Monday Miscellany

While making dinner last night, I went to the cupboard to discover we didn't have any mushrooms. What? No mushrooms! This has never happened! We always have some in the cabinet. How do I prepare dinner without them? What will this meal be like without the mushrooms?! If you hadn't caught on, we like mushrooms at our house...just a little. In fact, they are a staple in our kitchen.

This had me checking some other things in the fridge, cupboards and pantry. I've been a little busy lately and a few things slip my mind when making runs to Kroger. As in forgetting to pick up garbage bags on trash day. Whoops. That was a big inconvenience, let me tell you!

So I started thinking about what some of our staple items are and thought I would share with you a few things will find in our kitchen at almost all times.

• Mushroom (we like 'em)


• Nutella (I can't believe I didn't try this sooner. This stuff is AMAZING)


• BREAD!


• Bananas (seriously, we go through them entirely too fast)


• Garlic (minced)


• Salsa (I love it--on lots of things)


• String Cheese (because its super fun!)


• Kraft Singles (does this one need an explanation?)


• Pancake mix (flavors may change, but I'd be lost without it)


• Chicken--of any kind (breasts, nuggets, stuffed, salad strips...)


• Macaroni and cheese (It's the cheesiest)


• Tuna fish (love it)


• fruit cups (because sometimes they are just easier than buying the "real" thing and cutting it up daily)


• Nestle Quick (chocolate milk is essential)


• Tortillas (if we have chicken, cheese and salsa at all times AND a quesadilla maker, then it only makes sense to have tortillas for a quick snack...or dinner meal)

There's the basics. I'm sure there are more, but these came to mind immediately. I look forward to doing this again in 6 months or so and seeing what, if anything, changes.

Nothing like the last minute!

After hold up after hold up, look who made it home for Thanksgiving!! Nothing like arriving hours before, but we'll take it! Gavin wouldn't let go. Perfect.

You spin me right round

Finally, after over 7 years in a cabinet, I have put my salad spinner that was received as a wedding gift, to use!! I LOVE salad and make them all the time so I haven't the foggiest why I've never used it. Maybe it's because it seems like extra work..something else to wash...I just don't think about it. I don't really know. What I do know, it's PERFECT for spinning paint to look like Turkey feathers!! 

After all that work we needed a snack, of course.

 

Or maybe not. He was too interested in doing puzzles this evening. His latest accomplishment: he can put 

together a 24-piece puzzle all on his own.

  

The sweet smile of success!

 

Thankful in TwentyTen

WOW...

A lot has happened this year … many ups and downs and all-arounds but, here I am and I’m proud to say I have a list of things for which to be grateful! I can't be certain, but I'm willing to take a chance at saying that I have felt all emotions possible this year. I am still thankful for the same things that I was last year, but some of them hold a deeper appreciation than last year. Reread 2009.

I have a thing for the number five. No reason, I just do.
So, today I’m going to list 5 THINGS I’M THANKFUL FOR::

1) both strength and struggles in life
I have gone through some major hardships, as I know most people have done as well. These struggles are not limited to 2010. I’m constantly amazed at the strength people have when they think they have none left. And they can’t even see it in themselves. People are capable of so much, and if it wasn’t for the struggles, we wouldn’t need our strength — they go hand in hand and I appreciate them both. I can even see the strength in myself if I look really closely, and that makes me insanely thankful because I've felt pretty bad a few times and thought I *might* not have any strength left. But I do, and that’s just awesome!

2) family — including close friends
What would we do without family!! There aren't words or thanks I could give them for all their support and guidance this year. It's been unconditional. I include my close friends in this group in my heart. If I didn’t have them, I’m not sure how I’d survive either.

3) people who speak their mind
Never underestimate the power of your voice. I appreciate when people simply are who they are and tell it like it is. I love honesty and the basics. Sure, it can hurt at times, but it’s also always so helpful — if one is constructive about what’s said. Gossip and speaking up are NOT the same thing. I think it’s fabulous I have friends and family who are close enough and trust me enough to tell me the truth and help me in the process. I could go into detail to explain better, but I’d end up writing a novel, so I think this will have to suffice.

4) my house/my job/my life
We are still going through a rough time, but you know what — I’m alive, I have a job that is proving challenging and rewarding, a darling little boy, and I have a roof over my head with good food on the table. Need I say more?

5) my blog
This one may seem kind of, well, silly, but I am obsessed with taking pictures and documenting everything that I can about our lives. I take pics of G, — anything and everything. I even love taking pictures of pictures to send to Tim. I document everything in my life visually and ‘on paper.’ Just a thing I have. My blog is my virtual scrapbook. I look forward to printing it into a book this year. I will hold these memories for a lifetime.

So, this holiday season, I’m just happy to be happy with what I have. And I’m happy to be able to share it with you all!

The Parade Alternative Alternative

Saturday, November 20th, was the Bowling Green Holiday Parade. You know how much we LOVE parades! Unfortunately, I failed to follow all necessary steps to request off and was scheduled to work. I was so bummed. I had been looking forward to taking Gavin and meeting up with some friends. Ah, life goes on, and I was only supposed to work until noon, which was passed the time-frame of the parade, but I can figure something out, right?! I did PROMISE a little boy a parade. So I talked to some friends and we were going to put on our own parade down the sidewalk! Now doesn't that sound like much more fun?!!  The Indian Summer weather only made it that much more exciting! I couldn't wait. But of course, there are always going to be situations that are out of your control. So rather than noon, I didn't get home from work until nearly 2 o'clock! My friends did not come as we would be playing dangerously now that it was "melt-down, tantrum-throwing" time of day without naps.  But I PROMISED a little boy a parade! So, we did the best we could with what we had. Some red paint, a cardboard box, paper, markers and bear. The day didn't go as I had wished by any means, but I think we did OK. **sidenote, I would like to thank my parents for keeping Gavin a little longer that morning and mom for sacrificing her "getting-ready-for-a-wedding" appointments.**

After painting and crafting (sorry, no pictures of the process this time), we headed out to grab a motor, aka, his wagon and take her for a spin.

 

I wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity for someone to pull me home either.

We made it back home and continued to take advantage of a spectacular fall afternoon. I even caught a few

waves from him.

 

He was having so much fun this afternoon that he didn't want to come in for dinner! So I did what any mom

would do...I held out a dum-dum sucker and he came a runnin'!

Wordless Wednesday-Tango

Monday Miscellany

5 Things I learned this weekend.

1) I learned that I'd rather Gavin wet the bed on weekdays than weekends. Sundays nap was taken on the floor of the living room. I wouldn't actually call it a nap, but he did lay still with his blanket and bear for over an hour watching TV. There weren't enough hours in the morning to get all the errands and laundry done to get his bed made again by noon.

2) I learned there are far too many little crevice details on the bottom of toddler shoes. This little bit of knowledge came to me while I was using toothpicks to clean the bottom of them after my angel trampled through dog doo.

3) I learned that letting Gavin hold a toy in the cart at the store for entertainment does just the trick. However, sneaking toy back on shelf on the way out doesn't work--He DOES notice at checkout and expresses this in tears.

4) I learned that Crayola is the only way to go. Their products are wonderful and the assortment is ginormous!

5) And speaking of Crayola, I learned that Magic Erasers may very well be the greatest invention EVER!