Just Jackson

This past Saturday Brennan attended a birthday party for a girl in his class. This was the first time only Brennan had been invited to a party and the first time I left him alone. The mother said it was up to me whether I stayed or went, but that there would be numerous adults there, both family and those who worked at the farm (how much fun is that? a b.day at a farm in the fall...perfect!) and were assisting with the party. After much debate, Bart and I decided he could go alone.

So, that left Jackson...who knows what a birthday party is and knew he was not able to go. We asked him what he wanted to do and his reply was "Go GOFIN!" (go golfing). So, off to putt-putt for 45 minutes of fun and games.

Jack is actually a pretty decent golfer...for teeing off, that is. Then, as the ball lands very close to the hole, where any person over the age of 5 would probably be able to knock it in for two strokes total...Jackson turns into a maniac. He goes round and round and round the hole, never quite getting it in, even when it is on the brink of doing so.

Luck for us, the putt-putt place was not busy, no one else was on our course, and we were able to let Jack play as he pleased, while serious putt-putter Bart played after Jackson.

The funniest part of the event? When Jackson REFUSED to let his ball go into #18...he KNEW that meant the fun and games were over and it was time to go home. With a little coaxing, he finally dropped the ball in, but cried as he did so.

I am glad we had an opportunity to have alone time with Jackson and both parents. It's one thing to hang out with him during the school day, but another when it is just Jackson and his Mommy and Daddy...I highly recommend everyone taking one kid at a time out on a "date"...well worth the $5 we paid for 45 minutes of putt-putt.

Baby Sophie Pictures

For lots of pictures of cutie pie Sophie Leigh (BTW...Leigh is MY middle name, so she is named after ME...she has large shoes to fill!) go to Jeni's blog. Make sure you leave her a comment or two.

Fall? Really? It's really here?

I was at first a little leery to believe autumn had arrived.
Sure, some trees were turning orange and yellow, and a few leaves were on the ground, but the temperatures were still in the 80's as the high...hard to believe fall is here when you need the A/C (that is a hard statement for a southern girl like me to type...in LA you almost always need the A/C).
Last fall was lovely. Cool temperatures, trips to the park, jackets in the morning but not the afternoon, pumpkin painting play dates, etc, etc. I really enjoyed this season those not in the South call "Autumn". It was my first time (since moving to LA in 1988 or so) to really experience this odd season.
Now I am hooked.
When I saw that weather.com has the ten day forecast with no temperatures over 72, I got excited.
So excited, in fact, that this morning (before going to the park to enjoy Brennan's day off of school and this gorgeously crisp weather) I pulled out all the boys cool weather things and had them start trying the things I'd bought on sale or thought might still fit from last year.
Wherever you are, I hope you have a pleasant autumn, too. And I hope fall is a long, leisurely season...leaving little time for winter to ravage the land.

Welcome Sophia Leigh

Sophia Leigh decided to be born this morning at 2:36 a.m. (9/26). Jeni got to the hospital at 2, had no time for an epidural, and delivered Sophie while Trent paced the halls with Brooklyn...Jeni's labor was so fast that they were unable to get Brooklyn to anyone, so Trent did what he had to do while Jeni did the same.

Jeni is at Baton Rouge General (by the Mall of LA) and would love visitors. Maybe you guys could give her a party or something...make her feel good, since she was all alone during labor/delivery. When Jeni told me that I just cried. If only I'd been down the street, like I was before we moved.

Sophia Leigh's stats:
Weight: 7 lbs. 14 (or 18?) oz.
Height: 18 (or 19?) inches
has a head full of dark blonde (or brown?) hair

Stay tuned for pictures.

Opposites Attract

I have two great little boys. They really and truly bless our lives each day. However, it occurred to me the other day just how different these two little monsters (this is not a negative term, in our house, it is an honor to be a monster...trust me) really are.

