Myachi~ Fun for the Whole Family

When I was a 20 something, a group of us hung out continuously and would sit around late at night smoking, drinking and doing whatever to amuse ourselves.  Someone came up with a little game we called "lighter".  The rules were simple.  We would pass a lighter around the room, the only catch was that you had to catch it on the back of your hand.  Mostly the boys played but I was not one to be outdone by anyone so... I practiced and joined in.

When I saw this new hacky-sack type toy advertised, I knew I had to get my hands on a Myachi.  You bounce it, flip it, spin it, kick it.  The only rule: You can't use the palm of your hand.  I showed the video to my 7 year old and then listened to him ask me every day "When is it going to get here?"  He was almost as excited as I was to try it out.  His sole request was that if we received one in pink, he wanted me to order any other color so he could take it to school and show his friends.  We got one in red.

The second it arrived he tore it out of the package and started playing with it.  He doesn't have a lot of patience with things that take effort so I thought this would be a good "game" we could practice together. (Plus I get to be the cool mom who can actually catch it on the back of her hand.)  He has carried it with him everywhere we've been.  There was some frustration at the beginning, which I expected, but once he caught it a couple times he was hooked.  Using extreme hand-eye coordination this hand sack will provide hours of entertainment and push the user to be creative in thinking up new tricks.  The site has video, apparel (Handsome is already begging for a shirt) and a place for all enthusiast to share their experience.  The site says it best with...

As a company, Myachi is dedicated to instilling the virtues that lie at its core into the next generation of Myachi Maniax: Discipline, Respect, Confidence, Patience and Passion. By focusing on these virtues in a way that is fun, healthy and active, we hope that the values and lessons of Myachi can help build stronger communities and individuals…and one’s with sick reflexes and hand-eye coordination at that!

If you are looking for something to promote any of these attributes than Myachi is for you (or your kids, or BOTH).  It's good wholesome fun and I think it's going to be around for a long time.







I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Windows Missing File Assistance

I'm not sure I've fully figured out Windows 7 but apparently it has me pegged!

I invented Kettle Corn but let my brother take the credit.

Why do kids lie?  Is it embarrassment?  Fear of punishment?  Something they learn from their parents, siblings or peers?  Is something they are "born with"? 

I remember lying as a kid and the two most memorable both involve popcorn.  That's weird, isn't it?

In fourth grade we were having some sort of party and while the teacher was out of the room some of us were throwing popcorn into the air in an attempt to catch it in our mouths.  When the teacher came back and asked who was involved I immediately denied being a part of it.  It was foolish, looking back, all my friends were there and witnesses.  I wasn't trying to get them to believe me.  I feared what would happen if the teacher found out.  What most of the other kids didn't know was that earlier that year on a class trip with that same teacher, I had been pulled aside and questioned about a situation that had happened and when I responded the teacher had smacked me across the face.  This wasn't allowed, even back then, she was an adult.  Who was going to believe me? I should have just run off and hidden at Le Touessrok, but I was 10 and transportation would have been a challenge.    I never told anyone.  Not even my parents. (One of the other parents on the trip saw the whole thing and ended up calling my mom.  Even in front of my parents and the Principal the teacher denied it ever happened).  So I lied.  I Had all my friends resent me for doing so, but saved myself from being slapped again.

The situation at home was similar.  My mom would fly off the handle at the simplest of things.  We would here her scream something like "God Dammit.  Who ate the last Twinkie?" and we would all run for cover.  We would also all deny that it was us.

One morning at breakfast, as I was putting sugar on my cereal, I decided it would also be fun, and harmless, to add a scoop to the leftover popcorn on the table (thus inventing the sweet taste of kettle corn).  It wasn't an intentional ploy.  I really never thought of it as anything than wasting an extra spoonful of sugar.  No one ever ate the leftover popcorn.  Then my mom came down and sat with us.  She reached over and grabbed a handful of that sweet creation of mine.  She immediately spit it out and went into fury mode. "Who the hell put sugar in the popcorn?"  All 3 of us answered in unison "Wasn't me." 

