Monday, October 15, 2007
Josh is learning
Josh can point out a few shapes while we are reading I noticed. I have not been actively trying to teach him shapes, but I think I will now since he knows a few. He also pointed out santa very excitedly in winner's the other day ago. Too funny! H e seems to know most animals and their sounds now too. What a turkey!
Halloween, thinking about life changes, cornbread and calzones
I really wanted to put down more thoughts in a journal-like fashion, however, I tend to do my thinking as I run or walk, and busy little people keep me from my computer. So, here I sit on my bed with Josh watching Max and Ruby and typing, as I do want to have a record of some of these days.
The halloween party invitations are printed, I will pick them up tommorrow, and get them out on Wednesday. It will be about 10 kids plus ours, bigger than In wanted but the girls wanted their closest friends so that is it. I have the menu chosen and the games, we are making halloween cookies this weekend. Davey is in Texas this weekend, so we will have a fun kids and Mom weekend. The good thing about him going is he will do a bunch of our Christmas shopping while there. I picked up Lauryn and Josh's tree ornaments too-holiday Barbie and thomas train sets. i already had the flower fairy for mimi. I put up Dave's spiderweb and we bought our pumpkins. he is the master carver in our house-he has made some amazing pumpkins over the years. I am surprised at how creative he is.
I was thinking about my husband today, just remembering when we first fell in love and that breathless kind of feeling, the excitement. What is funny is that even though I miss and feel nostalgic for those carefree times, he still makes me feel that way sometimes. I know it sounds goofy, but its true. Hey, I am surprised by it too, 12 years after we met, but we are just the right person for each other, our faults and all seem to make up for what the other lacks. I spend, he is careful with his money, is just an example! After having Josh I was at a weight high-40 lbs heavier than I am now, I embarked our entire family on a health food overhaul-high fibre everything, greens and more greens, tomatoes, garlic, salmon, green tea-anti-oxidant city. I also completely stopped drinking pop, and to this day rarely touch the stuff. When he was a year I started pilates, and that was what made the difference. Within a month I had shrunk by 2 sizes, and I was back running frequently. By the time I weaned Josh in the summer this year I then dropped further to my highschool weight and there I have stayed. I have kept us on our healthful eating, it can be challenging when the kids get picky, but Dave has even maintained his weight and he has a big appetite. It has paid off for us all. It does not mean we don't endulge our love of cheeses, wine and olives, we live by the moderation rule. I like food, love to cook and try new and exotic recipes and ingredients, being fit in between just lets me enjoy these things more I guess, but it was a long haul and hard work. When you are 25 you have youth and a high metabolism on your side. Now that I am heading for 35, my metabolism requires input from me more than it did. I remember thinking I couldn't gain weight, foolish 20 something thought I guess, when I had kids that certainly became more of an issue. It's funny how naive we can be at times.
So basically, after all that rambling about my fitness then lack thereof, then coming back to fitness, I had to wonder what was similar in my life now compared to last time I was at this weight. Not that I haven't had spells of hitting the gym for a couple of months steady here and ther over the years, just that I have really changed my whole lifetsyle in the last 10 months. I am not newly in love, but I am newly experiencing life I guess being home longer with my kids and really embracing this time. I am heading back to work shortly, and am back at school, choosing to change my career path-not unlike the beginning of my career years ago. I do wonder if my life changes spurred my health choices or if my health choices spurred life changes. Maybe I won't know that answer, but either way I am happy with the end product-and Dave and I are enjoying each other more now than when we met.
I baked Cheddar and sage cornbread, spinach calzones and pizza today. The cornbread was super and we are going to eat the pizza-right now!
The halloween party invitations are printed, I will pick them up tommorrow, and get them out on Wednesday. It will be about 10 kids plus ours, bigger than In wanted but the girls wanted their closest friends so that is it. I have the menu chosen and the games, we are making halloween cookies this weekend. Davey is in Texas this weekend, so we will have a fun kids and Mom weekend. The good thing about him going is he will do a bunch of our Christmas shopping while there. I picked up Lauryn and Josh's tree ornaments too-holiday Barbie and thomas train sets. i already had the flower fairy for mimi. I put up Dave's spiderweb and we bought our pumpkins. he is the master carver in our house-he has made some amazing pumpkins over the years. I am surprised at how creative he is.
