procrastinating

Spring is procrastinating.

So am I.

Well not yet, but I am getting ready to procrastinate.

And I will real soon.

I'm just finding it tough to get started.

do you think goats procrastinate?

inside the good old purse - aka YIKES! I'm carrying around WHAT?

wallet ( luckily!)
one plastic black horse figure
crumpled kleenex (clean-ish)
4 almost empty packs of gum
one "wet" (????) baby sock with goldfish cracker crumbs stuck to it
two empty plastic easter eggs
hand cream (yummy vanilla)
pink hair barrette
chicken figure (little people - stolen from nephew - oops!)
two bottles of hand sanitizer
pack of unopened fishy crackers
half eaten (therefore opened!) mini mexican marshmellows (good stuff!)
black marker ( for my autograph? so many fans!)
one size 4 baby diaper - unused ;)
dirty penny
many many crumbs that somehow escaped being stuck to wet sock
make up bag - actually only foundation, tweezers, brush and mascara in here!
3 assorted littlest petshop figures - 2 cats, one fuzzy dog?maybe cat
medi-case filled with ibuprofen, bandaids, polysporin, tweezers, lipsticks and more junk
small plastic shark ( really cool one!)
kleenex package
small tin of candy
son's zippers "wild things" change purse
paycheque and paystub
3 rubber bands
note from daughter's gymnastics

no wonder my husband HATES to look for anything in my purse!

Soda Pop CUPCAKES

Simply take any flavour of cake mix and add any flavour can of pop (one room temperature can)

Mix very well and bake according to instructions on cake mix. (we made cupcakes as I love them)

For Valentines Day we used white cake mix and diet cream soda.

It was such a pretty pink! And quite yummy!

This was the third time we made it.

Each time a different combination.

Really, the choices are almost endless.

These were as yummy as they look.

Only thought to grab a picture with my phone at the last minute though... sorry about the quality of image.

We used chocolate mix and orange pop this time. It was great!

We also tried sprite and yellow cake mix. Also delicious!

The kids love how it foams in the beginning!

This really works! No eggs, no oil, no water.

We tried diet and regular pop and both were great.

The batter was really easy to work with filling the cupcakes. Less messy than usual actually.

Next we want to give rootbeer a try!

Or grape and white cake...

Or orange and whitecake - like creamsicles...

Or coke and vanilla - like a float

Or Dr.Pepper and chocolate

really - I think these will be a favorite for a long time.

Let me know if you try it!

cookie pops

Had a lot of fun making cookie pops with the kids for valentine treats for their friends.

Here is what I learnt.
If you want to use "real" oreos you need the "double stuff" ones. If you use the regular ones then there is not enough cream filling and the lollipop stick is actually thicker than the cream and you get a crooked cookie with chocolate creeping into and all over the middle. This was messy and tricky to work with, and would frustrate kids. This happened with me alone and I was plenty irritated. The pics I am including are with a store brand of cookie and they had as much filling as a double stuff oreo and the stick with chocolate melted on sunk right in... so easy... so perfect. Thankfully that was the batch the kids helped with. I also found the oreos very difficult to pull apart and had to microwave them four at a time for 9 seconds. The store brand was so easy and almost none broke. I had a pile of broke oreos, but there are worse things than a pile of broken cookies you are forced to eat.

I also did a batch with a gluten and dairy free cookie and this worked just fine - except I think I blew the dairy free with the chocolate - hehe. These were hard also to separate and I had to microwave four at a time for 9 seconds to get them to separate easier.

