Quick and Easy

This has to be a quick post. I am juggling many things tonight and was hoping to give you a nice long blog about sex and "the talk"...more on that soon, I promise.



For today you get a video of my boys playing Elefun! Jakob got it from a friend for his birthday and loves playing it. The object of the game is to catch the butterflies as they are blown out the elephant's trunk. Very Exciting - to Jake...not so much to Aiden!

Hope you enjoy!

Take Care,

Tania Love Big, Bake Often

Family Readiness Group aka FRG

So I am happy to say that I am back involved with an actual functioning FRG. For those of you not familiar with the term, it is a program to help keep the wives of soldiers informed of the goings on of their husband's units while they are home, and most importantly while they are deployed. I was a co-leader for Jason's unit in Colorado, and I really enjoyed it. Lots of fun. But then we moved to CT, and there wasn't an FRG at all. There didn't really need to be one, but it would have been nice to get to know the wives of the guys Jason was working with.

Now, thank goodness, I am a part of a FRG that works. Jason's Commander's wife, Nikki, is running the FRG. I know she reads this, and I am glad that she does, because I want her to know that I think she is going to be a great leader for this group. She had a meeting at her house a few weeks ago and I was sad that more of the wives didn't come. I thought it was very generous of her to have us to her house, provide yummy snacks, and let us bring our kiddos. The few wives that showed up seemed interested in the FRG and what was going on with the group and with the unit. I hope that the next few meetings or events get better turn outs.

I have been asked to help out with the FRG if I can. Of course I said yes. And so I am Treasurer (no laughing, I am allowed to use a calculator), as well as Point of Contact for Jason's platoon. Lots of fun.

So...looking for some recipes and advice. We are going to be rotating out and making breakfast for the whole unit, all 75 (approx) of them! My turn is coming up in a couple of weeks. So what would you make/bring to feed 75 hungry soldiers....who just finished physical training?? Needs to be easy to make, easy to serve, and easy to deliver...at 7:00 AM!!! Leave me a comment with any ideas you may have! Please and thanks!

Take Care,
Tania
Love Big, Bake Often

YWPWT meets TWD

Let me start off by saying that I don't "do" bananas. I like the flavor just fine, but the texture really grosses me out. I can't peel and bite into a banana, I don't like banana pudding, or banana cream pie. (I do like banana bread - no chunks please) So when I saw that this weeks Tuesday's with Dorie was Banana Cream Pie I knew that there would have to be something else baking in my kitchen again. I am so sorry my TWD friends....I just couldn't do it. But hop over to Sing for Your Supper, Amy has Dorie's recipe for the pie there.
Side note: after reading and seeing the pics of all the other TWDr's pies I think the boys really would have loved it! Sorry Boys!


I have had pies on my brain for awhile to come up with my submission for this month's You Want Pies with That? This month's theme is Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, chosen by Jacque & Natashya.


And so I give you.........
Joaquin Phoenix's Cuckoo Coconut Custard Cream Pie!

It is a delicious graham cracker crust, filled with thick and creamy toasted coconut custard, and topped with a vanilla rum whipped cream. And it is divine - I only ate half of one, but I could have eaten all four! But then I wouldn't be able to sit up and type this! Not good!

I cannot wait to submit this as my contribution. It came to me in a dream, as most of my great ideas do, and I was giddy about it. I hope you think I am as clever as I do!! Toot, toot...that's my own horn you hear!

I am going to make next weeks TWD for sure, I promise, no matter what.

Until then,

Take Care, Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

I'm Obsessed....

I have an obsession. I am obsessed with fabrics. And all the ideas of things that I "want" to make with said fabric. I plot things out in my brain, buy things that I think I need. And then very few projects are getting made. I understand that I have alot going on, things that take up so much of my day.....two boys and all. But it makes me think of things that my teachers use to write on my report cards, and things that my mother use to say to me growing up. How I would get all these big ideas in my head, get all excited about something, and then not complete it.

So this is my plan:

1. Stop buying fabric.

2. Make things with the fabric I have.

3. See if I am any good at sewing or if this is just a hobby for making things for my friends.

4. Give the things I make to people I care about.

5. And then maybe buy more fabric!!

There will be a few posts about the things I am making as I go along...... 1st on the list is a picnic blanket for the boys....I bought this awesome fabric for them - and thought it would make a great picnic blanket fabric.

Oh...and here is the cupcake fabric that I cannot wait to make into an apron for my BFF's daughter.

I will keep you posted on the projects as they develop! With hubby away for the next couple of nights I hope to get something completed!! If the wine doesn't interfere!

Take Care,

Tania Love Big, Bake Often

Monkeys on Mondays

Ok...So lets try some themes on certain days. I have Fixation Friday, when I divulge all my chocolate obsessions. And of course Tuesdays with Dorie (though I have been a miserable slacker). And last week I did a Thoughtful Thursday. So why not Monkeys on Monday? I will let Monday be my day to share pictures and tidbits about my boys.

Here are some pics of Jakob and his soccer practice....and of course Aiden looking serious as he cheers him on. Jakob is still pretty shy at soccer, and spent the last 15 minutes of practice sitting on his ball convincing himself that his coach is scary. I can only hope that he comes around before the games begin in two weeks. And as frustrating as it is, it seemed the more I encouraged him to play, the more stubborn he became, I wonder where he picked up that trait?

So there we have our first post for Monkeys on Monday! Hope you like it.

Take Care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Wine, Wine, Oh Glorious Wine...

Months ago, my friend CB, did a giveaway on her blog for a bottle of wine. Not just any wine, but Cupcake Wine....How Perfect!! I, of course, didn't win her giveaway and have been searching for this wine ever since. I asked at our local liquor store many weeks ago and they looked at me like I was nuts. So you can imagine my delight when I stopped in the other night and found it! Two types of it! I proceeded to buy both the Chardonnay and the Merlot. To go along with tonight's dinner of prosciutto and Gruyere stuffed pork chops with white wine and grapes, with pancetta fried potatoes and honey glazed carrots; we opened the Merlot. Well... I opened the Merlot and began drinking as I cooked (a habit I picked up from my Mother).

The wine is so smooth...no harsh aftertaste whatsoever. Rich and luscious. It is a definite "buy again" (soon) wine. Delish.

Here is a pick of the wine bottle (almost empty) and dinner....please note: I am terrible at photographing food. Am trying SO hard to find the time to learn how to do it better!! Bear with me!

Ok, that is all I have for tonight...Enjoy and Drink more Wine!

Take Care,

Tania

Love Big, Bake Often

Who Doesn't love crayola products?

I love Crayola...I have loved them since I was little. And now that I have my own kiddos I love their products even more. They have come along way with their products, and their creativity.


I am happy to pass on info about a great Giveaway...Yes, Free Crayola Products to one lucky winner. The gift basket with all these wonderful products is HUGE. Hop on over to "I Never Grew Up" and check it out!


Here's a shot of what is in the giveaway basket.....thanks Vanessa!



Take Care,
Love Big, Bake Often
Tania