Valentine's Day = Yummy in my Tummy

by Emily

My daughter is now in preschool. I'm not sure yet what the Valentine's Day protocol for preschool is, but I am kind of excited. I'm not the over acheiving parent who is going to make all adorable martha stewart one-of-a-kind valentines for my children's classmates on Valentine's Day. But I might make these Jello Jigglers.

You can find the recipe HERE.










The Family Fun website (Disney company) is great, and I get their newsletter in my email once a week. It is the same stuff that is in the magazine! How cool is that--online for free! (though, sometimes it is just better to have it in print :) )


I think I must also make something chocolate.
Yes, definitely. Chocolate.


Find the recipe HERE.

















This will do, as well:





(I did this one year, but with a heart on top. Cut out a heart from paper, discard the heart. Put the paper heart-shaped-hole on the cheesecake, and sprinkle powdered sugar to make it super fancy. What a treat!)




Recipe, is, of course, HERE, because I am so nice like that. ;-)





Do you have any Valentine's Day plans, or suggestions? Please share--and feel free to include a web link!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to our wonderful readers, from the Bossy Sisters.

Please enjoy this beautiful video, especially appropriate for little ones.

Too much Christmas music?

by Melissa

Maybe. I only say this because I'm beginning to analyze the songs too much. I mean really, if I had been Rudolph's mother, I would have told him that people who only like him once he becomes useful to them are not his true friends. And Frosty? kind of breaking some laws running here and there! (not to mention that whole "catch me if you can" thing. I do enough 2 year old chasing, lets not encourage it!)

I think my favorite, laugh out loud lyric comes from the song Here Comes Santa Claus.... I don't know who was singing it, but when I heard it last night on the radio I laughed hard. The original lyrics are lovely... but this guy added a few extra words here and there...

"Peace on Earth will come to men, if we just sorta follow the light..."

Sorta? Um, again the mom in me comes out. "My homework was sorta late." "I sorta cleaned my room" "I sorta have a job" "I sorta did something nice for someone" "I'm sorta out of money in my bank account".... Sorta just doesn't cut it around here.

I guess I need new Christmas music. I'm taking suggestions please!

The "BOSSY" sisters only have one BROTHER...

...and today is his BIRTHDAY!

Find out just a few reasons why we love David here, here and here.

Happy Birthday David!

You look so handsome in these photos, I just had to share them with the world. Heh, heh. We love you and wish we could all be celebrating with you today!

(David has always had to share his birthday on the 4th of July and endure flag themed birthday cakes. And fireworks.)

Happy Father's Day!

by Emily

Dedicated to Dads: we love you and appreciate you. Maybe your story isn't like this, but you're needed in your own unique way. Here's to you, the way you continue to give and love year after year. We love you.

Some Kinda Famous Marinade

by Emily

My father-in-law is pretty cool. As far as I'm concerned, he makes the best marinade I've ever had--especially when used on tri-tip steaks. YUM!
(Tri-tip is bigger than a personal sized steak, and you usually slice it against the grain to serve--so a single tri-tip can often serve a few people).

And lucky you, I'm going to share it. Tuck it away for a Father's Day meal this June!

It really is "Some Kinda Famous Marinade".

Makes: 3 to 4 Cups of marinade


Ingredients:
2 C Kikoman soy sauce
1 1/2 C white sugar
2 T minced or crushed ginger (I use the kind in a squeeze tube)
2 T minced or crushed garlic (I use fresh)
2 or 3 green onions chopped into 1 inch pieces
4 ounces beer (to be simmered--alcohol evaporates)
(since I'm a non-drinker, and I'm also a non-planner, I don't usually have beer on hand when I make this recipe--unless I've planned in advance, which we've already been through--I don't plan in advance. I'm not opposed to it (planning or cooking with beer? Ha!), I just don't have it. So I've come up with my own alternative--I take a little yeast, add it to warm water and a Tablespoon of sugar, and then use 4 ounces of that instead...it adds a similar flavor and tenderizing element to the meat)





Directions:
1. Start heating the soy sauce in a large pan, on low heat.
2. As it warms, slowly add sugar and stir constantly until dissolved--it's a lot of sugar!
3. Add the ginger, garlic, green onions and beer.
4. Slow simmer on gentle heat. It doesn't need to boil, but it can if you care to burn off the alcohol. Heat for around 20 minutes (exactness is not required) to allow the flavors to have "permeated the brew" (as my cool f-i-l says).
5. Take off heat, cool enough to add to a zip lock bag with meat for marinating. You can use it on stakes, pork chops, chicken--you can chop the meat for shish-ka-bobs, or use it for tri-tip steaks. For beef, let marinate a day (give or take). For white meat, shorter time is needed. I haven't tried this with fish, but I think it would be excellent with just about any kind of fish.
6. BBQ grill, broil, or George Foreman that meat!

(My f-i-l also has been known to add it to meat and then stick it in the freezer for a quick meal in a pinch down the road. What a guy!)






Now--what should I do with ALL of this parsley? I have 4 times this amount still in the garden!

