Summer Break

I always do this, I always let my blogs fall into the black hole of the internet. Life gets busy though and my priorities are my children, not my social media. But I would like to take some time to revive this project so that I have something that even if only for a few minutes or a few times a week, is something I call mine. My life revolves around my husband and my sons; I am a homemaker after all and that IS my job. I take pride in it though and I love what I do, I however often forget to take time for myself. I usually do something mindless like watch a movie or play a computer game; I need that to change. I need to do more reading, and more writing! :) Here are a few goodies from this week, we toured the local cider mill yesterday and the boys were fascinated!

I hope you all had a great summer, we sure did! Ended it with a spontaneous trip to Mass for my birthday, toured Boston, Salem and caught a Red Sox game at Fenway! :) I will devote some posts to that separately. We also went camping and enjoyed the outdoors plenty. We are now back into homeschool full swing since Mid-August and all our fall activities are about to begin. I look forward to sharing more of our adventures with you!
Have a great day and God Bless!

So What Wednesdays

This week I am saying SO WHAT if...
I did nothing but enjoy this day with my children.
I have been doing so well this week that today I just said the heck with it and we went out for dinner, I did order of the Weight Watcher's menu!
I still can't stop thinking about Arizona!
My efforts with certain people are going unappreciated, at least I feel good about what I am doing and at the end of the day if you don't see the good in it then it sounds like a personal problem. Some people need to learn to stop living in the past!

And that's all I've got this week! hehe What are you saying SO WHAT to?

Fire Station - The ultimate boys' field trip!

So we met with a different homeschool group yesterday to attend a field trip at the fire station. First we met for a picnic and some playtime at the playground and then we proceeded to tour the fire station, complete with a round in the simulator trailer. My youngest wasn't entirely impressed but my 7 year old was absolutely loving it! The firefighters were very friendly and helpful, they talked to the kids about fire safety and when and when not to use 911; they showed them the different trucks and described the tools with them and answered questions. The children got a chance to hop onto the trucks and the ladder as well (when it was on the ground of course.) I was very pleased with the afternoon, my boys learned a lot and really enjoyed themselves. At the end each child received a goody back with stickers and information as well as the traditional plastic firefighter hat. Before we joined everyone for the field trip we made our weekly stop at the library where both boys picked out some books about firefighters and fire trucks, and when we got home my 7 year old suited up in his hat and the badge he was given and read the books they picked out. They really made an impression on him and that makes me smile!

Accent - Blog Prompt

Do you have an accent?

I do not have an accent, nothing strong or "exotic." However when I first moved to the U.S, yes to Americans I did have a Canadian accent, eh? But now that I have been here for almost twenty years I have an American accent to everyone back home! I of course don't think I sound any different but I think that's what happens when you live somewhere for so long. I've heard plenty of people moving to Europe and picking up accents there. I must say I'm partial to British and southern accents! ;)

Pizza Cups, Yum-o!

So I tried another of Emily's recipes tonight and once again we all LOVED it! It is listed under her appetizers but with a light leafy salad it was a perfect light dinner on a hot day. Everyone had enough to eat with a couple pizza cups and the salad. I absolutely love her website and her recipes, and the fact that she has all the WW points plus values on her recipes makes my life so much easier!

Pizza Cups
Source: Emily Bites Original

Ingredients:
2.5 oz fresh white mushrooms, diced
20 slices turkey pepperoni, chopped
½ cup pizza sauce (I used Classico Traditional Pizza Sauce and it was awesome)
1 (11 oz) can Pillsbury Crusty French Loaf refrigerated dough
1/3 c shredded 2% reduced fat Mozzarella cheese
¼ - 1/3 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly mist 8 cups in a standard muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Lightly mist a small skillet with cooking spray and bring over medium heat. Add diced mushrooms and cook for a few minutes until wilted/browned. Place the mushrooms in a medium bowl and add the chopped pepperoni slices and pizza sauce. Stir to combine and set aside.
3. Open the package of French bread dough and lay the log of dough on a clean, dry surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 equal rounds. Using your hands or a rolling pin, press the dough pieces into 3-4” flat rounds. Press each round into a prepared cup in the muffin tin, forming the dough into a bowl shape and pressing it up the sides.
4. Evenly distribute the pepperoni/mushroom mixture into each dough cup with a spoon. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over the top of each cup and follow with a pinch of Italian seasoning on each cup to taste.
5. Bake for 16-18 minutes until bread cups start to brown on the edges and are crusty to the touch. Let cool 3-5 minutes before serving.

Yields 8 cups. Weight Watchers Points Plus: 3 per cup (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com) Nutrition Information per bread bowl from myfitnesspal.com: 124 calories, 20 g carbs, 3 g fat, 6 g protein, 1 g fiber

What's in a name? - Blog Prompt

Do you like your name? Do you feel like it suits you? If you could change it, would you - and to what?

When I was younger I used to always say I'd change my name, I think for some reason I didn't like it. I can't really recall though nor can I recall what name I would have chosen. But today I am happy with my name, I do think it suits me. I mean then again just thinking of myself with any other name is just a little weird to me. I do have a pet peeve though of people calling me Mel, I only appreciate close friends and family calling me Mel. If I don't know you or we aren't exactly friends so to speak, do not call me Mel.

So What Wednesdays

This week I am saying SO WHAT if...

I worked my boys up for the farmer's market and then we didn't go even after the rain stopped. I was told there were no fruit yet and honestly my boys do not NEED whoopie pies.

I have no desire to mend certain things. Everything happens for a reason, some things are blessings in disguise!

I am having a hard time living in the now, I am really excited for our move next year! So many big changes! I am trying to cherish every day but I am definitely dreaming about that Arizona sun!

I have been getting iced latte's a little more than I should lately, I'm staying within my WW points! hehe

I still let my boys come to our bed when they have a bad dream or just need snuggles, they are going to grow up way too quickly! We have a king-sized bed, there is definitely enough room for my loves!

So what are you saying SO WHAT to this week?