Addictions

Since I can't seem to find time to write about my children and all the fun things we do, I thought it would be only natural to try and write about food. Because surely I have time for that. (Hint of sarcasm.)

I am starting a new segment that has been on my mind for....well....for as long as I have been eating food. There are a few things that make my eyes roll back in my head with pure ecstasy and I have just now realized how many I really do have.

Every once in a while I will spotlight one food item that not only makes me moan but could sustain my life on a deserted island. We are not talking about fresh corn that is sweet in the summer or a hot bowl of homemade soup, I am talking about things that send you into blubbering hysterics over what it does to your taste buds. The kind of food that is impossible to put down no matter the repercussions.

I have already spoken about one of my very favorites being the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. But today I would like to expound on another gift from the the gods. That being the Cinnamon Wheel from Papa Murphy's Take and Bake Pizza.


Oh, yes! This gooey, buttery, brown sugary beauty rests upon a bed of fresh dough and is so light and airy that inhaling one piece whole is inevitable. Now, the wheel is one thing but when you slather on a layer of the included cream cheese frosting, you take your mouth to a whole new level of euphoria. I am telling you people, this thing doesn't get any more ridiculous. It takes a lot of concentration on my part to pace myself and let others have some. If this was served at a party, I would have a really hard time not looking like the over-indulgent guest hovering around the dessert table going for fourths and fifths.

Trust me, try it. And if you must share, buy 2. They are $3.99 and worth triple that. And if you are going to do it, make sure it is fresh and hot out of your oven.

As you can see, I am a woman of very sophisticated taste.

Before...

After...

Due to the fact that I couldn't find a single picture of this cinnamon wheel online, I sacrificed for all my faithful blog followers and went out and bought that very cinnamon wheel just for the pictures. Then I proceeded to eat most of it by myself. You are welcome.

Tea Party

Lately I have been feeling like my youngest is getting the short end of the stick since her two older siblings get to go off to school everyday. Last night I was lying in bed and I got all excited about the idea of a tea party just for her.

So, this morning, after E and I got on the bus, I spent 30 minutes prepping for a 4 year-old sized tea party.

It was so fun to see her gasping expressions when she laid eyes on all the bite-size goodies. We toasted, poured and talked. It was lovely. Everyone should have tea parties with their kids. Nothing fancy, just simple, individual fun.

O loves little cute things so I knew this would be right up her alley.

Cheese, pepperoni and apple hearts

Peanut butter/banana and cucumber/ranch sandwiches


Mini sugar cookies

Apple juice

I think we are going to make this a weekly tradition and changing up the menu will be fun. Maybe pudding tarts or fruit kabobs on toothpicks.

Washington Husky Volleyball & my Red Heels

My dear friend Melain decided that after a DISASTROUS week (more on that later, you can't imagine) I needed a night out. So, being the event finder that she is, decided that a women's volleyball game on the University of Washington campus was just the ticket.

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE.

I realized how much I miss the competitive edge to volleyball and the butterflies it induces in your stomach. We won against Stanford in 3.



We met up with some other gals after for dinner at Bucca Di Beppo for some Italian food, family style.

I decided to don my new red heels to make it a true girls night out.

Although we tried to find a fun place to finish off the night in downtown Seattle, it wasn't meant to be. The rain just would not let up. We took a hint after we walked by a little shop called HAREM and there were four men sitting on the floor inside, encased in a cloud of "incense."

We came home early at around 12:30 but I would have to say the volleyball game was the real highlight for me. I LOVE VOLLEYBALL.

Although it was a very enjoyable night, if anything, I realize how grateful for a warm home and my best friend to come home to. Thanks Melain for a fun night out and even more importantly, a reminder on how blessed I am...even for the "trials".

Bahumbug

I am the biggest holiday bahumbug, you have ever met. I dread the holiday preparations, especially the decorating. I hate carving pumpkins, cooking the turkey (I would rather order pizza and skip straight to the pie afterward) and decorating the tree. December 26th is my favorite day of the year. Everything comes down and disappears and life gets back to normal. I am a huge fan of control, routine and schedules. Type A, the color red, a control freak, uptight, anal, whatever you call it, that's me.

Lucky for me, I married a traditionalist. He LOVES carving, decorating the tree and especially turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy (at least 3 helpings).

Well, here are the kids...Rob got his way the day before Halloween with a little carving pumpkins activity. Eden did hers all by herself.

A party the kids were invited to featured enough treats to rival Willy Wonka. It was intense.

This year we took in our leftover candy (I let the kids keep 20 pieces each) to Dr Rude, a local dentist that buys candy for $2/lb the day after Halloween. This was our first time doing this but there was a line out the door. We dumped our candy in a huge barrel and after 11.5 pounds and and an extra $2 because Indy and Livs wore costumes, the kids walked out of there with $25. Eden and Livs have chosen to treat themselves to the movies and Indy wants to hit up the dollar store for toys. They also received a new toothbrush and now the dentist has our names on a mailing list...maybe to drum up a little business. He matches what $ he gives out and all the proceeds go the the Children's Hospital. What a brilliant idea!

Our Cheerleader, basketball player and fairy/angel.

a teeny-tiny obsession

I was thinking that I might have a minor obsession with cookbooks as I was cleaning out my stash. I LLLLOOOOOOVVVVEEE a good cookbook or cooking magazine. Nothing inspires me more.

I love new foods and eating something I made with my two hands. You can hear moans for miles when I sit down with a new magazine I have just received in the mail.

Dearest cookbooks,

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways...

1. You help me decide what to fix for dinner when I am lacking in creativity.

2. You keep my husband happy.

3. Opening new flavors I didn't know could be paired together.

4. You are there to send me into sweet dreams right before bed.

5. I believe mac & cheese and ramen are insulting and a waste of time.

6. I can never decide what to make when having guests over. Too many wonderful choices.

Oh, how I have missed you since I have been watching my weight. I will be back soon!

In the mean time, can everybody make this recipe for me just so I can imagine eating it?!

(Notice I have a small obsession with dessert.)

Or this!!

OR THIS!!!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!