SING, SING A SONG

Sing out loud.
Sing out strong.
Sing of good things, not bad.
Sing of happy, not sad.
Sing, sing a song.

I love when the unexpected happens. I love that my day started out really bad, which was an overflow from yesterday. I guess since I don't sleep, I couldn't sleep it off! Do you know what I loved the most about today? Somehow and quite unexpectedly, music found it's way into almost every moment of my afternoon and evening and turned things around! It was always the right tune, even though I was mostly OUT OF TUNE!

I sang out loud and
I sang out strong and
I sang out with my family and
They took aspirin :)

SPRING SOUP

We got another delicious delivery from
Irv & Shelly's
and we are putting it to good use!

One of our favorites is the Harmony Valley soup mix.

It is basically a bag of fresh, local, organic root veggies, consisting of carrots (orange, yellow and red!), turnips, parsnips, rutabagas, celeriac and sunchokes. It has two recipes on the back. One is for roasting them and the other is for Golden Soup. You saute onion and garlic (which you can also get from Irv & Shelly's) with oil and then add root veggies. Add some vegetable stock (we use organic veggie bouillon from Whole Foods) and cook about 30 min. Cool and then puree. You can add some cream or half and half, but we prefer it dairy free.

The result? The most delicious, creamy (even without the cream) soup! The bag costs $7.99 and by the time you add the other ingredients, your cost is about $10-$12 total for 8-10 servings of soup. What a great deal for a great soup! It also freezes really well!

P.S...One of the other things we ordered was some cabbage. Did you know that only one ounce of cabbage a day greatly improves your digestive system and reduces your risk of cancer? It can VERY EASILY be added to green smoothies made in the Vita-mix!

"As for the sulforaphane that’s found in cabbage, it reduces your risk of cancer by increasing your body's production of enzymes that fight cell-damaging free radicals. Stanford University research indicates that sulforaphane increases your levels of these cancer-fighting enzymes more than any other phytonutrient." courtesy of Rodale.com.

MY PRECIOUS PEPPER

My dear, sweet little Pepper had a seizure. It was not a febrile seizure caused by a fever, but one of unknown origin. I don't know how to explain the extent of heart-stopping emotions that occur when your child is limp and seemingly lifeless and then convulsing in your arms. I can almost not tolerate repeating the story, yet I have done it so many times. The shake and ache in my arms will forever be there as a reminder of the memory of holding her through the second hardest time in her life.

I will never be able to say enough thank you's to those who prayed and continue to pray for her and for my family. The power of the prayers that came from the Saint Joseph's Novena was amazing! It was almost as heavy on my heart as my sorrow was. It is so unbelievable to feel unsure and protected, all at the same time. We are so blessed to have so many people that worry about us.

Her diagnosis remains as "generalized seizure disorder" until further testing is done, but I am confident that she is a very strong girl and we will stand strong in the face of the unknown. I am hopeful that my grandma's doctor was right in saying that "every child is allowed one free seizure in life".

I will teach her to laugh

in the face of danger...

...or will she teach me?

HAPPY SPRING

Happy First Day of Spring!

The flowers are coming and the first gnome and fairy house has been built!

Brendan did a great job helping me as Monkey and Pepper took a needed nap.

Here is to the hope that your table is as blessed as the fairy's table...

THE LOUDEST FAMILY MEMBER

No, I am not speaking of Monkey. I have been secretly saving for many things. It paid off. We have a new family member, which sleeps in our kitchen. Watch out when it wakes up, because it is LOUD!!! It has more power than any tool that we have purchased thus far and it is so multi-functional! Of course, you may now drool over our new......

VITAMIX!!!

...and all the delicious things we have already made inside! This thing is the end all, be all of blenders and it was well worth the wait!

Here is video proof that the very first "mud smoothie" was thoroughly enjoyed!

A POEM OF REASON

I love getting flowers

For no reason

Or for a reason

Which can not be remembered

But which was valid

Either way

I love lilies

But not all-white ones

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY NICHOLAS!

