2 minute Cake in a Mug...

I'd like to share a cute little story with you. Something that was brought to my attention about a week ago. My hubby and I had decided it would suit our son Braden's needs best if we moved his bed to his "media" room and moved his media stuff to his "bedroom". While we were moving his rooms around and trading places we just put his bed up against one of the walls close to a window. I wasn't planning on leaving it there as it just doesn't look right, not the most practicle place to have a bed. There was really no room to put the bed else where for the first night, so he was fine going to bed sort of "undernieth/beside" this window. It drove me crazy..I just wanted the room finished, organized and everything back in its place. What a mess it was!
So, off to sleep we go...all is well..the next morning Braden announces he'd like to leave his bed right where it is! Immediatley I was concerned about this as it wasn't practical really...the bed needed to go between the windows to make room for other furniture. I huffed and puffed for few minutes until he explained to me how he has NEVER been able to lie in bed and look out a window. He stated actually that he has always wanted to have access to his bedroom window but his bed was never close enough and obviously he couldn't ever get out of bed to look out his window himself.
So...how do you argue with that? He said that he loved having his bed there..that when it was hard to fall asleep he had the option to pull the curtain over and peek outside, where he had a clear shot of the moon, stars and the neighbours windows..which he admitted was kinda creepy, still funny!! The bed will stay where it is...he likes it there!

Something so trivial or much rather something that WE would take for granted daily..meant so much to him! You know that old saying.."its the small things that make us happy?"...yes well..this is a wonderful example of just that!!
I wanted to share this little story with you because this is a small example of why I love my life! Seriously..who can get that much happiness out of being able to look out your bedroom window in the middle of the night?? All these new found enjoyments in Braden's life is always felt in my heart.

Have you heard of these "cake in mug" yet? I just came across them through pinterst and thought i just had to try them. Here is a picture that was posted via pinterest...
Sweet and salty caramel cake..


Doesn`t this look amazing??
Here is the recipe for this most delish cake in a mug...
What you’ll need: {makes 1 mug cake}
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg – beaten
3 tablespoons skim milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 salted caramels

What to do:
1. Into a small bowl add: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt, egg, milk, and vegetable oil. Mix to combine.

2. Pour mixture into a regular sized coffee mug. Drop caramels into center of mixture one at a time.

3. Microwave on high for one minute and 30 seconds. If needed {if cake batter is still gooey}, microwave on high for up to an additional 30 seconds

Ok, so naturally I HAD to try these out..so I did, and here is a picture of my attempt..


As you can see...it wasn't too bad. I would honestly recommend doing something like this maybe on a smaller scale? If you have company coming? Maybe using smaller mugs...taste testing sizes that you can buy at Pier One..or maybe the Dollar Store? I would also serve with some vanilla ice cream, maybe a sprinkle of icing sugar or chocolate sauce? Maybe both? Anyways..this dessert would make a great conversation piece at your next dinner party and it can be made right there and then..pre-make the batter first and then microwave later when needed.
Well my Zeta's..I'm outta here. Its been a long day..
Until tomorrow...
Good night and god bless lovelies~

Monday's Menu and Memories to share..

