Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone out there in blog land has a very safe and joyous New Year!
God Bless You and Your Families!


I've already started getting my resolutions together for Laurel Wreaths New Years Meditations. I put together a special journal to help me keep track of my progress and so I don't lose sight of all of the improvements that I want to make. I hope to see you at her site for the celebration.

A Melancholy Saturday

We took the Christmas tree down today, and it always makes me a little sad. It seems like there's always a huge build up to the holiday, then you blink your eyes and it's over. It's nice to get the house back to normal, but I miss all of the decorations. The house looks naked without them.
As I was taking the ornaments off of the tree, I was already projecting ahead to next Christmas, and that's when I really got sad. Next Christmas The Little Man will be 3, and the Big Brother will be almost 6. My babies are growing up to fast. I wish there was a way to slow things down. Even if for just a little while. I know that it is my job to help them grow and to become the best adults they can be, but it just seems to be going by too fast. My older son is already planning his 5TH birthday party (his birthday is February 5TH). OK, I'm kind of lying here, because he's actually been planning it since February 6TH 2006, but it's getting closer now and he wants to go out (tomorrow) to buy the decorations and invitations. 5. How can my baby be turning 5?
I may have been feeling sad today, but the boys were extra excited. Big Brothers Godfather sent them a Christmas present and it arrived this evening. They got THIS. My sons Godfather works for Toys R Us, so that's how he was able to get one. It is cute and although it's slightly annoying, it makes me laugh. The kids love it (and at least they are still young enough to be into Elmo).
I hope tomorrow is a quiet day. Since taking the tree down today, the house was a dust pit. So not only did I take the decorations down, but I dusted and vacuumed the entire downstairs. I'm just glad it's done and I feel better that at least the downstairs is clean. The upstairs is a whole other story....Maybe I can clean it for "Tackle It Tuesday".
Here's some pictures of the dis assembly of the tree:


Before:

After:


More pictures of the kids (just because they're cute...And no, I'm not biased):



Now we have on the funeral services for President Ford, and that is also sad. I feel bad for his wife. More melancholy. Just seems to be the theme for the day.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

This weeks theme is new.


Playing with his new toys. Picture taken with my new camera.

Go to TNChick to find the theme or join the blogroll.

New Years Blogthings

You Will Keep Your New Year's Resolution

You planning on making a resolution that's smart, attainable, and perfect for where your life is.

Will You Keep Your New Year's Resolution?

I hope this is true. I'll be doing a post on what my resolutions/life changes will be next week. Laurel Wreath will be hosting a New Years Resolution party on her blog from January 1 to January 5. Hop on over and see what the party rules are.
Laurel Wreath

One Hundred Things About Me

OK, due to the holidays and being busy, I missed my 100Th post, so now I have to come up with 100 things about me(I suppose it should be 130 things, but I'm not that multidimensional and 100 was hard enough). Here it goes:

