Lazy Winter Days

Wednesday Mikayla and I stayed home the entire day, and opened and played with all of her Christmas presents! Her favorite was sand art, given to her by Uncle Adam! She also really enjoyed her Portrait art, given to her by Austin.  Mikayla did the most beautiful painting in the entire world... she painted "Mommy's baby, with red hair".  I think its beauuutiful!

Yesterday we packed our ski gear and drove up to Gore.  This would be my second time this winter and Mikayla's first.  Mikayla got new skis and boots from Santa this year, and she couldn't wait to try them out!! On the way,we stopped by Stewarts for breakfast, where I got this amazing bacon, ham, sausage, egg and cheese sandwich... yes, I know I cant stomach meat but this oddly seemed more than appetizing to me! It was super delicious, so I only allowed Pete to take one bite.. hehehe. 

Gore was so super crowded!!  Mikayla skied the J-Bar for about 2 hours, then we took a lunch break where she downed a Lunchable.  She absolutely loves making her own mini-sandwich creations, and I obviously encourage her to eat her own creations. 



Oreo-and-Turkey sandwich!



After lunch we took ONE run on the double chair, which took 40 minutes total from the line to the top! It sooo wasn't even worth it, Mikayla, my cute little 5-year-old skier was DODGING out of control, awful skiers!! It was unbelievable! Pete was put on traffic/speed control for the double chair, and boy did he have his work cut out for him! The holiday skiers are pretty terrible, they usually ski about once a year and *think* they are amazing.  How good or bad they are doesn't concern me in the least, until it becomes a safety concern. On the holidays, more often than not, parents drop their children WHO CANT SKI off at the double chair and allow them to ski there alone, all day! I rode up alone (Pete took Mikayla) with a 7-year old little boy who skied ONCE last year.  He was all alone, at 7, skiing when he clearly had no clue how to do it.  These people truly concern me.  After our one dangerous, stressful run we decided Mikayla would ski the Palma a few times until Pete was finished working; luckily, Pete was given a ski group which Mikayla was able to join.  I, then, went to go sit and mingle in the lodge for the next hour and pack up :) Wheeee!

Mikayla was so exhausted that she slept until 10 this morning..... my baby NEVER sleeps past 8, ever.  Her usual time is 7! I made myself this amazing crab-shrimp-egg-tomato-cheese-arugula sandwich for breakfast, it was simply amazing!

Tonight we have a wedding to go to at the Century House.  It should be amazing, it is supposed to be about 300 people and they are serving either lobster or filet for dinner.  (FYI~ I will be ordering the lobster, and forcing Pete to get the filet so we can split!!),  The wedding is officially 7-2, but I assume we will be leaving right after midnight! Since I cannot drink I am extremely excited to scarf down appetizers the entire time

 2010 was the most fantastic year!! I'm sad to see it go, but am so lucky that I get to ring in the new year with my amazing husband! I hope that 2011 bring lots of joy and happiness to my family! We are already expecting great things, with the baby due on June 26th.  I am not entirely sure what my New Years Resolution will be this year.  I do always make them, but quickly forget exactly what I promised myself.  Maybe this year one of my resolutions should be to remember my resolution! Til next year...


Seafood Breakfast Sandwich

4-5 Lg Shrimp, chopped into pieces
Lump Crab meat
2 Eggs
Handful of Arugula
1 slice Deli Cheese, I used American
2 slices whole wheat bread
1/2 tomato, sliced thin

Toast the 2 slices of bread, and on one side place the cheese, and the other the tomato and Arugula.  In a frying pan, throw in the cut seafood, and crack the 2 eggs into the pan.  Scramble inside the pan... when done, place over cheese, add the top, and eat! soo good!!

Long time, no Post!

Here is what happened to me:

1) Pete, Mikayla and I purchased two couches for Christmas!
2) Santa brought Mikayla a Wii for Christmas
3) Pete ordered Netflix through our Wii!!