Chocolate choices:
My favorite to work with (and conveniently eat) was Chipits semisweet chocolate chips. Get the big big bag!
Milk chocolate chips dipped nice but was much thinner it seemed, even when I used it at a cooler temperature.
I did try white chocolate and red but did not love how this coated the cookie, but the kids thought it was awesome. I ended up using this mostly for drizzling on the dark and milk chocolate. Never did get any pics of these, but they were quite pretty.

and it goes... and it goes.

it being time of course.
It is so hard to believe it is already February, and 2010 for that matter.
I am really trying to focus on a few things this year. One being health of my family and I, and with that staying on top of check ups and such. The and such being my sweet babys' innoculations. OOPs, forgot the 18 month ones, and when I finally called they told me I missed the 12 month ones. WHAT????? He is 20ish months now. This news stunned me. Really stunned me. Now I know all kinds of kind folks out there do not immunize their children, and for the record I am willing to say I disagree with this, and YES I have studied up on it more than most - anyways - these kind folks would not be in the stunned panic state I am in. Exactly how did this get by me? A super organized mom. ( admittedly I may be exaggerating on the super and organized parts...)
anyways, sweet baby is booked for next week. done.

what else got by me? well garbage day for one, or two, or three weeks. Thank God it is winter.

Darling daughter joined girl guides this month. How did we not know how amazing that group / organization is? She is totally loving it, as am I. After three meetings she went on a sleepover with them, which was a first. She did not even know any girls when she joined. Such a welcoming group.

Family wise - we are all still heading to the pool every Sunday... fitting it in with Hockey and church. I love that we have managed to do this for over two months now, and cannot believe how strong the kids are getting at swimming. Yay US!

FOUND! finally

found:
missing monkey hat
baby ninja shirt (bottom of laundry)
new jeans (closet floor)
blank cheques ( fell behind the drawer)
baby's shoe - these vanish all the time because he loves to walk around in one, yes just one.
home reading words ( bottom of son's school desk)

but you know how it goes... one step forward, two steps back... some found, more lost!

Getting together some New Years goals for myself... projects and good stuff!
I'll keep you posted!

this too...

I also lost the uber cool new monkey hat for my baby.

And my new jeans are missing.

And the baby's ninja shirt.

Too weird.

Did I forget to unpack a suitcase or something?

I wish I could find..

MISSING!

one size 5 awesome green toddler shoe. (just the one shoe)

one ziplock bag with son's "home reading words"

one library book (okay - from last year)

one toddler's birth certificate (really!)

blank cheques

one old cassette tape with my dad being interviewed on it. (subject : goldpanning)

wedding ring

the list goes on...

and may I add, I am actually quite organized.

Where oh where have all these things gone?

This is what makes me nervous to toss too much, as I may toss the " hidden" object.

Exactly what book did the birth certificate get tucked in?

Smell what I'm cooking?

These missing items play on my mind too much.

I'll continue pray to St. Anthony, my buddy.

"The fame of St. Anthony's miracles has never diminished, and even at the present day he is acknowledged as the greatestthaumaturgist of the times. He is especially invoked for the recovery of things lost, as is also expressed in the celebratedresponsory of Friar Julian of Spires:

Si quaeris miracula . . .
. . . resque perditas."

And so it goes.

On a happy note, I took the time to enjoy tea and a mini (very colourful) make-over session with my daughter Sunday night! Loving LIFE!

Boo! Halloween Party

We had an awesome Neighbourhood Halloween Party yesterday!

This was our FIFTH ANNUAL party for Halloween.

A few things we never change. Our invites are a paper ghost. We print out the info on white card stock and then cut it out to look like a ghost. When you are invited, you find a ghost taped to you door or window. BOO! Yes, occasionally they do blow off in the wind. Sad to hear about that after, like when your friend finds it months later... you know who you are!!

We always have CRAFTS for the kids. It is my kids' favorite part, and I try not to let them know what they are before the party.

This year the kids made:

Lollipop spiders and ghosts.

Window Hangers "stained glass" that the kids coloured with permanent markers instead of paint, and this worked wonderfully!

Fun Popcorn Hands

They made Halloween Bracelets also

We also had an assortment of foam pieces and pumpkin cut outs that they could decorate how they chose.

Quite pleased with our drink offerings this year! We would not tell what exactly it was either. I did have to make clear to a few of the boys the PRETENDNESS of the "poison".

We also made a gross PUNCH with tapioca "frogs eggs" and "eye of newt" at the bottom. I added some food colouring to the water for each when I made the pearls. This too was a hit!

