As a parent, you try not to label your kids. (right?) But it happens. Layla is the oldest, she is smart, outgoing, and independent. Maggie is the baby, she is cute and cuddly and funny. Not that Layla isn't funny, she is, but her sense of humor is more reserved than say, mine, or that of Mini Me. Sometimes she surprises me.
This just happened.
Layla was at the kitchen table playing magician. She was wearing a magical cowboy hat. (obviously) She was doing card tricks for her audience (her American Girl Hazel). I heard things like, "pick a card, any card. Ooooh, you got the 17 of penguins!" (hah) Then I heard her tap dance to the bathroom and call out..."AND FOR MY NEXT TRICK!! I WILL NOW MAKE THE WASTE FROM MY BODY DISAPPEAR!!!" then a flush and "TAADAA!!"
Pure awesome. I love that girl. Guess I should look closer at the labels. Word. Lesson learned.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
a new day
My dad is cancer free! What a fantastic idea. I like to think that even when shitty things happen, they leave, in their wake, the opportunity of something good. There is not a better reminder to appreciate your health, than being at the hospital, beside the bed of a loved one. It is a familiar place for me, but even I can always appreciate a gentle reminder.
I also got a chance to remember how much I love being home, and my bed, and my fridge (and snack drawer). And Alan. Of course to add to it just a little, I got sick myself (just a cold) and have been on the mend for a few days. Oh irony, leave me the hell alone already. It's not funny any more and I am tired.
Layla starts 3rd grade at public school next week, and we all have mixed feelings about that. We are excited but anxious. (Mostly me) I am also looking forward to having just one "student" at home this year. Maggie is glad to get some extra attention for a bit, and I am glad to be able to give it to her. The girls are growing and changing so fast, it's hard not to miss some things. Maggie has no front teeth and Layla's reading has really taken off. (also she has aged about 20 years this year and insists on parenting me ALL of the time. As if I can't handle it myself.....ok, good point)
On a brighter note, I cashed in my award miles and got myself a ticket to Puerto Vallarta. I talked a friend into going with me, (it will be hot, HOT, and sticky humid) and we are excited to spend some much needed time in the shade and the pool and the bar. It is sea turtle season and I am beyond excited to finally get to release baby sea turtles! It is something I have always wanted to do, and since we usually travel on the other side of the year, I always miss it. Mostly I am excited to just get away. Turns out that parenting and cancer and diabetes and stress are a lot for this girl. I am hoping to return refreshed and revitalized and ready to tackle the school year. I will get back just in time to get packed for Las Vegas. Alan is taking me to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. (I know! I AM too young to have been married that long! I still scold my mom for allowing such a thing to take place. I mean, it all worked out in the end but, GEEZ!)
I also got a chance to remember how much I love being home, and my bed, and my fridge (and snack drawer). And Alan. Of course to add to it just a little, I got sick myself (just a cold) and have been on the mend for a few days. Oh irony, leave me the hell alone already. It's not funny any more and I am tired.
Layla starts 3rd grade at public school next week, and we all have mixed feelings about that. We are excited but anxious. (Mostly me) I am also looking forward to having just one "student" at home this year. Maggie is glad to get some extra attention for a bit, and I am glad to be able to give it to her. The girls are growing and changing so fast, it's hard not to miss some things. Maggie has no front teeth and Layla's reading has really taken off. (also she has aged about 20 years this year and insists on parenting me ALL of the time. As if I can't handle it myself.....ok, good point)
On a brighter note, I cashed in my award miles and got myself a ticket to Puerto Vallarta. I talked a friend into going with me, (it will be hot, HOT, and sticky humid) and we are excited to spend some much needed time in the shade and the pool and the bar. It is sea turtle season and I am beyond excited to finally get to release baby sea turtles! It is something I have always wanted to do, and since we usually travel on the other side of the year, I always miss it. Mostly I am excited to just get away. Turns out that parenting and cancer and diabetes and stress are a lot for this girl. I am hoping to return refreshed and revitalized and ready to tackle the school year. I will get back just in time to get packed for Las Vegas. Alan is taking me to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. (I know! I AM too young to have been married that long! I still scold my mom for allowing such a thing to take place. I mean, it all worked out in the end but, GEEZ!)
I am thankful every day that I don't have to live with 99% of the decisions I made when I was 15. And I am thankful every day that I still get to live with one of them. I love you Alan.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
no dice
well, I didn't get the job. When I found out, I felt a wave of relief. Guess it just wasn't in the cards for me this time. I didn't have much time to dwell on it, as we have had a very busy few weeks. I survived the 11th (and most likely last) Blochtoberfest, we had a trip to Klamath, and I sent Layla off to diabetes camp.
