Tasty Tuesday - Nutella Cookies

These were so delicious!  We're a big fan of Nutella in this family and when I saw this recipe on Pinterest I knew I had to try it.  It was a big hit.  If you're looking for a cookie recipe that's a bit different you'll have to try it.  It's easy to bake and delicious to eat.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/nutella-cookies/

Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/16/13

The weather ...

Has gone from one drastic change to another.  It's either hot or cold.  We wore pants and jackets this weekend but suddenly it warmed up and we didn't need the jackets.  With only one more week left of summer the fall weather has already arrived.  This morning Matthew was excited to use his Spider-man umbrella while waiting for the bus.  It poured in the morning, cleared up with the sunshine and now the sky is starting to darken again.  More rain to come? 

Right now I am ...

Enjoying some peace and quiet while the little one naps.  We had a fun day of grocery shopping and playing.  Waiting on the laundry to finish in both the washer and dryer and then have another load to do.  I also am in the middle of making some Nutella Cookies.  Found the recipe on Pinterest and I tried one after it came out of the oven and OH MY GOODNESS!  DELICIOUS!  So easy to make and it tastes so good.  We're big Nutella fans in this house.

Thinking ...

Of my 5 year old son.  He's been giving us some issues lately.  Nothing major.  He's typically a well behaved and happy child who does well in school.  Lately he's been very whiny, cranky and extra sensitive.  I'm pretty sure it's because of the huge adjustment of this new routine.  He went from being home with me all day/every day to being in school 8 hours/day and then baseball practice after.  It has to be a lot for a little kid.  I also noticed he seems to lack in confidence.  I can see it when he's at baseball.  Maybe he's just not cut out for the sport and that's okay but during practice and games he seems to shy away from doing what he needs to do.  He tries when he's at bat but on the field he's in his own little dream land.  I don't know what to do to boost his confidence but I hope and pray he gets better.  Also, last Friday he admitted to lying to me about something.  I will not tolerate lying and he quickly learned that.

On my reading pile ...

I need to get better at this.  I used to read books a lot but now it seems I'm reading articles off of websites or magazines I subscribed to in the mail.  I'd love to get back into reading books.

On my TV ...

Love It Or List It on HGTV.  I love those home improvement/home decorating shows.  Plus, there is nothing else on right now that's worth watching.

On the menu ...

Monday - Eggplant Parmesan that my father made and froze for us.  We picked it up yesterday and I can't wait to cook it up tonight.  I'll also make some spaghetti to go with it.  We'll also enjoy those Nutella cookies for dessert.
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - Chicken and rice casserole
Thursday -
Friday - Rob's homemade pizza
Saturday -
Sunday - 

The rest of the week is TBD.  I'll get back to it I promise.

On my to do list ...

Grocery Shopping
House cleaning
Wash bedding
Going through the kids' clothes and making sure they have enough for fall/winter
Taking the fall decor out of the attic 
List a few items on Craigslist

Looking forward to this week ...

Saying goodbye to the summer season and officially welcoming the fall this weekend.
Matthew's next baseball game on Sunday.

Looking around the house ...

I see toys, toys, toys.  My kids are certainly not deprived.  I can also smell the sweet, chocolate scent of cookies from the kitchen.  Yum! 

From the camera ...

One of my favorite things to do is to help my children learn and explore.  This morning my little girl and I had fun playing blocks.  Not only did we build a castle (which is what Brianna called it) I also taught her what each shape and color was.  I don't expect her to learn any of this now, especially the shapes.  She'll get it eventually.  However there are times when she'll pick something up and say, "red" or "boo (blue)" and some of the time she's correct.

On my prayer list ...

Matthew and the issues I discussed previously
Always praying for both my children that they will remain healthy and succeed through life
My husband who has been dealing with a lot of physical pain lately.  He's been dealing with certain issues his entire life and it's been harder for him lately.  Without going into more detail I will say that this is something that I worry about all the time.
My mom's continued healing after her stroke over a year ago.
My dad needs all the strength he can get as he continues to take care of my mother.
The recent events at the Navy base shooting.  When is all this violence going to end?  

Bible verse/devotional ...

"Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." -- Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV)

Teaming up with Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom

12 Years Ago

I cannot believe it's been 12 years since September 11, 2001.  I will never forget the day and I relive it in my mind every year at this time.

