Manic Monday-on Tuesday

As an adult, what is your favorite thing about summer: grilling, a chilled white wine, sitting on the deck


What was your favorite thing about summer when you were a kid? running around with my cousins catching fireflies in an old jelly jar at my grandparent's house.


In 2010, it will be the summer of the: monkeys. It is the book I am reading the kids.



Want to play? Lisa hosts Manic Monday at : Manic Monday meme

Manic Monday and a fun new car

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why? Being married to Husband. We have been married twelve years this fall. It certainly doesn't feel like it. I guess it is true, time flies when you are having fun!

What is on your bedside table? a Tiffany style lamp that my sister gave me, a Bose Ipod docking station (that I got for Husband when he got home from Iraq....I wonder how it ended up on my bedside table???) and usually whatever book I am reading.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? 7: two in pillowcases, two in some mustard yellow shams, two in one that coordinates with the duvet cover, and one foo foo pillow (that has somehow ended up on Livi's bed)

Do you make your bed every day? Are you kidding me? Of course I do!

Husband came home with this fun little sporty coupe. (This pic is straight from the Volvo website.) After his head on collision, it made it all too clear that despite you being a safe driver, you never know what the other guy is going to do. The car is so fun and is Safety's friend. Will called it a "go speed racer".

Manic Monday

Imagine you're packing a picnic lunch. What would be in your basket? Are kids involved? PBJs, apples, baby carrots, juice and water. Adults: cheese and crackers, olives, some crusty sandwiches, and wine.

If your life were a weather vane, which direction would it be pointing right now? Which ever way the wind is blowing? Since school is out, it is going to be fairly laid back summer.

What's something that people do in traffic that really annoys you? Kind of funny you should ask this, I took this pic with my Iphone in traffic today. Do you see what I see on that truck? Look closer, just below the tag....yeah, those are truck balls. Now who in their right mind decides it is a grand idea to hang balls from their trucks? Not only that, but when Will asks, "Mommy, what is that?" Nice.....wait until your dad gets home, ask him!

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

Awesome weekend here....we did a little kite flying.

Will had his final soccer game. I had a Mother-of-the-Year moment: I had another game on my calendar for him. So I left before the end to get dinner started. I was so sad when he walked in the house beaming with his new trophy! Oh smell, it happens.

This morning, I dropped him off at his first camp. He is going to a half day soccer camp. He looked so little out there with all the big kids. He didn't say much to me about it except a minor problem in the bathroom: he couldn't get the faucet on to wash his hands! But when he was telling Husband about it, he went on and on about it. Husband said he hasn't heard him talk that much about anything!

First week of summer vacation has started!

Manic Monday

If you could completely redecorate any room in your house at no expense to you, what room would you choose? The master bedroom. Every other room in the house is pretty much done. I absolutely love West Elm or Pottery Barn. One day we will get to it. It definitely always seems like our home is a work in progress.

Which hour of the day do you feel goes the slowest? That moment just before my alarm clock goes off....I wish kids came with a snooze button. You know, just bop them on the head and they go back to sleep for nine more minutes! Yeah, wishful thinking...I know.

If your birthday could be in a different month of the year, when would you have it? Anytime during the school year. I never got to bring cupcakes in for my classmates since my birthday is in the summer. I did have one teacher that did half-birthdays! I would totally bring my chocolate chocolate chip cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

Manic Monday

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

What's the best summer job you ever had? babysitting...the mom would tip really well after having a glass or more at the end of the evening.

Tell me about the worst date you ever went on.: I had been teaching for a couple of years. There was this super cute student teacher. We did the standard first date: dinner and a movie. When he picked me up in this car that looked like its next stop should be the scrap yard...I really tried not to judge. He was just finishing up school. He walked around to open the door, kind of impressed. He was a coach, didn't seem like the type! Once he got in on his side, he said, "That door is a wee bit loose." uumm, excuse me...what do you mean loose, define loose. I kid you not, after the dinner on the way to the movie, the freaking door fell OFF! Now that I look back at it, it just sounds funny.

Do you think the age for a driver's license should be raised (currently 16 here in the U.S.)? Since mine are more than 10 years from the age, I really have no opinion. Granted most of my friends did get in wrecks within a few months of getting their permit.

future driver in 2019

future driver in 2020

pics randomly found on my Iphone from recently....the kids love taking pictures of themselves.

Manic Monday

Do you recycle? We switched to our own grocery bags last year. Why or why not? I had way too many of those plastic sacks. I can only line so many trash cans. We don't do anything else primarily because our trash service doesn't offer it. I don't think I have even seen any of the drop off sites in town either.

Would you rather be a pirate or a prince/princess? Princess all the way! I already would have the best teacher. These pics are from her fourth birthday party We do have a Princess Primer

Are you into astrology? Not really, I know I am a Cancer...and I can be really crabby! But other than that, not at all. If yes, how does it affect your life?

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

Manic Monday

Are you a saver or spender? Depends on the moment....a cute top I see, definitely spending.

Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes? ugh, definitely slippers or socks in a pinch (if I can't find one of several pairs of slippers). I can't like cold feet!

Do you talk to yourself? More so in my head than out loud. But yes, I continually have a dialogue going on inside my head!

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

ps....just a little note on the slippers....I was very hesitant to get them...I HATE toe cleavage...but they are oh so comfortable and remind me of the old ballet house slippers I use to wear. Do they not make those anymore? You know, the ones with the little leather soles, the little stretchy tops.....oh well....these are a close second, even with toe cleavage!

Manic Monday

What would you do with an extra hour each day? Easy .....I'd sleep.

Do you wear a watch? Yes......If so, tell us about it. I recently just bought a Bulova for my last big birthday. It is a gorgeous stainless steel watch with a face that looks pink or white depending on the light. I love it!

If not, how do you keep track of time?

If it was possible, would you want to know how many days you had left to live? Oh, very deep question for a Monday night. But I don't think I would want to know.

I hope listen to my heart and live each day as best as I can, I know I try.

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

PS...no muffins today. I think we are going to move muffin Monday to Tuesday and call it Tuesday treats. Mondays are way too busy around here. Also both of these pics were taken one year ago ! I searched "listen" on my Flickr.

Happy Monday, y'all!

Manic Monday

If I was a car, I'd be: XC70 wagon...safe and fun

If I was a drink, I'd be: a white wine-a little fruity, sometimes sweet

If I was emotion, I'd be: not going to with the safe answer of happy....so I would say optimistic. Despite being a very realistic person, I know things will always work out even if I worry about it!

No muffins today, Will is sick again. He would want to help. I can't be making everyone in the neighborhood sick!

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

Manic Monday and a cookie

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

What's one of the simple pleasures in your life? I would definitely say baking and cooking with the kids. I started muffin Monday when Husband was deployed. It has since become a tradition. We have made some great muffins, shared them with friends, and learned to bake in the process. Unless one kid is sick, we pretty much do some type of baking every week.

What do you like to snack on when you watch a movie? Husband's popcorn: air popped with butter and a bit of salt. I don't like movie theater popcorn at all! When I was younger I used to mix Sugar Babies with popcorn. It was like caramel popcorn right in your mouth!

If you were a Survivor contestant, what would be your luxury item? Probably something practical like a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman.

We decided to make cookies this week for a little change in the routine. I asked Will why he wanted them, he said because they had chocolate. Can't argue with that logic?

We used the recipe on the back of the Nestle chocolate chip bag. I didn't have a whole bag, so we mixed mini semi-sweet chips and big milk chocolate chips. We added the pecans as well. They really were good! As usual, plate and share with friends.

Want one?

Manic Monday

Of all your favorite foods, which one would you find the most difficult to give up for the rest of your life? Definitely carbs....bread and pasta. I could NEVER do an Adkins diet.

Which month of the year do you thing best describes your personality? Before a few years ago, I would have definitely said some perky month. I think my personality is starting to mellow.

If you could be a contestant on any game show, past or present, which show would you pick? oooh, good question........Cash Cab


Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here


No muffins today. I had a sick little boy on my hands. We don't want to be infecting the neighborhood!

Manic Monday and Apple Pecan muffins

What is your favorite candy? anything chocolate...truffles....peppermint patties.

Name one thing that you'd want to receive as a gift for Valentine's day. Nothing really. We are going to dinner at one of those Japanese places where they prep the meal in front of you. I can't ever remember the name, so I call it the atchi wa wa (and you totally have to make chopping motions with your hand when you say it)

Can we truly love someone who loves another? It would be hard...thankfully I have never been in that position.

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

For Muffin Monday, we made these awesome apple pecan muffins. They were very good! Will was excited to get his hammer out to make the graham cracker crumbs. We had to have a lesson over banging GENTLY on the counter! These would not do very well in a mini muffin pan since you are layering them. So they are a BIG muffin.....but really good!

Apple Pecan muffins

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 c. wheat bran flakes cereal with raisins ( I just used bran flakes)
2/3 c. sugar
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 egg lightly beaten
1 c. nonfat buttermilk
2 T. butter, melted
1 c. peeled, finely chopped Rome apple ( I used pink lady since that is what I had in the house)
1/3 c. chopped pecans, toasted
2 T. sugar
3/4 t. ground cinnamon
1 T. butter, melted
vegetable cooking spray
1 T. sugar

Combine first six ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in the center of mixture. Combine egg, buttermilk, ad 2T melted butter; add to dry ingredients. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Set aside.

Combine apple and next 4 ingredients; set aside.

Spoon 2T batter into each of 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top evenly with apple mixture. Spoon remaining batter over apple mixture. (Batter will not completely cover apple mixture.) Sprinkle 1 T. sugar evenly over batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Remove from pans immediately. Plate and share with friends.

Yield: 1 dozen **These do no do well in a mini muffin pan***

Calories: 198 Protein 3.6 g Fat 6.1 g Carbohydrate 3.4 g Fiber 1.5 g Cholesterol 18mg Iron 1.5 mg Sodium 240 mg Calcium 33mg

Manic Monday and back to muffins

What's the most embarrassing song on your iPod (or music collection)? Not sure really, I do have some Dixie Chicks stuff I don't really listen to....but I do like the one about Earl.

How much time do you spend each day in your commute? (Or if you don't work outside the house, how much time do you spend in your car or other preferred mode of transportation?) Husband drops the kids off...I pick them up. So about 30 minutes both ways. Then their are various activities throughout the week....tack on 30 minutes for each of them.

What's your favorite wardrobe item and why? Usually accessories...a black bag with a pink paisley lining if my current favorite.

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

This bunch of overripe bananas helped us to get back to our muffin Monday roots. B-A-N-A-N-A Anas..., don't tell me you didn't bust out into song.

The ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 eggs
1 tablespoon mayonnaise *this part really grosses me out...but it makes it so moist*
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan. We made four mini loaves.

Livi can peel the bananas, put them into a ziplock bag, and mash them.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the egg, then the mayonnaise and bananas, beating well with each addition. Stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture; stir just enough to evenly combine. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 75 minutes. We baked ours about 30 minutes I think. Cool loaf in the pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Yeah right, like that really is going to happen in our house! We cut a slice right away and slathered with a slab of butter.

My personal favorite: Plate and share with neighbors.

PS, this recipe is originally from Study of Schoolbooks &Shoes ,

Just for your listening pleasure....or so that you can sing along with me.

Manic Monday and some snowballs

What gives you hope? I hate to sound cliche. But, the kids do.

How often do you get your haircut? I am growing out the Victoria Beckham swisshy haircut....so about every 6-8 weeks.

Describe your worst haircut. Describe? How about some visuals? (This was 1990. ) First, to get my hair that curly, it would take twice the amount of normal perming solution. Then what is up with that spaceship shape of my hair. Friends don't let friend perm!

What's your most treasured piece of jewelry? My wedding ring. Why? It is a symbol of a relationship I have with Husband, the commitment we have to each other.

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

For muffin Monday, we are almost finished with the cookie recipes we wanted to try. This one is called Pecan Snowballs. (Kind of appropriate, since we are supposed to be slammed with a snowstorm tonight.) Can you see the Littlest Pet Shop animals amongst the silly faced kids? They had to have them in the picture!

1 cup pecans
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour

*Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 8 minutes. Let cool and roughly chop.

*With an electric mixer, beat the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until fluffy.

*Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts and salt.

*Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.

*Mix in the pecans.

*Shape the dough into tablespoon-size balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

*Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

*Transfer half the balls to a second parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart.

*Bake until lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes.

*Place 1/2 cup of the sugar in a large bowl. Toss the warm cookies in the sugar and return to the baking sheet. Sift the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar over the cookies before serving.

*Plate and share with friends!

