The New GastroPub wave

In Denver GastroPubs are the new up and coming restaurants. It's a blend of irish/scottish fare. Argyll's is the one that we go to in Cherry Creek North, great little place to meet for a few cocktails or dinner. They have great fish and chips, scottish egg, and Caramel Corn Creme Brulee.
Roger's dad is now part owner in this restaurant so we do spend more time there than we normally would. If you ever stop by Argyll's mention our name and get a discount. Enjoy

Bullies and Name Brands

I don't think that bullies started for me until middle school, mostly teased about little things here and there. I never got pushed down or anything like that mostly teased. Teased about clothes I wore..now looking back in Middle school I could care less about the shirts I wore! I had amazing friends that told me I looked cute.
Can you believe that Tanner actually has bullies in 1st grade! I am shocked. Tanner never complains but I was told by another mom that Tanner get pushed down at the bus stop by the older boys, he also gets called dummy by the neighbor kid too. I just think that parents around here are way to oblivious about what is going on with there kids.
To top it all off, the brand name for 1st graders is Under Armour!! I cannot even afford to wear Under Armour clothes let alone my 6 year old. The cool kids at school wear this and you are teased if you wear anything different. I dress Tanner is some nice looking clothes always nice Jeans with a polo or a sweater. He does have the dress down t-shirts but they are from GAP and children's place. Tanner even wears Ralph Lauren! I just don't understand why little kids have to judge at such a young age. Back off 7 year olds, wait until middle school! By then I can save up some money :)

Little Black Dress

I love my Wine..love it! I am always looking for new wines to try. Mostly Pinot Grigios but I will drink any wine. My husband went to get some beer and of course I told him to get me some wine. I didn't so much care as to what and he came back with Little Black Dress Pinot Grigio. It's a bit sweet and I like it. I also love the bottle. So if your looking for a good glass to relax too, this is it!

A good lunch box item

For those of you that have kids in school, that have to bring a lunch..this is for you!
Tanner is so picky and he gets sick of me putting the same foods in his lunch each day. So I really have to spend a lot of time figuring out what to make. My boys never get sick of Jello and I was not only buying the boxes but also the to go cups of Jello. So I was making a dish of Jello for Dylan and had this great idea came to me...I put the Jello into my smallest lock n' store tupperwares! Tanner is over joyed that he gets to take these cute jello packs in his lunch. Hopefully he doesn't get sick of these!

My Love for Mini {pumpkin,zucchini} Breads

I have been making pumpkin, zucchini and banana bread for a while. But this year I purchased the Pampered Chef's Stoneware mini loaf pan. I just love making these mini loaves! I make 4 loaves at a time and freeze 2 of them for later. They are perfect for a snack or for a light breakfast.






Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

1 1/3 C. Sugar
8 oz. Pumpkin Puree (you can used canned pumpkin, but I buy my own pumpkin, broil it then peel the skin off before I puree it)
1/4 Cup & 3 Tbs. Vegetable Oil
1/4 C & 2 tsp Water
1 3/4 Egg
1 1/2 C + 1 Tbs. Flour
1 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 C Chocolate Chips (optional..I usually do a few so the boys will eat it)

Preheat oven to 350.
In Bowl combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, eggs and beat until smooth.
Blend in Flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Fold in Chocolate Chips.
Bake in stoneware loaf pan 35 min, but check after 25min.
Bake 1 hour 10min. in a regular tin loaf pan.
Then ENJOY! This is usually so moist you don't need to add butter but it is optional.
See the difference in baking times with Pampered Chef pieces :) I love it!

Flour Tortillas

My friend Lisa had to go out of town for work, so I watched her two daughters for a few nights. The olders 13 yrs is the pickest eater ever! I thought Tanner was bad! So the 1st night she was here she had pizza while we ate something more healthy. On the second night I told her I was making chili..of course she didn't want that either, so she asked me to make homemade flour tortillas cause what 13 yr old eats store bought tortilla's right?!?. I was laughing so hard, as I told her I cook but not stuff like that! Well after a few words of encouragement I rolled up my sleeves and headed to the kitchen. It was 4 ingredients and your hands. I used my Pampered Chef pastry roller and rolled them out as best I could.
I then put them on a hot skillet for a minute on each side....TADA! Flour tortilla's and they actually tasted good!
I don't think this will make it to my monthly menu but it was sure fun trying something new!

The Lovely Bones

The lovely bones is a new movies that just came out about a girl that's kidnapped and killed. Her father tries to find her killer..the next door neighbor. I wasn't going to see it in the theater, not one that really caught my eye. Until I got two free passes this morning! I signed up for gobo.com or something like that and it's free movie viewing at various Denver theatres.
I have signed up for numerous websites for free stuff and free things to do in Denver with kids. It's helped out a lot when I really don't know what to do during the week with Dylan!
I'll let you know if the movie is worth seeing in the theatre or waiting to see it at home.

My UGGS!

As in my previous post I got Uggs for Christmas. I have almost worn them everyday since I opened them! I love them so much. I did try going to the mall and looking at the less expensive pairs but just couldn't do it. Is that bad???
The Emu's are pretty close and still made in Australia but just love my Uggs! They really do keep your feet dry and warm.
Is this to extravagant an item? They do go up in price each year. Anyone else own a pair and have buyers remorse? I get like that even when I buy something cheap! I got myself the coolest Fluer dis lis thermal shirt for $35 a couple weeks ago and had regrets for 2 days..until I put it on and it looked good..haha
I rationalize though that I NEVER buy myself stuff unless I REALLY need it, my boys come first. I think this SAHM deserves these few finer things in life!

Christmas 2009

I know this is late, but I was a little lazy downloading the pictures. But better than never at all right! We woke up with the boys early on Christmas morning and ate the traditional breakfast (well my families tradition)
*Scrambled eggs

*Bacon or sausage, I do think I made both this year.

*Cinnamon Rolls (usually homemade but my mixer broke, so thanks Pillsbury)

*OJ..no not fresh squeezed either
Once we were done eating we of course had to go open our stockings and presents. The boys made out very well this year. Thanks mostly to the grandparents. My husband got me my UGGS that I've been asking for for a very long time. I am sharing a few photos of the morning. We also headed over to grandads's house for gifts and an early dinner. That's also where Santa dropped off the gifts. We ate a huge lovely meal with some family. Ryan and Trina made it up from Cali this year too! After we ate we watch The Hangover (which is exactly what I had the next morning!) and played pool. I think we stayed up very late too! It was a blast until I woke up the next morning of course! All in all great family time.

I Caved

It was Dec. 31st and I finally caved in and joined a million other people in being the owner of an iphone! I have always wanted one but couldn't justify it until the last day of the year! I bought a new one more because my cell bill has gone through the roof since started my own home based business with Pampered Chef! I would have to admit I am also excited about the apps. I finally got the box in today and am dying to get it up and running ASAP! I am also sure my two boys will be dying to play a game or two on the phone as well! I'll keep you posted if it's worth the purchase!

2009 Favorites

2009 is over and I don't know about you but I'M GLAD! 2009 wasn't exactly the best for me in many ways. One statistic showed 79% of people asked if they like 2009 said NO! I couldn't agree more. Some good things did happen for me last year don't get me wrong but bad memories seem to trumph good ones right now. A few things I did get to do was go Arizona with the boys to see my parents, Tanner started his 1st year of soccer, Dylan started a new school for Pre-K and Tball, we went on our first camping trip, and I turned the BIG 30! I did get to take a few pictures on the way and here are a few of my favorites!

Free Trip???

When you are Pampered Chef Independant Consultant you get incentive trips. We had our revealing of the 2011 trip last night...Maui, Hawaii. I would just love to be in Hawaii next year for spring break! Do you want a free trip to Hawaii?



It's so easy, join my team and start booking shows today. The more you sell the more points you get and BAM...your in Hawaii! If you don't want to join my team you can always book a cooking show or catalog show with me and help ME get to the beach!

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes

If you are a peppermint lover, you may like these cupcakes! I bought some Andes Peppermint bites and had no clue what to make with them and ended up with these!




The cake part is a box of Devil's Food cake mix. Then I took icing using a Pampered Chef small spreader and spread a nice layer on top of the cupcakes. I then dipped the top of the cake into the peppermint bits. My boys love them! I do think you can find this recipe on andes.com

Cute Apron..Yes Please

I have been looking for a couple years for the cutest apron. I know only my kids and husband will see me wear it but since I spend so much time in the kitchen I want to feel good at the same time! I found these aprons that are a bit pricey for me but so adorable. I also am addicted to anything with aqua in it!




Both of these are available at Anthropologie if anyone else is interested.