Leftovers...

I want to title this "Well, $#!%" but I don't think a lot of people would appreciate that.

 Why so negative? Well, I already wrote this post. And then I was trying to add a picture to the post on my iPhone and somehow managed to delete the post entirely. Needless to say I'm a little pissed off right now. Might have shed a couple tears, too. I don't want to try to remember what I wrote and I just want to relax and watch some of my shows! So much for being carefree and unproductive <---- you would understand that if my other blog post had not been DELETED. Operator error (and a smart[donkey synonym]phone) strikes again.

*sob*

Okay, I'm done now. I was talking about all the lovely Thanksgiving things we did, like sit around and talk until late night/early morning, play games, and eat lots and lots of turkey (and the fixin's.) We actually had 3 different birds. One was roasted, one was brined first, then roasted, and then one was deep fried...and they were all amazing and delicious. No one turkey was better than the other because they all tasted unique. Yum...why do we only eat turkey for holidays? *dreams of eating turkey on a daily basis* Why not? Chicken is SO overrated.

I did not take pictures of this deliciousness, however, because I was not thinking...I was on my Thanksgiving break...it was only after I was almost finished roasting my turkey (I did the brined, then roasted version...via Pioneer Woman) that I thought, "Gee, this would have been a great thing to take pictures of for my blog!" It was really pretty...and delicious. In fact, the only picture I took the entire break was this one:

Anthony with his cousin having a staring contest...they are 8 weeks apart. And yes, that is a laundry basket (okay, TWO laundry baskets) full of clean and folded clothes...everyone was here, so I didn't want to put it away! Go ahead, judge me...I know you left your folded, clean laundry out, too...it wouldn't be life if that hadn't happened (maybe not this week, but I know you did sometime last week/last month/last year/at least once in your better-than-average life.)

After Thanksgiving we kicked the fall decorations to the curb and lovingly welcomed in the much-anticipated Christmas decorations. My hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin'-love LOVES Christmas, so he is always super excited to decorate for it. So he actually did (almost) all the decorating (while I watched from a reclined position on the sofa.) We have the inside pretty much finished now and we will get outside lights put up soon (probably this weekend!)

There's my hunk putting on the garland. About halfway through the tree decorating he realized we did not have enough hooks with which to hang the ornaments. So we bundled up, packed the kids in the truck, and went to Walmart! I know, Walmart has a bad rap...but it's a fun family excursion we do and we LIKE it. What's a week without a wonderful wandering within Wally World? <alliteration>

We got the kids shoes, boots, and slippers. We got eggs, candles, and makeup. And then we remembered what we were really there for. "Wait, don't we need hooks for the tree ornaments?" "Oh, right, I knew we were here for some reason." Happens to us every time.

No, we did not spend money on these amazing kid-sized recliners, but they were so cool! Love the holiday season! And I say holiday to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year...those are the holidays that I celebrate during this time of year. I try to be as politically incorrect as possible when it comes to THANKSGIVING and CHRISTmas time.

So there you go. My blog post. Again (holds back growl in her throat). I got back to working out faster than I got back to my blog...

...It's my fault, but I'm going to blame the kids. Isn't that what motherhood is all about? "Oh, I couldn't do X because the kids were/did Y." Love those munchable monkeys of mine.

<Her children arise up, adn call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Proverbs 31:28>

Hiatus

That "ahhhhhh" moment when you sit down after a busy day. No pictures today, no time! Got some last minute cleaning finished this morning after my work out and then my in-laws arrived safely at our house by noon and 2:30 (ish).

It has been a fun day, but I am going to bed. I am taking a break from this while everyone is here to enjoy their company and not be rude and ignore them!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Getting Ready...

Well, this will be a short blog. Since I am starting my new routine I do not have a meal to post today...I don't usually cook Sunday night. And today I cleaned and ran errands...nothing fancy.

First, today I started out the day by waking up at the ungodly hour of 6 am to go work out. I know, I'm psycho, right? Who wants to wake up at 6 am just to work out?...certainly not me. But I did. I care more about how (bad) I look right now than about the early morning hour I was up.

