Phrase of the Week

"Mom, will you play with me after you are done Building Dinner?"

Wow, he must think that i really have  to put a lot of effort into this dinner, unfortunately for him, Dinner for the kids was frozen waffles and scrambled eggs! no joke.

Master Bedroom

In honor of the brave men and boys who took on this task!

Thank You, the room is almost complete and looks great!

 You braved through chocolate chip cookie breaks, and playing peek a boo with our boys.

You endured through boring wall texturing  and wearing ridiculous leg stilts, while your supervisors just sat around watching.

OK, i guess these kids finally put in some hours of work.!

All this labor was to produce this room. And it is looking great. A few minor touch ups needed, like base boards and wall trim.  

Thanks Daddy and Maurice, we love working with you!

Go Rays

Tampa  Bay Rays game was a father and son date.  No fair! But they had a great time and didn't get home until 10:30 pm.  We have never been much into Baseball and with Caeden only 3 years old, I thought he might get bored at a Pro Game, but he loved it and had a great time.  It helped that he got to eat popcorn, ice cream, hot dogs, and sit in the box.

And it helped that his older cousin Chandler was there.

He keeps talking about these sting rays, although he admits that he was too scared to touch them.

This is Grandma, she joined in on the fun too!
We might as well join the band wagon of Rays Fans, since they are doing really well this year!  

Jedidiah

I feel a strange connection to Jedidiah clothing company.  The husband of my roomate in college is friends with the guy who started this company.  I first heard about it around 2002, when i was visiting them in San Diego.  I had one of the first women's black tanks, and i loved it.  It wouldn't fit now, but i wish i still had it.  

Relevant Magazine, which i also heard about from my cool friends in So Cal, recently wrote an article about Jedidiah.  I enjoyed reading about their desire to make great clothes and also take part in giving back to  the community and relief organizations.  You can read it below.

Relevantmagazine.com

Jedidiah is more than a clothing company. They are more than a brand, more than a statement. This San Diego-based company is partnering with various humanitarian organizations, including Blood: Water Mission, Surfing the Nations and International Justice Mission—changing lives through both their work and financial support. This is a group of individuals who are using their talents and abilities not only to build a successful company, but also to aid those in need, giving back to communities worldwide. RELEVANT recently had the opportunity to speak with owner Kevin Murray about the company’s roots, mission and vision. How did Jedidiah start? It started as an idea in a high-school youth room in San Diego. The idea was to create a brand that had an alternative image, that was the opposite of most brands in the Action Sport Industry. An image that had a heart for serving others rather than expecting the world to serve us.   How did Jedidiah become involved in humanitarian efforts? We learned after a few years that we needed to do more than just say all the right things. We learned that people really won’t listen to what you have to say until you have earned their respect by what you are doing. So our Hope Collection and 1% for Humanity programs are the tangible/accountable ways we live out what we believe in our brand. All ofour humanitarian partners have developed out of relationships. We work with people we know. All of our partners work with people in crisis—people who are suffering from no fault of their own, people who need to be loved.   Do you have any personal stories of lives changed? Mostly our own. It is a repeated story, I know, but when people set out on a mission to serve others, it is their own hearts that are stirred the most. Our humanitarian relationships are the lifeblood of who we are. The fabric and texture of our life is so much richer because of our relationships with them. The biggest chunk of time we give in our lives is to work—it has been our greatest joy to find purpose in that. We have had the pleasure to walk with our partners in Uganda—to see schools built with Invisible Children, knowing our resources helped make it happen. Or painting a mural in a dump in Nicaragua with Love Light and Melody to hopefully shine some beauty and love in a very dark place. We have traveled to Mexico and spent time with people utilizing the micro-credit program of World Vision and visited the orphanage of Gabriel House who love severely handicapped kids from Baja Mexico. Our team has walked with the poorest of the poor in Bangladesh alongside our friends for Surfing the Nations. We feel our calling is to provide a sustainable revenue stream through Jedidiah that assists these people in crisis. We love our Hope Collection partners, and we hope others can be inspired to join in and become involved.   What is Jedidiah’s vision for the future? There is much we want to do, but we are a clothing company first. If we don’t get the clothing right, all the other desires of our heart will never be fulfilled. Our vision is to continue to build the brand and move it into a more collection-inspired company. If retailers can view us as a collection, they will begin to depend on us more season after season. Our desire is of course to grow; our growth will generate more resource for our partners to be even more productive. We also want to develop the 1 percent for Humanity concept and eventually get other companies to make the same commitment. I know it sounds simplistic, but if all companies gave 1 percent of their revenue (regardless of profits) to relief organizations, our world could be transformed. We have also launched an aggressive online marketing campaign. Part of this campaign is our Community Project Series. Here is where we are taking the stories of people’s lives and weaving them into the fabric of our clothing. We hope to explore this concept and really engage with people in a meaningful way.