The usual ritual took place.  We were all immediately grounded from whatever activity we were currently participating in.  We were sent to our rooms to "think about it", and then we would all be called down for questioning.  Individually.  Usually during questioning one of us would fess up, usually my older brother or myself.  We would remain grounded but the others would be set free.  On this particular day, though, I didn't feel like losing my privileges (I can only guess because I can't think of a better reason of why I continued my lie).  During my questioning I remained firm in my denial.  I wasn't giving in.  After what seemed like hours of interrogations we were all brought together and informed that "one of us" had something to say.  My younger brother stood up and apologized to our older brother and myself.  He admitted that he was the one who put sugar in the popcorn and he was sorry he didn't tell the truth sooner.  WHAT?  Then something else happened that may have caused me to continue lying in these same sorts of situations.  My mother announced that since he was so brave in telling the truth he would not be grounded or have any privileges taken away.  You can see where I'm going with this.  I have a brother who, under pressure, will confess to anything and he won't get in any trouble for it (which means I don't have to feel guilty). 

I try to remember these situations and how I felt when dealing with my own kids lies.  I assess whether I over reacted, whether they fear the punishment, are too embarrassed to tell, or are still working on good judgement and don't want to disappoint.  I want them to be able to come to me, no matter what, and know that I am on their side.  I will not play them against each other and hope they know that they never have to lie to me, or at least figure it out soon.

"I Dumped Him"

I love this kid!

I love both my kids.  This one cracks me up every single day and is the sweetest girl any mom could be blessed with.  She's also the one that gets stuck with me most the day and the only one who will pose for pictures.  She's an individual with a mind wise beyond her years.  Especially where boys are concerned.  She's coming up on 5.

Yesterday, just before school, she received a call on her cell phone (it's not real).  When she got off the call she explained that it was her boyfriend Brad and he wanted to meet up with her later.  As far as we know, she doesn't know any Brad's so I quickly assumed he was make believe.  The best type of boyfriend a girl could have, right? 

That was the end of the conversation.  She headed off to school.

When I picked her up 3 hours later we made a quick trip to Trader Joe's.  On the way she told me all about this new boy Brad.  He has brownish/blondish hair like her and the same blue eyes.  He is 4, just like she is and very cute.  I suggested she invite him to dinner.  She claimed to think this was a good idea.

On the way home from TJ's she also informed be that Brad lived in Virginia like we do but he goes to school in North Carolina and he runs... no wait... he can walk there in 2 minutes.  Wow.  A boyfriend with Super Powers.  This girl knows how to dream them up.  I asked "If he moves so fast, how did you ever meet him?"  I thought it was a good question,  "He can stop."  Oh.  Of course he can.

We came in and ate lunch.  After lunch she received another call from Brad.  She hung up visibly upset and here's the conversation that transpired.

Me: What's wrong baby?

Her: That was Brad.  He just dumped me.

Me: What? Why? Did he give you a reason?

Her: Yes.  He said I'm not pretty enough and he found someone prettier.

Me: Well.  If he's one of those boys that is only concerned with outside appearances than it's his loss.  He'll never find a girl as sweet as you.

Her: Actually.  He said he saw you on Facebook and now he loves you.

He called back later and wanted to get back together but she had had enough of his "meanness" and told him no.

When I asked what happened she just said "I dumped him."

I can't imagine what this child is going to be like as a teenager.  She's already boy crazy but swears she's never getting married and is just going to live by herself with her dogs.  Will she be a girl obsessed with her appearance?  Will she insist on skinny jeans and every other fad that passes by?  Will she still be boy crazy?  My hope is that she will continue to be independent, creative, and sweet and continue to not take any shit from any boy, real or make believe.

Celebrity Cruise's Wine Experience ~ I Want to Experience it ALL

This post brought to you by CelebrityCruises.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's no big secret that I'm a fan of wine.  I'm also adventurous and constantly seek out new varietals to sample.  When I saw this video...

