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Showing posts from March, 2014

As If We Weren't Busy Enough

Life has been so insane, and now we are adding more...  Bothe Ben and Sydney have started soccer. Last week was their first week.  Ben's practices are immediately after Sydney's dance classes on Tuesday, but Sydney's dance is in another city and Ben's soccer is and the exact opposite side of town. Shawn has to leave work early to pick up Ben from me and run to soccer practice or else it just wouldn't be able to work. Now as if Tuesdays weren't busy enough, they just got busier... Saturday mornings, bright and early Sydney has her "games."  They aren't really games so much as a practice and scrimmage. She loves it so much! Ben has his games on Saturdays at noon.  His are real games except they are 3 vs 3 with no goalie.  He did really well for having only one practice before the game. Ben's team made a goal! Ben's team won, even though they don't technically keep score.  It was so muc

No-Time Bread

I'm always looking for yummy bread recipes but do to time constraints I usually at least do the dough part with the bread machine.  It's low maintenance and  I can just start it and walk away.  This bread recipe is so easy.  It's almost as quick and easy as the bread machine but gives it a more artisan style. No-Time Bread 4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast (2 packets) 1 tbsp sugar 1 1/2 cup water 3 1/2 cup flour 1 1/4 tsp salt 3/4 tsp balsamic vinegar In the bowl for a stand mixer, put in the yeast, sugar, and water, and let sit. Heat the oven to 450 degrees and put in a dutch oven in while the oven preheats to heat it as well. After the yeast has had a couple of minutes to bubble up, add 3 cups of the flour as well as the salt, and vinegar.  Beat it for several minutes with the paddle.  Add the last 1/2 cup of flour and switch to the dough hook and beat for 7 minutes.  It will be a wet dough, but not goopy.   Lightly grease a microwave safe

Lent and Giving Up to Better Yourself

So, being a Catholic, of course I'm following Lent.  This year I gave up my potty mouth, or at least I'm trying to.  I want to be a better person, and how can I do that with a mouth like a sailor?  I mean, plenty of good people curse but I feel that to be the best me I can be, I need to fix my mouth.  I don't allow my kids to say those words, so I need to lead by example.  Being super pregnant, the food restrictions don't always work, although I'm doing my best. Every day of Lent, I get an email that is 40 things to give up for Lent and Beyond.  They are great things, that even non religious people should take a look at, and today's was a big one.  Everyday you are giving something to give up, scriptures, questions to consider, plans of action, and reflection. Today's email recommended giving up Hatred. The reflection spoke to me more than anything else, so here it is: Yesterday we learned about the death of Fred Phelps, the founder

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!  Sorry I'm super late today, I just have been really busy. As I look outside my window::: Today turned out to be a beautiful day.  It was a little chilly this morning but now it's about 50 degrees. Right now I am:::  Sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for my timer to go off to take out the Irish Soda Bread I have in the oven and I'll be putting in the white bread and some potatoes, carrots, and cabbage soon. Thinking and pondering::: Finally getting to put together all of the baby stuff.  I'm so excited.    On my bedside table::: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (I'm so in love with this creepy twisted book) My flowers and a water bottle or two On my tv tonight::: Monday:  The Following The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Tuesday: The Little Couple Rizzoli and Isles Chicago Fire Wednesday: Law and Order SVU Chicago PD Preachers' Daughters Thursday: Grey's Anatomy Here com

One Day at a Time

These past couple days have been so busy.  We've been preparing for Sydney's birthday which is Sunday, I've had stuff to get done for Ben's teacher, and Shawn has been out of town for work, so I've been holding down the fort at home. I've been wanting to work on my crochet mood blanket so bad, but I just haven't had time.  I plan on working on it a little today as I'm so excited how it is coming along. At the end of the week, last week, we made a trip a couple of trips to Michaels.  I'm a Michaels and Hobby Lobby addict.  I need crafters anonymous and to go into those store without a supervisor is extremely dangerous for my bank account.  The yarn that I love from Walmart for almost $5 a skein was 2 for $5, so I picked several new fun colors, and then I grabbed some new things for a new hobby I'm seriously falling in love with.  I'm very into flower arranging.  I'm working with fake flowers for now.  It's so much fun and they are so

Happy Homemaker Monday

As I look outside my window::: The sun is shining but everything is covered in snow.  I need the spring to come! Right now I am:::  Sitting on the couch, and just finished lunch.  I have no energy and I need a nap, but it won't get to happen.   Thinking and pondering::: Sydney's birthday this weekend. On my bedside table::: The Virginia Housewife or Methodical Cook by Mary Randolph On my tv tonight::: Monday:  The Following The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Tuesday: The Little Couple Rizzoli and Isles  Chicago Fire Wednesday: Law and Order SVU Preachers' Daughters Chicago PD Thursday: Grey's Anatomy Here comes Honey Boo Boo Friday: Jessie Saturday: When Calls the Heart Sunday: Keeping up with the Kardashians Austin and Ally The Real Housewives of Atlanta Listening to::: Nothing currently On the menu for this week::: I don't know yet.  Everything is so up in the air. Monday  - Spaghetti and Bread Tuesday  - Frozen Pizza Wednesday  -  Thursday  -  Fr