Happy Birthday Fred

Random Sillies

Ponytail

Madison is 21 months! Her hair is finally long enough to put up into a ponytail. However, I have no business trying to "do" Madi's hair.

Dinner of the Week: Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 whole egg
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup bread crumbs, divided

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, cheese, egg, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs. Using your hands, mix all ingredients until well incorporated. Use immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Place the remaining 1/4 cup of bread crumbs into a small bowl. Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1.5-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds, roll in the bread crumbs and place the meatballs in individual, miniature muffin tin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Save the Date

Sin City

The Mister and I are about to head off for Vegas. We're leaving on Thursday, and meeting up with Gina & Mark, and the Stern sisters. Can't wait for this little vacation that has been months in the making. The last time we were away from the Kid was March of 2008. We went on a weekend cruise that was horrid!

Dessert of the Week: Brownies & Lemon Bars

We went to visit our friends Amber & J.R. Mills on Sunday. I bought them a Lime Zest platter from Crate and Barrel, and adorned it with my lemon bars.

I felt bad that the Mister didn't get any brownies the first time around this month, so I have 18 minutes left on them in the oven! I'm glad I'll have ample time to cool them this time, because cutting them fresh sucks.

Favorite Lunch

I was just looking in the freezer what goodies the Mister bought at the market. But I did not see my favorite lunch. So this is for the Mister...a reminder:

Halloween Poll

What should the Whiteleys be for Halloween?
	Alice in Wonderland
	Greasers
	Insects
	Witches
	Other
= see results =

Animal Sounds

Madison Rides a Roller Coaster!

So I don't have any pictures, because I was with her...but Madison rode Gadget's Go Coaster at Disneyland on Friday. She loved it!

Nap Time

So getting Madi down for a nap proved to be a bit of work. I put her
down, tucked her in. Quiet, for like 5 minutes, then I hear the pitter
patter of little feet. Busted.

I put Mad down again. Quiet for almost 10 minutes, she must be asleep.
Then the pitter patter of little feet again. This time she heard me
coming, and jumped back into bed and closed her eyes. But when I
confronted her about the situation she sported a mischevious smile.

So I ended up rocking her to sleep. Ugh.

The Mister suggests a nanny cam for her room. To record her naughtiness.

UP NEXT on my to conquer list

Naleśniki, otherwise known as crepes or blintzes. I used to make these regularly for a light dinner, but haven't made them since 2003. Also, I really want to make my own Pierogi. My mom makes the best ones (but which Polish mom doesn't). But I think it's my turn to learn the art.

Dessert of the Week: Banana Bread

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk, cinnamon and vanilla. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Spread slices with honey or serve with ice cream.

Big Girl Bed

My Parents are Polish

I got to thinking, where are my parents from. Granted I know, and I've been there, but for everyone else here it is...

My mom is from Stalowa Wola, Poland and my dad is from Miedzylesie, Poland.

Esther Williams Eat Your Heart Out

Dessert of the Week: Brownies

I baked these for the Crate & Barrel inventory potluck.


Ingredients
Soft butter, for greasing the pan
Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar, sifted
1 cup brown sugar, sifted
8 ounces melted butter
11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star

I cannot believe it! Madison (20 months) has gone pee pee on the potty for a week straight right before her bath. This morning she said "Momma, pee pee," and headed for the bathroom. Turns out girlfriend had to go pee pee and went on the potty, not once, not twice, but something like 8 times in one day!

She's still in a diaper, because I have to go find Easy Ups in a size 4. However, she's making it difficult to put the diaper on. But I'm so proud of her! And of course she went pee pee before her bath, and after. You go Madi BOOM!