Pretty much, I haven't really gotten off the couch!! You must not understand how it is to live without couches for three months... its awful!! Here is a glamour shot of Mikayla NOT enjoying the two couches... but only because she is not allowed to eat on them!

Pete's nachos he has been making for me at night:

Pregnancy Nachos

Red Beans

Black Beans

Taco Cheese

Spicy BBQ Sauce

Salsa (a lil bit)

Chili Seasoning

Dump everything on the chips, bake at 450 until the cheese melts... and devour!

 

Here are some photos from the "snowstorm" that we got the other day.  Mikayla and Pete (and the two lil pups) braved the cold and wind (notice the helmet and goggles!).  I swear we live in a wind tunnel.  When I looked outside the morning after the storm, all I saw is grass... because the snow had all blown against the sliding glass door to the point where it wouldn't eve open!

Today is also my mama's birthday - Happy birthday mom!! Mikayla really wants to make her Nana a chocolate cake that spells N-a-n-a. No really, thats Nana with a period....so she knows when to stop reading!

Apple Pie = Love

I suppose I "took the weekend off" from the computer.  Sometimes I feel people rely too much on computers, and once in a while I try not to use them... it does not help that I have Internet on my phone though ;)

Sunday was a really fun day! Mikayla woke me up... by shaking me out of my deep, beautiful sleep, saying, "Lets go bake pie! Moooooommmmmy, Please, lets go make a pie! I want to make pie!" Being the most fantastic mother that I am, I agreeably woke up, walked into the kitchen, and started baking with my lil princess!! We decided since we had a lot of apples, that we would make apple pie! I realized I only had one Pillsbury Pie Crust in the freezer, and one stick of butter... so I decided I would either find a pie crust to make (butter free?!) or have a crust less top.  I searched online and found the most amazing crust recipe!

Just throw all the ingredients in the pie dish, and presto! As you are pushing it into the pie dish, it magically turns into pie crust! I swear!!





Mikayla did it too!!



We baked that for 15 minutes.  While it was baking, in a large pot on the stove we melted one stick of butter, and once it was melted we whisked in 3-4 tablespoons of flour.  Then i dumped in 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup white sugar and 1/2 cup brown.  I also added in nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Let it come to a boil and then simmer... PRESTO!! (Just don't let it cool, it will become caramel-like and difficult to work with). 

Next, Mikayla and I peeled and sliced (really thin!) about 4 large apples of different variety.  Well, I peeled and sliced, she kinda mashed them in a bowl :) Then I mixed the apples into the pot and poured into the pie crust... presto... Insta-Pie!!

  I then sliced the Pillsbury Pie Crust top and simply weaved it.  I covered the top in Cinnamon and drizzled some of the syrup mix on top... it was so amazing!! Mikayla did the same thing, minus the stuff on top.

Voila... apple pie before 9 am! Woot woot!

Crust
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons milk

Pie

1/2 cup unsalted butter
3-4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4-5 large apples
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Vanilla Extract

1. Pre-heat oven to 350.  Mix all Pie Crust ingredients into pie dish and bake for 15 minutes. 

2.  Melt butter in saucepan.  Stir in flour.  Add water, white and brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and let simmer. 

3. This is when I peeled and sliced my apples. 

4.  Take mixture off heat.  Stir in apples and coat. 

5.  Pour mixture into pie crust.

6. Take pie crust (any kind) and slice it into rows... weave the top of the pie.  I like to lay it out first to see how it looks, then I go back and carefully weave my dough. 

7.  Bake for about 45 minutes, or until top is nice and brown.

We also decided to go bowling on Sunday.... Mikayla has been on a bowling league, so she bowled every Friday this school year; Pete and I have not bowled in a long time!

First Game

Pete = 144

Mikayla = 85

Vanessa = 116

Yesterday my Mother and I went Xmas shopping, and then when Mikayla got home from school we did MORE shopping.  Needless to say, I did not want to come home and cook dinner.  We bought one of those I Love NY Take N Bake pizzas... I got Mediterranean, which had Garlic sauce, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Olives.  Mmmm.   The pizzas are worth getting from there.... I also ordered a Meat Calzone for Pete (Sausage and Bacon), which I will never order again from there.  Here's a photo of the last lonely piece, which I ate for lunch...