I ran on the elliptical for an hour. I went 4.05 miles at level 15 on the random setting (which means sometimes I was less than 15 and other times I was more) in an hour. Now, this isn't really good...so what I'm going to be working on more than anything is distance...but I did burn a butt load (literally) of calories! 645! I can live with that.

Tomorrow I will be doing strength training, so I will focus more on the weights than on the elliptical. Unfortunately, my gym is closed from Wednesday - Friday...looks like I'll have to do something at home during those days (haha....ye-ah...don't see that one happening.)

I came home to this cuteness:

And fed him after I showered. Ew. Nothing better than a little sweat and milk mingled together in one sitting, eh? No thanks!

I took the kiddos with me to the grocery store to get some last minute items I need for this week and for out-of-town family guests. People were staring because my kids were being so loud, but everyone commented on the fact that "at least they are getting along" or "at least they are happy!"

All I know is I have a headache and I don't know where it came from. Well, I'm going to go veg out for the next hour before the kids wake up again. I am thinking a nap sounds good! That is all, carry on.

<For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11>

A New Routine

So, my plan is to start waking up early to go work, which means I will be blogging during nap times instead of late into the night. I know that I am already a slightly cantankerous individual...adding lack of sleep would make me pretty unbearable...not to mention an emotional mess.

Now, I don't just want to lose weight, I want to tone up as well. Last time I started a weight loss routine I did really well. I met my first goal weight, which was my pre-baby #2 weight. But then I got pregnant with baby #3...sounds about right, doesn't it?

I'm already starting out at a lower weight, so that's good, but I want to actually reach my other goals as well...which is ultimately get down to weight I was when I was at my thinnest. I'm only 5'2' but the smallest I have ever weighed was 124. I think I looked great at that weight and size, so the fact that all these other girls my height are smaller doesn't really bother me. However, I have a long long (long long) way to go.

<Insert picture of feet on scale showing starting weight>

But since I'm embarrassed about my weight, I am not actually taking that picture. You could be like my hunk, and guess a 5 pound excess.....

....

That being said, let's talk about biscuits and gravy (but not the ones that go together)! I was at TOTS and the pastor's wife showed us her recipe for biscuits. So I made them with today's roast (and asparagus).

First, the gravy:

Pour all the juices in your crock pot into a small sauce pan on the stove

Heat saucepan, so that the drippings begin boiling

Then take a water/cornstarch blend and slowly whisk it in until you reach your desired thickness. Please note: when your gravy cools, it will actually be a little thicker than when it is boiling.

You can barely make out my water line...I would say that this is 1/4 cup of water and I then added 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, or 1/8 cup, so that's pretty much a 1:2 ratio...the closer the ratio, the less water you have to add, which will help retain the flavor. You can also add some salt.

So now, on to the biscuits!

Ingredients:
-1 3/4 cup unbleached flour
-1/2 tsp baking POWDER
-1 tsp salt
-1/8 cup oil (vegetable)
-3/4 cup milk

I did not have milk, however, but I had instant milk and used it instead...I think this might have been the problem with my biscuits...my hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin-love said were more like scones, but he still liked them and went back for more.

First, take your dry ingredients

Then, mix them together in a bowl

Then create a well for your wet ingredients

This is the part I royally screwed up, because I used up the remainder of the milk for the kiddos this morning at breakfast...This was even after thinking I did not need milk for anything I was making for Sunday lunch. Luckily, I remembered I had instant non-fat milk...not so great, but an okay substitute in a pinch.

Add to your dry ingredients. The goal with biscuits (so I was told) is that you don't want to overdo your involvement with them. They require more of a gentle caress, rather than a full body massage. Mix them together a little, dump them out on a floured surface, and then knead a couple times. Pat out so they about 1/2 inch thick, then cut them out with a glass.

Place them on an ungreased sheet and place in a 450 degree pre-heated oven for 10-12 minutes.

These are AMAZING (even though mine were a little too dense.)

