Weekend Creative

Manic Monday meme #161

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?

I love a good brain teaser. I love logic problems, Sudokus, crossword puzzles. I love games that require more than just luck. I think I need to buy Brain Age for Mitchell's DS and sneak in a little brain exercise while he's at school.

Do you have any unusual collections?

I have a huge collection of cookbooks, but I don't consider that unusual. I also collect craft/scrapbooking/stamping supplies, but only my husband thinks that's unusual. ;)

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?

I'm kind of quiet, especially if you meet me in a large group setting. But if you stick around and talk to me one-on-one, people tend to notice that I am a bit of a nurturer. I have been told I radiate a sense of empathy and am a good listener. I don't know...you be the judge!

Wordless Wednesday (because there are no words...)

Weekend Creative

Had a little time in my scrap room this weekend...

Manic Monday meme #160

Do you screen your phone calls?

Yes, but only for telemarketing types.

When was the last time you lost your temper?

Unfortunately, this morning. Mitchell was doing his usual slow-motion, moving-through-molasses bit and I needed him to pick up the pace. He had the nerve to tell me he didn't have enough time...

(For the record, I had awoken him over an hour prior and all he needed to do was get dressed, eat breakfast and make his lunch. Yes, I'm still a bit miffed...)

When you're lost, do you ask for directions?

Not now that I have my iPhone! I just use my little map app...

Birthday Boy

He's 10!

Born in Philadelphia during Michael's first year of med school. Lover of video games, fantasy/sci-fi books, football and soccer. Favorite food is pepperoni pizza. My little social butterfly (so far, the only one of my kids to get in trouble for talking too much in class.) Longest eyelashes this side of a Maybelline ad.

I can't believe he's already 10...

Friday Fill-Ins #116

1. Why do we have to count calories? Exercise - I don't mind it. In fact, if it's a game of basketball, I love it! But I hate having to limit what I eat in order to get anywhere on this weight loss journey.

2. Checking my google reader and my Facebook are now habits. I'm probably a little too attached to my computer.

3. I have so many more things on my mental 'to do' list than I have time for.

4. I had never heard the phrase "bring a plate of slice" and it really confused me the first time I was given those directions! To me, Slice was soda pop, not a plate of brownies/cookies. Those Canadians...

5. I wish people in this house would learn to load the dishwasher the way I always do. After much trial and error, I really do know how it works best.

6. How was I to know he needed his running shorts. They were in the laundry hamper and I was just doing my job.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to McKelle's Solo & Ensemble festival and her track meet, tomorrow my plans include celebrating Mitchell's 10th birthday and Sunday, I want to spend a little time with my sister, brother, mom and dad!

Wordless Wednesday (definitely worth the $1)

Mischief

Does the leprechaun visit your house?

I must give a shout-out to my dear friend Janet, who, years ago in Philadelphia, introduced me to the ways of the leprechaun. My children thank you!

Max found the pot o' gold this morning (with just a little nudge from Mom), following the trail of sparkly shamrocks and pot o' gold confetti throughout the house. Milk turned green, Mom's sparkling water...green. Toilet water...green as well. A little mischief here and there, and we'll top it off with an all green dinner tonight. And of course, Shamrock pie! Yum.

Manic Monday meme

Are you a saver or spender?

I used to be a saver, big time. Making it through all of our schooling and training with 6 kids and little to no income required superhuman saver powers.

Um, yeah...now that we have a nice paycheck, I've turned into a bit of a spender...

Do you prefer to walk around barefoot in your home? Socks? Shoes?

I'm almost always barefoot or slippered at home. I have these great sheepskin slippers that Michael's parents gave me for Christmas. They're finally wearing out though and the Wilwands no longer live near the place that makes the slippers. I may have to find another source.

Do you talk to yourself?

All the time. Which makes Michael a little crazy, because he thinks I'm talking to him.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. When I look to the left, I see my daughter trying to find something to eat. Track meet in the morning and she's doing the mile - she eats a lot more lately.

2. The dining room is the room that has the best view in my home because you can see the Blue Mountains..

3. Let it work - oh please let it work. I am not a computer genius and if you did exactly what I did to download the video and it isn't working, I have no idea why!.

4. Exercising and losing weight can be done dirt cheap! Walk, eat right - no expensive WW or Jenny Craig food needed. No gym membership or expensive equipment other than good shoes!

5. Providing safe schools is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share. (Are you listening, College Place voters???)

6. If you have any Hawaii quarters feel free to send them my way. I've collected six sets of the state quarters and two Hawaiis are all I need to finish.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a bit more sleep than on the weekdays, tomorrow my plans include two soccer games, McKelle's first high school track meet, Stake Standards Night and chaperoning the youth dance and Sunday, I want to breathe!

He's a keeper...

Michael wondered the other day if I ever blog about him. Why yes, dear, I do...

A little bit of scrapping going on!

I need to be creative. Without that outlet, things just don't seem to go right in my day. But finding the time to sit down and actually get something done has not been easy lately. Between Young Women's, family, soccer, track, band, blah, blah, blah (not to mention one crazy wild two year old) I haven't been able to play much lately. But thanks to a movie on the laptop (to keep said crazy child nearby and in sight) I got a whole page done today. Woohoo!!

Proud mama redux....

Micah turned 12 last Thursday. It hardly seems possible. Didn't I just bring home that 9lb 4oz baby boy, wrapped in his red tricot blanket?

Unfortunately, he was suffering from a bout of stomach virus and spent his birthday in jammies on the couch (with bucket close at hand.)

Sunday was a proud day for both Michael and I, as Micah was ordained to the office of a deacon and given the Priesthood. My dad joined us for church and the ordination. Proud Grandpa. Proud father. Proud mama, indeed.

Proud mama...

Saturday was a goal scoring bonanza for the Wilwands. I missed both of Micah's game (two in one day!) because of a church commitment, but Michael texted me about Micah's fantastic goal keeping and then a great goal. They won 2-1 in a hard fought game.

Mitchell has been playing soccer for about three years now. He has struggled a bit to find his place, but it all seems to be coming together this season. Guess my kids are just late bloomers. He had several excellent passes, played great at goalie and scored his first two goals ever in his game Saturday. Woohoo, Mitchell!!

Manic Monday

I like these. Friday Fill-Ins, Manic Monday, Wordless Wednesday. I may look around for some others. They're pretty helpful when you're in a writing rut.

Manic Monday....Time

What would you do with an extra hour each day?

This would totally depend on whether it was just another hour or an hour of time all alone! If it was just an extra hour in my every day life, I'd probably get a little extra sleep. I'm up early, just after 5:00, to do my morning routine before the kids get up. I don't ever feel like I'm really rested. I have always been more of a night owl than an early riser, but kids forced the issue. I still stay up later than I should.

If I actually had time alone, I would do something creative. Sew, scrap, craft...I don't get to do those things as often as I like lately. Mason canNOT be left unsupervised. Ever. Bad things happen. Marker on walls. Things flushed that shouldn't be. Escaping outside and down the street. So...getting wrapped up in any kind of creative project is not always possible when he is awake and running full speed ahead. I'd love to have a little more time to myself.

Do you wear a watch? If so, tell us about it. If not, how do you keep track of time?

I used to wear a watch, every single day. Michael gave me the loveliest watch a few years ago for Christmas and I wore it all the time. Unfortunately, it broke about a year ago. I bought a couple of other watches since then, but haven't really gotten in the habit of wearing either of them. I think I just didn't like them as well as the one from Michael.

As for telling time, I have my iPhone and I usually pull that out to see the time. When I'm teaching at church on Sunday, I always have to ask one of the girls (and then they whip out their phones to tell the time.)

If it was possible, would you want to know how many days you have left to live?

Tough one. I should just answer no. But I'm the type of person that thrives on deadlines. The sooner something is due, the better I get at accomplishing stuff that needs to get done. This seems to apply in all aspects of my life. I love having a definite time frame.

But...I also know myself. I am a procrastinator. And I'm afraid knowing might cause me to put off some of the important stuff for far too long. I'm going to have to answer no to this one.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. Sending a card to a scrapbook message board friend yesterday was my last random act of kindness.

2. Another place I want to visit is Alaska. My dad's pictures from his trip were incredible. I find the glaciers and vast expanse of snow awe-inspiring.

3. I am constantly looking for ways to build my relationship in matters of the heart. Love is an action verb!

4. Coffee, tea or just water for me, thanks. I don't drink either.

5. Friends from high school and I walked separate paths. I didn't keep in contact with any of them, though Facebook has brought me back in touch with a few.

6. Our cluttered living room reminds me that there are children living, playing, pretending and growing here.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Micah's birthday dinner, tomorrow my plans include three soccer games, track practice and a church women's meeting and Sunday, I want to rest enough to get over this darn cold!

Pioneer Woman wannabe...

I got a new lens for my camera and fancied I might become the next PW, lol. Here's a family favorite:

Pesto Tortellini


Gather your ingredients. Fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt and freshly grated parmesan cheese. When we lived in Michigan, I had a lovely vegetable garden, with several potted herbs scattered around on the back porch. Mmmm, fresh basil just outside my back door! Currently, I pick it up in those little plastic containers at the grocery store, but I am longing to get back to having a never-ending supply (and not paying almost $4 for that little box of basil!)



I use about 1 1/2 containers of fresh basil leaves for my family of 8. This is approximately two cups of loosely packed leaves. Don't forget to discard the big stems.


Place your basil leaves in a food processor or blender and add a pinch of salt, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), about 1/4 cup of pine nuts (lightly toasted in a dry skillet really brings out the flavor!), 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup fresh parmesan.



Process, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Add another 1/4 cup olive oil while processing. More can be added if you prefer a thinner sauce. I like mine thick!


Pour over hot tortellini, stir to mix, serve with a side of freshly grated parmesan and enjoy! 6 of 8 Wilwands love this (including picky Max), 1 Wilwand will eat it (because she doesn't really like parmesan) and only 1 abstains (that would be Mason.)