We had a small celebration for Leo’s 2nd birthday on Saturday. Rasi brought up cake #1 and put a truck on it. Ryan made cake #2.
OK, Deep Breath & Relax
Whoo, January was an insanely busy month with some very early and long days resulting me just about collapsing in a heap when I got home. The Cancer Center is, for all intents and purposes, furnished; it has passed licensing, staff will start moving in next week, with the first patient expected to be seen either next Friday or the following Monday. And I am not there to deal with any of it as I took a few days off. A much needed break to decompress and focus on my family. The timing is just right as Leo turned 2 on Thursday, and we had a fun day together. He is my joy.
And what else am I doing on my vacation? I’m putting together more things for my Etsy shop. And a friend has asked me to be on the board of her new born non-profit. We chatted online for sometime today with planning and idea generating. There is a lot of work ahead, but there is a solid foundation, and I think I have at least one contact that can help us.
– February 5, 2010
Happy New Year
We welcomed in the New Year with a cozy, relaxing day.
My Sleeping Angel
Most of the decorations are put away. There is just the tree to take down. We had a dinner of roasted leg of lamb, mashed potatoes and broccoli and cheese and have been watching movies.
Posted in Uncategorized.
– January 2, 2010
Apple Compote
This was my first try at apple compote. I searched a bunch of recipes and ended up using bits from different ones. The ones that looked the best had brandy which is something I just don’t have on hand.
I was very pleased with the result and we spread it over our Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes.
Apple Compote
Dry Ingredients
3 large Granny Smith apples
1 cup water
1 cup apple cider (juice may be substituted)
10 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
Directions
Combine water, cider, sugar, cinnamon and cloves in medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Core, peel and cut apples into smallish pieces. Add to boiling mixture and, stirring occasionally, cook until apples are tender enough to be cut by a wood spoon, about 30 minutes, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool to desired temperature. Makes about 3 cups.
I started making the pancakes after I added the apples so cooking times are approximate, your mileage may vary. Since I cook the pancakes one at a time using a small skillet, the compote had cooled to warm by the time I was done.
Refrigerate any unused portion.
I was also thinking that this could be put into canning jars right away and given as gifts. That is an effort for another day.
Posted in Recipes.
– December 27, 2009
Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes #2
This variation uses powdered milk instead of fresh. If your household goes through milk like mine does, this is a good alternative.
Dry Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats (I prefer the Coach’s Oats brand)
3/4 cup powdered nonfat milk
1 teaspon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspons double acting baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Liquid Ingredients
2 eggs
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup water (add 1/3 cup more at a time to make batter thinner)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In medium bowl, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together. In small bowl or large measuring cup, combine liquid ingredients and beat with a fork or wisk. Add liquid mix to dry mix and stir well. Batter will be a medium thickness. Add more milk for a thinner batter and thinner cakes or for thicker cakes start with only a cup of milk and add more until desired thickness is reached. Cook on a griddle or in a pan over medium-high heat.
Posted in Recipes.
– December 27, 2009
Winter is here
The world turns, and the seasons change. Winter is now officially upon us with the observance of the Winter Solstice. With the passing of the longest night, the journey begins again as we look forward to the lengthening days.
By a happy chance and a gift from the Lady, our Winter Solstice was truly Blessed. We had the joy of having our children and grandchildren visit. As usual, my husband presented a marvelous meal of turkey, ham and mashed potatoes while I offered a small assist with mixed vegetables and dinner rolls. The girls battled holiday traffic to reach us with their girls and younger brothers in tow. One son was here already. Within minutes of their arrival we set to eating with the littles gathered around a low table and being served first. Then the adults and big kids served themselves and found seats scattered about. The girls and I shared a fine bottle of pinot grigio with our meal. There were jokes and then storytelling by “Lito” (hubby) of a six foot purple gorilla. Next came the opening of presents and excitement and joy all around followed by lots of playing and enjoyment of each others company.
'Chello, Roxy and Rasi
Lito's story
Ryan, Roxy, 'Chello
Gio, Libby, Lexi, Leo
Libby, Roxi and Lyssa
Libby and Leo
I wish they could have stayed longer. It was such a joyous evening we did not want it to end. This is what family coming together is supposed to be like, and I am glad that Ramon and I can share it with most of our children and grandchildren.
Posted in Holiday, Photos, family.
– December 26, 2009
Bookkeeping
Meet Mary Lamborn. Early in 2009 she had her hours reduced to part time at the firm where she worked as a real estate analyst. Since then she has begun her own business as a virtual bookkeeper and business consultant. She offers a variety of services including Quick Books set up, Sales reporting, Expenses reporting, Payroll preparation and reporting, Reconciliation reporting as well as monthly financial reporting. Visit her website at The Virtual Bookkeepers or contact her via email.
Posted in Uncategorized.
– December 17, 2009
Pancakes
I have found that with pancakes, as with waffles, that I never end up with the amount of finished product that the directions indicate whether it is from mix or scratch. At the first making I discover how many it will feed in my family which includes at this time my husband, myself, two teenage boys and one toddler boy. A single batch of this recipe will feed the teenagers, the toddler and myself and only because the toddler and I share two 3-4″ pancakes. The two teenagers certainly could finish it all by themselves. The base of this comes from the Joy of Cooking cookbook I received in the late 80’s from my sister.
Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes (because the scent of the batter reminds me of oatmeal cookies :])
Dry Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats (I prefer the Coach’s Oats brand)
1 teaspon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspons double acting baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Liquid Ingredients
2 eggs
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 to 1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In medium bowl, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together. In small bowl or large measuring cup, combine liquid ingredients and beat with a fork or wisk. Add liquid mix to dry mix and stir well. Batter will be a medium thickness. Add more milk for a thinner batter and thinner cakes or for thicker cakes start with only a cup of milk and add more until desired thickness is reached. Cook on a griddle or in a pan over medium-high heat.
Observations and Comments
When mixing the liquid ingredients I use a glass 2 cup measuring cup and measure the milk in first then add everthing else. I have found that the butter does not need to be strictly melted into liquid form as long as it is very soft. I admittedly like cinnamon more than most. Feel free to adjust the amount of cinammon to your tastes or omit it completely.
I also had a small mishap and accidently tripled the amount of one of the dry ingredients. I went throught and tripled all the other dry ingredients as well. This turned out ok in the long run as I ended up with 5 cups od dry mix. If you do this, I am assuming on purpose, a single batch would be 1 3/4 cups of the dry mix. The original recipe indicates this would make 14 four-inch pancakes.
– November 27, 2009
Some people’s parent
I say, in an exasperated manner, “Some people’s children.” I am not usually referring to actual children, rather adults behaving like children or worse. I had to change it today. Some people are parents only through biology, actually acting and being a parent is so far beyond them they have no business having children, ever. And, of course, they do, and they suffer.
Here’s the situation…
There is this kid, K, who was caught shoplifting. K’s parent is not only fully aware of K’s shoplifting but also encourages it, asking K to “pick up” stuff for said parent as well. K has an older sibling who went through the same thing but never got caught. On top of it all, the system is so screwed up, nothing will happen to the parent encouraging this behavior. Oh, parent is also supposedly home schooling K. Same parent who never graduated high school and cannot be bothered to be home most of the time for some excuse or another.
Before anyone mentions CPS…CPS has been called repeated times. CPS does NOTHING unless child dies or happens to somehow become a news story.
Posted in Uncategorized.
– November 13, 2009
Happy Halloween! Blessed Samhain!
The preparations are made. So looking forward to taking Lil Man on his Trick or Treat tonight!
Posted in Baby, Holiday, Photos, family.
– October 31, 2009
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