Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Baked Ziti Pasta, Green Beans, Garlic Bread... Brownies for dessert (we had company!)

Monday - Betty Crocker Slow Cooker Cowboy Stew and Crescent Rolls (Yes, we finally had this after having on the menu for weeks! It was pretty good, but the beans made it sweet... interesting, but not bad. I think it could have used some carrots too!)

Tuesday - Easy Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas (recipe found in a recent coupon insert... I'll share if it ends up being a good recipe.)

Wednesday - Amish Breakfast Casserole

Thursday - Grilled Chicken & Veggies

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Halloween Party (I'll need to have something for my parents who will be babysitting for Addyson and staying the night!)

What's on your family's table this week. Share over at Menu Plan Monday by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Thirsty Thursday

CAUTION!!! THIS ONE CONTAINS ALCOHOL!!!

This year, Nick and I will be attending our friends' annual Halloween Party. In the past, these parties have been known to get crazy and VERY entertaining! Everyone shows up in costume... and it's all couples - married couples at that, but we still party like we're in college! Last year we were unable to attend due to Addyson's health. This year, we are not missing it. I'm planning my costume and hubby is still thinking of his. Everyone always brings some type of dish to share and drinks too. These aren't your typical beer guzzlers... we have a more interesting palette. I thought I'd bring the makings for these Carmel Apple Martini's. Here is the recipe.(photo above courtesy of mbm951)

CARMEL APPLE MARTINI

• 2 fluid ounces best-quality vodka
• 1 fluid ounce sour apple schnapps
• 1/2 fluid ounce butterscotch schnapps
• 1 cup crushed ice

1. Combine vodka, schnapps, and crushed ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously to chill. Pour into martini glass, garnish with dried apple, and serve. Makes 1 serving.

Next week I'll be posting an "interactive" drink that we've had at previous Halloween parties.

Want to share a favorite drink recipe... don't be shy. Maybe it's a milkshake or a punch recipe. Or maybe your favorite hot cocoa drink. Write a post on your blog and link it here. I can't wait to see what you are all drinking!

Mama Koala Tagged Me!

So, I just realized that last week I was tagged by Mama Koala. She's a regular comment-leaver and participant of Thirsty Thursday, so I apologize for not playing along sooner!

1. I love being barefoot, except walking on concrete... the texture drives me crazy - like nails on a chalkboard!
2. I've recently become interested in aprons. I'm going to try a small smock type apron for Addyson as my first sewing project. My mom is letting me borrow her sewing machine.
3. I'm having lunch today with my friend Wendy. We are meeting at El Rodeo, a mexican restaurant here in town... it's our usual.
4. We honeymooned in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, stayed at The Tern Inn's Honeymoon Cottage. It's cold there in October!
5. I like to dip my Doritos in Cottage Cheese.
6. Along with the Candy Apple Martini drinks, I'll be making cupcakes for the Halloween Party this year!
7. I drive a purple Pontiac Torrent and I named her Hendrix. She has a sun roof and a CD player. I don't love her leather seats - too hot or too cold!

I am breaking the cycle by NOT calling anyone out in particular. However, if you'd like to play along, please feel free to jump in and play. I love reading random bits about other people and look forward to reading about you. Please post a link to your post in the comments section so I know you are playing along!

Thanks Mama Koala! This was FUN!

works for me wednesday = give a way contest

There are many reasons would enter a give away, but I don't do it very often. I usually only enter a give away if I could really use the product. Today I read about Irwin Toys: Baby So Real Review and Give-Away over at The Centsible Sawyer. This Baby So Real looks like the perfect Christmas gift for my daughter, Addyson. As many of you readers know, Addyson was born 15 weeks early causing her to have slight developmental delays and she doesn't take food by mouth, but instead has a g-tube. Her many doctors and therapists have suggested that we use dolls to mimick real life mommy-baby interaction. Addyson does have a small doll that she has recently learned to put a bottle to her mouth, but the doll is far from real looking. I'd love to win the Baby So Real Doll to help her learn feeding and other fine motor skills. So, not only does Baby So Real work for me, but The Centsible Sawyer's Review and Give-Away works for me too!

Want to see what works for other bloggers this week? Head on over to works-for-me wednesday at RocksInMyDryer.

Toolin' Up Tuesday

Seems that recently, my Toolin' Up Tuesday posts have been online tools. This one is no different. Remember that TV show, PeeWee's playhouse? Remember the "picturephone"? If not, see a video clip here, don't worry, it's clean! Well, check this service out... it's just like the picturephone (except without the tin can!) Last winter, we were introduced to Skype. It is a FREE online phone service with web cam abilities. My sister in law gave us a web cam and told us about Skype. Because she travels the world and is only visiting a few times a year, she wanted us to be able to share Addyson with her where ever she found herself living at the time. It has been a great way for us to keep in touch, although we don't do it as often now as she is currently living halfway across the globe and the time difference is tricky. Many computers now come with a web cam, either as a seperate piece or built in. You can sign up for a Skype account and reconnect with friends and family. Perfect for those with little ones or for those who prefer face to face conversations. Try it, you'll be hooked!

Read about the tools other bloggers are talking about at Toolin' Up Tuesday over at LifeAsMOM.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Leftovers of French Bread Pizzas
Monday - Baked Pork Chops, Corn Casserole, Fried Apples
Tuesday - Taco Cups (Crescent Rolls in Muffin Cups filled with Taco Meat & Cheese, after baking, add typical taco toppings)
Wednesday - Pancakes & Bacon
Thursday - Grilled Chicken & Veggies
Friday - Ravioli & Garlic Bread & Green Beans
Saturday - Betty Crocker Slow Cooker Cowboy Stew (I keep thinking we are going to have this, then something comes up, so we'll try again this week!)

You'll probably notice we eat Breakfast a lot for dinner on Wednesdays. Sundays we usually have something quick. Nick works late those nights and is usually not ready for dinner until 8 or so. Breakfasts are usually a quick dinner so they fit in our plan. Besides, who doesn't like breakfast for dinner?

You want to know more about menu planning and see other's menu plans? Visit Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Update on Addyson's Surgery

Addy did well, although it was a very LONG night here at home with those wires down her nose and attached to her stomach on the outside too. Those wires were connected to a monitor. Each time Addy woke up, fell asleep, was eating, stopped eating, coughed, gagged, or vomited we had to push a button and make a notation in a journal. The wires were not very long, so we couldn't let her walk around and play without being right by her side moving that monitor. Her arms were in braces to keep her from bending her elbows so she couldn't pull the tube out. It was stressful for her and she hated all that tape stuck to her face. We went back today and had the wires taken out. We will have results in 3 weeks.

Remember when she went in for the Upper GI and the Small Bowel Follow Through? It was near the end of September. They refused to do the Upper GI since she doesn't take liquid by mouth. I requested that they call the GI specialist that wrote the orders for the test to be done, as I was sure he wouldn't have written for it if it couldn't be done. I had read about other G-tube kids having the test done, but the doctor conducting the test assured me that there was nothing they could do and they wouldn't do the test. I spoke with her GI doctor yesterday (as he was the one conducting the Endoscopy and such) and informed him of the issue with the Upper GI. He was very upset and said that it should have been done. He said they could do it with an NG tube (feeding tube through her nose, just as we used to feed her). Of course, we now have to go back and have that test done. It is infuriating because it means another trip to the hospital... especially now that cold/flu/RSV season is upon us. It means another day off of work. It means more copays. It means more parking fees.... the list goes on and on. I'm very upset that Addy has to go through all that again. Anyone know of a way for me to "nicely" get that taken care of? I want them to know we aren't happy, I just don't know the right person to go to.