Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Our First Bento Pictures


Okay, I admit, not as pretty as Yvo's [at feistybento], but well balanced I think! It is a little too green in the top picture, but we ran out of cherry tomatoes making our earlier bentos this week. The kids made their own and this is the youngest's. I think it is pretty neat and they love it.
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Top bento: [clockwise] ranch dip, green pepper, cucumber and celery
Bottom bento: [clockwise] homemade chocolate chip cookies, dill pickles, potato rolls with peanut butter and mix nuts. In the middle is a little bear bottle with honey for the sandwiches and nuts.
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We also ran out of grapes - so she will stash an applesauce in her bento bag. The older will be taking the same veggies in the top box, but will have fried rice [made by Mom!] in her bottom bento.]
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Wish me luck on the fried rice.
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Oh, and Yvo [feistyfoodie]...we seriously need to talk about your birthday - which I totally missed AND the date you were born. I do thank you, thank you, thank you for the Momma feisty post tho'. She is so great! [Heck, I want your whole family. Can I borrow them for my birthday next year?]

Recipe Wednesday - CHEQ

V-8 Vegetable Soup
1 Large Jug of V-8 Juice
1 16 oz bag of frozen vegetables
1 half head of cabbage - chopped bite size
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1. Put all ingredients in a dutch oven, mixing well.
2. Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer. Cover.
3. Simmer for approximately 2 hours or until cabbage is soft and translucent.
Serves 5 with a bit of leftovers.
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Tip:
-This can be made in a crockpot on low, but you need to add about another half of a bottle of the juice as it tends to evaporate during cooking. Set on low for 6 hours. [No need to bring it to a boil.]
-You can add [dried] cheese tortellini during the last half hour of cooking [either method] - but it doesn't need it, really.
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C - Cheap to make [cabbage @ $1.00, veggies @1.00 and V-8 @ 3.50 = $5.50]
H - Healthy - V-8 and veggies? Yep!
E - Easy - [seriously, right?]
Q - Quick - Quick to prepare! And it smells so good cooking.
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This sounds like a meh! sort of recipe, but you would be surprised at how delicious it is and how much kids love it. It gets it's kick from the V-8. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich. Yum!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Kilroy Was Here


Does anyone get this?




Monday, November 17, 2008

Assistance needed, please!

Have any of you ever sent anything to Russia?

I have a few questions if you can answer them:
  • How long does it take to get to where you sent it in Russia?
  • What kind of restrictions are there on food? etc.
  • Do you have to pay a customs fee if the box is full of gifts?
  • Is the postage really prohibitive? I don't particularly care, just wondering.
  • What would you like to receive if you were in a foreign country and missing home at the holidays?

Thanks for any and all help. I will be thinking about this for a while, but I want to start assembling this box soon as I want it to arrive to be enjoyed before Christmas.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Trixie Bird What's The Word?

This is our Trixie Bird.
According to her colors/plummage Miss Trixie may actually be a Mister, but we aren't quite sure. She answers just fine to "Trixie Bird" so it is all good.
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She was a gift from the gang to me, except we all [me included] forgot just how allergic my doctor informed me I was to bird feathers and the deritus they kick up in their cages. She now resides in the youngest's bedroom, but she chats with me all day long. She is just up the stairs from where I normally am, and she will cheep, chirp and whistle to get my attention. She always chats when I go up to take a nap around 1 pm. It is her "have a nice nap" cheep I guess.
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The neatest thing about Trixie is she is an avian alarm clock. Heaven forbid someone sleep past the 7 am hour in this home during the week. She starts her chripy talk to let someone [me!] know that we need to get a move on, because "you humans have to appreciate that breakfast is to be eaten and you understand peoples...there is not one, but two busses to be caught. Now get up!" She is so funny. She also understands the concept of the weekends. She will give a hesitant "cheep" or whistle at 7 am on a Saturday, but it ends quickly and she falls back to snooze. She knows that our real business is the five day week and not to be noisy on those days we get to sleep in. She is good that way. However the bird does not understand holidays. It took her a good two weeks to appreciate that summer vacation had started - now hush up bird we are sleeping here. Can't wait for that two week Christmas vacation coming up!
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Some people are surprised to learn that cockatiels are known to talk, but of the two we have had neither has. It doesn't mean they don't mimic or try really hard. Our first cockatiel was a bit older than Trixie and she could mimic any whistle that we did after a bit of practice. She had my husband's "I am home" whistle down pat - to the point that we would mistake her whistle for him walking in the door. She was cheeky. [Her name was Grace-we miss her].
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Trixie loves to mimic me calling her name and when I say "Trixie Bird what's the word?" she tootles it off. She doesn't so much say it as the cadence is there. They are interesting pets as they aren't quite as snuggly as dogs and cats, but they sure do have their own personality and give kisses and need attention just as much as our four legged friends.
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This is posted because I love the picture my daughter took and hey, she is a great pet! I wish she could be by me all day as she is a hoot to talk to, but I cease to breath if I am around her too long. I do go in each day to visit with her and she has a whole routine she must complete when I go into the bedroom. It involves showing off all her toys [you can see them in the picture] and running the gauntlet of perches. It is the same all the time and really cute.
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I thought you all might like to see her too.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Guest Post!!!



Hello! It's me, Skippy Mom's youngest. I am excited!. This year, the day after Thanksgiving we're going to put up our Christmas trees!! Yah! Me and my family are actually doing it a lot differently this year. This weekend me and my mom are going to start making ornaments. My mom already started getting presents! Some of them are big and some of them are small . But, whatever the size, all Christmas is about to me is being with my family. I do have to admit I do like getting presents, don't get me wrong. Some kids will just go gimme gimme and it gets on my nerves. Well, speaking out of my point of view anyways! Hee, Hee. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. And since it's not Thanksgiving yet, Happy Thanksgiving and an early Merry Christmas!

- Skippy Mom's Youngest!




[gratuitous picture posted by SkippyMom attempting to cover all 3 holidays in one post]]

Friday, November 14, 2008

Bento SWAG has arrived!

[please click for the most awesome larger image and to experience my gluttony.
Yvo? you can just hush up now]

Wow! What more could a girl ask for?
The Muppets [which I also found out you can buy at Costco - thank you Amy!], a great article detailing how not to repair your own lawn mower "in house" AND my Bento showed up today?

Slap me silly Martha and call me for dinner 'cause this Friday is just getting better and better.

That is all.
I think I need a nap.
[Note: This post was written for the pure enjoyment of Pooldad, who is languishing at work. See you later honey!]