Author: Ashley Wolpert   Ashley is the associate editor here at RELEVANT Media Group

Homemade Popsicles

I think Frozen Coconut Bars have always been my favorite.

Today, Owen and I are hanging out while Mike took Caeden to the Tampa Bay Rays game.  So while he is sleeping, I painted the ceiling in my bedroom, and made these Frozen Coconut Popsicles.   I have high hopes for them.

Coconut Pops Reprinted with permission from Pops! Icy Treats for Everyone by Krystina Castella.

Ingredients: Makes six 8-ounce pops or eight 6-ounce pops

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar (i used Turbinado sugar)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups coconut milk, homemade or canned; or 3 cups coconut water (see note below)
• 2 cups fresh (best) or dried shredded coconut

Step 1: In a saucepan, combine the milk and sugar and stir over low heat for 5 minutes to dissolve the sugar; be careful not to scald the milk. Stir in the vanilla extract and let cool to room temperature.

Step 2: In a bowl, combine the coconut milk or coconut water, the shredded coconut, and the milk and vanilla mixture.

Step 3: Pour into the pop molds. Insert the sticks. Freeze for at least 6 hours.

Step 4: Remove from the freezer; let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before removing the pops from the molds. Enjoy this coconut delight.

i found it here:     http://www.bakingandbooks.com/2008/07/26/coconut-pops/

On the Issues

Since we have about 40+ days until the General Election.  I have been trying to get a clearer understanding into each campaign and into each candidate.

For those of you who are interested,  Mike and I found a website that has been very helpful with explaining the Presidential Candidate's views on every issue.  So feel free to check out these two links and make your own educated decision!

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Barack_Obama.htm

http://www.ontheissues.org/John_McCain.htm

Phrase of the Week

I just thought this was conversation was too funny:

Mike: "Caeden, why did you hit Owen?"

 

Caeden: "well, I tried to whoop him, but he didn't want me too."

I love the honesty!

September Sun

It has been so HOT lately, i think September feels hotter than July, maybe that is because I eagerly anticipate the cooler weather of the fall.  The heat of Florida September makes it feel like Fall will never arrive.  Nevertheless, the boys desire to play outside never fades.  Thanks to a Well, I am just thankful that we don't have to pay a water bill, because when they are outside, the hose is always on.

I love the picture below and how Caeden is Chuckling at whatever Owen is doing with the hose.

Please cooler weather, please get here soon!

IKEA

I just had to post my new favorite item.  Along with the super cool and cheap flooring we purchased for our Master bedroom, we also found this fun print at the "AS-IS" section in IKEA.

It fits  our fun modern flair and is an homage to our animal-loving children.

8 years

Mike and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary on Sept. 16th.  I really do love being married to him, he is my best friend and has been for 14 years.  We absolutely love hanging together.  

