Get A Grip, Mom!

Shaking off the dust...

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:21:00 +0000

Sometimes, there's a hobby you really love. So you start to do it more and more, maybe even doing it in exchange for goods - that's called work. This blog started to feel less like fun, and a place to vent, and more like a job that I had to do. I found myself struggling to find anything to post. I found myself writing in a journal, and ignoring this blog.

Until yesterday, that is.

In the past week, I'd been getting flooded with comments from Chinese spammers, and I logged in to the blog yesterday to do some clean-up and changing comment settings.

Suddenly, I found that I missed this blog. So, I'm dusting it off, and hopefully, will begin writing again. It's been almost 2 years since I've posted here. Kicker will be starting preschool in a month (in the 2 year old program). Hubby and I live in a new state, in our first home. My father is having surgery on Monday to remove a tumor. My in-laws are moving to this state to a house 2 streets over. In short, I should have plenty of things to write about.

Now I just have to remember - the only person I *need* to write for is me.

TT: Oven Fried Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:51:00 +0000

It's that time again. Time to figure out what the heck I'm going to do with all the food in my freezer. I got emailed this recipe a while back from a friend of mine, and it looks pretty good. I have to giggle at the use of both oil and butter, but I bet that makes this really tasty - this friend has yet to send me a bum-recipe. She uses chicken pieces with the skin still on, but says that it's
'still good' with skinless chicken pieces.

Oven Fried Chicken

1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. butter
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. chili powder (optional)
approx. 9 pieces chicken

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place oil and butter in a shallow oven-safe cooking pan (such as cast-iron) and place in 375 degree oven to melt butter, set aside.
In a large paper sack, combine dry ingredients.
Roll the chicken pieces 3 at a time in butter and oil, then drop into a sack and shake to cover. Place on a plate until all pieces are coated.
Leave any excess butter and oil in pan. Place chicken in the pan skin side down or its just as good if you remove all the skin first.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
Turn chicken pieces over, and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until crust begins to bubble.
Serve with corn bread or biscuits, and your favorite veggie.

This sounds so good! Dinner seems too far away!

TT: Baked Brie en Croute

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:46:00 +0000

The first Friday of every month, my friends and I all gather together to have dinner together. This month's theme is appetizers. Hubby and I were discussing what to bring last night, and he reminded me of this recipe I used to make years back. It's really elegant looking, and incredibly simple, as well as delicious.

I use Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets because they're easy to find, but you can use any brand. Sometimes I used to get creative, and cut out shapes with the remaining dough to decorate the top of the brie.

Baked Brie en Croute

1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg
1 tbsp. water
1/2 cup apricot or raspberry preserves or jam (I have boysenberry in my cupboard right now, so I'm debating using that)
1/3 cup dried cranberries (my sister once suggested using diced dried figs, but I'd soak those first to soften them)
1/4 cup toasted sliced almond (I have a ton of pine nuts right now, so I'm going to substitute those)
1 (13.2 ounces) Brie cheese round (Costco has these for a good price)
crackers

Thaw the pastry sheet until it's easy to work with - about 30-40 minutes at room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Mix the egg and water in a small bowl.
Unfoldthe pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square. Cut off the corners of the sheet to make a circle, and save scraps.
Spread preserves on the dough to within 1-inch of the edge. Sprinkle the cranberries and nuts over the preserves.
Place the cheese in the center of the dough. Brush the edge of the dough with the egg mixture.
Fold 2 opposite sides over the cheese. Trim the remaining 2 sides to 2-inches from the edge of the cheese and fold them up onto the cheese. Press the edges to seal.
Place seam-side down on a baking sheet. Decorate the top with the pastry scraps, if desired. Brush with the egg mixture.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Let stand for 40 minutes - 1 hour.
Serve with the crackers.

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:54:00 +0000

Today is Kicker's first Halloween. I'm so excited!

Last night, we met up with some other moms at a local farmer's market, where there was a special Octoboofest event (get it - Octo'boo'fest?). It was so neat, seeing all the little kids wandering around in their costumes. Kicker is too little to get into the trick-or-treating part, but he really liked watching all the kids in their bright costumes running around. He also loved animal crackers, which a little girl shared with him last night. It was so sweet - Supergirl came over and handed him an animal cracker, and then they both shared a really adorable smile. It made me sad that I'd forgotten my camera.

