The Ugly Truth...

YOu know, as I am trying to figure out the best "new and improved" layout for this blog..I am also trying to figure out what topics I should be "spewing" my god forsaken opinion about. I am linked in with ALOT of other bloggers who either are struggling with a child who has a severe disability or someone who is simply raising a child with a mild, not so severe special need. Not that I would ever be the judge of that for someone else, it just seems that there is definatley a spectrum out there which defines the "severity" of what our child is living with. I sit here and read and read and read some of these lives that many parents are living. Some who swear up and down that having a child with Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy is the best thing that has ever happened to them. That they are living a life they never expected to live however would not change a thing..they are madly and deeply in love with everything they have going on their lives. You know what...strangely..I believe them. I also read blogs about parents who CANNOT believe this is what their lives have become. They are angry, bitter and unable to accept the sudden change for the course of their lives. You know what...I believe them too. It just seems that they are living the extremes. I'm not too sure how "healthy" this is. Either there blogs are filled with kind, loving words for everyone and everything. OR their words are filled with anger, frustration and defeat. Honestly, I kinda get sick of reading them...i'm honestly waiting for each end of the spectrum to get "real". Both ends need to show (write) all feelings, I'm sure there are moments of happiness, love and acheivment for those who fight daily with the outside world. Share that! AND I know for a fact that those living the "perfect" life with a child who has special needs, they too have days where the world sucks and they don't want to get out of bed. Guess what? Its ok to share that!
I suppose a few years ago when I was living in a world completly engulfed by my son's "special needs" I too probably didn't feel too much like "getting real". Especially with those who didn't understand our life. Looking back know..knowing what I know now, its safe to say..its good to be real! It's ok to have good days and bad days..its healthier.
So, while deciding on topics for this blog once again...i'm struggling to decide whether i'll write about my days raising a physcially challenged son, which will include the good the bad and the ugly.
Also, while reading some of these other blogs..which by the way I do love, I find it difficult to have common interests with them. They are all going on about their childs g-tubes, neurological appts, traches, treatments and schooling. Sooo much has changed for us here in this house. Don't get me wrong..we are still a very busy household, BUT..know that he's an adult alot of his life has changed. He no longer is in school (he's finishing up credits on line)which was totally his choice. His therapy is no longer based on what the "therapists" want, its solely based on his goals, and medically he's been VERY stable. My life..i can say has become kinda.."boring". There seems to be no more fighting for his rights, wants or needs. His doctor's are all in an adult clinic which means they see him less frequently and he is learning to take care of himself. All this includes less input from mom and dad. He know's whats important, what needs to be done! I'm sure however this time next year..my life will once again be "in an up roar" with the prospect of Braden heading of to college. It is gonna get very busy, very soon with looking into college's, housing, nursing staff..etc etc..
So for know, i'll sit back and EMBRACE STILL..
I'll just blog about it all!!

Monday's Menu returns..

Here is a recipe that I made for Christmas day! It was a delicious dessert that we all absolutley loved. There's not to much that i'd change in the cake part of the recipe, however the cake topping i would change. I think the cake would do better with a butter cream icing or something like that. It does make a nice christmas dessert, its a very rich tasting cake.
Double-Chocolate Treasure Cake




What You Need1-
3/4 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Magic Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. salt
5 squares Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate, melted
1 cup brewed strong Maxwell House Coffee, room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Cadbury Dairy Milk Milk Chocolate Candy Bars (100 g each), divided
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping
1 cup fresh raspberries
Make ItHEAT oven to 350°F.

BEAT first 10 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until well blended.

POUR into 9-inch springform pan sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 50 to 55 min. or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. (Cake will have slight indentation in centre.) Cool 10 min. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; remove rim. Poke deep rings in cake at 1-inch intervals, using handle of wooden spoon.

BREAK chocolate bars into pieces; reserve 6 pieces. Place remaining chocolate in microwaveable bowl; add half-and-half. Microwave on MEDIUM 1 min. or until chocolate is almost melted; stir until completely melted.

POUR melted chocolate into rings in cake. Refrigerate 1 hour.

TOP cake with Cool Whip and berries just before serving. Place reserved chocolate bar pieces in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM 20 sec. or until chocolate is almost melted; stir until completely melted. Drizzle over cake.
Hope you enjoy my Zeta's!! Have a wonderful night..i'm outta here!

Happy New Years..Here's to 2012

I'm not only going to welcome myself back..but i'm going to welcome you back as well. Hopefully I still have some reader's out there or maybe some who just might return. I have decided for 2012, that I will restart up this blog and post something every day. It might not always be a blog per say..it might sometimes only be a picture or a message..maybe a thought for the day?! Regardless of what it is..it will be a post! My hopes this year is to actually switch over this blog to my own website, details to come. I also hope to add a few more interesting idea's to this blog..like maybe Fashion Fridays, or Home decor idea's? Maybe bargin shopping or steals and deals for food shopping? I haven't come up with too many details yet but by the end of this week i'll have a pretty good idea of my new and improved layout. So with all that said...welcome back my lovelies, i look forward to entertaining you, at times boring you but always hoping to inspire you! All the best to you in 2012..here's to love, health and excitment. I'm going to leave you with a few of my favorite things for 2012...
Roots Leggings..gotta love these!!
Cupcake in a jar..seriously how cute is this idea?! LOVE
Wine glasses with Chalkboard paint on the stem...Great idea when having a party!!
I may not be working as a nurse right now..but i certainly understand this message! *Smiles*
Well Zeta's..until tomorrow, may you all have lots of good food, great rest and many laughs!!

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!