Notes From the Cookie Jar

Boxing Day Shenanigans

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:32:00 +0000

These are the kind of photos that happen when I won't let my dyspraxic kid even hold the camera. I'm a little close, huh?

At least we're both smiling and Hubs doesn't have the "Take the picture already" glower to him.

I also just noticed; I really have brown hair. For years I always thought I was blond-ish, and it was blond (especially in the summer). After the hair cut debacle awhile ago, everyone had been commenting on how brown my hair is and...wow. I can really see what they mean.

We spent Boxing Day out and about in the forest again, hiking around and marveling at the frozen spiderwebs that looked like the squirrels went nuts with silly string over Christmas.

You'll find more photos in my Flickr photostream.

Christmas in Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Christmas morning dawned pink and frosty. We may not get a white Christmas, but this was as close as we could get, and so beautiful as the sun rise sparkled off the rooftops. In the distance where you see fog is the ocean, and those mountains are Vancouver Island.

We dove into presents, snacked on chocolates, then played with our new found toys. I had bought a 1000 piece puzzle, thinking that we could do it together, but Jake finds it a bit daunting and Hubs wasn't interested, so I worked on it. Who knew puzzles were so addicting? I swear I spent hours sitting there plugged into my new iPod, hovering over the puzzle and humming to Lady Antebellum.

Santa outfitted Jake for wilderness survival, just as he wished. I see camping in our future. Did I ever tell you I'm not a camping girl? (please excuse the ugly metal bird in the background. It is one of those things Hubs owned before we married, and I'm still trying to get rid of them. Slowly.)

Then there was the annual scratching of the lottery tickets, and as usual, we won nothing. Oh come on, can't we ever get even a few thousand, Santa?

My very favorite, totally unexpected present was a microplane and gorgeous pie plate from my best friend. How did she know? I have coveted those exact items forever.

After presents and hanging out in our pjs, we went out for a hike. Everything was still frosty and in the forest it was the weirdest thing; all the bits of ice were melting and falling off the trees, like rain. Parts of the forest were ghostly with fog, and with the sun pouring through the branches, it was beautiful. I caught some with my Flip, which I'll post once I've played with it and made a better video.

Even the spider webs were frosty.

"Mom, we're having ham for dinner, right? " Jake is very much a foodie. He loves to know exactly what we are eating for dinner.

"No, you requested Greek prawns, Jake."

"Oh that's okay. We can have ham for Easter." He's planning Easter dinner already?

After our hike we went home for a hot drink since everything was closed. The sun was pouring into the kitchen, making everything warm and beautiful, so I put on the Christmas music, and got to work making pumpkin pie and decorating cookies.

Before we knew it, the sun was gone again.

Snuggled up by the fire, we settled in for a delicious dinner, lots of laughs, movies, and some family time.

Just like it should be.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

From the Kitchen: Rum Balls and Butter Tarts

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:06:00 +0000

I know you've probably had a lot of treats, but I promise these are SO easy that you'll be able to whip some up with barely any effort. Honest. The rum balls are so deliciously chocolaty and full of rum, and the butter tarts are sweet and flaky. Our Christmas isn't complete without them.

Read More for the recipes...

Love Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:33:00 +0000

Once long ago, when I was in my 20s and we lived in the city, I worked at a tiny school out in the middle of the blueberry fields. There were about 50 children attending from kindergarten to grade 7.

The class that I worked in was filled with kids in grades 5-7 and on my first day, the teacher pulled me aside and gave me a quick run down on the kids.

"That one," he pointed to a sandy blond boy in torn, scruffy jeans and a t-shirt, about 12 years old. "is a brat. Don't bother. He'll just give you a hard time."

I stood there, studying him as he joked with his friends, then reached over and shoved a smaller student with a sneer. He looked up at me and for a split second across the room, our eyes met.

His were filled with suspicion and anger.

I've never believed that there are just "bad" kids. After having worked and lived with some of the most difficult teenagers that the city has to offer, I have learned that they are kids who have survived bad circumstances. They have taken on behavior that might be needed to survive and what they don't realize is, in some circumstances they don't need that behavior. Then we just need to work on changing it.

I think Jason hated me at first. Every interaction was laced with sarcasm, and he would never do what I asked him to do. Ever. Until one day after school, I decided to start leaving the kids little "love notes" in their desks. I praised how they handled things at lunch with their friends. I told the girls how valued they were. They were just little scraps of paper with kind words on them, but the effect was magical.

