Have A Spooky Halloween

This is my little Iron Man and his teacher Miss Emily at his Halloween parade. 

Hope you have a great Halloween!

One Day.

Dear Dave, My Love,

I know your deep hatred of sweatpants, yoga pants, and especially pajama pants.  When you read this, please picture me saying pajama pants with a raised fist and voice a la “Newman” on Seinfeld. 

I have these grandiose ideas that one day… one sweet day, you’ll come home to a house that is perfectly clean.  {It would be sparkling clean if you let me hire Lori back!}  There will be no train tracks covering the living room floor.  There will be no stinky garbage to take out. 

There will be glistening countertops with a fresh pie or something for dessert.  Dinner will be bubbling away on the stove.  Unless, of course it’s something that shouldn’t be bubbling, then of course there would be no bubbling, but you know what I mean, for now you’ll make due with bubbling.

I will be dressed in something other than pajama pants and a tank top with no bra.  It’s not my fault, clearly.  Our Your daughter needs quick access to the ta-tas.  Remember when YOU had access to them?  Ahhh the good old days.

Maybe, just maybe I’ll even wear some make up and have my hair in something other than a messy pony tail.

Until then?   Viva la Monkey Pants.

Your Loving Wife

Crockpot Baked Apples

When Lyndsey and I were little, our Meme used to make baked apples as a treat.  Here is a grown up version, easy to make in the crockpot that turns out like an apple crumble.  If you don’t like the skin, you can also peel and slice the apples into chunks and just layer the topping over the apples.

Crockpot Baked Apples

You will need:

• 4 granny smith {or other good baking variety} apples, cored
• 1/4 c apple juice or water
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 4 TB butter, diced
• 1/2 c oats
• 1/2 c almonds or pecans {your preference}
• 1 Tb cinnamon
• dash nutmeg
• dash ginger

Core the apples using a paring knife.  {I cut a cone shape out of the top, then did the same to the bottom, then scraped out the middle.} 

In a food processor, pulse the brown sugar, butter, almonds or pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, & ginger until butter is incorporated and nuts are finely chopped.  Add the oats and pulse twice just to mix in.

Pack the filling into the apples, add the apple juice or water to the bottom of the crockpot, cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until apples are soft.

It cooks down into a soft chunky appley mess that I neglected to take a photo of because we were too busy enjoying it.  Serve with a scoop of vanilla or dulce de leche ice cream & enjoy!

Itsy Bitsy Spider House.

He came home with this and I kind of looked at it like uhhhh…. ok?

Firstly, I’m not sure what the messy coloring job was all about.  Secondly, oh that’s nice.

I don’t get it.

Until he started singing and moved that spider right up the water spout.

 

Finn’s preschool teacher is a genius. 

She had a cutout of a house, they used a straw as the water spout and put a spider ring {plentiful this time of year!} on it.  To make the spider moveable, put a piece of tape on the top and the bottom of the straw only.

Manicure.

My friend Cheryl pinned this awesome manicure from Polish Infatuated.

Source: flickr.com via Cheryl on Pinterest

 

I had to try it with my own twist.  I love it!

Brain Dump? Sure.

I’ve had a ton to do this week, probably more than I should while still bouncing back from my surgery last week.  There were invitations and flyers to create, meals to take to friends, cleaning and laundry to catch up on, and lots of writing & blog business to attend to.  After a week of sleeping and sitting around and doing nothing but relaxing recovering and almost a week of ‘taking it easy’, I am at about an eleventy-two on the scale of needing to get out of the house before going absolutely bat shit crazy. 

I am not good with just hanging out. 

On Sunday night, I deleted 478 old posts from my Google Reader just so I could start at zero this week.  I am slightly weird neurotic like that, I knew if I didn’t, I’d spend an inordinately large amount of time click, click, clicking my ‘next’ button until I got through my reader.  Is anyone else a freak like me? 

Links I Think You’ll Love

I really love these glittery nails from Cupcakes & Cashmere.

Pumpkin Bread I must make from Val So Cal.

I love this great upgrade to the Ikea Lack Table {we have one in Finn’s room} from Little Green Notebook.

Ditto.  Highly worth the 45 minute drive.

A vintage So Wonderful, So Marvelous:  Michelle’s Rules For Not Looking Like a Jerk on Facebook.

Thank you for subscribing to So Wonderful, So Marvelous!

Baby Shoes

Ridiculously, utterly unnecessary.  I know this. 

And yet, I die at the cuteness.

Because what 3 month old doesn’t need a pair of black sequined sneaks with organza ribbon ties?

Or pink mini slipper boots?

Or hand-me-down Ohio State high tops from her brother?

Computer & TV Time.

Lately, computer & TV time has become a battle in our house. 

During the week when Finn has school, we have a no TV/dvd policy.  It isn’t that I think TV is awful or that my child will never watch it, I am not anti-TV in the least.  I just that I notice he functions better when we don’t have it on.  When the TV isn’t on, he’s playing and doing things and doesn’t even miss it. 

The problem comes when he does get TV time and it’s time to turn it off.

I think it’s quite possibly the most assinine thing in the entire world to have a tantrum over TV.  But it happens and when it does, I am irritated that we even let him watch in the first place. 

The computer is usually not as bad, but we still have a time or two when he doesn’t want to put it down.

After reading a post from Ashley at Little Blue Boo, I’ve decided to implement the computer and TV time money.  Then it becomes his {earned} responsibility each day and he has a tangible reminder of his time.

Here is the issue, I have no idea how much TV or computer time I should be allowing in the first place.  It will obviously depend on the day because Monday through Thursday he won’t have any TV time, but on weekends?  And what about computer time?

Finn is four and a half, but I’m interested in finding out what other parents do even if your children are older or younger. 

What are the TV and computer rules in your house? 

5 Things I Love Right Now.

1.  Olay ProX Scrubber.  I’ve been using this sucker for months now and even with the post baby hormones, my skin has stayed really soft and smooth.  I love it and at 1/4 the price of the Clarisonic, it’s a steal!

2.  Sharpies.  So.  Many.  Colors.  I am addicted and I really need the huge pack from Costco for Christmas.  Santa?  Are you listening?

3.  Pandora.  How does it just KNOW? 

4.  Charming Charlie.  This is THE mecca of affordable accessories.  I used to run to F21 for cheap, fun accessories, but now?  One stop with THOUSANDS of items, grouped by color, and displayed with items you can pair together?  You can’t beat it.

5. CoffeeMate Natural Bliss Vanilla.  I love flavored creamers.  I don’t love that they are made with a bunch of shit I can’t pronounce, so I usually stick to putting cream and a little sugar in my coffee.  I may have squeaked out a little cheer of joy when I came across this in the grocery.  It is made from stuff you can pronounce {milk, cream, and vanilla} AND it tastes amazing.  It also comes in Sweet Cream & Caramel flavors that I have yet to try.

What is on your LOVE list right now?

Disclosure Blurb: I wasn’t compensated or asked to talk about any of these products, they’re just fabulous goodies that I love. Contains Amazon Affiliate links.

3.5 months

I wish she would stop with the growing and stick with the staying small.  This daughter of mine. 

Our last little snuggly baby.

And incidentally, how do you know when you’re done?  Because I was really ready to be done, but with every milestone reached, with each week passing, I’m not so sure that I don’t want another.  

{Someone pick Dave up off the floor please.}

For now I will be happy sneaking a thousand kisses on those little cheeks.

She’s got the drools.  She is going through bibs like you wouldn’t believe.  Finn got his first tooth at 3.5 months so I am sure she is not too far off. 

Quiche in a Jar

I’ve been itching to use my cute little 4 ounce canning jars since this spring.  They’ve been sitting on a shelf just waiting.  The plan was to make cupcakes in jars, but when we decided to have a picnic brunch, I immediately knew I wanted to try quiche in a jar.  They tasted great and were the perfect size to go along with the other dishes we served.

I used my tried and true quiche recipe with just a few minor adjustments.

