Oh, Mr. Weatherman

So apparently this is the storm that should be hitting us tonight through Wednesday. I am sure it is supposed to be the most massive storm that Michigan has had in the last 217 1/2 years or something, and we'll get 6 feet of snow with freezing rain and huge snowdrifts and the abominal snowman is going to come eat us in our sleep. At least those of us who don't have generators, that is.



All I am saying is, I am holding my breath. I know that the weathermen (and women) like to hype up such predicted storms, only to leave the viewers with 1/2 inch of snow and disappointment. Even though this has made national news, again, I will just believe when I see it. The big storm, according to MSN.

In a sidenote, if I don't blog for a long, long time, it could be because this actual predicted storm was super bad and seeing as I don't have a generator, my power is out and I, along with my family, have been eaten by the abominal snowman. That's all.

The March Sisters

I think my favorite book of all time, or story of all time, is Little Women. This is the second time that I have read it, and I probably couldn't count how many times I have seen the movie. I don't know if it is how these girls (or Women) act, the time period it is set it, or the fact that I just want to be them, I don't know. Whatever it is, I just love this book. Everything about it. Everything.

Well, except for one thing.

Despite reading the book and seeing the movie, I just can't, can't understand why Jo and Laurie don't get together.The whole reasoning that they each have "such a temper" and would "drive the other mad" if they got married isn't a good reason for me. I mean, isn't marriage like that anyway? I mean, ugh. If Louisa May was still alive today (there's a nice little ditty), I would ask her why, oh why did she mean for them to have this amazing, fun and playful relationship for the first three-fourths of the book, then, when it comes time for Laurie to propose (which it is of course what we are all waiting for, right?) Jo says no? I mean seriously folks, what the dill! I just don't get it. I know that her and Mr. Bhaer together are nice and sweet, and they'll have a nice life together, it just doesn't fit for me. And it doesn't fit for me, that Laurie would then marry Amy. In my mind, it just doesn't work out. Does anyone else feel this way? I am just going to pretend the story didn't end up this way, and in my mind, pretend she did pick Laurie. Yes, know I feel better. A little.

Also, I love how everything is so refined and proper. Today we really don't have that, do we? They have such nice manners, most of the time, and there is a certain way of behaving, as a women, in that day. They even have tea time! I think that is just grand. I sometimes wish that we had more of their routines and sensibilities today.

Since I finished reading the book, of course I had to watch the movie. And no matter how many times I see the movie or read the book and know what is going to happen next, I still cry every time Beth gets her piano or Spoiler Alert! the night when she dies. I watched it two nights ago, and was just bawling. I can't help it. It's just so moving. The rest of the movie is just wonderful, too. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do now. Go, do it.

So I am feeling good that I am on par with my goal, to read a classic a month. For January, I have read Little Women, which I am sad to be done with. For February, I plan on reading Wuthering Heights, as it was the most recommended to me. I'll let you all know how that one goes!

Right now I am reading "Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah for my book club. So far, so good.

An Resolute Update

So far, with my two goals in mind (to remind all of you who don't keep my goings-on in the fore front of your mind...they are to a. read a literary classic a month and b. do a new recipe (not necessarily a dinner) a week) I have not slacked off my resolutions. I am sorta glad that I picked such goals, because I know had it been "to lose 5 pounds (or even one for that matter)" or "to stop eating sweets" I would have massively failed. These, however, were picked because hopefully, they would allow for success. And they have.

I am currently at that stage of book reading with Little Women were it is really hard to put down. It happens with me with about every book I read. Prior to the halfway point, I can read 5, 17, or 42 pages and put the book down, with no anxiety on my part. It seems that once I past half way, it is an insatiable desire of mine to keep reading, even if it means staying up past midnight. I just can't bring myself to stop. And that's where I find myself in the story with the March sisters. I am on page 619 and confidently say that I'll get to the end by February 1. I'll have to discuss it with you all then..!

