An Osage Girl in Suburbia

Osage Tooth Fairy

2012-09-21T10:29:00.003-04:00

I just realized that my last blog was in February....YIKES!

For those of you who wondered where I've been, let me tell you, I've been all over God's green Earth and Home again! We we home (my beautiful Osage Reservation) the whole month of June and stayed long enough to pop firecrackers at Pa-Pa's house in Grayhorse. It was so nice visiting family, friends and the occasional foe. Aye China!

School has started again and I was so happy to be back on our schedules, you know those schedules that we didn't manage to pay attention to when it was summer vacation. Dance Classes, Soccer Practice, Soccer Games and everything in between. My other favorite part of school starting is that IT IS NOW FALL AND FOOTBALL SEASON!!! (I was actually singing that part) I love fall and everything it brings.....smells of apples, crisp mornings and evenings, cardigans (yes I said cardigans....I just wished Cole Haan's were popular again), stews and chili on the stove, and last but not least Football Games! Oh yeah and baseball playoffs are starting to heat up!

G-Men Won Last Night!!!

So let me tell you about G's latest adventure.....Last night she lost a tooth! She wiggled that thing loose like it was a precious diamond in an African Diamond Mine. We were both super excited and she couldn't wait to show Daddy. As she was carrying it to the kitchen to put it on the counter she lost it....SHE LOST HER LOST TOOTH! Oh my, you should have heard the wails coming from that child, I had a vision of her being an old Osage woman wailing her prayers in the morning sun, it was that bad! We searched everywhere and everywhere!

She had herself completely convinced that the Tooth Fairy was invisible and took it from her early! That DARN Tooth Fairy was trying to get off work early!! G was ready to rip that poor Tooth Fairy's own teeth out! I was completely baffled and sent her to her room for a bit. If I was a tooth where would I be? So being the loving Mommy, I got down on my hands and knees and SEARCHED for that tooth....you would've thought I was searching for that Diamond. AHA! I found that tiny little tooth under the couch....how did it get there? What the Heck!!! So I ran and put it back on the napkin on the counter. Later on she came back downstairs and SAW IT! She was the happiest girl in the U.S.A! "I knew the Tooth Fairy would bring it back b/c I didn't get to show Daddy" and "I bet the Tooth Fairy saw how much I was crying and wanted me to be happy" Oh on and on about how the Tooth Fairy is the keenest thing!

TA-DA! All Smiles Again!

CHOCOLATE CAKE worth Fighting Over!!!

2012-02-23T10:50:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I signed up for Pinterest and I found this chocolate cake recipe. Sunday afternoon came around E and I were wanting something with chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate and my mind immediately went back to this recipe. I printed it out and BAM! it was sealed in the history books. I will never again buy a store box chocolate cake b/c this was so easy to make!!!

I bet if we took this cake to the United Nations it would end all wars, but then again it just may start a few fighting over the last piece!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

The only one you'll ever make again!!!

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour
2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Cocoa Powder
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs
1 C. Coffee cooled
1 C. Home made Buttermilk (Add 1 Tblsp. Vinegar into cup and fill remaining
Cup with Half and Half Cream)
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Real Vanilla Extract

Chocolate Frosting
1/2 C. Margarine, softened
2 oz. Melted Unsweetened Chocolate, cooled
3 C. Powered Sugar
3 Tbsp milk or Half/Half
2 tsp Real Vanilla Extract

(1 Tbsp. of Cocoa Powder if you taste and it isn't chocolate enough)

First thing you do I make sure you have a cup of coffee. I have a Keurig so getting a cup of coffee was easy. I had 3/4 cup of fresh hot coffee but added enough ice cubes to bring it up to a full cup.

Next is make your homemade buttermilk. I used half and half b/c it brings a bit of richness and this cake is very worth it!

This cake is so delicious and it even includes coffee and cream! It cannot get any better!!!

Directions

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.

Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans. DO NOT OVER BAKE!!!!

Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

First mix all the dry ingredients together.

Mix well b/c it distributes all the Cocoa Powder evenly.

Add all the wet ingredients together and beat it, just beat it...Whoo!

Oh sorry, I just couldn't resist!

Also you well hear bubbles and crackling it from the vinegar and baking soda! Yes! if you have children they will love this part!!!

Remember DO NOT OVER BAKE!

Once cooled completely prepare to set up for presentation....

I like to add icing only to the top and middle like an old fashion look. Almost as if this fabulous recipe has been passed down from your Great-Great Grandma!

February so far....

2012-02-20T19:06:00.000-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while and boy do I feel bad!

