The Dude is becoming so talkative. He really does take after his mother! So imagine just how hard I laughed at a conversation we were having about Skunks, in the middle of Longhorn Steak House!
The Dude had his kiddies menu and some crayons, and was happily coloring away and naming the animals as he turned the pages. Here's what followed:
The Dude: What this? (he's not worked out how to put the 's' at the end of What)
Mommy: That's a Skunk
Daddy: Skunks are stinky
The Dude: Skunk stinky. Bleugh, yuck, smelly (Visualize the facial expression and hand waving in front of his nose) . . . Bath?
I love it! Absolutely hysterical. He's amazing and it absolutely made my day.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
What's new in baking?
What's new in baking these days? How about the fact that I think I've finally mastered it.
Yep, that's right. I learned how to bake this weekend. I made some blondies and some apricot oat bars for a bake sale, and people actually bought them; they even tasted good! I can't believe it. Usually, I produce paper weights. I'm very excited.
The proceeds of the bake sale went to 'Share our strength', a very worthy cause working to end childhood hunger in America. And given my disdain for baking, I am happy to report that I would bake my heart out for this charity any day of the week.
I feel it might be necessary to do a ceremonial 'I can bake' dance right now this very second.
Yep, that's right. I learned how to bake this weekend. I made some blondies and some apricot oat bars for a bake sale, and people actually bought them; they even tasted good! I can't believe it. Usually, I produce paper weights. I'm very excited.
The proceeds of the bake sale went to 'Share our strength', a very worthy cause working to end childhood hunger in America. And given my disdain for baking, I am happy to report that I would bake my heart out for this charity any day of the week.
I feel it might be necessary to do a ceremonial 'I can bake' dance right now this very second.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Baby days
I love having an infant in the house. She's now smiling, laughing and babbling away to anybody who will listen. She's trying desperately to roll over and has started playing with toys that are handed to her.
I never realized how much fun these milestones are. When my son was going through the same steps, it blew my mind. But I was so much more focused on making sure he was hitting the target, rather than enjoying the ride.
But it made me think hard about the milestones that I've still yet to hit. My parents still worry about me on a daily basis, almost as much as I worry about my own kids. I never thought to ask them how they felt about me having children and them becoming grandparents. How did it make them feel? Or rather, how do they feel? What were their first thoughts when I decided to relocate to the US? How do they feel about my writing career? What crossed their minds when I bought my very own house?
Parenting is way more than just first steps, teething, pre-school, graduation and driving. It's a life-times worth of work. Even now, my parents are guiding me through the decisions I make as an adult - as a mother. Kids may grow-up so fast, but the love we have for them just grows. Period.
I never realized how much fun these milestones are. When my son was going through the same steps, it blew my mind. But I was so much more focused on making sure he was hitting the target, rather than enjoying the ride.
But it made me think hard about the milestones that I've still yet to hit. My parents still worry about me on a daily basis, almost as much as I worry about my own kids. I never thought to ask them how they felt about me having children and them becoming grandparents. How did it make them feel? Or rather, how do they feel? What were their first thoughts when I decided to relocate to the US? How do they feel about my writing career? What crossed their minds when I bought my very own house?
Parenting is way more than just first steps, teething, pre-school, graduation and driving. It's a life-times worth of work. Even now, my parents are guiding me through the decisions I make as an adult - as a mother. Kids may grow-up so fast, but the love we have for them just grows. Period.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Make-ahead meat sauce
As you can probably guess, I've been a little busy recently and to be honest, house work has not been at the top of my priority list. (Although to be fair, it hasn't ranked very high before now!) So yesterday, in an attempt to bring some control over my crazed schedule, I made tonight and tomorrow night's dinner, last night.
That's right folks. I made a massive batch of turkey bolognaise so tonight we'll have that with pasta and tomorrow night I'll turn it into a chili by throwing some black beans, some frozen corn and some cayenne pepper into the mix and topping it with disgusting amounts of cheese, because lets face it, life tastes better with cheese. And butter. Ooh, and milk. Mmm. And chocolate. I seem to be getting off track here. . .
So, here is the recipe for my turkey bolognaise:
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
3lbs of ground turkey
2 carrots, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (can you tell I'm trying to get the dude to eat veggies?)