I told Jason that he brightened my day with his smile. He did! I didn't see it often, but when I did, it was like catching him unaware.

The next day he went to get his math book out of his desk and the note fell in his lap. As I watched from across the room, he carefully unfolded it. Our eyes met across the room and slowly, self conciously, he smiled slightly. The next day, he helped me carry some books. After school, he stopped at my desk to chat. The next week, he sternly told some rowdy kids to settle down for the substitute teacher. We worked hard on his math to bring his grades up, and celebrated with high fives. That anger he had seemed to just melt away when he walked in through the doors.

"You are here to work with these kids, not be their friend!" the teacher sternly chided me after school one day. What he didn't understand was that in order to work with these kids, you had to be their friend. They wouldn't open up unless they trusted you first.

Christmas came that year, and unfortunately so did an end to my time at the school. The kids showered me with gifts and cards throughout the day, but Jason held back. When finally everyone else had left, he approached my desk; his blue eyes filled with tears, his sandy hair rumpled.

"I didn't have anything else. It's not a Hallmark card," he thrust a piece of lined paper at me.

On a folded piece of paper from his notebook, he had carefully drawn a beautiful winter scene, and on the inside had written,

"You are the best teacher I've ever had. I'll miss you. Merry Christmas."

Tears welled up in my eyes and began to drip down my cheeks.

"It's not a Hallmark card, " Jason apologized and looked at his shoes. "It's not a nice one like.." he gestured towards the stack of expensive, glittery cards and boxes of chocolates on my desk.

Our eyes met once more. This time, his were uncertain and a bit sad.

"No Jason, it's not, " I smiled through my tears, "THIS kind of card is a million times better."

It's been fifteen years, three districts, about 100 schools since that Christmas. Jason is probably about 27 years old now, and has kids of his own. The glittery, expensive cards have long since been recycled and the chocolates were eaten.

I still have the card that he made me, all those years ago.

Photo credit: Keep Waddling1

Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:58:00 +0000

What is giving, really? Is it a bribery of sorts? A payment? Do you judge who deserves your gift by what they have, or how much they mean to you? Or is it something different?

A few weeks ago, I won some tickets to an event on Twitter. They were expensive tickets, and I had forgotten I had even entered the draw. Usually I don't enter things that I know my family would never be interested in, but this time, I wasn't thinking.

They were a four pack of tickets to Disney on Ice.

"Mom, if you think I'm going to go watch Disney princesses on skates, you've been smoking crack," was Jake's assessment of the situation.

With much e-mailing and discussion, we convinced the company to let us gift the tickets to a family. We hadn't decided on who the family would be, yet.

There was much discussion. We could gift them to anyone we know with little kids, but we wanted to make this special. Meaningful. We wanted to give them to kids who may not ever have the chance to see Disneyland or otherwise afford to be able to go.

What I didn't anticipate was other people's reactions. On Twitter, when I mentioned the tickets, I was praised for being so kind and generous. It felt a bit weird and suddenly self conscious, I stopped talking about it. Honestly, I was just so excited about giving away the tickets, but I don't think I deserved any type of recognition or praise for it. I was simply passing on something that I couldn't use to someone who could. I admit I was afraid of how other people might view my excitement, especially on Twitter where seemingly innocent things can be blown up into huge bro-ha has. People might get the idea that I was looking for some sort of recognition or something, and that was so NOT what I wanted.

In real life, people were different. They questioned why we were giving the tickets away at all.

"I'll buy them! Why would you give them away?" Was the common question. Some thought that we were crazy, others made the comment that they didn't understand why we didn't want the few hundred dollars that the tickets were worth.

Sure, we could have sold them for about $150. Then what? What would $150 buy? Some groceries? Pay for a few Christmas presents? Would having $150 in my hand give me pure joy so infectious I'd dance in my kitchen, whooping and hollering with excitement?

Could any THING bought with a few hundred dollars do that for me?

Never.

After a few days of discussion and excited conversation, we finally picked a family with two little boys. Hubs said that when he told the Mom of our gift, she was so stunned she didn't know what to say. Didn't we want something in return? She didn't understand and offered to pay us.

"We don't want anything. Just tell us how the kids enjoyed the show when you come back."

A few weeks later, a box of chocolates and a card arrived at Hub's office, thanking us and saying that the show was "magical". The gesture was lovely-and something we hadn't expected at all.

I don't understand why people get weird about giving, because once again, we were criticized; this time, for accepting the chocolates.

Can't do that. Looks bad. You never should have gifted those tickets in the first place. We would've bought them, you know. Don't know why you gave them to HER.

Those were MY tickets. I won them. I will do with them what I damn well please and if people can not experience the true joy of giving to someone unselfishly without a thought of what they will get in return, then I really, truly, feel sorry for them. They don't know what they are missing.

They will never know what it's like to dance in their kitchen for joy because they helped someone else.

Because for me, THAT is really what giving is all about.

From the Kitchen: Coconut Mango Butter Cookies!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:08:00 +0000

Jake has always loved shortbread or butter cookies, and as a twist on the traditional, I tried this new recipe! Buttery with a touch of sweet glaze and jam, they are perfect with a cup of tea.

Read more for the recipe...

My First Video with Flip

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Me: "You know, that gum is really disgusting. I'm going to You Tube it."

Hubs: "They are for the birds."

Jake: "Yes, dead birds that probably get it stuck in their digestive tract."

Hubs: "I'll pay you to clean it up...."

Me: "YOU are picking up EVERY last piece. YOU. Nobody else. And don't keep leaving them on the coffee table for me to find, either. That's GROSS!"

So there. Would you believe I only showed you a tiny spot of the lawn, too?

PS..please excuse my lame video skills. I'm still learning.

PSS..Bwahahaha! I've been eating too many rum balls, I'm thinking. I edited this and then realize I edited the wrong post. Whoops!

From the Kitchen: Baked Pasta Shells

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Looking for an easy, yet company worthy dish? Try out these pasta shells. Cheesy with bits of prosciutto and spinach, they are a favorite in my house.

Read more....

Flipping for the Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Are you looking for a great last minute Christmas gift? You should really think about checking out the Flip Mino HD camcorder. The nice people at Mom Central hooked me up with one AND are giving me another one to give away right here on Notes From the Cookie Jar.

Yes! You could WIN one of your very own!

This baby is the coolest gadget I've seen in a long time. It's so small-way smaller then my camera, more like the size of my cell phone. It's very easy to figure out for those of us who have never used a camcorder before, and it takes great video.

Want the specs?

2 hours of battery life
60 minutes of recording time
Flip share software is included, so you can edit, organize and share videos
direct uploading to You Tube or My Space
easy (oh, so easy) to use
a TV cable included so you can watch your videos on your TV

...and so much more!

This is such a great gadget, I think it would be a wonderful gift for Hubs to capture some of our road trip experiences. He would really be able to show his friends what it's like when we are 4x4ing, or some of those great moments like being out at White Sands when a thunderstorm rolled in, or caving at Carlsbad Caverns. Or, I have a friend with a new baby, and this is perfect for her to capture lots of cute moments because it's so small she can just slip it in a pocket.

What? You wanted to know how to get a Flip too?

to enter, leave me a comment below about who you would love to give a Flip to, and why
make sure to include a valid e-mail address or Twitter ID
one entry per day
Contest open to Canadians, aged 18 years and older
Giveaway closes 11:59 pm PST, on December 31st 2009. Winner will be chosen using random.org and the name will be forwarded to Mom Central Canada, who will ship the prize out in early January.

Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for all the videos to go up here in the Cookie Jar as I play around with my Flip and capture lots of our holiday moments. First video? Tomorrow I'm baking cookies. Wanna watch?

Good luck! I hope you get to Flip too!

PS. don't feel bad saying you'd like to keep it for yourself. I SO would. Now that I've used it, it's gone under my "Toys that are Mom's and if you touch I will break your fingers" list along with my Kitchen Aid mixer, iPod, and camera.

Drama Queen

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:03:00 +0000

For the past few days there has been some serious drama happening in the Cookie Jar. It's something that has been extremely upsetting for all of us, and at the moment is completely un-blogable. If you've been on Twitter the last few days you may have heard about it or caught a few snippets here and there.

We're all physically okay, but I need to take a hiatus from the world for awhile to re-group and try to salvage some Christmas spirit for my family amongst the extreme betrayal, anger, and hurt that all of us feel. I'm sure you guys will understand. In time, I may be able to tell you the story because wow, is it a story. Right now I'm just too exhausted and upset, angry and stressed out to even write. My muse is muddled with some serious anger and I'm not quite sure what to do with that.

I should clarify that this isn't an Internet or Twitter drama and that everything is quite alright with my family. There has been real life drama that was totally unexpected started with something relatively minor that was blown into something completely, utterly, ridiculously unfair and shocking. We have been dealing with that all week and it will likely take until after New Years to sort everything out.

I'll be back after a day or two (most likely Monday) after I cocoon for a bit, and hopefully refreshed and happy, and ready to enjoy the holidays. But before then, there will be a post about how my Canadian readers can enter to win a Flip Mino HD video camera! Woo hoo!

Love you all,

Scattered Mom

Reading: Stephanie Nielson's Story Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I encouraged you to check out Stephanie's story last week, and now part two is out as well.

If you missed it last week, Stephanie is a blogger who was in a horrific plane crash in August 2008. The second installment is about her recovery, and how she rebuilds her life and becomes 'Mom' again, when her children don't even recognize her anymore.

Pull up a chair, bring a box of kleenex, a cup of tea, and prepare to be inspired.

Cookie Crumbs: Olympic Fever? Maybe not.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:34:00 +0000

Christmas music plays softly in the background as we work our way through the store, looking for socks for Hubs. White Hanes ankle socks, please. There's no place in our town to get them.

We're doing some holiday shopping in the city, where there is much more selection, lower prices, and lots and lots of people. It seems as though the population of our entire town is crammed into this one Zellers store.

A crowd of people surround a bin full of red mittens-not just any mittens, mind you, but Olympic mittens! Just $10! Support the Canadian athletes with the purchase of your very own mittens!

Jake gawked at the crowd surrounding the bin, all pushing and shoving their way through to grab a pair and try them on. Some had hand baskets overflowing with red mittens as they shoved and jostled each other for position.

"They are like cattle around a feed bag," Jake giggled. "Want some mittens, Mom?"

"I don't need mittens. I don't even like mittens. I'd rather have the chance to actually go to Olympics, not wear a stupid pair of mittens supporting a games that's so freaking expensive that the average Vancouverite can't even afford to attend." I tossed the pair I was holding back into the bin.

"Amen!" A man to my left held up a fist full of red wool. "But you know, they're only $10!"

Cookie Crumbs: Weather man

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

It's early morning. I'm home from work sick today, and Jake needs to get to school. I could make him take the bus, but the lovely boy hasn't figured out what time it arrives only a few houses down from my own.

Did I mention it's really cold outside? I'm in my flannel pjs, hair a mess, no make-up, and barely awake, grumbling that I had to leave my nice warm bed to drive the boy when a BUS could take him to school.

He sniffs the air.

"It smells like snow. You know, I can tell when a storm is coming, like an electrical storm, because the air smells coppery. Right now it smells like snow, though. With these clouds and this cold, I'll bet that we'll get some today."

"Jake, I doubt that you can tell the weather just by sniffing the air," I reply grumpily. "Good Lord, is your nose now the weather man?"

I start the car and we sit for a minute, waiting for things to warm up a bit.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a single, fat snow flake drifts and lands right in front of us on the wind shield.

"Shut up. Fine. You win."

A Christmasy Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Looking for something to make for breakfast Christmas morning that will fill in the gaps left by the chocolate in your stocking?

Let's face it-we all love to nosh on treats Christmas morning. Especially chocolate. It's the only morning in my house where it's perfectly normal to dive into the Purdy's long before breakfast is ready.

I'll actually let you in on a little secret...in my house, we don't often do a really special breakfast on Christmas. Sometimes, I do pancakes or even breakfast sandwiches, but that's a stretch. With only the 3 of us, and Hubs always sticks to his tried and true toast and honey, it was never worth it in the past. Although now that Jake eats enough to feed a small African village, I may start actually cooking up a fun breakfast.

So when Everything Mom asked me to come up with a Christmas morning breakfast menu, I had research to do.

Would you believe that Jake suggested the menu items? I have a foodie on my hands. He remembered yogurt parfaits that I made when he was younger, and then showed me the Chef At Home episode where Michael Smith makes a brunch bake.

Yogurt parfaits. Easy? You bet.

Of course, everything I suggest is something we have actually eaten, so when we had the brunch bake for dinner the other night, it was deemed a success by all as Jake down every last morsel on his plate.

"It's like a savory bread pudding," Jake observed. "...and it's SO good."

Note to self: Your kid has been spending time on Twitter when they say "Om nom nom nom" while they are eating.

Go check out the post and get the recipes at Everything Mom!

Listening To: Straight No Chaser

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Few Christmas carols make me want to poke sharp sticks into my ears faster than "12 Days of Christmas" or "Little Drummer Boy". I'm not sure why, but I think it has something to do with the years I've spent working with small children and the Christmases that we had whole concert productions revolve around the 12 Days of Christmas, sung so many times that I thought my ears would bleed.

It's torture by Christmas music, I swear.

The other day I was driving to work and this began playing. I almost changed the station but then...wait! It was funny! No, not just funny, but I was actually laughing out loud in the car.

I am declaring this version of "12 Days of Christmas" one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time, next to "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."

Enjoy!

Reading. And You Should Too.

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Last night I read a post over on Velveteen Mind that stuck with me. It's hard sometimes, to imagine that the people behind the words on the screens we look at are real. They have good and bad days, yell at their husbands, kiss their children, leave the dishes in the sink and forget to fill up on gas.

They aren't just words. They are people.

August 2008 was a lazy month for me; off work until September, I canned peaches and took Jake to the ER when he stabbed some glass tubing into his hand. In that same week, Stephanie Neilson and her husband almost died in a plane crash over eastern Arizona.

I've been to Eastern Arizona. I've also been in small planes, because Hubs has his pilot's license and for awhile, we flew short jaunts here and there. Flying was never my thing. I always clung to the seat, my knuckles white, eyes closed and cringing as we took off and landed. The mantra in my head was always, "please don't crash please don't crash please don't crash."

I hated flying.

News of Stephanie and Christian's crash radiated through the blogging world, and horrified, I began reading her blog. Now one of my must reads whenever there is a new post, my only regret is that I can't leave comments because truly, she is an inspiration.

Jaimee Rose followed Stephanie's story for a year and it is now being published, in installments, in the Azcentral. If you read anything online ever in your life, read this. Make sure to click through the related links-there's scores of pictures and more details to the story.

Just remember to have some kleenex close by, because you are so going to need it.

Her Heart Grew Two Sizes that Day

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The other day Jake needed a haircut. We don't often get his hair cut in this town, since it might mean something silly like $35 for a simple buzz cut. Jake has decided to grow his unruly hair out and have it actually styled, so I was in the need of a simple, and somewhat cheap, place to get a 13 year old's hair snipped.

A flip through the yellow pages and a phone call later, I found a barber who was open, but would be "closing at 1 o'clock sharp."

"Jake, hurry UP!" I swear, that boy would sleep all day if we let him. It was already after 12, and we needed to move it, move it, move it.

I had never heard of this barber shop before. The girl had said it was right next to the building supply store in town. Funny I had never noticed it, I could swear there wasn't one there but maybe I was mistaken.

We pulled into the parking lot of the building supply store and began walking around, looking for the barber shop. No luck. Inside the store, I asked a clerk.

"Oh, just cross the street and it's up the road,"

"I don't remember it being over here," the wind was cold and biting as Jake and I crossed the busy street. No barber shop. "Let's try the other way."

We walked about another block in the other direction, peering at every store front. No barber shop.

"Well this is stupid. We've been wandering around in the freezing cold looking for this place, and it's closing in about 40 minutes. " The more we walked, the more annoyed I got. I don't have time, universe. My life is busy. I work six days a week, have deadlines to meet, a family and house to take care of. Why couldn't this woman give me decent directions? Is this what they call customer service? Seriously, if I can't even find the shop, am I going to bother going? Of course not. This is my only day off and I have groceries to get, stocking stuffers to scout out, food to make, a house to clean, laundry to do, not to mention a gazillion blog posts to write, and articles, meal plans, do they think I have all day to wander around aimlessly looking for a stupid barber shop?

"I'm done," whirling around on my heel, I began stomping for the warmth of the car and Jake quietly ran to keep up. "You'll have to wait until Wednesday because this is freaking ridiculous." I was beyond annoyed. I was steaming. I don't have any spare time, universe. It's not like I can get to a barber on a whim. I have to schedule it now. Isn't that stupid? So busy that I can't even get my own kid a haircut until my schedule allows?

A plan was soon hatched to make the most of our time out by stopping at the bank to get some of Jake's allowance so that he could do a little Christmas shopping with Dad once I dropped him off at home. Jake, sensing my cranky mood, decided to stay in the car.

I think it was a move of self preservation. I was like the girl from The Exorcist, all growly and head spinning menacingly.

Stalking to the bank, I noticed through the window that there was an elderly gentleman at the ATM. Great. He'll probably take forever. The whoosh of warm air as I opened the door greeted me merrily, along with the twinkling Christmas decorations and canned holiday music.

I waited.

And waited.

Then...began to wonder. The gentleman in front of me was obviously having trouble with his bankbook and figuring out the machine. He turned around to sweetly ask me a few questions, and without warning, my Grinchy heart slowly began to soften.

"Oh, I can't figure it out." he walked away from the machine, frustrated. "It's not my day. You go ahead, I'll do this another time." As he made for the door, I suddenly realized that he had left his card in the ATM and called after him.

"Wait! You can't go! Your card is still in there!" Hitting the cancel button, I retrieved his card and slip, then handed them to him. "Can I help you with it?"

"No, it's okay, " he sighed sadly. "I had a stroke in February, and ever since, it just hasn't been the same."

That Grinchy heart of mine completely melted. It hit me right then, just how lucky this man was that I had been behind him; some dishonest person could easily have accessed his account and cleaned it out. The word "stroke" made me immediately think of Anissa and her family, and right there I realized that my behavior earlier had been just totally stupid. Did it really matter that we couldn't get Jake's hair cut today? Why didn't I just enjoy the fact that I was spending time with my teenager, who would all too soon be grown and out of the house? Instead I had stomped around, acting self righteous and important as everyone should adhere to my schedule.

Not anymore. I was not going to allow the logistics of Christmas crowd out my holiday spirit and take over what should be a fun, caring, giving month. How could I get so focused on working, working, working that I had actually forgotten what Christmas was all about?

This former Grinchy girl did something she's never done before. Something that would have struck terror in my list-making, over planning, schedule making heart.

I went home, took the schedule off the fridge, and tossed it.

Recipe Thursdays:

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

So I did the lazy edition a few weeks ago and directed you to these really yummy looking squares, right? I eventually made them.

You likely know that and have heard me rant on twitter about how yummy they were.

Let me just say that they are the most delectable morsels of peanut buttery chocolate goodness in the universe. Not just that, but the recipe can be halved and so you can make a small pan if you want, even.

They would be really good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a cup of coffee.

Keep reading for the recipe...

PS...Recipe Tuesdays has been moved to Thursdays, because it just fits my schedule better. You're still going to get recipes! Just on Thursdays instead.

Saved by a Sloth

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I think I've talked about my commute to work before. The narrow, winding highway is so curvy that if you are prone to car sickness, you'll be turning green at the half way point. Logging trucks bounce along (I always have visions of them losing their load and crushing me like a bug), and crazy people in a hurry have no problem passing you on a double solid.

It's an interesting drive, which is why I always give myself a ton of time to get to work, just in case. Well. That depends on if my teenager, who is exceedingly hard to get out of bed, will be ready on time. I have resorted to threats of keeping a squirt gun in the fridge, loaded and ready to go just in case he's extra lazy.

Last week he was.

"Jake, get UP!" I bounced on his bed for good measure. He yawned and mumbled something before pulling his covers over his head. "UP! UP! NOOWWWW!"

This slothfulness was getting out of hand. I would need to really buy that squirt gun and actually use it. After nagging and threatening to make him walk, I finally got him to school and was feeling the pressure to get moving. Burning down the highway at 80 km/hr, I took the opportunity in a slight straight part to adjust the stereo before I rounded a curve.

As a looked back at the road, out of the corner of my eye, something moved up on the hill to my right. Was that...? What on Earth was a tire doing over there?

A tire, complete with a hub cap, was bounding down the hill to my right, poising to land smack in front of the car.

It happened so fast; I had barely enough time to avoid the tire, but then I noticed what had happened. A jeep coming in the opposite direction was missing it's driver's side front tire.
That tire? It had literally flown off, across the highway, hit a tree on the opposite side of the road, and rolled down the hill.

If I had been any faster that morning, I would have been closer to that oncoming jeep. That tire just might have hit ME instead of the tree.

Suddenly, Jake's slowness in the morning didn't really look like such a bad thing. His slothfulness just might have saved my life.

Smokin'

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Christmas music was blaring over the loudspeakers at the store as I searched for odds and ends that Hubs had asked me to pick up. Not really in a hurry but not wanting to waste too much time, I was moving with purpose.

I sort of expected the guy standing in the middle of the aisle, looking right at me, to move over. He didn't. He stood there, looking me up and down, so that I cold barely get by.

"Um, excuse me."

I waited. He moved slightly, and gave me a grin.

Usually I don't even notice when men check me out. Do they? Hubs says they do. He says I'm charmingly oblivious to the whole thing, but this time I noticed and this time, it completely creeped me out. It wasn't like the guy was just a friendly, "hey you look kinda cute," sort. I can't put my finger on it, but this one gave me the eebie jeebies. Big time. Like, crazy stalker better run for the car kinda creepy.

Once my shopping was finished, I stood in line to pay and out of nowhere, creepy guy is suddenly right behind me.

Oh my god, I need to move. This guy is going to mug me in the parking lot. Or ask for my number. At the very least, he's standing really close and I'm not okay with this.

Thankfully another cashier appeared and said she could help the next person in line, who happened to be me.

"Oh, go ahead," creepy guy grins at me again. He motions for me to go to the other cash register.

There's one thing about this store-they only sell cigarettes at particular cash registers, and Hubs had asked me to pick some up for him. So I couldn't move to the no-tobacco products line because arriving at home without Hubs sticks o' cancer would not go over well in the least.

"No that's okay, I need to get cigarettes. You go ahead," Suddenly, his face changed from creepy grin to absolute disgust. Obviously by that one statement, I had gone from "hawt" in his view to a disgusting lowlife. His eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down.

"That's a BAD HABIT," he snorted as he changed lines.

The backlash that I get when I pick up cigarettes for Hubs is incredible. People lecture me, and nobody ever believes that I have never even tried a cigarette in my entire life. Usually I get really annoyed because come on, do you drink? Do I bug you in the liquor store? No.

On the other hand, if thinking I'm a smoker gets rid of creepy people?

Totally works for me.

Stocking Stuffer Stuff-the BIG List!

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:07:00 +0000

Are you stocking stuffer stumped? Some people are so hard to buy for. Take Hubs, for instance; anything he wants, he buys. He doesn't have a lot of hobbies and is exceedingly difficult to buy for. Jake and I often joke that we'll fill his stocking with a big can of Nabob coffee and some socks.

So to help generate ideas I began to do what I do best-make lists...and here is my master list of everything I can possibly think of to go in a stock for everyone in your life!

Keep reading....

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Winner of the Mabel's Label's gift tag giveaway is....(drumroll please)

Marfan Mom! Thanks for entering, everyone. I loved hearing about your funny Christmas stories. If you would like to order some gift tags at Mabel's Labels, go here.

Recipe Tuesdays: Chocolate Chunk Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:03:00 +0000

The recipe has been buried somewhere in Recipes from the Cookie Jar, but I dug it out to show you all how delicious it can be! With applesauce to replace some of the butter it becomes moist, flavorful, and the additions of chocolate chunks and dried sour cherries send it over the top. Yum! You'll find the recipe here.

Dear Mr. Santa, bring me a.....

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

So a little while ago, Lou Lou posted her wish list over at Lou Lou's views and asked her readers what's on their wish list.

You all know me-responding to those types of questions in a little comment box isn't going to do. A blog post, maybe? With pictures? Of course!

For ages I have resisted one, but this baby is clear at the very TOP of my wish list this year...

1. A 32 G iPod Touch so that I can Twitter, listen to music, and be connected anywhere. Of course it would have to come with some music, so an iTunes card, screen care kit and a case would be really great too. I'm gadgety. I need to have access to the blog world and Twitter when we are on vacation or I'm just out and about.

Maybe I'm tad addicted?

2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and a mini tripod

Would you guys believe I've never Photoshopped any of my pictures? Besides doing a teeny bit of adjusting on the color, that's it. I would love Photoshop because then I could probably create banners and more graphics. If I was really dreaming I'd ask for a really amazing camera, but I'm realistic. That won't happen for awhile, so I'm just getting the other tools first. One day....

A mini tripod would be real helpful with all those close up food shots, and I think I'd likely use it a lot.

3. Warm and cozy sweaters

I'm not sure where I'd expect these to be from, but I love the Gap, Roots, and a few other places so I'd have to go try things on and check them out. I really could use some new sweaters though, and so I'm eying what's on at the stores!

4. Slippers, some really nice Flannel PJs, and a blanket for my bed

For years I've bought cheap slippers, only to have them fall apart and stretch out of shape only weeks later. I get cold feet, and to have some really good quality slippers that would last are a big deal to me. The ones above look good, or something similar.

Plus, I'd love some really nice pjs that would keep me toasty warm because if there's one thing that is constant about me, it's that I'm freezing cold almost all the time. So that explains the extra blanket currently on my bed-which is this old, ugly thing. I'd like something a bit prettier, maybe? As long as it's big (at least a double) and warm.

5. The Super Big, Ultimate gift?

Actually it's not something you can buy. I wish for a stress free, fulfilling job for Hubs in the city so that he could get his health on track and so that I will have him around for many more years to come.

That, my friends, is better than ANY old Christmas gift.

What's on YOUR list?

Karma

noreply@blogger.com (Scattered Mom) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

So I'm sure some of you, when you think of us living up here in the wilds of Canada during the winter, you picture this:

Photo credit: Alaskan Dude

I've even been asked if it's like this (yes, I'm serious-those ARE kangaroos. I didn't know they lived in Canada either):

Photo credit: A Writer Afoot

If you really must know, the last few days it's been mostly like this:

Photo credit: MaximeF

Or even this:

Photo credit: Sea Turtle

When we lived on Vancouver Island the rain and wind storms could get particularly bad, to the point where you could hear the house shifting and wonder if your roof would hold (it always did. Don't worry). Where we are now, it never usually gets that bad.

Well. Except last night.

You'd think after this storm, and then our experience with this one, we'd be experts at being prepared for them. We were, for awhile, but then one lantern broke, we discovered that candles really irritate Hub's lungs, and both flashlights bit the dust.

Yesterday I ran out and bought a new lantern/flashlight thing that had better last longer then one season (I'm totally looking at YOU, Noma) because for $30-ish, I sort of expect that. Totally prepared with our one lantern/flashlight thing, we huddled by the TV and expected the power to go out.

It didn't. Yay! Hot showers, coffee, and a warm house for everyone!

Wednesday morning as I was getting ready for work the phone rang, and I received the delightful news that school (work, for me) had been canceled because the power was out. I'm not ashamed to admit I did the funky chicken around the kitchen, much to Jake's irritation. You see, he attends a different school and that meant I was going to stay home while he suffered through his classes. Delighted, I bounced into his room and rubbed his nose in that fact until I was satisfied he had been sufficiently tortured, and then went off to take a shower.

Mid shampoo, the phone rang again. Ah, must be Jake's school, I thought. He'll be happy, there's no school for him, too. I practically skipped around, planning all the wonderful things I'd get done today and once I was out of the shower, hit the play button on the answering machine.

"Hey I'm sorry, but actually the power is back ON. School is IN."

"What?! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" My voice carried through 2 closed doors to Jake, wallowing in his bed.

"Serves you right!" he yelled back.

*sigh* I guess it did.

Win A Smart Car! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:45:35 PDT

Take ICBC's "dirty driver" quiz and enter a contest to win a smart car! Open to residents of BC, Canada

Canada Moms Blog: Streetproofing Your Kids in 2009 [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:38:16 PDT

Such a sad story-but the information is very valuable.

Deep South Moms: Passing Judgment on a Teenaged Driver [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:23:37 PDT

What would YOU do?

Kait's Plate: Rosemary and Roasted Garlic Focaccia [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sun, 17 May 2009 20:26:44 PDT

Try not to lick the screen

'Rrroll up the rim' prank leads to accusation of fraud [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:39:57 PDT

This sounds kinda fishy to me..I mean, you'd be able to tell a 12 year old's 'fake' cup from a real one, and how did they 'accidentally' get switched if the guy was drinking a coffee?

Indian dad avoids washing for 35 years [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:48:30 PDT

He was told if he doesn't wash, he'll have a son. If he doesn't wash, what woman would want him?

goat Canucks goat! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:19:40 PDT

I love this! Cheer on the Canucks and buy a goat for a family in Africa!

Free Coffee At McDonalds for Two weeks! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:14:39 PDT

Starting yesterday, McDonalds has been offering free coffee at breakfast time, no purchase required. It will continue for 2 whole weeks!

"Where The Wild Things Are" Cake! [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:54:14 PDT

You just have to see this cake. SO COOL!

Did You Know Your Veggies Could Make You Sick? [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:41:13 PDT

Great tips on how to avoid food borne illness from your produce.

50 Great Photoshop Tutorials for Clever Beginners - Psdtuts+ [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:28:16 PDT

Hey! Some great tips here

S'Mores Dessert Squares [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:26:47 PDT

These look really, really yummy

Bakerella [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:13:40 PDT

Omg! So cute! Would feel cruel to eat them.

Electrolux vacuum explodes, causing third-degree burns - Yahoo! Canada News [del.icio.us]

Scattered_Mom — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:32:57 PDT

Yikes! Are you kidding me?