How to Make Healthier Holiday Cookies

So I just read an article about 'How to Make Healthier Holiday Cookies'.  First I must say that I am all about being healthy even though I don't always make heathly food choices. But let's be honest, if you're craving and eating cookies are you really looking for something "healthy"?  I'm not!  I like my butter, white flour and if it's a big cookie it saves time only eating 1 verses 2 or 3.  Who am I kidding, I usually don't stop at just one cookie, so maybe one of the tips is something I would be more open to trying.  But then again it is the holidays and I say bon appetite and enjoy.

Tattle Monster

Sam's class has a problem with "tattling" and talking to his teacher I volunteered to help with some solutions that might help the problem.  Enter the "Tattle Monster" box where the kids can write their grievances regarding other kids and Miss Kawakami (what a great name!) will read them once a week.  After taking the box in cute little Matthew came up and said, "That Tattle Monster is EPIC" and brilliant Fernando said, "He is so awesome!"  Yes I am using 3 graders to validate me and it's EPIC.  If you have a problem with that, well tell it to the "Tattle Monster".

OREO TURKEY'S

Tonight Sam and I made our Thanksgiving Oreo Turkey's.  It's a fun and tasty little tradition that we have.  I know that I need to start finding more "manly" activities to do with him especially since this weekend he was building a fort and when I asked him if he was almost done, his answer was "no I still have some more decorating to do."

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop

In the last year I have developed a "thing" for Korean Dramas, it started out with Boys Over Flowers, Iris, Prosecuter Princess, City Hunter and the list goes on.  Even Sam enjoys watching some of them with me.  Of course we can only watch them with english subtitles because we still have a ways to go with our Korean language skills.  Right now one of my favorite shows is Flower Boy Ramyun Shop.  Why do I enjoy these shows so much?  Could it be for the great acting?  My great understanding of the Korean culture and language?  Because I have so much free time on my hands? No, no and no. Honestly I am not sure why.

I do know that I like how the Korean culture still values a level of modesty and old fashion values in their public broadcasting.  The shows (the tv drams are different than the movies) don't focus on sex, drugs and partying (okay they do like to drink and go to karaoke bars but it's more funny than anything).  The characters are very likeable and entertaining and sometimes their facial expressions have sound affects that just make you laugh.  I also enjoy learning more about the Korean culture and discovering that Koreans can be quite COOL!  According to my Korean teacher the actors and actesses do not fully represent the average Korean.  That's code for the average Korean is not as tall, beautiful/handsome and fashionable as we see on the Korean Dramas. 

So in honor of Korean Appreciation Day (which should be everyday) go to Random Detox, mysoju, or even Hulu to check out some K-dramas and get your kimchi on!!!!

Halloween Review

I know this post is a bit late, but I am going to play my "I am new to the world of blogging" card.  For Halloween Sam was Davy Crockett (costume furnished by my awesome sister Debbie).  As we were out trick or treating Sam came up to me and said, "Mom, I am not getting as many compliments on my costume as other kids are."  Once again I was reminded that Sam needs to learn that outside our home, the world does not revolve around him.   Of course I didn't say that at the time, instead I told him we have a whole year to come up with a "WOW" costume.  So if anyone has any costume ideas for next year or knows if Davy Crockett sleeps with his hat on (that one is for Sam) please let me know!

Just Another Day

So a few days ago I started to notice that my car battery might need to be replaced. Today I started to feel more of a 'sense of urgency' to get it replaced and called around for some pricing.  At one point in time I went out to check what type of battery it was and realized I didn't know how to "pop the hood".  I know this sounds like the beginning of a blond joke but it gets better, at my expense of course.  I knew where the lever was to pop the hood, but I couldn't find the latch underneath to release the hood.  At that point in time I thought I would abort mission and have someone else take care of it.  Of course I couldn't seem to close my hood after that.  I put all my body weight into it and tried various ways to get it latched closed.  I couldn't get it all the way open or shut at this point in time.

Fortunately, one of my coworkes, Blake Wilson (and yes remember that name because he will play a very important part of this story).  was in the area and stopped by to show me how to open and close my car hood.  After that, the plan was to pick up Sam and head straight to Sears to get a new battery.  I drove to the school to wait for the highlight of my day, which of course is picking up Sam (unless he was naughty which will be another post).  He gets in the car and grrrrrrrrr goes the car.  Yes, that's code for dead battery.

Thankfully, Blake was willing to head back out to the Riverton, which to some people is like the Nevada border and give us a jumpstart and accompany us to the O'Reilly's Auto store to get a new battery.  To Sam, Blake and Carlos, who was the very helpful employee I am sorry you had to see me break down sobbing as I purchased my new battery.  Apparently my car was not the only thing that needed a charge!  Lessons learned today is don't procrastinate and don't wear ballet flats with no socks in the winter.  Thanks again Blake for going the extra mile to help us out

Do The Puyallup

I grew up in Puyallup Washington, home of the Western Washington State Fair (aka: The Puyallup Fair). It was such a big event that each year we had a fair day, where we got out of school for a day just to go to the fair.  The fair is so big that it even has it's own song (see link below).  Some of my favorite memories include the Fisher scones, Elephant Ears and Crusty Pups (those are corndogs  . . . . just some clarification for those who might think otherwise!).  Hmmm, it's interesting how even back then my world revolved around food.  One of my favorite rides was the large swings that went up and around.  During the high school days our cheerleading squad would perform at the fair.  They have everything and anything you would want to see, do or eat at a fair.  So if you ever up in the northwest during the early part of September, make sure you schedule some time in to Do The Puyallup!

Click here to listen to a rock, country or gospel version of the fair song

*This post is dedicated to Evette.  Thanks for asking about it!