The Problem with No Wheels

So here I am on day three (four?) with no wheels.  I'm actually really really loving it.  ie My excuse to exercise.  However there is just one teensy problem with no wheels.

When I was born my 7 year old at the time sister asked if I was Italian.  Because I came out with SO MUCH dark, thick hair.  We're Irish and German, no we're not Italian, no I'm not the post man's daughter, I just got the only strand of hairy dna in my entire ancestry.  So if you're anything like me there is no doubt to the question 'If you could have only one thing while stranded on a deserted island what would it be?'  umtweezersduh.  Not that I'm prideful, but more that my rescuers wouldn't mistake me for a gorilla.  AND if you're anything like me then you know there is no light like natural light.  Not even halogens.  So basic "if and only if" math says 'if you are hairy and only if natural light is suitable to do a thorough job then you tweeze in the car.'  No doubt.

these are the things I learned in college.  ie to be super woman

Unfortunately I didn't think of that when Jamie the tow man towed my car and all 4 sets of tweezers away.  To it's final destination.  Well, no, actually just the car shop.  But 4 days for my face is final destination.


Yesterday emerging from the shower my two year old said, "Peppy pooooped."  This sort of um, shit, throws me over the edge.  So I went into our family room to find it.  No where to be found.  No where.  But it stunk to the high heavens.  Then I saw it: smears on the couch.  I nearly lost my head and Peppy nearly lost his life when I decided that some fresh air would do us good.  (after wooliting the um, shit, out of our couches and scrubbing them.)  So we walked to Walgreens.  On the way I realized Peppy was covered in fecal matter.  We dropped Peppy off at the groomer to get bathed.  Then picked up 2 sets of tweezers at Walgreens.  Then went to Pizza Hut for dinner.  Then walked home.

So friends, I'm happy to report that our house smells fresh, Peppy's ass is fresh, my face is fresh and I'm a new woman.  All with out a car.

thank you Duquesne.  For making yesterday possible. 

Thanksgiving Countdown (Cranberry Sauce)

My peeps: I'm gonna let you in a family recipe. Or at least that is what I thought until my mom told me otherwise. For as long as I can remember, we've had this stuff at Thanksgiving dinner. The aroma when you make it is nearly unbearable. You might think you died and made it to heaven. Here goes it:

Cranberry Sauce

1 Large Package of Raspberry Jello

1 large bag of cranberries (usually 12 or 16 oz), sorted

1 orange with rind, seeds removed

1 cup of sugar

1. Make Jello according to package
2. In a food processor or blender, grind the cranberries and orange with rind . Add the sugar and let dissolve.
3. When the Jello starts to congeal, incorporate cranberry mixture into the Jello.
4. Put mixed Jello into a mold (which my mom does not do) or a glass bowl because "the color is absolutely gorgeous."

Enjoy!!

Thanksgiving Countdown (Pecan Pie)

via Cooking Light

So the countdown begins. (Clearly I am not hosting Thanksgiving or else my countdown would've begun like 3 months ago)

If you are like me and are going to be an innocent, bystanding guest (in a good way) become more likable and bring this Low(er) Fat Pecan Freakin' Pie. It's amazing, friends. Truly steal-my-heart amazing. I've made it now for three or fours years, and my popularity has grown exponentially. Ja.

Pecan Oatmeal Pie

• 1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (or make your own, of course)
• Cooking spray
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2/3 cup regular oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Roll dough into an 11-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Fold edges under; flute.
3. Combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients, stirring well with a whisk. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 325° for 50 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For 1/12 of the pie, this has 311 calories, 11 grams of fat, and 1 gram of fiber. I'm not going to go look up the nutritional information in a regular pecan pie, but relatively speaking, this pie is like eating broccoli.

Favorite Etsy Cozies

Button Cowl

cowl neck warmer

Cranberry Red Fingerless Gloves

Crocheted Arm Warmers

When I first looked at Etsy, I was completely overwhelmed by it. Where to start with all this fabulous stuff!? I'm finally getting the swing of it and am using all of my might to not break our budget. Literally. These are a few favorites that I think I'm going to save up for. My favorite is the Button Cowl. I have a thing for huge buttons.

I could probably make these things myself, but I wouldn't get to wear them 'til next year. Is purchasing something like these immediate gratification? Or is it worth it and supportive of the creative Etsiers? How much is too much for a scarf!?!?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you know that there is a canned pumpkin shortage this year? Well yes, yes there is. This may be common knowledge, but if any of you readers out there are like me, you don't keep up on current events. Luckily my mom snatched up a can for me when she spotted one, so I was able to make this delicious recipe (found on Design Mom):

Old-Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 cup 100% pumpkin (you can find cans of this in the pie-filling section of the grocery store)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
Glaze (see below)
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or nuts.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease baking sheets.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and set aside. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle glaze over cookies

For Glaze:
Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla in small bowl until smooth

I did not make the glaze, I thought that they would be great without. And I think the chocolate chips are a must!

Overall, these were spectacular. They were like perfect muffin tops. So So So Good.

Apple Picking

This is how we spent our afternoon.

Despite what this picture says, Mr. Incredible picked most of the apples while the girls and I took pictures of ourselves. They wanted dinner and I didn't want to go into labor. (We have a birthday to celebrate tomorrow!)

Stay tuned for some mean apple recipes.

Potato Leek Soup

Sometimes it is difficult to verbalize emotions when you don't exactly know what you're being emotional about. My week, for instance. Tears, insanity. If I weren't 22 days away from child labor, I would ask to be put away for a while. Like an adult time-out.

One way (the only way) I can express my emotions is food. More precisely Potato. Leek. Soup. After pulling myself up by my bootstraps, wiping away the tears, and smoothing my apron, I made the ultimate comfort food (potatoes? butter? soup? need I say more?) and am well on my way.

Let me soothe your worries and tell you how to make this 20 minute soup:

Peel potatoes. (I did a 5 pound bag so I could freeze some soup. Decided instead to have my parents enjoy it with us.) This was a push to use my food processor that I got last Christmas. I don't know why it intimidated me so much. A little brain power saved me a lot of chopping. And I suppose this is the part that mentions how much I LOVE it.

4 leeks(that's how many I was in the mood for. 3? 5? fine.). Chopped. White and light green parts only.

Saute leeks in butter. I know the picture of melting butter in the pot is unnecessary, but it's just so beautiful.

After the leeks are softened, add the potatoes and some broth (I used chicken) just enough to cover the potatoes. Let the potatoes boil until they are soft. Then mash everything in the pot. Or blend it (remember hot liquids expand in a blender). Or use this blender stick/wand thing. I love it, particularly for soups.

Although not entirely necessary, add some cream or milk. I like to use fat free evaporated milk because it gives the illusion of cream, but without the fat. (I actually do care about my fat intake, no matter what my posts or the butter says.)

Add cheese and sour cream if you like it. It is great sans dairy, too.

Try to remember what is was that drove you to insanity. I know! You can't recall.

Celebrate September!

There is no better way to celebrate any occasion than by having plans and a goal. So I shall welcome September by doing just that. Bring it.

• Go on a date with Mr. Incredible. A far too long overdue date, that is. We would both really like to see Julie and Julia. Lunch? Dinner? Dessert? I don't care. Just a date. Alone.
• Read the Iliad. My sister and Dad and I have our own 'book club.' We have a list of books that we'd like to read. We don't discuss the books. We figured that there is no better incentive to read classics than by having a book club. Anyone in?
• Have a simple, but wonderful party for a very special 3 year old. Pizza party in the morning.
• Go through our bins of newborn baby clothes, put the finish touches on the nursery, pull out the swing, the cloth diapers and the moby. And pack a bag for the hospital.
• Have this baby?!??! I've been 4 days late for each of my other pregnancies, which means I deserve to go 8 days early this time. september 25th. Stay tuned.

I realize that these are very simple goals for a whole month, but my motto is to keep it realistic. I do not want to be overwhelmed, and of course I can always do extracurriculars.

Fall

It's official, folks. I am ready for fall. I cannot tell you why, especially since I am one to embrace each season (for however long it lasts). What I can tell you is everything about me is screaming "autumn!" For instance, as I'm sitting here typing, I am wearing sweatpants. Heavy sweatpants. That I purchased last winter. It's 88% humidity and 77 degrees. And we don't have air conditioning.

Another dead giveaway is menu planning. Beef Stroganoff (made with sirloin strips) on top of egg noodles (I feel it is my obligation to say that the sirloin strips were clearance meat). Oriental chicken in sauce on top of rice. Oatmeal. Chowder is in my near future. I am visiting my favorite blog again. And the speed that Ol' Faithful is gaining is alarming.

Still need more convincing? Today I wore Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker. If you are unaware, it is like a spicy hot chocolate. Will- warm- you- up- while- pumpkin- picking sort of fragrance. Beautifully delicious. Here is a cheap(er) sample, just in case you don't trust me.

Lastly, visions of apple bushels and handmade halloween costumes are dancing through my head. I have a date on Thursday to open up my sewing machine to make a few pillowcase dresses! I'll keep you posted. And as long as everything goes well hopefully I can get around to making two costumes like this Etsy one. So cute.