WELCOME TO THE WORLD LITTLE PT!!

Parker Thomas Graham is here weighing in at 8lbs 3.6oz and arriving at 9:10 p.m. Nana called to say that Mom and baby are doing great and the Shari was in recovery after a cesearean. Parker was snuggled safely in his Daddies arms.

CONGRATULATIONS DOUG, SHARI AND KALI on the arrival of your new little bundle of love!

Hugs and lots of love to each of you from Hal and I.

POSITIVE THOTS FOR SHARI AND DOUG!

Shari's in the hospital being induced so hopefully today is the day little Parker makes his appearance. Please keep them all close in thoughts and prayers! Uncle Hal and I are anxiously awaiting his arrival and looking forward to meeting him.

Hugs and love to Shari, Doug, Kali and families!
xo Pen and Hal



oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUGGIE!!!!

Penny needs....

I saw this on Jenny's blog and thought I'd participate. First, go to google, type in your name followed by the word "needs" and post the first 10 sentences that come up.

According to google, Penny needs:

1. Penny needs to switch meds. (Oh great, just when I was getting used to the side effects, lol)

2. Penny needs your help to be able to continue on her antibiotics and to get her serum. (k, laughing about the meds again but this was about a lab x puppy...sad!)

3. Penny Needs a Bra... Bad (WTF!! Thanks girls for letting me know, lol)

4. Penny needs surgery. We pray that this will be the last surgery she needs. (k, seriously getting freaked, lol. Again, about the little dog)

5. Penny needs a new home. Due to severe allergies, Penny's owners were no longer able to keep her. (WOW.....SNIFFS SELF FOR OFFENSIVE ODOUR, BUGS, ETC)

6. Penny Arcade! - Sphere Factor Equal parts comics and commentary, Penny Arcade features Tycho and Gabe

7. Opposing view: America needs the penny. Killing coin would increase prices, hurt the poor, rob from charities (PLEASE DON'T KILL THE PENNY!! LOL)

8. I'm Penny, and I Need a Home! (k, feeling very unloved here...pass the meds!)

9. MySpace Profile - Penny- ever fall in love with someone. (Heck yeah she has a time or two)

10. Maybe Brad Penny Should've Gone to College - Sports Blog (Who the heck is Brad Penny?)

TAG - I'M IT!

*GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS*

1. *What is your occupation?* Administrative Assistant

2. *What color are your socks right now?* I'm sockless (ditto)

3. *What are you listening to right now?* Medium on tv

4. *What was the last thing that you ate?* Beef fajitas and salad, big glass of water

5. *Can you drive a stick shift?* Heck yeah and I really do miss it!

6. *If you were a crayon, what color would you be?* Yellow

7. *Last person you spoke to on the phone?* my dearest Laura

8. *How old are you today?* 36, 37....37 yeah 37, lol

9. *Favorite drink? --alcoholic is Rum and Coke -- non alcoholic is water!

10. *What is your favorite sport to watch? *Hockey (cuz i'm Canadian but really do love Baseball....who doesn't luv the bum action??)

11. *Have you ever dyed your hair?* that's almost as bad as asking how old I am!! YES, couldn't even tell you what my original colour would be.

12. *Pets?* A cat, a dog and a Hal

13. *Favorite food?* Veggies

14. *What was the last movie you watched?* Narnia with my nephews

15. *Favorite day of the year?* Christmas

16. *What do you do to vent anger?* Depends on where i'm at...work I bite my tongue..home - swear like a truck, growl loudly and usually slam cupboard doors (stupid I know but it's better then it used to be)

17. *What was your favorite toy as a child?* Dirtbike - Jennys answer -The barbie doll Rv!! (groans at Jennys answer...you would have hated me as a sister, lol)

18. *What is your favorite fall or spring?* right now Spring, but ask me this summer and I'll say Fall, lol

19. *Hugs or kisses?* Hugs

20. *Cherries or Blueberry?* Cherries

21. *Jeans or Skirt?* Jeans all the way

22. *Who is most likely to respond?* hmm, Shari if she's not having her baby, Lucy (got this from Jenny who got it from Joni so that cancels them out, lol)

23. *Who is least likely to respond?*Jenny and Joni, hehehehe

24. *Living arrangements?* Three fur babies..oops two furbabies and Hal

25. *When was the last time you cried?* Saturday as we drove away from my sisters

26. *What is on the floor of your closet?* nothing right now, laundry is done and I vacuumed today

27. *Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending/tagging this to?*my sister - Shell

28. *What did you do last night?* surfed the net, hung out with Hal

29. *Favorite smells?* Babies after a bath, lilacs and freshly aired bedding

30. *What inspires you?* Survivors!