On Monday our family and my parents drove the Ives family ( my sister) to Miami airport so they could fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina.  It seemed like the drive took forever for some reason.  By the time we got there it was around 6 pm and we hadn't eaten lunch since 11:30 am and my Headache was increasing by the second.
At the airport there is only one little sandwich stand by the check-in counters.  All the other restaurants are after the ticketed passengers go through the metal detector.  So that was a bummer because we were planning on eating dinner all together at the airport.  I got the kids a sandwich of which they only at the bread and a banana.  We had to say a quick Adios to the Ives gang, my parents took the kids to Mc Donald's in Miami then made the drive back to our house and Mike and i got to have an over night date.

We stayed at this hotel called The Palms, on Miami Beach.  After we checked in my headache was even worse and i was feeling sick to my stomach.  We tried to drive and find a restaurant, but parking in South Beach is Terrible!  We drove and drove and i was feeling worse and worse.  We finally paid $10 to valet park outside of Jerry's famous Deli.  I ordered and when the food came I excused myself to the bathroom to "upchuck", as my grandma used to say.

So basically we paid about 20 dollars to park and order a meal that i never ate.  I felt bad for Mike. I think he liked his burger, and he was happy that Monday night football was playing at the restaurant.

No partying on South Beach for us, i went back to the hotel and fell asleep right away.  The next day was much more enjoyable, We went to the beach and pool and shopped at Sawgrass Mills and Ikea.  Despite the frustrating sickness we still had fun just being alone.  Happy 8 year anniversary to us!

Deep Blue

I highly recommend this film.  It is fascinating.  My kids comments: from C, "This is so cool, mom" and from O, "mom, what doing, where going?" referring to the polar bears.

It is a documentary about life in the Ocean.  So amazing.  Growing Up, I never cared for documentaries, but I doubt they ever made them quite like this.  I am glad that my kids dig these movies. 

MUCHO DINERO down the drain

WATCH THIS VIDEO

This is kinda scary.  Have you heard of this super collider 17 miles underground that cost $9 billion dollars.  yes $ 9 billion!  It is the most expensive science experiment ever.  Designed to re-create the microseconds after the supposed Big Bang.  Apparently, the scientists think they are going to figure out how our Universe was created.  I know a much cheaper way to find out, READ THE BIBLE!.  The scary thing is that opponents say that this experiment will create a black hole in the earth and the earth will be swallowed up and destroyed.  The scientist don't deny the possibility of the black hole, but say it will be so small that it won't affect the planet.  

Think of all the good they could do  in the world with $9 billion dollars, maybe, help end world hunger, contribute to the AIDS crisis and Genocide in Africa, Put an end to Human Trafficking.  But instead they use it to play GOD!  RIDICULOSO!

They may be debating the beginning of time,

but I the Bible explains the Beginning and Ending!!!  

I just read this passage this morning

I Thessalonians 4: 16-18     "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  AND THUS WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.  Therefore comfort one another with these words."

That is exciting to me!

2 Tim 1:12  "For i know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day."

Dulce De Leche

Dulce De Leche

    1.  Take one can of Eaglebrand sweetened condensed milk
    2.  Place UNOPENED can in a pot of water so that water completly covers         can by about 2 inches
    3.  Bring water to a soft boil
    4.  Boil three hours, turn can over every hour (3 hrs results in golden color,         longer you boil the darker it gets)
    5.  Allow can to cool to room temperature I put in the fridge overnight but             you can cool on a counter at least 15 minutes if your going to use it soon.
    6.  Open carefully
          if you refridgerate overnight punch hole in middle of can lid flip can over         and remove the lid on the other end with can opener the little bit of heaven         will slide right out.

                     Use on cake, ice cream, of just get a spoon an enjoy...

Dulce De Leche Scones

Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, cut into chunks
- seeds from 2 vanilla bean pods
- scant 3/4 cup dolce de leche
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon dolce de leche

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

1. In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add 1/2 cup butter and, with a pastry blender or your fingers, cut or rub in until pea-size crumbs form.