You will need:

• {12} 4 ounce canning jars
• 2 prepared pie crusts {Trader Joes are my fave!}
• 1/2 package of breakfast sausage {you can also substitute in spinach, mushrooms, bacon, or other topping here… you will need approximately 1.5 cups}
• 6-8 ounces of cheddar cheese, shredded {normally I use gruyere or a good quality swiss here}
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup milk
• rosemary, thyme, a dash of Tabasco, salt, & pepper to taste

Prepare the crust first.  I turned the jar upside down and cut the circle for the bottom crust.  Then, I cut a strip and put it around the inside of the jar and pushed it together at the seam.  Once I did all of the crusts, I popped them back into the refrigerator to firm up.  You may have to use some of the scraps and re-roll to use up all the dough.

 

Put the jars on a cookie sheet, you may want to use a silpat if you have one, to keep them from sliding.  Then, I added the cheese {a large pinch} and sausage {heaping tablespoon} to the jars.

 

Then you will add the egg mixture to the jars.  I used approximately 2.5 tablespoons to each jar.  You want it to cover the sausage and cheese, but not up to the top of the jar or you won’t be able to put lids on.

Pop them into a preheated  375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.  They will come out puffy, allow to cool slightly and serve.  You can also allow to cool completely and store in the refrigerator, pop them back in the oven to warm when ready to serve.

Update.

This is a text conversation between me and my cousin Jay.   He is an idiot, but I love him.

Maybe I am a freak of human nature, but I am feeling surprisingly great.  The first twelve hours after surgery was really really rough I must say, then all of a sudden I felt like I turned a corner.  There are three tiny incision marks and a little mark where they went in through my belly button, but the only thing that really hurts is my throat from the intubation.  I have Dave taking care of me like a champ and when he’s not here, my mom is since I can’t lift Tate by myself.  I’m hoping that by the weekend I’ll start picking her up a little and see how it goes. 

Thanks so much for all your good thoughts and kind wishes.

Dave and I have also made the joint decision that I should be wearing this bracelet at all times.

Partners in Crime.

 

Ollie and Finn.  Finn and Ollie.

They have been friends since they were in diapers.  Best buddies.  Partners in crime.

 

The Gall.

Oh, hi.  Maybe send a good thought my way this morning? 

And not just for the surgery, but could you also say a little prayer that my sister Lyndsey isn’t dispatched to take any blood from me?  Yeah, I know it’s a little like prayer-whoring, but she’s doing her phlebotomy rotation right now and she would like nothing more than to poke me with needles.  I’m pretty sure it’s because I used to beat her up or something but, I’m more scared of that possibility than for the surgery itself.

I spent last night chugging cherry lemonade until midnight and reading about gallbladder surgery on the internet.  Then, I googled “gallbladder horror stories” because I like filling my head with fear and dread and not sleeping.  What, isn’t that what YOU do before surgery??

I told Dave if I kick the bucket that it’s ok for him to get remarried, but that she can’t be fancier than me.  I’m pretty hopeful that it won’t come to that, but just in case, I expect you peeps to keep him honest.

Bring on the Percocet and happy Tuesday.

Picnic Brunch

It was a gorgeous weekend here in Ohio.  Eighty degrees is so rare in October that there were hoards of people out enjoying the weather.  We headed to our local metropark and cooked Sunday brunch steps away from the river.

There were quiche in a jar, eggs with feta & spinach, pan fried potatoes, sausage, bacon, all kinds of cinnamon rolls, croissants, and donuts and amazing grilled grapefruit.  Don’t tell the park ranger, but we even snuck some mimosas.  It was perfection.  We already have plans to do it again when the weather turns chilly and make use of the gorgeous stone fireplace.

 

 

 

 

 

Friday! Friday! Friday!

We’re having an Indian Summer so we’re going to get out and enjoy the 80 degree temps, I can’t tell you how weird that is for us in October.  You Texans are probably thinking, what is the big deal?  Last week, we turned the heat on after the nights dipped into the 30s!   Dave mowed the lawn last night and for a minute I thought it was July.  Tonight we’re hitting the park for a picnic with some friends and this weekend we’re going to squeeze in every moment we can outside.  

