Criss Cross Apple Sauce


Yes, today is the day for me to get busy.   


You know, I always consider myself a warm weather, summer type person.  But there is something soothing for the soul about crisp misty mornings, the leaves as they change colour, and the smell of apples cooking in the kitchen.  


These are the things I love about Fall.  


Last weekend I took the boys (and a friend) to the apple orchard.  


This was our 2nd annual trip to the orchard.  We had such a great time last year.  We couldn't wait for the season to come around again.    


The boys picked 27 lbs of apples in no time, and had so much fun!   


I stand by with my camera, trying to get the perfect shot, all the while trying to avoid getting pegged in the head by falling apples!  Which I must say, I am not always successful!


A little sidebar note here, on our way home from the orchard, Ciaran grabbed the biggest apple he could find out of the bag to enjoy on the ride home.  Approximately 4 bites in, he yells from the backseat "my tooth".  


Yes, my baby lost his first tooth!  


This is where I may start to lose it.  


He's my baby.  


Probably  Most definitely, my last, so this is a milestone that makes me a little bit sad. 


Poor little monkey was excited at first, trying to be brave in front of the other boys.  Then all of sudden the water works started.  I guess it didn't help having the other kids tell him he was bleeding!  


Then, with all the panic, he dropped his tooth down the crack in the seats.   


So, we made a quick detour into the Winner's parking lot, a little pre-planning on my part, I mean since we were already there, we may as well just have a quick look, right?   


Well you will all be proud,  probably the first time in the parking lot without going in!  


Yes, I remained strong, for the sake of my kids, coz that's just the kind of mother I am, I am all about the kids!


Anyway, back to the tooth.  We tore the car apart.  Found lots of popcorn, cracker crumbs, toys, candy, papers.  Yes, it is time to clean out my car I'm thinking.   


After all the searching, Connor (our hero) found the tooth.  


All was good in the world again!


Oh, and Ciaran, just so you know, no matter what Connor says,  the tooth fairy will not be bringing you a DSi, or an elephant (what can I say, my kids have a vivid imagination).  


Sorry dude,  you will just have to suffer with $1 like everyone else!!!


Okay back to the apples!!!


So, the bags of apples have been sitting in my garage.  Haunting me, calling my name and begging for attention.  


So, today is all about the apples!!   


Apple sauce, apple pies, and whatever else I can come up with.  


Wish me luck.....I am going in!!

Anyone sick of making school lunches yet?  I know I am!  

Why is it, that all the healthy stuff comes back.  Usually, my kids eat really well.  They love their veggies, usually!  So why is it, it's all coming back, untouched?

Are my boys giving in to peer pressure already?    Are they being picked on because their mom packs celery sticks and carrots in their lunch?  I will never know.  

In the meantime, I guess I will keep Bear Paws and Fruit Roll-ups in business.

It's the first day of school today.  I can honestly say, it's bittersweet.  My baby is going into Grade 1.  Yes, today is his first full day at school.  Oh my, what will I do with myself?

My big boy is in Grade 5.  Where did the years go.  I remember like yesterday his first day of school.

So, this morning the panic was on.   Because no matter how organized I think I am (or tell everyone else I am) school mornings are always a panic.

Where's my belt?
These shoes don't fit!
I don't want shoe laces!
I don't want a turkey sandwich!
That's not my water bottle!
I wanted a new backpack, you said I could have a new backpack!!!!
You need to blow dry my hair so it looks like Justin Bieber
Does my hair still look like Justin Bieber?
Does my hair still look like Justin Bieber?
Does my hair still look like Justin Bieber?
Does my hair still look like Justin Bieber?

All this before 8am!

Oh what fun, good thing I took the day off to witness all the madness.

So,  what's a girl to do, with a house all to herself.  What can a girl do to unwind from the craziness of the first morning of school.  First, pour a cup of hot lusiousness!   Then, make donuts!  What better way to celebrate the first day of school, than with homemade donuts.

Hopefully, these will prevent any after school meltdowns!  Then I will try to come up with something for  the kids!

Well the weather has turned for the worst.  It's chilly, dark and gloomy today.  It makes a change from 42 degrees.  However, a little too drastic for my liking.

So, we are back from hockey tryouts, and I am cooking up an Indian feast.  Butter chicken (which has been marinating for over 24 hours), turmeric potatoes, basmati rice, cucumber raita and caramelized onion naan bread.   Oh, and beer!

Yes, for no particular reason, me and my cutie boys are going all out.    Maybe to celebrate that I survived a week from hell.  From dealing with work issues and a potential transfer to BC, to having my car broken into in front of my house.  Yes, while I was out protecting everyone else, no one was protecting me.  MMMM, the irony of that!  

So yes, I am celebrating.  

What are you celebrating today?

One more thing I wanted to mention about my vacation.  I did have the pleasure of having a wonderful evening with 3 cupcakes (my mom, Simone and Lisa) at one of Lisa's restaurants in San Diego.  
Po Pazzo, a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Little Italy.   The food is great, as well as the atmosphere.  If you're lucky enough, you may even be serenaded by Lisa's husband, son, or even Lisa herself.  It was a wonderful night and a "must-do" if ever you're in San Diego.

Check it out at www.popazzo.com.  You won't be disappointed.

Marshmallows

Here are my marshmallows.  I am making the marshmallows to sell as my fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer, that I am doing in November.