It's February.....have you ever thought about how February is spelled and tried to pronounce it s-l-o-w-l-y??? It just seems weird when you say it slow....I bet you are trying it right now, huh?

In case you didn't know....The Giants Won the Super Bowl and Limoncello was flowing! It was a good time had by all....and it took me 2 days to recover from all the excitement and Limoncello!

G and I went to the celebration at Giants Stadium!!!!

I Celebrated my Birthday at Giants Stadium! It was the best day.....We tail-gated, sat in the sunny side of the stadium, cheered, clapped, whooped and hollered!!! We did eventually get wind-chapped but it was worth it! G learned how to the "THE WAVE" with the crowd. It was the BEST BIRTHDAY!

Next was Valentine's Day....

G and I made these super cute Valentine Cards.

It never ceases to amaze me what construction paper and imagination can create!

Valentine's Day was super stress free and simple. I made homemade cheese pizza (Pillsbury pizza crust in the tube is AMAZING! and worth trying!!!)

G planned a romantic dinner for us, she made place cards, asked if we could set up the candles and use wine glasses. She is so sweet! I just love her more and more!

So far so good!!!

I have a Chocolate Cake recipe that I will be blogging soon!!! I promise, so get your printers ready!!!

Giants, Buffalo Chx Dip, and snow all in the mix!

2012-01-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

It officially snowed today! YAY!!! I'm so glad that I did all my Food Store shopping yesterday because I really don't want to be out with the CrAzIes when it snows!

Taken at Giants Training Camp Aug. 2011

The Giants have BIG Game tomorrow and we are all super excited! BIG BLUE!! If they win this game they will be playing in the Super Bowl. Ya Down with J.P.P? Yeah you know me!!! Ya Down with Big Blue D? Yeah you know me!! (I heard that song on FOX 5 news)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC_ucbiqKoQ

I'm making Pulled Pork (for recipe look at blog PULLED PORK YOU'LL FALL APART FOR) and Baked Beans!

Training Camp at the Meadowlands

For everyone else I thought I'd give you the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip (Always a fan favorite)!!! My friend Kelly gave me this recipe back in 2008 and it has been pleasing appetites ever since!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

16 oz. Cream Cheese-Softened (I usually nuke it to make it a bit smooth)

8-9 Oz. Franks Red Hot Sauce (any Hot sauce will do)

2 cups (about 1 1/2 lbs.) boiled shredded Chicken

1-2 TBSP Medium Salsa

1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Mexican Cheese

(will need more to add to top)

Melt Cream Cheese then add Hot Sauce, mix well until smooth. Next add Chicken, Salsa and Cheddar Cheese. Mix together and taste....if you want more spicy here is the time to add one or two more oz. of Hot Sauce.

Place into Baking dish and top with more cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins or unitl beginning to brown.

If you feel a little fancy you can add Blue Cheese dressing or Crumbles of Blue Cheese!

BEST CHIPS to serve with is FRITO SCOOPS or Tortilla Chips!!!

Super Easy and SUPER DELICIOUS for the SUPER BOWL!!!

Go Giants!!

hey wise-guy!

2012-01-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

This is how I know I'm getting older....or should I say wiser?

Instead of calling my friends about drink specials at the local pub, I considered calling my friends to tell them about the MEAT sale going on at the local Food Store! Seriously, I was picking up a Pork Shoulder (for the Giants Play-Off game) and strolled by the ground BEEF (yum Beef!) and saw that it is currently $1.99 per pound! JACKPOT!!! I picked up 3 packs and already brought them home, separated into ziplock baggies and they are chillin' out in the freezer! I swear I am so cool!!! LOL!

This week I managed to sneak away while G was at school and I saw 'The Descendants' starring George Clooney. I believe it will win for Best Picture, it was serious yet had a bit of humor in the right spots. Everyone should see it. It made me sad b/c the last Queen of Hawaii's descendants had to determine if they wanted to sell the land or keep it in trust, and the ones that wanted to sell didn't have a connection or appreciate the true beauty that land holds. Then I kept thinking of our Original Osage Alottees and their land. It made me appreciate my Grandfather Raymond and how he kept hold of his land for his children and grandchildren. That money has a way of coming and going but Land is constant. I love you Grandpa!

Map of the Osage Reservation

Did anyone else notice that my favorite MOOD FABRICS is where everyone from Project Runway buys all their material? Only the best place in NYC!!!

My experience with MY WEEK WITH MARILYN....

2012-01-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

This morning was a blistery uber cold morning....considering it has been an extra warm December and now January is just trying to freeze us out. It was so cold that even the water spout outside decided to burst in the middle of the night. HOLY MOLY! The best thing to do if it's Freakin' HoTter than Hades or Colder than the North Pole is to Go to the Movies!!!

