It's pretty difficult to find Phase one meatless dishes for Fridays - so this is going on our table tonight. For Paul's sake, I hope it's edible - actually I hope it's wonderful, but edible will do ;)
See, Sara, the trick is to cut the spaghetti squash in half before cooking in the microwave! LOL!
UPDATE: It wasn't wonderful. It wasn't even really good. To me it was edible. To Paul... not so much. ::sigh:: Sorry Honey, I tried. I tried all that flavor. I vowed to never make spaghetti squash for Paul again!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Cold
Well, temperatures are climbing here in ATL. It was a mere 10 degrees when I got up this morning. By mid-morning it was 18 and now it's up to 27. I suppose one plus is that at least it's not windy - it's deceivingly beautiful and sunny. I wouldn't mind some snow when it gets down this low. At least the kids would be outside playing in it!
Interview! Meme
So there's this interview meme going around. I saw this at Paula's place and asked her to interview me. She was very kind and gentle with her questions, IMO. So thanks Paula! Good questions too ;)
Here are the instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me".
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. Do you consider yourself an activist? No, I'm too much of a wimp. Either that or I'm too busy. I can post anything on my blog for or against something, but IRL...no.
2. Why did you chose the blog name you have? (btw, thank you for not changing 15 times like r does) When I first launched the blog some of you may rmbr that I chose "Our Party of Nine" - I liked it but let's face it... that could be a matter of time before that would need to be changed. We had a Catholic family conference here 2 - 3 summers ago and Rita Munn from CHC spoke about "The Keeper of the Keys" with a basic description with which mine is based.
3. I know you love the same type of movies that I do. What is your favorite-of-all-time-movie and why? The first one that always comes to mind as a favorite is, of course, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
4. You have a great relationship with your sister (the Nun!). Have you always been close? She's not a nun yet, it'll be about 10yrs before she professes final vows, but....... no. I wouldn't say we weren't close growing up when I was at home, but there are 6.5yrs btwn us. I rmbr one time when I was in H.S. I thought, "I really should do something with Karen. Maybe we'll go to a movie." So I asked her - I think it was the happiest day of her life so far - and we went to see The Flight of the Navigator.
5. If you had an entire day to yourself, no husband or kids, how would you spend it? Gosh, just ONE day? I should probably clean, but naw. I'm not into self-maintainance-type stuff [ie. spas] - so I don't know? Maybe go shop? With money we don't have ;)
If you'd like to have 5 questions asked of you... just rmbr to leave a comment and say "Interview Me!"
Here are the instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me".
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. Do you consider yourself an activist? No, I'm too much of a wimp. Either that or I'm too busy. I can post anything on my blog for or against something, but IRL...no.
2. Why did you chose the blog name you have? (btw, thank you for not changing 15 times like r does) When I first launched the blog some of you may rmbr that I chose "Our Party of Nine" - I liked it but let's face it... that could be a matter of time before that would need to be changed. We had a Catholic family conference here 2 - 3 summers ago and Rita Munn from CHC spoke about "The Keeper of the Keys" with a basic description with which mine is based.
3. I know you love the same type of movies that I do. What is your favorite-of-all-time-movie and why? The first one that always comes to mind as a favorite is, of course, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
4. You have a great relationship with your sister (the Nun!). Have you always been close? She's not a nun yet, it'll be about 10yrs before she professes final vows, but....... no. I wouldn't say we weren't close growing up when I was at home, but there are 6.5yrs btwn us. I rmbr one time when I was in H.S. I thought, "I really should do something with Karen. Maybe we'll go to a movie." So I asked her - I think it was the happiest day of her life so far - and we went to see The Flight of the Navigator.
5. If you had an entire day to yourself, no husband or kids, how would you spend it? Gosh, just ONE day? I should probably clean, but naw. I'm not into self-maintainance-type stuff [ie. spas] - so I don't know? Maybe go shop? With money we don't have ;)
If you'd like to have 5 questions asked of you... just rmbr to leave a comment and say "Interview Me!"
