Cally's At IT Again.

Don't miss out on this week's give-away. I think that she's serious about this one.

"I Do Believe I'm Falling For Fall"

The crisp air, the long sleeves, the jackets, the pumpkins, the spices, the apples, the pretty leaves. Ahhh, fall is really here. I didn't think that I was ready, but when Calvin came home with a preschool info sheet about Autumn I surrendered. Fall, to me, means apple pie.

Take an afternoon and while your hubby is knee deep in work or school or wherever, make this pie for him. Make sure you give him enough time after dinner to be primed for dessert and then lay a big fat slice of this pie on him. Don't forget the scoop of ice cream. Ladies, this isn't about you. This is about making yo man smile. Here is my apple pie recipe. Do respect it, and do make it. Then sit back and watch the compliments, smiles, and affection heap at your feet.

Apple Pie

2/3 Cup of Sugar

1/4 Cup of Flour

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Dash of salt

8 cups of thinly sliced and peeled apples (macintosh, gala, and golden delicious are great)

2 TBS. butter

2 pie crusts (Don't stress too much, just use the Pillsbury roll out kind. No one will never know.)

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. Stir in apples. Turn into a pastry-lined pie plate (glass will give you the most even browning). Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle over apples. Cover with the top pastry that has slits cut in it; seal and flute the edges (you know, the crinkle sides of the pie). Cover the edge with a 2-3 inch strip of foil to preven excessive browning; remove foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

Bake 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in the crust. Cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.

Happy Birthday, Calvin!!

Calvin turned 4 on Saturday. It was a fun-filled superhero party with lots of friends, cake, and happiness!!

Calvin Waited Expectantly For the Other Superheros

Then he took a moment to give a solemn glance towards the camera.

The kids played with the new train table (thanks to both sets of grandparents for the collaborative success).

A snap shot of the superhero crew. From Left to Right: Super Ian, Batman, Batman, Batman, Spiderman Venom, and Princess Girl. (not pictured: Kira Girl)

Calvin tired of his Batman outfit because it was too hot. He stripped it off, but on his way upstairs to put on something more comfortable, paused to show innocent Edith his Tow Mater underwear.

Batman showed up again, but this time on top of the cake. Just to clear things up, it is not a hat cake, but a cake that mistakenly looks like a hat with batman on top.

Wyatt could barely suppress his glee after he finished his cake and found himself all alone with the train table. Oh, the joy!

One Good Thing

When I was growing up our family had a tradition of saying "one good thing" that happened to them before we went to bed. That tradition has hung around with me, and I try to coax my kids and hubby into confessing their one good thing everyday as well. Here are a few of my "one good things" for today.

• Calvin and Wyatt laughed and played together much of the day. I love the sound of their laughs.
• I ate cake just 10 minutes before dinner.
• I had a good hair day.
• The Doctor told me that I was a good Mom.
• They celebrated Calvin's birthday at preschool today with ice cream sandwiches, a birthday hat, and a song. He was over the moon when he got in the car to go home.
• Noah came home early.
• Wyatt is feeling better.

Henry Did It

. . . or so he says. Calvin got a face full of train (Henry, you know, from Thomas the Tank Engine. See Picture) by the hands of Wyatt. I'm not sure if you can see the little bruise under his eye, but it's there. Ouch. Wyatt got his first real time out.

I realized today how seldom I mention anything about Noah on the blog. I must say that he is the most interesting character in yo mamma's family. I don't post as much about him because he doesn't like any unnecessary attention drawn to himself. Anyways . . . . . . I want to showcase some of his artwork.

Calvin loves to mix all of the play dough into one big multi-conglomerate, corporation of dough, making the colors a little bit schmoopy. The other night he mixed 9 containers together and kneaded until it was the perfect shade of poo. The lump found it's way to Noah's talented, crafty hands, and he made this big mask-looking thing. I liked it. Not like it like let it harden and put it on a shelf, but I carried it around for a couple of minutes and took it's picture. And blogged it. I guess that is kind of like letting it harden and dry and putting it on a shelf - - - in the bloggosphere. So I guess I have memorialized it. Kind of.

What I Saw When I Was Running

I was not running from the police, danger, or a natural disaster, but rather towards my health. I usually hit the treadmill because it is so much more convenient, being in the basement and all. But whenever I get a chance, if Noah is home, I like to run outside. I hardly notice the torture because I love to take in the surroundings. I thought you might like to be my accomplice for Thursday's run.

I have to show the graffiti. Not because I think it's especially beautiful, but because I am always so impressed that someone would have the gall to just spray paint on someone elses stuff. Seriously. Get a canvas. Or some paper. Even your own wall.

This rather regal looking lion was guarding a teeny-tiny yard with a Dora the Explorer Mini-Jeep. I bet he is worth every penny.

Every time I run past this tractor trailer, it makes me think, "How did it come to this?" It would take a tremendous amount of time and energy to dig that thing out that mess. Then I feel motivated to keep running, so that no one ever has to look at me and say the same thing. (Bonus: More Graffiti)

This sign really threw me for a loop the first time that I saw it. I missed the "t" and almost hugged the sign. A sign named after my favorite food? Then I saw the "t" and was a little bummed. But not too bad because I just started to think of all the sandwiches I love: PB & J, Peanut Butter & Honey, Turkey and Cheddar, Chicken Salad, Hot Ham & Swiss. I could go on . . . . . . Meatball subs, BLT's, Muffalettas. Ahhh. The Joy.

And finally, a Vespa. If there were a safe way to travel as a family on one of these babies, you might just see the Shafer family zipping around town on one. These gas prices have us up against the wall. Plus I think the colors are cute, which is exactly what Noah cares about, too. Kidding.

Marinade Your Chicken and Become the Next Vice Presidential Nominee

Here is a recipe that is sure to please. It is so tasty that anyone who eats will certainly love it, and then they will want to vote you into office. That's exactly the story behind Palin. Word on the street is that she made this teriyaki chicken for McCain, and the rest is history. I made it tonight. I didn't get the nomination, but I did get out of putting the boys to bed.

Teriyaki Chicken

1 Cup Soy Sauce
1/2 Cup Worcestersire Sauce
1/2 Pineapple Juice
3/4 tsp. Ground Ginger
1/2 Garlic Clove, Minced
1/4 cup Brown Sugar

Mix all the ingredients together. Marinade chicken for 24 hours and steak for 12.

Visual Dictionary

Skiwampus (skee - womp - uhs) adj. - not in alignment or traveling off course. Other forms include: skiwampy (skee - womp - ee) and skeezy (skee - zee).

Examples in sentences:
1. Katie Shafer's cake was skiwampus.
2. Does this cake look a little skiwampy to you?
3. That cake is just plain old skeezy.

You Gotta Do It!

Cally's got another giveaway going on. Don't miss out!!

Now go. Scoot. Va-moosh. Get outta here.

My Biggest Vice

I love to stay up late. Not only do I love it, but I happen to be extremely productive right around midnight. It's currently 11:50, and I'm toying with the idea of cleaning up the dishes and scattered play dough in the kitchen. I've always envied those early to bed types. But going to bed early always gives me the feeling that someone somewhere is having a good time without me.

For instance, I bet right now my friends on the west coast are just settling in for a movie. My Mom, who is visiting my grandma, has probably just sat down on the couch to chat. While I'm here burning the midnight oil in the basement grasping for a decent post for this blog. Darn my challenge to post everyday. This is all you get tonight, guys. **Bonus** cute pic of the boys from a year ago.

Preschool Update

Despite Calvin's best efforts, he has started to like preschool. He moved gradually from complete hatred to mild dislike to impartiality to reluctant enjoyment to happiness. When I picked him up from school today, he couldn't hold back the excitement he felt towards music time (they got to play with a piano and sing) and the sand table. He even showed me the potrait he made of himself, which is stunning I might add. Just last week he told me he didn't have any friends, and that he didn't want any. Today, however, as he left he was eagerly waving to one of the girls in his class.

I said, "Who are you waving to?"

"My friend."

"What is her name?"

"I don't know."

It's a start.

A Sorry Tale of Neglect

Dear Mom,

Don't worry about me. While you're blogging I can take care of myself. I will feed myself.Then I will clean up.

And draw on the walls.

Love, Wyatt.

Confessional Wednesdays

In college, Jaime, Steph, and I used to play "confession." We confessed things that weren't necessarily good or bad, but that we hadn't thought to tell anyone or wouldn't tell because it might be embarrassing. I'm going to list a few of my confessions, and I invite anyone who is interested to put yours in the comments. Juiciest confession gets bragging rights.

Today's confessions:

1. I secretly like it when I have been cleaning with bleach water and my hands smell like bleach. I like to smell the tips of my fingers when I am done washing dishes with a sink full of soapy, bleachy, water.

2. I once tried to acquire a mannerism just like Jennifer Aniston. I started running just my index finger through my hair to get it out of my eyes. It all came to an end when Noah asked, "Why do you keep doing that weird thing with your hand?" Busted. I had to get my own mannerism after that.

3. At 13 years old I won second place in a county-wide pantomime competition. Although there were just two of us mimes competing I felt that my "late for school" routine was very strong.

4. In seventh grade I failed in the role of Big Sis. I convinced my sister Rachel to give her "boyfriend" a used Valentine's Day gift of: my old Beatles's Abbey Road album that was so used the writing was indecipherable, and a half-eaten jar of tootsie rolls. He broke up with her the next day.

5. I secretly wish the french braid would make a comeback. That was a sweet hairdo.

Your turn. Seriously, nothing serious. I'm not a priest, bishop, or religious equivalent of one receiving real confessions. I am simply a nosey, stay-at-home Mom, blogger looking for a good laugh. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Steph and Jaime, I expect full participation.

Sorry Today's Post is So Late...

I was tied up all day getting some head shots. I hear that is the first step in getting into acting. So, I signed up for a free promotional. I think that everything went well.

I was a little nervous when I first met my photographer. I thought his attire was a little unorthodox, but you know those New York types (a little eccentric).

We started out rough when he almost dropped the camera.

But I think that we have some real winners.

This is my favorite. I plan on sending it to Days of Our Lives when they replace Marlena. It just really shows off my best features.

Correction to Previous Post: "Oh, my, my, my. . . ."

I have to note that my friend, Niki McDowell is the one who first introduced me to Shabby Apple. For that, I say thanks. Also, I need to apologize to those of you who I might have misled or disappointed. Shabby Apple is not, in fact, a delicious treat, restaraunt, or dish. It is a clothing line. Poor Noah was so disappointed when he clicked on the link to Shabby Apple that it wasn't a tasty somethin' that I had to make sure that no one else reading my blog would suffer the same excruciating disappointment.

In my defense, I don't think a 'Shabby Apple' sounds too appetizing.

Oh my, my, my....

Some of you ladies may have heard of Shabby Apple, but I am a newborn babe to it's line. I liked quite a few dresses that I saw here and have to say chickity-check it out. Susie, I'm thinking of you.

A Package of Bubble Tape, A Smattering of Gummy Bears, and 1 Fast Break

Tonight we Shafers settled. We started off well enough, but managed to end . . . ehhh ( that's a disgusted sound meaning we settled). We had grand intentions of returning our redbox movie to the Stop 'N Shop and while there pick up some ice cream. This was Plan A.

We were gonna go big. By big, I mean Klondike, Nutty Buddy, or Ben & Jerry's. The ice creams that yo mamma would never buy you. Yeah Baby.

The kids got impatient, so we moved to Plan B. McDonald's soft serve. You'll never hear me complain. I've always respected the Mickey D's soft serve. So, we're driving, and I'm imagining stealing a lick from Wyatt's cone. Then. We. Spot. The. Wendy's.

Oh! Maybe Plan C would be better? We almost sidetracked for that Frosty. MMMMmmmmm.....I like those frosties. But alas, no dice. No drive thru (I know. I thought the same thing. I'm not sure why they don't have one, but it wasn't there.)

Back to Plan B. We pressed forward to the Mickey D's. The drive thru line was too long.

Plan D. Mickey D's up the road. Ahhhh!!! What do you mean you don't sell ice cream. Whatever.

Plan E. CVS. I know, I know, I know. But we did it. We settled for:

1 package of Bubble Tape

1 package of Gummy Bears

1 Fast Break Candy Bar

All paid for with the change from the change jar.

Look Out World!

Since giving up my one true passion, I've turned my focus to blogging so I can, you know, fill the time. I going to post something new everyday for a month. Now you have been warned.

You may become bored of seeing my kids and say to yourself, "Doesn't she realize that no matter how many close-up pics of their faces she posts that we still know what they look like?" (To answer you, I don't care. I like their faces - a lot. And so do the grandparents.)

You may cry at the lackluster writing. So hard that you'll have a headache the next day.

You may laugh at the embarrassing moments, and then you might even feel some sympathy embarassment for me.

You may become bored with the tireless complaining. Sorry. That's just part of this blog.

You may fall head over heels in love with all of the delectable food on the sidebar, and then we'll just naturally become better friends.

But I will press on. An entire month. Whew. I'm already tired.

NOAH, AGE 3

Fridays Are The Best Days

The Boys and I decided to take Friday off. We called in sick to work and took a jaunt into the city.

We stopped at the playground to play.

But decided to chase pigeons instead.

Ate our lunch.

Took a ferry to Governor's island and took advantage of Free Bike Fridays.

We smiled at the feeling of the wind blowing through our hair.

Found a cool "cave" and climbed in.

Jumped out.

Finished exploring the island and went back to Manhattan to wait for Noah at the ferry terminal.

While there we wrestled . . . .

. . . and hung upside down.

And went home for a big, fat nap.

It was a good day.

Remedy

If your way too EARLY morning started off with two kids crying (I still don't understand why if they are still tired they don't just go back to sleep. For Real. That's what I do, and then I feel better), then this is for you.

If your morning continued with an angry toddler who flailed wildly and seemed to grow an extra set of arms as you put him in the carseat, then this is for you.

If your oldest child took off his difficult-to-put-on-in-the-first-place Air Jordan tennis shoes in between every one of the four stops you made and drove you crazy each time because you had to put them on AGAIN, then this is for you.

If your usually sugary sweet baby lapsed into a conniption fit when you walked by McDonald's and wouldn't take him in, but then you caved and took him in because you knew he would stop crying even though you don't really have the money to go in the first place, then this is for you.

If both of your kids wept, wailed, and gnashed their teeth all the way home from New Jersey (except when they paused briefly to smile sweetly at the toll booth guy and hear him say, "What adorable kids," while you could barely suppress an eye roll), then this is for you.

If your brave first-time-to-pre-school son gave you the saddest look and in his pleading voice said, "Can I please just come home with you. I don't want to stay at preschool." and it took every ounce of your mommy stick-to-it-ive-ness to not cry and say, "I'm sorry, but you have to stay," then this is for you.

If you carried in, like, a ga-zillion heavy bags of groceries, and still couldn't find something to hit your taste buds right, then this is for you.

ENJOY!! Because you're back on in 10 minutes.

Fudge Pie

1 stick margarine
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt margarine, add cocoa and stir until blended. Add sugar, eggs, flour and vanilla. Beat well. Pour into a 9 inch pie shell.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

Don't forget to eat it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!

This is my Grandma's recipe, and it does not disappoint.

Chickitee - Check This Out

I just realized that I could give a shout out on my own blog. So, here's to Calico. You should check out Cally's blog and enter her free give away. She's no joker. If you win, you'll delight in this su-weeeeeet bag she has made. It's cute. It's quality.

So go.

Get out of here and enter her drawing.

You'll be so glad you did when you see her on Oprah and can say, "I totally have one of her bags, and it was free."

Food, Glorious Food

I'm dieting in earnest today. If I were eating anything I wanted, I'd start with this

Then I'd chase it with this little saucy baby.

Add a little bit of this.

And finish with this. Oh baby, that's the way I like it, except with a little more frosting. Uh-huh.

Then I think I'll linger over a slice or two of this.

Okay, just one more of these.

Oh, what the heck. I'll have ONE MORE slice, and then I'm done.

I'm full now.