1 jar pasta sauce
1 red onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper
Italian Seasoning
Saute the onions until transparent. Add garlic and cook until starting to turn golden. Brown off meat, then add carrots, pepper and pasta sauce. Cook for roughly
15 minutes then add seasoning. Cook for another 8-10 minutes. Either serve over pasta or store until you're ready to eat it.
Top tip: I saw this on the Rachael Ray show - use a potato masher to break up the meat. It makes it good and fine!
That's right folks. I made a massive batch of turkey bolognaise so tonight we'll have that with pasta and tomorrow night I'll turn it into a chili by throwing some black beans, some frozen corn and some cayenne pepper into the mix and topping it with disgusting amounts of cheese, because lets face it, life tastes better with cheese. And butter. Ooh, and milk. Mmm. And chocolate. I seem to be getting off track here. . .
So, here is the recipe for my turkey bolognaise:
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
3lbs of ground turkey
2 carrots, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped (can you tell I'm trying to get the dude to eat veggies?)
1 jar pasta sauce
1 red onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper
Italian Seasoning
Saute the onions until transparent. Add garlic and cook until starting to turn golden. Brown off meat, then add carrots, pepper and pasta sauce. Cook for roughly
15 minutes then add seasoning. Cook for another 8-10 minutes. Either serve over pasta or store until you're ready to eat it.
Top tip: I saw this on the Rachael Ray show - use a potato masher to break up the meat. It makes it good and fine!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Baby Scott
I would like to introduce you to the latest addition to our family - Baby Girl Scott. She was born on January 21st and weighed in at 6lbs 10oz. She's absolutely gorgeous and I'm completely smitten.
Life has been totally chaotic to say the least, but I wouldn't want it any other way. The Dude (aka Big Brother Scott) is awesome with her, even when she is screaming her little lungs out.
The house looks like a complete disaster, but as long as there is a path around the clutter, we're good to go. (Anyone out there who has more than two kids, a clean home and some resemblance of organization - PLEASE, you have to teach me how to do it!)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The worst cookies ever
It's official, I cannot bake. I really can't. I borrowed this awesome recipe book from the library (which now I cannot wait to return) and saw a recipe for chewy chocolate chip cookies. I already had all of the ingredients in the house - which is so unlike me, so I thought I'd give it a go and make them for when my hubby and little dude wanted a snack. BIG mistake.
They came out less like chewy chocolate chip cookies and more like salty cakes that weren't cooked in the middle. The question is, how on earth did I manage to screw it up so badly? It seemed like a fool-proof recipe. Obviously the writer never accounted for this idiot.
So, I think it's safe to say that I shall be sticking with my Betty Crocker packets where you just add an egg and some water for now until my baking ego has sufficiently recovered from this disaster.
They came out less like chewy chocolate chip cookies and more like salty cakes that weren't cooked in the middle. The question is, how on earth did I manage to screw it up so badly? It seemed like a fool-proof recipe. Obviously the writer never accounted for this idiot.
So, I think it's safe to say that I shall be sticking with my Betty Crocker packets where you just add an egg and some water for now until my baking ego has sufficiently recovered from this disaster.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Etsy
I have recently discovered a fabulous website: Etsy.com. The only problem is, I want to purchase everything I see!
I am a huge fan of homemade items, for several reasons. Mainly because the items are one of a kind, but also because I feel like I'm supporting those out there trying to make a living making their products with love and feeling.
So, I bought the little chick (for when she eventually decides to put in an appearance) some onesies that have been decorated especially, some birthday and valentines gifts for friends and family and a necklace. My best purchase is a bag of handmade fish shapes with numbers on them to help the Dude learn to count. It's his favorite toy when he's not playing with Thomas! But more than purchasing the products, I love browsing and adding shops to my favorites. I love looking at items and thinking 'Wouldn't that be an awesome birthday gift for ...'
So if you get a chance, have a little look on Etsy.
I am a huge fan of homemade items, for several reasons. Mainly because the items are one of a kind, but also because I feel like I'm supporting those out there trying to make a living making their products with love and feeling.
So, I bought the little chick (for when she eventually decides to put in an appearance) some onesies that have been decorated especially, some birthday and valentines gifts for friends and family and a necklace. My best purchase is a bag of handmade fish shapes with numbers on them to help the Dude learn to count. It's his favorite toy when he's not playing with Thomas! But more than purchasing the products, I love browsing and adding shops to my favorites. I love looking at items and thinking 'Wouldn't that be an awesome birthday gift for ...'
So if you get a chance, have a little look on Etsy.
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