I Would Like You All To Meet...

Zoey! At least that is what we are calling her right now. We rescued Zoey from the Ocean County Animal Shelter yesterday afternoon. It's no family secret that I'm not an animal lover but she is such a sweet dog Of course, I'm sure it may not have been the wisest decision at the present time considering BB is starting school next week and Christmas is right around the corner but I'm still glad we did it. Honestly, I have to think someone is looking for this dog. She is both housebroken and trained with commands.

Next comes the big question...what is she? The people over at the shelter really didn't have much info on her other than she has been there for two weeks and is very friendly. Hubby seems to think she is a boxer/pit bull mix.

Once I am able to snap a few better pictures of her I'll be sure to post them. I think she is a sweet dog and both BB and Hubby just love her so I really hope she works out.

You Can Feel It In The Air!

Christmas! I thought I would decorate a bit for the season. I'm sure this is the first of many designs. I think I am obsessed with blogger backgrounds! Anyway, things have been going well around here. Thanksgiving went well and I really think everyone enjoyed themselves. Big Boy stole the show as usual and for the most part was better behaved then I could have ever asked for.

Big Boy is starting school next Monday. We are all extremely excited for him. I really think he is going to just love it. I was able to meet his teacher and the other kids in the class. I am so lucky to live in the school district I'm in. They have been just wonderful in helping me get Big Boy the help he needs for his speech delay. I also went school clothes shopping for him earlier tonight. Have I mentioned how much I just love Old Navy. Hey, being a grown up is expensive and the days of dressing head to toe in J Crew and Ann Taylor are a thing of the past!

I think I need to head off to bed. I have the weekend off and I can't even tell you how much I a looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I jumped the shark and both the inside and outside of the house is already decorated for Christmas. I wish we could go get our tree but Hubby says it's a little early for that. My goal is to get BB's Christmas card pictures finished this weekend and we have the best idea ever this year. I'll be sure to post a pic if we can ever get them done. Time for bed. Good Night.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Unbelievable!

I am just about finished Christmas shopping for Big Boy and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet! I'm sure I will pick him up a few more things here and there but at least I know for the most part he is finished. I'm not really sure we'll be doing the "big ticket" item this year. He doesn't really need anything. He got a bike for his birthday. Any ideas, suggestions, on what to pick up for a three year old terror?

Thanksgiving Checklist

I'm going grocery shopping on Sunday so I had better get around to buying the dinner, don't you think? So this is what I think I'll be making:
*Turkey-goes without saying
*Stuffing & pork for the stuffing-we dig the pig in this house
*Mashed Potatoes
*Candied Sweet Potatoes-Mmmmm
*Mashed Turnips-So yummy!
*Dinner Rolls
*Green Bean Casserole-My brother brought this every year until he passed away. I think I'm
the only one who like it but it just isn't Thanksgiving without it.
*Another Veggie-I think I'll ditch the asparagus this year and go with broccoli with Cheese
sauce. My mom will be here and she makes it the best!
*We need some hor dourves-maybe cheese & crackers and some shrimp cocktail
*Homemade pies-My favorite part. I'm thinking apple, pumpkin & cherry. Maybe some
biscotti and cookies too.
*Eggnog with Rum-VERY IMPORTANT
Now I need to go get everything. I love that all the holiday meals are at my house now. Big Boy does so much better here at home and I just love to cook and bake so it works out for everyone!

Dear Big Boy,

Was this really necessary kid? What goes through that bean of yours when you do stuff like this? We need to have a talk because I'm just about out of patience. You have everything you could ever dream of and yet I truly believe you wake up in the morning and just think of ways to push my buttons. Does someone have you on payroll?

I guess if Trix are for kids than Xanax is for moms. Ugh!

Help a Friend Out....

Someone I know is trying to win a Wii for her kids for Christmas and we all know what it's like to be in a financial crunch so, be a pal and vote for Chelsie Butts!

Must Try Almond Biscotti

Almond Biscotti
1 1/2 cups whole, skin on almonds or chopped almonds
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour (plus more for shaping)
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. pure almond extract

Heat oven to 350 F. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer until they are fragrant (about 10 minutes). Leave the oven on.
Use your mixer (hook attachment) or large bowl with hand mixer combine all the dry ingredients(except the almonds) and mix on low speed. In another bowl lightly beat together the wet ingredients and once mixed slowly pour into the flour mixture. When the mixture is almost completely incorporated add the almonds and mix at low speed until the dough comes together. DO NOT OVER MIX! The dough should be stiff and sticky.
Dump the dough on a lightly floured surface and need any of the remaining dry ingredients from the mixing bowl in by hand. Separate the dough into three equal pieces. With floured hands, roll each piece into a log about 10 inches long and 2 inches wide. Arrange the three logs on parchment lined baking sheets 4 inches apart. I have discovered those baking mats that fit into my baking sheets and I love them! Nothing ever burns anymore.

