RECIPES: STIR- FRY SPINACH ORZO PASTA SALAD

Need to get your spinach in? Here is how!

Make the Spinach Stir-Fry and eat it by itself or combine the stir-fry with Orzo pasta and fresh salad ingredients to make a fantastic pasta salad that your friends will rave about.

Spinach Stir-Fry:

1 bag (6 oz) washed ready to use fresh

spinach (chopped in strips) set aside

1Tbs Olive Oil

1 Clove crushed garlic

1/8 C. red onion chopped small

1 pint grape tomato cut in halves

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper

Pasta:

1 cup Orzo (about 2.5 cups cooked)

Fresh Salad Mix:

1 6-inch piece of celery chopped in small pieces

1 green onion cut in slivers

2 Tbs fresh dill chopped fine

2 Tbs favorite Italian dressing

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Spinach Stir-Fry:

Heat oil on medium high. Add garlic saute for 30 sec.

add red onion and saute for 90 sec

Add cut tomatoes and seer each side stirring frequently ( about 3 min)

Add cut spinach saute until spinach just wilts.

Add sea salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cracked pepper. Stir and remove from heat and set aside.

Pasta:

Cook Orzo pasta al dente (about 6 minutes) in boiling water with 1tsp salt and 1/2 tsp olive oil.

Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.

Salad Mix:

Combine celery, green onion, dill, Italian dressing, pine nuts, and feta. Set aside.

Combine Spinach Stir-Fry with Orzo pasta. Toss in the fresh salad mix ingredients.

Refrigerate and Serve when you are ready to eat.

Gardening: HOW TO DO THIS!!

Coming Soon!!!!

Watch This #3: Sophia Grace and Rosie Sing 'Super Bass' with Nicki Minaj

Click here the picture above to see the cutest little girls sing 'Super Bass' with Nicki Minaj.

Baseball Problem Solved #4: Making Contact With the Ball, Here's The Drill

Listen up League Moms! If you want to help your little baseball/softball player make contact with the ball, here is a little game/drill for you to practice in the back yard.

1. Have your child stand over a make believe home plate with bat in hand and ready to receive the next pitch. Take a bucket of balls and mark each ball with quarter size colored permanent marker in 2 or 3 spots. Each ball should have a different color on it.

2. Pitch to your child having them just ready to hit but not actually swing...just watch the ball as it comes by.

3. They are to identify the color on each ball as it passes over the plate, holler out the color and confirm correct as it is caught by Dad.

4. Do not hide any part of the ball as you pitch and as it is being caught. The point of this game is to train your player to keep his/her eyes on the ball and all the way into the catchers glove.

Many players watch the ball until it gets to the plate then close their eyes or look to where they want to hit it. By keeping one's eyes on the ball all the way to the catcher, your player will be less likely to loose site of the ball during real play. This will help them to make more consistent contact with the ball.

Did You Know: That Valentines Originated From A Final Love Letter Signed... Sincerely, Your Valentine!

Where did Valentine's Day Originate? Was it a made up holiday for stores to make more money? Was it a special day created to break up the monotony of winter or was it something a wife started to get special attention from her mate.

Well Sammy came home today with many theories but he said the one that sounded the most believable was this one.

Back in Roman times, men were unable to marry because they were needed to fight as warriors not become domesticated servants to family and home life. Saint Valentine married against the law. Such crime was punishable by death. So, to death he was sentenced and in the last letter written to the love of his life he signed...

Sincerely,

Your Valentine!

I like this theory best too Sammy!

Gavin Tale Twister #41: Sammy NEVER has my back!

This evening Gavin and I sat sadly on my office couch and remembered our beloved dog Louie. After we ate Mac and Cheese, we felt better. Gavin asked in a sad voice "Mom, do you think Carson would accept a friend request from me?" Carson(12) is a family friend who hangs around Sammy (12) but by default has to spend time with Gavin as well. Gavin loves hanging out with the older boys but they don't really enjoy his 3rd grade humor.

"Well... I think Carson would and you know what?..." I said.

"What?" asked Gavin.