*To Freeze: Instead of refrigerating the balls of dough, freeze them on the baking sheet before storing them in bags for up to 2 months. To bake, follow the recipe instructions, baking from frozen, and use the upper end of the time range. Yield:

Makes 34 cookies
writeNutrient();
NUTRITION PER SERVINGCALORIES 120; FAT 8g (sat 4g); CHOLESTEROL 14mg; CARBOHYDRATE 12g; CALORIES FROM FAT 57%; SODIUM 15mg; PROTEIN 1g; FIBER 1g; SUGAR 6g

Manic Monday and an ooyey gooyey chocolate mistake

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

What do you do to make yourself feel better when you are sick? Go to the doc if necessary. Take meds, drink water, and rest.

What is the most amazing weather you've ever seen? Hands down, the aurora borealis. The first time I saw it, we still were in a hotel waiting for housing on post. We had lost electricity. We stepped out onto the balcony. It was like green and yellow ribbons floating across the sky. We lived in Fairbanks for almost three years. I never tired of seeing it!

Do you listen to music or talk radio in the car? Depends if I have the kids with me or not. Livi already wants me to crank up "So What" by Pink every time she hears it!

Me: Say cheese, guys. Livi, look at me.

Me: Livi, thanks for looking at me, but try not to look like crazy Jack Nicholson eyes. Will, say chocolate.

Will: oh I love chocolate!
Livi: Are we done yet?


Will: Can we just bake the brownies.

Me: Yes, sweetie, yes, we can.

These fudge brownies are VERY rich. I made the mistake of not letting them cool enough before we frosted them. So the frosting just kind of melted all over them...kind of an oooyey gooyey chocolate mistake. But they were good!

Fudge Brownies:

1/2 c. butter

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

2 eggs

1 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla

3/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1. Grease an 8x8x2 inch baking pan, set aside. In a medium saucepan melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Using a wooden spoon, beat lightly just until combined. Stir in flour and nuts.

2. Spread batter in prepared baking pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 24 brownies.

3. Top with No-Cook fudge frosting

4. Plate and share with friends.

No-Cook fudge frosting

2 1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c. butter

1/6 c. boiling water (use half of a 1/3 measuring cup)

1/2 t. vanilla

1. Combine powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add butter, boiling water and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed. Cool for 20-30 minutes or till mixture reaches spreadable consistency.

*This is the halved version of the one in the BHG cookbook. The original recipe is way too much for this small pan of brownies.

Manic Monday

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

If you were to name the most creative outlet that you have, what would it be? Probably photography. A few years ago, I would have said scrapbooking....but we all know how caught up with that.

What spot in your body would you say is the center of your emotional being? Dang, Lisa..such deep questions for a Monday evening....my spot would have to be my mind. The whole mind over matter thing.

What do you think is the secret to a tranquil soul? Living a life that has a meaning...taking care of myself and those I love.....all the other stuff is the little stuff.



Note to self: Because I think every post should include a picture. This was taken on Thursday PM...I had to make an emergency run to Target. There are just some things that I CANNOT run out of.....with just a few left in the box, I had to go stock up!

PS, no muffin Monday today......we had Husband's big bosses over for dinner! But we do have something fun in store for tomorrow.

Manic Monday and cookie Monday

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here.

Do you have any idiosyncrasies or unusual quirks when it comes to food and/or eating? I have food allergies, so I guess you could say quirks. I can't eat nuts, pork, or soy products.

Have you ever written love letters? I wrote husband while he was deployed. If so, do you still have any of them? He does have every single one of them. I have all of the ones he wrote while he was deployed as well. It was one of my very first blog posts!

How easy or difficult is it for you to say you're sorry? Getting better with age, I can definitely say. I know I don't know everything...but it sure seems that way sometimes!

I guess we should call it cookie Monday since we haven't baked muffins in so long! But I still have a pile of recipes for cookies and candies the kids want to try!

glazed lemon cookies

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large egg yolks

1/2 t. pure vanilla extract

1/4 t. kosher salt

2 c. all purpose flour

2 T. fresh lemon juice (about the juice of one lemon)

1 t. grated lemon zest

* With an electric mixer, beat the butter and the granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt, and beat to combine. Gradually add the flour, mixing until just incorporated.

*Divide the dough in half and shape into 1 1/4" diameter logs. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

*Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the logs into 3/8" thick pieces and space them 1 1/2" apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. ( I just used my pizza stone, and they were fine!) Bake until lightly golden, 16-20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.

*In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and zest until it forms a thick but pourable glaze (add more lemon juice if necessary). Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze and let set, about 15 minutes.

*Plate and share with friends.