Where's the Beef?

It's a weekly struggle to make food that everyone in my house will eat.

Isabella's current diet consists of Tuna Fish on Ritz Crackers, Hot Dogs, Scrambled Eggs, Toast and Waffles/Pancakes.
The rest of us aren't going to sit down for dinner to eat any of that but at least she is eating something.

Trenton is a brave eater and always has been but he has what I call "Food Amnesia". He'll eat some thing once and Love it. The next time I make the same thing, before it even passes his lips he declares that he never liked ~What?
I guess it's PB&J for him!

Of course just like any man, Dave eats anything, except for some of the strange concoctions I whip up for myself (well, he thinks they are strange)

The other obstacle in our house is that I don't eat meat. (That would be why Dave thinks some of the things I eat are strange)
Let me clarify that since it can be a touchy subject for some people.
I don't eat red meat, pork, or poultry BUT I do eat fish, eggs & dairy products and we won't get into my secret obsession with Bacon (that should be a 4 letter word!). Bacon is the only meat if it is actually one that I crave and have to force myself to stay away from.
Why I do that, I don't know?
I don't have a grand agenda behind not eating meat, I wish I could say I was that good of a person and it's not for health reasons.
Really, it's just about what I like and what I don't.
Yes I know, Boring

This leads me to a dish I never thought Dave would eat.
Forget about the kids...it was late and the kids had eaten earlier.

Black Bean Burgers!
I found the recipe for ever ago at allrecipes (one of my weekly "go to" sites for meal planning)
I have eaten frozen Black Bean Burgers and at restaurants but never homemade.
Dave has never tried one ever!

While Dave was out mowing the yard I made the burgers.
Very easy and quick to make!
I cooked ours in the oven and when they were done I loaded them up with mayo, homegrown tomatoes and lettuce.

I served the burgers along side leftover Farfalle pasta with Zucchini (a recipe from the Pioneer Women...another stop on the weekly meal planning quest)

When I called Dave in for dinner I told him to be open minded.

He was shocked when he ate it and I was happy to find that he Loved it and even wanted a second!

Since that night we have eaten them 2 more times
What Bliss to make a meal we Both can Eat & Enjoy!

~Patricia

Back to School & Holiday Bling

My Internet has been out since Thursday!
So this is my first chance to show a couple listings that will be ending tomorrow
July 22nd
Here are 2 New 2008 Designs for the
"End of Summer what a Bummer" launch with TheAve

Custom Cat & Mouse Bling Tees
To match a set by Simply*Sophia

Cat Bling Tee Listing

Mouse Bling Tee Listing

Also ending tomorrow
"Celebrate the Holidays in July" with BLB Boutique

Custom Scaredy Cat Bling Tee


Ready to Ship * Size 4
Witchy Bling Tee

Not ending until Sunday, July 27th
New 2008 Design Perfect for Back to School
Made to Match
the Gymboree Prep School clothing line


Prep School Bling Tee

The cable co. has been out twice since Thursday to fix the Internet (and phone but who uses a phone anymore)...it looks like they got it right this time.
I felt so out of touch not having Internet service but it gave me time to clean the house and work on more designs!
~Patricia

Keeping the Kids Busy

With Trenton and Bella becoming their own "person" more and more everyday, my life seems to have become even more centered around them and their wants/needs.
Don't get me wrong I have no problem with that, It is just becoming more evident as they get older.
This summer they have kept me on my toes!
Trenton is 10, he started the summer off with a trip to New York (which I still haven't blogged about...sorry Trenton), golf/tennis camp, another round of golf camp, followed by snorkel camp. On top of his normal play dates, golfing, tutoring twice a week and guitar lessons.
Bella is only 4 so she is a little easier. She attends a summer program at her preschool 3 half days a week and has had a few play dates of her own.

When we are All at home we garden, play on the water slide and craft.
Crafting has always been a big part of my parenting. We paint, cut, glue, draw, in general create something everyday. During these times are when I get unprompted hugs, kisses and am told I am the Best Mom EVER ;)
I know these are memories they will have with them forever...
What Kid Crafting have you done this summer?
Here are a couple easy ones we have done

Homemade Play Doh
We used Martha's recipe






Bella and I made the Play Doh weeks ago and it is still good!

Recycle broken crayons to create Rainbow Crayons


Remove wrappers from Crayons (not always easy to do...try soaking in water overnight)
Break Crayons into 1/2 inch pieces


Fill aluminum foil lined muffin tins or metal cookie cutters half way with the Crayons
Bake Crayons in a preheated 300 degree oven for 5-7 minutes
Melt them just enough for the colors to Blend, not to liquefy into one color
Cool for 30 minutes
Remove from Foil

And Look what you have!

~Patricia

Just the 4 of Us on the 4th

unless you count a lounging cat

and a pup with a bone

The past few years we have spent the 4th on our boat watching the Fireworks over the River.
This summer we have not been on the boat once. We made an oath to Not put the boat in the water until we completed some long over due maintenance. Much to my surprise we are done with the original "To Do List" but of course have added a few extras (New Seats...I will actually have a cushion to sit on!)

Here is a recap of our backyard fun for the 4th

The Plunge

Homemade Ice pops (see below for recipe)

Picnic on the Porch

Is it Dark enough for Fireworks yet?

Ouch, Sparklers Hurt!

Yummy Treats!

