New Knives

Thanks Chef for the wonderful new knives you gave us for Christmas. They are quite a step up from our old set, these babies are sharp!

I simply brushed my poor little pinky by the blade when I was clearing debris off the cutting board and ahhh!

Good thing there was a dr in the house, I was woozily putting on my parka to go for stitches but McDreamy brought me back to life with cold water, a piece of clean paper towel and a kiss. ( I liked the kiss best, well worth the loss of blood!)

Seriously, the knives are great, too bad we don't know anyone who can make knives like this in this town.

Sophie's New Necklace

This is Sophie.

The Sprout LOOOVES Sophie.

Sophie rarely leaves the house because The Sprout loves Sophie soooo much he would not be happy if Sophie wandered away accidentally. Sassy cannot find any sisters or brothers to Sophie anywhere. Apparently Sophie's brothers and sisters are "hot" this season for babies.

The Sprout is getting top teeth.

Sophie MUST come to Vegas.
Sophie now has a new necklace.

Stay tuned for Adventures of Sophie in Vegas and hopefully the sequel.....Sophie Back home Safe and Sound.

Come on readers, share your favorite childhood toy now!

Vegas Baby!

McDreamy and I packed up the Sprout for wholesome family trip to Vegas! It is actually The Sprouts 2nd trip to Vegas, his 1st trip was last October, he was as big as a lima bean! Can you see him in the photo above?

Thanks to Saucy I am now addicted and MUST stock up on this...

Have you tried this stuff?
It is SERIOUS magic in a bottle for the lips. I really wish I would have had this back when I was dating. It not only feels great, gives good coverage but smells and tastes like fresh gum...perfect for those close up conversations. Even us married gals should have fresh breath to keep our hubbies coming back for more sweet kisses!

Gourmet Brownie Bites

I recently treated my self to this...I still have undecided feelings about baking with silicone. It works well enough but it is plastic and a little wobbly for my little hands. It worked really well for making the chocolate tops and I do like how easily it cleans.

Here is a super brownie recipe that makes just enough to fill up all these holes, don't you just love it when you use up ALL the batter! Be prepared for 2 dozen yummy bite size delights!
Here is the recipe

Best Brownies

Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour Yields: 24 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened
cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4.
To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

The Nana's 60th birthday is just around the corner and I'm trying to think of all her favorite things to bake up. She doesn't want a party but Yoda and I want to make her feel special and remind her how loved she is. Nana loves her chocolate brownies and I just might be able to personalize them with these yummy chocolate "D's".

Do you know Nana? Please help Sassy compile a list of her favorite things!

My First Test!

The Sprout is in bed, McDreamy is fed and now I will prepare to write my first universiy test in over 10 years! Well, a quiz really, but still I must prepare for my first online exam.

Let's see now...

text book? Check

class notes? Check

pen? Check

paper? Check

tea? Check

tissue? Check

and also very important..lip gloss? Check

Here I go!

Back to School for Sassy

But this time she is the student! I sure hope my teacher is well stocked with fresh playdoh and peanut free smarties, that's how I win my students over the first week.

This is officially week one of 13 and tomorrow The Sprout and I will wander the distantly familiar scholarly halls all the way to the Campus Book Store. I hope I can remember the way!

I am taking an online undergrad class called Exceptional Learners Classroom Implications 414.3 just to get my feet wet, if all goes well I hope to take another then another and well maybe even another!

This is what the U of S looked like when I attended....
And here it is now.....

It is amazing how much university has changed in the 10 years since I earned my degree. Registration- online, class fees - online, course syllabus - online, prof's introduction - online, assignments - online, articles to read and videos to watch - online, chat rooms - online, even tests.....yes, online too! I have been quite busy these last few days learning about broadband, drop boxes and the marvels of blackboard.

McDreamy watched me navigate my way through posting a bio and made the comment it is similar to blogging so I should do just fine. Thanks McDreamy. I must run, this assignment a week unfortunately will be cutting into my blogging time!

Boys Boys Boys

The Sprout and I had a boys only special lunch date the other day with Aiden, Hayden and their Mom's.

We met at Yoda's restaurant of course and enjoyed free pops and coffees while we chatted about how much we love being Moms. The beef barley soup was delish...that Chef - a master of soups is he!

The boys were very social and all were on their best behavior- aren't we a lucky bunch of gals!

We also decided which fitness classes to register for, ug, they start next week but it will feel good to get active again.

I have been having a GREAT Birthday Week, spoiled by Yoda with his Sprout sitting, McDreamy with time and thoughtfulness and all my fantastic friends with lunch dates, movie dates, more lunch dates and kind phone calls and emails. Even The Sprout has been caught in the act of being kind to Mommy too.......he has been sleeping almost through the night again! Here are a few highlights from my Birthday Week.....

Sleeping in...
Here is my bed......

Here is The Sprout. He has been getting all tangled up in the bars of his crib oh, every 2 hours or so! I love this picture, he actually has both arms AND both legs thought the bars. I now know and understand the use of bumper pads.....but the scary health nurse teacher at Baby School told us to throw them all away! Maybe The Sprout is practicing for Criss Angel!

New Purse Camera (my rebel is getting to be a little too much to tote around with The Sprout) It is the Nikon S60-touchscreen! I can do all sorts of funny things like draw on the pictures, stamp on the pictures--ooo, I just love it!My Prince!

Dynamite Shrimp Rolls & Mediterranean Linguine

Dinner Out With Just McDreamy (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda and Nana!)

Time to get My Hair Cut (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

A leisurely visit to Dollarama with out the Sprout (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

Lunch with The Girls (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

A movie with the Girls (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

Lunch with my therapist (aka - best pal Stacey) (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!) Here she is giving me some last minute advice! This pretty gal is the one who MADE me go on my first date with McDreamy but that is a story for another day!

Lunch with McDreamy at The Restaurant courtesy of The Chef (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

Supper with McDreamy at The Restaurant courtesy of The Chef (thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda!)

What a great week! Thanks everyone! And....thanks for watching the Sprout Yoda! You really are the BEST Grandpa ever!

xox Sassy

Dear Dear Darling Cousin Dena in Edmonton

Hello Dear Cousin Dena,

Thank you very much for the applesauce tip, I must try this fascinating idea very soon. I am always open for new ideas to help keep my McDreamy's heart happy and healthy and both our waist lines slim. Thank you also for the "skinny" reference, fortunately you and I both have good genes to thank for our metabolisms, yeah! to being relatives! I think you are looking mighty fine in the picture above with The Sprout and Big Brother #1. (and thanks for wearing the personalised hat at the rehearsal party!)

I have also included a few photos of our dear Mothers.......the one's we should really thank for the good genes, just look at those two fine ladies!

xox Sassy

Blueberry Bran Peacan Muffins

Blueberry Bran Pecan Muffin Recipe

2 c all purpose flour

2 c boiling water

1tsp salt

1 cup cooking oil

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

4 1/3 cups buttermilk

5 cups flour

4 cups bran

3 tbsp baking soda

2 cups blueberries

pecans (optional)

1. Combine cereal, water and salt.

2. Cream oil and sugar beat in eggs one at a time.

3. Stir in buttermilk. Add to cereal mixture.

4. Add flour, bran, baking soda, blueberries and nuts.

Mix. Store in a covered container in fridge. Let stand overnight.

*Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Makes 6 dozen.

I am not going to tell how many of these muffins I ate today, oooh, they are yummy! The batch is huge but are always a hit and nice to share with family and friends. The pecans really make the muffin in this recipe!