Mei Vegrandis Vox

Lazarus Saturday 2009

2009-04-12T20:32:00.002Z

Yesterday was Lazarus Saturday in the Orthodox Christian Church. It is the day before Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. The day celebrates the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, showing His divine power and foreshadowing His own resurrection at Pascha (Easter). In the Greek Orthodox tradition, it is customary to make Lazarakia (Lazarus Bread). These are small sweet breads made in the shape of Lazarus in his burial shroud. This year, DH and I made them for the first time and shared them at church today. I would like to give a special thanks to Sylvia at Adventures of an Orthodox Mom for the recipe, as well as for answering my email and giving me moral support! Here are a few pictures:

The dough ready to form into shapes. Little Lazarus men ready to go into the oven.

The finished bread cooling. Ready to take to church to share.

At church, ready for the blessing of the breads.

An Organizing Victory

2009-02-27T16:22:00.005Z

For many weeks now, I have been saying that I need to tidy and re-organize, especially the kids' things, in readiness for homeschooling. This week, I finally made a start and I'm pretty pleased with the progress so far. Here are a few pictures. It always motivates me to do more when I see Before and After pictures and I want to say a special thank you to I'm an Organizing Junkie for spurring me on to make a start!

Before After

Before After

Before After

Unfortunately I didn't do a Before picture of this toy storage area but the top half of it was over-run with papers and general messiness and all the tubs were overflowing with no lids.

Result of the Magic Pyjamas

2009-02-05T15:20:00.002Z

This was the view outside our front dooor this morning...so I'd say, they worked! :)

Passing it on

2009-02-05T01:37:00.003Z

It is currently 1.30 am, which means, that technically, I have missed a day of NaBloPoMo, but I am going to count it anyway because I haven't gone to bed yet!

In fact, I am waiting to see if the superstition that I just passed down to my girls actually works. Humour me. Tonight, at bedtime, we did something a little different. Something they had NEVER ever done before. They had their bath, brushed their teeth...and it was time to put their pyjamas on. BUT....I stole them! Then , I turned them inside out. Then I put them on them....backwards! Yes, I am a crazy mum....

You see, growing up as a kid In Baltimore, we had SNOW in the winter....and...if you wanted to wake up to bunches of snow, preferably resulting in a day off from school...you went to bed with your pyjamas on backwards and inside out! THEN...when it was really early in the morning, you squinted your little eyes open and peeked out the window to see the winter wonderland you and your pyjamas had created.

So tonight...I hope my little angels are learning all about the magic of backwards pyjamas and snow and that they wake up tomorrow with that same sense of wonder that we did when they see that beautiful blanket of white!

I'll keep you posted (of course)

Facebook friends

2009-02-03T22:53:00.002Z

As most of you know, I've got sucked into the vortex known as Facebook. It started out as a way to keep in touch with my friends and family back in the States...

It has lived up to that and so much more. I have recently got back in touch with my best friend from 1st/2nd grade, several elementary school friends, and most recently, my best friend's mom, two of my favourite teachers from elementary school and several friends who I was used to spend summers and vacations with at my grandparents' house.

This post is about those two teachers. It is amazing to be in touch with them all these years later. It turns out they have an absolutely wicked sense of humor. Today they superimposed their heads onto bodies of young, beautiful exotic dancer type bodies. All of us former students had a blast sending them comments about them and they had a laugh with us. One of these teachers, sadly has lung cancer, and so I ask you to please send your prayers and thoughts of good health her way. She is a fantastic lady and was a wonderful teacher. She ruled with an iron fist, but was fair, and in our adulthood, it turns out, she was most of our favourites.

So, to facebook, I say, thank you....thank you for bringing these wonderful people back into my life who otherwise would have been lost to me, maybe forever.

NaBloPoMo

2009-02-02T12:24:00.002Z

What that means is....National Blog Posting Month.

This means that I will post on my blog every day this month, including weekends. Seeing my sporadic posting most recently, this will be a bit of a challenge, but fingers crossed, I'll make it!

So...onward ho...good writing...and all that stuff...

What I Make...

2009-01-15T11:58:00.005Z

I came across an interesting site today at mom.salary.com

Incidentally, according to this calculator, if I lived in my dad's neighborhood back in the States, I would be making......

$153,957

What is Your Mom Worth?
Families Can Customize Mom's Job Description and Create a "Mom Paycheck"

Are you wondering what mom should be paid for her work as mom? Salary.com has valuated the "mom job" of both the Working and Stay-at-Home Moms! Based on a survey of more than 18,000 mothers, Salary.com determined that the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $116,805 for a stay-at-home mom. Working moms ‘at-home’ salary is $68,405 in 2008; this is in addition to the salary they earn in the workplace.

The job titles that best matched a mom's definition of her work are (in order of hours spent per week): housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, laundry machine operator, computer operator, psychologist, facilities manager, van driver, chief executive officer and janitor.

Now moms and their families can use the Mom Salary Wizard to create their own "mom paycheck". The tool allows moms and their families to price the "mom job", based on location and mom's personal hours worked in each of the 10 roles. Users can create a hypothetical mom paycheck and mom pay stub, which can be printed and emailed to family and friends for Mother's Day.

Plato- The Allegory of the Cave

2008-10-02T23:54:00.005Z

Many of you may have studied Plato's Allegory of the Cave. For those who haven't- here is a short summary (courtesy of Wikipedia)

Imagine prisoners who have been chained since their childhood deep inside a cave: not only are their arms and legs immovable because of chains; their heads are chained in one direction as well so that their gaze is fixed on a wall.

Behind the prisoners is an enormous fire, and between the fire and the prisoners is a raised walkway, along which puppets of various animals, plants, and other things are moved. The puppets cast shadows on the wall, and the prisoners watch these shadows. Behind this cave there is a well-used road, and upon this road people are walking and talking and generally making noise, which echoes off of the wall. The prisoners, then, believe that these noises are coming directly from the shadows they are watching pass by on the cave wall.

The prisoners engage in what appears to us to be a game: naming the shapes as they come by. This, however, is the only reality that they know, even though they are seeing merely shadows of objects. They are thus conditioned to judge the quality of one another by their skill in quickly naming the shapes and dislike those who play poorly.

Suppose a prisoner's chains break, and he is able to get up and walk about (a process which takes some time, as he has never done it before). Eventually he will be compelled to explore; he walks up and out of the cave, whereby he is instantly blinded by the sun. He turns then to the shadows on the floor, in the lakes, slowly working his way out of his deluded mind, and he is eventually able to glimpse the sun. In time, he would learn to see it as the object that provides the seasons and the courses of the year, presides over all things in the visible region, and is in some way the cause of all these things that he has seen.

(This part of the allegory, incidentally, closely relates to Plato's metaphor of the sun which occurs near the end of The Republic, Book VI.)

Once enlightened, so to speak, the freed prisoner would not want to return to the cave to free his fellow prisoners, but would be compelled to do so. Another problem lies in the other prisoners not wanting to be freed: descending back into the cave would require that the freed prisoner's eyes adjust again, and for a time, he would be one of the ones identifying shapes on the wall. His eyes would be swamped by the darkness, and would take time to become acclimated. He might stumble, Plato asserts, and the prisoners would conclude that his experience had ruined him. He would not be able to identify the shapes on the wall as well as the other prisoners, making it seem as if his being taken to the surface completely ruined his eyesight. (The Republic bk. VII, 516b-c; trans. Paul Shorey).

Would you say this applies to our current way of looking at education? Any other thoughts on what it applies to in our current society?

I look forward to a good discussion about this. Thanks Plato!

Here is another link to the allegory itself:
Plato, "The Allegory of the Cave"

To school or not to school?

2008-10-02T23:42:00.003Z

DH and I have seriously been considering Homeschooling (or Home Educating, as it is called in the UK) and in my research and travels, I came across this. It is an essay written by a high school homeschooler in the US and his experience of school vs. homeschool. Any thoughts from all of you out there?

And for my teacher friends out there...PLEASE don't blast me as being 'anti-public schools'...I'm not...I just favour ANY means which lead to the best education (in the whole sense of the word) for a child, namely, MY child(ren).

Unschool vs. School

Birthday

2008-09-29T08:45:00.003Z

Saturday was my birthday and here are just a few pictures of the celebration...dinner made by the girls (and Daddy).

Workin' at the Carwash...

2008-09-21T22:48:00.003Z

It was a sunny Sunday and we took advantage of it with a little fun at the Carwash...

Isn't she lovely?

2008-09-21T22:44:00.001Z

A few pictures of Emi on a sunny September day.

Sisters

2008-09-21T18:27:00.004Z

Would you say these three are related to each other? They were all taken around the same age, give or take a couple weeks. (Miri, Dina & Emi)

Fickle or Just Four?

2008-09-15T13:30:00.006Z

Well...let me start by saying that last school year, Miri came home on several occasions asking why she didn't go to ballet lessons. We explained that the classes had already started and she'd have to wait until this year. Nothing more was said about it, although there was the occasional "I wish I could do ballet" over the summer.

So, last Friday, I realized that the local Dance Academy began their classes on that Saturday. I hurriedly called the Principal and asked if it was too late to get Miri in. She was lovely and said to just bring her along on Saturday.

Saturday morning I gently woke Miri up with the thought "Would you like to go to ballet class?" Her little eyes popped open and she all but jumped out of bed. This was supposed to be time for just the two of us...some Mummy and me time...so the two of us got ready, got breakfast and headed off.

When we got there, it turned out that all the other girls already had their leotards and shoes, so I wasn't surprised that she didn't want to join in. She sat on the side of the class with me, lamenting that one of her friends from school wasn't there. I tried to explain that she would make new friends. She didn't seem convinced. The class ended and I talked to the teacher who said she was more than happy to have Miri come back next week to see how she did. She even gave her a free pair of ballet slippers to try out!

I came home to talk to Chris about it and we asked her over and over whether she wanted to go to the class if she had the outifit. She said yes, (and of course, wouldn't take those ballet slippers off all day). It just so happened that during the week there was a Nearly New sale at her school and we found a leotard and dancing skirt in the same colour as the Academy uses. So, we bought them and headed off to the Dancing shop to buy the special wrap-around dancing cardigan. So, now she ahd the full outfit.

All week long we kept asking her if she wanted to go to the class and whether she would participate. She said, as long as I stayed in the room, she would. I agreed and off we went on Saturday morning with her in her full outfit. (It was so cute!...I wish I had got a picture.)

We got there and she things started out well. She sat next to the teacher in the circle while she took role. Then they did a little warm-up exercise in a circle which she did (slightly reluctantly). All ok....then they started skipping around the room, which she also did (holding the teacher's hand). The breaking point came at the next exercise....the girls had to get in a line and pretend to be a train. Each girl held onto the skirt of the one in front and they hopped around on tippy toes. Well, Miri was in the middle of the line and the girls in front of her decided they would start running. She came to a complete standstill and wouldn't move. The girls behind her tried to get her to go....she wouldn't. The teacher re-grouped the line and told them to start again. It was at that point that she came running to me, sat down on a chair and folded her arms. No amount of cajoling would get her to go back to the class. In the end, I gave her the option to rejoin the class or leave. We left.

Now, what I want to know is...why can my adult brain not get past her 'throwing the gift back in my face'? Clearly, she just wasn't ready for this class, or for whatever reason, just didn't like it. Why does it feel like I went out of my way to do something for her and she didn't care? She's only FOUR, right? And me....well.....I'm not...

Sigh...

Parenting....the hardest job you'll ever do...

And you can't even get fired no matter how hard you try!

First Day pictures

2008-09-03T23:13:00.004Z

As promised, here are a few pictures of Miri's first day of kindergarten. Isn't she just the cutest??? (The story of how things went to follow in another post, but we all made it with no tears!)

A few pictures of the new and grown up uniform. I just love the hat!

She didn't look too sure when I took these pictures but luckily those two girls are her best friends from last year, so by the time we left, she was smiling :)

Bye Bye Summer!

2008-09-02T19:59:00.003Z

Wow! I just realized that I didn't post on here the whole summer!
Sorry about that!
In a nutshell, there was sickness, playtime, a visit to the seaside, a week and a half at Grammie's, shopping, a picnic, trips to the park, swimming, first tooth, first step...and a partridge in a pear tree.

Today, is the day before Miri starts KINDERGARTEN! I've done my rite of passage doing battle with needle, thread, and name tapes (yes, people, I've sewed name tapes on every article of clothing, although I draw the line at socks) ....I've washed the various uniform components...personalized her lunch bag with a hand-painted design, looked and re-looked at the school supplies list...tried to commit the uniform rules to memory (white or grey undies only, no frills on ankle socks, hat must be worn whenever wearing blazer...) so...I'm ready.

NO I'M NOT!!

I am NOT ready for my darling little firstborn (yes, she's still little...she's only 4!) to go to 'big school'. Full days, five days per week...full uniform, not just the relaxed nursery school version.
I'm not ready to say Goodbye and watch her go off in the sea of 'big kids'. No, no, no!

So...of course, when she cried this morning and said 'I'm crying about that I won't see you again when I'm in school." I told her how great school is and how much she loved it and that I'll be right here waiting for her and I'll be there to pick her up at the end of the day. I smiled and forced that 'of course I'm happy' tone...

Who knew being a mum would require a Master's degree in acting?

Sigh....

See you tomorrow with pictures.

Blogs and Polymers

2008-07-18T10:55:00.003Z

He's finally done it. Chris has his own blog. And quite an interesting one I might add. It's all about his triumphs, trials and tribulations being a polymer scientist/microscopist, family man and friend. If it sounds boring...it's not.
Check it out!
The Adventures of Polymer-Parmenter

Growing Pains

2008-07-11T23:02:00.002Z

Today was my beautiful little Miri's last day of nursery school.
The week has been tough. She was sick on Monday and missed a day of school and the rest of the week, she was very moody. I wasn't sure if it was because it was the last week of school or if she still didn't feel well. My question was answered today.

