Happy New Year!!!

I'm wishing everyone a safe and happy new year!!! Here's to an awesome 2009 . . . See you next year!

Merry Christmas to All . . .

Well, it's finally Christmas!! Woo-hoo! All the decorating, shopping, wrapping and baking all comes down to this day. We had a great day and I must say that my arms will be VERY sore tomorrow from playing Wii boxing all day!! And I do mean all day. That's what we did - and we had loads of fun doing it too! Boxing and golf and bowling (without renting the smelly shoes!), and fishing too. All in our family room - gotta love technology!
The pic above is my honey balls if you're American and struffoli if you're Italian, but no matter how you say it, they say Christmas Eve. My Nanny always made these and I tried it this year for the 1st time. They weren't as hard to make as I thought they would be, but they were harder (in texture) than I remember her's being. But at least I tried. We had a wonderful dinner at my mom and dad's house (as usual) and of course the kids got lots of gifts. A great time was had by all.
Now we await the New Year and all the promises that it holds. Who knows what it will bring? We can plan and plan and then something can come along and change everything. What I have learned is to just be grateful for what you have, and enjoy every day.
. . . And to all a good night!!

It's Already December!!

Oh yes it is! If the 2 Christmas trees in my house were not enough to remind me, then the radio station that has been playing Christmas music since before Thanksgiving should do it for me! That and the thought that I'm not done shopping yet! Lots to do and then some.
Kristina had a birthday party last night and a bunch of sweet, giggling girls enjoyed themselves.
This picture is of the sunset that I took a few nights ago. Isn't it beautiful? Did you ever notice that things don't look as beautiful in pictures as they do in person - or is it just me?! It's like you can't capture the true beauty. Reminds me of when we went to the Grand Canyon. You just can't imagine it's that spectacular from seeing pictures of it. In person, it's indescribable. Anyway, I tried!
That's it for today. I'll be shopping this week and hanging with my babies. O.K., they're 13 and 10, but still . . . .

November Happenings . . .

Whew - I've been away from blogging for awhile. Or at least it seems that way. We've had a great November so far and are anxiously anticipating the arrival of December and all that happens that month!
We had a great time out with my cousin, her hubby and our friends from Phoenix, Jim went to the Nascar Homestead Race, Nina went to a sock hop with her friends, Jim's friend from High School came over (they reconnected thanks to my facebook addiction!), Aly lost a tooth, we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary, Nina turned 13 (uh-oh!), we celebrated Thanksgiving with the family, put up 2 Christmas trees with all the decorations, and unfortunately, Aly's guinea pig Cocktail died. I thinks that's all, but I may have forgotten one or two things ;-)
So now we're ready to bake and sew and make crafts and watch movies and go to the mall to people watch and all that fun, laid-back stuff we do in December.
Hope your's is as fantastic as I know ours will be! Be thankful for all you have not only on the day, but everyday . . .

It Feels Like Fall

Yep, it does! People say that FL doesn't have a fall, but I disagree. O.K., the leaves don't change colors and they really don't fall either, but our weather does get, well . . . nice. The temp. drops and the humidity is lower too. It's just nice. And people walk around asking, "isn't this weather gorgeous?" And it is! So there! My cousin in NY just told me it's in the 40's up there and that's not cold! Uh, yea. To that I say, just like Nina would, "whatever" and roll my eyes too!! That's just - too cold!!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to this weekend because I get to see my bestest friend who lives in Arizona!! Yea!! And I get to see Emmy and Nick!! Double Yea!! Even though I think Nick only appreciates me on the phone. He'll learn. Mimi brings the goodies!!
And Nina and I baked banana bread today and it is good. Woo-hoo. Nina is turning into quite the little cook.
That's it for now. My life is pretty boring and uneventful but that's o.k. I'm enjoying the weather!
Be like Aly and pick some wildflowers today for a dinner centerpiece . . . . it's so pretty.

Aren't They Beautiful!!!!!

