Picture day??

ummm....went to drop Josie off at preschool.  I usually try and put her in something half-cute and make an attempt to brush her hair, and top it off with a bow or clip. (if momma can't look cute, I can at least project my put-together self of yesteryear onto my daughter, right?)  Well, she wanted to dress herself this am.  White jeans (we don't follow the no white after Labor Day in NB), a green tank top and Havianas.  Umm.
Me: "Josie, honey, it's raining outside" 
(and it NEVER rains, so it's exciting for me to put on boots and sweaters, sad, I know)
J: "no, no more rain"
Me: "you aren't allowed to wear flip flops to school"
J: "no more rain"
BUT she conceded and let me put real shoes on her, but that's it.  No bow, no brush, no nothing else. I didn't feel like arguing and since she always comes home with paint all over her, what does it really matter? Needless to say, brushing her hair didn't happen- and I should mention that she has the cutest curls, but they can get super frizzy- that's kinda how it was.  Sometimes you need to pick your battles.  I was focused on getting her to school, doing a little housework and picking her up all ready to drive south to the parents house for the afternoon/dinner. 
(Don't worry, I was going to bring a change of clothes and a brush). 
I finally get her to her classroom (remember this whole time I'm holding a 2.5 month old) and the teacher says

 "um, you remember it's picture day today?" 


WHAT??? 

My young self was tisk tisking all the way back from 2nd grade when I used to plan out my picture day outfits and practice doing my hair. 
My poor little Josie, she's going to look like a lost little poodle in her first EVER school pic. 
Alas, sigh...well make it up on the spring pics.  I'm talking getting a blow out and a brand new outfit.  maybe a little blush if I can make it look natural.  just kidding, not really.  cheers

Mushroom Soup You and Everyone Else will Actually Like

I love mushrooms, but never really know what to do with them when I buy them except make a veal marsala or put em with onions and lay em on some steak.  I came across this recipe and LOVE the mushroomy taste of it- trust me, I've tried many recipes.  I thought the other recipes were okay, but my husband refused to eat them.  But he LOVES this soup and actually gets excited when I tell him I'm making it.  Oh, and the balsamic at the end sounds weird, but TRY IT!  It makes it, and vinegar is soooo good for us!

Cut one large onioninto slices  and saute with some evoo
Cut 12oz. of mushrooms into slices (I use porcini and Chanterelle)- but get a mix of whatever is available

Once the onion is getting soft (after about 5 mins) add the mushrooms (I add some organic unsalted butter too at this point)
Saute for about 8 mins (until they've realeased their jucies)

Add 2-4 cups on chicken stock and dried or fresh parsley. Bring soup to a very gentle simmer and cook uncovered for about one hour. After an hour (when soup should have reduced by at least 1/4) taste for flavor, and add salt and fresh ground black pepper as needed. If the soup doesn't seem flavorful enough, cook a bit longer to reduce a little more. When soup has a good mushroom flavor, puree. Use an immersion blender in the pot, or carefully remove hot soup to a food processor or or regular blender to puree. (Be very careful if using food processor or blender. Puree in batches, and don't overfill the container.)

Serve hot with 2 T of good quality balsamic on top!  Bon Appetit!

Housekeeping

Here is a schedule I put together to make sure the whole house gets cleaned every week and I don't feel overwhelmed trying to do everything every day.  I don't have a cleaning lady, so it's just me and a whole lot of square footage w/ 2 dogs and 2 kids to clean up after. :)
Hope it helps...if you want me to email it to you, just let me know.  On my document, it's all on one page and I keep it inside my cabinet in the kitchen. :)

Daily

Make bed               

Tidy Bathroom counter                     

Quick VacuumDownstairs                   

Tidy Bedroom                                    

Wipe kitchen counter

Empty Dishwasher/sink                         

 Tidy Powder Room

Week #1

Monday

Wash Sheets

Laundry

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop Downstairs

Clean Powder Room

Tuesday

Master Bath

Dust Master furniture

Laundry

Wednesday

Vacuum Upstairs

Mop Bath & Laundry

Clean Girls’ Bathrooms

Thursday

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop

Clean Powder Room

Wipe all kitchen Counters

Friday

Dust Downstairs

Wipe all Stainless Steel

Clean Stove

Clean Outside Table

Week #2

Monday

Wash Girls’ Sheets

Wash Sheets

Laundry

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop Downstairs

Clean Powder Room

Tuesday

Master Bath

Dust Master furniture

Clean side tables

Laundry

Wednesday

Clean Laundry Room

Clean Kitchen- Deep

Vacuum Upstairs

Mop Bath & Laundry

Thursday

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop

Clean Powder Room

Wipe all kitchen Counters

Window sills & Blinds

Dust all shelves

Friday

Dust Downstairs

Wipe all Stainless Steel

Clean Stove

Clean Outside Table

Clean Telephones

Sweep Patios

Week #3

Monday

Wash Sheets

Laundry

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop Downstairs

Clean Powder Room

Tuesday

Master Bath

Dust Master furniture

Clean side tables

Laundry

Wednesday

Clean Laundry Room

Vacuum Upstairs

Mop Bath & Laundry

Dust Upstairs Windows/Fans

Thursday

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop

Clean Powder Room

Wipe all kitchen Counters

Friday

Dust Downstairs

Wipe all Stainless Steel

Clean Stove

Clean Outside Table

Clean Refrigerator

Week #4

Monday

Wash Sheets

Laundry

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop Downstairs

Clean Powder Room

Switchplates-wipe

Tuesday

Master Bath

Dust Master furniture

Clean side tables

Laundry

Wednesday

Clean Laundry Room

Vacuum Upstairs

Mop Bath & Laundry

Dust Upstairs Windows/Fans

Door Windows

Thursday

Vacuum Downstairs

Mop

Clean Powder Room

Wipe all kitchen Counters

Friday

Dust Downstairs

Wipe all Stainless Steel

Clean Stove

Clean Outside Table

Clean Refrigerator

Sweep Patios

Seared Ahi

Our friend Benny went fishing this week and caught a bunch of tuna...lucky for us, he was willing to part with some of it....  it was seriously like butter....