.."And Miles To Go Before We Sleep..."

Our First Annual Easter Egg Hunt

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:39:00 +0000

It was a beautiful day for our Easter Egg Hunt. We have officially started a wonderful Easter tradition. Everyone had a great time and found at least one egg (and we will probably find another one or two more during the next lawn mow!)

Aeris needed a little bit of help finding the eggs, but once she found one, she didn't want to let go of them!

Chloe LOVED the pink ones!

Menu Plan Wednesday

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:19:00 +0000

As we await the coming of Easter, I decided to create my after--Easter menu plan early so I'm not scrambling around on Monday morning. The Easter menu is planned, with:

Brown Sugar Ham
Hot Cross Buns
Deviled Eggs (Isis' favorite)
Creamy Potato Salad
Ambrosia Salad (Logan's favorite)
Cheesy Cauliflower

Kids decorated cupcakes for dessert

Here's the menu Plan for the next week:

1. Chinese Chicken with Veggies in Mustard Sauce with egg rolls
2. Pineapple Hoisin Cornish Game Hens with Mashed Potatoes (see below)
3. Potato Chip Chicken Strips (a kid's favorite) with french fries
4. Zesty Onion Burgers with baked potato chips
5. Hamburger Stroganoff over egg noodles
6. Three Cheese Pasta Shells with a simple tossed salad
7. Buffalo "Ham" Enchiladas (this recipe will be utilized with leftover ham from Easter dinner substituting the chicken in the recipe for ham)

....and leftovers!

It's Those Little Things That Make Life Special...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:41:00 +0000

Our fourteen year old son, Ethan, is living with moderate autism. He has been virtually non-verbal since he was born and very rarely initiates verbal communication or social interaction. But, in spite of this, he does have his own interests that he sometimes displays and we are constantly looking things for him to stimulate his curiosity.

A few weeks ago, he took a field trip to Oriole Park in Baltimore, Maryland. He didn't say much after, but he did buy a few post cards at the park that day.

This evening he was playing in his room, and he picked up his baseball mit and ball that we have displayed on a shelf in there. My husband put good use to his new interest and took Ethan outside to toss the ball around.

It was a REALLY great feeling to see the both of them interacting as just father and son, and Ethan thoroughly enjoying himself. It IS truly those little things in life that really make my life special.

Is There A Doctor In The House?

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:16:00 +0000

I figure that the photo of Chloe on today's post could sum up the entire week and a half for us all here in the "Miles" household. Each one of our six kids has been consecutively sick for almost two weeks. Since we have three kids that attend school, one of them has been regularly bringing some virus home and it spreading throughout our household.

Last night, as I was beginning to think that we had finally gotten over the hurdle of illnesses, Slater went to bed last night complaining of an earache. He's home sick today and back to the doctor we go (hi-ho)!

Happy "Gotcha Day!"

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:02:00 +0000

This week we celebrate the third year anniversary of Chloe's "Gotcha Day," which is the day that we traveled to China, and Chloe was placed in our arms to became a member of our family. It's hard to believe that three years has gone by.....

We love you, Chloe! We've been through a lot since then, and have gotten to know the sweet little girl you are, and cannot wait to see the woman you will grow up to become.

Manic Monday (#36)--Bird

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:51:00 +0000

When Spring arrives, one activity my family greatly enjoys is birdwatching. It seems as though every year, a family of birds make a nest either in one of our trees or in one of my hanging plants. Last year I had a Wandering Jew plant that THREE families of birds decide to nest in. So for this year, my husband built a few birdhouses, so the birds could be a little safer from squirrels and rabbits.

I do wonder why the hole in birdhouses is so small. It doesn't think it would make it easy for entrance into the house, do you?

Let There Be Light...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:26:00 +0000

We found this perfect bronze chandelier for our dining room. It was a real challenge to hang because the wiring seemed to be a bit wacky. The light dates back to the 20's, during the Colonial Revival period--some decade as when our house was built, so it looks original to the house. The candlestick have actual wax that was handcrafted--I though that was a great finishing touch!