I was thinking about my husband today, just remembering when we first fell in love and that breathless kind of feeling, the excitement. What is funny is that even though I miss and feel nostalgic for those carefree times, he still makes me feel that way sometimes. I know it sounds goofy, but its true. Hey, I am surprised by it too, 12 years after we met, but we are just the right person for each other, our faults and all seem to make up for what the other lacks. I spend, he is careful with his money, is just an example! After having Josh I was at a weight high-40 lbs heavier than I am now, I embarked our entire family on a health food overhaul-high fibre everything, greens and more greens, tomatoes, garlic, salmon, green tea-anti-oxidant city. I also completely stopped drinking pop, and to this day rarely touch the stuff. When he was a year I started pilates, and that was what made the difference. Within a month I had shrunk by 2 sizes, and I was back running frequently. By the time I weaned Josh in the summer this year I then dropped further to my highschool weight and there I have stayed. I have kept us on our healthful eating, it can be challenging when the kids get picky, but Dave has even maintained his weight and he has a big appetite. It has paid off for us all. It does not mean we don't endulge our love of cheeses, wine and olives, we live by the moderation rule. I like food, love to cook and try new and exotic recipes and ingredients, being fit in between just lets me enjoy these things more I guess, but it was a long haul and hard work. When you are 25 you have youth and a high metabolism on your side. Now that I am heading for 35, my metabolism requires input from me more than it did. I remember thinking I couldn't gain weight, foolish 20 something thought I guess, when I had kids that certainly became more of an issue. It's funny how naive we can be at times.
So basically, after all that rambling about my fitness then lack thereof, then coming back to fitness, I had to wonder what was similar in my life now compared to last time I was at this weight. Not that I haven't had spells of hitting the gym for a couple of months steady here and ther over the years, just that I have really changed my whole lifetsyle in the last 10 months. I am not newly in love, but I am newly experiencing life I guess being home longer with my kids and really embracing this time. I am heading back to work shortly, and am back at school, choosing to change my career path-not unlike the beginning of my career years ago. I do wonder if my life changes spurred my health choices or if my health choices spurred life changes. Maybe I won't know that answer, but either way I am happy with the end product-and Dave and I are enjoying each other more now than when we met.
I baked Cheddar and sage cornbread, spinach calzones and pizza today. The cornbread was super and we are going to eat the pizza-right now!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Butter chick pea curry
4 medium potatoes, cubed
2 medium carrots, chopped
vegetable or chicken broth, enough to cover vegetables or water
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup cream or milk
1 (12 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1. Place potatoes and carrots in a saucepan, cover with water or broth, and bring to a boil over high heat; simmer until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Drain, and set aside.
Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in curry powder, garam masala, ginger, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring. Pour in soup, cream, and chickpeas. Stir in potatoes. Simmer 5 minutes.
2 medium carrots, chopped
vegetable or chicken broth, enough to cover vegetables or water
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup cream or milk
1 (12 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1. Place potatoes and carrots in a saucepan, cover with water or broth, and bring to a boil over high heat; simmer until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Drain, and set aside.
Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in curry powder, garam masala, ginger, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring. Pour in soup, cream, and chickpeas. Stir in potatoes. Simmer 5 minutes.
Busy, baking, holiday spirit
What an insane week this has been. Dave's schedule has been off the charts, or should I say "maps". He had over 20 hours of flight maps to do, so he has been logging in some long hours. As a result, I have had to do the entire homefront show myself, which has been a juggling act. The kids are tired this week too-we didn't get home until 2130 last night-way late for JR and Noni for sure, and late for Mimi the nighthawk even. Tonight we are taking it easy, even though Mimi has gymnastics for 4 hours, the rest of us are staying in and having a movie night.
I have been trying to get baking in too, I baked pumpkin cookies with caramel icing, banana and blueberry muffins, and oatmeal peanut butter cookies are baking right now. Cookies are a cinch since I got my patisse mat, zero sticking and virtually no cleanup. Parchment still has its place, but this is better.
The kids were beside themselves that the Bay finally has its holiday section mainly put together. JR was shouting "trees, trees!" and of course "oooh balls!" What got me though was him squealing and pointing and saying santa. He couldn't remember from last year, although he loved sitting on santa's knee last holiday, so who knows. They did not want to leave. I found a number of glass ornaments I liked(I know, brave). I had some glass ones on the tree last year, and only one breakage. I am hoping the other trees will deter him from the largest one. I said I am hoping!! I am trying not to think too much about Christmas yet, as we still have Halloween to do. Noni just got invited to a Halloween party, on the day after we had been tentatively planning ours! Two of the kids are the same ones we are inviting, but some others are different, so hopefully it all works. I need to firm up my plans, soon.
I got called for two jobs which I said no to, as they were both full time. What a pain!
I have been trying to get baking in too, I baked pumpkin cookies with caramel icing, banana and blueberry muffins, and oatmeal peanut butter cookies are baking right now. Cookies are a cinch since I got my patisse mat, zero sticking and virtually no cleanup. Parchment still has its place, but this is better.
The kids were beside themselves that the Bay finally has its holiday section mainly put together. JR was shouting "trees, trees!" and of course "oooh balls!" What got me though was him squealing and pointing and saying santa. He couldn't remember from last year, although he loved sitting on santa's knee last holiday, so who knows. They did not want to leave. I found a number of glass ornaments I liked(I know, brave). I had some glass ones on the tree last year, and only one breakage. I am hoping the other trees will deter him from the largest one. I said I am hoping!! I am trying not to think too much about Christmas yet, as we still have Halloween to do. Noni just got invited to a Halloween party, on the day after we had been tentatively planning ours! Two of the kids are the same ones we are inviting, but some others are different, so hopefully it all works. I need to firm up my plans, soon.
I got called for two jobs which I said no to, as they were both full time. What a pain!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Rain, Halloween, Christmas
Raining and quite cold today. I like the rain, especially in the spring and fall, but we haven't been out other than to the school today. I am home doing laundry, making turkey stew and biscuits. I tried a new recipe for whole wheat biscuits, but I won't post it as it still needs some tweaking yet. I also made some headway with documents today, and may get all sent out tommorrow.
I brought out our spooky lemax houses today,Josh stared at them transfixed for awhile. It was so cute. i am sure he doesn't remember them from last year. I was going to set up more, but Josh was stalling not wanting to nap, so I haven't yet. I have a cute hallmark haunted tree that is animated and plays music I will surprise the kids with soon. We got mimi's costume, a vampiress, noni is going to be Belle, and Josh a tiger. I sent treat bags home with Mom to my nieces, since we will not see them on Halloween. Things are coming together, I am planning a kids party with maybe 7 or 8 kids this year. I will make my spider cake again, as it was a big hit, and I have some new spooky recipes to try this year.
Dave is seeming better, went to work this pm. He is gone to Texas next week, I wonder if he will get to see Mike down there or not. He is so close to being done, I can't wait. My parcel arrived from LL Bean today-wow fast shipping. It looks nice, really well made, can't wait for the rest! I am anxious to finish my holiday shopping, I haven't a lot to get, but I am anxious to get doing it. I am doing my main tree different this year, I have a lot of clear heavy carved glass balls to add on this year, and I think the plaid ribbons are going to go this year, I am also thinking a new tree topper. I like to change things up every year, just to make it interesting. The kids tree and snowmen trees also have many new additions, so they should be good too. I am also doing a slightly different color scheme in the living room area, a kind of mossy green for a base color. I always look forward to getting in my bins, I forget what I have and I always buy new end of season stuff, so I get a few surprises once I get in there!
I brought out our spooky lemax houses today,Josh stared at them transfixed for awhile. It was so cute. i am sure he doesn't remember them from last year. I was going to set up more, but Josh was stalling not wanting to nap, so I haven't yet. I have a cute hallmark haunted tree that is animated and plays music I will surprise the kids with soon. We got mimi's costume, a vampiress, noni is going to be Belle, and Josh a tiger. I sent treat bags home with Mom to my nieces, since we will not see them on Halloween. Things are coming together, I am planning a kids party with maybe 7 or 8 kids this year. I will make my spider cake again, as it was a big hit, and I have some new spooky recipes to try this year.
