Fall design, cheap, that's the way I do it.

I recently saw a beautiful fall decoration that I fell in love with and knew I could do cheap.

The original design was on a sideboard with a few more decorations. I am beginning stages designing. I see something I like, I tend to take a few things from this or that.
The letters were easy, I just bought from JoAnn Fabrics along with the gold spray paint. It took all of ten minutes to color those. I also found a good deal of buy one, get one silk flower 50% off. I already had the vase and candles. There is much more that can be done. Let your imagination go.

Things I make when my husband goes out of town...yup, he's gonna be jealous.

So, when my husband goes out of town, I veer between a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and items that I definitely know he doesn't like. I tend to bring out the big guns when he is gone, much to his displeasure.
I have a great fish store in town, that I buy a whole slab of salmon, (just for myself) and he cuts off the bottom and slices into five or six pieces for me. Most I freeze for either when my husband goes out of town or for when I have company that enjoys salmon like I do.
 Many years ago I visited a wonderful restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI.  http://www.amwaygrand.com/cygnus27.html
It is called Cygnus 27 inside the Amway Plaza. They had a wonderful salmon in a puff pastry, that 6 years ago, I still think about.
I have to pat myself on the back with this recipe I found/made this evening.
I started with a pretty large filet of salmon, about 8 oz. I would suggest cutting it in half. I made a wonderful topping of walnuts, oil, garlic, salt and pepper, lime juice and parmesan cheese. I have a small food processor that I blended all these ingredients. I placed atop the salmon.
I then made a single crust pie recipe. Here is the recipe below. I then placed the salmon atop the pie crust and  folded to completely cover the salmon.
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pies/pastry-for-single-crust-pie/

I baked the salmon for 30 minutes at 375. It took longer since it was such a large piece of salmon. I paired it with a Bearnaise sauce and a side salad. Here is the wonderful finished product:

Now, if this just makes you all think I always have fancy food, please think again after you see this photo of the wonderful Halloween cake the girls and I made. My daughter Grace, definitely knows how to sell a cake.

 That's how my girls roll with cake.

Another Mac 'n' Cheese

My goal in life is to find the absolute perfect mac 'n' cheese that all of us can enjoy.
I think I found it. I love crispy on the outside but gooey on the inside. This is the best way to get both.

It needs to be spread out on a cookie sheet with raised sides. Bake at 500 degrees for 15 minutes.
I could include my recipe, but there are so many good ones out there, that any cheese that you like can be added. Just so long as it is on this type of pan will you get both crispy and gooey.

A great pair, is a fast and easy recipe for rolls. I am always a last minute dinner planner. The faster the better!
This recipe was very good. Here is the website: http://abcnews.go.com/US/organizations-seek-donations-improve-life-pine-ridge/story?id=14729358



Enjoy! If you want my recipe for the mac 'n' cheese, just send me a message.

The best tortillas ever..your kids won't be able to put them down!

A few months ago, I was out of tortillas and wanted to make some quesadillas.  I am known to just get on the Internet and look up a recipe, so I did. They turned out pretty good, but were time consuming. Tonight, I had the same idea, except I wanted to make a family favorite, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas.
I found this awesome recipe for flour tortillas, that took no time to make, and my kids couldn't stop gobbling them down. I wish I had taken pictures of my own, but will share the website I got this idea from.
http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2009/06/how-to-make-flour-tortillas/

I took this from the above website, and yes, mine looked exactly like this.
The one different ingredient, that I have fallen in love with, is bacon fat. Think back to when your grandma cooked. Everyone these days are sick of preservatives and are wanting to go all natural. All the experts agree, the best natural, preservative free diet is how your grandma cooked. I know, bacon fat? I have to tell you, for special dishes, this is my all time favorite liquid seasoning. I did do half butter and half bacon fat. Which, by the way, will keep in your fridge for a few weeks. It is all natural, and if used in limitation, just as fattening as butter. You are not going to be frying your eggs or steaks in bacon fat.

