Purees and Procreastination

In my last post, I wrote out my "To Do" list for the week. Here it is Wednesday and I haven't done squat from my list.  On Monday I had zero energy.  I watched Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, did a little cleaning of the master bedroom and that. was. it.  Seriously, I could not figure out why I was so useless.  The next morning I learned the ugly truth.  The Hubs had made decaf.  I apparently cannot function without fully caffeinated coffee.

 Yesterday I took Babycakes swimming at my aunt and uncle's house.  I thought I could get a few things done during her nap but she only slept for another hour. When she woke up she was SUPER cuddly, which was nice, but I knew she wasn't feeling well.  Sure enough she was running a low grade fever.  She was so clingy that I wasn't able to get anything done.  I even had to put her on my back so I could make dinner.

She didn't sleep well last night which means no one slept well.  So I made an appointment when we rolled out of bed this morning with her pediatrician.  Diagnosis: ear infection and eye infection.  So another round of antibiotics and eye drops.  Have you even given eye drops to a 2 year old?  I don't recommend it.

Anyway, back to the point of my post.  While Monday was definitely a day of procrastination, the past two days have been Mommy duty.  I also mentioned last week that I made some purees that I would talk about in a later post.  So here is that post.

A couple of years ago I picked up a copy of Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious  cookbook on the bargain table.

I decided to start using her recipes/ideas to include more veggies in our diets.  The Hubs is a big fan of sloppy joes so I thought I would try her version to see if it would pass muster.  Since her recipe called for some things 1.) I didn't have on hand and 2.) I knew someone didn't like, the recipe below is my version of her recipe.  Capiche?

Okay, I started by browning a pound of ground beef in the skillet.

 To that I added 1/2 cup of sweet potato puree, 1/2 cup of butternut squash puree, 1/2 cup of vegetable broth, 1/4 cup of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.  Cook on low heat for about 15-20 minutes.  (HINT:  The tomato paste in those little cans is about 1/2 a cup.  Rather than throw away the other half, I put it in a freezer bag and popped it into the freezer with my other food purees.)

I used vegetable broth because it's what I had on hand and I was trying to use up what was in the fridge.

We were out of hamburger and hotdog buns so I served them on toasted white bread with a side of sweet potato fries.  The Hubs and I also had side salads and Babycakes had some cucumbers from the garden.

These passed muster with the food critics in the house so it will be a recipe I use again.  I have additional purees in the freezer so I am ready for another evening of sneaking some veggies into a main course.  :-)

Summer Fun!

It's almost here!  Summerrrrrr!!!!!  Only two more teacher workdays and I am free for the summer!  The students' last day was Friday and I must say, while I am sad to see some of them leave for the high school, I am not sad to see summer vacation come a little bit closer.  I even had a countdown in my classroom that I used to count down the days with the kids.

I made this with an old Mary Engelbreit desk calendar I had a couple of years ago and it sums up the recharging that must occur over the summer for me to be ready to go in the fall.

The boxes are packed...

Piles of "what stays at school" and "what comes home" are separated.

My little classroom looks so naked at this time of year.  :-(

The computers were still on the table from the endless state testing we had to do.  Three weeks of that stuff.  I was so fried.  I really don't know how the kids take it.  It's awful.

My desk is a giant pile of mess.  I can hardly stand it!

Anywho, the next two days I will spend at work cleaning things up and getting stuff ready for the break.  It's hard to stay motivated when the end is in sight!

But I digress from my original purpose of this post and that is Summer Fun.

Each Saturday from around April through October Babycakes and I have a standing date to go to the Farmer's Market in town.  She loves to go and listen to the live music and visit with all of the local folks.  It also gives me the opportunity to purchase local produce for our meals in the upcoming week.  Yesterday was no different.  She dolled herself up and was ready to roll!

After our trip to the Farmer's Market and naps for Mama and Baby, we went to my cousin's high school graduation celebration.  We are so proud of her and she is one of Babycakes' biggest fans.  While there, Babycakes got to spend some time playing with a couple more of her cousins.  (No exaggeration, I have 32 first cousins.  This does not include their spouses, children or grandchildren.  There are a lot of freakin' cousins in my life! :-)  )   I love having such a large family.  There are always things for kids to do in a large family.  Like toddler cornhole...