I approached the doors of the nursery and could see her through the glass. She caught sight of me and I could see her little face drop. She looked close to tears. I tried to ignore it and fight back my own. She reluctantly came up to me and stuck out her hand. She was clutching a handful of her work and some parent handouts and I bent down to give her a cuddle. She pulled away quickly and I didn't push it. I had brought my camera with me and I asked her if she wanted me to take some pictures of her with Mrs. S. She smiled and nodded and ran over to her teacher. I took a few shots, had a word to Mrs. S. and we took one last picture of Miri next to her coat hook. Mrs. S handed her her name tag from the coat hook and we said our last goodbyes. She slowly, reluctantly made it to the door and we left.

When we got home, she ran upstairs to change out of her uniform as usual. Chris and I were getting lunch together and after about 10 minutes, we realised she still hadn't come down. We yelled up to her to come down. She came down with her uniform still on. Pleading to change into playclothes ensued. She refused. She didn't want to take off her uniform. We didn't push it. At first she said that she didn't want to eat lunch, but when we offered to let her wear her school apron, she agreed. We talked about the work she had brought home and the card that Mrs. S had made for her saying thank you for her gifts. Miri perked up and said "That means that Mrs. S is going to miss me too!" She was so pleased about that.

After lunch, the usual playing with her sisters....nothing new. A few tussles over toys and stern words from me or Daddy. During one of these tussles, she ran over to the sofa with Mrs. S's card. She burst into tears and kept opening and closing the card. Every time she opened it again, she cried even harder. I gave her a hug and asked, "What's wrong sweetheart?" The answer came between sobs- "I'm sad about that I won't see Mrs. S anymore!" My poor little girl. My heart broke for her. I explained that we could stop in and see her when she went to kindergarten in September and all the exciting things that we would do over the summer in the mean time. She finally stopped crying and put the card down. More cuddles.

During naptime, I got together all the photos that the school had printed out during the year of Miri doing activities. I put them in an album for her and when she woke up, gave it to her. Unfortunately I couldn't print out the pictures of her and Mrs. S from today because we are having technical probs with our computer, but I explained that as soon as we get it fixed, I'll put them in the album and she can look at it whenever she's feeling sad. She carried that book around with her for the rest of the evening.

So here's to my darling little sensitive girl, who started nursery as a 3 yr old baby and is now a 'big girl' at 4. She will go to kindergarten in the 'big school' in September. I can hardly believe it. Milestones reached! (but not without a few tears)

Well done Miri!

The Other Me and a Challenge

2008-07-10T11:38:00.004Z

I was reading over my blog this morning and I realised something.
It has been hijacked by my children!
Now, don't get me wrong...of course I love my beautiful daughters. Of course I am in wonder and awe at the achievements of their young lives.

However, there is another Me.

The Other Me likes getting dressed in nice ironed clothes that match, putting on makeup and doing things like having conversations in tones other than 'cutesy wutesy'. The Other Me was lucky enough to find a wonderful man who married me and enjoys doing many of the things the Other Me likes doing. Some of these things include: reading, creative writing, cooking, listening to music, photography, studying/discussing theology, and doing various crafts. The Other Me is organised and would never be caught without her Filofax (the one she spent ages choosing to reflect her personality). The Other Me enjoys having dinner in restaurants and going to the movies. The Other Me loves to be able to soak in the atmosphere in church and pray quietly with her eyes closed. The Other Me can hold a conversation about current events which doesn't include topics like 'who pulled whose hair' and 'how much so-and-so ate today'. The Other Me is ON TIME!

Both me and the Other Me enjoy reading blogs and I have found myself saying a little too frequently, 'Oh, that sounds interesting. I wish I could do that.' One of these interesting things I came across on one of those blogs is a reading challenge. Specifically, a Bible reading challenge. I did a little searching around the dot com and there are several versions of the Bible Reading Challenge. Some give you a schedule of chapters to read. Some give you a time frame in which to read the bible.

The one that I have decided to do is: Read the bible for 30 minutes per day and see how long it takes to get through the entire book.

So, today starts my Bible Reading Challenge.

I will post my progress on here and any thoughts I encounter along the way.
If you would like to join me in this challenge, please let me know in the comments. It would be great to have others to share this with!

Here's to Me and the Other Me....may they meet again soon.

Life lessons from a 4 year old

2008-07-09T14:25:00.004Z

A few years ago there was a book that was very popular. It was called "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. The title was self-explanatory, it was a book about life lessons. I had one of those moments today with my lovely 4 yr. old- Miri. For the past few weeks, every day (and by that, I mean, SEVERAL times every day)
she has been singing the following song she learned in nursery school:

Love is something if you give it away [clap, clap]
Give it away
Give it away
Love is something if you give it away [clap, clap]
You'll end up having more

Love is like a magic penny
Hold it tight and you won't have any
Lend it, spend it, and you will have many
They'll roll all over the floor!

Love is something if you give it away [clap, clap]
Give it away
Give it away
Love is something if you give it away [clap, clap]
You'll end up having more

As most of you know, DH has been 'between jobs' for the past few months. This has not been helped by an employer who promised him a tailor-made job and has now moved the goal-posts (but that's a post for another time). Anyway, the point is...times are lean...although we have been blessed by various sources for our daily needs and we are truly grateful. I was in the shower (where, let's face it, all my best thinking happens....possibly because with 3 children under 5 yrs old, it's the only place I can actually hear myself thinking!) and I was humming this song under my breath (which usually causes me to shudder when I realise I'm doing it). However, this time, the second verse struck me- I sang it again, and had one of those lightbulb moments. It's no good complaining about the injustice of the dishonest employers, or spending days thinking 'if only I had this/that...' the lesson to be learned is: if I want more, I have to give more.

So, today, when I get a few moments to think here and there, I'll be thinking of ways I can share my wealth with others. Because, let's be honest, compared to 90% of the world, I AM WEALTHY. And not only wealthy, but rich too..rich in mind and spirit.

Who would have thought my 4 yr old daughter would teach me that? Robert Fulghum, you were right!

7 Months

2008-07-07T19:22:00.002Z

7 Months ago today, this is what my third little sweetpea looked like:

This is her today:

Amazing what 7 months can do, eh?

Algebra....or is it Geometry?

2008-06-30T22:44:00.002Z

I came across this little .jpg in my travels....This is especially for all my high school friends back at Poly. **wink**

One Wedding and Five Anniversaries

2008-06-29T22:13:00.004Z

This Saturday was our 5th anniversary. We celebrated by having our marriage blessed in the Orthodox Church, which most of you will know that we recently became members of. How many girls get to wear their wedding dress twice to marry the same guy?!
Here's a little video of our very own 'Big Fat Greek Wedding'....enjoy!

She's FAST!

2008-06-26T12:35:00.006Z

My Sweetpea No.1 had her first Sports Day at school yesterday. The nursery had a series of races and my little darling, the same one who always tells me how much she 'hates' sports, was a bit of a dark horse. In her first race she came in 2nd. In the team relay, she helped her team come in first, and her final race- she WON (by a mile, I might add)! Who knew???
Congratulations Miri!

The first race was a straight running race.

The second race was the team relay and it involved the kids picking up a beanbag in a ring, running to the other end, dropping the beanbag in another ring, and running for the finish line.

The third race was what I call the "Beach Race"- the kids had to pick up a bucket, shovel and seashell, drop all of it at the other end, then run back to the finish line (where they started).

Heading for the finish line in 2nd place.

Getting to the first ring to pick up the beanbag.

Dropping the beanbag on the way back.

Heading for home.

Picking up the bucket.

On the way back- none of the other kids had even turned around at the other end yet!

Heading for the finish line.

Hanging out waiting for the others to finish.

Ice Cream! A reward for all their effort. :)

A Study in Tissue Paper

2008-06-16T21:17:00.004Z

Caught in action...Who knew tissue paper could be so FUN???

Dolly Dresses

2008-06-16T10:44:00.005Z

These dresses were brought over by my Aunty when she came last month, they are the cutest things, mainly because they have matching dresses for the dollies, which the girls absolutely LOVED! We thought Father's Day would be nice for their first outing.

These pictures are not very good technically (colour) because they were taken at the end of the night in crummy light, but I like them all the same.

I hardly ever get pictures of Miri laughing, so I love this one.

Partners in crime Little Miss Movie Star

Birthday Pottery

2008-06-14T13:46:00.005Z

These are the results of last week's pottery effort at Miri's birthday party.

Miri's work:

For those of you who don't know....it's a ladybug! (of course)

Georgie's work:

Yes, a unicorn....

And Mummy's work:
A mug with handprints of the two older girls and a footprint of the baby....SO CUTE!!

A few other pictures

2008-06-10T20:33:00.003Z

These are mainly from the birthday weekend.

Finally, a good picture of the three little angels.

Or is it three little devils?

Not another picture Mummy....Oh, this wrapping paper looks interesting!

A quiet moment with Great-Grandad

Birthday Party

2008-06-10T20:20:00.004Z

Miri celebrated with half the kids from her class (mostly girls....she didn't want yucky boys to come). The party was at Potter In which is a paint-your-own-ceramics place. Everyone enjoyed themselves!

The cake which Chris and I decorated late into the night.

All the gang having party food after painting their pieces.

Miri, Georgie and Zoe painting. Miri chose a turtle, and Georgie and Zoe chose unicorns.

Blowing out the candle.

Ready to put her handprint on the Birthday Wall.

Splatting her handprint on the Birthday Wall.

Happy Birthday Miriana!

2008-06-10T14:45:00.003Z

On 4th June my little girl turned 4 years old!

Mummy and Daddy bought her her first 'big girls' bike' complete with a seat for her dolly :)

After only a few hours on it, she was riding it like a pro! No more tricycle for this little lady!

Welcome to the Orthodox Church

2008-06-10T08:43:00.007Z

This blog post is more than a little late, but on Sunday, 11th May 2008 our family joined the Orthodox Christian Church. The Orthodox Church is split into several jurisdictions, the two main 'streams' being Russian and Greek (others include Syrian, Armenian, Coptic, and Indian). Our church is under the Greek Patriarchate of Great Britain and Thyateira. The girls were baptised and Chris and I were chrismated (annointed with Holy Oil and confirmed) and became full members of the Church. It was a wonderful day and here are some pictures and explanation of the ceremony...

The Renunciation and the Acceptance – the child will be held by Godparent or Godparents (Nuno and Nuna in Greek) as he stands in the narthex of the church facing east (towards the altar). The priest, standing in front of them, blows three times into the child’s face in the form of the cross to drive away any evil spirits and adverse power and blesses him each time saying “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”. He then places his hands on the child’s head, which symbolized the taking of possession of the candidate in the name of the Holy Trinity and recites a prayer addressed to the Triune God: “In your name, O God of truth..I lay my hand on your servant who has been found worthy to seek salvation in your Holy Name and protection under the shelter of your wings. Banish from him the old error, fill him with faith and hope in you..so that he might know that you are the only true God..Grant him the ability to live in accordance with your commandments.”

The Exorcisms – The prayer is followed by three exorcisms and yet another prayer, the prayer of acceptance, at the end of which the priest, in summary of all that was said before, asks God to drive out and banish from the child any and every evil and impure spirit which may be hiding and lurking in his heart and make him a reason-endowed sheep in the holy flock of Christ, an honourable member of the Church, child and heir of the kingdom. The child and Godparent will then be asked to face west and renounce Satan and all his works, and all his worship and all his angels, and all his pride in a question and answer form three times and then asked to breath (instead of the old tradition of spitting) down on Satan. Facing west signifies the west, a place of natural darkness, where the Devil, who is darkness himself, makes his abode.

The Confession of Faith – Then the child and Godparent will face east again and affirmatively answer The Priest who will ask them (three times) if they have pledged their allegiance to Christ.

The Blessing of the Water – Now that the child is ready, they will enter the Church and the Priest will ask the Holy Spirit to come down and bless and consecrate the water in the font and make it an instrument of salvation.

The Blessing of the Oil and Anointing – Once the blessing of the water is complete, the Godparent will offer a small bottle of olive oil over which a prayer for the banishment of evil is read to make it “an anointing of incorruption, a weapon of justice, a renewal of soul and body, a defense against every influence of the Devil and a release from evil to all those who are anointed with it, or partake of it.” Some of this oil is then poured crosswise three times on the water in the font in order to render the consecration of the water complete. The child (now naked- although older children and adults usually wear a swimsuit or other suitable covering) will be anointed with the blessed oil on the forehead, nose, ears, mouth, chest, legs, feet, hands and back. The Godparent will then anoint the child, to prepare him, just as an athlete prepares, to battle the demon whom he has just renounced and to slip away from the grip of sin.

Miriana being blessed with the Baptismal Oil

The Baptism – Now the child will be immersed in the font three times with prayers, and then handed to the Godparent who is waiting for him with a white sheet and towel.

Emilia- being immersed

Emilia- less than pleased after being dunked three times!

Now it's Georgina's turn- she did not want to sit down in the water!

Finally- Miriana being immersed- she was so calm and peaceful through it all. What a blessing after the other two were so upset.

The Sacrament of Chrism (Confirmation)

Now newly baptized, the child will be chrismated with Holy Myrrh on the same parts of the body where he was earlier anointed with oil. Holy Chrism is the seal of the gift of the Holy Sprit, which brands all baptized persons with a seal which sets them apart as inalienable possessions of Christ. That is, the Holy Spirit embraces them and envelopes them like a shield and an armor of faith to enable them to live the faith into which they have just been baptized. This is why Chrismation is also known as the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit.

Chris being chrismated (confirmed) with the Holy Myron- This is chrism which has been blessed by the Patriarch and a tiny remnant of it can be traced all the way back to apostolic times.

The use of the Holy Chrism was introduced to the Christian Church from the existing Old Testament practice. It is stated that, "The Lord said to Moses, 'Take the finest spices ‑‑ 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, 6 pounds of sweet‑smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of sweet cane, and 12 pounds of cassia (all weighted according to official standard). Add one gallon of olive oil, and make a sacred anointing oil, mixed like perfume.''' (Exodus 30:22‑25)

The Holy Chrism is prepared from oil and another fragrant essences, which symbolize the variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit that the chrismated Christian receives. The most ancient list of materials and the aforementioned information "concerning the materials of the myrrh," which are still used today, date from the eighth century C.E. This list includes the materials used for the preparation and making of the Holy Chrism. At the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, there is an official List of kinds of fragrances, from which the Holy Chrism is made, which includes 57 kinds of elements.

