SUNDAY BAKER

Introducing...

2009-12-18T10:52:00.008-06:00

Henry Colin Belanger! He arrived Thursday, December 17th at 5:17 p.m. I was induced a day earlier than planned and the labor was truly a wonderful experience. Thanks to an epidural and a super doctor.

I can't even describe how I feel about this baby. He is absolutely the most precious little boy. Every time I look at him or think about him I'm filled with such a sense of happiness that I just want to cry buckets.

We are still in the hospital and I can't sleep even though I'm thoroughly exhausted. I'm on a natural high and I just want to look at him and touch him. He's finally here and he's ours!

To see Sam meet him for the first time was one of the most special moments. Rich is so comfortable and natural with him. We are all so blessed with this Christmas gift!

I suppose I should go join Henry in his nap...but I just had to share him with all of you before I do. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes!

When We Meet Again

2009-12-14T18:23:00.004-06:00

When we meet again, my friends, we may finally have another member in our family. If all goes as planned, I will be induced this Friday, the 18th. This is because my labor with Sam was only 3 hours long and we are 45 minutes from the hospital and our weather stinks! I'm dialated a bit already.

I have been so busy sanitizing, packing, cleaning and groaning while my lumbering body works it's way through the house. My stomach enters the room well before I do. I have this insane need for this house to be spotless before I give birth. Like the baby will care if there's a tuft of dog hair in the corner or an unemptied garbage! Still, I want it to be perfect for him.

Be on the lookout this weekend for pictures. Man oh man, I can't wait. When we meet again I will no longer see this when I look down for my feet:

And when we meet again, this crib will no longer be empty:

When we meet again my heart will be so full it just might burst. Please pray that all goes well!

Really, A Watermelon?

2009-12-04T15:54:00.003-06:00

Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).

Today I'm officially considered full term at 37 weeks! Wow, has it been a journey to get to this point. I remember back when I was 20 weeks and I would sit and dream about the day I was this far along. Now that I am, all I do is sit and dream about the day I get to meet our 3rd son. I can feel his strong body rolling around (sometimes in places that make me yelp!) and his little feet pushing on my body and all I want to do is hug him and squeeze those toes and stare into his beautiful, new face.

I haven't had any labor signs yet to speak of, although today at work I thought I was having a big contraction. It never developed into anything, but it sure got me thinking about how I'd better wash his clothes and pack the hospital bags.

The truth is, though, that I don't mind one bit if he waits a couple of more weeks. I'm really cherishing this pregnancy and I find a real comfort in having him right there with me every minute of the day. I know I'll miss it. It's the only time in my life I'll be able to bring him to work with me and know that he's safe.

I'm also getting into Christmas mode now. I received my new camera this week and can't wait to start posting recipes again. It's been far too long, but hopefully I can make up for it with some real goodies. We're going to attempt a shopping trip this weekend. If you see a very pregnant woman moaning down the aisles at Target, that'd be me.

Until then, please blow some labor dust and prayers my way....

4 Ways To Prepare a Thanksgiving Turkey

2009-11-22T10:23:00.007-06:00

Every year many of stress over how we are going to prepare that perfect turkey for our Thanksgiving meal. It needs to be moist, delicious, flavorful and most of all done just right. It is, after all, the main highlight of the meal and you want it to be GOOD! The cool part is that there are different ways to prepare your turkey and none of them are as complicated as they may seem:

Roasting

marthastewart.com
I think that the majority of people go with the traditional method of roasting the turkey in the oven. Sometimes this can result in an over-cooked, dry turkey. That's the last thing you want! Here's a method from Martha Stewart that is detailed enough to make it easy to do. I've never tried a recipe from her that didn't work: Martha's Roast Turkey

Smoking

Smoking is the only way Rich and I prepare our turkeys now. Honestly, it makes the most juicy, succulent bite of turkey you can imagine. We use the smoker year round for all different meats. If you want to wow the family, give this a try. It's so easy: Smoked Turkey Goodness

Deep-Frying

tipdeck.com
I have to be honest and say that deep-frying a turkey scares me! I either think of a an oily fire breaking out in the driveway, or a burnt on the outside, undercooked on the inside hunt of oily bird. However, I've heard from people who were successful at it and they say it's the best turkey ever! Here's a tutorial from Butterball that shows how to do it the right way: Butterball Fried Turkey

Grilled

foodnetwork.com
The best part of grilling a turkey is that you might even be able to get your husband to do it. I know that at our house, Rich is the king of the grill. In fact, I've never in my life used it. He likes to do as do many men. Therefore, he can do the turkey and you can work on the sides. Here's a step-by-step guide to grilling a turkey from ehow.com: Grilling a Turkey

Once you have that deliciously prepared turkey ready to serve, now it's time to garnish the bird (on your prettiest platter of course) with fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, nuts..use your imagination! A nice presentation makes your guests feel like they are special and important to you because they know that you put the extra time to do it for them. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you..I know I have so much to be thankful for this year!