Pete won himself a chance to cook dinner tonight.... see, he bet on bowling.  He bet that he would bowl better than mine and Mikaylas score combined!! Out of 3 games, he lost 3 times! (only one game was he actually close, but I think we beat him by 8 points). Dinner should be interesting... lets just keep our fingers crossed that its something my pregnant belly actually wants!

Kindergarten is tough!!

Remember this cute lil face... this is what Mikayla looks like the day she had her first kiss with a boy!!  Pete and I had gotten her off of the bus today, and the busdriver called me over.  Now, this busdriver is quite outgoing, so it is not unusual for him to tell me a story about Mikayla.  He said, "You know the boy who lives over there, the boy I just dropped off?" I said... "Yes." He said, "Well, kids on the bus were saying they kissed.  I also told his mother, so she knows, and she said she would take care of it."

I couldnt help but laugh.  When questioned, Mikayla said, "Yeah, I kissed him... like this... " and showed me how she kissed him two times!! Holy cow, Mikayla!

This incident followed a phone call from the school nurse today telling me that a little girl in her class bit her, but didnt break the skin.  Apparently she bit Mikayla on the way to lunch, when they were all in line.  The nurse said that Mikayla wasnt upset, and the little girl had to go talk to Mr. Thompson, the principal. 

One thing is for sure....... life with a five-year-old is never boring!

Leftovers & Spelling bees!

I bet you don't even understand how excited I am to finally have my appetite back! (Yay!) You know the feeling when you are sick, and all you can eat is maybe some soup and some Ginger Ale?? Think of that feeling... and now think about having it for more than 2 months... closer to 3... yuck-o! I am so happy! For breakfast this morning I made 2 *cooked* eggs... my favorite eggs are those runny/dippy eggs, which I am absolutely not allowed to eat while pregnant :(.  Because of my love for DD's cinnamon raisin bagels, I bought a loaf of Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Raisin bread to eat in place of buying bagels every morning.  So, I had 2 eggs and a slice of bread smothered in cream cheese!

Making lunch is always a challenge - I don't ever want to underpack lunch, because then I'm just not a happy camper! I took two slices of that delicious bread, smeared both sides with Almond butter, and sliced the other half of Mikaylas breakfast banana to make a yummy morning snack, which I am eating now!

I also packed a Tupperware full of leftovers... surprisingly, we only had enough food leftover from last nights feast to make two lunches! I thought we would have leftovers for a week! In the bowl is Corned Beef, Potatoes (etc), sprouts, sweet potato fries and mustard.  I also hid one chorizo roll from Pete and snuck that in once he left for work.

I also peeled two tangerines, and packed a chex mix snack pack, Better Cheddars (not shown, but they are my favorite cracker everr!), pineapple (not shown) and two string cheeses.  I also have two bottles of water and a large tea from DD's.  (A girls gotta stay warm somehow).

Yes, it does seem like a ton of food, but by 10 am I have usually eaten half already!! Pregnancy is finally making a girl hungryyy. 

In 45 minutes I am going to go to an assembly to watch the 4th, 5th and 6th grade spelling bee for Central Park.  Call me a dork... but I actually wanted to work today just so I could go watch the spelling bee!! I think it stems from my mothers love of reading the dictionary and winning spelling bees... or watching the huge crazy one on CNN... or the fact that I still remember getting out by misspelling balloon... or baloon... omg.... anxiety attack.... and I knew how to spell it.  It was pure stage fright.  I do believe that may have been the beginning of my awful public speaking skills.  I was, and always have been a great speller, and I was so super upset misspelling that damn word!! I will go wish my kids good luck, I cant wait to see the words they are able to spell during a competition!