Made some FUN cookies and some Yum cookies.

Top tray are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip. I must say these are a new fave!

Good old sugar cookies underneath. I used chocolate chips and licorice for the faces, just cut it.

I do not know if you can tell how awesome this is on your monitor! It is some kubasa ( or garlic coil/sausage) with cheese around.

The cheese are half a cheese string, with an almond slice "nail" attached with cream cheese. (you need to cut a little slice off the top of the cheese to flatten that spot) Then using a pairing knife, made some "knuckles".

Kids LOVED THESE fingers!

Tried to catch a picture of my favorite little skunk... always moving!

All the kids dressed up - it was GREAT!

I think everyone has a great time. It is such a TREAT to meet all the neighbours. So many are surprised to discover just how many kids there are around. We have a lot of fun doing it, and plan to keep at it. The kids are getting even more involved in the planning and food prep now. Thank you everyone for coming!

This brings us together as a family, and then a community.

It is all about TAKING THE TIME!

if I had my life to live over ...

I would make a big change. For myself, I would buy only one style of socks. Yes, that's right, just one style, and then about 20 pairs of it. All the same colour. Then, never would I have to sort. match, hunt... and if one had a hole, I would only toss that one. ( or use it for dusting if you are an eco-queen)

Repeat process with entire family of five. Everyone gets their own colour.

Imagine the time I would save if I did not have to sort through a monstrous pile of socks. Oh the things I could do. Like vacuum. Or dishes. Maybe take a walk. Save the world. Cure some awful disease. I could make a difference! Instead... I must do my time at the sock pile. And so it continues.

THANKS.

there it is, for you.

I'm giving it.

so take it.

photo challenge

Go into your 9th photo folder and pick out the 7th picture, in honor of today's date of course. Share!

I know, gtcha wondering just how exciting the rest of our photos are.

me myself and I

me : had half my thyroid our last Thursday evening... one week has passed now

myself : had to accept I could not do everything I wanted - care for kids, clean house, eat

I : feel a lot better now.

Just yesterday I began to feel like myself. Today I worked half a day, snuck in a business meeting which I may add involved a VERY delicious cup-cake (yay me!). Then I came home, had a snack and a rest, and played yes PLAYED with the baby! How fun. Hmmn... toddler really I guess. Does that officially change when they are one? or begin to toddle? he does toddle. Super cute toddle in fact!

Anyways... I FEEL BETTER!!!!

I was surprised at how lowsy I actually felt. Maybe from going under- I just could not snap out of it. I was able to cut out the strong pain killers after the first day, and still I felt dopey. Dizzy and pukey actually. I thought it would vanish when I moved onto plain tylenol - but nope... still there. I never did vomit, but felt like I was fighting it. I still feel like someone is choking me, but it is starting to diminish.

My incision is just wee ( still covered with some steri-strip) and maybe an inch and a half at most. This pleases me. It itches. This does not please me.

I can shower. This pleases me. I need to stay out of water, like a pool. This does not please me. Two invites to great outdoor pools since surgery. SIGH

I lived through it. This quite pleases me. And life goes on.

Will get thyroid levels tested in three weeks. Then we'll see what is next.

I am blessed.

Busy Me...

Have had a couple super busy yet wonderful weeks!

Had the kids in a nature camp half days last week - that was well worth it! They really enjoyed it, and aside from holidays/trips, they are free of commitments for now. Yay us!

Had the absolute pleasure of being present for my new nephews birth - I can see how that is addicting! Such a high! What a gift that was they gave me.

Back at work a bit... Street Sale and Art Walk was this weekend, so that was busy!

Lost my cable for my laptop, using husbands... really REALLY need the files on mine for the postcard info... must find it!

Flipped and painted the kids rooms. Rooms look great, but there is a plethora of forgotten toys in the hall and my room... and we have not traded their closets yet...

See? It's been too busy to do it!

Cleaned many toilets and tubs this week... never ending....

Bought some new shelves to address some of the problems.