• Yesterday I took Jack to the doctor (again). Jack walked in, stepped on the scale, and even let Dr. Walters examine his flaming diaper rash with little to no tears. (He has perirectum strep and needs antibiotics...definitely TMI) If this were Bren at the same age (almost 2.5), it would have taken me, Bart, and a nurse or two to hold him down so the doctor could have a very quick look. Really...when Bren got pink eye at age 3, it took that many people (replace Bart with my dad, though) to hold Bren still long enough for the doctor to say, "Yep, it's pink eye".
• Brennan loves chocolate milk. He has since the first time we allowed him to have a taste. He'll drink white milk, too, but for about a year, the only milk he'd drink was chocolate. Jack, on the other hand, will only drink white milk. Do not give him chocolate milk or he will cry as if you have betrayed him.
  
• Jackson is a walking accident. I honestly don't know how we have not wound up in the E.R. yet. Brennan, on the other hand, did not even have a scrapped knee until he was 3.5 years old! Does that make Jack more daring? Yes, you better believe it does.
• Brennan is a picky eater. We have been fighting (and winning!) this battle for about a year and a half, after I finally decided enough was enough. We still occasionally have to "force" him to eat five bites of each food on his plate, but he is getting better about it. Jackson, on the other hand, devours his entire plate and will often eat whatever is left on Brennan's as well.

Even though they are so different (I mean, look at them...Brennan has blue eyes where Jack has brown...how could you be more different?), they are so alike, too. They both love each other, and their parents, with a fierceness. They watch out for each other and play together and help each other out. They love to play games with Mommy or Daddy and they both LOVE to watch DVD's of home videos. These two are perfect for each other. When Brennan started school, Jackson was so sad that he just sat around, looking kind of lost, for days. Now Jack asks to go get Bren as soon as he wakes up from his nap every day.

I'm so thankful they have each other. I hope when Fat Baby arrives, that the love will spread to include him as well. It will be interesting to see if they stay close as they grow up, or if they will drift apart, as sometimes happens in life. I know I've drifted from my brother, Jason, and that makes me so sad. I really would like to have a relationship with him, but I am just not sure how to go about that. He's so far away, and his life is so different then mine. Maybe one day I will figure out a way how to re-unite.

How to Host A My Favorite Things Party

Last Friday was the "Second Annual My Favorite Things" party here. It was a blast and everyone had a good time. Now I keep getting asked, "What is a My Favorite Things party and what do you do to host one?"

Well, the idea of a My Favorite Things party for me began here, with Lexi and her great friends in New Orleans. Be sure you read not only her post, but the comments, too, because that might answer some questions/gives a few ideas.

So...what do you do?

First, each person buys X number of the exact same item. Here in NE, we chose 3, Lexi's party was 5. Make sure you pick a price limit, something everyone will be able to afford (both parties chose $5 as the limit). For the sake of this post, we will just use 3. So, if you love Starbucks, you might buy 3 $5 gift cards there. Or, if you love Pez candies, buy $5 worth of 3 candies/dispensers.

Next, wrap each of your identical gifts up. It's fun if the wrapping is exactly the same for all your gifts.

Third, invite over all your friends and instruct them to do the same as you did for #1 and #2. Then get ready for the party.

As each guest arrives, have her write her name on separate sheets of paper 3 times (or however many gifts you chose to have them bring) and put them all in the same bowl.

After mingling, snacks (we all brought our favorite desserts to the last MFT party...yum!), and chit-chat, it's time to get down to the purpose of the party...the gifts.

Start at one corner and work your way around the room, having each lady draw 3 names from the bowl. If she draws her own name or 1 name 2 times, just draw again. If the last woman draws her own name or 1 name twice, just have her trade with someone around her.

Return to the person who drew first, have her get the 3 gifts she brought, and give them to the 3 names she drew. As these 3 women open their gifts, have the giver explain why this is her favorite item.

Everyone goes home with 3 different things then she brought with her.

