New Frames

I didn't make it by black Friday like I wanted to,  but I did get these listed before Christmas!   Use the checkout code progressions for free shipping!!

 NEW FRAMES HERE

Gingerbread House

After the turkey had been put away,  we got out the crafts.   The adults made ornaments for the tree,  but the kids project,  became far more interesting.

My sister in law had purchased ginger bread house molds,  and pre cooked all the house pieces for the kids to build with.   Complete with walls, a door, a roof, a man, and a tree.

Construction immediatly went south when the piping bag we had broke open.  I put the "cement" into place using the side of the bag.   also the gingerbread was so good and fresh,  that it started to buckle before the cement was dry or the house was fully built.

 We did manage to get the whole roof into place and started adding more frosting like crazy to get everything to stay put.

 The already sagging roof proved to be a formidable opponent for the building weight of gumdrops, Twizzlers  and candy canes   

 And there in all its glory,  it stood.   a beautifus gingerbread shack.   I would call it a house,  but at this point it was sagging so bad,  we were all just counting down the time before it imploded and we got to dig in.

 Both of which happened

How To Make Dinner

So let's say that you are not the one in the family / relationship  that typically takes care of making the evening meal  known as supper, dinner, Ect.   Here's the thing,  you are not only the one who is not usually in charge of cooking,  but you also have about 3 total recipes in your arsenal.   Easy Mac,  Scrambled Eggs,  and Grilled Cheese.   Well fear no more.  I too recently found myself in a similar boat.   We are expecting our 3rd child in mid December   and that means that right now,  my wife is fairly uncomfortable,  and is not always interested in slaving over a hot stove for my benefit every day.  That works out great for me though,  because, even though I am not very good at it,   I LOVE TO COOK!!

When called to the plate in the bottom of the ninth,  naturally,  my first thought is to turn to the Garden!   Guess what,   it is November in Maine,  the garden is long gone.   Thankfully,  the one who usually cooks,  had the foresight to take the minuza that I planted from the farmers market this spring,  and make it into pesto,  frozen for a later date.  Today is that date.

Step one: Gathering the ingredients

For this particular meal,  you will need.  1 half red onion, mini peppers, olive oil,  pasta, red wine, precooked sausage,  and pesto.

Step Two: Getting started

Now it should be noted that we do have a wine glass in our house.   However,  we have just that A wine glass as in one,  and it was dirty.    When you find yourself cooking pasta with a bottle of red,  and no wine glass,  almost anything will suffice.  My Father in law and I have spend many a night sipping the finest boxed wine from our plastic sippy cups sans lids.  In this case a good old fiesta ware glass made do just fine.   Pour 8-12 oz. of the wine into the glass and begin consumption.

Step 3: Cooking

Now that you are started,  Bring a half of the biggest pan you have to a boil.   Ok,  so when I say the biggest pan you have,  I do not mean the one that is usually used to seal canned goods.  I mean the largest one that is in the drawer with the other pots and pans. (tip,  if you fill it with hot water,  it will boil faster,   then again,  if you fill it with cold water,  it gives more time for a second kiddie cup of wine.

Put that pan of water on a burner,  and set to high

While the water is heating up,  Take the peppers and remove the tops.   This should contain the stem and the seeds.   Cut both the  peppers and the onion tito small pieces and add to a frying pan that has a light coat of oil on the bottom.   Put that pan on medium,  and allow everything to heat up.   It is important not to over heat the oil,  as this can cause.... well I am not sure,  but I am told it is really not good!

Quick recap.   At this point you should have a big pan of boiling water, a frying pan of sauteing onions and peppers,  and a fresh cup of wine.

Add a box of pasta to the boiling water and let boil for 10 minutes.

It is said that you can tell when spaghetti is ready by tossing a piece up to the ceiling,  and seeing if it sticks.   I used this technique for the first 6 months of marriage,  when one day my wife said "WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THE KITCHEN CEILING???"

Step 4:  Remove any tested pasta from the ceiling.

After the pasta has boiled for 10 minutes,  or until sticky.   Strain it,  and put it back into the big pan.   Add the pesto,  and the sauteed mixture.

Step 5: Lets be honest,  you are winging it at this point

At this point take the precooked sausage,  and slice it into  half inch lengths.  Add it to the frying pan that the veggies were in  and move it around until it is warmed through.  This should only take a few minutes as your other ingredients are now getting cold.

Mix in the sausage with all the other ingredients,  pour a final glass of wine,  plate,  and you are ready to enjoy.   Make sure to serve whoever usually makes dinner first,  and let them know you appreciate the process they go through for you every day!

Are you lost?

I have watched the Hurricane Sandy aftermath very closely. 

While it didn't necessarily have Katrina impact, The devastation to the New York and New Jersey areas seems to be very severe.

 As someone who is from the north east, I also understand how cold it gets this time of year up here, and how important power and heat are. I heard on the radio the other day that Maine (my home state) sent a group of state troopers down to help to keep the peace among the chaos.

 I figured we were not the only state helping out, but I was quite confused when I saw this on the highway. All I could think was "Dude, you missed it, NY was like 7 hours ago!

Election Day

Hopefully everyone was able to find a polling place on Tuesday and cast their vote!  I was actually relieved to learn that I could register right at city hall where voting was taking place.  I have moved since the last election,  and really didn't want to have to drive all the way to my old town.

Kennebunk Town  Hall Election Night

I would be lying if I said I was going to miss all the political commercials and signs, Although from a hand made perspective, it has actually been fun seeing the color schemes, sizes, and designs that the candidates have used. Evenyrhing from painted plywood with their slogan stenciled in, to these regular old street signs.

Despite the annoyance of all the propaganda, I am still glad to live in a country where we get to choose who leads us.

I Don't Read

It is something I really don't like about myself,  and I realize that I am missing out on a lot,  but I just cant bring myself to read!   There are so many books out there that look so interesting,  and still I wont read them.

Do you have a recommendation that I should try reading that would help me to fall in love with reading?  If so please let me knw!o

60 day Photocumentary

While taking 2 months off from blogging was great,   that doesnt mean I wasnt doing anything.  I thought if I posted a quick (not so quick) focumentary (thats a documentary with fotos)  maybe it should be photocumentary,  that it would be a good way to show what I did with the last 60 days.

Here you go:

Got Creative

Learned a new trick

reminisced the good old days 

Did NOT attend Zumba here (right in my neighborhood, now national news)

stopped on occasion

lost a first tooth

Made pancakes

jumped in fall puddles

Tracked the color of the cars going by the house

Visited a chocolate factory... (not really, this is at church)

watched leaves change color

looked before crossing

parked at the mall

went on a lunch date

got hit by a hurricane

helped my brother move

made tacos

grew a beard

built a "studio"

finished the baby's bed (he comes in a month)

played ball

did halloween

picked pumpkins

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Picked apples

Well there you have it,  you are now up to date!