Took a great workshop on composting - must quit putting things into garbarator - since I cannot even spell the word garburator... see?

Wishing I had a magic wand....

Or at least an easier time parting with things...

Love using these three little dots....

Bet they have a real name....

Anyone know it?

baby spiders

We keep finding these huge clusters of the cutest wee baby spiders... soooo many! So far we have found three and a half around our house. I say " a half" because one group keeps splitting and regrouping... hmmm....

Kids are thrilled of course and keep checking on them. With the recent rain they wanted to "save" them, but it all turned out okay. The babes pictured here have "moved on" already. Likely to my neighbour who does not like spiders.

We think they are orb spiders, but hard to see.

In my life, I have never come across this sight. Quite the treat!

Square Foot Garden

I broke a few rules of the square foot garden - one being you should be able to access it from all around.  I can access/reach most of it without "climbing" in.  Will need to just for peas and beans, but that's not for a while.   There is a space between fence and raised bed with sweetpeas that are a couple inches up now, and the back has delphiniums, hollyhocks and poppies - we'll see what grows.  Not much sun down between them.  Thought it'd be stunning to have all the flowers behind.  We'll see!   Kids filled planter pots with all kinds of seeds, will move then to deck as soon as they do not need such babying and frequent watering.  PLanted dill, irish bells, nastursiums, poppies, and other assorted mysteries.

Spinach on the left front here, with peppers behind then peas.  Centre row I think is carrots at front, then maybe beets then the Magic Beans (came in a magic bag as gift to son - they will be a surprise!  Cannot say for sure without reading marker what is next.  Maybe rainbow chard?

Check out the corn in the barrel!  It is loving it so far!  I did cheat and plant this already at about a six inch height, but it's well over a foot now - or 30 cm :)

Chenille Embroidered Blanket

Well - just in the nick of time (before the baby turned ONE!) I finally finished the baby's blanket!  Now keep in mind , the "experts" recommend you do not actually use a blanket on the baby until they are older - so in that regard this is just on time!

Both Grandmas (Nanny) did a square of embroidery, and two were done by yours truly!

I am quite pleased with it!  What do you think?

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We tried a new approach to our raised bed this year. We had to move it's location on account of the dogs...

and giant holes in the lawn...anyways!  The beautiful garden is now at the front of our yard, away from the pups who have their own huge run area filled with pea gravel and the kids play gym they like. (yes, they even go down the slide sometimes!)

The lawn is looking fantastic, providing enough oxygen for my family for the year (hehe).

The garden is being approached in the "square foot gardening" method.  Dividing your garden into plots and planting this way instead of rows increases your yield alot.  I think (read :hope) it cuts down on space available for weeds.

I read on line not to use soil mix, but vermiculite and peat and?? sand maybe??  I cannot remember what else, but alas I already had lovely soil, so we kept with it.  I did find some sites where people had success with soil as well.

Here are some images of the kids helping plant.  It is already growing, and as soon as the sun shines I'll get some picks of it growing.  So far so good.

One planting peas and beans, one writing the markers out.  TEAMWORK!!!!

I love this sweet baby's face when he got to put his hands into that soil!!!  HAPPINESS!!!!

oh... the lawn and Can you believe it's almost a year???

Okay,

me lawn is finally growing, but still lots of bare spots.

Oh seed, please grow...

The school had a pirate gypsy dance on Friday, as ye can see it is still on me mind.

My friend and I volunteered waaaayyy too much time for it.

I still never put my first kids pictures into albums like I promised myself I would during this Mat leave which is almost- oops- it's over.

Me babe is almost one!

sigh

I planted a new willow bush/shrub today.  I love willows.

Looking for a golden willow.

Sold some more things on kijiji.  I love kijiji.  Alot.

I am the most blessed mama ever.  And my husband is amazing.  Lucky us!

Still waiting for a surgery date to get half my thyroid out.  Grrr.

End of summer at the soonest.

But we are healthy.

and HAPPY.

cheers!

to do list:

Stand before the people you fear and

Speak your mind,

even if your voice shakes.

Maggie Kuhn