Yesterday, I braved the weekend crowd and took the kids out to purchase their Halloween costumes. Kai is going to be Thomas the train, which only makes sense to cap off his train obsessed year. Cassia is going to be a black kitty. I'm putting her costume together myself instead of buying one already made, the only thing left for me to do is make a tail, tummy and paint her face.
While looking at Halloween treats Kai spotted a bag of caramel that I would have just put back down had it not been something new! Kraft has made their caramels into little bits! Oh my goodness, that is so clever and cute! I hated having to unwrap all those little squares of caramels for making treats, but now I don't have to. These little bits are the size of chocolate chips and my mind was racing with all the different possible treats I could add them to!! I can't wait to make something with them.
I also picked up something new from Kashi the seven whole grain company. They have a new line of ready to eat rice (well after heating in the microwave for a minute, but practically instant). There are three flavors Moroccan curry, Firey Fiesta, and a non-spicy seven whole grain blend (I forgot the name, probably something like original). I picked up the Moroccan curry one and tried it last night; I love it! It was a coconut curry with currants, lentils, ginger, and carrots.The spice was just right. It would be a little spicy for kids and people who don't eat spicy dishes, but I did not have to add anything else to it. I just followed the package directions and in a minute I had a bowl of whole grains that I ate by itself, by myself....I didn't save any for Jimmy to try. I'll be picking up more in the future so he'll get his chance.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
It's finally fall!
The temperature has dropped to the fifties, leaves are turning colors and falling, our harvest decorations are up on the window ledges, I had my first cup of hot cocoa for the season last night, and bought Halloween candy! I love this time of year!
I absolutely love Yummy Earth's Organic Lollipops. I bought the 1 pound bag from Whole Food's the other day and was delighted to find that they added new flavors! Too berry blueberry (my favorite), sour apple tart, googly grape, strawberry smash, and very very cherry. Kai's favorite flavor is the mango tango! Just writing about them makes me want one! Oh, why not..I think I'll have a grape one...yummy! They make a variety of other lollipops like 'Hot Chili Pops', 'Super SOUR Pops' and 'Vitamin C Pops'. Our store doesn't carry the 'Hot Chili Pops' so I'm going to check out their website because I'm curious and I love those spicy mango lollipops I used to get from Fiesta.
I'm starting the slow cooker again, tonight is beef stew! I only use the slow cooker during these cool months, so dishes like beef stew, chili, and chicken with squash and curry are back in rotation. For some reason my kids will eat the vegetables that are cooked in the slow cooker; it could be because of the texture or because it has so much flavor...I'm not sure, but glad they're eating veggies!
For some reason I was craving pumpkin pie (could be because all the coffee shops have pumpkin spice lattes on their menu....I don't like them by the way), so Kai and I baked one last night. It was good, could have been better. I made the mistake of using already ground nutmeg instead of freshly grating it. I don't know how I could have overlooked it since I did freshly grind all the other spices! The pie was gorgeous, looked store bought, but the flavor was a little uneven. Now, I know and can make adjustments. Last year I didn't bake one, so I didn't even eat pumpkin pie last year!
Kai my little sous chef is such a sponge, he is learning so much everyday, it's amazing! He has learned to be patient and understanding of his little sister when she destroys something of his and will cover up for her when she does something naughty. He is showing interest for pre-school, doing well with potty training, and loving all things Halloween.
Cassia, is no longer a baby...she has turned into a toddler in what seems like overnight! Sob..sob..sniff..sniff. She is a delight to watch and play with. Jimmy thinks she's such a girly girl. She'll bat her eyes at him and give him lots of hugs and kisses...it's so sweet to see the two of them together. She walks everywhere now and is fast. Her love of reading continues, now she really loves lift-the-flap books. We have a Halloween one that she really likes and when we read it she always says 'boo' when lifting the flaps! Just too cute, I only wish that the rest of the family could see her before she becomes a pre-schooler too.