I wasn't married yet and was living at home with my parents.  I had a full time job at a pharmaceutical company inspecting the flu vaccine.  That Tuesday was my day off.  I woke up early, dressed and then went into the living room to watch some television.  My parents were still sleeping.  I was watching a show that was interupted by the announcement that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in NY.  Then another plane came and hit the second tower.  I was in complete shock.  Totally stunned and unsure of what was going on.  My dad woke up and entered the kitchen/family room area.  I told him what happened and he looked at me with wide eyes before going back into his bedroom to wake my mother.  They both came out and we sat and watched the TV.  We listened as President Bush gave the announcement that we had been attacked.  We also learned of the Pentagon being hit as well as a field in Pennsylvania.  What was going on?  We had no idea at the time.  Were there more planes coming?  Where would they hit?  Who was driving those planes?  What were they after?  Such a scary thing to have gone through.

My family lives on Long Island and we later learned that my sister's friend was working at the World Trade Center when this happened.  He didn't survive.  It becomes even more upsetting when there's a personal connection to the attack.  I also remember riding over the Verrazano Bridge on the way to Long Island and seeing both towers in the distance.  Since the attack the view hasn't been the same.  I refuse to look at the NY skyline anymore.

It was a terrible day.  Let's never forget it. 

Poison Ivy And A Baseball Game

Last week as I was trimming the bushes I apparently came across some poison ivy.  Now I'm suffering because of it.  It's been spreading all over.  I tried Caladryl and some other stuff but it wasn't working.  Now I'm trying the baking soda mixed with water method.  Tonight I'd like to soak in an oatmeal bath.  I'm hoping something helps.  When I was younger I remember my grandma used Witch Hazel for everything and it always miraculously worked.  I came across that suggestion as I was looking up different remedies.  I can't believe I forgot about good ol' Witch Hazel ... and I'm glad we have some in the bathroom cabinet.  I'm trying all I can to get rid of this.  Caladryl used to work like a charm for me. 

I know I already shared this picture of my son and husband at their last baseball game but I wanted to talk about it. 

 

 The kids on the team are 5 - 7 years old and they are good.  I mean, really good.  Rob played ball as a kid and coached his nephew's team.  He always wanted to coach his son's team and now he has that chance and seems to be enjoying it.  I love watching him coach the team and I love watching my son try his hardest at the game.  He still needs a lot of help but he's getting better.  It's so much fun to watch.  Brianna, at only two years of age, knows how to hold a bat and swing so who knows, maybe she's our future softball player.   I love watching these kids grow and learn. 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/9/13

Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/9/13

In an effort to keep up with this blog regularly I decided to team up with Sandra at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Mondays.  I accidentally found her blog after doing a Google search for something having to do with stay-at-home moms.  I instantly became hooked on her blog.  She's so interesting and all of her entries are great.  I hope you don't mind me teaming up with you and the others who do this.  So here we go ...

The weather ...

Definitely feels like fall out there today.  It was freezing at the bus stop this morning and it's been a very cloudy day.  Somehow it's supposed to get hot again tomorrow.  This rapid change of weather is crazy!  No wonder everyone is getting colds lately.

Right now I am ...

Cooling down after an intense work out.  After I laid Brianna down for her nap I did some cardio and strength training.  She's napping, my son is in school and my hubby is at work so I'm enjoying some quiet time while I wait on the laundry to finish.  I also did a little cleaning around the house but there's more to be done.

Thinking ... 

Of what else I want to do to keep this blog interesting on a more regular basis.  Any ideas shoot them my way.  I'm also thinking of all the things I need to get done today and this week.

On my reading pile ...

My latest parenting and fitness magazines.  I wanted to try a few work outs in the fitness magazine.  As for books, nothing at the moment but I'd love to get to the library and start reading again.

On my TV ...

Nothing at the moment.  When the television is on during the day it's usually a kid show like Yo Gabba Gabba or Spongebob.  This evening I know Rob will be watching football.  Go Redskins!

On the menu for this week ...

Oh my.  What do I write?  I usually don't plan the meals out in the beginning of the week but I've been wanting to do this for a long time.  I usually decide on what I want to cook on that same day or the night before but I'd love to have everything prepared ahead of time.  I'll have to get back to this later once I have it all figured out. 

