This and That….plus Dessert!

 

First of all, here is what Joseph looks like right now.

Aww.

This must be his favorite place to sleep, because this is him a few nights ago.

Notice the addition of blankets tucked around the mattress tonight.  The poor man’s flannel sheet set.

Today was a busy day full of “to do” items.  Unfortunately, I only got every task 3/4 of the way done, so I cannot check anything off of my list. (which, as everyone knows, is the most exciting part of a to do list!)

I only planted about 3/4 of my 100 bulbs before it started to rain. (I cringe as I imagine my mom reading this.  Planting bulbs in November!!  I know, I know, I should have done it sooner.  But, on the Today show this morning, they had a flower expert who said that he ALWAYS plants his bulbs in November… so I figure that I am okay.)

I only cleaned 1 and a half bathrooms before it was time to get Joseph lunch.

You get the idea.

We also did a lot of childproofing, because Joseph has been walking, walking, walking today.  Only a few steps at a time, but over and over again.  It is time.

I am in a great mood tonight, though, because I got up with Joseph early this morning.  Which means that tomorrow is MY turn to sleep in!! Lalalala!!  It is heavenly to hear his voice on the monitor, “gently” nudge Brian, and go back to sleep.  Sigh.

I am even going to stay up late for Saturday Night Live.  I wonder if Obama will be on?  Not like he has anything else to do…

In other news, Joseph got a new pair of shoes in the mail yesterday!  They are elephants!!   Aren’t they soooo cute?!  He loves them.  Unfortunately, they got a bit scuffed while playing with Daddy at the park today, but I am trying to tell myself that that’s what they are for!

Okay, now it is time to get serious. 

I got this recipe from a friend, and I had a bunch of apples, so I decided to try it.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  Yum!  Do yourself a favor, and make this, IMMEDIATELY!!

I seriously made a whole batch, gave Brian a bite, then ate them all.  I made a second batch, Brian had two bites, and I ate them all again.

You snooze, you lose in this house.

Fried Cinnamon Apples:

Cut up a few apples into thin slices. (I left the skin on for nutritional value.  Aren’t I healthy?)

Melt 1 to 1and1/2 Tb. butter in a frying pan.

Throw in those apples, stirring them occasionally, until they are tender, but still a little crisp.  (I think it took mine about 3-5 minutes.)

Dump them onto a plate, and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar.

Let them sit for a few seconds so that the sugar will absorb into the butter, but eat them while they are still hot.

Heavenly.

You could also just use cinnamon if you are trying to cut back on your sugar.  You silly people, you.

These are much better than baked apples, somehow.

You’re welcome.

Chew on This

 

 

Why do we have seedless watermelons, but nobody has taken the time to develop a tear-free onion? 

I would rather spit out a harmless seed than have my eyes turn into liquid fire. 

I venture to say that everyone feels the same way.

Thursday's Culinary Adventure VII

(Did you know that every week I have to check back through my blog to see what number we are on?  Anything for my readers...)

Tonight on Thursday's Culinary Adventure:

Aww!  Isn't it cute?  Do you know what I think it looks like?  An old man without his dentures.

=

See?!

The Chayote squash is also known as the "vegetable pear" and was a main staple for the Aztecs.  It is supposed to be full of nutrients, and is used in many ancient South American remedies.

Okay, so, I have to apologize.  I knew nothing about this squash when I bought it.  I just thought that it looked adventurous.  Apparently, every part of the squash is edible.  So, all you have to do is

Cut it in half

slice it up

and eat it.

Not a very exciting Culinary Adventure.  Who knew???!!  Oh well, I've been sick, so it's good to ease back into things, yes?

To spice up this Culinary Adventure a little, I will throw in another story about the Chayote Squash.  Apparently, a rumor spread around the US that MacDonalds was actually using Chayote squash in their apple pies instead of apples!  It launched a campaign where MacDonalds emphasized their delicious pies, made with "real apples!!"

Sorry, that's all I've got.

Taste Testers Say:

Brian:

Caitlin:

p.s. Joseph has a busted chin and eye.

Summary:  Meh, just okay for me.  And Brian thought that it tasted like grass.  Upon further consideration, I decided that it tasted like grass as well.  Weird.  Very juicy though- kind of like the love child of jicama and an asian pear.  And grass.