Shower of Love

2009-11-13T16:41:00.008-06:00

My wonderful stepmom, Diane, threw me the nicest baby shower last weekend. She worked hard to make is a special day for me and I was so grateful. There were so many people there and a ton of gifts to open! I felt so loved. The pictures didn't turn out so great..they are dark because we had it in our church basement. You can also see how being 8-1/2 months pregnant is taking it's toll on me. I was sick the entire week leading up to the shower with some virus. I still wasn't 100% at the shower, unfortunately:

And this was only SOME of the gifts!

A "boppy". They have so many cool inventions that I never had when Colin and Sam were babies.

We received a ton of cute boy outfits. Once I get his closet organized I'll have to show you his extensive wardrobe.

Oh, I love big gifts!!

This picture is just funny looking. What a dorky look on my face! I was seriously happy everytime I saw a package of diapers! I took one out...it is so so tiny. Aaahh

Look at that belly. It's my favorite accessory these days. I'm going to miss it!

And of course the food. It was all delicious. My family all brought their favorite dishes. Yum!

How has life gone by so fast? I've been so crazy tired and worn down lately that I've had no time for baking or doing anything creative. I'm sure my 2nd wind will kick in soon. I've been going through my Christmas cookie recipes and I can't wait to get started on that! I'm going to try many new recipes this year too. I have slowly started my shopping but haven't gotten very far with that either. Can someone loan me some energy PLEASE???

Scary Stories --Share Yours Here---!

2009-10-30T15:16:00.003-05:00

I don't believe in ghosts really. I refuse to believe that our loved ones come back and haunt us. I know that Colin is at peace and that keeps me going. However, I do think there might be something out there that can't be explained...

I can't help but LOVE a scary story! It's fun to think that there's something out there that we can't figure out keeping the hairs on our necks standing up! Colin loved them more than anything and did ever since he was a small child. The scarier the better for him. Sam is just the opposite. Scooby Doo sends him running for the hills.

I think that just about everyone has a freaky or unexplained incident that they experienced in their life. Here's one of mine:

When I was a teenager I often babysat for my 3 younger brothers. They were wild beasts. Hellions. Brats. As naughty as they come. Well, at least that's how I saw them. While my mom was gone, all I did was fight with them and threaten to tattle to my mom when she got home.

One night I put them to bed. My baby brother, Timmy, slept downstairs in the crib and the other two boys who were probably around 3 and 5, slept upstairs. We lived in an older home and for as long as we lived there I remember being freaked out of the upper level of the house. There was a hidden attic on the way up the stairs that I literally had nightmares about. The place just had a very creepy, eerie feeling to it, and my imagination didn't help things any.

So the 3 boys were asleep, or so I thought. I was laying on the couch watching tv when I heard the two naughty older boys slamming each other down, wrestling and running upstairs. Being that the baby was sleeping, I stamped my feet, and with smoke coming out of my ears ran up the stairs, 3 at a time, to scream at them to get back to bed. This was so like the beasts! Wait until I told mom!

The room they slept in was right at the left of the top of the stairs. I flew in their room ready to catch them in the act when my heart hit my feet....they were both FAST asleep. I'm talking mouths hanging open, drool coming down, eyelids stuck shut with boogers. Seriously. They weren't faking and had obviously been sleeping for awhile. It had literally only been about 1 minute between the time I heard them wrestling and the time I got to the top of the stairs.

My body was covered in chills and I flew back down the stairs so fast that I'm not sure I even touched a step! I sat on the couch and turned up the tv to the point that if the upstairs floor pounding started again, I couldn't hear it. Because if I did, I'd probably just die right there.

I stayed there until my mom came home and told her the whole story. I don't recall if she told me that night or at a later time, but she did tell me that she had heard the very same thing coming from the upstairs at other times. There was a huge house kiddie corner to ours that had been an old, old hospital. It was rumored to be haunted and later burnt to the ground. Maybe some of it's residents came over to our house to play once in awhile?

This is my "true" haunting story. Unexplained. Freaked me out and still does! I would seriously love to hear yours in the spirit of Halloween......if you DARE!!!!!

Little One's Reminders

2009-10-25T09:44:00.005-05:00

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt.

That time in my pregnancy journey has come where I'm awake most of the night with back pain and trying to accomplish the impossible feat of finding a comfortable position. Along with the insomnia comes that late-night worrying. I lay awake staring into the dismal blackness and suddenly feel overwhelmed and defeated.

What will our life be like with a demanding new child suddenly entering the realm? Who knew daycare was SO crazy expensive? How will Sam feel about sharing the spotlight? Will I be able to nurse? Will we ever get to upgrade all of the things in our home now that we have another child? Will a new baby push Colin's memory further back into my mind? ????????????

