my favorite time of the year

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving with the boys on a 3-hour trek south to my in-laws.  We're having the company Christmas supper with the combined staff from both branches.  My mother-in-law is planning to tackle the multi-course meal, which she is so capable of... mmm... can't wait!!  And there will be babysitting service so we get a whole evening of good eats and games... with only adults!!  I'm so there...  Anyway, I won't be around until Monday, so I'm taking a blogging mini-break and planning to be back at it on Tuesday.  Next week is crazy-busy, with a visit to the ENT specialist on Monday for Buster's ears, company on Tuesday evening, Fire Department Christmas party on Wednesday, and our young couples' Christmas party on Friday.  So yeah, we won't really be wondering what to do.  Although we're basically done our shopping for the season so that is a huge plus... we try to avoid the crowds and order online as much as possible, although I really can't resist some store-shopping.  It's the whole atmosphere really, the Christmas music, decor and smells... and just the whole attitude of everyone in the throes of early-season excitement!  

To those of you south of the border, I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving and much yummy food today... and I hope you wrote lists of all the things to be thankful for!  We are blessed beyond words...

toys for boys

Over the last couple of years, there have been 3 toys in our home that have been well worth the money spent... They have kept the peace and that's a big thing when you have 2 busy boys born with very healthy lungs - but nevertheless boys who like to build and create.  Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Lego
2. Magnetix
3. Wood train set

If you have a little boy or two on your list this Christmas, then your shopping trip just got easier!

the best things in life are free

Who doesn't love getting something for nothing? Especially when you have a ton of Christmas shopping to do?  I found the coolest giveaway for moms of young kids... It's as simple as 1-2-3... subscribing to this blog, checking out the products to be given away, and leaving a comment.  Great new baby and kid stuff, so check it out!

my sanity

thank you.

who is this child?

We are having issues with Noodle.  Just 2 weeks ago today, we were starting on the potty training journey, which was a huge success, but something has happened to our sweet little boy since then.  For one, he has become hugely independent, refusing help with anything and screaming bloody murder if I, say, open a door instead of letting him do it.  He cries and shrieks and screams constantly over petty issues... and the whining!  It is definitely not normal, but I'm starting to wonder... does his newfound freedom have something to do with this?  Tech Guy wondered this morning if he's just adjusting to the added responsibilities he's facing.  He has, after all, been having a lot of "firsts" and "lasts" lately - besides the obvious (and much advertised, sorry!) accomplishment, he has mostly quit having naps, learned to *mostly* dress himself completely, and is now going by himself on the *big* potty without help, even cleaning up any messes completely without help.  

Has anyone had this kind of meltdown after a major breakthrough?  I'd love to hear how you handled it!

cornbread

This recipe is a great complement to almost any hearty soup, stew or chowder dinner... our favorite happens to be Taco Soup. You can add a Mexican twist by adding chopped fresh or canned jalapenos to the batter.

Homegrown Cornbread

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup shortening

2 cups buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 cups cornmeal

2 cups flour

Mix together all ingredients & pour into greased 9x13" pan or muffin cups.  Sprinkle sugar on top.  Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes.

prayer for the beginning of the day

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And you, yourself, pray in me. Amen.

- St. Philaret of Moscow

boon is it

Of course now that we're done potty training, I find the cutest little multi-purpose potty bench. I actually love all the Boon products for parents.  Fresh new ideas in modern colours and styles. I always wanted this for the boys' bathroom, but so far I haven't given in and spent the (very reasonable) $35 for something I really don't "need".  Although it would make cleaning up after baths a lot easier!  And you just can't ignore how cute this is or these... or the brilliance of this...

heartwarming chili

Although the official name for this recipe is Taco Soup, it's really a glorified chili that hits the spot on these cold fall days.  It's not only yummy,  it's also eye-catching with the red of the tomatoes, the yellow corn, and the dark kidney beans.

Taco Soup

2 lbs lean hamburger
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 16-oz can diced tomatoes
1 16-oz can pinto beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 16-oz can whole kernel corn
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Garnish:

Curly corn chips
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger and onion; drain.  Mix all ingredients in a large pan or slow cooker.  The longer it cooks the better.  Garnish with chips, sour cream and cheese.  Serve with extra corn chips or cornbread.

let there be light

A couple of years ago, while browsing at a Home Show in Calgary, we came upon these unique candles, made up of wax crystals and individual wicks.  You don't end up with lopsided candle ends that you eventually throw out, because only a small amount of the wax clumps together onto the wick.  When the wick is done, you throw it out and insert a new one.  And repeat... and repeat... It's the coolest idea ever and another great gift idea for Christmas.  I really love mine, although we didn't buy the hand crafted candle boxes.  You can fill anything with these crystals and have an instant candle!

5 things

I got tagged by Ticia for this "5 things" meme, so here goes...

5 things I was doing ten years ago:

working at a grocery store

living at home

enjoying single life

babysitting

probably bored (I was 17, go figure!)