"When you guys get older like in college, you will find that you are going to be friends with a lot of the same people and it won't matter that you are 3 years younger. It only matters now because y'all are so young."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well when you were still in diapers Sammy and Carson were playing Tee-Ball but when y'all are all in college you will all be studying and going to the same pizza place for dinner, living together, talking about sports together and helping each other out in times of need."

Gavin rolled his eye into his head to search for relevant data from his big brain and spouted out "but when I am a freshman, Sammy will be a senior... that means he'll have my back for only 1 year." He stopped talking abruptly as his eyes rolled into his head for more relevant data and out came "oh yea Sammy NEVER has my back so it won't matter!!"

Gavin Tale Twister #40: That's For Bananas Mom!

Gavin (8) and I were sitting at the computer this morning entering data about Gavin so 10 years from now we can see how much he has grown. We got to the ENTER WEIGHT part and I asked Gavin if he remembered how much he weighed when he went to the doctor just a couple months ago. He said he couldn't remember! So I took a guess. "Maybe around 125 pounds Gavin?" Immediately Gavin's defenses went up. "MOM! I only weigh 90 or even maybe 70 pounds!" Does't that sound like an 8 year old's comment or what?

"Gavin! That is not true! Maybe it was like 105 or 108 something like that?"

"No way MOM!... Maybe it was 95!"

It was as if his weight was a negotiation. (So...Remember we had a fire 6 months ago and have no scale in the house so we can't just go into the bathroom and hop on the scale.)

"Alright Gavin maybe we need to go to the store and weigh ourselves on one of those scales so we can get an accurate number."

Gavin chuckles and walks away as he says "Ah Mom, your so silly! That's for bananas not people!"

He did not just say that!!!

Gavin Tale Twister #39: The Tooth Fairy and Dad

Tonight Gavin lost a tooth. At bed time... naturally... he was in our bed with his tooth in a zip lock snack bag. Canadian Man Bill was worried the Tooth Fairy wouldn't be able to find Gavin's zip lock (or maybe forget to stop by like has happened so many times before) so he said to Gavin:

"Gavin, why don't you give me your tooth and I will keep it safe under my pillow where we know the Fairy will be able to find it."

Gavin's immediate response "No way Dad! If the tooth is under your pillow. The Tooth Fairy will probably leave $20 bucks. Then you'll take the twenty and replace it with a five. I think I'll just keep the tooth safe and sound with me under my own pillow. Good Night Dad!"

That Tooth Fairy better not forget to stop by! Gulp!!!!

RECIPES: CUMIN SPICED GREEN BEANS

1 Tbs Olive Oil

1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds

1/4 cup onion chopped fine (optional)

1 Family Size (24 oz) Frozen Cut Frozen Green Beans

1 tsp cumin powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder (don't get this on your clothes or it will never come out)

1/2 tsp salt

1 large fresh squeezed Lemon (about 4 Tbsp)

Heat Olive Oil on Med Hi

Drop in Cumin Seeds

Immediately add onions and saute for 1 min

Add Frozen Green Beans and saute for 5 minutes until all beans are soft

Sprinkle cumin, turmeric, and salt. Sautee for 10 more minutes.

Squeeze lemon over beans.

Serving Suggestions: Serve as a vegetable side with grilled chicken, steak or shrimp. Serve over 1/4 cup brown rice for a healthy side.

RECIPES: VIDALIA ONION DIP (Super Bowl Party Perfect)

THIS IS NOT MY ORIGINAL RECIPE SO I WOULD NOT USUALLY POST THIS ON MY BLOG SITE BUT BECAUSE I SO MANY HAVE ASKED ME FOR THIS RECIPE, I FINALLY DECIDED TO POST IT. I GOT IT FROM MY DEAR FRIEND KELLY AND I AM SO THANKFUL THAT SHE SHARED BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DIPS TO MAKE. I ALWAYS HAVE THESE ITEMS IN THE HOUSE IN CASE WE HAVE UNEXPECTED COMPANY. IT IS A SUPER HIT EVERY TIME I MAKE IT.

