Friday List

1.  Today we have a school assembly, a snack sale, a gymnastics meet and a baby gymnastics class on our agenda.  It is also the first day back at school for my Sports Fanatic, who has been out of school since last Friday.

2.  Just thinking about everything listed above makes me confused.

3.  There is apparently some winter weather I was not aware of for the next few days.  Amazing what sneaks up on you when you only watch the Disney Channel.

4.  I still have to finish my snacks for the snack sale.  I made Krispy Football Treats because it is the playoffs.  And I love Tom Brady.

5.  My munchkins are in bed, 50% of them fast asleep.  The other 50% is waiting for my goodnight.  If I don't get my arse upstairs, my Sports Fanatic will lay awake until his eyeballs can't take another blink.

On that note, I better hit the road.  Signing off until tomorrow....

Happy Friday Everyone.  Make it a good one!

1.  Today we have a school assembly, a snack sale, a gymnastics meet and a baby gymnastics class on our agenda.  It is also the first day back at school for my Sports Fanatic, who has been out of school since last Friday.

2.  Just thinking about everything listed above makes me confused.

3.  There is apparently some winter weather I was not aware of for the next few days.  Amazing what sneaks up on you when you only watch the Disney Channel.

4.  I still have to finish my snacks for the snack sale.  I made Krispy Football Treats because it is the playoffs.  And I love Tom Brady.

5.  My munchkins are in bed, 50% of them fast asleep.  The other 50% is waiting for my goodnight.  If I don't get my arse upstairs, my Sports Fanatic will lay awake until his eyeballs can't take another blink.

On that note, I better hit the road.  Signing off until tomorrow....

Happy Friday Everyone.  Make it a good one!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hello Pediatrician. It's Us Again.

We know our pediatricians well.  We also know the front desk lady well (yes, our insurance is still the same), the nurses and the sticker lady at the check out well.

When we walk up to the check out window I look though the glass and say, "It's just us again..."

Chuckles ensue.  Until I have to hand over my copay for the umpteenth time.

This week I decided to take my Sports Fanatic to the pediatrician Monday because his cough was fairly nasty.  And on my way out the door I grabbed LLG because he'd been clearing his throat for weeks.

LLG loves to carry strep throat and give it to everyone just for kicks.  When I hear him clearing his throat it's time for the wooden stick and dreaded cotton swab.

We left the pediatrician Monday afternoon with diagnosis of pneumonia (Sports Fanatic) and strep (LLG).  We then left the pharmacy down $140.

My week continued with 75% of my brood home on Tuesday.

By Wednesday only my Sports Fanatic was home from school.  And at 10am he ran to me complaining he was "burning".

He was covered in hives.
 
And so we went back the pediatrician.  And told them it was us again.

We left with the assumption the hives were a reaction to the antibiotics.  Our medicine regimen was switched from antibiotics to Benadryl.  They informed me he could break out in these hives for days as the medicine clears his system.

Lovely.

And in case you're wondering, he is home again today because his fingers swelled to the size of Jimmy Dean sausage links.  I assumed it would be difficult to hold a pencil under such conditions. 

I treated him to a book from Barnes and Noble for his troubles.  He is really missing his old "life" right about now.  He hasn't seen a friend since Monday.

With my Sports Fanatic on the couch and Moopa headed for a nap, I think I may chug the left over antibiotics for good measure. 

Have a fabulous Thursday.  This Mama is ready for the weekend.

We know our pediatricians well.  We also know the front desk lady well (yes, our insurance is still the same), the nurses and the sticker lady at the check out well.

When we walk up to the check out window I look though the glass and say, "It's just us again..."

Chuckles ensue.  Until I have to hand over my copay for the umpteenth time.

This week I decided to take my Sports Fanatic to the pediatrician Monday because his cough was fairly nasty.  And on my way out the door I grabbed LLG because he'd been clearing his throat for weeks.

LLG loves to carry strep throat and give it to everyone just for kicks.  When I hear him clearing his throat it's time for the wooden stick and dreaded cotton swab.

We left the pediatrician Monday afternoon with diagnosis of pneumonia (Sports Fanatic) and strep (LLG).  We then left the pharmacy down $140.

My week continued with 75% of my brood home on Tuesday.

By Wednesday only my Sports Fanatic was home from school.  And at 10am he ran to me complaining he was "burning".

He was covered in hives.
 
And so we went back the pediatrician.  And told them it was us again.

We left with the assumption the hives were a reaction to the antibiotics.  Our medicine regimen was switched from antibiotics to Benadryl.  They informed me he could break out in these hives for days as the medicine clears his system.