Cruises from Rome, Italy Www Celebrity Cruise Com Video - The funniest videos are a click away

 

My first thought was, "How can I get Celebrity Cruise Lines to bring me along on their wine adventure?"  This is an amazing collection in a spectacular storage system.  Self serve machines?  What?  We need those everywhere.  Putting them in the malls at Christmas time may get me actually out shopping instead of doing it online from home.

Celebrity's Wine Experience has several offerings to the wine enthusiast regardless of where you are in your wine journey.   The have workshops like Wine Appreciation 101 as part of their onboard activities and entertainment programs.   They have Specialty Wine Cruises that offer a series of Savor Your Destination Wine Cruises which feature guest Vintners that help not only your knowledge of wine but your appreciation of it as well.

How beautiful is that?  All Solstice class ships have one of these.  Created by Artist Adam Tiharny, it holds 1800 bottles of wine... and is AWESOME.  I really need to see one of these up close.  As a former restaurant Manager/GM I feel for the person(s) who must maintain the inventories on these ships.  With a selection of 480+ wines on Celebrity's Solstice, and 350+ on Millennium and Century class ships, someone has their hands full.  What a great job that would be.  I think I would really enjoy helping decide which 480 wines to serve.  Wouldn't you?

So tell me.  Have you seen this up close and personal?  Can you share some pictures? Does Celebrity need on on-board blogger? *Stands and raises hand enthusiastically* 

Start talking.

Nanny Goats White Elephant Gift Exchange

Just before the holidays I signed up to participate in a Shite Elephant Gift Exchange.  I'm sure you know what that is, but just in case you don't, it's where you take a crappy precious gift you just don't have room for and re-gift it to someone else.  In this case, a perfect stranger.

I had a set of 3 picture frame ornaments that I originally intended to send.  They were pretty and all but were too heavy for a tree, or I was too lazy to put pictures in them.  The box has been in my garage for several years.  I figured it would be perfect.  Then exchange day came and as I was packing it something told me to check the contents.  Sure enough, one of the frames was missing.  I'm pretty sure this box has never been opened by me so that means I received it that way.  I didn't feel comfortable giving that away so I searched for something new.

The kids have "Breakfast with Santa" at school each year and they have a gift shop where the kids can purchase donated gifts for family members.  I'm pretty sure this is a collection of White Elephant gifts so I didn't feel too bad giving up a lovely candle holder one of the kids had picked out for me.  Hope my recipient enjoys it.  Otherwise they are all hooked up for next years swap.

I received a beautiful scarf from Robin @ 52 Bands in 52 Weeks.  Really.  I'm also a sucker for handmade products and this scarf is from one mango tree, a company "Empowering women through design fair trade"  There's a card with the picture of the creator and an attached card that she signed.  The only thing...I'm not really a scarf person.  Would it be wrong to use it as a table runner?  It would make a beautiful one.  Is that allowed?

If you're one of those people who like to hit the winter sales after the Holidays to stock up on "stuff" for potential gifts the following year and find you've bought too much, you may want to join this annual event to help you get rid of it.  It is going to be an annual event, right?

Shout out to Margaret @ Nanny Goats in Panties for putting this whole shindig together.  I can't wait to see what everyone else got.

If you participated and wrote about it, leave a link so we can find your post easily.

Wordless Wednesday~ A 4 year old, A 9 year old and some Chuck E Cheese make up...FAIL

I'm amazed at how stupid people are

I was pulling out of the drive way when I realized that our trash cans had been put out (by Hubster) and were sitting full by the curb.  I immediately laughed and thought "Hello?  It's MLK day.  The kids are out of school. the mail isn't coming, and the trash will not be picked up."  As I continued down the road I laughed piously at all the other trash cans out by the road.  Don't these people get it?  Are they stupid?  I thought this the entire 3 mile drive I was making...to the bank.  Who's stupid now?

Who's Idea was It?

I hate wearing a bra!

There.

I said it.

It will come as no surprise to those that "know" me.

