Chef Ben Continued...

Here are just a few more pics from the

Chef Ben Collection...

A good chef really gets into his recipes.

The PAMPERed Chef

projects & quotes

I have two recent projects that I really love how they turned out and wanted to share. Both of these projects are based around quotes that I really liked. I am often inspired by quotes. The top photo is a Father's Day card that I made for my Dad. And below is a photo of a frame that I have in my house. If you can't read the quote it says: Each time you look up to the sky or see snowflakes drifting by or hear the wind or see a tree, I t' s all G o d w h i s p e r i n g , this is me. (helen steiner rice)

Ben the Chef

What's Ben got Cookin? Well, there was no doubt that I eventually would subject Ben to the Baby Chef in a Pot pictures that I did with Isabelle when she was a baby. There were lots of fun pics. Here are some of my favorites.
You say Tomato, I say: ba ba
Isabelle was a great help during the photo shoot,

but of course she had to get in on the fun too! Sugar & Spice

Art & Literature

Project: Friends Board Book. Isabelle LOVES her friends so much and talks about them all the time...I thought of an idea to put her friends pictures in a special book just for her. I took an old board book and sanded it down, I adhered patterned paper to the cover and all the pages. We gathered up a bunch of photos, markers, stickers and stamps. The book was so fun and easy for us to make together. The best part of all is that Isabelle absoultely loves it. She keeps saying how beautiful that it is and telling me thank you thank you thank you. She goes through each page and names her friends and smiles. The biggest challenge of course will be keeping it away from Ben. Above and Below: Snowmen Drawings by Isabelle Claire

I just finished reading: Water For Elephants. I would probably rate it somewhere between worth telling a friend and toast of the town. It was entertaining and interesting to learn about depression era circus life. The story was good, but I must admit there were some parts that I got somewhat bored and skipped ahead a little. Next I will read: The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards. I heard that it is a good tale. I am excited to start.

My Fish

Rain & Yuk Salad

Above: Red, White & Ben

Below: Raindrops falling on Isabelle's head.

Misc Musings: Sibling rivalry has officially started: Mom, Ben is pulling my hair! Mom, Ben is eating my book! Mom, my brother took my Cinderella! Mom, Benny took my bandaid off! Isabelle fell out of her bed last night. I heard a crash and she was crying. This is like the 3rd time in a month. She never fell out of her bed before this. I guess Ill just throw a bunch of pillows on the floor before she goes to sleep every night. This past weekend my sister in law made a very good fruit salad that included, mango, blue berries, grapes, mint, lemon zest, ginger root, honey and I think cinnamon...Isabelle didn't like the salad so she referred to it as Yuk Salad. The garden has produced it's first offical vegetable (besides asparagus that just comes up on its own)...it is Radishs. I am not fond of that particular vegetable, but others seem to like it. When Isabelle sings you are my sunshine, she actually sings " don't take my Unshine away. The other day I was cutting a tomatoe and Isabelle asked me why Mato's have boogers? I am reading a book called Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I am not very far in this book but so far I like it much. It is interesting. It is about depression-era circus life. Speaking of the circus, there is one coming to town next week I think, I would love to take the kids. Hope it works out. I lost my sunglasses in the park the other day...total bummer. I really wish I had an ipod...maybe some day. I don't now how or where Ben finds the things that he puts in his mouth, but I just pulled a half of crayon out of his mouth. Earlier I pulled out some my little pony hair out of his mouth and some plastic. When we at the park the other day he ate a big wood chip...I couldn't get it out of his mouth, he swallowed it. I swear, I cannot open a door, cabinet or a fridge in this house with out Ben quickly wedged within the opening. The other day I opened the garbage can, and he shoved his fingers in there and I pulled them out to close the door quick and I closed them on his little pudgy baby thigh! How he got his leg stuck in there I don't know. Speaking of his thighs...they are so cute...hehe... Isabelle never had baby chunk like he does...and his feet remind me of little flintstone feet. Ben has started standing in his highchair, so now I have to strap him in! I started making some of his baby food. So far, zucchini and sweet potatoes. Isabelle's doll of choice these days is the spiderman plush doll I let her get from the dollar store. She sleeps with it and pushes it in the stroller. She tells me that peter parker is under the costume and that maryjane really likes him. I will end this post with a wonderful super easy recipe that I made the other day that I would like to share. You won't be disappointed if you make this. It is called: Slow-cooker Salsa Chicken and it goes like this:

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup salsa 1 package taco seasoning 1 can cream of mushroom soup (I used cream of chicken since mushrooms are evil) 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions
Add chicken to slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.Pour salsa and soup over chicken.Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve with rice.

