The Peanut Gallerie

He hugs his elephant more. Well, he likes to chew on his nose, but there is hugging in that process. He also has a fancy new haircut. I didn't do the best job, but only the back is a little messed up. He was sleeping but still moving around, so it's a little crooked. 

We are so excited for Thanksgiving! I am thrilled to be able to see Sarrah and the Tiggerbear. It's been too long and only this week have I realized how much I miss just being able to give her a hug :( Although Skype helps me to see her when I want.

Moving into December now, I'm showing James the ropes. He now has his own wish list on the ToysRus website. It just has a few toys on there that he might like. No clothes yet. I just discovered more clothes for him to fit into.

Oh, it's 7:50, I've got to pick up the Peanut!

Here's where we are at:

1. I can stay at my place. Woo-hoo!

2. The check engine light on my car was just an indicator to put air in my tires. I did... but the light still hasn't gone away. I'm going to keep checking the air, but I think it's one of those cars that you need to take in to have the light reset... bummer.

3. I didn't get the freelance Arden job, but you win some you lose some. I may get a raise at work, so that would help a lot.

4. Computer crashed. I got another one from work though and now have a really sweet set up... plus iSight so the family can see James on Skype now! (Really cool I didn't have to buy a separate video cam for the computer.)

Working on the Skyline move stuff, but with absent applications, it is posing a challenge. Tonight is coffee with ESL students. I think I have to bring James, so we may just stay at home and have a relaxing night. We haven't had one of those in a while.

Sorry, I know, no picture or video, but with the new computer, I'm still working to get things back up and running.

Next stop, Thanksgiving. When did that happen?

Tonight I made Vanilla Cupcakes with Garlic Buttercream Icing.

I thought they were a little too sweet and my roommate thought they were a little too garlicky, lol. (I'm a garlic lover and when you eat a lot of it like I do.. you can't taste it as much.) So, next time, less garlic.

My roommate is a culinary student, and he suggested I try a polenta cupcake. Very nice :o) I think he's right... something a little less sweet would make this stand out. We'll see in the next attempt. 

Luckily, I only made 20 mini cupcakes. I had a feeling these ones weren't going to be a hit, lol.

Lol, I promise, it's all for a good cause. Plus there was an amazing sale at Safeway for cake mixes (buy two get three free)! I bought 4 for $11 and got 10! I couldn't pass it up.

I plan to make my cakes from scratch in the future, but this will help me practice my icing recipes and decorating techniques... plus, it was cheap.

I'm considering starting a side job thing with cupcakes. It's why I've been coming up with so many varieties lately. I want to do a catering thing for parties. Birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers... weddings if I get big enough.

I'm not into making cakes that look like things. I know, this fad has seemed to sweep the nation. (I want a cake that looks like a baby!) No, I just want them to look pretty and compliment the theme of the party (it's the designer in me :o) I've been looking at liners and wrappers online and different ways to present the cupcakes... like creating my own cupcake stand.

Most importantly, I want them to taste good. I think people forget that main part about cupcakes. They are sweet, portable little treats! They should taste like little drops of heaven :o)

So, while I continue to come up with a name, logo, image, audience and prices, I'll be testing a few flavors for those interested in being guinea pigs.

And if the catering thing never pans out, Sarrah says we'll turn the recipes into a book. I'm thinking unique flavors and amazing photography :o)

(Lol, he's more laughable in person, I promise.)

I have a few friends who have had babies recently. It's been nice to talk with them about new motherhood. One of the questions I was asked today was "How can I work from home because I don't want to go back to work and leave my baby". Ha! Isn't that the age old question? I guess, unless your husband makes enough and you two can afford to live off of his income alone, parents will always be faced with this all too familiar dilemma. 

It sucks.

Why should we work hard to make enough money to pay a daycare to raise our children? I wish things were different. I wish all of my friends had the opportunity to care for their children at home :o( Who wanted to, of course... lol.. it's not for everyone.

I have been so fortunate with my at home job. Although it's tough some days juggling two things constantly (I'm always up for a good challenge), it is still nice to be at home everyday with James. To be there to make sure he is getting proper nutrition, learning throughout the day and being there for him is important to me. I understand all of his queues because we are around each other most of the time. I am so grateful to be able to work from home and be here for my son. So, if I haven't said this before "Thank you Shark and Nina for this wonderful opportunity". It is amazing and a great help to this struggling single mom.

To my friend with the question, I'll say this. Most at home jobs are sales positions (lucky you for having that experience!), unless you have a freelance skill to offer (like graphic design, lucky me!). I have a friend that brings her baby into work with her, but I'm not sure of the set up or how she accomplishes this. Then of course, there's owning your own daycare or being a nanny, but you know all about that :o) Or working a job where you set your own hours (like my sister in law). Maybe there are a few side jobs you can do to get you by until you are ready to go back. Or cut back on some spending if you can. It's amazing what I've dropped, out of fear of having to get some other job and not see James. You also own your home. What about renting out a room? 

To sum up, there are a some ways around it and you'll just have to find what is right for you. I'll send you some resources :o)

One of the things I explained over and over to my ex, was that I wanted to attend church, but I didn't know what that even looked like. Growing up Catholic, it meant finding that denomination in the area. The problem was, I had no one to attend with, and had no idea where to start. 

God gave me Sarrah :o)

Together we found Skyline, the church I attend today. It's an amazing community that I feel a part of every time I'm there. I enjoy helping with the outside stuff too and the more I attend, the deeper involved I become. It's exactly what I wanted!

Another thing I felt was missing in my life was volunteering. I really wanted to get out there and give back to the community. Now, I actually take initiative to do that... and what's even more awesome is that I've inspired friends to do the same.

I also wanted to get out more. I didn't want to spend my life on the couch, I wanted to go out and do things. The friends I have make that possible.

It was important to me to eat better. I was going out to eat so much, and really didn't understand what I was putting in my body. Now I cook almost all of my meals at home. (I eat out about once a month.) I am in control of that destiny :o)

The last thing I knew I wanted... or rather deserved.. was a family. At the time, this was about me and my husband starting our own, but there was too much going on before we could begin that. Now.. I look at what surrounds me. My parents, brothers, sisters and extended family are all amazing. They have supported me through the toughest times in my life. Plus, we may not look complete to some, but James and I are family. He is my family :o) I couldn't have asked for a better baby.

My next steps are to live within my budget, make more sales, understand my finances and hopefully, buy a house. I have no plans for love... lol.. not to say that I don't want it! Just that it's in God's hands and I'll let Him provide that for me. 

For now, I'm just enjoying the time I have with James. (Ps. That's his new binkie)

Now, I find myself pinching pennies and looking for sales. Yes, me, the girl that walks into a store and out with stuff and still doesn't know how much she spent.. I'm now having to ... dare I say it... budget.

Oh well... all for a good cause. 

One of my attempts to do that is to cut in areas that I don't need. This weekend I went to Michaels to get some fake flowers. I know... I hate fake flowers, but I had to cut the fresh flowers by my bedside table out of my budget.. sigh.

I've also been buying James' clothes off of the Clearance rack. Which, in all honesty, I'm not sure why it's clearanced in the first place? I bought him some cute little jeans and cargo pants... they will only last him a few months anyway. Man, he's growing fast.

Well, I think I'm finally spending within a good limit... at least my mint.com account will like me better. Although, it already got mad at me this month. I spent a little too much with my tithe. Not too much, but more than I budgeted for at least. The thing is... whenever I give back to God, He always seems to provide me with what I need. This month He has more than provided everything back. 

He's amazing in how He works!

It was so much spending time with Steph and the girls. Plus I got to meet her new boyfriend, Evan :o) He such a sweet heart... and his friend Ernie, a funny, sweet guy, plus Ernie's stepdaughter, Corinne, the most wonderful girl I have ever met.

(Oh, and how can I forget Coco, Ernie's adorable dog... and Brooklyn, Evan's dog, who I don't think is fond of me, but I get that a lot from little dogs?)

We ate hamburgers, yum, while Corinne sang. I honestly thought it was a song off the radio, but after Ernie explained it was something she made up! I was so impressed. She has amazing skills as a lyric artist and a wonderful voice. 

She watched after Kyra the entire time. That's a picture of her making sure Kyra doesn't run off. Silly little Kyra. 

Corinne and Phoenix got to go on the aero space swingy thing... which made me think of barfing, lol. I'm getting old. Ernie bought us all candy apples. (Mine was a fudge-dipped one... amazing.)

Let's see, I think James had a good time too. He spent most of the time bundled up in the stroller... it was cold up there. That's Coco in the picture with him.

Maybe we'll go back and cut down a tree this year :o) But for now, it was a really great day full of great memories.

At least I won't end up eating all of them :o)

This time, not so much.

I sat for weeks trying to figure out what kind of cupcakes to make. I've been dying to try my hand at some Matcha Green Tea icing, but didn't think they were "fall" enough for the time of year. So, I picked Pumpkin. I should have thought this through. I don't like pumpkin pie to begin with, so no bueno to start. 

I decided to pair it with a chocolate cream cheese frosting... sounds good, I know. That's what I thought too. I think the problem was that it was a bit too over powering for the pumpkin. I didn't know this about pumpkin, but it's kinda blah. I topped it off with some cinnamon, but that still didn't seem to help. (They make for cute pictures though :0)

Oh well.

My next attempt is to make some cupcakes I really like (but still experimental, of course)... Maybe some Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Cayenne Pepper Frosting.

Can you tell I hate chocolate?

I have recently read multiple articles about babies at 23 weeks (or around that age) and the parents who have them. The common theme at this stage is 'bedtime'. It goes over ways to cope with lack of sleep or how you should begin putting your baby to bed while they are still awake but sleepy.

At risk of jinxing myself, I gave a little chuckle.

James has been sleeping through the night for months. It's as if he understands how important sleep is to the both of us. (Or the little guy is just nice enough to give his single mom a break.) Our bedtime routine consists of reading 'The Hungry Caterpillar', occasionally a little formula and putting the little bear in his crib (with socks on his hands because it gets so cold at night). He usually falls asleep around 10pm (within minutes of putting him down).

He is such a wonderful little guy.

Don't get me wrong. He does have random nights every blue moon where I hold him to quiet him down and get him to bed, but even then, there is still no crying ... just a fussy little bear rubbing his tired little eyes.

Oh James, you make it so easy to cuddle and love you (... but since you're like me, I understand, you enjoy your space sometimes :o)

My only worry is for the next kid who may cry in their crib or stay up all night. I'm not even going to know what to do with them...

Her and my dad are in Hawaii. (Don't even get me started.) So, I didn't want to call her. Even though most of their time has been spent hanging out in their hotel room because my dad is sick. (Oh look, I am getting started.) I offered to go in his place... he should have stayed home to get better... but whatever.

So, I emailed her to ask her for the recipe for Scout Corn. It's a family Thanksgiving favorite... or so I thought. All of these years, lol.

I sent my mom the email. The subject read "Scout Corn" (because even though I never understood why it was called that, I figured it was one of those Ohio things I'd never understand). My mom said she sat at her computer for hours trying to figure out what I was talking about. It took her a day to respond before she burst out laughing. 

You mean "Scalloped Corn"?

(Lol.... In my defense, the Ohio accent has always thrown me off. It took me years to figure out that electricity started with an "e" and is not pronounced "lectricity".)

The rest of her email explains what scalloped corn is. (Hey, lady, being the cook in the family, I know what scalloped stuff is. Now, it makes much more sense :o)

So, here it is. A comfort food favorite... Scalloped/Scout Corn

(I may just keep the name for a good laugh)

1 Can of Creamed Corn

Soda Crackers

2 Eggs

Pepper to taste

Mix it all together. The more crackers you put in, the thicker the dish will be, so it depends on your liking. It should be a bit runny because you throw it in the oven to bake. (I don't know 350?) I know, I'm horrible at this recipe giving. I'm one of those people that doesn't follow them and adds my own things in. 

For example, I've been on this spicy craving, so I might put in a little cayenne pepper in to give it a kick. Plus, I love cheese, so I might put in some Cheddar to make this better.. ha ha. Even some bread crumbs on top would make this dish a little fancy. Some people put in onions and others add in whole kernels as well. I would also think that if you used milk, it would make it creamier.

The corn is like stuffing, so it should be done when a toothpick comes out clean.

My sister, the vegetarian, loves this dish at Thanksgiving. It's one of the few things at the table that doesn't use meat.

Enjoy!

Nope.

I got turned away... a lot. I had to even be persistent. I called multiple kitchens (who, by the way, not all serve Thanksgiving Day meals? Isn't this your focus, your mission... feed the hungry especially on the one day a year that America promotes big meals?) Anyways, I finally got someone with the Salvation Army. I got transferred three times and then had to call another number, but got through.

I told her my sob story. I let her know it's my son's first Thanksgiving and he's spending it with his dad. So, I wanted to volunteer to give back and focus on something else for that day. She agreed... said she was full, but would take one more person (maybe two if I had a friend). 

I'm in!

Woo-hoo! I get to help! This is turning out to be a busy month... an exciting month. I have always loved volunteering. The odd thing is this. I never found the time until now... after I had a kid, lol. In a way, James has helped find the time do the things I have always wanted to do. By not being able to be with him all the time, I have focused my energy on keeping busy with other things I love... and since cupcakes are expensive, wasteful (I have no one to give them to), and hard on the waistline, my next best hobby is giving back.. it's free!

Goals this month. 

1. Every Thursday I'm heading to a local coffee shop to talk with Iraqi refugees. Skyline set something up to help these ESL students practice real conversations. (I just hope they don't walk away saying "dude", lol.)

2. Design the handouts for Skyline's move (flyers, signs, slides, etc.). We have a new location.

3. Volunteer at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. (check)

4. Make Thanksgiving dinner with sister and dad on Friday after (maybe we should go out to eat instead?).

5. Make a sale. (Oh, it's my white whale.)

6. Get my mint.com account to like me (I always seem to be in the red with that guy). What can I say, I'm a giver.

7. Make sure James' dad doesn't dress him in a turkey outfit. (They will both thank me later.)

8. Figure out a Christmas budget.

9. Find James a doctor we all love.

10. Relax. (It is the holidays after all.)

11. Oh and make Scout Corn for the Terricina Gold Apartment Complex's Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday before... Almost forgot.

Ha ha! We had a wonderful time together that I am so excited for next year. I cannot wait to actually dress him up and take him around to show off his little costume. I was even going to attempt to sew it next year. We'll see :o) 

This year we handed out candy.. although sadly only got one group of 7 kids... needless to say, we have a lot of left over candy. I think more and more families are taking their children down a safer route. A friend of mine took her kids to a church gathering. That sounds fun.

So with another holiday past, we are looking forward to more. Next stop, Christmas... oh wait, I mean Thanksgiving... it's so confusing when the stores are celebrating early. 

We have so much in store this month. I'll keep you updated as we go along :o)