Friday, October 19, 2012

Again it has been awhile.  I'm ready to call it quits on this whole blog thing but perhaps not yet...

Summer flew by and winter is fast approaching.  Many new changes are coming in the new year that I'm looking forward!  More about that later, here's any update on the life of my boys!

Mr. Emmett turned two at the end of June.  It is fun to see the boys together and how different their little personalities are.  Emmett adores his big brother and loves to copy many thing Jonas does (like jumping from the coffee table to the couch, even if he might not make it).  He is beginning to say a lot more words and some sentences but you have to listen closely to fully understand.  He is much more laid back and seems to get over things more easily yet he is quite sensitive if you raise your voice.  Emmett still loves his food and everybody's else's, well mostly mommy's.  Lately he especially likes juice, waffles, muffins, fruit and chocolate, yum yum!  He is still my blonde, my silky soft blonde, so cute!  He wears size 2 and some size 3 clothing, shoe size 8 and I haven't even begun to potty train so size 4 diapers.  He tries to dress himself and does like to pick out his own clothing when he can.  Emmett is still a thumb sucker and any tag he sees (on tea towels, towels, clothing) he will grab the tag, lay down and suck his thumb!  The boys have been sharing Jonas' room and bed for a few months now.  I was hoping this would help Jonas stay in his own bed, knowing that Emmett was there with him but nope, I guess nothing beats the comfort of mommy's arm!  Emmett does well in the big bed, usually up once at night and then he needs to be tucked in again (though lately I've been laying down with him in his own bed and falling asleep)!  I even bought the star-shining ladybug to help the boys fall asleep better - I don't mind it thus far!  Emmett has been enjoying playing with trucks, cars, trains, batman, ride-on cars, running around at the park and lately he started playing with puzzles.  He also loves music and dancing!

As for Jonas, he is 4.5 years and always seems to be up to no good, um something.  If he is not trying to sneak to the park to see his buddy (by climbing over the fence), then he scheming to get what he wants!  His biggest thing lately is to tell us 'Did you see that' and then he reenacts what ninja move he just did and tells us the play by play!  Lately Jonas is interested in Angry Birds, Pokemon cards, cars, Mario, Batman, Ninjago and Beyblades.  I think most of his toy obsessions are from the older boy at the day home he goes too!  I still struggle to figure out what this kid eats but I know one day he will be eating us out of house & home!  His favourite foods are hard boiled eggs, chocolate chip waffles, muffins, bacon, fishy crackers, grated cheese, carrots and apples.  He is starting to out-grow his Size 4 clothing and he wears size 8 shoes (I think Emmett is catching up).  He can dress himself, most days!  He weighs 33 pounds and if he eats more eggs, then he is closer to 36 pounds!  Bed-time and staying in his bed at night is still a struggle.  My arm is his comfort - lately I've been thinking about purchasing a rubber arm for him!

Some pictures I'm sharing:

 









Saturday, May 26, 2012

Recipes

I've been trying to keep myself motivated with my 30 at 30 list but somedays all I want to do is veg-out and eat...junk. I have tried a bunch of new recipes over the last few months with have been yummy! Here they are! Hope you like them!

1) Crepes
Ok, it seems ridiculous that I have never made crepes before - they are so easy and I like them way more than pancakes. I found this easy recipe at www.skinnytaste.com (thanks to my sis who introduced me to this webpage). I ate them too fast otherwise I would have posted a picture:)

Czech Crepes filled with Berries and Cream 

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes Servings: 12 servings • Time: 20 minutes • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts Calories: 106.2 • Fat: 1.1 g • Carb: 19.8 g • Fiber: 2.4 g • Protein: 3.6 g 

Ingredients: 

For the Crepes (makes about 12): 

 1 cup flour 

1 1/2 cups 

1% milk 

1/3 cup egg whites (or 2 large egg whites) 

1 whole egg 

1 tsp oil non-stick spray powdered sugar 

For the Berry Filling: 

6 oz package blackberries 

6 oz package raspberries 

12 oz package strawberries, cut in quarters 

2 tbsp sugar 

Cool Whip Free 

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine all berries and sugar. Let stand at least 10-15 minutes. In a blender, blend flour, milk, eggs and oil until smooth. Heat a nonstick crepe pan on medium-low flame. When hot, spray with cooking spray to coat bottom of skillet. Pour about 1/4 cup crepe mixture into pan, swirling pan slightly to make crepe thin and smooth. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until bottom of crepe is light golden brown. Flip; cook 30 seconds to 1 minute or until light golden brown. Repeat with remaining crepe mixture. To serve, spoon whipped cream into center of each crepe. Top with berry mixture and fold each edge of crepe over filling. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar. Best if served warm.

2) Ham and Potatoe Soup
I admit, I love, love, love a good bowl of homemade soup.  I cooked-up a big chunk of ham, so much that I didn't know what to do with it all.  So I found this easy recipe off of: www.allrecipes.com/recipe/delicious-ham-and-potato-soup/

I just bought another ham just to make them soup (ok, so I can use the rotisserie on our new BBQ too)

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
  • 1/3 cup diced celery
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup diced cooked ham
  • 3 1/4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk

Directions

  1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
  2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 195 | Total Fat: 10.5g | Cholesterol: 30mg

HAPPY COOKING & EATING!
MEL

Thursday, April 5, 2012

6 years

Cory and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary on March 30. We have now been married the same number of years that we dated before getting married! To celebrate, we went out for dinner to one of our favourite restaurants - 'The Red Ox Inn'. www.theredoxinn.com/
We have been there a handful of times and love it! The restaurant only has 12 tables so it is best to make reservations a head of time. We went all out and ordered an appetizer, main course, dessert & wine (each, no sharing done here). I started with a pea soup. Normally I don't really like pea soup but this one was divine. The server presented the bowl with fresh peas, hazelnuts, white chocolate shavings and pea shoots and then he poured the pea soup/broth in the bowl at the table. It was delicious! Cory had the Torchon - a duck foie (liver) which he really liked also. (It was a spread/pate that he ate with yummy bread). For the main course, I had the beef rib with mashed potatoes & fresh steamed veggies - delightful! Cory tried the venison which came with BACON JAM! (which apparently was so good that Cory didn't even let me try any). We did end up sharing 2 desserts - the white chocolate bread pudding & the chocolate mousse. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy! We can't wait to go again!
Since I haven't yet checked anything off of my '30 at 30' list (though I have done a few things), this one can be checked off as March - date night - complete - yippee!
My Hubby & I (I like to call this our Feb. date night - this was at our friend's wedding - fun times)

Monday, February 27, 2012

February is Birthday Month!

It was a busy month with birthday parties, a wedding and 2 funerals. It was great to see friends and family throughout this month but I think I'm ready for a vacation! Cory made it home on Jonas' birthday and went back up to Ft. Mac on my birthday. It was nice to have him home for more than 4 days! We even managed to squeeze in 2 date nights (1 was a wedding without the kids so I count that). Just a few pictures that I'm sharing with you:

Cory was not home for his own birthday so I sent him this picture!


I can't believe he is 4 years old!


Celebrating his birthday early with his cousins. Jonas & his cupcake look sad - he didn't want any icing!


My hubby and I.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Remembering Aunty Elaine!

My sweet Aunty Elaine passed away this past week. She will be greatly missed! As I remember my Aunty, I think of:
- her warm heart;
- her acceptance of everyone;
- her passion for music;
- her attention to details;
- her love to share stories; and
- her love of shopping!

Here are a few special photos of her that I'm sharing! Rest in peace Aunty! We love you!






Saturday, February 4, 2012

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile partly because I think I started getting bored of my own darn blog and partly because of the craziness of life (especially around Christmastime). Now, its 2 weeks away from my 30th birthday and to be honest, I'm rather quite anxious about it. I don't normally care too much about birthdays but turning 30 does not make me happy! To get over my craziness, I decided to make a list of 30 things that I would like to accomplish in the year that I'm 30. As I complete them, I will check them off & let you know why they were on the list in the first place. I'm excited to get started on them!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Priorities...

This blog surely has not been on my priority list - can't you tell! It has been a crazy few months! In August I went back to work, the boys went to daycare & Cory went to work up north for three whole (long) weeks. We survived somehow! Now I'm 'bringing home the bacon' or so that's what we like to tell Jonas and Cory is home with the kids. What a change, but for the better!

Just wanted to share some pictures of the last couple of months (though there are few to choose from):

Emmett's birthday cakes!

Enjoying his birthday cake!

My handsome boys!

Jonas rode a pony at the zoo - all by himself!

Emmett loved the zoo too!

All dressed up at my cousin's wedding, though I don't know what he is eating, lol!
Jonas at the wedding ceremony.

Having fun at the park!

Trying to get a picture of the cousins!

Another try!

Our new baby nephew Jude with his siblings, oh so cute!