They were especially AMAZING with honey on them.

<My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to they taste: Proverbs 24:13>

Sunday Prep

Okay, so today I actually have done two things that I always intend to do, but very rarely accomplish.

No, I am not talking about folding and putting the laundry away...that is still waiting to be done; I played hooky Thursday (TOTS) and Friday (friend's house) What are those those two things, then?

 - Getting clothes ready for Sunday morning when time is valuable (and I don't want to leave the house in tears because I go through everything trying to find something that fits, but nothing fits so I take longer and longer to get ready....curse you sweet tooth and lack-of-willpower!)
- Getting Sunday lunch thrown together so all I have to do is place the pot in the crock and turn it "on."

Unfortunately, I did not have enough potatoes to prep for mashed potatoes, so my hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin'-love will probably be disappointed...but I did use the potatoes I had.

So here is what you need - once again, this is a VERY simple roast...I'm not planning on being the next Pioneer Woman or anything, I just want to fill up a blog with SOMEthing:

Roast (Beef)
Salt
Pepper
Beef stock/Beef bullion and water
Potatoes
Carrots
Worcestershire (I forgot about this when taking this picture, but all you need is a splash over the top once assembled)

I don't have exact measurments...I usually just do what I feel like my family will need to be satisfied and minimize leftovers, which, for some reason, always seem to get thrown away.

First, season your beef with salt and pepper

 

Then, take your bullion (if you are using bullion), 

break it up, and sprinkle it all over your roast. I used two cubes. I was very frustrated to find that this particular brand contains MSG...unfortunately, I just bought a HUGE container of these - from Sam's Club...so much for thriftiness.

Pour some water at the bottom of your crockpot, or pour in your beef broth (probably the better way to go, unless it contains MSG as well) then place your roast inside.

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching raw meat...nothing is worse than cross-contamination....and if you happen to skip this step in your meals, please do NOT invite me over. I'm just sayin'....

After this, get a clean cutting board and cut up your potatoes (size is entirely up to you)

 

Place them around your roast and don't forget to season.

 

Then add your carrots and don't forget to season,

 

If these look extra seasoned, it is only because I forgot to season the potatoes...which is why I keep telling you - don't forget to season!

Add your Worcestershire Sauce

Then place the actual stone part of the crock pot in the fridge with a lid on.

Ta-Da! All ready for Sunday lunch. And all before 10 PM on Saturday night. Now, if I had had enough potatoes, I would have peeled them, placed them in a cold salted water with a lid, and stuck them in the fridge...then I would have parboiled them in the morning before church.

I usually do NOT add beef broth/beef bullion, but I did this time since I added the potatoes in the crock pot...I just felt like it would give it more flavor.

Again, nothing fancy, ultra-simple, amazingly average! You can add/detract anything you do or do not like. If I had onions I would have sliced some and placed them around the meat to give it more flavor, but they were unavailable...I do not like onions, but my hunk does...a lot, so I add them for him.

So I am ready for church tomorrow...and I took the time now, with my lovely cup of Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (started drinking this at the end of pregnancy and LOVE the flavor of it!) sweetened with local honey and Stevia, to write my blog...finally, before midnight!

And would like to leave you with this little anecdote...

Now, I realize I made some liquid hand soap...but how hard is it to grind a bar of soap, melt it in a pot of water with some glycerin and wait 12 hours or so? I'm not going to try to make actual bars of soap! And I don't bake goodies...I have a whole board devoted to all the deliciousness that I would love to make, but won't because I would be the only one to gain from that...I just don't need the extra weight!

<Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8>

Friday Fun!

Today started off very well...after not wanting to get out of bed and embrace the world and the sunshine (because it was actually rather cold,) I ended up running a half hour late to go see a friend. I really wanted to go see her, because she is such a great friend, but I really wanted to sleep for like 5 more hours...but I have kids...and therefore, it would literally be impossible. So I gritted my teeth and greeted the morning.

I love my kids, but the last couple weeks I have been awakened every morning between 7:00 and 7:30 by Leah.

