So, here's the deal. Turns out, this is hard. My family is addicted to convenience foods and unwilling to make this transition easy. Plus, going organic is expensive. I did a trip through Whole Foods just to check things out and it was... $$cha-ching$$. Plus, making my menu and grocery list is always a challenge, but even more so to try to consider less meat, less convenience foods, more planning and preparation, more price comparisons. Not to mention that (I hope this is only initially) the start-up cost of going organic is pretty pricey because we pretty much have to start from scratch.
Ok. I still really want to do this. Like, really, really. So, I'm going to do a little transition now (the next two weeks) and try to build a little of my pantry, then make a bigger transition the next two weeks so that by the first of September we will be at the very least, primarily organic, local, meatless, etc.
I should also clarify that we are not going completely meat free. I'm sorry. I like my chicken, burgers, etc. so we will go mostly meatless... say, eating meat 3 nights a week. But I'm going to try to buy the local, horomone-free, grass-fed meats. This two weeks I bought horomone-free, grass-fed meats from The Fresh Market because they were on sale $2.99/lb. I still want to check out Western Wake Farmer's Market for local meats because I've been told prices are decent there.
I'm also going ahead with freezing fresh organic, local corn bought from the State Farmer's Market on Lake Wheeler Rd. at 65 ears for $20. I'm also going to can local green beans that Lee is getting me through his work. I'm getting a bushel for $40 which Nana says is a ridiculous price, but I shopped around and it's pretty reasonable now. I guess it's been 10 years since Nana canned green beans. Nana recommends Half-runner green beans and Silver Queen corn. Not sure if that's what I'm getting, but either way. The biggest cost will be jars, but I have some coupons and I've been watching Craigslist. I'm thinking I could also freeze blueberries which are currently in season as well as peaches. I'm just not sure if I have the money to do the fruits. Like everything, the up front costs are rather high, but I'm hoping for longer term savings.
I'll keep posting about this... I know you're all hanging on my every word.
August 1, 2012
July 29, 2012
Organic Makeover Adventure
I began reading a book that is wodnerful for information and advice on making a transition from a processed life to a wholly organic life, all for $5 or less a day. The book is called Wildly Affordable Organic by Linda Watson. (Check it out here: http://www.cookforgood.com/blog/tag/wildly-affordable-organic).
I've enjoyed reading this book and it has offered some really good insight into making the transition to organic. She talks a lot about the cost of various foods and she gives advice about namebrand or not; bulk or not, etc. I like this book for the information and I think her meal plans are clever. I don't however think that her recipes are very kid-friendly (or in my case husband-friendly) and she doesn't account much for issues like peanut allergies. I haven't looked much at her blog and maybe some of those issues are addressed there.
I'm also baffled by the cost analysis. She took the "food stamp challenge" of planning and eating each meal at $1 per meal per person. When I first read that, I thought, that's impossible! But then I started calculating my grocery spending and I found that I spend about 95 cents per meal per person per day. When I started doing the math I was shocked. And I'm buying plenty of processed garbage.
So. I am giving myself a challenge. Maybe I'll make it, maybe not. Starting August 1st I'm going to take my family organic, mostly meat-free, and all on my mere budget of $100 a week. For those that don't know me- we're a family of 5 with a a hungry teenager and an 8 month old baby.
I've been working on my menu, shopping list, etc. I'll post the final menu for August 1-15th tomorrow with my shopping list. I'm pulling from Watson's meal plan ideas, but putting twists that fit my family because I'm not a fan of most of her recipes. Because Sophia is a particular eater and Dave is unable to eat most things and Zoe and I will pretty much eat anything, I'm going to try to make meals that work for us all. Ethan, bless his heart, will have the pureed leftovers.
I doubt I'll be as efficient or wasteless as Watson is in her book and plan, but this is a start, right? I'm hoping to see health and weight benefits right away. I hope eventually I'm able to perfect this plan for maximum efficiency so I'm not rushed at night to push out dinner or left with the "what should we cook?" dilemma that plagues all of us cooking moms.
Wish me luck.
I've enjoyed reading this book and it has offered some really good insight into making the transition to organic. She talks a lot about the cost of various foods and she gives advice about namebrand or not; bulk or not, etc. I like this book for the information and I think her meal plans are clever. I don't however think that her recipes are very kid-friendly (or in my case husband-friendly) and she doesn't account much for issues like peanut allergies. I haven't looked much at her blog and maybe some of those issues are addressed there.
I'm also baffled by the cost analysis. She took the "food stamp challenge" of planning and eating each meal at $1 per meal per person. When I first read that, I thought, that's impossible! But then I started calculating my grocery spending and I found that I spend about 95 cents per meal per person per day. When I started doing the math I was shocked. And I'm buying plenty of processed garbage.
So. I am giving myself a challenge. Maybe I'll make it, maybe not. Starting August 1st I'm going to take my family organic, mostly meat-free, and all on my mere budget of $100 a week. For those that don't know me- we're a family of 5 with a a hungry teenager and an 8 month old baby.
I've been working on my menu, shopping list, etc. I'll post the final menu for August 1-15th tomorrow with my shopping list. I'm pulling from Watson's meal plan ideas, but putting twists that fit my family because I'm not a fan of most of her recipes. Because Sophia is a particular eater and Dave is unable to eat most things and Zoe and I will pretty much eat anything, I'm going to try to make meals that work for us all. Ethan, bless his heart, will have the pureed leftovers.
I doubt I'll be as efficient or wasteless as Watson is in her book and plan, but this is a start, right? I'm hoping to see health and weight benefits right away. I hope eventually I'm able to perfect this plan for maximum efficiency so I'm not rushed at night to push out dinner or left with the "what should we cook?" dilemma that plagues all of us cooking moms.
Wish me luck.
March 12, 2012
Kid Friendly- week's end summary
So... as you may have noticed I got through day 2. After that I kept forgetting to post anything or take the pictures. So, I'll give you a summary.
Basically, here's what I learned...
First, we did not stick to our menu. Thursday turned out to be such a crazy hectic day I ended up buying Sophia pizza at Zoe's track meet and then fixing a few chicken nuggets for Sophia later. After that, everything just got more and more off-track.
2. Zoe and I did not like the "kid-friendly" meals and so I ended up either not eating well or making two dinners. With the frozen crock pot meals, that wasn't bad, but if I had to actually make two separate dinners that would be a huge hassle.
3. Sophia did eat better- well, she ate without all of the argument and mostly ate all of her dinner. I guess for her it will be better to make things she'll eat because while I hate admitting he's right, Dave is definitely right that it's better that she eat rather than not.
4. I don't know if this has to do with the kid friendly meals or not, but it seemed like it was far too easy to just not eat together as a family. Part of that was due to none of us being home for dinner at the same time. But I think because I was less than enthusiastic to have hot dogs or fish sticks I didn't want to eat, same with Zoe. So we all ended up eating at different times rather than sitting down at the table together.
5. Kid friendly meals are not time consuming. They're mostly popping things in the microwave which is nice on the time aspect, but I have to wonder about the nutritional value of food that's so processed it only needs a couple of seconds in the microwave to be edible.
Ultimately, my decision is that I'm going to have to fix two dinners- one for me and Zoe, and one kid friendly meal. Dave is welcome to eat which ever or continue to fix his own dinners when he gets home. I still want to find some ways to make the kid friendly food less processed and more nutritional. I have some ideas and I've found some recipes to try. We'll see.
I still believe that this is a bad plan in the long run because it encourages not trying different flavors and tastes and limits her experience with food. I can only hope it's not setting her up for an adulthood of missing out on great foods. How I could possibly have a child that doesn't love food is beyond me. I love food so much- too much. Wish me luck on this adventure!
Basically, here's what I learned...
First, we did not stick to our menu. Thursday turned out to be such a crazy hectic day I ended up buying Sophia pizza at Zoe's track meet and then fixing a few chicken nuggets for Sophia later. After that, everything just got more and more off-track.
2. Zoe and I did not like the "kid-friendly" meals and so I ended up either not eating well or making two dinners. With the frozen crock pot meals, that wasn't bad, but if I had to actually make two separate dinners that would be a huge hassle.
3. Sophia did eat better- well, she ate without all of the argument and mostly ate all of her dinner. I guess for her it will be better to make things she'll eat because while I hate admitting he's right, Dave is definitely right that it's better that she eat rather than not.
4. I don't know if this has to do with the kid friendly meals or not, but it seemed like it was far too easy to just not eat together as a family. Part of that was due to none of us being home for dinner at the same time. But I think because I was less than enthusiastic to have hot dogs or fish sticks I didn't want to eat, same with Zoe. So we all ended up eating at different times rather than sitting down at the table together.
5. Kid friendly meals are not time consuming. They're mostly popping things in the microwave which is nice on the time aspect, but I have to wonder about the nutritional value of food that's so processed it only needs a couple of seconds in the microwave to be edible.
Ultimately, my decision is that I'm going to have to fix two dinners- one for me and Zoe, and one kid friendly meal. Dave is welcome to eat which ever or continue to fix his own dinners when he gets home. I still want to find some ways to make the kid friendly food less processed and more nutritional. I have some ideas and I've found some recipes to try. We'll see.
I still believe that this is a bad plan in the long run because it encourages not trying different flavors and tastes and limits her experience with food. I can only hope it's not setting her up for an adulthood of missing out on great foods. How I could possibly have a child that doesn't love food is beyond me. I love food so much- too much. Wish me luck on this adventure!
March 5, 2012
Day2 eating kid friendly
Yesterday I really just threw together what I had to start our week of kid-friendly meals. Grilled cheese, applesauce, and pretzels was kind of a no-brainer. I put ham on my husband's grilled cheese to "man" it up a little. Sophia did eat most everything. I can't say if she complained because she ate upstairs with her Daddy and I ate downstairs with the baby. The true test will be when we're sitting at the table.