Last February I turned 40! WOW..seriously what an accomplishment that was! I didn't want a big huge party... I did ask Paul for a trip, so that's what we did. Last April we went away with another couple and it was wonderful. Paul also bought me a gorgeous new diamond ring, I haven't had much luck with engagement rings these past 20 or so years..needless to say the second one he bought me, the diamond had fallen out. Instead of fixing it, he bought me one which symbolized my turning 40..very nice of him! I DO love this ring.
So all in all my 40th birthday was great! I also had a small get together with some close friends and we had such a good time. My wonderful friend Candy made me beautiful CD filled with pictures and memories of my life through the years with all my family and friends. It really was one of the sweetest things any one has ever done. My good friend Colleen also got me this unbelievable birthday cake shaped like a very fit young mans torso..with of course a bulging package! Sooo funny!! Another good friend actually made me a cake, which was smashing awesome! The best part about it was that she made it with her own two hands...how thoughtful is that?! It was a great year.
With all that said, I must share with you the most thoughtful, sentimental, cherished gift this year came from my parents. 40 years ago my parents were married at a very young. My dad was just 18 years old and my mom 20 years old. My dad worked very hard and they didn't have alot of money but each week he'd get his paycheck and walk to their jeweller and put some money down on their wedding bands. Once the rings were paid for they had a really small wedding. It wasn't that important to them to have a big, lavish wedding not to mention the lack of money they had to do that. They simply decided to go to the justice of peace and be married in the city council building. My mom looked beautiful in her yellow 70's styled dress, and my dad was smashing in his brown polyester suit. So young, (not so) innocent..smiles, but the two were truly, madly deeply in love. They had their struggles...it certainly wasn't easy for them, ups and downs constantly. But through it all, they remained certain of one thing..they would stick together, fight for what they had..and what they had was love! It has taken them 40 years to understand many things about eachother, they have grown, changed but still are the same...madly in love. They really our my role models, many people comment on how tough the trails and tribulations have been for myself and my husband you know, with living through the ups and downs of our life. When I think of that...I wonder..."how did MY parents survive all this life trauma's?" Seriously..I was born with severe health conditions, which they had to deal with as young adults, then my brothers problems arose later in life to cause almost world war 3. THEN, they happily become grandparents and within a short time their grandchild was catastrophically injured and paralyzed from the neck down at 15 months old. So here in later life..you think its time to settle down and enjoy your grandchildren..my parents took on another role in life. They had the burden of thier daughters (pain and suffering) related to the car accident, a son-in -law who was just trying to survive. Clearly as the years went on we were hit with another Open heart surgery for me, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and we had a one year old little girl...FUCK life was hard! I CANNOT believe we survived those years.
How do 2 people take on so much...I mean their shoulders are not that big!! All I can say that with the strength, love, guidance and perseverence that my parents projected daily...we would not have made it to were we are all today.
Ok, so i've rambled basically just wanting to give you a back ground understanding for why my birthday present meant the world to me and will forever remain around my neck and close to my heart!
It was with much surprise to me that my parents had their wedding bands melted down together and made into a locket..FOR ME!! It's mine and i am in LOVE! Let me share with you this locket that will stay with me for the rest of my life. This locket symbolizes everything to me..it was made from the ring my dad wore every day to work, usually having to walk or hitch hike, the rings they held their new born son with, the rings that welcomed my husband into the family, the rings that felt our foreheads as children to see if we had a fever, the rings that rubbed our backs or at times had thrown shots at someone who was insulting our family. These rings are much more than just melted down gold, its my life...they have been apart of everything...I literally have our whole world melted together to sybolize the love of our family...I am so blessed! I will cherish this gift forever!
Here are a few pictures of the lockey, finished with a new chain and two picture of my parents on their wedding day~



What You Need
8 small chicken drumsticks (1-1/2 lb./675 g)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Kraft Signature Asian Sesame Dressing
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. freshly grated gingerroot




Make ItHEAT large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. or until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Drain.

STIR in remaining ingredients. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium heat 10 to 12 min. or until chicken is cooked through (170ºF), stirring occasionally.
kraft kitchens tipsSpecial ExtraGarnish with 2 chopped green onions just before serving


As you can see...this locket has my name written all over it!! Isn't it beautiful?!
So dinner was great! If I could change one thing though..i'd probably would have boiled those chicken drumsticks before cooking them in the frying pan. IT took so long to cook that chicken thoroughly and by the time it was finsihed...the chicken skin had burned..
Oh well, it was a good try! Well Zeta's..i'm exhausted,, good night and god bless~

Family speaks Sunday's..

That title sounds funny doesn't it? I guess the point that I am trying to make is that Sunday's are family days. This is the day of the week that if you as a family are too busy to get together and share a meal through the week..then Sunday is the day to do that. There should be at LEAST one day a week where you as a family come together and just plain "shoot the shit".

So, i have officially made Sundays the day that we will discuss families, and all the wonderful things about them. Yesterday we spent the day together as a family, we went shopping, shopping and more shopping. It was great! Then we brought dinner home and had a lovely dinner together...then hubby and I went on a date and saw a VERY late movie! It was a great day...we use to do this sooo much when the kids were little, long before ringette took up our lives and the kids got social lives.
Kailey was sick most of the holidays this was sad for her..I will have to admit though that (not so) secretly..I loved her being home. What a nice break from having her there and every where. We had many nights curling up in front of our screen and watching a movie, with a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate.


We didn't really leave our home at all. We originally had some plans with friends to try some skiing, but that didn't happen due to illness. I didn't mind...like i've said before, after having such a busy fall driving back and fourth to Ottawa it was nice just chillin and relaxing with my family.
I really need to come up with some topics..I don't want to spend my time blogging about my family all the time..I will work on that for next week.
One thing that maybe i'll touch on is social media and how much it drives me CRAZY!! Sounds ridiculous as i am putting my life on the world wide web.
What I mean is how it effects our teenage generation.


I absolutely hate how these kids tell EVERYTHING about their day, where they are, who they are with and what they are doing! They facebook, BBM, tweet and god knows what else. They use these social media outlets to publish their feelings, their thoughts and even in some cases to bully or hurt someone. Its ridiculous. I hate it! Our generation of teens..back in the 80's, seemed to have a few good friends who they spent the weekend with having sleepovers and simple, fun get togethers. NO one needed to know all that buisness, it was intimate and NO one cared what you did on the weekend or who you were with. This generation seems to have such a feeling of entitlment. I really wish I could change a few things with my teens. I would LOVE to get rid of Twitter here...I know my daughter has an acct., and I think its dangerous. A friend of mine works with men who assult and abuse women, sex offenders and she even works with the women who allow this behaviour. She just told me that the worse type of social media is twitter. That is someone is following your teen..they can totally find within minutes where you child is. Seriously...how scary is that? My friend recommend that we turn off any GPS system our daughter might have on her cell phone, apprently they can be tracked by that too...kinda makes sense.
When I think about it, this christmas the cell phone was put away for most of it and Kail seemed so much more relaxed and NOT at all interested in what others were doing. Maybe just hopefully she'll keep that phone turned off more frequently and not want to check what everyone is doing or feel like she needs to broadcast where she is or what she is doing. We did have alot of talks about it...hope it lasts!
I am sure I will touch on this topic again sometime, its a pretty important one. I will leave you with my final thought..
These kids might use their social media outlets to share information with one another..however I will teach my teens to NOT share their feelings or emotions over all those places...they will learn to use their words with others. Put the damn phone down and tell someone too their face how you feel, whether good or bad, happy or sad..emotions are important. Validating someones feelings is vital to our society, relationships and ourselves. What would our world be like if everyone lost the ability to talk face to face. Or solve their problems with only one person involoved NOT the other 100-1000 BBM/facebook and tweet friends. I really wish our children would stop trying to solve their problems through social media. Talk to one another...its how we did it in the old days..*wink wink*
Unitl tomorrow Zeta's, Have a great day!

Happy Weekend...

Good morning Zeta's! So i've decided to call of "comeback" readers, and new ones too my group.. "zeta's". Like from a sorority,social club or society that bonds together for a common belief.
ZETA- a torus-shaped apparatus used for research in the 1950s and early 1960s on controlled thermonuclear reactions and plasma physics
[C20: from z ( ero- ) e ( nergy ) t ( hermonuclear ) a ( pparatus )]
Zeta is also considered the 6th letter in the greek alphabet.
Bottom line...I got the saying "Where my Zeta's at?" from the movie House Bunny, and I liked it! Thought it fit my new and improved blog, you are all still my lovelies and my friends but I like my zeta's too!

What's your plans for this weekend? The kids go back to school on Monday..i feel two ways about this. I will be glad when this semester is through and Kailey moves on to her next classes. Braden will start his 2nd batch of online courses, and hopefully finish up and graduate this year. He is not in any rush, we knew it would take him longer and that is ok...his health and physical well being comes first.
We are heading out today to the mall and then to Ikea, i need new winter walking boots..i almost killed myself out there wearing Uggs while I was walking the dogs, i get so embarrassed...slipping all over the place, i need better traction.


Well that just about does it...nothing new and exciting going on here. Kailey is starting to feel better, thank god.
Have a wonderful day my friends, enjoy this sunshine!!
Until tomorrow...

Out

Fashion Fridays...