In The Kitchen: Chicken A La Skillet

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Some of the best meals that I have made for dinner are those that I concoct by simply throwing things together. I have leftover items in the pantry and want to use them up so I add them to a recipe. Sometimes it does end up an unsalvagable mess, but at other times, an unforgettable dish is born.

Last night, I made a delicious chicken dish that was created in this fashion. I wanted to share it with everyone, and also put it down on virtual paper so that I can remember what I did so I can make it again.

It's a creamy and savory rice based dish that is VERY inexpensive to make. The chicken cooks up creamy and is reminiscent of a smooth risotto. I call it....

Chicken A La Skillet

5 tbs butter
2 containers of Chive and Onion tub cream cheese
1/4 c milk
1/4 tsp thyme
dash of salt and pepper
3 portabello mushroom caps, diced (or your preferred variety)
1/2 onion diced
1 1/4 lbs. boneless chicken thighs, cubed
1 c dry rice

Cook rice--I used the REAL rice because I prefer the taste and cooked it in my steamer but if you could use minute rice. Set aside.

Melt butter in a large dutch oven. On medium heat, saute the mushrooms and onions in the butter until the onions are golden brown. Add the salt, pepper, and thyme. Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes then turn heat down to low. Add the cream cheese and milk--stir until mixture has melted.

Cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Add the cooked rice and mix until rice is heated thoroughly. Serves 6.

March Madness: The Stairs...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:39:00 +0000

When we moved into our "new" old home last year, our steps were completely carpeted. Since our staircase hugs one of our walls, I thought the carpet made it look and feel very narrow and small. My husband took a challenge on about three weeks ago, and looked at what was hiding under all of that padding--and yes, we found very beat up and weathered wooden stairs with lots of potential.

He sanded every step--which resulted in a WHOLE HOUSE dusting and wiping down for an entire week. We had so much dust that our vacuum broke! He stained--which meant that we went up and down the stairs with bags on our feet. And he varnished--which resulted in us all being quarantined to the family room for three days. BUT--I think the results made all of the sacrifice worth it.

With six kids running up and down them, we will see how long they hold up.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Since When Did I Become THAT Mom?

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:12:00 +0000

One of my most vivid memories is of me, at about eight or nine years of age, listening to my mother singing along to the songs on a popular top 40's music station. Yes, I realize there is nothing wrong with that, but at age 8 or 9, all I cared about was whether any of my friends would see her doing this, and worse, whether my mother could implicate me in her embarrassing attempt at trying to be hip and cool. And I won't dare to go into the dancing that was added during the chorus!

In the past few years, my three oldest kids have been steadily gaining an interest in popular music. They will sing a chorus from a song, and I can usually recognize what song it is or--I admit,that I have googled lines from a song more than a few times if I don't know it, then go to YouTube to watch the video!

The other day, my son, Slater caught me singing one of his favorite pop songs, and I finally received THE eye roll from him. I can also guess that a few years from now, I will be the one in the front seat singing, dancing, and jamming along, while my kids cower in the front seat praying not to be seen.

Maybe I need to just stick with the 80's music I grew up with--ya know, the oldies station!

Menu Plan Wednesday....

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:35:00 +0000

One of the primary reasons why I create a menu plan each week is because it really helps to organize everything inside of my head. Cooking for eight people, three times a day, can be quite a challenge, and without a meal plan, it can be sometimes downright daunting. Also, creating an organized menu, greatly cuts down on costs because can I try and buy the things I DO need for meals, and cut down on the extras that I think I MIGHT need.

This week's focus is on using up the half empties in my pantry. I have numerous leftovers from meals that I have made but didn't completely use up, so I am incorporating them into this week's menu and using up as I can. Also, the weather is still a bit chilly, so I wanted to make some of those "comfort foods" that I will miss once the hot weather is here.

One of our favorite dishes, and one that we have as a staple around here is the sesame noodles. It makes a lot and it's even more delicious the next day in my husbands lunch. I usually double the batch because the kids LOVE it too!!