Today, I made my menu and grocery list. I want to compare this week with future weeks that I hopefully start the kid friendly meals in a more healthy, homemade, wholesome way. It's also important to keep in mind that I also included vegetables that my daughter likes so these meals aren't completely without benefit. Here's our weekly menu:
Sunday: Grilled cheese, pretzels, applesauce
Monday: Chicken nuggets, french fries, peas
Tuesday: Cheeseburger Hamburger helper, broccoli
Wednesday: Hot dogs, Mac-n-cheese
Thursday: Fish sticks, spinach, rice
Friday: Hamburgers (McDonald's style), cut up apples, black eyed peas
Saturday: Homemade pizza- ham and pineapple for Sophia, pepperoni for Zoë
Sunday: Chicken Quesidilla
I didn't go to the store until Monday so everything on my list covers Monday through Sunday. Also, I accounted for things I already had as well odds and ends I needed for lunches, and snacks. My total grocery bill was $100.49 with only one $0.75 coupon used. Here's my grocery list:
Chicken Nuggets
Fish sticks
hot dogs
lunch meat
hamburger helper
hamburger
granola bars
nutrigrain bars
apples/fruit
peas
broccoli
spinach
black eyed peas
pizza stuff: dough, sauce, toppings
chicken quesidillas: chicken, cheese, tortillas
ginger ale
capris suns
Here's the product of my bounty:
Here's dinner for tonight. It doesn't look so bad I guess, except who knows what's in those chicken nuggets and I'm not a fan of those frozen fries. I'm trying to lose post baby weight so I'm having some chicken stew I froze a few months back.
Today, I made my menu and grocery list. I want to compare this week with future weeks that I hopefully start the kid friendly meals in a more healthy, homemade, wholesome way. It's also important to keep in mind that I also included vegetables that my daughter likes so these meals aren't completely without benefit. Here's our weekly menu:
Sunday: Grilled cheese, pretzels, applesauce
Monday: Chicken nuggets, french fries, peas
Tuesday: Cheeseburger Hamburger helper, broccoli
Wednesday: Hot dogs, Mac-n-cheese
Thursday: Fish sticks, spinach, rice
Friday: Hamburgers (McDonald's style), cut up apples, black eyed peas
Saturday: Homemade pizza- ham and pineapple for Sophia, pepperoni for Zoë
Sunday: Chicken Quesidilla
I didn't go to the store until Monday so everything on my list covers Monday through Sunday. Also, I accounted for things I already had as well odds and ends I needed for lunches, and snacks. My total grocery bill was $100.49 with only one $0.75 coupon used. Here's my grocery list:
Chicken Nuggets
Fish sticks
hot dogs
lunch meat
hamburger helper
hamburger
granola bars
nutrigrain bars
apples/fruit
peas
broccoli
spinach
black eyed peas
pizza stuff: dough, sauce, toppings
chicken quesidillas: chicken, cheese, tortillas
ginger ale
capris suns
Here's the product of my bounty:
Here's dinner for tonight. It doesn't look so bad I guess, except who knows what's in those chicken nuggets and I'm not a fan of those frozen fries. I'm trying to lose post baby weight so I'm having some chicken stew I froze a few months back.
Feeding kids
I've always prided myself that my kids are good eaters. Both Zoë and Sophia will eat most anything and plenty of things that most kids won't. Zoë has always eaten just about anything put in front of her, and I've never been one to give much acceptance to turning her nose up at something. For that I have a 17 year old that is an excellent eater, who loves food, who has (what I consider to be) a healthy relationship with food, and who is willing to try all different kids of foods.
Sophia has always given me a hard time about eating. Not so much what she's eating, but just getting her to eat. She's always been distracted. She wants to talk and play and eating just isn't in her schedule. My husband says it's because I serve unfriendly kid meals. (i.e. chicken teriyaki and rice)
So, I have decided to serve a week's worth of kid friendly meals. I'm taking my meal ideas from kid's menus. I'm curious to see if it really is the food or if it's just the sitting down to mealtime that is the problem. We will have chicken nuggets, fish sticks, mini pizzas, hamburgers... just to name a few. My concern is that most of this is processed foods with lots of sodium and fat. If it turns out that the problem is the food I'm going to search out healthier homemade versions of the foods rather than the processed stuff.
Here is last night (Sunday)'s dinner:
And, to make me feel better... I decided to have a little "processed" treat for myself, so I made a Betty Crocker cupcake mix with some cream cheese icing. Yum. They almost made me forget that I was serving my kids grilled cheese for dinner. :D
Sophia has always given me a hard time about eating. Not so much what she's eating, but just getting her to eat. She's always been distracted. She wants to talk and play and eating just isn't in her schedule. My husband says it's because I serve unfriendly kid meals. (i.e. chicken teriyaki and rice)
So, I have decided to serve a week's worth of kid friendly meals. I'm taking my meal ideas from kid's menus. I'm curious to see if it really is the food or if it's just the sitting down to mealtime that is the problem. We will have chicken nuggets, fish sticks, mini pizzas, hamburgers... just to name a few. My concern is that most of this is processed foods with lots of sodium and fat. If it turns out that the problem is the food I'm going to search out healthier homemade versions of the foods rather than the processed stuff.
Here is last night (Sunday)'s dinner:
And, to make me feel better... I decided to have a little "processed" treat for myself, so I made a Betty Crocker cupcake mix with some cream cheese icing. Yum. They almost made me forget that I was serving my kids grilled cheese for dinner. :D
March 3, 2012
Pinterest has ruined me
After being on Pinterest for a while now I've had the opportunity to browse a lot of blogs. This has lead me to realize two things. First, this blog of mine SUCKS! and I need to spend 2012 improving. This means better organization, more focus per posting, more pictures, a better overall design... Yeah, that about covers it.
The second thing Pinterest did was to make my "to do" list and/or wish list a thousand times longer. Now I have too many crafts to try and get great at, too many foods to cook and eat, and too many ideas for my own style. I can do it. I can, I can, I can.
February 22, 2012
Listings and stuff
I managed to find Pinterest. This website has become my newest addiction. It is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing in that it has given me lots of ideas and inspiration for all of the crafts and baking and cooking I want to try. Curse in that I spend so much time looking at the pins and finding things to pin that I've neglected to *do* anything. Everything has a double edged sword, now doesn't it?
On that note and back to my new year's resolutions (which by the way I have not had great success with thus far) I'm going to make a list of the some of the things I want to get to further my goals.
For the kitchen:
a new LARGE crockpot
personal soup pots for individual pot pies, soups, etc.
some good knives- not a set- individual
a large stock pot for cooking soups in large quantities
some mixed, funky cereal bowls (lots of colors and stuff)
some freezer-friendly pans/dishes
a couple extra large muffin/cupcake tins- enough for at least 12, up to 24
a hand mixer (I can't beleive I don't have one of these)
some more mixing bowls
some new pans
some new metal bread pans
a dutch oven
I'm sure there are several other pots I could use
- I know the list goes on... just not sure what else... right now.
For the bathroom:
More towels
more washcloths
some rugs that match
a large mirror for the downstairs
a hand towel ring for Zoe's bathroom
a toilet paper holder for Zoe's bathroom
some general decor
a garbage can for the downstairs bathroom
candles for the bathrooms
For my bedroom:
a crib
bedside tables
a comforter
bedding: bedskirt, shams, etc.
extra sheets
a headboard
baskets for the shelves
decorations for the shelves: candle holders, picture frames, vases, etc.
curtains
lamps
a small reading chair and ottoman
This is my list... so far... Boring reading, but helpful for me. :)
On that note and back to my new year's resolutions (which by the way I have not had great success with thus far) I'm going to make a list of the some of the things I want to get to further my goals.
For the kitchen:
a new LARGE crockpot
personal soup pots for individual pot pies, soups, etc.
some good knives- not a set- individual
a large stock pot for cooking soups in large quantities
some mixed, funky cereal bowls (lots of colors and stuff)
some freezer-friendly pans/dishes
a couple extra large muffin/cupcake tins- enough for at least 12, up to 24
a hand mixer (I can't beleive I don't have one of these)
some more mixing bowls
some new pans
some new metal bread pans
a dutch oven
I'm sure there are several other pots I could use
- I know the list goes on... just not sure what else... right now.
For the bathroom:
More towels
more washcloths
some rugs that match
a large mirror for the downstairs
a hand towel ring for Zoe's bathroom
a toilet paper holder for Zoe's bathroom
some general decor
a garbage can for the downstairs bathroom
candles for the bathrooms
For my bedroom:
a crib
bedside tables
a comforter
bedding: bedskirt, shams, etc.
extra sheets
a headboard
baskets for the shelves
decorations for the shelves: candle holders, picture frames, vases, etc.
curtains
lamps
a small reading chair and ottoman
This is my list... so far... Boring reading, but helpful for me. :)
January 26, 2012
Happy Birthday to me
I celebrated my birthday this week- Tuesday. It was uneventful and could easily have passed for any other day except that my grandmother called me which we never does and my friend Denise left me a piece of red velvet cake on the front porch which I ate and thoroughly enjoyed. The beauty of getting older is that eventually it fails to bother you that you're getting older. You just begin to appreciate the fact that you aren't dead or dying. Ha ha.
The funny thing is that I'm 36 (shhhh... don't tell) and I realized that it was at this age that my mother had saw her daughter graduate from high school, had a brain aneurism and nearly died, almost lost her father, and became a grandmother. All I can think is damn. What a lot to happen in her short life. Then again, Zoë is a Junior and will graduate soon. I pray she doesn't get pregnant any time soon because I'm still doing the mommy thing, I'm not ready to do the grandma thing. But overall, I've been very healthy.