OOHH - That Smell , , , ,

O.K. people, it's a good thing - this time! 1st off, please don't look at my dirty oven. O.K., now that you're done checking out my dirty oven, today I roasted peppers!! And that was the smell. Oh, it was awesome! It was emanating from my kitchen, Aly was out on the swings and said she could smell it! I also roasted garlic too, but I've done that before. I needed roasted peppers for my ratatouille, and instead of buying them this time, I went to the farmers market (my favorite place) and bought a bunch of peppers. I roasted them in my cast iron skillet and they were good! A little messy to peel, but I'll work on that. And oh, the ratatouille was sooooo good this time! I also made Italian bread, but I also do that all the time, so nothing to report there. All in all, it was a very good dinner, very fresh and healthy too.
On Thursday night, we went to Clematis by Fright on Clematis St. in WPB. That was fun. The teen group from our homeschooling group went and we met them. The girls were on t.v. - they stood behind the local weatherman. That was cool!
Friday night we went trick-or-treating of course! Also a good time, we met up with friends on Citrus Grove.
Last night we went to a halloween party given by friends of ours. Had a really good time there too!
Whew! I'm all halloweened out - and now I'm ready to put my Christmas tree up!!
Enjoy fall . . .

Oh, Mr. Froggy . . .

Why the frog?? Well, long story short, I went to use my toilet the other day and I turned around to sit, and yes I know, TMI, but still, this is what I did and I heard a PLOP - and of course I look and there's a freakin' frog jumping around in my toilet!!! Who else does this happen to, I ask you?? Well, much like the wasp in Nina's shorts (see previous post) I screamed for Jim. Just for the record, this is not what I do all day, it just seems like it! Anyhoot, he comes in and says, "was it a cuban tree frog?" And he seriously wants an answer. HUH is the look on my face and I can't say what I was thinking, because I think youngin's might read this! :)
So he flushes and flushes and no more frog so that's over.
Yea.
Jim goes into the bathroom about 30 minutes later and lo and behold, Mr. Froggy is back! Happily swimming around again! So he uses a wire hanger, plunger and ungodly amounts of toilet paper and still no Mr. Froggy.
But I haven't used that toilet since! And no plans to either!

And our weekend was great!! Nina and I had a great time doing nothing, but we did everything we wanted to! We ate, went for a long walk, watched lots of t.v., did pedicures and facials and giggled! We will do this again soon, I'm sure. Yea!!
Finally, it's really cold here! Old man winter is coming a little early I think.
That's it for now folks, spread some love . . .

Pajamas and Happy Noodles and Nina

Well, Nina finally got her glasses! Yea! She looks very intellectual with them on - she is very intellectual, but now she looks it! ;)
Well, she got a cold this week from her friend FloppyJaws and then I got it and we were supposed to go camping this weekend, but with me not feeling good and her with a cough, we decided to send Jim and Aly. Alone. This should be good.
So, Nina and I made a big pot of Happy Noodles (see previous post) and we're in our pajamas happily eating happy noodles. Sometimes right out of the pot! Yummy!
We also did clean the house a little bit, but mostly, we ate. And will continue to. Until the happy noodles are gone, and then I don't know what we're gonna have, 'cause I didn't plan for this. And I have Jim's work van that I'm only driving in an emergency. 'Cause I don't want to drive it. It's too big and rattles.
So that's that.
ooohh, gotta go. I hear Nina digging in the pot again, and I want my share!!!
~peace, love and rock 'n roll

I Got Nothin'

Really important to say, that is. Haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I'd drop in. Nina needs reading glasses, Dad says it's the Piscopo curse, Mom says the Silke curse! Either way, she needs them.
The other night I made the easiest, and according to Jim and Nina, best dinner ever. Aly said it was just o.k., because she doesn't like stuffing. Here goes -

1 can of apple pie filling
about 4 pork chops
1 box of stuffing, prepared

Spray a deep baking dish, put apple pie filling on bottom, pork chops on top of apple filling, stuffing on top of that. Bake covered in 350* oven for about 30 minutes, uncover for another 10. That's it!! Easy as, well pie!!

And boy did the house smell good. Now, most of you know that I won't eat it, but everyone else sure loved it - except Aly. She did like the meat, which left more of the stuffing and apples for Nina and Jim. Noone complained!

That's it for now. More of the same, work, cart the kids around town, cook, clean and laundry. Let me know if anyone makes the dish. I wonder if your family will like it too.
Ciao ~

Happy Birthday Nanny!!