Dave is seeming better, went to work this pm. He is gone to Texas next week, I wonder if he will get to see Mike down there or not. He is so close to being done, I can't wait. My parcel arrived from LL Bean today-wow fast shipping. It looks nice, really well made, can't wait for the rest! I am anxious to finish my holiday shopping, I haven't a lot to get, but I am anxious to get doing it. I am doing my main tree different this year, I have a lot of clear heavy carved glass balls to add on this year, and I think the plaid ribbons are going to go this year, I am also thinking a new tree topper. I like to change things up every year, just to make it interesting. The kids tree and snowmen trees also have many new additions, so they should be good too. I am also doing a slightly different color scheme in the living room area, a kind of mossy green for a base color. I always look forward to getting in my bins, I forget what I have and I always buy new end of season stuff, so I get a few surprises once I get in there!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Turkey day, wine and cheese, the day
Well turkey day went off without any major upsets! The food all turned out, the bird was moist and my favorite stuffing came out nicely. We had a total of 10 ppl, a couple of friends joined us and we had some crazy after dinner conversation! Josh got some early birthday gifts since Granny won't be here for his party, he got a half dozen trains for his collection and some tracks. He also got a fire truck(very noisy!), a recording book, a remote CAT front loader-also noisy! He is sitting monkeying with his trains right now-he calls them choo choo trains, it is so cute.
We went to the wine and cheese the night before. It was lots of fun-how could all the wine and cheese you could eat not be fun?! The crowd was very small compared to last year, probably because they held it on the holiday weekend this year. Dave felt sick the next day and thought it was some of the cheese, but by late evening he had chills, so it seems he has come down with the flu like Josh and I did.
It has been raining steady today. We all kind of got up a bit late, and have been lazing around, I did get a run in this am, then we have sat around watching a scooby doo movie and relaxing. We are heading out with Granny, auntie and uncle, probably hit Starbucks and do some shopping if things are open. Well they just arrived, so I am off!
We went to the wine and cheese the night before. It was lots of fun-how could all the wine and cheese you could eat not be fun?! The crowd was very small compared to last year, probably because they held it on the holiday weekend this year. Dave felt sick the next day and thought it was some of the cheese, but by late evening he had chills, so it seems he has come down with the flu like Josh and I did.
It has been raining steady today. We all kind of got up a bit late, and have been lazing around, I did get a run in this am, then we have sat around watching a scooby doo movie and relaxing. We are heading out with Granny, auntie and uncle, probably hit Starbucks and do some shopping if things are open. Well they just arrived, so I am off!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Turkey day planning etc!
We are getting ready for turkey day, the kids are off for 4 days. Today we are going to organize our plans for table settings, meal planning and I am going to bake a pumpkin roll. We may go on a nature walk if the weather co-operates and see how many different leaves we can find. Dave is off at noon today, so we will go shopping too-lots of sales. I need to pull the turkey out this am-it is qn almost 30 lb bird from the hutterites, nice turkeys they have. I will brine it Sat night after we get back from the wine and cheese.
Mimi and Josh are helping right now choose napkin rings and favours to put at the place settings. I think we have decided on the centrepieces for the tables. I love doing up holiday tables, so much fun. We are having either 10 or 16, I won't have the numbers until today or tommorrow. Next is planning for our Halloween party, I have been buying things and planning for that for awhile too-I can't wait! I really enjoy doing that every year, it is a blast for the kids. Noni is still snoozing this am, we all stayed up late(except JR!) to have nachos and watch a show as a treat for the long weekend.
On a side I am pleased with the levels of homework mimsters has been bringing home this week, she is still breezing through it, but it is requiring more thought processes. The teacher had indicated she would be tailoring the work according to individual ability, which is really good. Josh is also back to his normal self-it appears his two year molars are pushing up. He has been a beast with all of his teeth. I have also discovered severe exhaustion seems to go along with pms now for me. Looking back I have figured it out. What a pain.
I need to quit stalling over my coffee and get to work-the weekend awaits!
Mimi and Josh are helping right now choose napkin rings and favours to put at the place settings. I think we have decided on the centrepieces for the tables. I love doing up holiday tables, so much fun. We are having either 10 or 16, I won't have the numbers until today or tommorrow. Next is planning for our Halloween party, I have been buying things and planning for that for awhile too-I can't wait! I really enjoy doing that every year, it is a blast for the kids. Noni is still snoozing this am, we all stayed up late(except JR!) to have nachos and watch a show as a treat for the long weekend.
On a side I am pleased with the levels of homework mimsters has been bringing home this week, she is still breezing through it, but it is requiring more thought processes. The teacher had indicated she would be tailoring the work according to individual ability, which is really good. Josh is also back to his normal self-it appears his two year molars are pushing up. He has been a beast with all of his teeth. I have also discovered severe exhaustion seems to go along with pms now for me. Looking back I have figured it out. What a pain.
I need to quit stalling over my coffee and get to work-the weekend awaits!
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