Lovely.

And in case you're wondering, he is home again today because his fingers swelled to the size of Jimmy Dean sausage links.  I assumed it would be difficult to hold a pencil under such conditions. 

I treated him to a book from Barnes and Noble for his troubles.  He is really missing his old "life" right about now.  He hasn't seen a friend since Monday.

With my Sports Fanatic on the couch and Moopa headed for a nap, I think I may chug the left over antibiotics for good measure. 

Have a fabulous Thursday.  This Mama is ready for the weekend.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake

Last month (yes I am a slacker....) 

we celebrated my friend, Rhonda's birthday.
We affectionately call her "Wanda!"

Usually, "the girls" have birthday lunch.  This year Lori suggested that for Rhonda's birthday we all contribute to a meal and celebrate at her house.  

It was SO NICE!!

Instead of a meal, we actually did an assortment of appetizers, and I made the cake.

I found a recipe on Pinterest posted by Sweet Anna's, for

 White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake.

Lori had just decorated her tree in her basement, and had a nice fire going.  She set the table for the four of us to enjoy our night.

She even sent a text earlier that night telling us to dress comfy.

I brought some bruchetta and bread with some goat cheese.  

bruchetta is one of my most favorite things to nosh!

We relaxed, caught up on each other's lives, listened to Christmas music and ate all kind of yummy food!

Then it was time for the cake!

"Wanda" with her cake and martini, wearing the super cute hat Betsy sewed for her

this cake has all of my favorite things!

White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake

recipe from Sweet Anna's

1 - 10 oz package of frozen raspberries
2 T sugar
2 t cornstarch
1/2 c water
25 oreos, crushed
1/4 c melted butter
2 c chopped white chocolate (best quality you can find)
1/2 c half and half
3- 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2 regular sized Hershey bars milk or dark, chopped
1/2 c heavy cream
1 c chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate

Raspberry Sauce:
 Stir together the raspberries, sugar, cornstarch and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then boil for 5 minutes.  Pour through a fine mesh strainer to catch the seeds. Store sauce in the refrigerator until you make the cheesecake.

Crust:
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir the crushed oreos and melted butter together and press into the bottom of a spring form pan.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is set.  Remove and cool.  Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Filling:
In a medium saucepan, heat the half and half until it is almost simmering. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate pieces until smooth and melted.  Set aside.

In a big bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time, make sure to blend completely after each one.  Beat in the vanilla, salt and melted white chocolate  mixture.

Wrap your spring form pan containing the crust tightly in foil. Place the foil wrapped pan in a roasting pan, and put a pot of water to boil on the stove for the water bath you will be making.

Pour half of the filling over the crust, sprinkle with the chopped Hershey bars. Drizzle about 5 Tablespoons of raspberry sauce over the filling and chocolate and swirl with the tip of a knife. Pour the rest of the filling on top, drizzle with another 5 Tablespoons of sauce, and swirl again with the knife.

Pour boiling water into the roasting pan to surround the spring form pan.  Fill until the water reaches about halfway up the pan. Bake the cheesecake at 325 degrees for 60-70 minutes, until the center is almost set.
 (it will still jiggle of you shake the pan)

Remove the roasting pan from the oven, letting the cheesecake sit in the hot water for another 30 minutes.  Remove the spring form pan from the water onto a cooling rack to cool to room temperature.  Place in the refrigerator for 3+ hours to cool completely.

Make the ganache:
 In a saucepan, bring the heavy cream just to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until smooth.  Pour the ganache over the top of the cooled cheesecake, smoothing with a spoon and allowing some of the ganache to drip over the sides of the cheesecake.  Return to fridge to chill another 3 hours, or until ganache is shiny and set.


This cheesecake was very time consuming, but it was so worth it!! A BIG THANK YOU to Sweet Anna's for sharing her perfected recipe! This will always be one of my most favorites from now on!!

Lori, Me, Betsy and the Birthday Girl, Rhonda

Last month (yes I am a slacker....) 

we celebrated my friend, Rhonda's birthday.
We affectionately call her "Wanda!"

Usually, "the girls" have birthday lunch.  This year Lori suggested that for Rhonda's birthday we all contribute to a meal and celebrate at her house.  

It was SO NICE!!

Instead of a meal, we actually did an assortment of appetizers, and I made the cake.

I found a recipe on Pinterest posted by Sweet Anna's, for

 White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake.

Lori had just decorated her tree in her basement, and had a nice fire going.  She set the table for the four of us to enjoy our night.

