Birthdays, the end of summer, and all things in between

So, it's my birthday.  Again.  They seem to come around more quickly each year, ha!

Also, we just returned home yesterday from a family getaway with all of my in-laws.  We had a great time, but it's always a little bittersweet since this trip wraps up our summer travels.  Summer just flies by, doesn't it?? School starts in less than 2 weeks........

So today, in addition to some fun things planned, it is time to buckle down and make the back-to-school lists, (Jesus, take the wheel!) figure out the school's new Internet information system, (please Jesus, just take over the whole car) and get a general handle on what's needed for the upcoming year in regards to schedules, planning, etc.  We've enjoyed some summer slacking on routines, etc. and while it's been a needed break, it will be good to get back to regular items such as meals that include vegetables and people going to bed sooner than midnight.

But, since it is my day, I'm going to enjoy some running shoe shopping and birthday cake later tonight!  Best thing about having a teen and tween!??!!  They bake ME a cake now - it's awesome!  I can't wait to be the taste tester.  I've done more than my fair share of indulging this week, but I'm going to enjoy one more day of frosting and sprinkles. Plus, I got a 6.5 mile run in this morning, so I feel completely justified, ha!

Have a great day - I'm off to be productive and a little bit lazy!

I have next to no time to post, (what else is new?!?!)  but it is a GORGEOUS day, tomorrow is Friday, (I don't have to work Saturday so it is a real-honest-to-goodness Friday) our little town's festival has begun, my aunt and cousins are coming into town, there is a BBQ and fireworks Saturday night (as long as the rain holds off) and fun planned for Sunday and Monday.  I love days like this!

So, I guess technically this could be a "Thankful Thursday" :) 

Have a wonderful summer weekend!

Summer! (and a quick, easy recipe for Tasty Tuesday)

Finally, a day that felt like summer with NO RAIN!

We went to the water park for four hours and there is a baseball game that can BE PLAYED!

Such a great day....going to store this one in the memory banks for a long time :)

Here is what I made for a quick early dinner - no time for pics:

1 box fettuccine noodles
1 jar (I used Clasico) alfredo sauce
8 slices deli ham
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper

Cook pasta according to directions.  After draining, add remaining ingredients, mix well, throw into a glass dish, bake in 350 oven until melted through - about 15 minutes if going straight from stove top to oven, probably 30 minutes if made ahead and fridged.

I steamed some zucchini which was delicious when eaten together, (my kids disagreed)  and I think a side of broccoli would have gone well, too.  Also, instead of ham, you could use some grilled chicken, or, go meatless since the alfredo and cheese add a ton of flavor - very flexible!

Most of my quick recipes involve pasta.  I try to mix it up with the occasional rice or potato as a base, but we all love pasta in this house, so I have decided not to care if we eat it 4 times a week, ha!

Enjoy this summer evening!

Dinner (or not)

I set out with a couple of goals for this week.

- Run 5 times.

- Get through the first week of summer vacation while working, and establish some sort of plan/routine and juggle what was already on the calendar, make a meal or two.

- Blog three times this week.

At the conclusion of this post, I will have accomplished the running and the blogging. 

As for the middle goal?  Well, truthfully my wonderful mom and kids picked up the slack for me there.  They got the house and laundry under control, and mom made sure the kids got some pool time in with friends.  I realized Wednesday at 3pm that I had completely forgotten there is usually a thing at the end of the day that classier folks refer to as "dinner," and there was a ball game scheduled for 5:45, plus another game at the same time that one of my girls was going to watch.  I think a hot dog was served, and somebody might have eaten some rice. 

Thursday was a mix of dashing to get ready for work while giving out daily schedules and instructions, followed by more subpar dining and Driver's Ed. 

Friday, the kids went to a neighbor's annual "End of School Year" Bash, where all forms of snow cones, popcorn, jumpy houses, and kiddie pools were enjoyed by about 70 children.  Some people have more mental fortitude than I do.  She even served real food!  I am seriously thinking of paying some sort of camp fee and sending my kids over around 5pm most nights.