Now, for our favorite recipe, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas. You may use any type of chicken, tonight I used chicken from the grocery store already cut up, meant for stir fry. The nice fact about this recipe, is the chicken doesn't have to be the best since it will be mixed with other ingredients. My recipe is pretty simple:

1lb Chicken, cooked and diced
8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 can of enchilada sauce (I use mild, but any level of spice can be used)
four tortillas
1 cup sour cream
The other half of the enchilada sauce
1 cup Mexican cheese

Once the chicken is cooked, shred it in a bowl, stir in half a can of the enchilada sauce and the 8 oz package of cream cheese.
Warm up your homemade tortillas, place chicken mixture in the center of the tortilla and fold up starting at the bottom, then both sides, and finally the top.
Repeat with the other three tortillas.
Place tortillas in a dish.
Mix the sour cream and the rest of the enchilada sauce together. Spread mixture over the tortillas and sprinkle with the cheese.
Now, there are many different variations that can be used. You may add diced tomatoes, green onions, or chile's to the cream cheese mixture if you like. We like it simple here.
Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until warmed through. Serve with re fried beans or rice.

Kid friendly mac 'n' cheese

I recently became the norm and now cook one meal for all of us. It definitely has been tricky, but have found a few websites that I love, one of which is Weelilcious. (http://weelicious.com/ ) They have kid and adult friendly meals, though the few recipes I have looked up, don't cater to the picky eaters. The parent needs to do a little tweaking, especially if you have a child that doesn't like vegetables or fruit, i.e., picky eaters. Once recipe that worked really well with my girls is this one.

http://weelicious.com/?s=mac+n+cheese+bites

What made it such a hit is that I called them mac 'n' cheese cupcakes since my girls love cupcakes and I cooked them in a cupcake pan. Two suggestions, I used whole wheat pasta, which yes is healthy, but to me was really dry. The other, is they fell apart if you took the bites out of the cupcake pan too soon. Let them cool off first, then remove.

Halloween fun

The girls and I decided to do a fun, new (to us) Halloween craft one afternoon after school. It never occurred to me that we would be doing this amid homework, dinner, my squeezing in a workout, and gymnastics. But never mind that, a CRAFT is coming our way. My girls, especially Grace will absolutely never say no to one of those.  In fact, she will create a fantastic new idea, i.e. cutting paper, putting it on paper, and viola! this has to go to her teacher or else.


I actually got this idea from my mom, a retired kindergarten teacher. I altered a few things and of course, the way my life runs, it isn't completely finished, but you can imagine the finishing touches.  Here is a few pictures of our adventure for Halloween this year:

We grabbed two bags of white rice, a couple boxes of dye and big ziploc bags. Though I wish that were the case, we were out of the big bags and had to use sandwich bags, 4 total. Please put your pets away since squeezing and shaking of said bags will erupt with uncooked rice.
My ongoing preparedness continuing, to get the actual black and orange, you actually need EVERY color in the dye box. No problem, my specialty is getting things done, even if that means calling my neighbor and asking for ingredients, which I did not do in this case. I love spontaneity.

We actually needed one color I didn't have, blue, but I had the neon colors, which kind of substituted. In the end, it worked out. Check out the back of your dye boxes for orange (or sunset in our case) and black. Put the white rice in LARGE bags, I promise, it will work better, shake or press with your fingers. Pour into mason jars. There are many different ways to decorate. I plan on going to our backyard and snipping some mum flowers and putting in jars. We shall see how that works.

Updated photo with mums, a little sunny, but you get the idea. Obviously, since there is no water, they won't last long. You can always substitute fake flowers.

It's a dog's life

When the movie "Marley and Me" came out, I realized, that's my dog. I seriously could have written that story and starred in it, okay, not really Jennifer Aniston, but that's my life. 8 years ago I saw this adorable puppy and had just gotten my tax return, boom, second puppy. We couldn't think of a name, and since he was small, started calling him Little Man. He is now a BIG dog.
We have gone through 5 beadspreads and 4 window treatments on our sidelights. We also have replaced many window sills with stone. My husband stated, "There, let him chew on those."
I can't believe how much we have revolved our lives around our dogs. The constant barking and my swearing and chasing the dogs saying, "don't wake the kids". The many threats of get into the bedroom so he doesn't steal all the food off my kid's plates. The fact that he will sit for hours at the counter until I throw away the McDonalds fries to the utter disappointment of my children the next morning. This dog, who is 15 pounds overweight will try his best to get whatever food is around even when he has been sick.