The anointing of the forehead signifies the sanctification of the mind, or thoughts.

The anointing of the chest signifies the sanctification of the heart, or desires.

The anointing of the eyes, ears, lips signifies the sanctification of the senses.

The anointing of the hands and feet signifies their sanctification to good works and the walk in the way of His commandments.

The Tonsure

Following the Baptism and Chrism, the Priest will tonsure the child by cutting some of his hair crosswise to signify: that Christ will be the head of the child from now on, that he will reject other allegiances, the first sacrifice from his body to God.

The Vesting
The Priest now blesses the child and places a white garment of righteousness on him. The child will leave to be dressed and the Priest will read additional prayers at this time. The child will return fully dressed and undergoes the ablution or symbolic washing away of the Myrrh and then receives the blessing of Christ. The Godparent will then take the child’s baptismal candle and will then be lead three times around the font. This is an act of rejoicing with the angles in heaven at the return of a lost sheep, and with the other Christians present at the addition of one more member to the flock of Christ.

Circling the font with the Baptismal Candles (decorated by yours truly). The Godmothers held the baptismal candles, but the other children were given smaller candles to carry and join in the procession.

The Candles
In the early church the baptismal candle was always kept by the one that was baptized. The baptismal candle was brought to church on feast days, on the anniversary of one's baptism and at midnight Easter liturgy. If the person was to be wed, they would light the same candle at the wedding ceremony. If one was to be ordained they would light it at the ordination. When the final hour of life approached it was lit yet again as the soul went forth to meet its Judgment. It was a constant reminder for the Christian to live and die by the light of Christ.

The Readings
The readings follow from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans (6, 3-11) where Paul makes the comparison between the immersion and emersion with the burial and resurrection of Christ and from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (28, 16-20) where the Divine Institution of Baptism was established by our Lord.

The Eucharist
Immediately following the baptism the "newly enlightened" receives the precious Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and in the case of an infant, is brought to church regularly to receive the sacrament. The new life in Christ is renewed again and again with the Eucharist. As nature provides nourishment of the child after birth so God provides Holy Communion for the child's spiritual life after baptism.

With my Aunty who came all the way from the States

The girls with Grammy and Grandad

Emilia with her Godmother-Zorana

Why I Owe My Mother

2008-05-02T14:51:00.002Z

My father-in-law emailed this to me, and I laughed so hard, I actually CRIED! (not least of all because now that I'M the mother, I find myself saying half this stuff!!!)

25 REASONS WHY I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION:
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC:
'Because I said so ... that's why.'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC:
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY:
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the scientific process of OSMOSIS:
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA:
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER:
'This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE:
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY:
'There are millions of less fortunate children in the world who don't have the parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:
'Just wait until we get you home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING:
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE:
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, your face is going to freeze that way.'

9. My mother taught me about ESP:
'Put your sweater on. Don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR:
'When that lawn mower cuts your toes off, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT:
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me about GENETICS:
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about MY ROOTS:
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM:
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favorite -- My mother taught me about JUSTICE:
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.'

Back from the void

2008-04-04T00:09:00.007Z

Hello peeps
I know it's been AGES since I last wrote anything here, so I thought I'd give you a (really quick) update about what's been going on.

1) We had had our third little sweety on Dec. 7- Emilia Victoria Noelle. She weighed only 6lbs 14oz, which is TINY compared to the other two who were 8lb-ers. She has a good appetite though and is catching up.

2) Christmas was a total bust. First Georgina was down with a tummy bug which kept us all busy trying to soothe her and making sure she didn't throw up over various parts of the house. Then Miri and the baby came down with colds....oh and Chris got a chest infection too.

3) That took us to mid-January and Miri going back to school, only to come down with a chest infection, followed by the chicken pox!

4) Miri very kindly shared her chicken pox with her sisters and both Georgina and Emilia obliged with about 3 weeks of itchy spots. (My poor little sweety was only 6 wks old when she got it!) Georgina was hardest hit, but at least I can take refuge in the fact that she won't have to suffer through that again when it's going around school by the time she gets there. Emilia, unfortunately may not be so lucky as the doctor said that she got quite a mild case and because she is breastfeeding, she may have been working off of my immunity rather than building her own, so we'll just have to wait and keep our fingers crossed.

5) Georgina celebrated her 2nd birthday...I can't believe how fast time flies! She enjoyed her party and my grandmother was able to make it over from the States for a wonderful 6week trip.

6) Emilia is the smiliest baby you ever saw!

7) After what seemed like MONTHS of illness, we finally got to see Grammy and Grandad for Easter. Here are some of my favourite pictures of my little pastel chickadees:

8) Now that we are out of the newborn phase, I have finally had a chance to work on my new business venture....here is a copy of the logo which I designed- watch this space for more info about the company launch. I won't say much more than it has to do with mosaic art and recycling.

That's it for now. I'll be posting more regularly now that life is settling down a bit.

We Survived!

2007-09-03T22:17:00.000Z

As promised to many of you...here are some pictures of Miri's first day of nursery school. The details of the day will follow, I promise, but for now, it's all I can do just to get these pictures up! Doesn't she look like such a big girl??? These are from the first day but she also has a red uniform and a gym uniform which I will post pics of some time this week.

This is her 'shoe bag' for gym stuff which they told us should have some sort of colourful motif on it so the kids can tell it's theirs. I painted her name and the butterfly on there.

Pretty girls

2007-06-14T17:12:00.000Z

Here are two pictures of the girls from yesterday. (I am LOVING my Canon)

My broody little girl.

That's a stethoscope around her neck that she wouldn't give up. Maybe a doctor in the making?

Christmas is coming early

2007-06-14T16:32:00.000Z

I can now confirm that on or about 19 Dec, 2007, we will be receiving a little package.

Yes, folks, we're expecting.

We had our 12 wk ultrasound on Tuesday and all looks well. We were relieved to see only one baby as we had 'a feeling' that it might be twins! We can all breathe a sigh of relief now.

My pregnancy so far has been mostly ok. The morning sickness (read, all the time sickness) has started to go away and I am hopeful it might be GONE any day now. The only hiccup has been that my gestational diabetes has returned very early and I am already on insulin. So, I am not enjoying food very much right now. But hey...only 6 months to go. And of course, it's a small price to pay and totally worth it for what you get at the end :)

We're taking bets on whether it's a boy or girl, although not sure if we will find out or let it be a surprise this time.

I'll keep you posted.

A Lesson In Chicken Anatomy- Out of the Mouths of Babes

2007-04-30T10:02:00.000Z

Last night we were having our roast chicken dinner which is now a tradition at our house on Sundays.
Chris brought out the bird to the table to ceremoniously carve and started serving everyone.
We all started tucking in while having various topics of chatter between bites.

It was during this time that the conversation went something like this-

Miri- 'Daddy- does the chicken have a head?'
Chris- 'yes, chickens do have a head'
Miri- 'where is it?'
Chris-'when the butcher killed it for us to eat, they took the head off.'
She seemed satisfied with this and continued eating. . . then, a few seconds later-

Miri- 'does the chicken have a bum-bum?'
Chris- 'yes, the chicken has a bum-bum'
Miri- 'where is it?'
(Chris showed her the back end of the bird)
Miri- 'will the chicken do a wee-wee on the plate?'

As we both tried to contain our giggles, Chris explained that 'no, the bird did wee-wee's when it was alive, but now it's dead, so it won't be doing any more wee-wee's'

And that's how the discussion ended.

(Definitely a memory for the scrapbook)

The Island of Jersey (the old one)

2007-04-25T09:22:00.000Z

We visited Jersey (which is one of the Channel Islands), for a long weekend a couple of weeks ago. Here are some of the promised pictures.

This is the lighthouse at Corbiere

at low tide and later at high tide

on the pathway to the lighthouse

our destination- the lighthouse

Magz and Georgina

Miriana taking a picture with Grandad

Miriana at the Secret Garden Tea Room near Gorey

Miriana on one of the cow sculptures in the middle of St. Heliers
(I know the halo is a photographic error, but I like the way it sits right around her head)

and finally-

This is Georgina having one of her famous 'sit-on-the-floor-and-cry' tantrums when she didn't want us to hold her hand or have her on the reigns while we were walking around St. Catherine Breakwaters. I can only IMAGINE what she will be like when she hits the terrible two's!!!

Go Hokies!

2007-04-18T22:38:00.000Z

Today's post was supposed to be about our lovely long weekend away with Chris's parents, but in light of recent events, I thought it was more appropriate to post for everyone at Virginia Tech.

It's hard really to know what to say. Is it strange to come to tears for strangers you never met? How do you mourn for someone you don't even know? Why do we even feel compelled to do so?

I don't have the answers to these questions, but I do know that when I heard the news (the top story on the BBC) I was in total disbelief. Did I hear correctly, 32 people had been gunned down at a university in America? Did they just say VIRGINIA TECH? Yes, 32 people had been killed on a shooting spree at Virginia Tech.

Somehow, I felt connected to the students and staff at VT. Virginia is not far from Maryland where I grew up. I went to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute- an engineering and science high school. Many of my fellow alumni attended Virginia Tech. There were college rivalries, those darn Hokies...but it was all good-natured. I was an Alpha Gamma Delta in college, VT has a chapter of Alpha Gams. I guess the news hit the nerve- 'it could have been me or my school'.

Of course, does it really matter which school? The point is- one very disturbed person took it upon himself to take away 32 lives from this world and injure many more. There really isn't any way to make sense of the senseless. The mind scrambles to try to find some logic, to ease the confusion and chaos. But it is pointless, there is no logic or reason in this situation. Words just can't be found.

I suppose all that can really be said is- TO ALL THE VIRGINIA TECH COMMUNITY- STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, TEACHERS, STAFF- The world has noticed and the world is with you in your pain and grief. You are our brothers, sisters, friends and your loss is our loss too. We pray for you today for the shock you are in, tomorrow for the grief when the shock clears, and all the many days in the future when time can't bring back those you loved. We commend you for the beautiful way you are handling such an ugly tragedy.

GO HOKIES!

'Outsourcing'

2007-03-14T17:35:00.000Z

My bro emailed this to me...it's good for your giggle of the day. (I couldn't find any copyright information on it, so if you happen to know it, let me know, and I'll give it the credit it's due)

video courtesy Jibjab.com

I was Bored and...

2007-03-14T16:14:00.000Z

took a few tests....

What is Your Magic Type?
Healer

You are a Healer. You are drawn to the pulse and life-force of the universe and have an uncanny knack of knowing what needs to be done to create healing in people as well as things. You communicate well with nature. You have a dramatic personality and are drawn to growing things, and rich fertility. You are good at planning and can almost always accomplish anything you set your mind to. You have a tendency to take in and nurture those around you.

Take this test

Hmmm.....where IS that $2,500,000?? I'm sure it's around here somewhere...

Birthday Part 2

2007-03-08T16:59:00.000Z

Here are a few pictures from Georgie's actual birthday.

Waking up...what do ya mean I'm 1 today??

Playing together during the day

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Birthday Weekend

2007-03-08T16:30:00.000Z

This is long overdue...but my sweety baby turned 1 on 28 February!
We had her party on the Saturday before, and had family over for Sunday Lunch. Here are some pics...the party was held at an indoor-play centre called Funky Monkeys. There were 6 of her little friends, and her sister...and of course all the parents (who enjoyed being kids for a day too).

Funky Monkeys

Miri going down one of the slides

Getting ready for CAKE!

After singing Happy Birthday

These pictures are from Sunday when Chris's parents and grandmother came over. They got her a lovely Disney ride-on toy to match Miri's (which until now, she has loved stealing from her big sister)

Being crowned a Princess by her big sister

Now we each have one of our own!

Tag!

2007-03-06T13:12:00.000Z

1. Find the nearest book:

2. Name the book & the author:

God's Light edited by John Miller and Aaron Kenedi

3.Turn to page 123.

4. Go to the 5th sentence on the page & copy out the next three sentences onto your blog.

The subject of Krishna's teaching is, after all, a matter of the gravest urgency: the battle for authenticity, the life and death of the soul. And in all spiritual practice, the struggle against greed, hatred, and ignorance, against the ingrained selfishness that has covered over our natural luminosity, can for a long time be as ferocious as any external war. During this time even the slightest clarity or opening of the heart is a major triumph, and metaphors of victory and defeat, of conquering our enemies and overcoming fierce obstacles, seem only too accurate, as if they were straightforward description...

5. Tag 3 more people.

I tag Michelle, ATR, and Tate. Go guys!

I Love Cleaning???

2007-03-05T11:39:00.000Z

For my domestic-goddess/Martha Stewart friends...this won't be a big deal. But for those who are a bit more 'domestically challenged' like me, it will mean a bit more.

A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to the FLYlady (thank you Digital Scrapbook Place) and started following her program. This is basically a Home Organisation System that helps you to get your house-cleaning and general management of house duties under control. She promises that if you follow her system, within a few months, your house will be 'cleaning itself'. Well...that sounded like quite a promise to me and her website is completely FREE, so I thought...what the hay, I'll give it a try. Being a Stay-at-Home-Mum has been quite a challenge...not least of all because I have felt like house-cleaning is a never ending job so you never feel like you are achieving anything, unlike in the work world, where life is full of projects, deadlines, and people telling you did a good job (hopefully).

Well, let me just say that since I have been 'FLY-ing'....I cannot disagree more. I AM getting things done, and because there are lists that you can check off, you DO feel like you are achieving something. Aside from that, when I go into different rooms in my house and they are almost sparkling, it feels SO good, and I think, I DID THIS! It's a totally fantastic feeling. I am sure it is no coincidence that our home feels a lot more peaceful lately.