I have hosted/attended the same party with the same concept and same women two times and the second time was just as fun as the first! Also, you could do a themed party, such as "My Favorite Christmas Things" or "My Favorite Spa Things" or "My Favorite Book" (might just want to do 1 book each, so you could buy a nicer book).




**A fun idea for the hostess is to pick up a few extra goodies and have a door prize or play a few "getting to know you" games. Everyone loves to learn new facts about their friends, and this is a great way to get them thinking and win a prize in the process. I think one game we played at the party I hosted was "2 truths and a lie"...I don't remember how we chose a winner, but it was fun to figure out if Kris really had two dates to the prom, had killed a deer, or had been accepted at Harvard but turned it down to go to LSU.

My Favorite Things (Mom's Night IN)

Another Mom's Night IN, another My Favorite Things Party...this one even better then the last.

Why, you might ask? Because this wasn't at my house so I had no pressure, just fun!

Kris was a great hostess and the evening was a success.

But really, how can you mess up with LOTS of desserts, friends, and conversation?

Some of my friends favorite things? socks, coffee, candles, energy drinks, pez, cookies, ranch dressing, and lotions.

What would you give if you had to pick one thing that cost $5 and is considered "your favorite thing"?

Note: my favorite thing (pina colada mix {delish!} and card making kit) are not pictured b/c I was too lazy to go buy a cute bag for them...my excuse? I was "going green". he, he.

A Tag

I am: about to take Bren to kindergarten
I think: the weatherman was wrong when he said no rain today!
I know: I need to mop the floors
I want: no debt, a new dishwasher, and to be able to sleep comfortably (darn belly)
I have: friends, family, and happiness (usually)
I dislike: mushrooms and vomit
I miss: Jamie girl, Louisiana friends/family
I fear: Bart's MS
I feel: excited that today is the first day of Fall!
I hear: rain (the door is open), Curious George
I smell: rain and a hint of jambalaya from dinner last night
I crave: Little Debbies, but she can't live at my house
I cry: when I am overly tired and start thinking of all the bad that's happened
I usually: only fold/put away laundry once a week
I search: for the perfect fabric to make a few accessories for Fat Baby's nursery
I wonder: what Fat Baby's name will be...Ethan???
I regret: not encouraging Bart to finish school years ago
I wish: I had bought a house right by Bren's school, not 1/2 a mile away
I love: my boys (Bart included as a boy), scrapbooking, and cooler weather
I care: about keeping my family safe and happy
I always: blog once a day
I worry: about my children's future, the economy, and not having enough
I am not: perfect
I remember: how much I hated winter, and now it is almost here again
I believe: that Heavenly Father can answer prayers
I sing:
I don't always: like the people I am around
I argue: that things are okay
I write: on my blog and on myomahamommies.com all the time!
I win: a great husband
I lose: the battle with weeds
I listen: to my children. They have so much to say.
I don't understand: why Bart's job is so hard for him right now
I can usually be found: napping :)
I need: to put up the dishes, to have Fat Baby a week or two early, and to go eat breakfast
I forget: almost all movies I see, and I never remember song lyrics
I am happy: that I have a healthy family and that I am close to the end of the pregnancy

Now I tag: Jeni C., Melissa, and Whitney

National Talk Like A Pirate Day

Pirates are a big deal around our house. Peter Pan is often in the DVD player, eye patches and hooks are the norm to be found abandoned after play, and the Little People Pirate Ship is never put away because it is used too much.

Well, today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day...
So, ARRR Mateys, how ye' be plannin' on celebratin' the day?
Me, well, I might just go to the 2008 Midlands Pirate Festival...aren't you jealous? If my skippers are well behaved, I might bring them along.

Maybe Cap't Jack (actually he's first mate, according to Cap't Bren), will be inspired enough to change his current Halloween costume dreams of a monster to a pirate...a pirate costume will be so much easier to create, don't you think?

