What the?!?

Holy allergic reaction! I just broke out in a hive like rash on my face, head, ears, arms and maybe my back. From spinach. We eat spinach a lot but I've never had Europe's Best before. It's hard to imagine that that's what it's from, but I can't think of anything else that it could be. I ate supper, went down to change the laundry, started sneezing and itching, then I felt like my face and ears were on fire. Yikes!

Of course I couldn't locate my allergy meds so I gobbled down some children's Benadryl. Yep, Alek is right, it does taste awful. Now I feel sick besides.

I want to tear my ears right off my head!

Excuse Me

Me: "Mikah, can you say, excuse me?"
Mikah: "Beep, beep."

I just love this funny little boy. He beeped like a car because I often do that when I want him to back up or move.

For the Love of a Great Movie

Tonight I was feeling at loose ends.

This afternoon I was laying down with Mikah trying to convince him to have a nap. One minute we were laying there, and the next I was opening my eyes to find his had closed. Then I was in the midst a most wonderfully strange dream. I can't remember what it was about; maybe a cruise??? Which is strange because I have never had the desire to go on one. But, it was enjoyable in any case. We slept the afternoon away the two of us, cuddled in a blanket cocoon. I must have really needed it because I never nap; unless I have the flu, which I don't (knock on wood).

After such a lazy day, I have been wandering the house unsure of what to do. I always feel that way when I haven't gone outside or accomplished much during the day. While I was trying to decide what to do, I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. And, surprise, one of my favorite shows of all time is on. Love Actually. So it was decided, make some chili-lime popcorn and hunker down on the couch to watch the movie. Don't you just love it when your favorite show is just randomly on TV, and you luck out and turn it on just as it's about to start instead of when it's ending? So I've been sitting here smiling my way through the movie. I just love it. The tenderness of the movie speaks to me; possibly because I guard mine so closely. The movie brightens my day and lightens my overall outlook on life and humankind.

Here's a map that I found that shows the connection between the characters on Love Actually. I don't mind admitting that I'm still slightly confused.

Happy Earth Day!!!

How are you going to show your love for the planet today?

Last night I made 15 bags of different colored playdough for an art project at school today. I'll post pictures tomorrow. The kids have to design a picture using playdough showing their thoughts, hopes, feelings about the Earth. Hopefully the project will work out.

I think we're going to have another lights out night at home tonight. And, maybe Alek will have another idea (as usual LOL).

Child Care

I am on the hunt for new child care for my boys starting this summer. My babysitter has decided to return to the "real world" at the end of June. While I wish her all the best, the more that I search for a new babysitter I'm realizing more and more just how lucky we were to have her. I NEVER had to worry about my kids. Ever. I trust her completely with their little lives, and she's always happy to see them. Even when she maybe shouldn't be LOL! She has helped make the last two years so much easier for us. Thank you Corra!!!

How am I ever going to find such a great caregiver again? Especially when the people who respond to my ads have email addresses such as, "Pimp-of-the-Year."

Seriously.

Egg Tarts

One of the best things about Hong Kong was being introduced to Egg Tarts. The flaky pastry shell and the indescribably smooth custard filling... Just; mmm. I don't normally like custard so these tarts must be something special.

I've always wanted to make them but have never tackled a recipe. But this recipe may just change all that. Don't they look delicious? Can't you feel yourself drifting towards the kitchen and pulling out the supplies? If Mikah and I weren't already baking mini raspberry pies today we would be making this instead. Maybe this weekend. Definitely sometime soon. Enjoy.

Project of the Day

While blog surfing this afternoon (while the babes slept) I came across this picture and thought, "Wow, what a beautiful bottle! I wonder where she bought it?" Lucky for me, and you, she didn't buy it, she made it and was nice enough to share the process with us. Thank you, Kathleen of Twig & Thistle for the amazing idea and tutorial! There will be more than a few people I know who will be receiving these Homemade Vanilla Extract bottles for presents.

Click on the picture to be taken to the tutorial.

Garage Sale Season

It's finally here! Or, it should be if the snow will ever stop ~sigh~.

I love looking for treasures and great deals. Plus, I do like to reuse materials as much as possible to cut down on needless waste. One man's junk; and all that.