I think birthdays and getting older have somehow become less exciting over the last few years. I don't feel the need to make a big deal about it like I used to. It's become just another day. And that's sad. I think we should all celebrate our birthdays with great pizazz because being born is certainly the greatest gift any of us are ever given. I think we should love ourselves enough to make a big fuss about the fact that we have graced this Earth with our presence. Why shouldn't we?
And for that matter... why aren't we also celebrating the people that brought us into this world? I always tell my parents, "Happy becoming a parent day" on my birthday. I'm the first born and I gave them the first opportunity to succeed (or fail) at being a parent. What a wonderful gift!
My final thought on birthdays is in regards to gift giving. I used to send cards out to everyone I cared about on their birthday. I have a calendar that tells me everyone's birthday and their kids' birthdays and I sent out 30+ cards a month. It was a way for me to let them know I was thinking about them and I was celebrating their birth because I was glad I had the chance to be touched by their life. I did this for years. Last year I decided not to do it because it was expensive and it felt like the people I was sending cards to didn't really care. No one said thank you. And last year when they didn't get their cards, no one said they missed them. Well... not no one. One person said she missed my cards for her and her kids. And this year she sent me a birthday card.
I can't tell you how happy it made me. How it put a smile on my face (not just because the card was funny). I remembered why I sent those cards. It was not for me, but for the people I cared about. So... this year... I'm going to save myself some money and make funny little birthday cards for the people I care about and send them out. I hope that they appreciate the cards, feel special and loved and know that I care about them. I hope it makes others feel as good as it made me feel to receive that card.
Happy birthday to me. And happy life to you.
The funny thing is that I'm 36 (shhhh... don't tell) and I realized that it was at this age that my mother had saw her daughter graduate from high school, had a brain aneurism and nearly died, almost lost her father, and became a grandmother. All I can think is damn. What a lot to happen in her short life. Then again, Zoë is a Junior and will graduate soon. I pray she doesn't get pregnant any time soon because I'm still doing the mommy thing, I'm not ready to do the grandma thing. But overall, I've been very healthy.
I think birthdays and getting older have somehow become less exciting over the last few years. I don't feel the need to make a big deal about it like I used to. It's become just another day. And that's sad. I think we should all celebrate our birthdays with great pizazz because being born is certainly the greatest gift any of us are ever given. I think we should love ourselves enough to make a big fuss about the fact that we have graced this Earth with our presence. Why shouldn't we?
And for that matter... why aren't we also celebrating the people that brought us into this world? I always tell my parents, "Happy becoming a parent day" on my birthday. I'm the first born and I gave them the first opportunity to succeed (or fail) at being a parent. What a wonderful gift!
My final thought on birthdays is in regards to gift giving. I used to send cards out to everyone I cared about on their birthday. I have a calendar that tells me everyone's birthday and their kids' birthdays and I sent out 30+ cards a month. It was a way for me to let them know I was thinking about them and I was celebrating their birth because I was glad I had the chance to be touched by their life. I did this for years. Last year I decided not to do it because it was expensive and it felt like the people I was sending cards to didn't really care. No one said thank you. And last year when they didn't get their cards, no one said they missed them. Well... not no one. One person said she missed my cards for her and her kids. And this year she sent me a birthday card.
I can't tell you how happy it made me. How it put a smile on my face (not just because the card was funny). I remembered why I sent those cards. It was not for me, but for the people I cared about. So... this year... I'm going to save myself some money and make funny little birthday cards for the people I care about and send them out. I hope that they appreciate the cards, feel special and loved and know that I care about them. I hope it makes others feel as good as it made me feel to receive that card.
Happy birthday to me. And happy life to you.
December 26, 2011
The New Year is Coming
I barely made it through my 2011 "Resolutions" so the idea of making 2012 resolutions seems ridiculous. But who am I if not ridiculous! :-) So... here we go...
First, I'm very anxious about life with the new baby. Being able to juggle him, Sophia, Zoe, and Dave feels somewhat daunting. Zoe's schedule is always hectic, Sophia is demanding of my time, attention, and energy. Dave's expectations of my "role" in the family is as high maintenance as he can be if I don't stay on top of things. Not to mention my course load this upcoming semester and my own goals. I feel quite fortunate that Ethan is such a laid back baby and hopefully that won't change.
I am going to focus this year on a couple of things that should keep life in balance, and assist in my ability to juggle everyone.
1. I want to get us on a very good and fairly strict family schedule. I think that we have really been lacking that consistent schedule and that's been a big problem for Sophia especially. I want to focus our schedule around Sophia so that she can get up and moving on time and in particular focus on the evening schedule getting dinner at a decent hour and a bath and bedtime routine.
2. I absolutely have to focus on my health. I didn't gain much while I was pregnant, but I didn't exactly start off at a good weight. I'm getting older and my body just isn't "bouncing" back like it used to. It can't handle the sugar and junk food/lack of exercise regiment I've maintained these last 35 years. So, with the new year I am going to focus on making exercise a part of my weekly if not daily routine. The fact that I'm taking Fitness Walking as one of my courses this semester helps, but I have to do more. I want to incorporate some yoga/pilates in with the cardio that will be Fitness Walking.
3. Related to #2 is focusing on the eating habits of myself as well as my family. We can always eat healthier and I'd like to really focus on getting the right kinds of nutrition for the family. My Dad gave me a freezer meals cookbook and I'd like to really incorporate that into our family meal time plans. This would make food available for them to pop in the microwave that's good for them (and me). Not to mention, if planned right, this would be wonderful for my pocketbook too. Cha-ching. $$$
4. I want to focus some of my extra money and attention on the house. There is such a long list of things we need for this house and even more that I want. I've been living in this house for a year and a half now and have been in Raleigh for three years and it's time to make this HOME. Not just the place we live, but a complete home. I need to hang pictures and curtains. There's no reason I can't get some things to complete the decoration of this house. Of course, I need a list. The list may be more fun to make than to actually buy from.
5. I absolutely have to get to the crafts I want to do. I can sew and should focus on doing it. I want to learn to knit/crochet and there's no reason I can't learn. This year I'm going to make crafting a part of my weekly schedule. My crafting includes finishing the last bit of Zoe's quilt, making Ethan's crib quilt, making Sophia's new quilt for her new bed, and working on the many patterns I have in the books I have. Plus, hair bobbits, tutus, and whatever else I can think of.
I'm going to "limit" my list to these five things. They kind of include a lot so I don't feel bad for limiting myself. I really hope I can accomplish these 5 resolutions plus maybe throw in a few extras. I hope that these 5 help me get organized in my life as well as in my home. I hope I lose weight and get healthy. I hope I help Sophia to be happier and more secure in her family. I hope I am able to balance the family and house and self. I hope that 2012 brings me as much happiness and inner peace as 2011 has brought. So far, 2011 has been the year I've grown the most in and I hope that trend continues.
Happy New Year readers.
First, I'm very anxious about life with the new baby. Being able to juggle him, Sophia, Zoe, and Dave feels somewhat daunting. Zoe's schedule is always hectic, Sophia is demanding of my time, attention, and energy. Dave's expectations of my "role" in the family is as high maintenance as he can be if I don't stay on top of things. Not to mention my course load this upcoming semester and my own goals. I feel quite fortunate that Ethan is such a laid back baby and hopefully that won't change.
I am going to focus this year on a couple of things that should keep life in balance, and assist in my ability to juggle everyone.
1. I want to get us on a very good and fairly strict family schedule. I think that we have really been lacking that consistent schedule and that's been a big problem for Sophia especially. I want to focus our schedule around Sophia so that she can get up and moving on time and in particular focus on the evening schedule getting dinner at a decent hour and a bath and bedtime routine.
2. I absolutely have to focus on my health. I didn't gain much while I was pregnant, but I didn't exactly start off at a good weight. I'm getting older and my body just isn't "bouncing" back like it used to. It can't handle the sugar and junk food/lack of exercise regiment I've maintained these last 35 years. So, with the new year I am going to focus on making exercise a part of my weekly if not daily routine. The fact that I'm taking Fitness Walking as one of my courses this semester helps, but I have to do more. I want to incorporate some yoga/pilates in with the cardio that will be Fitness Walking.
3. Related to #2 is focusing on the eating habits of myself as well as my family. We can always eat healthier and I'd like to really focus on getting the right kinds of nutrition for the family. My Dad gave me a freezer meals cookbook and I'd like to really incorporate that into our family meal time plans. This would make food available for them to pop in the microwave that's good for them (and me). Not to mention, if planned right, this would be wonderful for my pocketbook too. Cha-ching. $$$
4. I want to focus some of my extra money and attention on the house. There is such a long list of things we need for this house and even more that I want. I've been living in this house for a year and a half now and have been in Raleigh for three years and it's time to make this HOME. Not just the place we live, but a complete home. I need to hang pictures and curtains. There's no reason I can't get some things to complete the decoration of this house. Of course, I need a list. The list may be more fun to make than to actually buy from.
5. I absolutely have to get to the crafts I want to do. I can sew and should focus on doing it. I want to learn to knit/crochet and there's no reason I can't learn. This year I'm going to make crafting a part of my weekly schedule. My crafting includes finishing the last bit of Zoe's quilt, making Ethan's crib quilt, making Sophia's new quilt for her new bed, and working on the many patterns I have in the books I have. Plus, hair bobbits, tutus, and whatever else I can think of.
I'm going to "limit" my list to these five things. They kind of include a lot so I don't feel bad for limiting myself. I really hope I can accomplish these 5 resolutions plus maybe throw in a few extras. I hope that these 5 help me get organized in my life as well as in my home. I hope I lose weight and get healthy. I hope I help Sophia to be happier and more secure in her family. I hope I am able to balance the family and house and self. I hope that 2012 brings me as much happiness and inner peace as 2011 has brought. So far, 2011 has been the year I've grown the most in and I hope that trend continues.