Monkey had been asking to visit the "King's Castle" for over a year now, every single time we drove past it. We tucked one of his favorite books under his arm and set off to celebrate his 4th birthday at Medieval Times in Schaumburg! Read my review here on Tripadvisor! I had hopes of finishing his knight costume, but it required waaaaay more work than I originally planned for. It may be done in time for the Renaissance Faire, which is a mere 3 months away!

He finally got his wish and became a knight!

He also got to visit another fun place!

There is nothing like a cheesy recorded happy birthday song, a cupcake and cheap plastic train whistle from The Choo Choo Restaurant to make your day!

GOOD CHEAP FUN

I love when I have the means to provide good, cheap fun for my monkeys!

POPCORN

One of our favorite kid's songs and the longest amount of time that you will ever see Nicholas quiet...

SALMON

It's what's for dinner.

It should not be

a wall color.

Some of our lovely condo board members decided that the hallways needed to be brightened up from the dull beige color they had been painted a few years ago. My picture actually looks more pink than reality. To give you a better idea as to the exact color, do a little visualization with me. Have you ever eaten a meal, had something red to drink, and then proceeded to throw up the combination? Do you remember the resulting color? It's called "Salmon Run" and it has been spewed all over my back hallway.

I TURNED 43 TODAY!!!

The secret to staying young is to
live honestly, eat slowly,

and lie about your age!
~Lucille Ball~

I have been working on being more honest.
With myself.
With others.
With my expectations.
With my limitations.
With my reality.
With everything except my age!

I again refer to my theory on why women should lie and represent themselves as being years older. You don't ever want to say you are younger than your actual age and get that awkward smile from someone who is about to call you out on your lie. You know the look. It is usually followed by silence. Instead, I prefer to say I am years older so I get the other smile. The one that tells you that even though you haven't really brushed your hair since Pepper was born; and the bags under your eyes are no longer considered carry-on size; and your smile is a little less vibrant than the rainbow it once was; you still look pretty young. I don't care as much about how young I look, but rather how young I act. I am so thankful that my children keep me young in spirit!

And speaking of eating slowly, Joey and I had the most relaxing, slow dinner ever. I had been waiting weeks for my birthday dinner at Heritage Prairie Farm and it did not disappoint! They are an organic farm in Elburn, which is right past St. Charles and Geneva. I would LOVE to join their C.S.A. this year, but it is a little out of our price range.

Salivate over my personalized Valentine's Day/Birthday Menu. Every savory morsel that passed my lips was more delicious than the next. I will, for a long time, dream of the cucumber and lime granita. I had never had microgreens before but they were so packed with flavor! When I saw the ravioli, I thought, where is the marinara? It was so light with just shaved pecorino cheese on top, I didn't even miss the sauce!

This is what helped me enjoy dinner.

Here is my sweet dessert.

I was full but I could not be wasteful!

Joey looks like he had more to drink

than I did. Not true in the least!

How hard do you think it was to find cute black flats to wear with my favorite dress and new bolero? I checked 6, yes, 6 different stores to no avail. On my last stop, I found these little purple beauties. The awesome Paris box is a birthday gift from Mil and Fil!

After asking her for fashion advice, my sister warned me that I couldn't wear heels to a farm. She was right. They were way too gorgeous and inexpensive (85% off) to pass up! Besides, a girl has to buy herself a nice present once in a while! We got to the farm halfway through cocktail hour and had to park at the end of the gravel and snow covered driveway. It was a long and slow walk. We almost missed the second half of cocktail hour. I decided to pretend I was just making a slow and graceful entrance, just like a queen would! Here is the walkway to the farm house. And lastly, please take note of my ever-present, yet only occasionally photographed angel.

EENIE MEENIE MINEY MOE

How sad is it that we had to play eenie meenie miney moe to determine which one of us would decide the answer to the

age-old question...

CHOCOLATE OR POOP???

CHOCOLATE OR POOP???

CHOCOLATE OR POOP???

CHOCOLATE!!!

P.S...Most all of our decisions lately have been made using this sophisticated system!

*

DANCIN WIT MY LAYDAY

I had just finished giving Monkey and Pepper their baths and they were supposed to be choosing their bedtime books. I was cleaning up the bathroom and thought it sounded awfully quiet in the room. When I snuck around the corner, I see Monkey slow dancing with Pepper. Her head is on his chest and he is holding her and rubbing her back and softly whispering, "I'm dancin wit my layday!" I ran to get the camera and then after he realized, he sped up his tempo, but it was still cute! Excuse the heavy breathing, as Pepper is still pretty sick :(

ART SMART

How art smart am I???

I got all these

art supplies

at a warehouse sale

for a grand total of...

$ 25 !!!

.

PEPPER IS PERFECT

Pepper had a check-up today and in the midst of all my worrying about her lack of advanced vocabulary, her doctor said, "she's happy and healthy...what more can you ask for?" Nothing. By the way, she is right on track with her abilities. She observes more than she emulates. Thank you so much, Dr. B., for always saying the simple things that mean the most. You definitely know how to treat both the patient and the parent! I also had a chance to discuss with him... the earth, values, politics, friends, and the future of the world being in the hands of our children. Where else could you get so much quality time with another adult? I have found the exception to the rule. Oh, how I love my pediatrician!

ORGANICS ROCK!

So, we are just finishing up the last of our recent Irv & Shelly's delivery. How awesome is it that we get such fresh, organic and (mostly) local foods delivered directly to our front door? I finally used the last of my birthday gift certificate, which was a group gift from my family last year. So, yeah, uh, last of the certificate, uh, a week before my birthday, uh, yeah, awesome!
.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE SON

There's nothing like

being awake at 4 a.m.

with your 3 year old

and sharing...

Coughing attacks

Christmas decorations clean up

Conversation and

Cold Care Tea

THE GIFT OF WARMTH

You might have read, in my Christmas Spirit post, that I had a gift to give away. A recipient was chosen and I was ready to hand deliver the card. It was brought to my attention that this person lied about something very serious. The lie was initially one of the REASONS this person was chosen. I am so sad, disappointed and honestly, a little disgusted by this behavior.

On a happier note, a different (and very special) recipient was chosen. Although I was not there to see the reaction in person, I'm told that a little dance happened all through the house! I am happy that it was so appreciated!

A good friend has many hats to wear.
What a TALL ORDER to fill!

SNOW, SNOW

Snow, snow, don't go away.

Come back another day.

So we can run and go

Outside and play!

VACATION TOOTS

Again, I don't Twitter, but...
if a bird communicates by "tweeting",
what do you call it when fish communicate?
Tooting!!! (trademark pending)

Actually, scientists have discovered that fish communicate underwater when they create high-frequency sounds by releasing air from their backsides. That sure is talking out of your ass!

I thought I would communicate with you all about our mini vacation. I hereby call it "Tooting" (trademark pending) on behalf of the above research findings!

Am I starting a new trend?

Let's Toot together...hahaha

Here are a few guidelines...

* Toots must be 3 words or less
* No vulgar language
* Punctuation can be used but is not necessary
* Links are accepted, but no other words will be allowed in that individual Toot

Following is moment by moment Tooting about our vacation. Enjoy!

* Wisconsin, baby! * 1.5 hour estimated * 4 hour actual * too many stops * Cracker Barrel Yum * sooooo not organic * beautiful drive * first snowmobile sighting * want to ride * organic grocery store * too much luggage * suite > condo * swim swim swim * Joey closed ride * lost glasses * teaching Francesca swimming * trip to Walmart * homemade dinner * fake fire * real sleep * oatmeal and oj * learning arcade games * family nap * lazy river * outdoor hot tub * super fast slides * lots of smiles * swim swim swim * kid's first jacuzzi * homemade dinner * surprise cheese curds * fake fire * real sleep * quick breakfast * better at arcade * walkin the town * yeah nap time * swim swim swim * hate yellow slide * asthma attack * kid's second jacuzzi * Gino's cheese pizza * bottle of wine * 9 hours sleep * good morning * crabby family * pack it up * bringing home recycling * mastered arcade * on the road * can we move? * Cracker Barrel again * teaching Nicholas checkers * car naps * outlet malls * new ski jacket * new ski boots * French leggings * le creuset dreamin * Jelly Belly factory * too much sugar * too much cheese * too much traffic * not good combos * finally back home * back to life * back to reality * back to the * here and now * Chicago, baby! * yeah! *

I love this picture

of the water!

We stayed at the Timber Ridge

in Lake Geneva.

Read my highly recommended review here!

SOCIAL STANCE

I'm not a fan of Facebook.
My Myspace has become
My(neglected)space.
I think Twitter is twaddle.

All of these social networking sites aim at keeping others informed of your personal happenings, but it seems so not personal. If you enjoy it, good! Right now, it's just not for me. Maybe my mind will change in the future. Who knows? I have read through Joey's Facebook and it looks like some people spend more time sending fake cartoon drinks and playing fake games instead of spending time talking or messaging one another about what is really important in life. I don't think any less of you if you are wrapped up in any of it (says this ex-myspace-junkie) but at this point in my life, I just prefer something more personal, intimate and meaningful. I don't care how many friends I can collect. I know where to find my true friends and they know where to find me! Besides, I have such an addictive personality that if I started, I would never stop. So, if you want, join me here once an hour, every day or once a week, just don't forget about me!

CHEW ON THIS

While we were missing the Big Fish at midnight because he was busy being the Mayor of Edison Park, we still managed to have a little fun...

...and it all came to a SCREECHING halt when Monkey decided to eat it.

In case you missed it, watch again or just read on...

Yep, that's right, Monkey actually took a bite out of the glass. Who says that I'm overprotective of my kids? Wanna chew on glass? Go right ahead and recycle! Would a normal mama let her kids celebrate New Year's at midnight, instead of 7pm, or drink (sparkling white grape juice) from a REAL glass, or eat breakfast for dinner? Save for some predetermined times, I'm not really hyped up on conformity.









Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

*Robert Frost*

.

*JOYEUX 2010*

Cheers to the hope that in 2010,

your glass is always half full!

JINGLE BELLS

MY CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

It is a time when many in this world are struggling to pay bills, pay a mortgage, buy simple necessities, or worse, trying to figure out how they will buy their children a Christmas present because they have no money.  I do not think I am lucky by any means, but I am blessed and that counts for more than luck.  I came home to a mailbox filled with 13 photo Christmas cards from loved ones and an unexpected envelope from the Bonnie Hunt Show.  I signed up for several contests on her website, not expecting to win.  My lucky stars, I DID ACTUALLY WIN A PRIZE!  I won a gift card for Sears and I remember signing up for that contest, but when I opened the envelope, the amount was split evenly between two gift cards.  YEAH!  How lucky am I???  I started to flip through all those photo cards of family and friends and realized how lucky we are that even though there are many of us that may have fallen on hard times, we still have the money to send cards and buy presents for our children for Christmas.  There was obviously a reason that there were two gift cards and not just one.

MY QUESTIONS....

Do you find it hard to pay your bills? 
Do you wish that you were better off?
Do you know how blessed you are when you think about someone that has....
-lost their job?
-lost their house?
-lost the ability to buy their children gifts this Christmas?

Please email me, as I would love to help another family in some small way.  The gift I have to give is a $50 gift card for Sears and has no expiration.  I know that someone out there knows of a family in need.  Let me share my luck and blessings.

RULES...

I obviously can only give it to one family, so first email gets it.  I had also hoped not to state this, but just in case...this is not intended for you to keep so you can buy extra presents.  I really want to give it to someone that has little or no means to buy any gifts.

PASS ON THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY TO HELP OTHERS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!