Anyway, that is a bit of a digression...the real reason for this post is called the Home Blessing Hour. This is an hour on Mondays (or whatever day you choose) where you do a list of 7 general house-cleaning tasks. But the kicker is...you only do each task for 10 minutes. (You actually use a timer!) This makes the whole thing much more manageable, and you don't feel like you will be cleaning FOREVER because every 10 minutes that timer goes off and you know you can move on to the next thing, and then, at the end of all those '10 minutes'...wa la- your house looks great!

Now the REAL reason for this post is this- the NAME of this exercise is what has really spoken to me. HOME BLESSING HOUR. I have never thought very positively about cleaning. I know that if I'm upset, it makes me feel better to clean, I know that I like things to BE clean (although I don't like having to be the one to DO it) but other than that...it has always been one of those necessary evils of life. So, most of the time I have always trudged through begrudgingly, wishing I had been born into a life where I could hire someone else to do it for me.

But for the past two weeks...the idea has been brewing in my little brain- I AM BLESSING MY HOME AND FAMILY when I do this. Last week, as I was going around doing my tasks, I kept telling myself 'I am blessing my home' (especially when I wanted to quit or do something more fun). So, here's the shocker- would you believe, last night, I was actually LOOKING FORWARD to Monday so I could do the Home Blessing Hour!!! Again this morning, I kept telling myself...'I am blessing my home and my family...I am blessing my home and my family...' I actually did the tasks with a bit of a spring in my step.

So...I guess, strictly speaking, I don't LOVE cleaning...but I DO love blessing my Home and my Family.

What a revelation.

Thank You Ms. Angelou

2007-03-04T10:04:00.000Z

This was sent to me in an email but I thought it was worthy to post for everyone.

In April, of last year, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 74th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was "exciting."

Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts.(They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.)
The audience laughed so hard they cried.

She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone."
"People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

To Everyone

2007-02-14T11:55:00.000Z

Sweet Sisters

2007-02-09T10:41:00.000Z

Last weekend we were at Christopher's parents' house and the girls had the sweetest 'sister moment' that I was lucky enough to catch on camera.

We were all having ice cream for dessert and Miriana was sitting at the little coffee table eating hers. Georgie toddled over to her and was interested in what she had and made a few noises 'telling' Miri....

Suddenly, without any prompting, Miri started feeding her her ice-cream! It was the sweetest little thing! Say it with me....AWWWWW!

'Here you go George'

Mmmmm.....I think I'll have another!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

2007-02-09T10:18:00.000Z

Yesterday we had the first real snowfall I've seen in the 9 1/2 years I've been in England! Until now, we have had a few dustings here and there, but nothing to speak of. In our area we had about 4-5 inches, but in other areas, it was 6-8 in.

Christopher stayed home and we played in the snow and made our first snow man then came in, put all the wet clothes on the radiators, changed into warm, dry clothes and then drank hot chocolate with marshmallows !

A true SNOW DAY....

Here are some pictures....the exposures aren't that great, but I haven't had time to develop them properly yet.

Daddy showing the girls how to pick up the snow to make snowballs.

Georgie's first time holding a snowball.

Running around....Georgie did NOT want to hold anyone's hand!

Snowball fight!

I'm gonna get you!

Feeling the snow.

Mr. Snowman, made by all of us.

Where's my baby gone???

2007-01-30T17:25:00.000Z

'Baby Georgina' is a toddler now! (and she's not even 1 yet!)

Taking a walk in the park

Ha-ha! I can crumple the paper and walk AT THE SAME TIME!!!!

How fast time flies....it seems like just yesterday that she was just a little blob of a baby who couldn't do anything for herself, and now, she can eat table food, say mama and dada and WALK!!!

Just a little sniffle for the baby that's gone, but a WOW! for the little girl she's becoming :)

Mindless Movie Drivel- I've seen 109 movies out of 239

2007-01-24T10:44:00.000Z

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 movies, you have no life (though being able to get out to see a movie seems like more of a life than not being able to get out to see a movie!). Nevertheless, mark the movies you have seen. There are 239 movies on this list.

(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
() Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
() Fight Club
(X) Starsky and Hutch
(X) Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
Total so far: 6

(X) The Princess Bride
() AnchorMan
() Napoleon Dynamite
(X) Labyrinth
() Saw
() Saw II
() White Noise
() White Oleander
(X) Anger Management
() 50 First Dates
(X) The Princess Diaries
(X) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 11

() Scream
() Scream 2
() Scream 3
(X) Scary Movie
(X) Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
(X) American Pie
(X) American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 15

(X) Harry Potter 1
(X) Harry Potter 2
(X) Harry Potter 3
(X) Harry Potter 4
() Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(X) The Wedding Singer
()Little Black Book
()The Village
() Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 20

(X) Finding Nemo
(X) Finding Neverland
(X) Signs
() The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
(X) Butterfly Effect
() 13 Going on 30
(X) I, Robot
()Robots
Total so far: 25

() Dodgeball
()Universal Soldier
() Lemony Snickt: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(X) Along Came Polly
() Deep Impact
() KingPin
(X) Never Been Kissed
(X) Meet The Parents
(X) Meet the Fockers
(X) Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
() King Kong
Total so far: 30

(X) A Cinderella Story
(X) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(X) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
() Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
()Surviving X-Mas
(X) Flubber
Total so far: 34

()Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(X) Practical Magic
()Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From Hell
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
(X) The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 36

(X) The Day After Tomorrow
() Child's Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(X) Ten Things I Hate About You
(X) Just Married
(X) Gothika
(X) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 43

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
()Lucky Number Slevin
(X) Ocean's Eleven
(X) Ocean's Twelve
(X) Bourne Identity
(X) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star: State of mind
(X) Bedazzled
(X) Predator
() Predator II
() The Fog
() Ice Age
() Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 49

(X) Independence Day
(X) Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
(X) Christine
(X) ET
(X) Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
(X) Maid in Manhattan
(X) War of the Worlds
(X) Rush Hour
(X) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 58

() Best Bet
(X) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(X) She's All That
(X) Calendar Girls
() Sideways
(X) Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
(X) Big Trouble in Little China
(X) The Terminator
(X) The Terminator 2
Total so far: 68

() X-Men
() X-Men 2
() X-Men 3
(X) Spider-Man
() Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
(X) Freaky Friday
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
(X) Cruel Intentions
(X) Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
Total so far: 76

() Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
() The Notebook
(X) K-Pax
() Krippendorf's Tribe
(X) A Walk to Remember
(X) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 80

(X) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(X) Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 86

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devil's Rejects
(X) Elf
(X)Highlander
(X) Mothman Prophecies
() American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 89

() The Jacket
() Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(X) Monsters inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Dawn Of the Dead
() Willard
Total so far: 92

() High Tension
() Club Dread
(X) The Hulk
() Shaun Of the Dead
(X) Hook
(X) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(X) 28 Days Later
() Orgazmo
(X) Phantom of the Opera
() Waterworld
Total so far: 97

() Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() The Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
Total so far: 97

(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
()Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 103

(X) The Matrix
(X) The Matrix Reloaded
() The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
(X) Team America World Police
(X) Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
(X) Hannibal
Ending Total: 109

Now Add them up and...

put "I've seen ___ movies out of 239" in the subject

He Aint Heavy, He's my Bro....

2007-01-04T23:39:00.000Z

As most of you will know, my brother spent the Christmas holidays with us thanks to a fantastic gift from my in-laws. He left to go home today :( In his honour, here are a few pics of him on his trip here. It was great to spend over two weeks with him and the girls are absolutely smitten with their uncle. I know they will miss him as much as I do. Having him around has really made me homesick...

DH and the bro randomly wore the same shirt on Christmas eve...don't they look like two little elves? :)

'the boys' on Christmas Day

My bro and me

with Georgina

at the airport with Miriana

My Christmas Miracle

2007-01-04T23:20:00.000Z

Well...never let it be said that Christmas miracles don't happen and that Christmas is only for the kids...
Santa paid me a visit by way of my sneaky DARLING HUSBAND this year.
Picture the scene- the gifts have nearly been all opened, and I am helping Miriana open the last (and biggest) of her presents. Christopher is telling me every few seconds that there are only 7, then 5, then 4 minutes left on the video tape and we better hurry so we get don't miss her opening anything. The presents are being put in front of me at a warp speed and I am helping her rip through them. It's the last gift and I start ripping and get through the top of the paper and my eyes get really big and I come over all shaky and hot when I see the top of the box that says 'Canon'. I stop stop ripping for a second and look around, firstly at Christopher, then my MIL (who is always in on these sort of surprises, who looks at me with interest, as if she doesn't know a thing about what's going on) I totally can't believe it and proceed to open the box to reveal my Christmas miracle:

Yes folks, its a Canon Rebel XT digital SLR camera. The one I have been saving for and had resigned to not being able to buy until sometime this year.
Apparently Christopher had been a busy little elf, coordinating the surprise and the WHOLE FAMILY was in on it!!!!
Needless to say, I was snap-happy 90 minutes after I opened it and the battery was charged up.

In the words of an old comedy routine that some of you old enough to remember SNL in its hey-day will recognize:

'CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN BERRY BERRY GOOD TO ME!'

Tree trimming

2006-12-12T21:31:00.000Z

Here are just a few pictures from the tree-trimming party.

Miriana putting one of the first ornaments on the tree.

Georgina's first encounter with a bauble....'You want me to do WHAT with this???' (She doesn't seem too convinced.)

'I think these are for me...'

Egg nog....yummm!!!!

Oh Christmas Tree

2006-12-11T00:36:00.000Z

I will post more soon but in the mean time, here is the post-tree-trimming-party Christmas tree. The picture doesn't really do it justice because you can't see the lights and the proper contrast, but you get the idea. It's not so much the Charlie Brown tree anymore but I still love it :)

It's a Charlie Brown Christmas

2006-12-08T16:32:00.000Z

Christopher came home last night bearing our Christmas tree. He lovingly trimmed the trunk (outside in the cold dark of a winter evening) then brought it inside and placed it in the tree holder and with great anticipation cut off the sleeve it was encased in. It was a magical moment that then turned from irritation to pleasant memories of childhood.

You see....as the tree was unwrapped, it became apparent that from the last branches at the bottom to the next row of branches, there is a gap of about a foot. This immediately brought to mind the poor, hapless Christmas tree in A Charlie Brown Christmas which made me smile inside and out. I remember watching Charlie Brown every Christmas season (apparently it isn't such a tradition over here in England, but I will be purchasing the DVD so my girls can share the tradition with me). Anyway....I guess it reminds me that Christmas isn't about perfection, but about the love between family and friends and all sorts of crazy things going wrong which make up the memories we laugh about for years in the future.

Here is the tree....we are having our tree-trimming party tomorrow, so I will post pictures of the finished creation afterwards.

Say Cheeese!

2006-12-08T09:48:00.000Z

Hello folks....
It's been a few days since I last blogged...one of the reasons has been that we have been TRYING to get a family portrait for our Christmas cards everyday for about the last week! We FINALLY got one on Wednesday and I promptly placed my order yesterday (nothing like doing things well in advance huh?) Anyway....here is the picture that ALMOST made it...it would have been 'the one' if we hadn't been able to take any more.

Let me give you a little tip for free...if you are trying to do a family portrait yourself, at home with two toddlers....DON'T! Actually, really it would have been helpful to have a 5th person to stand behind the camera and get the kids' attention- that was the main battle, getting them to look in the right place and smiling at the appropriate moment when the timer finally clicks and takes the picture. On a positive note, I got my exercise running between the camera to set up the shot and turn the timer on and getting to my place with the family (which usually involved picking up Georgina on my way). Anyway, the reason we didn't choose this picture is because Georgie wasn't smiling (she has a really infectious one and I wanted to share that) however, she IS pulling Miriana's hair which captures her mischievous personality perfectly. I won't post the winning picture until after Christmas so as not to spoil the surprise for those of you receiving a card from us.
In the mean time, here is an 'artsy' picture I took and used to play around with Photoshop.

Ireland + America= A Full Tummy

2006-11-27T19:52:00.000Z

This is Ireland...

Creamy Colcannon made with mashed potatoes, cabbage and spring onions finished with a decadent 'well' of drawn butter.

This is America...

Ham in Coca-Cola- Brought to us from the Deep South via Nigella Lawson in England.

Both of these recipes couldn't be easier and yielded absolutely DELISH results. We ate very well last night and the ham was superb for lunch today (and probably for most of this week!). We have one more ham recipe to try (my best friend's mother's) but if we don't get around to it, this will be the one we do this Christmas. If you haven't tried it yet, I strongly urge you to...the idea of it might sound wacky, but believe me, the taste speaks for itself. The ham was moist and succulent and had the perfect balance of sweet/salty. The recipe is below (in US measurements).
BON APPETITE!

Ham in Coca Cola US by Nigella Lawson

from Nigella Bites

This recipe started off in How to Eat, but has been subject to some rejigging since (just because it's not in my nature to leave completely alone), and I don't apologise for reproducing, or rather recasting, it because I simply cannot urge you to try this strongly enough. The first time I made it, it was, to be frank, really just out of amused interest. I'd heard, and read, about this culinary tradition from the deep South, but wasn't expecting it, in all honesty, to be good.

The truth is it's magnificent, and makes converts of anyone who eats it. But, if you think about it, it's not surprising it should work: the sweet, spiky drink just infuses it with spirit of barbecue. I have to force myself to cook ham any other way now; though often I don't bother with the glaze but just leave it for longer in the bubbling Coke instead.
And the salty, sweet liquor it leaves behind in the pot after it's cooked makes an instant base for the most fabulous black bean soup.

But just one thing before we start: don't even consider using diet Coke; it's full-fat or nothing.

INGREDIENTS

4 and a quarter to 4 and a half pound bone-in ham
1 onion, peeled and cut in half
2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola

FOR THE GLAZE

handful of cloves
1 heaping tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons English mustard powder
2 tablespoons demerara or granulated brown sugar

If you know that you're dealing with a salty ham, put it in a pan covered with cold water, bring to the boil, then tip into a colander in the sink and start from here; otherwise, put the ham in a pan, skin-side down if it fits like that, add the onion, then pour over the Coke. Bring to the boil, reduce to a good simmer, put the lid on, though not tightly, and cook for just under 2 and a half hours.

If your joint is larger or smaller, work out timing by reckoning on an hour for every 2 pounds, remembering that it's going to get a quick blast in the oven later. But do take into account that if the ham's been in the refrigerator right up to the moment you cook it, you will have to give it a good 15 minutes or so extra so that the interior is properly cooked.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500ºF.

When the ham's had its time, take it out of the pan (but do NOT throw away the cooking liquid) and let cool a little for ease of handling. (Indeed, you can let it cool completely then finish off the cooking at some later stage if you want). Then remove the skin, leaving a thin layer of fat.

Score the fat with a sharp knife to make fairly large diamond shapes, and stud each diamond with a clove. Then carefully spread the molasses over the bark-budded skin, taking care not to dislodge the cloves. Gently pat the mustard and sugar onto the sticky fat. Cook in a foil-lined roasting pan for approximately 10 minutes or until the glaze is burnished and bubbly.

Should you want to do the braising stage in advance and then let the ham cool, clove and glaze it and give it 30-40 minutes, from room temperature, at 350ºF, turning up the heat towards the end if you think it needs it.

Serves 8

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T13:44:00.000Z

Firstly...to all my family and friends in America...
Happy Turkey Day!
I miss all of you so much!

Now, on to this post....
As we all know, today is Thanksgiving Day in America. A day for the 3-F's...Family, Friends and Food. However, here in England it's just another autumn Thursday. The weather in my part of the world is currently blue skies and cool (51F/11C). So far, my day has been a struggle. Both of the girls were extremely cranky this morning, Miriana took 2 hours to eat her breakfast, my boob has been bruised by a zestful nurser so was very sore this morning and Georgina was not impressed with having to have a bottle instead. Christopher made it out the door (late again) and probably got blasted when he got to work. I knew this when he left and felt partly responsible so, all in all...not the picture-perfect Thanksgiving morning.

However, yesterday, one of my best friends, Sarah called me. She told me she had been thinking about another one of my best friends and was compelled to call. Sarah does not know this other friend, but she has been keeping up with her struggle with infertility and has kept her in her prayers. T has just had her third IVF cycle and is waiting to find out if it was successful. She will be having 'the' blood test tomorrow. Early signs seem encouraging, but you can never tell with these things, the symptoms can be cruelly deceptive. Anyway, we went on to talk and decided that we would pray in earnest for her, especially that this cycle is the one that works and that she is currently pregnant and doesn't know it yet.

T has been extraordinarily strong through all of this. She has remained the sweet, giving person she has always been. I know it hasn't been easy for her. In the time since she started trying to have a baby, several of her friends and family have had babies one or more times. Through it all, she has rejoiced for us and given of herself, in time, talent and gifts. I am not sure in the same situation whether I could be as giving. In any case, she was on my mind a lot yesterday and so was Thanksgiving. I decided yesterday that I would 'do' Thanksgiving in a different way. I thought, the emphasis is on food so much on this holiday. What if I fasted in prayer for my friend? Everytime I felt hungry, I would pray for her instead and be Thankful for all of my own blessings. It then occurred to me that I can't really fast while I am nursing a baby, so instead, I could do a modified fast. I would eat only as much as I needed to to ease my hunger and I would cut out my one true indulgence- chocolate. I am sure for some this doesn't seem like a big sacrifice. However, my DH and I do not have much money and the one treat he always indulges me in is my chocolate cravings. If I don't have it, I truly miss it.

As it turns out, through circumstances, we don't actually have anything fab to eat in the house. Lunch was a collection of bits of left-overs and dinner will be much the same. As I was lamenting, thinking of everyone and their fantastic turkey dinners, and especially pumpkin pie!...I remembered that this was exactly what I had been planning. Eating only for necessity and not pleasure and to focus on praying. So, that is what I have been doing. Whenever I think about food (and especially chocolate) I pray for my friend and the little embryos in her womb. I pray that tomorrow she will get the best gift of her life (or maybe even two or three), a positive test and that this will be a Thanksgiving she never forgets for all the best reasons.

I hope all of you out there have a wonderful day today with your family and friends and that we can all remember the things we are truly thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gang in England.

Thursday DSP Blog Prompt

2006-11-16T18:38:00.000Z

If you had an opportunity to see your future, would you want to?
Why or why not?

I think the main question here is, would you be able to do anything to change things in the future with what you found out. But even if you could, I think if you knew what was coming you'd always be 'chasing the future'. So I don't think it would actually bring any peace knowing what was about to happen. I suppose vague questions like 'will I be happy?' might be ok but then there is the danger of always trying to find out more details. I think in the end, knowing the future would be more of a hassle than anything and it would also take the 'living' out of life. What fun is it if you already know the outcome? It's like watching a movie or reading a book and already knowing the ending. The enjoyment is in the journey to find out.

So my answer is....No, I would not want to see my future if I had the opportunity.

Tuesday Two

2006-11-15T16:08:00.000Z

Two for Tuesday:

Tell us about two memories from two years ago...2004

2004 was a year of big changes and happenings in our life.

1. June 2004- My first daughter was born. The birth story goes something like this- they were keeping an eye on me because they thought she was going to be a big baby. On the Monday I was due, I went in for a monitoring because I hadn't felt her move as much as she should. While I was there, they did all the usual blood/urine tests and found that my blood pressure was a bit high. They made me stay in a few hours to see if it would come down and it didn't so they told me I would have to stay in overnight until they could get it to come down. Now this was in June and it was hot and most hospitals in England are not air conditioned- I had a horrible pregnancy rash called PUPPP which I can best describe as having chicken pox that doesn't get any better for 6 weeks. The only remedy for it is to give birth and I had seen the dermatologist and was in total agony because I wasn't getting any rest because of the itching. Needless to say, the thought of staying in the hospital over night without Chris made me totally emotional and I had a good cry when he left. The next day my blood pressure still wasn't down and they were watching for any signs of pre-eclampsia. I was over my due date but they usually let you go two weeks past your due date before any intervention. In this case, they told me that they weren't going to let me go that long because the chances of a natural delivery which we were pushing for would be slimmer the bigger she got. My doctor was actually advocating for a c-section but we pushed to let us try naturally and he agreed. I got an induction date for the Friday. They usually start you with a hormone suppository the night before and they started me at around 11.00 on Thursday night. By about 12.30 I had real strong contractions but had not dilated at all. The midwife told me that the contractions weren't even the real thing....but let me assure you, they were! I continued having regular contractions all through the night and by about 6am (I think, the details are a bit fuzzy on time...Chris remembers) I was begging for an epidural. I had tried gas and air and pethidine and nothing was working. So they gave in and gave me one, although the midwifde said they didn't usually give one so early in labour (I still had only dilated to about 3cm). Let me tell you....the moment that epidural went in was TOTAL BLISS...I could breathe for the first time in hours! I immediately started having a little doze, as did Chris. We called his parents at about 8am, I had asked for his mom to be with me in delivery. The morning went on and I only dilated to about 4cm and stayed there for hours. They tried a few pitocin drips but nothing seemed to work. I was contracting regularly but not dilating. Finally at about 4.30, they said they would try one more pitocin drip as a last resort. I told them that was fine, but I was so exhausted by then that I didn't feel like I would be able to push if it did work. They finally made the decision around 5.30 to send me in for a c-section and my daughter was born at 6.38 pm weighing 8lbs 1 1/2 oz (a big baby for someone under 5ft tall) They took her to NICU for an xray because they had suspected that she might have a diaphragmatic hernia which would have meant surgery at a few days old. Luckily she was perfectly fine and we were reunited minutes later. We both fell asleep and Chris was sent home (the dads are not allowed to stay over night). I woke up at about 10.30pm having trouble breathing. I thought I was having an asthma attack and called the nurse. They gave me my inhalers and a little while later it still wasn't working. It turns out that I had fluid in my lung and had to have oxygen and meds for it overnight. I started having a panic attack because I was having trouble breathing and they had put me in a private room and wouldn't leave the door open (I am slightly claustrophobic). I pleaded for them to call Chris so he could come in for a little while and sit with me. Luckily they agreed and he came in bleary eyed at about 3am and stayed until 7am. I was much better the next day (although I ended up with a really aggressive infection for the next 10 days) but I had my beautiful daughter and that was truly amazing.

2. December 2004- The whole family, including my in-laws and grandparents-in-law took a trip home to the States and spent Christmas with my family. It was Miriana's first Christmas and we wanted everyone to be there for it. It was a great experience. Chris's grandmother had previously been afraid of flying, but she even conquered that and now has been on several flying holidays since! It was probably the only time that the entire family including grandparents that we will all be together so it was really special. It was great to see my family meeting Miri for the first time too. It will always be a really wonderful memory. (I am working on the scrapbook layouts right now.)

The Green Box and Sweet Sixteen- Weekend DSP Prompt

2006-11-13T22:38:00.000Z

'Your favourite memory from your teenage years'

OK, OK, I got a lot of flack for choosing this as a prompt, but believe me, I had to dig deep to write about it too....my teenage years were as angst-ridden and full of The Cure and The Smiths as the next girl from the 80's.

I managed to come up with two memories...

One is short and sweet- my 16th birthday....yeah yeah yeah...'Sweet Sixteen' (why do they call it that anyway? Most people I know did NOT have a sweet time of things in their 16th year of life...although strictly speaking, it's the 17th year with 16 complete, but I digress..)

Anyway, my memory is of waking up, turning over and squinting to turn my alarm clock off, I turned on the radio and found that schools were closed because Hurricane Gloria had hit Maryland. I got all upset because it meant that I wouldn't be seeing my friends in school and we always surprised each other with things on birthdays. I already hated it because my birthday is in late September which meant that most years my birthday would get skipped because people hadn't had time to make friends so early in the school year. It wasn't so bad in high school because I had the same best friends starting in 9th grade. Anyway, I went to the bathroom and padded back into my room with blurry eyes and found a teddy bear with Happy Sweet Sixteen balloons attached to it waiting for me. It was from my Dad. Geez, I'm getting all choked up writing about it which I didn't expect to happen! Anyway, apparently he had hidden the gifts in the car overnight and snuck them in while I was in the bathroom. I remember going into his room and asking him 'where did these come from??' and him playing dumb and shrugging 'I don't know' with a wry little smile.

The second memory has to do with summers that I spent at my grandparents' house. There was a group of friends who I had grown up with in the neighbourhood. One of them was a guy named Bill. He was always really nice to me even though I was definitely the dorky ugly duckling (except for one incident that involved a letter and a certain ZZ Top song, but we won't go there). Anyway... my grandparents' house was the most centrally located of all the kids' houses and in the front yard there was a box which holds some electrical exchanges in it. We dubbed it 'the green box' and it was the meeting point for everyone throughout our childhood. I am sure it probably wasn't the safest thing, it used to get hot from whatever was inside, but we sat on it anyway and many a 'save the world' and 'he likes me, she likes me' conversations happened on it. This particular day everyone else had gone home and it was just the two of us left on the green box. We sat and talked for what seemed like hours about high school ending, which colleges we might go to and what we wanted to do with our lives in the future. I finally went inside with this warm fuzzy feeling. Not from crazy teenage hormones, but because it was one of those 'bare your soul' types of talks with a real friend. Guys and girls can be so cruel to each other in high school...this was a glimpse at what kind of people we might be as adults. Incidentally, I recently heard from Bill, and he has indeed turned into that nice grown-up guy.

Thank goodness high school is OVER!!!!

DSP Prompt- Fabulous Friday

2006-11-10T14:14:00.000Z

Yesterday we had the Thursday Thirteen, today let's have Fabulous Friday!!

Tell us about something FABULOUS in your life right now!

Here is something fabulous about my life:

It's Friday which means that I have two whole days with my fabulous husband at home!
It's great having him around, even if I have to share him with the kids, housework and his thesis.

TGIF :)

DSP Prompt- 13 Things

2006-11-09T12:55:00.000Z

There are a bunch of bloggers that participate in a meme called the Thursday Thirteen. Today, you're joining them!

You can write about any subject, but you have to think up 13 things.

Examples:
13 things about me.
13 things I like about living where I do
13 things my children say that crack me up
13 things to do this weekend.

Got it? GO!

OK...this sounds like FUN! (Thanks Meg)
I am choosing:

13 Things I Have Learned About Life

EVERYONE is insecure about SOMETHING
Smiling at someone could save their life
Never be afraid to give someone a hug
Being right is NOT better than being happy
Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself
Being the first to say sorry doesn't make you the weaker person
Spending time with someone is more appreciated than the most expensive gift
Holding on to past hurts will make you physically ill
Splashing in puddles and watching cartoons is good for the soul
Believing in God (or whatever you wish to call it) is important
Accept compliments graciously
It's OK to cry
Every experience, whether good or bad, can teach you something about yourself or about life if you let it

Newest scrapbook layout

2006-11-08T01:22:00.000Z

Credits:
Aged Linen overlay and Light scratches overlays by Lauren Bavin
Grunge edge by Lauren Bavin
Filmstrip by www.escrappers.com
Metal tags by Lauren Bavin
Heart Doodle by Suzanne C. Walker
Staples- DSP basics freebies
Distressed flag by Magdalene Parmenter

Fonts:
Adler
Dear Joe
The Gingerbread House
Goudy Old Style
Rockwell

DSP prompt- Manners

2006-11-07T10:47:00.000Z

In your area/family, how do children address adults? (exp. Mr & Mrs Smith, Miss Becky, Becky, etc.)

What manners do you stress in your family and which do you let slide? (This applies to adults, too, not just children).

Hmmm....good one-

When I was growing up, we always had to address adults as Mr(s) Last name if we didn't know them too well, if they were close family-friends, then Aunty or Uncle and the parents of our friends were Mr or Miss First Name. I am now thirty-something and still call my best friend's parents Mr Mike and Miss Nancy. Now that I have children of my own, we are teaching them roughly the same rules. Here in England, using the 'Mr/Miss First Name' is not a common thing, so I am having to get used to teaching the girls to either call adults Mr or Mrs Last Name or Aunty/Uncle. It is slightly hard to get used to only using last names because it seems too formal for some relationships that aren't close enough for an Aunty or Uncle, but I would rather that than using an adult's first name only. I am a firm believer that children are not equal to adults and should treat them with appropriate respect. (Of course, adults should respect children as people too and teach them how to behave properly by their example). I was also brought up to answer Yes Ma'am/Sir, but that is not used over here so I am just teaching the girls to say Yes (Person's name). The trouble that I run into is when the adults themselves don't want to be addressed by Mr/Mrs and tell the kids to just use their first name. I feel really uncomfortable about that, but I guess I have to respect the person's wishes in what they want to be called. Luckily Miri is only two so hopefully I have just a little more time to figure out what a good explanation in that situation is. Any thoughts are appreciated.

As for manners...

There are a few that I am a stickler for:

I don't like yelling through the house. If I call one of the kids, I expect them to come to me to see what I want, not yell from wherever they are. This applies to everyone in the house, including DH and me.
Please and Thank you are essential, although I must admit that I have let this slip myself, especially when speaking to Chris, so I need to work harder on that.
I insist that when the girls have hurt each other or made each other angry, they must say sorry and hug and kiss before play can resume.
At the dinner table napkins should be used (you wouldn't believe how many people I have met over here who don't set the table with napkins or even provide them at all during a meal!)
When she is finished her meal, I am teaching Miri to ask to be excused before getting up from the table.
One of my biggest peeves is people who start eating before everyone at a table has been served or who get up before everyone is finished. I just find that SO RUDE! Needless to say, when we are all sitting at the table together, this is a definite rule in my house.
Thank you notes....I try to do these in a timely manner although sometimes it just doesn't happen. When I was growing up, we didn't have to write notes but we always had to call and thank someone and of course say thank you when the person was actually handing the gift to us. I always called the hostess of parties to thank them as well. I am trying to get better about written thank you's though, I actually like making and writing them. I will be teaching the girls the same.

I think that's basically it for now. I could go on and on about how downhill our society has gone when it comes to manners, but I'd just get myself all worked up and that just wouldn't do would it? *wink*

Instead, I'll go play with the girls!

Looking forward to the comments on this topic.

Fab-tastic Family

2006-11-02T00:27:00.000Z

I have the best in-laws in the world! (Especially my MIL- who I call my 'second mum' because she's always been much more than a MIL).

Anyway...she called me to say, what would I think if they and the grandparents all pitched in and BOUGHT A TICKET FOR MY BROTHER TO COME TO ENGLAND FOR CHRISTMAS????

After I picked my jaw up off of the floor, (which incidentally took me a full night's sleep), I said 'Yes, it would be great!, Oh and by the way....THANKS!' I am sure my wonder and gratitude was not convincingly conveyed, but I have a month or so to come up with something to show them. Hmmm...scratching my head and waiting for the wheels to start turning....

Anyway...needless to say, my mom is beside herself with excitement that we will all be together for the holidays. I am really happy that the girls will get to spend time with their uncle, Georgie hasn' even met him yet, and Miri is always asking to talk to him on the phone, and since our first webcam on the weekend, she keeps asking if he's on the computer. He has a real way with kids too and was totally doting when we went home last year. It's going to be really nice to see them together in person.

So there you have it....

I officially have the best in-laws in the world. :)

Newest scrapbook layout

2006-10-30T10:39:00.000Z

I am really enjoying this digital scrapbooking. I can't wait to see how the pages turn out when they're printed.

Journalling:
I was sitting on the sofa in the afternoon and heard you playing in the background. I asked you what you were doing and you said ‘I’m feeding Dolly!’ When I looked up I found that you were using your Eeyore headrest as a ‘Boppy’ and were nursing your dolly just like Mummy feeds Georgina. It is wonderful how you watch everything around you and learn about the world you
live in. You are so smart, you learn things without us even teaching you!

Credits:
Studded Flowers Page Kit by Jamie Rousselle
Blue Spring by Marcee J. Duggar
Flower Mesh Brads by Kim Liddiard
Gold Page Pebble Alphabet by Lauren Bavin
Tag Set by Lauren Bavin

Cookies and Memories

2006-10-22T20:52:00.000Z

Firstly...
I believe we have reached Chocolate Chip Cookie NIRVANA.

I think the first clue was when Miriana started doing a happy dance around the living room after her first bite. She had the honour of having the first taste and I followed next.
I can't even think of words good enough to describe the perfection.
This is MOST DEFINITELY the recipe I will be passing on to the girls and hope that generations after me will taste this piece of heaven. One final word......Mmmmmmm!
If you missed it the first time, here is the recipe.

Unbelievably Good Chocolate Chunk Cookies (I am renaming these 'Nirvana Cookies')

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¼ pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
½ cup sugar
¾ cup tightly packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature, lightly beaten
7 oz bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1) Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
2) Using a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugars on low speed until it is smooth and lump free, about 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle
.3) Add the vanilla and egg and beat on low speed for 15 seconds, or until fully incorporated. Do not overbeat. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
4) On low speed, add the flour mixture. Beat until just incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the chocolate chunks and mix until they are just incorporated. If using a hand mixer, use a wooden spoon to stir them in. Refrigerate dough for at least an hour.
5) Preheat oven to 350. Adjust racks to lower and upper thirds of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats. Spoon the dough using a cookie scooper 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. (makes about 23 3-inch round cookies)
6) Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown around the edges, turning the sheets front to back and switching racks halfway through.
Remove the sheet from the oven and carefully slide the parchment or Silpats directly onto a work surface. When cookies are set, remove them to a cooling rack. Wait at least 5 minutes before serving or 20 minutes before storing in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Secondly, here are two more scrapbook layouts. I didn't take the picture of Sharon, but I think it is such a good picture that it has inspired me to get back to my photography. So if any of you would like to donate to my Canon Digital Rebel XTi fund let me know! *wink*

Credits:
Dinner Party kit by Sara Carling and Shabby Princess
Fonts: Scriptina, Hurricane

Credits:
Grungy Diamonds kit by Valeri Brumfield
Fonts: Scriptina, Hurricane, Architext, Pica10 BT

That's about it for this weekend. It's been raining so not much else exciting happening.

My second Layout

2006-10-20T13:56:00.000Z

This could get addictive!

Credits:
Power to the flower by Samara Gugler
Metal mesh brads by Kim Liddiard
Fonts:
Architext
Earwig Factory
Fortunaschwein

Digi-scrapping, here I come!

2006-10-19T19:59:00.000Z

I did my first digital scrapbook layout today....
not bad for a first attempt I think...

Credits:
Misty Morning BG & overlay by Meryl Bartho
Sweet Heart Doodle Brush Set by Suzanne C. Walker
Scriptina font
Liorah BT font

New Blog

2006-10-17T16:19:00.000Z

The Pay It Forward Blog is now defunct and replaced with

3 BEAUTIFUL BLESSINGS

Enjoy.

Italian tonight

2006-10-15T20:14:00.000Z

C made dinner tonight and his creation turned out beautifully.
We had fennel in our organic veg delivery box and needed a recipe for it. I found this version of baked ziti which fit the bill. It turned out to be a lovely warming dinner for an autumn evening.

courtesy: Emerils.com

BAKED ZITI WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND FENNEL

Ingredients needed:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons bleached all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 5 ounces)
2 pounds sweet Italian fennel sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound dried ziti or penne
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Generously butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter.

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and let foam, stirring constantly, without browning the flour, for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk 1/2 cup at a time, and season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer, whisking often, and cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Remove from the heat, cover, and keep warm.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until just browned, about 4 minutes. Add the fennel and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, bring 1 gallon water and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the ziti and cook, stirring occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking together, until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, then return to the pot. Toss the pasta with the olive oil. Add the sausage mixture, the cream sauce, and basil and mix well.

Spread the pasta in the prepared dish and sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
Bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Muddy fun and school days

2006-10-14T23:20:00.000Z

Just a few pictures of the girls at the park today. The ground was a bit wet after a few days of rain, so we all ended up coming home with muddy clothes and had to change! All in the name of fun....it's great having little kids sometimes...an excuse to get messy and act like a kid!

G is a litle dare-devil in the making. She already has a strong propensity for peering over the edge of things (like the sofa and the top of the slide) and trying to climb down. The girl has no fear!!

M and G going down the slide together. Both of them just love it!

On the swings. Once again, G seems to really get the hang of things so fast, she is already swinging her legs to try to make the swing move, without us even showing her! She is really going to keep us on our toes!

AND OUR OTHER NEWS OF THE DAY:

M has been offered a place at the Warwick Prep School. It's only for nursery next year, but it guarantees her a place at the school until she is 7 years old. So that's a great start!

The Saga of the Chocolate Chip Cookie- Part 2

2006-10-14T22:57:00.000Z

OK...so we got all the RIGHT ingredients for this supposedly-to-die-for chocolate chip cookie and proceeded with the experiment this evening.

First I made a 'cookie-dough schlong' (don't look at me like that, I didn't make up the terminology, I just followed the master) Anyway....here it is

I chilled it for about 1 1/2 hours and then C cut it into about 1 inch slices (which we thought would equal around 1 1/2 tbsp of dough) However, by this method, the batch only yielded 15 large cookies, rather than the 23 promised by the recipe. Not sure why.

The recipe said to cook for 11-13 minutes, but when we looked at 11 and then 13 minutes, the dough did not seem golden on the edges so we kept it in for 2 more minutes, totalling 15 in the end.

Here is the finished product:

The Result:
The cookies were very very good...crispy on the outside and fairly chewy on the inside, but I wouldn't classify them as 'heavenly' just yet.

A few more tweaks to be made:

1. Stick with the 13 minute bake-time
2. We were only able to get milk chocolate chunks and I think it made the cookie too sweet. Next time, will get a higher cocoa content and less milk version.
3. Not bother with the schlong and just cool the whole bowl in the fridge. Use the old fashioned method of dropping the dough with a spoon onto the cookie sheets. I am hoping this will make the cookies more uniform, although the schlong didn't do bad in that respect.

Making another batch tomorrow for C to take to work, or to eat at home with today's batch going to work, depending on how they turn out :)

I'll let you know.

My Newest Obsession

2006-10-12T16:14:00.000Z

If you are at all into food...you will love this site as much as me.

CHOWHOUND

It's truly addictive!

The Saga of the Chocolate Chip Cookie- Part 1

2006-10-12T10:21:00.000Z

Monday I decided that I had a hankering for chocolate chip cookies. Not the mass-produced only-slightly-edible variety that are passed off in the supermarkets here...English cooking has its specialties, but cookies is definitely not one of them.

Anyway...there was also a bag of chocolate chips that my mom brought over several months ago which needed to be used. So, obviously, the only solution was...chocolate chip cookies....

I duly began my search online for tips and hints for perfecting said cookies. I found a few suitable recipes and trudged off to the kitchen to see what supplies were in the cupboard.
Alas, I had to make a few substitutions, but hey, food science is fun, right?!

Here are the substitutions:

Recipe--------------------------Substitution
3/4 cup granulated sugar-------3/4 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar------3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup butter--------------------1/2 cup butter + 1/2 cup sunflower spread

Result
Edible cookies that were extremely cakey. Exactly how I don't like them.

So....I did some more searching and found that it was probably due to the sunflower spread and also because I didn't refrigerate the dough.

I have found what looks to be the perfect recipe....the picture alone made me totally salivate!

So, The Saga will continue this weekend...stay tuned for the results.

Friday's Prompt

2006-10-06T13:41:00.000Z

Share with us a favorite quote, or one that fits your life right now.

Now this is a timely prompt. There is a blog that I visit frequently called Get Zapped and yesterday's quote was one that I really liked.

Because you are alive, everything is possible.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

I believe that God puts certain things in our path for a reason. Lately I have come across several teachings by this Buddhist monk which have really spoken to me and after this most recent whisper in my ear, I think it's time that I pay attention. I will keep you posted as I read more of his works.

As for this particular quote...I think it should be my new mantra. It's amazing how completely positive such a short sentiment can be.

I have many more favourite quotes, but for today, I am focusing on this one.

Lunch Mexicana

2006-10-05T15:35:00.000Z

Today we had one of M's favourite lunches...
Quesadillas (in this case bacon and cheddar) with homemade chunky guacamole. She ate it all up and asked for more!

It's ridiculously easy to make.

Quesadillas-
put 1 tsp oil in frying pan and put in flour tortilla
flip tortilla to coat both sides with oil
warm on high heat for about 10 secs each side until tortilla starts to puff with air
add fillings and fold tortilla in half
warm until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden on the outside

Guacamole-
dice up two avocados and two tomatoes
add chopped onion if desired
mix in 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cumin and salt/pepper to taste
add juice of half lime
finish with chopped fresh coriander
chill for a few hours for the best taste

Pizza

2006-10-03T21:47:00.000Z

Last night we had pizza for dinner. It was a yummy homemade version topped with ricotta, mushrooms and ruby chard.

C made the base from scratch, baked it blind and then I artfully (of course) laid on the freshly wilted ruby chard, ricotta cheese, and mushrooms and topped it with mozarella cheese.

20 minutes in the oven (which has a demon-possessed thermostat and is getting replaced on Saturday) and wah-la.....yummy-scrummy pizza!

Today's Prompt

2006-09-29T22:29:00.000Z

"release"
Take that word however you like, and write.

Hmmm...this word conjured up all sorts of things when I first read it...

Taking a long walk and never coming back?
5 minutes alone in the bathroom?

OK, clearly those two were about release from the overwhelming and never-ending responsibility of moulding two children into little human beings. Don't get me wrong, I waited so long to finally have these two little blessings, (I didn't meet my husband until I was 34) I wouldn't trade any of them for anything. But I have to say..being a stay-at-home-mum is the single most challenging 'job' I have ever had! I challenge ANY career woman out there to spend a week as a SAHM and see if she doesn't RUN back to her job. I used to work on in-patient psychiatric units as a psychologist, and that pales in comparison.