Baby Shower Gift Idea

http://fashionablefabrications.blogspot.com/

Want a unique baby gift without breaking the bank? Check out Brandy's amazing stuff.

Or, need photo cards, announcements, or invitations...GO CHECK HER OUT!

Brandy is a SAHM trying to help contribute to the household income. She'd love your business and is so crafty there is no reason NOT to give it to her. Tell her I told you about it (or Jamie girl, either of us will work).

Fire Drill at Wal-Mart?

Today I finally remembered to go to Wal-Mart to pick up some Lantiseptic for Jack's flaming rear end. There just really is no better diaper rash cream, in my opinion. (this product can only be found behind the counter, smells like an old man, and is a miracle cream)

While there, I decided to go ahead and get the few things we were running low on (eggs, milk, bread, Lucky Charms...the usual) and a b.day present for a friend of Bren.

Jack was behaving himself, thanks in part to the doll I let him bring with him in the basket that he found interesting during our search for a girl b.day present (hairbows and a My Little Pony...sound okay?) and I was almost done when a siren starts to go off in the store. I pause, look around, and wait and see if anyone else heads to the front of the store.

No one does.

Okay, so is the store testing it's alarm? Did the deli catch fire as they dropped some delicious chicken stripes in to fry? Was someone trying to see if they could steal something by pulling an alarm? What is going on?

No one came over the intercom.

I continued shopping.

UNTIL...overly upset Wal-Mart associate comes charging at me yelling, "There's a fire! Get out!" WHAT?!?!?!

I asked why they were not announcing on the loud speaker that there was a fire and we needed to exit. I mean, seriously, fire alarms don't really go off in W.M. The front door "somebody forgot to deactivate your stuff" alarm, sure, but fire? Not really.

Anyways, because the lady was so upset, I figured I should make my way to the front of the store. Along the way, I passed abandoned baskets and people looking confused. A group of shoppers stood around, questioning what was going on. I told them I wasn't sure but we better head to the front of the store or the crazy worker would come "get us".

We all head towards the front...I've made it to produce...and the announcement finally comes over the load speaker...

"Associates and shoppers, please disregard this alarm as it is a drill to test the system. Thank you."

They couldn't have announced that five minutes before? Before crazy associate tells me there's fire? Before all those people abandoned their baskets and went outside?

Good thing Bren wasn't with me. He would probably never set foot in a Wal-Mart again, because he'd be scared of it happening again and the loud noises and the crazy lady.

Jack, though...he just played with the doll.



You know, I just thought of something. This is the W.M. I am "banned" from (by Bart)...something crazy happens almost every time I go there. Why should I be surprised that a fire alarm was tested while I was there? Seems to be my norm for that store.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bren has a bake sale tomorrow as part of the Open House for his school. I, being the amazing mommy that I am (having a Martha Moment here), volunteered to bake some cookies...only 2 dozen, though, because I knew I'd want a few to hang around the house for the Fat Baby and I to consume.
Jack wanted to help when he heard the word "Cookies" this morning, but of course, and I was leary. Bren was never a great baker's assistant, getting ingredients everywhere as he stirs, and Jack is not even 2.5 years old yet...2 reasons to be nervous. But, because I was feeling like a bad mommy for letting him watch a bit of t.v while I cleaned up, I answered the pleas of "Hel uou plezz Mama?" with a hesitant "Yes".
Turns out...Jack is a GREAT assistant. He put the butter back in the fridge, threw away trash, and gently stirred, not letting one drop leave the bowl. He and I might just have a great team forming here...cookies and cakes of the world...watch out!

Back to the cookies...the recipe is great, easy, and fast. Thanks K.J. for sharing it with me when we moved here. We love it and if there are no peanut allergies in your family, you might just love it, too.


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Melt 2/3 c. butter/margarine in a big bowl. Add 1 cup each of brown and white sugar.
Stir.
Add 2 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla, 2/3 c. peanut butter, 1 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. soda.
Stir.
Add 2 1/2 c. flour.
Stir.
Add about 1/2 a bag of chocolate chips...unlike c.c. cookies, you do NOT want too many chips.

