Sarah Palin!!!
John McCain made a wonderful choice!
YES! YES! YES!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kitchen Tip Tuesdays - Homemade Shake and Bake
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika salt and pepper to taste
Combine ingredients and store in a sealable container or zipper topped plastic bag. This will keep up to 4 months in the pantry, depending on the humidity (you may just want to keep it in the freezer). This recipe will also double or triple well.
To Use:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place one cup mix in a plastic bag.
In a bowl, mix an egg and 1/2 cup of milk. Dip chicken pieces one at a time in the milk mixture, then shake one at a time in the plastic bag.
Place on a baking pan and bake for appropriate time (depending on the chicken you're using-as a little as 20 minutes or up to an hour for bigger, bone-in pieces).
Friday, August 22, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
uhhh.
I was cooking dinner last night.
I was standing at the stove,
barefoot,
holding a baby on my hip
wondering if my husband wanted a glass of wine or a beer,
stirring a large pot.
yeah..theres a country song in there somewhere.
I was standing at the stove,
barefoot,
holding a baby on my hip
wondering if my husband wanted a glass of wine or a beer,
stirring a large pot.
yeah..theres a country song in there somewhere.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Wonderful photography experience
People who know me know I HATE HATE HATE to have my picture taken. Seriously. I avoid it like the plague.
But with the arrival of our little Molly, I did want to get some pictures taken to help preserve the precious memories we will have at this fast fleeting time of her life.
So I scoured ads. I asked for references. I didn't really get any viable suggestions. So I did what any good bay area resident does. I turned to Craigslist.
I was very pleased at the number of ads photographers had placed. I perused each ad and scrutinized their websites and photos.
And then I found HER!
Her name is Jennifer, and she is wonderful. Her pictures, well they just spoke to me. The pictures on her site showed everyday moments, captured flawlessly, exactly as I want to remember them.
So I called Jennifer and set up a date. I was so excited. I started planning what we all would wear. Okay, I mandated it. I wanted it simple and clean. White shirts and denim, clean faces, sweet natural selves. I talked endlessly about how excited I was.
Then I realized.. I had set the appointment for the same exact day Molly was scheduled for her 2 month immunizations.
Poop!
So, feeling like a big ole goober, I contacted Jennifer again and asked to reschedule it for the next week. She was ever so gracious, and sweetly rescheduled for the next time we would all be home.
So I planned and schemed again. Molly must eat 1 1/2 hours before she arrived at our house, Declan must have haircut one week before- to prevent that just got haircut look. Husband must be cajoled sweetly into shaving on his day off. ( OH man, being in the AirForce and required to shave every day makes him soo not want to do it on his day off.)
And then I of course must plan Molly's naps around a time when I would be able to hop in the shower and then do the whole somehow make myself look decent after not having a full nights sleep in 2 months thing.
On the day of the pictures, well, the water heater starts leaking. Molly doesn't feel like sleeping. At ALL, ALL day. Shes eating alot more than usual. And that means spitting up. Alot more than usual.
Why or why did I choose white for everyone to wear?
Declan has decided that taking pictures is *boring* and he doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to brush his teeth or fix his hair. He doesn't want to wear a white button up shirt, and he certainly doesn't want to brush his teeth again, despite having bits of fruit YoGos in them. The whining starts. "I brushed them this morning mom, why do I have to do it in the middle of the day? Why do I have to tuck in my shirt? It makes me look like a geek! Taking pictures is stupid!"
Hubby is grinning at my exaspiration and is eggin him on. "Yeah, lets not tuck in our shirts, and why does it have to be white?"
Gave dear sweet, oh so supportive hubby "THE look", and said, because tucked in white shirts wards off the artic winter chill that is going to descend on our home.
Now its just about time for Jennifer to arrive and I'm frantically trying to get my clothing on, and get Molly into hers - praying no prior nurishment decides to make its way up and display itself prominently upon her ironed and starched white shirt declaring to the world "see Mommy and Daddy feed me well!"
I slide Molly into her adorable denim jumper with the cutest hand embroidered flowers and then go to snap the straps in place and ....Its too DANG BIG. Not around the body, oh no.. its fits butterball just fine there. But around the arms and particually the straps.. so they are all poofy above her shoulder and she resembles something alot like a baby head popping out of a denim purse.
Big Fat Tears well up in my eyes. My dreams of for once getting good pictures of me with my children and my family are starting to evaporate.
Mom to the rescue! Out pops the safety pins and down are the straps pinned! ( I have to make note to keep more of these around the house.)
And knock knock knock - There's Jennifer. We walk across the street to the nearby park.
Now, I live less than a mile from the SF Bay. Its usually cool and breezy here. And that day was no exception. Except it was a bit more cool and breezy. Actually, it was cold and windy.
Have I said that whenever Molly's been out in the sun she balls her eyes out? No? Yeah, funny how I forgot about that myself until we stepped outside.
And actually Molly was great. Jennifer took pictures of Declan and Molly, Then Daddy and Molly and she got fabulous shots. Molly didn't smile, but she wasn't wailing. Next was Moms turn to take pictures with Molly.
And "The Howling" began!
Then it was my turn to take pictures with Molly. And "The Howling" became louder, stronger, and more insistent.
I was so disappointed. I mean I knew nothing could be done about it, hey, that's just the way it goes with little ones.
We headed back to our house and finished the photo shoot in our backyard. A pic of all of us together, and some with one of us with each other. She even took the most inventive photo I had ever heard of. She took AJ's and my wedding rings and placed them on Molly's big toe. Isn't that cool? ( it turned out FANTASTIC.)
She said she had gotten some great shots and she would send me a link to her site to view them. I mustard up and smile and said I cant wait to view them. Thanked her for her time and for coming and shut and locked the door. ( The guys were already racing to their rooms to throw back on their T-shirts and to return their hair to their previous messy status.)
A few days later I got an email from Jennifer with the link and tentatively opened it. Expecting to see Great pics of Molly with Declan and her Dad, I clicked through those pictures awed by how much more beautiful they were then I had expected. Then I got to the section with pictures of me and mom with Molly. OH MY GOSH!
This woman was a miracle worker. As you can see in photos in the sidebar ( all taken by Jennifer, I might add) she got GREAT pictures. Cause I swear there was NOT a moment when Molly wasn't crying while she was taking our pictures.
Her photos were so wonderful, I had a hard time picking out just the few we could afford, And in fact I couldn't. They were all so wonderful and am now looking for another part time position just to pay for all of them. =)
Seriously, if you are anywhere near the Bay Area, and in need a photographer here is Jennifers' site: http://www.agirlandacameraphotography.com/. I really urge you to visit her site and please give her a call. If she can make me and my motley crew and crying baby look that good, you know shes worth it!
But with the arrival of our little Molly, I did want to get some pictures taken to help preserve the precious memories we will have at this fast fleeting time of her life.
So I scoured ads. I asked for references. I didn't really get any viable suggestions. So I did what any good bay area resident does. I turned to Craigslist.
I was very pleased at the number of ads photographers had placed. I perused each ad and scrutinized their websites and photos.
And then I found HER!
Her name is Jennifer, and she is wonderful. Her pictures, well they just spoke to me. The pictures on her site showed everyday moments, captured flawlessly, exactly as I want to remember them.
So I called Jennifer and set up a date. I was so excited. I started planning what we all would wear. Okay, I mandated it. I wanted it simple and clean. White shirts and denim, clean faces, sweet natural selves. I talked endlessly about how excited I was.
Then I realized.. I had set the appointment for the same exact day Molly was scheduled for her 2 month immunizations.
Poop!
So, feeling like a big ole goober, I contacted Jennifer again and asked to reschedule it for the next week. She was ever so gracious, and sweetly rescheduled for the next time we would all be home.
So I planned and schemed again. Molly must eat 1 1/2 hours before she arrived at our house, Declan must have haircut one week before- to prevent that just got haircut look. Husband must be cajoled sweetly into shaving on his day off. ( OH man, being in the AirForce and required to shave every day makes him soo not want to do it on his day off.)