5 things on my to-do list today:

go to the dr.

pick up handles for my desk

christmas shopping

pick up groceries

pick up boys from babysitter

5 snacks I like:

stuffed mushroom caps

chips

bruschetta

pico de gallo

skittles

5 things I would do if I was a millionare:

go to italy 

go to greece

buy oceanfront property

buy a new vehicle

pay off the mortgage

5 places I have lived:

northern alberta

southern alberta (3 different places)

saskatchewan

(sorry, I'm a privacy freak!)

5 jobs I have had:

babysitting

planting at strawberry ranch

clerk @ grocery store

secretary @ dh's computer store

housecleaning

5 people I tagged:

Julie

Erika

Desiree

Norma

Darcy

slice me one

Christmas is coming (only 5 weeks!) and aren't we all looking for gift ideas?  Two years ago my sister gave me the Zyliss Palm-Held Pizza Slicer for Christmas and I thought it was a nice gift and everything, but really?  I wondered why I needed yet another pizza cutter (I already had two!)  It didn't take long until I was reaching for my new pizza cutter at every meal... I think I can honestly say this is the single most used item in my kitchen.  I use it for pizza, yes, but it also makes quick work of cutting up food for your preschooler: waffles, pancakes, toast, enchiladas, quesadillas... the list goes on...  This ingenious slicer has some cool features - the plastic cover is perfect for holding in your hand and the blade snaps out for easy cleaning.  I actually toss the whole thing in my dishwasher and rarely have a problem with residual dirt.  And, I'm always digging in my dishwasher since I can't seem to keep up with washing!

no. more. huggies.

I have my reasons for celebrating today...

1. I haven't changed a diaper for 7 days!
   
2. This is the first time in 5.3 years that we've been diaper free.
   
3. I have more time now, who knew diapers took up that much time!?
   
4. Noodle is happier - being a big boy is pretty fulfilling, apparently...
   
5. We'll be saving around $50 every month... woot woot!
   
6. He's even dry all night!

winner announced

The cancer awareness giveaway has ended and the lucky winner is... Veggie Mom!! Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address (2boyzmum@gmail.com) and I'll get that book off to you... or if you'd rather, I'll donate the $20 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Thank you all for taking part... and let's remember those battling cancer, and sigh a prayer or donate!

prayer for love

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

- Author Unknown

my tide mom

I grew up in a family that was not wealthy. My mom did not splurge on pretty much anything. But one thing she taught me was to use good laundry soap... Tide. I know I sound exactly like a Tide commercial right now, but to be honest, I've never even tried another brand of laundry soap. My mom used Tide, and I use Tide. End of story. What could be more perfect than winning a $5000 prize from Tide, including this laundry team, and a year's supply of Tide!  To enter, visit My Tide Mom and get your name in...

reminder

Don't forget to enter for my 100th post giveaway! It ends tomorrow (Saturday) night at midnight. Click on the pink ribbon on my sidebar to the right! 

come again?

I've always found it rather amazing how strongly memories are connected to smells. Just recently I found a bottle of Johnson's Kids Tropical Blast Body Wash for the boys... it's so hard to find kids' bath stuff that actually smells nice and I knew I'd tried this one before so I bought it. When I opened it the first time and poured it into their bath, it unleashed a flood of memories so intense and striking that it seemed I was actually transported back in time. It was November 2004 and we were in Orlando, FL... in a condo together with Tech Guy's family. Buster was 16 months old and I must've bought new soap for the trip - because the memories were so strongly associated... I could feel myself kneeling by the side of the tub in that condo, the hard tile pressing into my knees... it was the weirdest déjà vu feeling ever! But I love the smell and someday if I find a whole case of the stuff, I will actually buy it!

chicken tikka masala

We tried out our new Indian Butter Chicken from Gourmantra and I was duly impressed but as I feared, the men in my life weren't! They do not like spicy food, so I'm alone in my love for the stuff... I think next time I'll try half the spice packet and see if that helps. But here's the recipe I promised - I've made it once and really liked it. It's spiciness is adjustable so it's more suitable for kids.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Marinade
1 cup plain yogurt
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp red pepper flakes (I would use less)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ginger

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or large cubes

Sauce
1 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalepeno pepper, minced (see note below)
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garam masala spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Combine marinade ingredients, add chicken and marinate in Ziploc bag in fridge for at least 2 hours (overnight is better).

Grill chicken until only partially cooked (it will continue to cook in the sauce; you don't want it too dry). Set chicken aside.

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add flour, then garlic and jalapeno; stir for a minute. Stir in seasonings and salt. Mix in tomato sauce and stir for one minute. Add half-and-half and simmer until sauce thickens. Add chicken and simmer for several minutes. Don't overcook.

Serve over egg noodles with cilantro sprinkled on top.

Note: I would either leave out the jalapenos or at least take the seeds out. Please use gloves when handling hot peppers!