Tonight, before Shabbat service, Hubby and I are going to quickly take Kicker to a few houses for trick-or-treating. Since Kicker can't eat the candy, we're doing it mostly for the photo opportunity. Though if someone's handing out good chocolate, then I'm willing to eat Kicker's spoils of war. Kicker will be dressed up like a dragon. A very ferocious baby dragon.

So, what are your memories of your childrens' first Halloweens?

Miss me?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:20:00 +0000

Well, I had a great time in Albuquerque.

Kicker flew wonderfully. Well, on the trip there, that is. On the trip back, he wanted to crawl around, and was mighty annoyed that I made him stay in the seat. Luckily, it was a short flight.

It was great seeing my family. My dad and stepmother got to hang out with their grandbaby, and I got to see my new nephew! He's adorable (not as adorable as Kicker, but awful cute). My uncle and aunt also were in town, coincidentally, so we got to see them.

Anyone ever tried pinon picking before? It's really fun. Pine cones blossom open, and the pinon or pine nut will just fall out. There are two ways to get the pinons - one is to pick up the pine cones and take them out, or the other is to pick up the pinons that have fallen all over the ground, either from wind, or from shaking the tree. So, we spent all day Saturday pinon picking in the Cibola National Forest. Only in the desert will a National Forest have pine trees with cactus all over the ground. Needless to say, I didn't get to pick a whole lot of pinon, since I was holding Kicker the whole time. Every time I tried reaching for some pinon, he'd try reaching for the nearest cactus. So he and I just spent most of the time exploring, while the rest of the family picked pinon.

I miss my chile. Chile in New Mexico is more than just a condiment - it's a way of life, almost an art form. While I was back there, I tried to make sure I had chile with almost every meal, even breakfast. I had this great dish at Flying Star Cafe called a Southwest Bennie, which is amazing. They make their own english muffins, and their own turkey green chile sausage. Over which, they put two over medium eggs, which are then covered in this plate-licking-good green chile cheese sauce. Yeah - I fit in my new size 6 jeans for a couple of days, and of course, after eating like that all trip long, they no longer fit.

So, now that I'm back home, I'm trying to figure out how to work green chile into some non-traditional menu items, so I can ease back into all this 'normal' cooking. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to combine my favorite soup recipe - green chile stew - with matzo ball soup. I'm thinking I'll make a normal chicken soup, with just a touch of green chile, and then work some green chile into the matzo balls.

It's always funny when Bugs Bunny says it.

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Albuquerque. I still have an image of Bugs Bunny saying it whenever I read that word, and a slight urge to giggle. Which is odd, considering I used to live there, and all.

Anyways, we're leaving for a few days to the Albuquerque, NM, area to go visit my family. While we're there, I plan to eat lots of red and green chile, because no one in California really understands how to make spicy food.

Okay, I exaggerate. But until you've tried New Mexico green or red chile, you don't understand how good chile is. Honest. Heck, I have to replace my keyboard now, just from the drool caused by thinking of it.

And for those of you that ask, New Mexico is a state. One of the United States. Albuquerque is not near Mexico city. I do not need a passport to get there. It is not a foreign country. UPS and FedEx do deliver there. Yes, dang it - I can get my cable and DSL there - you do service that area, since it is not MEXICO. I do not need special auto insurance to go there. There is no exchange rate. NM is that state between Arizona and Texas. How the heck did all these people who have asked these questions ever graduate grade school?

Kahlua Fudge Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:25:00 +0000

Every now and then, you get sent a recipe that sounds so good, you have to clean drool out of your keyboard. For me, folks, this is that recipe.

Kahlua Fudge Brownies recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup peanut oil (or walnut oil - heck, use whatever you've got, if necessary)
1/4 cup espresso powder
4 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans (though, wouldn't pine nuts be great in this recipe?)
1/4 cup Kahlua

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Heat the chocolate chips and butter in a saucepan over low heat until blended, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Combine sugar, peanut oil, espresso, and eggs in a bowl, beating for 5 minutes and occasionally scraping sides of bowl.
Add chocolate mixture and beat until just blended, then add flour mixture and beat again.
Stir in pecans. Spoon batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges pull from the side of the pan. Cool until lukewarm on a wire rack.
Pour Kahlua into a spray bottle and spray onto warm brownies. Let stand until completely cool.
To serve, cut into 3 x 4-inch brownies and microwave until just warm. Split each bar horizontally into halves and sandwich with a scoop of ice cream. Top with whipped cream and/or fresh strawberries or raspberries.

Enjoy!

Was it or wasn't it?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:03:00 +0000

I was trying to clear off some TV off of my DVR while Kicker napped. I began watching a new show called "Easy Money." In the show, the main characters run a paycheck-advance money lending company.
Part way through the episode, the lead character referred to themselves as "shylocks." Another character admonished him for using an "ugly, racist" term, but then, not two sentences later, used the same term herself.
So the question is: was it racist, or wasn't it? Is the TV show off the hook for using a racist epithet simply by acknowledging that it is one? If that isn't enough to make it okay, how and why did it get past the censors?
I tried mentioning this to someone else, and they shrugged it off, saying that the show didn't mean anything by it. Okay, so let's pretend that's fine - the show's writers didn't mean anything by it. But if you start using terms like that in every day speech, you're giving them meaning, new life and power. You're teaching people and new generations that this kind of language and behavior is acceptable.
Frankly, as far I'm concerned, it was a racist term, and shouldn't have been used. Period. But it was - so, now what? How do we address these issues?

When did he swallow the lead bricks?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:43:00 +0000

I've had a wonderful, but very long, weekend.

Friday night, we went to Disney's California Adventure, for Mickey's Halloween Trick-or-Treat party. That was so much fun! There'll be another post, with pictures, but for now, take my word for it. Kicker was dressed as a Dragon, and had a great time, holding on to his trick-or-treat bag. We even rode some rides! There were lots of candy opportunities, with healthy snacks also being passed out. All in all, it was a wonderful time, and I think we'll have to be back next year.

Saturday morning, Grandma, Hubby, Kicker and I went out for breakfast at Mimi's (mmm... pumpkin pancakes), then off to the park! We rode rides in Fantasyland, attended a Disney media event with lots of baked goods and characters, and then met up with my sister and her new boyfriend. I learned that it's very important to know where the Mother's room at Disneyland is - otherwise there is way too much going on for Kicker to nap. Also, Rancho Del Zocalo serves a toddler menu in addition to their kid's menu - good to know for when Kicker gets a bit older! It was a wonderful day, and became an even more wonderful evening, as two very good friends of ours joined us because they had some very important news they needed to share - details forthcoming in another post.

Sunday, Kicker slept in until almost 11am. Poor thing - he was just exhausted, and so was I! Man that kid is heavy! I love every moment of carrying him, because I know all too soon he won't want to be carried as much, but WOW! My back is killing me!

Anyways, it was a great weekend, and I promise I'll post pictures of Disneyland, along with Kicker in his costume.

AF: Halloween Candy?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:20:00 +0000

It's almost Halloween! I've already bought my Halloween candy (I bought it in September), and wisely, I didn't buy chocolate. That's why the package is still unopened. Otherwise, I'd probably be doing a last minute candy-run to the store.
This year, I bought Florida's Natural Fruit Nuggets from Costco. So, on this Aloha Friday, where we kick back and take life easy, I ask: what kind of Halloween candy are you stocking this year?

T13: Things I am grateful for.

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:57:00 +0000

The past couple of weeks, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my life. I'm glad to say that, while my life is not how I pictured it would be 10 years ago, I am really happy with it and who I am. That's not to say I wouldn't make changes, but overall, I am content.

So, today's Thursday Thirteen is 13 Things I am Grateful for.

I have a beautiful, healthy, and happy little boy. Kicker is wonderful.
I have a brilliant, gorgeous, and charming husband who is as crazy about me as I am him.
I am healthy.
I have wonderful friends, for whom I am eternally grateful.
My parents are both in great health.
My dogs are adorable (and really really fuzzy).
While we aren't by any means rich, we have enough.
I have a roof over my head, and it happens to be a cute roof attached to an old Craftsman home.
I have big boobs (okay, so they're nursing boobs, but still - gotta appreciate them while I have them).
I am able to stay at home with my son, and give him one-on-one attention. In turn, he gives me one-on-one attention right back. He also gives me lots of drooly kissies.
I can be as neurotic as possible, and my loved ones have always, and will always, love me.
I am still young. Despite my occasional grousing about turning 31, I know that I'm still pretty young, and have a lot of years ahead of me.
I have all my memories. Looking around, I see so many little things that remind me of happy times. I've had a pretty happy life, and I wouldn't trade it.

For more Thursday Thirteen, check out the Thursday Thirteen hub.

Mickey's Trick or Treat Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:53:00 +0000

One of the perks of living in Southern California is being near Disneyland.

Thanks to MomSelect and Disneyland, Kicker, Hubby, and I, along with Grandma and Auntie, have been invited to go to Mickey's Trick or Treat Party!

This Friday night, we're attending Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party at Disney's California Adventure. For kids, the only thing more fun than trick-or-treating at Halloween is trick-or-treating at Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party, a private event in Disney's California Adventure. This celebration lets little ghosts and goblins (and princesses, pirates and superheroes too) join Disney characters for an evening of Halloween fun and games. In addition to collecting candy at treat stations and riding attractions throughout the Park, kids, their families and friends will enjoy lively music, interactive games, a nightly character cavalcade and special activities.

If that's not cool enough, we've also been invited to come back on Saturday to Disneyland, for a special Halloween celebration!
During regular park hours at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, Halloween Time offers parents and children plenty of not-so-scary fun in addition to the parks’ many popular adventures. Halloween Time activities include special attractions (including Haunted Mansion Holiday), shows, meet-and-greets with Disney characters in spirited costumes, opportunities to decorate Halloween cookies and listen to fun stories during “Woody’s Halloween Roundup” at Big Thunder Ranch.

I'll write up a post, along with pictures, after we experience it. I have to tell you - I'm really excited! Kicker is going to be dressed up as a Dragon. Mommy's going to be dressed up as someone who needs a nap.

WW: Shofar

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:47:00 +0000

Happy Wordless Wednesday, and Yom Tov.

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out the Wordless Wednesday Hub or 5 Minutes for Mom.

TT: Lenticchie

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:37:00 +0000

It's Tuesday again! And time for another wonderful recipe. Remember that tasty challah recipe I posted last week? Well, that same friend who sent me that recipe sent along this one as well. It's a vegetarian lentil recipe, and it's delicious. And it's easy to make! This recipe serves about 4 to 6 people, so if you're serving a crowd, make sure to double it.

Lenticchhie

Ingredients

1 cup brown lentils
1 dried peperoncino (chili pepper)
2 garlic cloves
1 carrot
1 celery rib
2 medium tomatoes
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup dry red wine
2 tsp sugar
½ bunch basil
salt
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Directions

Rinse the lentils in a colander. Crush the peperoncino. Peel and chop the garlic and carrot. Trim, and chop the celery.
Bring a pot of water to a boil, blanch the tomatoes; rinse under cold water. Core, peel, and finely chop them.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan. Saute the garlic, peperoncino, carrot, and celery.
Add the lentils and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 40-60 minutes; do not let lentils get too soft. If necessary, add some water to the simmering lentils.
Meanwhile, sauté the tomatoes in the remaining oil in a small skillet for about 10 minutes or until they have fallen apart.
Heat the wine and sugar in a small saucepan and cook down to about a half. Shred the basil leaves in small pieces. Mix the lentils, tomatoes, and the reduced wine, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with basil.

Enjoy!

Like a 3rd Arm

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:15:00 +0000

Someone asked me this past week if I had always planned on having children. The question made me pause - I think in the back of my mind, I always wanted kids, but in my early 20's, it was impossible to imagine myself as a mother.
Later that same week, someone else commented that my life must have really changed since having a child. Now *that* rocked me.
You see, I can't even really remember what my life was like before Kicker. I know he's only 8 months old, but he's so much a part of me, it's impossible to imagine myself *not* as a mother.
I can't take off to Europe for an extended weekend, like some friends. I can't just up and go out to the movies, or to a party. Heck, I can't even go and get a haircut without some prior arranging. And I'm perfectly fine with that (though, I do want anyone who goes to Europe to bring me back chocolate, please).
So, my life did change. I'm sure of it. I'm guessing it changed so slowly, over those 9 months of pregnancy, that by the time I actually was a mother, I didn't even notice my old life was gone, or if I had, I certainly didn't miss it. After all, I got this.

AF: Guilty Pleasure?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:31:00 +0000

I read cheesy romance novels. There, I said it. It's out in the open - my secret guilty pleasure.
You can dress them us as "women's fiction," but the reality of it is - they're still cheesy romance novels. And I LOVE them. Hi, I'm Channah, and I'm a cheesy romance novel reader. Thank goodness for the library; they keep me well-supplied!

So, Aloha Friday is the day of the week where we kick back, take off our shoes, and relax. So, today, I pose a question to you, my readers: what's your guilty pleasure?

Garlic Herb Challah Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Each month, on the first Friday of the month, our friends all gather together, and have dinner with each other. It's a great idea, and I hope that it inspires some of you guys to do the same. Each month there is a different theme, and we each bring a dish. This month is Italian. A friend sent out this recipe to me for tonight's dinner, and I thought I'd share it with you. Let me know if you try it!

Garlic Herb Challah for your Bread Machine

Makes a 1 1/2 lb loaf.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 1/4 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

JUST BEFORE BAKING IN OVEN

1 egg, beaten with
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon sesame seed (optional)

Directions

Load all ingredients in the order listed into bread machine, water through yeast.
To make challah, select dough only setting (to make sandwich bread, select large loaf).
When dough-only cycle is done, remove dough from machine and place on well floured surface. Dust top of dough with flour and press out air bubbles.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roll dough into rectangle, then roll into rope. Cut rope into 3 or 6 pieces (depending on whether you want to do a 3 braid or 6 braid challah). Roll each of these pieces into balls, cover with towel and set in a warm place, free from drafts. Let dough rest 15 to 20 minutes.
Next, roll each ball into a rope about 8 or 9 inches long. Braid, set in baking pan lined with parchment paper or corn meal. Cover with towel and let rest 45 minutes (you can put on top of the stove to enjoy the warmth from the oven).
Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired. Place in oven on cookie sheet and bake for 35 minutes, or when nicely browned.

Enjoy! And have a wonderful weekend!

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Miss me?

Kicker got sick last week, and then I caught his cold from him. All in all, I just didn't feel like blogging. Or using the computer. Or the TV. Or going anywhere. I became a cozy little hermit, just playing with Kicker, reading books, and suctioning out his nose then blowing mine.

Though I did miss blogging, and reading everyone else's, I do feel better for my mini-break. It's nice to un-plug for a while. Re-group.

Rosh Hashanah has just passed by, and a new year (by the Jewish calendar - year 5769) has just begun. I hope that in this coming year, I remember to keep things in balance; my home and family life, with my internet life balanced in there.

Yesterday, it reached 106 degrees outside. Which is just ducky, considering that I don't have air conditioning. It never occured to me that October would be a triple-digit temperature month. Not exactly the weather I want to bake in. Luckily, it's supposed to cool down, starting today. Did anyone else experience that kind of heat?

Anyways, thanks for hanging round, and L'Shanah Tovah - a good year to each of you!

Giveaway: Tiny*Prints Holiday Cards!

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:09:00 +0000

*Note: I've made this post sticky. Newer content is down below! Scroll down for today's post!

Well, it's that time of year again. Time to get the family together, and take your holiday portrait. Time to pick out holiday cards!

To make it easier, Tiny*Prints is giving one of my lucky readers a $50 gift certificate towards Holiday photo cards!

Tiny*Prints is asking you to show your holiday spirit, and share your favorite new card design for 2008 with them. My personal favorite? Why, the one pictured!

A leader in holiday photo cards, Tiny Prints is so excited about the upcoming 2008 holiday card line that they couldn’t wait to offer a sneak peek to showcase their new card designs. Enter their contest to help determine what cards will be most popular this coming holiday. During this early preview period, the new holiday cards are not yet available for purchase; however, for a very limited time you can receive amazing early-bird savings on their soon-to-be retired photo cards, Holiday cards and holiday invitations.

To help them celebrate the launch, they’re looking for contestants to review any of their very newest 2008 holiday photo cards and business holiday cards for those who work in or own companies.

Okay, to enter to win the $50 gift certificate to Tiny*Prints, simply:

1. Go to Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com), browse your favorite 2008 holiday card designs currently being previewed and save your favorite 2008 design in your account by clicking the “save in favorites” button.
2. Then come back to my blog and provide a link to the specific holiday card (see link for example) in the comments below, indicating what you liked best about it. Please note that some designs are so new that they cannot yet be customized, but will be soon (early October and hundreds more designs)!

The contest will run through Tuesday, September 30th 2008. Winners will then be drawn at random from people who have properly followed the above directions and placed comments in my blog post (you must do both step 1 *and* step 2 to be eligible). Please create your comment using the same e-mail address you used when creating an account on Tiny Prints so participation can be verified.

If there's a Grammy award, how come there isn't a Mommy award?

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:47:00 +0000

Veggie Mom thinks I'm interesting and creative. I'm glad I have her fooled. ;) Thanks, Veggie Mom!

She bestowed this beautiful award on me! The award, deemed the Arte y Pico Award, literally translates to "Art Peak."

This is a great award. And, as we teach our children, it's time to share it. Here are the rules:

Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material & overall contribution to the blogger community.
Post the name of the author & a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
Each award winner has to show the award & put the name & link to the blog that has given him or her the award
The award winner & presenter should post the link of the "Arte y pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of the award.

