One day I'll have something to write about....

This has been a very odd week. I feel like I have so little to write about, because my life suddenly feels like it is without much fresh exciting things to report. Eat, sleep, work, rub belly, question can I really do this, repeat.
So much soon will be new, maybe I should enjoy this sedentary pace. I am happy and I am excited. But I am also sick of this new body already, worrying about how we will deal with ALL of this and stressing over who I am going to become. I've always wanted kids, but have never looked forward to being pregnant. It some ways it has been very different from what I expected. I have this whole new gratitude to my parents. I feel more "grown up" and less selfish. But I also feel less strong, less sexy and much more vulnerable. My confidence has been replaced by gnawing fears that other people seem to keep planting in my head.
We have been doing our best to pay off bills, save up money, going out to eat together, sleeping in and soaking up the quietness of an empty house. I think we are both ready for someone else to show up here and make life even more interesting.

Inexpensive cusine- Pastys

This is a really easy, very cheap and filling meal! It is a traditional Finnish dish and can be made easily for a family of two or twelve! It is a great way to get non veggie lovers to eat some veggies and non meat lovers to eat some meat. It has really been a hit in our house! If you are making this for 4 people, this is the measurements I would use, but they are not exact, so feel free to add more or less of an item. If making for more people, simply double or triple the recipe. I bet they freeze okay too!

1. Mix 1 1/2 to 2 lbs ground turkey or hamburger with some chopped veggies -celery (about 3 stalks), carrots (2 large ones peeled), a medium onion and a couple peeled chopped potatoes in a bowl. Add 1 half of a rutabaga peeled and shredded. (Even if you don't think you like it- add it! It adds a ton of flavor and cooks down to nothing!) salt and pepper mixture to taste. Mix by hand.


2. Roll out ready made pie crust and cut in half. (If you want to make your own crust go for it- but I don't have time for that!) Put a good handful of the meat mixture on one half and fold over like a small calzone. Seal the edges and poke air holes to vent.


3. Place on greased cookie sheet or glass dish and bake @ 375 degrees for apox 1 hour or until golden brown and meat is cooked through. Is great served with Ketchup!! Enjoy!

You will be surprised how much filling this makes! If you have more filling then crust, you can bake the leftovers like a meatloaf.

****PICS TO FOLLOW ****

I don't care if I live in Maine.... I still don't like it!

While it seems like the rest of the world is watching for budding trees and blossoms, greening grass and mud season, somehow here in Maine we have regressed back into winter!

We are in the 8" to 12" area...... you have GOT to be kidding me!

(Credit to News Channel 13 for their snowmap...)

10-11-11 at 12:00

Due to medical issues I have had in the past, the decision was made before I even got pregant that I would need to deliver via C-Section. At first I was sad about this, it didn't fit into how I "expected" to bring my baby into the world. But quickly, I got over it. Now that I am pregnant, I am very comfortable with the idea of it. At my last doctors appointment, they sceduled me in for my delivery. Our little one will be arriving Oct 11, 2011 around 12 noon! Pretty neat, seeing how we don't even know what we are having yet :) In honor of my little "11" baby, I thought it would be fun to share 11 things about me. (Also, I really have nothing else to share today!)

1. I've been with my husband for 12 years, married for 2. We have never broken up-even for a night.


2. I have a younger sister who is a emergency room RN. I on the other hand pass out at the very thought of a needle. (I am being a trooper during all this pregnancy blood work though!)


3. My parents are still married and so are my husbands parents. We don't know a whole lot of people that can say that.


4. When I was a kid my parents worked hard to be able to allow us to travel the world. I have been to Germany, Portugal, Canada and all over the USA.


5. My wedding day was an absolute comedy of errors. Pretty much EVERYTHING went wrong. But he is perfect and the day was one of the best ever despite it all!


6. My sister bought the house right next door to me and my husband. It really is fun and unique- great if you need a friend, an egg or an extra oven at thanksgiving! Plus we have great backyard parties!


7. My grandmother once dated the actor who played Boss Hogg on the original Dukes of Hazzard TV show!


8. I graduated high school in 3 years because I hated every moment of it. Now I look bad and maybe it wasnt that bad.


9. I wanted to be a detective as a kid. Now I sell energy products and appliances. Boring!


10. I'm really nervous and scared about becoming a parent! Not so much that I'll mess the kid up, but that I will be able to handle and afford all of it!


11. I've never had a hamburger from a fast food resturant in my whole life!

TGIF

You can't see the dogs eyes but he is sound asleep with the tablecloth covering most of his face.

Hiding from the world that (I imagine even for a dog) has it's days.

I've felt like this too all week, ol' boy.

Thank heavens for weekends.

Inexpensive gourmet - French Lemon Creme Chicken

I love to be a creative cook on a low budget. Here's one of my favorite recipes that you can alter to fit whats in your cupboard.

Lemon Creme Chicken

• cut and pound thin boneless chicken breast (could use any cut)
• combine plain breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese (I use the cheap kind- works just fine) S & P. Dredge chicken in mixture.
• Melt 3 tbsp (give or take depending on how much chicken you use) butter in fry pan and transfer chicken, until golden brown

• Remove chicken and transfer to oven safe dish. Reduce pan heat.
  
• Add to the same pan the chicken was in, lemon juice (about 2 tbsp), zest of lemon to taste (if you like more lemon flavor) a splash of your favorite white wine (apox 3 tbsps or to taste) s&p, and 1 tbsp butter (unless there was some butter left in there from the chicken. Heat on medium until mixed well, making sure to get all those good drippings up from the chicken.


• Add 3/4 cup half and half (or go big and use cream) and heat till warm. Dump over chicken and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 for apox 25 mins or until browned and chicken is cooked through.

• Serve with orzo, buttered noodles or potatoes. Finish with a side of green beans. Enjoy!

making the nest

Pretty soon this kid is going to have everything he or she needs and then some. I have been saying "yes please!" to anyone who has something to give me. So far we have all major furniture covered and well on our way to piles of the cutest toys, books and clothing. My mom has even given me stuff that was mine that stayed in perfect condition. It's pretty neat to go through all my old baby clothes! This handmade outfit was mine as a baby and it is still in perfect condition!

I have decided that boy or girl, I want the room to be a blend of new and old, worn and perfect, country and comfort. I'm thinking somewhere along a log cabin theme. Teddy bears, rustic and charming. The walls are very light yellow with white trim and soon to be dark wood floors. I am working on a quilt that is navy, cream, mustard & maroon and have a matching new 100% cotton braided rug to go over the wood floors. So far the furniture is quite a mix, but I prefer that. We have a display shelf of our old childhood toys that are far from baby's reach. I don't want the room to look like a page ripped out of a baby catalog, rather it be a place that has already "rich in history" surroundings.