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bobby Pin Recycler
You know when you use a bobby pin and it bends open a bit after one use - two if you're lucky? What do you do with it? You can't use it again for your hair. I used to just trash them.Not anymore!
I figured - just the other day, mind you - why not just bend them back?
I took a pair of small pliers [I used the kind for beading/jewelry] and just applied a bit a pressure just above the bottom - where its bend is out of shape. It worked like a charm! And I was excited!
This may be common knowledge - especially among all those ballerinas - but it never crossed my mind before last week.
So. There you go.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Can You Guess?
What I got at Wal-Mart tonight?
It ain't purdy... but it's mine ;)
Thanks to inspiration from many bloggin' buds - one in particular - and YouTube, this is what happened at my fingertips.
I seem to fumble with those needle-do-hickies. And it's quite frustrating when a loop accidentally slips off! Arg!
This is my very first attempt at knitting. I also bought a crochet needle.
Out of the Mouth...
... of Joseph [the 3yo]
I was showing Joseph a picture of the Holy Father -- whom is on the front cover of our diocesan newspaper -- and asked him, "Who is that?"
Joseph: Ummm... God?
Me: No...
Joseph: Grandpa?
I was showing Joseph a picture of the Holy Father -- whom is on the front cover of our diocesan newspaper -- and asked him, "Who is that?"
Joseph: Ummm... God?
Me: No...
Joseph: Grandpa?
Peter Schiff predicts Imminent Doom ~
All I can say is WOW [and I'm not talkin' weight loss ;)]
If you watch this video first, make sure to watch the other video in the post below - if you haven't seen either one you may want to start with "Modern Day Prophet" post.
Peter Schiff Was Right - A Modern Day Prophet?
I saw this video on Patrick Madrid's blog [on my sidebar] - where Patrick stated that this guy *is* a prophet.
So if you have an extra 10 mins. check this video out! It's really funny/not so funny how *everyone* thought this guy was CooCoo for Cocoa Puffs!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Fr. Richard John Neuhaus ~ R.I.P.
**Father passed away early this morning. May he rest in peace and soon see the glory of God! This priest needs our prayers as his life here on this earth quickly comes to an end. You may be most familiar with him from watching EWTN - where he frequently reports with Raymond Arroyo at major events; such as at the Vatican or World Youth Day.
I always loved his sense of humor. He and Raymond were so fun to watch!
h/t: Catholic Notebook
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Spies
why else would i get an email for Hoveround --- so i can "regain my freedom". i move around just fine thank you very much. except for when i get down on the floor with the kids ;)
for clarification purposes, the image on the post below is only a cartoon!
I like the model with the basket.
New Year. New Scale.
Regina started WoW today and I said, "WoW!!!!" today when I looked down at the dreaded scale. I shouldn't have really been that shocked, but I was. Luckily I had started Day 1 yesterday of Phase 1 and was already on the bandwagon, so to speak. So although I was disgusted and shocked I wasn't too depressed, since I had already had the gumption to follow through with my NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION. At any rate, I'd like a new scale. I think mine is broken.
Phase One of SB is tough. ALL sugar is cut out for the first phase [2 wks]. It's funny because the first time I was on thisdiet life-style change it wasn't too difficult - I don't know why really. But if I had to guess it was because I had read his book and was really pumped up.
The hardest part for me is cutting out alcohol. My habit is to have wine or beer while I cook [we have some awesome dinners! ::wink wink::]... and not only when I cook, but the making-dinner-drink is really part of my routine. So that's hard. Let me define "habit"... ;)
Another difficult part of the first phase is finding snacks to eat. I must admit that the first few days I AM HUNGRY! I need to have food stocked so that I don't starve myself in order to stick to it and also to have a nice variety of snacky items to satisfy that hunger.
I found these snacks while searching yesterday before heading to the grocery store.
So I bought some red and gold peppers
sugar snap peas
tomatoes and grape tomatoes
turkey pepperoni
I know, it's not too exciting, but at least I've got food to snack on during the day.