Happy Martyr's Day, I mean Mother's Day...

A few years back, I sat listening to a lovely Mother's Day service at church. The songs all heralded the joy and loveliness of motherhood. The speakers all praised their perfect wives, mothers and sisters. It was beautiful.

And I sobbed.

My sweet husband had left early that morning for meetings, with a kiss on my cheek and a tender look that said "sorry!" Then I had spent 2 hours wrestling small children into fluffy dresses, trying to find those matching socks, shoes and hairbows that had been set out Saturday night but walked off before 9 a.m. (does this happen to anyone else?) There had been no time for breakfast in bed, diamonds, or lovely cards. I had been crabby with my children and short tempered.

And so I sobbed. I spent most of church feeling inadequate, unqualified, guilty and annoyed with how Mother's Day was no different from any other "Day of rest" (my eye.)

Then, I snapped out of it. For pete's sake. What was my problem? Pity Parties are so ugly. I decided right then and there that I am the best mom my kids will ever have. I love them heart and soul and I am doing my best. End of story. No more comparisons, no more guilt. I am who I am.

When we got home, I rallied the troops in making a lovely lunch, we invited friends over for dinner so that we could give someone else a break. My kids gave me the cards their Sunday School teachers had helped them make and all was well.

My attitude has greatly changed about Mother's Day. I appreciate my Mothers. I have many and all have blessed and enriched my life. We live away from family, so the actual day of Mother's Day in our house is about me, and I CHOOSE what the day will bring. I'm realistic in my expectations. I don't want diamonds and they aren't coming. Hallmark doesn't dictate how our family enjoys the day.

My idea of showing love is a nice meal. So, I plan good food. I buy what I want and enlist help in putting it together. We enjoy time in the kitchen as a family. I don't expect Dave to read my mind, I tell him what I want and then we are all happy!

This week I took Jane to the store. She insisted on spending all of the money in her bank on a Mother's Day gift for me. The children have all spent countless hours putting together cards, writing a song book for Mothers, drawing pictures... They are so excited. Jane asks me daily how many more days. She says she can't wait to see my reaction to her gift. She also has asked me to help her make muffins for Sunday morning on Saturday, because she knows we always have to rush out the door.... I also heard whisperings about breakfast in bed Saturday (I'll have my favorite bagels in the fridge and granola... They'll be so happy to give me exactly what I would want!)

For me, at this stage, this is what Mother's Day is about. With the help of a sweet husband, I am teaching my children how to show me and their Grandma's and Aunts Love. They are learning how to show someone that you care, how to prepare nice things for them... the best part of Mother's day will be watching the joy my children have found in treating me like their queen.
Please excuse the Valentine collage. This is the only picture of me and my children I have! Job #1 for Sunday morning is a family picture!

Platinum Princess

In honor of Mother's Day we have a guest blog from our Mom. She is darling, funny, spunky and full of good advice. I got my first gray hair when I was about 29. I started coloring at about 32. I have been flirting with going natural, but don't have the guts yet. So I asked mom to give us some advice and share her experience on going Gorgeous! - robin

............................................................

• More than 40% of Americans have some gray by their 40th birthday
• Over 70,000,000 women are now over 40 years old
• Fully 1/3 of the population will be age 50 or older next year

GOING GRAY?

No, you’re not. And you don’t have any friends with yellow hair. They’re Blonde.

Your hair might be going silver, pewter, platinum, ice, pearl, or sterling. Never gray. With America’s 1/3 population of baby-boomers, the word “gray” for hair color has become politically incorrect.

All my life I was a dark Brunette. I wasn’t brown, or black.

I think I look like Lily Tomlin in this picture.

In my mid 40’s Clairol, Aveda, Wella, and similar brands, dubbed my color Dark Coffee, Sable, or Love Potion# 9. I thought I would transition to silver gracefully by coloring only my bangs, & about 1“ either side of my part. That worked fairly well for a number of years.

But when predictable & increasingly itchy scalp after using any brand of color turned into a full blown allergic reaction my hair stylist, Odell (the same one that Robin, Emily, Kristen, Sally and Hannah love), said PPD (paraphenylenediamine), in virtually all hair color was the culprit. He told me that letting your roots show was the new thing in hair fashion & encouraged me to let it grow out. Maybe he was thinking of this:

Vogue calls it “showing your stripe.” Imagine reverse coloring, very fine hair, cut short, with no photographer’s fan giving it that sexy mussed up look. Oh yes, very important: change the 18 yr old model’s face to that of a mature woman. On me, after 4 months with no color I looked like a balding skunk.

A toddler at Walmart, pointing to me informed her mommy, “look, she has 2 hairs.”

