Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Baby Shower
On Sunday, October 24 (33 weeks!), my amazing mom hosted a baby shower for me. It was held at a local Italian restaurant and the food was a-mazing. The menu was served buffet style and we had chicken parmigiana, rigatoni with marinara sauce, and green beans almondine. For dessert, we had spumoni along with this beautiful cake, made by a woman who make fantastic cakes out of her home. It was created to match my invitations:
Centerpieces were provided by the restaurant and for favors, my mom just had chocolate suckers with blue baby feet made:
We are so blessed to have such generous family and friends shower Baby Boy with plenty of gifts:
We received all of the big items off of our registry and enough gift cards to purchase what was left:
During the shower, the Cleveland Browns were playing the NO Saints. And unbelievably, we won. Here is C watching the score on my phone and his:
My mom wanted a "guest book" so she purchased this Winnie the Pooh book and my dad created this sign. All the guests signed the inside cover:
The diaper cake my friend made:
Alexys, me, C, and Jamie. The girls were a huge help and looked beautiful:
My mother-in-law, me and my mama:
When we got home, we unpacked and sorted through the clothing. Here I am in the nursery with my mom, aunt, cousin and the girls. It was chaos!
I was so overwhelmed at the end of the day, and definitely had an "OH SHIT" moment. I think afterwards it finally dawned on me that this baby is almost here. Holy crap. The next day, I did three loads of laundry and put the clothes away. I am still searching for the perfect organizational strategy for the room and clothing. I need to make better use of the closet, but until our Christmas bins are out of there, it is a little difficult.
Centerpieces were provided by the restaurant and for favors, my mom just had chocolate suckers with blue baby feet made:
We are so blessed to have such generous family and friends shower Baby Boy with plenty of gifts:
We received all of the big items off of our registry and enough gift cards to purchase what was left:
During the shower, the Cleveland Browns were playing the NO Saints. And unbelievably, we won. Here is C watching the score on my phone and his:
My mom wanted a "guest book" so she purchased this Winnie the Pooh book and my dad created this sign. All the guests signed the inside cover:
The diaper cake my friend made:
Alexys, me, C, and Jamie. The girls were a huge help and looked beautiful:
My mother-in-law, me and my mama:
When we got home, we unpacked and sorted through the clothing. Here I am in the nursery with my mom, aunt, cousin and the girls. It was chaos!
I was so overwhelmed at the end of the day, and definitely had an "OH SHIT" moment. I think afterwards it finally dawned on me that this baby is almost here. Holy crap. The next day, I did three loads of laundry and put the clothes away. I am still searching for the perfect organizational strategy for the room and clothing. I need to make better use of the closet, but until our Christmas bins are out of there, it is a little difficult.
Monday, October 18, 2010
My heart aches.
Last night we received a phone call from our school administrators telling us that we were having an emergency faculty meeting this morning at 7:30 AM. This meant one of two things:
1. A threat had been made on the building
2. Something had happened to a staff member or student..
We walked into our little theater prepared for the worst.
It was even worse than that.
One of our tenth graders took his own life last night. His mom found him after he hung himself.
I had this student last year in my honors class. And know his sister, since she was a member of the drama club when I was director. And know his parents.
He was extremely bright, had an amazing sense of humor, and was an amazingly talented young musician. The kid lived and breathed music. He struggled with severe depression for years, and last year we were on alert for strange behaviors because he was cutting/self-injuring and would often do it in class with a broken pen, etc. His grades gradually improved as did his general attitude. He opened up and formed relationships with his teachers and peers and by the end of the year was doing so much better. And apparently this year he was doing even BETTER.
But, apparently his pain was too great and he felt he was unable to continue.
It was an extremely difficult day for me, especially knowing the family. My heart aches for his parents and sister and the rest of the people that loved him. I saw many,MANY students crying in the halls, as well as in my classroom, because he will be missed.
And to this student, I hope he has found his peace finally.
My heart breaks for any parent that outlives their child.
1. A threat had been made on the building
2. Something had happened to a staff member or student..
We walked into our little theater prepared for the worst.
It was even worse than that.
One of our tenth graders took his own life last night. His mom found him after he hung himself.
I had this student last year in my honors class. And know his sister, since she was a member of the drama club when I was director. And know his parents.
He was extremely bright, had an amazing sense of humor, and was an amazingly talented young musician. The kid lived and breathed music. He struggled with severe depression for years, and last year we were on alert for strange behaviors because he was cutting/self-injuring and would often do it in class with a broken pen, etc. His grades gradually improved as did his general attitude. He opened up and formed relationships with his teachers and peers and by the end of the year was doing so much better. And apparently this year he was doing even BETTER.
But, apparently his pain was too great and he felt he was unable to continue.
It was an extremely difficult day for me, especially knowing the family. My heart aches for his parents and sister and the rest of the people that loved him. I saw many,MANY students crying in the halls, as well as in my classroom, because he will be missed.
And to this student, I hope he has found his peace finally.
My heart breaks for any parent that outlives their child.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Menu Planning Monday
How is it possible that it is the start to another week??
