Monday, August 30, 2010

Worthington State Park

This past weekend we had nothing going on which was much needed and desired. On Sunday morning Tommy, the kids, and I went on a hike. We all love to take hikes especially at this destination because of the stream that runs next to the trail.



I hope that you had a great weekend.

Ballerina posing for the camera.One of the many waterfalls and pools that are on this hiking trail.Everyone walking over the bridge. We are always looking for the grumpy old troll that lives under the bridge. (Dora the Explorer)The sun filtering through the trees.Here are the kiddies enjoying their hiking sticks.Here are the happy hikers. I think that this might be one minute that everyone was happy.Photobucket




Tommy trying to escape the whining and crying. Don't jump!!!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Favorite Things

I recently learned about a web-site that has some incredible pictures taken by other people. I went on the web-site to look up some pictures and found soo many awesome pictures.

I thought that I would share with you some of my recent favorite things.


















I am in love with barns. I could just see myself sitting there drinking a lemonade with Tommy and the kiddies.















Here is another barn. Just love them. I think that I am going to print out some pictures and hand them in the quiet room.
All photos from Flick R

What's your lastest obsessions?Photobucket

I don't know if it's because Ballerina wants to be a cowgirl for Halloween, but I suddenly have a thing for cowboy boots.

Lavender. I love the smell of it and it helps me relax a little bit.
I would love to have an old truck to go antiquing in on the weekend. I would also love to go to the Country Living Fair.
Roosters. I have this thing for roosters that come and go. Anything and Everything Patriotic. I love being an American.
Vintage bikes with baskets. If I didn't live in the Poconos I would be all about getting a bike to ride around on my free time.

Dinner and A Movie

Several weeks ago my Mom and I made a date to go see a movie that I have been wanting to see since I learned that they were making the movie. I read the book and absolutely loved it. After I read this book I wanted to go to Italy to eat and drink and then to Bali to rest in one of the huts that she lived it for several months. Have you guessed the movie yet?




That's right....








I have to admit I was a little nervous to go and see the movie. I was so afraid that I would be disappointed with the movie and then not like the book anymore.

I thought that they did a great job with the movie. I don't know that if I directed the movie if I would have cast Julia Roberts but she did a good job.


When I left the movie I felt the same way I did after reading the book. I want to go to Italy to eat and drink and then head on over to Bali for some rest in the hut and hang out with Ketut and the medicine lady and her daughter Tutti. I am still trying to figure one thing out and maybe you can help me with this. (Only if you read the book) how and the hell do you make your liver smile?


If you haven't read this book you need to read it!!

OTHER NEWS:

Yesterday the kids and I went to a garden center to get some hydragenas. We got some and I love them. I can't wait to watch them grow and fill my house with their blooms.





The color is limelight!! They will turn a little pink in the fall when they start to dry.
I can't wait to go and pick a couple but Tommy keeps telling me to wait a little longer. Has he just met me? I'm gonna wait.



Hope you have a great day


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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Last Nights Supper

Yesterday, I told you that I was cooking something good for dinner. I also promised that I would share the recipe with you.

As I was making this YUMMY soup I realized that I was going against my summer rule... NO SOUP!!! But I had to go against my rule because everytime I eat corn this summer I start to think about my Corn Chowder. Alright it's not my corn chowder it's Ina's (Barefoot Contessa). I make this chowder every fall but I couldn't wait any longer. I had to have it. I am glad that I made it because the kiddies LOVED it. Ballerina said that it was her favorite part of the day.






I used corn on the cob but I have made it with frozen corn too. It's a lot of work taking the corn off the cob, but I did it!!!!!

The only thing it was missing was my pumpkin bread. I wasn't going to break the pumpkin bread rule. I don't make pumpkin bread until October and we eat it through Thanksgiving. (Boy, I have ALOT of rules.)


Ingredients
•8 ounces bacon, chopped
•1/4 cup good olive oil
•6 cups chopped yellow onions (4 large onions)
•4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
•1/2 cup flour
•2 teaspoons kosher salt
•1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
•12 cups chicken stock
•6 cups medium-diced white boiling potatoes, unpeeled (2 pounds)
•10 cups corn kernels, fresh (10 ears) or frozen (3 pounds)
•2 cups half-and-half
•1/2 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon and olive oil until the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and butter to the fat, and cook for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. If using fresh corn, cut the kernels off the cob and blanch them for 3 minutes in boiling salted water. Drain. (If using frozen corn you can skip this step.) Add the corn to the soup, then add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is melted. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a garnish of bacon.




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Ballerina enjoying her Chowder!!!
Of Course Speed Racer wanted his picture taken too.
I have sooo much soup left!! We are having left overs tonight. Well the kiddies and Tommy are having left overs. I am going to dinner and a movie with my Mommy!! Come back tomorrow to see what we went to see and get my movie review!!!



Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tandy Cake Recipe

As I promised here is the recipe for the Tandy Cake:
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Ingredients:
4 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons margarine
1 1/4 cups peanut butter
12 oz of milk chocolate morsels
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch pan. Sift together the flour and baking powder; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar and vanilla. Beat on high speed of an electric mixer until light and lemon-colored. Beat in the flour mixture. Microwave milk and margarine about 2 minutes, or until it begins to bubble. Stir into batter.
3. Pour batter into 10x15 inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. When cake is cool, plop peanut butter all over and spread evenly to the edges. Refrigerate to set, about 1 hour.
5. In a microwave safe dish, melt chocolate and spread evenly over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate to allow chocolate to harden

The cake is sooo yummy!! I just realized that I should have made two because I need to bring a dessert to a party on Saturday. So I will be making another one on Friday!!



