Perfectly Imperfect Home

10/28/12

Birthday roundup!

Yesterday I let you know that I got my birthday wish...a morning to myself at my favorite joint. If you missed it you can check it out here.

Oh Friday night my dear hubby decided that for my birthday it would be fun to have a family dinner in the city {insert squeal here}
Philly is one of my favorite places in the world...and my hubby knows that!!!
I love taking the train from S. Jersey over the bridge and walking the streets of Old City or Center City. There is just something about it that has always intrigued me.
Living so close school trips were a common occurrence. From the Franklin Institute to the Art Museum to the history of Independence Mall, not to mention the oldest zoo in the country...we had a lot to pick from. My grandfather grow up just a few miles from Center City and has a love for it that he has passed down to most of us!
So when I got the text from my hubby asking if I wanted to dinner in the city...of course I did!!!
Last night we ventured to Max Brenner...oh my word, I'm drooling just thinking of it!!! As you walk in the aroma of chocolate has filled the air and all those dreams of what it was like for the kids in Willy Wanka and the Chocolate Factory come to mind.

I just love Philly and sharing that love with my kids...the hubby isn't such a fan of the city. He has worked there for nearly 15 years and that is what it is to him. haha But he will suffer one night out! He is my best friend, he is a selfless dad and husband and I can't imagine my life without him. I thank God for him and my kids everyday....they made my birthday so very sweet and special

10/27/12

Birthday ...Barnes and Noble style

Today is my birthday!!

Okay so I don't go crazy about my birthday, never really have. I love to have celebrate, don't get me wrong, but as I have gotten older I feel a real need to just relax on my birthday and have some down time.
This morning I am blogging from one of my favorite establishments, Barnes and Noble! It was my only request to my hubby, just a morning to myself.
No presents necessary! {we are joining our birthday and Christmas gifts and getting much needed new washer and dryer....so a morning out was gift enough!}
So I am sitting here with my Starbucks salted caramel mocha frap and wild blueberry muffin, computer open, indie music playing in the background...and I am loving every minute of it!!

Can you see the blue reflection of my computer screen...hahaha

YUM

A little shopping will happen, the hubby has sworn me to not do any for the kids, just me...which is proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be. And then dinner with the in-laws to celebrate three birthdays in one...that's how we roll!

But one thing my hubby and I have always done is a nice family dinner....

Which we did last night,
In the City,
Yes Philly...yea!!!!
pictures coming soon!!!

10/25/12

Do you YOU TUBE?

What can't you find on YOU TUBE??
I have to say that I am amazed at the things you can find on You Tube...from how to fix your toilet to things Aftrican Grey's say.
If you don't believe me go ahead and search.
It's perfectly free...and perfectly wonderful!
I just finished sewing a princess dress for my daughter's halloween costume and spent a lot of time searching different directions on You Tube.

From a french seam to basting to cutting the material out and marking it properly with the pattern...it worked out well!
If the kids are ever bored it is fun to search their favorite music videos such as Jack Johnson's Curious George video...we watch this

I love You Tube!!!

10/18/12

Stuffed Peppers

One of our favorite family meals is another great one dish meal!

It's super simple.

Ingredients:

3 or 4 green peppers that can stand...we do one per adult and one for two kids

1lb hamburger meat

1 Jar of your favorite tomato sauce

1 cup of five minute rice

3/4 cup of water

shredded mozzarella cheese

frozen corn (optional)

1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes (optional)

Cut tops off peppers and clean the insides out (seeds and white center). Put enough water in a large pot to submerge the peppers (I usually only do one pepper at a time while I make the filling) and bring it to a boil...place peppers in it until they are softened. Drain out the water and place in a 9x13 glass dish.

While the peppers are cooking you can start the stuffing!

Brown the meat in a skillet and drain off fat. Pour in 3/4 of the tomato sauce and tomatoes. Cover and bring to a boil on medium to low heat. Stir in cup of rice and the water...put cover back on. You could add the frozen corn in now if you want. When the tomatoes begin to pop with gentle pressure and rice is soft it is ready!

Spoon meat mixture into each pepper...we always have more than will fit in the peppers so just let it spill over into the dish! Sprinkle with cheese and cook at 375 until the cheese is completely melted.

I know this isn't very technical...this recipe started as a left over type meal. You know, when I had some of this left over and some of that left over for meals during the week. And there you have it! Perfectly imperfect!

10/17/12

A Pumpkin Picking We Will Go!!!

Over the last week our little family has embrassed Fall and all of the wonderful things about it!
I have to say our most favorite thing about Fall is pumpkin picking.

First I got to take Lizzy with about half of her preschool class to Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford, one of our favorite places anytime of year! It was a rainy-ish type day so not many showed up...but the few who did come had a great time!

And since he didn't get a pumpkin picking class trip, Jake was eager to have his turn at selecting the very best pumpkin in the patch! Since he had off on Columbus day we decide to head out to Conte's farm in Tabernacle! We haven 't been there since Jake was real little. It is a no frills type farm. It has a market and a few animals. Lots of pumpkins and a bakery on site (smells great!!!). The hayride to the patch is super cheap!