August 29, 2011

Irene in Pictures

We are safe but haven't had power since Saturday at noon with no real estimate on when it will return. Our neighbors tell us they were without power for 12 days during Isabel. Let's hope that is not the case this time! Here are some pictures from our experience.

Ready for the storm!

With loveys in tow!

Hurricane Supplies


Watching Calliou on the Ipad while Irene passes by outside


Not too bad!

This picture is minus a couple of large limbs that had already been removed but could have been so much worse. Several trees were down over roadways in our neighborhood.
Clean up

Sorting sticks...Camille organized them into piles: big sticks with pine tags, sticks no pine tags, pine cones and acorns!

Our nice neighbor let Michael borrow his tractor to help get up the debris.
Oh we bought this yesterday am, and have plugged in our refrigerator, tv, wireless internet, a few lamps. It is better than nothing. Not excited about my cold shower.

Lovey got wet and we had to hang to dry!
There have been lots of arts & crafts!
Cross your fingers our power comes back soon!

August 26, 2011

Irene?

It has been a busy week, we are preparing and wondering if Irene will hit Richmond. I have my batteries and water just in case.

A  few picutres of my darling Clyde that I discovered on my cell phone....

Jumping out of the Crib Clyde...this is an old one that I never shared.

Dermabond Clyde....we are still waiting for it to fall off 9 days from the incident.

Car Climbing Clyde...notice how he is balancing on top of the steering wheel!
Be safe everyone!

August 22, 2011

Michael's Menu Planner

Michael planned our menus and did the grocery shopping this week. Here goes....

Monday - Stuffed Pork Chops, Cinammon Apples, Stovetop

Tuesday - Angela's Awesome Enchiladas

Wednesday - Zatarain's Jambalaya with Salad

Thursday - Buitoni Tortellini with Bread and Salad

Friday - Steaks with Twiced Baked Potatoes and Corn on the Cob

August 18, 2011

Ribbon Tree

As promised here are some instructions on making the Ribbon Tree used as the table centerpiece at Camille's 4th birthday party.

Supplies
Approx 20 yards of fabric (I used rolls of 4-5 yards from the Dollar Tree and Michaels so about $5 in ribbon)
Round Styrofoam ball (from Michael's)
Decorative Cardboard Box (from Dollar Tree)
Tissue Paper
Dowel (from Michael)
Styrofoam square to set inside Cardboard Box (from Dollar Tree)
Straight Pins (from Walmart)

After assembling the tree. I cut the ribbon into small 1.5 to 2 inch pieces and then looped and attached with a straight pin. Do one and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat! This part was a bit boring and tedious.

As a reminder, here is my inspiration found on Pinterest.






August 17, 2011

Camille turns 4 at Kangaroo Jacs!

Camille insisted on having her 4th birthday party at Kangaroo Jacs. For those of you not familiar, it is a warehouse full of inflatables.

I wasn't sure what to do for the invitation so I put Kangaroo in the search line on Etsy and found  this cute birthday card with a striped kangaroo in a party hat.


I emailed Ryan from MAN vs GEORGE and an invitation and stickers were designed based on this kangaroo.

I am so happy with how it turned out and Ryan was awesome! From there, I decided to use this invitation as inspiration for the party. I found cute vinyl table clothes on sale from the summer line at Target from $1 to $2.50. I bought the plates and napkins there as well.




Then I found cute striped goodie bags to match the napkins and a banner from Target as well.



I cut tags from cardstock and added the stickers. Inside the goodie bags, I added  a color your own cutout from the Dollar Tree as well as two pixie sticks, a lollipop and a candy necklace, bracelet or lipstick also from the Dollar Tree.



I used the same stickers and serrated scissors and cardstock to make cupcake toppers.


I also made this  ball tree after seeing this one on Pinterest.


Stay tuned for a separate post on how to create this. It was a little time consuming and took a lot of ribbon but I found  some really cheap at Dollar Tree and Michaels. Here are some more pics from the big day....


I ordered Camille's shirt from Libbie & Winston. Really cute shirts and very affordable. Check her out on Facebook.









A good time was had by all!