These are just some of the questions my mind battles with during the midnight hour as the due date rapidly approaches. Then as I am just about ready to explode with worry, my innocent little baby starts rolling around making me aware that he's in on this too. I can feel his little hiccups and fingers moving around. He is so so precious and I've never set eyes upon him. I love him so deeply and have yet to touch his cheeks. That's when I know that no matter what challenges our life throws at us, we will do what we have to to make it work for him. If I need to give up one luxury to afford daycare, so be it. If my patience wears thin, I'll remind myself of how Colin taught me that life is much too short to let little things eat you alive.

Despite the fears, I look down at my big belly and smile inside and out. Life will always, always throw in curveballs and upsets, baby or not. If we didn't have that, we certainly wouldn't appreciate the good parts. When the morning light starts to creep back into the room, I start to fill with that optimistic hope once again...Ahhh, we can do this.

So we have less than 9 weeks left until we get to meet him!! I'm practically jumping out of my skin with excitement...I WANT TO HOLD HIM SO BAD! My baby shower is in 2 weeks-I can hardly wait to celebrate him with family and friends. I don't know how I'll make it through work the last 2 months with all of the awkwardness and lack of sleep....yikes!

PS--One of these days I will get some new pictures up of me and my big ole' belly!

Fall Window Shopping

2009-10-17T18:01:00.000-05:00

marthastewart.com

The boys are busy this weekend and I've actually had some down time. While laundry loads have been turning and wet floors are drying, I've been surfing the net for some fun fall ideas. Here are some of my favorites:

These apple/pumpkin pocket pie molds from Williams Sonoma would make it so easy to pull off a unique fall dessert that everyone will surely be talking about. What a fun presentation they would provide!

This brownie pop mold from Surla Table would be an easy and fun way to create treats with the kids. MMmmmm brownies!

amazon.com

This little hand-held recipe computer is SO cool! It stores up to 2,500 recipes and has a touch screen. You basically just click and go to your recipe. No searcing through that stack of recipe cards, no clean up. I love this idea! However, I'm not at all in love with the price at $300. I think they'll definitely need to lower the price on this one before I'll ever consider it! Find it here .

Love the natural, rustic look of these cinnamon napkin-rings from Pottery Barn.

I laughed when I saw these eye magnets because I can imagine the look on someone's face if they came into my kitchen and these were all over the fridge. It's just the perfect thing for our goofy family. Such a silly, "eye"-catching idea.

This witch's cauldron bread bowl (filled with yummy spinach dip) is a great idea to bring to a halloween party or work lunch. It's not as hard as it looks. Go here to make it yourself.

BOO! An Edible Haunted House!

2008-10-24T05:57:00.003-05:00

"Ha ha ha haha!!!" (pretend that's a scary Dracula laugh). Isn't this the cutest little haunted house? I made these with the students for a "listening" activity group we did last week. They are simple, fun, and a great Halloween craft snack to do with the young'uns. I got the original idea from Better Homes and Gardens online, but the fun part is that you can use your imagination to do it however you'd like.

Here are the basics you need
and I added a few more things to ours:

One whole Pop Tart (I used Smores flavored)
One Pop Tart half cut in a diagonal shape- for the roof (I used cinnamon brown sugar)
2 pretzel sticks-for shutters
2 graham crackers-for windows and doors
a half of a Kit Kat bar for the chimney
a half of a chocolate granola bar (or a Twix bar) for the step
candy corns and pumpkins
yellow icing for windows and doorknob
black icing for bats and details
jar of chocolate icing to use as "glue" (it's finally a glue the kids can eat)

"Glue" the diagonal roof to the full pop tart. Add the rest of the pieces as shown below. This is a great party snack idea!

As I've mentioned here before, Colin was my holiday-loving child. Whenever I do any holiday craft or snack project, he is all I can think of. He would have just loved doing this one. When I do stuff like this, in my head, even as small as it is, it's always in his honor. I can just hear him giggling as he bites the roof off! Here we are on Halloween about 5 years ago, after carving pumpkins. He is still here with us while we do these things, and that will never ever change.

I think that's what makes holidays truly special. They create memories that stick out in our minds above most others...and they are almost always the warm, fuzzy, family memories that are the very BEST. Whether it's carving pumpkins or trimming the tree, those are the things I remember with a smile.

How about you? What are your Halloween family traditions?

Oh, October

2009-10-03T17:34:00.010-05:00

October has always been a magical month for me. When I was a girl, and birthdays were a day to celebrate (because we can't wait to get OLD), this was my month to look forward to that special day. It started with the leaves turning on the trees and that unmistakable Autumn wind blowing in with the scents of crispness, wood fires, and ready-to-pick apples. If you've ever been to Northern Wisconsin in the fall, you know the magic I speak of. It's amazing here with all of our forests and nature.

Then of course there's Halloween. I have no idea why this holiday has always appealed to me, but I guess it could be the fun in pretending you are something else for a night (I remember the year I went as Madonna and everyone thought I was trying to be a hooker). That and the candy and the chance you could catch a glimpse of a ghost on that ghouly night. Halloween kick-starts the Fall/Winter holidays that I love so much!

Here are some more things that I love about October:

potterybarn.com
Pottery Barn's fall decor....I don't go to Pottery Barn too often because while I adore their merchandise, I don't adore their prices. However, I just love walking through the store every fall to see their great fall decor. It really puts me in the mood to get off my behind and start decorating.

Assembling these Graham Cracker Haunted Houses. They are so cute you almost don't want to eat them.

Making and eating this Fall Snack Mix It's easy, makes a load, and everyone loves it. Trust me!

countryliving.com
Pumpkins everywhere! I love them carved, baked, fake or just as they are. I've never tasted a pumpkin bar I didn't love. We still carve them together every year. We do an extra for Colin and this year for the baby too.

Colin shared my adoration for this time of year. Even when he was really ill and weak, he insisted on trick-or-treating. He couldn't get enough of that candy!

Making crafts with Sam and the students at school. A favorite: Origami pumpkin friends. Kids just don't forget that time you spend together doing things like this. Sam still looks forward to it, though he would never in a million years admit that to his friends!

One Track Mind

2009-09-21T19:34:00.004-05:00

To those of you who enjoy my recipes, I apologize that I've been so absent lately. My brain tends to run on one track sometimes. As you can imagine, the track it's been running on is BABY BABY BABY!

Well, that and work. And Sam's homework, extra-curricular activities, and very interesting Junior High social situations . And also a house that never seems to stop getting messy and beautiful fall weather that urges me outside during my spare time.

There's just something that changes you when you have a human being growing in your womb, depending on your every move for his health. He is moving so much now, and every single time he does, I swear I fall more in love with him. If I'm getting a bit stressed at work and he kicks, I'm immediately in a better mood. I imagine what he will look like, act like....how he'll arrive into this world! I'm not so excited about laboring again, but as I go through the baby clothes I've acquired so far, I just want that little boy to put into those clothes. I want to meet him so BADLY! I have under 99 days to go...oh my!

He's turning me into a big, lumbering moose. At least that's what I feel like. The odd thing is that I'm ok with that for now. My body will do what I need it to do for him, and I can worry about losing the pounds later. Still, I'm moving quite a bit slower. If you know me in real life, you know how I move FAST all of the time. Not so much lately.

However, Fall has arrived and with it my baking desires have been kicked into full drive. I have pumpkin and apples on my mind along with casseroles and big Sunday breakfasts! I hope that you don't desert me for my lack of posting lately...I promise to come around very soon!

How have you all been? What's been on your mind's lately? Please share!

Family of 5

2009-08-28T07:18:00.006-05:00

Today is the 4 year anniversary of Colin's death. The 4 years he's been absent from our lives seems so much longer than the 10 years he was with us. How does that seem fair? Honestly, it just isn't.

When I sit and reflect back on the last 4 years, I try to analyze on whether or not my feelings of grief have changed, the way I deal with it, or really the way our whole family deals with his loss now that we've had years to cope with it. Really, I feel the same way this morning as I type this as I did the week he died. Deeply sad, regretful, empty in that spot on my heart. I even still feel anger because I still struggle with wondering why MY son had to suffer like that. Not because I had to suffer, but because he did. He in all of his innocence and wonderfulness?

I also still have an intense feeling of gratitude that I was chosen to be his mother and spend those 10 years with him. I feel happiness and humor when I think of his shenanigans and crazy sense of humor (really, only a few people could understand it!). I will think of something he said and instantly crack a smile and once again my heart is full of him. I also still feel great hope that drives me. Faith is really a wonderful gift to have. I certainly can't imagine going on through the day without the knowledge that we will be with Colin again in the life after this one.

As our family changes once again and a new baby is on his way, what is now the important thing is that Colin's presence and memory stays alive. I don't want to be Rich, Tanya, Sam and the new baby. I want to be Rich, Tanya and their 3 boys. I need people to still think of him as a part of our family. Writing about him is the only way I can try to do that. After all, I don't want to move on. I want to stay right here where I am with Colin fresh in my being and the heart of my family.

So if you're reading this, please look at his photo and think of him. When you do, SMILE because that's what he would make you do if you knew him.

Flea Market Style Decorating

2009-08-19T10:55:00.005-05:00

flea market style

I'm so thrilled for my friend Linda over at one of my favorite blogs: Restyled Home. She is not only a really wonderful lady with a big heart, but she has a great talent for transforming a room into a comfortable and stylish space. She is the new Editor-At-Large for a wonderful new magazine called Flea Market Style. How cool is that?

With someone like Linda and her talents involved, I knew this magazine would be right up my alley (not to mention that the always amazing Matthew Mead is behind this magazine!). My family is always on a budget. While working on our kitchen and soon the baby's nursery, my main goal has been to make new out of old.

I really get this great satisfaction out of taking something that appears ugly and useless and making it a part of a room in the home. In fact, my goal with the nursery and the kitchen accessories is to not buy ANYTHING new. Nothing. I will refurbish furniture, create accessories out of junk, and relish the vintage look of my new rooms!

I'll be sharing project ideas that I come across and hopefully some successful projects of my own. This new magazine couldn't have come at a better time! If you have any great project finds to share, please post them here. I need all of the help I can get here people!

Bits of Inspiration: Kitchen

2009-08-10T09:57:00.001-05:00

bhg.com
I subscribe to quite a few magazines and am constantly tearing out pictures that inspire me. The funny thing is, I rarely find a picture of a decorated room that I like completely. I usually only like one or two elements of the room and seem to always find things I don't like. I've yet to come across a room that I am totally in love with. Maybe I'm just way too picky or there isn't a perfect room?

It's been a busy summer and I would say that our poor kitchen is only half-way finished. Most of the painting is done, but all of the little details and accessories have yet to be decided. With a baby on my mind and work starting again in a few weeks, I'm needing some major inspiration. Here are a few ideas I'd love to incorporate into my kitchen:

countryliving
While my kitchen is slowly taking on a modern, urban feel, it's important to me that the most important room of the house have some cozy comfort to it. I love this kitchen because it looks like Grandma's. I want to sit down and eat a slice of fresh apple pie. A kitchen should be inviting and people should want to sit down and mess it up a bit! I also love the red and green together for that vintage feel.

countryliving
I'm trying to find a spot in my dining area for a chalkboard message center. I've always liked how they look, and I really do keep daily lists so I'd actually use it!

countryliving
Here's another example. The great things is that you can buy chalkboard paint and create the space anywhere. You can also purchase chalkboard decals and just stick them on to a cabinet door or frame it on a wall.

countryliving
I have always wanted one of those big old vintage stoves! It reminds me of Grandparent's. They had a big wood stove and she heated her coffee and rolls and warm custard pie on it up until the day they moved out. Her home always smelled wonderful!

southernliving
So clean and put together. This kitchen just looks sanitary. I also like the cookbook niche in the corner. I like to see my cookbooks and have easy access since I use them so often. We left two of our cabinet doors off and I'm creating an area/niche to display them.

housebeautiful
Dishware grouped together and displayed. I don't care to sit in a kitchen where every single thing is put away and there is no sign of any use! Grouping together your kitchenware in sets of similar colors can create that lived-in feel without the cluttered, messy look. Pots hanging, wooden spoons grouped in a crock, stacked plates on the hutch, etc.

source unknown
A desk station for bill paying, cookbook reading, snack-eating, laptop browsing, you name it. We are going to take out our hutch (and paint it for the baby's nursery) and put in a small desk area. It will be simple, but I am really excited to have a space like this! I may put the chalkboard message area above it.

this old house
I try to always have small containers of fresh, green herbs displayed on my counter top. Not only is it super convenient to grab a snip to use in your cooking, but the aroma and look of the green in the kitchen is wonderful. I especially love the look in a white, bright kitchen because they really pop! Mmmm freshness!

bhg.com
Fresh baked goods displayed on the counter! A kitchen can't be complete without them!

Boy Blessing

2009-08-05T07:13:00.002-05:00

We are having a boy! The first thing the tech asked was whether or not we wanted to know and we said yes. She put the wand on my stomach (which is a scary moment because part of you thinks there just won't be anything at all in there) and the very first thing that popped up was the obvious evidence that we are having a boy.

The three of us sat for almost an hour and watched him kick and jerk and suck his hand. We memorized every detail of his precious little being to take with us for the next 20 weeks while we await his arrival. The future...a new chapter in life that is a true blessing...what I've been wanting for so long.

So most of you were wrong in guessing a girl, as were Rich and Sam! But I knew it was a boy...moms just know those things. It's always been "Tanya and her boys" and that's not about to change. My smile can't be any wider, my heart any more full.

Oh Sweet Potato

2009-07-24T13:50:00.003-05:00

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

I'm 18 weeks today and it looks like I have a really hideous looking sweet potato inhabitating my uterus. Not a day goes by that I don't stop and think, "My God, what a truly amazing experience it is to have a human being growing in my stomach!" I was much younger with my other two pregnancies, and this time my mind really can grasp how special it is. That also means I worry much more. I don't like that part.

I think I've felt the baby moving off and on for the last week or so. It's hard to tell if that's what it is (it's been over 12 years people!), but for reassurance purposes I'm telling myself it is. In 11 days (I'm counting down by the hour) we'll get to meet our little one on the screen and hopefully tell whether it's a pink or a blue! Sam is going to join us in the ultrasound room also. A true family affair.

So what do you think: Boy or Girl?

Fun Around The Dinner Table

2009-07-23T08:17:00.007-05:00

tabletopics.com

As a family, we are really big on playing games. Yahtzee, Rummy and Monopoly are three of our favorites. Sam is big on trivia as well and being that all three of us are competitive, it can be so much fun. I'm always look for new things we can do to entertain us.

I think it's very important that we try to have family dinners around the table together at least a few times a week. With our schedules that we all seem to have these days, dinner time around the table is sometimes the only time together. We have conversations and catch up on each other's lives. That's why a great meal to go along with it is important to me. I want us to enjoy this special time together!

I came across this really fun idea (which I'm in no way affiliated with) that I'm in love with! It's a company called Table Topics. They have these cubes that you set on your table with topic cards (teen, family, 80's, 90's, college, etc.) with different themes.

tabletopics.com

You pull out a card and ask everyone around the table the question on the card. What a great conversation starter! I really want to do this when we have guests over as well. They even have wedding and barbecue themes. I think it's a great idea for that crowd of guests who don't really know each other and you want to help them break the ice.

tabletopics.com

Check out these cute place cards. On the back of each is a question for the guest. Such a creative idea! The only thing that threw me off a bit was the price. I think they are a bit expensive. Still, it's so much fun to find these new products that are simple and family-friendly.

Want to hear more of my ramblings? Come on over and hang out with me at TWITTER or FACEBOOK!

Kitchen Tips and Tricks (Add Yours!)

2009-07-13T15:17:00.006-05:00

marthastewart.com

Over the years I've heard some interesting tips and tricks for in the kitchen that have definitely helped me along the way. I'm always looking for new ideas because I love simple ideas that are a big help. Here are some of the tips I've gathered and used. Please share some of your best tips in the comments section and I will add them to the post:

-Cut off any green you find on your potatoes. The green part contains a harmful toxin called solanine that can make you sick if you consume it. I even verified this one at snopes.

- When cooking rice, put a folded towel between the lid and the pot. When the rice creates moisture, the towel will absorb it instead of dripping it back onto the rice. Perfect, fluffy rice every time.

-Use an egg slicer to slice strawberries for a nice, even presentation.

-I rarely buy buttermilk. Instead, add 1 T. lemon juice to one cup of whole milk and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. You now have a perfect buttermilk substitute.

-To quickly ripen bananas overnight, stick them in a paper bag with a ripened tomato. (read that at a grocery store). Bananas are not truly ripened until they have quite a bit of brown on them. That is my favorite way to eat them and definitely the only way to bake with them.

-Rub a peeled potato on your silver to take off the tarnish stains. It really works!

-Peeling onions make you cry? Make sure it’s fresh out of the cold fridge before cutting. It’s not fool-proof though, as I sometimes still cry. The easiest way is to use my food processor. I have no idea how the chefs on tv slice onions without tearing up. My theory is that they slice them so fast there's no time for crying!

-To skim fat off of the top of your soup pot, try a piece of bread. It will soak up that fat in no time.

-When it comes to baking… always use no-salt butter, unless the recipe calls for otherwise.

-Unless the recipe calls for cold eggs, I always use large-sized room temperature eggs in baking recipes.

-When it comes to baking, always measure your ingredients. It’s not like cooking…little dash of this, little dash of that. If you add too much or too little of your baking ingredients, you could ruin the entire concoction.

-Always have a clean kitchen when getting ready to cook or bake. Not only is it sanitary, you’ll just enjoy being in the kitchen more!

-Double check that you have all of your ingredients before starting. I HATE running to the store in the middle of a recipe! Lay everything out first, then start making it.

-Wear an apron (and greet hubby at the door in it). You’ll just look cuter. If you don't have one, visit The Hip Hostesses for the prettiest, flirtiest aprons. I love them!

-Always always taste your end product. And don’t stick the spoon back into the pot afterwards. That's just gross!

TIPS FROM READERS:
-To peel roasted peppers, place them in a brown bag and let them sit for awhile-from Maria

-To peel hard boiled eggs, add a handful of salt to the water once it comes to a hard rolling boil. cook and drain normally and viola! easy to peel hard boiled eggs- from Rebekah

-When bell peppers go on sale, I buy a bunch, chop them up, lay them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze. Once frozen, they can go into freezer bags and are ready to go into favorite recipes- from Lindsay

-To get shortening out of measuring cups crack your eggs into the cup first. They coat the side and the shortening slips right out- from Christina

-When boiling pasta, place a long wooden spoon over cross-wise over the top of the pot, it will keep it from boiling over - works every time- from Disneypal

-Using an extremely sharp knife on onions will keep the crying down. Apparently oils are released into the air and using a sharp knife helps keep this to a minimum- from Kate

-when you begin to mix something with a large amount of flour or sugar (and assuming you have a standing mixer, take a kitchen towel and hold it tight around the top of the mixer (careful NOT to allow the beater blade to grab the towel). It will prevent the puff of ingredients from getting stirred up and coming out of the mixer and up and going all over the place- from Stacy

-My tip for not crying when peeling onions is before starting, get a metal teaspoon, clench it between your teeth & peel away- from Millie

-When taking muffins out of the oven, place the pan on a wet towel. The steam helps release them from the pan.Vinegar is great for removing hard water stains from the faucet and sink- from Kara

-For cutting the onions, if you have a gas cooktop, turn your burner on low and cut your onions next to it, the flame will burn off the toxins the onion let's off that make us cry. Also use a sharp knife when cutting onions, this helps to keep the membranes that hold the toxins in place better than a knife that is somewhat dull- from Raelynn

-I heard if you eat an orange while peeling onions, you won't cry. Have yet to try it.Use Pampered Chef scrapers (little brown ones) for any dried on food. Won't scratch, but does a great idea cleaning counters, plates, etc.-from Glitzen

Fruity Bump

2009-07-08T13:27:00.003-05:00

I made it through the camping trip without too many dramatics or complaints...I really could've played it up being pregnant and all. Instead, I think I was quite the trooper. During that time, our little one has grown to the size of an avacado. I love hanging out at The Bump to see which fruit will represent my baby for each week. It's funny because my body is beginning to resemble the weekly fruits they feature. Now if I would only crave those fruits instead of candy bars and pasta. Oh....chicken alfredo and macaroni and cheese!!

I had an appointment this week and the baby's heartbeat was 140 bpm. If you follow the old wive's tale, I think that says boy. On August 4th we will hopefully find out at the 20 week ultrasound. I will be anxiously counting down the days until then.

Unfortunately I haven't had any time for baking lately! I am organizing my garage for a big yard sale I'm having this weekend, and in the meantime we are still working on our kitchen. Hopefully I will get some pictures of that soon to share.

I'm really loving this summer time with Sam. He's growing up so much. He is so protective of me! He keeps saying, "you aren't supposed to bend over are you mom?" and "You're not getting fat, well, if you are it's because you're supposed to!" I can't describe the love I feel for that boy!

A (Brief) Hiatus

2009-06-29T11:06:00.003-05:00

We are heading out for a week of camping. We are going to a campground that I went to often as a child. I have so many memories of running along the trails singing "Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts" and falling off of my bike a million times and scraping my knees over and over. Oh and the boys...there were always cute boys at the campground. Nothing like hanging out at the dock, catching fish with bits of hotdogs and marshmallows, and staring at the cute boy over on the other side who has no idea you are even there!

It's absolutely beautiful and very rustic. No showers (ever shower in an outdoor tent shower?), outhouses full of spiders and well, other things, and bullfrogs that make plenty of noise all night long. Sam and I call it the bullfrog's pow-wow. We laugh and laugh at it while Rich tries to sleep. Knowing that he's trying to sleep and we are annoying him only makes us laugh louder.

Being that I'm pregnant and already feeling huge and awkward, I'm not sure how mild-mannered I'll stay on this particular camping trip. However, nothing cures crabby moods like a crackling campfire with good people sitting around it sharing their humorous stories, innermost thoughts, and food. Yes, people at camping share their delicious food and that is something that is on my mind 24 hours a day lately. I have a camping menu made up that would make your thighs grow just reading it. I will enjoy every bite of it!

So please don't forget about me while I'm gone, as I will promise to come back soon and attempt to charm you with my wacky humor and stories of food that will have you raiding your pantry. Happy Summer vacation!

Chuck Norris Facts (Amusements from a 12 Year Old Part 3)

2009-06-21T19:08:00.004-05:00

We drove Sam to his first-ever summer camp today. He's been gone only a half of a day, but because I know he'll be gone all week, I already miss him. I'm enjoying his personality so much at this age that I never want it to end. We laugh and laugh together and all 3 of us have the same stupid sense of humor. Really, hang with us for a day and you might leave with a look of wonder on your face.

The weird part is that when he gets into the "real world" with situations he's unfamiliar with (like camp), he suddenly turns into a shy introvert. I wish he would show the world the clever, humorous kid we know!

His latest infatuation is Chuck Norris. He reads the "Chuck Norris Facts" constantly. He even bought Rich two Chuck Norris Fact posters for Father's Day! I know these have been around for a few years now, but I have to say that they still make Rich and I do belly laughs and especially when Sam tells them. Oh boy, those 12 year old boys:

Chuck Norris Facts (Sam's favorites):

1. When the boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

2. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard, only another fist.

3. When Chuck Norris was born he didn't cry; the doctor did. You never slap Chuck Norris.

4. Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch. HE decides what time it is.

5. Chuck Norris beat the sun in a staring contest.

6. Chuck Norris once kicked a horse in the chin. It's descendants today are known as giraffes.

7. Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

8. When Chuck Norris looks in the mirror nothing appears. There can never be another Chuck Norris.

9. Chuck Norris can blow bubbles with beef jerky.

10. Chuck Norris doesn't bowl strikes. He just knocks down one pin and the other 9 faint.

Now you have to admit, those are FUNNY!!!

Country Summer

2009-06-18T08:41:00.007-05:00

countryliving.com

I have to say that there just isn't anything like summer here in the country. I mean we are REAL country here with basically nothing but a McDonalds and a few stoplights. What we do have is abundant wildlife and gorgeous nature surrounding us 24/7. It's not uncommon to see a mother deer and her fawn eating in your backyard or a bear strolling down the middle of the street. I sit out in my backyard and all I hear are birds chirping and the wind blowing. It's awesome and I wouldn't trade it for a mall or a great restaurant or anything of the sort! I feel so blessed to be able to stay home all summer and enjoy it.

