Clever Trickster. Little Flower.

I'm going to try this again

2010-01-01T18:31:00.001-08:00

I'm terrible at maintaining blogs or journals, but I thought I'd try again.

Last year was pretty good for our family. Dan left for three months and it made for a difficult school year, but we made it through it and I still managed straight A's. We ended the year with a fantastic trip to Disney World. I'll post details when I get a chance.

Tomorrow morning I take the GRE's so I should probably get to bed.

Yes, a post about politics ::ducks::

2008-11-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

I think regardless of what anyone's affiliation is, this week, the buzz revolves around politics. I have been a mix of emotions, running on elation but at the same time such disheartenment.

I am happy that it is just over. No more campaigning for a couple years. I am looking forward to the change in power, I can't deny it. The current administration has had more of an impact on our family than I would like. And more than anything, I look forward to a time to heal our international imagine and work on our domestic issues.

At the same time, I am upset about many of the comments I have seen. I can understand to a point McCain supporters being bitter- it was a feeling driven by the campaign. The last election I felt the same way. However, the amount of racism coming from people I never expected it, the judgement before he even steps into office, is perhaps something I expected, but never wished to see. From text messages to forum posts, I have heard everything from Obama is the Anti-Christ to all white people should report to the cotton fields for training. A fatalistic attitude that breeds more hate. We have come so far, but when we feel we fail- this is what it comes down to?

I in no way shape or form think this is a good representation of the majority of McCain supporters. The most extreme comments and attitudes are often the ones we spend the most time reflection upon.

I clinge to the hope that as we move forward, that those who are so set on hatred will be dragged along with it. Right now, regardless of who our president is, is not the time to be divided. We have too much to do.

Its been sort of busy

2008-10-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

I love October- it is by far my favorite time of the year. Its the perfect time for baking, leaving the windows open, hiking, and such. This year we've had less time to enjoy our favorite activities it seems, however, we've managed a couple fieldtrips.

Yesterday we went to the Westmoreland Berry Farm. It was a hike, but we really enjoyed it. We walked into the fields and picked fresh rasberries and then pumpkins. They had a wonderful store and I couldn't resist a couple extra goodies. We got pumpkin butter, cherry butter, cider, and some icies. We had the cherry butter on homemade buscuits last night and I think it is the yummiest stuff I have ever had, with the exception of the apple pie icy I ate on my way home. The boys carved the pumpkins with some neighbors. I'll attach pictures later!

The biggest project I am working on right now (not including school work) are our Ren Faire costumes. Yes, the last weekend is coming up and yes, I still have a ton to do. But I'm confident we can get them done. Once again, I'll post pictures when they are done. Kiddo's is just about there- I just need to do some detail work. Mine will be done by the end of the day, then I need to do Dan's shirts. Loads of fun.

Time to finish up Kiddo's lunch, but I wanted to do a quick post.

Apple Brie snacky thing

2008-09-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Sara did the cooking for game night (and I could go on and on about the ribs) so I thought I'd share instead an appetizer she and I made based off Food Network's Apple Brie Quesadilla. We didn't have all the ingredients for it, so we modified it a lot.

Puffed Pastry with apples and brie

I packet of puffed pastry, defrosted
a couple tablespoons of cream cheese
a couple pinches of cinnamon, apple pie spice, or something of the sort
half a round of brie
two apples

1. Cut the puffed pastry into two bit strips. We had 19 pieces. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each one. Dust with your spice of choice.
2. Cut the apples into thin slices and cover half the pieces of puffed pastry with a healthy layer. Add thin strips of brie to the top.
3. Top the cheese with the extra pieces of puffed pastry. Cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

I didn't think the guys would eat this. I was totally wrong! Even the kids loved it.

Post game day yumminess

2008-08-17T07:08:00.001-07:00

I love game days. Not only because its just fun, but because I love cooking for people and actually getting feedback (though I do have a strict rule with the kids- No Criticism allowed. But only because they usually start up with that before they actually try it...).

I've had several people tell me that lasagna is a great way to feed a crowd. I've tried making it on occasion and it has always intimidated me a little. I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com: World's Best Lasagna and modified it a little. I doubled the recipe so I had a pan for game night and also one to freeze.

Ingredients:

1 ib sweet Italian Sausage
3/4 ib lean ground beef
1/2 medium white onion, minced
a ton of garlic, crushed
1 28oz can of petite diced tomatoes
1 6 oz can of tomato paste
2 6.5 cans of tomato sauce
1 cups of finely chopped assorted veggies (optional. I used red and green peppers, and broccoli. I wish my zucchini was ready because that would have been yummy)
1/4 cup fresh basil
1 t Italian seasoning
1 1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
a handful of dried parsley flakes
12 lasagna noodles
16 oz cottage cheese
1/4 t freshly grated nutmeg
1 egg
dash of salt
3/4 ib of sliced mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

* original recipe calls for 1/2 t fennel seeds- I was out so I omitted this

Directions:

1. Brown meats, drain most of the fat. Add to a 6 qt crockpot along with the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chopped veggies, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook on low all day (the cooking is really optional, but if I had leftover sauce, I wanted to save it for eggplant Parmesan later in the week).
2. When your sauce is about done, throw the noodles in a bowl with hot water. Let them sit for about a half hour.
3. Combine cottage cheese, egg, 1 T parsley, 1/2 t salt, and nutmeg.
4. Assembly: 1 1/2 cups of sauce onto the bottom of a 8x13 baking dish. Then a layer of noodles (I used five, but I am no expert). Spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture onto the noodles, then top with mozzarella cheese, then sauce, then 1/4 c Parmesan cheese. Repeat and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil.
5. I let mine sit overnight to let the flavors marry. This is optional, but I think important.
6. Cook at 375 for 25 minutes with the foil, and another 25 without it. Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving.

************

This got great reviews from everyone, including those who were not so fond of vegetables normally. I thought it was a great way to "hide" them from the kids, who were apprehensive at first, but cleaned their plates (with the exception of the youngest). In fact, everyone did. Definately something I'll make again.

Preemptive Game Day Yumminess

2008-07-25T05:29:00.000-07:00

I have two recipes to share this week and I thought I'd get them up beforehand as I've made them both before and they are uber yummy.

Kate's Zuppa Toscana

1 16 ounce package spicy italian sausage (ground or removed from casing)
6 slices bacon
1 medium onion (chopped)
2-3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1 quart water
2 Tbsp chicken boullion
2 medium potatoes (1/4 inch slices)
2 cups kale (shredded)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions
1. Cook sausage over medium-high heat. Drain fat.
2. In same pot, fry bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside.
3. Drain all but 1 t bacon fat from pot. Add onions and cook on medium heat until softened. Add garlic and cook for one minute.
4. Add water, chicken broth and potatoes. Bring a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
5. Return the cooked sausage and crumbled back to the pot. Add kale and red pepper; simmer for 4 minutes.
6. Stir in cream and cook until heated through, without boiling. Serve hot.

Notes
Don't use turkey bacon no matter how much you want to cut out the fat. It tastes terrible in this. Truly truly terrible.

And

Adapted from Jo's Rosemary Bread

1 cup water (warm)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 T fresh rosemary (I might add more the next time I make it)
2 1/2 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions
1. Throw yeast, sugar, oil, and water into a bowl. Wait a minute until its bubbly.
2. While you wait, throw everything else in a bowl and mix together.
2. Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, add the dry stuff.
3. I mix it together until the ingredients are partially mixed, then set my kitchen aid with the dough hook. I let it go for maybe six minutes.
ETA- forgot a critical step: Let it rise for about an hour in a warm place, shape it on the cookie sheet and let it sit for another half hour.
4. Shape the dough ball into the shape you want and cook at 375 for 40 minutes.
5. Eat. Yum.

The Sock Stealer

2008-07-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

Full name: Sigmund Mystery Chip Popcorn Mustard. Status: Reformed Stray. Origin: Twentynine Palms, CA. Profession: Sock Stealer.

Sigmund is aboslutely gorgeous. We think he could be at least partially apricot siamese. He has the prettiest blue eyes that are as crossed as they can get. He is also really rambunctious. He spends a lot of time terrorising Mei Lei (profile to come) and stalking walls and other random things around the house. He hates to be touched unless he's outside.

Inspiration for writing about this kitty today was memories of having to chase my laundry around the house. I usually keep a laundry basket with assorted socks laying about while they wait for the dryer monster to relinquish thier mates. Each morning, I have to collect these from around the house as our little kitty decides he wants to hide them in various places. As shown in the picture above, he also loves boot bands. He waits patiently for my husband to take off his boots so that he can dig for them every chance he gets.

Mr. Speed Racer

2008-07-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Kiddo sometimes gives an interesting new twist on things. He keeps asking what his nickname is and we give him assorted answers of things we call him. Then he tells us he wants it to be Speed Racer. Now, this is only the latest of his list of want-to-be nicknames. Silly kid.

And onto the more important news, his optometry appointment yesterday revealed that glasses are in his future. We sort of guessed they would be (I mean, genetics are working against him), but I wasn't feeling it this soon. Its not that his vision is bad at this point, but that he's relying on one eye to do all his seeing. So we ordered some yesterday and they'll be in within the week. Just in time for the family reunion. Yay!

Pushup Challenge gone bad.

2008-07-21T05:13:00.000-07:00

Wow. I feel like a failure.

I pulled the 100 Pushup Challenge off Kate's blog and my husband and I decided to give it a try. Dan being my big buff Marine is of course way ahead of me on this one. We get started the first day, and on my last set- what do I do? I strain my back. I guess its called Paraspinal Back Strain. Whatever that means. However, it feels like every time I move the muscle that runs along side one side of my back sends waves of pain throughout my body. In reality, its gotten better for the last two days, but it still sucks. I can't run. I can't do pushups. I can't even do situps! Arg, I hate being restricted. Hopefully in a couple days I'll be up and running again. Until then- keep the Naproxen coming!

Yummy goodness as its bestest.

2008-07-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Oh my...

I have a new love in my life.

CakeLove.

My dear friends took me to this place in Tyson's Corner and we stopped here for dessert. There were so many yummy flavors to choose from and the all looked heavenly. I went with strawberry buttercream on chocolate cake. Then the waiting started.

Twenty agonizing minutes I had to wait to eat my little bundle of all natural yummy goodness. Twenty minutes! Because, you see, these are many with no perservatives, they are kept partially frozen. So I stared at it. I licked it. I realized I'm not very patient when it comes to sweets.

But in the end, it was totally worth it.

The buttercream MELTS in your mouth. There were little bits of strawberry in mine, unlike regular processed ickiness. The cake part- so dense yet light, it was the best cake I've ever had. Ugh. I cannot wait to go back. I am going to take Kate because its rare that I can come up with a Vegan treat for her. I count the days until I can go again.

Bare Walls

2008-07-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got sick of looking at the bare walls of my house. We've lived here since October and the only thing we've done to decorate is put a television and cork board up. I know, we're creative. So today, I'm going to add staining picture frames and mirrors to my to do list and hopefully this weekend I'll have at least a couple rooms where I want them. Wish me luck!

I took some pictures of our newest stray recently. Jasper was less than six pounds and in bad shape when we got him. Over the last eight months, this kitty has managed to pain two pounds and claim the title of most expensive animal we have ever owned (taking the title from pup Rainken who has been with us for over eight years).

Jasper is such an awesome cat. He immediately latched onto me (much to Dan's dismay!) and got into the habbit of head butting me to try and get attention in the middle of the night. When that didn't work, my arm usually got a bath. Jasper isn't allowed to sleep in the bedroom anymore. He can carry a steak that outweighs he across the dining room. He has not stopped trying to run outside. Despite all his stray traits, he's such a loving little boy- I couldn't imagine not having him!

Game Days

2008-07-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

Most normal people I know think of football when we talk about game day. For myself, I personally hate sports. Instead, it refers to every other week where some of our friends come over and we spend a good deal of the night playing Dungeons and Dragons. Its fun, the kids have a ball playing together until bedtime, we have dinner, and overall its just a great excuse for hanging out with people you like. I am usually the one who does the cooking, though my friend Sarah was nice enough to take over this week. I thought I'd start keeping track of the recipes I use though. Since I didn't this week, I'll start with one of my favorites:

Chicken Pot Pie (by Kombat Kween)

6 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp flour
2 c chicken broth
1 c heavy cream or half & half
2 c veggies (I used kale, carrots, peas, and peppers)
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut up
4 small white potatoes, cubed small and cooked
2 pie crusts

Melt butter in a pot and stir in flour to form a thick paste. Add salt and pepper. Stir in cream and chicken broth. Cook on a simmer until thick.

Add veggies, potatoes and chicken. Pour into pie crust, top with the other. Poke holes in the top to vent. Cook at 375 for 35 to 45 minutes. I almost always get two pies out of this mixure, but I tend to load up on the veggies.

What a wonderful summer

2008-07-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

My little boy is six. I do all the normal nostolgia stuff each time he has a birthday, but honestly, I don't ever have those "oh I'm going to cry because he's getting so big why can't he be tiny again" moments. He never ceases to amaze me and I think the greatest part of being a parent is watching your child develop into a (hopefully) well adjusted adult. I don't know. I say these things and half the time I feel like other mothers look at me like I have three heads. Whatever.

We took him to King's Dominion for his birthday. He's still too short for the roller coasters, but he loved it anyways. He loved the Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion (it has laser guns) and the Scooby Doo (kiddy) roller coaster. Yes, I felt pretty silly panicing over sitting in the front seat, where of course kiddo wanted to be. Especially as we went down the hill. Sigh. Four more inches...

My zucchini is thriving, despit being repotted a couple weeks ago. I do have squash bugs which I keep reading are impossible to kill. I'm not looking forward to squashing them (no pun intended). Bugs are icky, even as a pile of goo and shell. Maybe especially as? I can't wait to get corn- I can't believe its actually doing well out here. Three stalks are above my knee. Hopefully the peppers will do well now that they get some sun (squash was sheltering them before). I'm going to try and make chocolate zucchini muffins this weekend. We'll see how that goes. I'm running out of ways to cook it.

Time to get going- so much to do before my sister and law and family come into town! We'll be spending a lot of time in DC and just having a lot of fun. I cannot wait to see my niece and nephews!!!

Random thoughts

2008-06-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

I've spent a lot of the past couple weeks looking through old pictures of myself and listening to a lot of ninties music. It reminds me how much I miss that aspect of my life- the music, not the bad hair. It seems over the last several years I stopped listening for new things and honestly I spent more time listening to talk radio than anything else. Time to gain some of that back I think. It was so important to me at one time and its more that I let it go because I got so busy than I grew disinterested.

A New Start?

2008-05-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

We shall see. I am terrible at keeping up with any blog, but I am going to try now that the regular school year done.

Life is hectic at the moment with summer classes. My mother is coming out to visit in a week which will be nice as well. Draigan is really looking forward to seeing her. We actually bought a real bed so that she did not have to endure the futon for three weeks. How wonderful it was of Kate to give it to us, but man, it was not meant to be slept on for more than a night!

I found a lavender farm that's not too far away from here called Seven Oaks Lavender. I'm thinking it would be fun to take the kiddo up there and collect some. The only problem is you have to purchase 100 stems/adult and 50/child. Its not expensive, but seriously, what do you do with that much lavender? Sounds like an idea for my next post...

B-leted

2008-03-03T05:14:00.000-08:00

I spend a lot of time just writing and deleting my posts. I am way to sappy and sentimental at times and uncomfortable posting it all over the internet I guess. Though I don't think anyone really reads this outside of myself.

I started replanting my garden into bigger containers yesterday. My big project over spring break is going to get my compost pile going. I'm going to use this plan: http://www.yougrowgirl.com/garden/urbancomposting.php

I'm hoping that using the contents of my shredder instead of newspaper won't affect it too much. A lot of this whole gardening experience is going to be trial and error for me, I've never done it before and really- how hard can it be? That just spells trouble.

I'm hoping that if I can't find enough brown stuff around here, that maybe I can run up to my friend's house and grab a couple bags of leaves out of the yard. There's a lot of wood in this area though, I can probably just collect it there. I figure that by the time I actually get things outside, the compost will be ready- yay!

Environmental March Challenge

2008-02-24T17:01:00.000-08:00

I got this idea off a board I frequent. Its a small start, but I thought it was an awesome idea.

Environment: Go paperless with billing

Society: Smile. Watch how it affects your attitude and those around you

15 minutes

2008-02-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

I hate mornings where I barely have enough time to gag down hot coffee as I encourage my son to get out the door while wrestling my cat into swallowing a pill. I fell asleep with wet hair so its in a ponytail because its in total disarray so my ears are cold from walking around campus in the freezing cold. My economics test was a total disaster because I decided not to read the material, but its scantron, so at least I have a 1/4 chance that my guesses were correct. And that is enough with the whining.

My goal for this week is to try and work out some time management skills. I say this just about every semester at this time, but I am truly tired of flying by the seat of my pants to get things done, with the things that don't need to be done (But that really should), never getting accomplished. If I am going to try to get into grad school while I am working on my BS, I need to have a good idea of how I am going to do it beforehand so I don't go insane. And more than just a plan, I need to have the motivation to implement it.

Tonight Dan has duty so Draigan and I are on our own. Nights like this are good for cooking together and doing puzzles. I'm glad I get out of school today so it doesn't feel so rushed. I could use a nice relaxing night of just the two of us goofing off. I feel like I've gotten so serious lately- my sense of humor has disapated.

In the past I tended to skip blogging unless I had a good chunk of time to think about what I wanted to say. I figure if I want to do it, I need to just work with it. I don't have blocks of time anymore and if I do, there's always studying to be done. So from now on, expect mindlessness.

Topics I want to write about:

Places I want to Travel
Places I've been
State of education
The evils of Walmart
Astro photography
The war
My classes
Social work in general

I know, sounds sort of boring when you write it out like that. However, making a list almost guarantees it will never be thought of again. With exception to the traveling. That is always close to my heart.

Going to attempt to keep a blog going. Seriously.

2008-02-12T17:46:00.001-08:00

Got this idea from my friend Kate. Let's see how it goes:

1. I am happy with myself.
2. Though I have doubts from time to time.
3. I am lucky to have the friends I do.
4. I consider some of them as close as family.
5. I have always been surrounded by good people.
6. They have made me what I am today as much as I have.
7. I voted for the first time today.
8. I'm excited to vote,
9. But ashamed that its the first time ever.
10. I think I bit off more than I can chew school wise this semester
11. George Mason has been a humbling experience so far.
12. I probably needed it to be.
13. I am a military wife,
14. But I am not uneducated, Republican, or a baby factory
15. I am an idealist
16. But I like to think I'm realistic
17. I feel oppressed by Christian values
18. I feel like people think I'm a child because I don't believe in Christianity
19. Probably because I always felt that way with non Christians when I was one
20. I think my parents are in denial
21. But they are the best people I know
22. I love my in laws
23. I want to do what the best for my son
24. Public schools need so much more than they are given
25. I think supplementing education is critical
26. Homeschooling is one of the scariest things to me unless its done right
27. I hate the mommy wars
28. But I also think its scary that people don't want their children to see any views but their own
29. This is harder than I thought it would be
30. I have two papers to write tomorrow
31. I think Marines are sexy in general
32. I love to travel
33. I plan to travel much more than I actually travel.
34. I want to live overseas
35. I am thankful for my rights as an American though
36. I want to study other cultures
37. I want to work at an embassy.
38. I am going to school to be a social worker
39. Though I really want to be a biologist.
40. I think I'd make a better scientist,
41. But it isn't a good portable career.
42. I worry about being seperated from my family so I can finish my degree
43. I don't look at it as being selfish,
44. But I feel a little guilty for wanting it so bad.
45. I want to get my PhD
46. I think Dr. would go well with my name
47. I'm interested in policy making
48. I am a nerd
49. I love Stargate Atlantis
50. And the Girls Next Door
51. Though I consider myself a feminist
52. I care about my appearance
53. though I don't let it rule me.
54. I need to work out more
55. I get sick of hearing people say I don't need to work out because I don't need to loose weight
56. No one seems to think you do it just because its good for your body.
57. I hate my teeth
58. I don't think I have one feature that stands out, but I think I am average in most places
59. I have become much more serious as I've gotten older
60. I try hard to be spontaneous from time to time
61. I miss living in Twentynine Palms
62. Mostly I miss the people
63. I talked to a friend from there today
64. He's set to deploy again this year
65. I do love living near DC
66. I feel as comfortable in the city as I do in the middle of nowhere
67. I miss the night sky over Joshua Tree
68. I had a small crush on my biology teacher
69. I keep meaning to write my Psychology teacher
70. I feel terrible that I've lost touch with her already
71. I am terrible at organizing
72. I am overwelmed and therefore forgetful
73. I need to learn time management skills
74. I wish I had more time to read
75. I recently started listening to music again regularly
76. I asked my in laws to bring my oboe up when they visit this weekend
78. For the first time in ten years I want to play
79. Perhaps the one thing I regret was giving it up in the first place
80. The more time I spend in college this time around, the sillier I realize I was at 18
81. I would have never listened to myself now back then
82. But part of me smiles at the thought
83. I am still stubborn and want to learn things for myself
84. I hope Draigan is the same way
85. Though I feel like I am saying I want my life to be harder saying that
86. I still make mistakes
87. I hate cleaning
88. I hate a dirty house.
89. I wish I could afford a maid.
90. I want to save the world.
91. I want to make a difference.
92. I want to adopt.
93. It bothers me that people spew propaganda
94. I miss my nieces and nephews
95. But I'm glad I don't live in Indiana
96. My husband is pretty patient
97. I don't think I'm always easy to live with
98. But I'm sure I make life interesting.
99. He cleans the kitchen
100. I cook. The arrangement makes me happy.

Take two

2008-01-23T04:47:00.000-08:00

I am about as good at keeping up with blogs as I am keeping up with my journal. Do I consider them important? Yes, but much like exersize, its the first thing to go when life gets stressful when it should be the last. I know its a little late for it, but my New Year's resolutions:

1. Write more letters. Pretty much this comes down to writing letters period. Aside from the yearly Christmas cards, my record sits at zero.
2. Get fit. It gets frustrating hearing people say you don't have to work out or eat healthy because you don't look like you need to loose weight. I am tired enough right now not to expand on this.
3. Go out an enjoy where I live. I only have a couple years here and there is so much to do.
4. Be greener. I've started with the reusable grocery bags and not running the water while I brush my teeth (surprisingly a hard habit to break). I have a long ways to go.
5. I know there's more, but my mind is a little fried right now.

____________________________

So yesterday was my first day back to a real univeristy in ten years. Things have changed so much for me since then, or perhaps its just the mentality is so different as a culture, or that things are just that different between a private Lutheran school and a public secular one. I'm sure my attitude has changed quite a bit in the last ten years too. More about that another time though, its time to get started on the day.