Kitty and the Scrooge

I'm feeling a bit Scrooge like right now. I got home from a great few days with the family, sat briefly on the couch and decided to attack the dust bunnies lurking in the living room. Well, I quickly discovered that the bunnies were not so much bunnies but monsters on par with the abominable snowman from Monster's Inc. (although not nearly as cute). 

As I was attacking the dust monsters with a vengeance, moving furniture, changing slip covers (no, they are not just for old people anymore), and finding just about every cat toy the kitties have under the couch when one on my furry companions would not leave me alone. I picked him up and tossed him (don't worry, no animals were harmed in the cleaning of the living room) and immediately he was right back on whatever I had tossed him off of. I repeated the process and so did he. By this time it was a game.

I moved on to another project, de-dust monstering under my desk. At the beginning of my project I piled everything on my desk to keep it off the floor. As I sat on the floor under said desk, the same furry football from earlier decided to scale the desk. First, the yoga mat landed on my head, then a few random cords and almost a full file box. 

So, how does all of this relate to be feeling a bit Scroogeish? Dude, seriously, if I can't keep one of my furry friends off what he is not suppose to be on, how in the world will a tree survive? 

Things you pick up from the children

Tonight I sat down to enjoy a meal of left over mac and cheese with frozen peas that I was too impatient thaw out. As I was eating and honestly enjoying my meal it got me thinking what else have I picked up from the kiddos that I have worked with for almost 15 years (yep, you read that number right). 

So here are a few that are screaming to be listed. Do you have any to add?

1. Eating frozen veggies frozen is actually very tasty
2. "Potty" tends to override more adult terms
3. "Puppy, kitty, horsey" tend to dominate animal vocabulary
4. When one has to go potty, one has to go now 
5. There's nothing better than asking "Why?" 70-75 times an hour (or minute)  
6. Forget the furniture, the floor is so much better

Brownie Police

Hey y'all, 

There are two VERY important corrections to the brownie recipe. You need 2 cups sugar (NOT 1 cup) and 4 eggs (NOT 2). Hopefully I am catching you before you made the attempt to make these. If not, a ready made excuse to make some more. 

Chocolate and cream cheese anyone?

A few weeks ago I went on a quest to find the best made from scratch brownie that was quick and easy to make to capitalize on the whole instant gratification deal. And boy did I find one that is incredible. We're talking better than Betty Crocker and maybe even better than your favorite Aunt Gertrude's. 

Ingredients: 

1 stick butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (I use Ghirardelli) 

2/3 cup flour

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

1. Completely melt the stick of butter in the microwave (glass bowl works best)

2. Add the cocoa to the butter and mix thoroughly. 

3. Add the rest of the ingredients and mixed everything together (the batter will appear grainy, but that is just the sugar)

4. Pour into a WELL GREASED and floured pan (I use a 7x9, or 24 cupcake papers for brownie bites)

5. Bake 32-40 minutes at 325 degrees (this recipe isn't too picky heat wise). Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted in them comes out clean. 

And what would brownies be without cream cheese frosting. 

Ingredients

1-8 oz package of cream cheese (full fat variety, as low fat/fat free is too soft)

1 stick of butter

Vanilla

1 cup powdered sugar

1. Let the cream cheese sit out 3-4 hours so it is nice and squishy. The butter should be some what soft but still firm.

2. Beat the cream cheese until fluffy.

3. Add the vanilla

4. Add the butter and beat well

5. Add the powdered sugar and beat well

(anything topped with this fabulous frosting should be kept refrigerated) 

At least when I make these two fabulous treats, I use all co-op products which means they are organic which of course means, they are health food. 

Enjoy!

At risk of being dramatic

I AM BOYCOTTING GREY'S ANATOMY!

After Dr. Erica Hahn's revelation on last weeks episode comparing discovering her sexuality to getting glasses, she has been fired. 

Here is the article from After Ellen. 

And the clip of Erica's revelation that ultimently got her fired. 

Ryanne got a visit from the tattoo fairy

Those of you who follow me on facebook may be dying to know the details...

I got to spend the evening with my favorite five year old and favorite seven year old last night. My favorite five year old bounded to the door when I arrived eager to show me his tattoos. He had started at the tips of his toes on both feet all the way up to his hips. Mom said she went to check on him because things were a bit to quite and he was standing buck naked in the bathroom concentrating intensely on his tattoo application. 

So in his eagerness to show me and to share the fun my favorite five year old asked if he could give me a tattoo. Being game for anything, I said sure. I've already got six so why not another one. 

I rolled up my left sleeve revealing the newest of my acquisitions, my favorite five year old was ready to go. After a brief discussion about the permanent tattoo already residing on my wrist and that yes, it really was permanent and was not going anywhere we were ready. 

The first tattoo was a nice little star fish. David was all excited and asked if he could give me another and I said sure. And another, and another, and another until I had five in total. 

It was the cutest thing in the world, he put the tattoo down, and then got it wet and held it to my skin and counted to 30, well almost. He then slid the paper off and began blowing on it so enthusiastically I thought he would hyperventilate. 

So last night the tattoo fairy left me with five new tattoos, two star fish, a sword and a skull, a skull and an octopus (I think). 

Sadly though, the did not survive the swimming pool this morning.