Ben & I always have so much fun, and last night was no exception. Coordinated the kids going from being at daycare, to Susan and then to Grandma's for the night. We shared a bottle of wine, and then once we got to Seattle grabbed some tasty soy latte's. Walked around aimlessly [more or less because my GPS wasn't working right- oops!], finally were starving and stopped at this tasty Vietnamese restaurant Bambuza, had Prawns in a Clay Pot and some rice. Yum! Sweet, and saucey and interlaced with beautifully cooked mushrooms.
After dinner, we walked a bit more.. and decided walking to Neumo's was out of the question & grabbed a cab. We weren't far away actually.. haha go figure. Can't beat a $5 cab ride! Met the people behind us.. later on met two more people [from Wisconsin. ha ha.] .. hung with them all night. I love meeting new people, had multiple drinks which was nice. The opening band, was surprisingly good [The Duke Spirit].
I sort of felt bad because Ben was like 8 people behind me, but I was living it up and he didn't seem to mind at all!
xoxo.
brooklyn. <3
Not nearly as thrilling when you aren't a: a kid, b: an irresponsible worry free partier, or have someplace fun to go [or a sitter].. I didn't seek out a sitter for Halloween, pretty much since we'll be in Seattle for EODM tomorrow.. that's enough for me :)
Anyways, KK is going to be Ariel.. she chose this silly little costume that looks nothing like Ariel haha! I got red spray hair dye stuff, we tested it tonight on both kids.. they loved it. She looks more like a crazy greener then the little mermaid! ha! Xander is batman, his dad bought his costume.. it's very cool!
Brett is supposed to take the kids tomorrow, and then Saturday afternoon- Sunday afternoon. I have been planning this for like 3 weeks now.. he better not back out.. I don't care what he has to do.. as long as the kids are safe, warm and happy... mama is happy. They expect to see him, so when he backs out all I deal with is upset kids for days. Disappointment yk?
Time to wash out hair dye.
xoxo
brooklyn. <3
Weekend went well. Had alot of take out due to not feeling like cooking for once. Friday we just sort of layed around watching movies in bed after the kids went to sleep. Saturday, the kids went with my family & i went shopping with Susan.. bought all sorts of things I didn't need [but I mean, KK really did need ANOTHER peacoat.. this one's pink. And fur lined boots.. she's the cutest.].. bought some seriously cute lingerie from Victoria's Secret. Had drinks & some tasty food with Susan at Hearthfire..
The Huckleberry RumTini was the best though..
Today Xander had swimming and KK hung out with Ben all day. Sunday has sort of turned into daddy & me day for the two of them.. I guess today they went to Priest Point Park, went around Capitol Lake, and out for Ice Cream. It's pretty amazing what a bond she's established with him.. she adores him more then anything. Xander went with his dad, that's always a fiasco of sorts. His dad bought him a Batman Halloween costume, it's very neat.. see below video from earlier post. I hate having to send him with his dad, his dad is always such a compulsive liar when he wants his own way. He's already trying to back out of having them Thursday, but I already have tickets & plans for the concert that night.. it'll work out though. I know it will.
Kim & Reilly left Friday night until the first week of November to Ohio. I'll miss my girls! We saw them Friday afternoon before they left though which was nice.. and I have talked to Kim since, sounds like they're having a good little vacation with the in-laws.
True Blood is about to start and I work 6am-4:30pm tomorrow.. so best to curl up with my boy, watch tv and hit the bed.
xoxo
brooklyn. <3
See?!! Whatta costume though, right!
seriously.. see for yourself. And this goes on at least half a dozen times, every single day. yup.
I've always known something about Xander wasn't, well.. the same. He's hyper and can not sit still.. he tries everyone around him and has a harder time learning. He is constantly talking and being troublesome. Ben & I argue over it.. he says ADHD is an over diagnosed, imaginary condition. I disagree.. people who truly has ADHD can not help it.. just like depression sufferers, and those with bipolar disorder & the like.. it's a chemical imbalance of sorts in the brain, his doctor reccomended I get to know this website, called chadd.org.. he can't help it.. he can't make himself concentrate.. we talked for along time with the doctor today, and after having myself, my mother and two of his teachers do ADHD forms, he was officially diagnosed with having attention deficeit hyper activity disorder. I'm glad that finally have SOME form of diagnosis. A few years ago when he was having problems, they did all sorts of tests to see if he was autistic.. he obviously was not. This is finally an answer and a direction to go toward. He will be going to behavioral modification therapy.. it'll be a way for him to help himself with home life, learning, etc.. and, he will be starting on Adderall. I got his prescription, and we have two insurances.. one being through Brett, one myself.. Brett's only covers so much, leaving me to foot a bill of $114 a month for the medicine. That's alot, but if it helps, well.. it will be well worth it. I'll still have payment for therapy as well, I'm going to have to see if Brett will help me with it.. it's going to cost alot.
Just a weird day today.. I feel really run down and depressed after everything, but need to keep better spirits for the kids' sake I supposed.