I've decided that Fridays will be dedicated to some form of fashion. That may include the lastest trends in baby wear, out door wear, women/mens wear, teen wear, dog wear..just about anything. It might be latest trends in decorating, that can include anything..so much to write about. Might even be tutorials on makeup, nail polish, latest fashion in foods, cakes, cake balls...Fashion covers a wide range of things..its going to be exciting!! I have my work cut out for me..but I can do this!!
Today we will start with a couple outfits that I LOVE..found it on pInterest



Isn't that the cutest outfit ever? I love how they give you the WHOLE deal. Jeans, shirt,scarf, boots, purse..everything! Its great!!
Let me share with you with an unbelievable picture...could you imagine having this pool in your house? Amazing!!


I absolutely LOVE this watch...i think I will be looking for this one, this weekend. I will keep you posted!

Check out his Fossil bag to match! Gorgeous..love it!!

Thursdays Talk

Well I still haven't decided if i'll fill Thursday with any type of specific blog title? For know, or until I find something more interesting we'll keep it with a rambling day...what ever's going on in life I suppose?!
So far the blogging has been going well...loving it! Less facebook time, might even delete the thing?! I'm just sitting here..9am waiting for Braden's nurse Jill to arrive, i swear...this is the best thing we've ever done. I LOVE having her! What's even better is that so does Braden! Not to mention..Jill is friggin awesome!! She has a TON of experience with physically challenged young adults, she totally respects and understands all their rights, quirks, strengths and weaknesses. She is never judgemental and ALWAYS on his side. Jill is a blessing to our family and I hope she's here for a very long time with us. Its nice to not have to go into Braden every morning anymore and do all his care. I mean, i still occassionally will have too, and when I do its really nice to have the time with him. I did that for so many years, i do miss it at times. However it is much nicer just being mom. He comes out of his room every morning with a smile and has a Cappaccino, tells me the lateset news thats going on in his world and we share some laughs. Typically when i'd be responsible for his care, i'd accidently piss him off at some point through out the routine and then there'd be disagreements and arguments, not a nice way to start the day. It truly is a great situation and we are so lucky to have Jill. Our life has taken a nice turn for all of us...our roles are different, or as you may call them "normal".
Tonight Kailey had to make a vegetarian meal because she is doing a project in school where she has to be a vegetarian for a week. Even though the poor kid is so sick, she got up..attended the kitchen and did help out somewhat with making this amazing dinner. Its a pasta dish without meat, it was actually really good. We all enjoyed it very much. I will leave you with the receipe and some pictures from this evening.

Vegetarian Baked PastaIngredients
1 pound penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces portobello mushrooms, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
Directions
1.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Pour a glass of ice water over the pasta to stop the cooking, but do not rinse thoroughly.
2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9 x 13 glass pan with olive oil. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet. Add mushrooms. Cook for 2 minutes then add basil, oregano and garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add sauce to mushroom mixture and stir.
3.To assemble, pour enough sauce in the bottom of the pan to cover. Combine the remaining sauce and the pasta. Place one-third of sauced noodles on top of sauce in pan. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella and one-half of the gorgonzola. Repeat for a second layer. Put the final third of the noodles in the pan and top with the final 2 cups of mozzarella.
4.Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until cheese is browned. Serve.


Kailey cutting the Portobello mushrooms..



Mushrooms, basil, oregano and garlic cooking..smelled amazing!!


Finished product..sooo delish! Great job love!
Until tomorrow Zeta's good night and god bless~

Do it yourself Wednesdays...

Ok so this is new...every Wednesday I will create, make and post a do it yourself project! Obviously I will probably NOT be responsible for the actual IDEA of the project as i'm not all that creative, but I can certainly follow a few steps and do it myself. I also expect that if I can do it..so can you!
So this little project is such a cute idea! I first thought I would make a smaller one and maybe give it to Paul as a Valentine's day gift for his desk at work.
You first pick a nice frame that will suit the place you are putting it. Then you find some nice paper and stickers. Easily you lay down the stickers that you have chosen onto the paper..size up the paper into the frame. Its done, then you use a dry earse marker and leave message for the ones you love! What a great cute gift idea for family or friend.
Enjoy my friends...