Well, you'll know me for my kitchen table, I guess! 

I am creating a teacup photoblog and I thought...

I might as well do a tablecloth photoblog, too!  Genius!  LOL 

Hey, it might come in handy one day...

This picture is for my sister--was this spot not begging for a sconce?! 

I have been trying to keep to our schedule, but I am finding that I either have no computer time, or only have enough energy to read other's posts before I fall into bed at night.  I've tried posting first thing in the morning~it works if I make myself get off the computer as soon as I'm finished, LOL.  I think I develop ADD while I'm on-line. 

Picture post in the works...

I am days late and out of the loop, but I remember the trailer for this--it was designed to look like moms were getting drunk during their children's playdates.  NOT SO.  It was a total set-up.  Shame on NBC and Meredith Vieira.

Go to the site to see the video clip--you'll enjoy the gratuitous shots of huge wine bottles next to juice boxes (like the child is choosing what to drink) and all of the background music sounding like either a danceclub or "wine" lyrics.

Please note that the writer of the piece is attributing this "drinking trend" to loneliness and lack of career (those poor, SAHM's!!).

Do playdates and happy hour mix?

NBC's Janet Shamlian takes a look at this growing trend among moms

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NBC VIDEO

• Happy hour for moms? Jan. 26: TODAY host Meredith Vieira talks with Dr. Janet Taylor of Columbia University Harlem Hospital and Melissa Summers, a blogger, about moms who have drinks at their kids' play dates. Today Show Parenting

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Today's Question of the Day
Do playdates and happy hour mix? Yes, moms should be able to have fun, too! No, it's not responsible parenting Vote to see results

Today's Question of the Day

Do playdates and happy hour mix?   * 14527 responses Yes, moms should be able to have fun, too! 55% No, it's not responsible parenting 45% Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.

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• Video: Reese and Jake? • Spring 2007 Style Guide • Brangelina Baby Update: It's Official! • Check out Makeover Central • Celebrity Men: Best and Worst Hairstyles

TODAY

Updated: 5:43 p.m. CT Feb 13, 2007

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getCSS("3159408") Janet Shamlian Correspondent • document.write('') E-mail document.write('');

My playdates never looked anything like this. These women wore makeup, they were back in their skinny jeans and the house was immaculate. It was a sparkling day in Encino, Calif., and I was here for a TODAY show story about the practice of serving alcohol alongside juice boxes at these gatherings. Wine is usually the beverage of choice, but martinis and cosmopolitans are not unheard of — depending on the assembled moms and what kind of a day they've had.

I spent the afternoon with Stephanie, Irene and Shannon — three smart and funny women I'd court as friends if I lived nearby. They are career women turned full time moms who bravely welcomed us and allowed a TODAY show crew to trail them hanging with their kids and sipping Chardonnay. All three are still coming to terms with their new lives at home and they're learning that those days can be as lonely as they are rewarding. With nights out infrequent and time to themselves almost non-existent, this is how they and many moms socialize: a sandbox, the swing set and a backyard bar.

But is that ok? Drinking while you're watching your kids?

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NBC News Shamlian at the mommy cocktail party

This group was quick to point out that it's just a glass or two, but Stephanie still expected others to find fault. “I think it's just another way that women judge other women's parenting,” she told me.

There are safety issues to consider. Who would drive to the hospital if a child were hurt? Unlikely, but it could happen. Then, there's the fine line between social and problem drinking. Psychologists suggest moms sometimes drink as a coping mechanism. Others say if you wouldn't allow a caretaker to drink while watching your children, why the double standard? I'll leave those debates to other moms (some who've blogged extensively on this) and the experts.

Click for related content

Discuss: OK to drink at kids' playdates? Excerpt: 'Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay'

Beyond the beverage selection there is, perhaps, a larger concern. How do we give our all to our kids and yet not lose ourselves? With five children, I was a stay-at-home mom for a time, and it was tough. I missed my work, my friends and most of all, adult conversation. The play group offers that — a chance to hang with the kids and feel like an adult — regardless of the strength of juice being served.

I only took one picture yesterday!  It was one of those days--we woke up late and rushed to get everything done before dh came home from work.  I also had Bonco last night, so I wanted to have the house and dinner ready by 5:00 so I could leave on time.

Someone asked about the bellydance workout.  It's a lot of fun--I definitely know where my hips are, but it has taken a couple of days for me to get the "routine" down, LOL!

I still haven't walked!  I need to walk to raise my metabolism!!

More later...

Okay, I'm up!  And I've already exercised, for over 45 minutes--a belly dance workout!  But there's already a little kink in the schedule...my three little guys are up, too!  It'll all come together--they'll probably have a mid-morning nap, then Lamb and I can do whatever one-on-one lessons that are needed.  He's waking up at 7:30.

I am still planning to walk today--maybe around 5:00.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Kat

Protected picture post today, but if you're a regular reader and not on the list, let me know!

I have to shake this routine!  I feel like I cannot live a shiftwork schedule for another day.  In the beginning, I was working and I had been working for years previously, so my internal schedule was set--Lamb and I went to sleep around 9 p.m. and woke up around 6:15 a.m.  It was common knowledge amongst my friends/family, and people did not call my house after 9...

But then, the year I stopped working, my dh would ask me to watch movies with him (the night before he starts nights, he stays up very late to "condition" himself for the next set).  I would end up on his schedule--up late at night, sleeping late in the morning.  It would straighten back out when he went back on days...but not any more!  I am having the hardest time transitioning now!  I am at a point where we need to move everything back--I need to be asleep by 10 at the latest, or I am not going to function in the morning, when all of my little ducks awaken. 

This is one of the reasons my dh has been motivated to transfer...with three little ones, we need a consistent schedule.  And, I really need him to be here at night with us, every night.  Sometimes I feel like a single parent again.  At the beginning of our marriage, this was okay--I was coming from seven years of almost-solitude.  Having a few evenings alone with Lamb were normal and even welcome for me!  Not any more...

So...today I want to knock out the rest of our laundry, then take the boys to the library and the park.  We have a field trip tomorrow, so I want Lamb to double-up on math today...

And, I would really like to post some favorite links on my sidebar...  Maybe I'll have a picture post this evening.

What is wrong with this pie?!

Here's the recipe:

1(14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 c. pared, sliced, ripe peaches

1 c. pineapple, well drained

1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 (9-inch) graham cracker crumb pastry shells

In a large mixing bowl, combine milk and juice, stirring until slightly thickened.  Gradually fold in peaches and pineapple.  Lightly fold in whipped topping until mixed together thoroughly.  Divide mixture and turn into shells.  Chill 3 hours before serving.

~Bevelyn Blair's Everyday Pies

Well, I used pineapple chunks.  I omitted the peaches for my family, but my thought process, since the recipe didn't specify, was that it was a "chunky" pie, so I bought pineapple chunks.  Now I realize that I should have used crushed pineapple or tidbits...LOL...  Oh, well--it was delicious--and next time, I'll adjust the recipe!

I was inspired by Lindsey to hang a grapevine wreath for Lent, but I just couldn't find the wallspace, so I added it to my tablescape:

I think it works very well!  Somewhere, I have a bread recipe for Lent~you form the loaf into a crown of thorns~I need to find my recipe and let the boys help make bread...

My table might be getting too much air-time, but I wanted to post a close-up of the tablecloth--I really love these vintage tablecloths!  They remind me of my grandma...one day, I am going to dedicate a post all to my Grandma Daniel!  How I wish I'd known her as an adult...

Our favorite place for Chinese food closed and we've been meaning to start making our own--so, here is our first attempt:

Everything is cooked, ready to be rolled into the eggrolls (chicken, cabbage, carrots, green onion).  Poor stuffing...it was not really photogenic, but it was very tasty!!

Hmmmm...I need more practice--some of them look like burritos, LOL!  My dh compared it to rolling a cigar--I have no experience in that, either, hehe!!

All fried up and ready to eat!

We also made cream cheese wontons, stir-fried rice and a (simple) dessert, but my camera's batteries went out (they're in the charger!).  Now, to clean the kitchen...