Love means never having to say "how many calories in one of those?"

From My Kitchen Table

Just one?


No, I couldn't possibly....

Ok, maybe one. Crap.

From My Kitchen Table

Where is the love???

Holiday-tini (or the "any excuse you can think of-tini")

From My Kitchen Table

One of my very favorite cocktails (it's really pretty for the holidays, but good anytime) is made with homemade Cranberry Liquor. It's also healthy for you, so you got that going for you!

The other nice thing for parties is that you can make virgin-tinis with regular cranberry juice and everyone feels included!

I make it on Thanksgiving, or the day after every year - it takes about 2 weeks to "cook"

Here is how I make it: (and I have doubled it, go figure)

Cranberry Liquor

2 12oz bags of fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked thru
3 cups + 2 cups superfine sugar if you can't find superfine, just use regular.
(superfine is NOT confectioners or powered sugar)
1 1/2 cup water
6 cups vodka (i don't use the good stuff, whats the point? I get "medium expensive"

Combine cranberries with 3 cups of sugar and the water in a heavy bottomed pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes only. Stir to make sure the sugar dissolves, especially if you couldn't find superfine. Remove from heat and cool.
**if you cook it longer, don't worry - it will just begin the gel a little. You can still use it, but the straining process will take a little longer.

In a large jar, like a sun tea jar or gallon pickle jar (what? I have like 4 of those, they're awesome!!)combine the vodka and the cranberry mixture.

stir.
cover.
let sit 7 days.

Strain your mixture through cheesecloth or some other fine strainer. Discard berries.

Let liquid rest another 3-4 days.

Strain again. Now you would add the other 2 cups of sugar. I would add one, shake until dissolved, test and add more if you like. I don't like it too sweet, but the berries are always different, it seems. Shake jar until all sugar is dissolved.

Let clear. (makes about 1/2 gallon)

mix and drink


Now, we like it mixed with a little Sprite or Sierra Mist and squeeze of lime or lemon

BUT

A "Christmas Cosmo" is

3 parts cranberry liquor
1 part vodka
splash of triple sec

shake over ice, strain
big squeeze lime juice

serve and enjoy

not too lettery....

Hard to believe this picture was almost 4 years ago...

From first year

This fabulous, wonderful, super-smart boy read his very first book today.

According to his teacher(I know, ouch), he read it like he's been doing it for months!
A real pro.
At the dinner table, he spelled out words he knew like it was no big deal...

what a guy...

not too shabby...

what the...?

I'm having laptop issues, I'm having bloggy issues, I overslept and my dog is hiding from me...what is this world coming to??

I overslept an hour this morning. An hour! How does that happen (except by shutting off your alarm, dummy)?? I do feel more rested, which is nice, but just a little stressed out about sleeping an extra hour! Hubby has taken today off (evidently HE needs a break) but couldn't be bothered to rush around frantically with me, trying to get ready. Here I am freaking out and he's just wandering around, calmly making coffee and jelly sandwiches (damn him).

I dash into the school, apologizing - and they could care less. I mean they are happy he's there, but late-schmate... Of course AJ is in preschool and they don't care if he shows up late, class doesn't even start until 8:30. I left him there, making handprint turkeys (my first, SO excited)and gabbing with the other four year olds about what they're getting for Christmas.

I drove like a demon to work.

Work. There's no one here -except me. There is never anyone here in the morning. No one cares what time I get here and there isn't even the smallest bit of work waiting for me.

Sigh.

So, my entire reason for freaking out is baseless and I'm just a big crazy shrew...

Oh well. Everyone needs a hobby.

Needed to take care of a little bloggy business anyhow...

The laptop thing is really pissing me off, tho. it just shuts down. For no apparent reason. In the middle of...things. Important bloggy things. It has to recover, there's no running out and getting a new one. Nope.

AND I just bought a new printer!!!! I'm so excited.