Bake the logs until they are light brown but still soft. I usually do it for about 35-40 minutes. You will have to judge depending on your oven. Take the baking sheet out of the oven and reduce the temperature to 300F. Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for about ten minutes and then move them to a cutting board and slice in a slight angle to your desired thickness. I usually do a little over a half an inch. Place the biscotti CUT SIDE DOWN back on the baking sheet and dry them in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes but don't let them darken. Put them on a rack and let them cool. You can also add chocolate chips to the recipe or if you like your biscotti to have a Sambuca flavor, you can add 1 tsp aniseed in place of the almond extract.

This is a really super easy recipe. Enjoy!

It Was Only A Matter Of Time

Before I had to call Poison Control. I'm impressed we made it three years. Big Boy decided to help himself to a few Tums in my purse. Sheesh, I can't even use the bathroom without some kind of disaster happening. Luckily, a few Tums aren't considered dangerous to a three year old.
Anyway, here is the number in case any of you Jersey folk find yourself needing it (which I hope you never do). 1-800-222-1222.

Random Beauty

A friend of mine asked me if I could take some pictures of where she grew up. The town is only about ten minutes up the road from me and the pictures really are beautiful. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that places like this still exist. The world is so crazy now (and getting crazier by the day) that you need to stop and really enjoy the details.

This time of year really brings out the typical "sleepy beach town" feeling to the area. The beach is dotted with fishermen hoping to catch the big one and since there is always a brisk wind, it's perfect kite flying weather.

Hubby likes to talk about moving but I don't think he could do it. I really don't think there is anywhere else I would want to raise Big Boy. Hopefully, our property taxes won't push us out of here and all major storms decide to turn out into the ocean.

This will always be my favorite time of year. Everything seems so calm after a hectic summer. I hope Big Boy will appreciate the beauty in all this one day.

I Love A Productive Day!

I never thought we would accomplish so much this weekend but we did! Hubby and I both had to work yesterday and as usual it was raining all day so there was another day we couldn't get in the yard for the fall clean up. I did manage to deep clean a few rooms in the house last night. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner I figure it's time to get going on some of these projects.

Today was a day to be proud of. There is always the usual list of chores to do. First we go grocery shopping and then all the bed linens are changed. All of the laundry in the house was washed and put away along with all the hand towels and bath mats. I know, pretty unbelievable! Next, it was time to tackle the yard. Compliments of a low that had been sitting off the coast for almost a week, the yard was a mess. The front yard wasn't too bad and hubby actually got that done while I was grocery shopping with Big Boy. The backyard on the other hand was a disaster area because the leaves were still wet and one side of the yard is rocks so the leaves kept sticking to them. Hubby let me play with the leaf blower! Then I got my scarf caught up in it and Hubby took it away. I did see one of the coolest things though. When we blew the leaves off the pool cover, they left these beautiful prints behind. Naturally, I had to grab my camera and Hubby though I was a weirdo taking pictures of the "dirty" pool cover. Did I mention BB ran across the pool cover? Yeah, good times. Thank goodness for the safety cover.


Big Boy was in heaven playing outside all day and I am in heaven right now because he was so worn out he went to bed nice and early. After the leaves we came in the house and gave BB a haircut, which he does not like what so ever. I then cleaned a bit more and cooked an awesome lamb chop dinner. Yummy! Now I am going to watch some TV with Hubby and possibly call it a day.

What a great weekend!

Thank Goodness for EBay!

I know I have mentioned it before but Big Boy is just crazy for JoJo & Goliath from JoJo's Circus on the Disney channel. The only problem is, she is no longer the "it" show on Disney and her merchandise had been discontinued. When BB was about 6 months old I bough him a little JoJo doll from the store and he really didn't pay any attention to it until about three months ago. Now he is three years old and won't do ANYTHING without JoJo.

A few weeks ago, I happened to be browsing through EBay and stumbled upon some JoJo stuff and it was ending in three minutes. I quicky searched my desk drawer for my EBay passwords and got a bid of $18.01 in with about ten seconds on the clock! Yahoo! I had won BB some JoJo stuff! It finally came today and he is so happy! He now has Goliath to go with JoJo. He has a few of the character figurines, the JJ car and JJ's house. Most importantly...I have a back up JoJo with the tags still on it tucked away up high in a cabinet. It's the same one he has. I have nightmares about what would happen if he ever lost her. Now I can rest a little easier knowing I have one in reserve.

To tell the truth, she is getting really worn out too. He takes her in the bath with him every night, she plays outside with him and she eats with him. It is only a matter of time before she needs major repair surgery or doesn't survive a trip to the washing machine. He loves her though and that's all that matter,

So, the moral of the story....Thank heavens for EBay!

A Tragic Day For Our Country

I don't even know what to say. I have never been so scared for the next four years in all my life. At least I don't have to worry about my husband badgering me for sex for awhile since we will both be getting screwed for the next four years.

2012 can't come soon enough.

Oh No...

It's not looking good for McCain. I literally have a knot in my stomach watching the returns. I'll stay strong and keep praying for a miracle.

Say a Little Prayer

I truly believe the McCain/Palin ticket can pull it out. I have to believe they are able to do it. I just can't think of the alternative. I am really scared for the future of this country. It is scary to to think in a little over 24 hours, there will be a new President. I pray it is John McCain.