Breakfast Sandwich

2 slices Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Raisin bread, toasted

2-3 tbsp Almond Butter

1/2 Naner

you get the drill ;)

Chorizo Treats

I came home from work, opened my fridge, and realized I still had two rolls of chorizo in there! What in the world was I going to make with this??  Last time I had it I remember it being really spicy, and spice isn't my thing lately, but I don't want to waste any food either! I decided to make something Ive never made before.

I opened the Chorizo, and dumped it into a frying pan. Then I took out one sheet of puff pastry from the freezer and set it on the counter to defrost.  While the Chorizo was cooking, I took two slices of bread and soaked them in a bowl of shallow water.  After the Chorizo was fully cooked I squeezed the water out of the bread, and added the bread to the Chorizo.  Then, I unrolled the puff pastry and cut it into three long strips.  I spooned the Chorizo mix onto the puff pastry....

Then I carefully rolled it up, sealing the ends with some milk.  I cut the long strips into 3 pieces and placed them in a glass pan.  Once all 9 were made, I brushed them with some egg and baked at 425 for about 20 mins, and this is what they looked like.... 

Pretty amazing if you ask me! Puffy pastry is so magical, amazing, and simple!

The rest of dinner consisted of Corned Beef, made in the crock pot all day today... with beef broth, potatoes, carrots, onions and spices.  I also made some sweet potato fries with chili powder on them, and roasted brussel sprouts, which were sooo yummy! Roasting them is definitely my new favorite way to eat them! Also pictured is a Cesar salad, which was left untouched, because we had so much other food.  (This is what happens when Pete AND Mikayla go to ski practice!!!)

Someone needs to come over for dinnerrrr!

Chorizo Rolls
1 12 oz Roll of Chorizo, found in fridge section of grocery store
1 roll from a box of Peperidge Farm Puff Pastry
2 slices bread
1 bowl water

2 tbsp milk

1 egg

Cook the Chorizo sausage in a frying pan with a little olive oil.  Drain out excess liquid.  Place 2 slices of bread in water, squeeze out extra liquid.  Add bread to Chorizo in pan, stir until it is all mixed.  Unroll Puff Pastry, and cut into 3 long, thin strips.  Divide Chorizo into 3 equal amounts and spread on pastry.  Roll pastry one at a time, seal with milk.  Cut each pastry roll into 3 sections, so you have 9 rolls.  Place in greased pan and "paint" with egg. Bake at 425 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Pregnancy Eats and Treats

Sooo, I haven't posted in a few days! I have been working and have just been too tired to think! Monday I came home from work STARVING, so I quickly popped on the oven while waiting for Mikayla to get off of the school bus.  I opened a Pizzeria Uno Flat bread pizza, added some "pregnancy toppings", and threw it in the oven....kazam.... 15 minutes later it was crunchy pizza heaven! I probably wont buy this pizza again.  Although I don't mind frozen pizza (as long as I add more toppings!) this was a bit too thin and crunch for me.

However, Mikayla and I had no problem eating the entire thing, until Pete came home later with REAL slices of pizza.... mine consisted of some type of ziti alfredo, and then one with chicken on it. Mmmmm.

Sunday night Pete and I picked up Mikayla and decided to take her to her favorite "renstaurant"... the "shrimp and crab place".  This means we took her to Kobe buffet in Latham.  I decided that since I wasn't feeling well already, and since eating makes me feel sick, tonight I should just go for the gold and.... eat!!

Yes, this was my meal! Crab legs, spring roll, two clams (I ate one), green beans, mushrooms, more crab, shrimp, lo mien, fried calamari, un-raw sushi... you name it, I ate it.  Do take note this is meatless.... since become pregnant Ive also transformed into one of those annoying vegetarian-people... yuck. (I do hope it passes soon, vegetarians aren't real people!)

Mikayla also enjoys lots of seafood... notice her dish. She loves "shelves", and crayfish, and lo mien, and shrimp, and crab legs... you name it and that girl will eat it!! She really enjoys different types of foods and gets excited picking out what she is going to eat! A girl after my own heart.....

There is one thing she does which I never do... she always eats with chopsticks!! Pete taught her how to use them, and she always insits, every time she eats Chinese food!



Am I the only person who actually eats Chinese food with a good ole fork?? In my family, I am!!

I was disappointed with my fortune, because it wasn't really a fortune.... 

I thought this was dumb!! Currently, I am watching my Pre-K-ers take a nap, listening to Christmas Music! What a great way to spend an afternoon, getting paid! I just got back from a quick run to the Dollar Store to stock up on the 12 days of Christmas presents for Mikayla... and some extra stocking stuffers for her for Christmas.  On the first day of Christmas, Mikayla woke up VERY confused and excited that Santas elves actually came into our home, put her stocking on her door, and put a present in her stocking!  She couldn't wait to get up this morning and go check her stocking... this morning the elves brought her mini-chips ahoy! Yesterday she received a Hello-Kitty snack holder for her lunch box.  Lucky girl.  Its fun being 5! Don't you wish you could go back to being a child?!?!

YAY for Christmas Parties!!

Usually, baking (cookies) anything with Mikayla goes something like this: "Mommy, we need to bake ______ (cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc)".... and this goes on for days.  Finally, mommy caves in and we make a big huge mess and we bake.  I usually let her do pretty much whatever she wants, as long as I do the measurements.  This time, we decided to do sugar cookies that she has been wanting to do for maybe 2 weeks.  We baked two batches of cookies, and she had a blast rolling the dough, cutting with cookies cutters, and frosting them with neon food coloring (gross!).  After this project (or any baking project), when everything is all finished, I ask her "Mikayla, would you like to eat one now?".... her reply is ALWAYS "no thank you mom."  Then, she walks out of the kitchen, washes her hands, and goes and plays in her room.  She will never, ever eat what she bakes!! Thats okay with me, but I just think its so funny!

AWWW, isnt she the cutest??

The ugly sweater party was really fun, although I feel like everyone didnt have an UGLY sweater on, and made them look as fashionable as they possibly could. 

Meredith (the one in the green shirt on he stairs) made lots and lots of yummy food, including the worlds biggest bowl of Brushetta (which, being pregnant, I was quite in love with!).  Dave and Meredith bought a house in Albany which used to be a 5 unit apartment, and they put a lot of time and effort into re-doing it.  The result, thus far, is amazing!

Last night was my friend Andrea's "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" theme party.  Everyone wears their pj's, and we eat, drink, play games, and play secret santa.... it was a really good time, Im glad I went!! Andrea is a very good hostess, she likes to keep her guests happy, laughing and entertained.  For the secret santa, I brought a DD's gift card (hey... who doesnt appreciate one of those?!) and I ended up with the present I opened.... a box of hot chocolate, a mug, a tin of cookies, and a Barnes and Noble gift card (score!!) .  When Andrea had us go around the room and say how we knew her, I once again realized Ive known her (and my other girls) for more than 10 years now!! Holy Cow!!!

Next weekend Pete and I have big plans... to run a lights in the Park 5k, and then on Sunday is his annual Gore Xmas party! I love Christmas party season... tis the season where we get to go to other peoples parties, and not cook and do all of the cleaning!!

Freezing Friday!!

Unfortunately, I am totally stuck home today.  Instead of moping and going back to sleep, or watching TV (yuck, I never watch TV), I decided to do lots of laundry and clean out and donate a lot of our clothes that we never wear.  Periodically I enjoy going through everything I own and throwing it all away! (or, donate, donate, donate!!)

The Christmas Party last night was really fun, we ate the entire time we were at Bucas!! The VP of the school chose all of the food, and we ended up with 5 courses, with multiple dishes in each course!!

• 1st - Fried Calamari, Margherita pizza, and bread.
• 2nd- Mixed green salad and chopped antipasto salad. 
• 3rd- Fettuccine Alfredo and Penne Arrabbiata, which was spicy sausage in red sauce. 
• 4th- Chicken Parm, Veal parm, garlic mashed potatoes, and broccoli. 
• 5th- cheesecake and double dark chocolate cake. 

