Well our second Halloween was a bang! Just kidding. Conor got home from work just after 7pm, we ate dinner and then he had MORE work to do! Man, my husband is the busiest guy I know and utterly amazing. I felt bad because there was my hardworking husband slaving away on the computer while I lounged on the couch (and later in bed) reading a book. I guess I did the dishes and I made hot pockets… but does that pass as equal? Oh no! Conor finally finished everything up close to 11:30. AHH! May I just note that he got up at like 5:30 yesterday morning? Conor needed to relax before sleeping, so we watched some of Second Hand Lions and I rubbed his feet and legs (I know, firsthand, how it feels to be up on one’s feet for 8 hours). This morning was a flurry of putting homework together, scrounging for food (today’s the first of the month… grocery shopping day!) and just getting out the door! Oh brother! We made it, Conor will be late for school, but at least he’s gonna get there with two shoes on!
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Last week, our iron shut down. I was using it and then it made a clicking noise, the same click it makes when it’s hot and ready to go, but this was the click of death. Since I have not been able to get my Black & Decker Quick Press to revive. Off to Target! I found quite the selection of irons but in the end decided to go with the Rowenta Power Duo. I was very excited to try out this new piece of equipment. With it’s many features, smart auto off, full comfort handle, burst of steam, stainless steel, anti drip, pro vertical steam and self clean, this baby came fully loaded. One of the favourites is that the water doesn’t bubble out when pouring it in! That was always a source of frustration with the B&D. I ironed a white shirt… in bliss! Yup, I think I shall never again be found in ownership of a crappy iron.
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Here it is! I bought this really great sweater from Gap. It’s a mix of cotton, nylon and silk and just the right weight for me. Of course my wool coat, boots and a good pair of jeans. Hope this is everything you were waiting for!
It’s easy to continually win Conor’s heart with cheesecake icing. He just LOVES it. Yesterday I made this great carrot cake that I found on the Kraft Canada Website. It was sooo tasty!! All the reviews on it are just right! Here’s the most toothsome recipe:
CAKE
2 cups flour
2 tsp. MAGIC Baking Powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
1/4 cups oil
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups grated carrots (about 2 large)
1 can (19 fl oz/540 mL) crushed pineapple, well drained
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I left this one out because I don’t like nuts)
ICING
1 pkg. (250 g) PHILADELPHIA Brick Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel (I skipped out on this ingredient because I didn’t have it! Tasted great)
CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt in medium bowl; set aside. Beat eggs and oil in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Gradually add granulated sugar, mixing until blended. Add flour mixture, carrots, pineapple and walnuts; mix well. Pour into greased and floured 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch (3-L) tube pan.
BAKE 50 min. to 1 hour or until wooden toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 10 min.; loosen from sides of pan with spatula or knife and gently remove cake. Cool completely on wire rack.
ICING:
BEAT cream cheese and butter in large bowl with electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add icing sugar, juice and peel, beating until well blended after each addition. Spread on top of cake. Store leftover cake in refrigerator.
Substitute
Switch it up by substituting orange juice and grated orange peel for the lemon juice and peel.
Try it out and let me know what you thought!!
Earlier, I bought a bag of oreo cookies and graham cookies. I’ve learned that Conor LOVES oreos and loses all of his self-control. He has devoured those oreos. Like consumed them so quickly I myself have panicked and jumped on the bandwagon. I mean if I didn’t, I wouldn’t get any! That said, we’ve shot our healthiness out the window and have become cookie monsters. Conor was the worst. A cookie before dinner, half a dozen after, a cookie before bed… Oreo cookie addict! Maybe I’ll pick him up a few bags for his b-day and over-satisfy the craving.
Conor’s favourite part about these oreos was the “easy open pull tab” or the “snack’n'seal” and has even encouraged Daria to do a review on Boutique Cafe. That would be a dream come true for the Muirhead boys.
Here are some favourite shots:
