Life Lately 5

sunset viewed from my back porch

delish daily smoothie

Xander playing with one of his Easter presents

my turn, HA!

Babysitting Xander while Mom and Dad grocery shopped, we watched Batman then Ponyo. If you haven't seen Ponyo yet and you have kids, (or not) you should definitely check it out! Beautiful graphics, touching story and interesting characters. I thought it was very good.

Almost gone dinner of steak, rice pilaf and caprice salad.

my new favorite snack...carrots, peppers, cracker or bread with hummus...

towards the end of my snack I noticed a couple carrots looking like Pacman
I spy a little brown doggy on that boat!

I finally got one of those scratchy beers! (technical term)

Following the Bruins while watching Mickey play ice hockey last week

...and that's what I've been doing lately! How about you?

Etsy Update

I have been busy crafting lately and finally updated my shop.
See more here :)

Hipstamatic

Pictures taken on my Iphone using the Hipstamatic app.

Iphone users...have you tried this app yet? Surprisingly addictive, which is all I need. Yet another app to distract me :)

App site.
Flickr group.

Rainy Season is Back

Life Lately 4

I answered the most phone calls last month so as my prize my boss got me a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity! It was so delicious...I almost forget we have a Serendipity inside out hotel since I'm always in the back of the house.

I was actually double lucky last week! The Spa at my hotel was doing a fundraiser for a fellow staff member that was burned on St. Patrick's Day, she's okay now just dealing with lots of bills, etc. Anyway, each ticket was $5 and I won a $100 to a local restaurant and bar! Exciting! It's a fancy restaurant, (read: expensive) so I doubt Mickey and I would have gone there else wise. I can't wait to use it!

We were hungover last weekend so I made smoothies for two for breakfast.

Baked then sauteed tofu, (chicken for Mickey) and healthy friend rice ala Emily. If you are looking for a simple and tasty fried rice recipe try this!

Baking chocolate chip and peanut butter chip cookies via Janetha, again!

Enjoying my first Summer Ale of the season, delicious!

I really do not want to use the word "delicious" again in a post but this dinner totally was! I cooked a pork loin in the slow cooker for 8 hours on low. In the pot I put chicken broth, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger (a lot), and some star anise. By the end of the day the pork just fell apart. Once I shredded it I added a chopped up head of bok choy, cooked for twenty minutes or so then added in noodles and green onions. Sooo good. Didn't stay too well in the fridge but now I know better to use different noodles. I found the recipe in the Food Network Magazine.

Another picture, ready to eat!

Mickey took this when I was getting ready for Easter, taken with the Hipstamatic app...I liked it so I thought I'd share. Kind of artsy right?

Easter Weekend

Growing up Easter was never focused on religion or God, but on family and games and time spent together. If we weren't off playing soccer, or between games we would get together at Grandma's house when we were young, our house when we got older. Ham and turkey would be served, along with veggies, fruit and sweets. Although I couldn't spend this Easter with my family playing games and sitting around the table together, I still think this Easter was memorable and special and focused on family. Just the way it should be.

I started Easter morning by baking banana bread and vegan-fied cookies with m&m's.

Then I finished my homemade crayon roll for Xander...this is so easy even for a beginner sewer. I just googled crayon roll tutorials and the first one that came up looked easy enough. I highly suggest making one of these if you sew and have the time. Perfect for throwing in your purse or diaper bag on the go.
Xander playing with his crayon roll...
Here he was saying, "I like pink!" Me too kid, me too.
He also got a water and sand play table that he loved. He was playing with it for almost an hour and a half! Totally had his attention I loved it.
Then we spent the rest of the day having a delicious dinner and lounging by the pool. It was such nice weather, not too hot with a little breeze. I wore 50 spf and I still got a little sunburn on my forehead, nose and shoulders. I sometimes forgot how strong the sun is down here!
I LOVE this picture, the water drops, the concentration on his face, and his cute little legs and feet. Makes me happy!
HAha the last picture just cracks me up. Xander's Dad at the end of the day, not posed I just managed to be in the right place at the right time. Perfect ending to an awesome day.