I put some garlic salt on it, and it was much better immediately.  I would recommend dousing it with some olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper, and stir frying it for a few minutes.  I bet that would be yummy-ish...

I'm trying it another night.

Grade: C  (but it has potential!!)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am off to clean up pee from the bathroom floor, and milk from behind my stove.  It's been one of those days....

 

Joseph's Birthday Party Room

 

You saw the video, so you pretty much know what to expect.

It's funny, because I have almost exactly the OPPOSITE reaction when I see a cupcake.

Basically, everyone came in, sang, he cried, he devoured the cupcake, and they all left.  Short and sweet, full of family, tears and sugar.  Just what every first birthday party should be!!  It was priceless.

We all have the same, fake smile on our faces!!!

That Was The End of Our Oregon Trip!!

 

Saturday is Party Day

Oregon Visit Part 1,587,654

Last Saturday was the craziest day of all!

While Brian and Joseph were at Verboort Festival, my brother’s girlfriend Ashley had a baby shower at my parents house.

My mom hosted and we girls helped set up.  There was a crisis involving a baby shower game that got sent off with my dad, but I saved the day and came up with a replacement.

I pretty much saved the whole shower.

Here are my two sisters and me!

Plus our Mom and Grandma.

Then, my sisters and I hurried out to my sister’s house to get set up for the  family Halloween party / Joseph’s Birthday.

Carrie was stuck in the back with all of the balloons.

Christin and my niece Alana had set up the room so cute for Joseph!   I added some streamers and Rainbow Chip cupcakes, and we were set to go!

The Halloween party was a huge success!!  We had pumpkin bingo, pumpkin ring toss, a pumpkin craft, bobbing for apples, pumpkin playdough, and the Auntie “Mummy Wrap.” That’s me.

They say that our teams tied, but I think that my team totally won.  Carrie’s team lost! (I tend to be a bit competitive.)

The costumes were also primo.

My sister Christin’s family, who was the only group missing from the trick or treating shot.

Check out those High School Musical Cheerleaders!

Bumblebee + Ape = True Love.

My brother Daniel and Ashley didn’t actually dress up. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Brian was Michael Phelps

I was a farmer, and Joseph was my chick.

Mom and Dad were (slightly creepy) ghosts.

I seem to remember that we weren’t allowed to dress up as ghosts, witches, or devils as kids.  Hypocritical much? :)

Then, it was time for Joseph’s birthday party….

Please excuse this interruption...

 

JOSEPH HAS STARTED WALKING!!! 

Well, by walking, I mean that he took 3 steps towards me, unassisted (with a huge smile on his face), and 6 steps in between the tv stand and the foot stool!!!! 

Does that count?

Halloween!

 

This past Friday was Halloween!!!  One of my favorite Holidays.  This year I was pumped because I had a baby to "share it with"  (aka to get free candy for me.)

In the afternoon, I went out to my sister, Carrie's house.  Joseph got to play and wrestle with his cousin Aidan. 

For a rare treat, both the boys napped at the same time, while the older girls were at school.  Carrie and I were able to visit one on one and drink coffee.  Heavenly.

After Brenna and Grace came home from school, we all hightailed it back to my Mom and Dad's house to get ready for trick or treating!!  My brother, his kids, and his (again, very pregnant) girlfriend joined us.

The gang.

First time trick-or-treating!!

 

Highlights include:

My nephew Rivers screaming hysterically whenever he didn't get to push the doorbell.  As soon as someone came to the door, he would instantly stop, and say sweetly, "Trick or Treat.  Thank you!"

Rivers:  "Look what I got!" (holding up a Snicker's bar)

Brian:  "Oh!  A Snickers!"

Rivers:  "It's not STICKERS!!!  It's Candy!!!!!"  Then running to the next house.

Little boy at the door:  "Look at that little baby boy who is a chick, Daddy!"

Man:  "That's a little GIRL son."

Little boy:  "Oh."

My sister Carrie saying "This House No!" to a family whom she assumed didn't speak English.  (for the record, I don't think that they did.  But still...)

We got back to the house, put Joseph straight to bed, and proceeded to eat almost all of his candy. 

Sweet, sweet Halloween.