31. *What are you afraid of? *the unknown - ditto!

33. *Favorite dog breed:* Rottweiler or German Shepherd

34. *How many years at your current job? 3 years

35. *Favorite day of the week?* Monday, the only day Hal and I have together

36. *How many cities or towns have you lived in?* 100 Mile, 150 Mile, Leduc, Parrsboro, Radium Hot Springs, Kamloops, Kitimat

38. *Ever driven a Motorcycle or heavy machinery?* Driven a motorcycle and would love to drive one of those huge ass Mine dump trucks!

40. *Do you have a house phone that is NOT cordless? *Nope

41. *10 inches of snow or 100 degree weather?* If that's Farenheit i'll take it!!

42.*List the name of the person that sent this TAG to you* Jenny, Jenny fe fi fo Fenny...Jenny! I caught it from her blog!

To Blog or not to Blog???

**Tumbleweeds blow slowly by, the only sound is the whistle and hum of the wind blowing through the deserted buildings busted windows. Nary a soul is to be found in this dusty, lonely, ghost town!**

Glad to see that Spring is arriving and everyone's busy getting their spring chores done and enjoying any bit of sunshine we can.

Yesterday Hal and I spent as much time as possible out in the yard....okay, I was cleaning out flower beds and he was sitting in his boat, lol! Really, he was farting around putting on the rod holders, adjusting seats and getting it ready for us to fish this weekend.

Tata for now and sending sunny, springtime wishes to all.

Meal Plan Monday

Hal received some news regarding his health last week that left him a little shaken. Needless to say the changes that are required for his health will only benefit both of us. This weeks menu is heart healthy and actually should taste really yummy! If someone has any recipes that are heart healthy or know of a link or two please let us know, it would be so appreciated.

This weeks menu plan:

Sirloin Grillades, mashed potatoes and a salad *not sure yet what kind*

Chicken Pot-au Feu (has mushrooms, green onion, carrots, red pepper in it) served with brown rice

Whole wheat Rotini with vegetable stuffed tomato sauce and spicy turkey sausage with whole wheat foccacia

Souvlaki, greek salad, rice pilaf and whole wheat pita

Beef fajitas on whole wheat shells, salad *again, not sure what kind*

We're home!!

We made it home safe and sound last night around 11:30 p.m. and had everything unloaded and put away by 12:15 a.m. We were very happy to get back home and sleep in our own bed.

I'll post pics later of the weather we encountered but can assure you that it was not what we were prepared for. However, ourselves and the boat are all in one piece and survived the strange weather.

GAME ON!!!

report from the road---- THANK GOD WE'RE IN KAMLOOPS!!!

We've run into some pretty bad weather through the icefields all the way down to Montana! WHITEOUT conditions and high winds....it was horrible. We watched the weather report yesterday morning before heading home and it was even worse then when we came down so we decided to come home via Kamloops and thank goodness - it's sunny, warm and people are actually wearing shorts. After being in the vehicle for most of Wed, Thurs and Friday we're taking today off and hanging out then back on the road for home tomorrow. Hal also gets to watch the Canucks game so it all works out and saves us on hotel.

GAME ON!!! Goodness I hope those Canucks play a much better game tonight and that they keep it together and win the series!

Off to shower now and head out to hang in the sun.
Hugs and Love to all!
Pen

WOOO HOOOO!!!

WE ARE ONE HAPPY BUNCH OF CANUCKLEHEADS HERE!!!

What a Landlord

This is way too FUNNY!!! OMG i'm still laughing.
http://sjl.funnyordie.com/v1/view_video.php?viewkey=3efbc24c7d2583be6925

Bathroom Stage 3

AFTER

BEFORE



AFTER

Updates on odds n' ends

Thought i'd better come back and do some updates!

The Pampered Chef party was quite successful. Socializing with friends, enjoying good food and shopping.....where can you go wrong, lol!!

Puppy News
We're still waiting for news of a breeding and fingers crossed that there is a puppy to join our family this year!

Health
I've taken myself off all medications, herbs, etc. to let my body just be for awhile and focusing more on healthier food choices, exercising regularly and doing more research on a holistic approach. Since then i've actually gotten a period on my own and my blood pressure has dropped to a normal range (obviously raised by the meds I was on) and have managed to lose a few pounds (water i'm sure but it's a loss).

Home
The main bathroom is pretty much finished other then some small decorating and finishing touches. Hal's in the shower right now so i'm not going to take pics to post just yet but they'll follow.

It's such a wonderful feeling having the house and turning it into our home by adding personal touches. We were very lucky to have found a house already updated so it was really a matter of picking colours, home decor and appliances.

We're anxiously awaiting the nice weather so we can paint the deck, fence and get the spring yardwork done.

Drift Boat
We leave Wednesday afternoon for a marathon drive to Montana where we'll get the boat. Hal and I realized we pass through Lethbridge and will be stopping there to see his cousin Linda. It's been quite some time since they've seen each other and are looking forward to catching up.

Laura will be staying here to watch the house and our furbabies so that's a relief!

Personal
Focusing on believing in myself again, knowing what I am capable of doing and not allowing others to have me question it. Breaking free of the comfort zone and looking out for what's best for me. Now don't get me wrong here, i'm not out to wreak havoc or do this at the expense of others.

We are anxiously awaiting Parkers birth and wish Shari a very safe and speedy delivery. Keeping Shari, Doug and the babes in our prayers!

It's been good for the soul to get out and socialize more too. This past month has been filled with lots of it and so enjoyable to be around so many wonderful people. A few of these have been: pre pampered chef party, pampered chef party, Easter dinner with Shari, Doug and Kali, Craft Fair and then Jenny's on Saturday! All in one months time frame....ahh, the heart is a smilin!

Enough for now and think that's pretty much covered it.

Some 'ologies'!

'THE OLOGIES '

MOUTHOLOGY

Q. What is your salad dressing of choice?
A. Zesty Italian or Balsamic

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. Wendy's or KFC

Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Rosario's (in town) Montana's (travelling)

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
A. Tip from Shari, dbl the GST and add a bit

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick off of it?
A. Chicken and veggies

Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
A. Pepperoni, onion, feta and cheese

Q. What do you like to put on your toast?
A. butter and raspberry jelly

Q. What is your favorite type of gum?
A. Extra Peppermint or Cinnamon


TECHNOLOGY

Q. Number of contacts in your cell phone?
A. 43

Q. Number of contacts in your email address book?
A. 67

Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. The cutest Rottweiler puppy

Q. How many televisions are in your house?
A. Three - one in Hal's Hal, one in the living room and one for the kids to play video games with


BIOLOGY

Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
A. Right

Q. Do you have any weird markings?
A. Yeah but i'm not telling where! LOL

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
A. Hell yeah and not getting into details, lol

Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
A. Smell

Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?
A. About 8 years ago

Q. What is the heaviest item you lifted last?
A. Vacuum Cleaner

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Yes, you could say I was the uncoordinated one....or is that I AM STILL, lol


BULL[CRAP]OLOGY

Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
A. Part yes so i'd have the chance to tie up loose ends. Part no, it would be harder on those you leave behind.

Q. Is love real?
A. Is the Pope a Catholic? Do birds fly? LOL DEFINITELY!!!

Q. If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?
A. I like my name, it defines who I am as it's the name connected to my history

Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
A. Purple, blue or green

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
A. hehehehe, umm depends on what you mean by non-food item! ;-D YES!

Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
A. I've been told that Yes I have

Q. Has someone ever saved yours?
A. Yes!


DAREOLOGY

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
A. No

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
A. Really now who wouldn't? (ditto!)

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
A. I'm thinking someone would pay MUCH MORE to NOT have me pose naked, lol

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
A. It wouldn't happen so Nope

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
A. No I honestly could not. Loved Joni's answer - Swiss bank account, lol

Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?
A. I'd try but Shari would have to tape LOST for me!!! LOL


DUMBOLOGY

Q: What is in your left pocket?
A: in jammies so no pockets!

