Showing posts with label soups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soups. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

much better day plus lots of food details


Hmmm…… How was my day and what did I do???

Well during bfast I read my book.  I didn’t get a good nights sleep and managed to eat my food quickly so I ‘rested’ with the thought that I’d go to Kroger to get pork for dinner, however when the alarm went off Sasha came and cuddled w me.  Now when I say cuddled I should mention that she crawled into the chair w me w/out invite.  But I guess my wiggling/playing sort of seemed like I was patting so I allowed her to inch her way up.  it was nice cuddling w her for 15 more minutes.  Yes I’m living mommyhood through my four legs.  

At work I checked my email and had to clock in.  

The day was a bit better, my CCT3 was back and we were kind of low in numbers.  Actually we ended up being low in the afternoon too.  I honestly can’t think of anything worthy of noting through out the day.  Fortunately enough we were able to get out and do close to 45 minutes of paperwork.  I completed my summaries!!!  Now all I need to do is update the goals, which I’m hoping to do tomorrow during our time. 

I don’t think I remembered to tell you that the people I family (one child and three dogs) sit for are expecting.  I ran into the guy on Saturday at the dog park and he told me.  The lady is only 6 weeks along, which IMO is a bit early to tell people based on what I know.  I found out today during my pw time they are also getting married!  I talked to a coworker, the chick who gave him my no and didn’t get too much more info.  

Also the floater had her baby today at 6:30 a.m..  I thought it was strange that she was considered ‘in labor’ since Sunday evening.  Her water broke then.  However, to me, since I haven’t had kids, I would think labor really means the hours one is ‘pushing’ and trying to get the baby out rather than just ‘your-water-has-broken-the-baby-is-on-its-way’ time.  

On the way home I stopped at the store to get dinner, which put me getting home two minutes b/4 hubs (who went to the dog park).  

While making dinner I brought up to the hubs about him going with me to Paris this weekend, only to learn that he has to work at Rich’s both days this weekend.  

That’s really all for today. 

I sort of did better w food choices except for the damn crackers:
Bfast – strawberry mango parfait w banana greek yogurt 
IMO – the yogurt wasn’t as impressive as I thought it would
        be.  I’ll admit it was better than the last one I had, but wasn’t
        fully impressed.  Now I’ve got the pear one to try soon. 
Lunch – soup edited via my style
IMO – LOVED IT!!!!  I added crushed red pepper, Canadian
        steak seasoning, and garlic as well as some frozen veggies.
        Made almost the same thing for tomorrow!
Snacks – 2 mandarin oranges and a bunch of ritz crackers
Dinner – pork chop (pan seared), cheese rice (BLEH), steamed broccoli, & vino.
Dessert – spiked coffee (I really wanted a fig Newton, but they weren’t open, instead I had four wheatie cereals (bites).  

The best part about today is a toss up btwn finishing my summaries and sharing dinner w the hubs (we don’t have the exact same thing too terribly often) OH and we already basically know what we are having tomorrow! 

Hope you had a high for your day…

Monday, March 11, 2013

Monday is over


So today was rough!  Sasha basically booted me out of bed.  She seemed to need lots of stretching space so I decided to crawl into the guest bedroom.  Also it was partly b/c I couldn’t go back to sleep w/out noise and I can turn the radio on in there to sleep to.  I also had to be at work early since my CCT3 was out to attend a funeral.  

The nice part about the day was the early to work shift, early quick lunch, and early to leave and come home! Everything else was a bit up and down through out the day.  The morning was easy, the kids refuse to sit and listen during circle, gym was a blast, lunch and nap was a headache, snack was easy, then we just danced.  That’s it really.  

During the a.m. my CCT1 informed me that she was going to be about 15 mins late only to come in a couple hours later to let me know she wasn’t coming in at all b/c of staffing!  In case that doesn’t make sense to you, I didn’t get paperwork today!  I really needed it too.  

At my place I took care of dishes, lunch, AND dinner!  Dinner was a new one and my own creation. Before that though here ‘s the rest:
Bfast – banana blueberry oatmeal
Lunch – soup
IMO – it was sooo good.  It reminded me of my fav tomato
        soup from Aldi’s.  However this one was 4WW+’s instead of
        2, all b/c of the pasta??!?!  I really wish I could recreate this
        soup.  It’s my favorite tomato.  
Snacks – apple, cantaloupe, four bites of cookie, an indulgent treat of graham cracker w choc syrup and whip topping!  
Dinner – an Asian dish
Fresh made lentils w mandarin spices
Sautéed onions and red cabbage w soy and chili paste
tossed w mango and left over wild rice
IMO – delish!  Def not picture worthy (lentils are
                hideous), but yummy.  Aaron came home and said ‘it
                makes me want Chinese food’.  Also that he’d eat it, but 
                would like some chicken or shrimp added. I also had a
                half glass of vino, just didn’t feel like finishing it

The best part of the day was hearing hubs comment the yumminess of my dish.  It was what I was aiming for!

