Thoughts About Christmas

Lately I have been thinking alot about christmas. I am not sure whether it is because I like to be anal retentive and plan everything all the time, or because this will be our first christmas in the new house. Which in its self should be special and something for Jim and I to remember for years and years to come. I did start shopping about three months ago, and I realize that this is late,but I was moving. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it no matter what anyone says. Lucy and I are going to buy our christmas cards this weekend. She wants to be involved this year, I think it is great! We don't spend thousands of dollars, or go across the country, but I try and make it so that when she is older she will remember our "family christmas". It will just be Jim and I, my parents and the kids. Every year it involves the same thing, getting up having breakfest,yes we are those people, opening gifts, and then my mom and I cooking for the rest of the day. Every year that I can remember that is what has happening, starting with my mom and now the baton has been passed down to me. We are a food people, I am not ashamed. More though goes into the meal then anything else, why shouldn't it? Since this is the first year here, I am trying to play out where everything will go, where people will sleep, etc. has anyone else has thoughts of snowflakes and christmas trees yet?

The Big Boy Bed

Well we started, two nights ago as planned. Sleeping has always been a touchy issue with Jacob. Lucy not so much, sleeping thru the night at four months, sleeping in a bed at 12 months. Jacob has been the opposite, not sleeping thru the night yet, and not sleeping in a big bed yet. Agh, I was pulling my hair out. Then we were deciding what to bring and what to scrap, we decided that the crib was finished anyway so to leave it and throw him in a toddler bed. Of course Jim thought this was a good idea, he doesn't get up in the middle of the night EVER. So finally after living here for two weeks we went and bought new bolts for it, since apparently they got lost in transport. Thursday night was the first night, and after he got into bed, he never got out. Yes, I was shocked. Then the next time I heard from him was six in the morning. Shocked again since he has never slept that long before getting up, he had his drink and was back to sleep. Then last night, you'll never believe this, I didn't, he slept the night!!! Now I am doing back flips. Wow, next objective, start on the potty training.

A Little Hard For Her

Well this move meant alot of things to this family, one of which, my daughter started her education career. Now I had my apprehentions going into this one, not because I think that she was behind the J/K ball or anything. Just because Lucy doesn't warm to people in a short amount of time. For this reason we didn't send her to Sturgeon Falls school, she just would have gotten used to the way things were done there and then we would have had to pull her. Not really fair to her or the school that she would have been attending. So she is going all day, every day, which I love, not for the obvious reason that she is gone all week, which took getting used to, but for the fact that she gets some sort of routine down. Lucy has been about routine since the day she was born and hurled into that NICU. For all of you wondering how she likes her newfound freedom, well lets just say this, it is like a Tim Hortons coffee that has been sitting for a 1/2 hour, you sorta enjoy it, and you are sure as hell not going to let it go to waste. Now if I could just get jacob in his big boy bed this week, maybe I will get Mom of the Year. LOL! I won't hold my breath.

For all of those that enjoy pictures, I haven't found my cable for the printer, which is the tool of chose to download everything off my card, and I haven't found my battery charger to charge the batterys for the camera either. One day I promise, I will post some pics of the new city and the new house.

The Evil Stove

The other day, well Sunday, I was cooking the slew of Thanksgiving items that have been on the menu in my house since I can remember. Carrots, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Turnip, Stuffing and the bird, plus two kinds of pie. Well I had gotten up early to cook most of the sides since my parents were brinning me the turkey. Good thing, once my parents got here, I threw the turkey in, a couple hours later, I decide to finish everything I hadn't yet, well mainly the turnip and the cranberry sauce. then I realized that none of the burners on this ELECTRIC stove where working, then after the turkey was out of the oven, it was done. We realized that the oven wasn't either since my cresents wouldn't cook. Let me give you background on this stove, when we bought this house, it was left here, it worked great for a week, then gives up the biscuit on one IMPORTANT day. This is why now I am searching all over the country for copper gas line to run my propane stove once again, what can really go wrong with it? The tank runs out, the pilot blows out, that is just about it. I can't wait till I get that line, until then we are living with the microwave and the huge eletric griddle I have.