Happy New Year readers.
December 16, 2011
Birthday 2012
Yes, I'm thinking ahead. But this is just absolutely the coolest idea ever! For my... um... (can I pass for 25 still?) birthday I'm going to throw my own birthday party. A Cookies and Cocktails party. I got the idea from here:
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/cookies-cocktails/cookies-cocktails/index.html
I was up at 3 a.m. for Ethan's late night feeding and I happened to catch the show and was like, totally cool! Ironically... or Coincidentally, I checked my email that day and had an invite to a cookie exchange which is basically the same idea without the adult festive beverages. I'm thinking about having the beverages and making this a couples party so my friends and their significant others can come, but also have some kid friendly cookies and beverages so that everyone can bring their children.
I'm especially excited to try some of these recipes, especially the Momofuku Compost Cookies and Cereal Milk Cocktail. Of course, let's hope none of my invitees are on major New Year's diets.
While I'm on the topic of things I think are cool... this show has a lot of fun stuff that I'd like to find the recipes for to try at home since it's unlikely I will get to many of the places on it:
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/unique-sweets/index.html
For Denise and in referenve to this post I am posting my grandma's chocolate chip cookie recipe. These cookies are so much yummier than what you find on the back of the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip bag. Maybe it's the crisco that makes them over the top yummy. They're not too sweet, just the right mix of sweet and salty. The recipe doesn't make that many cookies, maybe a dozen or a baker's dozen or so... But then again, if the recipe made more than that I'd be tempted to eat more than that and I don't need more.
Nana's Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crisco
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons water
1 6oz bag of chocolate chips
1/2 cups nuts (optional)
Cream crisco and sugars
Add egg, blend well
Add vanilla and water
Sift flour, salt and soda together
Add flour mixture to cookie mixture
Stir in chips and nuts
Bake 375
9 minutes
ungreased cookie sheet
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/cookies-cocktails/cookies-cocktails/index.html
I was up at 3 a.m. for Ethan's late night feeding and I happened to catch the show and was like, totally cool! Ironically... or Coincidentally, I checked my email that day and had an invite to a cookie exchange which is basically the same idea without the adult festive beverages. I'm thinking about having the beverages and making this a couples party so my friends and their significant others can come, but also have some kid friendly cookies and beverages so that everyone can bring their children.
I'm especially excited to try some of these recipes, especially the Momofuku Compost Cookies and Cereal Milk Cocktail. Of course, let's hope none of my invitees are on major New Year's diets.
While I'm on the topic of things I think are cool... this show has a lot of fun stuff that I'd like to find the recipes for to try at home since it's unlikely I will get to many of the places on it:
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/unique-sweets/index.html
For Denise and in referenve to this post I am posting my grandma's chocolate chip cookie recipe. These cookies are so much yummier than what you find on the back of the Nestle Toll House chocolate chip bag. Maybe it's the crisco that makes them over the top yummy. They're not too sweet, just the right mix of sweet and salty. The recipe doesn't make that many cookies, maybe a dozen or a baker's dozen or so... But then again, if the recipe made more than that I'd be tempted to eat more than that and I don't need more.
Nana's Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup crisco
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons water
1 6oz bag of chocolate chips
1/2 cups nuts (optional)
Cream crisco and sugars
Add egg, blend well
Add vanilla and water
Sift flour, salt and soda together
Add flour mixture to cookie mixture
Stir in chips and nuts
Bake 375
9 minutes
ungreased cookie sheet
September 5, 2011
Zoë's Baby Quilt
I was a late bloomer when getting into sewing. My mother and grandmother could barely sew on a button so it's not like I grew up learning about sewing. To be honest, I like sewing. I LOVE quilting. When my friend Marcy first showed me the how, I went on a rampage and made like 5 quilt tops. It was nearly 3 years late before I actually quilted any of them. The first quilt I made from start to finish was a baby quilt for Sophia. I finished it just a few days before she was born.
Now, with another baby on the way, I decided to make a new quilt for him. But of course, Zoë says to me, "Um... hey. I'm the first born. Where's my quilt?" It just so happened I had saved the rocking chair cushion from her baby bedding set. I took it apart and washed the material. I put together a couple of rows, but they turned out horribly (see pic) so I scrapped them and went for a pattern I knew I could do- a double pinwheel.
Here is the main block. It's actually a really easy pattern and as long as you line up your corners, it looks great. I wasn't able to make a good number of blocks so I had to do 18 which made the overall quilt center very long and skinny. To adjust for that I did the outside borders wide on the sides (3") and thin on the top and bottom (1"). I was somewhat concerned about what borders to do. I wanted a green check, but all I could find was a green with tiny white polka dots. It turned out to be good enough (I can't really say better or not since I don't have the checked to compare). And I'm going to do the back in the green as well.
At this point, all I have to do is pin the back and batting and do the actual quilting. Then Zoë will finally have her baby quilt at 16 years old. Is it better late than never? :)
Now, with another baby on the way, I decided to make a new quilt for him. But of course, Zoë says to me, "Um... hey. I'm the first born. Where's my quilt?" It just so happened I had saved the rocking chair cushion from her baby bedding set. I took it apart and washed the material. I put together a couple of rows, but they turned out horribly (see pic) so I scrapped them and went for a pattern I knew I could do- a double pinwheel.
I know it doesn't look like it's terrible here, but the material from the rocking chair cushion was really difficult to work with so when I would sew it, the lines didn't quite line up. Plus, I used the 9 patch from Sophia's quilt which was cute in her quilt, but in this one, it just didn't seem to fit. The double pinwheel actually turned out really pretty.
At this point, all I have to do is pin the back and batting and do the actual quilting. Then Zoë will finally have her baby quilt at 16 years old. Is it better late than never? :)
August 29, 2011
Updates on things
I tried the rice pudding again with some leftover rice from dinner a few nights ago. The rice measured a barely a cup and a half cooked, but I used all other ingredients as measured. It turned out much creamier this time and much closer to good ol' Uncle Ben's. I forgot to add the raisins which was disappointing, but that's just mentioned because I forgot. Also, the recipe says to pour the liquid over the rice, but I suggest mixing it too because I got a nice custard type overlay and then just plain rice on the bottom. Once I stirred it all up it was fine, but it might have cooked more flavor into the rice if I'd mixed it up before baking. Finally, I set the timer for only one hour so I could check it every few minutes after, but I was busy putting Sophia to bed and Zoë pulled the pudding out of the oven when the timer went off. Turns out one hour was the right amount of time and everything turned out pretty yummy.
I have a bunch of recipes to post, but I'm too tired to post them tonight. Now that school has started I'm barely finding time to do anything that isn't completely revolved around studying. Trying to finish my classes three weeks early is challenging and requires my complete and utter attention. Sometimes I look at school and wonder what I'm doing this for. The school keeps preaching about the importance to future employers of involvement in school activities, but how do I find time? Between school work, housework, kids, husband, any kind of social life (it's very slim right now), and just having a moment to breathe... well, I already have to give up sleeping, eating, and bathing. I suppose I could quit going to the bathroom and that would free up some time to engage in club activities, but at some point I just have to release the (excuse me here) crap. I hope future potential employers will appreciate my endurance and see my "extra-curricular activities" as valuable despite their obvious lack of academic prestige.
I'm now at 24 weeks and the baby is moving quite a bit now. He rolls and kicks. I find it funny that I can press on my belly two times and he kicks two times or I can press three times and he kicks three times. Only once has he missed. I'm not sure if this is a sign of his inevitable genius IQ or if this is copycat behavior with no real thought. It's hard not to wonder what a baby thinks about in there. They surely have thoughts, but no reference as to what to think about. I imagine he's thinking, "I need more room in here." Of course, I also imagine he's a 10 pound baby that is 4 feet tall already.
Maternity clothes still disappoint me. I was looking at Old Navy maternity the other day and noticed that all of the tops make the women's breasts look saggy and gross. What's up with that? And while I haevn't bought much (thank you Erin and Ana) I finally broke down and bought a few things that were more... my style. The jeans, however, while completely cute cut into the middle of my belly and are super uncomfortable. I can't decide if I should take them back or not. I was very excited that Forever21 has a maternity line until I saw what they had. Where are the funky, fun clothes they usually carry? I need someone to write to about this. Someone that can design a line worth wearing and still affordable. I found a cute pattern book on etsy.com in Amy Japan's store, but I can't find it now. Maybe it's gone. It had some really nice patterns and if I could sew as well as I wish I could I would have bought the book and whipped up some interesting and fun things. For now, I'll just settle with complaining about my lack of selection and wear my hand-me-downs.
I'm off to bed. It's been a long weekend and I have a long week ahead of me. Good night! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............
I have a bunch of recipes to post, but I'm too tired to post them tonight. Now that school has started I'm barely finding time to do anything that isn't completely revolved around studying. Trying to finish my classes three weeks early is challenging and requires my complete and utter attention. Sometimes I look at school and wonder what I'm doing this for. The school keeps preaching about the importance to future employers of involvement in school activities, but how do I find time? Between school work, housework, kids, husband, any kind of social life (it's very slim right now), and just having a moment to breathe... well, I already have to give up sleeping, eating, and bathing. I suppose I could quit going to the bathroom and that would free up some time to engage in club activities, but at some point I just have to release the (excuse me here) crap. I hope future potential employers will appreciate my endurance and see my "extra-curricular activities" as valuable despite their obvious lack of academic prestige.