How was your Monday???

Thursday, February 28, 2013

lots and lots of info!

Wow this morning was an icky one!  I was eating my bfast and Sasha girl lost hers right in front of me! 

At work I finally realized how to help Dear Fussy, not sure I mentioned this but she’s been in panties all week too!  Anyways she’s gotten to where she says really mean things to me and asks for my CCT3….soooooo duh why have I been ‘fighting’ it so to speak this entire time?!?!  Now I kind of just let my CCT3 do everything w the little girl.  Why on earth would I willingly cause a breakdown when just letting my CCT3 helps and the task is done in less than two minutes? 

We got paperwork again today!  My old CCT1 came in at 2:05!  Fortunately enough for us I mentioned to my CCT3 to have her stuff ready so she could head right out.  I went to the ladies room and then she went.  My partner in crime took the entire time, an hour and forty five minutes at least.  The DR had scheduled the new fill in chick to come in for an hour (from 3:30 – 4:30) and that was my time.  She didn’t really come in till 3:35 and I had to help settle everybody in so I really only got forty five minutes.  I recorded it on our calendar just in case somebody wants to ask when I do my business.  I need to have the balls to say to my CCT3 that we should split it better. 

On my way home I had a bad feeling about my car b/c I knew my oil was low, at least had a pretty good idea it was.  When I pulled into the driveway I checked it and my feeling was correct.  I headed to Wal Mart.  Horrible idea at the time.  There was an accident of some sort about two blocks from the store and it took two of three lanes out.  Once I finally got there I was super quick getting the stuff I needed (I decided to make a dish for baby shower tomorrow – after pondering it over forever).  When I got in the car I realized I forgot the entire reason I was there; the OIL!!!  So I had to pull around back and get some; however I also discovered that my battery actually has a 3 yr warranty and I got it in July of 12’. 

Back home I got busy on my ‘salad’.  I used this recipe w a few tweaks of my own
            I didn’t use the corn subbed bell peppers.  Used roma and a vine tomatoes instead of the babies.  
            And since I love me some red onion did that instead of yellow.  I also used black, kidney, and
            chickpeas. 
            IMO – the first bite was kind of weird, kind of a little extra spice or something.  It’ll calm I’m sure
            once all the flavors ‘merry’. 

Okay, my belly is full and I’m ready to relax.  My eats:
Bfast – peach blueberry 7 grain
Snacks – crackers w cheese and pretzels
Lunch – soup spiked w veggies and extra flavors (I put bay leaves in and LOVED it, as well as crushed red pepper) 
Snacks – cheese cubes and grapes
Dinner – an instant Asian ramen noodles that was flavored chili and lemongrass. 
            IMO – ehhh.  It was supposed to be a soup like I think, but I didn’t want it that runny so I nuked it
            way longer than the directions said and I think it killed the flavors.  I tossed it w shrimp too. 

Time to hit the sack, the best part of today is getting some extra paperwork time.

Do you eat canned soup?  How?

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

what a night

Man I figured today was going to be terrible; thanks to my wonderful pup I got very little sleep.  She was a bed hog and wouldn’t share an inch no matter how hard I tried to get her to scoot.  Was tempted to get into the guest bed, but toughed it out. 

After showering, eating, and reading, I tried to rest my eyes for twenty minutes but Sasha didn’t want me to do that either.  She laid down on her cushion while I did all the prior, but as soon as I turned the lamp off to rest she was up and busy again! 

I remembered I had to get gas b/4 work so got my tail in high gear to get ready. 

Upon arrival emails were checked and then research for mom’s 50 birthday was started.  I’d really like to give her the gift of swimming with the dolphins.  I considered going over to the IL’s and work on it this evening, but realized it’s Tuesday and I can do it tomorrow on WW possibly. 

The day was fine, nothing awful, nothing incredible.  Wait I did have a wonderful experience w Dear Fussy.  We were in the RR w Abstract Impy.  A.I. did an amazing job and I gave lots and lots of praise; well I think D.F. wanted the praise but couldn’t sit on that potty b/c there was pee all over the floor.  To shorten this she was extremely ornery; she told me ‘I can’t do it, get out, & I want CCT3’.  Then my CCT3 helped and little lady did well for her!  That’s the only ‘down side’ of the day. 

