Bring It on!

Is how I feel about the New Year.

Lots of new challenges in store.

I want to do lots of things, hopefully I will.

I am wishing all of you out there a wonderful, healthy, safe New Year.

I look forward to 2010 and what it has to offer.

Zizette

My New Baby

Tada, isn't she beautiful?

I have longed for one of these for so long.

Never took the plunge but today my friends I did it!

I am so excited, I finally did it, I bought myself a sewing machine .

This is really a big thing for me. I always have tons of ideas running through my head.

Now I can actually do them. I have even gone so far as to buy the pieces for my projects but did not have the main tool to complete my project. Now I do.

I will be keeping you posted because I am so excited to start.

She even comes with an instructional DVD. Could this be my night time viewing this evening?

I'll check back with you later after I view my new DVD.

Nighty-Night

Zizette

One Resolution

I guess I may have more but today I decided on this one and it is probably the one I can most likely keep, to make 1 new recipe per week.

You see, I love to cook and even more I love to bake. Always have.

I can remember back when I was 16-17 that I worked in a camp and decided to cook Mexican food (since I had just moved from Southern California to NY permanently) after camp one day.

So, I do vow to make 1 new recipe each week. (Mind you for those of you who did not know, my husband is a Culinary School Graduate from mind you the BEST culinary school AND he does NOT regularly cook for us!) SHAME ON HIM>

SO, I will do this experiment.

Today, I cooked a mean Butternut Squash Soup ala Michael Chiarello.

Enjoy I know we will.

• Cook Time:

  25 min

• Level:

  Easy

• Yield:

  4 servings

Recipe Tools:

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Ingredients

For the soup:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup (1/4-inch) diced onion
• 1/4 cup (1/4-inch) diced celery
• 1/4 cup (1/4-inch) diced carrot
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• About 4 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted coriander, optional
• 1 1/2 cups Roasted Winter Squash recipe
• 1/2 cup half-and-half, optional

To serve:

• 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, optional
• 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds, optional

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and cinnamon stick and saute until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken stock and the coriander, if using, and bring to a boil. Simmer for several minutes. Stir in the squash until smooth, then simmer gently to let the flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick.

Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. (The soup can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for several days or frozen for about 1 month. It will thicken as it cools and may need thinning with stock or water when reheating.)

Return the soup to the pan and reheat gently. Add the half-and-half, if using. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep warm until service.

To serve:

Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Garnish evenly, with the cheese and pumpkin seeds, if desired.

NYC Christmas

Last week I decided to pull the kids out of school to go into NYC to see the BIG tree. When I told my good friend she called the school and took her kids out to join us (I let mine sleep in).

We had just had that huge snow storm over the weekend but the day was cold but not windy.

Look at this bunch of kids, don't they look happy?

Ahh to be a kid again and get out of school with your cool mom and best friends. Wait, I was the cool mom out with my cool kids and friends.

Hopefully this will be the start of a new tradition....

Zizette

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

To all my bloggy friends and their families

Merry Christmas

Zizette

Winter Wonderland

Now, I live in the Northeast.

I have lived in the Southwest, San Diego to be exact.

But, I love the Northeast, NY to be exact.

Besides Fall being my favorite season (and it still technically is Fall). I love the winter.

I love it for many reasons.

I LOVE EVERYTHING covered in a blanket of white. I just cannot get enough of it.

I hate when all the driving happens and the snows turns black but I love waking up and seeing everything white.

I love sitting by the fire (which I could not for the life of me start today) and drinking hot cocoa.

I love sledding with my kids.

I love attempting to build a snowman.

I love my snow angels.

I love how crisp it all looks and peaceful it feels.

So that's it, I love what the northeast has to offer me (don't get me wrong I love the warm weather too and would never turn down a vacation at the beach).

Stay warm and healthy.

Zizette

A Great Giveaway

Another Great giveaway to be found at 52 Flea, it's her 300th post and wants to celebrate. Go check it out and good luck!

Zizette

Friendship Bracelet Giveaway

There's an awesome Friendship Bracelet Giveaway from Klutz over at Skip to My Lou . Go ahead Check it out. They'll ship in time for Christmas.

Zizette

SCREAMING CHILDREN

I had two children today go for their annual check ups today.

Not FUN.

Last year and the year before that too, I vowed not to take them at the same time again. Well, I must have completely blocked that memory and that promised from myself.

You see, my kids hate their shots. Hey I don't blame them, I hate shots too. I have had my own time of crying and such in a corner of the room so no one will take my blood. I get it.