She even sent a text earlier that night telling us to dress comfy.

I brought some bruchetta and bread with some goat cheese.  

bruchetta is one of my most favorite things to nosh!

We relaxed, caught up on each other's lives, listened to Christmas music and ate all kind of yummy food!

Then it was time for the cake!

"Wanda" with her cake and martini, wearing the super cute hat Betsy sewed for her

this cake has all of my favorite things!

White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake

recipe from Sweet Anna's

1 - 10 oz package of frozen raspberries
2 T sugar
2 t cornstarch
1/2 c water
25 oreos, crushed
1/4 c melted butter
2 c chopped white chocolate (best quality you can find)
1/2 c half and half
3- 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
2 regular sized Hershey bars milk or dark, chopped
1/2 c heavy cream
1 c chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate

Raspberry Sauce:
 Stir together the raspberries, sugar, cornstarch and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then boil for 5 minutes.  Pour through a fine mesh strainer to catch the seeds. Store sauce in the refrigerator until you make the cheesecake.

Crust:
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir the crushed oreos and melted butter together and press into the bottom of a spring form pan.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is set.  Remove and cool.  Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Filling:
In a medium saucepan, heat the half and half until it is almost simmering. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate pieces until smooth and melted.  Set aside.

In a big bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time, make sure to blend completely after each one.  Beat in the vanilla, salt and melted white chocolate  mixture.

Wrap your spring form pan containing the crust tightly in foil. Place the foil wrapped pan in a roasting pan, and put a pot of water to boil on the stove for the water bath you will be making.

Pour half of the filling over the crust, sprinkle with the chopped Hershey bars. Drizzle about 5 Tablespoons of raspberry sauce over the filling and chocolate and swirl with the tip of a knife. Pour the rest of the filling on top, drizzle with another 5 Tablespoons of sauce, and swirl again with the knife.

Pour boiling water into the roasting pan to surround the spring form pan.  Fill until the water reaches about halfway up the pan. Bake the cheesecake at 325 degrees for 60-70 minutes, until the center is almost set.
 (it will still jiggle of you shake the pan)

Remove the roasting pan from the oven, letting the cheesecake sit in the hot water for another 30 minutes.  Remove the spring form pan from the water onto a cooling rack to cool to room temperature.  Place in the refrigerator for 3+ hours to cool completely.

Make the ganache:
 In a saucepan, bring the heavy cream just to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until smooth.  Pour the ganache over the top of the cooled cheesecake, smoothing with a spoon and allowing some of the ganache to drip over the sides of the cheesecake.  Return to fridge to chill another 3 hours, or until ganache is shiny and set.


This cheesecake was very time consuming, but it was so worth it!! A BIG THANK YOU to Sweet Anna's for sharing her perfected recipe! This will always be one of my most favorites from now on!!

Lori, Me, Betsy and the Birthday Girl, Rhonda

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

A Promise

Four and a half years ago, when we uprooted our munchkins from their home in Pennsylvania, we promised them a puppy.

We kept our promise.

Our pup was so irresistible my parents welcomed her brother into their home.  And for three weeks our munchkins were able to have two puppies instead of one.

I'm pretty sure the stress from the move and the training of the puppies made me crazy.  But no one seemed to notice.

Or I'm just crazy all the time.

Regardless, these pups helped ease the transition from one house to another.  From one school to another.  From one life to another.

And I admit I have never been a fan of dog poop, dog puke, or dog hair.  But I have learned to live with all three.

Because this puppy love was worth the trouble.  And four and half years later, we've settled into a semi-peaceful existence.

Happy Wednesday!

Four and a half years ago, when we uprooted our munchkins from their home in Pennsylvania, we promised them a puppy.

We kept our promise.

Our pup was so irresistible my parents welcomed her brother into their home.  And for three weeks our munchkins were able to have two puppies instead of one.

I'm pretty sure the stress from the move and the training of the puppies made me crazy.  But no one seemed to notice.

Or I'm just crazy all the time.

Regardless, these pups helped ease the transition from one house to another.  From one school to another.  From one life to another.

And I admit I have never been a fan of dog poop, dog puke, or dog hair.  But I have learned to live with all three.

Because this puppy love was worth the trouble.  And four and half years later, we've settled into a semi-peaceful existence.

Happy Wednesday!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

No More Excuses

This past weekend, a large piece of equipment was delivered to my house.  I had been waiting for a few months for it to arrive.