Q: Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?
A: Not my kind of movie but it did have a few funny parts

Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
A: Carpet and Tile, would love to do more wood (hehehehe, do more wood! laughing at self)

Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
A: Why the heck would you sit in a damned shower....that's what tubs are for. I'm a 'Stand-Up girl'

Q: Could you live with roommates?
A: Yes, have three furry roomies now, lol.

Q,How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A. No flip flops here, i've got some Naots that I absolutely love!!

Q: Where were you born?
A. Springhill, NS

Q: Last time you had a run in with the cops?
A: The year I went to Nashville....thank goodness cuz I found my ID!!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A. humm tough one......still deciding... (ditto Joni)

Q: Who is number 1 on your top 8
A: Hal and I with our relationship


LASTOLOGY

Q: Friend you talked to?
A: Shari

Q. Last person you hung out with?
A: Laura

Q: Friend you called?
A: Shari

Q: Person you hugged?
A: Kali just now! Now her and Cleo are loving on one another, lol.

Q: Place you went:
A: Riverlodge Craft Fair


FAVORITOLOGY

Q: Number?
A: 7

Q: Color?
A: Blues or Yellow

Q: Season?
A. Love them all but right now after 6 months of winter i'm ready for Spring or Summer!!!


CURRENTOLOGY

Q: Missing someone?
A: Yes, more then just one!!

Q: Mood?
A: Really good, hanging with Kali right now and then off to Jenny's tonight!!! Woo Hoooo!!!

Q: Listening to?
A: Galaxie Adult rock

Q: Watching?
A: Kali trying to get Cleo to drink water out of her glass, lol

Q: Worrying about?
A: Travelling next week, finances, personal stuff


Tag your it!!!!

Off to Montana!!! IKEA, COSTCO AND BURGER KING?!?!

Hal's friend is going to be unable to go with him to Montana to pick up the drift boat and since we're not sure Hal will get across he needed someone to go with him who could.

The other kicker was the pick up date. We got an email saying that it couldn't be picked up on the original date but three days or four days later so that really threw a screw into things.

I asked and got the time off work so Hal and I can get down and pick up the boat. **Thanks Pauline!**
We have to leave right at 12:30 on Wednesday to make it there in time for to pick up the boat on Thursday. 20+ hours in a vehicle to get there in time!! Thank goodness we can two days getting home.

I'm sure once we're fishing the river it will be well worth it.

I'm still laughing at Hal and his route planning....he says "Well does your map planner thingy tell you where the Burger Kings are on the way??? I started to laugh!! Told him he can have his Burger King but we're stopping in Calgary for Red Lobster and if he's stopping at BK's all the way then he's got to stop at Ikea and Costco for moi! We won't be buying anything but it's just nice to get lost in dreamland and to get some fresh ideas. It's going to be a whole lotta pavement, sore butts, car naps and heated discussions on what we're NOT going to listen to, lol.

WHERE IS EVERYONE???

It's been very quiet over here lately...is everyone still alive???

Something to think about as we lose more soldiers!

We look forward to the time

when the Power of Love

will replace the Love of Power.

Then will our world know

the blessings of peace.

-William Gladstone

New twist on the "We are having a BABY- we HAVE to place our dog"

HELP NEEDED ASAP: Please help!!!!

After two long years of being on a waiting list for an agility dog, we have been notified by the breeder that, at long last, our number has come up and ... WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY!!!

We must get rid of our children IMMEDIATELY because we just know how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be and it just wouldn't be fair to the children. Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children into rescue this weekend!

They are described as:

One male - His name is Tommy, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Temperament tested. Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet. Has had chicken pox and is current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed.
Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained & gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read soon.

One female - Her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix),strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, quite freckled. Two years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy & can be affectionate. Gets along well with other little girls & little boys but does not like to share her toys and therefore would do best in a one-child household. She is a very quick learner and is currently working on her house training -- shouldn't take long at all.

We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what's right for
them; that is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy.

I hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real emergency here!!!

They MUST be placed into your rescue by Sunday night at the latest or we will be forced to drop them off at the orphanage or along some dark, country road.

Our priority now has to be our new puppy.

Bet the title make you go "WTF? OMG They're expecting!" LOL Honestly though, it bothers me to hear so many people say that about their pets. All too often they're discarded instead of blended in with the family as it grows. I know so many people who's animals have turned out to be their little ones best friend.....a lot of these dogs and cats were the only 'fur' babies in the home and accepted the new baby with no problems.

More Free Association words!

Unconscious Mutterings is hosted by Luna Nina.


I say ... and you think ... ?

Freak :: Willow
Open :: Close
Important :: Reading (where did that come from? LOL)
Magnetism :: Animal
Lap :: Cuddles
Anything :: and Everything!
Match :: Maker
Father :: Dad, miss our talks
Idea :: good, fun
Mirror :: mirror on the wall

Meal Plan Monday

Hi all,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. We had the most delicious dinner at Shari and Dougs and we even took the remains home to make soup with. It's nice to have such good friends to spend the holidays with, especially when your families live so far away. Good food, great company and a variety of conversations, lol.
So this week it's my turn to feel under the weather so this week's menu will be very basic and simple. Sometimes it's good to just go back to the basics.

Seasoned pork steak, roasted potatoes and corn
Homemade turkey soup *Thanks Shari and Doug for the delicious dinner
Penz Pepperoni and Feta pizza, ceasar salad and hot wings
Hot n' Spicy chili with Rice and rolls
Garlicky sticky ribs, rice and grilled veggies (we didn't get to have these last week and they're so good!)

We'll be away for a couple of dinners so that's it for this week.

Only in the hospital!!

1. A man comes into the ER and yells; "My wife's going to have her baby in the cab!" I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress, and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs -and I was in the wrong one. Submitted by Dr. Mark MacDonald, San Antonio , TX .

2. At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. "Big breaths," I instructed. "Yes, they used to be," replied the patient. Submitted by Dr. Richard Byrnes, Seattle , WA

3. One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a "massive internal fart." Submitted by Dr. Susan Steinberg , Manitoba , Canada

4. During a patient's two-week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications. "Which one?" I asked. "The patch. The nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'm running out of places to put it!" I had him quickly undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body! Now, the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one. Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair, Norfolk , VA

5. While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, "How long have you been bedridden?" After a look of complete confusion she answered..."Why, not for about twenty years - when my husband was alive." Submitted by Dr. Steven S wanson, Corvallis , OR

6. I was caring for a woman and asked, "So how's your breakfast this morning?" "It's very good, except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste" the patient replied. I then asked to see the jelly and the woman produced a foil packet labeled "KY Jelly." Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf, Detroit , MI

7. A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room, when a young woman with purple hair style ed into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, en tered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery. When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read, "Keep off the grass." Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said, "Sorry, had to mow the lawn." Submitted by RN no name

AND FINALLY!!!................

8. As a new, young MD doing his residency in OB, I was quite embarrassed when performing female pelvic exams. To cover my embarrassment I had unconsciously formed a habit of whistling softly. The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further embarrassing me. I looked up from my work and sheepishly said, "I'm sorry. Was I tickling you?" She replied, "No doctor, but the song you were whistling was, "I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Wiener". Doctor wouldn't submit his name...........

Thanks Chris for these Friday funnies!!

Signature

Hi all,
I've had a few people comment and ask about my signature. I went to www.mylivesignature.com and it was really easy to use and walks you through it step by step. I'm sure there must be other ones out there but when googling signatures for blogger this was near the top.
Enjoy and looking forward to other siggy's.

Word Association

1. Trembling ::
first kiss

2. Shut up ::
big mouth

3. Heights ::
scary, thrilling

4. Monica ::
anal retentive (Friends)

5. Delicious ::
cherries

6. Joint ::
pain

7. Ferry ::
calm

8. Bliss ::
love

9. Rejection ::
hurtful

10. Satisfying ::
contentment

Penz Got Her GROOVE Back

So the last two weeks have been really rough and extremely personal so i'm not going to go into details other then to say i'm getting back on track both emotionally and physically. Each of us has our own ways of dealing with things that happen and sometimes just need to be allowed to feel the pain, the loss and work through it in our own time without being judged or forced to 'hurry and get over it'.

I've also realized that i'm stuck in a comfort zone of where I am right now and it's hindering growth in other areas so i'm working on breaking that cycle and believing in myself again.

It has been an enlightening time for me and i'm not going to let the negative get me down but stay focused on being positive and to know that there is a reason, a season and a lifetime. For whatever reason we've been dealt the hand we have in this life we must weather each season as it comes and thus progress through life and find contentment.

Show your children compassion, guidance, teach them empathy but most of all love them for who they are and appreciate what miraculous, beautiful and blessed gifts they truly are.

Enough deep stuff but maybe we all need a little reminder again to check ourselves out and where we are in life.

This was just too funny and we all have these days!

For those days you want to say 'FUCK IT!'
Got this in an email and cracked up! Pardon the language for those who may be offended but posted it as I got it.

Happy 16th Birthday Warren!

My nephew turned 16 today!! Actually both our nephews turned 16 this year and last night when I was saying to Hal that it seems like just yesterday they were both in pampies and cruising around the house (they used to stay with us quite often when we lived in Kamloops. I'm really missing Kamloops to right now for various reasons!) Anyways we chatted about them and how much they've changed and how different they are for being the same age.

Back to the diaper part, lol. Hal says "I don't remember them in diapers and thank god they're not anymore." Then we say "Well we'd love them even if they still were." Hal looks at me with this smirky, sorta serious look, "Well hun, will you love me when or if i'm ever in diapers?!?!" OMG, WE BOTH LOST IT, it was just way too funny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STINKY!! Auntie and Uncle love ya!

From this little guy at 4 months:

To this young man:

MEAL PLAN MONDAY!

I think this week will have a few meals from last week as Hal was so sick with the flu we ended up eating a lot of homemade soups....most were good but the Tomato Ravioli was a bust :-(

In no particular order:

Beef Souvlaki, Rice Pilaf, Greek salad Beef Souvlaki recipe

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies

Garlicky ribs, sticky rice and grilled veggies

Ginger sesame chicken, spinach salad and chow mein

Poached Salmon, grilled sage potatoes and carrots (on a night Hal works late as he's not a fish eater)

Burgers, garden salad and fries

Easter dinner at Shari's (Yummy!!)

Beef Souvlaki and Tzaziki Recipe

BEEF SOUVLAKI WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE (KEBABS)
Serving Size : 4

Meat and Marinade Ingredients:

2 lb Beef or lamb cut into 1 1/2" cubes/chunks
2 cups dry red wine
1 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp Oregano
2 Cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup Olive oil
4 tbsp Lemon juice

2 med Onions, quartered
2 med Green peppers, cut into 1" pieces
12 Cherry tomatoes or tomato wedges
12 Fresh mushrooms

Salt to taste
Skewers

Marinate the meat overnight to absorb the wine and garlic.

Place the meat in a large bowl. Pour in the wine and sprinkle minced garlic and oregano. Place the lemon strips among the cubes of meat and drizzle with olive oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.

Shake or stir the mixture several times during the marination period. About 30 minutes before serving drain off and discard the marinade. Thread the chunks of meat onto long skewers, brushing with a little olive oil. (You can BBQ the peppers and tomatoes on separate skewers but it's really up to the chef.) Over medium coals, barbeque the souvlaki until it's done the way you like it.

TZAZIKI:

2 c Plain Yogurt
1/2 English Cucumber, peeled & grated
2 Garlic cloves minced
3 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp salt

Begin preparing the tzazik a few hours before serving. The flavours need time to blend.

Line a colander or sieve with cheesecloth (or gauze) and set it over a bowl. Pour in the yogurt and allow it to drip for an hour or so.

After the yogurt has drained combine it in a small bowl with the cucumber and the garlic.

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until just before serving.

While the meat is BBQing, drizzle the olive oil over the surface, and without stirring, sprinkle on the salt.
It needs no mixing - your guest will do that when they dollop it onto their souvlaki. MAKES: About 3 cups

Hal and I tend to buy Tzaziki to save time but homemade is really good sometimes too. I usually serve this dish with Rice Pilaf, Pita and Greek Salad.