Pinterest

I LOVE Pinterest, there is no question about it!  I think my Pinterest addiction is right up there with my Facebook addiction!  What I did before these two sites came along, I can no longer remember! In a dream world, I would be a stay at home mom who cooks and crafts all day long.  Yes I know being a SAHM mom involves a hell of a lot more than this but remember...this is my dream world ;)

I came across this gem on Facebook tonight.  The timing of it is actually quite hilarious because my latest Pinterest project is currently laying face down in the backyard.  I was attempting to make this growth chart for B's new "big boy room" but as I was putting the finishing touches on it, my paint pen kept bleeding.  Being the perfectionist I am, I got EXTREMELY frustrated and decided to throw the board over the side of the deck.  Yes...I have issues :P  Although my creations usually turn out, clearly this one did not!

Not everything I do ends up in the backyard though!  Here are a few things I did complete over the winter...

A welcome sign make from a piece of wood I "borrowed" from an old one room school house near my grandmother's house in Newfoundland.

B's book slings...which are currently falling down :S  No where in the tutorial did it reinforce the fact that you should make sure these are anchored in studs (common sense for some maybe?  Clearly not for me!)  Those little plastic wall anchors just don't cut it!!  Another repair to add to our spring "to do" list!

My Valentine's Day wreath :)

With Spring in the air (some days?), my crafting will be put on hold while we complete a few projects around the house.  Working side by side with my husband is always an interesting experience.  Wish us luck with that one ;)

Happy Saturday :)

Dreaming of beach days and BBQ's...

Hello there my long lost friends!  How are you?  Me, you ask?  I am recovering from what I think was a mild case of food poisoning!  You know those Costco hot dogs I mentioned before?  Yeah...not a lover anymore.  Anywho, moving on!

I can't tell you how happy I am that Spring is sloooowly making an appearance!  This has been a CRAZY winter to say the least!  Between juggling jobs, childcare, meals, and housework, things are just NUTS!  Not that the next few months will be any easier, but at least the countdown to summer break is getting shorter!  I am looking forward to my first official "teacher summer"! Only 83 days to go...but who's counting ;)

As I try to juggle our day to day lives, I often dream about what it would be like to not have a job.  In an ideal world, I would be a SAHM to 3 or 4 kids, filling my days with carpool, extra curriculars, play dates, volunteer work, crafts, cooking, baking, cleaning, coffee dates, and even the occasional date night with my fabulous husband!  The reality is, I am a substitute teacher by day who spends 2 nights a week answering phones at a local rec centre and babysits on the weekends for extra cash.  All while trying to keep a clean and organized household and making sure my family eats somewhat healthy food on a daily basis.  Let's not even talk about how spending quality time with my shift working husband or having a social life fits into all of this!

While catching up on some blog reading the other night, I came across a post written by one of my favourite bloggers, Kelle Hampton from Enjoying the Small Things.  Kelle is a mom to 3 beautiful children and has a very refreshing and inspiring take on life.  Click here for the actual post I am referring to but basically, Kelle compares her life to a juggling act and the fact that is it ok to leave a few "balls" on the floor.  Juggling is EXACTLY what I feel like I am doing most days.  However, the problem is, I hate leaving balls on the floor...literally or figuratively.  I have been known to stay up long ofter bedtime, folding laundry, cleaning up toys, sweeping floors, packing bags and preparing meals, ensuring that each day when we wake up, the house and everything/everyone in it is ready to go!  This folks, is completely exhausting!  Yes I know that the world is not gonna end if we eat french fries for dinner or if the laundry isn't done but this is what keeps my Type A personality in check and makes me feel like I am being a good wife, mother and career woman.  I am sure there are support groups for people like me ;)

Now you understand why I can't wait til June 28th when I no longer have to sit by the phone waiting for a work call or organizing a drop off/pick up at the babysitter's.  I just want to fill my days with sunshine and spend some quality time with my two favourite boys, doing the things we love!  I don't wanna worry about juggling those balls anymore!  Summer is about beach days and BBQ's!  Yes, I am sure I will find time to clean a few toilets and throw in a few loads of laundry but I can't wait to spend more time nurturing my favourite people, including myself :)  Only 83 days...only 83 days...

Happy Spring :)

Banana "Ice Cream"

Always on the hunt for dairy free treats for the youngster, I decided to try a recipe for banana "ice cream" that I saw on Pinterest!  I have to admit, I didn't really follow the recipe but just took the idea and ran with it.  So, I sliced 2 bananas and set them on a plate in the freezer for a few hours.  Then, I dumped the bananas into a blender and mixed until they were creamy smooth.  This was a bit of a process and I had to stop several times to scrape the sides of the blender.  I think a food processor would work much better for this.  Next I added a nice sized scoop of smooth peanut butter, a few spoonfuls of cocoa and blended it until everything was thoroughly mixed.  It had a nice, airy texture, similar to chocolate mousse!  I scooped the mixture into a few smaller containers and placed them in the freezer, allowing the mixture to firm up a bit and to be eaten as "ice cream".  Needless to say, it was a HIT!

