Friday, September 07, 2007
3... 2... 1...
1 amazing daughter who lights up my life more than the sun.
Happy Birthday Ruby, I love you.
XoXoXo
-Momma
Posted by Amy at 12:37 PM 5 comments
Thursday, September 06, 2007
It's Not Easy...
2 tubs white butter cream frosting: $6.00
1 bottle green sugar sprinkles: $3.50
1 bottle green food coloring: $4.00
2 packets silver cupcake liners: $2.00
1 '#3' candle: $2.99
PRICELESS!!!
Posted by Amy at 5:32 PM 2 comments
3 Year Checkup...
Weight: 30.5 lbs
Eye sight: excellent
Hearing: excellent
She's in the 50% for kids her age according to the American charts.
WOW!
It got me to thinking about where I was two years ago today.
I was curled up on my couch very sad that I still had not received my referral,
and at the same time, somewhere in China,
a birth mother was in both physical pain as well as emotional pain
as she anticipated bringing this little life into the world.
Ruby's paperwork says her birthday is Sept 7th.
Well, you know something, even though here for us it's Thursday Sept 6th,
in China it's already Friday.
Friday, September 7th, 1:55am.
So, as I type this I wonder to myself where that birth mother is?
What is she doing? Has her heart & mind thought yet of the precious little baby she had to abandon?
My heart says yes, she has thought of her.
I have to believe that.
And then I turn my thoughts to Ruby's foster mother...
...since we still have contact with her FM, I know for a fact that she is thinking of Ruby & misses her terribly. It's a nice thing to know for sure.
Happy Birthday little one.
Momma loves you more than there are words in all the dictionaries,
in all the languages,
in all the world to express it.
How blessed I am to be YOUR mother... so very very blessed.
Posted by Amy at 1:46 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Wednesday's Without Uncle Steve*...?
So, that being said, tonight I decided to not only make a fabulous dinner for myself & Ruby, but to invite my father to join us (my Mom wasn't keen on the menu) and not only did we have a great time, but you know I took pictures & am prepared to share with you all the recipe, which is not only simple, but TASTY!
I give you:
Fresh Haddock Fillets with Ginger Soy peppers & shallots over sushi rice.
(aka: sticky rice according to Ruby)
Ingredients:
2 fresh fillets of haddock (skin on)
1 red pepper
1 orange pepper
3 good size shallots
2 cloves of garlic
soy sauce
fresh hunk of ginger, diced
(ginger powder can also be substituted)
1 cup uncooked sushi rice (prepared according to directions on package)
extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper to taste.
Directions: In large skillet, go several times round the pan with some EVOO.
Thinly slice both peppers & shallots and finely chop the garlic.
Add all veggies to pot & stir occasionally.
Prepare 'sticky rice' (aka: sushi rice) & have ready on back burner.
Once veggies start to cook, add to skillet several shakes of SOY sauce
& salt & pepper as well as ginger.
Once veggies are done, remove from pan & cover over, set aside.
In same pan, go few more times around with some EVOO and gently place fish SKIN SIDE DOWN, lightly salt & pepper & cook for five - eight minutes.
Once time's up, gently turn fish over to cook on the other side, for approx 4-5 minutes.
When done, plate the meal as follows:
Generous helping of sushi rice in center of plate.
Big spoon full of sauteed soy ginger veggies over rice being sure to add some of the sauce from the pan to coat the rice a bit as well.
Last but not least, place a piece of fish on top of that & garnish with the stray pepper or shallot & drizzle some EVOO on top of fish as well as a few additional shakes of soy sauce.
Serve with wine or beverage of choice & ENJOY!
THIS WAS SO DELICIOUS EVEN RUBY CLEANED HER PLATE & ASKED FOR MORE FISH!
hehehehe smart girl my baby is!
*Uncle Steve would not ever partake of this dish either as he LOATHES FISH.
Another good reason to have this meal on a WEDNESDAY!
*smile*
Posted by Amy at 11:53 PM 1 comments
Why I'm A Sucker For Younger Men...
*smile*
Thank you to my best friend in the world,
Jen, for bringing her HANDSOME SON MIKHAIL down to visit with his Auntie Amy.
Man that kid is just so ADORABLE IT'S ILLEGAL!
I nibbled on his cheeks, his neck, his arms etc...
...but he does get you back if you keep your chin still long enough for him to zone in.
He can, he does, he's strong, he's teething, he's FIERCE!
I LOVE THAT BOY SO MUCH I CAN'T STAND IT!
Thank you Jen for letting me just eat him up from time to time,
I so needed my 'handsome boy fix'.
Life is good...
XoXoXoXo
AUNTIE LOVES YOU LITTLE MISTER MIKHAIL!
*HUGGGGGGGGGGGS*
PS. Happy 5 months little man!
Posted by Amy at 1:25 AM 0 comments
What's Better Than Birthday Presents ON Your Birthday...?
Introducing Miss Ruby's new RIDE!
She's over the moon for it & rode it around Toys R Us like an old pro!
*grin*
Thank you to her Nannie & Nonno for putting the worlds biggest smile
on her sweet little chubby cheeked face.
Seeing that smile, was MY gift.
She's such a beautiful little girl...
...& she's growing up just a little too fast.
Posted by Amy at 1:14 AM 0 comments
The Things We Do For Love...
most times it's clearly under duress.
I can't lie, I don't suspect he enjoys it all that much,
but I also think that he just loves her in such a way that
he'll tolerate just about ANYTHING she tries to do to him...
even if it means wearing a bucket as a hat,
being forced to wear her DOLLS keds,
& sustaining surface wounds from having his fur brushed in an all too violent,
yet loving manner.
Now THAT'S true love.
Posted by Amy at 1:08 AM 1 comments
Tuesday's With Uncle Steve...
hehehe
It's nearly 1am and I'm just now posting to the blog about this week's Tuesday night menu...
We had a delicious soup that is an Uncle Steve recipe
& I bravely took a stab at recreating it.
Lots of work, definitely from SCRATCH, but I think it came out yummy!
& apparently so did everyone else.
General consensus around the table?
YUM!
Which is good cuz it's a FREAKIN' LABOR OF LOVE !
Here is the recipe:
Cheddar Broccoli Soup
Ingredients: (keep in mind that I doubled the recipe)
1 T butter, melted
1/2 Spanish onion, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter (I used unsalted)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half & half
2 cups chicken stock
1 pkg frozen broccoli
1 cup shredded carrots
4 strips thick cut bacon, chopped (I used the low sodium bacon)
8 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS:
Saute onion in butter, set aside.
(I finely chopped my onion with a hand chopper but you could also just hand dice it as well.)
Cook bacon and set aside as well.
Cook melted butter & flour combo using a whisk over medium heat for approx 5 min. Stir constantly and slowly add the half & half (this is called making a roux).
Add the chicken stock whisking all the time & then simmer for 30 minutes.
Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender.
(Approx 20-25 minutes)
Add salt & pepper and bacon.
*above is soup PRE blender*
The soup should be thickened by now. Pour in batches into blender and puree (if you don't have a blender you can use a hand mixer as well & mix it directly within the pot on high speed).
Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese.
*& now here's soup POST blender*
Stir until well blended & serve with hot buttermilk biscuits.
ENJOY!
Posted by Amy at 12:46 AM 0 comments
Saturday, September 01, 2007
BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT...
I'd like to publicly thank my cousin Steve (Ruby's Uncle Steve) for surprising me this year with, what will go down in history as, THE BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!
(that is, until he decides to perhaps one day buy me a car, till then, this one stands as such!)
So, what was this fabulous gift you're all wondering?
Ok...
See this pic? It's a pic of my hand reaching out to touch,
THE STAGE!
That's right, FRONT ROW PEOPLE!
Oh, what's that?
What stage you ask?
THIS STAGE OF COURSE!
Gee, I wonder why I was in Boston tonight... let's see,
oh, I remember!
Wait, let me back up...
For those of you who don't watch last comic standing,
WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!@#$%
For those of you who DO,
OMG GUESS WHO I LAUGHED WITH TONIGHT?
WHILE SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW?
AND GOT A HUG FROM AFTER?
AND CHATTED WITH AS WELL?
RIGHT HERE AT BOSTON'S OWN COMEDY CONNECTION?!
ONLY THE FUNNIEST COMIC THIS SEASON ON LCS:
GERRY DEE!!!!!!
Had so much fun I nearly WET MY PANTS, AGAIN!!!!!
Gerry, thanks for the most fun night EVER!
You'll always be getting my votes till you're crowned:
LAST COMIC STANDING!
*smile*
Give Ally some hugs from us, she's precious!
-Amy & Ruby Cate
Posted by Amy at 11:38 PM 4 comments
"That's Gross!" (***Updated: for Cindy***)
What's this?
*pulling at a hair in the midst of all the black, standing out like a sore thumb!*
It can't be... a WHITE HAIR?!
*grabbing tweezers & YANKING SAID HAIR OUT WITH A FIERCENESS!*
I don't THINK so!
(said out loud to nobody in particular...)
Ruby: *giggling from across the room*
"That's Gross!"
heh
***Cindy, THIS chair was purchased at Target within the first six months of being home.
I had purchased a different one initially & HATED IT!
This one is big & sturdy & wide & takes a beating & is SO SOFT!
I'd tell you the brand name, but I have long since torn off the tag... sorry!
( I actually want one for MYSELF but don't see how that's possible!)
Hope this helps!
hehehe
Posted by Amy at 4:02 PM 2 comments
*WARNING: objects in blog may appear smaller than they actually are...
(If you don't have a weak stomach & can tolerate the triumph's of potty training a toddler,
please scroll down & enjoy today's 1st picture for SEPTEMBER!)
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(I knew it would happen eventually,
and not only did it happen but she TOLD ME that she had to go!
I am so proud I could and DID cry this morning!
My little girl is GROWING UP!)
& most of you will note that I've enabled comments again.
Long story & now is not the time since today is a day of REJOICING OVER POOP,
but let's just say that my reasons for disabling them in the first place had
NOTHING
to do with any of my faithful readers.
So, please... comment away on this GLORIOUS DAY!
*grin*
Posted by Amy at 10:43 AM 4 comments
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Mmmmmmm...
OMG HE'S SO YUMMY!
(You can see where my mind is at right now...
I should be in bed but MAN I can't stop thinking about that boy...
his shit eatin' grin, his lips, his body OMG I ADORE HIM!!!!)
Thank GAWD for LUCID DREAMING!
*evilgrin*
hehehehehehe
NIGHT'Y NIGHT!
Posted by Amy at 1:15 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Photo Mish-Mosh & Prayers Needed...
As you can see, she's already far too comfortable with a phone in her hands...
oh how the teenage years frighten me so!
Here is a nifty little number Ruby likes to call "Green Glasses"...
...she took a 'sand hourglass' magnet (aka: the timeout magnet),
and slapped it up on her referral pic on the fridge & said promptly:
"Momma! Ruby have a green glasses!!!!!"
And last but not least, since it is/was Tuesday night,
and Uncle Steve did come over, I'll share with you all a picture of tonight's dish.
Chicken Taco Stoup!
(and man was it DELISH!)
...so that's it for my random images tonight. Sorry that it wasn't more but it is what it is.
Also, please if any of you are compelled to believe in any sort of higher power, God etc... and believe in the power of prayer, please, PLEASE, keep both Ruby and me in your daily prayers. So much is going on right now and sadly it's just far too much to go into right now,
but let's just say that we truly truly need your prayers now more than ever,
and really, the more the better.
I thank you all in advance & pray right along side you for a happy ending to my current situation.
God bless you all.
-Amy & Ruby Cate.
Posted by Amy at 11:08 PM 1 comments
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Blogger ROCKS!
BUT because my last name was in it, I wasn't willing to put it on youtube.
(youtube being the only way I'd share videos on my blog until now)
But blogger just came out with this FANDAMNTASTIC new feature
that allows me to upload
MY OWN MOVIES
DIRECTLY ONTO MY POST!
How bitchin' is that?
So, Ruby's birthday is fast approaching & not only is it her birthday,
it's also the 2nd anniversary of my 'REFERRAL DAY'!
Only a few people have ever seen this footage of me receiving the call,
but now that I can share it here, I would like to with all of you.
Again, as with anything on my blog,
I ask that you please just enjoy it here
& not share it anywhere under any circumstances
& thank you in advance for respecting that...
...now, without further ado' I give you,
"The Call"
September 7th, 2005
(Ruby's 1st Birthday)
Posted by Amy at 12:59 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
One Small Step For Potty Training...
Have I mentioned how BEYOND PROUD I am of my girl?
Go Ruby GO!
Posted by Amy at 9:16 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A Very Special Day... *UPDATED*
in becoming part of our little FOREVER FAMILY!
In Massachusetts,
in order to obtain a birth certificate for your child from the town you live in,
you MUST re-adopt within said state.
All that meant to me was more paperwork,
as Ruby was my daughter the second I first saw her glorious little face
& those CHEEKS nearly two years ago.
My heart didn't need a judge or a piece of paper to tell me that she was my girl,
but it sure was nice to not only hear out loud but to also know that there will be NO MORE PAPERWORK!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW AMAZING THAT IS TO KNOW!
Below, is a little glimpse into our special day...
(Now that I can post this directly through Blogger,
I feel comfortable allowing it to say indefinitely,
and as always, with the understanding that it only be viewed in this forum
by my readers. Thanks!)
Ruby would like to thank her Auntie Jen (soon to be God mother Jen)
for this beautiful card! It means alot to us both!
Posted by Amy at 12:39 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Cheezy or Timesaver?
& I'm doing something different this year.
Yes, I'll still send out cute invites, that hasn't changed.
Yes I'll still have a 'cupcake tower' because frankly
that's just the easiest thing on the planet to NOT do!
But this year, rather than handle dozens of phone calls from eager party goers as to the best gift ideas for my little munchkin, instead I'm going to be sending everyone an email with THIS link.
It's by no means a 'must have' wish list.
On the contrary, it's just more of a guideline for those who prefer a little guidance,
as to not.
Last year I had call after call from people wanting to know what she'd like, what her size was, what she needed etc...
...and I don't mind the calls so much but what happened was that I started taking so many of them that I forgot who I told what to!
And that is where it got messy.
I didn't want that to happen this year, thus... the WISH LIST!
Honestly I prefer to look at it as my 'sanity provider' because quite frankly, my memory was total shit BEFORE my MS, people can't honestly expect me to remember what I said to who for how many cookies after the fact, now can they?
Oh, and if you're all wondering, yes, in addition to sending everyone the link, I also intend to put in the invitations the following 411:
Ruby takes a 3T & could really use some long sleeve tops
& colored socks if you'd prefer not to go the 'toy' route.
We look forward to seeing you all Sept 8th!
So, call it people, what do you think?
Cheezy or a timesaver?
And NO you won't be hurting my feelings to say it's cheezy, I'm just curious what others think from a 'guest's' point of view, cuz I know what I think from my Momma point of view...
Thanks!
Posted by Amy at 12:06 AM 0 comments