"wordless" wednesday - life with boys

on potty training miracles

We continue the potty training saga today... after yesterday's fiasco, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to, but so far? It's a success!! Not one mess today and 5 little deposits into his singing potty. I'm so excited - it seems like a dream to be free of diapers, since Buster wasn't trained yet when Noodle was born, so it's been 5+ years! Thanks for all the advice and encouragement... I think if today's success continues, we'll be doing okay.

a taste of india

I love Indian food! Love, love, love it! Butter Chicken, Tandoori, Chicken Tikka Masala, and of course Basmati Rice and Naan Bread. I will try anything with curry in it... but so far I haven't gotten too adventurous with actually cooking Indian. So you can imagine my excitement when I found Gourmantra Indian meal kits in my local grocery store. I snatched up a box of Butter Chicken and one of Tandoori and I can hardly wait to use them! I'm really hoping they taste authentic - it's pretty interesting to read how this company started up. And I will post my Chicken Tikka Masala recipe soon...

on strep and training issues

So today I got a call from the doctor's office today, informing me that we are all carrying strep, and prescriptions would be phoned in for us to pick up. Well! Not too surprising, considering the quantity of outbreaks around here, but still... how can we carry the bug without symptoms?! I guess it happens! So we're all on heavy-duty antibiotics for 2 full weeks... let's kill this baby!!

So I made the 20 minute trip in to the drugstore... not too bad, except I'm trying to potty train Noodle today and so far it's been a disaster - I did not need the added interruption of running to town right then... Anyone with potty training advice (that works!) is entitled to a hug from me! Noodle is just so different than Buster... with Buster I never worried about #2, but he had a lot of #1 accidents. With Noodle, he couldn't care less about #2 in his shorts but he doesn't really like #1... But... so far nothing has entered the potty, so I'm tearing my hair out - is he just not ready?!?! He's 3, for goodness' sake!!

P.S. You still have 5 days to enter the giveaway, just click the pink ribbon on the sidebar!

on cancer, hair and giveaways... 100th post!!

How does a female cancer patient feel when they lose their hair? When they're trying to grow it out again? That's what my friend is finding out, since she cut off her hair and mailed it off to Wigs Helping Woman. Touched by the struggle of her husband's aunt with breast cancer and the loss of much more than just hair, she decided to take the plunge and contact Beautiful Lengths.

I know I'm a little behind... Breast Cancer Awareness Month was October, but in honour of all those beautiful and courageous women who have been attacked by cancer and fought back... I'm having a giveaway (it's also my 100th post - yay!) - a book, of course, this one titled Reconstructing Natalie by Laura Jensen Walker. I read this book only recently and it opened my eyes to the loss these women experience... the loss of their identity as a woman... and I think everyone should have a chance to read it. The author is a survivor herself.

All you need to do is leave a comment telling me how cancer has touched your life, whether it's yourself, a friend or family member who's been affected. You will automatically be entered for the draw by leaving a comment, but please be sure to include an email address so I can contact you. Giveaway ends November 15, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Good luck!

freebie

Who doesn't like giveaways? Simple Mom is giving away an Epson Artisan 800 printer, and it may be yours! Just head over and enter before November 12 at midnight. Good luck!

snow!

It snowed! I have been waiting and waiting for this moment... Normally I want to prolong fall as long as possible before we get hit with snowstorms, icy roads, freezing temps, etc. But this year? Not so much.

1. Our yard still isn't that pretty, so let's cover it up, please!?

2. The boys are getting so bored, and they've been begging for snow for weeks!

3. I can quit feeling guilty for not getting outside work done and can focus on my indoor projects.

So yeah, this household is happy about the snow. And I can't wait to get out my Christmas stuff. Which feels pretty weird when it's warm and dry outside, at least in this part of the world.

thinking of america

getaway

How was your weekend? Mine was absolutely fab... I went on a little girls' retreat with my 3 sisters-in-law and it really was a great relaxing time. We're all splitting ways before too long, with some moving away, etc. and it really was time for a little getaway! We booked a suite at the Sheraton Eau Claire,

and we spent some time exploring downtown. We discovered a yummy Italian joint called Fiore Cantina... incredible food... I had the Tortellini Bombay, which was a chicken-filled tortellini with broccoli in a curry cream sauce. Yum! We walked along Stephen Avenue...

the weather was just incredible for November - and had another delicious lunch at Milestones, home of the most delectable cheesecake we had ever tasted. Please, if you ever go to Milestones, you've got to order the White Chocolate Cheesecake. I cannot even describe the awesomeness of that dessert - and the espresso cream drizzled over it was out of this world! Okay... take a deep breath... the main course was delicious too. I ordered the Smoked Turkey Club, which was described like this: toasted cranberry sourdough, double-smoked bacon, spicy house-made avocado salsa, sliced Roma tomato, whole-grain mustard mayonnaise. And yes, it really was that good.

And of course, no holiday is complete without a stop at Starbucks... I got my fix in the form of a Tall Caffe Latte - mmm... nothing says pampering like an expensive coffee!

Just over 24 hours without husbands or kids... it was unexpectedly therapeutic... great memories I know we'll treasure for ever! Thanks, sistahs...