So, today we go for the visit. All the way there the kids are asking if they are going to get shots, can they put it off until January, everything you can think of.

Now this doctor has been with them since they were both born. She knows them, she knows me (even helped me through a hard time and that is why I stay with her even though we no longer live in NJ).

They have to get their shots (the flu and H1N1). Only one had a breathing issue this year so she needed to get the shots and could not get the mist. So one got two shots and one got a shot and a mist.

It breaks my heart and I talked them through it very calmly (which the nurse noted that I was "good"). My son was much more difficult. Telling me he was going to scream and proceeded to scream, in my ear.

It was over for both of them. They cried. They got cookies and water. Then they got McDonalds. They are sleeping now. I am a wreck.

My children are everything and to see them so distraught kills me. That was my day. SO when the annual exams come around again next year, someone please remind that I should not make them at the same time. Please, as my friends.

Makes Me Feel Good

I am loving baking.

I find that every time I bake, I feel good.

I feel good that my children love my cookies.

I feel good that I am providing a snack that is not filled with crap and preservatives.

I feel good that I ma getting them to try new things.

I feel good that I am trying new things.

The other day Maya had a friend over. Now she is the type of friend that does not have play dates at her friend's houses but only her own. She is the type of child with lots of anxiety. But slowly she is coming out of her shell. She wanted to come over, she wanted mom to leave but when mom went to leave she started to cry. Maya couldn't understand but I told her give her time. Her mom chatted with her and said if she was gonna cry they would go home. She wanted to stay and she did, without mom.

The girls played dress up, I polished their nails with pretty little heart designs and I baked cookies. They had an awesome time. She wanted to bring home a half eaten cookie to her daddy. I told her to finish the cookie and I would give her a new one for her dad.

Later on I asked my friend what her husband thought of my cookie, she said he loved it. Then she asked me, "what the heck are you doing at your house?" I asked her what she meant. She says her daughter comes home and tells her that I was baking I polished their nails with designs and helped them with dress up.

I love that. That makes me feel good. I want those memories for my children, me baking and taking care of them. (As I type this my son is complaining that I am on the computer - hey you can't have everything all the time).

Zizette

I am Finished

That's right I am finished with Graduate School! I am turning my logs and paperwork at 4 pm Eastern Time and then I do not have another piece of work to do. This has been a long and painless journey (until recently) for me.

I have to thank my family, friends and new people who I have come across in this journey - without all of them I would not have been able to do it.

I am still doing one more week of student teaching to make sure I have all my hours (and I don't want to leave my friends at my job/student teaching position).

I do not know what the future holds for me. I do know that many people think I am a fantastic educator and will be awesome where ever I do end up teaching. I look forward to that journey as well.

I have worked very hard these past 3 years to get where I am today. I don't "officially" graduate until February 1st and I hope that does not effect me in getting my position in my school (where I was a speech therapist).

Here's to a new year and new opportunities. Again, Thank you to everyone who has always been so supportive of me (especially my bestest friend in the whole world Jen),

Love ya-

Zizette

Passed Up Opportunities

I could kick myself. You see in the past month I have seen some pieces of furniture that I thought to myself, "hey I could do something with that." But I was either too embarrassed to jump out of the car and grab it of the end of a driveway or I thought I'll get it tomorrow. Well, you know what? They were gone! The piece on a neighbor's driveway I figured would be there at the end of the day (it wasn't The bulk pick up day) and a piece at my school was so bad looking I waited until the next morning. I asked for it and was told by the receptionist I could have but was called a few minutes later to be told it was already promised to someone else.

Why did I not take them when I saw them?

Was it because they looked so shabby I thought. "what would those people think of me?"

Who cares? If they are giving it away, why shouldn't I get it? Doesn't the saying go, "Someone's trash is someone else's treasure."

I guess from now I need to jump on it. The same way I did with the desk from Home Goods. I used to say, "Oh let me think about it and then boom it would be gone. No more, if I want it I will grab it. If it doesn't work or I change my mind I will return it.

So, ladies learn from my lesson, if you want it take it.

Have a great day!

Finished Project!

Well, a while back I had seen an awesome project and decided to do it someday. You know, that folder that just keeps expanding with things that you want to do, that inspire you but you never get to? I finally did one. I did not let my inhibitions get the best of me and I went to Lowes and Home Depot and bought my supplies and did a project!

