Almost time.

The days of summer are fast approaching. While I always love having the kids home full-time (I truly appreciate it sometime in July or near the end of August...) I have to admit I'm going to miss my one-on-one time with Mr.E. Next year he's off to school full time and I have to decide how I'm going to fill those days. Yes, there's always laundry, dishes and looking after the dog but I'm pretty sure that will only take up a day.

Frankly, heading back to the workforce scares the crud out of me. I haven't been part of it all for 8 years. That's a long time people. And not only that, I'm in a new country where a TON of people are looking for work and probably slightly more qualified than I, for any job. Granted, I would do awesome in a negotiations setting or with the bomb squad but how many positions for that could there be? Another thing, my CANADIAN degree is in Geo-Anthropology. That's up there with Psych majors and Philosophy - no offense to either of those... Crud.

So, here I sit, wondering about something that's not going to happen for months. Maybe longer if I don't settle for a career in the food services industry (ie. McDonald's - not that there's anything wrong with that either - Dear McDonald's people, please hire me). And I have to make up a resume. Man, this could take years....

Is it Summer where you are?

I was lucky enough to be able to wear my sunglasses. It's about 80 degrees, the sun is shining and there's a breeze just cool enough to keep things wonderful. The kids are playing out in the field behind the house. They've finished their slushes (pineapple juice, limeade and lemonade blended with crushed ice) and they're happy as can be.
The pitcher of Sangria is chilling in the fridge. I've already had a glass (or two) with some of the crushed lemonade and some blueberries- just to keep things interesting.
A light lunch; cheesy dip with fresh herbs from the garden, perfectly ripe cherries, yummy whole wheat crackers from Trader Joe's and an exquisite italian salami. Perfect for enjoying the Oasis on this beautiful day. I'm sure summer must be here. Hoping it's there for you too.

Ultimate Dog Tease

This is a HUGE hit in our house.

Dammmmittt.

• Thank you to my friend Stacy for getting me addicted to saying that. It's great except when I'm at the school carnival and I forget and I say it out loud instead of in my head. Nothing like teaching a bunch of 1st graders a new word.
• I made the mistake of stepping on the scale today. Dammmiittt! I knew I was gaining weight. My stomach was bigger than my jeans and my shirts weren't fitting properly. Apparently my diet of frou frou coffee and McDonald's chocolate milkshakes was working against me! Who knew? Anyway, I've decided it's time to get serious. I'm just going to accept the new weight and live with it. Yah, you heard me right. I'm officially 30 pounds heavier than I was before I had kids. But that was 10 years ago and I ain't no spring chicken. I like food. I eat (fairly) right. I exercise. So screw it. If I want to eat M&M's then I'm going to eat M&M's and I'm not going to feel guilt about it.
• I just had a birthday. I think not only getting older, I'm also getting wiser. I'm getting more relaxed and dammmiiittt I'm happier!
• I made a big bunch of granola today. I also happened upon puffed Kamut. I added it to the granola. It tastes freakin' fantastic. See? I totally eat healthy.
• The garden is in full swing. The Iris's are blooming, the peas are a couple of inches long and so are the squash. I had my first drink on The Oasis with my friend Ser. We got a little red as well. It was fabulous.
• We're making our summer plans. I'd like it to include a lot of beer, sitting around with my friends and swimming at the pool. So far, so good. What about you?

Favourite Places

The living room corner where you'll find me every night from 8-11 pm. The pictures aren't straight (they never are) and the kids jump on the couch (when I'm not looking) and I have more magazines than any one person needs.

These are the pictures I bought a couple of weeks ago. I purchased the frames from Target and Mr. A hung them up... It was a miracle. The mirror on the wall was one I was given by my uncle. A neighbour of his was going to throw it out! It was a very burnished gold but I had some handy dandy silver paint and a little kids paint brush. Now it's practically perfect for the space (meaning: it was free!).

The King Size bed! Yahoo. The bedroom is almost done. I'd like to rip up the rug and as you can tell I need a bedskirt. No one likes to look at a box spring... Remember I sleep here and I don't have a degree in photography (I have a little Kodak) so the pictures not perfect and neither is the room. I actually use the Jergens every night(and morning - keep moisturized!) and I always have to have a water glass (or two) beside my bed. I don't iron my sheets 'cause the kids jump on them too. I don't like things matchy-matchy either - just simple. I'm like that...

This is my husbands night stand (notice the water glass). The basket holds the phone, change from his pocket and a pen. The brown bin underneath holds all his other junk (magazines, magazines, and the other odd articles he might have). The photo above is a copy of our wedding invitation a friend had framed for us when we got married. It's yellowed and looks a bit 'off' but we can't pitch it - you know why...

Groceries.

I'm going to be busy making muffins, breakfast burritos, cookies, granola and a whole lot more. I didn't buy cereal again today. It really does make for a bit more work for me. In fact, I'm not entirely sure why I think not buying cereal makes a big difference. I've obviously got it on the brain and I'm not letting go.

I stuck to my list today - so far so good. Hopefully I've got enough there to keep everyone full and not whining about the lack of granola bars and snacks; by "everyone", I mean me... The total food expenditure for today was $104.34. Without a doubt fresh food is far more expensive than frozen and snack food - and the kids tend to eat more of it. I swear my boys will have the two bags of apples and all those bananas gone by Friday! Drives me nuts.

As a side note: I'm looking for a good Masala Curry Sauce recipe. Anyone out there have one?

Edit: I have since made these muffins from Smitten Kitchen. I haven't tasted them but they look exactly like the picture - so YUM! Also from Smitten Kitchen, these lovely looking peanut butter cookies of which I've already eaten 3. I'm not a big fan (3 and I don't really like them. what if I did?) they're a little dry and bland. I think I'm more partial to the sugar/butter laden ones that stick to the top of your mouth. Lastly, I also whipped up a batch of these chocolate breakfast muffins. TO DIE FOR! And not just for breakfast - especially if you add a little oat bran, flax seeds and walnuts - then they taste just like brownies! For an extra special treat, don't sprinkle with sugar at the end... instead... wait for it... use a sprinkling of coarse sea salt on the top of each. Oh, yes, yes, I did....

Before I forget.

I thought I would post what I plan on making for dinner this week - you know, before I forget... Dinner planning is one of my hardest jobs - really. Making a meal that four different people will like isn't as easy as it sounds. Some days I just stand and stare at my fridge hoping and praying that a meal will just jump out at me. Usually it doesn't and I end up getting all frazzled and falling to pieces. This is my life. It's not pretty.

If I'm lucky (like this week) I make a list of meals I can create from the stuff in my kitchen - sometimes I need help from the grocery store but hopefully, it's very little. Not only does this keep my on budget and/or keep me from becoming clinically insane (sort of) it also helps me use up some of the articles that have been taking up space - articles I buy because I become inspired by a certain recipe (that I later lose and still end up with 3 bottles of tumeric in my cupboard...). Here we go:

Sunday (tonight): Pulled pork on a bun with ranch potatoes and salad.

Monday: BBQ pork buns (meat done!) and garlic steamed broccoli.

Tuesday: Pork with rice and snowpeas and broccoli.

Wednesday: Chickpeas, peas and potatoes in curry sauce served over brown rice.

Thursday: Beef and rice balls in tomato sauce (I add grated veggies to the meatballs).

Friday: Baked fish with potato gratin and corn on the side. This will probably not pass with the kids - life isn't that simple but Mr. A will eat it happily.