Couponing

Today was a bit of a gloomy day - very little sunshine here in MA!  So I spent the day organizing my coupons.
First I cleaned out my coupon binder.  I had some expired coupons from a month ago in there!!!  Then I got to the task of cutting and filing away the new ones.

It was a rather large job.  Actually to be completely honest there are the coupons from 3 weeks ago.  Yup - that's have far behind I am!!  I have two more weeks to cut but I probably won't get to it today.  There is really only one reason why I won't get to it and her name is Julia.  Wherever gramma gets her coupon binder out Julia is ready to assist.  Now I'm not complaining cuz having help with the coupons is a wonderful thing.  I usually give Julia the expired coupons or the ones that I won't use! She loves having her own coupons.

Although it took me a little longer than usual.  I did finally get my binder organized and now I'm ready for another week of shopping!!  How about you?  What did you decide to do today?

My Little Protégée!!!

I was at the bank recently opening a new checking account (new year, new bank, new stuff.....) and as one of the security measures the bank takes you must pick a "keysite" for the access to your online account.  It's just a picture and they are large variety to choose from.  I pick a photo of a bunch of tomatoes! I told the woman at the bank that I picked this because I like to cook.  She then asked me if I was "a good cook".  My response was that "I've been told that I am."  To which she said "then you are a good cook."  I do know this I enjoy cooking and especially cooking for others.  I gives me such great satisfaction to prepare meals for others and watch them as the devour it and hopefully are satisfied by it. 

That being said let me introduce you to someone who proudly professes to be a "good cook!"  This is Julia and she reminds me of what a great cook she is every time we are in the kitchen creating some sort of fantastic dish.  Even yesterday when we were working together to create a wonderful tuna salad for grampa for his sandwiches she reminded me as she sprinkled in the thyme "I'm a good cook." 

More on WHAT we are creating here later!!

I will say this for her - she is not afraid to get her hands dirty.  She is willing to get right in there and work at making a wonderful meal.  Now if I could just get her to try eating them!!

Do you have someone who watches and mimics you?  One of the best ways to keep ourselves in check is to remind ourselves that little eyes are watching!! And this one has eagle eyes when it comes to watching me!!

The Organizer

There are times when I go on a wild and crazy adventure and decide to become completely organized and orderly!!  (don't laugh - it happens) These moments are few but when they happen LOOK OUT! It's like a tornado is about to hit.  Now that you've regained your senses, I will tell you that this is not one of those moments however apparently Julia it was a moment for Julia.  Apparently she is an organizer!!  One of her favorite pastimes is unloading and reloading things.  It can be a purse, a drawer, a toy box or a cabinet.  ON this particular day it was a cabinet.  See pics below!

In order to organize you must remove everything!

WHAT?

Although this make look like a disaster trust me you are wrong.  She very quietly takes everything out and then she puts everything back - not necessarily in the same order - but she is quiet!  And let's face it we all want the children to be quiet especially when we are working.  I was busy making jam which Julia started out being my helper but somewhere along the process she felt the need to "organize" the jelly cabinet.

Flour goes here.

Cake mix goes next to the flour.

Perfect - just the way I like it!

She was finally done just in time to help me wash the dishes!! That's another blog for another day!! Do you have an organizer in your home?  Goodness knows I need to be a better organizer!

Chicken Marsala Two Ways

When Bryan and I were living alone I would adapt my menus to fit what we both like and don't like.  I like mushrooms - he doesn't.  He likes squash - I do not!!  This meant that we did not have things like these veggies in our diet.  Fast forward to today and now my son, his wife and kids live with us!!  Score for me!!  Andrew likes mushrooms.  Amber likes squash.  A match made in heaven right?  Works for me and frankly that's all that counts since I'm the chef!!

For dinner tonight was Chicken Marsala.  I love marsala - like wanna rub it all over my hands and lick them clean!! I very rarely make it because Bryan doesn't like mushrooms!! Tonight was different though - Andrew was there.  I made two - that's right TWO pans of Chicken Marsala - one with mushrooms and one without mushrooms.  I also made the sauces two different ways - one with a rue to start and one where I used cornstarch and liquid to thicken the sauce in the end.

You may be wondering why there are only 3 pieces of chicken when there are 4 adults for dinner.  Amber doesn't like sauces - don't ask me explain it's just a thing she has.  Her chicken was on the counter with no sauce when I took the pic.

