Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Book List

I've gotten through most of my books from my last book pile, reviews are coming. Yesterday I went to BJ's for a diaper run and always look at the books so I can check out the new releases. If I bought every book I wanted to read, I'd have a room full of bookcases (I would love, Pete would hate)! That is when the library comes in handy! It's such a great resource! If you don't take advantage of your local library, start now! Here is what is currently on my request list at the library!

Ready for pickup and getting today... All That Is Bitter & Sweet by Ashley Judd


Silver Girl by Elin Hildenbrand
One Summer by David Baldacci
Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer
Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
Untied by Meredith Baxter
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe

Monday, June 27, 2011

Herb-Mustard Grilled Pork Chops

These were SO GOOD!! We used the herbs from our garden and this is the perfect summer recipe. You can also use it with Chicken. This will be a new staple in our house! Let me know if you try it and like it ;)

Source: Better Home and Gardens Cookbook

Herb-Mustard Grilled Pork Chops

2 tablespoon creamy dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1. For sauce, in a small bowl combine mustard, parsley, oregano, water and
   red pepper. Cover and chill until ready to use.

2. Cook on grill until internal temp for chicken reaches 170F or pork chops reaches 160F.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Book Review - The Brothers Bulger


Description:
Although superior to some other tellings of the incredible story of how two brothers came to dominate Boston's political and criminal underworlds for decades, this account by veteran Boston Herald reporter Carr still falls short of being the definitive version he intended. The stranger-than-fiction rise to power of Billy Bulger, the longtime Massachusetts senate president, kingmaker and consummate deal maker, and his brother Whitey, a psychopathic killer who took over the city's Irish mobs, is compelling, but despite Carr's closeness to the story, he fails to bring his protagonists' inner world to life. For those broadly familiar with the corruption scandal that indelibly tarred the FBI because of the active role some of its agents took in protecting Whitey and enabling his brutalities, the author gives a detailed, hit-by-hit description of his crimes. Most readers from outside the Bay State will be almost as appalled at the wheeling and dealing of his "respectable" brother, who crossed path with presidents and presidential aspirants, and who extended his patronage practices to his subsequent position as president of the University of Massachusetts

My thoughts:
I actually read this book a while ago. I thought with the capture of "Whitey" that there would be interest in it again! I loved this book!!  It involves many topics I like.. biographies, true crime, mob life and Boston. I was actually living in Boston when FBI agent John Connelly was on trial and it was front page news every day. I loved reading the paper everyday learning new facts on the case.  I liked knowing the areas in the book that they were talking about since I was so familiar with Boston. Howie Carr wrote a great book, read it if you can!



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Cars 2 Movie

When I was pregnant with Jack, Pete and I saw a trailer for the Cars 2 movie and knew we had to take Peter when it came out! Yesterday it opened and we went to Cinemagic in Westbrook.


We all know remember how much Peter is a Cars fan! We have seen the movie so many times! Pete and I did like the second one, but I was surprised how little all the characters from the first movie, except Mator , were in the second. You actually don't need to know what the first movie is about to watch the 2nd one. It also has a lot more action then the first. I enjoyed the first Cars better but will still add Cars 2 to our DVD collection when it comes out.

Ordering Popcorn......
Enjoying some popcorn while he waits for the movie to start!
We made it through the movie!! He got a little restless a couple times but he did great!



Friday, June 24, 2011

Blogger Issues

Is anyone else having problems with blogger? I sign in so that I can comment on a blog and then it won't let me post and I'm signed out. It's so annoying I haven't been able to post on anyone else's blog for over a week. I thought it might be because of my computer but then I was reading another blog this morning and she mentioned she was having the same problem! I get so annyoed at blogger sometimes. I am reading all the blogs I usually do, I just can't comment!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Yard Projects

Pete and I don't like to do yard work, remember? This year we have been a little more into it. We've been working on the lawn where the grubs got, planted some vegetables and herbs and had The Turf Doctor coming. Last year, I put mulch around the oak tree in our front yard. That was my yard "project". I know, sad, but, I'm not good with that stuff. Since we've been spending more time outside, I was feeling a bit inspired.......


Enjoying my gardening time :)


These flowers were here for about an hour, when Peter wanted to "help" Mommy water the flowers and took out almost all of them with the hose. I removed the few that were left and it's back to what it looked like before.
Since the first project ended in a failure, I decided to try again with a different "tree". CMP cut down a birch in the front of our yard that was too close to the power line last year. Since then this stump has just been sitting there irritating me. Pete was going to rent a stump grinder but it's quite a bit of money for just one. I ask my stepmother for ideas then went to work.

Here it is! I was really proud of myself. I bought some more flowers, added mulch and put a plant on the top of the stump. I really enjoyed it for three days........
Three days after I did the stump project, a tree company was up the street doing work on another house. They told Pete they could grind the stump for $25. Down they came.....

Peter sat across the street to watch the tractor with Nonni. He LOVED seeing the tractor come down the street!
The tractor backed right into our yard and destroyed the stump...... and my project!
What is left. I am done with yard projects this year, haha. Maybe I'll  have better luck next year! Or maybe, I"ll just say screw it!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Chicken and Pasta with Peanut Sauce


This is a great summer dish and it took me only 30 minutes to make! You can easily double the recipe, I did!

6 ounces dried fettuccine or linguine
2 cups of fresh or frozen pea pods
1 cup cooked turkey or chicken
1 cup of fresh chopped pineapple or one 8 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained.
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice or lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, halve the pea pods diagonaly. Place pea pods and chicken in large colander. Pour hot cooking liquid from pasta over pea pods and chicken in colander; drain well. Return the pasta, pea pods, and chicken to the hot pan. Add the chopped pineapple.

2. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a small saucepan stir chicken broth into peanut butter. Heat and stir with a whisk until peanut butter melts. Stir in soy sauce, lime juice, red pepper, and garlic; heat through.

3. Add sauce to the pasta mixture. Gently stir to coat pasta with sauce.

This meal was great. All three of us really enjoyed it. It took me about 30 minutes from start to finish to make this meal! A new meal to add to our list :)

Monday, June 20, 2011

June Babies

Jack has some new friends! Three special boys entered the world this month! We are looking forward to many play dates and camp outs with these little guys!

On Thursday, June 9th, our friends Mike & Melissa Storey welcomed identical twin boys! I got to sneak in early that Saturday morning without the boys to meet them! They are healthy and adorable!

Meeting the Storey twins :)


Camden Michael & Cowen John


Saturday night we were visiting our neighbors and friends, Kelli and Brandon. I placed Jack on Kelli's stomach and told her baby to come out, Jack wanted to play. What a good listener he was! Yesterday, Kelli and Brandon welcomed their son Ethan Joesph into the world. It was an extra special day for both. Kelli now shares a birthday with her son and Brandon really got to celebrate Father's Day with his son!


We've been excited to meet Ethan!


Future best friends, Jack & Ethan :)

Pete and Ethan meeting



Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the important Dad's in our life!
The Grandfather's

Grampie

Papa Rick

Poppi


The Great Grandfathers

Pepere


Papa Wescott


Friday, June 17, 2011

Good Listener?

I always ask Peter to put his plate away each night after we finish dinner. I think it's important for him to learn that. The other morning he and one of his daycare friends Ella, wercoloring and made a mess. While I was getting the two babies out into the stroller, I asked him to pick up. I didn't think much of it until after we came back from our walk and I went to make lunch. I guess he listened right?

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Mary Kay Makeup

I'm going to be honest. I always thought of Mary Kay makeup and instantly would think of old ladies. Then my sister became a consultant for them and I went onto her website to check it out. They had a lot of great items that I liked so when she came down this past weekend, she brough a lot of stuff down and we went through it. I really needed new makeup so I told her to show me her stuff. I ended up getting a bunch! There prices are really reasonable. I think my favorite new item is the Fancy Nancy lip gloss I got!

Jack helped Aunt Nicole ring up my total! I went home with all makeup, put it on and I love it! If you are interested in the MK line, check out Nicole's website!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Surprise!

On Saturday, we went to Pete's Uncle & Aunt, John & Jen's Surprise 25th Anniversary Party that their daughters put together for them. Even with the rain it was a good time. I went early to help set up.
Kristen & Elizabeth hired my sister Laura to create a dessert table for the party. My sister Nicole, came down to help set up also. It came out great:)
Laura in front of the dessert table she created. To see more photos, check out her blog!

Jen's sister took them to the Stockhouse Restuarant, so that the girls could set up and are everyone could arrive. John & Jen pull up to see all their guests..... surprise!!  
Peter enjoying the popcorn from the dessert tabe made by his Aunt :)
I got to snuggle with my nephew Cameron!
Due to the rain, there were many puddles in their driveway. Peter found a friend who liked puddle jumping. When we left, he was soaked!!!

Happy Anniversary John & Jen!! Here's to another wonderful 25 years!