I'm not sure when it began but it gets progressively worse with every year.  If I'm at home, I'm not wearing one unless I know you'll be stopping by.  If you stop by unannounced...you get what you get (and shouldn't be upset).  I used to keep one on the stairs just in case someone stopped by but the dog really likes to chew on them so that stopped a couple months ago when we got her.  I wear one when I go out but take it off the minute I get home, usually before taking off my shoes.  When I go back to work, which I'm working on now, this life of leisure will come to an end.  Better let the girls have their free time now...before it's too late.

Anyway.  The only people that stop by unannounced are the UPS guy, the Mail Lady, an occasional FedEx guy and my In-laws.  Mostly the In-laws.  They catch me bra-less all. the. time.  I'm sure they're not thrilled.  I also don't believe the kids are observant enough to know the difference, but I may be way off.  You tell me.

Last week when I was sick my MIL helped my 4 year old daughter make a Get Well card for me.  It was really very sweet of both of them.  I'm curious, though, who decided on the pictures that were cut out and added to the card.  Who do you think it was?  4 year old daughter OR MIL who always catches me "free"?

Are those subliminal messages?

TABASCO Pork Chops

This post brought to you by TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.


I love hot sauce.  I love everything spicy.  When TABASCO asked me to write a post about their TABASCO® Original Red not only did I say "Heck Yeah", I decided I'd create a new recipe just for the occasion.

I've enjoyed TABASCO for years.  Ever since I can remember actually.  It goes with everything from eggs to clam chowder and is really good on pizza with ham, pineapple and banana peppers. You also can't have a Bloody Mary without it. Just saying. It adds a little heat and that twang only TABASCO can provide.  Seriously.  If you've never added a couple drops to your clam chowder, and you like a little heat, you HAVE to try it.  Get back to me on what you think.  I'll wait.

I like to make a somewhat (ok, very) unhealthy dish of spicy chicken tenderloins using TABASCO but decided to try the same recipe with pork chops.  This is a Paula Dean type recipe... lots of butter.  It's one meal, and one of the rare meals (on the growing list)  the whole family will eat,

You will need
1 stick of butter (you can substitute, but I use real butter)
1 cup of flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
6 pork chops (mine were 1/4 inch thick)
TABASCO 2-3 Tbsp

Start by melting the butter in a pan.



When butter is melted, add the TABASCO





Take your pretty pork chops



Mix together your flour with liberal amounts of salt and pepper



Fully coat chops in the flour mixture and put them in the pan.  I was chicken to take a picture because I didn't want the splatter to get on my lens.  Imagine the pork chops cooking.  It make the house smell really good too.
Let cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side.  I cook a little longer because we like the coating crunchy.
Serve up with your favorite sides for a dish no one can resist.



I like to use the leftover butter/TABASCO in the pan to flavor my rice crunchies and all.  YUM!
I do make the kids chops first, before adding the TABASCO, but Puddin Pop will eat the spicy leftovers.
For more ideas on how to use TABASCO check out their Game-Day Party Menu.  But don't wait for game day to try them.

Wordless Wednesday~ Yes Virginia We Had Snow

How I Lost 12 Pounds in 3 Weeks and 2 Days

I started this weight loss journey one week before Christmas.  It was a journey unplanned.

Jealous? 

No need to be.

Here's how I lost 12 pounds in 3 weeks and 2 days...


Start on a Sunday by waking with a fever, chills, dizziness and the ability to even get out of bed.  Stay there all day other then to pee.  Drink whatever beverages you can.  My beverage of choice was ginger ale.  Take a dose of NyQuil at 2pm, knowing you can't get out of bed anyway.  Take your temperature 3 hours later and make sure it's 103.5 (higher would probably work too).  Stay in bed until the next morning.

Wake up on Monday, still dizzy but a little less feverish. Make sure both kids feel sick so they can stay home with you. Try not to vomit while making their meals.  Occupy them until their dad gets home and go to bed.

Tuesday, send one kid to school since the other is now on Xmas break.  Make sure to make breakfast for both, Thank your older kid for not making you make his lunch (and thank the school for corn dog nuggets) and hit the couch.  Figure out something to make for dinner, serve it and wait it out until Daddy gets home...again, go to bed.  Do not eat but make sure to get plenty of fluids. 