As per my second goal, I have done one new recipe from my "Double Delicious" cookbook. So far, I have done: Teriyaki Chicken, Pasta with Pea Pasto, Chicken Cannelloni, Rice Pilaf, and tonight's Turkey Meatloaf. Seeing as we four week's in to the new year, I am right on schedule. Though a lot of these things sound normal and basic, all her recipes add in some pureed vegetables as well as other yummy ingredients, to make it slightly different. If you want any of these recipes, let me know, for they were enjoyed by all. (My kids especially liked the Pasta with Pea Pesto. And seeing as peas where the main ingredient and made the pasta very green, we called it the "Buzz Lightyear Pasta" that night).

I'll share one of my favorites with you, and if you try it, let me know!

Chicken Cannelloni

- 8 whole wheat lasagna sheets (I looked forever in my store but couldn't find them, so good luck to you! I just used normal ones).

- Nonstick cooking spray

- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and thinly sliced (I only used one chicken breast, which was more than enough for my family. But you know how much your family needs!)

- 3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

- 3/4 cup cauliflower puree

- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 2 cups jarred tomato sauce

- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

1. Boil and salt the lasagna sheets. Cook, drain, and then place the lasagna in a bowl of cool water.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 9 x 12 dish with cooking spray

3. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, ricotta, cauliflower puree, Parmesan, garlic powder, and salt until the chicken is well coated.

4. Place 1 lasagna sheet on the cutting board. On the edge closet to you, spread out the 1/4 cup of filling so that it covers one third of the sheet. With your fingers, roll the lasagna into a tube. Transfer seam-side down to the baking dish. Repeat with the remain sheets. Pour the sauce around the cannelloni, but not on top. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes.

You don't have to use the cauliflower puree, but if you do:

1. Steam the florets for 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Use a food processor or blender for about 2 minutes, add some teaspoons of water for a creamy texture.

That's it! Happy Cooking!

Wishful thinking, right?

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Bleh

Today's been sorta a bleh day. I haven't really been on my A game in any department, but I haven't been massively failing either. It's just sorta one of those days. I mean, I wasn't super awesome mom who did crafts and sing and play all day with an awesome home cooked dinner, but on the other hand, I wasn't mean and neglectful and serve McDonald's for dinner. It was somewhere in between. I did do one load of laundry, so that has to make up for something, right?

Ever have one of those days? I also feel a bit blah, because though I am normally fine and content with the snow, my sister in law, out in L.A., finds it funny (or fun) to send me pictures of her, laying out by the pool with the sun streaming down on her, in January. And then I think that I still have to put 18 layers on to go out and my pants get wet from walking to and from the car. So bleh. I want dry ground.

So, since I am feeling mediocre, I thought I would list the things that were good in my day, so I don't feel so bleh going to bed. (I wonder how many times I can put "bleh?" in this post?)

-We had a laid back day at school today, which was nice

-I am now past the half way point in "Little Women"

- I worked out

- I got the kids fed and bathed on my own, and said kids are now in bed, early!

- I got to watch an episode of Wizard of Waverly Place when the kids were sleeping (Again, don't judge, I like the show and not ashamed!)

- Since the kids are in bed and my hubby is still not home from the board meeting at school, I am going to make some hot cocoa and spend more time with Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

That's about it, but I do feel a bit better all ready.

(Oh, and I promise in my next post I'll update ya'll on my New Year's Goals. So far, so good. I've done the recipes and am making my way through Little Women! More to come...)

Being eaten out of house and home.

My kids are growing, there is no denying it. In a month I'll have a three year old and one year old on my hands. When did that happen? Though they are both growing at alarming rates, I would like to highlight especially how my daughter is expediting that process for herself. Yesterday for lunch, let me highlight what they both ate.

Food	James	Clara
Chicken Nuggets	2	3
Orange Slices	2	4
Corn (scoops)	1	3+
Yogurt (a bowful)	0	1
Raisin Bran (handful)	0	2

Like my chart? Do you see the huge difference? And mind you, I had to keep on, keep on, keep on telling James to eat at take bites. Clara, I couldn't get them fast enough and cut her off. I am pretty sure she might have gone through my whole cupboard. What the dill? Has anyone else experienced this? This also is not a one time occurence. No, no. I would say 90% of the time she bests James in the eating department. Maybe it's just a phase (for each of them), but it is outta control! Needless to say, Dave and I have just sat down and reevaluated our grocery budget. With this little (cute and adorable) hog in our house, it just has to increase!