Back to my role as SuperMom. I got some school clothes and lunch boxes ordered, and found both of our class supply lists from June. (yay!) Maggie and I are enjoying some one on one time, and I am looking forward to a few down days before we head to Eugene for Dad's surgery. Doctor and dentist appointments, and camp outs and picnics will fill our days until the first day of school, which is currently only 21 days away. and counting. Somehow this seems unfair since we just started having summerish weather. (read as not raining) I am undeterred, and have lofty plans to plant some greens and herbs in my new front garden beds. Nevermind it's already mid-August, bucking the system is my style, so I am going with it.
In other news, we were recently adopted by a chicken. It really likes corn chips and tortellini. Layla has named it Brittany. (tell me things like this happen to everyone) We are trying to make it leave, it is insisting on staying. The cats are absolutely no help. It sleeps on a cooler on the deck and goes peep peep.
Back to my role as SuperMom. I got some school clothes and lunch boxes ordered, and found both of our class supply lists from June. (yay!) Maggie and I are enjoying some one on one time, and I am looking forward to a few down days before we head to Eugene for Dad's surgery. Doctor and dentist appointments, and camp outs and picnics will fill our days until the first day of school, which is currently only 21 days away. and counting. Somehow this seems unfair since we just started having summerish weather. (read as not raining) I am undeterred, and have lofty plans to plant some greens and herbs in my new front garden beds. Nevermind it's already mid-August, bucking the system is my style, so I am going with it.
In other news, we were recently adopted by a chicken. It really likes corn chips and tortellini. Layla has named it Brittany. (tell me things like this happen to everyone) We are trying to make it leave, it is insisting on staying. The cats are absolutely no help. It sleeps on a cooler on the deck and goes peep peep.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
uncharted territory
Today I face the dawn of a new era. I will put on pantyhose and mascara and try to sell myself. Not like that.. I am going to a job interview. It's the first one in about 11 years or so. I made "the" muffins for breakfast, as to start off the day right, and have gotten a few minutes of reading in, which I love. I used a blow dryer, (first time in years as well, I live kind of a casual life) tried out my new Kat Von D tattoo eraser, and will be getting all zipped up into my dress as soon as help arrives.
I had a lengthy conversation with myself in the shower, answering all of the interview questions well, and impressing everyone. (ok, there wasn't anyone, but, you know) Next stop, the International Air and Hospitality Academy, where I have to try and WOW them with my amazingness. I feel overwhelmed and under confident. I hate being weighed and measured. And judged. I am needing luck. Lots of it. Here's hoping for good news.
I will keep you posted.
I had a lengthy conversation with myself in the shower, answering all of the interview questions well, and impressing everyone. (ok, there wasn't anyone, but, you know) Next stop, the International Air and Hospitality Academy, where I have to try and WOW them with my amazingness. I feel overwhelmed and under confident. I hate being weighed and measured. And judged. I am needing luck. Lots of it. Here's hoping for good news.
I will keep you posted.
Monday, July 25, 2011
a good muffin is hard to find
I love to eat good food. Love it. (obviously) Muffins are one of my favorite breakfast choices, but it has to be the right muffin. It has to be moist, and not too chewy, the crumb has to be right. It can't be a costco or Spunkmeyer muffin (which aren't really muffins at all, just small dense cakes with no nutritional value). I am kind of a muffin princess. I have a fall back muffin recipe that I have modified to be just right, and I use it a lot, but I was looking for something more.
Yesterday, I found a new recipe. I didn't really hold out much hope, but I made it anyway since we needed breakfast for a crowd. The result is my new favorite muffin. Oh happy day! (probably other girls don't get as excited about breakfast breads. they haven't had this muffin.)
make these now.
One bowl oatmeal muffins
plan ahead to make these as you have to soak the oats for a bit. It's worth it.
makes 12 muffins (doubles great)
1 cup milk (I use almond milk)
1 tsp white vinegar
1 cup oats
1 egg
1/4 brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour (I use half whole wheat)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla (or almond, depending on your mix ins)
mix ins of your choice (I like coconut and mini chocolate chips) but you can use 1/2 cup of anything you like
combine oats, milk and vinegar in a large bowl and let sit 1 hour for rolled oats, 15 minutes for quick oats. (they will absorb most of the liquid)
Preheat oven to 375*, grease muffin tins or line with papers.
Crack the egg into the oat mixture, add sugar and mix to combine. Stir in butter, applesauce and vanilla.
Stir remaining ingredients into the bowl: flour, salt baking powder and soda. Gently fold into batter, careful not to over mix. Really, this will ruin your perfect muffin. Don't do it.
