A New Look!

I decided the blog needed a facelift, and after discovering that we do not own Adobe Photoshop, went trolling for something to spruce up our site. I found a great site that does all the "hard" work for you! If you are not creative, not computer savvy, or just don't have time, check out the site (you can also see the website in the top left corner of the blog) and see if something strikes your fancy!

Random thought of the day

I actually thought of this a few days ago. What do Chinese people eat for breakfast? You never really see a Chinese restaruant that is open before lunch time. So do the Chinese even eat breakfast?

Keeping Creative Kitchens--Famous Dishes

While cleaning out my personal documents folder at work the other day I came across a PDF cookbook that someone sent me a while ago. In this cookbook there are 478 recipes for dishes that taste just like food from your favorite restaurants. While I can honestly say I have not tried to make any of these (since I just found the cookbook) I thought I would share some of the dishes that I intend to try in the future. If these recipes are good, it may save a lot of money for us down the road! If you are interested in receiving an e-mail copy of the cookbook, leave a comment in the comments section with your e-mail address, or if you already have my e-mail drop me a note. And don't forget to stop over at Alaina's site for more ways to keep a creative kitchen!

1) Girl Scout Mint Cookies
1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix
2 Eggs
2 Tbl. Water
2 Tbl. Cooking Oil
1/2 Cup Cocoa
1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
2−3 drops Wilton's Candy Mint Flavoring

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cake mix, eggs, water, cooking oil, and cocoa. You will need to blend this together well, this will be a very sticky mess. Let stand for 20 minutes, and then shape into very small 1/2 inch balls. Place these balls on a cookie sheet 2 inches a part,
and smash down flat. You will need to spray a large spoon with Pam to make them flat. Bake for about 8 minutes. Let cool until they reach room temperature.

Heat chocolate chips in either the microwave, or in a double boiler. When completely melted add a couple drops of the mint flavoring. Be carefull not to add too much, it is a powerfull flavoring.
You can either spread the melted chocolate on the cookies, or you can dip the cookies into the chocolate.

2) Hershey's Chocolate Syrup

1/2 Cup Cocoa
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup water
1 tsp. Vanilla
dash of salt

Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Add water, and mix until smooth. Bring this mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil for one minute, be carefull this does not over boil. Remove from heat, when this cools add the vanilla.

3) Olive Garden House Dressing (this will be on the top of my "Try It" list!)

8 ounces Paul Newman's Vinegar and Oil Dressing
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
3 packages Sweet and Low −− or 1 tablespoon Sugar

Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well. Refrigerate 24 hours before using.

4) Outback Steakhouse Steak Seasoning

Mix together:
1 envelope Taco Seasoning Mix
1 envelope Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix

Pierce steaks in several places with tines of fork. Rub in oil and dust in seasoning mixture. Then pour Coca Cola (Diet or Regular) around steaks in deep plastic or glass container and seal with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Drain, and grill or broil as you wish.

5) York Peppermint Patties

1 (14−ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tablespoon peppermint extract
green or red food coloring, optional
6 cups confectioners' sugar
Additional confectioners' sugar
1 − 16 oz. bag semi−sweet chocolate chips

In large mixer bowl, combine Eagle Brand, extract and food coloring if desired. Add 6 cups sugar; beat on low speed until smooth and well blended. Turn mixture onto surface sprinkled with confectioners sugar. Knead lightly to form smooth ball. Shape into 1−inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on wax paper−lined baking sheets. Flatten each ball into a 1 ½−inch patty. Let dry 1 hour or longer; turn over and let dry at least 1 hour. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave set on high for 2 minutes. Stir halfway through the heating time. Melt thoroughly, but do not overheat. Melting the chocolate chips can also be done using a double−boiler over low heat. With fork, dip
each patty into warm chocolate (draw fork lightly across rim of pan to remove excess coating). Invert onto wax paper−lined baking sheets; let stand until firm. Store covered at room temperature or in refrigerator.