Menu Plan:

1. Risotto with Gourmet Mushrooms
2. Cracker Barrel's Chicken and Dumplings with a sourdough round
3. Chicken Parmesan (Crockpot)with a simple tossed salad
4. Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers with oven fried potatoes
5. Stove Top Citrus Chicken (trying to use up leftover stuffing!)with cheesy rice
6. Calgary Cheese Steaks with baked potato chips
7. Sesame Chicken Strips with Sesame Noodles

Extras: I don't have any pumpkin in the cupboard or freezer, but I'm in the mood for these delicious muffins!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Ni-Hao Kai-Lan Hat Day!

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:32:00 +0000

My kids really enjoy the Nick Jr. show Ni-Hao Kai Lan. It's a show about a Chinese girl named Kai Lan and all of her adventures, with some teaching of some basic Mandarin Chinese. Amazing how much of this my kids can pick up! Very often during the commercial breaks, Nick Jr. will post a project that kids can do with grown-up help, encouraging parent-child bonding.

Isis has wanted to make these Kai-Lan hats for quite some time now that she saw during one of these commercial breaks. I bought the felt for this project about a month ago, and it has been sitting in the same bag I brought it home in. While cleaning yesterday evening, I came across that bag and I "triple-dog-dared" myself to at least accomplish making the hats today!

Since all of the kids were home sick with a cold today, it was our perfect opportunity to do just that. But instead of using glue, as the project stated, I used the sewing machine to create a sturdier hat.

Pictured are my two assistants......

Great Thanks....

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:26:00 +0000

May each and everyone be surrounded by great company, warm conversation, and a full stomach this Thanksgiving--and remember to give great thanks to the wonders (and occasional pitfalls) of this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING and welcome to the start of the Holiday Season!!

First Bath a.k.a. The Primal Scream

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:52:00 +0000

We've done this whole "first bath experience" several times in the "Miles" household, and each time we do, it is not well received by the recipient. I think I need to come up with new and more effective methods to get the baby to stop screaming like a banshee!

With all kidding aside, the first bath is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have with the kids. We gave Calendra her first last week, and I took pictures to mark the momentous occasion.

Holiday Eyeglass Frames--A Great Idea!

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:40:00 +0000

am always looking for new and unique ways to get into the Holiday spirit. Each year, I start out the Fall season by searching for the perfect outfit that will stand out in my Holiday photos. Dressing myself and my home for the occasion puts me in a state of mind where I am hyped and ready to shop and eager to soak up all of the sights, sounds, and tastes that that this time of year has to offer.

I was recently browsing the Internet and discovered an ingenious idea for Holiday eyeglass frames--and I MUST invest in a pair for this year! I found this really awesome green pair that would be a perfect accompaniment in my Holiday photos--plus they would look really awesome on me too!

I have always admired people who seem to be organized enough to have been able to buy fashion accessories strictly for the season or a special occasion--they appear to emulate a feeling of lightheartedness and a festive spirit. This year I can make my own Holiday fashion statement when shopping at Zenni Optical. They have a wonderful selection of frames to choose from that will compliment every face shape and style. They also have very reasonable prices (complete single eyeglasses start at just $8.00) and they make ordering and choosing frames very simple.

Zenni Optical is really on to something here. I can't wait to order my Holiday frames and show them off. I will probably order a pair for my husband also!

Our First Snowfall...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:40:00 +0000

I should have anticipated it this morning when listening to the deafening quiet which preceded our first snowfall this morning as I placed the kids on the bus. Although we may not get much accumulation from it, and it may be gone before anyone else realizes that it was here, nothing compares to the emotions that well up deep inside of me when seeing the first snowfall of the season.

Our cold weather is here to stay!

Mommy, I Need To Go...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:46:00 +0000

This morning was one of the very first mornings that we needed to break out the hats and the coats to get ready and go to school. There is a chance that Baltimore will be getting some snow showers this afternoon, and the kids are very excited for that. Although I always welcome the cold weather with open arms, I do not embrace that fact that it takes three times as long to get everyone bundled up and out of the door in the morning--and yes, at least one of the kids ALWAYS has to use the bathroom after all of their cold winter gear is on!