I absolutely love Yummy Earth's Organic Lollipops. I bought the 1 pound bag from Whole Food's the other day and was delighted to find that they added new flavors! Too berry blueberry (my favorite), sour apple tart, googly grape, strawberry smash, and very very cherry. Kai's favorite flavor is the mango tango! Just writing about them makes me want one! Oh, why not..I think I'll have a grape one...yummy! They make a variety of other lollipops like 'Hot Chili Pops', 'Super SOUR Pops' and 'Vitamin C Pops'. Our store doesn't carry the 'Hot Chili Pops' so I'm going to check out their website because I'm curious and I love those spicy mango lollipops I used to get from Fiesta.
I'm starting the slow cooker again, tonight is beef stew! I only use the slow cooker during these cool months, so dishes like beef stew, chili, and chicken with squash and curry are back in rotation. For some reason my kids will eat the vegetables that are cooked in the slow cooker; it could be because of the texture or because it has so much flavor...I'm not sure, but glad they're eating veggies!
For some reason I was craving pumpkin pie (could be because all the coffee shops have pumpkin spice lattes on their menu....I don't like them by the way), so Kai and I baked one last night. It was good, could have been better. I made the mistake of using already ground nutmeg instead of freshly grating it. I don't know how I could have overlooked it since I did freshly grind all the other spices! The pie was gorgeous, looked store bought, but the flavor was a little uneven. Now, I know and can make adjustments. Last year I didn't bake one, so I didn't even eat pumpkin pie last year!
Kai my little sous chef is such a sponge, he is learning so much everyday, it's amazing! He has learned to be patient and understanding of his little sister when she destroys something of his and will cover up for her when she does something naughty. He is showing interest for pre-school, doing well with potty training, and loving all things Halloween.
Cassia, is no longer a baby...she has turned into a toddler in what seems like overnight! Sob..sob..sniff..sniff. She is a delight to watch and play with. Jimmy thinks she's such a girly girl. She'll bat her eyes at him and give him lots of hugs and kisses...it's so sweet to see the two of them together. She walks everywhere now and is fast. Her love of reading continues, now she really loves lift-the-flap books. We have a Halloween one that she really likes and when we read it she always says 'boo' when lifting the flaps! Just too cute, I only wish that the rest of the family could see her before she becomes a pre-schooler too.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Good to be home
We are back from Atlantic City where Jimmy and Sandra placed third in the National Bread and Pastry Competition! I am so proud of them after all the sleepless nights and food less days of training.
I am so glad to be home! Traveling and staying in a hotel with two babies is not easy! Our schedule gets turned upside down and you have to be really resourceful about food storage and heating. Atlantic City is about one eighth the size of Las Vegas. I didn't feel safe to roam around with the kids by myself, so we didn't.
We spent most of our time at the Baking Expo watching Jimmy work on his competition. The kids and I sat in the front row with Sandra's family cheering them on. Kai took a liking to Sandra's family after the first hour we were there. He was stuck to them like glue! I had packed his backpack full of books, puzzles, games, crayons, and snacks to keep him busy for six hours each day!!
I walked around the expo a little bit, didn't get to do much research with baby in hand at all times, but I did get to taste lots of yummy sweets and ice cream! The one thing that I remember most and would like to eat again is something called cinn-fulls; it's a cinnamon filled doughnut that is glazed! It tasted like a fried cinnamon roll!!
The last day there we spent a couple hours walking the boardwalk, taking pictures and stopping in a couple candy shops!! All I wanted was the salt water taffy from James' Candy, and when I got them it made the whole trip worth while!! We are not the gambling folk, but candy and confections are what we are all about! I did a little research before going and James' Candy was the place to go and now I also recommend that place! They have the best salt water taffy and fudge I have ever tasted!! Seriously! We stopped at another candy shop on the boardwalk, but the taffy and fudge are the kind you can get anywhere. James' candies are incredibly smooth, rich, soft and oh so yummy!
My mind is racing and feeling unorganized, trying to catch up and clean up. I can't talk more of the trip right now because I'm jittery from coffee so enjoy the following pics ^_^
Kai loves M&Ms!
Jimmy holding Kai next to the candy tree in It'Sugar candy shop.
I am so glad to be home! Traveling and staying in a hotel with two babies is not easy! Our schedule gets turned upside down and you have to be really resourceful about food storage and heating. Atlantic City is about one eighth the size of Las Vegas. I didn't feel safe to roam around with the kids by myself, so we didn't.