Farther North

As some of you may know I have recently moved farther into the great north, well Kirkland Lake. Not really the barrens but to some of my extended family you would think it. The house was signed over and moved into on October 2nd. It is a 6 bedroom, two storey house in town. This isn't what my husband wanted but it is mortgage free so that was the straw that won. I have to say though, it is a nice little town for never living, or even visiting her before. Has all the shops that I person could want, plus a Canadian Tire and an Independent Grocer. We have started fixing it up already also, putting down the sub flooring in the rooms that need it, and ripping the carpet up, putting in a new window and door, also putting a new bedroom door on our room. Ah work is never done.

It Is Offical

Well now there is no going back, well there is but it really wouldn't be worth the fight. The house was placed up for sale today. Now this is something we have been talking about for a while now. We have decided that we would like to move to Northern Ontario. Well .... more north. We are thinking Hearst area. The people have already called and said there they are showing the farm on Sunday. At least it makes me hopeful that someone is interested. Keep your fingers crossed.

I had to play too!

I read this tonight over at meanoldmommy and I didn't feel like thinking too much so here it is....

"It's the mp3 player oracle. The rules: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING."

How does the world see you?
Forgot About Dre - Dr Dre.

Will I have a happy life?
A Thousand Words - Savage Garden

What do my friends really think of me?
Raining On Sunday - Keith Urban

Do people secretly lust after me?
Wasted - Carrie Underwood

How can I make myself happy?
Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette
This scares me.

What should I do with my life?
Hey Ya - Outkast

Will I ever have children?
Photograph - Nickelback

What is some good advice for me?
Shut Up and Kiss Me - Mary Chapin Carpenter

How will I be remembered?
Lost In This Moment - Big and Rich

What is my signature dancing song?
Swinging - John Anderson

What do I think my current theme song is?
The Only Promise That Remains - Reba and Justin Timberlake

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Breathe - Nickelback

What song will play at my funeral?
Shameless - garth Brooks

What type of men/women do you like?
What Goes Around Comes Back Around - Justin Timberlake

What is my day going to be like?
Rockstar - Nickelback

Well i really don't know how accurate this really is, but for the most part it is closer then my horoscope has ever been. Heres to having a Rockstar day tomorrow. ;)

Time of The Day

Why is it, without fail, 6 - 7 in the evening is the most stressful time of the day. For starters I am tired, and I mean tired. I have tried many many things to get around this. Coffee, sleeping longer, none of which seems to work, except for Redbull that is. I am just too cheap to keep buying that everyday. Then there are the "troops" lights out is between 7 and 8. After I clean the top floor and put away the days laundry. So the time just before bed is stressful, I have fussy fussy children who seem to want the toy that the other has. I also have kids that think running at top speed around is the thing to do. One day it will get better, I keep telling myself that, it seems to work. It did with Jacob sleeping, it has with Jacob listening. Logic would say that it would happen with pre bed time. Some days I wish I had children that watched tv, that way they would be sitting still in this stressful time of day. Well I better go, off to do the dishes before war breaks out.

PS I love scrabble too!

New Addition

I know i haven't posted here in a loooong time, but truly I find it hard to come up with real thoughts after a loooong day. This is my attempt, I am not sure if I have talked about our recent aquirement, Stinky. She would be a ferret. We got her at the start of November. She is really great, the most amusing animal we have acquired so far. She is tame as can be, doesn't bite at all. She is fixed and descented, that is a bonus. She chases the cats and dogs. Loves playing with the kids and is totally litter trained. She runs around the house during the day, most evenings when I put the kids to bed I will find her asleep in my pants drawer. All curled up in the bottom. I haven't gotten a picture of her yet. I will though I promise. I also promise to post more often. ;)

I Wanted In Too!

Well I know I haven't blogged in a while, but right now I just don't have the time. Soon though people, soon! So for now, I chose to steal a meme from Fairy Blogmother!

So what am I into this month? This month was allll about the baking. I tend to get obsessive about things. Now that the hoildays are basically over for this family I am getting into a organizing kick.
TV show worth watching: Ummmm Private Practice, also Chuck.
The Christmas present I'm lovin': A leather bound journal, lets me vent and I don't have to try and make complete sentences like on here.
My favourite blog entry from this month: Did I do any?
Blog I'm always visiting: With out a doubt, Tale From The Fairy Blogmother.
Movie I've Seen in or Out of the Theater: Ummmmm Shrek 3. Three times already. Jim really has an obsession.
What I'm most looking forward to next month:Ummmm getting ready for Valentines ;) I am all about the hoildays.

3 a.m. ....... peaceful bliss!!!

I used to wonder who in the hell would ever go and shop at 3 in the morning. Hmmmmm, I think I now know. Saturday at 2:30 my alarm rang, I jumped out of bed, woke my mother. Off we went, in a snowstorm I should throw in, to Wal Mart. All I have to say, it was a magical experience. Something like seeing Cinderellas castle for the first time I would imagine. We parked RIGHT IN FRONT, walked in IN OUR JAMMIES and shopped our asses off. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but as any Mom of small children would tell you, shopping in Wal Mart with them just before Christmas is impossible. We didn't have to wait in line. Zipped right thru, fantastic. Then since we had the bug, we went to the 24 hr Sobeys up here. Yet again, another magical experience. Then because the forces were with me, Tim Hortons in North Bay was 24 hr too. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Then we came home to sleeping children and husband.

I decided to Play too

“Devise a list of 5-10 courses you would take to fix your life. It’s more fun to be in classes with friends, so include one class from the person who tagged you that you’d also like to take. Tag five.”

Knitting, it would be a fun class to take with Shan plus I know slightly more then the basics but would love for someone to teach this lefty how to knit in rounds.

Sewing, I just have soooo many projects and no idea how to use my brand new sewing machine.

French, I live in a French community and it might just help me blend in since I still stick out as the "english speaker"

Photography - I am really not that great at it yet.

Cooking - Not that I would need much help, I getting pretty good. I just am not that great with seafood. It scares me! lol!

Critters, Critters and More Critters

Well we have some new additions to the family that haven't been discussed on here yet. About a month ago Lucy and I found a pack of gerbils to give away in the Bargain Hunter, our local sale advertiser. So we went and picked them up. Well two weeks ago we were looking again, since I must be a sucker for punishment. We found two guinea pigs and a lop eared bunny with cages, because that is a must when acquiring pets for free. ;) Now we have this "flock" of critters in the house. Good thing I buy all my shavings at the feed store.
I also have an update on Ginny, for all those that were reading about her. About two months ago she started flying around the house. In case you are interesting is isn't as great as it sounds. Lets just say they are not fussy about where and when they shit. So we decided to move her to the barn and let her find the way out. Well she did and she stayed for almost a week, then she left. Lucy tells everyone that Ginny went to get a boyfriend. Don't you wish you were still that optimistic???

What's Cooking Wednesday - Apple Pie Filling

Apple Pie Filling

Peeled, Cored, cut up apples 5 cups
Granulated Sugar 1 Cup

Minute Tapioca 2 Tbsp.
Ground Cinnamon 1/2 Tsp.
Lemon Juice 1 Tsp.

Combine the apples and sugar in large pot. Stir. Let stand until juice start to be released. Stir as you bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil hard to 1 minute.

Mix in tapioca, cinnamon, and lemon jucice. Boil hard for 1 minute more. Pack into hot sterilized jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Secure lids. Process in a hot water bath for 20 minutes.

One quart jar makes a nine inch pie.

As we now have a great abundance of apples this seems like the thing to do with some of them. Made a case of these puppies this morning.

Maybe for some food that you can eat for supper tonight you should check out.....

Sognatrice http://bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com/ with some pasta alla norma.

Old Friends

Life, it sometimes gets in the way doesn't it? Some things pass you by and you didn't even know they were moving.

Lets take old friends for example. Old is an interesting way of describing it. Just when does it go from being a best friend, to a friend, to an old friend? I seem to have missed the newsletter. Not that I am bitter in any way that my best friends have turned into old friends. Life has a funny way of doing things like that. Life gets in the way, you find Mr. Right, you go away to college, and you have kids. Maybe not in that order, but you get the idea.

So I guess, when I have having kids and living with Mr Right my friends went from the best category to old. Don't get me wrong, we still talk. Shit, we may even see each other once or twice a year. Most of the time its if they come up here, kids at 3 and 1 aren't the best to take to others houses for the night.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Just Like That

I have sad news for anyone that has been reading about Harry and Ginny. Today.... should i say it...... Harry died. I know, it really sucks. We came home from yardsaling and there he was on the floor. I think that he finally figured out how to jump and jumped out of his box, perhaps the dog mauled him, trying to play. I guess I will never know, however there is now a screen across the top of Ginnys box and she isn't as lonely as I thought she would be. I shall have to find a teddy bear for tonight though, something for her to cuddle with. I know,,,, depressing post!

What's Cooking Today

I had to post this today, since I might run out of steam by Wednesday. I just bought it out of the oven, the smell is out of this world. Lucy is excited since this is what we did with her zucchini from the garden.
Tart Lime Zucchini Loaf

Ingredients:
LOAF:
All-Purpose Flour 1 1/2 cups
Bran Buds Cereal 1 cup
Baking Powder 2 tsp.
Baking Soda 1 tsp.
Ground Cinnamon 1 tsp.
Salt 1/2 tsp.
Ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp.

Large Eggs 2
Granulated sugar 1/3 cup
Brown Sugar, packed 1/3 cup
Cooking Oil 1/3 cup
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp.

Grated Unpeeled Zucchini 2 cups
Grated Lime Zest 1 tbsp

GLAZE:
Lime Juice 1/4 cup
Granulated sugar 1/4 cup

Method:
Measure first 7 ingredients into large bowl. Stir. Make a well in centre.

Brat next 5 ingredients with whisk in medium bowl. Add to well.

Add zucchini and lime zest. Stir until just moistened. Spread in greased 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 50 minutes until wooden pick inserted comes out clean.

Glaze:
Stir lime juice into sugar in small cup until sugar is dissolved. Randomly poke several holes in loaf with wooden pick. Spoon lime juice mixture over loaf. Let stand in pan until cooled completely. Cuts into 16 slices.

The only things that I did different with this was I didn't use the bran cereal, I used the natural bran you buy in the small bags just by the cereal boxes. ALOT cheaper. It was only about 1.50 or so for the bag vs. 3-4 bucks for a small box of the actual cereal.

To make things easier I used my food processer. LET me tell you, gets the job done in 1/10 of the time.

Can't Wait

Am I the only one out there that is waiting like a giddy school girl for the new tv season to start??? I mean not only are my family from Greys going to be back on the air, but hey Private Practice is starting. I am one of those people that tend to get too involved with these shows. Kinda like they are family,. I do that same thing with books. (Please note the tear in the corner of my eye from finishing Harry Potter 7) So right now I am just grasping at straws, watching Spoilerfix.com for the next update. I know, nasty habit, but everything should just have one.

It's Almost Over

Well another year of haying is just about done. It has been a giant pain in the ass! There is only a few fields left to do, that will be done after yardsaling in the morning. Then it is time to do wood for the winter. Meanwhile I don't think that i have posted any pictures of the new horse Evita. She is a purebred paint. Nice and Friendly, comes right up to Lucy for a pet on the nose.

Our Little Gardener

Today was a good day for Lucy, she finally got some results from all her hard work with Mom in the garden. We were walking thru today and found a very large zucchini and some tiny Tim tomatoes that were ready for the picking. We have planted alot of different things. It seems this year is going to be all about the tomatoes. All of the twenty some plants that went in have tomatoes coming on them, I guess there will be lots of tomatoes canning coming my way

On another note , Ginny and Harry are doing quite well. Hopping around the box and getting quite vocal when they want to eat. Guess that is a good sign. I guess I get to play Momma bird too now. There is a storm rolling in tonight, I HOPE! I can't stand this heat. I would rather it be raining and cold then this.