What the?!?

Holy allergic reaction! I just broke out in a hive like rash on my face, head, ears, arms and maybe my back. From spinach. We eat spinach a lot but I've never had Europe's Best before. It's hard to imagine that that's what it's from, but I can't think of anything else that it could be. I ate supper, went down to change the laundry, started sneezing and itching, then I felt like my face and ears were on fire. Yikes!

Of course I couldn't locate my allergy meds so I gobbled down some children's Benadryl. Yep, Alek is right, it does taste awful. Now I feel sick besides.

I want to tear my ears right off my head!

Excuse Me

Me: "Mikah, can you say, excuse me?"
Mikah: "Beep, beep."

I just love this funny little boy. He beeped like a car because I often do that when I want him to back up or move.

For the Love of a Great Movie

Tonight I was feeling at loose ends.

This afternoon I was laying down with Mikah trying to convince him to have a nap. One minute we were laying there, and the next I was opening my eyes to find his had closed. Then I was in the midst a most wonderfully strange dream. I can't remember what it was about; maybe a cruise??? Which is strange because I have never had the desire to go on one. But, it was enjoyable in any case. We slept the afternoon away the two of us, cuddled in a blanket cocoon. I must have really needed it because I never nap; unless I have the flu, which I don't (knock on wood).

After such a lazy day, I have been wandering the house unsure of what to do. I always feel that way when I haven't gone outside or accomplished much during the day. While I was trying to decide what to do, I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. And, surprise, one of my favorite shows of all time is on. Love Actually. So it was decided, make some chili-lime popcorn and hunker down on the couch to watch the movie. Don't you just love it when your favorite show is just randomly on TV, and you luck out and turn it on just as it's about to start instead of when it's ending? So I've been sitting here smiling my way through the movie. I just love it. The tenderness of the movie speaks to me; possibly because I guard mine so closely. The movie brightens my day and lightens my overall outlook on life and humankind.

Here's a map that I found that shows the connection between the characters on Love Actually. I don't mind admitting that I'm still slightly confused.

Happy Earth Day!!!

How are you going to show your love for the planet today?

Last night I made 15 bags of different colored playdough for an art project at school today. I'll post pictures tomorrow. The kids have to design a picture using playdough showing their thoughts, hopes, feelings about the Earth. Hopefully the project will work out.

I think we're going to have another lights out night at home tonight. And, maybe Alek will have another idea (as usual LOL).

Child Care

I am on the hunt for new child care for my boys starting this summer. My babysitter has decided to return to the "real world" at the end of June. While I wish her all the best, the more that I search for a new babysitter I'm realizing more and more just how lucky we were to have her. I NEVER had to worry about my kids. Ever. I trust her completely with their little lives, and she's always happy to see them. Even when she maybe shouldn't be LOL! She has helped make the last two years so much easier for us. Thank you Corra!!!

How am I ever going to find such a great caregiver again? Especially when the people who respond to my ads have email addresses such as, "Pimp-of-the-Year."

Seriously.

Egg Tarts

One of the best things about Hong Kong was being introduced to Egg Tarts. The flaky pastry shell and the indescribably smooth custard filling... Just; mmm. I don't normally like custard so these tarts must be something special.

I've always wanted to make them but have never tackled a recipe. But this recipe may just change all that. Don't they look delicious? Can't you feel yourself drifting towards the kitchen and pulling out the supplies? If Mikah and I weren't already baking mini raspberry pies today we would be making this instead. Maybe this weekend. Definitely sometime soon. Enjoy.

Project of the Day

While blog surfing this afternoon (while the babes slept) I came across this picture and thought, "Wow, what a beautiful bottle! I wonder where she bought it?" Lucky for me, and you, she didn't buy it, she made it and was nice enough to share the process with us. Thank you, Kathleen of Twig & Thistle for the amazing idea and tutorial! There will be more than a few people I know who will be receiving these Homemade Vanilla Extract bottles for presents.

Click on the picture to be taken to the tutorial.