School-last day

Today was the last day of 2-day (am) preschool for Isabelle. It was an exciting day, but it was also a little sad and a lot proud. It was so sweet to hear Isabelle's class sing: You are my Sunshine. At the end, the teacher called each of their names and handed them a certificate of Achievement and hugged them. Isabelle has truly come a long way since the first time she entered that class room door. She has learned and become so much. I will miss opening up her backpack after each school day. She was always so proud to show me her projects and share with me what she did/learned that day. For more backpack sessions, I guess I will just have to wait until fall, when she starts 3 day (am) preschool!

Teacher Gifts. Isabelle just loves her teachers so much. As a thank you of how much I appreciate them...I made them each a paperbag book. Inside are photos, quotes, a thank you note and an Interview with Isabelle about what she learned, did and favorites in school, etc. (there are more pages than what I have posted, but just wanted to give the idea). I really like how they turned out, hope the teachers did too!

Ben 9 months

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven. Henry ward beecher

Benjamin had his 9 month dr. appt. He was offically 22lbs and 1 oz. The Dr. reported that he is doing Wonderful! He can start eating more textured foods, etc. Here he is eating his first biter biscuit. I really cannot believe how fast this little baby is growing up. He is such a snuggle....and such a trouble-maker.

Sit in the Grass

Isabelle & Lance enjoying a spring afternoon together. (this is rare to find them sitting peacefully next to eachother without ball stealing or tail pulling).
I caught Ben in the act of pulling all the books off the bookshelf. (One of his current favorite things to do).
A recent visit to the park...Isabelle pushes Ben on the Swing. He doesn't look too thrilled here...but he was very content with the situation. hehe

Let me just throw out some misc. musings at this time: Ben offically has his first tooth! It is coming through the bottom gum in the middle. I am thinking of ideas for Isabelle's birthday party (not til august but doesnt hurt to start gathering ideas). I am thinking maybe a Mad Hatter (or fairy)Tea and Picnic Party. She is really liking alice in wonderland lately. Has anyone in my family heard of the invention called the garbage can? Just wondering. Isabelle needs more sand for her sandbox. The hummingbird sightings have started.. Also saw an oriele the other day as well. Can I reveal my displeasement with the recent postal stamp increase? I mean...geez, I just bought some stamps and there was no mention of this...so now I have to buy the add on funds stamps and that is just annoying. A non-nancy drew mystery has been solved. We found what we suspect to be our gone missing in the middle of winter outside cat...to be deseased laying under a tool/equipment in the workshop. I evalutated the remainder markings that I could Identify and I concluded, it was probably definetly baby-fur the cat. I am so excited that we planted pumpkins this year. (last year noah skipped it, this year I made sure they made the cut to be included in the garden plantation). I also had him plant "magic beans" for Isabelle to take care of. I need a new book to read. Not sure what I am in the mood for. I woke up this morning from a dream about a children's story that I should write, so immediately wrote down the idea and have been working on it this morning. Let's just say it it is not about a zebra and it is about a likeness for soup. That's all I can reveal at this time about this project. How fun to be inspired with a new idea for a story! I wish that I could get Ben a helmet for his head, he bangs it many times a day. Well, so does Isabelle...I should get her a helmet too. I made hot artichoke dip this weekend. I think that is my all time favorite appetizer ever. Well....cocktail meatballs are pretty good too. Haven't had those in a long time. The season finale of The Office will be this thursday. I really want to go to the bristal renissance faire sometime in the near future, I think Isabelle would love it. I think I will make sun tea today.Ben has his 9 month Dr. appt. tomorrow. My little boy is growing so fast... Isabelle has not stopped talking to me the entire time that I have written this entry...so sorry if theres much mispelling and non sense, non concluded thoughts. Now I have to go get her a strawberry shortcake bandaid because her ankle is bleeding. Go off happily & triumphly into the world and Good Day to you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Gifts - 1.) Flowers that Isabelle picked for me. 2.) A new rose bush (called Love Rose that will bloom of shades of red to white. We planted it right near the house. 3.)Beautiful flowers delivered (what a surprise!) and 4. Isabelle's handprint with a poem (she made it in school). Happy Mother's Day to all! Especially to my Mom. My Mom who is not only my parent, but also my friend. I am truly blessed by all of the wonderful women (and men!) in my life. I cherish all of you. Thank you to everyone for supporting me, encouraging me, humouring me and letting me share the special (and not so grand) moments and experiences of raising my children. I am truly inspired every day by my family and friends. Every day is a learning experience, every day is a challenge...and every day there are a million little miracle moments waiting for me. Being a mother to these two magical, amazing little beings...this for me, is what life is all about. It's not easy, but it is wonderful.

