Trashy Novels

Finished yet another "trashy novel." Not really, I'm just being a stinker (some of you know what I'm talking about). The book is called "walking in circles before lying down." (in lowercase...just so you don't think I'm being un-grammatical...is that a word? Pun fully intended)

I LOVE dogs, so this book was so great for me. The main character (read: totally messed up in all areas of life female) starts to think that she can hear her dog talk. As she comes to grips with either the fact that dogs can communicate and choose not to or that she is going nuts, she accepts her dog's advice that, "instincts" serve her best in making choices for her love life, her career and all other decisions, for that matter.

I LOVE this snippet:

"...dogs are what I do for a living. One reason I like spending time with them so much is they seem to think people are really good. They live with us, and obey our rules, most of which make no sense to them. And the main reason they do it is because they like us. When I watch them, sometimes I'm so blown away by how enthusiastic they are about everything we do that I have to go out and buy them something squeaky or chewy. Just because I love proving to them that it's not a mistake to see the world as a great benevolent place."

Isn't that great. The author is Merrill Markoe. The book is a quick read at 270 pages and does have "bad" words every now and then. (Disclaimer for those who are sensitive to such things). Great book. Happy ending. All is well.

The Happiest Place on Earth

I feel like going to Disneyland is always an enjoyable experience; different every time and supreme in it's wonderfulness. One reason for this is that you never know who you will see at Disneyland. Once Tim and I rode California Screamin' at California Adventure with John Ritter. Bizarre. This last time wasn't anyone famous, but maybe they should be famous. It made my day to see these two beautiful ladies. Bless them for making Disney the "Happiest Place on Earth" for me!

Handmade is the Best

My friend Kim's (formerly mentioned in the sugar cookie wedding cakes post) daughter, Danika is getting married! To a great guy. Lucky for me, I'm friend to Kim, who invited me to the shower (very nice of her). I helped out with the games (really cute "Pop Quiz" and recipe box with note cards for guests to jot down their favorite recipes for the newlywed). However, I found myself stuck with a dilemma: What to get Danika for her shower? Things needed for a happy marriage...hmmm. Apron and sexy undies will do! I made this adorable apron (some great Amy Butler fabric, chef style, a cute pocket and my signature embroidered "K") and bought some sexy black undies at Urban Outfitters! Let me know how you feel about about the apron...I just feel like handmade is the best!

Too Much Time on My Hands?

Made sugar cookies yesterday. My friend Kim's daughter is in town for her college spring break and is getting married in about a month. I thought it would be cute to bring them a little dessert. So I made little sugar cookie wedding cakes. What do you think? Too much time on my hands, right?

Yesterday's Nutritious Dinner

Chicken and Quinoa

1 cup Quinoa (prepared with chicken stock)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin)
3 TBS olive oil
1 onion (diced)
1 red bell pepper (diced)
1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
Garlic (minced)
Fresh Basil (julienne)
Shaved Parmesan or Romano
Salt and Pepper

Prepare the quinoa according to package directions. Heat oil with a bit of garlic in nonstick skillet. Add chicken and cook about 5 minutes. Add onions and peppers and about a tablespoon garlic. Cook till vegetables are bright, but not limp. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and add quinoa and basil. Toss. Serve with shavings on top.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out and other Incidents

Saturday Cole was riding his bike in our neighborhood and ran into a parked car. He got scraped up shins and knees and a big bruise on his chin. The car was surprisingly not bruised.








Sunday afternoon the boys were playing in the back yard, jumping on the trampoline, and the neighbor kid to the back of us shot his air gun (the boys asked him to show them how it worked). Just by chance, the plastic ball thing from the gun hit Quin in the tooth...the front ADULT new tooth. Ugh. I was so bugged. The kid is 12 years old. I feel like he should know better. We got Quin into the dentist Monday afternoon and Dr. Taylor did a fantastic job fixing it. (Thank you so much) Quin was so brave at the dentist. I keep telling myself that it is the start of many "incidents" that moms with boys deal with. Here we go!!!