On the other hand, summer is supposed to be when everyone "eats lighter," right?!?!

First full day of summer vacation

Well.  It's 2:58 p.m. and we are still surviving.  Ha-ha!

Yesterday was such a crazy and chaotic day.  I ran a plate of cookies to the elementary school for the front office staff (a little tradition as a "yay, you made it....AGAIN!!) and a small gift for Kevin's teacher.  In years past, I would have done more, but we are in the now and the now is quite hopping.

Reaghan had finished her finals on Friday, so after she slept in, we went to lunch and bathing suit shopping.  Because, even though it isn't consistently swimming weather here, I guess it is June and time for all things pool and beach - hopefully.  Weeks ago, I had made an orthodontist appointment for the girls, but then Kevin had a "party in the park" activity at the same time, so another neighborhood mom took him with her kids.  Apparently it was a beautiful day of running around while celebrating the end of the year and feasting on cookies and Popsicles :) 

THEN, Reaghan started Driver's Ed last night, and Kevin had a baseball game.  The first class went well, the game was won, and I even picked up a few groceries, but by 8 p.m. I could barely remember my own name.

Next year, on the last day of school, I'm going to just do the last day of school.

Needless to say, the house was two garbage bags and a family pet short of being eligible for a "Hoarders" episode, which always sends me into a slight panic. (okay, major panic) I told my exhausted self it would all look better in the morning.

Know what doesn't look better in the morning?  All the above plus random cups and snack bowls that occurred "after (mom goes to bed) hours." 

So.....today we all spent some time cleaning up and attempting to get a bit of a summer routine in place.  It's always a bit challenging, but the kids are getting older and capable of more responsibility, I am working, we are all busier and running in different directions, and somehow it still needs to get done. 

And now I think I shall institute one other "summer prerogative" - siesta time!

Last day!

So summer is here. (Even though it's only 50 something degrees out this morning.)

I just packed the last lunch, filled the last water bottle,  and sent the last child out to the bus stop.

Let the games begin!   But first.......one last quiet cup of coffee!

July 1st!!!!

Please, please, please summer......slow down!

I am normally not what one would consider a summer person, but after the long and hard winter we had, I am even somewhat (at least a little bit!) welcoming of the heat and humidity.  (As long as there is a pool or air conditioning nearby:)

We finally got to the water park for the first time last Friday and went again today for 5 hours.  I even tried 2 different body slides and lived to tell about it!  My in-laws give the kids passes for Christmas every year and it is so great to have something to look forward to 5 months later.  I highly recommend gifts such as this as kids get older :)

In other recent news, my aunt and cousins were in town over the weekend and we had a blast!  Originally, the weekend was completely clear of any and all activities, but then 2 softball tournament games and a baseball party  were thrown into the mix.   We also managed to see some friends who are in from San Diego, so it was a lively 3 days!

Summer!

I can't believe it is the first week of June already!!!!

Remember how incredibly looooooong that winter was?!?!?!?

My kids just finished school on Wednesday.  They have enjoyed their first two days of sleeping in, (well one of them has;) playing with friends and going to the pool.  We have yet to activate our water park passes because a certain mom has been too busy to get over there, but that is on the list for next week.

Today is the first day since school let out that I have had a chance to just get up slowly, sip coffee, and not start off the day at a crazy pace......and I must say that I'm enjoying every second of it!

So, here's to Summer 2014 plans mixed in with work and the daily crazy of life......can't wait to make some great memories!!

Summer Vacation!

Three weeks ago yesterday, we started our "vacation" season.  We spent a few days with my husband's family, came home for 3 days, then vacationed for a week with my family.  We came home for 2 days, then the kids and I went to visit some dear friends for a couple of days. 

It's hard to believe later this week we will start the back-to-school supply drop-offs, meet the teachers, and generally make an attempt to get back into a routine.  (hear that, kids??? ;)

We have had a GREAT summer.  I'm always amazed at how the calendar stretches way into the future for the first week or two of break.  When I look back at all we've enjoyed, it truly does seem a long time ago that the kids bounded off the bus for the last day of their school year.

