I am just finding it hard to wrap my head and heart around
A tropical storm????? Here???

Anyway, my babies are safe..tucked away, fast asleep on the pump n bed in the basement with the glow of the tv from a happy movie they watched earlier in the night , glowing on their peaceful faces

We have light, we have water, and we are ok



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Home

Friday, August 12, 2011


So I am curious,..being at our family cottage, a place I have come my whole life..
A place my grand parents had built..
A place that has not changed much cinch I was born 36 years ago..
And i fi d myself looking at the family pictures on the wall pictures of my father..
And I wonder, can we women, ever not seek a spouse, significant other, different from our fathers, or the men who raised us??
My father was/ still is, a very complex personality, but mainly has a dark, hard to reach side to him that I have always found myself seeking or finding attractive in men.. And it just got me thinking, wondering if, no matter how much work you do on yourself, your relationship etc, can you ever escape the in grain desire for something similar to the first male you had a relationship with and vice versatile, same for boys and moms I'm sure..the whole freud thing

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Location:Dad vs spouse

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Back in maine

Sighhhhh
Sitting on the deck of our cottage, listening to the loons (and Tom and Jerry in the background) I am looking around at the lake and noticing one thing...
Summer is slowly on it's way it
The nights are colder
The days are getting shorter and I even saw some early leaves changing color on the drive up (gasp)
I'm not ready for summer to go...
I like the freedom of not having to be locked into a schedule
I like having both boys around (most of the time)
I love being able to be outside All day and night, the warm sun on my skin
So many things to do..biking, hiking, Swimming, exploring, kicking the soccer ball around, and seeing people... Every where, out and about
Since our move back to Vermont 2 years ago, after being gone and in the south for 15+ years..I'm not used to the fact that once the cold weather hits, everyone slips back into their warm homes and burrows deep into themselves to hibernate for the winter
I am not used to being stuck inside with 2 young boys alone all winter when it gets dark at 4 pm..limited in what we can do, mainly because of the sheer hassle of getting us all out of the house in our winter clothes
The long winter looms ahead looking gloomy to me, as I am still new to the area, and have yet to make any real friendships yet..and my husband still needs to be at the office, well basically all day and night ..
Hmmmmmmmmmm ..time for mommy to make some friends
For now I will go back to listening to the loons, enjoying a cool glass of Chardonnay, and relish in the fact that we have nothing to do all day tomorrow except play in the sun


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:U.S. 1,Freeport,United States

Saturday, August 6, 2011

when did I become an adult?

So... the other day I took our two boys- ages 4 and 6 out for a hike while on vacation in Maine - and we got a tad off track- well.. that's not true..we got WAY off track..and basically my babies and I were knee deep in the woods, slipping and sliding through the brush and tree's - trying to get back to the path.
When we eventually found our way again- I remember hearing a quit voice in my head whispering something about TICKS- something I never really had to worry about the past 15 years living in South Carolina...
So when we got to the bottom of the trail and back to the car I did a quick "tic check" and everything looked OK- but i was starting to freak out- as more and more stories started to seep into my consciousness..
Once back at the Cottage I pulled the boys out of the car and frantically started checking their sweet little bodies- and sure enough- I spotted small Vile little creatures burrowing into their skin. At that moment- I started to run- both boys dangling from a arm and running through our family compound shrieking- ARE THERE ANY ADULTS HERE??? DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS AN ADULT AROUND??

It didn't hit me until a week or so later- that ...wait a minute.. I AM AN ADULT...I AM A PARENT..
when and how did I turn into this #1 and #2 how come I still feel like I need to ask for someone Else's help in crisis- like i am still a unknowing kid?

And now.. thinking about my husbands 38th birthday looming only days away- I think.. HOW DID WE GET HERE? when did we get so old?
I still feel like a young- fun teenager- and I like to think I still look that way
But- at 36 .. closing in on  37... I am not getting younger..
And I wonder..does any one ever actually FEEL like a grown up?
Does my 86 year old grandmother still feel like a 18 year old carefree girl trapped in a old woman's body?

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tornado 's, anxiety and hitting in school

WOWSH well right now- in the middle of CRAZY WACKY storm- thightning, thunder, rain, tornado warnings- and 2 very scared boys