We spent most of our time at the Baking Expo watching Jimmy work on his competition. The kids and I sat in the front row with Sandra's family cheering them on. Kai took a liking to Sandra's family after the first hour we were there. He was stuck to them like glue! I had packed his backpack full of books, puzzles, games, crayons, and snacks to keep him busy for six hours each day!!
I walked around the expo a little bit, didn't get to do much research with baby in hand at all times, but I did get to taste lots of yummy sweets and ice cream! The one thing that I remember most and would like to eat again is something called cinn-fulls; it's a cinnamon filled doughnut that is glazed! It tasted like a fried cinnamon roll!!
The last day there we spent a couple hours walking the boardwalk, taking pictures and stopping in a couple candy shops!! All I wanted was the salt water taffy from James' Candy, and when I got them it made the whole trip worth while!! We are not the gambling folk, but candy and confections are what we are all about! I did a little research before going and James' Candy was the place to go and now I also recommend that place! They have the best salt water taffy and fudge I have ever tasted!! Seriously! We stopped at another candy shop on the boardwalk, but the taffy and fudge are the kind you can get anywhere. James' candies are incredibly smooth, rich, soft and oh so yummy!
My mind is racing and feeling unorganized, trying to catch up and clean up. I can't talk more of the trip right now because I'm jittery from coffee so enjoy the following pics ^_^
Kai loves M&Ms!
Jimmy holding Kai next to the candy tree in It'Sugar candy shop.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Pastry, dinner and Fluff friends
It was an exhausting weekend. Jimmy was training for the competition on the weekend and it kinda messed up my schedule. I couldn't go to sleep until almost 6 am on the nights that he was training. I just don't sleep well with out the hubby in the house.
I've been trying for days to plan this week's dinner, but just hit a wall. If I haven't mentioned, we have been doing vegetarian meals until Jimmy is finished with his Pastry competition. It gives him more energy and makes him feel less heavy, plus I've lost alot of weight on this new plan. I'm almost back to pre-preggers weight! We are finally getting the vegetables that we have been missing in our diet! We eat mainly dairy(seriously have six types of cheese in cheese drawer at all times!), carbohydrates (we love bread, pasta and rice!), protein, and fruits in this family, but now I think we are coming to a balance with the extra veggies.
I used to spend a few hours a day on Facebook using the Fluff Friends application, but have slowed down to spend time out side with the kids, but now the weather is getting chilly and days are getting wetter, I've been back on. I have to limit the time I spend on there because it is really addictive visiting my (fluff) friends, petting, feeding, racing, earning munny, and trying to win race points! I confess I am an addict! The newest feature is fulfilling wish lists and a treasure hunt to come! I remember the last time they had a hunt I was glued to the computer searching for easter eggs!!! I can't wait to see what they'll have us looking for next! See told you...total addict!!
To plan my days wisely I purchased an organizer that I keep within eye sight to keep me on track and a timer by the computer to limit my time on certain tasks....it also alerts my son of when mommy is done with "work"!
I've been trying for days to plan this week's dinner, but just hit a wall. If I haven't mentioned, we have been doing vegetarian meals until Jimmy is finished with his Pastry competition. It gives him more energy and makes him feel less heavy, plus I've lost alot of weight on this new plan. I'm almost back to pre-preggers weight! We are finally getting the vegetables that we have been missing in our diet! We eat mainly dairy(seriously have six types of cheese in cheese drawer at all times!), carbohydrates (we love bread, pasta and rice!), protein, and fruits in this family, but now I think we are coming to a balance with the extra veggies.
I used to spend a few hours a day on Facebook using the Fluff Friends application, but have slowed down to spend time out side with the kids, but now the weather is getting chilly and days are getting wetter, I've been back on. I have to limit the time I spend on there because it is really addictive visiting my (fluff) friends, petting, feeding, racing, earning munny, and trying to win race points! I confess I am an addict! The newest feature is fulfilling wish lists and a treasure hunt to come! I remember the last time they had a hunt I was glued to the computer searching for easter eggs!!! I can't wait to see what they'll have us looking for next! See told you...total addict!!
To plan my days wisely I purchased an organizer that I keep within eye sight to keep me on track and a timer by the computer to limit my time on certain tasks....it also alerts my son of when mommy is done with "work"!
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