Leah: (whispering) "Daddy...Daddy...potty, Daddy."

During the summer her door was swollen (humidity) so it kind of stuck shut....but now that the temperatures are close to frigid, the door seems to open with relative ease...inviting the little disaster into our room in the "wee morning" hours....

....I realize that's a late hour compared to some mothers...We usually get up to either put her back to bed or have her play in her brother's room...

...which usually means she goes into the pantry (that she can now open) and gets little snacks...often aided by her big brother. I finally put the smiley face gummies (from Walmart) in a less accessible location. I don't mind them noshing on those goodies, however, I would like them to not eat 5-10 bags in the morning before a nutritious breakfast! These are raisins, so not such a problem. However, they end up on the floor everywhere in the desperate attempt to free them from their confines.

........Anyways, we ended up going later than planned (very frequent issue when kiddos are involved) to go see my friend and we had a great time (despite some obedience issues...which actually got resolved fairly well...Oliver was very sad to leave his friend.) I love love love going to visit her and her kiddos...we have kids all the same ages give or take a few months, so it's fun to let them get together to play.

We came home and everyone took a nap...well, except for me. I'm not sure, but I am fairly certain I vegged out on the couch catching up on my Thursday night shows......I did clean some: I picked up the living room, cleaned the kitchen, and washed the dishes in the sink! AND I did that BEFORE sitting down to relax (average housekeeper.) Then it was time to feed the baby.

You can't look at this sweet boy and not smile...although for some reason people keep calling Anthony a girl...

"You have such a happy little girl there!" ...
 "Oh...heh heh...thanks."

I have a hard time correcting people in awkward moments like that...I just go with the flow and anticipate that I will never see that particular stranger again. The kid had a blue (and green) blanket wrapped around him....but, hey, that's just a minor detail when it comes to guessing baby genders!

This happened at McDonalds, where we enjoyed a wonderfully healthy mealtime experience...and by "healthy mealtime experience" I mean that the kids were playing in the play-place and the hunk and I alone for the majority of the meal, thereby securing our sanity for a later date (at which time, I am sure, it is likely to be lost.)

We got home and I was feeding the baby (deja vu?) and Leah snuck into our bed after getting her jammies on. My hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin'-love said I just HAD to see her (like I always have to do mid-anything that I can't really get away from at that moment) and found her bundled up under the covers looking quite adorable.

My hunk then came up with a plan to have a family night...as in the entire family sleeping in our room. Well, that idea didn't last long (I told him I didn't really care, but I think he realized that he would not get to sleep in as long on Saturday...since he's not feeding babies in the morning and all). So instead, we decided to let the kids sleep together...

My hunk "wrassled" together a tent-like structure....

Leah was peeking out...and yes, those are giant pillow pets.

Oliver (and a freaky looking specter in the upper left corner)..

...and Leah, pretending to be sleeping...

So for the next hour and a half:
- I allow some giggles and talking
- We reconstruct the tent after one of the poles (a kitchen chair) falls (on top of Leah who was playing with the tent)
- I empty a potty chair
- I go in and encourage the talking to end
- I go in and make (idle) threats concerning the constant jabbering
- I ask my hunk to help strengthen my (idle) threats by reiterating them to the kiddos
- We deal with a 4 year old vampire (Oliver bit Leah...for getting out of the tent...yeah, that's how I resolve all my issues too!)
- I allow a few more giggles and chatting
- And, the big bad mommy intervenes and places each child back into their own respective bed so they can hopefully just go to sleep....

....To be fair, this was more of a parenting (on my part) failure than a kid failure. Next time we do this (yes, we want to do it again...and do it successfully) we are going to try it earlier and just not worry about the talking too much. They will get tired and fall asleep eventually.

Speaking of sleep, now I am off to bed...

<The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. Ecclesiastes 5:12>

TOTS!

Today was TOTS. What is TOTS? Well, only the best thing ever!

