SWAGGER WAGON

Happy Saturday !!

Little Ladybug...

So for almost the last year Laila usually runs in the opposite direction when I pick up my camera so I was surprised the other day when she actually let me take her picture.  She was being a little goof ball but I will take what I can get now a days......

I love you Ladybug !

Winter Wonderland....Say What !

Thank you Mother Nature for this lovely scene this morning ....Why so mad at us Calgarians ?

Oh Google...I love you !!

This weekend I finally found success with something that has been stumping me for a very long time....You see it should be task that is very easy and one that should not have perplexed me.  But for almost 4 years it has and honestly I was starting to get a little embarrassed by the mess.

It is the simple task of cleaning the porcelain coated grates on my natural gas stove.  We have had 3 different cleaning ladies and none have been able to help.  So I finally turned to my friend "Google" and within a few moments it gave me the answer.

The solution to clean them is a very easy one... 1 large ziploc bag and 1/2 cup of plain old ammonia.  Put the grate and the ammonia in the bag and seal it.  I placed it outside on the back deck due to the overwhelming smell.  In the morning I brought it in and only had to lightly scrub a few really ground in grease spots.  It was amazing to me how clean they were....I seriously have tried so many different things and nothing worked.

Honestly, what did we do before we had our friend "Google".  I can't count the number of times I have gone there for answers to a questions both simple and difficult.

Chow !!

Not much happening here....

We all seem to have summertime colds now...which is just marvelous !  I'm starting to sound like a seal so I'm sure I will end up at my GP's sometime next week plus I appear to have done something to my back so will be heading the chiropractor tomorrow.

Sophie had her 4 month shots last week and she did super...More on her a little later !

Hayden only has 5 weeks left of school and we are getting ready to celebrate his 7th birthday in a few weeks...How can that be?  Where has the last 7 years gone.  Beavers is finished for another year and he is really enjoying his "coach-pitch" baseball league.  We are trying to decide on what summer camps if any he will attend.

Laila's speech is finally starting to come along.   Hayden was a really late talker so I wasn't surprised that she is as well but it is still a little unnerving when they don't say much.  I actually had a few occasions this week where in my mind I willed her to just be quiet for a few moments. :}  She is totally all girl and I'm sure will never be silent again !

I haven't been up to much.... watched the season finale for Survivor last week and was pleasantly surprised to see Sandra win.  Out of the 3 finalist she would be my pick.  Russell played the best game but he was also a huge villan and lets face it they never give it to the best player (because they probably have been burnt by them during the game).

Just finished watching the season finale for Grey's Anatomy and it was sooo good !  Won't say a lot in case some have not seen it yet.  Not sure if it was better then the Denny/Izzy finale but it was damn good.

We are going to enjoy a 4 day break with the family this weekend.  It is rare to have that many days off so it will be a treat for sure !  Weather forecast appears to be crappy for the next few days so it might be a great time to catch up on some reading and cooking !

Oh....Bulk Barn

You need to come to Calgary and soon please !!  I was in one of their stores on Saturday looking for the Candy Blox for Hayden's Lego birthday party (which by the way are harder to find then Osama Bin Laden)  and I instantly fell in love with the store.

I have only heard of these stores a few weeks ago and they seem to be more prominently located in Ontario but they are making their way west and I can't wait.  They have a new website if you want to have a look here.

Bulk Barn I know when you do come to Calgary we will be instant BBF's !  See you in a few months !!

BTW... I managed to score a box of the Candy Blox and will be selling the leftovers from the party to put at least one of my kids through University.  Who knew it would be that popular but I guess there are a lot of Lego lovers out there !

Anyway...thoughts on Bulk Barn !  Are you a fan !

My new best friend...

You know when you are grocery shopping you often see products that you stop and thing "That's neat but wonder if they really are worth buy and whether they will taste good".  We love ribs in our house but I can't afford to buy them from Earl's all the time and I honestly haven't been successful at making good ones at home.  I know everyone always say "Oh they are so easy to make" well they haven't been for me...UNTIL NOW !!

The last time I was at Safeway I spied a package made by ClubHouse - "Slower Cooker Mild BBQ Ribs" seasoning mix.

If you have read this blog at all you know I have an on-going love affair with my slow cooker so I thought double score for Mommy I can have ribs and have them cook in the slow cooker.  I figured for a couple bucks why not give it a try.  I was not disappointed to say the least....they were YUMMY !!

I paired it with a double rack of pork ribs which I scored for $8 buck yesterday and I'm very happy to report that there is not one left to even take a picture of.  Everyone (except Sophie) dug in and enjoyed them.... which is this house is huge !!

I if you like ribs and own a slow cooker I would honestly give this product a try !!

Happy Mother's Day !!

Here is the reason why I celebrate this day...

Hayden Alexander - My Thinker - Strong and Quiet !

Laila Quinn -The Drama Queen -  Screaming and Bossy !

Sophie Rhys  - Our Princess - Patient and Content !

They are my miracles that I dreamed and prayed for so long to have.   The pain and suffering we endured during the journey has been truly worth it and I would walk the road again to have these 3 beautiful human beings in my life.

While the day to day job of being a mother is not always easy and can be sometimes down right frustrating at times just hearing the words "I love you mama"makes it all worth it.

I'm honored to walk with you in life and I'm so very proud to be your Mama !!

To my beloved friends who are waiting to be become moms and are still on the journey know that I pray for you all and hope that in some way you will experience this joy !

Happy Mother's Day !!

Weight Watchers - Week 2

The "life style" (I refuse to say diet) change is going really well.  I was down another 2 pounds on Friday and I'm still loving the "lighter" cooking.  Faruq has decided to join with me as he has about 20 extra pounds he wants to shed before starting the marathon training again.

I have found a few great sites for Weight Watchers recipes but was wondering if anyone has one they particularly like.

Wordless Wednesday !!

"The Crime Scene "

(Scene 1)

(Scene 2)

"The Suspect"

"The Witness"

"The Punishment"

"How was your Tuesday afternoon? "