Dessert of the Week: Sticky Road Chocolate Bars

Ingredients
For the chocolate bar:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus extra for the pan
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/4 cup chopped pecans
For the glaze:
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Directions
Special Equipment: off-set spatula, parchment paper, 12 by 8 1/2-inch sheet pan

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt together. In a large bowl using a handheld mixer on medium high speed, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and mix until well combined. Add flour mixture in batches and blend until combined and crumbly. Fold in melted chocolate and the pecans. Butter a quarter sheet pan. Line the pan with a piece of parchment paper and butter the parchment. Press dough evenly into the sheet pan and prick surface evenly with a fork. Bake until firm in the center, about 20 minutes. Let cool and prepare the glaze.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then add sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk. Cook until all ingredients are dissolved and a golden color is reached, about 10 to 12 minutes. Fold in the pecans and coconut. Pour the hot glaze over the cooled chocolate bars and quickly chill in the freezer to let glaze set. Cut into bars and serve.

...Supermodel Moments...

I Jumped Out of a Perfectly Good Plane? What?

Adios Hair...for Allison!

33 years in the making

Well, I finished my 33rd year of life today, at 6:13 a.m. It's been a good time. I finished my schooling, started a career, got married, had a kid. I've gone to many countries, states and places. I've bungee jumped and skied down mountains. I've seen many sporting events and concerts. It's been great.

Things I'd like to accomplish this year: Skydive and get pregnant and sustain it. In that order. I hope to travel to Polska, so that my Babcia can meet her great-granddaughter.

Happy 33rd Birthday to me!

Brisk or Rapid

We went to lunch at PF Changs today with the Mister. Madi and I hauled our cookies to Pasadena to see his office. On the way to lunch we saw Manny Ramirez chillaxin' in front of the gym. He seemed very nice, and was even signing an autograph for some lady.

At lunch Matt said he got 4 engagement letters back. Whoo hoo...huge bonus, right?! Not quite. The 4 letters were from 4 entities of the same company. But that's okay, because I can smell my new dining room!

This is the Allegro Side Chair in Mocha from Crate & Barrel. We're going to get 4, and get 4 nice foldable chairs to store. Do they make folding Chivari charis?


This is the Allegro Side Board. It'll double as our home office/wine cabinet/extra storage.


The Allegro Extension Table seats 4 more than comfortably, but extends to seat 8. Maybe we'll finally get to entertain!

Too Hot to Bake!

Ugh...way too hot to turn on the oven and bake something good. But up next will be Sticky Road Chocolate Bars. Stay tuned!

Madison had a great day yesterday and an even better night. She slept the entire night. Are these glimpses of my little girl going back to "normal." My mom comes home from Polska on Thursday. We'll all be happy to see her!!

Pint Sized Visitor

We took Madi to see Allison today! The girls had fun! Check out Allison's blog!

Riding the "Toot Toot"

10 Days Until 33

Shameless plug for my Amazon.com wishlist:

Dessert of the Week: Nothing

LOL! No I'm not quitting my dessert of the week endeavour. I baked more lemon bars on Sunday, because we have an abundance of fresh lemons on the tree.

In other wonderful bloom news, our tomato plant is sprouting! I've counted 3 Polish tomatoes so far. I called my Babcia and told her the exciting news. She was so proud. We also have cantaloupe starting to bloom.

Domestic Engineer Checking In

I feel like I must document everything I do. Yesterday I finished camping kits for St. Francis Center, where we volunteer. I also baked cookies. Today I cleaned the Kid's bathroom, and wiped down our's too. On top of that, I have a load of laundry going, and I still want to mop the bathroom floor. All this before I go to work at 5!

Okay, I'm getting off my high horse. I'm just mad that I once again failed to get hired for a job that I really wanted.

I'm LinkedIn!

I'm LinkedIn! Are you?

Dessert of the Week: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Lemon Bars were a hit! For the 4th I baked my version of Red, White and Blue cupcakes. Vanilla cake with fresh blueberries, cream cheese frosting with fresh strawberries and blueberries on top. Here's a picture...


Today's dessert of the week is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. My variation of a classic. I feel that raisins should be a stand alone snack, not one incorporated into baked dishes.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
8 oz. chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)
Splash of milk

Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add a splash of milk andmix. Add oats and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time Time: 10 min

Sk8r Guurl

Ryan Sheckler has nothing on my kid. 19 months, and she's already learning to ride the board. Not only does she have the age thing on her side, she's a girl! Watch out boys, here comes a whole new breed of sk8rs!

All American Girl