As an aside - the Kroger brand yogurt - that's pictured on that snack link - is disgusting! The other brand is pretty yummy though.
Paul is OOT until Friday - which is nice when I'm on phase one to be quite honest [sorry Honey, it just is ;)] - so for dinner I had a piece of leftover chicken. I was going to have a salad too when I had an instant thought to check online for a different kind of phase one dressing [I love EVOO and Balsamic vin, but this can get old] and I found a great Southwest Chicken Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing* - so I made the chipolte dressing, chopped up the ckn and voila! It was really good. And here is how you can make it...
Her way:
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
(Makes 2 1/2 cups. Recipe created by Kalyn. This will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.)
2 cups Ranch Dressing(I use a packet where you add buttermilk and mayonnaise)
1/2 cup salsa (I used Pace Picante Sauce Mild)
1/2 tsp. ground Chipotle Chile Poweder (I used Penzeys. If you don't have Chipotle Chile powder, could substitute regular chile powder and a small amount of hot sauce.)
Put salsa in food processor and puree about one minute with steel blade. (Could use a blender or immersion blender.) Add Ranch Dressing and ground Chipotle and process 30 seconds more, or until well combined.
My way:
16 oz. container of low-fat sour cream
1 packet of Hidden Valley mix for dip
1/2 cup of salsa
1/2 tsp reg. chile powder
sm splash of Texas Pete hot sauce
Put it all in a bowl and stir, baby!
It was really good and a nice change. Now I'm about to make dessert! Ricotta Mocha stuff.
I know, you're drooling. Sorry, I won't tempt you like that again with all my food choices ;)
An Allrecipes and South Beach marriage - No Way!
Happy dieting, Loser!
* link to recipe
Phase One of SB is tough. ALL sugar is cut out for the first phase [2 wks]. It's funny because the first time I was on this
The hardest part for me is cutting out alcohol. My habit is to have wine or beer while I cook [we have some awesome dinners! ::wink wink::]... and not only when I cook, but the making-dinner-drink is really part of my routine. So that's hard. Let me define "habit"... ;)
Another difficult part of the first phase is finding snacks to eat. I must admit that the first few days I AM HUNGRY! I need to have food stocked so that I don't starve myself in order to stick to it and also to have a nice variety of snacky items to satisfy that hunger.
I found these snacks while searching yesterday before heading to the grocery store.
So I bought some red and gold peppers
sugar snap peas
tomatoes and grape tomatoes
turkey pepperoni
I know, it's not too exciting, but at least I've got food to snack on during the day.
As an aside - the Kroger brand yogurt - that's pictured on that snack link - is disgusting! The other brand is pretty yummy though.
Paul is OOT until Friday - which is nice when I'm on phase one to be quite honest [sorry Honey, it just is ;)] - so for dinner I had a piece of leftover chicken. I was going to have a salad too when I had an instant thought to check online for a different kind of phase one dressing [I love EVOO and Balsamic vin, but this can get old] and I found a great Southwest Chicken Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing* - so I made the chipolte dressing, chopped up the ckn and voila! It was really good. And here is how you can make it...
Her way:
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
(Makes 2 1/2 cups. Recipe created by Kalyn. This will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.)
2 cups Ranch Dressing(I use a packet where you add buttermilk and mayonnaise)
1/2 cup salsa (I used Pace Picante Sauce Mild)
1/2 tsp. ground Chipotle Chile Poweder (I used Penzeys. If you don't have Chipotle Chile powder, could substitute regular chile powder and a small amount of hot sauce.)
Put salsa in food processor and puree about one minute with steel blade. (Could use a blender or immersion blender.) Add Ranch Dressing and ground Chipotle and process 30 seconds more, or until well combined.
My way:
16 oz. container of low-fat sour cream
1 packet of Hidden Valley mix for dip
1/2 cup of salsa
1/2 tsp reg. chile powder
sm splash of Texas Pete hot sauce
Put it all in a bowl and stir, baby!
