Brainstorming

I need to start brainstorming ways for Hubs and I to celebrate 5 years married in May. I will have a limited budget so something like a vacation would be more of a pipe dream than reality.
I also need to brainstorm about Bubba's 2nd birthday. I think we will be spending that weekend at my family's property in the mountains. We will also want to have a get together with his friends during the week. I am thinking either Children's Museum or the Zoo or something along those lines.

I'll let you know what I come up with.

It's been a while

I haven't been for a couple of reasons. First, I have been reading many other blogs and that uses up almost all of my computer time. Second, we have been busy. This week included a trip to the Denver Zoo, Mommies Night last Saturday and various other stuff keeping me away from the computer. Finally, I don't have much to say. Maybe some photo posts are a better way of sharing my days without boring anyone with the mundane. I'll see about getting one or two done tomorrow.

Valentine's Weekend in review

Hubs had a birthday last Friday. His last before the big 3-0. He took it in stride but didn't want to do anything. So I postponed the celebration until Sunday. That and Bubba was sick so we couldn't have anyone over until he was better.

Valentines Day was a mellow day with a sick little but when he was tucked into bed Hubs and I did have a good time getting DRUNK. (The first time in years for me.) It was kinda nice to do low key since years past has made V-day one that I want to celebrate but just end up being disappointed. This year with no expectation things turned out well. Hubs even made dinner while I was required to sit on the sofa. Cool.

The birthday party on Sunday was nice. Again low key since we only invited his mom, brother, and the McCormicks. I made a beautiful carrot cake. It was my first frosted cake all by myself. The best part was it tasted better than it looked.


I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines Day.


By the way... Mom, thanks for the treats for the kids. I will be sure to get J & V theirs as soon as I see them.

Crimson is complete!

Do a happy dance with me. I finished my second garment for the year. Crimson is so pretty. It was looking like things weren't going to work out because of design/bra issues but a new bra helped the situation. So here it is. My pride & joy for February.


Up next is the top to match my PJ bottoms, Simplicity 2811. Who know maybe I'll even finish it before the end of the month. I don't suppose that lets me off the hook for March though.

Almost done

Crimson is almost done. I need to finish the hem and add some buttons. Procrastination is what kept me away from finishing today. Why? you may ask. It doesn't fit very well. The top panel will cover my chest but not my bra. Solution may be to buy a different bra or sew some lace or ruffle into the neckline. (Less coverage.) Also because I have apparently fallen off the weightloss wagon I look somewhat pregnant in the blouse. AND because my arms are large I couldn't use the button closure on the sleeves. That is a minor setback and I may have a creative solution for it.

State of the Goals, February Edition

Being Frugal has inspired me to do a goals address.

My 2009 Goals
1. Lose 30 more lbs - no progress here, regress actually. This month I will make sure to drink 8 glasses of water daily and cut out sweets.
2. Hand make as many birthday presents as possible - There were 2 birthdays last month and I did not make anything for either one. I do plan to make up my sister's birthday with a skirt. My uncle will be the happy recipient of a Bubba canvas.
3. Photograph more (daily) - I have been taking lots of images but this has not yet become a daily habit. I will work on making this a conscious thought daily.
4. Walk with Bubba 3x per week - We have walked a couple of times but not three times in one week. This week it is on the plan for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday.
5. Sew one thing (at least) for myself each month - I did it! Read about my success here.
6. Make cookies with Bubba 1x per week - I think for the sake of #1 this will be revised to once per month. I did make pressed cookies this month so that totally counts.
7. Get a part time job that I like - Cleaning apartments is NOT what I want to do BUT it will help me contirbute to our financial situation.
8. Make a realistic budget - I am in the data gathering stage this month (FEB) and listening to Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover on audiobook.
9. Blog more consistantly about what we are doing - since I only blogged 8 times last month I am gonna call this a bust for Jan. I am making a list of what I'd like to write in my notebook so I can get my thoughts down on paper before I get on the computer.
10. Organize my desk and business stuff and maintain it - Ha, Ha, Yea right.
11. Stay on top of business filing once a week - See #10.
12. Toilet train Bubba - no further progress
13. Decorate our bedroom - $$$ is an issue to be able to do this one.
14. Try 1 new recipe weekly - Puff Pancake
15. Trip to library bi-weekly - eek I really need to do this before my fines are too much to han.
16. Field trip to museums or zoo monthly - nope, I think we are adding the Park to this list.

Golden Brown & Delicious

Sausage-Broccoli Puff Pancake
adapted from recipe submitted by Kathy Steppler to Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• FILLING:
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 small onion, sliced into rings
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 pound bulk pork sausage
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli
• 1/3 cup uncooked instant rice
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

Place butter in a glass 9-in. pie plate; place in a 400 degrees F oven for 2-3 minutes or until butter is melted. Remove from the oven. In a bowl, whisk milk, flour, eggs and salt until smooth; pour into hot pie plate. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until puffed and golden. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute mushrooms and onion in butter until tender; remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in broccoli and rice are tender. Stir in mushroom mixture and cheese. Cover and keep warm When pancake is removed from oven, immediately spoon filling into center and serve.