Well this is a picture of my Nanny and Pop, Rose and Tony Piscopo. I don't know the date it was taken, but they were married in 1938, so it was probably sometime around then. Can you imagine?
Today, Nanny would be 101 years young! Wow. Happy Birthday Nanny. We miss you. Alot. And Pop too. Nina's middle name is Rose, as is my niece Emily's.
I think of them often, but never as much as around Christmas. Christmas and Nanny just go together, and always will. I hope that my kids have just as warm and fuzzy memories as I do.
Nanny, as you're blowing out your candles today and looking down on us, I hope we've made you proud. I think we have.
Give Pop a kiss for me - and share your cake!
*****update***** Who knew that Nanny marked the back of all her pics?! Well, my Mom did, but that's besides the point! This pic was taken in 08/36 - two years before they were married. And although this isn't marked, according to said Mom (Nana), it was in Atlantic City. Inquiring minds want to know . . .

We Love Disney!!!

We're back from our trip to Disney and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! And a great time was had by all! Nick had a lot of fun - but he was tired in this picture! Emmy was very excited - of course - and look at that face of hers! Aly was a cat, complete with ears and tail! Emmy started out as a cat too, but quickly shedded her costume. Nina did Aly's "make-up", although most of it washed off after her 2nd trip down Splash Mountain. Oh well! Nina was just "cool Nina" - as usual. Lovin' the hat, Nina!

Now you know that this wouldn't be my blog if I didn't have something, well, unusual, that happened. The man in the top picture - you know, Jack Sparrow, well we saw him walking around, and of course made such a huge deal over him, "oh, are you Johnny Depp?", etc. and other stupid things people may say when they see, even a knowingly fake, celebrity. Well, after we asked him - and he obliged - to take this picture with us, Jim says to me, "uh, hon, his family is waiting for him!" HUH??? Ok, we were embarrassed, but we saw him later on line for Peter Pan or Pooh, who can remember - and he still joked with us, so I guess all is good!

And last, but certainly not least, we met a friend of Nina's from her online school who happens to live near Orlando. Her, her mom and her 2 sisters met us in Downtown Disney for lunch and what a nice family! We had a wonderful afternoon and made some new friends. We're looking forward to seeing them again!

That's it for now.

Peace . . . .

Only to My Nina!

Oh, how I love this child! My Nina, if something is going to happen, it will happen to her. She is outside playing with her sister - well actually I think they were on the swings reading - but still together nonetheless, and the next thing I know she is in the kitchen holding a piece of ice on her leg (upper thigh) and almost in tears, "Mommy, something bit me and it hurts realllllllly bad, oh my gosh, what could it be, oh look, it's swollen and red . . . . "
Being maternal and all, I say, "Nina, did you see it, was it an ant or was it something flying?"
"I don't know, but it reallllllllly hurts, oh my gosh it's really swollen and red . . . "
"Nina, why don't you take off your pants and make sure it's not still in there." (she had on knee length shorts)
*sniffs* "No, I'm o.k., I told Aly something bit me and she told me to come and tell you." *sniffs* You can see Aly is a big help here - she probably didn't want to get off of the "good" swing and risk losing it.
"OH MY GOSH - real tears now - OUCH, look more welts mommy and they BBUURRNN realllllly bad! Please help, please."
Me, now kinda yelling, "Nina, take your shorts off right now."
And she does.
And a wasp flies out.
And we both scream.
And run.
Away.
And now Jim is yelling, "Where did it go? Great, now we live with a wasp!" He said that, I am not making it up.
Needless to say, she had three nice sized welts on her leg and the whole area was red. I gave her ibuprofen and claritin (I'm not sure why the claritin, I was just feeling maternal.)
And luckily, not long after this debacle, we found the wasp and Jim smashed it, and now we don't live with a wasp anymore.
Whew!
And people ask what I do all day.

"Nuff Said

When your mother asks, "Do you want a piece of advice?" it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway.

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart.

I'm going to stop punishing my children by saying, "Never mind! I'll do it myself."

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

~Erma Bombeck

SURPRISE!!!