1. I was born December 5, 1969.
2. I have lived in Ohio all my life (except for college).
3. I have a younger brother.
4. I was a shy child.
5. I went to a Catholic grade school (8 years).
6. While there, I played the flute.
7. I was an average/to above average student.
8. I loved school.
9. I'm not athletic and never played any sports
10. But I loved to swim.
11. Our family had a motor home and went camping.
12. We also drove it to Disney World when I was in 3rd grade.
13. We spent that Christmas with Micky Mouse.
14. It snowed in Florida that year.
15. I was in a school play in 6Th grade.
16. That's when I decided I like theatre.
17. I took acting classes.
18. I wasn't any good.
19. I went to public high school.
20. It was very different than Catholic school.
21. I decided I wanted to be punk.
22. I shaved half my head and wore leather.
23. I looked like a dork.
24. I gave up the flute because I didn't want to be in the school marching band.
25. My first job was as a hostess at Bob Evans.
26. I always smelled like pancakes after work.
27. My parents bought me a new car when I turned 16.
28. I had that car through college.
29. I wasn't a very good driver.
30. I hit lots of things.
31. When I sold that car, the only part that was original was the roof.
32. My second (and third job) was waitressing at a country club.
33. I graduated high school in 1988.
34. I went to college in Pennsylvania.
35. I graduated in 4 years.
36. My major was Speech Communications.
37. I thought I would go into television production (behind the scenes).
38. It was fun.
39. I graduated college in 1992.
40. There were no jobs.
41. It took me almost a year to find a job.
42. I waitressed at the country club until I did.
43. I decided that television production wasn't for me.
44. It was too cut-throat.
45. It didn't pay anything (to start).
46. My first job out of college was for a company that sold copy machines.
47. I was the trainer.
48. After the machine was sold, I trained people how to use it.
49. It was a great job.
50. I learned to feel comfortable speaking in front of anyone in any situation.
51. I also learned to read a map and drive all over Ohio.
52. My second job out of college was as a Marketing Assistant.
53. The company made pressure sensitive film (Like 3M, but not 3M).
54. I was able to travel a little with this job.
55. I did trade shows and visited customers.
56. I went to Vegas and Orlando a lot for trade shows.
57. Best place I went was Australia.
58. I bought a condo and loved living on my own.
59. There was no advancement in the company.
60. I found another job and quit.
61. My boss asked me out after I quit.
62. I didn't want to go out with him, but my mom said I should.
63. 6 months later we were engaged.
64. We were married July 22, 2000.
65. We went to Maui on our honeymoon.
66. That was one of the best times of my life.
67. We moved in to our current home in May 2001.
68. Two weeks later I found out I was pregnant with son #1.
69. He was born February 2002.
70. Son #2 was born July 2004.
71. I love being a wife and mother. It's what I always wanted to do.
72. I can't imagine my life any other way.
73. I have wonderful parents.
74. I have a wonderful husband.
75. For a brief period of my life I was ovo-lacto vegetarian.
76. I still don't like meat (except chicken).
77. My favorite foods are McDonald's fries and pizza.
78. My favorite color is purple.
79. I love blogging.
80. My other hobbies are scrap booking
81. Gardening
82. Cooking (by default due to The Little Man's food allergies).
83. I'd like to take up photography
84. Painting
85. Cooking lessons
86. I'd like to learn another language
87. Preferably Italian
88. I'd like to go there some day.
89. I'm part Italian
90. But mostly Polish
91. I'm Catholic
92. I'm moody
93. I'm impatient
94. I pray I'm a good wife and mother.
95. I love my boys (all 3 of them).
96. I'm running out of things to tell you
97. I like all kinds of music
98. I've never been to New York City, but would like to.
99. If you've made it this far, God Bless YOU!
100. Have a wonderful New Year!

Zesty Chicken and Rice Skillet

This recipe is from Kraft Food and Family magazine (holiday 2006).

Ingredients:
1. 1/2 cup Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing, divided
2. 1 tbs. Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
3. 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
4. 1 chicken bouillon cube, dissolved in 1 3/4 cups boiling water
5. 2 cups red and green pepper strips (about 2 medium)
6. 2 cups Minute White Rice, uncooked

Directions:
1. Mix 1/4 cup of the dressing and the mustard in large non stick skillet until blended; heat on medium high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 minutes or until cooked through, stirring occasionally.
2. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup dressing, bouillon and peppers; cover. Simmer 2 minutes or until heated through. Stir in rice; cover. Simmer 5 minutes or until rice and peppers are tender.
3. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

Make 4 servings: 1 1/2 cups each.

Please visit Overwhelmed With Joy for more recipe ideas.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Friday's Feast # 124

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Four

Appetizer How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve? Usually my hubby and I stay home and spend the evening with the kids and then watch a movie after they go to sleep.
Soup Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006. I started blogging. I never thought I would do that. I've enjoyed it very much and have enjoyed meeting all my blogging friends.
Salad Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006? Ocean City, Maryland. We went there on vacation in 2006 and had a blast with the boys. They loved swimming and playing in the sand. Mom and Dad had a blast too (watching the joy on the kids faces).
Main Course What resolution is your top priority for 2007? I have several resolutions that I'm working on this year, but the main one is to eat healthy(I'll do a post this weekend about the rest of my resolutions).
Dessert Using just three words, describe 2006. Busy, Conviviality, Blessed

Visit Fridays Feast for more delicious meals.