Monday - Polish kielbasa and pierogies
Tuesday -
Wednesday - I'd love to throw something in the crock pot.  Will decide later. 
Thursday -
Friday - homemade pizza (made by my hubby.  It's always good). 
Saturday -
Sunday - 

On my to do list ...

The usual laundry, vacuuming, dishes, etc.
Need to buy more white socks for Matthew
Finish the yard work

In the craft basket ...

I'm not a very crafty person and crafting isn't something I do regularly but I'd like to do more with the kids or even something on my own to help me unwind.  During our beach trip the kids collected some sea shells and I also put a pile of sand in a bag.  I would love to get a shadow box and have the sand and shells on the bottom with a picture of the kids at the beach in the background.  Yes, found the idea on Pinterest and it's such a cute idea.

Looking forward to this week ...

Matthew's baseball practices and a game on Saturday.
Shopping, even if it's just for socks.  I love doing anything that gets me out of the house.
Maybe a trip to the amusement park this weekend if hubby is okay with that.  

Looking around the house ...

And noticing a mess of toys that need to be picked up and organized.  The kids have definitely taken over the house with all their stuff but I've gotten used to it.  I keep reminding myself that there will come a time when they will both be adults on their own and this house will be empty.  I need to enjoy the chaos while I have it.

From the camera ...

Rob and Matthew had their first game of the season last Saturday.  It was against another league and I think all the kids did amazing (and so did my hubby the head coach).  I'm so proud of my husband, son and all the boys on the team.  They kicked butt!

On my prayer list ...

Asking God to help me to be a better daughter to Him, wife to my husband and mother to my kids.
My family and friends. 
My sister-in-law who is job searching

Bible verse/devotional ...

"The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Whom shall I fear?" -- Psalm 27:1

Fall Is (Almost) Here

16 days until fall is officially here but the autumn weather decided to arrive a little early.  It was very chilly this morning as we waited for the school bus and Matthew had a light jacket over his t-shirt but the day slowly got a little warmer with a welcoming breeze.  I love it.

I spent the morning trimming the plants and bushes and raking all the leaves into a garbage bag.  I also sprayed the weeds in the flower beds.  Then Brianna and I took a little break to play in the sandbox and slide.  She's really good at climbing up the slide. 

Then after lunch and putting her down for the daily nap I went back outside to finish the yard work.  It's a lot easier getting things done without a toddler constantly at my feet asking me to pick her up or play with her.  With this weather change has brought on runny noses and coughs from both my children.  I'm not sure if it's allergies or a cold but I feel bad for them.  Hopefully whatever is ailing them goes away quickly so we can enjoy this amazing weather. 

The New Routine

It's very quiet in my house right now.  Part of me loves the peacefulness and another part of me misses all the chaos that goes on when both kids are here playing.  Matthew will be getting off the bus in a few hours and Brianna will be awake from her nap by then so the chaos will happen soon enough so I better suck it up and enjoy my quiet time.  I have so many plans and things I want to accomplish every day during the few hours Brianna naps while the guys are in school and work.  House cleaning is a must and being able to do it without any distractions or having a little one making more messes makes it easier.  I'm also planning to reorganize almost every room in the house.  Yard work is a must as well!  I'd also love to put the finishing touches on Matthew's baby book and update Brianna's.  I also have started an exercise routine every day during this time as well.  And yes, blogging!  Maybe I can find more time to sit here and write.  It helps me to unwind and as I always say, it's a great outlet. 

Matthew loves school.  LOVES it!  This morning he was at the door by 8am begging me to take him to the bus stop.  The bus wasn't going to arrive for another 17 minutes so when I told him we had to wait he just whined and whined.  He rushes onto the bus with a smile and waves to me as it takes off.  He comes off the bus in the afternoon with the smile still on his face and a lot of stories to tell.  A lot of parents tell me their kids don't want to talk about the day they had in school so I'm soaking up the fact that my son does.  I know he pays attention too because he tells me things the teachers say about certain things.  He's a smart boy and I know he will do well.  Two days a week he goes to baseball practice.  Sometimes I pause and think ... school ... baseball ... when did my baby boy grow up?  It's bittersweet.

Brianna has been slowly adjusting to the new routine.  Today seems to be going better but for the first few days she was very grumpy and always asking when the bus was coming.  It was sweet this morning when he leaned down to kiss her before getting on the bus and she patted him on the head and said, "have good day Matthew, okay?"  That moment melted my heart.  I love my kids.