And then I of course must plan Molly's naps around a time when I would be able to hop in the shower and then do the whole somehow make myself look decent after not having a full nights sleep in 2 months thing.
On the day of the pictures, well, the water heater starts leaking. Molly doesn't feel like sleeping. At ALL, ALL day. Shes eating alot more than usual. And that means spitting up. Alot more than usual.
Why or why did I choose white for everyone to wear?
Declan has decided that taking pictures is *boring* and he doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to brush his teeth or fix his hair. He doesn't want to wear a white button up shirt, and he certainly doesn't want to brush his teeth again, despite having bits of fruit YoGos in them. The whining starts. "I brushed them this morning mom, why do I have to do it in the middle of the day? Why do I have to tuck in my shirt? It makes me look like a geek! Taking pictures is stupid!"
Hubby is grinning at my exaspiration and is eggin him on. "Yeah, lets not tuck in our shirts, and why does it have to be white?"
Gave dear sweet, oh so supportive hubby "THE look", and said, because tucked in white shirts wards off the artic winter chill that is going to descend on our home.
Now its just about time for Jennifer to arrive and I'm frantically trying to get my clothing on, and get Molly into hers - praying no prior nurishment decides to make its way up and display itself prominently upon her ironed and starched white shirt declaring to the world "see Mommy and Daddy feed me well!"
I slide Molly into her adorable denim jumper with the cutest hand embroidered flowers and then go to snap the straps in place and ....Its too DANG BIG. Not around the body, oh no.. its fits butterball just fine there. But around the arms and particually the straps.. so they are all poofy above her shoulder and she resembles something alot like a baby head popping out of a denim purse.
Big Fat Tears well up in my eyes. My dreams of for once getting good pictures of me with my children and my family are starting to evaporate.
Mom to the rescue! Out pops the safety pins and down are the straps pinned! ( I have to make note to keep more of these around the house.)
And knock knock knock - There's Jennifer. We walk across the street to the nearby park.
Now, I live less than a mile from the SF Bay. Its usually cool and breezy here. And that day was no exception. Except it was a bit more cool and breezy. Actually, it was cold and windy.
Have I said that whenever Molly's been out in the sun she balls her eyes out? No? Yeah, funny how I forgot about that myself until we stepped outside.
And actually Molly was great. Jennifer took pictures of Declan and Molly, Then Daddy and Molly and she got fabulous shots. Molly didn't smile, but she wasn't wailing. Next was Moms turn to take pictures with Molly.
And "The Howling" began!
Then it was my turn to take pictures with Molly. And "The Howling" became louder, stronger, and more insistent.
I was so disappointed. I mean I knew nothing could be done about it, hey, that's just the way it goes with little ones.
We headed back to our house and finished the photo shoot in our backyard. A pic of all of us together, and some with one of us with each other. She even took the most inventive photo I had ever heard of. She took AJ's and my wedding rings and placed them on Molly's big toe. Isn't that cool? ( it turned out FANTASTIC.)
She said she had gotten some great shots and she would send me a link to her site to view them. I mustard up and smile and said I cant wait to view them. Thanked her for her time and for coming and shut and locked the door. ( The guys were already racing to their rooms to throw back on their T-shirts and to return their hair to their previous messy status.)
A few days later I got an email from Jennifer with the link and tentatively opened it. Expecting to see Great pics of Molly with Declan and her Dad, I clicked through those pictures awed by how much more beautiful they were then I had expected. Then I got to the section with pictures of me and mom with Molly. OH MY GOSH!
This woman was a miracle worker. As you can see in photos in the sidebar ( all taken by Jennifer, I might add) she got GREAT pictures. Cause I swear there was NOT a moment when Molly wasn't crying while she was taking our pictures.
Her photos were so wonderful, I had a hard time picking out just the few we could afford, And in fact I couldn't. They were all so wonderful and am now looking for another part time position just to pay for all of them. =)
Seriously, if you are anywhere near the Bay Area, and in need a photographer here is Jennifers' site: http://www.agirlandacameraphotography.com/. I really urge you to visit her site and please give her a call. If she can make me and my motley crew and crying baby look that good, you know shes worth it!
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