It's Official!

On January 22, 2009 I am eating my first Cadbury Creme Egg of the year! This has got to be my single most favorite candy in the world (now that's saying something!). I am loyal to the original egg, not those new-fangled orange or caramel filled eggs. It used to be that these precious candy gems would only appear shortly before Easter. Now that retailers and Cadbury manufacturers have gotten completely out of hand with super-early holiday promotions (i.e. Valentine's Day candy displayed in stores on December 26th, I kid you not!), I can enjoy these much longer. I remember last year my first one was in February, which I thought was pretty early. This year makes the earliest I have had a fresh Cadbury egg! And I wonder why I have problems with my weight! :) Does anyone know how many Weight Watchers points one Cadbury egg is?

Reflections on History

Today we have all witnessed a momentous occasion. One that history books will forever encapsulate. One that had nothing to do with war, death, or destruction. Today we saw a peaceful change in power in our country. I believe that every presidential inauguration is monumental, but this one, for obvious reasons, will be more memorable than most.

For me, this is the first inauguration I have watched. Most of you who know me know that I am hardly political. In fact, I let most politics play out while I stay naiveley in the dark. I don't care who the new CIA director is, or who the President has chosen for Secretary of whatever office. That may amaze some of my friends, others feel the same way. However today, one that will be written about forever to come, I felt I needed to witness history first hand, not on YouTube later. What I saw was a great affair, with all the necessary but not overdone pomp and circumstance. And while we may not all agree with the choice of the people, it is because of that choice that our country is so great.

As I listened today to one of the most powerful men in the country give his first speech as President, I said a prayer. I pray that the new president will keep God in the center of every decision that he makes. I prayed that he will keep his family close and stay active in their lives. Like the opening prayer, I prayed that God will give the President wisdom to lead with humility, and I prayed that God keep him safe. I believe that God will write history in the coming years and that we will be witness to some great things, both good and bad.

I also reflected on how great technology is that I could watch the president give his inauguration speech LIVE, in my own office, hundreds of miles away. Thinking back to the not so distant past, when JFK was shot most people learned of it by radio. When the Challenger exploded, we were all herded into gymnasiums to watch it and the aftermath on a single TV. While I am not now nor ever will be a fan of the press, I am glad I had the opportunity to see what I saw today through the use of media and technology.

On a lighter note, as I watched I thought of many random little things that I feel the need to share. I hope you all had a chance to watch today's events because we are all now part of history.

Random Thoughts Between 11:30 and 12:30:

1) What is the rain plan for the inauguration? Surely they don't do it outside?!

2) Why do we hold the inauguration events in one of the coldest months of the year? Why not May? (I am sure there is some historical reason that my friends are going to inform me of later, but that's why I ask!)

3) How cool would it be to be a young child living in the White House? The Obama girls are old enough to understand and appreciate what today means, and dude, they live in the WHITE HOUSE!

4) Along the same vein....do you think Jenna Bush's husband felt intimidated when he want to the President of the United States to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage? And Patrick thought he had it rough....

5) Aretha Franklin's wardrobe person needs to be shot...that bow was way over the top.

6) I was reading an article today that says that the Obama girls will be scrutinized for everything they say and do in the coming years. This article even went so far as to say that if either girl gets a bad grade on a test that it would be front-page news. My question is WHY?!?! These girls are just that--girls. There are going to be days that they do poorly on tests, fight with their best friends, say something mean to one another. That merely proves that they are human, just like the rest of us. Why do the press feel the need to elevate these girls beyond their years, hold them to standards they don't hold to their own kids, and even worse, REPORT ABOUT IT?! Here's where my rant against the media could start, so I'll step down from my soapbox now before it gets ugly.