I'm now at 24 weeks and the baby is moving quite a bit now. He rolls and kicks. I find it funny that I can press on my belly two times and he kicks two times or I can press three times and he kicks three times. Only once has he missed. I'm not sure if this is a sign of his inevitable genius IQ or if this is copycat behavior with no real thought. It's hard not to wonder what a baby thinks about in there. They surely have thoughts, but no reference as to what to think about. I imagine he's thinking, "I need more room in here." Of course, I also imagine he's a 10 pound baby that is 4 feet tall already.
Maternity clothes still disappoint me. I was looking at Old Navy maternity the other day and noticed that all of the tops make the women's breasts look saggy and gross. What's up with that? And while I haevn't bought much (thank you Erin and Ana) I finally broke down and bought a few things that were more... my style. The jeans, however, while completely cute cut into the middle of my belly and are super uncomfortable. I can't decide if I should take them back or not. I was very excited that Forever21 has a maternity line until I saw what they had. Where are the funky, fun clothes they usually carry? I need someone to write to about this. Someone that can design a line worth wearing and still affordable. I found a cute pattern book on etsy.com in Amy Japan's store, but I can't find it now. Maybe it's gone. It had some really nice patterns and if I could sew as well as I wish I could I would have bought the book and whipped up some interesting and fun things. For now, I'll just settle with complaining about my lack of selection and wear my hand-me-downs.
I'm off to bed. It's been a long weekend and I have a long week ahead of me. Good night! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............
August 15, 2011
Mmmm.... Chicken Salad
I was never a fan of chicken salad until I got pregnant in 2004. I fell in love with McAllister's chicken salad during my short-lived pregnancy. My love was rekindled at a friend's house last summer. But she couldn't remember the recipe so I started a search for a recipe that had all of the ingredients I wanted. It turned out I had to just put a lot of recipes together until I found a taste I liked. I've had confirmation by a friend as well as by the husband that this recipe is tasty so I'm sharing.
Beware: there are absolutely no "measurements" here. It's really mostly just throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl until it's just right. Also note that in my pictures I used the food processor. I usually hand chop everything, but I actually liked it better in the food processor because it tasted more blended and smooth, not so chunky. I like to eat this spread on Ritz crackers, but it's also good on bread or toast or however you like to eat your chicken salad.
2 Good sized chicken breasts
3 Celery stalks
1/2 yellow onion
1 Granny Smith Apple
A handful of raisins
A glob (yes, that's the technical term) of mayonaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
Boil chicken breasts until they're done
Trim celery and wash
Cut the core out of the apple and peel
Throw chicken, celery, onion, and apple into food processor
OR chop celery, onion, and apple until pretty small pieces and shred chicken
Add raisins and mayonaise
Serve in your favorite way. Like I said, my favorite way is spread on Ritz crackers in blobs (yes, another technical term). It's definitely better on crackers when it's more spreadable, but the chunkier style is good as a sandwich. YummmmmmY!
Beware: there are absolutely no "measurements" here. It's really mostly just throwing a bunch of stuff in a bowl until it's just right. Also note that in my pictures I used the food processor. I usually hand chop everything, but I actually liked it better in the food processor because it tasted more blended and smooth, not so chunky. I like to eat this spread on Ritz crackers, but it's also good on bread or toast or however you like to eat your chicken salad.
2 Good sized chicken breasts
3 Celery stalks
1/2 yellow onion
1 Granny Smith Apple
A handful of raisins
A glob (yes, that's the technical term) of mayonaise
Salt and Pepper to taste
Boil chicken breasts until they're done
OR chop celery, onion, and apple until pretty small pieces and shred chicken
Add raisins and mayonaise
August 14, 2011
The Fresh Market
I LOVE the Fresh Market. Sure, it's generally overpriced on some of the basic staples- although a lot of the "staples" there are organic and/or special in some way. And yes, I'd rather hit the local Farmer's Market for vegetables and fruits. Fortunately, Raleigh has an amazing Farmer's Market. But the Fresh Market is a chain grocery store that offers that little something special.
It's not really the food, or the prices, or the specialized selection that appeals to me. It's the atmosphere. There's always some kind of quiet music playing in the background- probably classical, but I can't say for sure. The smells of fresh flowers intermingled with coffee and fresh baked goods all swim in my senses. The lower lighting makes everything look and feel softer. The displays are very neat and personalized. Everything adds up to exactly how I wish my house looked, felt, smelled, sounded. It doesn't, but I can dream, right?
The Fresh Market seems to cater to older, wealthier clientele or more gourmet shoppers than I am. I found a beautiful aged Ghouda there that I hadn't been able to find in any of the local chains (i.e. Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter). And they have this wonderful meal deal that for $13.99 you can get a rotisserie chicken, corn bread, and two baked sides (we usually go with mashed potatoes and macaroni). It's all fresh baked/cooked foods in their deli department. For that price, it's a great meal and even the four of us can usually get two meals out of it. I often throw in some fresh green beans or peas just to color the meal up.
My favorite thing at the Fresh Market, besides the atmosphere is their spice selections. Here is where you can actually get a great deal. For $1.19 you can get a little empty spice jar. Then for nearly half the price of your normal grocery chains you can get your spices in little plastic bags marked with the type of spice and the expiration date. I bought 6 or 7 spices at Kroger- a few Kroger brand and a few McCormicks if Kroger brand wasn't available. Only one spice was cheaper at Kroger and it was on sale and only cheaper by a few cents than the Fresh Market. These included paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and ground cumin (all staples in my house). The jars, of course, are reusable so I break out my label maker... well, I don't actually have a label maker so I break out my post-its and packing tape.... and label each jar. Plus, this is awesome for creating your blends like the fajita blend I made.
I still frequent the local chains because let's face it, I'm can't afford every meal from the Fresh Market, but for any of those special meals or any time I want a spice or just when I need a short little get-away from the kids I'll take a quick "vacation" to the Fresh Market and usually come out feeling happy I did.
It's not really the food, or the prices, or the specialized selection that appeals to me. It's the atmosphere. There's always some kind of quiet music playing in the background- probably classical, but I can't say for sure. The smells of fresh flowers intermingled with coffee and fresh baked goods all swim in my senses. The lower lighting makes everything look and feel softer. The displays are very neat and personalized. Everything adds up to exactly how I wish my house looked, felt, smelled, sounded. It doesn't, but I can dream, right?
The Fresh Market seems to cater to older, wealthier clientele or more gourmet shoppers than I am. I found a beautiful aged Ghouda there that I hadn't been able to find in any of the local chains (i.e. Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter). And they have this wonderful meal deal that for $13.99 you can get a rotisserie chicken, corn bread, and two baked sides (we usually go with mashed potatoes and macaroni). It's all fresh baked/cooked foods in their deli department. For that price, it's a great meal and even the four of us can usually get two meals out of it. I often throw in some fresh green beans or peas just to color the meal up.
My favorite thing at the Fresh Market, besides the atmosphere is their spice selections. Here is where you can actually get a great deal. For $1.19 you can get a little empty spice jar. Then for nearly half the price of your normal grocery chains you can get your spices in little plastic bags marked with the type of spice and the expiration date. I bought 6 or 7 spices at Kroger- a few Kroger brand and a few McCormicks if Kroger brand wasn't available. Only one spice was cheaper at Kroger and it was on sale and only cheaper by a few cents than the Fresh Market. These included paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and ground cumin (all staples in my house). The jars, of course, are reusable so I break out my label maker... well, I don't actually have a label maker so I break out my post-its and packing tape.... and label each jar. Plus, this is awesome for creating your blends like the fajita blend I made.
I still frequent the local chains because let's face it, I'm can't afford every meal from the Fresh Market, but for any of those special meals or any time I want a spice or just when I need a short little get-away from the kids I'll take a quick "vacation" to the Fresh Market and usually come out feeling happy I did.
July 18, 2011
Favorite Books
The other night I went to a cookout at a friend's house who is the proud mommy of a beautiful 6 month old baby girl. While I was there she asked me about finding children's books and I promised her a list of some of mine and Sophia's favorites. The thing about making this list is that I am a book collector. I have well over 500 books for Sophia. They are piled on book shelves, in the floor, in drawers. And I don't stop buying them. If I see a good book I buy it (assuming the price is reasonable). I like to buy books from yard sales and used book stores, but I'll rarely pay more than a dollar or two depending on the book.
I loved being a member of the Chilren's Book of the Month club. Yes, it's a mail order book club, but they don't randomly mail books out to you and charge your credit card and over all you get some great books at half or lower than retail. Here's a link: http://www.cbomc.com/ I got some great books and spent maybe $150 total. Of course I paid more than a dollar or two, but some of the books I got retail for up to $12.
Being a native Tennessee- Sophia was born in Knoxville- we also belong to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which is an awesome program. I hope when I have extra money to give I can give to this program because it's been wonderful for us. A book every month of Sophia's life until she's 5!!!! I think it's only for Tennessee residents, but other states should follow suit if they don't have a program like this. THANK YOU DOLLY PARTON!!!! Here's a link to the Imagination Library if you're not already signed up: http://imaginationlibrary.com/. I'm hoping to sign up the new baby when he's born.
I have to give credit to Chick Fil A for their contribution to our book collection including the Laura Numeroff collection. Sophia has mostly grown out of the "under 3 board books" but they have been great additions and quick easy reads for her.
Ok. List of books we love. I might have to come in and edit this adding titles, author info or whatnot. Post any questions you have on anything I post and I'll answer with any details you need.
For the Toddler:
Any of the "Spot" books are great for toddlers. They usually tear them up, but they're well-worth the expense.
"Biscuit" books are less intelligible, but kids seem to enjoy them.
Sandra Boynton books are great fun to read. We like:
Pajama Time
What's Wrong Little Pookie
Blue Hat, Green Hat (which guarantees giggles with every "Oops")
Doggies
The Belly Button Book (we don't own this one, but have read it many times)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier (honestly, this one is more for the parents than the kids)
For the older toddler/preschooler:
We all know Dr. Suess books are fabulous. But not all Dr. Suess are equal. These are the ones Sophia loved:
The Foot Book
Green Eggs and Ham
The Eye Book
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
Fox in Socks (fun for parents too- challenge your significant other to read it as fast as he/she can)
My Many Colored Days
Some PD Eastman books from the Dr. Suess collection:
Are you My Mother?
Ten Apples Up on Top
Berenstain Bears Books:
The B Book
On The Moon
Any of the Berenstain Bears books are great books. The character of them is that Stan and Jan Berenstain wrote the books for their kids and you can buy the books in sets to grow with your child's reading attention and ability.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a must to any library. It's another parent's book
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (I suggest the individual books because the all-in-one collection is hard to hold with a child snuggled in your lap.)
Momma Will You by Dori Chaconas
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (an absolute must-have)
Curious George by H.A. Rey (It's a bit old fashioned, but the kids don't seem to notice.)
Every child should have one "Classical Fairy Tales" book. It's not necessarily important which one as long as it covers the classics (Three Bears*, Three Little Pigs, Tom Thumb, Hansel and Gretel)
*I got a great Goldilocks and The Three Bears book adapted by Jan Brett from the Imagination Library. Her illustrations are phenomenal and worth buying it separate.
Jane O' Connor has created the best girlie books ever- Fancy Nancy. If you have a little girl, get these books. Beware of the actual Jane O' Connor books and the "adapted from" books. I noticed a difference enough to bother me although Sophia didn't seem to mind. We like:
Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
We have Fancy Nancy Exporer Extraoridnaire, but I find this book tedious to read and maybe would be better when your child can read it herself.
Olivia books are great for little girls too. We have the original Olivia as well as Olivia's Christmas.
Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann is a good girlie book. If you get the series (which I recommend) beware of Purplicious because it's very... dramatic. My drama queen picked up on all of the extreme drama.
Laura Numeroff books are wonderful:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Take a Mouse to School
etc. They're all pretty fun to read and I think help kids see the cycle of thinking and interrelatedness.
Another amazing children's author is Doreen Cronin. I haven't found a book of hers that wasn't great. Her books have that great humor that appeals to kids AND parents.
Click Clack Moo
Duck For President
Mo Willems has the monopoly on dual humor
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Knuffle Bunny (We don't own this book, but have read it many times.)
If you at all celebrate Christmas (religious or not) you must own "Twas The Night Before Christmas". Be sure to look at the illustrations because the story is so common, but the illustrations can really *make* the story.
Other non-religious Chirstmas books to own:
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (get the book before the movie)
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
A book we own now, but I wish we'd owned when Sophia was little is The Big Book of Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery. It's a great book to read and has some starter reading potential.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (although it can be scary for little kids at that nightmare age)
Corduroy by Don Freeman (I've seen there are other Courduroy books, but I haven't read any of them so I can't comment. The original is just wonderful though.)
Beatrix Potter books are fun to read. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one we enjoy as well as Jemima Puddle Duck.
I think every kid should have a book of Mother Goose, but again, the illustrations can make or break the book. I recommend the Mary Engelbreit version. Her illustrations are colorful and interesting. The Real Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher is BORING and DULL and I ended up getting rid of our copy.
If you're interested in Bible stories, children's Bibles are the scariest! I asked around and somehow ended up with three copies now of The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories. The illustrations are cute and it covers all of the stories kids should know.
This list is hardly complete, not to mention the fact that I keep adding to our collection as fast as I can and they keep writing awesome books. Plus, Sophia is learning to read faster than the bullet train so we're having to add more and more "grown up" books. In any case, this list should get anyone started with their collection.
I loved being a member of the Chilren's Book of the Month club. Yes, it's a mail order book club, but they don't randomly mail books out to you and charge your credit card and over all you get some great books at half or lower than retail. Here's a link: http://www.cbomc.com/ I got some great books and spent maybe $150 total. Of course I paid more than a dollar or two, but some of the books I got retail for up to $12.
Being a native Tennessee- Sophia was born in Knoxville- we also belong to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which is an awesome program. I hope when I have extra money to give I can give to this program because it's been wonderful for us. A book every month of Sophia's life until she's 5!!!! I think it's only for Tennessee residents, but other states should follow suit if they don't have a program like this. THANK YOU DOLLY PARTON!!!! Here's a link to the Imagination Library if you're not already signed up: http://imaginationlibrary.com/. I'm hoping to sign up the new baby when he's born.
I have to give credit to Chick Fil A for their contribution to our book collection including the Laura Numeroff collection. Sophia has mostly grown out of the "under 3 board books" but they have been great additions and quick easy reads for her.
Ok. List of books we love. I might have to come in and edit this adding titles, author info or whatnot. Post any questions you have on anything I post and I'll answer with any details you need.
For the Toddler:
Any of the "Spot" books are great for toddlers. They usually tear them up, but they're well-worth the expense.
"Biscuit" books are less intelligible, but kids seem to enjoy them.
Sandra Boynton books are great fun to read. We like:
Pajama Time
What's Wrong Little Pookie
Blue Hat, Green Hat (which guarantees giggles with every "Oops")
Doggies
The Belly Button Book (we don't own this one, but have read it many times)
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier (honestly, this one is more for the parents than the kids)
For the older toddler/preschooler:
We all know Dr. Suess books are fabulous. But not all Dr. Suess are equal. These are the ones Sophia loved:
The Foot Book
Green Eggs and Ham
The Eye Book
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
Fox in Socks (fun for parents too- challenge your significant other to read it as fast as he/she can)
My Many Colored Days
Some PD Eastman books from the Dr. Suess collection:
Are you My Mother?
Ten Apples Up on Top
Berenstain Bears Books:
The B Book
On The Moon
Any of the Berenstain Bears books are great books. The character of them is that Stan and Jan Berenstain wrote the books for their kids and you can buy the books in sets to grow with your child's reading attention and ability.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a must to any library. It's another parent's book
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (I suggest the individual books because the all-in-one collection is hard to hold with a child snuggled in your lap.)
Momma Will You by Dori Chaconas
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper (an absolute must-have)
Curious George by H.A. Rey (It's a bit old fashioned, but the kids don't seem to notice.)
Every child should have one "Classical Fairy Tales" book. It's not necessarily important which one as long as it covers the classics (Three Bears*, Three Little Pigs, Tom Thumb, Hansel and Gretel)
*I got a great Goldilocks and The Three Bears book adapted by Jan Brett from the Imagination Library. Her illustrations are phenomenal and worth buying it separate.
Jane O' Connor has created the best girlie books ever- Fancy Nancy. If you have a little girl, get these books. Beware of the actual Jane O' Connor books and the "adapted from" books. I noticed a difference enough to bother me although Sophia didn't seem to mind. We like:
Fancy Nancy
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly
Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
We have Fancy Nancy Exporer Extraoridnaire, but I find this book tedious to read and maybe would be better when your child can read it herself.
Olivia books are great for little girls too. We have the original Olivia as well as Olivia's Christmas.
Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann is a good girlie book. If you get the series (which I recommend) beware of Purplicious because it's very... dramatic. My drama queen picked up on all of the extreme drama.
Laura Numeroff books are wonderful:
If You Give a Moose a Muffin
If You Give a Pig a Party
If You Take a Mouse to School
etc. They're all pretty fun to read and I think help kids see the cycle of thinking and interrelatedness.
Another amazing children's author is Doreen Cronin. I haven't found a book of hers that wasn't great. Her books have that great humor that appeals to kids AND parents.
Click Clack Moo
Duck For President
Mo Willems has the monopoly on dual humor
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Knuffle Bunny (We don't own this book, but have read it many times.)
If you at all celebrate Christmas (religious or not) you must own "Twas The Night Before Christmas". Be sure to look at the illustrations because the story is so common, but the illustrations can really *make* the story.
Other non-religious Chirstmas books to own:
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (get the book before the movie)
The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
A book we own now, but I wish we'd owned when Sophia was little is The Big Book of Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery. It's a great book to read and has some starter reading potential.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (although it can be scary for little kids at that nightmare age)
Corduroy by Don Freeman (I've seen there are other Courduroy books, but I haven't read any of them so I can't comment. The original is just wonderful though.)
Beatrix Potter books are fun to read. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one we enjoy as well as Jemima Puddle Duck.
I think every kid should have a book of Mother Goose, but again, the illustrations can make or break the book. I recommend the Mary Engelbreit version. Her illustrations are colorful and interesting. The Real Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher is BORING and DULL and I ended up getting rid of our copy.
If you're interested in Bible stories, children's Bibles are the scariest! I asked around and somehow ended up with three copies now of The Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories. The illustrations are cute and it covers all of the stories kids should know.
This list is hardly complete, not to mention the fact that I keep adding to our collection as fast as I can and they keep writing awesome books. Plus, Sophia is learning to read faster than the bullet train so we're having to add more and more "grown up" books. In any case, this list should get anyone started with their collection.
July 13, 2011
Homemade Waffles anyone?
I used to buy Bisquick. It's easy, it's quick, it's a box. But once I ran out and I wanted waffles and I had no money to run to the store and grab a box of Bisquick. So, I made some from scratch. Yes, ladies and gentleman, from scratch. It sounds waaaaay harder than it is. It's actually extremely simple and you could even make a big batch of the dry ingredients and save it in tupperware for later use.
Here it is for you waffle-y yum-ness. Note: I have pictures in this post. I've added pictures to a few other older posts in case you really want to see my masterwork for yourself.
Wonderful Waffles
3T unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2T sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
I just throw it all in a bowl
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Then put it on my favorite waffle iron from Williams Sonoma using a ladel
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I usually keep my iron on about 4 or medium to get the best waffles. Too high and they're too cripy and kinda dry, too low and they aren't done. Perfectly golden is what you're looking for.
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They really aren't that bad for you I suppose until you add the butter and syrup (which I always do), but if you want to add a little health and/or just make breakfast taste extra special, serve with some fresh cut strawberries and milk. I made this beautiful breakfast for Sophia and me.
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Alton Brown once said you can freeze homemade waffles for L'eggo my Eggo type waffles you can pop in the toaster. I haven't tried this, but I do put them in the fridge. We try to eat them within the week and I usually toast mine lightly to bring back some of the "crunch" they lose. This is so simple I haven't bought Bisquick since. Shhh... don't tell Bisquick.
Here it is for you waffle-y yum-ness. Note: I have pictures in this post. I've added pictures to a few other older posts in case you really want to see my masterwork for yourself.
Wonderful Waffles
3T unsalted butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
2T sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
I just throw it all in a bowl
June 21, 2011
Silly Contests and Shameful plug
She's so cute. And I have soooo many followers and readers (haha) but in case someone is out there, maybe they'll see this and vote... often.
http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/399502
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http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/399502
June 16, 2011
Vacation Bible School
Ok. First, I'll take responsibility for my failure. I should have started looking into it weeks ago rather than waiting last minute. And there's no reason I waited. Lazy I guess. (I did the same thing with swim lessons and we missed them this summer.)
But ya know what? So what if I'm late? Shouldn't every child get a chance to participate? They have a waiting list, but said it was unlikely the waitlist kids would be called. Isn't it a church's responsibility to give every child a chance? Isn't vacation Bible school teaching Jesus's lessons? Did Jesus turn people away? Ever? Maybe I misread or misremember the Bible, but I thought Jesus always said to let them come. He never turned people away. And especially not children.
The Church's reasons? They've already purchased and prepared the crafts. If I'd called 10 days ago they would have made sure she got in. What? Seriously? They're going to charge me $50 to participate and can't take my $50 and go buy the necessary crafts tomorrow? Heck... I'll go buy them. And I offered to volunteer. My one child for help with 5 others? Isn't that a win-win?
And if VBS is too full, why not open it up for another week? Let the kids that didn't get a chance to sign up- sign up. Does it really take that much more resources? Especially when you're working with $50 per child and your expenses are...? There's no paid employees (and if there are- that's a problem there. What happened to stewardship?). Ok, you have to pay utilities for a building you already keep running whether you have something going on or not. And there are all of those supplies that I'm sure costs... how much per child?
I think angry isn't really the word. Disappointed. I'm disappointed in my church that (if you've read my past posts) doesn't offer me any accountability for attendance, hasn't really given me any real reason to participate (or reasonable way), doesn't make me feel any more connected to God. I'm disappointed that my church would ever turn away my child, or any child for that matter. "Don't worry Sophia. You can learn about God... next year... if Mommy gets signed up in time." Yeah. There's a good Bible lesson.
But ya know what? So what if I'm late? Shouldn't every child get a chance to participate? They have a waiting list, but said it was unlikely the waitlist kids would be called. Isn't it a church's responsibility to give every child a chance? Isn't vacation Bible school teaching Jesus's lessons? Did Jesus turn people away? Ever? Maybe I misread or misremember the Bible, but I thought Jesus always said to let them come. He never turned people away. And especially not children.
The Church's reasons? They've already purchased and prepared the crafts. If I'd called 10 days ago they would have made sure she got in. What? Seriously? They're going to charge me $50 to participate and can't take my $50 and go buy the necessary crafts tomorrow? Heck... I'll go buy them. And I offered to volunteer. My one child for help with 5 others? Isn't that a win-win?
And if VBS is too full, why not open it up for another week? Let the kids that didn't get a chance to sign up- sign up. Does it really take that much more resources? Especially when you're working with $50 per child and your expenses are...? There's no paid employees (and if there are- that's a problem there. What happened to stewardship?). Ok, you have to pay utilities for a building you already keep running whether you have something going on or not. And there are all of those supplies that I'm sure costs... how much per child?
I think angry isn't really the word. Disappointed. I'm disappointed in my church that (if you've read my past posts) doesn't offer me any accountability for attendance, hasn't really given me any real reason to participate (or reasonable way), doesn't make me feel any more connected to God. I'm disappointed that my church would ever turn away my child, or any child for that matter. "Don't worry Sophia. You can learn about God... next year... if Mommy gets signed up in time." Yeah. There's a good Bible lesson.
June 15, 2011
Total Gleek
So, I've become a total Gleek. If you don't know what that is, you need to get to know it. I'm a geek for the TV show Glee. Of course, I can't just watch a show without knowing about it, the stars, the background. So, I searched all of the actors on IMBD, then googled the ones I'm most interested in. Which, in this case is nearly all of them.
There are many things I like about this show. Growing up, some of my favorite movies were musicals- Annie, Oliver Twist, My Fair Lady... the list goes on. Glee is like a weekly, hour-long musical movie. How wonderful is that?
But, as if that's not awesome enough (which it is), but they also add all of the drama I love in these weekly shows I get involved in- not too ridiculous, not too much, just enough. He loves her who loves him who loves himself. That kind of thing. The show also incorporates a lot of the "issues" that not only high school teenagers can relate to, but also I can as an adult. Maybe I'm relating to high school Karmen's issues, but I still relate. I love that the show addresses real problems kids face today- sex, teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, popularity, confliction between being oneself and being accepted, bullying. The list really goes on. With the right discussion to my teenage daughter, the show is a great way to open a dialogue about any of the issues she may be having.
Now because my train of thoughts are just often erratic like this- I became very intrigued by the sexual preference issues on the show. I mean, there is certainly a real issue of homosexuality dealt with on the show what with Kurt and Blaine and "the kiss seen around the world" as well as Santana and her struggle to win Brittany completely. But my interest in this situation lead me to thinking about the real preferences of the actors/actresses outside of the show. Which of course, I googled. A lot came up, but what *really* interested me was an article in much debate in the Newsweek. Here it is... http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/30/straight-jacket.html
What I found interesting in this article was that in some ways, I guess I agree with it, and in some ways I definitely do not. Whatever the point of the author was intended to be, I don't think the controversey reflected his stated intentions.
Let's consider White Collar with Matt Bomer, a show I love. Matt Bomer is totally hot. I definitely created many a fantasy that included him as the leading male role. But, like Glee, I spent some research time and found that not only was Matt gay, he was involved in a long-term monogamous relationship and had adopted children. In White Collar he does not play a gay man, but quite the opposite. He's a bit of a lady's man in the show. Did reading that he's gay change my view of the show or Matt's role in it? Yes. Slightly. But does he play a very convincing straight man? I would say absolutely. Is my "gaydar" broken? Perhaps. Or maybe both his relationship status and his fatherhood status make him that much more sexy. And maybe he's just that good of an actor. And maybe the kisses he shares with some of the leading ladies is just passionate enought to stir my inner longing to be that leading lady of the moment.
Then again, maybe I'm just jaded because of my attraction to Matt Bomer's good looks and the sexy character he plays. I decided to think a little harder on the subject. I've seen several shows and movies where Eric McCormack (Will from Will and Grace, in case you don't know) plays a straight man. From all of my research, he *is* a straight man. But I still find it less than convincing that he could ever be straight. Is it because I don't find him as attractive as I do Matt Bomer? Maybe, although there are some pretty steamy photos of Eric that could lead to a fantasy or two. Or maybe the Newsweek article has a point.
Does the type of person and/or role make a difference? Eric McCormack is more effiminate than Matt Bomer. Neil Patrick Harris doesn't strike me as particularly effiminate, but Sean Hayes does. Does that make it easier for me to believe Neil Patrick Harris could be a straight man, but Sean Hayes could not? My dad is a pretty effiminate guy, but I don't doubt for a second his heterosexuality.
Type-casting can be hard to overcome no matter who you are or what role you're playing. Can anyone (at least my age who grew up on Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) ever really look at Keanu Reeves and not expect him to break out into his Ted character, like totally? Ok, maybe that one is just me. He certainly broke the mold with the Matrix and I can almost take him seriously...almost. But what about Lisa Kudrow? Won't she always be Phoebe from Friends in our minds? Will anyone ever see Fran Dresher as anything other than the loud, obnoxious Nanny? Didn't Jennifer Aniston do the Good Girl specifically to escape her Rachel character from Friends? I guess the low budget, small film Dreams for an Insomniac wasn't enough for her to escape Rachel even though her acting in that film was beyond awesome and actually made me a huge fan. Maybe this is the real reason I have a hard time seeing Eric McCormack as a straight man. He played Will Truman for a long time. I haven't yet seen his Matrix or Good Girl role that breaks the stereotype for me.
And maybe the question to ask really, is why does it matter? I mean, whatever your real life choices are, isn't it acting? Aren't these men playing roles? Tom Hanks was never really stranded on an island with a Wilson volleyball that becamse his best friend but I'm no less convinced while watching Cast Away. And when has George Clooney ever been a Vegas thief as he was in all of the Ocean's movies? Can we really believe Elijah Woods was ever anything more than a hobbit when watching the Lord of the Rings movies?
Bottomline- I think the problem is not the actor's sexual preference that type-casts him, but rather the roles he chooses and the length he's seen in those roles. Play a gay man once, I doubt you're going to be condemned to playing gay men for life, but play a gay man in a legendary show for years might put you into certain category of available characters. And be a gay man playing straight, it's no less convincing than a straight man playing gay as long as it's done right. Of course, I can't speak for the Hollywood side of things. What I can say, is if I were a leading lady and someone asked me to have some passionate scenes with Matt Bomer, Jonathan Goff, Sean Hayes... ya know what? I'd do it! Because it would be my job (and his) to play the parts we have. And honestly, any of these men are great actors from the shows, movies, whatever that I've seen. Maybe we need to just get it out of our minds that their personal lives have anything to do with their roles and let them be the professional men they are trying to be. Maybe if we're so caught up in who he's sleeping with when he goes home from his "job" then we've lost the point of TV or a movie or a Broadway show. Entertainment. Get lost in the story. Enjoy the experience. Stop analyzing it for what it's not and start enjoying it for what it is.
There are many things I like about this show. Growing up, some of my favorite movies were musicals- Annie, Oliver Twist, My Fair Lady... the list goes on. Glee is like a weekly, hour-long musical movie. How wonderful is that?
But, as if that's not awesome enough (which it is), but they also add all of the drama I love in these weekly shows I get involved in- not too ridiculous, not too much, just enough. He loves her who loves him who loves himself. That kind of thing. The show also incorporates a lot of the "issues" that not only high school teenagers can relate to, but also I can as an adult. Maybe I'm relating to high school Karmen's issues, but I still relate. I love that the show addresses real problems kids face today- sex, teenage pregnancy, homosexuality, popularity, confliction between being oneself and being accepted, bullying. The list really goes on. With the right discussion to my teenage daughter, the show is a great way to open a dialogue about any of the issues she may be having.
Now because my train of thoughts are just often erratic like this- I became very intrigued by the sexual preference issues on the show. I mean, there is certainly a real issue of homosexuality dealt with on the show what with Kurt and Blaine and "the kiss seen around the world" as well as Santana and her struggle to win Brittany completely. But my interest in this situation lead me to thinking about the real preferences of the actors/actresses outside of the show. Which of course, I googled. A lot came up, but what *really* interested me was an article in much debate in the Newsweek. Here it is... http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/30/straight-jacket.html
What I found interesting in this article was that in some ways, I guess I agree with it, and in some ways I definitely do not. Whatever the point of the author was intended to be, I don't think the controversey reflected his stated intentions.
Let's consider White Collar with Matt Bomer, a show I love. Matt Bomer is totally hot. I definitely created many a fantasy that included him as the leading male role. But, like Glee, I spent some research time and found that not only was Matt gay, he was involved in a long-term monogamous relationship and had adopted children. In White Collar he does not play a gay man, but quite the opposite. He's a bit of a lady's man in the show. Did reading that he's gay change my view of the show or Matt's role in it? Yes. Slightly. But does he play a very convincing straight man? I would say absolutely. Is my "gaydar" broken? Perhaps. Or maybe both his relationship status and his fatherhood status make him that much more sexy. And maybe he's just that good of an actor. And maybe the kisses he shares with some of the leading ladies is just passionate enought to stir my inner longing to be that leading lady of the moment.
Then again, maybe I'm just jaded because of my attraction to Matt Bomer's good looks and the sexy character he plays. I decided to think a little harder on the subject. I've seen several shows and movies where Eric McCormack (Will from Will and Grace, in case you don't know) plays a straight man. From all of my research, he *is* a straight man. But I still find it less than convincing that he could ever be straight. Is it because I don't find him as attractive as I do Matt Bomer? Maybe, although there are some pretty steamy photos of Eric that could lead to a fantasy or two. Or maybe the Newsweek article has a point.
Does the type of person and/or role make a difference? Eric McCormack is more effiminate than Matt Bomer. Neil Patrick Harris doesn't strike me as particularly effiminate, but Sean Hayes does. Does that make it easier for me to believe Neil Patrick Harris could be a straight man, but Sean Hayes could not? My dad is a pretty effiminate guy, but I don't doubt for a second his heterosexuality.
Type-casting can be hard to overcome no matter who you are or what role you're playing. Can anyone (at least my age who grew up on Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) ever really look at Keanu Reeves and not expect him to break out into his Ted character, like totally? Ok, maybe that one is just me. He certainly broke the mold with the Matrix and I can almost take him seriously...almost. But what about Lisa Kudrow? Won't she always be Phoebe from Friends in our minds? Will anyone ever see Fran Dresher as anything other than the loud, obnoxious Nanny? Didn't Jennifer Aniston do the Good Girl specifically to escape her Rachel character from Friends? I guess the low budget, small film Dreams for an Insomniac wasn't enough for her to escape Rachel even though her acting in that film was beyond awesome and actually made me a huge fan. Maybe this is the real reason I have a hard time seeing Eric McCormack as a straight man. He played Will Truman for a long time. I haven't yet seen his Matrix or Good Girl role that breaks the stereotype for me.
And maybe the question to ask really, is why does it matter? I mean, whatever your real life choices are, isn't it acting? Aren't these men playing roles? Tom Hanks was never really stranded on an island with a Wilson volleyball that becamse his best friend but I'm no less convinced while watching Cast Away. And when has George Clooney ever been a Vegas thief as he was in all of the Ocean's movies? Can we really believe Elijah Woods was ever anything more than a hobbit when watching the Lord of the Rings movies?
Bottomline- I think the problem is not the actor's sexual preference that type-casts him, but rather the roles he chooses and the length he's seen in those roles. Play a gay man once, I doubt you're going to be condemned to playing gay men for life, but play a gay man in a legendary show for years might put you into certain category of available characters. And be a gay man playing straight, it's no less convincing than a straight man playing gay as long as it's done right. Of course, I can't speak for the Hollywood side of things. What I can say, is if I were a leading lady and someone asked me to have some passionate scenes with Matt Bomer, Jonathan Goff, Sean Hayes... ya know what? I'd do it! Because it would be my job (and his) to play the parts we have. And honestly, any of these men are great actors from the shows, movies, whatever that I've seen. Maybe we need to just get it out of our minds that their personal lives have anything to do with their roles and let them be the professional men they are trying to be. Maybe if we're so caught up in who he's sleeping with when he goes home from his "job" then we've lost the point of TV or a movie or a Broadway show. Entertainment. Get lost in the story. Enjoy the experience. Stop analyzing it for what it's not and start enjoying it for what it is.
June 12, 2011
Dating while married
Yesterday my husband and I spent most of the day together. It started when he woke me up to go get coffee. Of course, I can't drink coffee right now so I had water and a breakfast pocket. It was quite an adventure since the coffee shop he likes was blocked by the Breast Cancer awareness walk so we had to park a block away and walk only to find the road had been opened by the time we got to the coffee house. Haha!
After coffee we caught a movie- X-Men- which I totally recommend as one of the best X-Men movies yet. By the time we got home it was 3:30 in the afternoon. Sophia was already laid down for quiet time so we had another hour of eating lunch (quite late) and just watching some TV. Once Sophia was up and Zoe was carefully taken to a block party at a friend's house the hubby and I watched yet another movie on DVD.
Dating my husband has changed. We used to go to some nice restuarant for a meal and perhaps with friends. Alcohol was generally involved in some quantity- large or small. We rarely saw movies. We talked, a lot about the future, the past, the present. Dates usually ended in heated passionate ways. Now, I barely brush my hair, rarely wear makeup, and while I often try to dress as nice as I can I've been known to go out wearing yoga pants and a tee shirt if we're not going anywhere more than the movies. Our dates usually have little or no talking- he spent the morning on his iPad at the coffee house while I stared down the people around me and glared at the counter girl that was reluctant to give a pregnant woman a glass for water; then a movie which allows such minimum talking as "ooh... that movie looks good." And the only passion dates end in now is my passion for eating and his for browsing motorcycles on ebay.
I want to complain, but really, I like the comfort zone we've come to in our marriage. Sure, I miss passion. Every movie that has any kind of passionate kiss sends me over the edge, but I just don't see my husband that way anymore. Now he's that man whose hair I have to clean out of the bathroom sink every week and whose socks never seem to match up when I'm folding laundry. He's the man that gripes at me when he's had a bad day at work or the man that loves me dearly when he's feeling all "romantic." We're comfortable. It's easy- mostly.
So, date night has changed. Maybe when the kids are older we'll regain some passion or maybe not. Either way I suppose it's good that we get those snippets of time together to reconnect however superficially and just be an "us" for a while.
After coffee we caught a movie- X-Men- which I totally recommend as one of the best X-Men movies yet. By the time we got home it was 3:30 in the afternoon. Sophia was already laid down for quiet time so we had another hour of eating lunch (quite late) and just watching some TV. Once Sophia was up and Zoe was carefully taken to a block party at a friend's house the hubby and I watched yet another movie on DVD.
Dating my husband has changed. We used to go to some nice restuarant for a meal and perhaps with friends. Alcohol was generally involved in some quantity- large or small. We rarely saw movies. We talked, a lot about the future, the past, the present. Dates usually ended in heated passionate ways. Now, I barely brush my hair, rarely wear makeup, and while I often try to dress as nice as I can I've been known to go out wearing yoga pants and a tee shirt if we're not going anywhere more than the movies. Our dates usually have little or no talking- he spent the morning on his iPad at the coffee house while I stared down the people around me and glared at the counter girl that was reluctant to give a pregnant woman a glass for water; then a movie which allows such minimum talking as "ooh... that movie looks good." And the only passion dates end in now is my passion for eating and his for browsing motorcycles on ebay.
I want to complain, but really, I like the comfort zone we've come to in our marriage. Sure, I miss passion. Every movie that has any kind of passionate kiss sends me over the edge, but I just don't see my husband that way anymore. Now he's that man whose hair I have to clean out of the bathroom sink every week and whose socks never seem to match up when I'm folding laundry. He's the man that gripes at me when he's had a bad day at work or the man that loves me dearly when he's feeling all "romantic." We're comfortable. It's easy- mostly.
So, date night has changed. Maybe when the kids are older we'll regain some passion or maybe not. Either way I suppose it's good that we get those snippets of time together to reconnect however superficially and just be an "us" for a while.
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