Life happens...

Good evening friends...I kinda feel like we are on the final countdown with travelling to Ottawa. 5 weeks left, maybe 6 depends on how soon the snow flies?? Things are going well, I have to admit though the book writing isn't going well at all. I just don't feel like doing it right now, the desire is GONE. I'm not sure why? I have been coming to terms a few things that happened when times were hard, and maybe its time to write them. Braden and I have talked about them and we have come to terms with a few issues, (not related to the car accident) but it's not going to be easy to write about these things and admit them. Anyways..even though i'm not writing the book, i'm still thinking about it all the time, every day. AS I am thinking about it, i'm also figuring out a format for the book. It might not be on paper or typed on a screen but its in my head, where its safe! Well the boy turned 18years old and is know an adult. He still has lots going on and working on finishing highschool and preparing for college. I thought I had him convinced to go into criminology...but just last night he informed us that he still LOVES media and would like to work in that. He is interested in music..which he has always been. So we chatted about him someday being involved with music and movies..maybe having his own studio in his home? Once again, like I said in previous posts..so much is changing do to his age and his accessiblity to his insurance claim. We have had a few wonderful conversations with Braden about responsibility etc etc, he is extremely overwhelmed with all his new information but I am SO proud with the job Paul and I did while raising him. Our biggest goal was to raise him to be smart with his future, be a hard worker and never take anything for granted. His chosen words these past few days have proven us successful. I just said to Braden today that after all these years of being a mother of a special needs child and not knowing what the future will hold for Braden or us..I must say..I finally see light at the end of the tunnel..and the light is bright! I'm not going to devulge into any information on this post about Kailey...things are going strong and stable. She's fumbling forward through her teenage years. She's active in her highschool, she loves field hockey and reg hockey. Her coach told Paul that she will be in the starting line next season for field hockey, which encouraged Kailey even further. Ringette is still going on...not something I want to talk about in public. Overall, everything is going well for her. We are doing some travelling this winter and I know she's excited about that. We are preparing her about keeping her grades up and ontop of things in school. I've struggled this year with how much social life we allow her to have. It seems every weekend there is something going on..and because of last years ringette schedule I feel bad about how much time she missed with her highschool friends. We are working on it, trying to fair and practical. I'm considering dropping my facebook again and blogging everyday. I just spend too much time on facebook, and if I didn't have it...I would blog more :)
Decisions decisions...well i'm outta here! Fighting a headache tonight. Made a really good dinner this evening and will post about it soon. Take care my friends, good night and god bless~

This is just about how I feel today..

How was your Thanksgiving??

How was your Thanksgiving my friends? Can you believe the weather? Wasn't it amazing? I didn't enjoy the weather to the full capacity unfortunately :(
Ya I admit it! Usually we spend alot of time outdoors, walking on the trails with the dogs..having BBQ's..visiting friends..or cleaning our cars etc etc. However with travelling ALOT over the next 12 weeks, my desire to do anything more than lying on the couch is less than nil. I don't move to far from my television set if I can help it! We did use our backyard and enjoyed the hot tub, we BBQ'd, spent time with the kids and visited friends and their new baby. It was wonderful, but I missed the trails...on Sunday we cooked and baked and had dinner with my parents. Normally we also head to the Martz farm to visit the whole family, but again this year...just not up to it!
So I want to share a few recipes that I tried this Thanksgiving..they turned out well, dinner was scrumptious!!
Maple Glazed baby Carrots

2 pkg. (12 oz./340 g each) baby carrots
1/4 cup Kraft Calorie-Wise Catalina Dressing
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp. non-hydrogenated margarine
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
Make ItCOOK carrots in boiling water in large saucepan on medium heat 12 to 14 min or until tender; drain in colander.

MEANWHILE, mix dressing and syrup in same saucepan; cook 15 to 20 min. or until hot and bubbly, stirring occasionally. Add carrots; cook 5 min. or until glaze is thickened to desired consistency, stirring frequently.
ADD margarine; stir until melted. Stir in nuts.

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
What You Need1 pkg. (120 g) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 pkg. (750 g) frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained
1 can (10 fl oz/ 284 mL) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup Cheez Whiz Cheese Spread
Make ItHEAT oven to 350°F.
PREPARE stuffing as directed on package.
COMBINE remaining ingredients in 2-L casserole; cover with stuffing.
BAKE 30 min. or until heated through.

Homemade Pecan Tarts with Cream Cheese Crust.
Sorry, there is no recipe for the Pecan Tarts...I got it off of Allrecipe's.Com..they were wonderful. The cream cheese tart shells were very flaky.

Pumpkin Praline CheesecakeWhat You Need: 3/4 cup Honey Maid Graham Crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
3 pkg. (250 g each) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
Praline 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 Tbsp. water 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping

CHEESECAKE:Make It
MIX graham crumbs, nuts, 1/4 cup each brown and granulated sugar, and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 1 hour.



HEAT oven to 350ºF. Whisk pumpkin, remaining brown sugar, eggs and spices until well blended. Beat cream cheese, remaining granulated sugar and cornstarch in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add pumpkin mixture; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until centre is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours. Meanwhile, prepare Praline.


PRALINE: BRING sugar and water to boil in small saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling, without stirring, 5 to 7 min. or until syrup is thickened and golden brown. Remove from heat. Stir in nuts. Spread onto parchment-covered baking sheet. Cool. Break into bite-size pieces.

TOP Cheesecake with Cool Whip and Praline just before serving

My Thanksgiving Cake Pops were fabulous!! They turned out really cute...




I hope that everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as I did, there is so much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! Yep thats right, this time of the year is MY favorite! I LOVE autumn, I LOVE THanksgiving and I LOVE Halloween. It works out kinda cool this year that I am away through the weeks in Ottawa with Braden, then when I come home on weekends I'm usually exhausted so I just want to stay home and enjoy the things that my home offers. I sit in my hot tub, read my book, organize my closests, spend time with hubby, TRY to spend time with the kids, occassionaly meet a friend for a quick coffee, I cook, I bake, I make cake pops...I try new recipes...there are so many things that I get to do while home on weekend. Things that I normally would have done during the week. So its nice to enjoy these things and not feel like I have to do them, after being gone all week I want to do them. It considered MY time.
What are you plans this Thanksgiving my friends, hopefully you are spending it with your family! We decided to not go to the brother in laws farm this year. Usually the whole Martz clan makes their way up to the farm to enjoy the smells and sounds of country life. We take family walks back in the woods, sit outside and catch up on eachothers lives. Its a great time to hear all about he nieces and nephews, listen to their plans for their futures, hear about their jobs, schooling, meet new love interests...its a great time! However with driving back and fourth to Ottawa weekly, making another 3 hour drive on the weekend isn't too appealling. SO we will stay home, and cook with my parents. We will miss the farm this year...its always a great time. I am trying a couple new recipes this Thanksgiving and I can't wait to share them with you!!
Well Happy Thanksgiving my friends..enjoy your long weekend, loving this gorgeous weather!