Blow Flower

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I thank God for coffee. I know there is a many number of people in the world who don't require coffee to wake themselves up, well I am not one of them. What is with that two headed dragon on dragon tales anyway...I mean seriously, it kind of freaks me out. Isabelle is asking me to make her some Spiderman Pancakes. Sometimes Isabelle tells me that she has had a dream and I ask what it was about and she says: Cinderella. Recently she told me she had a good dream! And I said oh yeah about what? (fully expecting her standard answer) and she said: grapes! Another Isabelle tidbit...last weekend, my brother gave her two quarters and she has been carrying them around with her everywhere ever since. Well, Isabelle had a birhtday party to attend (I swear this kid has been to more birthday parties in her 3 1/2 short years than I have my entire life), so we had to go the store for a gift for her friend. We picked something out and brought it up to the check out. Isabelle then goes up to the cashier and hands her the 50 cents..."I am buying a birthday present for my friend Michael." I just thought it was the sweetest thing ever. That little kid is always suprising me. Ben will soon (next week) have his 9 month check up. He is lifting himself up and standing against everything. He is constantly reaching for and getting into all things (except toys , haha), I think he would eat a steak if we let him, He giggles like a maniac and loves to be held. He is currently in 12-18 month clothes. Crazy! I never thought I would call him Benny...but I do, all the time! Well, among about a hundred other nicknames. The perfect sandwich (well this is my two abe lincoln's anyway) - shaved turkey, provolone cheese, mayo and rye bread. Let us talk BOOKS for a moment. I just recently started reading adult ( adult meaning non-children, not meaning fabio type publications) again and I kicked off the comback with The true story of Hansel and Gretel. Well, last night more than half way through, I have finally closed the book. I put it down, never to open again. I can't remember doing that before... giving up on a book...saying no, I dont want to be in this world anymore. But, I did. This book was really depressing and I so don't need that right now. I thought I would like it because of the fairy tale element, but no. The end. I was so depressed at the point that I closed this book, that I needed a pick me up. So, I started reading a book I have been meaning to read for a long while. Ya Ya's in Bloom. This is the 3rd in the series of the yaya sisterhood. I love the writer's (Rebecca Wells - sorry didnt look that up to see if its spelled correctly cuz the book is upstairs) style. It has been such a fun book so far (even though I just started). The part that really hooked me was that one of the characters, as a young girl got a pecan stuck up her nose and had to go to the doctor to get it out...well the same thing happened to me when I was a kid! Except it was a rock.

Flower Tasting

Ben flower tasting.
Ben getting Crabby
Ben up to trouble

O.k...I don't know what I was thinking when I let Isabelle pick lucky charms for her cereal. I should have known there would be a constant battle of the marsh mellows (wants to only eat the marsh mellows and not the rest of the cereal). What was I thinking? That's the problem I wasn't thinking. I was trusting the universe, that everything would fall into place. I was just like, o.k., pick a cereal...I don't want to share my honey bunches of oats with you anymore so Pick something so we can get out of this store. Isabelle and I made pine cone bird feeders for the yard. The birds seem frightened of them. If you ever get the chance to watch a movie called: The Gnome Mobile (circa 1967, Disney), I say it's good for a few laughs and you'll also get a new fun song stuck in your head. We are riding in the gnome mobile, gnome mobile, gnome mobile.... Is it horrible that Noah and I told Isabelle she was eating squirrel for dinner yesterday and she believed us. She seemed perfectly fine with it...as long as it wasn't the brown ones... (I did tell her later that we were teasing). I realized the other day that I have never read the Diary of Anne Frank. WEll, it's a beautiful day and I have much a do that awaits. First off being, I must serve some lucky charms to the pook monster.