7) Finally, I couldn't help but compare today with a wedding. Both the "bride" and "groom" were up early, preparing for the day. Both had huge smiles and waved at a LOT of people. Only one had to say vows, during which he was visibly nervous, but happy (hmmm...remind you of anyone?), There are many celebrations planned after the event and the entire day was about them.

Touchdown!

Here we go, Steelers, here we go!

Pittsburgh's going to the SUPER BOWL!

Priceless

New Contributor

After 250 posts by myself, Patrick has decided to join the blogging world and contribute to this blog! Just remember that posts written by the author are strictly the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company (isn't that how it goes in those disclaimers when you watch the "extras" on DVDs?).





So look for some of Patrick's insights, opinions, and comments posted right here in the future! Welcome to the blogging world honey!

30 by 30

Months to go: 2

Pounds to go: 18

I have gotten back on track, after stalling for a couple months. While 30 pounds may not be feasible, I still have that as my ultimate goal, with 20 pounds as a interim goal. On my birthday I will declare my new weight goal, set this week.

**This is my 250th post on this blog....fitting it would be about something important to me!**

Keeping Creative Kitchens--Christmas presents and After-Chrsitmas Steals

Since those of you who know me best know I am not a kitchen whiz, I have always stayed away from asking for "kitchen-y" items for celebrations. This year, however, I was surprised with a few neat items that I would have never bought for myself but I am very glad that I have in my kitchen now.

This mini-bundt pan was a real surprise gift from my husband's grandmother and grandfather. It is great for me, as I continue to work on losing weight with Weight Watchers, to have smaller options for cake. I am not the type of person who can leave cake alone. If it's in the house, I WILL eat it. With this pan, I can be a little more fancy than cupcakes and enjoy an "entire" cake while not feeling guilty. Plus after feeding the rest of the crew here, I can ship the rest of the cakes out to Patrick's friends, who are always happy for home-baked goods.

I also received a Wilton Cupcake Stand that I have looked longingly at for over a year. I felt a little silly putting it on my Christmas "wish list" but as they say, ask and you shall receive! My aunt was kind enough to indulge my fun side with this surprise gift. Ever since I opened it, Morgan has been asking to make cupcakes. Tonight I agreed and she excitedly added the ingredients, stirred, and lined the pan with the cupcake liners. After she went to bed I iced the cupcakes and put them in the display stand to surprise her in the morning when she gets up.

************************************************************************************

Another way to keep some fun items in your kitchen, don't overlook the food section of after holiday sales. Sure, mostly they are filled with boxes of chocolates and tins of cookies, but trust me, you will find some great purchases to put in your kitchen, or come from your kitchen.

The best kitchen purchase I got this year were these three cans of Wilton icing with icing tips for 50 cents each. Yes, you read that right...WILTON-ICING-50-CENTS! Sure, they are red, green, and white, but those colors can be used in ANY decoration, not to mention Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day which are coming up soon. This icing will keep for practically forever, and if you have older children it is a great way to let them help with the decorating without costing a ton for the frosting that will be in their hair, mouths, on fingers, shirts, chairs, etc.
I also like to look for items that can be given as gifts later. Purchases like these freeze-dried coffees will also keep for a very long time, and I will be turning these into 3 gifts along with a coffee mug from the Dollar Tree and some free Coffee-Mate flavored creamers that I always load up on when I go into Sheetz gas stations to get my husband coffee (for the record, he drinks his coffee black, but they don't know that!). Grand total for 3 gifts...$3 for the coffee mugs and $2.50 for the coffee at 75% off = $5.50. For three gifts!

Another gift I picked up for Patrick's grandfather was a cute little cutting board, mini butcher knife, crackers, mustard, and sausage set. Patrick's grandfather loves these types of sausage (Hickory Farms or similar) and all I had to do was peel off a Christmas tag sticker. Voila, birthday for Ralph is done!

Thanks to Alaina for hosting Keeping Creative Kitchens! Be sure to stop over at her site and see more ways to keep a creative kitchen.

Pink and Brown Day!