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

Miss Tate decided that she was going to roll over Tuesday night.  How is she old enough to roll over already?  How?  I made her do it again the next day so I could catch it on video… don’t worry I’ll spare you the “look at my little baby doing fun things!” video.  She has also moved from vomiting on everything to slobbering on everything.  Oddly, it’s still just as gross to be covered in slobber as baby vomit.

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

I’m getting totally nervous about my stupid gallbladder surgery next week.  It’s the getting knocked out thing that bugs me.  Hopefully it will be as ‘routine’ as my {very capable} surgeon thinks.

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

In other news…

Kevin +Winnie 4 Ever.  At least on Netflix.

Still obsessed with Pinterest.  So. Many. Pretty. Things.

I must have these cookies.  Must.

A vintage So Wonderful, So Marvelous post about stuff I loved a year ago.  Oddly, I still love everything on the list.

Hopefully it’ll be a beautiful weekend where you are too!  What are your weekend plans?

Listen to Your Wife or Lose a Thumb.

There isn’t much I don’t like about this man.

Not much at all.  He’s intelligent.  He’s handsome.  He’s moderately amusing in some circles.  He spoils me rotten.

We don’t fight very often, but we argue debate converse a lot.  {Um, I’m fiery in case you haven’t noticed.}  For the most part I like him a lot.  One of the things though that drives me absolutely bonkers is his ability to fixate on something totally stupid that takes up time unnecessarily and/or is {in my expert opinion} totally unneeded.  It makes me nuts.

An example, you say?  Don’t mind if I do. 

Dave has to sharpen knives every single Wusthof-y time he uses them.

Do you know what it’s like to hear that annoying scraaaaaape scraaaaaape scraaaaaape of a knife be dragged along the steel knife sharpener thingy?  It’s maddening, let me tell you.  And totally unnecessary.

I scream sometimes when I hear it from the other room.

An interjection here if I may?

A couple weeks ago, I needed to make a trip up to Ikea for Amy’s Shower.  I grabbed the couple things I needed and mentioned that it would be great to get Finnegan a $15 art easel so he could paint.  Dave gave me the “we’re not spending unnecessarily now,” speech and I wholeheartedly agreed with him.  It was a measly $15, but he was right, it wasn’t something we needed right this very minute and it would make a great Christmas gift.

Not five minutes later, he was putting this $7 knife sharpener in our cart. 

Oh, I know what you’re saying.  You’re saying, but Michelle!  Why does Dave get something totally unnecessary when you’re not supposed to be spending??  Don’t you already own the maddening steel rod thingy that he already uses to sharpen every. time. he. uses. a. freaking. knife?

Exactly. 

Apparently though, he tells me, that he doesn’t know what he’s doing and the Ikea sharpener has the angle all done for you.

Why has he been using something that he doesn’t even know how to use EVERY time he sharpens a knife then, you ask?

This is my reality people.

So I give him “the look” and he pretends to put it back, but then he would have pouted, so I told him to get it.  Yes, yes, I told him to get it, but he should know that means do NOT get it. 

Duh.

Where was I?  Oh yes, here…

Sunday night I made a quick Costco run and called Dave and asked him to please start cutting onions for dinner.  When I got home, he mentioned that he had cut his thumb and I noticed it had a band-aid on it.  I didn’t think too much of it.

Right before bed he took a shower and casually mentioned that it might be bleeding a lot.  It was soaking through band-aids pretty quickly and he had cut himself 6 hours before.  It was midnight when I realized that maybe it was a bad cut.  I asked him if he needed to go to the ER for stitches.

Which is when he proceeded to tell me that there wasn’t anything to stich because he had cut part of his thumb OFF. 

And it had gone down the drain.

What?? 

The next morning he woke up {still bleeding on and off} and I made him call the doctor.

Here is his Facebook status.

When he got home, we were talking about his antibiotics and why the doc was being so careful which is when he mentioned that the knife was really sharp.

Like a cartoon, the light bulb went on.

Me:  “You sharpened that knife right before you sliced your thumb off, didn’t you?”

Dave:  “Maybe.”

Me:  “You didn’t mention that yesterday?”

Dave:  “Of course not.”

I would type the moral of this story, but I am pretty sure you all can already guess. 

Oh and don’t you worry about Dave, it should grow back.