Getting Organized

It's that time of year again where I try to get everything organized and in its place. Not that I don't try during the year but at the beginning of the new year I am always looking for a fresh start. I've given up on making "New Years Resolutions" as they are always bound to fail, but I do want to get my house organized.

The problem is there is never enough time to get it all done. Or I don't make enough time, whatever... Like now I am in the midst of putting stuff in all these great clear plastic bins that I picked up at Target this morning. First, I don't think I got enough bins. Second, I keep uncovering projects and other unfinished things while also coming up with tons of other cool ideas. Oh and third, I stopped to write this in my blog :)

I just spent the past week off from work, what did I accomplish? I cleaned the closet in my dressing room and uh... did some laundry. Most days revolved around keeping Gigi entertained which I don't think I even did good job at that. In retrospect I should have taken her to day care at least two days out of the last eight. She needs other two year olds to rough house with. I didn't take her because I thought it would be nice to spend time together which it was, but I can see she is bored with me and ready to bust loose and I am also feeling like I didn't get any of my projects done.

Anyway back to organizing. I am a very organized person but I have a hard time finishing stuff...

Udon Noodle Soup

I forgot one of things I wanted to do with this blog is share recipes. This one I create last night, I had a craving for some sort of Asian style noodle soup. This is good and fairly low in calories. I put eggs in it because I didn't have anything else in the house. But next time I will try using scallops. If you use uncooked seafood make sure you put it in before the bok choy step and give it time to cook through before continuing with the recipe. Also kick up the tabasco if you want more of a kick.

* Exported from MasterCook *
Udon SoupRecipe By: Laura Segal
Serving Size : 6

3 each egg, hard-boiled -- or shrimp, scallops, tofu, etc...
8 ounces Udon Noodles -- cooked as directed
1 cup shiitake mushrooms -- Sliced
2 cups mushroom -- sliced
2 cloves garlic -- crushed
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1 tablespoon Ginger -- grated
32 ounces beef broth
1 cup water
2 teaspoons mirin
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 head Bok choy -- cut in 1" slices
2 tablespoons Cilantro -- chopped
5 each Green Onions -- chopped
1/4 teaspoon Sesame oil

Prepare eggs or other add in's for addition at the end. Saute Mushrooms, garlic and ginger in oil till slightly softened. Add beef broth, water, mirin and tabasco. Simmer about 10 minutes. When almost ready to serve, add bok choy, cilantro, green onions, sesame oil, udon and eggs or other. Simmer 1 or 2 minutes and serve


NOTES : serve with Baguette and butter

Christmas!

How exciting it is for kids at Christmas. And how fabulous it is to be a parent at Christmas time. All week we told Gigi that Christmas was coming, not sure who was more excited about it, her or us. This shot is from Christmas Eve with the the presents all under the tree and ready to go for the morning.
The first thing Gigi saw when she came downstairs was the Disney princess vanity. She went right for it. This is one of the favorite gifts. I set it up in my dressing room next to my vanity so we can primp together.

Poor Gigi was actually sick although she didn't have any trouble finding the energy to open presents!

Later my parents came over with a whole new round of toys, including a sports car, just the thing every two year old needs to have!



They also got her a baby and all the accessories, Gigi was trying out the pack and play for size.

Later we lit the first candle for Hanukkah and Gigi got yet another present. We've got seven more nights of this, she is going to be so spoiled by next week.

The Kitchen is Finished - Finally!

Mark this week in history because after almost 6 months of dealing with this, our kitchen remodel is finished. Unbelievable!

Why did it take so long? Well in previous posts I talked about countertop mishaps and getting bumped on our contractors schedule because we needed more time to get all of our materials. But that wasn't a big deal, the biggest deal was painting the kitchen. It sounds simple enough so we decided to do that part ourselves instead of hiring someone. BIG MISTAKE. Working parents with toddlers should never try to do this themselves - hire someone.

Well it's all over so here are few before shots: Note the ugly countertop, old dishwasher and sink, the hideous floor...


Here are the final shots with new countertop, freshly painted cabinets and new hardware, the new cooktop and hood.

New sink, dishwasher and FLOOR! Obviously this has been here since September it was just the painting process that held us up.




Next we tackle the master bath. And yes I will hire a painter! :)

Garden of Lights

This evening we went to Brookside Gardens in Wheaton to see the Garden of Lights. It was quite spectacular. There was an unbelievable amount of lights in hundreds of trees, gazebos, animals, including the Lock Ness Monster blowing smoke every 2 minutes or so. We heard about this light show and decided to go over just as it was opening at 5:30. If you plan to go I would suggest getting there a few minutes before it starts. We were lucky with our timing because it was packed. We were able to get in, but when we left cars were backed up onto Randolph Rd. Well worth the $15 per carload.

Dinner at IndeBleu

Last night I did a new thing for me, I went out with the girls. I need to do this more often. We had a great time at a new lounge/restaurant downtown called indebleu a very nice place and really fabulous food. But the best part was the company. It's nice just having good girl talk.

I didn't have my camera with me so no pics but we did discuss this picture that Erica took of my band Mary Mary, many moons ago. This shot was taken in a lot behind her townhouse on 13th and U. First there is a building there now, second Erica should have bought the place when it was affordable and lastly this is a great shot. For those of you who haven't seen this shot before I'll explain. This was taken on a role of shots to promo the band. It's funny because a bird pooped on Annie (on the far right), so she is mortified. Mary beside Annie is grossed out and I think it is hilarious. The most telling part of this picture is the Other Mary climbing up the tires and the look of worship in her eyes for Mary. The Other Mary was quite unstable and had to be asked to leave the band. If I ever feel bad about that I look at this picture.

Great shot, Erica.

Here Come the Holidays

Well the holiday season has commenced. This weekend we put up our Christmas tree, shopped for gifts (the ones that I haven't already ordered online) and I attended my neighborhood Layhill Ladies Club Luncheon. And oh yeah I froze my butt off putting up more lights on our house. I should have done that last weekend - before the snow.





Putting the tree up was a lot of fun. Gigi liked helping out and she is very excited to have a Christmas tree of her own.

Finally, we had a chance to visit Erika and Tommy and see their new little girl, Molly. I would like to say we "met" her but since she was sleeping the whole time I'll say we "saw" her. I always forget how small new babies are...

Playing with Toys

 

Checking out the Christmas Lights

 

Thanksgiving

This year, Paul's sister Karen hosted Thanksgiving. It was a very relaxed, nice day. Probably easy for me to say since I wasn't the one cooking. :)


Gigi and Jillian

Gigi exploring the kitchen

Gigi and Karen
Dancing on Daddy's feet
Gigi's cousin Drew and Ruppert's kids Joey and Jillian at the dinner table. Ruppert and Laura chatting in the kitchen.

Jamarama Live!

We went to the 9:30 Club today to see Jamarama Live. We all had a great time. The place was sold out and it was packed. Fortunately we got a great spot so Gigi could see perfectly while she danced and jumped.


This is Gigi with a smile on her face. The number of people in the club made her a bit nervous, plus she was quite antsy while we were waiting for the show to start. Fortunately her pal Azalea showed up and that made things more interesting.


We were up on the balcony, center stage so we could see everything unobstructed.


Here is Ms. Azalea, she was a little on the grumpy side most of the show but perked up towards the end.

This is Milkshake, they were also fun, Gigi really liked them, they came on after Laurie Berkner.

This is the Ohmies and Gigi hated them, she hid her face the whole time they were on. They came on first and were very loud. But once Laurie came on Gigi really got into it. They came back on after Laurie to introduce Milkshake and she hid her face again.

She is napping now, all tuckered out... :)