RAISE MONEY FOR ST. JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Go over and visit Pass The Torch. Her corporate sponsor will donate money (up to $500.00)if you leave a comment on her site at the appropriate link. Let her know that I sent you (she's also having a contest). Please visit and help raise money for the children.

Update: I'm making this a sticky post to help Kelly reach her goal. Over 100 people have visited and commented so far. You can comment once a day, so go back and comment on Friday and Saturday and tell all of your blogging friends!

Another update: I just came back from Pass the Torch and she made it. It was 501 comments! Great Job Kelly! St. Jude's is a wonderful cause:)

Thursday Thirteen #10

The above graphic is courtesy Chaotic Home

Thirteen Random Things About The Older Son Of Chupieandjsmama
1. He was born February 2002
2. He's named after his father, so he's a JR.
3. He was 10 days late, so I had to be induced.
4. Total time it took to have him was 18 1/2 hours with 5 hours of pushing. Eventually they used the forceps to help him along.
5. He was a colicky baby.
6. He has the best personality and everyone is his friend.
7. He does not fear new situations, places or people.
8. He does fear dogs, storms, the dark, and recently overcame his fear of swimming (after several hundred dollars for private swimming lessons).
9. He's very creative and likes to do crafts.
10. He picks on his little brother, but loves him very much.
11. He loves school and can't wait until he can ride the bus. We potty trained him by telling him he couldn't go to preschool until he was out of diapers. Worked like a charm.
12. He has the sweetest heart of anyone I know.
13. He stole my heart the minute he was born.


Also, I don't know how to do a sticky post or I would have left it at the top of my blog, but please scroll down to see how you can help raise money for St. Jude Medical Research Hospital by visiting and commenting at Pass the Torch .

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

Toys, Toys, Everywhere




Head over to Wordless Wednesday for more WW fun.

HELP! Toys R Us Exploded In My House!

Or at least it looks that way. It's a post-Christmas disaster (which is actually a good thing and a sign that Santa came through for the boys). I am skipping Tackle It Tuesday today, because the only thing I've tackled today is a raspberry swirled cheesecake, and nobody wants to see a picture of a slightly bloated woman terrorizing a cheesecake:)
Christmas was wonderful! On Christmas Eve day, I made pasta for dinner that night. It was a new recipe, but turned out very good (even though I slightly burned the tomatoes in the sauce). We went to Christmas Eve mass at 4 PM, but had to arrive at 3:30 PM to get a parking space and a seat. The Little Man held out pretty well considering we were there for 1 1/2 hours. Toward the end of mass he did yell at the kid at the end of our row "Move it kid! I need to leave". The mom said "What did he say"? Yep, that's our son, full of personality. We came home and had the pasta for dinner along with the fish my husband fried the day before (hubby and my older son ate the fish. I don't eat fish and The Little Man can't). Then we got the boys ready for bed. We hung the stockings by the fireplace and unlocked the childproof lock on the fireplace doors so Santa could get in. We put out the reindeer food, cookies and milk. Then we got the boys to bed. Hubby and I brought down the obscene amount of gifts that I bought (I went WAY overboard) and went to bed in preparation of the boys getting up early (I was going to make gluten free coffee cake, but I ran out of steam).
Christmas morning hubby and I woke up at 5 AM, but the kids slept in. It was kind of nice to have some quiet time to have coffee before the chaos started. I had my ham in the oven by 6 AM, and was totally ahead of schedule. I felt too organized:) The boys got up around 7 AM, and hurried downstairs to see what Santa brought. Hubby video taped the whole thing, while I ran around trying to read name tags and trying to put wrapping paper in garbage bags (so things wouldn't get too messy). Santa was good to the boys and they were very happy. Then hubby and I opened our presents. I got a new camera! Yay! So I don't have pictures to post, because I don't know how to use it yet (maybe that should have been my Tackle today). The Little Man got me Christmas socks and The Big Man painted his mommy a picture and put it in a frame. Two lovely presents (even if the socks are a tad loud in color). I then made the green beans and sweet potatoes for dinner and put the pirogi in the oven to warm up. My parents came at noon and the gift mayhem started all over again. My in laws came at 1:30 pm and more gifts were opened. We had dinner, and everyone stayed and played with the boys until around 4 PM. After everyone left, we put the Little Man down for a nap. He slept for 45 minutes and then woke up screaming. He was overly tired and didn't get enough sleep. We tried everything to get him to stop screaming, but after 20 minutes he said he wanted to go bye bye and find Christmas. Normally, I would not do this, but I was tired, he was tired, everyone was tired of the screaming, so I put him in the car and drove around to find Christmas. He stopped screaming immediately and got very excited at all of the Christmas lights. I drove him about 3 miles away to a house that has every blow up Christmas theme in the yard, thousands of lights, a Ferris wheel, a merry go round, and an animated life sized Santa and Mrs. Claus waving from a balcony (I wish I had a camera, because you wouldn't believe this yard). They have a circular drive with arrows (in Christmas lights) letting you know where to enter and where to exit. He loved this and at that point it was OK to go home because "We found Christmas". Luckily we were able to get both boys to sleep last night with little fuss.
Today has been a day of gluttony and sloth. We've played with toys, sat around and did nothing, and ate, ate, ate. But it's been nice and relaxing (I did manage to do some laundry too). I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know we did. I will try and figure out the camera this week so I can add some pictures!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing all of my bloggity friends a very Blessed Christmas! May your homes be filled with friends and family and your hearts be filled love and peace.

