Playing Catch Up

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day! We are all home today enjoying a day off. Greg cooked us up a great breakfast this morning after we all slept in. I realized I was a bit behind in my blogging so here is a short recap of the last couple of weeks.
First, I meant to show you something cool we did in our kitchen. Check this out...

It is a piece of vinyl wall art that I had made before Christmas. I ordered it from this site. They were wonderful to work with and can customize just about any idea you have, plus they have lots of pre-made designs. We received it right before Christmas and put it up immediately. It was the finishing touch in our space, makes me feel like we are eating in a restaurant. Now if the waiter would just come take my order when I sit at the table, lol! We also finally got some curtains put up and some shelves installed over the buffet.

Last week was my birthday and we stretched out the festivities over several days. Mom and Dad treated us to dinner on Sunday. We had a fabulous meal and as always, it was just great to be together. Joshua made me some gifts on his lathe, a letter opener and a French style rolling pin. Aren't they great?? My friend Lynn bought this amazing cake for me that we shared at our stamping class and then on the actual day, Greg cooked up a special meal. So far turning 41 isn't too bad!

Joshua is busy with basketball these days. They have practice 5 days a week and have yet to play a game. He seems to be enjoying it and it is a good way to stay fit during these long and cold wintry days. This past weekend he went on a Boy Scout weekend down in Allegheny.
Kaleb is busy creating and obsessing on his latest thing--hockey. He is all about hockey, the pads, the stick, watching it on TV. Below is a picture of one of his latest creations using his playing cards. Do you remember building a house of cards when you were younger?? Oh, the hours of entertainment to be had!

So, there you have the latest on us!
Blessings to you until next time!
Tracy

New Food Take 5

Hello friends!! We are back with another installment of "Try that Food". Greg and Kaleb stopped by Wegmans last week to pick up a couple of things for me and felt compelled to buy a new food to try. Check out this huge piece of fruit...

Do you know what it is?? I had never seen one before, it is called a Pomello. It is a citrus fruit and is best compared to a grapefruit in taste, just a little less bitter.

The pith is very thick on these...

It had a strange spongy feel to it as well. Weirded me out actually and it was not easy to cut into. Even after peeling away an inch thick rind the fruit was still covered. We decided to cut into rather than try to section it like an orange. As you can see, the insides are a deep pinkish red. Kaleb and Greg gave it a thumbs up for taste, Josh and I said no thanks. It got 4 thumbs down for ease of eating and thus will probably be the only one we eat.

Kaleb thought the peel would make a good hat...

When I looked pomellos up on-line, one of the writers said he saw kids using them as soccer balls in the street. I can see how they would be a great alternative to a soccer ball!

Here is something I can recommend though: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta. It was a quick recipe and though it says it serves 2, it fed all four of us with a bit leftover. The spiciness was not too bad and I really liked the flavor. I did sneak in some chopped mushrooms and next time might even add some peas. If you are looking to try something new, try it!

Hugs!

Happy New Year!

Hello! We want to wish you a very blessed New Year! We have had a busy house for the last week and a half. Chris, Melissa and the boys just left today after visiting for several days. It was a nice time of being together and relaxing. We even watched the boys one night so they could go out on a date. We attempted to have an open house on Sunday where we invited the whole church but it kinda bombed. Hardly anyone showed up. We enjoyed good food and conversation with those that did come and now I know I don't have to do one next year! One of the nice parts about all the preparation was that we made more head way on the kitchen. I know, it seems like is should be done but not quite. We are closer though! I will show you something soon that we did, it is really cool!
I thought I would post a few photos of the past week.
How is this for a cutie?! Little Logan has grown so much since the last time we saw him! He now has hair and teeth and motoring around! He was loving on their dog and she was being ever so good about it!

Here is Josh opening some gifts on Christmas.

Greg...

Kaleb got a cleverly wrapped gift from his brother...

And Ethan opened his gift, a big set of Playmobiles.

Once again, few photos of me, and they aren't fit for posting for the world to see, lol.

I came across this today and thought it was a good word for the new year. It apparently came from a Dear Abby column and is adapted from an Al-Anon credo. (Elissa, this is for you and me ;))

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily -- if only just for today. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Hope you are off to a good start to your 2009!

Hugs from all of us!