Here's the irritating part. I have a perfectly decent printer...BUT...the ink is freaking expensive! So, needless-to-say, we haven't had ink in months. Months! AJ has stopped asking...I quit even looking at the prices. The hubby said "why don't you look at prices for a new one?" What a genius!(I'm aware I just complained about him a couple paragraphs ago, that was THEN!)

Anyhoo - I found a lovely all-in-one printer (cheaper ink, I checked) and I got it for - ready? $85.00 and free shipping. Amazing, huh? I'm so happy. Oh-oh wait! and it's wireless!! How cool is that?

My stupid laptop better not die...

(I love you baby, I do...don't die...)

Sniff, sniff...is that me?

What do you suppose it means that everytime I have tried to type "sticky" this morning (and it has been a surprisingly high number) it has come out "stinky"??

Is that one of those Fruedian slips? Is my poor little brain trying to tell me something?

Must have used up all my deoderant brushing my teeth yesterday...




(OMG, I actually had to come edit this, because I typed stinky twice and never typed sticky! WTF???)

Anybody need anything?

My Gramma needs change for a $10 and her sister needs some twinkies... Sticky to the rescue....

Now, before you think I'm just a big bitch - both women live in houses full of people and have other relatives besides me. It's just that they know it's the one day a week that I have no child between noon and 2:00...the ONE day...and they figure that means I have nothing to do. A fact that they remind me of...over and over...rubbing it in...

As long as I'm driving all the way across town, would any one else like me to:

Change the toilet paper roll?
Fluff their pillows?

You know I'm going, right? Twinkies and Ho Ho's in hand...
To hear about how great every other member of the family is. How great their jobs are, how nice their houses are, how wonderful their stinkin' lives are and especially how great and smart their kids are. You know, the ones who don't have autism? No, of course not! No body ever actually mentions autism. My family is a little crazy, but they're not stupid. They will say "Now, how is he doing? really?" I can just hear the "Bless his little heart in their voices".

Wait, my son told me, that as "the Mom" it is my job to clean up after everybody. He mentioned this at school when his teacher was telling the kids to start cleaning up. He stopped them and said "that's ok, my mom will do it. Cleaning up is her job" And then he patted me on the arm and smiled.

See? Even he knows and he's only four. I can't say no. I can't. I just feel so bad, so guilty.

sigh

I can't help it...

It's only a little out of my way (30 miles)
I didn't really need to go to the grocery today (the one day I could go without the 4 yo)
It won't make me late (only 10 or 15 minutes)
It's no big deal to leave work early (who needs that pesky money anyhow)

Was that ones or fives?

Slightly confused

I have had an awful time concentrating, all week.
I can't seem to finish what I start, I can't seem to find anything, I can't seem to get motivated...

I have started 3 or 4 posts, without finishing any of them. I vacuumed, but forgot to dust. I made a casserole for dinner, but forgot to make anything to go with it.

It has taken me at least 4 trips every morning to get everything to the car. Not because there was so much, but because I would get to the car and realize I forgot my water- so I would go get the bottle and leave my keys - which I wouldn't notice until I was back out to the car and so on...

I don't know what's wrong with me.
I just tried to put deodorant on my toothbrush...shiver...

Tomorrow will be better...tomorrow will be better....
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It's Tonight!! Girl's Night Out, ya'll!!

a little too addicted

Ok, I'll come clean...

A month ago I didn't know what Twitter was.
Now, can't stop. (and my hubby is NOT pleased)

It's this hopeless addiction to instant gratification. There are always all these people there, that you "know" and they are (almost) always semi-interested in what you have to say. They update on the latest blogs, the latest news and many special deals. They are moms, business women (and men, I guess), cooks, cleaners, writers and just people you have this wierd connection with. Trust me - I don't understand it. I'm still not sure how it works or if I'm doing it right, but it is SO interesting!

I wanted to check in this mrning to see what the Twilight Ladies had to say about the premiere last night, but the site is down.

Damn. Now I have to finish my blog post from last night. It ties in to this whole thing, somehow...sigh.

not too "Greatest Mom Ever"(y)...

Whew! What a day...sometimes Fridays can be so hectic, so stressful.