Hair Today, Gone tomorrow.

I got my hair cut. Short. Shorter then I can remember ever getting it. I couldn't stand the length any longer. Every day recently, I would throw it in a pony tail and off I went into the world. So, Ive been researching shorter hairstyles and I have always loved Mariska Hagerty's (olivia benson, law and order svu) hair when it was short and flippy. Stylish..Cool and Cute, all in one. So, that's the style I went for. Not sure how close my hair cut is to what style that I intended to replica. I mean, I don't have the fan's blowing on it making it look cool like she does in the commercials and such. I think I need time to accept my new hair as I am currently having hair cutters remorse. I'm not sure how to style it or what products to use. I just wanted something simple, that I didn't think need to think about, but now I feel like I am thinking about it and messing with it more. I see all these longer styles now and I think, that could have been me. It didn't help when I came home from my hair cut and Isabelle looked petrified and asked me to get my hair back. I tried to put it up the other day and I couldn't and got a little sad. I needed a change and this felt like a good change for me. I think it will be good. I just have to get used to it. I must admit it's easier to wash and its kind of fun in a funky kind of way. I have to give it time and see what I can do with it. The photo I provided is not the best to highlight it's features and options ( its all flat and weird from the wind and elements of the great outdoors), but it gives the idea. I guess the point of my little pondering is that...I may never be satisfied with the hair that I choose at the time...but I can keep trying until I get it right. I need to let go of what's gone. It's a little too short now for my liking...but maybe I have to give it more of a chance. Maybe I will learn that I do like it and maybe even love it ...and if not...it will grow... it is hair after all.

Veggie Tales

Most of the garden has been planted (by Noah). Potatoes, onions, squash, zucchini, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, brussel sprouts, beans, peas, broccoli, radish and cauliflower. Still have to plant, tomatoes, pumpkins and green peppers. Our asparagus patch has already produced some stalks which we ate as part of dinner last night. I must say, asparagus is by far my favorite vegetable ever. The Crab Apple Tree has started blooming and it is beautiful. It is a very fleeting bloom so we must savor it's short existence.

Bones & Nuts

Look through Lance's Jaws...and you will see a baby squirrel. This squirrel showed up and decided to be adopted by Lance. It was really strange.. This squirrel just wanted to be around Lance all day Sunday! They were like best friends. Peas and Carrots. Bones and Nuts. Laying next to eachother, sharing water, etc. It was fun to see this odd interaction as they formed a relationship. It was challenging to keep Isabelle at her distance...She kept wanting to touch the squirrel (which she named Spice). Actually there is possbily a sad story behind the sudden appearance of this needy fellow. Noah was cutting the grass the other day, saw a dead squirrel in the ditch and accidently rode over it (and its guts spattered on him, he said it was totally gross)...so we are thinking maybe that was the mother. It's so weird because Lance chases squirrel's day in and day out, but he was very nice, gentle and accepting of this one.

The Rainy Day

We have been reading this book often lately. It feels like it's been raining for a month! Rain Rain Go Away, I am sick of being in this house all day.

Miss Belle watering the garden on one of the non-rainy days recently.

Princess of Quite- A-lot

The other day I entered the dining room to find these 3 items on the table just like this. I thought it kind of neat as each item represents my family members. Noah's blackberry, Isabelle's doll and Ben's block.

MISC. CHATTER - We have all been getting past our colds, so that is making life a little easier. I just realized today that Isabelle's first year of school is almost over (end of May)! I can't believe it. I don't know what I am going to do with her all summer. Maybe sign her up for military summer sleep away camp. I can't believe Ben all of a sudden. This kid is on to new and exciting adventures everyday. He just decided he's going to start standing. (holding on to something, but none the less standing). He stands at the couch , he stands in the pack n play. Noah and Ben play this new game, Noah sticks his tongue out at Ben and Ben slaps it back into Noah's mouth and they both laugh. Lance is busy chasing squirrels as usual. I am trying to do some spring cleaning and house organization. But, I am bored with that so I am moving on to better things. Such as I just started reading a book calleed: The true story of Hansel and Gretel. A novel of war and survival. In movie news, I just saw THE DEPARTED and I absolutley LOVED it. I can't wait for the new Shrek to come out. Maybe Isabelle and I can plan a date to the picture show. A little while ago she was playing pretend with the magnets on the fridge. Elvis was the mom, cookie monster was the dad and a dinasour was the baby. They were going to a dance party. Soon I will be chopping off much of my hair. I am so tired of long hair, I need a change. I think if I counted how many times a day that I told Isabelle: no, stop or let go of Ben...it would range in the thousands. Hickery, Dickery Clock... that kill joy....I must go begin the dinner preperations.

Call the rabbit?

Isabelle with a lollypop. Sept. 2006

So, I haven't really taken any photos lately, so I thought I would post this 12x12 scrap page that I recently made. I actually entered it into the Martha Stewart Scrap page contest! I have never entered/submitted any scrap work anywhere before, but I felt compelled to enter this contest. I think because there were no rules. I'm good when I don't have to follow a much of direction.

Nothing else major going on except this sudden head cold that is totally kicking my butt. UGH! I hate being sick! I cannot function at all! I can't think, I can't sleep. It's so awful, just hope it passes soon.

Last week, I told Isabelle that I was going to call the Easter Bunny and tell him not to bring her so much chocolate next year (because it is a constant struggle of her asking for one piece, one piece, one piece untill it's gone!). And today she asked me if I called the rabbit yet? I said who? The easter rabbit! Did you call him? No. Good.

That's about all the excitement I have to share at the moment as my head feels like it might explode. So - good day and best wishes for a pleasant tomorrow.

Eggsllent Hoppity

Coloring Eggs. When we were all done, Isabelle asked if we could do it again tomorrow.
The Children in their Easter Finery.

Wanted to take photos outside and egg hunt outside, but was way too cold.
Our little Miss Spring. She had so much fun discovering what the Easter Bunny left for her. I think her favorite part was the Chocolate.
And our best news of all....Mr. Ben has learned how to CLAP! He does it all the time now! He just claps and laughs and claps...it's the cutest thing ever. Melts my heart into a pile of gooey cadbury egg.

It sure is Spring Out!

Ben experiencing the great outdoors.

Isabelle had to dress like a farmer for school!
Easter cookies. Can you tell which ones I decorated and which ones Isabelle decorated? hehe

Random- thoughts.comments.updates....

• According to Isabelle, "It sure is spring out".
• Isabelle saying: "I like shromp! I eat it with my dingers". translation - I like shrimp, I eat it with my fingers.
• Isabelle informed me today that she does not have a golden ticket and neither do I.
• Ben is a maniac! He is all over the place. He drags himself from one end of a room to the next room in like two seconds! He is practically full blown crawling! He likes to play tag with lance. Ben reaches him and lance licks his face, gets up and leaves. Then they do it again.
• my refrigerator needs to be cleaned out. too many leftovers looming in there, taking up valuable space.
• Speaking of lovely appliances...my clothes dryer isnt working right lately- so..I have to wait til a sunny non rainy day to do my laundry so I can hang it on the line. Those days are far and few between ...so today I braved it...but my fingers froze as I hung them on the line. I think I washed enough clothes for today.
• Isabelle recenty re-discovered her giant bouncey ball that santa gave her.
  The kind of ball with the handles..that the kid jumps on all over the house...well my question is, what the heck was Santa thinking when he (she) decided on that gift? Seriously.
• Ben is now in size 4 diapers. I dont think Isabelle reached size 4 until she was like 1 or something.
• Isabelle names everything (dolls, imaginary friends, herself ): Kay Kay. Always. I don’t know why she likes this name or where it comes from.
• Isabelle's favorite current movie is: Peter Pan.
• Isabelle asked for SUN eggs today. I usually make her scrambled eggs. So, I made her SUN eggs. She informed me that I did not make them the way daddy makes them. But, she ate them anyway, cuz Mary eats SUN eggs.
• The Office - there is a brand new episode tonight. I can't wait. It looks like it will be a good one. Roy is going to attempt to kill Jim.