"Pretty" Easy Waffles

This yummy looking strawberry and whip cream topped waffles makes its way onto our breakfast menu often. Frozen waffles are quick, easy and work great for school mornings. I love the presliced strawberry that come with sugar already on them, also in the frozen section. After I purchase them, I stick them in the frig and they are ready to use after a few hours. These work great to "pretty" up your waffle. They are also a great topper for ice cream!

To make, you will need frozen waffles (as you can see, I'm a fan of the Great Value items from WalMart), sliced strawberries with sugar and a can of whipped cream. Prepare waffles according to package directions. Spoon some of the thawed strawberries with juice on top of the cooked waffle. Top with whipped cream.

If you have small kids or a husband that can't cook, this would make a great Mother's Day Breakfast.

Mother's Day School Gifts

The best Mother's Day gift is a homemade one. This year both kids brought home some really cute gifts. Here is the card Bailey made for me.

She also made me a set of six "modern art" note cards.

Jack did a kind of Mother's Day Mad Libs and decorated a flower pot with finger print flowers.

Accessory Update with Paint

Lately, I have wanted to update my dated home accessories. I still have some brassy items that are in need of a make over. I bought myself a can of black satin paint and went to town. I started with this brass candle stick lamp and loved the results.

Next, I did a few picture frames.

The ones in the picture got a face lift too, but the transformation was not so drastic with the thiner frames.

This can of spray paint cost me less than $5.00 and helped me make the updates I was looking for. Now I have the itch to paint. Think I might be contagious!

Cinco de Mayo Treats

On May 5th, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo - the date Mexico declared its independence from Spain. We made these cute Sombrero treats to help celebrate. To make one, frost the edge of a cookie with white icing and roll it in colored nonpareils. Next, coat the bottom and the lower edge of a sugar cone with frosting. Roll the edge of the cone in the nonpareils, then set the cone in the center of the cookie.

Top Ten Swine Flu Symptoms

Top Ten Swine Flu Symptoms
10. Bacon tastes "funny"
9. Boyfriend demands you wallow
8. You respond to the question, "Can pigs fly?" with, "No, swine flu."
7. Prefer your flu shot honey-baked
6. You are no longer kosher
5. Litter of eight children no longer seems unusual (Octomom only)
4. Snout constantly dripping
3. Bird flu seams, like, so 2003
2. Sam I Am will not eat green eggs and you
And the number one swine flu symptom...
1. Aching, fever, coughing, and CNN cameras in your bed
Jason Rohrblogger (4/30/09)

Manicotti

One of my favorite things to make is manicotti. It is a dish that looks like you have slaved all day, but it is really simple to put together. Serve with salad and bread and it makes for a great company meal. This recipe you stuff your noodles uncooked and can make it up ahead of time and refrigerate.

14 uncooked manicotti noodles
1 3/4 cups (15-oz.) part skim ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 1 cup for the top)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups (28-oz. jar) spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
1 lb. Italian sausage, browned

Heat oven to 400. Combine ricotta, 3 cups mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt & pepper; spoon into pasta tubes. Spread thin layer of sauce on bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking dish; arrange filled pasts in single layer over sauce. Combine remaining sauce, water and sausage. Pour over pasta; cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Remove foil; (top with shredded mozzarella if desired) bake 15 minutes longer or until hot and bubbly

The Pool is OPEN!

Yesterday, the kids and I picked up our pool passed and headed for an afternoon of fun in the sun at our neighborhood swimming pool. It was a wonderful sunny afternoon and we saw lots of friends from school there. We are looking forward to another summer using the pool as much as possible.

May 2005 - 2009

May '09 Picture of the Month

May is here and summer is fast approaching. Bailey and Jack are looking forward to the pool opening and going to the beach.

Singing in the Bathtub

Tonight, Jack was cracking me up! I went to get the towels and when I got back this is what I found.....My little man wearing Bailey's shower cap and singing like he was trying out for American Idol. I did get a picture, but wasn't quick enough to get a video.

Like Father, Like Son

Or should I say "Monkey see. Monkey do"? Jack and Christian are balancing pillows on their heads.

Why? I don't know, but it looks like fun ;~)

Cheese Enchiladas

Cheese Enchiladas is something that gets requested here at are our place all the time. Bailey even loves them. I just flow the recipe on the can of Old El Paso Enchiladas Sauce. I use flour tortillas instead of corn. Usually serve them with beans, rice and taco/fajita meat on the side.

Fireman Jack

This morning Jack wanted to wear his new fireman raincoat and boots. He paraded around the house putting his umbrella up and down. Hope we will get some rain soon so he can test it outside!

Chicken Fiesta

Chicken Fiesta is my new favorite meal. It’s a dinner you can whip up in no time and very easy to make. Both things that make it a winner dinner in my book! I can not take credit for this delicious creation. Christian is the mastermind behind this meal. Not too long ago he asked me to make chicken like you would get a Mexican food restaurant. I simply grilled boneless chicken breast. Top with taco sauce, green onion (or shallots), and Mexican blend cheese and put under the broiler just long enough to melt the cheese. Served with beans, rice, scoop of guacamole and sour cream and you have a meal that looks like what you get at your favorite restaurant. Delicioso!

Fireman Rain Coat

I just love this picture of Jack and my father-in-law, Bob, aka Pobby. Jack is wearing the fireman raincoat Meme and Pobby got him for his birthday. It also has matching boots and umbrella.

Grandma's Visit

Bailey: Explorer Extraordinaire

Bailey recently received the cutest book from Meme & Pobby called Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire! by Jane O'Connor. This book is about Nancy and her friend, Bree, exploring the fascinating world of birds and insects in their exclusive and glamorous Explorers Extraordinaire Club. Well, Bailey decided that she needed to have her own Explorers Extraordinaire Club. Here she is out in the backyard with all the gear the book says you need to have to be a member. What an imagination this child has!

Jack's Batman Birthday

“Holy Cakes and Ice Cream Batman

The Joker has stolen Jack's birthday cake! Come dressed in comfortable play clothes and help Batman put an end to the Joker's dastardly plan.” was the wording on the evite for Jack’s fifth birthday. We had Batman Snack Mix, grapes, a mountain of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, Batman fruit snacks, and a chocolate cake decorated with blue and yellow M&Ms. I made the cupcake picks by slipping a tooth pick between the sticker and the sticker back.

The kids bounced in the jumper and tossed bean bags into the Joker’s mouth.

I made everyone a black cape, 1/2 yard of black fabric cut with pinking shears, and Batman mask to keep. We also gave a bottle of Batman bubble bath with a label on top that said "Thanks for coming to my party!

Your Friend Jack"

Here are a few pictures of some of our "super" friends!

Build-A-Bear

Yesterday, Jack made his first trip to Build-A-Bear with Grandma. Bailey and I tagged along too. Jack picked a cute brown dog to make. He stuffed his dog, kissed the heart and put it in so the lady could close up the seam. Jack outfitted his new dog with knee and elbow pads, a helmet and skateboard. He named his new friend Scooter and took him for a walk through the mall. It was so cute!

Bailey is an old pro at Build-A-Bear. She picked a two-tone brown horse this time. She named her new friend Spirit. Here Bailey is posing with all of her Build-A-Bear creations. Thank you Grandma for such a fun outting!