Friday, September 27, 2013

Seven Quicks

1) Kindergarten expectations were high a few weeks ago when Dave finally started and I must say that sadly, those expectations have not been met.  And I'm talking about me, not Dave.  If you want his opinions you'll have to roll on over to his blog mymomdoesntgetmeandshemakesmeeathergrosscookingeverynight.com

My expectations were super high for this year.  I was told that I would have an exhausted child every night for at least the first month as Dave made the transtition from 10.5 hours of school every week to 35 hours of school.  Parents went on and on about kids falling asleep in the car ride home, at the dinner table, and kids too tired to hold their precious little kindergarten brains up with their tired little arms from all that PE class. 
I couldn't wait.  I was going to revel in that child being sleepy and ready for bed for once in his life.

Fast forward three weeks into this gig and I feel cheated.  Dave is the exact opposite of tired as he runs around the house telling me he needs to "get the crazies out" by jumping, doing some pretty sweet break-dancing ground moves, and standing on his head... all in quick succession of eachother.  Could it be that he has more energy now because he's sitting in class for more of the day instead of running around like a wild man all day? Literally, I wonder what I created.  How could this child who completely eschews sleeping come from a mother who relishes sweet bedtime each night and loathes leaving bed every morning?  Holy heavens help me, it could be a long road to get this kid to college graduation.

2)  We're going to an apple orchard this weekend and I'm sure I will pick about 30 pounds of apples and then come home and panic about what to do with them all.  I usually peel, core, slice and freeze them to make apple pie or apple sauce throughout the year.  I'm a little tight on freezer space this year so I'm thinking of canning a bunch.  Any tips or tested recipes out there?

3) Speaking of canning (I know. When will I stop harping on this thoroughly engrossing subject?  I don't think ever, so you may just need to stop reading before you want to prick your eyes out with pencils) it was pickle day on Tuesday!  Finally the day arrived when we could bust open the pickles I made and canned a month ago.  We polished off the first quart in short order and no one has succumb to food borne illness yet.  Although, my face feels a little numb and my right elbow is super itchy, so we'll see, I could be dying as I'm typing. I'm sure you're dying as you're reading.  From boredom.

4) I downloaded the My Kodak Moments app while at Tar-jay this week so I could quickly pull a photo off my phone to print there.  I know, how quaint to actually have a hard copy of a photo instead of just storing it for all eternity on my phone while Apple continues to send me threats reminders that my cloud is getting weighty and filled up.  But, D needed a baby pic to bring to school and I had to do something quick before I got a rep at school for being the super disorganized mom who never gets stuff in on time.  I have plenty of time to earn that reputation over the next umpteen years of school with the boys and didn't feel I needed to reveal that side of myself within the first month.  Back to the point Meggie.  The app is great and works seamlessly to send photos from phone to photo kiosk over wifi and then gets printed out while you shop for all the not essentials I end up with in my cart.

5) There was a school pizza party this week for the Kinders and their families.  My Bull in the China Shop who is also lovingly known as Stan threw a rock at another kiddo and drew blood.  So even though my penchant for being mildly disorganized, a bit of a procrastinator, and maybe a leeeetle crazy has not been revealed to other school parents, it appears that we will be known as the family with the toddler who maims older kids.  This whole school business is off to a rarin' start.

6) I made a pasta last night that the kids ate with only mild complaint.  This is not monumental as I can usually get them to eat pasta, but it had meat mixed in which I was afraid would throw off the whole dinner equilibrium and ruin everything.  Though there was much breath holding on my part, they ate and seemed full which allowed me a chance to drink wine.  win-win. Here's the super complex recipe - don't feel bad if you can't follow along on my crockpot culinary adventure.
   -in the morning before you're really awake wield a giant knife and roughly cut up into big chunks a couple country pork shoulder ribs from the Costco into crockpot
   -put some salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder (or whatever you happen to grab in your bleary eyed stupor) on meat and add 1/4 water
   -cook meat on low for 4 hours, then add a jar of TJ's basil marinara sauce (or in my case since I left for work at this point leave this in the capable hands of your nanny - hey Marianne!!)
   -continue to cook on low until you get home from work almost too exhausted to put a pot of boiling water on for penne
   -persevere (because you are a super mom) and boil the damn pot of water
   -cook pasta
   -dump cooked pasta into crock pot
   -pour wine for yourself and hubby
   -ignore kids and pretend you're in a really loud restaurant and complain about families who bring really loud and unruly kids into restaurants

7) Phew - almost there  Hang in there family who I will quiz about this later to make sure you are reading! I'm getting the itch to paint a couple rooms in my home.  Our bedroom being one of them.  Any great color suggestions out there?  I'd like something sort of subdued and mature, just like me.  I saw a grey with a hint of purple that I thought might work.  Is this crazy?  I stink at decorating.