Today I decided that it was going to be THE day that I go to see My Week with Marilyn. So 12:35 rolls around and I better be off to the theatre. (I tried to convince E to go with me, but he is a NO-GO. Bummer!) I walk into the AMC Theatre and there is a line....A LINE at 1:00 p.m.??? Wow I wonder what all these people are planning on seeing???

I get my ticket for Theatre #2 and hit the concession stand for a Cameo Pack (which is a tiny bag of popcorn and a small drink). Merrily I'm bopping down to my designated theatre and I look at the sign and #2 looks like it's showing The Muppets and #5 is showing My Week with Marilyn. There are a few elderly ladies standing outside looking confused. Hmmm...well the computers print the tickets and I'm sure they are coordinate the screenings with the tickets. (My Analytical skills at work). Alright well I'm going in!!! I'm the first one in and so I choose the best seat. Aisle Seat about 4 rows from the back. I must also include that this particular theatre is an old school kind, meaning no stadium seating.

A couple of people come in and sit. So far so good. After about 2 previews the movie is starting...Yay!!! After about 5 mins. into the movie, a crowd of people coming from #5 started plowing into the theatre...let's just say they weren't quiet people either. Old Men were yelling to their wives, "Oh Jesus, the movie started already!", "How long has the movie been on?" The wives were yelling back to the husbands, "Just sit down" and "I'm not leaving!". I had to pipe up and make an announcement that "THE MOVIE JUST STARTED AND THIS KID IS TALKING ABOUT HIS FIRST JOB" Then almost in unison everyone said, "Oh Okay Thanks" and everyone sits and all is quiet again.

Then wouldn't you know a rowdy crew of three old ladies come in talking all loud and make a big production on where to sit. Oh but it doesn't stop there, they continued to talk throughout the WHOLE MOVIE! The sweet little ladies behind me first did the polite shhh. The Rowdy crew was silent for a few minutes then started talking again, then someone else yelled for them to "BE QUIET!" I felt like I was in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. It was horrible!!! Everyone tried their best to ignore them but about half way through the movie they started having full on conversations about the movie, like they were invisible. Those sweet little old ladies behind me kept trying to shush them, but those roustabouts just kept talking about the movie louder and louder. Good Lord above, please give me strength! I felt my tolerance reach it's all time high for a movie and I sternly whipped my head around and said, "Would you talk about the movie AFTER the Movie is over! You are being rude to everyone else around you." Then everyone else in the theatre said, "YEAH"! LMAO! We did not hear a single peep, cough, sigh, or noise of any kind from them again for the rest of the movie!!! I was officially the My Week with Marilyn Hero!!!

Oh my goodness, Michelle Williams' portrayal was AMAZING! Definitely Academy Award performance. You were able to see the highs and lows of the lifestyle Marilyn Monroe lived. The movie was written very tastefully and I am looking forward to reading The Prince, The Show girl and Me. I would definitely see it again and recommend it to everyone I know. I give it 2 Thumbs up!

Michelle Williams

If I had to choose between War Horse and My Week with Marilyn....Marilyn would win!!!

The Giants make the Playoffs and pass the Meatballs!!!

2012-01-02T11:15:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! Can you believe it is 2012 already? 1992 doesn't seem that long ago (That's when My Sis graduated from good Ol' Pawhuska High) That was my freshman year in High school too! 20 years have flown by!!!

The Giants beat the Cowboys and they play again next Sunday! That means I need to make more Limoncello....so far it has been a hit with every Touchdown! #80 Victor Cruz had an amazing game and some awesome catches! Shout Out to Cruz! Cha-Cha!!!!

For New Year's Eve I made some Sweet & Spicy Meatballs (Which is always a favorite for people of all ages) .

You will need 4 Things and only 3 Step Process.

1.) Handy Dandy Crock Pot or Slow Cooker, whichever you prefer to call it!

2.) A Bag of frozen meatballs

3.) 2 lb. Jar of Welch's Grape Jelly

4.) 1 Large Jar of Taco Sauce or 2 small ones. Brands could be Ortega or Old El Paso

Oh my goodness this is so easy to make and so delicious! Everyone would think that you put some real work into it! E's family refers to them as "The Meatballs".

Example: Aunt El: What would you like me to bring? I can bring "The Meatballs"!

Me: Yes, bring "The Meatballs"! Awesome!!!

