PINT -10 Things Road Rage Edition

Today I'm joining SupahMommy for PINT.  I added some Think Tank Momma flare for you Smackers and I'm giving you some more 10 Things I Hate About You mixed in with the post-its.  So, if you have 10 things?  Stick 'em on some notes are share with us, won't you?

And don't forget this week's Share a Spoon Theme!

One more thing....

I guess it's what I get for trying to be fancy with my Post-it Notes.

But nevertheless....

You gotta fight for your right to.....PARTAY

See that gorgeous little face?  It turned 8 years old yesterday.  My baby boy is getting all growed up!  Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!

We took him to Cracker Barrel yesterday for his birthday breakfast.  Um....does anyone go to church anymore?  That place was a zoo!  We went there because we had a gift card.  I don't know what I was thinking trying to brave that place on a Sunday morning, but it was CAH-RAZY!  But, my little man enjoyed it, and the baby even fell asleep despite the noise coming from the animals so I guess it was a success.

Kenna and her boyfriend brought several hundred balloons over and filled them up.  They played with the boys, had a water fight and made some sort of make shift slip and slide that included a tarp and dish washing liquid.  I think Kenna may have broken her finger and there were a few incidents of crying children when balloons hit their targets yet didn't explode.  Lucky for me I got a pass out of the fight so I could prepare dinner.  BDC got a pass because he was the grill master.  But poor Aunt Buffee?  She made a lot of these faces.

You Smackers remember that I call Kmden mini me a lot right?  Mini-me is right!  Guess what we are doing for his birthday party?  Go ahead.  Guess?  

Here is a clue.  When the sun falls behind the moon.

Alright fine, I'll just tell you.  He wanted to hit the PREMIERE of ECLIPSE at MIDNIGHT Tuesday night!  So, of course, being that it was all he asked for, and what he wanted, that's what he's getting!  GO MINI-ME!

Happy Birthday Kamden!  Momma loves you.

Alrighty Smackers, please go leave my baby some birthday love on his blog!  CLUB KAMDEN

SaS Theme: Casseroles

Happy Saturday Smackers!

This week's theme is brought to you compliments of my super fabby friend, the most awesomely talented Cheesecake of Mad Boastings of a Cheapskate Mom, Cheapskate Designs (don't you just love her work over at the LIB site) and Lose It Bitches contributor! 

Tamara as she known to most asked for casseroles, or as the English call them bakes.  My good friend Dreamweaver from Minnesota would probably call it a hotdish.  Whatever you call it, it's a deepdish, bake in the oven and serve from the same dish kind of meal typically found at potluck dinners and family gatherings here in the US.

So join me here in the Tank on Thursday and offer up your take or favorite baked casserole!  I would especially love to see some Mexican casseroles from my Mexican friends, who I won't call out.  (Ahem....Lluvia, Meeko).  

It's a POTLUCK dinner Think Tank Momma Style!  You're invited!  See you Thursday! 

Now, go enjoy your weekend!  Love!

Share a Spoon: Love Your Sweet Tooth

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  It's Thursday! Share a Spoon Thursday!
DESSERTS 

Thanks to my favorite baby sister, Buffee from The Truth According To Buffee, we are tickling our taste buds this week with the sticky, the sweet, the dessert treat!  I love dessert.  I mean, I really love dessert.  It is the whole point of the meal as far as I'm concerned.  You eat dinner to get the ooey gooey goodness of sweet chocolate, berries, pie, cream, cupcakes, whatever.  As long as it's sweet, I am all about it.


I kicked around a lot of ideas for this week's theme.  I make a carrot cake that is to die for, and I thought about posting that.  I made it for Father's Day because it is my Dad's favorite and BDC's.  I could've done pics while making it, but, it's a tightly guarded secret recipe (of my own creation) that I haven't been willing to divulge yet.  Trust me, everyone who has tried it is trying to get me to share the recipe. 


I may share it later on, but for now, I went to the grocery store over the weekend and the summer berries were calling my name.  They just looked so sweet and delicious I decided to make a summer very berry cobbler to share with you guys!

I was watching Food Network over the weekend and Gina Neely said something that I loved.  It's something I have always done, but never really thought that much of until she said it.  She said to use a recipe as a blueprint.  If you think something you like will add to it, add it.  If you don't like something, change it.  Pretty soon you have something all your own.  I never follow a recipe to the letter, ever.  That includes baking.  I know they say you should be very careful with baking, measuring, blah, blah, blah.  Not the case.  You can make changes. 


Here is what you'll need for the filling:


2 C. Blueberries (fresh or frozen are fine)
2 C. Blackberries
1 C. Raspberries 
1 Tablespoon honey
1 lemon zested and juiced
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar 
2 Tablespoons of corn starch

(Cooks note:  I used fresh berries for this recipe, but have made many a cobbler with frozen.  Also, if you like different berries, or can't find these, pick up whatever berries look great at the market that day.  Also, this cobbler is sweet and tart.  If you like really sweet, increase the granulated sugar to 1/4 Cup or add more honey.)

In a deep casserole or baking dish generously butter the bottom and the sides with room temperature butter.  Set aside.


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.


In a large bowl, mix the berries with the sugars, corn starch and spices. Drizzle the honey the sugared berries and add the lemon zest and juice.  Stir and add to the buttered baking dish.




For the Crust you'll need:


1 C. All purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/3 C. granulated sugar
1/3 C. brown sugar
1/3 C. Half and Half


1 Tablespoon of sugar and 1 Tsp of Cinnamon to dust the top of the crust, along with 2 Tablespoons of cold butter diced up.


In a food processor mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugars.  Pulse until ingredients are well mixed.  Slowly add the half and half until the dough looks like wet sand.  If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk.  (You can substitute buttermilk, whole milk, or the like for the half and half.)

Crumble the dough over the top of the berries.  Sprinkle the top of the dough with the cinnamon and sugar.  Evenly distribute the diced bits of butter over the top of the cinnamon and sugar.


Bake until  crust is browned and the berries are bubbly.  Takes roughly 45 minutes depending on your oven.


Let it cool for 15 minutes or so before serving.  I serve this over vanilla ice cream and top with fresh whipped cream.

 Well Smackers, enjoy!  This is so yummy.  


Leave me some love, and if you have a theme idea let me know.  I'll pimp you and your idea on Saturday and Thursday of the week your theme is hosting SaS.


Love!

Wordless Wednesday: Sleeping Beauty and The Beast

Yesterday Kenna and her boyfriend JJ came to get the boys for a water fight.  They had water balloons and a cookout with the boys and they were thrilled.  That left the house quiet.  Just me, BDC and the baby.

Here is how my sweetheart spent the first time we have had alone adult time in weeks.

At least my Sleeping Beauties were enjoying the quiet house.  I spent my quiet time alone on my computer.  But, I did enjoy the QUIET.


Don't forget that tomorrow is DESSERT DAY!!  Yay!  Bust out your favorite dessert recipe and link up with me for Share a Spoon!

10 Thing Tuesday: The Politically Incorrect Edition

10 Things I Hate About You was very therapeutic last time.

I thought I would do it again.

Politically Incorrect Edition

1.)  I hate other people's children.  Oh, don't give me that look over your glasses.  I said this was so NOT the "PC" version.  Plus, you know you do too.  You go to the store, there are kids screaming.  You go to the movies, kids screaming.  You go out to dinner, with your sweetheart, for a quiet night, and there are kids screaming.  I have my own.  I don't have to like yours.

2.)  I hate it when you go to the movies, sit down and the people next to you are talking through the whole movie.  I don't give a crap if it is your "culture".  Shut the eff up already.  It cost me a small fortune to come here with my children.  Yes, because I have five of them.  SO....if you want to talk, wait for the freaking DVD and do it in your home.

3.)  I hate teenagers.  Yes, I realize that I was one.  I was the lowest form of life on the planet at one time.  I was a shithead.  I'm not anymore.  I hate them.  All of them.

4.)  I hate pretentious Moms who pretend their children are perfect.  Um....good luck with that.  Nobody believes you or your children are perfect.  Tell those lies in your Mommy group.  They won't bother me there because I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those groups.

5.)  I hate it when fast food restaurants pretend to "go green" and only give you napkins in the drive-thru when you remember to ask for them.  ASSHATS!  Yes, because not giving me napkins will make up for the Styrofoam boxes that you packaged my food in.  Just give me my damn napkins.  I will plant a freaking tree!

6.)  I hate laundry.  Please make disposable clothes already.  So not a green mantra, but oh so true!

7.)  I hate old people driving.  Make them take a test after a certain age already!  They can't see.  If they can't see, they can't freaking drive.  I am sure giving up your freedom is a bitch, but at least the roads will be safer and faster!  Why do they drive so freaking slow?  Like they have all the time in the world.  Hey!  You don't have much time left, get your ass in gear would ya?

8.)  I hate when the little Vietnamese chics at the nail place talk in their native tongue while giving pedicures.  You know they are talking about you!

9.)  I hate that more things aren't open 24 hours.  I don't like daytime hours.  I'm a night person.  I know there are more people like me.  Quit making us feel like freaks already.

10.)  and I know that it is UNAmerican, but I hate KETCHUP!

Alright Smackers...tell me what do you hate.  Keep it Politically Incorrect will ya?

Love!

How I got duped by a Surferwife and a couple of 8 year olds....

My good friend MoMo Sake aka Surferwife is one of my favorite reads.  Why you ask?  She is smart, and funny, and she blogs while drinking mass amounts of Sake.  Plus, she is uber cool and blogs about her celebrity encounters.  She is a stuck-up biatch super fun friend to have.

Anysnob, I was reading her blog yesterday, catching up cause I have a life  I have been a slacker.  My shadow favorite baby boy was sitting on the couch beside me being my pal reading over my shoulder.  Unbeknown to me, MoMo decided to let her little mini me aka Sports Boy have his own blog.  Now, Sports Boy is 8.  YES!  EIGHT. YEARS. OLD.

So, let me tell you a story.  Kamden has been begging for a blog.  He has told me repeatedly that he has really funny stories, that he could make people laugh.  Even contends that HE is funnier than ME.  Now, being the overprotective, neurotic, best mom ever that I am, I told him that the internet was a scary place and that I wasn't comfortable having him share his awesomeness with everyone, that it was just for me and Awesome Dad aka BDC.

So, I was catching up on blogs as I said, and Sports Boy got his coming out party on his mom's blog and Kamden went berserk!  He lost his mind. The conversation went something like this.  Well, actually, it went exactly like this:


K:  MOM!  You said I was too LITTLE (insert seething sarcasm)to have my own blog.  (Full on head bob going)
Me:  Yes, you are.
K:  Um...hello...you are reading about an eight year old with a blog!
Me:  Technically you are still 7.
K:  *rolls eyes* *stands on the couch and puts his hand on his hip and cocks his head to one side*  Really?  That's what you are going with?
Me:  Well, yeah I was gonna.
K:  Fine, I get a blog next Sunday on my birthday then.
K: *mumbles under his breath in a mocking voice*  Kamden you can't have a blog cause you are too little.  Blah, blah, blah...
Me:  That is not winning you any brownie points or getting you closer to having a blog.
K:  *drops to his knees and puts his hands together fingers interlaced*  Oh Mommy, most awesomest Mommy in the whole world, may I please, please, please have a blog?  PLEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZE!
Me:  *heaving sigh* 
K:  Puuuuuuhhhhhhhh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzze???????
Me:  I guess. 
K:  *dancing hysterically*  Ok, let's get crackin'!  I got lots of things to say.

So, Kamalamadama now has his own blog.  Please head on over to Club Kamden and give the little twerp awesome man a proper BLOGGER welcome would you?


Then go visit Sports Boy too.  These little guys are too awesome for words!

Share a Spoon Theme

Happy Saturday Smackers! 

This weeks theme?  When I share this week's theme I just wanna say, I expect MASSIVE participation!  You guys have been slackin'!  Just sayin'.

This week's theme comes compliments of Buffee at The Truth According to Buffee.  She has been hounding...and I do mean HOUNDING me for desserts week.

Not everyone loves to cook, but most of you I know have some go to sweets!  I want you to share 'em!

Alrighty, bring it.  See you Thursday for something decadent!

Share A Spoon: Swimming with the Fishes

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Happy Thursday Smackers!Welcome to this week's installment of Share A Spoon.

Nancy over at Away We Go asked that we share some fish recipes this week.  I am also excited, because I don't eat much fish either.  I cook it some, for the family, but I am typically a chicken gal myself.  

Here is a quick and easy recipe for salmon that my boys love.  My mom shared this with me so I gave it a whirl and added some garlic.  Everything is better with garlic.  Just sayin'.

Here's what you will need:

6 - salmon fillets

1/4 cup of maple syrup

2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

1 garlic clove minced finely (I grate the garlic)

salt n pepper to taste

In a Ziploc bag, mix the soy sauce maple syrup and garlic.  Dry your fish fillets with a paper towel and salt and pepper them.  Add them to the Ziploc and make sure all the fish gets coated in the marinade.  Let them marinate for 30 minutes, but no more than an hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Bake salmon uncovered for 25 minutes.

I usually make a rice pilaf or a salad of some sort to go with fish.  Salmon is a really hearty fish though so it would hold up nicely to mashed potatoes or any other side you wanted to serve with it.

My best recommendation for fish, if you are trying to incorporate it but don't love it, is buy fresh fish.  Go to the fish counter at your grocery store or specialty market and ask to smell the fish.  If it SMELLS like fish(y) don't buy it.  It should never look slimy either.  

10 Things I Hate About You

I was telling my girlfriends this evening, I am in a funk.  I am pissy.  Which is not to say I am pissed off, you know in general.  Just pissy.  Like little things that normally wouldn't irritate me, they irritate me.  Don't get me wrong, lots of stuff irritates me on a daily basis, even when I am not pissy.

So I thought I would make a list of things that irritate me, even when I am not pissy.  General things that I think most people should KNOW, but don't.  Or perhaps they do and they are just stupid.  I used to say I was a people person, but then I discovered the majority of the world's population is stupid.  I have about zero tolerance for stupidity.  Seriously.  I don't like stupid people.  So, you can see how this would adversely affect my ability to be a people person right? Right.

I've digressed.  Back to the list.

1.)  Why do people enter through the EXIT door?  The ENTRANCE and EXIT doors at the grocery store, Walmart, Target, etc. are CLEARLY marked.  Can they not read?  Do they not care?  WHY?  What's worse, they will give those of us who can read, dirty looks when we are entering and exiting as is appropriate.

2.)  Using words/shitty grammar.  Let me explain before you all start going off on me.  I know I use made up words and I am fond of run on sentences and broken phrases.  I'm a writer, it's creative license for the love of Pete.  I am talking about people who stopped trying to master the English language at around 5 years old.  Those people who use words like tooken.  Words like learnt.  Like idear.  There is no "R" in idea damnit!  Alls.  Um, all is "all" inclusive.  It's already plural, dumbass.  Double negatives?  Almost make my head explode.  "I don't need no grammar lessons."

3.)  Driving 5 miles below the speed limit in the fast lane.  MOVE THE EFF OVER.  You are slow in more ways than one.


4.)  People who call me, on my phone, at my number and ask "who's this?".  Um...you called me.  My response is always, "Who the hell is this?"

5.)  People who call me and when I answer ask me to "hold on".  Um...NO.  I didn't call you. You called me, and interrupted what I was doing.  If you don't have time to talk to me, the person YOU just called, hang up and try later, when you have time.  If I have time, perhaps I will take your call.

6.)  People who call me to answer a text, that requires a yes or no.  If I wanted to "talk" to you, I would have called you.  Just answer the TEXT.
 
7.)  People who let their children SCREAM at the TOP OF THEIR LUNGS in public.  Really?  Look, I am a mom, and I know that you can tune that shit out, but seriously, must you subject the rest of us to what has taken you months or years to to learn to tune out?  Take that child to the restroom and correct the problem.  Take them to the car and correct the problem.  I don't care where you take them, just take them somewhere and correct the problem.


8.) Teenagers.  No explanation necessary.


9.)  Elisabeth Hasselbeck.  No explanation necessary.


10.)  When fast food restaurants "train" new people to work the drive-thru window during lunch or dinner rush.  

Well, there's my 10 Things I Hate About You for today.  It really isn't 10 things I hate about you, my Smackers.  Just "people".  I may have to do this again.  It really was cathartic.

Feel free to share THINGS you hate about "people".

Saturday Share a Spoon Theme

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Happy Saturday Smackers!

My good friend Nancy Campbell over at Away We Go chose this week's theme.  She said she wanted to incorporate fish in her diet, but doesn't like it much.  I'm with you Nancy, I know I should eat more, but I am not a huge fish fan either.  Most people like fried fish, but I eat VERY LITTLE fried food, so I can't develop a palate for fish by eating the fried variety.  So what's a girl to do?

Why ask for a theme on Share a Spoon of course!  That's where you all come in!  I need lots of participation this week Smackers!  Share your favorite fish recipes please!  Here is what the American Heart Association says about the health benefits of incorporating Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Fish is a good source of protein and, unlike fatty meat products, it’s not high in saturated fat. Fish is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of — or who have — cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death.  Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly).  (You can read the whole article and the recommendations on diet according to your age/risk group by clicking the highlighted text.) 

Please get the word out and ask your friends to share their favorite fish recipes too!  Thanks SMACKERS!  Much love from Moi! 

Swim on by on Thursday and SHARE your FISH SPOON!

Share a Spoon - What a Crock!

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Happy Thursday Smackers! 

My good friend Stephanie from The Blue Zoo said summertime was upon us and she wanted to good crock pot recipes so that she doesn't have to heat up her kitchen.  Um....great idea Steph!  Crock pot theme it is!

I will admit I am not a big pork chop or pork roast fan.  I don't know why.  I prefer mine all crispy bacon, or sausage or salty smoked ham style.  You know the fattening stuff.  The lean pork chops that are "the other white meat"?  Yeah, just give me my chicken.

Well, I do like pork chops one way.  They come out tender and yummy and all apart good.

Here's what you need:

15 -18 Thin boneless pork chops.  I usually buy the "family pack" and cook them all.  This is very yummy as left overs and ALL my boys, including BDC love it!
Salt n- Pepper to taste
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cans of 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Box of Chicken Stock  (you can substitute 4 cups of water but the stock adds so much flavor.  I really recommend the stock)
2 cups of rice

I mix the chicken stock and cream of mushroom soup in a bowl.  Incorporate well.  The 98% fat free soup is creamier and has a runnier consistency than the regular.  Use the fat free stuff, it works better for this and you don't need the extra calories anyway.  Wash and drain the rice.  Add to the bowl with the wet ingredients.  Pour into the bottom of the crock pot.  Drizzle pork chops with olive oil and salt and pepper them on both sides.  Add to the crock pot.  Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.

(This recipe works well in the oven if you don't have a crock pot.  Cook at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.)

I usually serve this with baby sweet peas.  Straight out of the freezer.  In a small pot add two tablespoons of oil.  Add one chopped shallot.  Cook till tender, about 2 minutes.  Pour in the frozen peas.  Cover and let warm through.

That's it.  Easy PEASY!  And this recipe is really a picky crowd pleaser.

So, it's your turn!  Share your favorite crock pot dishes!  I showed you mine, now you show me yours!  

Winner Winner Ducky Dinner

G

 Guess what time it is? 

Anyone?

Alrighty Smackers!  It's time to announce DUCK FEST winners!

The Williams-Sonoma Cook Book Giveaway

Winners:

Holly of 504 Main won the Cupcake Cookbook.

Surferwife won the Comfort Food Cookbook.

Zany Dezines UPrint Custom Packages

Winners:

Tamara from Cheapskate Mom 

Everyday Song 

Special thanks to all of you who gave your time, talents, and all your monetary contributions.  It means the world to Daffy.  We helped lift her spirits in a time of such deep sadness, and I appreciate every single ounce of love that you all poured out!

Meet me here tomorrow for Share a Spoon.  Bring your Crock Pot recipes!  Linky linky!