Started tanning again 3 days ago, that is a daily comfort at least. I'm getting some M'lis Body Contour Mantain Lotion tomorrow, it's an anti cellulite lotion [tanning & expensive spa products.. a huge plus of working next door to a spa!] and helps with circulation of the blood, which will come in handy due to my anemia. I'm also taking some Floradix Floravital Iron & Herbs supplement to help with the anemia.. it makes me so fatigued feeling [the anemia].
I'll update on how Xander does once he starts his medicine this weekend.
xoxo
brooklyn. <3
Chili is probably one of the easiest comfort foods to make:
- Fresh Peppers
- Green Chilies & Tomatoes
- Ground Beef
- Tomato Paste
- Onions
- Beans
- Herbs & Spices
- Cheese & Sour Cream to top it off
yum yum yum! Ben simmered the Chili all day, I made corn bread, spritz cookies & fried mushrooms and onion straws. Oh we ate good!
I also uploaded KK's pictures from her digital camera today, too funny:
xoxo
brooklyn. <3
Thought, maybe.. I could post the recipes I use too. Last night- Coconut Shrimp, Rice & Pina Colada dipping sauce. With Coconut Rum Pina Coladas!
Ingredients:
1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Corn Starch (mix with coconut and bread crumbs)
1 cup Sweetened Coconut Flakes
1/2 cup Pina Colada Mix
1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
3 tablespoons Coconut Rum
1/2 cup Corn Starch
Vegetable oil for deep frying
1/2 pound Large Shrimp
Pina Colada Dipping Sauce:
1 cup Pina Colada Mix (we used Master's brand from the Liquor Store)
1/4 cup Water
2 tablespoons Crushed Pineapple (drained)
1 1/2 tablespoon Sweetened Coconut Flakes
1 teaspoon Sweetened Coconut Flakes
3 1/4 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon Corn Starch
3 teaspoons Cold Water
Directions:
Mix bread crumbs, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and coconut in a deep bowl and set aside. Combine Pina Colada mix,powdered sugar and rum in a small mixing bowl and set aside. Place 1/2 cup corn starch in a separate bowl. Heat oil for deep frying. Oil is ready for frying shrimp with it reaches 375 degrees. Coat shrimp first in corn starch, then into the Pina Colada mix, then dust shrimp in bread crumbs, coconut mixture. Second coating place back into Pina Colada mix, then again into coconut, and then the bread crumb mixture. Place prepared shrimp carefully into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, remove from fryer and drain.
For Pina Colada Dipping Sauce:Mix Pina Colada Mix, water,crushed pineapple, coconut, and powdered sugar in a small sauce pan. Heat on medium low temperature until sauce begins to simmer, stirring frequently. Let mixture simmer slowly 10 - 12 minutes. Mix corn starch and water together, add to sauce and blend well. Let mixture simmer for 3 - 5 minutes longer while stirring during and after adding cornstarch. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature. Sauce is served at room temperature with Coconut Shrimp.
It came out really, really well. The whole meal for two people only cost around $25 including alcohol & seafood.. I was really, really impressed. It took a whole container of vegetable oil [and then some].. but we already used it again for sweet potato fries this afternoon, and I'll probably make some fried mushrooms later!
When making the recipe, the only really advice it- WATCH YOUR CORN STARCH USE!! I used far too much in the sauce, and it came out like pudding, but we just thinned it out with pineapple juice a bit.
xoxo
brooklyn. <3
ps.. I should just let you know, my children refuse to eat the food Ben & myself eat-- normally. Last night they feasted on organic [Annie's brand] Mac & Cheese [think the Organic Version of Velvetta Shells & Cheese]. They were happy as clams- Ben & i were happy as clams- who can complain! Not us!
We started watching True Blood on HBO website here- very, very good. Not all gory, good story line- I was very impressed. I contemplated buyign the books to read, but I almost feel as if it will ruin the suspense of the show.
Going to attempt cookies today- see how well my baking skills are. I'm still working on yeast breads- so far, the best luck in the past was using a bread machine, but- I have no idea where along the way of moving.. that even ended up. Plus, that's kind of cheating now isn't it? Regardless, I think I need to let the bread raise more and give it more time, I think I'm just going TOO fast with trying to go from ingredients to oven to completed product.
Will try Spritz cookies this weekend [real no failing there] and possibly spooky Halloween sugar cookies-- also easy as pie :)
Making coconut shrimp with a pina colada dipping sauce and rice side for dinner. I'll update on how it was.
Also- made Shepherd's pie the other night with lamb, perfection! Made from scratch.. made my gravy from scratch with the drippings in the cast iron skillet.. fresh potatoes, peas & organic mushrooms! Magnificent!
xoxo
brooklyn <3
This is one of my other favorite things of the upcoming winter season:
Peppermint Mocha coffee mate.. yumz. And my Kitchenaid Mixer.. one of my favorite kitchen items [another plus from sperm donor.]
Xander went to the doctor. Not strep! She says it looks like it could be the start of mono though- icky. Guess only time will tell, at least I'll get tomorrow in for working.. He is seemingly feeling better though, which is great.
xoxo
brooklyn<3