As you can also see from the pic I am a very messy chef.  Sauce is splattered everywhere.  But I've heard this is a sign of a genius at work!! Don't know. What you can't see in the photo is the prosciutto!! Yes ma'am there is Italian bacon in there!!! Everything is good with a little bacon - for that matter everything is good with a little Italian!!

What'd you make for dinner last night?  Do you have to adapt your menus to fit what likes and don't likes are in your house?  Let me know. 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Louise and I headed to the Cape around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.  I wasn't so sure it was going to be a comfortable weekend because of the mugginess but once you drove over the bridge the weather seemed to change.  Don't get me wrong it was muggy but not nearly as bad as at home.  What a difference it makes just going over the bridge!!  We took a nice leisurely drive to Dennisport and, in true girl fashion, we chatted the whole ride.  Once we got to the house in Dennisport we went inside the house and opened up all the windows and doors.  It's like being in another world there - so quite, so calming, no hussle and bussle.  I soooo needed this.  We then quickly got started on prep work which took all of about 45 minutes - Louise had already decorated the place with fall colors and scented candles.  Next, more chatting with Louise - hope I didn't tire her out but I really enjoyed our time alone!!

The girls arrived and we got started right away on dinner! I happened upon a couple of recipes which included bourbon - not that I'm a bourbon person or drinker but I thought we could give it shot - huh no pun intend!!!  First up with the spinach salad with Bourbon Brown Sugar Dressing.

Here's the recipe:

Bourbon Brown Sugar Salad Dressing (for Spinach Salad)

Recipe By :Bima Restaurant, Portland, Oregon
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Restaurant Salads and Salad
Dressings

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
5 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar -- plus
1 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses -- plus
2 teaspoons molasses
1 tablespoon bourbon
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
salt

In a small bowl or the bowl of a food processor or blender, mix together
the brown sugar, molasses, bourbon and balsamic vinegar. Slow whisk in
the olive oil.

(If using a food processor or blender, slowly pour the olive oil into the
vinegar mixture with the machine running.) The dressing should be dark
brown and thick. Taste and add salt as needed, Chill and serve over a
salad of spinach leaves, mushrooms, red onion and blue cheese.

Source:
" Oregonian FoodDay, April 2, 1996 "
Yield:
" 1 1/2 cups "

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 2375 Calories (kcal); 216g Total Fat; (81% calories from fat);
0g Protein; 113g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 50mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fruit; 43
Fat; 7 Other Carbohydrates



I have to tell you I really liked it.  Next time I think I'd thin the dressing a little with more olive oil but it was really good and the blue cheese provided a nice contract to the sweetness of the dressing.

For dinner was Bourbon Pecan Chicken! This was so delicious.  It was really easy and the sauce was excellent.  I highly recommend serving this dish to family or guests.  I served it with plain white rice and stemmed fresh broccoli.  I kept the sides simple so as to not take away from the main focus of the dish - The Chicken!!

The recipe for the chicken came from Allrecipes.com.  Here's the link:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bourbon-Pecan-Chicken/Detail.aspx?prop24=etaf and you can recalculate the recipe for as little as two people!!

Dessert was made compliments of Louise.  It was a perfect accompaniment to the dinner (and we didn't even coordinate).  It had an Oreo cookie and butter base (everything taste good with butter - I'm just saying) and the middle was made with Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk and strawberries.  The outside of it is "frosted" with Cool Whip too!! You'll have to get the recipe for this from Louise though.

The rest of evening was spent playing games (Apples to Apples and Taboo).  We laughed so hard at times. 

In the morning was a wonderful breakfast provided by Brenda.  They are called Dutch Pancakes and OMGoodness they are delicious.  If you have any sense of reason you WILL try these.  They seemed easy enough to make and the taste was just wonderful.

Anything with chocolate is wonderful

Chelsea covered her's with maple syrup and nuts!

So that covers the meals and some of the fun.  I have to start planning the next party - any suggestions?  I love your feedback.  Will keep you posted on my life as a Guinea Pig!!

And, of course a special thank you goes out to Louise for allowing us to stay at her place!  What a wonderful hostess!!

Thank you my dear!

Less is More

How long does it take you to put on your makeup in the morning.  I'm a "just the basics" kind of girl when it comes to everyday makeup.  I do the foundation, powder, blush, lipstick and mascara.  Sometimes I'll throw on some eyeliner but for the most part with me putting on makeup is a 5-10 minute process.  If it's for a night out then maybe a few minutes more for some extra primping but basically that's it.  However this 5-10 minute process has been extended in the last several months because of a small 2 year old little lady who insists upon "I do it too!!!"  She, of course, must wear the same makeup as gramma and she also must do it herself.  Like any other sophisticated young lady, she is perfectly capable of putting on her own makeup.  Once she was done she proudly announced that she was ready for the day.