Well, we had a surprise party for Aly's 10th birthday, which is this week. And boy was she surprised! As you can see by the look on her face! They had so much fun, they swam and laughed and roasted marshmallows and all that fun stuff. And her BFF, who is in Minnesota with her grandparents, surprised her and called her to say Happy Birthday, so it was very nice. Of course, I'm a little sad. How can I not be, my baby is turning 10. Oh my, where did the time go? Of all the advice you get when you are pregnant, I think enjoying them because they grow so quickly is the only one that's really true. I mean I got lots of unsolicited advice, and I usually rolled my eyes at most of it, but they do grow quickly, don't they?! *sniff sniff*
On another note, Charlotte, who apparently has nothing to do all day and night, turned me on to Facebook, and now I'm hooked. Thanks Charlotte! And then Nana went and joined, but she didn't "see" anyone she went to school with, and now she wants to get off of Facebook. She thinks they might all be dead! I guess we'll never know, now will we?! I told her she should stay on but who knows? I'll keep you posted on this earth-shattering news, 'k?
And I'm still thinking about family in Houston, TX and hoping they're doing o.k. since Ike. Say a prayer . . .
Good night.

Just Perfect

I just had to post two more. The sky really was all of those beautiful colors. Just perfect . . .

This is why we live here . . .

Look at the ocean! Oh, it was beautiful. We picked up dinner and had a picnic on the beach. The surf is still rough from Hanna, even though she's moving up the east coast. The waves were rough, but it was peaceful just the same. That's Aly in the corner, probably eating a french fry. After we ate, we ran in the surf, got soaking wet and laughed!

On another note, I started a website for All Florida Cooling and Heating! It's - surprise - http://www.allfloridacoolingandheating.webs.com/. Please take a look but remember, it's a work in progress. I've never done a website before, so I'm working on it.

Thankfully, Ike has decided to terrorize someone else - and I do feel sorry for them. But we're not living in a coffin - yea.

Enjoy!

Aly and Mia

Well, here is my little Aly during her 1st horseback riding lesson! Look at her! Her horse is named Mia and she just had the best time. She even got to trot - and feed and groom her. And a bunch of other horses too. God bless her and her love-of-horses, but she didn't get that from me - that's for sure. I personally think they kinda smell and all, and I like both of my feet firmly on the ground at all times. Apparently this love-of-horses gene skipped right over Miss Nina too, because she would rather have a big ol' knot in her hair then go near the horses! She did take some nice pictures of her sister tho. Aly really enjoyed her lessons and can't wait for the next one. Which is in two weeks. Which will be a very long two weeks for me, because I have to keep hearing about her lessons!
As I write this, we are sitting here waiting to see where Ike will land. Right now, it looks good for us, but these hurricanes have a mind of their own, and don't really always like to follow the forecast track, so we never know. I'm really hoping we don't have to board up, cause it's like a coffin in here when we do. Well, what I think a coffin would be like anyway! Hey, it's my blog . . . wish us luck!
~Peace

We made it!!!

And we didn't even lose electricity - I think the FPL gods were looking down on us. We did, however, have lots of rain and wind - still do - but we're all safe and sound and that's all that matters. Of course, Fay will be someone else's problem tomorrow and I feel for them, but we're on our way to normalcy now. Of course, since she will have hit our state 3 times by the time she's done, our homeowners insurance rates will be all of our problem before long.

Anyhoot, here's the girls and Lucy enjoying a canoe ride in our backyard. Hey I told you we had lots of rain, didn't I??!!