Step #1. Empty Bag of Meatballs into Crock Pot

Step #2 Empty Jar of Grape Jelly onto top of Meatballs

Step #3. Empty Taco Sauce on top of Meatballs and Jelly

Slap that lid on and set to High!

In a bit STIR everything b/c jelly will start to melt.

Go ahead and watch some reality TV and play Words with Friends.

In a few hours the meatballs will soak up the Sweet and Spicy Concoction and will be perfect!

Be prepared to hear everyone saying " How did you make these" "YUM" and "These are good"

2012

Love, Peace and Fry Bread Grease!!!

Banana Bread and Words with Friends!!!

2011-12-29T13:25:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that 2012 will be here on Sunday! I hope that Mayan Calendar is wrong! LOL!

G's Festival of Lights Concert

at her school she performed Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree. SO CUTE!!!

The Limoncello turned out A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and it was way better than the stuff from the store!!!! The Giants won so that meant SHOTS FOR EVERYONE!!! It was so delicious that a certain someone (who should remain nameless) was high-fiving and hugging everyone!!! This next game the Giants have to beat the Cowboys in order to make it to the playoffs....let's just say that every Giants fan around the globe is hoping for a victory.

She called it her "Deer in Headlights Pose"

Okay my friend Steph (from my hair salon) got me hooked on Words with Friends. I am completely addicted and have numerous games going. Right now I have 2 games at the same time with my friend Nancy! LOL!!! I can completely understand why Alec Baldwin got kicked off his flight....I feel your pain Baldwin brother!!!

Here is the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread that I included in my goodie bags that I passed out to a few people. It's so easy squeezy!!!

Choc. Chip Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

3 or 4 ripe Bananas Smashed (not drunk smashed...HA!)

1/3 cup of melted butter

3/4 cup of sugar

1 egg beaten

1 tsp. of Vanilla

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cup of Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 cup of Choc. Chips (or as much as you like)

Mix Butter and Bananas with a wooden spoon

Mix in Sugar, egg and vanilla

sprinkle in Baking Soda and salt

add Flour

mix in choc. chips last.

Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Look at this cute Christmas wrapping paper she created. I just love her more and more!!!

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!!

LimonCELLO!!!

2011-12-21T11:33:00.000-05:00

Ever since I saw the episode of Danny DeVito acting CrAzY on The View I've always wanted to try Limoncello..... I mean if it has Danny DeVito passed out in his Limo then by all means I wouldn't mind trying it! So I finally bought a bottle and it was great!   It reminded me of a Lemon Drop Martini, and I LOVE Lemon Drop Martinis!!! (Lemon Drop Martinis are one of Oprah's favorites too...just a little FYI)

After I brought it home I showed E and his friends (b/c they were over watching a Giants Football game and after every touchdown it would be Limoncello shots for everybody!!!   So it stuck (at least for this season)

So I Googled "Limoncello recipes" and the first one that popped up was Giada DeLaurentis' recipe.   She has to know what she's talking about b/c she's on the Food Network after all!!!   The recipe looked easy enough it was basically Vodka, Lemons (Lots of Lemons) water, sugar and TIME.    And to my surprise I was able to easily obtain all 4....Yay Me!!!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/limoncello-recipe/index.html

So here we go......

Stage #1 and we have to wait 4 days!

LIMONCELLO

Ingredients

10 lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
3 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar

Directions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

I plan on bottling it up and giving it as gifts along with Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Peanut Butter and M&m Cookies!!!

It's December!!!

2011-12-05T11:46:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness where do I begin?

Okay so last week I got an email from G's Agent and she had a very big audition for NBC....so we trekked into NYC and she did great! I think they were looking for an older kid (she's only 6) but fingers are still crossed!!!

While we were in the City we decided to try a new Restaurant so we went to Mars 2112! It was so much fun!!! Everything was red and there were red rock formations everywhere also martians walking around. I felt like we were in Men in Black scene!

Oh YeaH!!!!

After Thanksgiving we went to Lancaster, PA. for the Christmas Show. It was a nice, sunny and warm weekend. We did a little shopping, ate some delicious Amish food, and went to the Pendleton Store!!!! That was the highlight of my weekend. They had Pendleton Towels for only $30 and Mugs for $12!!! LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!!!

Wishbones and all....

2011-11-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

On Thanksgiving Day my Mom would let us sleep in b/c she was usually up baking pies, pies and more pies. She would always make her usual Pumpkin and Raisin Pies. (She was the only person I knew that would make Raisin pie...hmmm I haven't had that in 10 years!!!)

My Dad was usually out huntin' (b/c it's Deer Season) so that meant we were able to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! I would sit and flip from channel to channel hoping I wouldn't miss anything....