I also come from a long line of farmers so there were goats and chickens to play with as well thanks to my (you guessed it!) cousin, Terry.

Let me tell you, Babycakes slept very well last night!

Today was a little more low key.  We went to church (skipped Sunday School because Mama needed a little extra sleep this morning!) then came home and had lunch before Babycakes took her nap.  After nap time was over we headed out to get haircuts and visit the kitties at the pet store next to where we got our haircuts.  (That's her reward for sitting still while getting a haircut.)

On our way home we decided to take Babycakes to the park.  This kid seriously loves a good slide and she was not disappointed today!

 I love the look of pure bliss on her face.  There is nothing better.  Except maybe having her sit still long enough to get a picture with her Mama!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to the slower pace of summertime so I have more time to post some adventures on the blog.  Have a great week!

Weekend Travels

After a hiatus due to my computer being older than the hills technical difficulties I've been able to return to my blog.  I tried several times to update this blog yesterday but my computer was very disgruntled and simply shut down.  After taking it to the Computer Whisperer (a.k.a. my little bro) it seems to be behaving itself.

Yesterday we headed about an hour south to visit my dad and stepmom at their "summer" house.  With my stepsisters living in Texas and me and my siblings living in Virginia they are dividing their time between the 2 states.  Anyone who has ever spent any time in Texas knows they have wonderful, balmy winters and hotter than hell summers.  Despite the fact that it is (supposedly) spring, they have been in Virginia for several weeks now and I am loving it (as is Babycakes).  As you can see, her Granddaddy is all about spending time with her.  Even if it means getting on the floor with her to color. :-)

 

 Mama came fully prepared with a bag of books and toys to keep Babycakes entertained during our visit.

 Since her Grandma is a retired professor and her Grandaddy is a book-lover himself, they had no problems reading some books.  (I seriously love this picture!)

Before leaving, the Hubs took a picture of me, my Dad, and Babycakes...

I really am blessed to have such a wonderful family!  Hope everyone had a weekend as great as ours!

East Coast Beast

Kind of an odd name, I'll admit, but that's what the media has dubbed this snowstorm that is currently hammering our region.  When we got up this morning we already had about 6 inches of snow on the ground.  While it is still snowing it isn't really sticking to much because the temps are above freezing.  No matter, I love a good snow because I don't (typically) have to go anywhere.  I am especially thankful for this snow because it's giving me some extra time to recover from this miserable virus I have that will not exit my body.

Anyway, the Hubs went out to shovel the driveway and as soon as he put on his coat, Babycakes was hot on his heels.  She does not like to get left behind.  I thought we would let her go out for a few minutes (no more than 5) and she would be done - ready to come inside.  She has never been a big fan of snow.  Not this time.  She had a blast "helping" her Daddy shovel snow.  Since I'm still not 100% I decided I would stay inside and enjoy the warmth.  But when I saw how much fun she was having I snuck outside for a couple of minutes to take some pictures.

Initially, I tried to get away with staying close to the house so I wouldn't have to go out into the snow.  But I quickly realized I should suck it up and head out there to capture this sweet moment in her little life.

I LOVE this expressing on her face!  It's such a look of childlike wonder.

Babycakes had a blast "helping" daddy shovel the snow.

See her little mittens?  Not mittens at all.  They are her Cinderella socks.  The kid probably has 4 pairs of mittens and I could find 1.  Not one pair, 1 mitten.  Mama got creative.  I knew she would not have the patience to wait Mama was too worn out to look for mittens.

And just so folks don't think I'm a total sloth while sick, I wanted to update you on a couple of projects I've been working on.

My beautiful baby younger sister is expecting her first child in July.  I have been working on knitting a blanket for her baby and thought I would update you on what I've gotten accomplished so far.

While being sick has not been fun, at least I'm being productive while I rest.

I also finished the counted cross stitch sampler I have been working on for nine years.  It's washed and just needs to be pressed and framed.  Once that's been completed I'll post a pic of the finished product.  

 

I also picked up another counted cross stitch project I laid aside for far too long and started working on it again.  When I showed the Hubs the project he looked at me and said, "Why do you keep punishing yourself with this stuff?"  Hee! Hee!  I really do enjoy this stuff.  I'm just slow about getting things finished.  It probably doesn't help that I have crafter ADD. 