Monday: Macaroni and peas (a comfort food of mine)
Tuesday: Hair appointments for Lex and me, so sausage and peppers in the crock pot with roasted redskins
Wednesday: Brinner! Breakfast sammies and hashbrowns
Thursday: Turkey cutlets with cranberry-pear chutney and cous cous
Friday: Birthday party
Saturday: Potato and leek soup
Sunday: Baby shower!!
What is on YOUR menu this week? Visit Org Junkie's website for meal planning ideas!
MIA
I am alive, I promise. It has just been one of those weeks where I have not had a moment so sit and breathe. We had parent/teacher conferences and I had to grade my ass off in order to get things in order. Jamie was in Washington DC for three days and then we had baby class (I will do a post on that this week). It has just been nuts.
Hopefully I will be back to blogging this week. Stay tuned for some updates on my annual cookie exchange (here are a few posts from last here: invitations and menu), as well as a nursery update and a few new recipes!
Hopefully I will be back to blogging this week. Stay tuned for some updates on my annual cookie exchange (here are a few posts from last here: invitations and menu), as well as a nursery update and a few new recipes!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Weekend Planning (a day late)
I didn't get this up yesterday, but wanted to post it today anyway! I have lots to get done this weekend and we have a fun family day planned with the girls, so here it is!Friday:
- Grocery shopping
- Figure out what we are doing for dinner, lol (C is working late) (ended up taking the girls for Mexican. Yum!)
- Laundry
- Find some maternity jeans that actually fit
- Pumpkin patch!
- Decorate for Halloween
- Rake leaves and pull weeds from the "wasteland" in between our front windows and bushes.
- Dinner at Mom and Dad's
- Grade papers
- Clean bathrooms
- Mop kitchen floors
Friday, October 8, 2010
How is it this time again?
To start planning for my annual cookie exchange?
Which just happens to fall one week before my due date?
Am I a lunatic? Yes, I think so.
Which just happens to fall one week before my due date?
Am I a lunatic? Yes, I think so.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Menu Planning Monday
This upcoming week is one where I feel will be nonstop. Actually, October in its entirety feels like that. But the quicker these months go by, the sooner Little Dude will be here! Without further ado, here is this week's menu!
Sunday: On my own for dinner; girls came home late from their mom's and C was at a Browns game.
Monday: Spaghetti and salad (hair appointment for Jamie and I will hopefully be visiting my friend and her new bambino in the hospital! She is in labor as we speak!)
Tuesday: Pork tenderloin with roasted potatoes and carrots
Wednesday: Crock Pot Wednesday: Chili and corn bread
Thursday: Shepherd's Pie
Friday: Chicken enchilladas
Saturday: Not sure; we are going to the pumpkin patch in the morning/afternoon and I am going to have to do some grocery shopping after!
What is on your menu this week? Stop by I am an Organizing Junkie and link up with your weekly menu!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
7 Days of Pumpkin: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Another score from Annie's Eats. This girl loves pumpkin as much as I do and her blog is chock full of yummy pumpkin recipes to try. If you are a fan of the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins, these are very close to that, with the added bonus of a crunchy streusel topping.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Makes 24 muffins ( I found this to be exact!)
as seen on Annie's Eats, adapted from BakeSpace
Ingredients:
Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinsMakes 24 muffins ( I found this to be exact!)
as seen on Annie's Eats, adapted from BakeSpace
Ingredients:
For the muffins:
3 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 eggs
1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
For the filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
For the streusel topping:
½ cup sugar
¼ cup and 1 tsp. flour
4 tbsp. butter, cubed
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and powdered sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and whip until smooth. Form into a log on plastic wrap or foil, making sure that the diameter is small enough to fit into the well of a muffin pan. Wrap the log up tightly and freeze until slightly hardened, 1-2 hours.
To make the muffins, combine the flour, spices, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, sugar and pumpkin puree. Mix until well combined. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined.
To make the streusel topping, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix together with a pastry blender or two forks until crumbly.
Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two muffin pans with paper liners. To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well halfway with batter. Remove the cream cheese log from the freezer and slice into 24 equal slices. Place a slice in each muffin well. Divide the remaining muffin batter evenly among the muffin cups, on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the top of the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
7 Days of Pumpkin: Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Apparently I not only love pancakes, but syrup as well.
Hello, lover.
These were wonderfully delicious. No one else in my household is a huge pumpkin fan, but C did try one. They were a fairly dense pancake and I think are the perfect autumn breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
courtesy of Annie's Eats
Ingredients
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger
Dash of ground cloves
1 cup milk
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 tbsp. vegetable oil or melted butter
Directions:
-In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices and stir with a fork to combine. Mix together the milk, pumpkin puree, egg and oil or butter in a liquid measuring cup. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together just until combine. The batter will be lumpy which is a-okay. I think I over-mixed a tad which is why mine were so dense.
-Preheat the oven to 200° F. Have a dish ready for the pancakes as they come off the griddle/skillet to go into the oven to keep toasty.
- Heat a greased skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a 1/3 cup scoop of batter to the pan. Let cool until bubbles begin to form on the top surface. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook the second side until golden brown, a couple minutes more.
-Transfer the cooked pancake to the oven safe dish, and place in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the batter until it has all been cooked, regreasing the pan as needed. Serve with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, and/or whipped cream.
Hello, lover.
These were wonderfully delicious. No one else in my household is a huge pumpkin fan, but C did try one. They were a fairly dense pancake and I think are the perfect autumn breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
courtesy of Annie's Eats
Ingredients
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger
Dash of ground cloves
1 cup milk
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 tbsp. vegetable oil or melted butter
Directions:
-In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices and stir with a fork to combine. Mix together the milk, pumpkin puree, egg and oil or butter in a liquid measuring cup. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together just until combine. The batter will be lumpy which is a-okay. I think I over-mixed a tad which is why mine were so dense.
-Preheat the oven to 200° F. Have a dish ready for the pancakes as they come off the griddle/skillet to go into the oven to keep toasty.
- Heat a greased skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a 1/3 cup scoop of batter to the pan. Let cool until bubbles begin to form on the top surface. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook the second side until golden brown, a couple minutes more.
-Transfer the cooked pancake to the oven safe dish, and place in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the batter until it has all been cooked, regreasing the pan as needed. Serve with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, and/or whipped cream.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Weekend Planning
Molly over at My Happy House has once again started blogging her Weekend Planning, so I decided to follow along with her! She is about 10 weeks behind me in pregnancy, and since she seems to have her 2nd tri burst as I enter my 3rd tri downward spiral, maybe she can keep me motivated!
Here is what is on the agenda this weekend!
Friday:
- Doctor's appointment
- Fall party with my fellow teachers
- Clean! This includes:
- Both bathrooms
- Dust and vacuum family room and living room
- Sweep and mop kitchen
- Tackle the master bedroom. I swear a hurricane has gone through there.
- Pack up hardware and paint supplies from nursery and move downstairs.
- Over to a friend's for a birthday gathering
- Grocery shop
- Put out Halloween decorations
- Relax and bake something yummy
7 Days of Pumpkin: Pumpkin Crunch
In honor of my favorite baking season, FALL!, I decided to dedicate the entire first week of October to all things pumpkin! My first recipe came from my mother-in-law, who knows I adore pumpkin. I have no clue where she originally got the recipe, but it was certainly yummy. The texture of the middle layer is very much like pumpkin pie! How can you go wrong??
Pumpkin Crunch
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix (I would like to try with spice cake mix)
1 can pumpkin puree
1 can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 C butter, melted
Directions:
-Grease bottom of 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl with a mixer until well-blended.
-Mix well, pour into pan, and sprinkle dry cake mix on top. Top with nuts and drizzle melted butter on top.
-Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm and would be delish with a whipped topping or vanilla ice cream!
Pumpkin Crunch
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix (I would like to try with spice cake mix)
1 can pumpkin puree
1 can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 C butter, melted
Directions:
-Grease bottom of 9x13 pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees
-Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl with a mixer until well-blended.
-Mix well, pour into pan, and sprinkle dry cake mix on top. Top with nuts and drizzle melted butter on top.
-Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm and would be delish with a whipped topping or vanilla ice cream!
Favorite Blogger Friday: Bake at 350
I have decided to feature one of my favorite blogs each Friday.
This week I am loving Bridget at Bake at 350.
I chose Bridget this week because of this picture (courtesy of her blog):
Bridget made these for a teacher-appreciation dinner, and as a teacher, I would definitely appreciate them! She does an AWESOME job of showing her readers step-by-step how to decorate the cookies on her blog. This includes outlining, flooding, and doing the detail work on sugar cookies. I attempt sugar cookies several times a year, and this upcoming baking season, I plan on using her tips as well. She offers not only cookie recipes, but recipes for other yummy treats as well!
One other thing that is awesome about Bridget is that she shares with her readers all of the supplies she uses in an Amazon store. Check it out. I can't wait to get some of these gel colorings!
So stop by Bake at 350 and check out all of Bridget's fabulous cookies! But be sure you have some time, because you could spend hours perusing all of her yummy cookie pictures!
This week I am loving Bridget at Bake at 350.
I chose Bridget this week because of this picture (courtesy of her blog):
Bridget made these for a teacher-appreciation dinner, and as a teacher, I would definitely appreciate them! She does an AWESOME job of showing her readers step-by-step how to decorate the cookies on her blog. This includes outlining, flooding, and doing the detail work on sugar cookies. I attempt sugar cookies several times a year, and this upcoming baking season, I plan on using her tips as well. She offers not only cookie recipes, but recipes for other yummy treats as well! One other thing that is awesome about Bridget is that she shares with her readers all of the supplies she uses in an Amazon store. Check it out. I can't wait to get some of these gel colorings!
So stop by Bake at 350 and check out all of Bridget's fabulous cookies! But be sure you have some time, because you could spend hours perusing all of her yummy cookie pictures!
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