About Noon my Dad would come home and we'd load up everything that Momma made and would head over to Grandma Peggee's house. As soon as we opened her door the smell of Thanksgiving would hit us. Oh that glorious smell of Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Sweet Tea!

We would help set the table....if we made it there in time either Brandon, Melinda or I would get to break the wishbone and hopefully our wish would come true! (I wonder if kids nowadays even know what a wishbone is?)

After Dinner someone would call to see what movies were playing in B-Ville. Then we'd load up the car and go see the one we all decided on! Ahhh such wonderful memories!

I want to wish my cousin Israel a very Happy Birthday! Dang, You are getting old!

Samuel, Israel, Raymond, Brandon, Chancellor, Isaiah, Daniel, Trey and Brad

They look so handsome!

Thanksgiving is closer and closer....

2011-11-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

It's officially less than one week until Thanksgiving....My favorite HOLIDAY!

I love everything about Thanksgiving. Being Thankful, Great food, Family and Friends. It wasn't until I moved out here to NJ that I witnessed my first Lasagna placed at the table. WTH!! I've never seen such a thing, where was the real cranberries and Dressing???? I've learned to adapt....I make my favorites but we usually eat them during the weekend.

Last year my best friend Margie and her husband came out and spent Thanksgiving with me! I was VERY THANKFUL that they flew all the way out here....It was Awesome! We went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. What a perfect way to experience it....It was my first time ever seeing it in person and I got to see it with my BESTIE!!!

I remember watching it every year as a child and the smells of freshly baking pies, dressing and turkey filling the house.

Surprisingly there wasn't any traffic going into NYC and there wasn't a wait on the Lincoln Tunnel. We got in and out of the City. The crowd wasn't so bad (it actually kept us warm) and we were home by 12:30 to put the turkey in the oven and enjoy a glass of Sangria!

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!!!

Hanging out with Santa before Thanksgiving???

2011-11-18T11:59:00.001-05:00

I'm ahead of schedule this year....HOORAY!!!!

As I was beading Gianna's new moccasins Late Tuesday night/Early Wednesday morning I had a tired/delirious idea! I was going to make our Christmas Card say, "Moccasins were hung by the chimney with care...". I've never seen a Christmas Card with that particular wording and thought it would be Perfect!!! So after G got out of school, I loaded up her Osage clothes, whipped up a pretty red bow, and away we went to Picture People!

So we get to the Mall and Picture People didn't have any Candy Canes small enough to fit in the moccasin (they only had props that were 2 feet long)....what was I thinking? I knew I should've bought some in advance....I had a particular vision in mind. So we whisked down in hunt of Christmas Candy....we found some in Gertrude Hawk Chocolate! SUCCESS!!!

G was extra fabulous and was being FIERCE....working that camera!

(RuPaul Song playing in my head) You better WORK! (cover girl) Work it Girl (give a twirl) Do Your Thing on the runway....

Merry Christmas 2011

I love this photo...It's my favorite!

After Picture time G wanted to go down to see if Santa was in the Mall and we were in luck HE WAS!!

Santa wasn't even sitting in his seat, he was hanging out talking to the picture taker guy. Buh! It wasn't until he saw that G was coming that he ran back to his chair. I wanted to laugh so badly but I couldn't! So I'll laugh now...Ha hahahah! oh Ho ho ho!!!

She explained to him how she wants a Mad Scientist Kit and he can "google it" to make sure he knows what it is! She's Crazy...another thing I wanted to laugh out loud about!

Nice List! Yay!!!

Where has the time went????

2011-11-15T08:18:00.000-05:00

Wow! I've been gone for a while. Yup, my life has been busy and I still haven't won the lottery!

We celebrated Veterans Day by going to Downtown Toms River for the Veterans Day Parade. It was very nice. Thank You to the Men and Women in Blue....We Love You!!!

God Bless America!

G and I made these signs to show our support for our Veterans.

I had my first Bow Party on Friday Night and it was a BLAST!!! Four of my friends came over and I showed them how to make Bows. It was so fun....we had a few drinky drinks, picked out ribbon and made some of the cutest bows EVER!!! I'm just a little sad that I didn't take any pictures. What was I thinking???

Here is a Thanksgiving Bow I made.

Thanksgiving is only a week away....Where did the time go? If anyone knows where the time went be sure to let me know! I am bringing desserts and wine....I was thinking maybe making cherry cobbler and pumpkin pies. What do you think?

Tis the Season to be shopping.....

2011-11-07T08:05:00.000-05:00

Fun Fun Weekend!