 

Anyway, soup is in the Crock-Pot and I am (hopefully) going to bake some bread to go with it.  It's a new soup recipe.  If it's tasty I'll share it with you next time.  Until then, enjoy the snow!

Mama's Turn

I've been under the weather since Thursday and I am done with it!  I went to the doctor on Thursday with the hopes of getting some medicine and heading back to work on Friday.  No such luck.  I was told to stay off work until Monday and was tested for the flu. ICK!  Fortunately the test game back negative for influenza A and B.  Unfortunately I have gotten worse instead of better.  So I called in for another sub for tomorrow and will head back to the doctor and hopefully get some antibiotics.  I'm pretty sure Babycakes has shared her most recent bout of bronchitis with her dear, sweet Mama.

Enough of my bellyaching!  Onto more fun things.  I was feeling well enough for a very brief foray into Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up some supplies.  While I was there I picked up some stuff to get some Easter decorating started.  I don't do St. Patrick's Day.  Never been one of my favorite holidays.  So I'm excited to start decorating for Easter because I really like the spring colors and the holiday itself.   In an earlier post I showed off these gems I made for around $6 for supplies I picked up at the Dollar Tree.

So I bought some Easter grass for $0.33 and some malt balls that look like speckled eggs for $2.88 and put together this...

I would show you the whole display but the table is a disaster since I have been sick and the Hubs has had to take care of Babycakes. And to be honest, all I did was stuff Easter grass in the vases and dropped in some eggs.   But hopefully I'll get the house decorated for Easter and will be able to post some pics at a later date.

Have I posted recently what an AMAZING husband I have?  He has totally picked up the ball while I work on getting better.  Right now he is at our last class for our Dave Ramsay Financial Peace University course while my Mom watches Babycakes.  Before he left, I snapped this picture of him and Babycakes watching bull-riding.

I really love that man!  In addition to being an awesome husband and dad, he also does laundry.  He knows how much I LOVE the smell of bedclothes that have hung on the line in the sunshine.  So he did that today.

While I love spring, I am hoping for one more snow day.  Today it really looks like spring is in the air but the forecast is calling for the, "potential for significant snowfall accumulation," on Wednesday.  They seem pretty sure about this - 80% at last check. Bring. It. On.

Anyway, one last picture of Babycakes.  I love that she lets me put pigtails in her hair!

I'm off to watch some Golden Girls, work on finishing a cross-stitch project, and resting.  Hope everyone is healthier than me! :-)

I'm Back!

Imagine my surprise when I logged on tonight to update this blog and saw that I had a guest blogger!  Thanks Honey!

After my scrapbook adventures on Saturday the Hubs and I ended up taking care of a sick little one.  We were so excited that she had made it 2 WHOLE weeks without getting sick.  We had our fingers crossed but it wasn't enough.  Back to the doctor we went yesterday.  This time it was a diagnosis of bronchitis and a sinus infection.  Poor Babycakes!  She can't catch a break. :-(  Here she is on the way home from the doctor yesterday.

Not sure what those red marks are on her face.  I think her cheeks are chapped with all of the cold weather.  :-(

The day before she was dressing up like a little fashionista.  Her Auntie Karen got her some new pants (she is wearing one pair on each leg) and she just had to try them out pronto!  The scarf belongs to me and the hat is her winter hat.  By 9:00 that night she was running a fever.  How quickly things can turn.

The good news is that she is on the mend and is starting to perk up now that she has antibiotics.  Although I do worry about the long term impact of having so many antibiotics in her system at such a young age.  I guess as a mom you are always worried about something.

I've also been trying to finish up some craft projects.  Some of which have been going on way. too. long.  Like this gem...

I started this when my best friend found out she was pregnant nine years ago.  Seriously, nine years.  Who takes this long to finish a project?  That would be me.  When I found out I was pregnant I started working on it again for Babycakes. I am so close to being finished.  The little girl in the top right corner is all I need to finish.  I finished the top left but it has all of her information on it and I don't feel comfortable posting it for all the world to see.  But I promise you that part really is finished!  I put it on my "to do" list for March so hopefully I will do it since I wrote it down.

