Detour

My healthy eating took a detour last night down Decadent Lane and this popcorn mix was to blame

I had much company down this lane and wonder why I haven't visited for a long while.  Then as the scale kept climbing I remembered why I had stayed away.  I totally blame good sounding recipes especially the desserts for my current predicament, but it was sooooo good while I ate it.  This is a salty, crunchy, sweet popcorn and I'm gonna keep the recipe.  I'll just have to visit it like once a year although my taste buds say once a day would be better.  Adapted from the Pillsbury site.

4 cup popped microwave popcorn

4 cup Chex-type cereal

1 cup mixed nuts

1/2 cup butter cut up

1/4 cup corn syrup

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white chocolate chips

In a large microwavable bowl, mix the popcorn, cereal and nuts.  In a 2 cup microwavable bowl; microwave butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup for 1 min; stir and microwave again for 30sec or until mixture is boiling.

Pour over cereal mix and stir to coat all.  Microwave on high for 5 min stirring after each minute.  Spread on lined cookie sheet to cool adn harden; stir occasionally to break in pieces. 

Meanwhile melt the chocolate chips.

Place 3 cups of cereal mix back in bowl and pour melted chips over stirring to coat.  Spread out on pan to cool and harden.  When all is cool and hard combine in bowl; eat and enjoy!

 

Insanity

We have completely lost it at our house.  What were we thinking?  As parents we should be responsible, but somehow we took a detour and hopped the track.  We are now the proud owners of 2 little chicks courtesy of Chris' class.  His class hatched them and since they now need homes the students brought home notes asking for homes.  Can you believe we said yes?  I hope they don't die from too much love.

Fly away little bird and save yourself!

She just won't leave them alone

Photo Shoot

I love coupons!  Especially when I can get items free, but there is a catch at least with free pictures.  They have to take so many poses that of course you can't just leave with only your free item.  You just have to buy more.  And then you go to pick them up and they of course printed extras for you to choose should you wish to.  With that being said I do believe Doug and I did fairly well getting out of the stores with only minimal damage to our bank account.  The pictures are sure cute though.

Alexis:  aka Attitude

Peter: aka sweet one

Snow

This year the snow hasn't been horrible as is has in the past it has just dragged on and on and on.  Really after it starts melting the snow has no business to fall from the skys again.  Anyway, the kids were able to play in it a little and had fun.

Pretty sure daddy played a part in the size of this snowball.

Hard at work

Sassy's workin' too

Workin' hard and hardly working.  Can you guess which is which?

I think Ben thought he was the hard worker and not Chris.  Must be hard delegating all the manual labor.

I'm so thankful that all this snow is now melted away

Peter's first valentine

I'm so behind!  I thought I had posted this weeeeks ago, but guess what I didn't.  Peter was so cute with his first valentine.  Grandpa came to the house with these chocolate heart valentines one for each child.  I gave Peter his and he went at it. 

Next time maybe I'll take the wrapping off and give him the candy inside, then again maybe not.  I think he could smell the chocolate inside and was willing to try anything to get to it.

Experiment

I'm not a vegan by any sense of the word.  I admit I love meat.  I love a good juicy hamburger or perfectly barbecued ribs or even that moist chicken.  I can't see me not eating these things, but that is what I am trying today.  The reason is simple:  My health.

I've been suffering from headaches every day for months.  These aren't migraines, not even close to them really, but annoying all the same.  Yesterday I had just a little chicken at lunch and then quite a bit for dinner.  It was after dinner that I realized I hadn't had a real headache all day.  I had a mild one in the afternoon after lunch and then shortly after dinner I got a big one again.  Could meat be the culprit?  Well I'm going to see.  This day may be hard, but if the pain leaves it will so be sort of worth it.  I say sort of because I really do not want to give up my meats.  I guess if they are what is causing my pain I must limit them some, but knowing me I will never fully give up.

So there it is.  Experiment day is here!

P.S.  Diet change did not help for which I am thankful and grumpy about at the same time.  So glad I can eat meat, but I really want these headaches gone.

No school=Lots of time on hand

This weekend our school district decided to have a mid-winter break.  I think it is the most stupid thing I've heard.  This weekend happens to be President's Day weekend and added to that one day the school is giving the kids the Thursday and Friday before too.  Stupid!!!  I can see maybe the friday but the thursday too.  Really? 

Anyway, I was reading the Disney FamilyFun magazine and there was this cute idea for a book party.  Invitations and all centered around books.  I love it!  However, I'm not having a party this weekend centered on books, but I do have lots of books for the kids and they have lots of time.....So I made the library cards from the website and have given my children the task of filling it up. 

Once filled they will be able to choose a prize.  This card is good all weekend and if filled I will issue a new one.  The amounts of prizes really are only limited to how fast they can read.

Rules are simple:

1. Read books

2.  Get stamp of approval from parent

3.  Earn prizes

Now for Ben and Chris I did add a little twist.  They can only read one easy book per card.  The rest are filled by reading (10 for Chris and 15 for Ben) pages out of a chapter book. 

My house is now quiet with reading.  Ahhhh pure bliss!