" The Story Of An Adopted Child..."

(The following poem was a favorite of Mother Teresa.
She would give a copy of this poem to each mother who adopted a child from the orphanage from which she worked.)

There were two women who never knew each other,
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.

The first one gave you life,
The second taught you to live it.

One of them gave you your nationality,
The other one gave you your name.

One of them gave you the seed for growth,
The other gave you a goal.

One of them provided you with emotions,
The other calmed your fears.

One of them saw your first smile,
The other wiped away your tears.

One of them left you, it was all that she could do...
The other prayed for a child and the Lord led her to you.

And now you ask the inevitable question,
"What molded me, heredity or environment?"

Neither the one nor the other, but only two different loves.



(This poem is dedicated to anyone & everyone touched by the miracle that is adoption.)
XOXOXO
-Amy & Ruby Cate.

Quilt Squares...

... are ON THEIR WAY!
(finally)
I'm SO SORRY that Ruby & I are TOTAL SLACKERS & haven't sent them until NOW, but they are ON THEIR WAY!!!

So, be on the lookout:
Little Miss. Abbey W.,
Little Miss. Tess W.,
Little Miss. Abby L.,
and
Little Miss Tate R Bug...

SQUARES ARE A'COMIN!
We PROMISE!!

=)

So, here's the deal, I have a TON of leftover fabric from Ruby's quilt, the design is this:
(the blue with the chinese children celebrating Chinese New Year on it) that I used for the backing of Ruby's quilt...


...if anyone is interested in receiving some squares from us, merely send us your address & tell us the name of your soon to be Little Miss or Mister, and we are MORE THAN HAPPY to send some squares your way! =)

So, don't be shy, LET ME SEND YOU A SQUARE OR TWO!

Amy's: Everything BUT The Kitchen Sink 'MEATLOAF'

Oh My GOD this was SO GOOD TONIGHT I haven't even picked up from dinner yet I had to put this recipe IMMEDIATELY on the blog because HOLY SHIT IT WAS GOOD!!!!!!!!

Ok, here's how things happen in my house... normally, I make 'old standby' recipe's passed down from this one & that, but occasionally I have to bust out of that 'same thing different night' rut & get creative in the kitchen! Tonight was one of those nights & I ALWAYS have fresh produce handy so it's easy to cook great when you have great fresh ingredients at your fingertips...

I decided to get wild with 'MEATLOAF' tonight and the end result was just pure HEAVEN!

Here's the deal on my newly created 'EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK' Meatloaf:
(preheat oven to 375)
Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 small spanish onion diced small
1 small red bell pepper diced small
1 large clove fresh garlic minced
1/2 package of sliced mushrooms diced small
1/4 cup ketchup
1 large egg
1 cup Italian Style Breadcrumbs
1 cup freshly grated Imported Parmegiano Regianno Cheese
2 heaping tablespoons of sweet pickle rellish (I use Claussen)

Combine ALL ingredients until well mixed. (BEST WAY IS WITH THE TOOLS GOD GAVE YOU, YOUR HANDS!) Plus, it's fun & messy & just feels FUNKY!
Once mixed, form into a loaf (or in my case, a half moon) and put on stoneware or glass baking dish.
Cook for one hour & let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Best enjoyed with loaded mashed potatos and corn on the cob!

OMG YUMMY! *I'm so fat tonight!* LOL

Cup-A-WHAT? ...

No offense Ma, but these are SO BLOCKS!!!

I can't BELIEVE you thought you were gonna do something with cupcakes?
NO WAY!
I'm having TOO MUCH FUN!

June Book Club Selection...

Ok, so the newest book has been chosen & the winner is: Madeline's Ghost by: Robert Girardi

Last month's book was: What Comes After Crazy by: Sandi Kahn Shelton and don't you know I'm still NOT DONE with that one? LOL Nearly... but just not done yet! It's funny, I always swore up & down that once I became a mother I'd not ever let reading become a luxury, that I'd make time to read, I love to read, I need to read and I want Ruby to see her Momma reading & enjoying a book for more than just pictures. I read when I was a nanny to twins, & then three kids, and special needs kids, and every type of kid you can think of under the sun, and I ALWAYS made time to read...
so what changed? Why is it that now, I want to read but, I have things to do, Ruby to play with, laundry to get to, dinner to fix, grocery shopping to accomplish, friends to catch up with via phone & email etc...
Life happened & it's not a bad thing, it's actually a wonderful thing but I would be a liar if I said I was happy that it's taking me so damn long to finish a book that I would've been DONE WITH AGES AGO pre Momma Days. Now I need more than a few weeks to read a book, hell I'd prefer a month or more so that I KNOW I'll finish it on time right? I mean, what good is a book club if I can't even finish the book in time to actually get my ass to the meetings to discuss it, right? LOL Wish me luck on this one, I need to finish the other one first because I am not one of those types that can have several books open at a time. I'm a one book kinda girl... always have been. hehehe
So, if any of you would like to join in reading Madeline's Ghost with me & my book club run by my best friends Mom (otherwise known as CAC... don't ask) then feel free to get yourself a copy & read along with us! But please don't rub it in when you're finished & I'm still trying to get through chapter two, k? LOL

As Promised...

Her FAVORITE TOY was still here when she woke up just now...

Ruby immediately got busy with her giant MAN SIZE ring of KEYS and started opening doors left & right...

Man, I really need to put a bow in that hair!

Introducing: Ruby's FAVORITE TOY HANDS DOWN!

This is the Gazooboo Shape Sorter by Chicco and Ruby CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS THING! It was a gift from our dear friends Hanna & Anders their Mom Nancy... THANKS GUYS! Ruby literally sits for HOURS opening all the doors using the color coordinated keys and takes the shapes and animals out, then locks all the doors back up & puts everything back inside etc... this goes on UNTIL I BREAK UP THE PARTY (like tonight) because sometimes, other things tend to get in the way, like BEDTIME! hehehe She was slightly ticked off with me for stopping the fun but she knows that her beloved shape/animal sorter will still be here in the morning... *grin* I love this toy because not only has it won the "Parent's Choice Classic Toy" award, but Allison, her speech & physical therapist, approves as well! We here at "Ruby In Her Own Time..." Give this toy 4 stars! ****

I just ADORE "SILLY TIME" !

Who knew plastic stacking cups were this delicious?

I don't know about you Ruby, but I like the yellow one, how's your purple one?

Wanna try mine? Not too shabby huh? Tastes like LEMON!
(with aveeno oatmeal bath mixed in!) hehehe
Yummy! (not)

You've never looked cuter kiddo, Momma just HAS to kiss you!

ALL THE TIME!!
=)

Amy's Italian Meatball Soup

Ok, so I made some delicious Italian Meatball soup yesterday & jarred most of it for sharing with friends, so bear in mind this photo is of the soup after it's been in my fridge overnight so the top layer is the fat layer from the beef stock but once cooked obviously looks much differently.

Now, with that said, this is NOT Italian Wedding Soup, the two are entirely different... I think this soup is much tastier & flavorful since I use fresh ingredients & lots of spices! =)

Now, on with the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 T. butter
1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
1 large clove fresh garlic (minced)
1 large spanish onion (chopped)
1 package of frozen (fully cooked) small Italian style meatballs
8 cups beef broth
2 t. dried Italian seasoning
2 oz (1cup) ditalini pasta (uncooked) - can also use egg noodles or small variety pasta of your choice, I prefer ditalini's

Directions:

Melt butter in soup pot until slight sizzle.
Add red pepper, garlic & onions all at once.
Heat 2 -3 minutes until onions become slightly transparent.
Add frozen meatballs, broth, Italian seasoning, salt & fresh cracked pepper (to taste) & cook till comes to a boil. (10-15 minutes).
Add pasta & reduce heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until pasta is tender.
As Always, serve with freshly grated Imported Parmegiano Regianno cheese on top & ENJOY!

Pour your VINO & grab some PASTA...

... cuz we're about to party ITALIAN STYLE courtesy of Miss. Ruby Cate, her fantastic Nonno and her beautiful Nanna. (musical ambiance provided by: Dean Martin with Luna Mezzo Mare)

OCD has a name...

... and in this house, it's known as 'rain'BOWS!

Yes, I know- I need professional help.

*wink*

(16 bows @ $5.99 a piece = several pedicures my feet never saw...)

LOL

Peek-A-Boo!

I see you Momma!

The Lone Rubester Rides Again!

Only 'MY' kid...

... can fall asleep in THIS position & be comfy & toasty to the point of snoring.

I guess it just goes to show that the love of a good Bear can do wonders!

~*White Trash Rodeo*~

"Ruby In Her Own Time..."
Would like to welcome you all to the First Annual:


WHITE TRASH RODEO!



Our Very Own Miss Ruby Cate
will be riding her wooden friend 'wifebeater'


who proudly displays her name on his chest redneck style,
courtesy of an old licence plate!


Here's her mount...
GO RUBY, GO!

No wooden horses OR white onesies were harmed

during the making of this post.

(Disclaimer: Bear was too embarrassed to even show up for this event...
so he sends his best wishes to all & says he'll be back just as soon as the madness is over.)

On the Menu Tonight:

Florentine Chicken & Pasta Soup...

... with baby spinach leaves, baby portabella mushrooms
& freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese to top!
*DROOL*
(Yes I made this tonight for dinner, yes it was FANTASTIC & yes even RUBY loved it!)

Ingredients:

1 & 1/2 cups uncooked tricolor pasta (shells or radiatore are best)
3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
1 large yellow (spanish) onion chopped
2 cloves fresh garlic minced
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 can (plus 2 cans of hot water) Campbells Cream Of Chicken Soup
1 pint Half & Half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 generous dash of nutmeg


Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain & set aside.

In large soup pot, melt butter until slight sizzle.
Add onion, garlic and cut up chicken.
Cook over medium/high heat until chicken is no longer pink. (4-5 min.)
Stir in flour until smooth. (1 min.)
Stir in all remaining ingredients, (EXCEPT PASTA) and continue cooking, stirring constantly. (2-3min.)
Reduce heat to medium & cook, stirring occasionally until soup is slightly thickened. (8-12min.)
Stir in cooked pasta & continue cooking stirring occasionally until heated through. (2-3min.)
Serve hot with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese on top.

*ENJOY!*

FABULOUS FIND!!!

This is the Wilton Cupcakes & More Dessert Stand that I simply FELL IN LOVE WITH this past sunday at a birthday party Ruby & I were invited to. Rather than the traditional cake, it was this GLORIOUS TOWER full of SCRUMPTIOUS CUPCAKES!!! They used a #3 for the top cupcake since the birthday girl was 3, and every cupcake was just beyond decorated with the most fun candies you've ever seen. This picture honestly doesn't do it justice, because it literally took my breath away! Upon completion of this party, Ruby and I headed straight for our local A.C. Moore. and scoffed one of these bad boys RIGHT UP! I plan on using this for Ruby's 2nd Birthday this coming Sept 7th! I think I'm going to make these amazing looking Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting that I stumbled upon while checking in at every 'fat girls favorite blog' More Than 52 Cupcakes.
For those of you who LOVE to bake, this blog is a must see, as "The Cupcake Queen' is always sharing great ideas & recipes to keep your little cakes in the Here & Now! Also, while perusing her site, I got myself some of these adorable little Cup-a-Cake Holders in all 5 colors they offer! Adorable to say the least & if you're interested in getting some for the sweet little cupcake in your life, you can find them HERE.

HAPPY BAKING EVERYONE!

Onion Bagel w/ Cream Cheese & Olive Please!

Mmmmm, everything looks so good Momma, I don't know which piece to pick first...

That piece was pretty decent...

Now let's pick another one!

Yeah, that's the stuff, now we're talking!


Momma, how am I looking?
Do I have any cream cheese on my face at all?
Maybe I should rethink that napkin...
*grin*

Priceless...

International Adoption: $23,000
BEAR: $5.99
Fuzzy Princess Chair from Target: $40.00

Ruby & Bear curled up on the FLOOR in FRONT of her chair: Priceless.

Celebrate!!!

That's right, there is definitely something to celebrate here in the Ruby Cate household... Momma got herself a JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, you heard me right, a JOB!!!!!!!! So, celebration is in order, yes? A very good friend of mine who was insistant upon me finally using a little $ to get something for MYSELF rather than always finding reasons to NOT treat myself & do for Ruby... ( who couldn't, after all... that FACE! those CHEEKS! that LAUGH! )
Anyway... I FINALLY gave in to her and treated myself to a pair of these beauty's. Now, I have always LOVED Birkenstocks, but NEVER OWNED A PAIR, EVER! My brother and I have the same size feet & he owned a pair & I was ALWAYS stealing them around the house. (sorry Adam...) I just couldnt' see the need to seriously spend that kind of $ on shoes that I'd probably end up kickin the CRAP out of... as I'm TOTALLY HARSH on footwear, always have been. (like trying to put fancy shoes on an elephant, just isn't done.) So, when my new boss finally signed our contract for the next year, I figured it was safe to be a little selfish for once and treat myself to my BEAUTIFUL NEW SANDALS THAT I CAN'T WAIT TO ARRIVE!!!!!
I seriously buy cheapie Adidas sandals every summer... why EVERY summer you ask? CUZ THEY NEVER SURVIVE MORE THAN ONE SEASON, PERIOD! Yes, it's true, my feet like to kill shoes... ESPECIALLY SANDALS!
First of all, for the RECORD, I prefer to be BAREFOOT- however, there are times that being barefoot isn't all that appropriate, so if I HAVE to wear something, it's sandals, slides to be exact, NO TOE VIOLATORS!!!!!! UGH THOSE DRIVE ME APESHIT! Always have...

So, about this job? Curious at all to hear all the details? Well, I'll be happy to divulge them just as soon as I know my new boss is comfortable knowing that her story is going to be shared in such a public venue, fair enough? Let's just say that it's twice the fun, twice the giggles, twice the work but definately twice the blessings. Oh, and did I mention that I get to work from the comfort of my OWN GLORIOUS APARTMENT? *grin*

More details when/if I get the green light to share them, but I just want to publicly thank EVERYONE who helped me out in my deepest darkest hour... without everyone's show of support, both monetary & through prayers, I would NOT have survived, WE would not have survived. Ruby and I will be FOREVER BLESSED to have friends here in Bloggerville... truly, beyond blessed that most of you, know me personally. Gifts that cannot be measured with any other tool, but the heart.
I thank you all... and now without further ado', let's GET RID OF THAT DAMN DONATE BUTTON!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO