The Silver Lining of Swine

We're all prepared for the PaNdeMiC.

John went to the store this morning looking for a few essentials - you know, face masks, electrolyte drinks, acetaminophen, and jelly beans *just in case*

Part of me thinks we're being overly cautious and ridiculous.

The other part of me is worried this is the beginning of the end.

What a struggle.

Seriously, it never hurts to be prepared.

I am preggo my eggo and we have a young child. Two out of three of us are in the high risk category if we get the funky pig flu. No thanks!

Until the outbreak is under control, you will not find me anywhere large numbers of people gather. Think of the money I'll save at the mall.

See, don't I have a way of finding the silver lining????

What's Cookin' Wednesday

I should really call this one "What I Cooked Last Friday."

I had a girl get-together at my house.

It was Lisa-licious!

My mom was impressed with my spread.

I love it when my mom is impressed.

She is a food guru.

How about some of the recipes?

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

2 T brown sugar

1.4 t vanilla extract

3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in conf. sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in choco chips. Cover and chill for 2 hours.

Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Roll the cheeseball in finely chopped pecans before serving.

Serve with graham crackers for dipping.

Russian Rye Dip

2 lb. Russian Rye Bread

2 cups sour cream

2 cups mayo

1 T dill

2 T parsley

2 t chopped onion

dash Worchestershire

Cut a round hole in the bread and hollow out a space for the dip. (Save the bread and cut into chunks to serve with the dip.)

Mix together all ingredients to make the dip. Serve with veggies.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach

1 1/2 cups chopped artichoke hearts

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayo

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 t salt

1/4 t garlic powder

Bring spinach and artichoke hearts in water in a medium saucepan and bring just to boil. Remove from heat, drain, and mix with remaining ingredients. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Cream Puffs

Don't you wish I had the recipe for these??? My mom brought them. Sorry

Cherry Limeade Punch
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
1 bottle Sprite
1 jar marachino cherries
1 lime

Put the limeade and then add the sprite. Pour in the juice from the cherries. Then add the cherries and sliced up lime for looks and taste. Add ice.
(I doubled this recipe for my punch bowl)

Sorry, no music today for your cooking pleasure :(

Too tired. I have a sore throat and I'm achy.

(And no, I'm not entertaining the idea that I have the swine flu so don't try to tell me that.)

I'm Hot and Fat. How Are You?

It can be pretty easy to let the discomforts of pregnancy distract from the miracle of it all.

. . . the heartburn, the swollen feet, the swollen fingers, the backaches, the constant trips to the potty, the weight gain, etc etc etc . . .

I've done my share of complaining lately (just ask St. John.)
In my defense, the A/C quit working on a 59891445 degree day and my fingers got so swollen I was worried I was going to get stretch marks on my hands. Seriously.

Now that the A/C is back in working order, I am able to be a little less hot and a little more rational.

I pulled out some old pictures of Megan to remind me of what is to come.

In a few months these temporary discomforts will be over and I'll have another one of these to snuggle. (except he'll be wearing blue instead of pink)

I am so amazingly lucky.

Why do I find it so easy to forget that????

I'm going to try to remind myself of how lucky I am when I feel the urge to complain.

When John gets lippy with me I lovingly say,

"Have some respect. I'm a walking miracle!"

Seriously though, I am a walking miracle.

I have been given an incredible gift.

I'm going to try to stop complaining about being hot and fat

and start being more GRATEFUL that my hot, fat self is able to bring a new life into this world.

Like I said . . . a walking miracle.

Time to take my own advice and have some respect.

:)

Potty Training Bootcamp - Day ??

I completely missed "What's Cookin' Wednesday" this week!

I'm so sorry.

I was busy chasing an uncooperative two year old around the house, waiting for the next "accident" to occur. By accident, I mean pee pee all over my couch, floor, carpet . . . you get the picture. It has been exhausting. My steam cleaner needs a rest! My washing machine needs a rest. I need a rest!!!!

Worst potty training advice I've gotten so far:

Put her in panties (not pull-ups) and she'll figure it out pretty quickly.

Not working, thank you. Not working at all.

Best potty training advice I've gotten so far:

If she's arching her back and screeching when you put her on the potty, she's just not ready.

I love you Mary. When we got off the phone today, I put her in a pull-up and let her whiz away!

We've been so happy ever since.

Potty training boot camp was the worst idea ever.

April Showers

Potty Training Boot Camp

Day #1

I was ready.

I was armed with plenty of Dora the Explorer underpants and all the knowledge gained from reading this page turner.

(snore)

So, was the day a success or a crashing failure????

You be the judge.

Today's numbers:

Hits - 2

Misses - 2489654 (2489652 pizzles, 2 shizzles)

It was a pretty messy day.

Teaching technique #1 - Demonstrate using Ruff the dog

Teaching technique #2 -

"See Megan. This is how you do it."

Megan found this so hysterical she decided to photograph me.

Notably missing is the photograph of Megan sitting on the potty.

Hmmmmm, she was too busy doing this.

I think it is time for a change of game plan.

I am now desperately seeking a pleasant mommy (who doesn't mind cleaning up pee pee/poo poo off the floor multiple times in a day) who is willing to take my child, potty train her, and return her when the job's done. I'm willing to pay for this service. I'm willing to pay dearly.

Any takers?????

John's Birthday in Review

First, we marveled at my made-from-scratch German Chocolate Cake with coconut/pecan icing.

(ok, ok, I did most of the marveling - I was so proud of myself)

Next, we sang Happy Birthday . . .
And ate the cake.
I'm not sure Megan liked it . . .

Hmmmmmm . . .
John couldn't wait to get outside and enjoy his gift.
(No, it wasn't a year membership to the spa for massages like last year. Darn recession!)

It was his very own herb garden.


Megan and I went to the garden store to pick up the pot and the herbs.

I told her not to tell daddy where we were or what we were doing.

The second we walked into the house, she ran to find John and said,

"Daddy, we went to the garden store and bought you a prize.

It has lots of holes in it."

Since John asked for an herb pot and herbs for his birthday, I think he kinda knew what was coming. Next time I'm leaving her home when I buy the birthday present!

Happy Birthday St. John

Today is my favorite day of the year.

It is my St. John's birthday!

The sun is shining, the air smells like spring, and the birds are singing. (seriously)

Per John's request, his birthday meal shall be:

1. Ribeye steak on the grill

2. Mushroom sauteed in white wine and butter

3. Baked potatoes

4. Vegetable (I chose steamed asparagus drowned in butter)

And for dessert:

Homemade German chocolate cake with coconut/pecan icing

John also reminded me of one important thing . . .

Today is the one day of the year I can't use the excuse

"It ain't your birthday!"

Oh boy!