This year (near future) we are going to have a garage sale of our own. The boys have grown out of so much stuff and now that Lukas is 1, baby paraophanalea doesn't need to still be over-taking our house. I counted last night and I have 3 garbage bags and 8 diaper boxes of clothes that need to go. Plus more I'm sure that are still put away in the upper storage. Add to that swings, sttollers, toys, jumpers, basinette, and other furniture. Oh, and computers! LOL, I just had to throw that in there in case Lev is reading this. I'm pretty sure we might have bikes and patio furniture as well. The magnitude feels scary even typing it out. When am I going to get a chance to assemble all of the stuff and have the sale???

Besides, all this stuff needs to go so that O can look for new treasures LOL! On my wish list this year... a dresser to customize for an entertainment unit, a vintage rocking chair that I can recover for the living room, back yard toys (maybe), backyard furniture, storage and shelving, and doors for my office space. Plus, there are always the impulse buys. Like

Here's hoping that my saling buddies are getting as excited as I am! And... if you really feel the need to help at a garage sale, don't be afraid to let me know.

A Space to Call My Own

Finally! After years of complaining, I am finally getting an area of the house that I can make mine. Lev has had a corner of the basement for all of his computer stuff since we moved into this house. But he has been busy lately ridding himself of computer clutter, and after he downsized to the new Mac mini he just doesn't need as much space anymore. Literally, his loss is my gain LOL!

Unfortunately the space needs some heavy work before I con move myself and all my supplies in. It has slowly been taken over as a storage space as well and it needs to be cleared out and cleaned up. But still; YAY!!!

Now I just have to decide what I want to do with the space and how I want my work space set up. I'm going to need a long work table with lots of storage space for all of my do-dads; material, sewing machine, serger, paper, paints, ribbons, thread, plans, and patterns. And of course it will have to be fun, funky and inspirational. Not a tall order at all (she says sarcastically).

Anyway, I'm thrilled, and I just had to share.

Happy Easter!!!

Well, today is Good Friday and I for one am really looking forward to Easter vacation. I have 10 days off of work and we're heading up to my parent's farm today for the weekend, or until we overstay our welcome LOL! 

Alek has been counting down the days all week. He just loves getting out there and having the run of the place. There are kittens to cuddle, dogs to chase, a trampoline to jump on, Grandma to bake with, ATV's to ride, bikes, and more! This weekend he has plans with his uncle to rip apart their go-cart and put the engine in the old model- T  that we terrorized the country with when we were kids. It's so nice that the car is still there and our kids will get to enjoy it as much as we did. 

I'm looking forward to it too. It's funny how fast my farm girl comes back out as soon as I get home. 

I hope that everyone else has a great Easter too! I'll post pictures when I get back.

Our Newest Foodie (or not)

I'm slowly trying enlighten my brother's tastebuds while he's staying with us. But, after hearing this today...

"ah polenta; placenta, ehh"

I think I may be failing.

Conversation with Alek's Teacher

Today after school Alek's teacher stopped me...

Mr. R: "Hey Barb, did Alek tell you his great news?"
Me: "No, not yet."
Mr. R: "Alek, come over here and tell your mom about the great picture you drew today."
Alek (very excited): "Mom, today I drew a picture without guns in it!"
Me: "Wow! That's awesome!"

I am just so proud. ~sigh~

DIY

If you know me, IRL, or even IOL, you know that I'm crafty. In more ways than one LOL!

I've been slightly obsessed lately, scouring the web for funky, easy, fun projects to do. It amazes me many times a day what clever designs and solutions people can come up with. Lots of these talented people will then write tutorials for the slightly less-talented, such as myself. So, I've decided that I'm going to start highlighting some of the ones that I really like and want to make. If the projects contain re-using, re-cycling, or re-vamping you can bet you'll see it here.

Here's a great one to get you started...

Click here to see how to make these awesome Photo Lanterns!

Mommy

Mikah now says "Mommy. My mommy."

Awww. That's my boy.

Kale Chips Review

Overall the chips were a huge hit. I whipped up a batch last night after the kids went to bed so that the adults could have a snack. My brother and I loved them, Lev wasn't so sure. The recipe made quite a lot of chips so I bagged up the rest and brought them to work today for people to sample. More people enjoyed them than those who didn't, and they were even a big hit with the kids.

Next time, I will not add quite as much salt. A little salt really goes a long way with this recipe.

Let me know what you think when you make them!!!