I still haven't purchased a new camera, but will be soon. I'm lost without it! I haven't been able to bake much because we have been working on the kitchen. It's really coming along. We have just about all of the cabinets painted and it's really starting to look great. I can't show you pictures yet, but here are a few things we picked out at Ikea for accessories:

Very sleek, modern, and simple pull knobs

drawer pulls

Modern stool

We are going for a very clean look that is modern and bright. Painting the cabinets is hard work, but it is a huge pay-off in the end! I've been shopping online for more accessories and things and will share more when I get that darn camera!

I've been feeling alright, but feel like a house already. I've also been having some shortness of breath issues which lead to panic attacks...not fun! Still, all is worth it for a beautiful and healthy child.

Goodbye, Dear Camera

2009-06-11T09:27:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Sam and I took Sophie on our monthly doggie get-together. See that giant bear looking animal? That's Noah, the newfoundland who belongs to a co-worker of mine. Sam always gets to walk Noah. They're buddies.

And of course, being that I'm the biggest clutz in the world, I dropped my beloved camera straight onto the pavement. Not a big deal, I thought, since I've done it a million times before. But when I went to take the next picture, this is how it turned out:

So, I must say goodbye to my dear camera friend and kick myself at the same time! I will be without a camera for a bit until I find a decent new one. However, I will find a way to continue posting here even if I have to use Rich's blackberry camera. If anyone has any good recommendations for a nice digital that doesn't break the bank, please let me know.

This is our first week of summer vacation and the weather has been less than desirable. Chilly and gray, it just doesn't feel like summer break at all. I don't have one single mosquito bite yet and that's unheard of by now!

Smoked Turkey

2008-09-28T19:56:00.001-05:00

If your family loves the taste of smoked meats, and you don't have an electric smoker, I'm telling you that you just HAVE to get one. Not only are they fairly inexpensive, but they are super easy to use and can turn the most dull cut of meat or poultry (heck shoe leather) into a juicy, absolutely divine meal. We use ours for so many different things. The other day I found a half-turkey on sale at the grocers so we smoked it. You can't make a turkey as juicy as this turns out in a regular oven. The taste is unlike any made from any other process. I served it with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a big salad. DELICIOUS. The best part is the left overs..shredded turkey in gravy over toast.

The smoker has a big tub that sits under the grate that you can fill with different fruits, wine, and basically anything that you'd like the meat to taste like. Then you lay "flavored" wood chips on the coils to give it that smoky taste. The flavor combinations permeate up through the meat creating the deliciously wonderful, fruity smoked result. We started off by filling the tub with fresh apples, and then Rich squeezes some of them to get the pulp out. It looks gross... we also added some red wine and spices:

Next, you'll need to smoke the wood chips in water for a half-hour. The wet wood is what smokes to create the smoked flavor (this is apple wood):

Now for the turkey: In a small bowl mix together:
1/4 c. good olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
freshly cut herbs

Cut little slits in the skin. With your hands, rub some of the oil mixture both under and over the skin:

With the wood chips and apple-filled tub in position on the smoker, slap the turkey breast, breast-side up, on the grate:

Put the lid on and plug it in, following your smoker directions. This one took about 3 hours. The skin turns an unattractive, dark color, but once you cut into it...yummy:

Potato Bacon Parmesan Soup

2008-10-05T16:27:00.001-05:00

Years ago I often ate this delicious potato soup at a little coffee shop I frequented for lunch. I tried to get the owner to tell me the recipe, but she wouldn't budge. I loved that darn soup and decided I had to know how to make it. It only had a few ingredients, and I knew it couldn't be too complex. So, I took to the kitchen and experimented until I came up with this version. Truth be told, I actually like mine a teensy bit better! It's very simple, but I tell you, it is SO, so good:

Potato Parmesan Soup
8-10 medium potatoes, peeled and chunked
1/4 c. chopped green scallions
1 quart + 1/2 pint (2-1/2 pints)heavy cream
2 c. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 cloves minced garlic
8 slices good quality smoked bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
salt and pepper to taste

With the potatoes just covered with water, boil them for about 12 minutes, or until they easily break with a fork, and you can softly bite into them. Once they are done, drain most of the water off, and take a potato masher to them. Mash most of the potatoes, but leave some whole to give the soup some substance. Also add the chopped scallions at this time:

Bring the soup back to the stove on a medium-low heat. Add in the garlic and all of the heavy cream to the potatoes. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until scallions are tender. Add in the Parmesan cheese and a generous amount of salt, checking the taste as you go.

Add in a sprinkling of black pepper and the drained, crumbled bacon. Stir well and simmer for another 15 minutes on low.

I usually serve this with garlic toast and a big green salad. Guys seem to love this one too!