During my break I completed loading and linking all my entries.  I also entered to win a new cook book, again. 

The DR’s kids weren’t here today, but showed up at five till four and asked to come and play.  When it was time for me to leave both of her girls made us over ratio so the PC had to come in. 

Since it was wet out Sasha and Aaron didn’t stay at the park as long; so I played w her b/4 taking care of business.  After twenty or so minutes I did the norm.  When hubs got out of he shower we shared a blueberry and a blackberry w pup.  She didn’t really care for the first, but seemed to really enjoy the second.  It was fun watching her eat the blackberry.  She seemed to eat it bubble by bubble piece (what do you call those little things on the berry?) 

While eating dinner I talked to my mom about this weekend.  She said I could bring Sasha!  I’m torn: take her (which means a two hour car ride – a first; and lots and lots of extra stuff to be toted AND the worry of whether or not she’ll stay in my parents yards) OR leave her (where she’ll get to play at the park or w Bosco, but be kenneled on Monday and Tuesday). 

Think that’s all I want to remember/tell you about today.  Now to take credit
Bfast – roasted balsamic banana and strawberry oatmeal
            IMO – ick!  Not so sure I liked the bananas.  They didn’t mush the way they are supposed to. 
            However I’m not sure if it was b/c they were fresh bananas or if it was due to the roasting.  I might
            brave it and try again later. 
Snacks – a handful of cereal and a few pretzel sticks, as well as my grapes
Lunch – soup
            IMO – should have known by the color that it wasn’t going to be yummy.  Kind of bland and the
            extra spice (as in lots of squirt) I added didn’t do a thing.  I’m going to try it again tomorrow w a
            tweak.
Snacks – six or so ritz like crackers, pineapple kiwi salad, and my Cameo
Dinner – last bit of swt and sour over caulirice.  As well as a bite of bread, two pepperoni’s, a few bites of pasta salad, and two huge-a-mongus bites of Aarons seafood w spinach pasta – DEEEE Freakin lish!!! Vino x 2
Dessert – a cookie and a truffle

Watching Sasha enjoy the blackberry was my high, as well as talking w my momma.

Would love to know what you call the little bubbles on the berries!?!? 

Monday, February 25, 2013

a nice start to the week

We had another decent Monday as far as the come and go.  Nothing out of the norm in the am.  I pulled a couple pieces of duck jerky for Sasha and she was so excited that she made getting into her kennel uber easy.  With that I was able to get to work with plenty of time and checked my emails and paid a bill; woops I forgot to pay the other one and just now realized!  EEK, hopefully I’ll get to it tomorrow. 

My CCT had to work the late shift, as in later than me!  Instead of staying w the rascals I got to take our kids back to the room.  Man Dear Fussy is a very unfriendly Monday morning kinda person!  I said something to CCT3 and she said that’s how her Monday’s always are.  Other than the grumpiness it was easy. 

One of the girls came in wearing panties today!  A family I sit for actually.  Mom told me that they were going to try it over the weekend and if little lady did well she’d wear em’ today; guess she did well b/c she only had one accident!  I used my phone as a potty alarm and she loved the song she picked out.  Abstract Impy will be her name, lets hope I remember!  The only pee she really did was in her pull up during nap time. 

Since CCT3 worked the laste shift she got to take an hour lunch AND I got to take the early one.  I checked and deleted all the unimportant bogs as well as uploaded almost all my back logged entries.  I almost got done uploading yesterdays, but had lots of links so that slowed me down a bit. 

While my CCT3 was on her break I basically completed one of my tallies of an assessment that had to be done ASAP.  I’m pretty sure I forgot to mention it last week.  One of my friends, who has a kid in the room, has concerns about his language due to what her parents said.  She voiced it to our HR lady, who passed the concern on through the vine and finally got to us.  He’s doing fine!  His lowest score was 3 yrs and 4 months.  Several of his scores were at 4 years and he won’t be 4 till June or July. 

The floater, my old CCT1, came in at 2:10 to give us paperwork.  I was a bit flustered b/c she always comes in late.  I tried to figure out what it is that keeps her, but didn’t go about it the best way b/c she got ticked when I asked.  She said ‘you’re never ready when I come in anyways so I come in late’ and ‘I’m usually here at five after’.  I had to tell her that ‘she’s normally there around 2:15 and part of the reason we aren’t ready is b/c we aren’t sure whether or not she’s coming in since she’s always late’.  Then she said something about she hasn’t had a lunch break in three weeks anyways and was pissed about that.  Basically nothing was settled and I’m not sure if she’s still mad at me or not. 

Also I think my CCT3 is ill w me too.  Last week she went on Monday the entire time and when I asked her about me going the entire time like discussed she seemed a bit perturbed; she went the entire time then too (I’m such a sucker – I know there will be times I’ll need more than she does and hope she’s willing to share/give up her time).  When our relief came in she said ‘you can go the whole time since I took ups o much last week.  I know I’m probably reading too much into it, but that’s my personality.  I wonder how we’ll split the time on Wednesday.  I haven’t started the LP for next week.  I took care of the kids assessment and then scored my data sheets so I can start typing the summaries. 

When I went back to class there were very few kids and they were willing to listen so it was easy.  Few kids = 6 w 2 leaving at a quarter after and 1 getting therapy ASAP.  So I really just had 3 to play and color with.  I took em’ on an excursion and practiced drinking from the water fountain. 

Of course when I got home I took care of lunch, dinner prep, and then the dishes.  Now we are watching another movie.
            IMO - thank goodness we saved a dollar

I’m not so sure I did well today:
Bfast – blueberry peach 7 grain hot cereal
Snacks – a handful of caramel rice crackers and a cupcake
Lunch – minestrone soup w black beans and extra veggies
            IMO – WAY better than w the extra spinach I did last week
Snack – five veggie straws, cantaloupe, and 2 bites of chocolate
Dinner – LO spaghetti squash casserole revamped w tropical salsa, extra zucchini and onions, tossed w balsamic vinegar. 
            IMO – edible, not the best. 

I enjoyed watching the kids drink from the fountain the most today.  It was cute watching em’ try to hold the button and drink at the same time.  Mr. Sensitively Susceptible was my fav; he said it tasted like lemonade!  To cute and imaginative.

I’m thankful that today was a nice one, and hope tomorrow will be too! 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

all about soup!

Howdy folks, I know the last few entries have been extremely brief, but I’m making it all up here!!! 

I tried sleeping in again but failed.  I think I may have been out of bed around seven or so.  Did the norm then: showered, ate, balanced my checkbook/paid bills, and then called dad.  I would like to remember that if I haven’t been paying dads bill as well as our own I’d have quite a bit more money as in close to double digits w a few zeros!!!!  CRAZY!!!

Aaron was up earlier than I expected so we headed out together; a little after ten.  Aaron took care of his ‘emergency’ while I checked emails and drank a tea cup of coffee. 

THEN we went to soup tasting!!!!  Let me just tell you there were some fabulous ones as well as awful terrible spat out ones!  My fav’s were:
            Roasted Cauliflower & Leek
                        IMO – made cauliflower hearty and smoky all at the same time
            Roasted Turnip & Apple Cider Bisque
                        IMO – it has one heart.  Notes say ‘nice and fally’.  Honestly I don’t remember it.  But I did
                        just finish eating. 
            Caribbean Sweet Potato
                        IMO – LOVED the spice w the sweetness, would’ve been my fav if the others hadn’t
                        trumped it
            Creamy Turnip & Bacon w Turnip Green Salad
                        IMO – this one actually got my vote for fav!!!!  It was smoky, spicy, earthy, & sweet all at
                        the same time. 
            Tomato Basil
                        IMO – LOVED this one too, but I don’t think a tomato soup should be brought into a soup
                        challenge, unless it’s the best I’ve had. 
            Roasted Cauliflower w Crispy Brussels leaves & Candied Pancetta
                        IMO – might have loved more, but MIL ate all the leaves and pancettea.  I didn’t feel like
waiting in a second line for a final tasting. 
            Stilton Soup
                        IMO – I love this soup, but I’m pretty sure it’s the third time they’ve brought it.  This time
                        wasn’t their best either.  They put a whole spinach leaf in it instead of some chopped small
                        bites w/in. 
            Carrot Cake w Caramel & Cream Cheese Drizzle
                        IMO – a nice desert soup, could only eat the soufflé cup though, anymore and I’d be bleh!
            Drunkn’ Chicken Chowder
                        IMO – This wasa in running for second as my voting fav.  The first cup I had was awesome:
                        lots of chicken, potatoes, carrots, corn, and a nice bite of heat.  However the second cup
                        that I went
                        back for to compare was all spice and fatty tasting. 

It took me a while to decide which one I liked best.  I kept remembering the way the first one from the Kitchen tasted, but kept telling myself ‘which one would I order that I think is more consistent?’ and that helped me vote.  My MIL voted for the Lobster B.L.T but only b/c it was served in a Hawaiian bread like ‘bowl’.  She went back and got me seconds to compare and it was too bacony!  They bread really made the soup. 

When we got back home Carolyn and I passed out!  We chatted for a bit, but then had us a nice rest till around 3.  Aaron came back and shared w me all the fun he had at the parks.  He finally got to meet George!  Sasha didn’t play w him all that much though.  I think it was b/c they were at Centennial rather than Shelby.  At the first park she played w Nino (the monster GD from meetup) and Boady a cute little five month old or so choc lab we met yesterday.  At centennial she played w Jackson (a GD a month or so older, he’s a merle) and Scout (the boxer whose owner Aaron went to school with).  Aaron also reported that Sash experimented w climbing on the picnic tables and loved it!!!!!!! 

B/4 heading home we stopped at the redbox and rented two movies
                       IMO - LOVED the second one!  I really wanted to see the first, but it didn't impress really. 
                       the coolest part was when he had his daughter find em'.  The second one though was abso-
                       lutely riveting!  I loved Adam as the Daddy Vamp and just too precious over all.  Would def
                       recomend all toon lovers out there to watch/own it!

We worked as a team to complete dinner and lunch prep.  Dinner was delish; venison/gyro cheese steak w roasted potatoes.  I served my ‘steak’ over a bed of spinach and sautéed onions and bell peppers.  The veggies made the meat sweet.  My potatoes were tasty too.  Aaron usually cuts them into little triangle shapes, but I sliced em’ into medallions.  I think I like it this way better; more potato w crisp in each bite.  While making dinner I tried a new beer.
                        IMO – tasty!!!  Def could drink a six pack, esp in the summer time.  Hubs said he liked it
                        too. 

Guess that’s really all the words I’ve got for today.  The best part was spending time w my MIL and eating samples!

Are there any fundraising events in your area that you try to hit every time you can????  Hope you have a great week…

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

almost ready to drop the 'f' bomb!

I finished my book this morning during bfast.  I really enjoyed.  I’m contemplating doing a write up, IMO just about it.  It took me quite a while to finish it, so I’ll probably skip that idea; however I think w the next one I should take notes and that way I can.  Some of my fav bloggers do write ups. 

B/4 heading to work I finally broke down and went through my trunk to see if my lost book was there.  It wasn’t.  Which means I’m going to have to buy a new, or at least hope that my MIL has it.  (I called her during lunch and she said she’s going t look in her car/trunk too). 

Traffic was semi friendly.  I say semi b/c this bee-yatch, driving one of my dream cars, cut me off as I was turning left onto the ‘get on the interstate lane’ – arrogant lady!  What makes it more humorous is that she too was going to the same exit I was going!  How small is the world?!?!  I was sitting in the left turning lane and noticed that she was there.  Stupid heifer! 

I say semi friendly b/c I was able to check my emails as well as my oil; speaking of which I should get more and fill soon or maybe possibly do a change! 

When I got into my room I had the kids complete their box paintings.  Since I had five plus kids to do the task and they were all boys I was able to remove their shirts so they wouldn’t get paint on them even though they were wearing paint smocks (note to self need to wash them tomorrow)!!  They were pretty adorable wearing just their smocks.  The rest of the day was easy; nice circle, fun centers, easy naps, fun twister playing math circle. 

The floater had the gall to inquire about leaving our room if there are lots of adults like today.  I respect and understand why she asked, but it wasn’t the time.  Normally it’s just the 3 of us and today there were four extra.  During rest time my CCT3 and I discussed it and decided it was okay for her to leave if our circle time was going well.  We want her in there at 9 to help clean up and transition and make sure to be back in order to help with centers.  There’s way more on this topic later on in the day, but I like to tell it in order so I don’t forget anything.  So scroll on down. 

During lunch I finally got all my back logged entries uploaded.  I didn’t get to finish all the comments on last night’s entry.  I wanted to let the two bloggers now I gave them some link love like my ‘friend’ said she did; hopefully I’ll remember to do it tomorrow. 

The DR came in during snack, 2:30, to say she wanted to chat w me when we dropped down in ratios.  Made me panic a bit.  I hate detest abhor when somebody does that – tells you something important and then makes you wait to figure out what it is.  I went in and found out;
1)      The child I mentioned awhile back whose mom badmouthed us on FB; she misinterpreted my statement I said yesterday.  She inquired about how well her daughter was doing wearing her glasses.  My statement was honest: we haven’t really had much chance to work on wearing them since we’ve been working on so many others during circle.  She said to child’s new SLT: the teacher
said it was too hard to work on so they aren’t doing it AND the DR overheard!  She was upset and wants me to fix it.  Now I get reprimanded for the idiot moms statement and have to beg for forgive-
ness ANDDDD bust my ass even harder than I am now! 
2)      To add frosting to that cake a parent has complained that we aren’t wiping their kids asses enough! 
Now we have to watch the kids poop and check their bums more often.  Also I’m doing a ‘butt check’ at the end of the day.  Now the kids have to clean up by 4:30 and I get to make sure their faces and ‘cheeks’ are clean!  I did it today and felt very strange.  I told the kids what I was doing and the majority of them were okay with it.  They actually dropped their pants and some of them even pulled their cheeks apart for me to see!  I’m sure if somebody came in and saw me do it (I did it behind the changing table) they’d say it was crude, but I can’t do it in the bathroom b/c then I leave the other kids unattended!  I could go on an on about this bs, but I wont.
3)      Now onto the sprinkles on my icing: we aren’t allowed to let the kids cross the gender bathrooms! 
We have 6 boys in underwear and 2 girls.  In case you can’t tell that’s a huge difference.  Now we will have four boys waiting to go potty instead of using the girls.  The DR said we could let the boys use the girls, but not if a girl was in there!  However the girls are in now way allowed to use the boys b/c it’s just plain nasty.  The only exception is Dear Fussy b/c if she’s asking to go potty and wants to use the boys I’m not stopping her; it’s too much trouble!

Once again I could go on and on for pages of complaint here, but I wont.  I was able to talk to my CCT3 and we both feel the same.  We’ve decided that now the pregnant lazy ass floater will not be able to leave the room and come back; her sole purpose during circle is to make sure Jumping Tantrum wears her glasses!  Also the EI and her therapist, since they get to do one on one work, will have to start wearing them too. 

The DR said that whenever we feel overwhelmed like this to come to her and she’d try to help us figure out how to compensate and work on the goals better.  Like there’s ever time to have a meeting with her; which I let her know.  Anytime I try to talk w her it’s rush rush rush and interrupted.  ERRRR, I find myself gritting my teeth right now. 

Okay gotta get out w the bad. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,

When I finally finished my conversation w CCT3 hubs was doing the dishes in the house.  I made his rice and prepped lunch, and ‘caulirice’ for my dinner.  Then I took over so he could make his lunch and dinner. 

Now we are watching NCIS and I’m done telling you about the day itself.

To keep up with taking responsibility:
Bfast – macerated strawberries w banana and oatmeal
            IMO – I’ve done this combo b/4 and haven’t been impressed.  This time I cut the berries up the
                       night b/4 and added sugar to make them a bit sweeter.  W the oatmeal I cooked it with the
                       bananas for 2 mins then added the berries and cooked for 1 more min.  The flavor was way
                       better, but the berries still had a bit of tart bite on the end.  Now I’m wondering what the
                       berries would taste like roasted? 
Snacks – pineapple
Lunch – this soup w added veggies and c. red pepper
            IMO – this soup was kind of bland.  I didn’t have that much clam either; more potatoes.  I hope the
                       other half has more meat tomorrow. 
Snacks – 2 ritz like crackers and grapes, I also had a cup of hot tea
Dinner – caulirice and dad’s sweet and sour pork w 7oz vino
            IMO – this was the first time I made caulirice.  It was okay.  I don’t know if it’d pass in a casserole
                        or if my hubs would eat it, but it was def doable.  I’ll probably keep it up.  I think I’d like to
                        try and mix it w the rice for him and see what he thinks.  The main part was delish as
                        always.  Aaron dug out all the water chestnuts and left them in the top of the bag for me to
                        eat.  I tried to mix them in and get more meat, but it was a bit hard.  I weighed the vino and
                        was shocked to discover that 200 grams is 7 oz. 

Need to remember that Aaron found a third tooth from Sasha pup.  This was a molar, but it wasn’t like what I found.  It was more fang molary like.  I still forgot to look and see what could be the cause of her death breath.  Maybe tomorrow. 

Allrighty, our episodes are done and I need to clean up for bed.  The best part about the day was teamwork w the hubs.  And dinner was easy!!!!

If you know what causes death breath please let me know so I can try to fix it!!  Thanks for letting me vent…

Monday, February 11, 2013

HAPPY DANCE at our house!

Today I was a responsible employee!  Instead of taking the ten or so mins I had to check my email b/4 clocking in I was productive for work reasons!  Since the co has screwed me so often on tidbits here and there I’ve taken every min of my time and clock in and out on the dot as often as possible. 

The day was pretty easy overall.  None of our challenging children had fits, I made progress on all my vday needs, and I had a semi relaxing afternoon.  Semi due to the four kids refusing to clean up even though they know they need to and had plenty of warning time.  ERRRRR; I told the buggers that we will not play in h.l. in the afternoon tomorrow. 

During my lunch break I had just enough time to check emails, read blogs, and post my pics from Thursday.  Maybe tomorrow I will be able to upload the rest from the weekend. 

When I got off work I called Aaron and discovered he got off early today (and for the next month and a half) and was at the dog park w Sasha!  I was so jealous! 

Nothing out of the norm at la casa other than I mixed some recipes to create a semi new one.  Not posting pics b/c it wasn’t pretty, at least not till after I soaked up the excess liquid.  *go to bottom for my changes*

Just remembered that the blogger let me know my ?, this chick just recaps this other chick; so that she isn’t getting revenue to her site.  There seems to be quite a bit of peeps who dislike the latter. 

K, we are watching the most recent Bourne and then off to bed.  Just so I remember:
Bfast – fresh pineapple and banana oatmeal
            IMO – was okay.  Probably better if I add some coconut extract
Snacks – berry medley, mandarin orange, kiwi, & six veggie straws
Lunch – LO soup w added chickpeas and baby limas as well as lots of spices (I can’t even remember them all, which is a shame b/c it made the soup way better! As in I’d buy it again if I could recreate this).
Dinner – Caprese Style Bake
            IMO – amazing!!!!  I can’t believe that even after roasting the s.squash for an hour (yesterday) and
cooking it in liquid for another forty five plus there was tons of it in the bottom.  Aaron said
we could repeat it, but maybe add some meat next time..  I also loved how the squash kept
it’s al dente bite!  SOOO going to have to buy this veggie more often. 

Now if you want to make it:
NEED:
1 apprx 4lb spaghetti squashed (roasted, shredded, and probably drained)
3 c tomato sauce of choice (I used my homemade Roasted Garden Veggie Tomato Soup)
½ ball of fresh mozzarella – cut into small pieces
2 vine ripened tomatoes – sliced or ‘cubed’
Basil – did not measure b/c I love the stuff and just sprinkled it on to every layer
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
¾ c Italian Cheese Blend – more if desired
Crushed red pepper

ASSEMBLE:
Preheat oven to 350
In 9x9 pan layer:
Spaghetti squash – 1 c sauce – 1 tomato – ½ mozzarella cheese – 1 tbsp b. vinegar sprinkled – basil
REPEAT
Top w last 1/3 of spaghetti squash – 1 c sauce – sprinkle ¾ c cheese over top
Bake for 30 mins covered.  Another 5-10 uncovered.  Let set for 5 mins, drain if necessary. 

I appreciate the idea from these two ladies and hope you’ll try a version of your own. 

SOOOO glad that the hubs will be home at a decent hour for the next month and half!

Thank you for letting me tell you my way of doing the pasta.  Have you made a dish with this veggie?  Please do share…

Thursday, January 31, 2013

just a good ol' day

Can you believe that January of 13 is over?!??!  I wonder how all those people who thought we were ending in Dec. 12’ feel? I have to admit I had suspicions just b/c of what was going on w the peeps we know, but once it got closer it didn’t feel any different really.  I wonder if it’s supposed to or not?

Anyways on the way to work this morning I heard the horrible news about an amber alert out of Memphis.  A 24 yr old black male, black hair, and brown eyes stabbed the mother of his two month old, was nice enough to take her to the hospital (I think if I heard correctly) and then kidnapped the infant. 

I had a few minutes to spare b/4 clocking in and finally got all my late entries posted!  I can not believe that I’ve finally caught up!  The only thing I didn’t complete was link love and I did that on my lunch. 

The morning went really well.  In the 1st room I chatted w the Metro SLP, I’d love to make friends w her, she seems like my kind of people.  Then in our room I was able to finish my basket drawings for our art and my CCT3 helped me cut out more (larger too) images for the kids to paste like they were packing a basket to take to grandma’s like Red.  Morning circle went really well.  It actually went for an extra seven minutes!  The best part was the kids telling the story of Red and The Pigs.  By the end of the The Pigs you would have thought we were having a party it was loud and involved. 

Some of the kids really loved the art, esp Dear Fussy.  She kept asking for specific foods to go in her basket so I was scrambling to find them.  She stuck w the activity for so long she didn’t have a chance to get in to a tizzy. 

Nap was a little rough, there were three aftercare children who just did not want to nap! 

The afternoon went smoothly too and we actually got paperwork time!  Not the full 1 ½ like we were supposed to, but good enough for me to complete my summaries!!! (I did the other half yesterday)  The kids enjoyed our math circle and majority of them got involved. 

Aftercare was pretty easy.  The kids thought my ‘game’ (really goal) was fun and then we danced until it was time for us to go. 

Pretty nice huh?!?!  The reason I do what I do. 

At home Sasha and I got to play outside for twenty minutes or so.  The guy two houses down asked if we had somebody taken care of our tree yet, funny thing is I couldn’t hear him so Sasha and I walked over there and he was scared of her!  She’s 4 ½ months tomorrow, can’t wait to see how much she’s grown in a couple of weeks.  BTW I still haven’t looked up that bug yet.  Aaron said it was a hair follicle bug that just makes her itch. 

Then I came in and marinated dinner, took care of cleaning, and then prepped my lunch and got dinner started.  I decided to make fried rice finally and took responsibility to make the rice yesterday (after two days of waiting on hubby to make it).  However DA me didn’t take it out of our fancy schmancy hold all the heat in pots so the rice on the bottom was still soft, damp, and easily mashed; so in other words made fryin hard!  By the third scoop I realized a little trick: get the skillet hot, pour oil in, and WAIT for that oil to get hot.  That was the greatest sound ever: little crispy rice poppin sound.  I made two separate batches of rice; the first had way more oil so I let Aaron eat it since he can have the extra cals and I ate the second which was just lightly fried IMO. 

For anybody who ever stumbles across this here’s what I did:
In advance marinate meat (we did country style ribs from Aldi’s – so frickin’ tender)
            dashes of: garlic asian spice (garlic, white pepper, and ginger)
                             wasabi powder
                             hoision sauce
                             soy sauce
            smaller dashes: fish sauce
                                      rice and apple cider vineager
We have these vacuum seal sucker containers that marinate in 30 mins, but I should have done this earlier, you too if you want more flavor. 
Sautee: ½ bell pepper (mine was orange for color contrast)
             3 leaves of purple cabbage
             ½ purple onion
Set in dish in warm oven to maintain heat
Working in serving spoonful batches now – heat skillet, heat oil, dump in rice and stir stir stir.  Once crispy place in warmed dish w veggies and continue w the rest of the rice. 
Now it’s time to prepare meat. 
Cook in reserved rice oil till nice and brown.  (I left the juices which made for softer bites, if you want crispier ones pour off marinate first). 

Serve in bowls and top w Sriracha and extra Soy, eat w chopsticks b/c it’s fun!!!!

Okay, now that I’ve gotten the silly bug out I’ll tell you about all my eats today:
Bfast – blueberry peach oatmeal
Snacks – clementine’s and a piece of cheese
Lunch – another new soup from Campbell’s (1 serving = 3PP) w cilantro, sriracha, and extra veggies
             IMO - will buy again!  Tasty and filling.  The rice is a bit strange, but love the beans in it.  Def good
                        good in a pinch.
Snacks – grapes galore
Dinner – fried rice served like Biz; she always puts a bed of spinach underneath her food.  I love that idea and going to try to incorporate it when I can.  It was really pretty: orange, purple, and green w a gorgeous glass of vino.  I also ate two extra bites of Aarons b/c I like to taste how he changes his and the 2nd bite was b/c he just couldn’t finish. 
Dessert – 2 chocolate covered espresso beans and one chili truffle. 

Now onto the best part of the day, oh wait totally forgot to complain about the thing that pissed me off most today!!!!  Did I mention that I didn’t get paid for a half hour of OT last period?  Well I didn’t, not at all, not OT or even my regular rate!  I emailed the DR early this week; Mon or Tue and she never got back w me, but we have to hand in our time sheets tomorrow so I really need to know whats going on…. Sooo I went into her office and asked.  Basically the payroll lady said she isn’t going to pay me OT b/c she paid snow pay (we closed early one day during that week, but I didn’t get snow pay b/c I was to leave at 4 anyways), but she would pay me my regular rate for the half hour. 
My ? is – since I don’t get the OT time, do I get the snow pay?  If I don’t then I should totally get OT.  Does this make sense?  I know what I mean, hope she does too b/c I’m going to try and talk to her tomorrow.  Or I though about just adding in 1 hour snow and ½ hour of regular time and see what happens and go from there. 

Okay now onto the best part; the kids telling the story after circle time.  I really wish we could have video taped it. 

Can you eat with chopsticks?  My MIL can’t and it’s fun to try teaching her!  Thanks for letting me vent there in the end…