I also wanted to show you what Cleo the cat does when I get up to grab a snack while I am catching up on my blog reading.

Apparently the Susan Branch blog that I enjoy reading isn't nearly as exciting for her.  

Finally, I posted this pic on Facebook.  It's my new 'do.

I still have to "deal" with it each morning but my hands on time has significantly decreased.  With all I have going on right now this is a definite plus.

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday!

  

Project Updates...

After my VERY blah day yesterday, I thought I would update you all on some of the ongoing projects I have been working on.  Earlier, I mentioned a project I was working on for the Hubs for Valentine's Day.  The inspiration came from Pinterest.  Since there was a $5.00 limit I re-created this on my limited budget.  It's the words to our First Dance with out initials in the bottom left corner and our wedding date in the top left corner.  The frame was on clearance at Wal-Mart.  The Hubs definitely went over budget for me but I'm not complaining.  :-)

The other project I have been working on are some curtains for our family room that we moved to the basement this past summer.  I saw the fabric at Hobby Lobby and debated for a couple of months whether or not I should buy it.  I finally broke down and got it with a gift card I received. 

Sorry about the picture quality.  I have to use my cell phone because my crappy camera isn't working again. :-(

Anywho, my younger sister just found out last week she will be having a girl in July.  So I started on a blanket for my newest niece.

I'm not known for giving my handcrafted gifts on time but there's a first time for everything, right? 

On Saturday we took a trip to Lowe's where they had a lot of great stuff on clearance.  I mean like $1 and $2 stuff clearance!  So we went ahead and loaded up for Spring projects and Easter.  Babycakes will be getting some gardening goodies from the Easter Bunny.

So maybe the "My First Garden" was a little self serving, but I know for a fact she is going to LOVE the Elmo gardening stuff.  That kid can't get enough Elmo.  I've thought about decorating her room with Elmo but I'm pretty sure she would be so overstimulated that she would never sleep.



Finally, my favorite little "project" on Friday night.

We all went out for dinner because, quite frankly, no one wanted to cook.  So this was out Valentine's date.  Babycakes loves her catchup!  She didn't get that from me.  I can't stand the stuff!

So that is a project/weekend update.

Happy President's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So today is Valentine's Day.  Not that this is a hugely romantic holiday in these parts anymore, but I'm really okay with that.  Who needs romance when you have this?

It was a balmy 50 degrees in the Valley today and Babycakes asked to go outside.  She hasn't asked to go outside since late summer/early fall.  So we bundled her up in her coat and headed outside for some fresh air.  We started off by walking around our 2 acre yard.  Eventually she got bored with that so we headed over to her swing set. I held her as she went down the slide and she LOVED it.  Giggling and signing, "More! More!"  Eventually Mama's back started aching so we headed over to her Little Tykes slide where she could climb up on her own.

  She was having a blast but couldn't quite figure out how to get back to the top so she could slide down again.

Eventually she mastered climbing up, but she still needed help getting in position to slide down.  But Babycakes is well on her way to being a slide expert!  She also enjoyed discovering her shadow for the first time.  She kept watching the shadows.  It was pretty cute to watch.

After a while Daddy came out to join the fun.  We headed back over to the swing set and played some more.

She isn't quite big enough to do this on her own without close supervision but she had a blast for the brief time we allowed her to play on this.  Not that you can tell from her face...

I also wanted to share a quick (as in less than 5 minutes) craft project I completed a couple of weeks ago.

I really like the hurricane vases that are so popular right now.  But they are so expensive!  I mean $20 for the "cheap" one at my local Wal-Mart.  So I headed over to the Dollar Tree and picked up 3 vases and 3 candlesticks for the whopping total of $6.30.

I cleaned them using dish soap and water and removed the price tags.  Then I fired up the glue gun and glued them together.  The result...

I put conversation hearts in them but that's not very smart for a person like me who has a terrible sweet tooth.  I ended up going out and buying more candy.  Next time I'll go for something that isn't edible. Maybe. I'm thinking about green glass globs for St. Patty's day and maybe jelly beans or plastic eggs for Easter. I'm sure the local dollar store will have some ideas for me. :-)

Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!