"Oh do you know the Muffin Man..."

As much as I would love to be this creative, I actually found this idea on the internet and couldn't wait to try it out! What a great way to have a special dinner out of the norm and get them to try something new...I guess the idea is that if something foreign is right next to your good old tried-and-true favorite there is a better chance of giving it a go. Plus, I think the cute presentation helps motivate little appetites.


Here is what they got: almonds, strawberries and blueberries, cheese, carrots, noodles, and mini cheese burgers (so nothing too radical but this is only the first time, didn't want to scare them off)



It was SUCH a hit that I am now contemplating how I could use this little trick on other people...like maybe if a basket of unfolded laundry is placed next to some power tools or a big plate of nachos a certain someone might be more inclined ;)

B - double E - double R - U - N

The hunter/gatherer:

See this MGD that I bought today - just because I now can, thanks to brand spanking new Colorado legislature! Mmmm...much better than the random left overs from the back of the fridge.



(I labeled this as food, kind of a stretch)

the Dinner Table

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table." - Ronald Reagan



Of course, I am much more optimistic and apt to subscribe when everything is cleaned up and put away for the night...ahhh, good-night!

Saturday Morning Snapshot

I love long weekends. We have several house projects underway this weekend (Pella storm door, ceiling fan in our room, and more painting believe it or not!) but here is what this Saturday morning looks like.

Bryan made Beniets with some mix he got in New Orleans on a business trip. They were rediculously good!



And I did a little organization project to help with the paper clutter that drives me crazy. I especially like the folder for the coupons since those are the little buggers that seem to multiply all over every counter top and drawer in the house ;)

(click the image to enlarge)

Quinoa = yummy!

It is called quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), and is a grain that comes from the Andes Mountains of South America. Quinoa's origins are truly ancient. It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization.

Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein.

We like it with a little Smart Balance and low sodium soy sauce!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

It has been a difficult task getting the boys to want to spend any time inside since there is a park right outside our front door and there are usually children out there to play with. So, we have had to come up with some ways to get them to play independently while the necessary evening chores take place.

This is flour in a baking pan (Bryan's idea!)...He briefly considered using powdered sugar but I helped him come to his senses! Now Warren can pretend to be a "plow truck guy" while I pretend to know what I am doing in the kitchen, clumsily preparing dinner.



This is painter's tape (of which there is an abundance in my house right now, go figure!!) making a two lane road on the living room floor for Jack.


OH! And we also installed a lock on the INside of the door so they can't escape in the oh-so-rare event that they attempt to disobey.

Any other ideas are warmly welcomed!

N.K.O.T.B., baby!

Is anyone else just deleriously giddy over the fact that they have a new single on the radio? I could just about buy a life-sized poster of Joey McIntyre and hang it on the ceiling above my side of the bed! Well, at least I did put the song in my play list - the poster would clash with the Autumnal theme I have going on anyways...

Pick a color! Any color!

Here is my treasure trove of glossy goodness. Everything from drug store finds to Chanel Glossimers...I love each and every one of you them and do my best to show them the light of day outside of their little drawer.


"Now who wants to go for a ride in momma's purse?" ;)

My third baby!

Just kidding! But I do absolutely adore this faucet in my powder room. I love how the water doesn't mix completely and you can feel moments of distinctly hot or cold when you are washing your hands.


Also, I now have a janitor key for the c-fold towel dispenser, which makes me feel important. Oh, the things you can find on the internet!!

Helping the environment...

One sleeve at a time.


How do you like my organic, decaf, vitamin-enhanced, herbal-good-for-you green tea, for which the proceeds go to help under-educated orphans in most 3rd world countries?...okay, okay it is just a tall latte from a giant coffee corporation...geez...one step at a time ;)

Ode to the Thumb

Thumbs
Shel Silverstein

Oh the thumb-sucker's thumb
May look wrinkled and wet
And withered, and white as the snow,
But the taste of a thumb
Is the sweetest taste yet
(as only we thumb suckers know)









I love my little thumb-sucker, Warren. I'll just have to remember that when I am making payments on the braces in 10 years!!

Naughty spot - with style!

Okay, I am getting back on the band-wagon...dusting off the egg-timer and reinventing an old favorite; time-out. So, here it is - no excuses. I think it turned out kind of charming for a naughty spot ;) Hmmm...what are the rules against putting yourself in a nice long time-out and bringing a pillow along?



"I, Charity, do solemnly vow to be a better, more consistent disciplinarian for my two very vivacious boys..."

Are the weeds evolving?

We took the boys on a nature walk yesterday and came across this enormous dandelion clock.



Here it is next to Jack's sizable head to get some perspective. Made me wonder, have the weeds evolved since I was little? Usually things seem smaller than when you were little - not the case here.



Warren loved the walk - or should I say ride...zooming down the path on his big wheel. Now that is one thing that hasn't changed a bit in 20 years!

I hope to be

I hope to be...a generous, available and punctual, fun-to-be-around friend

I hope to be...a warm, caring, multi-faceted wife

I hope to be...a silly, spontaneous, rock-solid mom

I hope to be...a goal-oriented, hard-working, think-outside-the-box professional

I hope to be...a role model, humble, advice-doling sister

I hope to be...a thankful, loving, phone-call-away daugther/daughter-in-law

the Hawg

Don't even try to get him to crack a smile when he is riding it. Nope, this is serious business - very intense.



This is Jack riding his motorcycle on "the track" around the park at our recent neighborhood picnic. Needless to say, he made quite the impression on our new neighbors ;)