Today, in honor of the first birthday of a very special miracle, Gwyneth Rose, her dad, Nate, asked everyone who has followed their journey to wear pink and brown to celebrate Gwyneth's first birthday. Morgan and I joined in the worldwide internet celebration (although I decided not to include a picture of my outfit...you'll have to take my word for it). Gwyneth was born at 24 weeks gestation (that's 3-4 months EARLY for the uninitiated) and her mom, Tricia, has Cystic Fibrosis. Theirs is an amazing journey of love, strength, and faith in the Almighty Lord.

So happy First Birthday Gwyneth! You are a very special girl, with very special parents. God has blessed you all and we continue to pray that He will be with you in the years to come. Thank you to your parents for allowing the world to be a part of your life.

Goals for 2009...Resolutions in fact!

Resolutions, life goals, focusing on self, whatever you want to call them, 'tis the season to reassess where we have been and what we want to focus on for the new year. This year is no different. There are so many things I constantly think of that need to be accomplished, started, or finished. In order to keep things simpler for me, I'll list the major goals that I have for the coming year.

*PERSONAL*

1) Put emphasis on exercise, every day. I will be working this year to get back to a healthier lifestyle. I believe this has to include exercise. My biggest problem is changing my thinking about what "exercise" really is. To me it's time in the gym, working out in a specific setting. But really, a 30 minute walk with Morgan is exercise, and I need to see it as such. I usually think "well I didn't make it to the gym today, so what's the point?" and that hasn't gotten me anywhere. So this year there will be an emphasis on making exercise part of every day life, and mixing it up so the gym is not the only place I can exercise!

2) Take 20-30 minutes every day to do something for myself. As a mom, wife, and professional in the workforce, I hardly have any time that is not accounted for during the day. If there is spare time during the day, I almost always focus on doing things for others. While that is a great trait, I think my mental health will be better if I focus a little bit on centering myself and doing things that I enjoy...even simple things like taking a bath or reading. I always feel better if I get a few minutes of down time.

*SPIRITUAL*

1) Be diligent about going to church and deepening my faith. With all that has been going on in my life over the past year, I admit that I haven't been going to church as much as I need to. I know that I always feel better when I do attend church. I want to focus on my relationship with God so that I may show my daughter how wonderful it is to have a relationship with God.

2) Find a good devotional aid to have more meaningful daily time with God. I am struggling to find something to assist me that relates to me as a person. If you have any good suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

*FAMILY*

1) Give Morgan 20-30 minutes of child-directed play with Mama daily. When we get home from work/day care I normally focus on getting the housework done, starting dinner, etc. I realized over the past few months that I hardly spend any time interacting with Morgan, which is something I deeply desire and it makes me very sad that I have wasted so many weeks that I could have been interacting with her. Sure I include her in dinner making, we do her bath together, and I talk to her, but I never get on the floor and let her control all the activities for some time. Now that she is old enough to want me to play with her, I am going to give it to her! I think this will help my mental health as well.

2) Give date night a try. We may not be able to jump right in to once a week like my friends Alaina and Catherine, but I would like to focus some on our marriage and each other, rather than just existing as people living in a household. My friends say this is vital to their marriages, and I know it would do wonders for our relationship as husband and wife, rather than mom and dad, or professional worker and professional worker.

3) Continue to work on manners and citizenship as we prepare Morgan for pre-school in the fall. While I don't think pre-school is important for SCHOOL-BASED learning, I think Morgan will thrive in an environment with her peers. She rarely spends time with kids her age. As an only child she gets only adult interaction at home and while with Ms. Ellen she is with James, who is her best pal, and just over 1 year old. She loves to learn and play with kids in social settings, like at the park, and I think she will love pre-school.

Some tall orders to work on for this year, but with a plan in mind, hopefully this year will run smoothly and at the end of 2009 we can reflect on the things we accomplished this year. Happy New Year!

Welcome 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!