De-clutterize

This is one of my goals for 2008...clear out all the stuff I don't need that just hangs around my house. I started this week with the top of the fridge. I had about a ga-jillion cannisters up there I wasn't using. Not to mention candles, cleaning supplies, and alternate table top decorations (which I forgot I put up there = never used). So I am packing them up in case I want to swap my decor, or in case I move to a house with more space or something (not planning on it!). The fridge top is looking much better. I will be keeping my eyes out at Michaels (or similar) for some nice matching baskets on sale to contain the things that I have to keep up there like candles and flashlights. The cake dome is a quandry...it takes up so much space! It doesn't pack away very easily either, but I hardly ever use it. Still deciding. I might give it away...they are $14.99 at Linens N Things, so I could always buy one someday if I have a great need for it.

All the things worth saving, packed up...and the after shot

Safety First!

Here's the scruffy little girl watching a Tigger & Pooh cartoon this morning. When a 'commercial' came on, she started saying "Safety First!", which eventually the characters said, as it was a safety reminder thing. I just thought it was so cute. Safety first!

She looks a little zoned out here, but then gave me one of her famous smiles

Romeo, Romeo

Our beautiful German Shepherd, dubbed Reilly, is gone. His registered name was Romeo vom Caldbergh, hence the posts title. He was from Denmark. We found a nice home for him, and he left this morning to be with his new owners. He will be much happier there, getting much more attention than he does now. Because he is not good with kids, he isn't allowed to be around much, and I can't walk him and the kids...so this was our solution to keep him happy. We will miss our Reilly, but we are glad he has a new home (on the beach!) that he will love.

Bare Bottom

I tell Kenna when I leave the bathroom, "call me if Brooks tries to stand because it's so so dangerous". I went to get all their pj's out of the dryer and I hear a frantic little voice "standing, Mom, STANDING!" getting louder and louder. I come into the bathroom to see his chubby little butt, and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

My Recipes

This is a shortcut to all the tried and true recipes I have posted in the past. These recipes are some of my faves, and I think others might like them too...for lots of great recipes, check out my recipe blog.

Cookie Dough Truffles
Homemade Marshmallows
Apple Coffee Cake
Teriyaki Sauce & Maple Syrup
Mexican Bean & Beef Casserole
Fresh Salsa
Easy Tiramisu
Cranberry Hootycreeks
Apple Cream Schnitz Pie
Mushroom Salad
Boston Cream Pie
Skor Bar Dessert
Cake Batter Cookies
Cake in a Mug
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Taco Soup
Bruschetta & Stuffed Mushrooms
Cherry Crunch
Taco Salad and Fruit & Snickers Salad
Devil Dogs (Brooks' 1st Birthday cake!)
Shortcut Chicken Manicotti
Reuben Loaf
Smothered Chicken
New York Style Pizza Dough
Shrimp Ceviche
Gooey Chocolate Coffee Brownie Cake
Flat Bottom Fruit Pie
Zucchini Casserole
Marinated Chicken Pita
Alfredo Sauce
Dulce de Leche

A Little Island

This morning I came in the livingroom, and here she was, playing some type of "fort" game. I think she was trying to tell me it was a boat. She did not want the sides tipped down, and Brooks was very frustrated that she wouldn't let him stand up on the coffee table. I really love it that she is getting into actually 'playing' with toys and making up little stories and stuff, it's just so cute to see her little mind working. *Can you see Brooks in the first picture? He is sitting dejected on the floor under the table, unable to play along with his sister

Brooks

Here's the boy eating. Taken yesterday. Not very exciting, he was just being really cute with his grins, so I took a few pics.



And here he is watching his favourite show. The kids were given a "Little People" movie for Christmas. The theme is sung by Aaron Neville, who has such a distinctive voice. As soon as he hears it, he is just glued to the screen...it's really a pretty silly movie as far as the stories go, but it really captures his imagination or something!