PS...Today Clyde  met Dermabond! I can't believe they hadn't met before. Remember Clyde's carefree nature here. While hiding under the table, he hit his forehead on the  bench at our neighborhood restaurant, Flinns. A little Dermabond fixed him right up. Camille to Michael..."Daddy...they glued Clyde's head back together."

August 15, 2011

Menu Planner

Here goes....

Monday - Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Cannellini Beans with Roasted Peppers and Kale (Recommended by my friend, Ashley...tried it tonight and it is  delicious. Recipe below).

Tuesday - Southwestern Casserole

Wednesday - Gwyneth Paltrow's Turkey Bolognese

Thursday - Flank Steak & Potatoes

Friday - Mexican Pizza ( I am going to adapt this and leave out the cinnamon and add jalapenos to the black bean mixture).

Parmesan Crusted Chicken
1 Egg
1/2-3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2-3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp Oregano
Salt & Pepper
Chicken Breasts

Mix egg with a couple tablespoons of water. In another bowl, mix parmesan cheese and bread crumbs along with salt, pepper and oregano. Dip chicken breasts into the egg mixture then into parmesan bread crumb mixture. In a dish, bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cannellini Beans With Roasted Peppers And Kale

Serves 4 as a main course; 6 to 8 as a side dish
While substantial enough to serve as a main course, with a crusty loaf of bread and a
salad, this recipe also works as a side dish with roasted pork, chicken, and firm fish like
sea bass and cod; be sure to omit the cheese if you serve this dish with fish.

If kale is unavailable, try chard. The chard stems may be included in the recipe - cut
them nto 1/4-inch pieces and saute the stems with the onions. Leftover beans served on
bruschetta make an excellent appetizer. Most tasters liked this dish with a somewhat
brothy consistency - the broth may be soaked up with bread. If you prefer a drier texture,
exclude the added water.

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 medium cloves garlic, sliced thin
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1 small red onion, sliced thin
Salt
10 ounces jarred roasted red peppers, drained and sliced thin (about VA cups)
1 pound kale, stemmed and sliced thin (about 4 heaping cups)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
Ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Combine the oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a large skillet over medium-high
heat. As the oil begins to sizzle, shake the pan gently back and forth to prevent
the garlic from clumping (stirring with a spoon causes the garlic slices to stick
together). Once the garlic turns very light golden brown, after 2 to 3 minutes, add
the onion and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently until the onion
softens and begins to brown around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the peppers
and cook until softened and glossy, about 3 minutes.

Using tongs, stir in the kale. When it wilts, add the beans, wine, and 1/2 cup water.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the flavors have
blended, about 10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in warmed bowls garnished with cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and with
lemon wedges on the side.

We had Camille's birthday party last Monday at Kangaroo Jack's but I haven't had time to upload the pictures. Hope to get those up in the next few days. Check back for all the details.

August 10, 2011

Recipe to try!

My friend, Lisa, sent me this recipe last week. She said it is her "go-to" for pot lucks and she always gets asked for the recipe. Can't wait to try it.

Asian Ramen Salad
1 pkg broccoli slaw
2 pkgs oriental ramen noodles
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup sunflower seed
1 cup slivered almonds

dressing:
½ C oil
1/3 C vinegar
½ C sugar
both ramen seasoning packs

Crumble ramen noodles and run under hot water. Drain using colander. Place in 3.5 quart bowl. Add slaw ingredients and mix well. Combine the dressing ingredients and mix. Keep dressing and salad separated until ready to serve.

Thanks Lisa! If you have any recipes, you would like to share. Send them my way! astoakley@gmail.com

August 7, 2011

Vacation Week in Review!

We spent the last 10 days in Sandbridge, VA! It was a great week and it is sad to get back to reality. Here is our week in pictures!

Dinner at the Baja

Wedding Watch (See tent in the background)

Gorgeous Night for a Wedding

Vacation Pet. This spider stayed by our front door all week! Yikes!

Cocktail Cruise

With Ice Cream
 
Back Float

Crab Catchin'

Only 1...we let him go!


Playtime with Cousins




Say Cheese!

Guess who turned 4 today!