Go over to Jen's for more 7 QT's.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

It's 2-for-1!!

I'm a little inconsistent with the art of blogging sometimes.  I have no excuses.  Wait, yes I do.  It's just not really a good one.  The excuse is that I've been dragged into Litchfield Women's Prison and I cannot escape.  I am watching "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix so every spare moment I am watching this show in 3 minute increments because that is the only break time my CO's (ahem, children) will allow .  I am a little obsessed and it leaves me little time to blog.  It also leaves me wondering about the true prevelance of lesbianism in womens' prisons, but that's not for this blog to hash out.

Today I had some extra time to blog so I put out two, TWO!! posts in one day.  If you've come over from Hallie's blog then click on over to my other post about going to adult prom for double the fun. 

On to the business end.

1) Obvious - "Orange is the New Black"
I know, I know, I'm late to the game.  In fact, the game is over, the janitorial staff has already cleaned up, the parking lot is empty, and the lights are turned out.  Everyone else has watched this and told me I need to watch it, but I have just now started it.  I love it and if anyone else wants to start watching it now on Netflix so I have someone else to talk to about it I would love that.  Please, please, please let me know because everyone else is already over it until next season comes out and I need to go over some details with somebody out there.  Next I'll be talking about Game of Thrones about ten months too late.

2) Best lip gloss ever - Clinique superbalm moisturizing gloss in black honey
Clinique - Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss
I wore it to adult prom and it gave my lips a nice sheen with my amateur smoky eye.  Overall an okay effect (I think)


3) I have been obsessed with a new breakfast and it couldn't be easier.  I will break this complex recipe down for you all.  Take banana.  Peel banana.  Smear top point of banana in peanut butter of choice.  Dip peanut buttery end in rice crispies.  Bon appetite.

4) The fall colors in MN are starting and I love having an up to date map to consult about where the peaks are in the state.
fall color map


















We're heading up north in a couple weeks and I hope we won't be past peak.  My obsessive daily check might be a bit overboard, but what else would I do with my time?

5)
This texturizing spray did not give me waves or any sort of curl, but to have that happen would be on par with a miracle given my naturally straight, limp locks.  It did give me a bit of volume and I'll take what I can get. 

That's the five.  Later ladies (and Jerry).

Adult Prom

Over the weekend Jerry and I went to a benefit and we got to dress up and pretend like we were going to prom together. Differences being that this time the Holy Spirit didn't need to stay between me and my date and drinking was encouraged.  Also, I think my hair is better than it ever was in high school.  Oh, and I didn't wear Tevas like I did to my junior prom.  I know, what the hell was I thinking?

Here's some fo-toes of the whole fancy affair.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Taking the Easy Way Out

I'm hookin up with Hallie for the Five Favorites and I wanted to show some of my favorite photos from the last few days. 

1)
Life has gotten easier around here now that this little man is bathing sitting up.  As Grace has mentioned in a

Friday, September 13, 2013

7 Medium-ish Takes

Just hooking up with Jen today for some 7 QTs of stuff.  They really don't go together, it doesn't really flow or make sense, it just comes out fo my brain this way sometimes.  Keep going...

1 - We finally had Dave's first day of school on Monday.  Holy cow this seemed like a loooooong time coming.  I've been hearing and reading other parents expressing that they can't believe their little muffins are off to school so soon and they can't believe that the time has passed so quickly.  I could not disagree more. 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Five Favorites - on repeat

Thanks to Grace for hosting today over at the Camp!  I'm linking up with her to make it a par-tay...
Let's do this.

At work today there is a cube near mine that has the radio set to 80's hits.  I'm feelin' the music so I'm dedicating this one to some of my faves of the 1980s (sorry to you young millenials who will have no idea what I'm talking about. Consider it your pop culture history lesson for the day).

1) Since I'm thinking music I'm just gonna put it out there that the first cassette tape I owned was Whitney

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

This Body I Live In - Guest Post!

Against their better judgement, the ladies over at Fine Linen and Purple allowed me to guest post on their blog today.  Hop on over there and enjoy!

-M

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Five Favorites - another...

I'm linking up with Hallie at Moxie Wife today (late!!) to discuss my Five Favorites of the moment...

1) I've got a thing for wedges these days as I mentioned in another post.  I can't wait to start wearing closed toe shoes that cover up my serious lack of toe care this summer (I've been going au natural - sounds prettier au Francais, oiu?

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

canning fail

What the?  Where the? How is it after Labor Day now?  I know I shouldn't be surprised, but holy cow this summer seemed to breeze by.  We tried to fit in a ton last week and while the boys don't start school until Monday, it's really hitting me that we are in the colder end of summer for sure.

I tried to conitnue my canning glory and instead got an epic fail. 

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