Anyway...I digressed...

As I was lying in my bed with my two year old daughter to get her to sleep (we're still working on falling asleep in her own bed) I started thinking about 'release' and I got a picture in my head.

It was my hands slowly opening up and releasing into the air all the negative thoughts and emotions that swirl around in my brain constantly.

This is a good topic for me because releasing is something I am currently working on.

Making the transition to full-time mum and home-maker has been a tough one for me and I am still struggling with it. Who is this person I have become, or am I still in the process of becoming her? I have been fighting against a lot of it, and this is a good reminder for me to release the old me and embrace the new me...whoever that ends up being. Easy to say, hard to do!!

so the mantra is....

Release! Release! Release!

Michaelmas Day

2006-09-28T23:58:00.000Z

once again, courtesy of The Old Foodie

Michaelmas Day.

Today, September 29th …

It is Michaelmas Day today, the feast day of St Michael and All Angels in the Christian calendar, and we started our preparations yesterday. Today, after it is blessed, you may eat the Struan-Micheil that you baked yesterday.

I forgot to remind you last Sunday to pick your carrots (preferably wild carrots) in readiness for today. You should (if you are female), on the Sunday preceding Michaelmas, have gone out with your 3-pronged mattock (representing St Michael’s trident), dug some triangular holes (to represent his shield), carefully removed the carrots, tied them with a triple thread of red yarn, and presented them to visitors on this day. If all else fails there is always the market.

Presumably you have put a few of your carrots aside to eat with your traditional dinner today, which of course is goose. The association with goose and Michaelmas is a very long one. Geese are fat from grazing the harvest stubble at this time of year, and in any case most livestock had to be culled before the onset of winter, so serendipity has something to do with it. Michaelmas was one of the old “quarter days” of the rural calendar, the four days in the year when rents and tithes were due and servants were hired or paid, and many agreements specified livestock such as goose as payment. The tradition is clearly NOT due – and will never be due, no matter how often the story is repeated - to Queen Elizabeth I being in the process of eating goose on this day when she heard of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, for the very good reason that that particular event happened in July. Got it?

P.S The “fallaid” that you saved from the baking of your Struan-Micheil yesterday is to be sprinkled ceremoniously on your sheep and land as a harvest blessing to ensure health and good crops in the coming year.

Recipe for the Day …Naturally we have to have a goose recipe today, and whereas sage and onion the best known traditional accompaniments, apples are also popular because (in the Northern Hemisphere, where these traditions originate) it is also apple harvest time. The recipe today uses apples, and also keeps loyal to the Scottish theme. Here follow the instructions “to smother green geese” From Scotland’s first cookbook – Mrs McLintock’s “Receipts for Cookery and Pastry-Work”, published in 1736. Be not alarmed, it is not a method of slaughtering green-feathered animals, or disguising decomposing flesh, “green” in this context means young and fresh.

To smother green Geese.
Take a young fat Goose, fill their belly with butter, Apples, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, sew up their belly, and boil her in strong broth, then coddle two Dozen of large Apples, pare them, and take out the core, beat them well with Sugar, Cinnamon, and a little fresh butter and white Wine, when the goose is well boiled, lay her in the Plate, and put the Apples over her.

Quotation for the Day …
He who eats goose on Michaelmas dayShan't money lack or debts to pay.
[Old English Saying]

Famous Person

2006-09-28T23:24:00.000Z

So, I've just joined a digital scrapbooking community called Digital Scrapbook Place and on one of the forums there is a Blog Prompt group. There is a daily prompt question and everyone posts an answer on their blog. It's good fun!

Today's prompt: What famous person would you like to meet? Why?

Hmmm...I've been giving this some thought all day long...there are so many to choose from. Today though, I think I'll choose Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson. Ok, I know, it's a cheat because it's two, but I just couldn't chose!

Bono- well, most of you will know I am a total U2 fanatic, and it's no surprise I would choose him, but not really because of the U2 phenomenon, which I can read about in the new book. More so because I just think he is an interesting guy, and I really respect all the humanitarian work he does, using his fame to do great work for those less fortunate in the world who have no voice of their own, and inspiring people in the developed world to do all they can to make a difference.

Ali- because I'd like to talk to a modern woman, wife and mother to 4 kids...and find out how she does everything she does. She also works tirelessly on humanitarian issues of her own and of course has to deal with a husband who is away so much of the time. I really respect that, and the fact that in this day and age, and especially in the rock world, they have managed to stay married for so many years.

I just think they would be a really interesting couple to meet.

Some of the people who I didn't choose in the end were.....Hitler (I have always been intrigued about his psychological profile), Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn and Isaac Newton (especially for his religious beliefs).

Growing so fast!

2006-09-28T14:35:00.000Z

My beautiful baby girl is 7 months old today!! I can hardly believe it...it's gone so fast! She is really starting to have a little personality and letting us know when she likes (and especially doesn't like) things. She is cruising holding onto furniture and can crawl pretty much ANYWHERE she wants to go! She is also looking longingly at the stairs, so I'm sure it won't be long before she is able to get EVERYWHERE! She is eating solid foods now and does not like plain cereal and LOVES mashed potatoes...

The sisters are becoming little partners in crime too...they already share little knowing looks and start giggling together. G also loves it when M blows raspberries on her tummy :) and they like a good cuddle and kissy with each other.

Sounds so blissful, doesn't it? **wink**

Of course it IS....when they're asleep! OK, even when they're awake...mostly...

I still can't believe how fast it's all going. Last week we put M on the nursery school waiting list for next year! I hope she gets in. It's the prep school we want her to go to if we stay in this area...it would be nice if she started out with friends there right from the start. Keeping my fingers (and everything else) crossed. If she doesn't get in, she'll have to go somewhere else for a year and then transfer in. Not the end of the world, but not ideal either. I guess we'll wait and see. We should know by the second week in Oct.

Those of you who know me know that patience is NOT one of my virtues!

Michaelmas Eve

2006-09-28T10:26:00.000Z

Michaelmas Eve. (courtesy of The Old Foodie)

Today, September 28th …

If you have any Scots ancestry, and wish to be true to any Celtic blood in your veins, today is the day to bake your “Struan Micheil” ready for blessing by the priest tomorrow, for today is Michaelmas Eve.

In your ancestral land it is harvest time, and the traditions of the Christian feast of St.Michael and All Angels are heavily blended with much more ancient traditions of harvest time and the necessity to appease the harvest deities. In case you have forgotten, a Struan-Micheil (“St Michael’s Cake” or Bread) is a type of “bannock” or unleavened bread cooked before the fire on a stone or on a griddle. It is essential to get the ritual and method exactly right, for baking disasters portend all manner of evil falling upon your family in the coming year. I will therefore remind you of the details.

The awesome responsibility of faultless production of the bread falls upon the oldest daughter of your house (or at least some other dependable female). The grains used must be in the proportion of those grown on your land (you probably have barley, oats, and rye). A peck (8 Imperial quarts) of flour from this grain (or two pecks if you have a large family) is to be mixed with an appropriate amount of sheeps’ milk into dough. This preparation is ideally done upon a lamb-skin. The dough is then placed on a “struan-flag” – a large stone which your menfolk brought in from one of yon bonnie banks earlier in the day – and is placed before the fire. During the baking three layers of a batter of cream, eggs, and butter is daubed over the dough to enrich and engolden it.

Important: do not throw away the flour ("fallaid") remaining on the baking surface, sweep it carefully up and place in something like a small bag or sock, you will need it tomorrow for Michaelmas.

Recipe for the Day …Here is a basic bannock recipe for you to adapt to your ingredients.

Oatmeal Bannocks.
Rub half an ounce of fresh butter into two and a half pounds of Scotch oatmeal, and stir briskly in as much lukewarm water as will make it into a stiff paste. Sprinkle some oatmeal on the pastry board, and spread the mixture out into a round cake, about half and inch thick and four inches in diameter. Bake in a moderate oven for one hour. Sufficient for ten or twelve persons. [Cassell’s Dictionary of Cookery; 1870s]

[Surely it means a number of cakes four inches in diameter, not just one?]

Tomorrow’s Story …Michaelmas Day.

Quotation for the Day …
“ … an entertainment is prepared with primeval simplicity, the chief part is a great oatcake, called Struan-Micheil, or St. Michael’s Cake, composed of two pecks of meal, and formed like the quadrant of a circle, it is daubed over with milk and eggs, and then placed to harden before the fire.”
-Thomas Pennant, A tour in Scotland, and voyage to the Hebrides.; 1776.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-09-28T00:49:00.000Z

My Birthday loot!

Here is the little princess wearing the shirt that C's parents got for me. Just a few more pounds for me to lose and it'll look FAB-tastic! It looks ok right now, but I think it would look better if it was a touch looser. I refuse to buy a bigger size, so it's a good incentive to keep shedding those pounds.....

The brand new SEXY Slvr phone that C surprised me with (I was not expecting a gift from him!) The best part is that it is a (RED) phone, which means that 5% of the phone price, plus 5% of all calls and texts that I make go to The Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa. (See the links for JOINRED ---------->)

Look how THIN it is.....seriously sexy.....

And finally...
it is a family tradition at all special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays and celebrations, to have chocolate covered strawberries, HAND-DIPPED by the Chef C and today was no exception!!!
MMMMMMMM!!!!!!

I also got some money gifts from other family which I am going to use to have a little spree on Amazon to get some books on my wish list. I'll post about them as I read them.

And so, sadly, my birthday is now over, but it was a nice one. Here's to many more!

Hurray, we're compatible!

2006-09-26T23:02:00.000Z

This is Hubby's flavour...

You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

You are kind, popular, and generous.
You tend to be successful at anything you try.
A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd.

You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Last night's nosh

2006-09-26T16:03:00.000Z

Salmon in a Honey-Teryaki Glaze with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Steamed Asparagus

For two salmon steaks

Use half small bottle of teryaki (or light soy) sauce with approximately 1 1/2 tbsp honey (or to taste)
Warm this mixture in the microwave for about 15 seconds to melt the honey and mix
Sprinkle salmon with ground ginger and crushed black pepper and rub lightly into fish
Place salmon skin-side up in a dish and pour marinade over, let sit for about 10-20 minutes
Pour 1 tbsp olive oil in baking dish and place salmon steaks in skin-side down
Pour over marinade
Cook in 200C oven for about 15-20 minutes or until fish is flaky

For the mashed potatoes, use your favourite homemade recipe. We used whole milk and butter, but also enjoy mash made with sour cream for a nice flavour. Do not use a mixer as this makes the potatoes too glutinous and less smooth and creamy.

Enjoy!

More ice-cream....

2006-09-26T15:59:00.000Z

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.
You often find yourself on the outside looking in.
Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works.

You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

We All Scream for Ice Cream

2006-09-25T14:34:00.000Z

Yes, I'm back and will be posting about the family soon, but I've also decided to start posting fun facts and recipes on this blog since it is one of my favourite and growing hobbies...and so to inaugurate the topic...

How ice cream tickles your brain
David Adam, science correspondent Friday April 29, 2005 Guardian

Eating ice cream really does make you happy. Scientists have found that a spoonful of the cold stuff lights up the same pleasure centre in the brain as winning money or listening to your favourite music.

Neuroscientists at the Institute of Psychiatry in London scanned the brains of people eating vanilla ice cream. They found an immediate effect on parts of the brain known to activate when people enjoy themselves; these include the orbitofrontal cortex, the "processing" area at the front of the brain.

The research was carried out by Unilever, using ice cream made by Walls, which it owns. Don Darling of Unilever said: "This is the first time that we've been able to show that ice cream makes you happy. Just one spoonful lights up the happy zones of the brain in clinical trials."
The scientists used a functional magnetic resonance imaging machine to watch blood flowing to activated brain areas when people swallowed ice cream.

Developed to investigate the effects of brain damage and disease, the scanners are being increasingly turned to non-medical uses. Experts are gathering in Cardiff today to discuss how magnetic resonance imaging could investigate how the brain handles situations including disappointment and loneliness.

Peter Halligan, professor of neuropsychology at the university, is leading the establishment of a £12m centre, opening in January, which will investigate the emerging field of social neuroscience. He said the centre would use the imaging machine to study brain activity when lies are told, and when people fake illness. He has already used scans to show activity in regions associated with deception, distinguishing between people hypnotised into being unable to move a leg and others pretending not to be able to do so.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Especially for my Teacher-friends...

2006-08-16T08:14:00.000Z

Three newly-wedded couples

Three couples had married on the same day, and now were staying at the same hotel for their honeymoons. The first man had married a nurse. The bellboy shook his head in envy: What a lucky guy. Nurses are known to be hot to trot. The second man had married a telephone operator. As he showed them to their room, the bellboy thought to himself: Wow, he is a lucky one. Telephone operators have sexy voices, and once you pop that top button ... The third man had married a school teacher, and the bellboy showed this newly wedded couple to their room almost in pity: Poor guy, she is pretty, but teachers are just too frigid.

Came the next morning. The bellboy's shift started at 5 am. He expected the teacher's husband to call for breakfast within an hour, while the other two would call in room service much later in the day. But when the telephone rings at 6 am, it is the nurse's husband who wants breakfast. And when the bellboy delivers it, he gets a shock: the man's pyjamas are still neatly pressed and his hair nicely combed. Awkwardly (but curious!) he asks what had happened. "After all, sir, you married a nurse.""Son," says the man in the voice of experience, "don't ever marry a nurse. All I heard last night was her nagging voice saying 'you're not sanitary, you're not sanitary'."

So the bellboy goes back down to the main desk to wait for the next call. At 6:30 am, the telephone operator's husband calls for breakfast. And the bellboy delivers it promptly, but again he gets a shock: this husband too, although in his pyjamas, is immaculately groomed. Once again he asks what happened: "After all, sir, you married a telephone operator.""Son," says the second man in the voice of experience, "don't ever marry a telephone operator. All I heard last night was her nasal voice saying 'your three minutes are up, your three minutes are up'."