The marshmallows are $5 a bag and are available in a variety of flavors.

Oh, by the way, they are very addictive and make wonderful "super duper" fancy s'mores.   On our recent camping trip we had chocolate marshmallow s'mores.     The flavours that I have  made so far are, raspberry, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, vanilla and lemon (my personal favorite).

Contact me at gillespie_13@hotmail.com if you are interested in buying a bag (or 10) and I will gladly send them your way.

All proceeds will be donated to this really great cause!

Well helllloooo!

Yes, I am back.  It's been a long time!  I know, but a girl needs a little California sun every once in awhile. I took a little vacation to see my parents in San Diego.  I know,  I know, poor me...well you can kinda feel sorry for me, I did have my kids with me.  Yes, you heard correctly, feel sorry for me.  My kids were a tad out of sorts.  Oh hell, why sugar coat it, they were monsters.  Unless a swimming pool was involved, then they were little angels. Yes, as long as they were busy they were fine.    The car trips were the worst, what with fighting, shouting, whining, tattling, and tears (but those were from me in the front seat).   Getting to where we were going was a bit nightmarish.  Anyway, in hindsight, it was a great holiday, but as usual, way too short.

We enjoyed dinner with friends the first weekend.  Plenty of kids, some great Indian food, a Hannah Montana wig and the Cuban shuffle.  Guess you had to be there!    What a wonderful way to begin.

Then the following weekend, me and my cupcakes, the cups, the girls, ma peeps (minus 3) headed to Vegas for our 2nd annual trip.   The road trip there was hillarious.  Me and Traci in the back.  Mum driving and Lisa (recovering from surgery) in the front, feet up on the dash and all.   We stopped every hour so Lisa could "circulate".  We stopped for Nuts & Fudge in a sleepy little town (tumbleweeds and all).    Where the shopkeeper "wouldn't know about that".     All Traci wanted to know was if there was happiness in every bottle and if he liked fudge on his nuts.

We arrived in Vegas, pulled up in front of the gorgeous Palazzo hotel.  We had 21 bags for Mr. Bellboy.  That's not bad really, 4 girls, 3 nights = 21 bags.

Before I go any further, this was not a wild trip to Vegas, as you may all be expecting.  It was, however a wonderful "bonding" trip to Vegas.  It was just a great way for us all to be together.  Shaelagh flew in from Calgary the first night.  So the 5 of us girls,  were just able to enjoy our time together.

The first night was an early one.  I think we were all in bed by 1030.  Yes, you heard me 1030....and that was PM not AM.

We had a great breakfast by the pool the next day, sat at a private pool all day.   Saw "The Situation", Jersey Shore fans will know who I mean.

Night time brought about one of my favorite parts of my entire trip.  Lady GaGA.....yes, she was performing at the MGM Grand that night and I was lucky enough to go with Shaelagh.  Traci decided at the last minute she didn't care to go, so I was forced.  I had no choice.  Any of you would do the same for a friend!

It was fantastic!  She is amazing!

Saturday was a pool day again.  Saw David Spade, aka the loser, wandering around the pool.    Cupcakes, Bloody Mary's and Chocolate....oh and a little Champagne....life couldn't be better!

The night was spent walking around with Shaelagh checking out all the different hotels.    We walked and talked, and had a little drink or two....mostly two.

Oh, and we did a little gambling.  It was a lot of fun and I actually walked away from Vegas, $42 ahead.   Oh except I still owe my mum for the Lady Gaga ticket, oh, and my share of the room.  So actually I am in the hole, as usual.  Just when you think your ahead!

So where are we going next year Cupcakes??

Where were my kids during all this you ask.  My darling daddy took them camping with my dear friend Ali and her family.  Thank God for Ali.  Not sure my dad could have coped on his own.  She says he was very good, but I think she is being polite.

The rest of our days were spent with Judith at her pool, Lisa at her pool, eating, making marshmallows (my breast cancer fundraising idea),  a visit to Seaworld, a visit to the Wild Animal Park, eating, Ali at her pool,  beach walks, a 6 mile training walk, and my best part, get ready....you won't be expecting this from me....are you ready?

Camping.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  I loved camping.  Now already some of you are saying....it's California, that's not really camping.  Well, it my kind of camping.  Warm, beachy, sleeping in a VW van.  Oh yes, THE  VAN.  Her name is Vanna White ( she's a van and she's white)  she's haunted or has a mind of her own however you want to look at it.  But you can't help but love here and she causes quite a stir wherever she goes.   If, she gets there!!!  We had one break down....and one journey home, chugging and jerking along the highway.  It was another Smith Expedition for the books!

Connor tended to the fire, while Ciaran dug for fossils.    

The weekend was filled with great food, great conversation, wonderful drinks, and the best view ever!!!  It will probably be my only chance to ever have waterfront property.

Good times and memories that will last forever.    It's a shame my poor husband missed out on all this, but little does he know....we're buying a camper!!!

Like they say, all good things must come to an end.  Our trip ended the way it began, with great friends, a lot of Bubbly,  and some amazing Indian food.  Thanks Shae and Geraldine for a wonderful evening!

Within a few hours of being home it was back to the hockey rink and back to work.  It's amazing how quickly the tan fades and the past 3 weeks, fade into memories.  Just sitting there waiting for you to bring the memories back whenever you need a smile.