Just another day at the office...

I absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom. However when I started doing stuff like this, I knew something needed to change.

So I started working again. It's not a big deal job...I'm pretty much a "Girl Friday." But I LOVE every minute of it. I get out of the house for a few hours a week. I get some adult conversation. But most of all, I get Mandy Time. (For those of you who have known me for many years know how important that is for me.)

This all came out of the blue. Mark's aunt needed help at her office with organizing, sorting, creating, etc. My friend wanted to start a babysitting swap so she could have someone watch her son while she is interning. And BOOM - I have a job and someone to watch Cohen. I didn't realize how much I would to enjoy this opportunity. I think Heavenly Father answered a prayer that I hadn't even said yet.

The Queen Doesn't Cook #6

Swedish Meatballs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 lbs ground chuck

1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs (I used Corn Flake Crumbs)

Combine all ingredients. Mix well and make into meatballs. Cook in preheated oven 30 - 35 minutes or until done.

Yummy.

Your kids will like them.

Optional sauce (I didn't make this, but it is worth a try)
1 bottle chili sauce
1 jar grape jelly

While meatballs are baking, combine chili sauce and grape jelly in a saucepan and heat until jelly has melted. When meatballs are done, remove from oven. Drain and transfer meatballs to saucepan and coat well with sauce before serving.

www.cooks.com
Submitted by Heather

I need your help...

We're going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. I have two goals. 1) Get a tan. 2) Read some seriously great books. So, I need to know of a book or two that you've read that have taken over life. I'm not talking about a book that you enjoyed because it had good writing and a unique story. I'm talking about a book that you were obsessed with about finishing...a book that you can't wait to read again...a vacation book. Let me know. Also, don't assume I've read it already. I haven't. (I still haven't read Twilight - I'm taking it with me.)

Reasons Why I Love the IKEA Cafeteria

1) Cafeteria tray carts - what an ingenious idea!

2) Real high chairs and bibs.

3) $0.99 macaroni for Cohen. (He never finishes it and I get to eat it...yum!)

4) Shopping cart parking.

5) Last but not least - Swedish Meatballs. If you haven't had them, then go tonight!!

Before and After #2

Two bedside lamps that no longer match the bedroom decor.
$0

Two lamp shades collecting dust in a closet.
$0

Add the two together and you get redesigned lamps that somewhat match everything around them.
Priceless.

It's What We Do...

My mom and I have just spent the past hour and a half talking on the phone. We do this quiet often...we'll call each other for one thing and end up talking for hours. It's so great!!! Here is what we did during tonight's conversation:

1) We browsed Ticketmaster.com for Phantom tickets. Phantom is in town when my mom comes to visit. If you've never experienced buying tickets through Ticketmaster.com, then you are in for a treat. We went back and forth trying to find the perfect seats. Then when we finally decided on some, we took too long discussing if we actually wanted them or not and the timer ran out. So, we had to search again. This happened a couple of times until we got serious and actually bought some tickets. Now I only need to find a babysitter.

2) We discussed our Fantasy football teams and how bad we both did this week. (Andy is kicking all of our butts...it's sad.) We talked about how we could have done better if we had known that our quarterbacks were going to perform horribly. Does anyone have a time machine so we can see what is going to happen next week??

3) Reminded each other to e-mail Alex. (He's on his mission in Hawaii.)

It was a great conversation!!

HELP - 1 Year Old Diet

I feel like I mastered the art homemade baby puree. Now I feel a little out of my element. We're trying to feed Cohen a mostly organic diet - especially milk, meat and the dirty dozen vegetables and fruits. I feel challenged as I try to expand Cohen's diet and at the same time try to be frugal and keep things as easy as possible. Please comment with anything that worked for you and your child. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!!!