It was really good and a nice change. Now I'm about to make dessert! Ricotta Mocha stuff.
I know, you're drooling. Sorry, I won't tempt you like that again with all my food choices ;)
An Allrecipes and South Beach marriage - No Way!
Happy dieting, Loser!
* link to recipe
Breakfast and P.E.
Late for school? No worries!
This is something I could foresee 3yo Joseph doing in a few years. YIKES!
Thanks, Chris, for sending this link to me :o)
This is something I could foresee 3yo Joseph doing in a few years. YIKES!
Thanks, Chris, for sending this link to me :o)
Speaking of Drinks...
After asking Therese to grab a diet Dr. Pepper for me from the outside fridge....
Therese: Mommy, what's the best drink to have when you're sick?
Me: Ummm. Orange juice or water.
Therese: No. Dr. Pepper!
A girl after 'r's heart! LOL
Therese: Mommy, what's the best drink to have when you're sick?
Me: Ummm. Orange juice or water.
Therese: No. Dr. Pepper!
A girl after 'r's heart! LOL
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
I don't think so.Sunday, January 4, 2009
Feast of...
The first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.
And here's a great book for children to learn more about St. Elizabeth.
St. Elizabeth...pray for us!
May our children love to learn and learn to love!
Happy Birthday Mom!
Happy Happy Birthday to my Mom!
May God bless you today and every day!We love you!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy New Year!
Hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve! Hope your team/s won. And hope you're still sticking to your new year's resolution/s. FYI - dieting & exercise don't start 'round here until after the Buckeye's play!
We had a couple families over for NYE and played a fun game. It's funny to think that with 3 families we had 17 kids at our house! At midnight the kids played with a seemingly never-ending supply of sparklers. Only one injury :)
Paul started off the year by either bruising, cracking or breaking a rib by slipping down some steps, grabbing onto the railing which broke off - due to stupid builders who screwed into the drywall on one of the brackets instead of into a stud... which is code - and fell on his side/back. He's okay but in great pain. So he's been popping a lot of ibuprofen for pain mgmt. Coughing, sneezing and laughing doesn't help, he's found out ;) If you have an extra prayer to spare could you offer one for him?
Yesterday - we went to the King Tut exhibit at the Civic Ctr. and to the First Emperor's Terracotta Army at the High Museum of Art. My favorite part of the Tut exhibit was the part that was focused on Howard Carter's finding of the tomb. And I really enjoyed the terracotta army exhibit. This story is really fascinating! The detail of these figures is incredible!
We had a couple families over for NYE and played a fun game. It's funny to think that with 3 families we had 17 kids at our house! At midnight the kids played with a seemingly never-ending supply of sparklers. Only one injury :)
Paul started off the year by either bruising, cracking or breaking a rib by slipping down some steps, grabbing onto the railing which broke off - due to stupid builders who screwed into the drywall on one of the brackets instead of into a stud... which is code - and fell on his side/back. He's okay but in great pain. So he's been popping a lot of ibuprofen for pain mgmt. Coughing, sneezing and laughing doesn't help, he's found out ;) If you have an extra prayer to spare could you offer one for him?
Yesterday - we went to the King Tut exhibit at the Civic Ctr. and to the First Emperor's Terracotta Army at the High Museum of Art. My favorite part of the Tut exhibit was the part that was focused on Howard Carter's finding of the tomb. And I really enjoyed the terracotta army exhibit. This story is really fascinating! The detail of these figures is incredible!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel really sad for John Travola and family after hearing this news last night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My sister - who entered the Carmelite Order in Sept - came for a visit this Christmas. She was here for 10 days. It was news to her [and us] that she got to come home for Christmas. This summer she also gets 3 weeks. It was so wonderful to see her and to know how much she loves the community life. Knowing that we get to see her this summer made seeing her off easier - but not easy ;) God bless her!
I love this picture of my mom and sister!
The only reason I'm including this [below] is if my mom is really mad at me for posting the above picture. Not flattering in the least!
Lovely ... I know!
Did you make any New Year's Resolutions?
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