Today the kiddies and I went to the libary and TJ Maxx. I must be wishing for fall because I picked out a lot of fall books for the kids. When we went to TJ Maxx I bought an apple scented candle. We came home and lite the candle. The house smells sooo good.





It could also be the dinner I am making. If you want to know what I am making for dinner come back tomorrow to find out!!

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

So Much

I have been such a slacker with my blog this summer. We have been sooooo busy. The first weekend in August Tommy, the kids, and I headed down to Maryland for the weekend. The kids spent the night at Grandma and Brad's house. Tommy and got some much needed ALONE time. It was so nice just to be by ourselves with no interuptions.
I think it's very important that married couples with kids get a way often.



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We spent one day at the beach with our favorite babies. My little niece O and our favorite cousin G. My plan is to have these two kids married. (What, I'm jewish it's in my blood to be a match maker.)Plus I know that O would love her in laws and G would have a great time with his in-laws.


The day after the beach I realized I have no fruit or veggies in the house and I better get to the farmer's market. We loaded up on peaches and nectarines. I was so happy to see apples at the Farmer's Market!!! I bought some Ginger Gold apples they are so good!! I headed over to pick up Speed Racer's potraits that I had taken the week before. They came out GREAT!!! We had scheduled a play date with a little girl and her mommy. We always have so much fun with them!! I wish that we could see them more!!!
I finally had a couple of down days before the weekend started. To get caught up on housework.
On Saturday, I had some alone time and I went to paint some ceramics and had lunch with my mom. We did a little shopping too. I have been telling Tommy that I want a vintage bike with a basket for a few weeks now. Guess what I bought myself one on Saturday. Tommy was not too thrilled when I told him!! Then I showed it too him and he had a sigh of relief.


Don't you just love it. Can't you just see my riding it down the hill. Speed Racer thinks that it's a toy for him!!! I have it sitting above my laptop.
Sunday we headed to Up State NY for Baby G's baptism. It was such a nice event. It was pouring rain and took us almost five hours to get home but we had a great time.
Yesterday the kids and I hung around the house which we like to do on Mondays!!
Today, Ballerina has two sessions of ballet and I have to get the house in shape for some gentlemen that Tommy is entertaining tonight. He will have to fill you in, but I call them the Grand Poobahs. LOL!!!
You know me I have to make everything just right. I wanted to have something to offer them so I decided this morning to make Tandy Cake. It's like the Tasty Kakes Tandy Cake. My Nana use to make it all the time for us.

It is so good. I will share the recipe with you tomorrow. I am fighting the urge to raid the fridge. I will just have to wait until after my dinner and the Grand Poobahs leave. They better save me some!!! Look how cute they are playing on the beach together. They are already taking care of a baby together. (Don't we look very relaxed)

We returned home and Tommy had to go away for three days. We were all a little off for a few days!! I realized that summer was coming to an end, so I want to get as much done as possible.
Now you are up to speed on what's been happening here!!!
I can't believe that summer is almost done!!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Big Change

I bet you have been wondering where the hell I have been. I've been busy with the kids. Plus our new camera that we bought in May broke so I have been without a camera for a few weeks. Tommy has been wanting his own camera so he bought one over the weekend that he is sharing with me until my camera gets fixed. Thanks Sweetie Pie!!!

Speaking of my Sweetie Pie he has been suggesting for well over a year that we try moving our dining room in front of the fireplace. I looked at him a little crazy!! Yesterday I must have felt a little crazy because I did what he wanted me to do. I moved our dining room into the living room and the living room into the dining room.
I wasn't sure if I like it, but today I love it. The new dining room is huge and I can just see you all sitting there eating while I am cooking you something to eat. I also love the new living room because it's like a nice quiet area I can come in and sit for a few minutes without hearing bickering or the TV. I have some nice calming music going on all the time. It's nice. Plus I can sit at my computer and look out of the front window. I informed the kids that this is a quiet room. If they want to come in they have to be quiet. I've already caught Speed Racer in here a few times laying on the couch. He loves QUIET!!!
My China Cabinets in their new spots. This was the hardest part taking everything out and putting it back in.





I can just see us eating some stew in front of the fire on a chilly fall day!!!

The view into the kitchen. I am putting all my pink stuff away and pulling out all my red stuff. Which means I am getting ready for fall!!


Here is my tablescape for August. All things red and farmish.

The new living room. I only walked into the light fixture three times yesterday!! UGH!!

I love the couch against this wall!! See my red!!


Close up of my tablescape.

The view from the kitchen. You can't hear my music but it's a nice mix of classical, Michael Buble, jazz, and Bach. I can't seem to find my Enya CD. I think someone stole it. Give it back Tommy!!! LOL!!


So that's what I did yesterday!! Hope you are having a great week.


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Here is the view from the kitchen. Tommy is already looking forward to Thanksgiving when he can eat his dinner and watch the game. I laughed and told him no TV while we are eating.

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