Powder Room Playground

Once we became parents, it got difficult for Stan and I to celebrate our wedding anniversaries. Just remembering the date has taken a nose dive to the bottom of all days. Probably even lower than a doctor’s appointment day, during some years. At least we always remember when a doctor’s appointment is coming up. I can’t say that about our wedding anniversary date. We’ve had years(yes, plural), where we’ve forgotten the day of our anniversary all together. The first couple of years were extreme, but our brains have improved. We are getting better at remembering the day with every year that passes. Still, planning an actual celebration of our anniversary would be an extreme act from us. It’s not that we don’t think it’s important. It’s just that our busy life with our kids have been so overwhelming, we feel accomplished if we can at least give each other a card. So leading up to our special day this year, our scheduling habits were of no surprise. Back in December, I decided I wanted to run a half marathon this March. I signed up and then realized, a month before the race, that it lands on the same day as … Keep Reading…

Last weekend, Stan and I decided to take the girls to our downtown area for a few hours. We planned to have lunch and walk around the shops. Maybe get a treat before going home. We thought the girls might enjoy that. And they did… all but one moment of our time there. Lunch was first on our agenda, so we park a block from the restaurant. The kids were hyper, as usual, while we stroll along the sidewalk. As we near the restaurant our ears get blasted by a loud, deafening yell from an older lady sitting on the bench right next to the door. We didn’t understand what she yelled. It was so sudden, so loud. It was threatening. It echoed through the buildings of downtown and you can hear it fainting seconds after she yelled it. There were other people around, but we assumed the yell was for us. We were closest to her and she did it right when we passed. She stayed on the bench after her yell. A cigarette in her hand, intimidating blue eyes and her lips twitching. I reach for my kids’ hands and we naturally stare back at the angry lady. … Keep Reading…

Both my kids love eating rice. It’s a staple at our house and they will eat it with anything! This has been a blessing because rice pairs pretty well with almost any type of dish. I can usually conjure up something with rice using something that we already have in the fridge or pantry. Although rice is easy in preparation, it does take some time to make. You have to plan ahead if you want to have rice for dinner. In the pot or a cooker, it takes about 25 mins of cooking for white rice and 1.5 hrs for brown rice. These are the best times if you like your rice with the fluffy consistency, like we do. There is a faster way without compromising a healthy choice! As a Mom, two things are always in my thought when making a meal – healthy and quick. That’s where my slow cooker and Brown Minute® Rice comes together. Although a slow cooker works for hours, you don’t have to be there for it. Minute® Rice cooks easy in a saucepan or microwave and takes only 10 mins to prepare. Here is a recipe that combines taste, nutrition and time-saving. While my kids love the simplicity of this … Keep Reading…

I saw an image pinned by a fellow, local blogger of a rainbow cake with fondant icing and decorated with edible pens. For several reasons it immediately caught my eye. I’ve been wanting to make my first rainbow cake, my kids would really enjoy decorating it and it was my sister’s birthday in a few days. No better time to attempt this. Sometimes I actually make things I see on Pinterest! As always, with new things I try in cake making, I did it with short cuts… aka not from scratch. GASP. Oh no! That’s right. I will be giving you the boxed cake and pre made fondant version of making this rainbow cake. This is how I make new things the first time, just to get a feel for it. I do the ‘making from scratch’ thing after I learn how to make it. Don’t worry, I will have links at the end of this post for those of you that want the actual recipes – made from scratch!   Baking the Cake Things you need: - 3 boxes of 16.25oz white cake mix – 9 x 2 round pans (I had 3 pans and made a total of 6 different … Keep Reading…