Feel well enough on Wednesday to get oldest kid to doc since he's feeling bad again.  Make sure to drop off prescription for antibiotics (sinus infection) and head home.  Snuggle with him, eat some crackers and thank MIL for taking the little one off our hands for the day. 

Thursday you are feeling about 80% but your stomach has shrunk considerable so eat whatever, it won't be much. 

Spend Friday (which happened to be Xmas eve on my journey) getting last minute stuff done.  Head to the In-laws for dinner.  Eat whatever and then watch you MIL in awe because it's the first time in 16 years you haven't gone back for seconds (usually it's thirds).  Go home and go to bed. 

Wake Xmas morning.  Do the Xmas stuff, eat left overs from Grandma's house (since you didn't have them the night before) relax the rest of the day. 

Spend the next 3 days eating ham biscuits (minis) while feeding the kids whatever they are in the mood for. 

Work on Tuesday (very part time job) and feel like crap upon getting home. 

Wednesday~Keep your promise to your kids and take them to Charlotte (5.5 hour drive) to visit their Uncle and cousin. 

Stay busy for 4 days so you don't have time to nibble like you would at home.  Make a big pot of spaghetti on New Years Eve and then have your first glass (or several) of wine in two weeks.  Forget to eat spaghetti and eat half a loaf of take-and-bake bread instead (that shit is like crack, especially with butter). 

Wake up feeling like crap, again, on Saturday and delay the drive home one more day. 

Drive 5.5 hours home on Sunday and get the kids random fast food, skipping anything for yourself.  Find out Hubster has the nasty flu bug that has you projecting fluids from all possible orifices simultaneously.  He staying at his parents (where he's been since you left) and you suggest he stay...forever.  Get kids dinner.  Get suitcase unpacked and do several loads of laundry.  Make sure FIL brings home your beloved puppy who has had to spend the last 5 days in a shed instead of the comfort of her own home and now has diarrhea and isn't quite potty trained.  Relish in the fact that tomorrow the kids go back to school.

Monday send the kids to school.  Normal day.  Hubster still sick and decides to come home to stay in bed here.  Dog still pooping everywhere.  Chase her around with a bucket and scrub brush, cleaning it all up.  this will prevent eating for the entire day.

Make sure one kid stays home sick on Tuesday but still manage to meet a friend for a free spicy chicken biscuit at Chick-Fil-a.  Have Pizza hut Pasta for dinner.  Stomach is still pretty small so it's okay.

Have same child stay home sick Wednesday...with a fever, stuffy nose and nasty cough.  Take care of her and eat some crackers with egg salad for lunch and dinner.  Feed kids as normal (leftover Pizza Hut pasta).

Stay up late on Wednesday catching up on all your DVR'd shows until you get summoned upstairs (around midnight) by this.

Keep both kids home on Thursday and cater to both.  One won't eat, afraid to throw up and the other just wants spaghetti-Os with meat balls.  Make it and eat more egg salad and crackers for yourself.  Drink lots of water and be happy your nose is still stuffed up.

Make youngest go to school on Friday and tend to oldest who feels better but can't go due to the fever law. Fix pork chops for dinner with rice and green beans.  Eat.  Stomach is still shrinking.  Stay up late and decided Midnight is a great time to get back on the Wii Fit bandwagon.  "Stop procrastinating" you tell yourself since you didn't workout all week due to the kids being home ill.

Have a lazy Saturday hoping to get everyone back to 100%.  Watch movies, play video games, chat with friends on FB and make brownies.  Head to bed at 7:30 with baby girl.  Attend the Tribal Blogs Slumber Party while she watches Rapunzel for the millionth time.  Feel a little achy but blame it on the 10 minutes of hula hooping and 20 minutes of cycling you did the night before.  Leave Slumber party early because daughter is itching and seems to be getting some weird rash.

Wake up Sunday with the projecting-fluids-from-all-possible-orifices-simultaneously-virus.  Stay in bed with frequent trips to rest room.  Go back on fluid only diet until Tuesday.

Feel like crap on Monday and still get all bedding cleaned so as not to continue to pass this shit around.  Thank MIL for taking the little one and spend lots of time on the couch between loads of wash.  Also have a MIL who will send home dinner to feed the family, even if it is Salmon patties that make you leave the vicinity so as not to vomit. (I actually LOVE salmon patties but not on this particular day).

Wake Tuesday.  Ready for anything.  Check self on scale and secretly wonder if you could do it for another 3 weeks if it guaranteed another 12 pound loss.

Oh What A Night

I mentioned before that we've all been sick in one way or another since the week before Christmas.  Passing it back and forth.  Stomach bugs, nasty colds and coughs, sore throats, sinus infections, repeat. 

With everyone seemingly on the mend, and the fact that I had gone to bed at 8 o'clock on Tuesday night, I thought I would stay up and watch a little TV after everyone went to bed last night.  The dog and I snuggled on the couch and I watched the last 3 episodes of The Closer that I had DVR'd. 

It was just before midnight when Puddin Pop started screaming for me.  She was crying and still half asleep.  She had no idea why she was crying, "I'm sad." was all I could get out of her.  I got her calmed down and then went to put the dog in her kennel.  When I opened PP's door Charly (the dog) came rushing in and jumped on the bed.  This sent PP back into scream and cry mode.  I picked the dog up and told PP I was taking Charly downstairs and I'd be right back.  Got the dog in her kennel and then smelled Poo.  Found the poo and was cleaning it up when PP started screaming for me again.  Finished the poo cleanup and ran back upstairs so as to prevent PP from waking handsome.  Took 30 minutes to get her to stop crying and fall back asleep.

15 minutes later....

"Mom?"  I get up and go to Handsome's room.  "What is it baby?" "I threw up."  I flip on the light and sure enough he is covered in vomit.  I get him to the tub.  He's usually pretty good about getting sick in the toilet, or at least has enough advanced warning to request a bowl.  Not  last night.  I asked what happened and he replies, "I had to throw up.  I tried to get up but then I just threw up.  I tried to get up again but just threw up again...and again.  Then I was so tired I just had to lay down."  Poor guy was covered.  It was even in his hair.  Mentioning that he had eaten spaghetti with strawberry milk for dinner may be too much information, but I'll say it anyway.

Get him cleaned up and tucked away in "the big bed" with a bowl.  Get his sheets in the wash and come back upstairs.  PP is coughing so hard she's starting to gag and I'm rushing to her side with her trash can.  She falls back to sleep and Handsome throws up again.  He makes it into the bowl but then let's us know he accidentally pooped while he was throwing up.  This goes on between the two of them until 6am when they both finally are in a restful sleep...and then the dog is up and barking to go out.  I stumble down the stairs, let her out, re-wash the bedding from Handsome's bed, make some coffee and get ready to start my very long day. It really makes me wonder how working Mom's do it.  If I worked outside the house I would have already missed 9 days, since the week before Christmas, taking care of sick kids.  Fired for sure. 

How do they/you do it?

Sausage Squares ~ Recipe

I keep getting asked for this recipe so I thought i would just post it here.  It came to me via my friend Heather and I've never met anyone that didn't thoroughly enjoy it.  Great for breakfast, snack time and a great tail-gate item.  Basically, you can't go wrong anytime you serve these.

You will need:

2 packages of crescent rolls (any brand is fine but stay away from the "thick" ones)

1 pound of ground sausage (we prefer the spicy stuff but mild and even maple work fine too)

1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese (I've never tried with the light versions but suspect they'd work fine)

Brown the sausage in a skillet until it's completely cooked.  While it's cooking, open one package or crescent rolls and flatten into a 9x13 pan.  make sure to pinch together perforations and slightly press up on sides.

When sausage is finished cooking, turn off heat and add cream cheese (I don't drain my sausage but I imagine you could).  Mix together until no visible white chunks (like the ones below) are present.  Should be a nice creamy sausage/cheese mix.