(And Happy Birthday to my most wonderful mother-in-law!)

Ramona and Beezus

Did you all read the Ramona books growing up? I know I did, I just can't remember any of the stories or anything, but I remember them being fun, right? Anyways, since I am a sucker for Selena Gomez, (Yes, I do love Wizards of Waverly Place, but don't hate. It's really funny. She makes me laugh. Okay, fine, make fun of me. I like it.) and since our library had it, so I could check it out for free, the Hocker family has recently watched "Ramona and Beezus" and loved it. The little girl who played Ramona was so sweet and endearing, I don't think I can saw enough!



Not only did James like it, because it has fun scenes showing Ramona's active imagination and her squirting out a whole tube of toothpaste, but Dave and I loved it because it was really sweet and funny and was the kind of movie that just puts a good feeling in your soul. You know those kinds of movies? Yes, maybe sometimes it was a little cheesy, but overall, I loved it. So I recommend it. If your not feeling good after you watch it, let me know, and I'll stop watching Wizards of Waverly Place.

Wait, no I won't. But I'll feel sorry for you because maybe it means you don't have a heart. :)

It's a New Year!

That last post was written kindly by my husband unbeknownst to be. Thank you, honey. I am not that good at poetry, so it was definitely not something that I could come up with!

But it is a new year, isn't it? And with a new year, comes new beginnings. Most people turn to resolutions or goals, and for the first time, maybe ever, I have a few for myself. Not really goals, but more challenges. If I don't make them, that's okay. I do want to try really hard though.

Are you ready for them, do you wanna hear?

Okay.

1. My first is to read one literary classic a month. I like to read, alot. But mostly it's current stuff, or let's face it, Harry Potter. So to mix it up, I want to read a tried and true story each month. I got this idea because when we were in Colorado for break I got some time to go to downtown Estes to do some shopping. I went into this awesome little bookstore (think You've Got Mail-esque) and picked up Little Women, probably my favorite book of all time. I finally bought it, so I don't have to rent it from the library any more. I started reading it and again, fell in love. Which got me thinking, how many more are out there that I have forgotten about, or not read at all? I thinking the kind of books that your high school English teacher would give on a "Summer Reading List" that no one actually read. Like "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "Jane Eyre." Or any Jane Austen books. And given that I only have to so this once a month, hopefully, it's an achievable goal. Come next December, hopefully, I'll be 12 more books full of knowledge too!

2. To make a new recipe each week. That's right, 52 recipes. To make this easier on myself, it is not limited to dinners, but deserts, breakfasts, cookies, smoothies, sandwhiches, etc. Just new. I got this cookbook from my Aunt for Christmas "Double Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld. She's the one who puts pureed vegetables in her meals to pack them with more nutrients and flavor.

Reading her cookbook really encouraged me. I have been wanting to step up the nutrition level in my household lately, and this was the perfect starting point for me. The whole front section of the book talks about the foods we eat and what food has the most "bang for our buck." She talks about what she shops for, like whole grains, low fat foods, and lots of fruits and veggies. Common stuff, but good to hear again, right? So with this in mind, I am trying to step it up for myself, my kids, and family. More importantly, the recipes are really user friendly, kid friendly, and most importantly, the ingredients are things I've heard of or have currently in my cupboard. I got a Rachel Ray cookbook last year, but ended up getting a little disappointed because almost all recipes included something that I did not have or couldn't easily substitute. "Double Delicious" seems nice, easy, and straightforward. i've already made teriyaki chicken with brown rice and vegetables, and it seemed to go over really well.

So that's my two goals. I hope they are achievable! Every now and again I'll post how I'm coming along, or if I come across an amazing recipe.

If you all out there have any book or recipe suggestions, send them my way!

What are your resolutions? Or goals? Challenges?