Oh, Snap!

 

 
To all Moms of beautiful children,
 
Yes, that would be you!
 
Based on your Wordless Wednesday photos, any one of you could win the next PARENTING Magazine Annual Photo Contest. The contest runs from July 15th and ends September 30th (postmark deadline)or go to Parenting.com to enter online with your digital photograph. You know you could win!
 
Oh, and that photo above...I'm not entering it. It's just a sentimental favorite snap of my firstborn.....taken 34 years ago with a little instamatic!

Sweeten Your Salsa

 

 
One of the easiest ways to add interest to your regular dinner menu is by adding a relish or salsa. A little chopping of a few fresh ingredients and you can reinvent almost any chicken, pork or fish that you've tossed on the grill. Pineapple salsa is great for this. Last week fresh pineapple was on sale for $1.99 so I scooped one up and made this salsa.
 
You'll need to cut the top and bottom off of the pineapple, slice off the rough skin, quarter and core the pineaple then cut into half inch dice. You should have approximately 4 cups. Then add the following:
 
1/4 c diced red onion
1/4 c diced sweet red pepper
1/4 c diced green pepper
2 t grated fresh ginger
1/4 c chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 t red pepper flakes
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
 
This salsa keeps really well so you can make it in the morning or a day ahead and refrigerate until you serve it. Try my Corn Avocado Relish too!

Wordless Wednesday: Little Cottage in the Woods

 
Where the grandchildren come to play
 

Green Giveaway

 

 
One Mom and a Party is all about helping moms green up their kid's birthday parties. One simple way is to use our cloth tablecloths, napkins and favor bags to reduce paper waste.
 
Then you can use your own cutlery or buy biodgradable cutlery, plates and cups. The August issue of Parenting Magazine has recommended their favorite brands. For cutlery they recommend Jaya's (available at amazon.com) for it's durability and smooth comfy feel. StalkMarket's plates and bowls (also available at amazon.com) are microwave safe and oil-resistant. The winner for cups, both cold and hot, was Eco-Products (ecoproducts.com)
 
In August, 25 lucky moms can win a set of biodegradable picnicware which includes a package of 50 Eco-Products drinking cups, a box of StalkMarket cutlery, a pack of StalkMarket dinner plates PLUS a Green Gourmet Cuisinart skillet (a $70 value alone!)Just hop over to Parenting.com/giveaways to enter.
 
It's just a little step but that's how we can be kinder to our planet, One Mom, One Party at a time!

Rambling Observations of a Foodie

 
Let me just say at the start that I am not a gourmet cook. I love to cook. I love to read about food. I love to eat and I love to watch the Food Network. In fact, I think I may have a small addiction problem with watching cooking shows.
 
I love Iron Chef America. Did anyone see what they did with zucchini last night? Amazing! It's incredible what they can do in only one hour. Bobby Flay's Throwdown is another favorite; it has shown a humble side of Bobby that is very appealing. The Barefoot Contessa can always provide great recipes although I usually cut back on the butter, cream and $$$ ingredients. Her Easy Lobster Paella is just as good without the lobster!
 
I'm hooked on The Next Food Network Star too, but let's be fair! They make those people jump through hoops of fire! Bobby Flay has two sous chefs to help him with a throwdown. The contestants not only had to prepare their own dish but also a second dish that their competitor selected....alone, without any help. And have you seen the early shows of Emeril, Molto Mario and Giada? Nothing like the polished performers they are today. They were allowed to hone their skills as they filmed their shows but the NFNS people are expected to be sensational from the get go. Still there are new shows popping up, unjudged by the Network panel. Who is Aida? Where did Sunny come from?
 
And speaking of Giada.....I love her recipes and she is beautiful, but would somebody please put some clothes on that woman!? Do her producers actually think guys are looking at her food?
 
Just my observations.........

Can You Hear Me Now?

Talking on the phone with a 5 year old is a blast. Mind you, I don't understand everything she says but a "That's great, Honey" or an enthusiastic "Really!?!" can usually keep the conversation moving.
 
However, I was at a loss for words in this exchange:
 
Little O: Grandma, can you hear me coloring?
 
Grandma: No, Sweetie. I can't hear you coloring
 
Little O: Here, Grandma, I'm putting the phone close to my drawing. Can you hear me now?
 
Grandma: No, Sweetie. I'm so sorry but I can't hear you coloring...
 
Little O: Why can't you hear, Grandma?
 
OK, there just isn't any good answer to this question!
 
Grandma: Grandma will just have to talk to her network and get it fixed. Then she will be able to hear you coloring.

Some Relief at The Pump

Gas prices at $4.29 per gallon. Pretty scary. Our local supermarket also has a gas station on site and offers 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 spent on groceries. Great for large families but not so good for small families like us or even for those super coupon clippers who somehow manage to purchase $200 worth of groceries for only $3.87!

So I was very impressed when an ad arrived in the mail for this supermarket. There were 3 coupons attached with 3 future expiry dates. All I have to do is take a coupon to the store pharmacy and they will add 500 points to my gas redemption card! That's 500 points. Along with my little 100 points I have 600 points total to redeem for gas. That's a 60 cent reduction per gallon!

At my next fill-up (and I think I will actually fill up this time!) my gas will cost me $3.69 per gallon. WOOHOO!

When did we ever think that we would be celebrating $3.69 per gallon for gas???