I am so excited. I did it over two days. Some minor changes because I did not follow directions (made a boo boo) but Hubby likes it this way (I'm still on the fence). Here it is step by step.

Vintage-like Dominoes

First I sanded with my new hand sander

Then I painted with Cozy Cottage (Behr)

Then I marked off the line in the middle and painted the dots

The FINAL product!!!

I don't know where I will hang them and I am deciding on if they need the smoke glaze or not. I have an idea where I am going to put them but not exactly sure. They look pretty cool, especially since I got some vintage inspired dice.

I got the very cool idea from here. I hope you enjoy them as I have.

Have a great night,

Zizette

Thankful

I am thankful that I have my children and they are healthy.

I am thankful that we have made it through another year.

I am thankful for my mother in law and her being healthy.

I am thankful for my wonderful friends and family.

I am thankful for the wonderful people I have brought into my life who have inspired me, showed me new things and brought me lots of happiness.

I am thankful that my children are sensitive to others and their needs and want to help those people who need it.

Have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving today from our family to yours.

XOXO

Zizette

Tasty Tuesday

Everyone could use a tasty Smith from SATC

He has that look

Even being a cad, some thing is sexy about him

I saw a picture of a handsome man and thought, "gee, I can think of some yummy men." But yummy doesn't rhyme with Tuesday so I had to figure some thing out. Here's to Tasty!

Rainbows

Today is my baby's birthday. At 10:10 am I gave birth to the most amazing person in my life. I cannot fathom life without him.

Nine days after my baby was born, my younger brother was killed in a car accident. Life was never the same and I sometimes cannot recall that first year of my baby's life, at least the bad stuff. He was my savior, my salvation.

Each year when this time comes around there is such happiness but also a deep sadness.

Today I saw a rainbow. I saw this rainbow a few days ago. I told my friend who thought it was weird since there had been no rain. I told her how I saw it a few days ago in the same place (which I drive EVERY day) and she said, "It may be your brother sending you a message." I felt good thinking that.

I miss him very much. He would have been an amazing adult. He was turning into something very wonderful and to lose him at such a young age is tragic. I think back to right to right about this time now and he was taking a picture with my new baby. That picture sits on my mantle and always will. I love him and miss him. Here's to you Mike. My mom set up a website in his honor. Here is Mike

He is actually holding my baby Sam in this picture.

Have a great night,

Zizette

Sunday, Sunday

I love Sundays.

I love how I can do whatever I want,

it's the end of the week.

A fresh start the next day.

I like to cook on Sundays.

Prep my meals, have an idea of what to do.

I can bake my cookies.

I can RELAX. Lay around in my PJs if I wanted to (even if it means running Sam to school and not getting out of the car :) ).

I love rainy Sundays even better - the rain really allows for you to stay in the PJs and possibly a fire?

It's not raining today, it did all day yesterday.

Today I finally get a table we were promised 9 years ago.

I am a little excited (sort of not because we have waited so long). We had sort of given up on the table since when we reminded those that had it they were to give it to us they feigned no knowledge of the discussion. It's okay.

My issue - I just bought beautiful table cloths, not sure if they will work with the new table. They looked so good too.

So, this Sunday I will get a table and then cook and bake and relax with my kids. Oh yeah, and prepare for my Baby Boy's 8th birthday tomorrow.

Finally On the Wall

I have been so slow to getting stuff up on the wall in my kitchen, partly because my husband doesn't like anything and partly because I don't know what I want.

Anywhooo, I found something and then realized I needed more and they were out and then one day, Wah-Lah they had it again. Of course I snatched it up and lat week when I had two days to myself I put it up in the kitchen.

How do you like it? My little message center. Hubby will not let me paint the wall with chalkboard paint (a smaller wall) so this is the alternative.

I love it!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

My dear friend over at CuisineNie made these Pumpkin Spice Whoopies last week and I tried them tonight. They came out FANTASTIC!!!

So easy and so tasty. The kids loved them.

How Sweet an Award

I am so lucky to have such awesome friends and some of them (whom I cherish) I have not met in person but I feel like I have known them forever. Not only that, I know more about some of these friends than other people I have known forever. I have been so lucky to have been nominated for an award by one of those friends.

You know there are some rules to this stuff, so here goes:

~thank this person who nominated you for the award

~copy the logo and place it on your blog

~link to the person who nominated you

~name 7 things about yourself that people may not know

~nominate 7 creative bloggers

~post their links

~leave a comment on each

Without further ado:

First and foremost I need to Thank my dear friend Lori from Wildflowers for nominating me for this lovely award.