So the bellboy goes back down to the main desk to wait, just knowing the teacher's husband will be calling any minute for breakfast ... but that call doesn't come until nearly the end of his shift, at 4:30 pm. Though surprised, the bellboy quickly brings it to the couple's room. And there he receives a shock of a different sort: for the husband was an absolute mess. He wore only his boxers, and there were scratch marks on his chest, arms, and legs. "What happened, sir?" asks the bellboy, fearing the worst. "Did you have a fight?"The man smiles: "No. Son, when you marry, be sure to marry a school teacher. All I heard last night was her sexy smooth voice saying 'We are going to do this over and over, until we get it right'."

Death by Moo Moo

2006-08-12T23:13:00.000Z

Just a very quick note to say...I'm not dead...
almost....

really-

Last Wednesday I had an anaphylactic allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital.

We didn't know what the allergen was until after we came home and I had it again...

It turns out that I'm probably life-threateningly allergic to MILK and all its derivatives. (We won't know for sure until they do some blood tests in a few weeks after I am off the massive doses of antihistamines.) Although, the lips and throat swelling as soon as it touched my lip is enough to convince me.

Anyway, I have spent the last 10 days with the hives from head to toe. (Feeling a bit like a leper). We have been at C's parents since Sunday because I have been too ill to take care of myself, much less the kids. Thank Goodness for them, they have been a God-send.

Today the rash is finally gone although I am still itchy so I will do my best to catch up with blogs/emails in the next few days. I am still spending a good portion of the day asleep from the medications but hopefully that will ease this week when I can taper them down. (They say the rash can crop up for the next few weeks again, joy of all joys...)

Just wanted to give everyone a heads-up.

Hope you are all well and talk soon.

Connect and Disconnect

2006-08-02T07:48:00.000Z

Disconnect

Best Friends

This week started out with our next door neighbours moving house. I tried to remain in denial about it for as long as I could...I refused to look out the windows so I wouldn't see the moving vans...I kept myself from thinking about the whole thing until yesterday morning when M said at breakfast (like she does every morning) 'where's Mr D? he's at work, where's Ms. B? she's at work, where's Z? she's at nursery'.... this is the point at which I usually say that Z (M's best friend) will come over to play when she gets home. So I had to bite my tongue really hard and try to swallow the lump in my throat when M said 'see them later'. Sigh.

C and I were talking about it, and it seems that these are the first neighbours we have actually known and been friendly with. We were so happy when we moved here and met them. B and I immediately hit it off (which was something to remark on because I have found that it seems particularly hard for adult women to make friends quickly and easily...there seems to be a much more complicated ritual we go through to size each other up and decide whether one is 'friendship material'). As time went by, we spent more time together and had a very easy slide into friendship. They were great neighbours too, D would sometimes mow our grass if he was doing his and we would frequently be at each other's houses, we always knew that having a party was not a problem because they would be invited too!

Anyway...I hope this goes some way to explaining why their moving away has hit me so hard. It can be quite isolating being a stay-at-home-mum so having good neighbours is really important to me. The new family moving in is an older couple with grandkids. I am hoping maybe they might be friendly enough to be 'surrogate grandparent neighbours' but I guess we'll see. In any case, nothing will replace our old neighbours and I sure will miss having a friend who is going through a lot of the same things as I am who can relate to me. And for my poor M. I am truly sad that her best friend has moved away. Both the girls had a habit of knocking on each other's doors whenever we would get home from going somewhere in the car. I am SO not looking forward to the first time that happens now that they're gone...

Connect

(There should be a picture here which for some reason Blogger doesn't want to post)

My dad informed me that one of my cousins from India would be coming over to London for a conference sometime this summer. We finally got in touch last week and she told me she would be free this week to meet up. So we planned that her friends would drop her off to a motorway services on their way to London from Manchester and C could meet her there and bring her home. Unfortunately they had car trouble and were delayed 3 hours, but finally made it and we got to meet each other. Her name is Jenny and she is a nurse for the High Commission in India. It was nice to meet but also a bit strange knowing that she is my first cousin and we don't really know each other at all. You kind of expect there to be some instant connection just because you're family, although I don't know why because logic holds that that wouldn't be true whether you're family or not if you've never met. **shrugging** Anyway, we've exhanged contact details and hopefully we will get to know each other in time. She had to leave this morning so we only really had a few hours last night to talk, which wasn't the best time of the day with two small kids to get to bed etc.

SO all in all, it's been a week of connects and disconnects...right now I am feeling quite down about the disconnects...the cloudy, grey weather doesn't help either. I need happy sun!!

Sport of Kings

2006-07-31T14:26:00.000Z

Well, this weekend was nice. Saturday we visited our friends who just had a baby 2 weeks ago. They had a baby girl and she is sweet, so TINY! It's hard to believe that G was that small only 5 months ago. How time flies...

Yesterday we went to a Day at the Races at Ascot.

Brand new Grandstand at Ascot

It was Hong Kong Day which is a family day with extra activites for the kiddies. M was intrigued with the Lion dancing but didn't like the loud drums and wanted to be held while it was going on. I think she enjoyed the horses most of all though, especially seeing them in the parade ring before the races. We had premier admission tickets which meant that we could go into most of the better areas of the course which included the walkway from the saddling area to the parade ring so she could see the horses up close from the ground instead of just from the raised standing areas around the ring. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the horses themselves (don't ask me why, I guess I was too busy taking it all in myself to take time out to get the camera....a poor excuse, I know, but I'll get more pictures next time) But even more than the parade ring, M had a total blast watching the 'horsies running, running!' and by the second race was cheering and clapping with everyone. In between races she started asking to go back to see more 'horsies running' so I think she really enjoyed herself.
Here she is 'reading' the racecard.

G had a nice day too, taking in the lovely weather and watching all the people around her. I think she likes being outside, although gets a bit testy if the sun is shining in her face.

C and I had never been to the races ourselves and so were intrigued about what the day would be like. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, having an excuse to dress up and have a day out.

The atmosphere at Ascot is really nice and even the stewards were very helpful and everyone was just ga-ga over the girls. One of the viewing areas that we were allowed into was right over the Royal Box (unfortunately no Royals attended this particular race day, as far as we know)

The Royal Box
Our seats were above the box all the way to the left where the woman in pink is sitting.

It is used mainly for the Royal Ascot week in June when the Queen and the entire royal family attend every day. There is a Royal procession in horse-drawn carriages down the main track that begins each day of racing. It is a fantastic week when everyone is dressed formally, men in full morning suits and women wearing the most exquisite (and sometimes outrageous) hats. I think we will definitely be applying for tickets next year.

As for the races themselves, we realised that by the third race (which was the biggest one of the day) we hadn't read the racecard, so we had a look and chose our personal favourites...if only I had placed a bet on that race- my pick came in third place, with 14-1 odds...I could have recouped some of the money we paid for our tickets! The two races after that, were also good fun, each horse we chose placed. If only we had made any bets...oh well...still, it was exciting picking a horse and then cheering him/her on. I can see how people get sucked into the world of horse-betting.

Anyway, we have already planned to go to another Family day in September for my and C's mum's b-day (our b-days are on the same day) and are already looking forward to it. I think it is a safe bet to say that we will be getting Annual membership next year which means we will be able to get to every race if we want.

A Hard Day at the Races...

Long Live the Sport of Kings!

A Little Something Nice

2006-07-28T08:48:00.000Z

My brother sent this to me...(he's so sentimental *smile*)
Anyway, instead of sending it out in an email which most of us will bin without reading, I thought I'd just post it here so anyone and everyone can benefit from it.

I must be turning into a real sap though, I got a lump in my throat several times while reading it!!

Little something to put things in perspective...

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park
The forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.
· One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.
Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.
When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.
The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.
· She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body.
The mother had remained steadfast.
She had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find
refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

· Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.
· Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
· My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you.
· Please pass this on to people you want to be blessed.

Please read on . .
· To realize the value of a sister: Ask someone who doesn't have one.
· To realize the value of ten years: ask a newly divorced couple
· To realize the value of four years: Ask a graduate.
· To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
· To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
· To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
· To realize the value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
· To realize the value of one minute: Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
· To realize the value of one-second: Ask one who has survived an accident.
· To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.
· Time waits for no one.
· Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.
· To realize the value of a friend: Lose one.

Pay It Forward

2006-07-19T10:24:00.000Z

The Pay It Forward blog is now live.

Here is the link:
Pay It Forward- Change the World

Let's have some fun!

Chuckle

2006-07-18T09:38:00.000Z

Healthy living

A couple, 85 years old, had been married for sixty years. They were not rich, but they managed to get by because they watched their pennies. Both were in very good health, largely due to the wife's insistence on healthy foods and exercise for the last decade. But one day, even their good health did not help when they went on one of their rare vacations and the airplane crashed.

They reached the Pearly Gates, and St. Peter escorts them inside.

He takes them first to a beautiful mansion, furnished in gold and fine silks, with a fully stocked kitchen and a waterfall in the master bathroom. A maid is hanging their favourite clothes in the closet. "Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter, smiling. "This will be your home from now on.""But how much is all this going to cost?" asks the old man."Why, nothing. Remember, this is your reward in heaven.

"The old man looks out the window. Right beside the house he sees a championship golf course, finer and more beautiful than any ever built on earth. But what are the green fees?"This is heaven," says St. Peter again. "You can play for free, every day.

"Next the three of them go to the clubhouse: which has all ready and laid out before them a lavish buffet lunch with every imaginable cuisine, from seafood to steaks to exotic deserts, and fountains of all different kinds of beverages. "Don't even ask," says St. Peter to the man. "This is heaven, it is all free for you to enjoy.

"With a nervous glance at his wife, the old man asks quickly: "Where are the low fat and low cholesterol foods, and the decaffeinated tea?"
"That is the best part!" exclaims St. Peter. "You can eat and drink as much as you like of whatever you like, and you will never get fat or sick. This is Heaven!"

"No gym to work out at?""Not unless you want to."

"No testing my sugar or blood pressure or ...""Never again. All you do here is enjoy yourself."

The old man turns to his wife with a glare: "You and your stupid bran muffins. We could have been here ten years ago!"

Day 8

2006-07-18T08:38:00.000Z

Today is Day 8 without M here.

We saw her over the weekend when we visited C's parents for his dad's birthday celebration. She is having an absolute BLAST with her grandparents and great-grandmother (who lives around the corner from them). Last week they went to the sea-side for the day and she had her first ride on a bus, to which she told us 'I LIKE dat bus'. Who would have thought public transportation could be so exciting?! They are having another day at the sea-side this week and also a trip to the zoo which I know she will totally love.

She has also been having loads of fun and giggles helping Grandad water the garden (and water Grandad) every evening when he comes home from work.
It was interesting to see how much her speech and language has come on in only a week. So many of her words seemed so much clearer than when she left. It really is amazing how fast kids at that age develop. Makes us old-fogies seem so decrepit!

As for me, I have had some nice quality time with G who is also developing at a fantastic rate. Yesterday she turned over from her back to her front for the first time. She has been making moves towards it for a couple weeks but she finally did it, and she looked so pleased with herself! So now she can turn from her back to her front and her front to her back...this makes for one roly-poly girl who we are going to have to watch like a hawk! She has also started 'crawling' caterpillar style and I think it won't be very long before she can crawl properly, and oh, won't the fun begin then??!! She looks so sweet right now though, like a little inch-worm with such a determined look on her face. I can tell she is getting a little frustrated though because she can't get to places she wants to go. All in good time, little mate :)

Although all of this has been good for everyone, I have felt the absence of M so keenly. It was even harder to leave her on Sunday than it was last week. She has such a fantastic personality and her enthusaism for life is contagious. Although her 'terrible two behaviour' is trying at times (ok, I admit it, it pushes me to the edge of sanity sometimes!) , most of the time she is a complete joy to be around and I MISS HER!!! I will have to really work on this in myself, because I don't want to be one of those over-bearing mums who don't let their kids do anything or go anywhere because of their own selfish desires. I AM glad she is able to have this time with her grandparents, I was very close to mine (and still am to my grandmother) so I hope the same for my kids. It will be wonderful to have her back though, the house just isn't the same without her. Only 4 more days to go....

I think I can...I think I can...

Empty Nest?

2006-07-06T22:25:00.000Z

Is it possible to have the Empty Nest Syndrome when your children are both under 2 years old?

C just found out that an extension to write his thesis could very well not be possible, so the deadline is Sept. 30. This means that he basically has to live, eat and breathe his thesis until then.

In an effort to be the good wife, I thought I would help him with the situation by asking his parents if they would have M next week which would allow him a lot more time (not to mention a quieter house) to focus on writing. This means that she will be gone for two whole weeks because we had already planned for her to go spend a week with them the following week. This is not really a big deal for him because he spends the majority of most of his days away from the kids, but I have only been separated from M for 4 days since she was born (when I went in to the hospital to have G). I know I have to learn to let them go and both C and I used to spend lots of time with our grandparents when we were growing up and we want that for our kids too. It still doesn't make it any easier thinking about being without them though. It's only Thursday (she is leaving on Monday) and already I am feeling down about not waking up and seeing her sweet face and hearing her groggy little voice saying 'Morning Mama'. The house will seem so quiet, and although most days I look forward to her sleeping for a little peace and quiet, knowing that I won't hear her at all just makes me want to bawl my little eyes out!

I never thought it would be so hard! Particularly since I used to spend weekends and vacations and summers with my grandparents and loved it. I always envisioned that for my kids. So it's not like it's a foreign concept that I have to get used to. I can't believe I am one of those mothers who is all emotional about every little thing. I can just tell I will totally cry all day the first day she goes off to school.

Oh well....the things we do for the people we love....

Hopefully this first time being apart will be the hardest and it will get easier after that. I'll hold onto that thought and try my hardest not to think about Monday until at least Sunday!

Sniffle.

Some Weekend Pictures

2006-07-02T21:42:00.000Z

I love my Bumbo! (And in case you're wondering, yes, I DO have a diaper on!!)
Peekaboo! Hanging out on M's trampoline
Cheese!
On the way to the pool....I'm a bathing beauty!