For love of country they accepted death…
~James A. Garfield
memorial day wishes
Category Archives: Holidays & Entertaining
happy mother’s day!
I hope that all of you moms, grandmothers, godmothers, mothers at heart and heck — anyone who has a mom enjoyed a beautiful Mother’s Day yesterday. I know I did! Laura needs a better understanding of the day, though. Apparently she just wanted to be with me so much that she wouldn’t really sleep unless I was holding her the night before, LOL. Luckily I’ve learned to sleep in the chair in her room. Plus, I got to sleep in yesterday morning to a blissful 7:10. It was wonderful! When I came downstairs, a big mug of tea was ready for me and a bunch of cards and presents were on the kitchen table. Oh, my sweet boys!
Noah had given me his card and an impatien plant after nursery school on Friday. Jake made me a wonderful card in computer class at school. The kids must have been instructed to write about something they love about their mom on the inside of the card. He declared that he loves when I make my homemade pizza 🙂 He also gave me a little coupon book to cash in for chores (and kisses). From all the kiddos I got a planter they’d made they day before at Lowe’s, a copycat restaurant recipe cookbook (with so many amazing-sounding recipes in it — stay tuned for these!) and a Phish CD I don’t have (that D. found at Dollar Tree of all places)! Drew also gave me a beautiful card and the boys picked out another one together.
But the really shocker was this big box everything else had been sitting on top of, or in front of: a Keurig!!! I’d mentioned that I was saving up my Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks for one. D. found an amazing deal last week and wanted to surprise me. Well, surprise me he did! And yes, the coffee is totally amazing. So much better than anything I’ve made in quite some time.
After a yummy breakfast of eggs, toast, and delicious coffee, we got ready and went to opening day of the Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market. We picked up a sourdough baguette, garlic-rosemary goat cheese, dill pickles, and pickled eggs. Moms also got free seedlings, so each of the boys chose a snapdragon for me. It was very cold yesterday, so we didn’t stay long.
We came back home and D.’s mom, aunt, and brother came up for a visit. We enjoyed a yummy lunch of grilled chicken, sweet potatoes, cole slaw, pinot noir and cheesecake.
The power went out halfway through the time needed for the potatoes to bake, so I threw them on the grill for the rest of the time and they came out so much better! I know how I’ll be cooking them for the rest of the summer.
My brother-in-law brought me some of my favorite cupcakes that his girlfriend had sent for me. Oh, Crumbs… so delicious!
All in all it was just a wonderful day with my family. The only way it could have been better is if I’d seen my mom too (though I talked to her first thing in the morning). I wish I’d remember to take more photos. Sometimes I see people put slide shows on their blogs to show their pictures. But a few is better than none, right?
Anyway, now it’s back to the daily grind. I have to say that my week is off to a pretty great start, though!
easter greetings!
If you celebrate Easter, I hope you’re enjoying the holiday with your family! I thought I would share a few photos of the amigurumi bunny I made for my niece’s first Easter (since she can’t exactly have a chocolate bunny).
A couple months ago I purchased Super Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench. This was the first animal I made from the many adorable patterns in it. I probably should hook up a couple other examples from the book before I start giving my opinions on it, but… While I find that generally the instructions are good, there are a few things I feel are lacking. First: there are no instructions that describe how to sew the pieces together. I winged it and feel that I did an okay job, but I wonder if there is a better way? Also, specific to this pattern, there were no instructions detailing how to make a pom pom. Yes, I know this is something really basic and no I had no problem quickly finding a how-to online. However, if I’m going to shell out money for a book I like it to contain all the information I need to complete a project. That aside, the bunny was fun to make and I’ve promised the boys to move on to projects of their choosing (the alien, naturally). Here are a couple more photos of Em’s Easter Bunny:
See? She likes to read blogs, too. 🙂
let her eat cake!
My little pixie’s first birthday is less than two months away! I planned big parties for both Jake and Noah, but I’m not doing that this time. I’m only inviting the usual cast of immediate relatives. It will make things easier for me, and less overwhelming for Lulu. But I still want to do something special, and lately I’ve been fixated on cakes. I found inspiration in the latest issue of Ladies’ Home Journal (of all places!). I don’t usually read it because it was a substitution subscription when Country Home (sniff…) folded last year and not something I find particularly interesting. But when I thumbed through the recipe section, a couple things caught my eye. First, these simple little cake squares:
Wouldn’t they be just perfect for those tiny, chubby hands to pick up? They make me think of baby blocks. I’d make some lemon flavored and some strawberry flavored, I think. Another bonus: incredibly simple to make.
But then I saw these tiny cakes, too and… goodness, how irresistible are they?