Tackling Our Guest Bathroom

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:50:00 +0000

One of the first things that I wanted to change about this old house we recently bought was the guest bathroom. Although it had been "rehabbed" during the renovation that was done previous to selling it, the contractor put in very cheap fixtures (the faucet was made of sheet metal!) and cabinets, and we decided that one of the first places we would start updating was in there.

My husband ripped out the vanity and installed a new one, as well as a new faucet. He also installed crown molding and chair rail and we also added a cabinet over the commode to maximize storage space.

before pic of the guest bathroom

after--pic 1

after--pic 2

Ode To The Umbilical Cord Stump....

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:00:00 +0000

Although I knew that she could not hold onto it forever, it was sad to finally see it finally shrivel up and fall off today. Since my husband and I are holding fast to the fact that she will be our last child that we will create together--which makes this occasion all the more final (sigh). At last, the final reminder that my daughter and I were once a single being has vanished....

To All Of Those Caring Nurses Out There....

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:13:00 +0000

Since having my brief stay in the hospital in order to give birth our sixth child, I have recently come to realize that it truly takes a certain and a very special person to be a good nurse. I have recently learned to really appreciate the role and extreme patience that it takes to properly care for and comfort a patient.

Since laboring a child is a lengthy process, I endured several rotations of the nursing staff during the time I needed them the most. I relied on them to come to my bedside to give me the pain medication I needed, to help me in holding myself up when using the restroom, and to make sure baby and I were progressing along smoothly. My worst fear was encountering a grouchy or gruff nurse that didn't want to give me the time of day and made me feel like he/she was being inconvenienced by me. There were a few of them that fit this characterization, but MANY of them were also very kind. It is to the kindhearted, caring, patient, soft-spoken, and friendly-to-the-veins, nurses that I want to extend a warm and genuine THANK YOU.

It takes a very special person to be a nurse.

Delivery Room Antics

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:17:00 +0000

One thing that I can rely on when it comes to my kids, is that when they have a captive
audience, they WILL entertain! My kids spent a
SHORT time with me while I was laboring in the delivery room.

They soon got bored and asked to go home, but it was good while it lasted!

The Slated Back Splash...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:38:00 +0000

Since moving into our new house six months ago, it seems like we are continually working on one project after another! Just before the baby was born, my husband finished installing/creating a slate back splash in the kitchen. I wanted to share the pictures I took of the finished project.

Goofin' On Halloween...

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:32:00 +0000

Since our newest daughter was born the day before Halloween, the much anticipated "holiday" had to be altered, since mommy wasn't home to complete the costumes and festive eats, and instead in the hospital. So daddy did the next best thing--by improvising the costumes for the kids (pulling stuff out of the costume trunk), popping popcorn and watching Halloween themed programs on television.

Daddy made the night complete by carving pumpkins. It's amazing what can be created with a little imagination and very little preparation! Kudos to daddy!

Chloe

Isis

Slater

Chocolate! Need I Say Any More?!

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:51:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, when I was waddling around nine months pregnant and heavily into my chocolate and sweets cravings, I had the extreme and timely pleasure of sampling the newest Ghirardelli chocolate line. Their newest creations are called the Luxe Milk Chocolate line, with five scrumptious flavors to choose from--and each smooth and creamy and a truly unique experience.

I was given the opportunity to sample all five of the Luxe flavors, my favorite being the Duet--mixing both dark and creamy milk chocolate which creates a bold yet silky smooth taste. I am a dark chocolate fan by nature, and although the Luxe line is primarily a milk chocolate product line, I still found each of their flavors delectable. The milk chocolate is smooth and creamy, and Ghirardelli uses only the freshest and purest ingredients, which only enhances the unique flavor of their chocolate.

When I want to enjoy something chocolate, I always strive to only buy the best because an inferior quality chocolate just isn't worth the calories or the money! Ghirardelli has always been, and continues to be one of my favorite confections because I can always count on Ghirardelli completely satisfying me.

These delicious confections can be found at your local Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Borders, and Linens N Things and will soon be in Target, Blockbuster, and Cost Plus stores.

brew6482@yahoo.com (tegdirb92) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:49:00 +0000

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