42 Days

Well, I think I pretty much broke my resolution about keeping up with this blog!  However, I have a good excuse!  Our computer was on the fritz and the idea of trying to blog on an iPhone was none too appealing!  All is well now though and I am reconnected :) 

It has been a busy 6 weeks!  I have been working 4-6 days a week, sometimes 12-14 hour days!  This has made for a CRAZY home life but we managed to get through it with lots of help from those around us and some great organization and planning (this is where I can give myself a good pat on the back.)

Some highlights/lowlights of the last 42 days include...

B started going to a babysitter 2 days  per week.

B has been sick since his first week at the babysitter's...it's going on a month now :S

I got an awesome Valentine's Day gift from the husband....a pedicure! 

I gave the husband a can of nuts for Valentine's Day.

I joined a gym!

I caught B's cooties and have gone to the gym twice since joining.

I turned 31 and have yet to go out on a birthday date with my husband.

My good friend's dad passed away :(

B's cold developed into a sinus infection, which required antibiotics.

B took an allergic reaction to his antibiotics and developed a wicked case of hives.

It is March Break!!

Our family just got home from an awesome mini vacation at our favourite cottage on the South Shore.

I did not meet the weight loss goal that was required to take said vacation but our family was in desperate need of some down time so we went anyway.

I still have to work at my night job over March break.

B is teething...and is CRANKY..and throwing LOADS of temper tantrums!  

A date has been set for our first annual girls getaway!

This is LIFE!

Avacado Chocolate Pudding

I was speaking to a co-worker last week about living dairy free living and she informed me about a snack she makes for her daughter...avocado chocolate pudding!!  Weird right??  I will say, it does taste like pudding but definitely has an avocado after taste which wouldn't be totally appealing to the average person.  However, to someone who has never experienced what the real stuff is like, this is the shiznit!

Ingredients
2 ripe avacados
1/4 cup cocoa
1/3 cup milk (I used rice milk)
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
splash of vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a food processor/blender and chill.

I don't own a food processor and felt too lazy to pull out my blender so I tossed everything into the Kitchenaid.  It did the trick but the pudding wasn't completely smooth.  Consider it a lesson learned for next time!

Kid approved!!

Costco Craving

Costco!  Who doesn't love Costco? Especially the hot dogs!  Ignore the fact that each dog contains 500+ calories ;)  I am convinced they put something in those things to keep bringing you back.  When I was pregnant, we made special trips to Costco just for the hot dogs!  Wrong...so wrong, especially since pregos aren't supposed to eat processed meat!  Those hot dogs were to blame for my giant baby ;)

Since becoming a family of 3, we make a Costco run at least a week.   We usually go together, stopping at each sample station in the store for a tasty treat.  If you try them all, chances are, you wont need to make lunch when you get home ;)

Seriously though, Costco is awesome for finding "different" things that out local grocery and big box stores don't carry.  Bush Beans for example!  Until recently, the husband relied on some dear family members to do a little across the border shopping for him.  Now he can just pick up a case during our weekly visit.  I tend to gravitate more towards the middle section of the store where the clothing, books and seasonal items are located.  Kids books are my weakness...aside from the hot dogs!    

The one problem with scoring lots of great deals at Costco though, is finding somewhere to store them!  As some of your know, we live in a "little house on the prairie" and storage is at a premium.  In effort to organize our purchases, the husband bought a fancy new shelf (from Costco of course!) for our storage closet!  That is how we spent our Saturday afternoon...cleaning and organizing the closet!   Now we are ready for more Costco purchases!

Any why may you ask, am I wasting my evening writing about Costco?  Because frankly, I would DIE for a hot dog right now!  Stupid diet :P

Crash and Burn

Week 2 of the diet...and I crashed and burned!  It was an extremely busy work week, leaving me with little time for meal preparation.  This is usually the root of our eating problems!  I did manage to throw together a pot of taco soup which wasn't bad!  But really,  how many days in a row do you want to eat taco soup?  The goal for next week is to get back on track because the husband and I desperately want a night away, sans child!  So here I sit, with a glass of wine in hand (its ok in moderation right?!),  making a meal plan for next week.  Along with this meal plan, goes a lengthy grocery list, color coded and everything!  More on those OCD tendencies later ;)  HAHA

I did manage to pull together a decent meal for the husband and I tonight..beef and broccoli with rice and an eggroll.  DELICIOUS!

Don't mind the "steaminess" of the picture!  I wanted to take a snap shot before it was devoured :)

MMMM Steak!

