Is it spring yet???

I may have gone into the craft store, and maybe gotten another shadow box for my spoon collection.  Just maybe.

I cannot believe that it is almost April.  I also cannot believe that I have not blogged in all that time.  I have been doing a few fun things, and just working at not getting the blues from this weather.  Its harder than you may think, I honestly think the long cold days were getting so long and dull that I was having a bad time.  It isn't much better yet, but I am trying, hopefully some sun and a new doctor and I can try to get back to being a little more normal.  But it could be worse right?

So what have we been up to?  Well Hubby and Pork Chop and I went out for our annual Valentines day diner.  We went to a nice all you can eat place, and I honestly didn't eat much.  But Porky Chop loves that he can pick out what he wants, he ate like 2 cups of steamed rice, which is weird, but whatever at least he ate.  By the time we left there was such a big line up and announcements from staff letting people know if they didn't have a reservation they would not get a seat.  Crazy!

Hubby is a good sport taking pictures for me, Pork Chop at least sort of looked at the camera, I hate having my picture taken.  Just so you know.

If only the actual dress would make me look that thin.  

At my part time job one of my friends finally moved into her house, out of an apartment and she had been wanting to learn to sew.  So I found this pattern on line and she was all " I must make that!!!!" And I was all, "So must I!"  But I wanted to say sew but I don't think she would have gotten the joke.  Whatever, so as soon as she finds a fabric she likes we can start.  I lucked out and the fabric I had been eyeing went on sale for $3 a meter and I got more than enough for about $25.  So I just have to get a zipper and thread and I am all ready.  If I do it and I look as good as the picture then I will show you, if not I will still show you but I won't be happy about it.  

I had a day off with Pork Chop during the march break.  I remember growing up and my dad would take every march break off with me and my big sister.  We would go to the zoo, Niagara falls, down town Toronto, the science centre and the cn tower.  It was awesome, but cold.  We would be in snow pants walking around the zoo.  Only bonus, dad couldn't say no to us, so we got to eat lots of ice cream and french fries.  It was great.  I wish I could have to memories for Pork Chop but it's not always possible with our work schedules and the weather has been so crazy, we do what we can.  So I let Pork Chop pick a place to eat and a movie.  So we went to Mandarin and he hardly ate anything, which is fine, lunch costs hardly anything.  Then we went and saw Mr. Peabody, it was cute.   

I told Pork Chop to wave for Daddy, then we texted this to Hubby and he was all.  Is he eating olives and rice?  And I was all, "it's better than the sushi he was eating, sushi rolls he dipped in bacon bits.  I don't know where he gets his eating habits from. Honestly, but I do agree that bacon makes everything better.

Do you guys go on pintrest?  I know dumb question, but honestly do you?  Well I don't often, and this is why. I see something and I cannot get it out of my mind.  Like I found these shoes and googled for like 3 hours, and yes that seems crazy, but when you are looking at shoes on line, time flyes!  Anyway I found these shoes and apparently if I had found them last spring I could have gotten them.  But they were sold out everywhere in my size and I was desperate.  I contacted the maker of said shoes and they are in the uk.  They said they were not available any more, but that a special request had been made by another company in the uk to have them made again.  So I watched the company for weeks and when they finally came in stock I bought a pair at like 7 in the morning at work on my little phone.  I was so excited!  I was showing everyone at work my shoes on my phone and they were all like, "so cute!"  And then when I got them people kept asking me when was I going to wear them.  I did once but won't again until the weather is nice, because people these shoes are adorable and I want to wear them all the time.

So they are the cutest things ever, and my life in almost complete having them.  It is sort of sad how happy a pair of shoes can make me.

 So lets see, baking has not been happening, my mood just makes it so I go to work then don't want to move when I get home.  This however has not stopped Hubby from baking.  He has made some gluten free treats for his friends at work, which sucks because I used to be the cool baker person, but I don't mind too much as long as he shares with me.  I just want to bake again, or at least I want to feel like I want to bake again.  It could happen.

I hate having my picture taken, and I was all "take my picture!!!" And Hubby was all, you fake smile, you have a weird face, look natural.  Which is stupid, my natural face is weird and fake, so whatever, just take the picture.

So why is there a weird picture of me with that horrendous hair do?  Well I have been growing my hair out for what seems like forever, but in actuality is probably just under 2 years.  I had decided to grow my hair out and donate it for charity to make wigs for kids who have cancer.  Only issue is here in Canada you cannot donate any hair that has been dyed.  Which is crazy because I have been covering the gray for well over 10 years.  Have I mentioned that Pork Chop is almost 10?  Well It could be connected, or not, I will let you decide.

Anyway I found that locks of love in the states will take hair if it has some gray and if you have dyed it, just not bleach.  Well dude that was me!! So I was doing great for a while, but then it got to the point where I just wore my hair in a pony tail, or mostly I just didn't brush it just put it up in a twist or whatever.  And when we were going out to do stuff and I wanted to wear a hat I did two braids.  Have I mentioned that I am pushing 37 or so.  So I hated long hair, but I was all " I said I was going to do this and I will!"  And I would bug Hubby or the girls at work every month or so to try and measure my hair to see if it was long enough.  And on Friday it finally was!

So after work I came home and got changed and told Pork Chop I was going to get my hair cut.  Then he was all "you go out to get your hair cut?"  And I was all "yes, why"  And he said the funniest thing ever, he said "I thought daddy cut your hair"  And I nearly died, because Hubby shaves his own head and Pork Chops.  I was all "your daddy couldn't handle my hair, I need professional help"  And Pork Chop just gave me a weird look and went back to playing his game.

So anyway I went and had a little issue getting my hair done, the ladies at the salon were great.  But one kept trying to point out they won't take coloured hair, and other stuff and I had to keep telling her that where I was donating they would and they they were all "it's going to be short if you want to donate enough"  And I said bring it!  

So they tied my hair into two pony tails and cut them off, poor lady stopped a few times, said my hair was too thick that my two pony tails were thicker each than most donations from one person.  I hope that means they can use a lot of it then, because I have never been so happy to have a hair cut in my life!

And here I am, the front is longer, and it is short in the back, like not even touching my neck.  I love it and it is so much easier!

 So I got home and had to have a shower I was covered in hair bits, and it was the best feeling to wash my hair so fast.  I then let it dry and ironed it, I have super wavy hair so if I leave it that way it's cute, but I like the sleek look better.  Whatever.

 Pork Chop was all " You look different."  And I said good different or bad different?  He said good, but I don't believe him.  I think it's funny how short kids memories are in that way because I have had short hair many times before.  Anyway I am glad I am done, because I cannot stand long hair.  I was so happy I cleared out a whole section in my bathroom of hair ties and stuff, because dude my hair is short!

I just have to mail the hair off now, and I tried to show Hubby and he was all grossed out, he said to leave it in the bag and I did because he is a big baby that way.  I hope that whoever gets my hair feels good about themselves with it and that they know I wish I could do more to help them than just grow my hair.

Anyway nothing too big happening here, just looking forward to the summer, and maybe a little trip to the states to play.

I have a guy here cleaning my dryer vent because apparently you can die if you don't clean it and its a fire hazard.  This is the second time having it done, a few years ago they did it and the amount of lint they got out could have made a whole bunch of clothes.  Anyway we are now going to be lint free, at least until I dry something again.

How have you guys all been by the way?  I love checking out others blogs, but just have not been in the mood to comment.  Probably "talk" to you all in the summer, yikes I need to get back on here more.

Happy November!

My amazing decorating this year.  I had many people take pictures of my pumpkins.  How awesome is that, no pumpkin guts and I am popular!

Hey all! How is everyone?  Miss me? Probably not, I have been missing for well over a few months now.  I am just getting ready for bed but I wanted to pop  in and say hey. Hubby and I had a rare date night tonight, we went to see Bad Grandpa, and I feel bad to admit I love the stupid humor of it.  I laughed so hard I nearly pee'd my pants.  I will never be one for mature humor.  I like a good fart joke better.  Just saying,I  am a 12 year old boy inside.

 My parents watched Pork Chop and it was just nice to go out.  Last night was Halloween and it was so crummy out that we hardly put any decorations up.  So sad it really is my favorite holiday.  Pork Chop had his party the weekend before and we stupidly said he could have his first sleep over.  Other than one kid being sick and having to go home it went well.  I let the boys decorate cupcakes and there was disco dust everywhere.  I will never learn.  Then we had family over the day after.  And it was nice but we had to clean like crazy.  I never feel like a worse homeowner than when we have people over.

Pork Chop is a killer on the ice.  But he is still so cute!

Hubby and I celebrated our 11th anniversary and went out to a special diner.  And then walked all over downtown Toronto, and it was weird but whatever.  It was nice to have time together.

Other than that my training at work should be done before the holidays and I cannot wait, I feel so out of sorts with it all, but such is life.

I saw these at Walmart and I screamed for Hubby he was all like, "uh huh"  whatever I was grossed out!  Pork Chop was all, "They stole your idea!!"  Kid thinks I invented cake pops, poor boy he is so proud of me for no reason.

Pork Chop is back at hockey and loving it, he wanted to be a goalie for years, and this year his is.  Help me people this equipment is costly and I still have a shoe addiction so I don't know if I will survive this.

Anyway hope to see you all soon on the web, or "on the line"  Can you name that movie?  Hubby won't stop saying that.  Sigh.

Red Velvet and Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake Pops

 Okay so this is my second recipe using that new chocolate cream cheese spread.  It did not turn out as I had wanted.  I don't know if it was the fact I used an actual from scratch cake and icing, or if it was that it was cream cheese icing or what, but I was not as happy with it as I am usually with my cake pops.

I will still share it because they were eaten within seconds of hitting work and Pork Chops class.  So maybe it was just me, who knows.  Basically I just made extra cake when I made those red velvet cupcakes and extra cream cheese icing.

So this is how it all started, the icing is really a winner in my books.

I did the usual and just crumbled up the cake, it was day old but I usually do day old cake, I bake it then once it cools I wrap it up.  Anyway I crumbled it all up and then added enough of the chocolate cream cheese icing to get it to stick together.  I should have added a bit more, but I am not used to this sort of cake pop, the box mix and pre made frosting is what I know.  Anyway it worked.

 Originally these were to be for a friend who had her baby in the NICU, we were going to visit, and I stayed up way late to finish them, but I was so tired that I never even decorated them.  I was so embarrassed, but figured the nurses wouldn't care.  Unfortunately my poor friend and her baby didn't have a good night so we had to put off our visit. Not a big deal, it actually meant I had cake pops for Pork Chops dance a thon, so it all worked out. And on a happy note, that cute little baby and my friend are now all settled at home, so Pork Chop is counting the days until he can hold the baby.

It looks so red, it didn't really stain my hands though.

  So once the cake was crumbled and mixed up I used my cake pop mold from My Little Cupcake because I like how uniform them are and the large size.  I was doing the forming and the all the stuff in one night so I froze them.  And some would fall apart or crack, so I think I really needed some more icing, but I was tired and just kept going.

You can sort of see it is a little dry.

  I was so wanting to decorate them with something pretty, but the fact that they were even done and wrapped was good enough for me, it had been a long day at work.  Anyway, they still went over well, as I said the kids in Pork Chops class liked them, and they didn't last long at work.  So maybe it was just me, but in cupcake form this combination was better.

So I want to say something sort of crude, like how do you like my balls, but I will refrain   Oh wait I wrote it, oh well...So, how do you like them?

   I think that my next chocolate cream cheese creation was even better than this one, not as good as the cupcakes but a close second.  All I have to say is my co workers know me well, because one of them handed me some coupons for the chocolate cream cheese, she was all "just in case you want to make more things with it."  And I so do, so that was a great treat to get.

My ball dipping set up, yep I went there.

 I don't know what I want to make next with this, but there will be more, trust me.

I thought I would toss this picture in again, ,because dude these were so good!

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Philadelphia Chocolate Cream Cheese Review

 Okay, before I get started, I want you all to know that I am over the moon that we finally got this product in Canada.  I read about it on some blogs I think and right away I was all "We need to move south!!" And Hubby just rolled his eyes, and said something about liking being around family or whatever.  But he hates cream cheese, so I cannot really expect him to get it.  But I know you guys will. Seriously I have only used this a few times already and it is going to change your life.  I know, dramatic, but I just need you to understand, you need this item, right now!!!!!

  Anyway, I saw on face book we finally had this and I went right to the store after work with Pork Chop, I had to bribe him by buying him a pound or so of olives, but I got what I went for.  As I was cashing out the cashier was all "have you tried that, it looks weird!"  And I was all "I have so many plans for it, you need to try it!" And she sort of just gave me a crazy look, because she probably doesn't understand the impact this is going to have.  Or something like that.

My first simple test.

So for my first try I just wanted something really simple, because I wanted to actually try the product how it was made.  Trust me I already have about 50 ideas in my head, and I don't have the money to buy that much cream cheese.  If you are out there makers of Philly Chocolate Cream Cheese of the Gods, feel free to send me about 100 tubs.  That should last me at least a month. Give or take.

It looked like chocolate, pure and simple!

 So firstly, I had no idea this product was a spread before I saw it, I always assumed it was in block form. I didn't really care, I got two tubs and I bought these super fat lady finger cookies.  I figure simple would let me really try it.  And Oh. My. Gosh!  It was good.

 So it looks like this is being marketed akin to Nutella.  But with I think 50% less sugar. It was on the tin foil label, but I was in a rush to taste it, so I sort of tossed that out fast.  Anyway.  I don't agree.  Nutella is it's own beast, I mean it is thick and rich and super sweet and almost like peanut butter.  Where as this, well it's hard to describe.  The flavour is out of this world, and the texture is perfect for spreading, or if you are one of those weird people that likes fruit, it could be an instant fruit dip.  But I won't go there.  Sorry.

I didn't put too much, I was being stupid, you want to put lots, trust me.

 In my first use, I just made cookie sandwiches.  I just spread a bunch in between two soft cookies, and then I ate them.  It was so good, it has this almost tart kick to it, like a sour cream.  But it was sweet but in a way that is was not over powering like Nutella can be.  I personally don't think I would eat this on toast, it is just not the same to me.  But the things I have planned, oh you just wait..  I am honestly going to spend a lot of time with this and make a few things.

Try to ignore the fact my fingers are almost as chubby as the cookies.

I really liked the taste of it just like this, and even found myself using it as a dip for cookies.  It really is good. And I sound like a girl with a high school crush, and gosh darn it, I am so happy with this.  I have read about products and waited for them only to feel blah about them.  So far this is a keeper.  So stay tuned I have plans, and I will be sharing them.  Then I will invest in cream cheese stock, or just hoard the stuff.

So these only lasted 12 hours and that is because I was sleeping, they were gone really fast.

Have you tried it yet?  What do you think?

Easy Valentines Day Marshmallow Pops

 These are super easy to make, and they are tasty and they are cute.  Three really good things in a treat.  I first saw something like this when my friend Staci made them.  She showed me and I was all, "seriously, chocolate and sprinkles, why did I not think of that?"  

 Then she gave me a smug smile, and think she was all "I am Martha Stewart! Don't be hating!" Or she was just smiling, because I told her how smart she was, either way.  

 So I have not been doing much baking the last few weeks, burn out and my dad in the hospital just left me not wanting to make anything.  But I felt it was about time I send in a treat for Pork Chops hockey team.  So I suggested these and he was all "Marshmallows!!!!!!"  Do I know my boy or what?

I love sprinkles, in case you didn't know that already.  I wait all  year just to use these heart ones!

  So I would prefer to make these with home made marshmallows, but that would totally defeat the point of a simple quick treat.  And kids don't care one way or the other, as long as it is full of sugar, they will be happy.  So I grabbed a bag of large marshmallows, not the jumbo camp fire ones, those are crazy!  Maybe next time.

I just used an old take out container, it was wide enough that Pork Chop could work with it easily.

 Anyway Pork Chop actually wanted to help me so he washed his hands while I got our stuff together.  It was still January, but I figure Valentines day needed to be celebrated sooner rather than later.  So I just mixed some white sprinkles with these heart sprinkles.  And there you go, instant valentines treat!

And since we rolled the marshmallows in the sprinkles, not too many fell on the floor.

  I melted the chocolate and got Pork Chop to set up the marshmallows, he was so proud as he kept telling me he was making a pattern.  It's times like these I love him, other times, well I love him, but I want to hurt him.

Making his pattern.

 So once that was done we had to put the sticks in, and Pork Chop did almost all of them himself.

Putting the sticks in the marshmallows.  Also quick cute story from Hubby.  Pork Chop now plays on my lap top, and one morning it said something like "windows needs to close" and he was all "but the windows are closed!" And pointed at the house windows.  Man sometimes he is so innocent it kills me.

 Then I said, "I have to take a picture!"

He is too big, I may have to stop feeding him.

 And I did, and he didn't really smile so much as he looked like he was trying not to hurt me.  Whatever, I got it.  So once we got that done, we worked as a team.  I would dip the marshmallows and tap off the extra chocolate and he would roll them around in the sprinkles and set them back on the parchment paper to dry.  It seriously took us like 10 minutes, not even.

I was so thinking this didn't look like 1000 and started counting, when I got to 50 and realized there are probably more than 1000 in there, they are thinner than the ones you would buy here thought but they work fine.

  Then as they dried he went and got a drink and I got out the plastic bags and twist ties.  I really like using the twist ties, they are so much faster to work with than ribbon.  But they cost a lot at the baking store, like $30  for 1000, which really isn't much, but I can get that many ribbons cut and tied for less than $2.  I may have to rethink it, I don't know.  Anyway, I got these off of ebay, they were 1000 for under $2, free shipping too.  So they are amazing, and I hope I don't run out soon.

All ready to be wrapped.

  I love how cute they are. And Pork Chops team seems to like them too.

I had to share this picture, he is so big he just jumps on the counter to get things. I used to do that as a kid.  I tried a bit ago when I needed something up high, but I almost broke a hip, so I use a chair.  Man I am old!

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