Hurricanes and Lemonade

We've been published!! Yea!! We went into a local paper a few weeks ago to place an ad for our fast-growing A/C business - yes, All Florida Cooling and Heating. Anyway - after that shameless plug - we got to talking with the people and of course it came up that we homeschool and I mentioned that Nina wants to be a journalist, you know being subtle and all, and they asked us to write an article on homeschooling. So we did! Aly wasn't too thrilled about it, but Nina and I had a great time. So we are on page 9 of the Observer and no they are not online, so I can't post a link. But if you live local (and you know if you do!) check it out! A pic of the girls too!!
So I am sitting here watching the seemingly endless coverage of Tropical Storm Fay (why do we capitalize Tropical Storm? It gives it too much importance IMHO). Anyway I'm waiting for the storm, did all my wash because we'll probably lose electricity, baked bread so we don't run out and I made a gallon of homemade lemonade so we can enjoy that tomorrow while it's raining. I'll share my recipe: 6 cups of water, 1 cup of lemon juice (I use bottled) and 1 cup of sugar. Oohh, it's so good. And Charlotte and I went shopping on Sat. night to a Walmart that was so crowded and with a little blond boy who I love dearly, but he should have been sleeping, and we bought the cutest red paisley glass sun-tea jars. And that is what my yummy lemonade is in. We'll have that and homemade bread and if we have electricity, popcorn. The worst part of the no electricity is that we lose water because we are on a well, and to flush the toilet, we fill up a pot of pool water (thank God for the pool!) and use that to flush. I know you can all sleep better tonight knowing that! And I just have to share, that the little blond boy who I love dearly carried a baby doll in his arms in his stroller in the incredibly crowded Walmart - not that there's anything wrong with that - but Charlotte made me swear that I wouldn't tell the little blond boy who I love dearly's father, because men have such problems with these things. I don't know why, so if any of you do, please post and share. That's all for tonight, I'm off to fold laundry and see where Fay is headed. Peace . . . .

I Like to Cook

Alot. What I really like is to make stuff that I could buy, but why? Hence, my homemade syrup, of which I am not giving out the recipe!! Take that, Charlotte's co-workers. Anyone can google it, and it is very easy and really good. I also make my own peanut butter. Again, not a real brain-stumper people! It's peanuts in a food processor. I bake my own bread and I'm starting to make rolls for everyday sandwiches - whole wheat of course. Charlotte's kids think bread only comes from Publix. Poor cute little things they are. I also like to save glass jars, cover the tops with fabric scraps and use them to hold things - sugar, quinoa, yeast, etc.... So cute and country. Anyway, I'm off now to watch Friends. Another thing I like to do. That and Will and Grace, but I think this is for another blog.

Miss Lucy

This is Lucy, our miniature schnauzer. Is she not the cutest??

I'm Just Sayin'

1st off, I relented and let Nina start her own blog. It's awesome, of course, and you can access it from the right side of my blog, under "my blog list." Check it out, she's posted more of her pics.

I named this "I'm Just Sayin'" because I just read that some magazine is paying Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt something like 11 MILLION DOLLARS for the 1st pictures of their twins! Am I the only one who finds this outrageous?! 1st of all, what have these kids done to warrant this kind of money for just simply being born? And what have Brad and Angie done that warrants this kind of attention? They're good actors, but come on. Now, in their defense, the article did say that they would donate the money to charity, so kudos to them, but does this magazine realize that people are suffering and dying from cancer everyday, families are hungry and homeless and there are just more important things to spend millions on then pictures of newborns? It aggravates me, that's all . . . .

On a lighter note, I also read that Nicole Kidman stepped out to lunch just days after giving birth and that she looked radiant. I'm sure she did, but all I could think of was that I haven't "stepped out" to lunch in 12 years, and when people describe me, I don't think radiant comes to mind!

I'm just sayin' . . .

We went to the park this morning to fly a kite. Aly really flew the kite, Nina chased the dog, Jim supervised and I relaxed. Ooh, Charlotte will love that!

Please comment back and let me know what you think about the millions. And please keep your comments kind and relevant (Charlotte).

And just to clarify, I'm not jealous, Matthew McConaughey's baby only got 3 million, and I'm sure all those babies will be beautiful!

Happy Noodles

These are Happy Noodles!!Yea! They're lo-mein to the rest of the world, but to my family, they're happy noodles. Why you ask? 'Cause your mouth is just so darn happy when you eat them! We even use chop-sticks, although at the end, one of my kids "cheats" and uses her fork *cough* Aly.
The recipe is very simple. I use whole-wheat spaghetti and while that boils, I saute about 2 sliced onions and green peppers. To that I add some baby corn, water chestnuts and shredded cabbage. Then I throw in about 2 handfuls of frozen sugar snap peas. When this is all nice and brown, I add a can of vegetable broth and simmer gently. Then I add the spaghetti with about 1 cup of the cooking water. I usually add a little salt and pepper and then some cayenne pepper. It adds a nice kick. Then soy sauce and this time I also melted in some apricot jam - that went very nicely with the cayenne pepper. It's a very forgiving recipe. That's it folks. Easy and so good. So make this sometime soon for your family - trust me, your mouth will thank you!

