Word of the Day 2/29/2012

Bosky (adjective)

1: having abundant trees or shrubs

2: of or relating to a woods

Examples: As we drove away from the city, apartment buildings gave way to homes with yards, then at last to a bosky landscape dominated by tall pines.

"In 1863, when two brothers were abducted by armed gangsters and marched into a forest, their appeal to a local saint resulted in their abductors letting them go. Amusingly, though, the artist's skill extends only to the most crucial details: the blindfold, the guns, the bosky scene."—From an article by Jenny Gilbert in The Independent (London), November 20, 2011

Did You Know?: "Bosk," "busk," "bush"—in Middle English these were all variant spellings of a word meaning "shrub." "Bush" is still familiar to the modern ear, and "busk" can still be heard in a few places in the dialects of northern Britain. "Bosk" too survived in English dialects, although it disappeared from the written language, and in the early 17th century it provided the root for the woodsy adjective "bosky." Since its formation, "bosky" has been firmly rooted in our language, and its widespread popularity seems to have resurrected its parental form. By 1815 "bosk" (also spelled "bosque") had reappeared in writing, but this time with the meaning "a small wooded area."

Merriam-Webster Online Word of the Day

Happy Leap Year Day!

Friday Find: Fast Customer App

This one is specifically for iPhone users, but maybe they have the same app for the android phones.

Fast Customer

(Productivity Tool for Busty People)

by Results Junkies

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Life is too short to sit on hold, don't you agree? This free app works with customer-service departments from more than 3,000 companies, including AT&T and Zappos.com. Select the one you need to contact and get a call when the next representative is available.

Thirsty Thursday: Adios MotherF*cker

Yup, adios... 'cause it's almost FRIDAY!

You ready Erin?!

Word of the Day 2/16/2012

Rabble (noun)

1: a disorganized or confused collection of things

2a : a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people : mob b: the lowest class of people

 

Examples: He hasn't become comfortable glad-handing the voters as a gubernatorial candidate and always appears to be merely condescending to an unpleasant stroll among the rabble.

"Recently, the publicity department at Morrow Books told the blogging rabble that it might cut off the flow of requested free books if the bloggers failed to cite those books online." -- From an article by Bob Hoover in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 8, 2012

Did You Know?: "Rabble" has been with the English language since its appearance in Middle English (as "rabel") in the late 1300s. It may have come from the Middle English verb "rabel" which meant "to babble." (Despite the similarity in sound and meaning, however, "babble" and "rabble" are unrelated.) The verb "rabel" is related to Middle Dutch "rabbelen" and Low German "rabbeln," meaning "to chatter." So how do we get from babbling to crowds of people? The connection may be the idea of confusion. "Rabble," in its earliest uses could not only indicate a pack of animals, swarm of insects, or a confused collection of things, but could also indicate a confused or meaningless string of words.

Merriam-Webster Online Word of the Day

"Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me" by Chelsea's Family, Friends, and Other Victims

I took a long time reading this book, but I finally finished it while on my recent trip across the states.

All the stories from her family, friends, coworkers were absolutely hillarious, but her dog Chunk's story was a treat! The book brought insight to her life/lies and now I have a bigger lady-crush on her!

So Chelsea: hurry up and find more people to write stories about you and send it to pulishing A-Sap!

Work-It Wednesday: Pig + Horse = Fox

Let us get our pig and horse on ya'll!

Ryan's Handmade Sweater

Ryan's Bachan/Grandma made him a sweater

and I think it's swell! :)
I love you! Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's true... I do love you more than my iPhone.

Happy Valentine's Day lovies!

Tuesday Taste Buds: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cheesecake Filling

Red Velvet Cupcakes

with Cheesecake Filling

& Cream Cheese Frosting

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Thanks to Pinterest and Sweet Little Details, I now have a wonderful new red velvet cupcake recipe! I made it for Valentine's Day and they seem to be a hit! Yeah!

"Surprise Red Velvet Cupcakes" makes 2 dozen cupcakes (and then some)

Filling
I doubled the recipe like the Jen @ Sweet Little Details Blog said she does, and I had plenty extra left over, so next time I'm going to try just the one batch.
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
8-10 ounces of white chocolate chips (I think next time I'm not going to throw these in, just the cheese)

In a small bowl, blend cream cheese, egg and sugar. Beat until smooth. Add white
chocolate chips.

Red Velvet Cake
Jen also said she used a boxed Red Velvet Cake mix, so I did too! Just prepare as normal.
If you want a recipe, click the link above... she has a recipe on her blog too.

Fill prepared pans 2/3 full and top with heaping teaspoon of filling. Bake at 350 for 20 -25 minutes.
If you choose to frost these cupcakes, cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 pounds confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Beat in vanilla. On low speed, add confectioners sugar a little at a time. Once all sugar has been added increase to medium speed until frosting is creamy.

1/5 Done on #88 DZP!

#4 DZP: Build a Snowman

Hey, I'm new to Mommyhood, so I don't get a whole lot of chances to get up to the snow... especially in Southern California. So when I took a trip out to visit my girl Julie in Ohio, it just happened to be snowing a bit... so I took my opportunity and ran. It's not a huge snowman, but a nugget snowman he is!

Word of the Day 2/13/2012

Mutt (noun)

1: a stupid or insignificant person : fool

2: a mongrel dog : cur

Examples: Dogs were revered in ancient Egypt, but only royals were permitted to own purebred dogs -- commoners could keep only mutts.

"At this time of year, when many people are in desperate financial straits, it's appropriate to ask why anyone would spend $4,000 to bring a mutt from Afghanistan to the United States." -- From an article about rescuing dogs from Afghanistan, by Lona O'Connor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, January 4, 2012

Did You Know?: "Mutt" can now be used with either affection or disdain to refer to a dog that is not purebred, but in the word's early history, in the U.S. around the turn of the 20th century, it could also be used to describe a person -- and not kindly: "mutt" was another word for "fool." The word's history lies in another insult. It comes from "muttonhead," another Americanism that also means essentially "fool." "Muttonhead" had been around since the early 19th century but it was not unlike an older insult with the same meaning: people had been calling one another "sheep's heads" since the mid-16th century.

Merriam-Webster Online Word of the Day

Ryan - Clean Up Christmas Stuff

I had so much fun helping Mommy clean up Christmas stuff like wrapping paper rolls and ornaments!

Friday Find: Pot Lid Stand

Pot Lid Stand

from Animi Causa

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Is there ever a time where you take the lid off our steaming pot and have no place to put it... tight kitchen space, no counter room, just don't want to make a mess...?

This has happened to me too.

I'm really thinking about getting this neat little stand.

Comes in both pink and lime green.

Aaannnndddd it's only $14.99!

Tuesday Taste Buds: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Seeing how Valentine's Day is just a week away, Red Velvet is very popular this time of year. It's a delicious chocolate red-dyed cake and creamy cheese frosting. Now if you have never had a slice of red velvet heaven, then first: shame on you, and second: do it, do it now! I think I'll make some of these bad-boys for the bf since I know he LOVES red velvet :)


Pin It  So here's a great recipe from Martha Stewart's Favorite Cupcakes:
Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self- rising), sifted
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon red gel-paste food color
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together cake flour, cocoa, and salt.

2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whisk together sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in food color and vanilla.

3. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam); add mixture to the batter, and mix on medium speed 10 seconds.

4. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

5. To finish, use a small offset spatula to spread cupcakes with frosting.

Martha’s Note: Gel-paste food color is much more concentrated than the supermarket liquid variety; if you substitute the liquid, you may need to add an entire bottle (1.5 ounces) to achieve the desired shade.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
Ingredients

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 pound (4 cups) confectioners' sugar, sifted

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time, and then vanilla; mix until smooth.

Ryan - Attacking Mommy!

ATTACK!!!

with hugs and kisses of course...

ok, maybe a couple of hair pulls, biting, and saliva facials.

Friday Find: The Spoon Sisters Rose Stem Cleaner

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Hey Men!

Valentine's Day is coming up and I have the best tool for your fresh bouquet of roses (that you already have planned) to give your sweetheart! The Rose Steam Cleaner (thank you Spoon Sisters)! 

You can use this handy tool to effortlessly (and painlessly!) strip stubborn thorns from stems. "The spring-action handle on this unique tool protects your hands from thorns, while the finger supports ensure a non-slip grip. The durable metal blades are honed to reduce tearing or peeling of the rose stem."

Or Ladies, use this tool if he accidentally leaves the thorns on. Either way it's a great find, and also great for your favorite gardner too!

Ryan - Stuffed Animals!

I loves them!

This is my lion Mommy got me from San Diego zoo when I was still in her tummy!
I found Sully from monsters inc.!

Thirsty Thursday - {Riesling} Strawberry Slushy

Riesling Strawberry Slushy

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Yummy, yummy, yummy, I want {wine-slushies} in my tummy!

Yes, it's not summer (yet), but who say it needs to be summer to have a wine slushy?!?

None of my friends, that's who!

I want to try this out for a yummy after-dinner dessert for the girls. I'm sure it would be great for bridal showers, pool parties, and of course a certain birthday that comes around June 19th (hehehe).

I haven't tried it out yet, but the recipe looks easy, just make sure you have plenty of time before hand to freeze up those ice cubes. Thanks With Style & Grace!!

Ingredients:
2 cups hulled strawberries
1 bottle [750ml] dry Riesling
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:
Reserve 1 cup of the Riesling – cover and place in the fridge to chill.
In a food processor, puree strawberries with the remaining wine, lime juice and sugar. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When you’re ready to serve [or drink], puree the ice cubes with the remaining wine in your blender.

To All My {Dearest} Friends...

To all my "Old" friends <3

Happy Hump Day!

Work-It Wednesday: The {100} Workout

So I want to do this: it sounds tough and I'll probably be ready to pass out in the middle of it, but I want to do this!

The “100” Workout:

100 Jumping Jacks

90 Crunches

80 Squats

70 Leg Lifts

60 Jumping Jacks

50 Crunches

40 Squats

30 Leg Lifts

20 Jumping Jacks

10 Minute Run