SOCIAL MEDIA

Monday, November 28, 2011

Birthday cards

My birthday cards:
a sugar free, dairy free, grain free, 3 layer cake. :)

Birthday Cards
My home in heaven, where I will be allergy free, it is made of candy and chocolate. The yard to the left includes a cottom candy tree and chocolate waterfall.

 The upstairs bedroom includes a bed, dresser, and mirror made out of jello.
A cake, decorated Angel Boy style.
Another version of my home in heaven. Chocolate mountains with cherries on top.
And that would be me fishing in the chocolate river.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving

I asked if I could host for my family this year, partially because I really do love to throw a party when I have time to get ready....and lots of extra help (which I had). But also because it seemed easier to deal with all our special dietary needs if I was hosting. Somehow. I am not sure how. When I figure it out I will explain it to you.

Anyway, I made some dishes for myself as I have my own food allergies apart from my fam, some for my kids and husband and some for the rest of my family. I made a gluten-free cornbread stuffing for all. However, as it turns out, somehow I expected people to be piling mounds of stuffing on their plates when really after it was all said and done, there was literally a small dent made out of a massive casserole dish. So, stuffing anyone? I'm serious. I'm thinking of inviting people off the street to eat the stuffing. or building something with it.

The kids helped to peel sweet potatoes for 2 casseroles. 
We ended up going through 2 boxes. Princess was tried and true to the end, peeling 9 potatoes on her own while I was occupied with something else.

I and my family both learned that you can have a pretty tasty, satisfying Thanksgiving meal without sugar, gluten, or dairy. It takes a little research and creative thinking, but it can be done. We also bought "The Big Easy" a turkey "fryer" that cooks the turkey with infra-red heat. It comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside with no oil. Amazing.

After the meal, baby boy provided us with some entertainment. I think my dad was laughing so hard at this he was crying. He just started nose diving into the cooler with ice, collecting it in his little cup and depositing it....wherever (my baby, not my dad).



 Shhh, Dee Dee. Don't tell mom and dad.

 Vegging with cousin after a big meal. 

 The big kids.
Today we spent some much needed quality time with my brother and SIL and their little boy. We had absolutely no desire to go out into the shopping jungle with the masses. Hope everyone got some great deals. We were playing in sand and climbing on ropes and things.

 Come on baby, I will show you how to climb to the top and scare the pants off of the grown-ups!

A beautiful day to have a picnic with your family! And the best part? Everyone is pooped upon returning home, so it is quieter than usual which is why I have time to do this. God bless all of you and your families.
Sunday, November 6, 2011

Mousy in the Housy



Yep. We have a mouse. The first time it was seen was by my husband at night. The next time was while I was planning a school day in the dining room. I handled it with much grace and calmness (not). The kids witnessed it. Somehow after reading them all these saints stories about saints that respect animals, they have developed a St. Francis mentality. They are saying we have a pet and please don't hurt it. Their daddy bought some "humane" mouse traps that trap the mouse without killing it. But I think he took one look at those little houses and said, "Come inside the little green box and have a snack? I am not that stupid."

We have tried some of our homemade cashew butter on it, we have mixed it with honey and served it on a triscuit, we have served it organic peanut butter with sugar. My husband suggested today that maybe it prefers the regular storebought peanut butter, with all that hydrogenated oil and stuff mixed in. I said good, he will probably die from eating it before he hits the trap.

I know I was entrusted with God's creation and that we are to care for things that are smaller than us, but I want that thing out of our house. Every time I go in the laundry room I give it a speech, "if you're in here, stay away, Mousy, staaaay away." We have an agreement. I pretend he is not in the house, and he stays hidden when I am around. (Except for that one morning). My husband also thought it would be a great time to watch "An American Tail" with the kids. So, Feifel is in the house, and it is time for him to move. Far.... Far.... away.
Friday, November 4, 2011

Cows and Superheroes and Saints, Oh My!

"Do you want to wear your own face or a mask?" says my 7yr. old to my 4 yr. old with a completely serious look as they were getting ready for Daddy's office party. I am thinking my own face, but that is just me. What is it about this time of year that makes my children so giddy with excitement? They have taken it upon themselves to "decorate" the house for the past 2 years. The result was pretty cute I must say.  On every wall of our living room you were met with a new friend...
 I think the creature on the bottom left is a spider.
 This is one of my faves, Princess' 3 layer halloween cake.
 Boo.
Wow, that's a mouth full of teeth!
As I am feeling alot better lately, I decided to take the job of going around the neighborhood with them. I underestimated my energy level however, and was breathless and ready to return before we got to the end of our cove. Lame, I know. It is time to start an exercise routine again. 
The crew before heading out, along with my hands, argh. 
Happy Cowy-ween
Happy Cowy-ween! Sorry. 

Because we have food allergies and sensitivities, we don't eat the candy we collect and try to limit sugar. Not to worry however, My husband makes up for it amply. And we do order a few items from a natural candy store called Indie candy (indiecandy.com, check them out!) So here is The Great Pumpkin at work.

The kids are sent back to a bedroom after returning from trick-or-treating while he sets it up.


The most popular non-food item by far was the vampire teeth. I will be having nightmares about those for months. 
And the caption reads, "Why, with these teeth and crown, I could RULE THE WORLD!!"


 Cutest little Frankenstein ever.

 Eating his chocolate pumpkin.
And this pretty much tells you how everyone felt about their Halloween treats. Daddy knows how to make lots of smiles.

Last but not least we celebrated All Saints with our homeschool group. Each child dresses up as a saint and shares a little about it. They all processed into church, we had mass, and they presented afterwards. The little ones were placed on the front row (my 4 yr. old included) and I got to watch him play with a jingle bell (snuck past my attention) and stuffed animal dog in the air in front of Fr. James while observing from 3 rows back unable to stop it. Ah well. Humility, Humility. 
 St. Bernadette, a wittle nervous, but she made it through.
 a holy, attentive bunch.
 St. Francis of Assisi. You know, "Make me a channel of your peace.." so perfect. I was trying to explain this to him in the car as he was whacking his big sister, dressed as Catherine of Siena.
I was proud actually, because I didn't think he would even stand up there and say anything, and he bounded up there, remembered the name and said "he just wuved animals."
 St. Felix, a pope who, when trying to hide in a cave from Roman soldiers, made friends with a spider who wove a miraculous web at the entrance, protecting him from the soldiers. He named him "Fidelis" (faithful) and it stayed with him after this experience.
St. Catherine of Siena, doctor of the church, received the stigmata (wounds of Christ), started having visions of Jesus at the age of 6, asked to take on all the suffering of the sins of the world. You know, one of those small timers.
St. Bernadette again, just chillin'.

like a villian, well, maybe not. 

All you holy saints, pray for us!



Thursday, November 3, 2011

Warning labels, Beware the 4 yr. old

This sign according to the Little Guy, says "put the man in the box and then he will be stuck in jail."

Warning Labels, Beware the 4 yr. old


Just so you know.