Drop by the spoonfuls (I use a cookie scoop and LOVE it, it came from W.M. and was a cheap/much loved purchase...all my cookies come out very uniform.) onto a baking sheet. I don't grease mine, but the instructions say to...so it's up to you...I'm just a lazy rebel.
Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cool on wire racks (or just the counter if you don't have one, but I recommend buying at least one wire rack. I think even Dollar Tree's carry those).
I suggest mixing by hand, b/c that is what the directions told me and I didn't rebel against this...I have never used a mixer to make them, so I don't know what horrible fate the cookies will have if you use one, but you might not want to chance fate. And besides, it is a very creamy batter, so it isn't that hard to mix by hand...work that arm muscle lady!

Maybe Instead of...

Maybe instead of Molly Mormon VS. _____, I can go with Martha Vs. Maxine...brilliant idea D.A. Make things a bit more universal for everyone.

NE Ink

Jack has been obsessed with tattoos since he got a few fake ones that would not go away at a party in August. When I finally wiped them away with baby oil, he cried and cried, asking "Where my tah-ttoooo go?"
He still asks this question from time to time when he sees his arm, and the tats have been gone for at least a month.
A great friend, D.A. (the one who inspired the basement clean up :-), brought some over for Jack and both boys had a blast picking out which they wanted last night. Bart had a blast applying those slippery things and I had a blast taking pictures.
All in all, a good, wholesome family fun night of getting tattoos and watching America's Funniest Videos.
Jack wound up with 6 and Bren picked 2.
Man, it sure is going to be hard to teach these two to choose the right! Nah, they're such babies when it comes to real pain....they'd faint in about five seconds of starting.

Nesting? Or Just Tired of the Rat's Nest?

D.A....this post is for you!

Friday evening a friend and her children came by to drop off some adorable baby booties and tattoos for Jack (more on the tats tomorrow).
Bren took the kids on a tour of THE ENTIRE HOUSE! At least it was "kind of clean"...right? Wrong.
The basement looked as if it had been in a war, and in a way, it had...the war on clutter.
See, I throw whatever the boys misplace down the steps before company comes, which used to be fine, except that the basement door is off its hinges (long story) and there is no way to hide the clutter.
So, after being totally embarrassed at having my secret exposed, it was time to take action.
Saturday morning the boys went down to the basement and did not emerge until every item they possibly wanted to keep was put away, properly (or as close to it as a two year old can get). I had been feeling like the basement needed a good cleaning for a week or so, but I just didn't have the energy to do it myself and I wasn't motivated enough to get the boys to do it, until they shared my little Mischievous Mormon secret with the world.
I even straighten up my craft corner while I referred the boys.
Now, we are all able to enjoy a nice, clutter free basement.
And it only took about one hour to get it that way.

D.A.....why don't you come on over, and bring E. with you? There is now plenty of room to play Geo-Trax, or even dodge ball, as the boys and Bart discovered this afternoon.

Hope It Runs In The Family...

My cousin making a great tackle this weekend at his high school game.
Wonder if being athletic runs in the family? It sure skipped me, but maybe it skipped right into the boys.

Pampered Chef Online Catalog Party

This is my last plug for my online Pampered Chef Party. I know many of you are still recovering from having to scavenge for food while having no electricity due to Hurricane Gustav and just don't have the budget for it. Heck, I don't have the budget for it. I just bought a new battery for the car ($100) and now my electric window won't roll up (it just makes a sad whining noise when I try...at least I was able to pull it up before the rains came)

But, if you are interested...time is running out.

And thanks to those of you who were able to/wanted to order.

I was held hostage...

This evening I was held hostage, along with a 5 year old and 2 year old for one hour and 45 minutes in the car. In the rain. With no dinner. And no distractions (the batteries on the DS died about ten minutes into the hostage situation)

Then my husband calls back (he'd called at 5, as I pulled into work's drive, to say there was a little problem and he'd be 15 minutes or so).

"So, why don't you go on home and I'll call when this problem is finally fixed?" (he's at work and we're waiting.)

Oh, the joys of a one car family.

Hurricane Bren

"Mom, look, the hurricane is leaving Louisiana alone and it came to us."

"hnn?"

"See, it's raining, so LA is okay now."

And he goes out to play in the hurricane in NE.


I think we should watch those weather reports only when the kid is asleep from now on.

Welcome To Moe's

I really love Moe's. I mean, if given the choice between somewhere delicious, like Ruth's Chris, and Moe's...I'd have to say Moe's would win.

When we moved, we found a Moe's W...A...Y across town, but willingly made the drive (about 10 miles one way). Then...IT CLOSED DOWN! The nerve of those people.

Talk about one depressed set of taste buds.

Last Friday, as I sat scrapbooking with some friends at Precious Treasures, S. walks in with...a Moe's cup and a box of nachos! I immediately stop all activity and focus on her.

I don't want to seem overly excited over some nachos, but I ask S., "So, where'd you get those nachos?"

S. "Moe's in B."

Me "There's a Moe's in B.????? I HAD NO IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I get directions and start plotting when I could go. As a matter of fact, it was hard to concentrate that night on scrapping. The next day, when I return to scrap, I discover S.'s cup from last night in my place...teasing me of what I have wanted but could not have.

That day we discussed the numerous other rolled burrito places in town, but in my opinion, none are as good as Moe's, or Izzos...neither of which exist in this sorry excuse of a town (if you had a Moe's and a Cane's, I'd change my tune.)

Fast forward to Wednesday: Moe's is not close...as in, it is 22 miles from my front door and you have to pass through several small towns before you get to it. But as it poured down rain, we fought rush hour traffic so we could partake (as a family) of Joey Bag of Donuts, John Coctosain, Moo Moo Mr. Cow, and Mini Masterpiece. I was just about as excited as a kid at Christmas when we parked...when I saw that it was 0.99 kids night...I literally started yelling and bouncing around in the car (imagine, pregnant me, bouncing). Both boys looked at me oddly, but went along with it.

Needless to say, it was as delicious as I knew it would be. Every.single.bite.

I took pictures, of course, but because I forgot my camera, they are locked in cell phone hell...if I figure out how to get them out, I'll share those with you, too.

Help, Please

Remember this? Well, I never came up with a great name to counteract the Molly Mormon name.
Why don't you all make your brains weary and come up with something great for me, so on days that I am oh-so-NOT a M.M. I can just refer to myself as ____.
Thanks.

Good Form

Big Daddy's new work team has "team building activities" from time to time. Wednesday they did lunch and bowling at Thunder Alley.
Wish I'd been on a team like that when I taught school...

ARrrrrr, Matey...

Notice...the mess behind the boy...nope, not laundry...it's the glider rocker catch all! So far it's caught: a HUGE c.d. case, extension cord, GAK, laundry bag, my "cute" purse, two pictures for the nursery...it's my alter ego coming out.

Bread Bowl Artichoke Dip...great for a football party

Another recipe brought to you by Pampered Chef...don't you just love their products???

Bread Bowl Artichoke Dip
Baked and served in a bread bowl, this rich, flavor-packed dip is perfect for your next party.
Ingredients
2 16-oz sourdough bread rounds
(about 6-in. diameter), divided
Vegetable oil
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup milk
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts in water, drained
1 1.4-oz envelope or one 1.8-oz box
(2 envelopes) vegetable soup mix
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 lemon
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 450°F. Using Color Coated Bread Knife, slice off top of one bread round to create a lid; set lid aside. Carefully remove center of bread round to form a 4½-inch-wide and
2-inch-deep well for dip. Slice center of first and entire second bread round into 1-in. cubes. Place bread bowl on center of Large Round Stone with Handles. Arrange bread cubes around bowl; spray with vegetable oil using Kitchen Spritzer.

