{There's No Day Like Today}

Again, no school

I am starting to wonder if Dominic will ever go back to school! He's been off a week now due to holidays and weather. The news is warning us of freezing rain tonight. I hope not. That really is the worse. I like snow. But ice. Yuck.

I walked out of the house this morning to go to the gym and about fell on my tuckus a dozen times in the 5 minute walk over there! And when I got there, the class was cancelled because the instructor couldn't get into town because of the ice. Ugh! But I still worked out. Maybe not as efficiently as if I had taken the class, but still a good one.

Oh, I tried an awesome new recipe tonight. Nummy!

This is a Weight Watchers recipe from their "Simply Bueno!" cookbook. (Hopes it's okay to post it here! It's just so good, I want to share).

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Mexican Seafood Chowder

Hands on prep: 20 min

Cook: 20 min

Serves: 6

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4 cups fish or vegetable broth or bottled clam juice (I used veggie broth)

2 (14 1/2 oz) cans diced tomatoes with jalapenos

3 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels

1 1/2 lb. tilapia or halibut fillets, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 lb. large shrimp peeled and de-veined

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 lime, cut into 6 wedges

1. Heat the oil in a nonstick Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, oregano, and cinnamon; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes.

2. Add the bell pepper to the Dutch oven and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the broth, then add the tomatoes and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the soup bubbles and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the fish and shrimp to the Dutch oven; bring the soup to a simmer. Cook until the fish is just opaque in the center, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and serve with the lime wedges.

Per serving: (2 cups) 276 cal, 5g fat, 1g sat fat, 0g trans fat, 136 mg chol, 697 mg sodium, 27g carb, 5g fib, 34g protein, 113mg calcium.

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Where's Waldo?

So, did you think I fell off the face of the earth? Did you even notice I was gone? No biggie if you didn't, but I have been gone for awhile. Pretty busy times these days. We've moved. Sold our beautiful house in WA and moved into our beautiful house in OR. Dominic started at a great school. Vivian may be starting in January. Just waiting for the final approval on that. It's about 6 months earlier than I had planned on, but she's SO READY. And she wants to go so badly. So, we decided that it was time. Maybe not for us, but for her. And it's such a great school. I know she will just do awesome there whether she starts in January or in September.

I also took the plunge. I am taking my physical fitness seriously - and loving it! Okay, it's only been a week, but I am really feeling motivated and really enjoying excercise for the first time ever. I have been going to some classes at the local gym here that are taught by one of Dominic's classmate's mother. She rocks. She is so motivating. And I totally appreciate the personal attention she pays to each person, taking into consideration our own weaknesses or injured areas.

One thing was pretty cool today. School was closed due to snow and Edward and I had planned to go to the gym. So we bundled up the kids and started our walk to the gym. It's only about 4-5 blocks away, so it didn't make sense to drive. We were running late, so we put Vivi in her stroller and jogged there. Dominic and Edward pretty much ran the whole way while I jogged-walked-jogged-walked my way there. When we got to the parking lot of the gym, some ladies were coming out of the Subway there and saw our little family running together. I heard one lady comment on how great it was that we were excercising together (which it is!) and another comment on what a beautiful family we were (which we are!).

It was pretty awesome to do that as a family. After the gym we went to the park and then made our way to a local cafe for some hot chocolate. We got back home around lunch and just as we peeled off all our layers, it started to snow again. This is the scene we had for a little while:

But alas, it didn't last long. It is forcasted to snow some more tonight, so we will see what happens tomorrow. Dominic wants to go back to school. He's been out since last Wednesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speaking of which, that was a blast. We hosted Thanksgiving dinner here at our house. We had 18 people in total. I loved cooking, though it got a bit stressful in the last hour. Mostly because there were so many people in the kitchen. Now I know how my mom felt all these years! But one nice result of cooking was I didn't really eat much. I think it's the first Thanksgiving EVER, where I didn't over indulge to the point of feeling sick. I also went to the gym the next day, so I was pretty proud of my self for that.

Our 26 pound turkey!!

The table: We had to do it "buffet" style due to lack of seating

My centerpiece. I just think it was beautiful.

I had to take a picture of this. My sister-in-law made a lovely fruit platter and the kids totally scavenged it before dinner! As you can see, their little hands could only reach so far, so only the lower half was affected. I think Vivian was the ring leader...

The kids enjoying their Thanksgiving meal.

The kids put on a fabulous musical performance after dinner. Complete with homemade maracas!

So that's the summary. At least for the past week! I will try to check in a bit more often. Maybe one of these days I will scrap again. It's been about 2 months. Just haven't been feeling it lately. Too many other things to attend to. Maybe this week I will get to it. We'll see!

Some new layouts

I have been a creating fool the past few days. Mostly because of review team and design team deadlines. But, it is amazing how a looming deadline can either bring out the best in you or stifle your creativity all together. Luckily I had some "bring out the best" moments. Whew!  Here are a few of my favorites. Now, the majority are photos with Vivian, but don't get me wrong, I love scrapping my little man too. But, some of the layout with Vivian just seemed to click or took on a life of their own. I love scrapping my kids.

