The Tooth Fairy

I'm glad I gave the Tooth Fairy another chance.

Believe it or not, she visited on the first night (the night the tooth fell out).   I don't know how she did it but she pulled through.

A big high five to the Tooth Fairy!

Just a three more teeth to go.

The Tooth Fairy can do it.   I know she can!

Does anyone else have a collection of glass jars under their kitchen sink?

Beware of the Dog

I guess I should start out by saying, Pippen is not very fond of small dogs.  He just doesn't like them.  If he could, he would eat them (I think?).  He is also very territorial.  We have a fenced in yard and anyone that comes within 50 feet of the fence makes him go crazy.

We don't have sidewalks in our neighborhood.  We have trails that go behind the houses.  Some will go along the side of a house and cross the street.  They are all connected.  It's great with kids.  They can ride their bike in the back of the house and be safe.

Anyway....We have a trail behind and to the side of our house.  The trail is about 5 feet from our fence so you can safely walk your dog by our house and not be attacked by Pippen.

Every day this couple walks by our house.  The husband walks two dogs while the wife walks one (small dog).  < (key information)  And, everyday  this woman walks her little dog right up to the fence, knowing full well that Pippen will go insane.  Pippen runs back and forth barking and doing his snapping turtle routine, wanting to bite the dog.

This whole routine started the beginning of the summer.  The first time (and every time after) I went out and called Pippen off.  I explained that he is very territorial and that he does not like small dogs.

So, what happens?  They walk by every day and the woman has to bring her dog up to the fence.  The husband tries to tell her to stop and keep going, but she insists on leaving the dog by the fence.  All of this makes Pippen go crazy and me?  I have to come out and call Pippen off.

Every day.

So....the other day I went out to throw something in the garbage can.  I started talking to my neighbor.  Pippen came over and sat down.  All of a sudden, Pippen jumps up and runs to the back of the fence and goes crazy.  I look over and there is the husband with two dogs, trying to help the woman get a hold of the little dog that she is holding.  She refuses his help and continues to stand there keeping her dog right by the fence.  I end up running over and holding Pippen by the harness and calming him down.  I was "assuming" she would then take her dog and move on.  Instead she said, "He came out of no where!  I didn't know he was in the yard."  (another line she likes to use)  I smiled and said, he doesn't like small dogs and he is very territorial.  She just stood there.  I finally told Pippen to run upstairs on the deck (he listened).  I gave her a look and walked away.

My neighbor said, "She just stood there.  Why didn't she move?"  I said, "This happens every day.  She continues to taunt Pippen with her dog."

Not sure what else I can do, except, maybe suggest she has her head examined.

Any thoughts?

Daylight Savings Time

Alex overslept again this morning. I figured something was up when I didn't hear the door open/close at 6:30am.  I went to check on him and he thought it was 5:30am. When I told him the correct time he said that his clock must have adjusted for Daylight Savings Time.  Yes. He said his clock adjusts itself automatically.  It was the clock's fault. 

I told him he used that excuse once and can't use it again until next year. 

This might sting a little....

A few posts ago, I mentioned my accident tendencies.  Dog bites and burring my hand and arm with hot items from the oven.

When I tended to my burns (and bite) I cleaned the wounds with peroxide.  Boy was I surprised at the sting it caused......OUCH!   (yes, I screamed)

I looked up and there was Bella.  All she said was, "I told you it hurts!"

I have always cleaned the kid's wounds with peroxide.  They would ask, "Is it going to hurt?"  Me:  "No."  They would then complain that it hurts and I would shrug it off.  Me:  "It doesn't hurt that bad!"

Boy was I wrong!

I guess from now on I'm going to have to change what I say when tending to some one's burn/scrape/bite to, "This might sting a little."

Butterfly Birthday Bash - Invitation

I finally get to throw a Butterfly Birthday!

If you are a fan of Fancy Nancy, you will remember that Nancy went to:  Brie's Butterfly Birthday.  Every time we read this book I would tell Bella that she should have a butterfly birthday party.  Guess what?  The day has come for.....

Bella's Butterfly Birthday Bash!

It all starts with the invitations.

I free handed a butterfly and used that as the background (pink paper, of course).  Bella's party is a late over, so we asked the guests to wear comfy clothes (pajamas, slippers) and bring along a pillow and stuffed animal.  We also mentioned that we were having pizza and cake.  Don't forget to add the location and RSVP info!

(there is a hole at the top because Bella put this on my bulletin board)

Homemade Giardiniera

You read that correctly.

Homemade Giardiniera.

What to do with all of those jalapeño peppers that you grew in your garden?  Make Pickled Jalapeños and make giardiniera, of course.  It's a lot easier than you think!  You can search online for a video how to or just trust me on this one and start making a batch for yourself.

I have all of these jalapeño peppers from my garden so I had to try my hand at giardiniera!

Here is the recipe:

Homemade Giardiniera

4 jalapeno peppers, sliced* 

1 red peppers, diced 

1 green peppers, diced 

1 large carrot, chopped 

1 medium onion, chopped 

1/2 cup cauliflower, cut into small florets 

1- 2 celery stalk, diced 

1/2 cup salt

Cold water

*you can take seeds out to make it milder

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

2 teaspoons dried oregano 

1 teaspoon black peppers 

1 cup white vinegar 

1 cup olive oil 

In a bowl combine jalapeños, peppers, carrot, onion, cauliflower and celery.   Add Salt and enough cold water to cover mixture.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day:

Rinse the vegetables thoroughly.

Add the garlic, oregano and black peppers into the bowl.

Stir in vinegar and olive oil and combine for the dressing.  Mix thoroughly.

I put it in a clean glass jar (recycle a glass jar or you can go crazy and purchase a ball canning jar).  The giardiniera can be canned (did that make sense?).  Our supply didn't last very long (Hey!  We're from Chicago!).  Serve on beef sandwiches, pizza, salad or on my famous pasta salad.

Enjoy!