1 Block Cream Cheese (Room Temperature)

1 (2cup) Bag Kraft Italian Blend Shredded Cheese (Publix brand is fine too)

2 Heaping Tbs Mayonaise

1 Extra Large Sweet Onion (I like Vidalia) Grossly Chopped

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Transfer to a 8x8 glass baking dish.

Bake for 1 hour until bronze on top and bubbling in the middle.

Gavin Tale Twister #38: Charlie Bit My Finger! THE SEQUEL

Most of you who surf the Internet have seen the You Tube sensation called "Charlie Bit My Finger". If you have not seen it, you should and you can by clicking here.

Hilarious! Isn't it? Well, my kids have seen that video about 100 times.

They love this video so much that they take turns playing Charlie while the other brother taunts his index finger close to Charlie's mouth. The laughter from the beginning to the end of each re-enactment, with a British accent of course, is something only the parents of two boys could really enjoy. Anyone with two boys knows that they usually only communicate by picking on one another and trying to beat each other up so anytime they are laughing together is a blessing. Since we live in the states but are of mixed heritage, our children have come to appreciate and imitate many of the various accents they have heard.

One night a couple weeks ago I had to go to the grocery store. I dread the grocery store especially with the kids but I had to go. We went in with a short list and got to the checkout line with twice as much stuff. I was so irritated by my children asking for stuff and sneaking all kinds of JUNK into the cart. It was so bad that I was pretty much was the parent with her back to her children trying to pretend they were not mine. They were so happy and excited to be at the store and I was absolutely miserable with them there! We made it to the register and still my back was to them. You know how if you just ignore a two year old's tantrum and walk away, the two year old will get up, stop the tantrum and run after you and then try to get your attention some other way. We must have done that a lot at age two because at age 8 and 12, both Gavin and Sam were right on my tail, almost inside my personal space and yes they were trying to get my attention the entire time. I couldn't move fast enough through that store.

I sighed and took a deep breath when the cashier finally said "Did you find everything you need?" It was as if I reached the finish line. I responded with a polite "Yes, Thank You!" All the personnel behind the counter then tried to acknowledge the boys. I just ignored all of them as if I were saying- what boys?

There was a cashier and a training cashier as well as the bag boy all watching what was going on behind my back. I stayed strong and did not turn to give them any attention. As my bill was racking up into the 40's, the conversation between the boys had turned into the "Charlie! You Bit My Finger!" re-enactment. I had heard it about a billion times so I again did not acknowledge the boys antics for attention. I heard every word but did not turn my head to look!

The conversation went something like this. Sammy (12) played the 15 month old baby Charlie and Gavin (8) played the 4 year old big brother.

Gavin said to Sammy (Charlie) as he sticks his index finger close to Charlie's mouth. (Say this with a British accent:) "Now, Chaaaleee your not going to bite my fin ga, arrrr uuuu?"

Sammy shakes his head from ear to ear and responds back "an-ahh " (that is baby talk for NO!) as he is giggling and lunges forward with his big wolf like teeth. Gavin quickly retracts his finger and then tries again saying:

"Bad Chaliee, Bad bad Chaliee!" Pause... Giggle. "Now Chaaliee, your not going to bite my fin ga, now arrrrr uuuu?"

Again Sammy says "an-ahh" and just when Gavin gets close enough with his finger, Sammy lunges forward to bite Gavin's finger. Gavin retracts the endangered finger once again and just in time.

This went on a couple of times and by now the cashiers and bag boy were fully engaged but only because the boys were having so much fun. I still did not look.

"Chaaaaaleee, you promised you wouldn't bite moi fin-ga."

Sammy smiled like a 2 year old with big bright eyes and bobbed his head up and down wanting to please his 4 year old big brother and willing to follow his every command.

" Chaaalee..... you promise? Right? " Sam sill bobbing his head up and down as if he were in agreement.

"OK Chaaalee, you promised!" Gavin raised his index finger closer , closer, closer and closer to Sammy's mouth. With Gavin's finger went his whole upper body as if this was to shield the finger in jeopardy.

The giggles had turned to uncontrollable laughter by now. Gavin and Sam's faces were red and sweating. It was as if there wasn't anyone else around. They were in their own little world. I maintained my iron clad stance facing the register and trying to pay as quickly as possible so we could make a quick escape without any more attention. The cashiers and bag boy were now all eyes and ears fixed on the skit going on behind me.

Right about this time Gavin was laughing so hard that his eyes were almost closed.

Sam with his cat like reflexes took advantage of his opportunity. He snatched Gavin's hand paralyzing him and went in for the kill. Crunch! Gavin squealed in pain. Yes, Chaalee bit his fin-ga! Gavin's face was red and his eyes were watery as he screamed out with pain but still in his perfect British accent (say this just how it is spelled- and loudly) "CHAAAALEEEEEE!!! YOUUUU LOIED!!!!!" YOUU LOIED CHAALEE!!!! (YOUU LOIED in a british accent is YOU LIED here in the states.)

Yes everyone was laughing including me but I still didn't look and as funny as that turned out I still don't want to ever take them to the grocery store again!

I caught a re-enactment of this at home and will post it here when I figure out how to do that.

Gavin Tale Twister #37: Check Your Pockets!

Gavin (8) does not have many friends come to the house. Not because he has no friends but because his lame Mom and Dad are too exhausted by the end of the week to make that happen for Gavin. Why you ask? Maybe because we have a 12 year old whom for 3 1/2 years before Gavin was born we spent too much time ooing, ahhing, taking pictures, and showing him the world. Now we spend every day driving that 12 year old to his activities. Gavin sits by just watching. Actually, Gavin was doomed before birth! When he came along we were pooped and just happy to sit and watch TV. As you have more kids, you have less time and everything you want to do for yourself gets put on the back burner. You want to nap every day and the kids want to play with other kids. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Being the second child, life is supposed to be different isn't it? Few baby pictures, no play group or baby music classes to enrich his minds, no shopping sprees for brand new cute smocked jumpers, lots of hand-me- downs and he'll learn what he learns when ever he learns it. We are not spoon feeding everything to Gavin like we did Sam.... we don't have that kind of time unless we ditch the silver baby spoon and switch to something more efficient like a funnel. Poor Gavin ....I can barely remember what he looked like as a baby. Bad Mommy!

So last month, I made a promise to Gavin that we were going to build up his network of friends just like we did with Sammy. I think we have done pretty good so far. In the last week, I have gone out of my way to invite one of his class mates over to hang out after school and the other night we had a child from the neighborhood come play.

On that particular night, My Canadian Man Bill and I smiled as Gavin ran around trying to be a good host. He fed his friend junk food and drinks, asked his friend what he wanted to do while he was over, and was attentive to his friend's need. I think Gavin even tried to pay his friend $3 to play something Gavin really wanted to play.

The two of them were up in Gavin's bedroom playing and Gavin ran down to get more drinks. Mind you, you can hear every word said in Gavin's room because his bedroom is just next to the top of the stairs and we were sitting in the living room just next to the bottom of the stairs. Upon Gavin's return to his bedroom, Gavin realized that he could not find his $20 bill that he supposedly placed in a safe spot somewhere in his room. This is the only money Gavin has to his name and I have no idea where he got it from other than earlier I overheard Sam saying something about his $20 missing from his pocket. I can only guess what happened there. Anyway, I could sense that Gavin was in a panic because I could hear a lot of rustling around up there. After about 10 seconds of looking, Gavin says to his friend "HEY! I CAN'T FIND MY TWENTY DOLLAR BILL. CHECK YOUR POCKETS!"

Bill and I busted out laughing. Gavin might just be minus one friend in his ohhhh soooo empty friend bank.

I should probably talk to Gavin about needing making deposits with his friends so when he accidentally overdraws , it's not such a big deal. In other words stay on the plus side by treating your friends nicely so when you botch something up, they are more likely to forgive you. If you take take, take and never give, you will end up very lonely!

I just read this post to Sammy. Oops he just realized that his $20 is not where he put it......in that wide open not so secret hiding place behind the TV! Ha!