The Crafts

Since discovering this recipe, I'm fairly certain that at least half of the food I consume is salsa. Thank you to my in-laws for sharing it with me. And now I share it with you... one minute salsa 1/2 small red onion, diced 1/2 cup fresh cilantro 1/4 cup drained jarred pickled jalapenos (I typically exclude these) 2 tbsp lime juice (fresh is best) 2 garlic cloves (again, fresh is best) 1/2 tsp salt 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained (I only use a 15 oz can b/c I like a lot of onion, garlic and cilantro flavor) Drain the tomatoes in a colander. Meanwhile, combine all the other ingredients and then add the drained tomatoes. The salsa can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days but if you are like me, you will eat it in one sitting...by yourself. Okay, maybe not all but close. Dina usually helps me eat it fast. If you need further inspiration watch this video. Although it is a different salsa recipe, it still gets you in the salsa-loving mood. PS...if...

This afternoon I had a new experience; a little taste of the prehistoric life. I channeled my inner Fred Flintstone and drove without brakes. Yep, that's what I looked like driving...but without the 5 o'clock shadow. All three girls were safe. It was just me strapped in, driving white knuckle worried. And I don't think I want to do that again...ever. By the way, when searching Google images for 'Fred Flintstone driving' I found not only the above picture but also the Iowa Hawkeyes tiger hawk, a photo of a raw steak, a judge's gavel, Alice from The Brady Bunch and a revolver. The interwebs are a fascinating place.

Sunday late afternoon while the girls took a rest, Dina and I made our way to the mall. Shopping with someone over the age of four gave me time to look at shoes in my size and to examine jeans without elastic or some form of an adjustable waist. I was having flashbacks to my teenage years when I'd patiently peruse the racks of clothes in Vanity in search of the perfect Hypercolor shirt. I found one, by the way. It was stormy sky blue and deep purple and cost a whopping $30. Despite the birthday money I'd stocked away in my room I still didn't have enough, so my Hypercolor shirt was put on layaway. And I diligently returned each Saturday to add another $5 towards making that shirt mine. Sadly, right after I finally bought that shirt I jumped a wire fence while playing with friends and ripped a hole in the front. My heart still aches when I think of it. The word love is overused today but I can honestly say I loved that shirt. Dina and I visited several stores and had lots ...

Sorry...too busy  lazy to blog today. Miss Claudia actually fell asleep during Kate's preschool time. So instead of sitting down to write a thoughtful, funny or interesting blog post, I will share a picture of what I'm going to do instead... ...and that's all I've got to say... *coffee with half and half*  *brownie*  *Tina Fey's book, 'Bossypants' on the Nook* PS - I know that coffee mug is not at all cute but it is my favorite because it has a really large handle and you can wrap your entire hand around the mug through the handle. Your hands get warm and toasty that way. Happy weekend to you!! Matt and I are actually going to spend some time together. Say what? I know!  It's almost unheard of these days.

Rolling her eyes at me already? Oh, it starts so young. Actually I'm fairly certain she was just looking up. I think. ********************************** I have a little tip for you; a small piece of advice. If you are having a rough day with your kids and you think making cupcakes with them will cheer up the whole house, you would be wrong. You might have fun during the measuring, the stirring and the pouring but when it comes time to clean-up, your children may object. They may take handfuls of cocoa powder and eggs shells and chuck them at your head. It may be wiser to simply insert a Scooby Doo dvd into the dvd player and dunk your head into an ice bucket full of crisp water.  I warned her; flour and cocoa powder do not taste good. I guess she had to learn for herself.   You wouldn't think such a thing could be possible looking into those sweet, blue eyes but it is.  In an instant those eyes can change from blue skies to volcano lava....

Just when I think life has settled itself into a good old fashion, happy family routine, a fast, flying curve ball comes at me from behind. Whether the curve ball comes in the form of a new grown-up phase Kate is experimenting with or CJ declaring she will no longer consume grapes which leaves us with four foods she is willing to put in her mouth, there is always a curve ball. I guess curve balls are an assurance that life won't be boring. And who wants to be bored, right? Our latest curve ball was thrown by one of the best pitchers in this family; CJ. She climbed the pitcher's mound, wound up and aimed a wicked throw straight at my quiet time. Her lack of napping is cramping my lazy style. I cherish that one hour a day of quiet-all-to-myself time. I'm not complaining. I'm just experimenting. One day I corral her to her room. The next day I take her to Target. Tomorrow I might let her go nuts in the room I've been hiding toys. A mom's gotta do w...

Last night the Craft family, including Dina of course, had some fun with a very large package that arrived via air mail last night. Matt was the only person who could carry it into the living room.  In fact, it took two delivery drivers to carry it up front steps of the house. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs around here. Since the weather in Iowa has taken a turn for the chilly, poor Dina has been suffering. She claims the weather here right now is colder than a Kuwaiti winter. Oh, Dina, Dina, Dina...is she in for a surprise this winter. But for those of you reading in Kuwait, let me explain that Iowa weather is similar to a roller coaster. One day you'll be on top of the hill with sunny skies, 80 degrees and air conditioning and the next you could very well be at the bottom of that roller coaster hill with 50 degrees, cloudy skies and heat blasting from the furnace. And that is exactly what happened between Monday and Thursday of this week. Anyway...