You actually bake the cakes in tin cans (for example, a soup can or an evaporated milk can). They’re a little more elegant than cupcakes. Of course, they’d require more work, too. I can’t decide! What do you think?
christmas prep
Just a few more days until Christmas — hard to believe! Today I finished up grocery shopping (except now I’m not sure I have everything for my cheesecake) and ordered the flowers for the table. Back in November I was tipped off about how to get a $40 gift certificate to 1-800-Flowers.com. I thought it would be nice to use it toward holiday flowers. Originally I wanted to order this centerpiece, but it wasn’t available for delivery here in the boonies:
I wasn’t in love with any of the other centerpiece options, so I finally decided on 30 stems of tulips in a red and white theme:
There was free shipping on this item, so all I paid was tax — $3.24! Not bad for a nice bouquet that will dress up the table. I’ll just put votives in clear glass holders around it.
After quite a bit of tweaking, I think our menu is finally set, as well. Last year I did beef tenderloin, but my MIL wanted to make that for Christmas Eve this year. I opted to do a brunch, which I’ve done several times in the past. Here’s my plan:
Appetizers:
- Cheese and crackers
- Shrimp cocktail
Brunch:
- Honey glazed spiral ham
- Scrambled eggs
- Blueberry pancakes with strawberry syrup and maple syrup
- Hash browns
- Citrus salad with pomegranate seeds
Dessert:
Beverages:
- Bloody Mary/Bloody Dane
- Mimosa
- Coffee/tea/orange juice
Originally I’d planned to make a spinach-Gruyere strata that I’ve made in the past, but let’s face it: I’ve got three kids. I can take the easy way out and just scramble some eggs. The boys will eat those. They won’t eat the strata and I don’t want to be fighting over eating on Christmas day.
As for the Bloody Marys/Bloody Danes, if someone asks we’ll make them (or any other drink, naturally), but I think the Mimosas will go over with more people. Oh, and if you’re curious, a Bloody Dane is made with Acquavit instead of vodka. We’re going to taste-test during the week.
So this should be an easy meal to pull off. I’m going to make the pancakes ahead of time and heat them up in the oven. The ham is a no-brainer, and the eggs will only take a few minutes. My goal is for a no-stress, no-fuss relaxing day with my family 🙂
it’s up!
Although our tree has technically been up for about a week, we didn’t decorate it until today. It’s such fun unwrapping all the ornaments, isn’t it? We don’t have a specific theme for our tree; we just have lots and lots of different ornaments that we’ve collected through the years, a few going back to the 1970s. (Drew’s mom gave him an ornament every year!) Whenever we go someplace on vacation or on any kind of special trip we like to purchase something to use as an ornament for the tree. Also, I admit to hitting the Hallmark Keepsake ornaments hard after Christmas every year when they go on clearance for 50% off!
This year we had popcorn garland, but we forgot to put it on until we were halfway-through decorating. So, it’ll just have to wait until next year. (Have you ever tried to put garland on a tree that’s already been decorated? If you can do it, then you are much more skilled than I am — of course I’m pretty klutzy all around so it’s probably that most people would have no trouble!)
Here’s a peek at the finished tree:
Yes, we do even have the train going around! A few years ago the boys received this Lionel train as a gift from Drew’s aunt. We’ll probably have to box it up for a year or two once this season is over, though. It’s quite fragile and once Laura is mobile, well… I’m not going to risk her damaging it. She’s already grabbing and going after things! Have you put up your tree yet? Be sure to post a photo when you do and let me know. I just love looking at everyone’s trees!
Our lights are also up outside. I will have to take a photo of the house later. Drew has these neat mounts that snap onto the gutters so he can put them up from the ground — no need to stand on a ladder. It makes it so much easier for him and I since he’s not 10 feet up, I don’t need to worry (or be outside spotting the ladder). I still have a little decorating I’d like to do, but it’s plenty early. I’m glad the big stuff is all set, though!
thanksgiving
Ah, Thanksgiving! Ours was very low-fi this year. Drew and I are feeling a bit under the weather and his aunt is still is recovery-mode from her heart surgery back in October, so we didn’t go crazy with anything this year. I didn’t contribute too much to the food, really. I made a pink grapefruit cheeseball (from a Tastefully Simple mix, so it wasn’t much effort, LOL!) and stuffed celery (because to me, celery slathered with cream cheese and green olives is as necessary as the turkey). Drew made the cornbread and we headed down to Westchester for a very traditional dinner of roast turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and cole slaw.
I could do without the sweet potatoes or turnips, and I always find the cornbread odd because it’s not something I grew up with, but it’s interesting how each family has its own traditions. Cole slaw is another dish that I feel is unique to my in-laws’ Thanksgiving table. My family always does a big tossed green salad with Italian dressing. The cole slaw does go well, though.
My mother-in-law makes the best stuffing in the world, in case you didn’t know. It’s her mother’s recipe and it is seriously the best with the sausage and the cranberries. So good. She makes a great turkey as well. I was so full from dinner that I really didn’t feel much like dessert, so I only had a couple cookies. Yes, we all ate well.