So, I choose:

Thanks for making the blogosphere creative AND interesting for me!

T13: Places I'd like to Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:49:00 +0000

Today's Thursday Thirteen is places I'd like to visit that I haven't been to before.

Hawaii - you'd think by marrying a Hawaiian, I'd have been before now, but nope.
Alaska - I want to go on an Alaskan cruise; it looks so beautiful.
New York - It'd be neat to be in the Big Apple at least once.
Greece - I want to go to the Isles, sun myself, and of course, eat myself silly.
Italy - I just watched "Under the Tuscan Sun", and "Roman Holiday" recently.
Israel - this is someplace I'd especially like to take my son.
China - I want to see the Great Wall.
Seattle, Washington - Especially Pike Place Marketplace!
Australia - heck, I'd love to move there! Especially for the Tim Tams!
England - Wouldn't it be neat to go see London?
Ireland - I think I've watched The Quiet Man once too often, or maybe I've read too many romance novels. I want to go to Ireland and just soak in all the green.
Germany - Germany just looks gorgeous. And of course, they have wonderful chocolate!
Canada - I want to go see Canada. It's the country right next door, and I've never been.

For more Thursday Thirteen, visit the Thursday Thirteen official site!

Free Cold Stone Ice Cream Sept 25th!

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Cold Stone Creamery is awesome. And they're giving away free ice cream on September 25th! As I've stated before, if it's for a good cause, ice cream is not fattening.

Don't miss the 7th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, a special night to join together and share the simple pleasures of life with a FREE ice cream and family fun. On September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00PM, guests will be treated to a 3 oz. serving of Jack or Emily's Creation. All donations will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Jack's Creation - Marshmallow ice cream with OREO® Cookies, Chocolate Chips and Fudge
Emily's Creation - Nutter Butter® ice cream with White Chocolate Chips, Kit Kat® and Yellow Cake

So go eat ice cream for a good cause!

WW: Pandamonium

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:12:00 +0000

I'm not sure why I thought it was a bright idea to spend Friday at the county fair, Saturday helping a friend move, and then Sunday at the zoo, but there you go. As you can guess, Kicker and I spent most of Monday napping.

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out 5 Minutes for Mom, or the Wordless Wednesday Hub.

TT: Rice Pudding

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:40:00 +0000

I love rice pudding. Which is good, since last week, I doubled this recipe. Which makes a friggin' lot of pudding. This is really important - if you double the recipe, make sure you use an incredibly large pot, not just the pot you normally use. *sigh*

Rice Pudding

2 cups water
1 cup long-grain rice (I use long-grain, because it's starchier, so it makes a creamier pudding)
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
2 tsp grated orange zest (optional)

Bring the water to boil in a large saucepan. Note the word large. Don't make the same mistake I did last week, and forget that you're going to have to pour the milk in this pan, too, later on. So bring the water to boil in a LARGE saucepan. Stir in the rice and the salt. Cover, and turn the heat down to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the water is almost fully absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes later. In a LARGE saucepan (man, that sucked having to pour it all into a new bigger pot - learn from my mistakes!).
Microwave the milk until steaming, about 5 minutes - you want to microwave it until it's steaming, but not until it has that weird milk-skin. If it does, pull that off. Stir the hot milk and sugar into the rice and bring to a slow simmer. Cook, uncovered and stirring often, until the mixture is thick and a spoon is just able to stand up in the pudding, about 45 minutes.
Turn off the heat, and remove the pudding from the stove. Stir in the vanilla, and the optional dried fruit and zest. Let the mixture cool slightly before serving, or refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.

True friends are there for the grunt work.

noreply@blogger.com (Channah) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:49:00 +0000

One of the things I really respect about Hubby is that he is still close with his childhood friends. Heck, he's known his best friend since they were 6. That's pretty remarkable, in my book.

Anyway, one of his oldest friends is moving today (this is one he's known since he was 14). He, his wife, and his 7 1/2 month old son (yep, they have a baby boy the same age as Kicker!) have purchased a new home, and are moving. Unfortunately, they're moving about 4 hours away (they already live 2 hours away from us).

So, Hubby will be driving up in his truck, and Kicker and I up in my little CRV. I'm going to watch their little one and mine, while the men do all the moving, and his wife coordinates. Afterwards, there will be pizza, beer, laughter, and old stories.

I wish that they lived closer. I'd love it if our sons became as close as their fathers are. But who knows what's in store?