Kindle

 

‎We finally decided to buy a Kindle for the family.  When I first mentioned the idea of getting one the kids and hubby responded by saying "I like a real book in my hands"  (I think everyone responds this way at first).  I explained that it doesn't mean we will stop buying books altogether it just means we will cut down on books that we only read once.  The kids read so many chapter books that are read once and put on the shelf to sit.  I think this will save us some room on those shelves.  We do like going to the library and I don't think that will ever change, e-books still cost money.  I ordered it from Amazon and it's expected to be here in a few days.  Everyone is already talking about what book they are reading first.  We can pick out books now and when the Kindle arrives in a few days they will already be downloaded on it.....how cool is that!  I have a feeling the kids are going to love it which means they might have to get their own for Christmas. 

I looked into getting a cover or some sort of protection for the kindle but was a bit shocked by the prices $25 to $60....eeks.  I decided to go to good old Etsy.com and this is what I found for $15.00 at RogueTheroy.  They had lots of cute patterns but this was the most fitting for the family. 

Of course there are disadvantages to an e-reader; such as not being able to pass a book along to someone else to enjoy, something I like to do. A real book can be tossed around or can slip out of your hands as you fall asleep reading without damage (something that often happens while I'm reading at night) .  And, no more reading in the bathtub! I think I can adjust to these things without to much fuss.  


I would love any tips any of you may have if you have a e-reader.  

I will be sure to let you know how it all works out for our family.

Bonnie 

Celebrating a Birthday and Recipes

Tonight we celebrated

my hubby Eric's 42nd birthday. It was simple and 

wonderful which means 

PERFECT in my opinion. 

We stayed home to 

celebrate this year; 

my in-laws came over for

dinner and cake.  I was so proud of myself since I did all of the cooking and baking this year and it all tasted wonderful.......

mother-n-law approved!  

The Menu: 


Baked Chicken with feta Cheese wrapped in Bacon

• 8 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 4 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 4 slices feta cheese
• 4 slices bacon, fried and drained   (I used turkey Bacon)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees  
2. In a small bowl combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Mix together. Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour oil mixture over chicken.
3. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on each Chicken breast  then wrapt with 2 slices of  bacon each. 
4. Bake uncovered for 30 mins. 

Asparagus

Wash and cut ends off Asparagus, lay on tin foil, sprinkle with olive oil and garlic.  Lay a few pieces of fresh thyme on top of asparagus.  Wrap tin foil closed and bake for 20 minutes in oven at 350 degrees.

Long Grain Rice

Cook rice (I use a rice cooker) when done transfer to a frying pan, add olive oil and seasonings (I use garlic and a little low sodium soy sauce).  Make a hole in the center of the pan and add a few eggs.  Once the eggs are fried stir in with rice.    

And, for the best part

Ultimate Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

2 cups flour

2/3 cup cocoa

1 1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 t. baking powder

1 2/3 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 cup mayonnaise ( I used Hellman's Olive Oil Mayo) 

1 1/3 cup water

Grease and flour 2 (9") layer cake pans.  Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder together; set aside.  In large mixing bowl beat sugar, eggs and vanilla at high speed until light and fluffy.  At low speed beat in mayo.  Add dry ingredients alternately with the water, mixing well after each addition.  Pour in pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 mins.  Cool for 10 minutes.  Remove and cool completely on racks.  Frost.  

Peanut Butter Frosting

1 stick of butter

1 cup Natural Peanut Butter

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Powdered Sugar (about 4 cups) 

Milk

Mix butter and peanut butter until creamy, add vanilla.  Slowly add powdered sugar and milk until it becomes a good spreading consistency.

This cake is so moist and so yummy!  I highly recommend it. 

__________________________________________________________

Happy Birthday Eric.  I love you and was happy you loved your dinner, even

if you weren't feeling so good because of a yucky cold that invaded your body.

Catching Up

I've been terrible about Bogging lately.  I feel like I have nothing good to share but that's not even why I started a blog to begin with.  I started it to record memories.  It seems that I go through cycles and lately I've come to a road block.......I need to plow through it and go with it. So here is a little about  this and that......

The kids are on vacation this week, February vacation they call it.  Ethan has been going to baseball camp at UMaine every morning from 8:15 to 10:30am and LOVING IT!  He wishes it was all day....so do I because there is nothing worse then hearing "I'm bored".  Boy I hate those words and as the kids get older I hear it more and more. It's been so cold out that it makes it hard to send them out to play.  Audrey has been sick with another cold, poor thing.  I'm glad it's now rather then her missing school.  She seems to keep herself busy with her Barbie Dolls and playing in her room.

On Sunday we went to The Chicken Barn, the Chicken Barn is a big Barn full of Antiques and books.  It's famous here in Maine. We picked up a few books, an old  Pepsi crate (love) , a Blue Mason Jar (love), Audrey found an old Barbie carrying case and Ethan found some Baseball cards.  We then headed to another antique store where Ethan found more baseball cards and Audrey found a 1970 Barbie Camper that she had to have (she used her own money, it was quiet the find).  My kids love old things which I think is pretty cool.

Our Miss Trixie turned 14 this month and for the first time EVER had a bow put in her hair by the groomer.......too cute.  I got such a kick out of seeing it her hair when I picked her up.  She didn't seem to mind at all.  It's really not her but will leave it in until it falls out.  Miss Audrey loves it and thinks she should always wear one. 

And this is what I did with the Pepsi crate.....

A Perfect organizer for all of those markers, scissors and such.

Tomorrow is Eric's (my hubby) Birthday.  I'm planning to make a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.....wish me luck it will be a first.  His mother usually makes the most delicious one ever but she won't have time so she gave me the recipe to make it.  Oh boy!  We will have a blueberry pie for back up.

Have a great day! And, f the cake comes out good, I will be sure to share the recipe.

Bonnie

The Pioneer Women - A Love Story

I just finished reading this book and

 loooooooooooooved it!!! 

I really enjoy reading about real people and real life, I guess that's why I love reading blogs. This was a simple book but yet so enjoyable to read.  I read it in just a few short days; I found it hard to put it down.  Ree is so much fun......you probably know that already if you read her blog and if you don't...check her out.  If your looking for a wonderfully real  love story...this is the book to read!

Happy Valentines Day!

Hoping you all have a wonderful day 

filled with Sweetness!

All SO TRUE....

I came across this today and had to share it.

I instantly loved it.

   It's perfect and true.  

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Bonnie

Wordless Wednesday

How many Barbies should one little girl own?

Join Wordless Wednesday at 

Parenting BY dummies and Seven Clown Circus .

Dear Mr. Punxsutawney Phil,

Please No shadow today!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Pretty please with sugar on top!!!!!!!!!!
and a cherry!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
or whatever your favorite food may be!!!!


Oh Please, Oh Please, Oh Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I need to hear the words "EARLY SPRING".


Spring has never sounded so good to me.  I can usually handle our winters in Maine but all of this snow is getting...well, not so fun anymore.  We are getting more snow today, actually I wouldn't call it more I would call tons more (up to 20inches). The words "EARLY SPRING" will make this snow storm easier to accept knowing spring will be here sooner rather than later.


Oh Please, Oh Please, Oh Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Have I ever mentioned how adorable looking you are?  Such a cute nose you have and you wear that coat of yours so well. 


Oh Please, Oh Please, Oh Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Your's truly,
Bonnie


P.S. One last thing...........my hair is really a mess!  I've had to cancel my last 4 hair appointments due to the weather and being sick one week.  You don't want me walking around scarring people.  DO YOU!?!?!?  


Oh Please, Oh Please, Oh Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be truly grateful!


Click Punxsutawney Phil for more info on this cute guy.