 When it's completely mixed, pour onto crescent roll in pan and even it out to completely cover.  Open second package of crescent rolls and lay out over the top.  Pinch together perforations and tuck down on sides to completely encase the sausage mixture.  Pop into a pre-heated 375 oven and bake for 20 minutes or until it's nice and golden brown on top.



Take out of oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes.  Cut into squares and enjoy! 

I usually make these for breakfast and serve with fruit but the possibilities are endless.

New Years Eve at Lazy 5 Ranch

On New Years Eve (day) we took the kids to Lazy 5 Ranch. Visiting my brother in Charlotte, the kids got to spend time with their cousin "C" who is 3 and the three of them had a great time while my brother and I got to spend some quality time together too. We had made reservation for the 2 o'clock wagon but missed it by an hour due to google maps continuously rerouting us. We were lost. I guess there are 2 Mooresville Roads. One isn't in Mooresville, which we needed to be, and the locals swore it was route 3, even though the sign in front of us clearly said Mooresville. We finally made it only to find out that the wagon had stopped running and we would have to drive through. My brother thought this was a sucky option but I thought, "Hey. How often can you say you fed Llamas and Ostrich from the front/back seat of your car?" The kids thought it was hysterical...except for the Ostriches (is that right?), no one wanted to feed them. My brother finally got brave enough and the little fella stuck his/her head right in and bit his nipple. Wish I had been ready with the camera for that one. My camera also went dead half way through but here are so some of the pics I got before that happened. Also, it's really hard to get good pics with the animals right in your face..

Dude. Get OFF My Calendar

Last year when getting school supplies for Handsome I bought myself a nice wall calendar to keep track of events, half days of school, birthday parties and all the other stuff I try to juggle.  It worked really well, runs on the school year (August to July) and was so helpful I bought another this year.

 I use color coded markers to keep track of each family members "events" (No.  I'm NOT OCD).

Now that Handsome is all into reading and writing I'm finding cool notes on my calendar like "Loser Day".  Really?

Then Hubster decided he needed to write the kid's Christmas break on the calendar (with the never-ending-arrow that went into the following month) after the school called with their pre-recorded message reminding everyone...and he used a REGULAR pen.  WTH?

This serves as notice that the calendar is mine!  Hands off.  Get. Your. Own.

Bodega Elena De Mendoza Malbec

Vacation is over.  I've been playing long enough and now it's time to get back to it.  My tree needs to come down so I can't think of anything better to do then tell you about some wine I tasted over break.  I've been feeling under the weather since the week before Christmas and am still not back to 100% but I did drink a little wine...just a little.

I was fortunate enough to be sent this collection.  The Malbec is the only one I've tried so far. 

Created by winemaker Daniela Romero (we love female winemakers) "Bodega Elena de Mendoza offers three bold and beautiful wines.  Each wine embraces both the vibrancy of the Argentine people and the rich history of winemaking in the country."

The flavor, to me, was subtle hints of dark cherry and oak.  This wine was complex and hit the spot on a cold winter night.  It warmed me right up with it's earthy tones and balanced finish.  The fruit flavors were almost non-existent upon opening but presented about half an hour after opening.  I love how wine changes as it breathes and is paired with food.  Makes for a palate adventure.

Pairing Suggestion: Try with a grilled steak or spicy chili.

This wine is available nationwide now in limited quantities and a national launch is planned for July 2011.  The suggested retail price is $9.

I would definitely buy this wine.  Worth the money and very enjoyable.

Stay tuned for more info on Daniela Romero and the other two wines in the bunch.  I can't wait.

I was sent these wines to review from Hunter Public Relations along with a press release for each wine.  No money changed hands.  the opinions are authentic and 100% mine.

It's a New Year

I've been on hiatus.  Visiting my brother in Charlotte and left my laptop at home...by request.  Now the kids are all busy with video games and my little brother was nice enough to give me a loaner laptop.  We've done some fun stuff and the fact that the kids have gotten to spend some quality time with their cousin makes the 6 hour drive worth it.  Have some great photos to post but will have to wait until we are back home. 

Monday the kids will go back to school and everything gets back to normal.

Hope everyone has an incredible 2011!