2. Using the hooked end of an orange peeler, slice the vanilla beans open lengthwise, taking care to keep the ends together. Using the curved end of the orange peeler, scrape out the seeds into a small bowl. Reserve the empty pods to grind or chop into a future dish. Whisk in the dolce de leche and 1/2 cup milk with the seeds, until well blended. Add milk base to dough and stir just until evenly moistened. Depending on how thick your dulce de leche is, you may need to add a couple more teaspoons of milk to achieve a nice moist dough.

3. Scrape onto a lightly floured board, turn over to coat, and gently knead just until dough comes together, 5 or 6 turns. Pat dough into a 6-inch round 1 1/2 inches thick; cut into 8 equal wedges.

4. Separate wedges and place on a lightly buttered 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. In a small bowl, beat egg yolk and 1 tablespoon milk and 1 tablespoon dolce de leche; brush lightly over tops of scones (discard any remaining egg wash).

5. Bake until scones are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.

Icing:
Depending on how much dolce de leche you have left, you can either brush the remaining leche on top of the scones, or drizzle it.

To brush:
Lightly heat the dolce de leche in the microwave for 15 seconds. Using a pastry brush, evenly coat warm scones.

To drizzle:
Place the warm scones on a piece of parchament or wax paper.
Scrape all of the dolce de leche into a plastic sandwich bag. Knead the leche in your hands for a few minutes to warm and soften it up. Cut a corner out of the bag, and starting on the paper, begin drizzling over the scones in a zigzag pattern.

Dust scones with your favorite sugar. I used sugar-in-the-raw, but red or pink dusting sugar would look nice for Valentine's Day!

Yield: 8 scones                                                                                     Source:  Darla M. Wiese                

Taken from this website

Library books

The Web Files

A book fashioned after law and order, but with duck for the detectives.

so creative and a great story.

Big Chickens

These chickens are goofy, but they end up out-smarting a wolf.  a really cute story.

The Life of a Car

What little boy doesn't want to know the different segments of the life of a  car, from when it is formed to when it is demolished and recycled again.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

 

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup natural creamy peanut butter at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.

 

In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Next, plop in both sugars and beat until smooth. Crack in the egg and mix well. Stir in the milk. Now fetch the dry ingredients and mix in completely with the peanut butter mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips.

 

Scoop up rounded teaspoons and roll between your palms into balls before placing on an ungreased cookie sheet. Gently press each cookie with the back of of a fork before popping in the oven to bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly, then eat.

The kids enjoyed them, I can't remember which website I found the recipe, oh well, these rich cookies will be made again.

Adios to the Ives Family

We had a great time at the going away party for My sister and her family.

I have posted some of the pictures of the yummy food and i will give the recipes separately. 
I will have to get the recipe from heather for this first punch, i know it had juices and fresca and sorbet in it.  Then i made a mocha punch, that I couldn't drink because it wasn't decaf and there was about 9 cups of coffee in it.
They leave for Argentina on the 15th.  I think we are going to have a garage sale at our house next weekend to sell the remainder of their stuff. 

We looked for Argentine recipes and found Dulce de Leche Scones.  They turned out better than i had hoped for my first try at making scones.  Below is Heathers Molten Lava Cake.
Look for the recipes later!

foto cuisine

Foto Cuisine

This website is worth viewing.  It is a husband and wife team, who together document through words and photography every step of the cooking/baking process.  It is a great creative collaboration and helpful for visual learners like me.

click on the title above to view the website.

Human Race 10K

I don't have a Nike I-pod or shoe sensor, but I do have willing and loving family and friends, who I talked in to running our own human race 10k.

Last Saturday, we met at our house at 6:30 in the morning and ran 6.7 miles from here to Woodsmoke.  Abby and I ran and it took us a little over an hour.  Mom and Heather rode their bikes and they were our water stations, encouragers, and hecklers.  4 miles and i was feeling good, 5.5 miles and i was ready to quit, my hip was cramping at 6 miles, but I kept going thanks to the great motivation by Ab, Heath, and Mom.

Here, Heather and Mom realized they dressed to match.

It was great, and i think we are going to run the Naples Daily News 1/2 marathon in January.