Free Apples And A Sucker

I went to the local grocery store to get a gift for someone.  I know what you are thinking, "A gift from the grocery store"?!  In my defense, it was for a 10 year old and it is a home store so has a very large selection other than just groceries.  All I needed was some flavored chapstick, like LipSmackers.  As I walked in I noticed that my favorite apples were on sale.  They are the honeycrisp apples.  I LOVE these apples.  They are so juicy and delicious.  I just recently discovered them and now I can't get enough.

I grabbed some apples and headed over to cosmetics.  I had Elijah with me.  From the time we were in the car, he was constantly repeating "ball, ball, ball" over and over.  Balls are his favorite thing in the world.  He has a slight obsession, and anything that looks like a ball, is a ball to him.  Anyway, I walked to the cosmetic aisle and looked for the lip gloss/chapstick.  To my surprise they did not have anything of the sort.  Just grown up lipstick. 

I quickly went over to the toy area to see if they had any over there.  The entire time Elijah is still repeating ball and desperately trying to get out of the cart.  I did not see anything there either so I just headed up front to get the apples.  At this point, I took Elijah out of the cart.  As I was paying for the apples, he noticed very large suckers that looked like a.... BALL and that set him off all over.  I just bought a sucker and gave it to him to make it easier.  Since he thought it was a ball, he just threw it.  I opened it up and put it in his mouth.  He thought this was the best thing ever. 

I finished paying and headed out to the car with the apples, suckers, and no present.  Once I got to the car, I realized that I just paid over $6 for some apples and a sucker.  This seemed a little bit high.  I looked at the receipt and noticed that I was charged twice for the apples.  I ran back in to customer service.  Elijah was content with the sucker at this time, but getting VERY sticky.  Oh well, at least he was pacified.  The nice lady refunded me the money I was overcharged as well as the original amount for the apples "for the inconvenience" she said.  So, I ended up with free apples, a sucker, a sticky, sticky boy, and no present.  What a trip!!

Elijah thought that it turned out great

Green Floor Cleaner

I have been trying more natural cleaning recipes.  I want to move away from the harsh chemicals in heavy duty store bought cleaners.  Also, I cannot stand breathing in the fumes from the chemicals.  I used this recipe to mop my floors.

2 gallons warm-hot tap water
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

It worked really well cleaning the floor.  I usually have REALLY dirty floors due to a 15 month old that likes to throw food and just make messes in general.  I felt that it did leave the floor a little bit streaky.  There is a recipe that is similar but uses washing soda instead of baking soda.  I am going to try that next.  I am sure there area other recipes I will try as well.

What floor cleaners do you use that work really well?

Linking to www.lipglossandcrayons.com today

Wiped out

I know that I have previously posted this picture, but this shows how I feel. Exhausted!!! I cannot add pictures to my blog from my iPad yet so I used an old one. I worked all day today (at the dental office). I then came home and did my motherly duties. I sure do adore my beautiful son. He is such a joy. Right now everyone is asleep and I am headed there shortly. Back to work in the morning. Thankfully for just a couple hours.  I am going to enjoy feeling baby girl kick and squirm around while I go off to dreamland:-) 

Feeling Domestic

Today I did something that I haven't done before.  I put on my apron and I baked some cookies.  I have baked cookies several times, but never while wearing an apron.  I bought this about 6 years ago because it was really cute.  This is the first time I have worn it.  It looks much better on than in the drawer.

I made my husbands favorite cookies.  Peanut butter blossoms.  They were delicious.  They are already gone (we shared with the neighbors).

Elijah also thought that they were delicious:-)

He only ate the chocolate off the top.



We Voted!!!

OK, so only I voted, but Elijah came along with me.  I had an early ballot so I was able to just go and drop it off.  It was really nice to not have to stand in line. 

Elijah did get his own sticker since he went along.

 

 

Wearing his sticker and rocking the shades.  This kid LOVES sunglasses.

Green Smoothie Take 1

I recently went to an evening out titled "Eat This, Not That."  That has been really popular right now and I was very interested.  It turned out to be very informative with a lot of great tasting samples.  I was really fired up to go home and start eating healthier.  I wrote down notes and signed up for the e-mails.  I was ready to start my new healthy lifestyle.

 The next day I went to the store and got lots of fruits and vegetables to make my first green smoothie.  I got a cucumber for the green and several different types of fruits.  I did not follow a recipe, I just winged it.  I did not add any sweetener to it either.  I thought that the fruit would make it sweet enough.  It looked really promising going into the blender.

 

 

I was a little unsure by the time I poured it into my glass....

 

 

 

I learned a few things from this experience:  1) Follow a recipe, especially if you are new to smoothie making.  2) Add some kind of sweetener because it is not sweet AT ALL.  3) If you are going to be blending up a bunch of stuff with the skins still on, you need a vita mix (or something like it).  4)  If it doesn't taste good, DON'T DRINK IT.

 

It was very mulchy because I used my regular blender.  That is all that I have.  I need to remove the skin or get a heavy duty blender.  They said at the class that most of the nutrients are in the skin, so I left it on.  It really did not taste good.  My 15 month old really enjoyed it.  He kept coming back for more.  

Spinach Salad

We had a birthday celebration for my husband this evening.  It was spectacular.  It is really nice out in the evenings finally, so we enjoyed dinner outside.  I made this delicious salad.

The recipe:

10 ounces fresh spinach- torn into bite size pieces
1 quart strawberries- washed and sliced
1 can mandarin oranges
1/4 cup almonds- slivered
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/8 cup distilled white vinegar
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced (or chopped) onion

For Dressing:

In medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Cover and let chill for one hour.

In large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, mandarin oranges, and almonds.  Mix in dressing when ready to serve.

*Note*  The dressing is very light and is a great combination to the fruit and spinach.  It was really easy to make and was a big hit.