Last Day at Disney

Thursday was our last day to visit Disneyland over Spring Break and Tim took off work to go with us. Yeehaw! The park was very busy and my back was killing me....but, there was still fun to be had! We rode the Monorail into the park and tried to get on Autopia, but they closed the ride while we were in line...so we raced to the Matterhorn.

Ewan is terrified of the rides, but he forgets that fact and wants to go on them, then snuggles up against your chest with eyes clamped tight! He exits the ride saying, "Too scary!" I try to warn him. Ha.

We did Peter Pan's flight (very fun and the worker guy gave our whole family these cool Honorary Disneyland Citizen badges, which the boys sported with pride), we walked over by Thunder Mountain Railroad and found a petting zoo, as well as Woody and Jesse coloring pictures (Ewan was so happy about that!), Cole and I rode Thunder Mountain then met the others at Pirate Island (used to be Tom Sawyer island).

That was our great day. Thanks so much to Tim for coming with us. It means a lot to me (not bearing the full load), but even more to the boys (more important than a day at work). You'll see at the end of the photos, that the best part of this day came at the very end...

Spring Break 2008 Day 3

Disneyland again...ahhh pure heaven. Could it possibly get any more fun than yesterday? Why, yes, it can! And it did! The rundown:

Quick Jamba in Downtown Disney
Monorail into the park
Buzz Lightyear
Astro Orbiters
Bug's Life Creepy Show (with poo smell and acid burns!)
Bug's Life H2O
Caterpillar
Bug Hot Air Balloon
Soarin' Over California

Now this may not sound like the funnest Disneyland trip to YOU, but just look at the pics and you'll have to agree that it looks like we had a ball...because we did! Ready for day 4!!!! Thanks so much to Melissa, Audrey and Claire for meeting us in Bug's Life!

The Price of Friendship

Susan gave me a Ziploc bag full of goo and a piece of paper. How nice of her. Amish Friendship Bread. "Is it really a FRIENDLY thing to do?" I asked myself. The commitment alone is a lot to ask, but I did as the paper told me and "mushed" the bag for 10 days, adding ingredients as instructed. The payoff? These unbelievably delicious, cinnamon-sugary heaps of heaven, that's what. And what did I do to return the favor? Took them to my Activity Committee meeting last night (with the 4 Ziplocs full of goo and papers in hand). The deal was, if you take a yummy muffin, you are obligated to take a bag of goo and a paper. I came home empty handed. Ha! Friendly aren't I? Thanks Sue.

Spring Break 2008 Day 2

Spring Break 2008 will be fun. I am determined. Yesterday, we had a prep day, where laundry was done and house was cleaned and such. Today was Day One Disneyland. Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, Mickey's house and pic with Mick, Treehouse, Disney Railroad, Mr. Toad's and ice cream sundae. It was a great day at Disney. Just warm enough...I think we'll go back tomorrow! Stay tuned.

Moustache

Ewan thinks that a moustache is about the funniest thing in the world. At the market the other day, a man with a moustache was bagging our groceries and Ewan yells out, "HE HAS A MOUSTACHE!" Then starts laughing! I couldn't help myself, and started laughing too. So, of course, here is Ewan, fashioning my nail file into a make-shift moustache, then cracking up. I love that kid.

Oh Joy!

Time for another Seaside picnic! This time it was after the Jog-a-thon and the kids were famished! After snapping out our big red blanket, we dined on yummy Subway sandwiches (the boys like the "pizza" sub for kids and I prefer the veggie with honey mustard...mmmm). Cole and Ewan then played chase with Joy, the most adorable little girl in the 1st grade. Cole shared some Cheetos and I caught a kandid. Later, Cole told me that it was embarrassing to get his photo taken with pretty girls. He is so funny. I told him that one day he will love to look back on that picture and on his good taste in women! A great day.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

...It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor...Thursday was a bit overcast, but cleared off in the afternoon. I cycled down to Redondo Beach Farmer's Market with Ewan snoozing in the trailer on back, ate a fresh tamale and navel orange, and chatted with friends. Ewan played in the sand and on the swings and munched kettlekorn. We got sunshine and exercise and had an absolutely great day.