Tuesday 24 February 2015

Oscar Night!

Since I've lived at home with my parents we've always had a tradition on Oscar night. It involves a little friendly competition, fancy outfits and, of course, lots of food.

The first year I was dating Will he couldn't make the 45 minute drive to my parents for the night so he sent in a mail-in ballot with his predicted winners...well he CRUSHED all of us. I hate to call him out as a sore loser but a certain someone may or may not have taken Will's predictions outside and set them on fire. But we always have a good time!



I have carried this tradition (the food and predictions, not the arson) into my own little family. Since I am such a cat lady I even fill out predictions for our cats. Mulligan picks the obvious winner (always trying to please), MacGuffin picks the long shot (always a pain the ass) and Shelley...well she's there.



























I usually like to make lots of dips/spreads and stuff to dip. On the menu this year: hummus, basil pesto, soft goat cheese, and a roasted garlic yogurt dip. And for dippin': roasted artichoke, meatballs, lots of veggies, baguette. Oh and prosecco...but that goes without saying!






Finished off with some "cheater truffles." I found the recipe on another blog and for the life of me I can't remember which one. It may have been Greens&Chocolate.


They are basically just Oreo's pulverized in a food processor and mixed with cream cheese and covered in white chocolate. Not that real truffles are that hard to make but these are a lot less labour intensive.



As for our predictions we had a three way tie for winner between Daphne, MacGuffin and myself. Guess we are going to have to see Birdman...they did really well this year! Taking both Directing and Best Picture.



No pictures of us. We don't have the energy to dress up anymore, so we watched in jammies. 

But here is Daphne gorging on apple and yogurt before bed!


-Siobhan xo



Friday 20 February 2015

Formula Questions...


As I’m sure every breastfeeding mom does, all I did was worry about how much Daphne was eating. Sometimes she would eat for an hour and half and then be hungry again in twenty minutes. Sometimes she would eat for ten minutes and be good for two hours. HOW DO YOU KNOW!? I’m no control freak (I typed that with a straight face) but that drove me crazy.

I was more than pleased when I switched to formula that I knew exactly how much she was eating at every feeding. Although that started a whole new group of questions.
 
How much should I feed her?
The same amount each time?
More at night?
Less at night?

Warm? Cold? Room temperature?

So I found a few websites that agree about one thing, less food at night will help encourage your baby to sleep through the night.

Apparently once they hit 11lbs (she hit that a while ago) metabolically speaking babies don’t “need” feedings at night anymore. Well I’m waiting for when they come to explain that to Daphne, because she did not get that memo. So we’re trying their suggestion. Six ounces during the day and two or four ounces at night. She's not too bad at night but if we could cut out one feeding it would be a nice reprieve.

Parenting is such a guessing game sometimes, and there is always someone saying what you’re doing is wrong. It’s terrifying.


--Siobhan xo

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Retirement is AOK

So HB has been "retired" for over a year now.
He has had a few contract jobs but for the most part he is r-e-t-i-r-e-d.

And he did a Big Year for Lanark County (county where we live in Ontario) 
If you are interested you can read about it HERE
And he has perfected his French Boule     


It is taking me quite a while to get used to having him home.
Don't get me wrong I don't don"t like it  (is that too much of a double negative??)
Anyway ----- it is nice having him here.

We seem to stay up late watching movies and then sleeping in in the morning.
Then having our morning coffee and breakfast til 9 and sometimes 10!!
Ya know this retirement thing is okay.

And of course our afternoon tea....  





You see I have been a stay at home wife and mom for over 30 years and yes I am set in my ways and routine.
I think I can change ----- yes yes I can change.

I hate driving too so it is nice being able to pop
into Siobhan's for a wee visit --- or long one -- once a week 


Too bad Alberta is so far away  :-(








ciao for now
susan

Sunday 15 February 2015

Another cold one...

Well it's another freezing cold day in O-Town!

We had plans to do a few things out of the house today...not sure we will be getting them done.

I wanted to go to Ikea to get a lamp and a toy box for Lady D. She has decided that being in a bunting bag/snow suit is actually the worst torture on earth (worse even than loon sounds AND the food processor). So for now we bundle her in sweaters, hats and blankets when we go out...I'm not sure that will be enough to keep her warm when it's -40C!