This morning we went out for little Black Friday shopping. I don’t care, I always enjoy going out the day after Thanksgiving. It’s something I’ve done for years. The sales were a little underwhelming this year, but we had fun nonetheless. I think I just get excited about it because it’s the one day a year when I don’t have to sit around waiting for the stores to open up. Drew and I were up shortly after 5 (thanks to my little alarm clock, Laura) and once Noah woke up around 5:30 we were able to head out. (Jake is at his grandma’s until tomorrow.)
We’ll finish putting up our Christmas decorations this weekend. Drew put up the lights on the house today and our tree is up and ready to be decorated. Hard to believe that December is so close!
oopsie
It’s deer season here in the Hudson Valley, so when I heard a “bang” slightly before 6 this morning, I just assumed some hunter shot his Thanksgiving dinner and rolled back over. When Laura woke up and I walked into the den, I looked out the window and realized that the noise wasn’t a shotgun after all. No, it was one of the woodpiles. Somehow it had fallen over. Poor Drew was not happy to know this, since he now has to restack it all.
In other news, I’m so pleased! Last night I put 328 photos from this year into photo albums. I’m caught up through Halloween. I have a couple years’ worth of photos in envelopes in my closet that need to be put in order and in albums, but I’m thinking that with all the deals going on right now on various photo processing sites, I just might limit it to 200 photos per year that I need to catch up (I use albums that hold 200 photos), order them a year at a time, and get them in albums just so I can have everything up to date. I can use the prints I already have as extras or let the kids use them for photo albums of their own.
One thing I wish I had a photo of is this ridiculous camper that’s on someone’s property en route to the library. It’s a complete piece of junk, but it’s “FREE!!!” (as the crudely spraypaint-on-plywood sign proclaims). It can’t be driveable. There’s no way you’d get motorhome insurance for it. I haven’t the foggiest idea what someone would do with it. I have to return some books on Saturday so I’ll be curious if it’s still there.
What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? We’re having a very low-key dinner at Drew’s mom’s house. I’m bringing my Tastefully Simple grapefruit cheeseball (YUM!) and I’m also making stuffed celery because to me it just isn’t turkey day without it. We’re also in charge of wine (big surprise, right?). Originally I was going to make dessert, but my MIL had an apple pie in the freezer and someone brought her a tray of cookies, so there’s no sense in going crazy on the sweets since no one really feels like dessert anyway. I’ll save my cheesecake for another time.
noah’s idea of thanksgiving
Yesterday was the “Thanksgiving Feast” at Noah’s nursery school. The kids sang a song and then the teachers read how each child described what their Thanksgiving would be like. Noah’s going to be sorely disappointed, I’m afraid, LOL! See here:
When Jake was in nursery school at least he mentioned turkey in his description (as well as olives and tacos!). I wonder what kind of “grown-up stuff” Noah thinks we’ll buy? A natural acne treatment? Blank DVDs? Groceries? Shampoo? I can only imagine.
halloween ’09
Wow, what a busy Hallo-weekend! We kicked it off on Friday night with a trip to the local fire house. They put on a free Haunted House. I still bear the scars of a terrifying haunted house I went through in 7th or 8th grade on a trip to Salem, so I was happy to wait outside with the baby. And after getting one look at a guy in costume, Noah came running over to me to wait as well, LOL. Jake and Drew went through and Jake chose the “non-scary” version, thankfully. Drew said that he imagines that if you choose scary it’s really scary. Everyone looked great in costume and they did a fantastic job. Actually, one of the guys ended up sneaking up on Drew and gave him a scare near the end 😉
The rest of the weekend was filled with a Halloween/birthday party for Noah, a Saint’s Day party for Jake, and trick-or-treating at the mall. Since we don’t live in an area where you can walk from house to house, it’s easier (and safer) to take the kids to the mall for trick-or-treating. They’ve gone house to house before, at my MIL’s, so they’re not missing out on anything. And on a rainy day like Saturday, the mall is a lot drier! Though I admit there is a certain “trash” quotient at the mall. People seem to lose their sense of taste and adult pick some awfully, um, inappropriate costumes. It did make for an amusing show. The boys got a decent amount of candy as well as coupons. Most of them were useful, but some were pretty useless for kids. At least the vitamin/supplement store didn’t hand out fat burner ads. I guess every business is doing what it can to get more customers and I can’t fault them for it, especially since they were giving out candy.
Yesterday we hit Target for Halloween clearance and got the boys their costumes for next year. We also picked up two Ninja Turtle costumes just for everyday play. Tomorrow I need to run some errands over that way so I might take another peek, just to see 😉
Hope your Halloween was spook-tacular! I’ll leave you with a couple photos of my boils and ghoul (to quote the Cryptkeeper).