It is rather special.  A hand-me-down I have utilized for years at my mom and dad's house.  A gem that I have bonded with and truly come to love.

On Saturday, my father and my brother loaded this giant, awkward item into the back of my dad's pick-up truck and they drove it to my house.  I thank them both greatly, because I am certain they had better things to do with their Saturday.

Before they arrived, they called and asked me to measure my doorways.  My stairways.  And every entrance-way in my home.  They gave me the forewarning that this thing was wide.  And chances were it was not getting in the house.

I laughed and measured a few doorways.  I knew we could somehow manage to get this thing in the basement.  Alongside the laundry.  On a cozy carpet.  Right where it belonged.

We didn't.

My dear sweet jiggle-saving treadmill is currently residing in my garage.  The same place I keep my cans of soda because they stay colder than they do in the fridge.

Until I can finagle a way to move this monstrosity inside where there is heat, I shall toss on a fleece and move this little baby outside.

I am also considering moving my treadmill to face the windows.  This way I can pretend I'm running out in the great wide open, and not next to the recycling. 

It's all in the approach. 

Who needs a gym membership when I can run in my garage for free?

Amazon has some great deals if you care to join my "at home" revolution. Check them out!

This past weekend, a large piece of equipment was delivered to my house.  I had been waiting for a few months for it to arrive.

It is rather special.  A hand-me-down I have utilized for years at my mom and dad's house.  A gem that I have bonded with and truly come to love.

On Saturday, my father and my brother loaded this giant, awkward item into the back of my dad's pick-up truck and they drove it to my house.  I thank them both greatly, because I am certain they had better things to do with their Saturday.

Before they arrived, they called and asked me to measure my doorways.  My stairways.  And every entrance-way in my home.  They gave me the forewarning that this thing was wide.  And chances were it was not getting in the house.

I laughed and measured a few doorways.  I knew we could somehow manage to get this thing in the basement.  Alongside the laundry.  On a cozy carpet.  Right where it belonged.

We didn't.

My dear sweet jiggle-saving treadmill is currently residing in my garage.  The same place I keep my cans of soda because they stay colder than they do in the fridge.

Until I can finagle a way to move this monstrosity inside where there is heat, I shall toss on a fleece and move this little baby outside.

I am also considering moving my treadmill to face the windows.  This way I can pretend I'm running out in the great wide open, and not next to the recycling. 

It's all in the approach. 

Who needs a gym membership when I can run in my garage for free?

Amazon has some great deals if you care to join my "at home" revolution. Check them out!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

The Great Munchkin Swap

There are several phenomenal things about having friends who also have children.  They don't mind mess, they don't mind kids, and they are just as crazy as I am. 

I particularly like to keep company with moms who roll with the chaos.  My best mom friends welcome playdates and clean the mess afterward.  Snacks are plentiful because the kids get hungry, and it keeps them quiet, er happy.

We worry about the fruit and vegetables at our next meal.

Today, a mom who also has four munchkins and myself are performing the most fabulous of all playdates: 

The Great Munchkin Swap

It's called I'll take two of yours, you take two of mine.  No munchkin cries in protest they "have no playdate!" and no munchkin is left behind.

It's a fabulous system.

God Bless all Mommies.  We certainly teach ourselves well.

There are several phenomenal things about having friends who also have children.  They don't mind mess, they don't mind kids, and they are just as crazy as I am. 

I particularly like to keep company with moms who roll with the chaos.  My best mom friends welcome playdates and clean the mess afterward.  Snacks are plentiful because the kids get hungry, and it keeps them quiet, er happy.

We worry about the fruit and vegetables at our next meal.

Today, a mom who also has four munchkins and myself are performing the most fabulous of all playdates: 

The Great Munchkin Swap

It's called I'll take two of yours, you take two of mine.  No munchkin cries in protest they "have no playdate!" and no munchkin is left behind.

It's a fabulous system.

God Bless all Mommies.  We certainly teach ourselves well.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Lasagna Soup

lasagna soup



My friend Candi, over at The Devilish Dish is an amazing cook!!

Anytime she posts a recipe I know I will like it.

(so far she hasn't posted anything with liver or brussel sprouts....)

When she posted this one back in the Fall, I knew I would have to try it.

My family LOVES Pasta and we LOVE soup, so it was a win-win situation!

Candi and I have been friends for a long time.  Almost 15 years. She and I have so much in common, I swear God knew we needed to be friends and put her in that Scrapbooking class I was teaching back in 1997!

One thing that we have in common, we are both a little bit of a rebel.

