Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Jo vs. The Pin: Meatloaf Cupcakes!

I don't eat any meat, but my kid and J. sure do!
I keep seeing all these wonderful pictures of people making "Meatloaf Cupcakes" so decided to give it a whirl.

It's tough making meat dishes for Z. when J is away, so I generally stick to vegetarian protein options, but since I can make a batch and freeze a bunch, this seemed like a great idea!

THE PIN: 





JO:


I have to say these were SO easy!  The hardest part was cleaning up!!  I just used my regular meatloaf recipe, then baked @400 for 20 minutes!

Z. LOVED them, and they are a perfect size for lunches!!

Meatloaf is Beautiful recipe: 
 (I halved the recipe and it made about 8 meatloaf cupcakes)
1 cup milk
3 cups soft bred crumbs
2Tbsp. minces parsley
2tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. thyme
4 green onions, finely chopped
1Tbsp. Dijon 
1tsp. savory
2 eggs
2lbs. lean ground beef. 

mix everything but meat.  add in beef & cook! 



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Z!

On Saturday, Zoey turned 2! It seems like just yesterday she was born... 
I decided on a RAINBOW theme for this years' party (which was low-key with family) 
I found SO many great ideas on Pinterest, and it was SO much fun putting everything together!!


DIY Tissue Pom-Poms!
 Happy Birthday Banner & Party Favours downloaded from HERE

 Fruit Skewers & Rainbow Veggie Tray


 THE CAKE!! (Yes I made it myself!! Just a little proud!)




And of course, the birthday girl herself!!!





Sunday, March 24, 2013

1 Year later....

Remember how I said I wanted to blog more often in 2012?  Well I clearly failed. No real reason, I just got kinda... busy.

I figure the easiest way to do this is UPDATES!

J. 
After much deliberation and thought, J joined the Air-Force!! Of course, this means he has now been gone for almost a year on courses, training, etc.  It also means his new dress uniform is ugly, but I will get used to that.  We have been surviving on Skype, short visits and sheer willpower as Z and I miss him terribly. But ultimately, we know it is important that he is gainfully employed and SUPER proud he continues to serve Canada.
 
Also, he grew a mustache. (not so happy about that.) 

Me.
I completed several of my 2012 New Years Resolutions. 
1.  I FINALLY got my full Driver's License.  ( I knew how to drive, was just too lazy to go and get a real license, preferring to sit back and let bus driver's take me everywhere!)
I also got my first car: a beautiful 2012 Mazda 3 hatchback. Standard Transmission.  Her name is Hermione.
Here she is at the Superstore:


2.  I finally got serious about making my hands better.  I have been seeing a top rated dermatologist, and experimenting with lots of different lotions and potions. The results have been mixed, but things seem to be improving!

3.  I also returned to work in Jan./ Feb. 2013 in a new role. (same company) I work a few minutes from home, with an AWESOME team, and have been LOVING my new job.  I am SO happy I made the switch. 

4.  Lately I have been embarking on some self-improvement ventures.  It's been a long time coming,  and partially fueled by a personal tragedy, but more on that later!

Reading:

I didn't get much reading done in 2012- but I am back on the bandwagon this year, determined to complete my 50 books this year, I am well on my way with 21 under my belt thus far in 2013!

Pupsters: 
The pupsters continue to thrive and be the best puppies EVER.  I did however, have to send them on puppy vacation to the Island with my AWESOME in-laws.  With J gone, and me working full-time and Z in day care, it all became too much for me, and something had to give.  They are temporarily on vacation, and LOVING every second of it.  I see them often, and can't wait to snuggle with them on a regular basis.




Z. 
 What can I say, other that the kid is the center of my universe.  She is the smartest, most beautiful, funniest, most mischievous little girl on earth! I love her more and more every day.
 She's grown up so fast, and gotten skinnier, and louder, and grown the most curly little baby-fro.



 


Friday, April 27, 2012

Spinach & Cheese Pie!

I got the awesome idea from my friend Jillian to put cottage cheese in my fritata...
SO delicious and fluffy!!!  Easy, tasty, and Z loved it!!!

Eggs with Spniach, cottage cheese, tomatoes & black beans!!!

Gardenning Season has Begun!!

SO excited to have planted our 2012 "crop"  I am a bit more organized this year.
We planted:
Rosemary, chives, dill, basil, marigolds, spinach, swiss chard, kale, roses, beans, peas, radishes, parsley & cucumbers!!!

Betsy helping

 Z's new garden tools,
 Z "helping"
 Garden layout!


EASTER

We had a great Easter!  (MUCH better than last year... but I won't get into details!)
It started by decorating some eggs with Zia Susy and T....




Then, we put on our party dresses and went for a fantastic dinner @ Zia Laura's !!



Thanks Grandma and Nonno for the pretty Easter Dress!!!!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Z!

I've been such a bad blogger! (How many times have I said that!)
A few weeks ago, Z turned 1 and we had a fun ice-cream themed party for her with build-your-own sundaes and lots of treats!!!
Thanks to all of our friends and family who helped make this a special day for Z (and Mommy:) )