tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76550256945798984702024-03-05T04:15:10.811-05:00Seger MomentsJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-55977079237127620292010-05-13T14:22:00.001-04:002010-05-13T14:22:00.418-04:00Shutterfly San Francisco Album<object name="Slideshow" id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" align="middle" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fshare%2Fexternal_slideshow_config%3Fsid%3D0AbNWLNq0YuWLqA" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fshare%2Fexternal_slideshow_config%3Fsid%3D0AbNWLNq0YuWLqA" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNWLNq0YuWLqA&eid=115">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=blogger" /></p>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-88539623404882714452010-03-23T22:16:00.000-04:002010-03-23T22:16:25.389-04:00Wordless Wednesday: A tribute only family could appreciate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxDUALD6f_OV2KRbIUFVWVDT6ThsKAsH-yjI-8oly-UjVy8hmqhyzSj8telZPvw-aWFQ8Y0aCZFEfandQx1vL2ymfS8067NdU7vmQZ_s1tL71T6IUqE6dicXAKpQuOYknhMReiMOsJM0/s1600-h/Summer+Wheat+Label+graphic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxDUALD6f_OV2KRbIUFVWVDT6ThsKAsH-yjI-8oly-UjVy8hmqhyzSj8telZPvw-aWFQ8Y0aCZFEfandQx1vL2ymfS8067NdU7vmQZ_s1tL71T6IUqE6dicXAKpQuOYknhMReiMOsJM0/s400/Summer+Wheat+Label+graphic.gif" width="286" /></a></div><br />
My husband has become somewhat of a novice home-brewer here recently... and with the passing of his father, his next batch has a new name... and a label to go with it. Only those who knew him will appreciate the quirks of this label. ;)<br />
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Cheers!Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-34161732935505008152010-03-23T11:50:00.002-04:002010-03-23T12:09:15.321-04:00Top Ten Tuesday: Things to be thankful for in times of grief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDx7E0wal0z3RKqdj5w_VfPkuui4oFqgPGZR7z1fPlfMiA-SD8FUEVKz8BxLUHvM-sG3OoNOH_XZcpOqcaLRx5xxLxiJkd4GYlOxaZaRuuzTe8VUCjhlsB_VWU56pX-4OO3K11SCi84g/s1600-h/top-ten-tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDx7E0wal0z3RKqdj5w_VfPkuui4oFqgPGZR7z1fPlfMiA-SD8FUEVKz8BxLUHvM-sG3OoNOH_XZcpOqcaLRx5xxLxiJkd4GYlOxaZaRuuzTe8VUCjhlsB_VWU56pX-4OO3K11SCi84g/s320/top-ten-tuesday.jpg" /></a></div>My blog has been silent for over a week - I had more important things to tend to. My husband lost his father to cancer last Tuesday, I lost a wonderful father-in-law and our children lost the best grandfather they could ever ask for. But through our stress and grief, we have found many things to be thankful for. Better in-laws do not exist and the Seger extended family is top-notch.... they are simply the best. Period. How extremely lucky am I...<br />
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Thus, my top ten things to be thankful for in this time of grief.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzlDKhg-7q17ATriCS7k4WTOmKaxJuN9DBJpDKfg9xv6Qa82X1uvaUabWacJ1sNmcN0yHXZlqHSIO_9DPXMcaFTlsur9DDJE5k4mCUO5gqeOsg0mM8if4ysMSNNy5lmmgfCJpZvPOei0/s1600-h/Jamie+and+Al+wedding+612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzlDKhg-7q17ATriCS7k4WTOmKaxJuN9DBJpDKfg9xv6Qa82X1uvaUabWacJ1sNmcN0yHXZlqHSIO_9DPXMcaFTlsur9DDJE5k4mCUO5gqeOsg0mM8if4ysMSNNy5lmmgfCJpZvPOei0/s200/Jamie+and+Al+wedding+612.JPG" width="200" /></a>1. The coming of Spring. Even with our loss, a new season and new beginnings are at hand. To everything, there is a season.<br />
2. A large, strong, enveloping support system of family and friends who are always at our side.<br />
3. God's small miracles. The 8th Seger grandchild was born exactly two weeks before my husband's father passed away.... and was named after him.<br />
4. God's great miracles. Our family was told just before Christmas that my father-in-law's cancer had disappeared. We enjoyed a joyful holiday season together and celebrated birthdays and new births with less stress and worry.<br />
5. Feeling the calm and peacefulness of prayer before and after our loved one's death. To feel God's warmth around our hearts as we held hands and prayed together each day by passing day.<br />
6. The first thunderstorm of spring. My father-in-law had hoped that it would storm or rain.... and miraculously enough it did. We cracked a window, turned off the lights, and listened to the rolling thunder and pitter-pat of the raindrops together in silence.<br />
7. A new appreciation for those we take for granted. <i> I have the greatest husband in the world.</i> (sorry ladies.) The past couple of weeks have only reinforced my belief in his outstanding character, faith and inner strength. <br />
8. Reminders of how precious our family is to us. Time spent with each other is now more important than ever. The past few weeks have given our family time to spend with one another, more time than has been possible for years. Previous priorities now seem trivial. <i>"The most important thing to hold on to in life... is each other."</i> <br />
9. Reminders of how precious life is. To live as though each day will be our last. To hug our spouses and children a little more tightly at both the beginning and end of the day. To say "I Love You" <i>just because we can</i>. To know how great of an impact our lives have on others.<br />
10. Witnessing the miracle of death... the passing from one life to another...a homecoming to the glory of God. Experiencing this miracle together has changed us...for the better. And that in itself is something to be thankful for.<br />
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For more <i>Top Ten Tuesday</i> posts, visit <a href="http://ohamanda.com/">ohamanda.com</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-48910043358045017712010-03-10T06:30:00.003-05:002010-03-10T09:14:02.215-05:00Wordless Wednesday: The Little Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j4y72posHtv50YllcqT1MDKUImHdtqqACAPxr7S2ui2MIX0wgP_h6In3kJabgrpY-eUSO8CMqT5trXmQNX6FBsGviIO5vpCVo2JA5d9LTwc6DwB1mkda-diN_WAChJn-4l7AbM596jY/s1600-h/jakeatwedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j4y72posHtv50YllcqT1MDKUImHdtqqACAPxr7S2ui2MIX0wgP_h6In3kJabgrpY-eUSO8CMqT5trXmQNX6FBsGviIO5vpCVo2JA5d9LTwc6DwB1mkda-diN_WAChJn-4l7AbM596jY/s400/jakeatwedding.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ever since I began following <a href="http://laylagrace.org/">Layla Grace and her family's heartbreaking story</a>, I have begun noticing my two year old a little more each and every day. Sure, he is right smack-dab in the middle of the "terribles" and he tends to exert most of his energy lately by throwing himself on the kitchen floor and screaming his little blond head off. Or by hitting and kicking mommy, daddy, or sissy. Or by whacking the <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2009/07/decision-decisions.html">dog</a> with daddy's brewing utensils (don't ask)... well, you get the picture. These are not the easiest years of his life... for him or for those around him. But recently I've begun noticing the unique little quirks about this little guy that I somehow have lost sight of in the middle of all of that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This photo was taken a couple weeks ago at a family wedding. Everything about it screams <i>Jake</i>. His hands neatly folded behind his back. The way he attentively studies the other children out on the dance floor, wondering - hmm.... that looks like fun, when would be the right time to join in? It's like an open portal into his personality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Truth is, even though he has his <strike>not-so-good moments</strike>, he is mine. And he is healthy. And I love with all of my heart. And I refuse to ever again take a moment with him for granted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Please take a moment to pray for <a href="http://laylagrace.org/">Layla Grace and her family</a>. You can also follow their harrowing journey on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=layla+grace&init=quick#%21/group.php?gid=95631285947&ref=mf">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/laylagrace">Twitter</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-29757664784704175282010-03-08T23:07:00.000-05:002010-03-08T23:07:32.939-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Signs of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLxs4ljq-De_ihcuz0ZoNTG34pOmIXVHism7OlpG9G8EUwLSozhHXUUIQGI2FZvdtQ1nsZ1brcDXazbr3BjQX5WuQrhGWBiF9l7G9ff7NeNUAFlPDuQbfPcrdQhZ0psYpDcKkVioGq8/s1600-h/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOLxs4ljq-De_ihcuz0ZoNTG34pOmIXVHism7OlpG9G8EUwLSozhHXUUIQGI2FZvdtQ1nsZ1brcDXazbr3BjQX5WuQrhGWBiF9l7G9ff7NeNUAFlPDuQbfPcrdQhZ0psYpDcKkVioGq8/s200/spring.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>There's something thrilling in the air in our neck of the woods... and it smells like S.P.R.I.N.G.! Temperatures that are at or above 50 degrees are a triumph here my friends. Thus - my top 10 favorite signs that spring is on its way! I'm so giddy I can hardly type..... it's been a long, cold, snowy Ohio winter people... let me have my moment :)<br />
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1. <a href="http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cin">Cincinnati Reds</a> spring training has begun!<br />
2. My husband begins whining that he really, really wants to go <a href="http://www.pdga.com/">disc golfing</a>.<br />
3. Our enclosed porch is warm enough from the sun shining in that I can relax in a patio chair while sipping some coffee on Saturday mornings! = Heaven.<br />
4. <a href="http://cyfar2010.unl.edu/1">CYFAR conference</a> planning begins for my hubby and I! What do to in <a href="http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/">San Francisco</a> this year?.....<br />
5. <a href="http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home_10001_10001_-1">The Children's Place</a> begins sending me tempting e-mails with too-cute-for-their-own-good spring outfits for the kiddos... must...control....myself.<br />
6. <a href="http://springhillnursery.com/Default.asp?bhcd2=1267817255">Spring Hill Nursery</a> catalogs begin arriving in my mailbox and can start dreaming about gardening. I have some great gardening adventures for this spring dreamed up in my head already!<br />
7. My husband and I once again become motivated to keep checking things off of our <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/p/crafty-moments.html">home-renovation to-do list</a>. Next up - painting and decorating our <s>dim dark dungeon-like</s> hallway.<br />
8. The wonderfully fresh smell that lingers in the air after the first warm-weather rain of the season.<br />
9. That glorious few days in March when the temperature warms up just enough for me to throw up all of the windows and relish the fresh, spring air that coaxes it's way into the house.<br />
10. The kiddos are able to once again frolick in the yard each evening when we arrive home = bye bye cabin fever.... need I say more?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh8xf5VeBJh2SzJrgCIKYUxAaP5eTeGxIamC3xsvPjupQDGlK92Z3CD6gp2pGcLSDAWLs0RfVxq-iqrXHWDcCW8Iv8FstZg-aPOMpa_nqXM46CLVvSw2nRpD83319D6Ybb34MkJLHOQY/s1600-h/top-ten-tuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnh8xf5VeBJh2SzJrgCIKYUxAaP5eTeGxIamC3xsvPjupQDGlK92Z3CD6gp2pGcLSDAWLs0RfVxq-iqrXHWDcCW8Iv8FstZg-aPOMpa_nqXM46CLVvSw2nRpD83319D6Ybb34MkJLHOQY/s320/top-ten-tuesday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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For more <i>Top Ten Tuesday</i> posts, visit <a href="http://ohamanda.com/">ohamanda.com</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-40385269025321671632010-03-07T21:00:00.001-05:002010-03-07T21:00:00.989-05:00Menu Plan Monday: Week of March 8th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBDK9lMJBJOzI4qAfNbvzlxdEZdeqm4FTBOQJieN9gSf0sRsEGLjyxMMqc-WNwsqUlwYkOsCRjVUCnAABFgmltm3lmtT_Jjvqk8gJxLbOUoJaTGFq5ZAzXKt8dSaLa6hxyZjjpmLFyG8/s1600-h/menubutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBDK9lMJBJOzI4qAfNbvzlxdEZdeqm4FTBOQJieN9gSf0sRsEGLjyxMMqc-WNwsqUlwYkOsCRjVUCnAABFgmltm3lmtT_Jjvqk8gJxLbOUoJaTGFq5ZAzXKt8dSaLa6hxyZjjpmLFyG8/s200/menubutton.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
This week's menu plan features just a couple of the recipes from my <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">February Once A Month Cooking menu</a> for two reasons: 1) we've almost come to the point of trying each recipe once (too soon to begin eating the same recipe the second time) and 2) I have been craving Chili Dogs and <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2010/02/savory-seger-sunday-cheesy-potato-soup.html">Cheesy Potato Soup</a> for a while now! Maybe it's a spring thing? Spring is definitely in the air in our neck of the woods... and I'm lovin' it!<br />
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<b>This Week's Menu Plan:</b><br />
<b>Monday</b> - OAMC <a href="http://stolenmomentscooking.com/what-to-do-with-12-pounds-of-ground-beef/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CookingDuringStolenMoments+(Cooking+During+Stolen+Moments)&utm_content=Google+Reader">Easy Taco Bake</a><br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - Chili Dogs & French Fries<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - OAMC <a href="http://www.momsneedtocook.com/2009/12/curried-chicken-tidbits/">Curried Chicken Tidbits</a> & Veggies (didn't get to these last week)<br />
<b>Thursday</b> - Math & Science Night at Marissa's school = Pizza for the family!<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Fish fry at <a href="http://www.stjohnthebaptist.cc/">St. John's</a><br />
<b>Saturday</b>:<br />
Lunch - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & tomato soup<br />
Dinner - <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">OAMM</a>'s <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/chicken-parmigiana/">Chicken Parmigiana</a><br />
<b>Sunday:</b><br />
Lunch - Tacquitos & tortilla chips/salsa<br />
Dinner - <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2010/02/savory-seger-sunday-cheesy-potato-soup.html">Cheesy Potato Soup</a><br />
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For more <i>menu plans</i>, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie.com</a>.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-91218819310588593242010-03-01T06:30:00.000-05:002010-03-01T06:30:00.462-05:00February OAMC Day Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLKXotKyUaprZ2vKtWd4QVRMLhtFMvqGUWNCvg3lUl3XM6USkg1jUDAzHqzlM3fIaCCtKeqEx4n5lgpEFf7HeNeftyX9JodZmZnxVjFseMCCix_ZzWS5GhXn212JarREfAfU13pcz1oo/s1600-h/cooking-link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLKXotKyUaprZ2vKtWd4QVRMLhtFMvqGUWNCvg3lUl3XM6USkg1jUDAzHqzlM3fIaCCtKeqEx4n5lgpEFf7HeNeftyX9JodZmZnxVjFseMCCix_ZzWS5GhXn212JarREfAfU13pcz1oo/s320/cooking-link.jpg" /></a></div>Man, did it feel great to be back in the <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">Once A Month Cooking</a> saddle again! After a few months of waiting for my sister to get an extra freezer, she and I planned another large cooking day to cook breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the majority of <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">February/March</a>. Compared to our first two tries at bulk cooking, this third go-round went incredibly smoothly. Below is a short list of things we did differently or changed up a bit:<br />
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- We made sure to <b>chop most of the vegetables/potatoes the night before our big cooking day</b>. This really helped to cut down time spent in the kitchen. Trust me, if you save all of the chopping for your cooking day, you will have to allow <i>at least </i>two hours for that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2dkojGxPqt55OhC_Q9ljPX6UU6cvJfE2VTf-308ZORAgcZuZorMU5F2SGxoyuyQ_SgyRGtxXdiuOtZ5lfKjc_tLywGCtvbAd0pUilG5YsxH5xD9eSWQNP6q2OW33sDRYCPWO1P3iM8/s1600-h/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2dkojGxPqt55OhC_Q9ljPX6UU6cvJfE2VTf-308ZORAgcZuZorMU5F2SGxoyuyQ_SgyRGtxXdiuOtZ5lfKjc_tLywGCtvbAd0pUilG5YsxH5xD9eSWQNP6q2OW33sDRYCPWO1P3iM8/s200/IMG_3499.JPG" width="150" /></a></div> - <b>We called in reinforcements.</b> Our mom and grandma volunteered to come by for a bit to help lighten our dirty dish load and actually ended up getting into the 'cooking spirit' so much they assembled a few meals for us before they left. We estimated that the 2 hours they were there saved us the same amount of cooking time.<br />
- We <b>changed the menu a bit</b> to suit our needs and our families' needs. My sister really, really.... REALLY liked the <a href="http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/?p=2328">Blueberry/Banana smoothies</a> from a previous <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/july-menu-grocery-list-instructions-labels-and-podcast/">OAMM menu</a>, so we added those in, as well as <a href="http://www.vanderbiltwife.com/2009/05/family-recipe-fridays-moms-enchiladas.html">Mom's Enchiladas.</a> In return, we omited the recipes for <a href="http://amysfinerthings.com/crystals-lazy-granola">Crystal's Lazy Granola</a> and <a href="http://www.frugalindy.com/2009/11/beef-and-lentil-slow-cooker-stew.html">Mexican Style Beef & Lentil Stew. </a><br />
- We made sure that we took opportunities throughout the day to <b>feed ourselves and <i>sit down and rest</i></b>. I cannot tell you how important this is to avoid getting burnt out and too drained. :) I even took 5 minutes at the beginning of the day to make myself a delicious caramel macciato - it really jump started me and put me in the right frame of mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoJbKzcWo8yo52fjXN1WcqnKDYQrifNKsb7gfs86DR-wbwEyjTvc9KBehYRC78swDFwJkn5tVwjv-Xxtw9QMGVlMYhrNpPdx6xxFwd4wiVLMeN9jHIx2BZrUKPHhAVk4MXVtfCpOmiMo/s1600-h/IMG_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoJbKzcWo8yo52fjXN1WcqnKDYQrifNKsb7gfs86DR-wbwEyjTvc9KBehYRC78swDFwJkn5tVwjv-Xxtw9QMGVlMYhrNpPdx6xxFwd4wiVLMeN9jHIx2BZrUKPHhAVk4MXVtfCpOmiMo/s200/IMG_3495.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> - <b>I borrowed my husband's apron</b> to avoid coming home not only smelling like everything that I cooked in the kitchen that day... but also looking like it. <i>Yes, I am well aware that I might need to fix this no-apron issue. </i><br />
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To our delight, our third time participating in a OAMC day ended <i>before dinner time</i>. Yup, we were finished by 6:00pm! It is so true that the more experience you gain with once a month cooking, the more efficiently and smoothly your big cooking day gets. It was such a relief to be able to load all of my goodies into the car and prop my <strike>aching</strike> sore feet up on the couch before the kids were in bed! My sister and I spent $128 per person and now have a ton of breakfasts, lunches and dinners to show for it - such a great feeling knowing that will save time and money in March food-wise.... and that is what always attracts me to once a month cooking.<br />
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Below are a few more pictures from this month's big cooking day. <br />
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If you would like to view more February Once A Month cooking stories, visit <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">OnceAMonthMom.com</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETY_X-HxV6a9yVkELoml8ugh6PKXFIal3X5f0ywz4jUTfxPDjMU0BOR8OQzovapDEOiGXIWZF4XRiK0TmyQ18YUEFm86C3oqpFXAJYoG9JqT9ZUA6-al27-SJh5VN-KXlndMHP0SQiLo/s1600-h/IMG_3489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETY_X-HxV6a9yVkELoml8ugh6PKXFIal3X5f0ywz4jUTfxPDjMU0BOR8OQzovapDEOiGXIWZF4XRiK0TmyQ18YUEFm86C3oqpFXAJYoG9JqT9ZUA6-al27-SJh5VN-KXlndMHP0SQiLo/s200/IMG_3489.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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Most of the ingredients - Hollie (sis) always does a great job of laying them out on the table the night before so they're ready to go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LRL02mKnZNinyuUwmUScRozqT38ZNENURHrg-ugPBWqGt-sQ2ME0pbeM0OsZJb_WHpL7qy4SFhNODZg3hF8SKGKuXZdloHm0ZhQv74jNAZanfvSzsBy_Mx8sbh7q1XUZxAxo-BB1H8s/s1600-h/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LRL02mKnZNinyuUwmUScRozqT38ZNENURHrg-ugPBWqGt-sQ2ME0pbeM0OsZJb_WHpL7qy4SFhNODZg3hF8SKGKuXZdloHm0ZhQv74jNAZanfvSzsBy_Mx8sbh7q1XUZxAxo-BB1H8s/s200/IMG_3494.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Items I brought to get us through the big day - caramel macciatos, gummi worms and <i>chocolate</i>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72EBFktEhUY6g4_Yjg1OXeMgLWzBVb-4_GgiPLx5COTi5TmK8V4lpP-Khgh2woTqmtv5ZAdGNffJ5XpS0SYdOK0LmT0jN0DCoLYJMj4zzLSHaSj0iRBDfgiaK6dX4Ksv4dpI9CyOMCVg/s1600-h/IMG_3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72EBFktEhUY6g4_Yjg1OXeMgLWzBVb-4_GgiPLx5COTi5TmK8V4lpP-Khgh2woTqmtv5ZAdGNffJ5XpS0SYdOK0LmT0jN0DCoLYJMj4zzLSHaSj0iRBDfgiaK6dX4Ksv4dpI9CyOMCVg/s200/IMG_3498.JPG" width="150" /></a> Hollie peeled most of the pears with a potato peeler; it actually worked really well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nCQHuozNaIwGNER1E0ygKzl19_WBak87kGeidtn2eP5sKx2qTAnNnGrbuOQSQEDSOSG-jTpzX_T108rYsR0Sq3GtmUX-zJt8kEESJITsjw8HzhwchKK_QUJtTgvltr4KOddzWp5ErDA/s1600-h/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nCQHuozNaIwGNER1E0ygKzl19_WBak87kGeidtn2eP5sKx2qTAnNnGrbuOQSQEDSOSG-jTpzX_T108rYsR0Sq3GtmUX-zJt8kEESJITsjw8HzhwchKK_QUJtTgvltr4KOddzWp5ErDA/s200/IMG_3502.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">Black Bean Salsa Chicken</a> assembled, labeled and ready for the freezer. (My family had this recipe for Sunday's lunch by the way... and it was <i>amazing</i>!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfRX8t3-e2N5z0HUnxuicnQQ9BqkABZ-LGzEP-niUlqXH74FZzZEC5JPi2tKRtpkKfkpRIRR5W9TFUZNBeCsG7qeTth-0BePMALHfhdshtJ9bIwaMiGDEuxOLZ0_c0M5hFqkTGsw7ZPY/s1600-h/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfRX8t3-e2N5z0HUnxuicnQQ9BqkABZ-LGzEP-niUlqXH74FZzZEC5JPi2tKRtpkKfkpRIRR5W9TFUZNBeCsG7qeTth-0BePMALHfhdshtJ9bIwaMiGDEuxOLZ0_c0M5hFqkTGsw7ZPY/s320/IMG_3506.JPG" /></a><br />
Ahhhh...... a freezer full of meals. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-1043170665714732472010-02-28T23:02:00.000-05:002010-02-28T23:02:53.693-05:00Menu Plan Monday: Week of March 1st<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0gwTyhH1-C-9EThiHDbvcl_eInKl6I2TswxHGigqtpWreMfQPVWUFi9oQWRu1cyvkKSaTkxTIq2z0WhqQsV90SXuTGexqVlz8HO5TXKRuS1XzzaCjWe2UBg1vj3M0_gTp3Hu3uYO8NM/s1600-h/mpm+menubutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0gwTyhH1-C-9EThiHDbvcl_eInKl6I2TswxHGigqtpWreMfQPVWUFi9oQWRu1cyvkKSaTkxTIq2z0WhqQsV90SXuTGexqVlz8HO5TXKRuS1XzzaCjWe2UBg1vj3M0_gTp3Hu3uYO8NM/s320/mpm+menubutton.png" /></a></div>It was wonderful last week being able to pull prepared meals out of the freezer and pop them in the oven on weeknights! It saves me so much time. I'm able to spend more time with the kids and not have to feel like I have to head right to the kitchen the minute I get home from work! This week's menu plan also features quite a bit of OAMM meals from the February menu. I can't wait to try them all out!<br />
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<b>This Weeks Menu Plan:</b><br />
<b>Monday</b> - Leftovers - we have too many in the fridge and need to eat them up!<br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - OAMC <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/Sue-Sues-Casserole-47531">Sue Sue's Casserole</a><br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - Miami County <a href="http://miami.osu.edu/">4-H Recruitment Night</a> for mommy, hubby and kiddos on their own.<br />
<b>Thursday -</b>Spaghetti with garlic bread and salad<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Fish Fry for local Rugby team fundraiser.... mmmm........ :)<br />
<b>Saturday</b> -<br />
Lunch: OAMC <a href="http://www.momsneedtocook.com/2009/12/curried-chicken-tidbits/">Curried Chicken Tidbits</a> & veggies (although mommy probably won't be eating lunch.... she has an afternoon time slot for the Dayton Dragon's national anthem tryouts and might be a little<strike> nauseous</strike> nervous because of it....)<br />
Dinner: OAMC <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">Pork Roast w/Apples & Pears</a> and baked potatoes<br />
<b>Sunday</b> -<br />
Lunch: OAMC <a href="http://amysfinerthings.com/sloppy-joes">Sloppy Joes</a> with french fries or chips<br />
Dinner: Mommy has <a href="http://www.victoriatheatre.com/index.php/news/9/113/WICKED-The-Untold-Story-of-the-Witches-of-Oz/">Wicked </a>tickets with the girls! = hubby and Jakey on their own.<br />
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For more <i>menu plans</i>, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie.com</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-20777294387587781502010-02-24T21:53:00.000-05:002010-02-24T21:53:29.126-05:00Things I Love Thursday: Life Lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE7epsqeji0eR7uY-E0nAj9QEQYtchbrbMk5AuH0J9VNBh0nqToKXCHwva-KEdSf54gy7h_CTVghQQ4VTyzCiFnYBgcZE2lZjN_T0EezPOPKsfzrIH1hEg4JcT-xynZp1xSQjwJL8rQg/s1600-h/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE7epsqeji0eR7uY-E0nAj9QEQYtchbrbMk5AuH0J9VNBh0nqToKXCHwva-KEdSf54gy7h_CTVghQQ4VTyzCiFnYBgcZE2lZjN_T0EezPOPKsfzrIH1hEg4JcT-xynZp1xSQjwJL8rQg/s200/image.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>My daughter received her first life lesson this week.... in kindergarten. I honestly did not think I would have to worry about Marissa getting in trouble in school until, well, maybe never. She's always been such a <s>brown-noser</s> people pleaser and teacher's pet. While Marissa can be a challenging kid, she's a <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2009/05/time-keeps-on-slipping.html">good kid</a>. Well, this week we both received a reality check. Her teacher e-mailed me and mentioned that another girl in the class returned after school had dismissed with of all things, Marissa's lunch money. And get this... Marissa had given it to her, as well as two other girls.... all $20 of the money that was to go into her lunch account. Ugh. What's worse, when I questioned her about the incident, she denied it. She's not a good liar. Double ugh. It was at that moment when she started stammering about God-knows-what-story she was making up at the time and looking back at me with pleading eyes that I thought to myself... "What do I do now?" <br />
I knew that she was lying, it was obvious. She knew better than to give away $20 of money that was not hers to give. I had never had to deal with such a large situation like this one with her and I was kind of at a loss as to what to do. I started to panic... <i>What would my mother do? Would I handle it the same way? What would a good mom do?</i> Then I gave up and channeled my <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2009/08/night-before-kindergarten.html">momma-instinct</a> and went with my gut. I told her that I was sorry, but didn't believe her story and that I knew she was lying. I told her that it was wrong to give things away without asking permission. Then I told her that she could spend the night in her room with the light off until she was ready to tell the truth. Then..... all hell broke loose.<br />
According to her, I was a horrible mom for not believing her and she wasn't afraid to scream this at the top of her lungs.. for quite a while. Then came more made up stories, and more time in her dark room. After three (or maybe four??) hours had passed she finally came around. <i>Yes, I am well aware she gets her stubbornness from me... </i>She cried big crocodile tears when she told me she was sorry and that she did indeed give the money away. She was sorry that she had lied and she knew that it was wrong to give her lunch money to friends. In a way I was very proud of her. She had learned her first major life lesson and understood the mistakes she had made. I had learned a lesson too.... I think once we "grow up" (heh) we forget about all of the mistakes we had to make along the way to get to where we are, to be the people we have become, to learn from those mistakes and to not repeat them.<br />
So after the confession, it was time to come up with a punishment. This has equaled out to be a packed lunch for two weeks - she is not allowed to purchase lunch because she gave the money away... (she was allowed to purchase lunch at school twice a week before the incident), no TV or computer use for one week and an apology to her teacher and friends at school today. Of course, I am second guessing myself with how I handled the entire situation, like I always do. <br />
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What do you think? How have you handled similar situations with your children? Anything you would have done differently? I am all ears...<br />
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For more <i>Things I Love Thursday </i>posts, visit <a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/">thediaperdiaries.net</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-34009830184756374862010-02-23T06:30:00.001-05:002010-02-23T06:30:00.678-05:00Visitation Schedule Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMCnuJqMTquFIxDUB-_JvRooVp6ZfP57elo6sL3YZn-XI_LqyYFCEPmsGbMRDhbrxtJtK1_0a-NermXMhOSeynKwo7x-lhx-FzUXHN0Wt8hCJ_eJq3hdk3-Qo6Gmw3HaRnkHjMnCbXGw/s1600-h/visitationschedulecard.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMCnuJqMTquFIxDUB-_JvRooVp6ZfP57elo6sL3YZn-XI_LqyYFCEPmsGbMRDhbrxtJtK1_0a-NermXMhOSeynKwo7x-lhx-FzUXHN0Wt8hCJ_eJq3hdk3-Qo6Gmw3HaRnkHjMnCbXGw/s200/visitationschedulecard.gif" width="147" /></a></div><br />
Last week, I was fortunate enough to come across the <a href="http://livinglocurto.com/">livinglocurto</a> blogsite. I am always fascinated by graphic designers... the endless talent and creativity that they possess <s>and that I want</s> mostly. Amy didn't disappoint. While browsing her blog, I came across her wonderful <a href="http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/08/school-morning-routine-free-printable-cards/">morning routine cards</a>. These cute little cards are sure to be a time saver for me as I get myself and two <s>whiny</s> sleepy children ready and out the door by myself each morning! I can't wait to try them out this week! <br />
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Amy inspired me to create some handy cards for myself. Marissa (daughter) has been asking for a copy of her visitation schedule that she could read (she's only in kindergarten... and I don't ask much of her obviously.. hehe) for some time now. So, what easier way would there be than to create cards modeled after Amy's templates that were color coded, picture coded and easily readable? I'm really happy with the way they have turned out and most importantly of all, so was Marissa. She loved the purple and pink theme - as well as the picture on the "mommy" cards.<br />
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Because I know that resources such as this one for blended families are hard to come by, I'm making them available for anyone and everyone who wishes to have a copy of their own for their children. Just open the link, print, cut out the cards and put them in the order needed for your child's schedule. This post will contain a link for the purple and pink cards, while more boy-friendly color-coded cards will be posted soon!<br />
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My hope is that these cards will help make you and your child's life seem a little less hectic. :) Click on the link below to view and print - it's FREE.<br />
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<a href="http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2GDZS9hme5CZjlmMDhmN2QtNmNmNS00NGIyLWJhNDQtZWQxOWI3NTY5ZGI4&hl=en">Visitation Schedule Cards (for girls)</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-87463721290275548742010-02-21T21:38:00.000-05:002010-02-21T21:38:45.393-05:00Menu Plan Monday: Week of February 22nd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6KJwXfStq4HCCw0VdHnye39NjfJlZ9l0J3zkvk688YhjBGMcqf7mZaBbB65A5yI9T7j-is3BOoGE8Eq4wLUoeugdKLlbzouBXEbs-fabbnRMa6NKOD5DtUORY3WAAMB4dQTgvJKyeKg/s1600-h/menubutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6KJwXfStq4HCCw0VdHnye39NjfJlZ9l0J3zkvk688YhjBGMcqf7mZaBbB65A5yI9T7j-is3BOoGE8Eq4wLUoeugdKLlbzouBXEbs-fabbnRMa6NKOD5DtUORY3WAAMB4dQTgvJKyeKg/s200/menubutton.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Surprisingly enough, I was able to stick to my menu plan last week - it worked out wonderfully! Now that I have <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">another month's worth of meals stocked in my freezer</a>, I'm going to take advantage of some of the yummy new recipes, as you can see below. :) I love trying new food (can't say the same for the kiddos, but they at least will <i>try</i> anything.) The February <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">OAMC</a> recap will come later this week; it was interesting this month because my sister and I altered the <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">OAMM menu</a> a bit, but it was worth it and we finished in record time!<br />
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<b>This Week's Menu Plan</b><br />
<b>Monday - </b><a href="http://www.vanderbiltwife.com/2009/05/family-recipe-fridays-moms-enchiladas.html">OAMC Mom's Enchiladas</a><br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - OAMC <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/easy_tuna_noodle_casserole">Tuna Noodle Casserole</a><br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/hamburger-soup-recipe/">OAMM's Hamburger Soup</a><br />
<b>Thursday </b>- OAMC <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2010/01/07/chicken-ranch-pizza/">Chicken Ranch Pizzas</a><br />
<b>Friday</b> - Lemon Pepper Tilapia packets w/broccoli<br />
<b>Saturday</b> - lunch: OAMC <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">Beef Empanadas</a> w/corn<br />
dinner: Hubby's award banquet for work = steak dinner without the kiddos :)<br />
<b>Sunday - </b>lunch: OAMC <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/Crock-Pot-Black-Bean-Salsa-Chicken-Oamc-103572">Black Bean Salsa Chicken w/Tortilla Chips</a><br />
dinner: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Beer-Battered-Chicken/Detail.aspx">Beer Battered Chicken</a> w/rice and veggies<br />
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For more <i>menu plans</i>, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">orgjunkie.com</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-53316082603645608652010-02-21T06:30:00.001-05:002010-02-21T06:30:00.707-05:00Savory Seger Sunday: Cheesy Potato Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mlnzJbj0t7VMqeJ7_jzyvbN7RrxmoAe4SQZ3-8XTg3SwnHooBRQJtS9HaSnrhIhuAX_F6XCU49pp1GR6I7Mgy6ja1kZQHk0Hqz-RydEYCPf5csUKYYV1r3dZg7yEHV39M5RQzLp79E/s1600-h/sss+blog+logo+png.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mlnzJbj0t7VMqeJ7_jzyvbN7RrxmoAe4SQZ3-8XTg3SwnHooBRQJtS9HaSnrhIhuAX_F6XCU49pp1GR6I7Mgy6ja1kZQHk0Hqz-RydEYCPf5csUKYYV1r3dZg7yEHV39M5RQzLp79E/s200/sss+blog+logo+png.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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A wintertime favorite of mine... I really do not think I make this soup enough! Partially because my children are turns up their noses at the site of anything with too many "things" in it... and partially because well, honestly sometimes I just do not feel like chopping up potatoes! Seriously.... I have issues with peeling and cutting up potatoes... don't ask me why. Anyway - this soup is so good that I crave it. And when I do, I call on my hubby to chop me some potatoes. ;)<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<b>Cheesy Potato Soup</b><br />
<i>Ingredients</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">6 cups chopped potatoes or frozen potatoes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 cup celery slices<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/2 cup chopped onion<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Dash of pepper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">4 Tbsp flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">6 cups water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 cup carrot slices<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">2 tsp parsley flakes<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">3 cups milk<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><i><i></i></i></i></span></span></div><i><i><i></i></i></i><br />
<i><i><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 36pt;"><br />
</div></i></i></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span></span></div><i></i><br />
<i><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><i></i></i></span></span></div><i><i></i></i><br />
<i><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="en-US">Directions</span></div></i></i></i><i></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Boil water in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook potatoes, celery, carrots and flour until tender. Then add rest of ingredients. Cook until cheese has melted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div>Makes 6 servings. Leftovers reheat wonderfully. *kid-friendly (for most!) <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div></i>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-34058473887384969722010-02-17T23:13:00.000-05:002010-02-17T23:13:03.671-05:00Things I Love Thursday: my annual winter virtual vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt9zdd00xpmI_Brur1Tc9i0ejvQ7TPhGvOL5ztFjICwNGPhyphenhyphenT634r7OJZgKrhEA0Atz8ZlK7VuXczRyKaYZYwgHajkHx5paTHGAWcxgFVxW_2VMCS4m6SS-V2VrhbeBLppunN5fVQNWE/s1600-h/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt9zdd00xpmI_Brur1Tc9i0ejvQ7TPhGvOL5ztFjICwNGPhyphenhyphenT634r7OJZgKrhEA0Atz8ZlK7VuXczRyKaYZYwgHajkHx5paTHGAWcxgFVxW_2VMCS4m6SS-V2VrhbeBLppunN5fVQNWE/s200/IMG_1310.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>In February or March every year, I found myself having to tackle the "task" of doing some family travel planning for the summer. More often than not, this should have been started earlier, but mommy <s>is somewhat of a procrastinator</s> likes to take her time and do some research before committing to such things. For the past few years, the number one item on the list has been the <a href="http://cyfernet.org/">CYFAR</a> conference that I attend for my <a href="http://miami.osu.edu/">Extension work</a>. This takes place in May and God willing, my husband travels with me and we make a little <i>hallelujah no kids for a week </i>getaway out of it. We love our children, but we also savor our time alone together as it is almost nonexistent. At any rate, planning for the conference always involves booking flights, a hotel, and scouting out fun things to do while we're there. This is where my love for <a href="http://google.com/earth">Google Earth</a> and <a href="http://google.com/maps">Google Maps</a> come in. I could lost in my computer for hours "walking" down the streets of downtown San Antonio, or across the Golden Gate bridge. The technology transports you to that foreign but gorgeous location that you just can't wait to get to! I know that I seem like a nerd (because, well... I am!) and that these gadgets have been around for <i>a while </i>and aren't anything new. But I can't help but to still allow them to transport me on a virtual vaca when I need it the most.... like now.... when there's 2 ft of snow taunting me outside my window.<br />
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Well, the summer trip planning has begun and it's starting with San Francisco. This is the location for <a href="http://cyfar2010.unl.edu/1">CYFAR 2010</a> and I couldn't be more excited! I have never been to California (<a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2009/06/als-been-travelin.html">my husband has</a> and no, I am not bitter). After the conference will come a family trip that our entire family is <s>going to try to survive</s> taking with my parents, sister and her family to Marblehead along the <a href="http://www.shoresandislands.com/">Lake Erie shoreline</a> in June. I have been a browsing, searching, and virtually walking fool over the past few weeks trying to scout out places to stay and things to do on the Lake. Our family's wallet is pretty thin this year, so I'm trying to be creative in planning the trip (hence the multi-family vacation to the beach by the <i>lake </i>versus by the <i>ocean</i>). Our daughter is old enough to understand that we're going on a trip, but she could care less where the location is as long as there is a <i>beach</i> involved somehow, somewhere. So, when I first sat down to virtually check out the Marblehead area, I invited her to "walk" around with me. She was amazed... and so I think I'm going to include her in this little tradition of mine from now on. Why not? She obviously just as much of a nerd as her mommy is. ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHnszlQji_7zjGLmhL6hcxBYu0exheo9fGXtVdwFHr6YzPwwxAhSNlvj6GjuERoPKwELtFThaKALcZbDOU1ed4F6BFQMQfNmMpAJpju5OzacaMIb5d5M1LbetOMmt46TavVNVOWLhBpI/s1600-h/CYFAR+09+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHnszlQji_7zjGLmhL6hcxBYu0exheo9fGXtVdwFHr6YzPwwxAhSNlvj6GjuERoPKwELtFThaKALcZbDOU1ed4F6BFQMQfNmMpAJpju5OzacaMIb5d5M1LbetOMmt46TavVNVOWLhBpI/s320/CYFAR+09+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Ways to Have Your Own Virtual Family Vacation:</b><br />
- Pull up <a href="http://google.com/earth">Google Earth</a> and let your kids pick a location (it can be anywhere in the world).<br />
- Notice landmarks in the area and "walk" around the areas they are located. This is a cool way to <i>virtually</i> visit Washington D.C.<br />
- Do a Google search for resorts that offer live-action video shots of their surroundings. These can sometimes include anything from a view of the beach or ocean to a view of a mountain range.<br />
- Visit the <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/">Travel Channel's</a> homepage for an interactive world map tour. The Caribbean looks especially tempting today... but my favorite spot on this map is <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/Places_Trips/Destinations/Europe/Greece/Athens">Europe/Greece</a>. <br />
- Don't forget to use this fun family activity as an opportunity to teach your children about other cultures. The <a href="http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/">National Geographic Kids </a>website has some great games and pages for viewing on your computer and printing out.<br />
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Happy virtual travels everyone! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKflUxlRS0Pv5XKGHvT0abciJWg7-RkXAoemNVapleusAdNMzQ4MI15X-K_n884Ak1ChV_3OQF6FAYny0gJrvX5dg5w7Z-YjnGOPSeXKqv08VtyLxzLN7IO08UbgVE8ALdHn172Jq39yE/s1600-h/TILT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKflUxlRS0Pv5XKGHvT0abciJWg7-RkXAoemNVapleusAdNMzQ4MI15X-K_n884Ak1ChV_3OQF6FAYny0gJrvX5dg5w7Z-YjnGOPSeXKqv08VtyLxzLN7IO08UbgVE8ALdHn172Jq39yE/s320/TILT.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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For more <i>Things I Love Thursday</i> posts, visit <a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/">thediaperdiaries.net</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-86508444049851673022010-02-16T22:00:00.001-05:002010-02-16T22:00:00.351-05:00Works for Me Wednesday: Paper Plates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmh00yD8aIFVLwhLhLYnkfcrOWj05QrCASguE3tfP5F_H7R6OGZ-MyHA2AN2_pm3toDoSFOVIPIM6srrhI-W9OTZiDgV1b62oNhQ3wMG0UZJKAVeBlmn-M2riiwIIo2Gn_YAEusbrrK8/s1600-h/WFMW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmh00yD8aIFVLwhLhLYnkfcrOWj05QrCASguE3tfP5F_H7R6OGZ-MyHA2AN2_pm3toDoSFOVIPIM6srrhI-W9OTZiDgV1b62oNhQ3wMG0UZJKAVeBlmn-M2riiwIIo2Gn_YAEusbrrK8/s200/WFMW1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
..... and..... cue the ducking motion by me! I know I'm going to get some slack for writing this post. However, I do not care. Why? Because I am a working wife and mother that works on average 50 -60 hrs per week and <i>I do not own a dishwasher</i>. My kitchen doesn't have the space for a dishwasher even if I could afford one, depressingly enough. Yes, I understand that when my family consumes food off of 30 paper plates per week it seems... well, a <i>tad</i> wasteful... but I also understand that I cannot commit to washing umpteen dishes every single night. I simply to not have the time, and anyone who knows my schedule also knows this. So, I'll apologize to the <s>insane</s> passionate environmentalists and the garbage man (who has to haul all of our bulging bags away!) before I say "I Love My Paper Plates!" There, I said it, but I'll also throw in that I do not subject my children and husband to a life filled with paper plate blandness 24/7 either. There are many weekend-nights during which I serve dinner on actual dinner plates... and then I feel redeemed... until it comes time to wash all of those dirty dishes.<br />
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For more Works For Me Wednesday posts, visit <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/">wearethatfamily.com</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-32041181771950157332010-02-16T06:30:00.001-05:002010-02-16T06:30:00.641-05:00Recipe List Page Up & Running!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTTbZ7sZnxpq9Pj4NFMa7Zl7GdxB_J4IekDEU8uhxrI9Yy8qBTxMwzVzV237-T02G1D2-16fttyltxIQVSJ1n4n4lxnGZiSN9ouxKTQAM5iyCCSQAObdfn3aB2S5H414WUz1lX-AVa9w/s1600-h/cooking+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTTbZ7sZnxpq9Pj4NFMa7Zl7GdxB_J4IekDEU8uhxrI9Yy8qBTxMwzVzV237-T02G1D2-16fttyltxIQVSJ1n4n4lxnGZiSN9ouxKTQAM5iyCCSQAObdfn3aB2S5H414WUz1lX-AVa9w/s320/cooking+border.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have been able to put together a list of recipes that have been featured on the blog so far. They are categorized under "Appetizers, Side, and Dinners" so far on the Recipes page. Find them by clicking the "Recipes" page along the top toolbar, or by clicking <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html">here</a>.<br />
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I plan to continue organizing future recipes on this page. If there is a recipe that you do not see and are trying to find - please let me know!<br />
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Happy cooking. :)Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-62039705293407114322010-02-14T23:00:00.000-05:002010-02-14T23:00:35.653-05:00Menu Plan Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6gAdxxWc_dv4TnFQiMZSqUsyrCXPW_R7KILcb_9xgikPlgsSZpWC9cC6oLPaM1vJda-02A08wqjKem0EsuWF1NFUn52soBmNuMLSDrhFJ61U9uQ1pOk4l8MR1mHwhOL-_9AN9VpxkGU/s1600-h/menubutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6gAdxxWc_dv4TnFQiMZSqUsyrCXPW_R7KILcb_9xgikPlgsSZpWC9cC6oLPaM1vJda-02A08wqjKem0EsuWF1NFUn52soBmNuMLSDrhFJ61U9uQ1pOk4l8MR1mHwhOL-_9AN9VpxkGU/s200/menubutton.png" width="200" /></a></div>Well, I have a confession to make. "Life" happened over the weekend and sis and I did <i>not finish our <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">OAMC</a> day.... </i>in fact, we didn't even start. *gasp*! (Don't tell <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/extras/about-oam/">Once A Month Mom</a> ;) Honestly - it just wasn't meant to be. <a href="http://segermoments.blogspot.com/2009/06/may-oamc-big-day-re-cap.html">My cooking partner </a>wasn't feeling up to the task this weekend and I was a bit relieved when she brought up putting the big cooking day off until next weekend... we already had a jam-packed schedule without cooking. Not having to cook on Sunday also meant not having to spend a couple hours prepping on Saturday evening. So Alan (hubby) and I were able to sneak in a nice, quiet (cheap) steak dinner after the kids were asleep. It really was <i>a breath of fresh air </i>being able to eat a meal by ourselves at our own dining room table; I honestly cannot remember the last time that had happened. It truly was the best Valentine's dinner I could have asked for this year. :) Anywhoo..... my menu plan for this week needed a bit of tweaking, since I had hoped for a freezer-full of meals to choose from that are now nonexistent... oh well. I have found that life goes on even when plans change... and menu planning must go on as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xe-TGZu-jhLC6XqSPS2jvUn611foKtxOxGtWGoyuJDdyUkwdhMICGDKZwwscwk3xm2CITfaTEHmYKJ50975rFAUz-SKemqb6hRRgj4C4XVIOETbRTke0VHihXcABV0B5eTPjFrd-O8s/s1600-h/Jamie+and+Al+wedding+797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xe-TGZu-jhLC6XqSPS2jvUn611foKtxOxGtWGoyuJDdyUkwdhMICGDKZwwscwk3xm2CITfaTEHmYKJ50975rFAUz-SKemqb6hRRgj4C4XVIOETbRTke0VHihXcABV0B5eTPjFrd-O8s/s200/Jamie+and+Al+wedding+797.JPG" width="133" /></a>Oh, and just for kicks, I thought I would include a wedding pic in honor of V-Day. Because sharing a quiet, candlelit dinner in the comfort of my own home with my husband only reinforces how much <i>I truly love him</i>. I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's weekend!<br />
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<b>Monday</b> - Stuffed Baked Potatoes<br />
<b>Tuesday</b> - Baked Ziti<br />
<b>Wednesday</b> - Mommy's teaching a night class, hubby & kiddos on their own = Leftovers<br />
<b>Thursday</b> - Lemon Pepper Chicken and veggies<br />
<b>Friday</b> - Dinner w/friends<br />
<b>Saturday</b> - Family wedding = free meal (nope, I'm not afraid to say it :)<br />
<b>Sunday</b> - <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">OAMM Big Cooking Day</a> (rescheduled) = scarfing food down when I have 5 seconds to spare! Hubby & Jakey might be on their own.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-53083835831159753062010-02-14T06:30:00.001-05:002010-02-14T06:30:00.605-05:00Savory Seger Sunday: Homemade Maid-Rite Sandwiches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62svr8BkIzrn40_7MUevJmgmgS3qMxLkJcuRVxO7HwDPi8BSzsrzrLLptSUXbx5dgJonE77qmKCxOjf7sGHVih5i8wUjwZofpfQN7K58c_UgICiJFNe__Ls18eeK6FkZ5g2NK7PlgG9Y/s1600-h/sss+blog+logo+png.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62svr8BkIzrn40_7MUevJmgmgS3qMxLkJcuRVxO7HwDPi8BSzsrzrLLptSUXbx5dgJonE77qmKCxOjf7sGHVih5i8wUjwZofpfQN7K58c_UgICiJFNe__Ls18eeK6FkZ5g2NK7PlgG9Y/s200/sss+blog+logo+png.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
There is a little city in Darke County, Ohio that is home to a restaurant that makes some of the greatest sandwiches! It's the original <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYU6xooMcfA">Maid-Rite sandwich shop</a>, and boy, these sandwiches are some of the best around. Ask anyone from western Ohio.... they know! Because Greenville (home of the famous Maid-Rites) is a little bit of a drive from my town, I have tried to replicate the recipe at the request of my hubby. Now, I'm not sure how exact this is to the original recipe - but they sure do taste the same. They win the approval of the whole family... which rarely happens and they are oh-so-simple to make!<br />
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</b><br />
<b>Homemade Maid-Rite Sandwiches</b><br />
<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
<div style="text-indent: -48px;"><i><br />
</i></div><i> </i><br />
<i><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1 lb. ground beef<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/3 cup mustard<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/3 cup beer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">1/2 cup diced onions<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Onion powder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Salt & pepper</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -36.0pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Brown ground beef in skillet over medium heat with onions. When done, spoon into a colander and drain well. Place beef & onion mixture back in skillet and stir in mustard, beer, and spices to taste. Cook for 5 minutes, or until beer has soaked into mixture well.</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Spoon onto hamburger buns or bread and serve as a sandwich. I like to add extra mustard to mine, too. :)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US">Makes 4 servings. Leftovers reheat wonderfully.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US">*kid friendly!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div></i>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-49827984452600831972010-02-12T06:30:00.005-05:002010-02-12T09:21:18.208-05:00Changes to My OAMC Routine...Plus Loads of OAMM Giveaways!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8ZZzFezPneUMrRq3nM7sf3lN0zBwyS9ARH1Il7LtXLYzH2uvo7WTR8tOLCtOIqQNsja5d6wur2Uzpxzird8XBW2k7WbeGCAyrKeZcgg2Nnw8nL6psWqbhYNbCZiA5U3ybF49u2q1WI/s1600-h/cooking-link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo8ZZzFezPneUMrRq3nM7sf3lN0zBwyS9ARH1Il7LtXLYzH2uvo7WTR8tOLCtOIqQNsja5d6wur2Uzpxzird8XBW2k7WbeGCAyrKeZcgg2Nnw8nL6psWqbhYNbCZiA5U3ybF49u2q1WI/s320/cooking-link.jpg" /></a></div>My sister and I have been waiting <i>months </i>to get back into the <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">Once A Month Cooking</a> saddle... and the wait is finally almost over! We're going to be cooking the <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/february-2010-oamm-menu-podcast-grocery-list-instructions-and-labels/">February Once A Month Mom menu</a> this Sunday (yeah, I know, I just now realized it will be Valentine's Day...boo me...), and we've decided to make a few changes in our usual OAMC day routine. In the past, I have taken a day off of work in order to match my sister's schedule (she works 3rd shift in a sleep lab) and we have cooked on a Monday. Not a great way to begin the week due to sore muscles, feet, and exhaustion, but it did help that the freezer was stocked at the beginning of the week and we had the weekend to prepare ahead of time (i.e. purchasing groceries, menu planning, etc).</div><br />
This month, we're doing it a bit differently because, well, quite frankly, we're just getting too busy during the week! We've decided to use one of our coveted weekend-days (Sunday) to cook. I am going to take my daughter to my sister's house with me in the hopes that she and my niece will occupy themselves <s>watching TV all day</s> playing with their <a href="http://www.livworld.com/">Liv dolls</a> all day while the grown-up girls cook. Sounds like it should work in theory... but we shall see. ;) This is also a change from my sis and I being used to cooking in a quiet house all by ourselves... free to talk about whatever we choose and drink as many cups of coffee that we please! This is going to take some getting used to....<br />
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We always buy our groceries together in one fell swoop the day before we cook. So this weekend, we will be grocery shopping on Saturday afternoon... ugh. Not my favorite time of the week to go to the grocery store. Long lines will abound... but we can handle it! Oh-yes-we-can! <br />
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I cannot wait for Sunday to get here - by the end of the day I will have a freezer full of ready-to-heat up meals and I will gain at least an hour back each night during the work week and a few extra dollars in my wallet! <br />
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In case you haven't heard, O<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">nce A Month Mom</a> is hosting some GREAT giveaways and contests this month! It's like Christmas all over again! Check them out below and click on the links to see details:<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flirtyaprons.com/images/sassy-black-front-with-bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sassy Black Flirty Apron" border="0" height="200" src="https://www.flirtyaprons.com/images/sassy-black-front-with-bow.jpg" width="106" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"> F<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/things-i-love-thursday-flirty-aprons-giveaway/">lirty Apron Giveaway</a></span></span></span></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.onceamonthmom.com/wp-content/uploads/oamm-menu-contest-3-700-300x158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="oamm-menu-contest-3-700" border="0" height="105" src="http://www.onceamonthmom.com/wp-content/uploads/oamm-menu-contest-3-700-300x158.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/once-a-month-mom-dole-frozen-menu-contest/">OAMM & DOLE Menu Contest</a> (I'm participating!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.onceamonthmom.com/wp-content/uploads/oamm-cook-off-2891.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Once A Month Mom Cook Off" border="0" height="110" src="http://www.onceamonthmom.com/wp-content/uploads/oamm-cook-off-2891.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/once-a-month-mom-cook-off/">OAMM Cook-off</a> (I'm participating!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-53471137993347319912010-02-10T23:23:00.000-05:002010-02-10T23:23:33.291-05:00Things I Love Thursday: Good wine, good steak, & good times with friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV87KuxRvR_7tdAPJS2yY77RCEQakeZRWyVa_VjN-ThUWz-9Qkgb1Ahebi3tOkxGNRQ3k6vWGCwzAeLnO_uQXc4Z1hu9D6Fq6wPrtPSqG7yHaprUm0nkF3PaSzf6c3s4dOWQz0lkug5U/s1600-h/TILT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV87KuxRvR_7tdAPJS2yY77RCEQakeZRWyVa_VjN-ThUWz-9Qkgb1Ahebi3tOkxGNRQ3k6vWGCwzAeLnO_uQXc4Z1hu9D6Fq6wPrtPSqG7yHaprUm0nkF3PaSzf6c3s4dOWQz0lkug5U/s320/TILT.jpg" /></a></div>For those who know me personally, they know that I enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then... preferably a fruity red or blush... please. :) So it goes without saying that I also love enjoying my wine with a nice slab of steak and conversation with good friends. The best place to have all of this fabulous stuff in one spot? <a href="http://www.valleyvineyards.com/">Valley Vineyards</a> in Morrow, Ohio has to be hands down one of the loves of my life. I. Am. Not. Kidding. I fell head over heels for the family-owned vineyard and winery the very first time I visited over seven years ago. VV is not just a winery, but the family also hosts Friday and Saturday night cookouts, complete with cooking your own steaks on one of two open fire pits! This, people, is what won me over. Not to mention the oh-so-delicious side dishes, salad with homemade dressings, and dessert buffet.... If you're ever at VV look for me... I will be the crazy lady trying to sneak five different desserts off of the buffet table without anyone <s>judging</s> seeing me.... The setting of the restaurant portion of the winery gives off a very romantic aura, so is perfect for a Valentine's getaway dinner for two. However, my husband and I have found that we enjoy our trip their best when we are in the company of friends. Nothing says good conversation like wine and steak... okay, so maybe the wine has more to do with it. ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6AHJFgUCPajdieUZG7j98qJzRgyiBXpKbCPR6aoLdUfSCMCLL2mxB-EZlCg7UQBoFbVYxgJp9MtoodU93_LRZdevR2aJAZp6GqaYYacF2gfJOi0P192nE7rthCqi5GrwsK1GlNFdtgw/s1600-h/n39502746_32405014_8913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6AHJFgUCPajdieUZG7j98qJzRgyiBXpKbCPR6aoLdUfSCMCLL2mxB-EZlCg7UQBoFbVYxgJp9MtoodU93_LRZdevR2aJAZp6GqaYYacF2gfJOi0P192nE7rthCqi5GrwsK1GlNFdtgw/s320/n39502746_32405014_8913.jpg" /></a></div>Almost every year since my husband and I began dating, we have traveled to Valley Vineyards sometime in February to jointly celebrate Valentine's Day and my birthday. Of course, this isn't always the best idea, as we tend to have to fight lovely Ohio February weather in order to make it there. But in the end it is always worth the hassle. This year, my husband and I are foregoing our annual VV trip. Partially for financial reasons and partially for scheduling reasons... and it does sort of tug at my heart a little bit. I remain hopeful that we will make back down to this wonderful hidden gem-of-a-place sometime during the summer.... and in the meantime, perhaps hubby and I can pick up a bottle of VV wine at the store and have a little steak & wine dinner in the comfort of our home this February. I could always use a little at-home intimacy just as much as Valley Vineyards togetherness.<br />
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For more <i>Things I Love Thursday</i> Posts, visit <a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/">thediaperdiaries.net</a>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-80316545028591111882010-02-10T06:00:00.001-05:002010-02-10T06:00:00.182-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cr5kSJSzedCunaR7FjuMwEsNL3lQdQh3ordMV4fVKnZOvNIcjHUiYsT2Z51vBAmuvYwuP9mQv_KOdoemqwORK4DET6RKDxDQNhZDdZOaBPysaNatXXgomUYcpuKCr5WEY6QCge0N-Cs/s1600-h/l_1dc2818e7352f427a7f12dbd801dba0f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cr5kSJSzedCunaR7FjuMwEsNL3lQdQh3ordMV4fVKnZOvNIcjHUiYsT2Z51vBAmuvYwuP9mQv_KOdoemqwORK4DET6RKDxDQNhZDdZOaBPysaNatXXgomUYcpuKCr5WEY6QCge0N-Cs/s400/l_1dc2818e7352f427a7f12dbd801dba0f.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
This is the time of year when my husband begins yearning for warmer weather and.... disc golfing. He is an avid disc golfer - like so many others he began in college and has never looked back since! During the short period of time that we lived in the city between my workplace and his, we made frequent trips to <a href="http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/buckck/tabid/716/Default.aspx">Buck Creek State Park</a> with the kiddos. It was an expansive and welcoming green space that was a major saving grace for a 4-person family cramped in a little apartment. <br />
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One can only imagine my husband's joy when he discovered that the park was installing a disc golf course on the outskirts of the premises! He anxiously waited until the first opportunity of the year (we had to bundle the kids up in order to go, but hey, it was for a good cause). And during that first trip out discing at Buck Creek, daddy couldn't resist setting up this photo op. Our youngest, Jake, was about 7 months old when this photo was taken... daddy couldn't have been more proud.Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-13279621549667009152010-02-07T09:35:00.004-05:002010-02-07T10:48:45.643-05:00Savory Seger Sunday: Al's Easy Beef-Veggie Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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I have to tell you... my husband is a great cook. Not in the sense that he makes delicacies or anything, but in the sense that even if we only have three items left in the pantry, he can whip up something delicious out of them! He's very resourceful. I thought I would share the following soup recipe with you that I request for him to make <span style="font-style: italic;">QUITE OFTEN</span> in the winter months - it's great on a cold, snowy day and is oh-so-simple to make!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Al's Crock Pot Beef-Veggie Soup<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Ingredients</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></span>1 -2 lbs beef or 1 large can shredded beef (amount depends upon how much meat you like in <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>your soup)<br />
1 family-sized bag (or 2 small bags) frozen mixed vegetables<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span>1 large jug or large can of V8 juice<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>The following to taste:<br />
- pepper<br />
- salt<br />
- parsley<br />
- onion powder<br />
- garlic powder<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Directions</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Combine all ingredients in a medium-large sized crock pot and set on low for 6-8 hours. Stir occasionally and shred or separate beef (if desired) before serving. Makes enough for 8+ servings and leftovers are <i>fantastic!</i><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-1374575576940527692010-02-04T11:36:00.000-05:002010-02-04T13:19:37.922-05:00Things I Love Thursday: February<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ldD0WBvXwsrfNQY5535vcqwqWNDN7uh-vn6P4cIhlcDSZCpDRqVPjwiDytZoveWgSjnzHXIqD5IT7mOQPMue9fJmdxgZb_2GFPs7UsRPzLHEy7QaROhGmI2y6QAEPaL47lXOdXZWNXM/s1600-h/vday.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ldD0WBvXwsrfNQY5535vcqwqWNDN7uh-vn6P4cIhlcDSZCpDRqVPjwiDytZoveWgSjnzHXIqD5IT7mOQPMue9fJmdxgZb_2GFPs7UsRPzLHEy7QaROhGmI2y6QAEPaL47lXOdXZWNXM/s200/vday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434431118456277954" /></a><br />Wow, it has been a while since I've blogged! I guess the first of the year is always insanely busy for our family... this year was no exception. I thought I would get back in the blogging saddle by writing up a <i><a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/things-i-love-thursday-oxiclean/">Things I Love Thursday</a> </i>post, and this one will be on..... the month of February. Why in the world would anyone <i>love</i> the month of February, you ask? I'm am not unaware of the vast majority of midwestern Americans who absolutely despise this month - we are all sick and tired of winter by this point and it seems never ending. But there are so many reasons to celebrate February in my book. Valentine's Day (while a funny holiday, I admit) is always a nice transition between the cold of winter and the warm promises of spring. My birthday is also in February, which usually means it will be cold and snowing (or sleeting) on the day of... but that's okay, because it is still a reason to celebrate something with my husband and with our family. And that is a great gift in the middle of a cold, wet, and bleak winter.<div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53wUKOBLP0EJKngw-dbBvXtKB2iYyyfT7lUT0Uv6PeEW7A76MkClpdFYzPbW5-Z62F8Els4SxW1Y_UH0D7g7-uWXuHU4PYq-2lviMA3PAMTJEdl04Hvwy3QCkAFl7Gf93383H0FfAC7w/s200/TILT.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434454514891313074" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For more Things I Live Thursday posts, visit <a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/">www.thediaperdiaries.net</a></div>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-49518776833958348382009-12-14T10:54:00.001-05:002009-12-14T11:31:16.711-05:00It's the Most - Busiest Time - of the Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfC6JCl_8vAJKSyk5EYoykgUgC4tTLlTE94K_-UKrNhDiuYsygkYbCSESGkEM7C919bATRbWSE_UjQcI_o4SoTuWmtkzea3TWZsEMifjXt3cnLE-1BoPFl3-A3ns-0D4teCbT_YLrsUY/s1600-h/P62802074_016_229_011508.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfC6JCl_8vAJKSyk5EYoykgUgC4tTLlTE94K_-UKrNhDiuYsygkYbCSESGkEM7C919bATRbWSE_UjQcI_o4SoTuWmtkzea3TWZsEMifjXt3cnLE-1BoPFl3-A3ns-0D4teCbT_YLrsUY/s200/P62802074_016_229_011508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415127094560072482" border="0" /></a><br />Despite the magic of the season, the holidays are always fraught with busyness and stress for most moms, and I am not the exception. The entire month of December tends to go by in one big - "oh my God did I forgot to do that again!!" - blur for me every year. Since my daughter was born almost *gasp!* 6 years ago, Christmas has lost a little bit of it's luster. Don't get me wrong, I still love the holidays... spending quality time with family, eating great food, and savoring every moment of the kids unwrapping their presents on Christmas morning. What stresses me out the most during this time of the year are all of the events that tend to be crammed into just a few weeks. December is a hellaciously busy month for my family. Along with the usual gift-buying and food-making craziness comes my brother in law and grandpa's birthdays (Christmas Eve) and my daughter's birthday (Jan. 4th.) This year add to the list that my husband and I are hosting a New Year's Eve get together - which is something I've always wanted to do (which is great, but you know what I mean about "adding this to the pile"... and ... oh great - now I'm rambling...) :)<br /><br />At any rate, even though Marissa's birthday is in January, it sneaks up on me EVERY YEAR! It usually hits me two or three days after Christmas, when I start thinking about New Year's and all that entails... and I think - "Oh crap!!! Marissa's birthday!!!" Then the craziness ensues.... I try to find the time to go shopping (didn't I just get DONE doing this??), once I'm finally at a store I stare in bewilderment at the empty shelves (did I really think they were going to restock Dec. 26th?) and then send the party invites out about two days before the actually party is to take place (if the guests are lucky, anyway.) So this year, in order to try and prevent all of this mayhem from happening for the sixth year in a row, I've been trying to plan ahead. And where has this gotten me? Well, let's see.... the two birthday gifts that I had already bought ahead have turned into Christmas gifts because Jake's pile of gifts looked to be about three times the size of Marissa's.... and when I asked Marissa what she would like her party theme to be this year she has gone from Jasmine, to Pocahantas, to Strawberry Shortcake, to American Girl (you get the picture)... so needless to say, invites have not been started and party supplies have not been purchased. Ugh.<br /><br />To save my sanity, I am actually thinking of only getting Marissa two gifts for her party this year and then taking her to our annual birthday Build-A-Bear store trip a couple weekends after her birthday. This would give me a HUGE chance to just b-r-e-a-t-h-e after the holidays. It's not like she needs to get ten presents for her birthday right after Christmas or anything. I guess the goal for my holiday season this year is to try and stress-less, and then hope that my family can pick up on that and I may not turn into the almost gray-haried monster I usually am by New Year's Day. I want to be able to take the time to stop and smell the pine -- to be able to enjoy Christmas this year without have to think of a million birthday-related things in the process. However, now that I think about it, I guess the invitations aren't going to do themselves...and Marissa has yet to pick a party theme. Oh, poop. :PJamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-24170807132568998102009-12-10T10:34:00.000-05:002009-12-10T10:34:00.105-05:00Gifts from My Christmas Kitchen - Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOgQZD03ZGkd95dqKllTwDCK4dBApZahPVd1-jVuB6EnXOYg4EymwnGUpAAJulWoYLhH9ay4zfddwC645-Ck9uIdZZQaC2ghmDU82NhQ8wc5CNfs7_BtaOdOg1BP9DejC1gX-5eKh3gw/s1600-h/xmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOgQZD03ZGkd95dqKllTwDCK4dBApZahPVd1-jVuB6EnXOYg4EymwnGUpAAJulWoYLhH9ay4zfddwC645-Ck9uIdZZQaC2ghmDU82NhQ8wc5CNfs7_BtaOdOg1BP9DejC1gX-5eKh3gw/s200/xmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413083887356462194" border="0" /></a><br />This week, my friend <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/extras/about-oam/">Tricia</a> over at <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/christmas-gifts-from-your-kitchen/">Onceamonthmom.com</a> invited a guest post focused on creating unique Christmas gifts from your very own kitchen. This post reminded me of some wonderful smelling ornaments I made a few years ago. Each year I have kept telling myself that "this year will be the year I make them again!" Yet, I never seem to get around to it. :(<br /><br />Five years ago, I was (very) pregnant with my daughter and was desperately looking for things to keep myself occupied. Because it was the holiday season, I was definitely busy, but the later stages of pregnancy tends to cause many sleepless nights and there were many nights that I couldn't fall asleep until 1:00 a.m. or so. On these late nights, I would find myself busily preparing Christmas goodies in my (then huge) kitchen.... oh how I miss that kitchen. At any rate, one of the "goodies" I made in abundance that year was a big batch of Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments. I was amazed at how <span style="font-style: italic;">amazing</span> my entire house smelled for weeks after making these things! To tell you the truth, they're very simple to make. I gave a few to my mother for a small gift that year.... when I walked into her home this past weekend after her tree was up and the decorations were hung (including those ornaments) I could still smell them!<br /><br />I'm planning on making the first batch of ornaments since that year this coming weekend, and my daughter will be helping me this time! :) Here is the recipe:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Ingredients</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span>1 cup ground cinnamon<br />1 cup store-bought applesauce (homemade tends to be too runny)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Instructions</span><br />Mix both ingredients in a medium mixing bowl until well blended. Form into a ball and roll flat on a flour-covered surface or wax paper-covered surface. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Poke a small hole in the top of each ornament with either a plastic straw or toothpick. Place each ornament on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Let air dry for 4-5 days. This seems like a long time, but the wonderful aroma that will fill your house will be worth it!<br /><br />Once ornaments have dried completely, string a pretty ribbon through each hole and tie at the top. If you are giving these as a gift, wrap a few in wax paper before putting in another type of packaging. Brown paper and ribbon would suite this type of homemade gift well!<br /><br />Voila - beautiful, fragrant ornaments that will last for years!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> :)<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7655025694579898470.post-62019260229351235372009-12-07T22:16:00.000-05:002009-12-07T22:18:08.573-05:00The Seger Virtual Christmas Card for 2009!<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d5449344d7a49794e544d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Merry Christmas from the Segers!" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d5449344d7a49794e544d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;" width="386" height="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img alt="Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;" width="386" height="46" /></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/scrapbooks" target="_blank">Make a Smilebox scrapbook</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Jamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02643864920429641298noreply@blogger.com0