But now, how it feels like it has flown by.......

So, without further pontification (you're welcome;)  here are some vacation and general summer fun photos!

 

It's been a wonderful Summer 2013!

It's August and I really can't believe it

Yikes, would somebody put the brakes on summer already?!?!?!?

Every year, summer stretches out like a long, winding road, then BAM! the back-to-school lists are posted.

We have been vacationing and having a great time with family as evidenced by all of these lovely photos.......

What, you can't see them either??

My phone and I are not on speaking terms right now.  But if we were, I would calmly suggest that it not conk out just shy of its 2nd birthday.....

But I digress.  I have close to 200 photos lodged somewhere in my phone and right now I would be panicking, PANICKING, except for the fact that my techno-savvy husband was able to copy them to my laptop.  I can't blog/upload well from that computer (the phone and laptop obviously ganging up on me....AGAIN) very well, so any fun pictures will have to wait.

Besides, I have a to-do list a mile long.

And first up is replacing my phone (grrrrrrrr.....)

Happy July! (with a side of various musings)

It's summer and the living is easy and the blogging is irregular, at best ;)


I uploaded some pictures from my phone and found these - I LOVE summer sunsets!

Then, a couple of weeks ago, we were at one of my daughter's softball games and the clouds and sun did this......

And one more sky picture.......

That is yellow fencing you see at the bottom of that photo :)


Okay, enough nature.....let's talk food!!!!!   It is July 4th tomorrow and I've barely thought about what sort of yummy treats to make.  We don't have big plans this week as originally we thought we would be putting "the basement that is dead to me" back together.  It turns out that we can't have the carpet installed until next week, so we have some other house projects in the works that all relate to BTIDTM.  On that note, here are pictures of the wall that had to be repaired:

Purty, purty, purty.

And here is what the rest of the basement STILL looks like after almost 3 months......

Two days ago I braved BTIDTM and cleaned the bathroom.  As I ran water into the sink, I saw water collecting on the floor.  Mind you, this is a minor problem that crops up every now and again as the pipes sometimes need to be tightened, but it was ALL I COULD DO to not march upstairs and promptly list "BASEMENT - FREE TO GOOD HOME" on Craig's List.

I'm sure someday far into the future this escapade of the past 3 months will make a wonderful story for the grand kids.  If grandma hasn't lost her ever-lovin' mind by that point.

So, backing away from the bitterness - let's talk cookies and cake!!!

This past weekend I made a giant cookie "cake" for my son's baseball team's party - look at that "crackle!!!"

I tried a new recipe that we loved!  The main difference is that you start with MELTED butter - I wasn't sure if this would translate into one big cookie, but turns out it is the perfect mix of crispy and chewy.  It holds up very well for slicing, too.  I wish I could remember where I had gotten this recipe so I could give proper credit - this has sat in my "drafts" email for over two years! 

I quickly decorated it - this is not my best work, but I was in a time crunch.

Here is the recipe (I also added some white chips - I love that extra little "pop" of flavor!

2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, melted (yes, I said MELTED)
1 Cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar (granulated)
1 Tbsp Vanilla
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 Cups Milk chocolate chips

I believe I baked the giant cookie for about 20 minutes at 350.  I always check everything I bake after about15 minutes and then go in 5 minute increments from there.  You want this to be slightly golden on the edges and crackly throughout, but DO NOT over bake!  The cookie will continue to bake once it is pulled from the oven. 

What I love about cookie "cakes" is that you can personalize them any which way.  The decorating, obviously, but think about all the fun "add-ins" - Heath bits, chopped candy bars, M &M's, butterscotch chips, milk or dark chocolate chips (or both!) 

Speaking of baking, I have a chocolate cake that needs decorating - will post that later!  Enjoy your July 4th Eve ;)

Ain't no cure for the summertime blues (or flues)

So, it's summer and the livin' is easy, right??

Until mom gets the stomach flu - UGH!

We had a great weekend with beautiful weather, softball and baseball games, and a Sunday BBQ with friends.  Monday, Jerry and my mom worked on painting "the basement that is still dead to me" (more on that later.)

On Tuesday, we went to an amusement park ALL DAY and into the night with my brother-in-law and family and the kids had a fabulous time.  I rode just a few rides (can I get an AMEN for having kids that are all old/tall enough to ride without a parent!?!?)  Except for the ones that do require a parent - thanks, honey, you're the best! ;)

Anyway, we got home late, and my stomach just felt really carnival-like.  In case you're not sure what that is, it's too many of the wrong foods such as pizza, fries, popcorn and melty ice cream eaten in a way-to-fast fashion because it was running over the cup.  And who in their right mind wants to waste a 6.00 Cold Stone ice cream?!?!?

And a stop at Taco Bell on the way home.

So, I just assumed I was feeling a little off.

Until yesterday when I felt feverish, light-headed, and couldn't stand up for more than a minute at a time and spent all day in bed.

Well, I did revive pretty quickly for the forgotten visit of the Terminix man - I'm sure his first thought about seeing me was, "Lady, if you would just show your sick self to the pests, you would no longer have a pest problem, because they would be OUTTA HERE!"


And then we heard sirens later in the evening, so I hobbled down to the couch in the basement while the kids ate pizza. Jerry worked on the putting the basement bath fixtures back together and I am realizing today that I have some hazy memories of "Wheel of Fortune" being on TV.


So, I'm feeling about 60 percent better today.  Which is a huge improvement over the 0 percent of yesterday.

I'm here

Really.  I am still around.  It's just been one of those busy-after-being sick (and still a little, grrrr) kind of weeks that have included all the usual "summer's almost over and we need to at least pretend we're sort of getting things ready for the school year so let's go get haircuts and stop at Target for pencils while we're out" stuff.

But, I leave you with this picture because I'm so happy it turned out!  I tend to have a bit of "cake anxiety" because sometimes it's hard to get the picture in your head to look the very same on the very real cake.

The horse, little bears and Merida are little figurines from Birthday Express.

Because all the coordination in the world is never going to be able to form those ringlets out of fondant, no matter how much you may wish for it!

Top Ten ways to know you are vacationing in a hotel...

Well, if the miniature bars of soap didn't clue you in, here is a fail-safe list for you:

1) Random running of feet at any hour of the day or night coming from the floor above you.  If you happen to be half asleep you will wonder if the the army tanks are rolling in.


2) Kids playing various forms of tag/chicken/"see if we can run away from Mom and Dad" down the corridors. 

3) A sense of relief when you realize that:

 a) Maybe you're not such a bad parent after all, other people's kids are doing this too.
 b) At least it's not your kids, right at this moment - for once!

4) Swimming pools!  One indoor and one outdoor, if you're lucky!

5) The one person in the fitness room that ignores simple math facts.  2 ellipticals + 3 people waiting does NOT equal 90 minutes uninterrupted time.

6) No matter where, no matter what brand of equipment, the treadmill ALWAYS feels so much harder than the one at home.

7) Happy hour from 4-6 p.m!  With fries and cheese curds!

8)  Maybe this is why number 6 feels so hard.

9) Every night feels like it should be movie night starting at 10 p.m.

10)  You've been warned that this is the absolute LAST hotel "key" (card) you will be given because you're children have either lost, traded theirs with cousins for candy, or displaced them in the arcade room.

Vacation

Is there anything so glorious as room darkening hotel drapes??

Because it is 8:34 a.m. and my family is still snoozing the morning hours away as I sit quietly at my computer (ahh) with my cup of coffee (double ahh.)

Of course, you won't see this post until we are almost home because I have a thing about the whole world wide web knowing when we aren't going to be home.

I'm quirky that way.  I'm also a bit neurotic about making sure the house is completely in order before we leave.  Mainly, because I love coming home to a neat, orderly home so we can see how quickly we can decimate it within 9.4 seconds of walking in the door with our beach towels, dirty laundry and five leftover bags of food that we brought "just in case."

So, I will try to post some pictures soon - because when you are vacationing with 18 total family members, sheer hilarity and general craziness is bound to follow.

Weekly Happenings

The last thing I should probably be doing right now is sitting at the computer, because I have SO much to get done today!  However, I'm adopting a mantra right now called, "When in denial, blog."  It's working well so far.

I uploaded pics from the week and here is what I found.  By the way, this morning we were having a discussion about how many years we had vacationed in a certain place, and I was able to go back to my photo albums and know exactly where/what to look for.  It has recharged me for really wanting to get back on track for ordering and cataloging my pictures.  The computer is great for housing the files, but there is just nothing quite like sitting down with family and smiling over how little the kids used to be.  Such a great treasure to have and I'm really hoping to get that caught up this fall.

But, until then, here they are via blog land......

It's apparently rabbit season (no it's DUCK season! - we have been watching a fair amount of Looney Tunes this summer - you'll get that joke if you've watched Daffy and Bugs before:) as we have seen lots of "bunny wabbits" in our yard - the kids were so excited to see a little friend yesterday who stuck around for quite awhile while they played.

 

 Then, when we went to the park last night, we found all the neighborhood kids gathered around the play area where they had found these......

 Baby bunnies!  So tiny their eyes aren't even open yet!  The one little guy above started out of the nest and was wandering around.  Trying to keep the kids from touching him was about as easy as herding cats - I'm SO hoping that mama rabbit comes back to take care of everyone:(

I made this cake for girls night last Tuesday - it's just a simple one layer chocolate cake, but to jazz it up a bit I frosted it with marshmallow buttercream, crushed up some graham crackers (about 2 sheets) and sprinkled some mini chocolate chips on top.  I also had some mini marshmallows, so added those and more mini chips around the base.  You can make an easy marshmallow frosting by just adding 1/4-1/2 cup marshmallow fluff to your basic frosting.

 

 And with the leftovers, I made these for an after lunch treat for the kids - a little bit less messy than actual s'mores!









One last thing - it has been so incredibly hot and humid that's it's been hard to get outside much except to go to the pool or water park and even then it just wears us all out!  But the past 2 nights have been some of the best summer evenings we've had.  We rode bikes, played some hoops in the driveway and just enjoyed the cooler temps.  I wish I could bottle these up!

Hope you have a great rest of the weekend!

It's a Hydrangea, it's decorative landscaping, it's a softball!

Or, possibly a brain, ha ha ha ;)

We attended the end-of-season softball party over the weekend, so I attempted to match the softball team color:)

I've made one of these cakes before, and even though it's a little bit interpretive looking, the kids all seem to love it.  I used the Wilton sports ball pan and baked two cakes, then "sandwiched" them together for the 3D effect.  I find it easier to star tip than trying to smooth icing over a rounded cake.  Plus, the large star tip (my very favorite 1M!) gives a much better frosting to cake ratio.  Win-win for everybody!

Here is the inside view:

It's a chocolate and white marble cake with a chocolate chip buttercream filling.  I've seen the "zebra" stripe effect on lots of blogs and thought it would be fun to try.  As you can see, the chocolate overtook the white, but then, you can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much chocolate - right?!?

It's a bit time consuming,as the two different flavors are layered about two tablespoons at a time.  The weight of each batter layer "smooshes" it from the middle to the outer edges, so once it's all done you have a perfectly filled pan - no need to swirl!

Well, the kids keep walking up to me, asking what/when breakfast will be.  I'm taking suggestions at this point.  Have a great day!

Red, White and Cake Batter Pops

Land of the free, home of the cake on a stick! (or not, as in this photo;)

Here is what they look like inside...I think they also look a little bit like the "Pepsi" logo!

And I'd like to credit this lady for this fabulous recipe!  We've tried it several times now, and the results are fantastic!