I nominate:

Nancy of Nancy's Tidbits she is truly a wonderful person and I have enjoyed her

posts very much about home, family and herself.

Laura from 52Flea I just love her images and decor. I look forward to her posts.

Melaine from My Sweet Savannah

Honestly I love her blog, her images, ideas and general stuff. I

find inspirational (oh and some recipes too).

Christina from Signs of Obsession I love her work and wish I could duplicate some of it

and I have a sweet spot for her since I won my first giveaway from her.

Lissa from A Dash of Humble Pie I love her for her brave honesty. Even though we (all of us) have the internet between us, it is hard to put yourself out there and I think she is a wonderful and BRAVE GIRL!

Kasey from Lola B's

Again I love her for her honesty. She's not out there to impress you, she

is who she is (and to me seems quite fabulous) and proud of it. She also does a lot of really cool things (she is also friends with one

of my favorite people (Kim) and anyone friends with her has to be

Fab.U.Lous!

Blondie*n*SC Again, complete honesty and a good soul (also a Brave girl).

There you have it, a few blogs that I visit, love to read and make me happy.

Thanks again Lori and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Zizette

Tea-lightful Party

As you may know I have been busy planning a tea party for my lovely princess. Here's a glimpse into the Fabulous Tea Party she had today.

Yummy, Petit Fours

Lovely Table

Rice Krispie Treats with Flair

Table all Ready

Everyone having fun

Let's have some Cake!

It was a very nice party. The girls came in to a craft that involved making a foam lacing frame. Then they had lunch - mini pizza bagels, mozzarella sticks and mini pigs in blankets. They enjoyed beverages of Pink Lemonade, Apple juice and water.

I got all the mugs at a favorite store (Home Goods and TJ Maxx). I made the Petit Fours, Rice Krispie Treats and Chocolate Covered Pretzels. Her color theme was pink and green. I alternated the plates (pink or green with white polka dots) and same as the flatware. The girls just Loved sipping their drink with a spoon from their large mugs. I got several tea pots either new or ones I had around (Thanks Marj!).

I had green bags available for the girls with a label thanking everyone for coming to the party and their gift. The bags were next to two baskets that held necklaces, tiaras, rings, bracelets and sparkly sunglasses. That was their Goodie along with the mugs.

The girls ate, drank and played. They all had a Fabulous time and could not believe I put it together myself. I am so happy she had a good time and look forward to the next party.

Happy Birthday Le Eiffel

Yesterday was the Eiffel Tower's 120th birthday. And during the segment on the news they showed it lit up so beautifully. Words cannot express how it looked.

Did you know when it was first built it was believed to be an EYESORE?

I have always wanted to go to Paris. Hopefully someday, hopefully soon.

Another Giveaway

from the fabulous Mimi Charmante

It's an awesome Wrap, check it out, you'll love it.

Good Luck!

Ride My Bicycle

Last week was my baby's birthday and Grandma and Papi were kind enough to get her a new set of wheels. She was so excited. However, her big brother was so jealous that she was getting a new bike and he needed one too. I casually mentioned that he was fully capable of asking for a bike too.

So we went to Ridgewood Cycle a bike shop where we are friends with the owner Drew. Hubby has known Drew forever and we knew he would put us in the right direction for our kids especially since he knows them very well.

Grandma and I head over there and Maya finds the one she wants and of course so does Sam. Grandma gets them both bikes.

I just had to go back and get them the next day. Talk about two VERY HAPPY children.

All last weekend all they wanted to do is ride their bikes and my dad was not home when they first got the bikes so they rode the bikes to Papi's house (3 blocks away) and showed him his purchase and how well they rode them.

Even Daddy took a spin on the bike

So glad they got to use them for a few days before the weather turned ugly. Hopefully this week gets better and they can ride again.

I Love Rainy Days

When they are spent in the comfort of my home.

In front of the fire. Perhaps with a good movie or book. Of course some hot cocoa for the kids and maybe, just maybe, a hot Tottie for me and the man.

I remember growing up in Southern California, we had a fireplace. We hardly used it but on the occasion we did it was on rainy days. That is today, here in cold New York. I sure am happy that my hubby split a lot of wood last week to put in our fireplace.

Only today it will be a nice fire and the GIANTS at 1pm. That's okay. I figure while he's doing that I will make a nice lasagna and possibly some chocolate peanut butter brownies or pillow cookies. (I'll still have that hot tottie by the fire though).