Okay, really it is 3 1/2 hours of time off from your kiddos while you spend time eating, talking, crafting, and learning with other moms of tots (children 5 and under.) My church hosts this amazing fellowship, and it is just such a joy to be part of.

Today's craft was a Part 2 of another craft we did last week. We etched on a glass oil dispenser. The pastor's wife also showed us how to make some AMAZING biscuits and wheat breat...I didn't think to take pictures of her demonstration, though, so all you get is the craft...and again, this is the ONLY time that I ever really craft...but since I especially loved this craft, I might get the etching cream..

....maybe....

First, gather up your supplies: A (inexpensive) Walmart oil dispenser, contact paper with your design cut out, Etching....whatever...cream?, and a sponge brush.

Here is a better picture of the etching cream (and part of poorly manicured finger...I have kids, I don't do my nails.......okay, really I just don't do my nails.)

You place your contact paper onto the surface and make sure all the edges around your design are really smoothed out so that the etching cream doesn't go where you don't want it to.

You take the sponge brush...

...and apply the cream inside your design...

...making sure that you have a pretty thick layer...

...see how thick this is? And make sure it is evenly layered, or else some spots will look less...."etchy"(?) than the rest.

Wait five minutes, then take a paper towel...

...and wipe away the excess cream...

...then rinse the remaining cream off in your sink.

Then remove your contact paper and TA-DA! Oil...

...and Soap (from last TOTS).

 

LOVE it!!!! So now I respectable soap dispenser that sits out by my sink instead of the awkwardly large jug (yes, jug...I shop at Sam's Club) on the counter (when I forget to put it away).

I also LOVED the wonderful speaker we had today and her encouraging words...my hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin'-love is my CALLING. He has been entrusted to me...and my amazingly average self! By going to TOTS I am learning how to be a better person/wife/mother....Well, maybe more like realizing I'm d) none of the above.

 

Speaking of things I LOVE, here are some pictures of those troublesome cuties who tug at my heartstrings...and my arms.

 

Leah wanted to hold Anthony...

 

 Anthony: "Ummm...mom? Are you gonna help me out here?"

 

Anthony: "I'm not so sure about you...."

Thems some cute snuggle bunnies! Well, I hope you like the crafty efforts of others for the craft-impaired (like me!) Without TOTS I would never attempt such wonderful creations (that I typically unburden on the willing...I'm all about giving things away.) 

Laundry update: I got the rest of the laundry folded....

Just one of the many ways I am trying to do better so I can truly show love to my husband.

Tomorrow I plan to put it away...and start another load.

<That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that teh word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5>

sleeeeeeepy

So, because I'm really tired, this is going to be really short. First off, yesterday while I was cleaning in Oliver's room, I forgot to share what I found...

These were found located between that small space between the wall and the bed. Apparently someone has been taking their toys to bed with them...I attempted fixing the problem by placing a board between the space...at least it will make it easier for ME when I dig them all out again.

That and the dust bunnies I found hiding! Good grief. I got those all cleaned up too...yesterday. Today I got some laundry washed and dried...but not folded and put away...I didn't do much today, because I was out. Tomorrow is not looking very promising either...but that is mostly because there is TOTS! I'll be posting more about that tomorrow.

I did get two cute new jean skirts from Old Navy on sale for $8 each. I know some of you people can find all these amazing deals at such and such place or other...but for me, this was pretty good! I was with the two littles...Anthony and Leah.

She really likes squeezing herself into the Bumbo seat. She picks it up and takes it with her everywhere. But I commandeered it whilst I was primping and prepping for the day out for my little lover:

HAHA, this face makes me smile. He is such a sweetie!

He will be 5 months old in 10 days! Where has the time gone?

So sweet.

I love this little boy so much!

I love all my kids...even when Oliver is squirming non-stop in church. He picks up my hand and drapes it over his shoulder, then he takes it off, then he leans up against me, then he starts making shooting noises...and on and on. I might have been laughing more than a few times...average mother.

Well, I'm going to take a note from that photo of Anthony (not of the one sucking his thumb) and go to sleep! 

 <Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: Proverbs 6:10>