You know, one of those days where you run from place to place trying to get everything done, trying to keep everyone happy, dog is barking, kid is yelling, phone is ringing - pleasing no one - least of all yourself...

Been there? Oh, me too.

But not today.

Today - ladies - and I don't mean to bum anyone out, or make you feel bad or lessen your importance to your own kids or the love they have for you - but certain facts have just come to light and I'm afraid I must inform you that I am now the official....

BEST MOM EVER!!!!!!

I know, I know! Go figure. Totally surprised me too.

I know ya'll are thinking "yeah. Right. Best Mom. - no way. This must have been due to some sort of bribery or general tomfoolery on your part"

Seriously, this was a genuine, freely given title on the part of my four year old. Really.

Come on! He said it on his own. He said it right away, first thing this morning. Just threw his little arms around me when I was trying to wake him up. He said "you are the Greatest Mom..." before he even had a chance to remember that there was no school this morning. That he and his dog were going to work with me, where he could watch movies and play with the kitty for four hours, where my boss would bring him hot chocolate and cookies...

He said it before we had a lunch date at the pizza parlor with all you can eat pizza and the kids play room...

He said it before we snuggled on the couch (yep, dog too) and took a nap while watching Dora the Explorer...

He said it before our cozy dinner for two (Hubby's nite out) after which he got a icecream reward for eating broccoli and carrots... (I'm so easy)

And he said it before sitting on my lap and watching Wizard of Oz...

What a great day. It really, really was...Maybe I am the greatest mom...

(should I mention that he added "that I have" after the whole Greatest Mom part? - yeah, I didn't think so either)

not too...jealous, much!

I know I'm supposed to write about me and stuff - but you HAVE to look at this website!!

Food Porn Daily

Seriously, the name alone would have gotten me there (I don't know why, it's enough that I'm admitting to it!)

The geniuses (geniusi?) behind my new addiction are Amanda and Taylor from What We're Eating and Nicole from Pinch My Salt, whom I met on Twitter. They are the coolest kids on the block and I'm SO not worthy. I want to grow up and have them feed me...

ANYWAY - not only do I wish I was eating that food - I would sell my soul to take pictures like those...damn, what's a girl gotta do? (or who - I SAID I would sell my soul, what the difference?)

Like they tell ya - "click, drool, repeat" And it ain't no lie...

not too bloggy...

Well, I was so busy with other peoples blogs, I didn't have time to write one for mine. How amazingly unselfish of me-although I really had a good time. But, here it is 10:00 and I have a blank page. I'm actually in the middle of 2 different posts, but I don't know how they turn out yet - so here we are, winging it again.



Tomorrow is an exciting day for me. I don't know about any of you (although I should! I read about you everyday), but I rarely have a minute to myself. I only have one smallish 4 year old, but he is a fun-filled ball of "I need you Mommy,. Will you play with me? You're my very bestest friend". Hard to say no to that one. I drop him off at school on my way to work, then I pick him up on my way home. He is then attached to me until I duct tape his little body in bed at night. Ok, so I don't usually use duct tape, but you get the point. I also cook and clean for my boss' 87 year old mother and take care of my 85 year old Gramma and her (older) sister. That's a lot of old ladies. I'm an old people magnet. Part of that is my inability to say no. We'll discuss that in a different post (no, really - I've started it already!) The rest is my natural (ahem) charm. Yep, that's right, I'm charming. Again, different post people, keep up.



So, back to tomorrow, I have already taken care of all my old ladies this week and AJ has school until 2:00 - so I have (wait for it...wait for it...)



TWO WHOLE HOURS ALONE!!

Two hours!



Ok, so its really more like an hour and a half...but who's counting? Well, I am. Really, I am!



What should I do? Shopping? Nah...

Lunch? Doubt it.

Knowing me, I'll end up sitting at home...typing on my laptop...

There are worse ways to spend the afternoon.



Goodnight...



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Really cool site for Moms...

I was "twittered" or is that "tweeted" to this site earlier -

Classy Mommy Blog

Lots of great stuff and great information. Give it a look...

Oops, was that me?

There seem to be a lot of blogging about poop lately. I have laughed and laughed until I was almost blogging about my own personal "incident"...

Unfortunately for me, I was laughing from my (then unknown) precarious position atop the tower of non-poop blog superiority.

So, can you guess what happened?

Even better...let me tell you about my fall from grace...

I had just finished my weekly bitching & whining session about the irony & the agony of being the only one who always manages to pee in the toilet and yet the only one who ever cleans the floor, when IT happened.

From up in my bedroom, I heard the call "Mommmmmmmmy! Help me!!"

I quickly hurried down the stairs, not understanding what he was saying, just hearing the words "poop" "floor" and "help!" As I rounded the corner, saying "how can I help you...?" I could see him - frozen in place - staring horrified at the perfect turd in the middle of my spotlessly clean floor and he says to me "get that poop off the floor!!"

WTF?!!

To be honest, the look on his face alone was enough to make me lose it...but I held it together enough to ask what happened.

He says (and I AM quoting)"Ididn'tknowitwasapoop-peeIthoughtitwasjustapee-pee." "and then I farted." (big breath)
"Itriedtostopitbutitwouldn'tgobackin." "Andthereitwasonthefloor and and I'M SO SORRY, MAMA!!" (looking tearful and confused)

By this time hubby has made it downstairs, so I escaped before laughing hysterically...

next??

Huh?

Me: look, there's a policeman on a motorcycle in front of us (better in front, than behind)

Him: I wonder where he's off to...(Yes, that's what he really said. - don't know where he learned to talk like that)

Me: maybe off to catch bad guys? (Or pull people over for going slightly. Over the speed limit)

Him: or off to play golf.

Me: (huh?) Why would he play golf?

Him: cuz its fun, sometimes (I guess its a welcome break from catching bad guys)
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Time Out...

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday yo you,
Happy Birthday, dear Ellie - Happy Birthday to you....

And many, many more...

Very Important Link!

Voices in my head

Even they aren't talking to me today...sigh...

President Obama

Holy Crap!

I don't care who you voted for (although, I really hope you voted)
you have to admit that both those men gave amazing speeches tonight.

All I really wanted to do today was was the news. Instead, I ran around like a crazy lady - I know, figures, huh? By the time I got home, threw something in the oven, fed everyone and cleaned up - the whole thing was almost over! Talk about crazy!

I watched the results with an amazing group of women tonight. I joined the ladies of Mommy Gossip on Twitter, for Girls Night Out. Every Tuesday night they get together to talk about...something. It's so wonderful to get to meet so many lovely and sassy women...please, check out the website and they will tell you how it works. It's fun. There weren't even any fights!

Anyhow, back to the speeches...I thought McCain's speech was really good, very dignified and supportive. I wish he had been more like that during the race (or that we had seen it more).
I shed a tear or two.

Obama, President-Elect Obama, I should say- was simply amazing. Granted, I'm a big wussy (I cry at anything) but damn if I wasn't choked up most of the time. So inspirational...

So, was anyone else inspired, excited - disappointed?

My son's hives are back with a vengeance - so I'm off to soothe the savage beastie...

Enjoy what's left of this historic evening - I intend to!

Old, old, old...

Great song on the radio tonight...
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - "I love Rock & Roll"
I'm singing along, all happy, haven't heard this song in ages...
Suddenly it hits me -
"Put another dime in the jukebox, baby"
Oh God. I. Am. So. Old.
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Soon....thank you

I should be getting my poor laptop back later today. I'm sure I never mentioned that I can't respond to comments with my blackberry - so just let me say thank you to everyone who offered concern and kindness over our icky weekend! I promise to get back to you soon!!
AJ is doing much better, tho the hives are still coming and going even today. He had a bunch on his face when I picked him up from school. He is much happier today, so we have that going for us (Me. I have that going for me, thank God!!)
Hope to get back to normal posts soon, thank you again for all the kind thoughts and encouragement...
I love you guys!!
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