Did I ever tell you how much I HATE dieting?, If not, well...I just did!!  I think I forgot just how much it sucks.  Week 1 was challenging at times but the end result was worth it!  Down 3.4 lbs!  However, week 2 has been BRUTAL!  It doesn't take much to set me off track.  1 night out with the girls ignited my desire to eat everything in sight!  I've managed to keep things until control, minus the Big Mac and fries we binged on last night.  Tonight I really got my act together and put a decent meal on the table for the family...steak and mushroom skewers with grilled asparagus and rice.  DELICIOUS!

Michael Smith is one of my favourite chefs and he has written several fantastic cookbooks.  The great thing about his books is that the recipes are healthy and fairly easy to make.  I recently purchased his latest one, "Fast Flavours - 110 Simple Speedy Recipes".  That is where the steak and mushroom skewer recipe came from.  You need to try it!

Steak and Mushroom Skewers
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 lb sirloin steak, cubed
2 lbs mushrooms

In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, oil, soy sauce, thyme, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.  Add the beef and mushrooms to the bowl, tossing until everything is coated. Thread everything on to skewers, alternating the beef and mushrooms.

Grill the skewers, turning once or twice until they are nicely browned, juicy, and tender  Brush on the reserved marinade and remove from grill.  Serve and enjoy!

The Holiday Nor'easter

For those of you who know me, you know that my weight fluctuates like the weather!  I guess you could say the holidays hit me like a Nor'easter!  I stepped on the scale on January 2nd and the number that appeared what not entirely impressive.  The husband and I decided to team up and combat our weight gain together!  If we are able to meet our weight loss goals by the beginning of March, we are gonna take off for a night and celebrate my birthday on the South Shore of our lovely province.  If not, we stay in the city to celebrate.  While the consolation prize isn't a horrible one, it would be nice to get away for a night and  spend some quality time with my husband.

Today is "day 3" of our diet.  So far, so good!  We are using "Spark People" to track what we eat.  The husband has had great success with it in the past so we are giving it a go!  The best part is that it is free!  There is an app you can buy for $3.99 which makes things a bit more convenient, but it isn't necessary.  I will say that it can be a bit tedious to track your food, especially in the beginning, but it does get easier.

Overall, we eat fairly healthy but we definitely have moments when we fill ourselves with junk food.  The holidays are a prime example.  Fortunately, having a baby forces us to get back on track.  We are great about making sure he eats healthy and balanced meals. However, the "mom guilt" kicks in when he starts whining for my McDonalds fries:|  

In keeping with the idea of making sure our fridge always contains food we can easily grab, the husband and I threw a pot of chicken with rice soup together.  The only good thing about this cold weather we are experiencing right now is being able to fill up on warm. yummy comfort food like this!  Try it!  It's well worth the effort it takes to make!

Lemon Dill Quinoa Salad

In an attempt to become "healthy" (i.e. lose all of the weight I gained over the holidays by stuffing my face full of cookies and chocolate), this recipe is on my "to make" list today! I have no idea why, but every time I alter my diet, a bowl of quinoa salad ends up in my fridge.  I think it's because it's a quick fix for when the evening munchies kick in and I open the fridge 7548927 times, looking for a snack.  It is also loaded with protein so it's a quick, easy meal for the youngster.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a whole grain and is somewhat similar to rice or couscous.  It can be eaten hot or cold, plain or fancied up.  I prefer it cold, in a salad.  Hot = NASTY in my opinion!  I have to admit, I hated quinoa when I first tried it!  However, I forced myself to eat it for the health benefits and now it is now a dish that everyone in my family loves, me included!

Lemon Dill Quinoa Salad

Ingredients
1 english cucumber, diced (peeled or not peeled...it's up to you!)
2 large tomatoes, diced (or you can use halved grape tomatoes)
1/2 - 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 lemon (the juice and grated rind)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups of uncooked quinoa
1-2 tbsp dried dillweed

Directions
Cook quinoa according to the directions on the package.  Generally it is a 2:1 ratio (In this case it would be 3 cups of water, 1 1/2 cups of quinoa).  Once quinoa has cooked, allow it to cool.  In a large bowl. combine the cucumber, tomatoes, feta, oil, lemon juice, grated lemon rind, salt and pepper.  Add cooled quinoa and toss well.  Let cool in the fridge for a few hours and then enjoy!

P.S. The longer it sits, the better it tastes!

 MMM!

Farewell 2012

In the past year, my baby has gone from this,

to this!

How the heck did that happen?

When people say "they grow up so fast", they aren't joking!  This little savage creature filled our year with so much laughter and love, it's hard to pick just a few highlights!  We've enjoyed watching him evolve into such an interesting, funny and smart little character!  Despite the fact that he is crazy, has an endless amount of energy and still doesn't always sleep through the night, I think I'll keep him for another year ;)  I can't wait to see what trouble he will cause in 2013!  Happy New Year everyone!