The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

What A Crazy Day!

I feel like Christmas (the secular part) has taken over my life. I feel like I can't remember a time when I wasn't running a gift list, menu, or a what's left to do list through my head. Ever have one of those days? Today was one of those for me and I think it's partly because I was so preoccupied with "things". It wasn't a bad day, it's just that nothing really went right.
The Kids: The kids are currently in some sort of evil Christmas mode. I don't know if they have serious behavioral issues or if they are so wound up for Santa that they have absolutely no control of anything they do. Little Man screamed and cried all day today. ALL.DAY.TODAY. By 7:00 pm, I said to my husband that "I just can't take it anymore. May the Good Lord help me, but I just can't take it anymore". I was sort of laughing/half crying at this point. It was so bad, that at every red light we stopped at today, he would scream "GO MAMA GO MAMA" in a high pitched, shrill voice until the light turned green. I just wanted to get out of the car and leave it there at the red light. Older Boy is going through a "I hit my brother, run like crazy, and tell a lie about what really happened phase" and this happens every 5 minutes. He also was in major meltdown mode today. He spent almost all of the morning in time out.
Drug Mart: This place is lucky that I didn't tear it down today. I was on my way to take Older Boy to gym class and left early enough so I could swing by Drug Mart and go through the drive thru pharmacy to drop of a prescription and pick it up later. I pull up and hit the "call" button. 3 minutes later no one has come to take my prescription. Do I hit the button again and look impatient, do I wait....OK, 4 minutes, hit the button again. No one comes. 7 minutes later, do I hit the button again, maybe they're busy. Meanwhile, kids in backseat are yelling and hitting each other. OK, 9 minutes. I should drive away, but maybe I'm not giving them enough time. Push button again (oh, yea, it's raining like crazy and I don't want to pull 2 kids out of the car). 12 minutes no one acknowledged me. Now I'm so angry I want to rip the camera off the prescription drop off shoot. Leave drive thru and drive to front of store which happens to be by a liquor store and a butcher shop (hopping with holiday shoppers). Finally find a parking space. Get out of car in pouring rain. Almost get hit by old guy. Get kids out of car and realize that I dropped the prescription in a mud puddle, but I can't find it. Drag kids around parking lot, find prescription and head in store to locate pharmacy where I may physically assault someone (oh, yea, now we are late for gym). I asked the lady behind the counter. "Is your call button broken? I pushed it three times and no one came. I sat there for 12 minutes". Her answer: "oh, I didn't hear it, or maybe I was on the phone". Lady you are lucky it is Christmas and that I had my kids with me or I would have had a few choice things to say to you.
Butcher: Crabby guy behind butcher counter informs me that they are out of Polish sausage, and won't have anymore until the pork butt comes in. (Stares at me with dead look in his eyes). HEY DUDE! WHEN THE HECKS THE PORK BUTT COMING IN????????? Never did get the answer to that question.
Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm PMSing (I think that's part of it). Maybe Christmas can't get here fast enough. All I know is that I am really looking forward to seeing the kids faces on Christmas morning and then looking forward to the peace and quiet of January.

T'was The Night Before Christmas For Moms

I received this in an e-mail this morning and thought it was very appropriate and had to share:
T'was The Night Before Christmas For Moms
Author: Unknown
T' was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Xbox 360 and Barbie, flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV, With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, Which made her sigh, 'Now what's the matter?'
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug. 'Oh great,' muttered the mom, 'Now I have to clean the rug.'
'Ho-ho-ho!' cried Santa, 'I'm glad you're awake.' 'Your gift was especially difficult to make.'
'Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone.' 'Exactly!' he chuckled, 'I've made you a clone.'
'A clone?' she asked, 'What good is that? Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat.'
And there she stood. The mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
'She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & the Restless.'
'Fantastic!' the mom cheered. 'My dream come true! I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!
' From the room above, the youngest began to fret. 'Mommy?! I scared... and I 'm wet.'
The clone replied, 'I'm coming, sweetheart.' 'Hey,' the mom smiled, 'She knows her part.'
The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune, As she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.
'You the best mommy ever. I really love you.' The clone smiled and sighed, 'I love you, too.'
The mom frowned and said, 'Sorry, Santa, no deal. ' That's my child's love, she's trying to steal.'
Smiling wisely Santa said, 'To me it is clear, Only one loving mother, is needed here.'
The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed. 'Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long, when they'll be too old, for my cradle-song.'
The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, 'It works every time.'
With the clone by his side Santa said, 'Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right.'

Favorite Ingredient Friday (Whipped Sweet Potato Bake)

Whipped Sweet Potato Bake from Kraftfoods.com
Makes: 12 servings
Total time: 30 min.
Prep. time: 10 min.

Ingredients:
1. 3 Cans (15 oz. each) sweet potatoes, drained
2. 1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted
3. 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
4. 1/2 tsp. salt
5. 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
6. 24 Jet-Puffed Marshmallows (about 3 cups)
Directions:
1. Beat sweet potatoes, margarine, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
2. Spoon into lightly greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Top with marshmallows.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are hot and marshmallows are lightly browned.
Visit Overwhelmed with Joy for more Favorite Ingredient Friday participants.

Friday's Feast #123

Fridays Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Three


Appetizer
What is one of your Christmas traditions?
Sprinkling Reindeer food on the front lawn with the kids. This action whips their excitement into a heated frenzy, and then it's fun trying to put them to sleep.

Soup
Who is the easiest person on your list to buy presents for?
My mom. I know exactly what to get her and could spend thousands of dollars buying her gifts (most of it is stuff that I would want myself).

Salad
What is your favorite Christmas scent?
Fresh cut pine.

Main Course
If you could give a fellow blogger a Christmas gift, who would it be and what would you give them?
Sue from Living My Dream. I'd take away her daughters allergy to dairy (OK, I realize I'd have to be God to do that, but this is hypothetical right?).

Dessert
What's something on your Christmas wish list this year that you need (not just want)?
World Peace (OK, how about 5 minutes of peace)
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Head on over to The Feast HQ for more festivities.

Linus:

The REAL meaning of Christmas.

Thursday Thirteen # 9

Thirteen Things Random Things About My Youngest Son

1. I picked his name out of a catalog for baby announcements we got in the mail.
2. I was induced with my first son, so I didn't really know I was in labor with the second and I slept through most of it.
3. He was born 1 hour after we got to the hospital (too close).
4. He has multiple food allergies (wheat, rye, barley, egg, milk, and peanut).
5. He's extremely active and emotional.
6. He's also very loving and a cuddly little guy.
7. He had so many ear infections last year, we had to have tubes put in.
8. He has no fear.
9. His favorite foods are hot dogs, french fries and potato chips.
10. He adores his big brother.
11. He's very stubborn and has a temper.
12. He's a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan and that's what he asked Santa to bring him for Christmas.
13. He stole my heart the minute he was born.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Cheers!

From Fox News

Allergy-Sufferers Rejoice! Anheuser-Busch Introduces Wheat-Free Beer
Wednesday, December 20, 2006


ST. LOUIS — People with wheat allergies who have stayed away from beer now have a new option. Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. (BUD ) on Wednesday introduced Redbridge, which the company called the first nationally available sorghum beer. Starting Wednesday, Redbridge is available in restaurants and stores carrying organic products.

Sorghum is the primary ingredient in the beer from the makers of the nation's top-selling full-calorie and light beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Sorghum is a safe grain for those with wheat allergies. Anheuser-Busch is also marketing the beer as an alternative for those who choose wheat-free or gluten-free diets.

Brewmaster Kristin Zantop said that in addition to sorghum, the beer is made with imported hallertau and domestic cascade hops.

Anheuser-Busch said it worked closely with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness in developing Redbridge. Celiac disease is a disorder that can cause damage to the intestines when anything is consumed containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and oats.

An estimated 3 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, prompting an increased demand for gluten-free products.


At least three smaller brewers make gluten-free beer in the U.S. Lakefront Brewery Inc. of Milwaukee, Wis., makes New Grist out of sorghum and rice. Ramapo Valley Brewing in Hillburn, N.Y., makes Passover Honey Beer by adding hops to honey and molasses. Bard's Tale Beer Co. in Kansas City makes Dragon's Gold.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday


Merry Christmas From ChupieandJsmama

WW HQ to join in or see other participants.

Tackle It Tuesday

Welcome to another Tackle It Tuesday! Today I'm going to try and get as many things done as possible instead of tackling one big project. First thing's first: Pay bills. Should have done this over the weekend, but there wasn't enough time so needs to be done TODAY. Then I'm off to clean the upstairs bathrooms. There are 2 and they both need a really good cleaning. Then I need to vacuum the upstairs. The vacuum has been sitting up there for a week, but I haven't been able to get to it, so today is the day. While doing all of that, I will also be throwing in some laundry (there's always laundry to do). Well, I better get started. I will post before and after pictures later today, so please come back for the results and to see if I made it through the day with two Christmas-Crazed children. Santa better get here soon .....
Visit Janice to join the tackle or grab the code.
Update:
The tackle is complete and I've come to a conclusion: Momma needs a maid.
Master Bath before:

Master Bath after:


Boys Bath before:

Boys bath after:


Laundry gone:


Bills paid:

Upstairs vacuumed:


Bonus footage of Wallies from last weeks tackle:


Reason why I can't get anything done in this house:


Yes, he's crying because he was fooling around and fell of the bed (he wasn't hurt). He also cried because they were fighting, he wanted to watch a different show, he didn't like his snack, he wanted to play with what his brother was playing with etc. The big one did the same thing. Super Nanny where are you when I need you??
I also managed to wrap all of the boys presents. I'm going to bed. Have a blessed evening.

What List Are You On?

I saw this over on Norma's Blog and was curious what list I'm on. Not too shabby for someone who's only been blogging for 3 months.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

This was a very busy weekend! I had 2 appointments that took up most of Saturday. Sunday was church and baking (see below):
Gluten free cookies - Namaste cookie mix




I also baked Cherrybrook Kitchens Gluten Free sugar cookies (with added sprinkles):


And more bread for Little Man (Gluten Free Pantry):

Then it was off to a Christmas Village with the kids. We went with some neighbors of ours and the kids had a great time! They got to see Santa and make a toy to take home in Santa's workshop. We also took a horse drawn carraige (more like a cart) ride through a village of Christmas lights. We got home late and I think Little Man was over-tired and over-stimulated because he woke up screaming several times and I ended up having to spend the night in his room. Needless to say, mom got no sleep. I woke up several time with him kicking me and one time he was punching me in his sleep. I'm slow moving today because I'm tired, but I wanted to post these pictures before I start to try and get moving:












And some really dark pictures from the Big Man's school recital today: