angela_o | This and that

Wow, it's been a while since I updated. No specific crisis has distracted me, just real life taking up all of my time. But, I have a spare moment or two and thought I'd throw up a random sampling sort of entry. First off, Death Cab concert is tonight. I giggle at the thought of single-handedly raising the average age of the audience. It should be a lot of fun.

Also, new kitty is officially named. Thanks to soleil_matinal and snowwhite for their suggestions. We thought that he was a Phineas, but it turns out that he's definitely a Max. "In Max's room a forest grew..." Yes, he's a wild thing. Now, for those of you who know me from my first online fandom (and you know who you are), it didn't even occur to me for days to think of Roswell. Ah, obsessions do die away completely don't they? lol

If you were here, I'd give you all a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin fresh from the oven. I just baked three dozen and the house smells really good. The kids will be excited when they get home from school.

Any big Halloween plans? I have costumes for three of the four. #1 is going to be Devo member. Yes, the 13 year old loves 80's music. #2 is still undecided. #3 is going to be a Roman gladiator. Last, but definitely not least, #4 will be a medieval princess. One of the High Holy Days of KidDom is fast approaching. I normally dress up to give out candy, but I have an outpatient medical procedure on the 11/1 that might preclude that this years. Curses...

In other High Holy Days of KidDom news, I've made significant inroads on my Christmas shopping as well. My goal is to have it all done in the next couple of weeks. Certainly by Thanksgiving. Then the entire month of December can be given over to the less stressful parts of Christmas. Cookies. Carols. Mulled cider. Looking at Christmas lights. I do love Christmas. :)

I think that's about it for now. I have to get around to commenting on VM eventually, but not right now.

Off to take the last batch of muffins out of the oven.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Glad to see everyone is well and excited for Halloween! And those pumpkin chocolate chip muffins sound dee-lish!! I'm in need of dessert!

Big hugs to you!!

Big hugs right back. :)

Yes, the muffins are good. I've already eaten my two. The kids need to get home and start removing the temptation. Temptation is why I've held off and not purchased Halloween candy yet. I figure if it isn't in the house, I can't be tempted. How's that for higher order thinking skills? ;)

What's Mr. C going to be for Halloween?

C will be Frankenstein, we hope. That whole 'wearing things on his head' is an issue but you know, as long as we can keep it on for a few pictures, that'll make Mommy and Daddy happy!

Is J leaning toward a specific costume theme? I always remember trying to get my mother to let me be something and always losing that battle.

No, she hasn't zeroed in on anything yet. Right now she's more worried about the first middle school dance of the year which is tomorrow night. What to wear? How much makeup can she use? Burgeoning adolescence. The angst. The drama. ;)

Awwwww! OMG I so remember that. My mom bought me this black dress I adored, only to get it home out of the fluorescent lights and discover it was in fact an eggplanty brown kind of colour in natural light. The horror!! LOL. I can't remember now how she rescued the situation, particularly as my mom is possibly the least girly woman I know so it was NOT with makeup, lol, but in the end all was well and I ended the night by acquiring my first boyfriend. :-D

(Sorry, don't want to worry you about the last part!)

*inhales* Damn, no pumpkin chocolate chip muffins here. A recipe would be good though... *bats eyelashes hopefully*

Here you go Tas. :)

Angela’s Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (Double Batch)

Note: This recipe makes between 3 and 4 dozen muffins and can easily be halved.

4 ½ cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons salt
4 ½ teaspoons cinnamon (I typically use more, like 3 tablespoons)
3 cups sugar

1 ½ cups vegetable oil
6 beaten eggs
1 28 oz can plain pumpkin
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips (but I typically add more of these as well)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine dry ingredients. Add oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Blend well but do not beat. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake in greased muffin tins (or use baking cups) for 20 minutes or until done.

Enjoy.

You'll be pleased to know that J is going as a cowgirl. She has a fringed suede-like outfit, boots, a red bandanna, Akubra hat, and her hair done in braids. She even found some rope to wear by her side. It's very cute. :)

What a great costume!! I'm sure she (and the other 3) will have a great time!!

And C did well keeping his Frankenstein hood on (once we put a toboggan/stocking cap over his head first). He was sick today with a fever so he missed his preschool party and he was mighty fussy this evening though he did greet some treaters at the door.

Poor baby. I hope he feels better soon. :)

Hee hee. When I got to the part of your post where you mention "mulled cider" I somehow read that as "Mulder" and was in total agreement that he is one of the best parts of any holiday.

And I'll take some muffins up here. I love pumpkin anything.

All of that X-Files fic that I've been reading must be subliminally coloring my posts. Sounds like something right up Mulder's alley? Plus, Mulder's an October birthday. Between that and the whole "things that go bump in the night" aspect, Halloween has to rank high on his holiday hit parade. :)

How are you enjoying a hopefully much less stressful life?

I want to live at your house!

By the way, I made your mozarella chicken last night and it went over really well--especially the multi-colored rotini. Ah, kids. :D

I'm glad that it was a hit. I know that I get tired of making the same things over and over again so adding something new (that's also super easy) to my repertoire is a most happy thing. :)

Are your girls beside themselves about Halloween?

The girls were pretty excited, though it rained most of Monday and was COLD (for us) Monday night. But they made quite the haul. I'll post some pics of them later, if you're interested. :)

I'd love to see pictures. I took a few, but I still haven't quite mastered that uploading and linking thing yet. I've always said I'm a neo-Luddite by ability if not by inclination. lol

This and that

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