In Classic Batter Bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth using Stainless Whisk. Add milk to cream cheese; whisk until smooth. Chop artichokes using Food Chopper. Add artichokes, soup mix and garlic pressed with Garlic Press to batter bowl; mix well using Small Mix ’N Scraper®. Microwave on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until hot (do not boil). Juice lemon using Juicer to measure 2 tbsp juice. Stir juice and sour cream into hot artichoke mixture; pour into bread bowl.

If desired, grate Parmesan cheese over bread bowl and bread cubes using Rotary Grater. Lean lid against bread bowl. Bake 13-15 minutes or until bread cubes and top of dip are golden brown. Remove from oven; serve immediately.
Yield: 12 servings

Molly Mormon Strikes Again!

I did it...I joined the PTA. I probably did it because it was only $5, but I'd have done it if it was $10, too. :)

Can you be any more Molly then that? Well, I guess I could have run for president.

In other news...Big Brother's principal moonlights as a lunch lady...he was at the PTA meeting with me (Big Daddy had a temple date) and saw Ms. Miller. He said, "That's my principal, and she works in the cafeteria, too." He hasn't caught on to the whole "lunch duty" thing teachers and staff have to do just yet.

Bananas and Creme Crepes

A great Pampered Chef recipe to try when you buy some great stuff from my show (see side bar to order)

Banana & Cream Cheese Crepes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
3 eggs
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Fillings

1 orange
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 bananas
Chocolate-flavored syrup

Directions:
1. In Small Batter Bowl, combine flour and salt. Add milk, eggs and butter, whisking until smooth using Stainless Steel Whisk.

2. Lightly spray Small Saute Pan with vegetable oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Heat pan over medium heat until hot. For each crepe, pour a scant 1/4 cup batter into pan. Immediately tilt pan so uncooked portions flow to open areas of pan. Cook about 30 seconds or until lightly browned. Loosen edge of crepe with Classic Scraper; turn and continue cooking until lightly browned. Stack crepes between sheets of wax paper until ready to use.

3. Zest orange with Lemon Zester/Scorer to measure 1 tablespoon zest. Juice orange using Juicer to measure 3 tablespoons juice. Beat cream cheese and zest. Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.

4. When ready to serve, cut bananas in half crosswise; cut each half lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips. Toss bananas in orange juice. For each crepe, place about 1/3 cup banana mixture in center of crepe. Top with 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture; fold sides over cream cheese mixture. Drizzle with chocolate-flavored syrup.

Yield: 12-14 dessert crepes

Nutrients per serving: Calories 250, Total Fat 14 g, Sodium 210 mg, Fiber 1 g

It's a Sad, Sad Day

Yes folks, it's a sad, sad day here in our household.

Nope, not because the lawn mower broke (doesn't Big Daddy wish, and the meaning behind that is really just for my mom :-), but because the LSU game against Troy State has been canceled? postponed? I don't remember which, but I know there will be no fighting Tigers in action this Saturday.

The only good that comes from that is that the players have another week to practice and I won't miss any of it due to scrapbooking until I drop Friday night/all day/night Saturday.

I sure hope you guys in Baton Rouge get electricity quickly, and not just because a game was put off...we had no electricity after a large storm this summer and it was no fun. My thoughts are with you guys (and the power people...so they work FAST and SAFE).

End of dorky rant...

NOW

Pampered Chef Update

Let me start out by saying I hope all of you are well and that none of you sustained any damage worse then spoiled meat from a power outage. Click here to see this month's guest special for shopping during my catalog party.
Also, the new fall products are in, so if you browsed around a few days ago and just wanted something more...it might be in. Go check it out.
And, back to Gustav. I am so thankful our prayers were answered and that "the storm of the century" has passed by until another day.
love to all.