There was enough food and a great variety.  I especially enjoyed the fettuccine Alfredo, and the little chopped tomatoes in the antipasto salad :) It was a very nice Christmas party with something to do the whole time - EAT!!

Today for lunch I decided to go out on a limb and put some color into my life.  Since Ive been pregnant Ive been eating beige, which is super boring, especially since I really enjoy my meals!

 I took one taco shell and sprinkled shredded cheese on half, diced tomato, diced avocado, a spoonful of black beans, then more cheese... I made a colorful quesadilla!!

It was sooo yummy, lets hope it stays down :) Tonight Pete and I are going to our very first Ugly Christmas Sweater party.  His old best friend forever, Dave, and his fiance Meredith just bought a house in Albany and are throwing the party.  Looks like we are taking a sweet trip to the Salvation Army before the party!!

YAY for fun things to do!!! Til then... Im going to keep acting like my mama and throwing everything away!

Quesadilla
1 Medium soft tortilla
1/4-1/2 cup taco cheese
1/4 cup black beans
1/2 diced avacado
1/2 diced tomato

Spread cheese on one half of the tortilla.  Sprinkle on toppings, add cheese.  Fold tortilla in half. Spray a frying pan with PAM, and cook until browned and cheese is melted.

Whats in a name??

I forgot to explain my name.  Mrs. Pizza Head, how silly!! This comes from 3 things: 1- Im a MRS!!!!! 2- I firgured we actually eat pizza at least 4 times a week, every week.  3- My Aunt Anna.  Every single time I see her (probably even til this day) she has always asked me (and my brother, and my cousins) "Whats your teachers name, Mrs. Potato Chip Head"? No, Aunt Anna, its not.  "Mrs. Bubble Gum Head?" Nope, sorry Aunt Anna.... still no.  "Mrs. Soda Pop?" ..... You get my point.  This name made me smile, and I bet it made my favorite Angie Pants smile too, and anyone one else who knows my Aunt Anna!!

First Blog Everrr!

Sooo, since my OBF Lauren made a blog, and I came into work at 11 today but REALLY I didnt need to come into work until 1:30, Im deciding to make a blog too! I am currently 11 weeks pregnant and just ate the most delicious cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese from DD's, along with "black" tea, since I cant drink any coffee!

Yesterday my mama and I went Xmas shopping, and I happened to purchase some maternity clothes.  Incase you didnt know, I have been in maternity clothes since 8 weeks, which is kind of unreal.  Today I was so excited to wake up and put on cute clothes that actually fit me!! I love being pregnant, I loved it when I was pregnant with Mikayla too.  Even though this pregnancy has been less exhausting than the last, I have been getting sick alot- however, I still enjoy it knowing that there is this little teeny weeny baby growing inside!

Lets see - last night I really didnt feel like cooking, but I made an amzing eggplant parm pizza! i sliced an eggplant thin, dipped it in milk, light breadcrumbs, and fried it.  Then I baked the pizza dough, took it out of the oven, spread some (frozen) homemade sauce on it, smothered it with chopped fried eggplant, blobbed it with ricotta cheese and put some mozz cheese on top of it.  Its an easy no-fail pizza, with veggies to make it healthy (right).  My family and I love pizza a little too much.  When I first met Pete he told me he could never ski enough, and never eat enough pizza.  Instead of buying sloppy, greasy, bad-for-you pizza, we always make homemade pizza.  Dont get me wrong, we do love ordering out too, but you dont feel as bad when you make it yourself.  Mikayla, my love, told me "Mommy - you are the best cook EVER", as she was eating her pizza.  Ahhhh, i love 5 year olds!!

Tonight is Petes Works Christmas party, which I am excited for.  Its at Bucas, so I will be stuffing my face with italian food tonight.  I just hope there is Brushetta bread, because if there isnt, a special pregnancy order is in my near future.  I just love those little fresh chopped tomatoes since Ive been pregnant!  yay!