It's okay. We were raised on Hair Band 80's music --- so it goes with the territory right?

we love our hair band concerts!! (and on those days...Aqua Net!!)

Well, being the rebel I am, I didn't EXACTLY follow her recipe.

That and the fact that I had already been to the store 3 days in a row and managed to STILL not have everything that I needed.

So, I add-libbed.

And because she's my friend, and I know that's JUST how she cooks... tweaking and making it her own, I know that she will understand.

For her recipe click here:

The Devilish Dish's Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup

2 lbs ground beef

1 medium onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 14.5 oz cans of petite diced tomatoes (with juice)

1 - 16 oz jar of spaghetti sauce (I like to use Marinara)

4 tsp chicken bouillon (or 4 cubes)

4 tsp beef bouillon

6 cups of water

2 tsp of Italian spice

1/2 thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 box lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

ricotta (optional)

 shredded mozzarella cheese

In a soup pot over medium heat brown your ground beef with onion and garlic.  Salt and Pepper to taste.

Drain grease.  To the ground beef mixture add the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, bouillon, water and spices and seasonings. Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes.

Stir in broken lasagna noodles and cook until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes.

Remove bay leaf.  Add Parmesan cheese to soup about 5 minutes before serving and stir in.

Ladle into bowls and top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

My notes: We are not fans of ricotta cheese at my house.  When I make regular lasagna, I use cottage cheese.  So I added this to the ingredients, but we didn't use it.  It tasted AMAZING with just the shredded cheese. I actually bought shredded Italian blend cheese.

When you make lasagna, there are always a couple of broken noodles in the box it seems. I always have a couple of extra, too. When I do, I throw them in a Ziploc bag and keep adding to them, then I'm ready for a quick batch of lasagna soup!  That's one other thing about this soup, it's one of those that most likely the ingredients are in your pantry right now!  Like most soups, this recipe works well in the crock pot, After browning your meat, dump it all in the crock pot and let it cook on low all day. Add Parmesan cheese about 10 minutes before your serve.

lasagna soup



My friend Candi, over at The Devilish Dish is an amazing cook!!

Anytime she posts a recipe I know I will like it.

(so far she hasn't posted anything with liver or brussel sprouts....)

When she posted this one back in the Fall, I knew I would have to try it.

My family LOVES Pasta and we LOVE soup, so it was a win-win situation!

Candi and I have been friends for a long time.  Almost 15 years. She and I have so much in common, I swear God knew we needed to be friends and put her in that Scrapbooking class I was teaching back in 1997!

One thing that we have in common, we are both a little bit of a rebel.

It's okay. We were raised on Hair Band 80's music --- so it goes with the territory right?

we love our hair band concerts!! (and on those days...Aqua Net!!)

Well, being the rebel I am, I didn't EXACTLY follow her recipe.

That and the fact that I had already been to the store 3 days in a row and managed to STILL not have everything that I needed.

So, I add-libbed.

And because she's my friend, and I know that's JUST how she cooks... tweaking and making it her own, I know that she will understand.

For her recipe click here:

The Devilish Dish's Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup

2 lbs ground beef

1 medium onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 14.5 oz cans of petite diced tomatoes (with juice)

1 - 16 oz jar of spaghetti sauce (I like to use Marinara)

4 tsp chicken bouillon (or 4 cubes)

4 tsp beef bouillon

6 cups of water

2 tsp of Italian spice

1/2 thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 box lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

ricotta (optional)

 shredded mozzarella cheese

In a soup pot over medium heat brown your ground beef with onion and garlic.  Salt and Pepper to taste.

Drain grease.  To the ground beef mixture add the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, bouillon, water and spices and seasonings. Bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes.

Stir in broken lasagna noodles and cook until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes.

Remove bay leaf.  Add Parmesan cheese to soup about 5 minutes before serving and stir in.

Ladle into bowls and top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

My notes: We are not fans of ricotta cheese at my house.  When I make regular lasagna, I use cottage cheese.  So I added this to the ingredients, but we didn't use it.  It tasted AMAZING with just the shredded cheese. I actually bought shredded Italian blend cheese.

When you make lasagna, there are always a couple of broken noodles in the box it seems. I always have a couple of extra, too. When I do, I throw them in a Ziploc bag and keep adding to them, then I'm ready for a quick batch of lasagna soup!  That's one other thing about this soup, it's one of those that most likely the ingredients are in your pantry right now!  Like most soups, this recipe works well in the crock pot, After browning your meat, dump it all in the crock pot and let it cook on low all day. Add Parmesan cheese about 10 minutes before your serve.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad