Market & Bounce House

Today was my BIL's first market day of the year.  He has decided to put all of his eggs in one basket so to  say and chose Howe Meadow in Peninsula.  I am SO HAPPY for him.  The traffic was amazing and when I arrived at 11:30 (its open 9-12 on Saturdays) he had 1 order of shiitake mushrooms left.  He sold 50 orders!!!  AWESOME.  So happy for him.  My MIL was beaming.  The kids got a few minutes to hang out before pack up time.  We then swung by their house on the way home and had lunch.

Then it was the sacred nap time.  The time I live for all day.  Sometimes I feel bad thinking that way but I am getting over it, quickly.  I get SO much done!  Today I trimmed my pussy willow shrub, put together my new composter stand, pulled weeds, and prepped dinner.  I saw that my bearded iris's were blooming so I did shoot a photo of that!

I planted them to hide the well head.

My iris

I had decided that I was going to head up to the rec center to pick up the blowers to the bounce houses that I picked up last week.  A friend called and I invited her and her kiddos to dinner.  I got to the rec, and was back home in no time.  I made dinner for everyone.  It was Turkey Stuffing burgers which is from a friend from the club.  They were VERY yummy.  I'll post the recipe below but  forgot to take a photo. Oh well.  I was so excited to finish to set up the bounce house!

Our club owns 2 bounce houses and we have decided to rent them out to our members.  I wanted to set them up in a backyard environment (they are used primarily in a gym) to see how they would fair.  Setup took all of 5 minutes and we were in business.  The kids had a BLAST!  We had 2 toddlers and a 13 year old jumping continuously.  They had a blast!  Needless to say I didn't think bedtime would be any issue!  I have a feeling that we will be using these a lot!

TURKEY STUFFING BURGERS (I half this recipe)


3 lbs Ground Turkey
3 or 4 tblsp butter
2 Celery Stalks diced
1 Small Onion diced
1 C (or more) Chicken Broth
1/2 pkg Pepperidge Farm seasoned stuffing
2 eggs 
Olive oil for cooking


Melt a couple of tblsp butter and saute celery and onion until soft. Add to stuffing mixture and then add chicken stock until moist. Let sit until soft then add to turkey mix and add the two eggs. Form hand size burgers and cook in pan with a tablespoon or two of olive oil until done.


Serve on toasted Kayser buns and cranberry mayo


Cranberry Mayo: 1 c. Helman's low fat mayo and 1/2 c. cranberry sauce (in the can. Mix well, chill after use.


Okay.... gotta get to bed... I have a 5K in the morning!

Better day & Treadmill time

Today was a better day.  I woke up early to get on the treadmill but D2 did too so my plan was a bust.  We went to music class and came right home.  It was a dreary rainy day, but it saved me from having to water the new grass seed, plants and trees.  Guess it was a good thing then because I didn't want to do any of it.  We played for awhile, watched a movie and did lunch.  During nap time it became treadmill time.  My new shoes felt like a dream.  I really think I am going to email Reebok as I swear that there is some kind of thread knot behind my foot that should not be there.  Anyways, I got 2 miles in before D2 woke up... UUGGHHH.  Does this kid ever sleep??  Hubby texted me earlier in the day and said that he wished that we could have a peaceful quiet evening when he got home (apparently he had a bad say at work too).... so I asked "what time do I start drugging the kids".  HA!

Tonight I made Mexican Polenta Scramble.  I think it was from Vegetarian Times magazine.... but Im unsure.  Its a hit here, I make it with green peppers and served it with cauliflower.  Here's the recipe!

Mexican Polenta Scramble

Note: Pepitas, olive-green-hulled pumpkin seeds, are commonly used in Mexican cooking and are a perfect snack when roasted and lightly salted. I find them in the produce section of Giant Eagle. Make it a Meal: For supper, serve with a side of black beans; for brunch, with eggs and corn tortillas.

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 poblanos or 2 green bell peppers, diced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 16-ounce tube prepared plain polenta, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and sliced
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, preferably sharp
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 avocado, diced
2 tablespoons pepitas, toasted (see Tip, below)

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green and just starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir
in tomatoes, cumin and salt; cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes start to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Crumble polenta slices into the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in scallions, cheese, cilantro and lime juice. Serve the scramble topped with diced avocado and toasted pepitas.
Makes 4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each.

Per serving: 315 calories; 20 g fat (6 g sat, 8 g mono); 20 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 13 g protein; 6 g fiber; 600 mg sodium; 645 mg potassium.

Tip: To toast chopped nuts & seeds: Cook in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Crabby & Feta Shrimp

I was a total crab-ass today.  The last 2 days the bulldozer as been clearing topsoil next door.  We knew it was coming but today I was awoken by the beep beep beeping of heavy machinery.  The dogs heard it first and started barking.... which woke me up... and then woke D2 up.  I was a bit upset to say the least.  This occurred at 0730.  Yes, 730am.  Grrrrrrrr.  We were the new guys not that long ago but our land sits so far back that I DON'T THINK we interrupted anyones lives.  This is across the field.  I know, poor me, but we have really gotten used to the dark quiet back here and its making us crazy.  Hubby is constantly out there eyeing up the property line... planning how he can block everything out with trees and we both harp on the fact that life will change.  They recently marked out their septic system about 8 feet (our measurement) from the line... the law states that it has to be 10 away so we have been nuts trying to decide if we fork out the cash to have the line resurveyed or do we figure that we are 2 feet off.  IT'S INSANE.

ANYWAY....

Once the whole family woke up I decided to go for a run because I HAD to get out of the house. I also have not run sine the 10 miler a week ago.  My plan was 5 miles but I could feel the back of my right foot rubbing at about 2.5 miles. By 3 miles I had to stop.  No sense in hurting myself when I only have 2 weeks to the half.  I tucked my shoe back down and started walking back.  I did try and run another half mile with my shoe back down but it really was just uncomfortable.  I had bought a backup pair if the same shoes (reebok real flex) in a different color a few weeks ago so I may trade them out.  The current pair has given me some blister problems on that right foot a few times now.  I may try the new ones a few miles on the treadmill in the morning to break them in.  The training program winds down the mileage now anyway so I think I will still be okay.... I have said before that I would be fine going at a crawl for the half, just so I do it and just so I finish.  I do not care about times.

During nap in between throwing dirty glares at the construction men I got some yard work done.  I got my raised beds cleaned out and ready for some veggies.  I would like to get some sweet peat picked up Wednesday so that I can be in business.  I haven't decided what I am going to plant yet.  I have to talk to my BIL to see what he has grown for us.  He is an organic farmer and always grows a TON of extra plants to give to us and to sell.  We get the majority of our produce from him but I do like to have a few of the basics here for us to grow and enjoy.  Besides, I think D1 gets a kick out of watching everything grow.  This year I will do 2 double raised beds and next year we will go to four if all goes well.

I am also starting the composter up again.  2 Years ago I did a compost pile and it was strategically challenging.  We put the garden on the outside of the fence so watering was a chore... The compost pile was next to it (which also needs water).  Carrying our rotten food to this back area just wasn't ideal.  On the flip side, I didn't want a compost pile next to the house in the yard.  My MIL picked up a compost tumbler a few years ago at a yard sale.  About that time she asked me if I wanted it but I declined because I had started the pile.  Last year I was preggo and/or just gave birth so I had no time.  This year I took the MIL up on the offer and the BIL dropped it off.  Its rusty.  It needs some love.  The axle was broken so I called the company and after further inspection I ordered a whole new base and new hinges.  I will have that thing good as new by weeks end.  We are placing it next to the raised beds which is right off of the patio.  This means that it will be convenient to water, fill and empty onto the garden.  Can't wait to get started!  Pics to come!

I also got to make  a few phone calls for mom's club.  I'm really starting to get excited but VERY nervous.  I still have about 8 board positions I need to fill and I'm just not getting the responses I'd like to have.  I like to think the I am still ahead of the game time wise.  I am actively searching out a possible new meeting space and some churches were recommended.  I called one of them and got an awesome response.  They will give us the meeting space for FREE.  How awesome is that???  We spend a ton of our budget on a meeting location.  We are a MOMS CLUB.  We are a nonprofit entity that would much rather donate to a worthy cause than to pay for meeting space.  We will go on a site tour hopefully next week!  FINGERS ARE CROSSED.

Lastly, I made one of my favorite dishes.  Its from Ina Garten.  Its her Feta Shrimp.  Ohhhhh how yummy.  Not sure if I posted the recipe before but its incredibly easy and doubly fabulous..... I PROMISE.

FETA SHRIMP

4 tablespoons good olive oil, divided             1½ cups medium-diced fennel 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves) ¼ cup dry white wine 1 (14½-ounce) can diced tomatoes 2 teaspoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon Pernod 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1¼-1.5 pounds (16 to 20 per pound) peeled shrimp with tails on 5 ounces good feta cheese, coarsely crumbled 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (see note) 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 2 lemons

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a 10- or 12-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat. Add the fennel and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fennel is tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the tomatoes with the liquid, tomato paste, oregano, Pernod, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes. Arrange the shrimp, tails up, in one layer over the tomato -mixture in the skillet. Scatter the feta evenly over the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parsley, and lemon zest with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle over the shrimp.

Bake for 15 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the shrimp. Serve hot with the remaining lemon cut into wedges. 

Bunco & Bathing Suits

Well last night was bunco.  It was a success.  I started prepping at 10am.  First was the grocery store than I got home and chopped everything I had bought.  I then cleaned a bit and set everything up outside.  It was 1pm.  There were so many hours until party time I thought I had tons of time.  Let me tell you how fast time flew.  Next thing I knew it was 5:30.  Everyone arrived shorty after 6:30.  I started cooking.  One of the fondue pots wasn't getting hot enough so I started nuking things.  Then I realized I had made a mistake.  The recipe stated '2/3 cheddar/swiss mixture'.  I took it as 2/3 cup.  No..... it was 5 cups!  2 cheddar 3 swiss.  DAMN.  I quickly improvised with bags of cheese I had in the fridge.  It ended up being on the watery side (the base was beer) but it was good nonetheless.  When I was setting up I quickly realized that I had not thought this event out strategically.  When you eat at Melting Pot you are all sitting around a hotplate and can dip/cook things as you wished.  A my house, I had set everything up at one table.  I got nervous that it wouldn't work out.  I warned a few of the early people that we were just going to have to roll with it.

I painted some sticks in chalkboard pain to label the food 

All set up

The drink table!

BUNCO!

Enjoying and chatting!

Here was my menu:
Wisconsin Trio Cheese Fondue
Sam Adams Boston Lager Cheddar Cheese Fondue
Coq au Vin cooking style served with chicken, sirloin and shrimp
Benihana's ginger dipping sauce
Melting Pot's Green Goddess dipping sauce
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Rye & Sourdough breads

The cheese started to bubble and the Coq au Vin was simmering.  Everyone started eating.  At first it was a traffic jam but it settled down and seemed to be working.  I was running in 20 different directions but at least I managed to drink a beer, a glass of wine and I finally poured myself a strawberry vodka lemonade. OH MY.... it was fabulous.  It was chilly out.  I had forgotten to hook up the patio heater so that quickly became priority.  I handed out a few jackets to keep everyone comfortable.  We had 14 people show up.  I think our prior max was 11 so it seemed to be going very well.  I started the chocolate fountain while everyone was eating even though we 'do' dessert at half-time.  I just didn't want to be delayed as I was with dinner.

The 1st 2 rounds of bunco went fast... there were tons of buncos and there was a ton of movement with all the people present.  It was pretty awesome.  It was now half time.  I broke out the Chocolate Peanut Butter fountain.  OMG.... Sooooooo yummy if I do say so myself.  I served it with marshmallows, mini brownies, strawberries and I had made browned butter salted rice krispie treats.  YUM.  That was a total SCORE.  The chocolate quickly disappeared.  The end of the game came and a few people stayed and we chatted under the super moon until 1am.  Great friends, great times.  Love girls night.

Today was catch up.  I had quite a headache when I woke up and had to do some residual cleaning.  D1 had her first sleep over at Grammie's house so Hubby picked her up.  I was so busy with things all night but I did miss her so.  She's never stayed away before so it was weird waking up and her room empty.  I was happy to have her home.  We played downstairs and it quickly became nap time.  I worked outside and planted the petunias I had bought yesterday and started planting some of the plants I bought at Klyn's nursery.  We have a TON of flowers.  Last year I was big, fat and preggo and really didn't get time or energy to do much outside.  This year I am making up for it.  I want color everywhere!!!  I want tons of plants.  I will start posting photos once things start blooming.  I have my focus now on the outside.  We'll see how much I can get done.

I am one of those people who weigh themselves every day.  Diet wise, I have been doing really well lately.  I am back to wearing the bodymedia Fit band which I love.  I count all my calories and I think I am pretty darn accurate.  I have lost almost 26 pounds since the end of last year.  I felt that it was time to go bathing suit shopping. I had been looking at a few online and decided to head out to Macy's.  I took D1 with me to free up Hubby (and she likes to shop!).  So cute, I try on a suit I LOVED on the hangar... my fat ass was hanging out terribly and D1 says... "that's beautiful mommy".  LOVE HER.  I tried on 3 and just was disgusted with myself.  Looks like I will wear what I have until I venture out again.  Maybe at the 40# mark.  We stopped at Earthfare for dinner and stopped at Menchie's for frozen yogurt.... Probably didn't help me go back to trying suits on again but, hey.... it was good.

Ready & a good day!

Today was a great day.  I cleaned up a bit this morning and then it was time to head to school.  Grammie came over to watch D2 and we headed out.  D1 was in an extra good mood which was awesome.  We had a nice time at school and headed home.  Lunch & then nap.  Somehow I have now gotten both girls to nap at the same time.  I LIVE for 2pm!!!

I had gotten some yard work done and prepped my list AGAIN for the grocery, I am SO EXCITED.  D1 and I went on a short shopping trip.  Its always nice to be 1:1 with a kiddo.  D1 loves shopping.  We hit Costco, Target & Kohls before it got so late that I HAD to get home for dinner.  After getting both kids to sleep Hubby & I got everything set up for tomorrow, all the pots washed and I am ready to go!!

Tomorrow D1 will spend the night at Grammie's house for the 1st time.  This will help with having a'girls night' here for both hubby & I.  This way we really don't have to worry about interruptions, YEAH!!!

I will post a ton of photos.  I got a few cute themed things that I can't wait to post photos of.  YEAH FOR BUNCO!

Getting ready & Lazy

The last 2 days were consumed with making lists, cleaning and shopping for my upcoming Bunco night.  I always do this to myself...I get all hyped up for parties.  I have to make sure that every square inch of my house in clean, can't miss an ingredient, or else I get crazy.  It's my OCD.  Really.  I know no one else cares, but I do.  This time I have tried a new approach.... early planning.  I am the biggest procrastinator and I have decided that this time WILL be different.  It's Thursday and the house is clean.  I know that I will have to vacuum, do the windows and mop again Saturday, but its clean. I've even enlisted my landscaper into my craziness.  He knows about the party and has been by the house 2 times (and is coming again tomorrow) to resend the patio.  There is always settling with stone so he wants to to look good so he keeps coming, checking, and sanding.  Love him. 

I made my ingredient list today.  The menu is FONDUE.  I have never had a fondue party and what better time than on girls night.  Men just don't get fondue.  Hubby said that he would never pay 'that much' to cook his own food when I asked him to go to the Melting Pot.  Ha!

Themes.  I have always been a theme person when it comes to parties and this one is no different.  Saturday's theme is "April showers bring May flowers'.  I will be totally posting photos.  CAN NOT WAIT.  One more trip to the grocery store on Saturday morning for the 'fresh' stuff and I'll be done.  Lots of prep work and lots of fondue pots Saturday afternoon.  Hoping I can pull it all off!!!  I got recipes from Melting Pot so I am praying that they don't let me down.  PLEASE!?!?!??!?!?!?

Considering that my life has been consumed with this party, and the kiddos, I have not been out for a run since the 10 miler.  I have been LAZY.  Not in the sense that I have gotten more than10 minutes to sit on my rump, but just that I have not gotten to run.  I TRIED to get onto the treadmill today but I just couldn't make it work.  Too much to do!  Next week... there is always next week, right?  The half is in 2.5 weeks.  UUGGHH.  Good news is that I wore shorts today that I haven't fit into in 2 years... and they were big.  Guess I will be starting a Goodwill pile :)

Ok.... I will post photos of before and after Bunco.  My toes are crossed that all goes as planned!!!!

Oh... and here is a funny.  D1 has renamed Purple Bunny to Brother.  She walks around the house randomly asking where her Brother is.  Needless to say I about choked on my water when I heard this.  I explained to her that she doesn't have a brother and will NEVER EVER EVER have a brother.  All I can do is cringe at the thought.  WHERE DOES SHE GET THIS STUFF!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?

THANKFUL & HAPPY!!

Sometimes I think we get so caught up on schedules, what we want, and just life in general.  Today was a busy day.  Hubby had the day off so we had planned to take a site tour of a playground 'place' as we wanted to get one for D1 for her birthday.  We wanted to let her play and see what she liked/didn't like, etc. We had an uneventful morning and we were at said place by 11:30.  I had already been in contact with a salesperson so I had a few things in mind.  These playsets are pretty complex!  There are a million add ons, a million configurations, and a million accessories!!!  I knew we wanted 4 swings (2 for the kids and 2 for friends) and I ADORE tires swings.  I personally think that they are the epitome of childhood.  Well we walked out of there with books, fliers and a wealth of information.  Of course, we walked in thinking we would spend one amount and that was blown out of the water. We still left happy.  ALL of us.

We discussed our options and had a solid choice later today.   I ordered it.  D1 will get her playset 5/16.  We went with Ultrabuilt.  We felt that they had the perfect warranty, quality and maintenance for our family.  D1 had a blast on the swings, slides and tire swing!  She even fell asleep on the way home! Ahhhhh! If this thing can tire her out even one day a week, its worth it!  I will post pics then!

We arrived home to see that our patio was done.  Grass seed was laid and we can now enjoy it.  Tonight Hubby and I sat outside (even after a horrible rain storm) and discussed life.  We are truly happy and thankful for all that we have.  We talked about how we don't always feel appreciated and its always nice to feel like we are on the same team.  I love that we can communicate.  2 Cold beers and this girl is ready for bed!

Flowerbed now edged

Firepit

Playset will be here!

New look!

Flowerbed up close

Lots of grass planted