Fold in your mix ins. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, (I like to top with some coarse sugar before baking, I like the sweet crunchy top) bake for about 15 minutes. The tops will be golden and the tops will spring back when touched.
You're welcome.
Yesterday, I found a new recipe. I didn't really hold out much hope, but I made it anyway since we needed breakfast for a crowd. The result is my new favorite muffin. Oh happy day! (probably other girls don't get as excited about breakfast breads. they haven't had this muffin.)
make these now.
One bowl oatmeal muffins
plan ahead to make these as you have to soak the oats for a bit. It's worth it.
makes 12 muffins (doubles great)
1 cup milk (I use almond milk)
1 tsp white vinegar
1 cup oats
1 egg
1/4 brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
1/4 cup applesauce
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour (I use half whole wheat)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla (or almond, depending on your mix ins)
mix ins of your choice (I like coconut and mini chocolate chips) but you can use 1/2 cup of anything you like
combine oats, milk and vinegar in a large bowl and let sit 1 hour for rolled oats, 15 minutes for quick oats. (they will absorb most of the liquid)
Preheat oven to 375*, grease muffin tins or line with papers.
Crack the egg into the oat mixture, add sugar and mix to combine. Stir in butter, applesauce and vanilla.
Stir remaining ingredients into the bowl: flour, salt baking powder and soda. Gently fold into batter, careful not to over mix. Really, this will ruin your perfect muffin. Don't do it.
Fold in your mix ins. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, (I like to top with some coarse sugar before baking, I like the sweet crunchy top) bake for about 15 minutes. The tops will be golden and the tops will spring back when touched.
You're welcome.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
bread and jam for me
I love home made raspberry jam. It might be me very favorite thing of all. I love the beautiful and amazing color of it, I love the sweet, tangy taste of it, I love the way it gently mounds on the spoon when I scoop it for my toast, I love the jars lined up like little soldiers, wearing ruby jackts on my counter.
I think Frances said it best:
"Jam on biscuits, jam on toast, jam is the thing I love the most.
Jam is sticky, jam is sweet, jam is tasty, jam's a treat.
Raspberry, strawberry, gooseberry,
I'm very fond of JAM!"
Yesterday the sun poked out for a moment, and we went to the farm down the road. We picked over 12 pounds of raspberries, and this morning I made jam. It's hard to be unhappy when you have raspberry jam. and Frances.
I think Frances said it best:
"Jam on biscuits, jam on toast, jam is the thing I love the most.
Jam is sticky, jam is sweet, jam is tasty, jam's a treat.
Raspberry, strawberry, gooseberry,
I'm very fond of JAM!"
Yesterday the sun poked out for a moment, and we went to the farm down the road. We picked over 12 pounds of raspberries, and this morning I made jam. It's hard to be unhappy when you have raspberry jam. and Frances.
tiny hands.
they are getting so big.
summer time in a jar
perfect.
Monday, July 18, 2011
summer who?
so apparently summer has decided to skip visiting us here in the Northwest this year. I do not accept this, so I am behaving as if it is summer time anyway. I am wearing summer dresses and sandals and drinking frosty beverages. As always, cold beer and iced tea top my list of favorites, but this year I am taking it even further and have introduced iced coffee on a daily basis (how have I lived this long with out it?!) and also, since I am fancy, I juiced a watermelon. That just happened.
I got my iced coffee recipe here, from the Pioneer woman. It is called perfect iced coffee, and I totally, completely agree. The only thing I do different is use 1.5 Cups of coffee grounds and 8 cups of cold water, this is a more manageable amount for me. I have a big jar steeping on the counter right this second.
My other discovery is watermelon juice. The jury is still kind of out on this one, but I want to play with it a little and think it could be a big winner. On this, my first attempt, I cubed the watermelon, put it in my blender and whooshed it up until it was (wait for it...) juice. Then I put the entire batch through a filter and it made beautiful, rose colored liquid. I used one baby watermelon, juiced half of a lime into it and added some simple syrup. I just can't seem to get on board with less is more, so into my own glass, I decided to add some elderflower concentrate (sounds fancy, but I got it at IKEA) and 7Up. The resulting drink was lovely, but interesting. I think maybe watermelon lemonade would be delicious, and also maybe using the watermelon juice for frozen pops would be something the kids would love. Watermelon mint? I don't even love watermelon and I can't stop thinking about it. Watermelon juice tastes just like summer. I miss summer.
I got my iced coffee recipe here, from the Pioneer woman. It is called perfect iced coffee, and I totally, completely agree. The only thing I do different is use 1.5 Cups of coffee grounds and 8 cups of cold water, this is a more manageable amount for me. I have a big jar steeping on the counter right this second.
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