Random picture

I just love the detail in this picture. What an eye!! You really must click on it to enlarge it to see it better.

I'm having so much fun!!

o.k., I think I'm enjoying this blog way too much!! I'm having fun with the pictures, even if I haven't taken any of them! Yep, they're all Nina's! Can't take the credit, though I wish I could. The picture of the sun setting that is behind my header (that's my blog title for those of you who don't know) is actually our road. Yea, it's really dirt, and we fight those powers-that-be who want to pave it. Why? you ask? Well, if I have to explain it, you probably won't get it.

I understand that some of my sister's friends who she works with read my blog now, so I would like to welcome all of my new readers - all 2 of you! Enjoy - and I'm sure we could spend some time sharing some things about Charlotte. We'd need a bottle of wine tho.

And I just had to mention that I heard from a very good friend of mine today who I don't talk to often enough, but I think about her all the time. She has 6 kids (that is not a typo) and she was my 1st homeschooling friend. No matter how long we go between talking, we always jump right in where we left off, laughing and sharing. I guess that's how you know it's a good friend, right?!

And finally, this picture is the one that won Nina 2nd place in the photography contest. I love it.

We're off to eat Happy Noodles now. Don't worry, I'll post a picture and my recipe for them next!

Until then, enjoy . . . .

What Do You Do All Day?

This Is What We Do All Day

OK, I wanted to write this with the pictures, but apparently I can't! Still learning this blog stuff. Nina took these - she takes great pictures. I have tons of them, I'll add more later. She won 2nd place in a photography contest with her on-line school. I love the one she took of Aly - I love how close it is and how she really captured her smile! But her best pictures (in my opinion) are of nature. She took this one at Grassy Waters Park near our house.
So why did I title this blog "This Is What We Do All Day?" Well, it occurred to me that I get asked that question often. Sometimes it comes from a new homeschool mom who is looking for guidance and reassurance that she is doing the right thing. Sometimes it comes from someone who is genuinely interested. And sadly, sometimes it comes from people who have no idea what it is like to be with your children, to live and learn with them, next to them, every day. How sad for them.
So, we watch movies, eat way too much popcorn, play games, read, wash the dog, swim, exercise - well you get the picture. We live and laugh together. Every Day. That's what we do all day.

My girls and our dog!

For my 2nd post, I will introduce my beautiful girls! My oldest daughter, Nina, is 12 going on 20! She's been homeschooled all her life, despite early objections from well-meaning family, friends, some not so well-meaning family, friends and, well the postman . . .
But I digress! Despite all the fore-mentioned objections, she is happy, healthy, and very well socialized. Maybe too much! Nina is my serious, everything is black and white, "but-why???" child. That doesn't mean she doesn't have fun, cause she does. Lots of it. And she's also now begging me to start her own blog. Just what she needs, to be on the computer more.
My youngest daughter, Aly, is this close to turning 10. Aly reminds us to have fun and to laugh. She is constantly planning family fun days, inventing games for us to play and telling jokes. She also has obviously been homeschooled all of her precious life - though she learns much differently than Nina. Nina loves workbooks and sharpened pencils in her hand, Aly loves to read and make things. So that's how they both learn - their own way. Nina currently does all of her schoolwork on FLVS, Florida's on-line school and Aly, well Aly does what I said above! Lots of it. And yes they are both smart, love to learn, and very respectful of themselves and others. And getting back to Aly, she is also very happy, healthy and socialized. So there to my well-meaning family members, friends (you know who you are) and to the postman! The not so well-meaning people -well you probably know how I feel about you and your kids too!
Lastly, our doggy Lucy. We "rescued" her last year from the pound, although I think she kinda rescued us too! She's a little neurotic, maybe semi-blind, but loads of fun and we love her! I was anti-dog, and now can't imagine not having her. And it's a plus that she loves car rides and camping, and us too.

My 1st post

Well, this is my 1st foray into blogging! What fun! What will I talk about? Well, mostly homeschooling my beautiful girls, being a stay-at-home-mom, starting a business and life on a sunny, sometimes soppy dirt road!