Friday night was Vendor night at Downtown Dance Academy and I went as a shopper! My poor hubby was probably so nervous....but I didn't do that much damage! I ordered a super cute Cheetah Petticoat skirt for G and a Cupcake shirt. I also bought two really cute flower blooms from Seaside Blooms! Chatted with the Mary Kay lady about having a party at my house (I LOVE MAKE-UP!) and then went out for Drinky-Drinks with Angela. I haven't been out in soooo long that I kinda felt awkward, but that soon wore off after my 2nd Malibu Bay Breeze. I had a great time with Angela, we talked about ourselves more than our kids.....we needed that time BADLY!!! LOL!

Saturday was Cold and off to the Soccer Fields we go! BRRRRRR! G scored two goals! Yay G!!! Next it was time to go to Michael's Craft Store before the OU Game started! B/c once kickoff starts I am not leaving the HOUSE! As soon as we got home we had a hour before the game started so it was QUICK CLEAN THE HOUSE!!! Kitchen check, T.V. room check, picked up front room check, dining room check! G wanted to sweep the floors and help, awww she is sooo sweet. Before I knew it she was playing Cinderella and wanting me to yell orders to her, this girl is so funny, but I complied. She began dusting all the furniture, putting toys away, wanting to mop (I should've let her do that one), and I was able to sit and watch the OU game. After the 1st Quarter and the Cinderella game wore off, she wanted to sit and watch the game with me and do her turkey crafts we picked up at Michael's. Saturday was a great day!

Sunday was Fall Back and I used my extra hour by going to the Food Store early Sunday. Got my newspaper and food for the week. I determined that I love going Food shopping while everyone is sleeping. Then when I pull up E and G both come out and help me unload groceries! Good System So Far!!!

Busy Bee....

2011-11-04T08:07:00.000-04:00

I have been so super busy....busy busy bee!

Monday night was Trick or Treating, Tuesday I walked, G had swim and Soccer Pictures, Wednesday I walked, G had Ballet and Tap and I worked on my bows, Thursday I walked, delivered bows to Shear Inspirations, and I set up a FB page for Cuppy Cakes Bows! Whew!!! I swear I burned a million calories over the past 4 days!!!

I was going to Blog on the Things I'm Thankful For......So Far Nov. 1st-5th

#1 My Loving Husband. He allows me creative freedom and is always supportive of my crafty ways!

#2 My Beautiful Daughter....she keeps me grounded and always smiling. I love when she stops her day to make sure I know she loves me. She's the BEST!

#3 My Best Friend Margie. She and I have a bond that surpasses over 25 years. She helps me look at a situation through new eyes. She always has a moment for me and I LOVE HER FOR IT! I always said that if I went the lottery I'm building us houses side by side!!! Together Forever!!!

#4 Our Home. Home Sweet Home. It's not a house, but a HOME.

#5 My Friend Michelle. She is my best friend here in NJ. I love the time we spend together, even if it's for 15 mins. We have the kind of friendship that picks up right where we left off....she's Amazing.

It's November....

2011-11-01T08:33:00.000-04:00

My Favorite Month of the year!

When I think of November I think of some of my best Memories...Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving at my Grandma Peggee's house, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, My Brother Isaiah's Birthday, College Football is in full force and Native American Month!!!

I don't know which one to talk about first!!! Okay I'll start with Native American Month!

Thank You to my elders who continue to teach and preserve our ways. And THANK YOU to those who have gone before us, for your strength and willing to survive at all cost. May God continue to Bless your generations and beyond!

I love this old picture!

My Great-Great Grandfather Kah-Wah-Ho-Tsa (RoanHorse)

An Old Osage Camp.

My Baby Picture....

My Favorite Native American....G, she is soooo cute!

This was my Great-Great-Great Grandfather. He lived to be 103 years old.

He witnessed a lot of changes with the Osage People, he lived when the waters were pure and there was plenty of buffalo.

Happy Native American Month!

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet!!!

2011-10-31T08:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday was our Trick or Treat Day b/c of the HUGE Halloween Parade here in Toms River. The Parade is 3 hours long!!!

In OUR Halloween Tradition, the meal last night was given SPOOKY NAMES....Spaghetti was called worms and blood, the Meatballs were Monkey Brains, and the Chicken Parm was Fried Rats!!! LOL! G loves telling everyone we ate Fried Rats and Monkey Brains!!!!

I made a lot, b/c we had company and of course for leftovers! Here is the recipe for Monkey Brains.

MONKEY BRAINS

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

2 lbs. of Ground Beef

1 lb. of Ground Pork

Tastefully Simple's Tomato Garlic Pesto about 1 1/2 Tbsp.

Lots of Onion Powder

2 cups of Fresh Seasoned Bread Crumbs

1/4 cups of Milk

2 Eggs

Seasonings: Dried Whole Oregeno, Salt, Pepper,

FOR BREADCRUMBS:

Get out your Handy Dandy Food Processor.....Grab 8 slices of white Bread, add Dried Whole Oregano 1 1/2 Tbsp., Processs, add Salt, Process, Pepper, Process until bread crumb consistancy.

Mix into MEAT, Pesto, Onion Powder, MILK, and Eggs

Shape into Balls, I used 1 Tbsp. Scoop

Line on a cookie sheet with Parchment Paper. (Parchment Paper is the best stuff of earth!!!)

Bake for 30 mins.

See one was missing b/c I couldn't resist tasting it!

Throw Meatballs into the Pot where you are heating up the Sauce....let simmer for about 20 mins.

G Vants to Eat Monkey Brains and worms!

I was an Old Lady....G kept yelling, Hurry UP Grandma!!!

This was our Party spread for the Giants Football Game!!!

Have a Safe Halloween Night!!!

Halloween Memories.....

2011-10-28T08:45:00.001-04:00

G's first Halloween. She was the perfect little Honey Bee!!!

Now my little Honey Bee wants to be a Ballerina Zombie!!!

Posing with her Pumpkin and favorite black cat....

I made these ghosts 2 years ago. I traced our hands....awwww such memories. That little fish is RockStar our Beta Fish. We are on RockStar #2 but this last one has been alive over a year!!

G and her Best Friends!!! Aren't they the Bee's Knees?!!!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween Weekend!!!

It's Friday!!!! Yes, the best day of the week!!!

And it begins.....

2011-10-27T16:11:00.000-04:00

I am soooo sorry that I haven't blogged anything yet. I'm busy making bows!!!!

Here are a few that I have made so far. You should see all the ribbon that I have, now I can't wait to go into the Fashion District to go ribbon shopping!!!!

The Purple is a Soccer Bow for G...her team is named the Sparkles

The Orange and Black one is for A., G's friend.

A Bow for G to wear to Ballet.

Ahhhh.....my first bow I made. it's so cute, I think I'll keep it forever!

Don't Hate, make Wacky Cake......

2011-10-26T10:01:00.000-04:00

When I think of elementary cafeteria food my mind always goes to Wacky Cake! In a small town our daily lunch was homecooked, those ladies would make the best rolls, cinnamon rolls, and wacky cake! (I wonder if they still serve that beloved chocolate cake??) It was a chocolate cake with just a hint of cinnamon.....talk about YUMMY!!!

For years and years I looked for the Wacky Cake recipe on the internet and just recently I found it!! Yay Me!!! I even went as far as buying my perfect Wacky Cake Pan a year ago because I knew I was going to get this recipe.

So here we go! Of course I tweaked it a bit to fit my family's needs....meaning, gluten-free!!!

I doubled the recipe in order to fit my Wacky Cake pan but here is the original recipe.

Wacky Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 c. sifted all purpose flour

(I used Gluten free All Purpose Flour)

1 c. Sugar

(I used 1/2 c. of Nevella and organic sugar)

3 Tbsp. Cocoa

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

A good dash of Cinnamon

1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp. Oil (Canola or Vegetable)

1 Tbsp. Vinegar

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 c. Cold Water

Sift Dry ingredients-es (As Theresa from NJ Housewives would say) into ungreased 9 Inch Pan. Make 3 holes in flour. Measure oil into first hole, Measure Vinegar in second, Vanilla into the last hole. Pour Cold Water over all. Mix until blended (DO NOT BEAT). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 mins. More towards the 25 mins. zone. I like mine more brownie like.

Now let's talk FROSTING!!!

I ran out of Cocoa powder (oh NO!) but luckily I had Baker's Chocolate Squares

3 Tbsp. Butter softened

1 1/3 c. confectioner's sugar

1/3 c. Cocoa

Dash of Cinnamon

1/6 c. Milk

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Beat well and put over cake in pan while slightly warm

I next added rows of Pecans!

Look at this deliciousness!!!

E loved it as much as I did!

With every bite it took me back to my childhood....I was ready to go play 2 square or Kick to the Crowd!!!!

Since I used Gluten-Free Flour I also had to use 1/2 tsp (per cup of flour) of Xanthan Gum. It helps thicken the flour when baking.

So my Wacky Cake turned out semi-healthy, but the frosting blew the healthy part out of the water!!! Maybe I'll name it my Even Steven Cake!!!

If you have a recipe you'd like me to try, please post it in the comments. I'll try it and post about it!

"The Bows"

2011-10-25T07:35:00.001-04:00

I finally did it...I went out and bought a Bow Maker. I've been buying G bows since she was born. I swear I have spent HUNDREDS on bows and hair accessories and in this recession maybe I should start making my own!

So after my morning walk I went to Michael's Craft Store and giddily skipped down the rows of ribbon! As I bust out in song (as if I was in a musical) I picked up my Bowdabra and started spinning like THE SOUND OF MUSIC!!!

I am probably the happiest Gal in NEW JERSEY!!!!

I cannot wait to open and use it!!!

I'm going to make bows for everything and in every color!

A HUGE BOW for my Car at Christmas, Bows around our trees, Bows around our Pool Fence and Bows here, there, and everywhere!!!

OF The BOWS, bows, Bows, bows, bows, bows, bows!!!

(I wonder how Edgar Allan Poe would've written about bows?)

You need a bow for your hair...I've got you covered!

Need a bow for a present....give me a ring!

Put a bow on it and call it wrapped!

Also it was G's Hip Hop Halloween! She dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.

"What big eyes yous got." The better to watch you dance my dear!

There are no small parts, only small actors......

2011-10-24T07:40:00.000-04:00

With Over Two Pieces of Luggage

G has a snippit of a scene in this new Play that will be showed at the Greek Cultural Center between Oct. 28th Until Dec. 11th.

GREEK CULTURAL CENTER
ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ
26-80 30th Street.,
Astoria, NY 11102
Tel: 718-726-7329
www.greekculturalcenter.org

The play is an autobiographical tale of a young man, Alexandros, growing up in Cyprus and coming to New York in pursuit of a dream. Overprotected yet insecure, Alexandros is brought up in the conservative, tight-knit familial society of Lefkosia before arriving to a land of new opportunities, new relationships, and new values…
After 10 years of residency in New York, the play refers to the hero’s experiences in a big city, and how his upbringing, mentors, friends, family, military training and Cypriot principles have positively or negatively influenced the way in which he handles himself in the city of opportunities and isolation.
Airline regulations allow for a maximum of two pieces of luggage when travelling to the United States. At the heart of the play lies the additional baggage that all Cypriots carry upon moving to New York; success, love, money, health, and the sense of obligation towards our family, all building up to the grand final decision: Should I stay or should I go?

She already filmed her part and we are excited to go see her first little performance!!!!

Sweater Weather.....

2011-10-23T09:21:00.001-04:00

It's my favorite time of year, time to break out Cardigans and Sweatshirts!

The air is getting crisp, the leaves are starting to turn colors, the smell of cinnamon is inviting, and stews, soups and chilis are bubbling away on stoves.

The only downfall is that it's getting darker sooner and sooner.

I get drowsy as soon as it gets dark....like a chicken!

The Other night we bundled up in layers and went to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure. (It seemed like it was 10 P.M. but it was only 7 P.M.) We had so much fun! G was a little scared of the ghouls walking around. I was scared of the rides (I'm such a fraidy Cat!) Thank Heavens for J-Z and her little daughter A, b/c G or I wouldn't have made it!

My Favorite Part was People Watching...does anyone else get a kick out of that I as much as I do?

We got their Face Painted and whistles! (Whistles are for the Ghouls, if you blow the whistle they know not to scare you.)

Perfect Chilly night to go to Six Flags! There weren't any lines and the girls were able to win prizes!!!

I guess today I'll finally decorate for Halloween! We only have a week left.

Danced it's way into my pocketbook.....

2011-10-21T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after our walk, J-Z took me to the most fabulous place in Toms River! A little unknown secret to the outside Non-Dancer world. Since G is in Hip Hop, Ballet and Tap where do we get cute dance wear???

ENCORE DANCEWEAR on Fischer Blvd.

http://www.encorenjdancewear.com/

To Look at this door you would think it was just a ordinary shop that sells Old Man shoes.....

TA-DA!!!!

Whoa....you just got blown away didn't you? The picture doesn't do it justice.....

There is Dance Wear for every genre....Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Ballroom, You name it they got it!

Leotards Galore!!!

J-Z asked, "Whatta you think?"

I think, PERFECT!!!

I got matching tutus for E and I....hahaha!

I love spoiling G, she makes it so easy though!!!

I would've bought this bumper sticker if only it said, "I LOVE JAZZ HANDS"

TUTU many tutus!!

I fell in love with these dance bags!

I am so glad I didn't bring G with me...oh my goodness....but I can't wait to take her. She will literally faint!