Ice Pops
Ingredients: 1 (3oz) Jello mix package; 1 unsweetened Kool-Aid package; 1 cup Sugar; 2 cups Boiling Water; 2 cups cold Water

Dissolve Jello, Kool-Aid and Sugar in Boiling Water.
Stir in Cold Water and Pour into Popsicle Molds or small cups.
Freeze

If using cups like we did, place foil over the cup after you fill it and insert your popsicle stick. This will keep it in place. Otherwise Freeze until almost hard, put the sticks in and continue to Freeze.

Chili-Lime Chicken Kabobs

Marinated Shrimp Kabobs & Scallops
Ingredients: 3 Garlic cloves minced; 1/3 cup Olive Oil; 1/4 cup Tomato Sauce (plain); 2 tbls Red Wine Vinegar; 2 tbls Fresh chopped Basil; 1/2 tsp Salt; 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 1-2 pounds of Shrimp, Scallops or Chicken...anything you want, I've used this marinade on everything

Mix all the ingredients in a Bowl or Ziploc Bag. Add the fish or meat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (the longer the Better)

For Kabobs
preheat grill to medium heat. Prepare the Kabobs. Lightly Oil or Spray the Grill.
Cook Shrimp 2-3 minutes per side or until done.
For Chicken Kabobs cook for 10-15 minutes.

We had small Bay Scallops so I cooked those in a pan, but still very yummy :)

Gotta Love the Pioneer Woman and her Fabulous recommendations for the 4th!

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos


And another Favorite the Barefoot Contessa's 4th of July Cake
which came highly recommended from the Pioneer Woman
and I can Not Bake without Step by Step Photo Instructions!
Thank You Pioneer Woman :)


Hope you all had a Happy & Safe 4th!
~Patricia

Garden Update Week 10

Sorry for the double post today.
I need to get this garden update out of the way so I can mentally move on from what I feel has been a failure.
I am ready to move on and figure out what I can plant during the height of the Florida Summer Heat.
I also should be planning fall crops at this point...to give David ample time to build additional boxes.
(*Note: Dave still has not built the 2nd box I asked very nicely for at the same time that he built the first!)

Here we go with the Horror...

The whole garden at 10 weeks (70 days)

At a quick glance the Basil, Oregano, and Strawberries look fine.
Last week I picked the Romaine Lettuce and it is growing back (I didn't think that was going to happen).
I forgot to take closeups of the Broccoli. They are on the left side of the picture in the 2nd squares. They grew and nothing ever happened...no actual broccoli.
I obviously didn't pay attention to the packet it says plant between July-December.
I think I'll take those out and try again.

Next up, Burpee Little Finger Carrots
They are supposed to grow 3 1/2 inches long by 5/8 inch thick (65 days to harvest).
I thought I was pretty close with the first one I pulled and maybe they just need another week or so



But than we pulled this one


The kids ate a couple that looked ok and that made them happy


They love eating things right out of the garden!


My poor tomatoes :(
Remember back at Week 7 I found a Tomato Horn Worm
Prior to the worm the tomato plants were thriving and loaded with growing tomatoes.
Really I couldn't have been more pleased but after the worm they were just never the same.
Both plants were purchased the Home Depot. The one on the left is a Bonnie Park's Whopper and on the right a Bonnie Beefmaster.


Closeup of the Park's Whopper


Below is a Bonnie Sweet Green Bell
This plant is weak and has never looked good.
Could is actually be a Marconi Pepper?

This is a Bonnie Red Bell.
I have 2 growing on the plant and they look fine...I'm just waiting for them to turn Red??

Now for the corn...
Ferry Morse Seeds Kandy Corn Hybrid
Overall health of the plants look ok to me but they are not even close to 8ft tall.
Harvest should be at 89 days and they are progressing because I can now see the silk.
We'll see what happens with these in a few weeks.


Bonnie Hot Banana Pepper
Another small weak plant but I do have 2 peppers!
I would be shocked if it grows any more


aahh, now for my Vertical Garden that isn't so Vertical
I couldn't get Nylon Garden Netting locally and kept forgetting to order it.
I have Cantaloupe on the right and Watermelon on the left


and I already have one growing!


I have a spot left in this long bed for Pumpkins. I need to plant those in the next couple weeks for them to be ready for Halloween.
I would like to order the Nylon Netting so I can see if I can actually grow them vertically ;)

I know this was a long post, but if you garden and can offer any advice or encouragement it would be appreciated

~Patricia

Crazy for Origami

We did more crafting after yesterdays post.
From the Origami site I posted about.
We made sailboats, a bee, mini cats and puppies that fit on the tip of your finger...so cute and easy!
Bella, whose 4 can make the puppies by herself and the cats with a little help.



I think we have found a new addiction...go give it a try

~Patricia

It's Raining, it's pouring...

and we are crafting

Bella watched an episode of Caillou where Caillou's grandpa helps him make crafts out of paper...I thought they made a hat but Bella remembers a hand puppet.
I'm sure she is right, she always is

It's been raining most of the afternoon so Bella logically asked to make paper puppets.
I couldn't find exactly what she wanted but both Bella and Trenton were happy with what we came up with
success, happy children...for 10 minutes

We made Cats from directions that we altered originally for a polar bear
(I just went to the main page of the site and it has lots of easy Origami crafts)
We also made Foxes which are more like a hand puppet.




Still raining...off to find more crafts!

(Due to rain the 10 week garden update will have to wait till tomorrow. That gives the garden an extra day to deteriorate -No really, I am serious)
~Patricia