So we shall send trusty husband to the grocery store to get food for today and tomorrow, and Daphne and I will stay in and watch movies in our dinosaur jammies!

I'm probably okay with that.

Yesterday we braved the (slightly less) cold day and got some food for our v-day dinner. On the menu: steak, cheese/garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. We had to high five each other many times cause we achieved a perfect medium rare! We. Are. Amazing.





















For dessert I made a flourless chocolate cake/tart/brownie thing. I'd never done a flourless cake before so I'm not sure how it's supposed to taste or what texture it's supposed to have but it tasted awesome I would call it a success. I topped it with a chocolate whisky sauce and fresh raspberries. I also made white chocolate truffles as a backup, man were those RICH!

Probably going to do an easy dinner tonight...and go to bed RIGHT after The Walking Dead.

-Siobhan xo

Saturday 14 February 2015

Happy V day, W!

Happy Valentines day to my dood, Will!


  We've been together 6 years. Married for almost 2.5 years.


You are the sweetest, kindest, funniest person I've ever met. 


Three moves, three cats, ten job changes between us and one perfect daughter! 


Thank you for all the years we've had and all the years to come.


LOVE YOU!




--Siobhan xo

Monday 9 February 2015

Weekend Cuteness

We had a fairly uneventful weekend. It snowed on Sunday so no visit with Nona and Bapa, as you already know, but we had an excellent weekend.

Saturday we had a relaxed day. Woke up early (as always) had a few coffees, breakfast, and a play time. Very exhausting for a little lady.


We took a little drive out to Smiths Falls to check out some houses. We have been doing some research into different areas we might want to live in. No rush to move, but it's good to plan ahead. 



 The only actual thing we got done on Saturday was manicures for all the kitties. They LOVE it.




Sunday we had another relaxing morning. Took a quick and slippery trip out to get cat food.



Got started hanging the picture collage in our bedroom. I plan to cover the whole wall. Just a matter of finding frames I like.


We ended the day with curried lamb burgers topped with feta and avocado for dinner. Watched The Walking Dead and conked out.

Very much enjoy our lazy family weekends. :)

--Siobhan xo

Sunday 8 February 2015

Enough Already

Okay enough is enough!!
Supposed to drive the 40 minutes in to see our Miss D today  
But snow and blowing snow has kept us home


















So here I sit watching stupid movies , doing a bit of crocheting for a local widlife sanctuary .
and eating ginger snaps.

Its mid afternoon and I figured I should at least put a bra on and wash my face.

HB just came in from his second foray of cleaning the driveway.
Hopefully the snow plows will stay away for a bit.




A quick Korean beef stir fry for supper tonight.












Keep my friend Deb @ Just Cats in your thoughts . She said good bye to her sweet Lily just last week..


Ciao for now
susan

Friday 6 February 2015

Baby Hydrator

We discovered just before Christmas that D likes to drink water. Of course we don't let her have much. Hardly an ounce. But I got some sweet pictures of her having a couple of sips this afternoon.







I LOOVE how she puts her little hands out to hold the glass. So smart. I'm pretty sure she's gifted. Genius. Mensa. Or I'm biased cause I'm her mom.



Naw, she's a genius.

-Siobhan xo

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Chocolate Sugar Cookies w Peanut Butter Frosting

My mother informed me that when she makes sugar cookies she typically just uses a premixed variety. Especially since sugar cookies are just a vehicle for other deliciousness. So I had an idea for a chocolate sugar cookie sandwich with peanut butter frosting. My mom gave me some mix so I used it and added cocoa powder.


It was actually kind of a pain in the ass. It took about 4 tablespoons extra flour to make it stable enough to roll out.





Initially I intended just to frost them which is why I made some in Christmas shapes (yes I did this in December and just posting it now)….buuuuuut that was taking a long time. And I was not feeling 100% the day I did this….so sandwich cookies it is.





They were not as chocolatey as I wanted, but the frosting is really good. I think I want to get more mix and make like a drop cookie with raspberry jam in the middle and a drizzle of dark chocolate.

 Like I said, they are vehicle to deliver other things into my face.
--Siobhan xo