The end result!!!

Julia considers herself to be quite the fashionista when it comes to things like makeup!! She definitely prefers to do all things on her own!  Good luck to her mama!!!

Girls Afternoon Out

On Friday we had the pleasure of visiting the Westport Rivers Winery in Westport, MA.  I actually won the tour at a Night out for Autism.  The tour for up to 10 and we all received wine glasses in the end.  We rented a limo - we all chipped in so the expense was little!!! Although I poorly planned the amount of time we would need the limo - I guess I was too excited about getting out with all the girls that I miscalculated!

And of course it wouldn't be a guinea pig event without some snacks.  These are the ham rollups we had.  It was sliced ham, Laughing Cow cheese and a dill pickle!! They were yummy.  Of course we also had crackers and cheese. And no wine tasting is complete without chocolates!

The limo ride was very comfortable and as you can see in the background we were having discussions at solving the world's problems!! Our wonderful driver was Steve. Can you image driving around 9 women to a winery!! Steve deserves a medal!!

This one is called Middle Sister!! Brenda thought she was being funny!

This one is called Mommy's Time Out!! Rachel and Colleen love having time out!

Louse and Sharon enjoying the art offered at the winery.

Our tour guide, Carol (and the owner) was wonderful!

Girls Having Fun!!

We had a great day didn't we girls.  We learned a lot about the wine making process and we had some tremendous laughs. Thank you all for coming along and making the day complete.  I love you all.

And P.S. - Brenda took a lot more pictures than are up here these are just a few for the blog!!

A gift from God

Today is my youngest child's birthday. Way back in 1988 (oooo this just makes my body ache)....anyway - focus! Way back in 1988 my husband and I had some discussions about whether or not we should have another baby. He was of the opinion that the boy and girl we had were plenty. I wasn't so convinced. The discussions were tabled until around Christmas time 1988 when I proudly announced to my wonderful husband "honey, God has decided to grace us with another child!" Of course, I was helping with the Lord by sometimes forgetting to take that little pill every day that helps prevent these things from happening.....but I won't tell if you don't!! She turns 22 today (another thing that makes my body ache)!! She is a beautiful woman now and continues to amaze me with the things she can do. She is sweet and kind and she is a fireball and a tornado. I'm so happy that she calls me mom!! Happy Birthday Chelsea!! Oh and don't tell her I put this photo up - I'm sure she won't like it but it's the most recent one I have!!

Thanks Mom

Take a look at the picture above. This family is tied together by one very important woman, the beautiful woman in the red sweater with the curly hair, Ellie. She is a woman who exemplifies Proverbs 31. In all my years as a young girl, a rebellious teenager and then as a grown woman I have never met anyone quite like Ellie. Those of us who are close to her know how tough and yet how gentle she is. We know how she has the ability to command a room without saying a word. We know how she has been an example of loving and supportive wife, a nurturing mother and a wonderful daughter. If you have the pleasure of meeting Ellie you will know what I mean within 2 minutes of talking to her. Mom, you are blessing to me and I thank God for allowing me to have such a wonderful mother. Happy Mother's Day.

Who's Who?

So I added a pic for you all to see. This is our original group and this was taken at our Chocolate Party!! Remember that girls? So let me introduce the girls (clockwise) - Louise, Colleen, the next girl I don't remember her name - she came with Danielle one time and haven't seen her since, me, Brenda, Mom (Ellie) Danielle and Sharon. This is my family. They are willing to put with me, come to my parties and try different types of food. Gotta love guinea pigs!! Anyway just wanted you to meet all us. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

All About Family.

Right now I'm in the kitchen baking more cookies for Valentine's Day but upstairs my baby (20 yrs old) is sleeping. Chelsea has arrived home from Arizona safe and sound. There is nothing like having the family around. My Uncle George used to say "After everything else all you have is your family." I always loved that guy!! This is so true and I hope that on this Valentine's Day you are not only thankful for your lover but for all of those you love. So give them an extra squeeze tomorrow. And by the way come by tomorrow and give my baby an extra squeeze. We'll have snackies and goodies. What you are doing on this Valentine's Day?

This is my baby this past November! Thanks for the great pic Auntie Brenda!!