(joy) - (I did this layout for Zsiage)

Beautiful Summer (This is for the Spellbinders Spirellibilities Petals die review - not yet released)

Summer Time (This one is for the new Flair Designs review)

Sun Goddess (This is also for the new Flair Designs review)

And so it continues...

A buyer for our house continues to elude us....HELLO! HERE WE ARE! This is a great house....please come buy it!

:)

Pike Place Market

We went to the Pike Place Market in Seattle last Friday. What a CRAZY place it was. I am sure the fact that school was out didn't help.

I was meeting my friend Tonya and I asked Edward to come along with me so we could take the kids. We went on the ferry and then parked in the parking garage. The market was full of people, fresh produce, and gorgeous flowers.

I had a lot of fun visiting with my friend and her daughter, but it really isn't a place that I would want to take the kids again. Not when it's that busy anyway.

Here are a few photos I snapped while I was there.

Some recent layouts

These are some layouts that I have done recently. Mostly for Scrapfriends reveiws.

A is for Attitude

Altered book board page. The board book is by Zsiage.

So much to write about

It's been ages since I've "blogged". Seems like life jumped on the freeway and I have been so busy. Spring is supposed to be full of activity, right?  The kids and I got busy early spring and started weeding the yard. Well, I weeded the yard, they played. Dominic is really into planting seeds so we decided to plant a garden this year too. I had to build some raised beds, and they may not last year, but they will work for now. Hey, I never claimed to be a carpenter!  I think it is such a valuable experience for the kids to learn where we get the majority of our food...from the earth! Thank God for the hard working farmers out there!

Of course, we will see what actually comes of the garden come harvest time. I have no idea what I am doing, but we are trying!

Dominic also had his 4th birthday. I can't believe he's 4! Where does the time go? He's getting so big it amazes me. He had his checkup today. He's doing beautifully with the exception of some fluid in his right ear which has caused some hearing problems. We have to go back in a month to retest and to see if the fluid has cleared up. He was also VERY brave and received 3 shots today. He cried a bit, but really, did really well. I think it was more shock of not knowing what was going on more than anything. Everything was going along so well and then BAM! 3 shots in the arm. That's gotta piss anyone off! :)

I took him to Fred Meyer after and let him pick out a matchbox car for being so good. I am not one to bribe my children or reward them for just any little ole thing, but I really felt he deserved something special. He was a trooper and heck, you've got to be able to splurge on your kid every once and awhile!

Edward has been home for a couple of weeks now. He injured himself at work and came home early. I hate that he got hurt, but man I love having him home. We feel like a complete family again. It's great. We all sit together for meals, the kids get more than a cranky mommy around the house, and I get a little break every now and then. Life is good.

Fear

I do not like fear. I am not one of those people who gets a rush from it. I don't like scary movies, roller coasters, cliff diving, or anything like that. Being scared is not a way I want to spend my time.

So it really pisses me off when I am scared, or fearful. Especially of something "that could happen". Some freakin' moron decided to burglarize the house 2 doors down and also broke into a van and stole a car. Somewhere between the hours of 3 and 6 am.  So what is the consequence to me? I am afraid. I am paranoid. I am pissed.

How do I get past this? I don't know, time I suppose. But in the meantime, if I ever were to come face to face with this person(s) (and hopefully NOT in my house), I think a swift kick to the groin might make me feel better. Then some friendly advice: GET A JOB AND EARN YOUR OWN SHIT!!!

Okay, off my soapbox now. Thank you! :)

Kind of freaky

So this morning I was starting to make the kids some breakfast when the doorbell rang. I am still in my jammies of course, so feeling a little dumb answering the door. I couldn't see anyone through the peep hole, but I cautiously opened the door. Standing there is a Police Officer. Hmmmm. He told me that some cars in the area had been broken into, one stolen, and a house was burglarized this morning. Then he asked if I had seen or heard anything this morning.

Turns out that it was the house on the other side of my neighbors and it happened between 3 and 6 am. Of course I am freaked. I mean, how scary is that. I am sure patrols will be increased around here, but it is known that theives will usually hit an area more than once. And it wouldn't surprise me if they live around here and are familiar with the area.

Anyway, say a little prayer for us that nothing happens, I know I am.

In other news....not much is really happening around here. The kids and I went to Home Depot today. I bought some lumber for the raised beds in the garden we want to plant. It's been raining all day, so I am not sure when I am going to get out to actually build them.  I only bought enough to make two beds though. Thought I had better see if I can do it before buying all the material!

Dominic is really eager to "plant seeds" and "make food".  He's been asking for days now if we could do it. But I told him I had to get the soil ready and that included weeding.  He said okay and then started to help me with the weeds. He pulled out two handfuls and then said, "okay mommy, you can take care of it now." Smart kid!

Just reviewed...

I just reviewed Hambly Studios over at Scrap Friends. Pretty cool papers and transparencies. Here is the link if you are interested in reading the reviews by our team.  Below are my projects for the review.

Hambley Studios Review @ Scrap Friends

"Untitled"

"Pixie Face"