Or the fact that we had to put plexiglass on our windows next to our front door because of how many times he has slammed against it just due to a car passing by.
I'd like to say our other dog, who is 9, has been easy, but no. His favorite pastime is chasing squirrels, thus negating my need for flowers that get trampled on to get to those squirrels he will never get. We now can't have any whistles, flashlights, cameras or anyting that makes noise, unless he decides to squeeze under my daughters crib and freek her out. This has been going on for 9 years. At least he has calmed down. He doesn't jump through the screen on our bedroom window to chase down a squirell  while I am 9 months pregnant, rushing, (i.e. walking slowly) putting on shoes and quickly assuring a neighbor he isn't mean. At least a good friendship resulted from that.
The fact that they are getting old and thinking it might be one of their last days, has made me realize, I still love these two tornadoes that definitely eclipse Marley. Please, if you don't believe me, ask one of my neighbors or come for a visit.

It' a poopy day!

I am trying really hard, but I don't understand my children's fascination with bodily functions. I am constantly asking my 2 year old if she pooped, her reply, "no, just pee." My 4 1/2 year old finds it completely hilarious to say poop and pee about 200 times a day. Which in turn gets my 2 year old to repeat everything my 4 1/2 year old says.
The best is when my older is screaming, "MEGAN POOPED! CHANGE HER NOW! SHE STINKS!"  In my amusing mind, I say, "In a minute." "NO!! NOW! I CAN'T WATCH MY  CARTOON WITH THAT SMELL!!!!"  It really is bad considering she leaves a vapor trail of stink.  So, I get my little one in the bedroom, pull off her pants, and she says, "See, See? It's green!" That is her answer for every time she poops. Really, the only time that happened was when she had a cupcake with green frosting. It was pretty interesting to see this lime green poop. Hence, every time I change her poopy diaper she says, "GREEN!"  Than she grabs a wipe and tries to clean herself. I end of screaming "NO!" Now I have poop on my hand, on the bed, and on her socks.
I neve thought the last 5 years of my life would consist of telling one daughter to stop saying poop and the other to stop looking at her poop.

Kids being kids, or adults just wishing they were kids...

I know everyone has stories about their kids. Many are funny and many are just for the family. It got me thinking to why kids say the things they do. I believe as we get older we have a button we are constantly pushing, saying, "Don't say that" or "Don't do that" At times I find it very difficult to be an adult. There are many things I wish I could say or do, but really don't, cause I think I would get some weird looks.
One example is this last weekend, Grace and I were at a fashion show.  One of the ladies next to us was very nice, but has a huge gap in between her front teeth.  Unfortunately, my daughter decided to comment...she turned to the woman and said,"It looks like your teeth are wiggling." Wow! So embarassed, I turned to her and replied, "I am so sorry." Luckily she was very easygoing and said no problem, lots of people thought that. Than, two minutes later, after the waiter refilled out water, she stated, "That man has a weird voice." I am really trying hard not to constantly shush her.
There are many of us, as adults, that make these same mistakes.
In fact, when I was in Mexico, I decided to let go and have a few drinks. The owner of the company, (meaning, he pretty much owns Spain) was departing that evening and I thought I would show that I knew the appropriate social skills for other cultures. He came over to say goodbye, (he only spoke Spanish) and I gave him the usual European two kisses, (on the cheek) and a handshake. He immediately backed away, rapidly speaking Spanish. I guess I created my usual faux pas. You only give one kiss on the cheek, plus, since he didn't really know me, he didn't want a kiss from me anyway. Well, thank god he left that evening and the waiter was coming around with another drink.

Not right

The only thing I am going to say about the issue going on in Wisconsin and the teacher's unions is one thing I find completely offensive is this:
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2011/02/17/fox-news-highlights-nazi-hitler-signs-wisconsin-pension-debate-netwo

To compare a governer I know nothing about to a dictator who murdered, and I mean killed, millions of people is the epitome of ignnorance.
I do not support  this governor, nor do I support the unions, I am a divided person, but to say your governor who wants to cut your pay is the same as sending millions of people to the gas chamber just because of who they were, not of how much money they make, is so sad.
The reason this country was founded was equality and the ability to say what you want. But to outright lie, is so sad.  I cannot even imagine the family of survivors of war camps equating your suffering to theirs. Please, again, I am not taking sides, just noting that some of these protesters need to realize that to invoke Hitler's image is to shame themselves.

Little angels?

I wonder if kids’ personalities are known when in the womb. My daughter Grace gave me such migraine headaches my ob prescribed Tylenol with codeine. I was constantly tired and had to take two naps a day once I was on maternity leave. I was constantly exhausted. If I knew than what I know now, I would have upped it to three naps.


These days, I still have headaches. Normally they occur daily to the point of “Grace, knock it off. “ or “Grace, can you please just stop talking for a minute.” It is a miracle if I don’t hear, “What are we doing today?” at 6:30 in the morning. I really don’t know, I would just like to brush my teeth first.

Tonight we put Megan to bed and walking down the stairs I said, phew, one down, one to go.

Grace followed up with a big sigh and said, “Let’s just go downstairs and rest Mom.”



I know I like a picked up house. It might not always be clean, but at least I give the impression I don’t have two kids and two dogs. I asked Grace to pick up the living room. “Mom, dad isn’t coming home tonight.” He actually was out of town, but sheesh, I like it a little neat!



Now, my little one, gave me no side effects when I was pregnant with her. I had a little morning sickness, nothing serious. The only thing she did was somersault throughout my tummy, to the point I thought she was going to come out through my belly button. These days, she comes up to me, lays her head next to mine, and steals my food. This kid is one tricky, sneaky, scary, love of my life.



Any thought to number #3 is completely out of the picture. I already feel outnumbered.

An oldie, but a good picture of these two, devil/angels..

Things that scare me.

This is a different post than my other ones. I decided to get off kids topics and explore other ones.
I saw an informercial tonight that actually really freaked me out. So, I thought I would post things that scare me.

1. Typical, yes, but clowns scare me. They never used to, I always wanted to go to the Bozo show. I just think as adults, we actually realize that it is not normal for a 50 year old man to dress up, put on makeup, and giggle while making balloon animals.

2. Any extreme sports. As I have gotten older, I have started acting like a 60 year old woman afraid to break her hip. On our latest vacation, I just didn't want to get on a jet ski. I know that sounds unreasonable, but, growing up in the JAWS era, I seriously thought my leg would be gone by the time I got back to the beach.

3.Comedy shows. I just really want to enjoy a good laugh, but these days, someone is always trying to make a laugh out of someone else. I just envision some obscure comedian trying to make a name for himself pointing me out, and me saying, "You won't like me angry."

4. Obscene amount of body hair. I just think of the movie, 40 year old virgin, and I just want to get some wax.

5. Finally, this guy,

I saw him on an informercial spouting this stem cell cream. Just because of him, I won't buy it.

Poopy Head

I feel like I need to go back to school, well, at least to take a writing class.


I have all these stories in my head, but unable to articulate them. Hey, there you go, I said a big word.

I am stuck at home with two kids, two dogs and a working husband. My days consist of simple sentences and what to feed them next (the kids, I mean). I get to hear my 2 year old say, “Poopy head and bad mommy.” Than I say, “Grace, stop saying that, Megan repeats everything you say.” People wonder why I can’t put together a complete sentence. I just say, poopy head.

I look at all these moms who are suggesting fashion sites for themselves or their kids, I don’t even know what LMAO is, until my husband, who just joined Facebook told me. I am so screwed when my girls become teenagers. Is there a class for parents besides baby class? I never thought I would need help.

I so thought I would know everything and nothing would get past me, now I am seriously worried!!

This is why I need to go back to school, I just went from my kids saying silly things to worrying about them 10 years from now. Can someone say run-on paragraph?

One more please....

I have decided, after spending 5 days in Mexico, with no preservatives or salt, to start cooking this way at home. Easier said than done. First off, try explaining to your 4 1/2 year old that we won't be having any more frozen dinasour chicken or having her try some natural rice. She actually did pretty good, though I did cheat and added some refrigerated rolls. The chicken was dry and the coating was terrible. Cornmeal just didn't do the trick.
Of course, while I am making this meal I am having my daughter practice writing her name for her Valentine's Day cards, at the same time my 2 year old is saying, "Bad Mommy."
It is definitely a hard thing to cut out all those preservatives these days. What used to be regular food is now called "natural". I am going to keep trying to have our meals as healthy as possible, but we will still have fruit snacks and yes, donuts!
And, I am thinking, yes please, I need a 2nd glass of wine.

Is this a joke?!?!

There are not many times I will use this blog for political or social (public) reasons.  But, yes, this incident just makes me angry.
How can a mother not try to do what is best for her child(ren)?  The one facet I found most damning, yes I am swearing, is the fact that the school board is saying they are losing money over the taxes.  They hired a private investigator, plus spent thousands on court costs.  Okay....you're telling me you didn't lose money?  What a sick, sick story.
http://www.comcast.net/video/mom-jailed-for-sending-kids-to-better-school/1767691400

I am a klutz

I have never been know to be a very coordinated person. I didn't play sports growing up. I played softball for the district, but mostly because of the pictures. I did look good with my hair all curled with the softball hat! I tend to fall up steps and have many unexplained bruises. My only wish growing up is for my child(ren) to play sports and have some sort of balance. Unfortunately, my Grace is just like me. (:
I decided to go shopping and get some "real" food this weekend since we were having some friends over.
I don't know why I decided to go on a day that was -5 degrees. At least I only had one child this time.
I am getting some steak, potatoes, wine, you name it. I even bought some cupcakes and cheesecake.
Should have known it was too easy. Coming out to the parking lot, trying to go as quick as possible so my poor Meg doesn't freeze, off goes the cheesecake. At least it was in a box, so only the dirt was on the outside. A little squished on the inside. I am loading everything into the car, putting the cart in it's location, picking up the beer, oops, there goes the beer. Box smashing on the ground and beer rolling out. I am definitely looking around the parking lot at this point, making sure nobody heard my inapproiate langauge with a 2 year old close.
I decided my best bet would be to just head home before nothing too serious happens. To top off my good day, Megan decides to take off her poopy diaper, run around the house, while I am bringing in grocies not trying to trip.  Oh, yeah, and my dog trying to lick her butt.
I just signed up Grace for soccer.

To shop or not...

So, I am a little smarter today than yesterday. I decided to wait to write this until the girls were playing together upstairs. Then again, last time they played together with the door closed, they gave each other haircuts. I like to think everything is out of reach, but who am I kidding.
So, I bet you think it is just awful to go grocery shop, clothing shop, etc. with your kids.  I bet you can't top mine.  I had a jacket of Grace's that had to be returned to Macy's.  Now, if any of you know me, I hate shopping and I dislike the mall even more.  Well, where do I walk into, the lingerie department.
I'm thinking, I'm heading to Mexico in about a week, and the last time I bought myself a bra was probably two years ago at Walmart. The mom is the last person to buy anything for herself. So, yes, I am due for a little pampering. And yes, I am sharing a little personal information, but nothing more funny than something personal. I really didn't think it through, since I had both of the girls.
It took about an hour and a half. I had a great saleslady who kept bringing me bras, no kidding, brought in about 30 different kinds. Now, she also helped me try them on, while both girls are looking. Huh. Yes, I know that is how it is done, but my husband jokes around that the saleslady saw more of me than he has in the last 6 months!
One of the last bras, (phew) was a strapless one. At this point, Grace is doing the potty dance as well as me. I start taking it off, letting the lady know I have to take my daughter to the bathroom, it shoots off like a torpedo. Okay, a little embarassing, then the lady says, "When you see one, you see them all."
Time to leave. The good point, I got three bras for $59.00!
See you in about 2 years Walmart.

Bi Polar Days

So, I realized it has been too long since I have written a post.  Plus I got motivated by an old school friend to keep up on this.  We all have funny stories to tell, most of us never do.  What got me to really post has been this last week.

There are days I feel like I live in a home ful of bi polar people.  Sometimes I feel that way too.  My daughter Grace has earned a new nickname, Grace "whiny" Mulvenna.  Yes, I have that child.  I can't do or say anything without her input or a whine.  I was ready to pull out my hair a few days this week.  Then on Wed after I picked her up from school, she clearly asked me, "How was your day Mommy?  What did you do with Megan this morning?"  What!?!?  I love this girl.
As I am typing this, I have one child touching the screen and trying to get on my lap.  While the other one is dialing Japan and stealing her sisters milk.  Ugh!
I consider it pretty ironic that I am yelling at my kids to stop yelling.  Doesn't make much sense.  Other times, I love watching them sleep.  They are so peaceful looking and you just want to snuggle with them.  Then the next instant you think about them awake.  I tend to make the most of my evenings, especially staying up till midnight, cause that is the only time I have a break.  Unfortunately, I pay for it the rest of the day. 
For all it's worth, I do love my kids, I just really need a vacation.