Then a week or so later when I was checking out at my dentist’s office there were 3 children who must have been waiting for their parent, because none was present. When I turned around with a big smile & asked them why they were giggling like crazy, the 2 year old said, “because your hair is 2 colors.” I just laughed with them & said, “Yep, it’s pretty crazy, isn’t it!” Then I drove straight to the wig shop. This is what I bought:

Actually, I had to order it & wait a week. The wig shop called as I was leaving for the airport. Alan stopped on the way so I could wear it on the plane. Alan thought I looked like a fox & threatened to head back home instead of letting me leave him for a week in Calif. I thought it looked fake, but I guess it looked pretty good:

• The 45-ish flight ticket agent flirted with me.
  
• The young woman ISA employee who had to go through my carry on told me how much she loved my hair & that she had been watching me since I entered the security area. She wanted to know if it was my natural color (I told her yes, which was technically true) & asked if I lived in Boise (yes) & finally, who cut it. I told her the wig lady did. She didn’t believe me.
• I’d told my sister ‘d be wearing my new gray wig at LAX, but she & her husband looked straight at me & were going to drive right by until I wildly waved both arms at them.
• My mother, who wasn’t expecting me (it was my 89^th birthday present to her), didn’t know who I was, even when I said, “hi, Mom.” She thought I was Kris, until I got 2 inches from her face & hugged her (she’s legally blind, so she was easy to fool.)
• My niece, Kaitlin, looked me in the face & walked right past me.
• My sister, Kathy, & brother’s wife, Dyan, both did a serious double take when I sat down at their table in the restaurant where we all met for lunch & until I told them otherwise, they thought it was my real hair, not a wig. In fact they had to touch it to make sure I wasn’t kidding.

It was so much fun that I got a blonde one:

Then a pewter one:

I took Alan to the wig shop with me when I picked up the 3^rd wig and while I there I tried on a dozen different styles & colors. He picked the red one. It his favorite:

These got me through 10 months of really, seriously bad-hair days. They’re made of wonderful new synthetics & are easy to care for, light weight & very easy to wear—not like those awful ones some of us wore in the 60’s-70’s. They shortened my morning “Indian-paint & headdress” getting-ready routine by 20 minutes, at least.

And it’s fun: My bishop told me there was a betting pool going on among those sitting on the stand & on the back row of the chapel, “to see what color Linda’s hair is going to be today.”

It took about 14 months & a few color “low lights,” (not touching the scalp because of my allergy), but I finally have color I can live with. This is me:

I haven’t worn my wigs for 6 months. I’m not brave enough. “Why?” you may ask. They looked great, like perfect hair, much thicker, shinier & healthier looking than my own. Still, unless I’m on a trip, I won’t wear one because I’m afraid if I do I’ll have someone who knows me say, “Wow, Linda, you look terrific,” before they realize it’s not my own hair. Then they’ll be embarrassed.

I read when hair becomes 50% gray you have no choice and have to transition from dyed to natural. I don’t agree. I think in our world we can choose whatever color we want. But if you find white hair on your head & are trying to decide whether to color or not, consider a wig. Choose a good synthetic one, from a wig salon, not some magazine ad. If it is good it will probably cost $80 - $150, but that’s less than a year of visits to the hair salon.

Love,
Linda
............................

For fun pictures of my mom's wigs, but not on her darling little head, go Here.
This is a link to a great web page on going gray. There are some young beautiful gray haired women.

Mother's Day Miscellany

by Emily

I've been a mother for a few years now. Nothing compared to my sisters' experience as mothers, and especially nothing compared to my mother and mother-in-law's experience. [I can't imagine what it will be like to be mother to older children, and I DON'T want to imagine it! Wah!] Still, I spend a lot of time thinking about motherhood. What it means to me, how it changes a woman. I read books about it.

I am it, I guess.

This is just to say to my own mother and other mothers out there, I love you. My appreciation and understanding of the magnitude of your sacrifice, love, service and devotion, and priceless worth grows deeper each year.

Some women hate mother's day. I think I can understand the complexities it holds for many of us, mothers or not. I can imagine the many ways it could be a rough day for people with different experiences than mine. It makes me ache for them.

This year I am helping organize a small gift for all the women who go to church on Sunday. It is small. But just planing this makes me excited and gets me thinking about all the women I know and love, and their unique role in my life. I love being a part of this gesture to honor them, mothers or not.

I am looking at mother's day this year as a way to show honor and reverence for the role of mother. I am thankful for a loving God whose plan included mothers. I am thankful for the mother He gave me.

I wait with anticipation for my sister-in-law Erin to become a mother. There is something so special and magical about that first time, the transition into Motherhood. I think Erin may very well be the best mother I'll ever know. First of all (not first in importance though), she is pretty, and beautiful, and cute.

Beautiful, Radiant, Gorgeous. Woman!

[ It is so gratifying to look at your mommy and feel that she is "the most beautiful girl in the whole world". I always felt that way about my own mother, still do.]

Second of all Erin is giving, kind, generous, selfless, nurturing, thoughtful, cheerful, long suffering, fun, loving, beloved, love, love, love ,love, love. She really is all those things. All those loves.

Sometimes she asks me for advice, and that makes me feel good.

I know what I am talking about because I have a wonderful mother.
I love you, Mom. I don't know if I can do it as well as you did it, but I keep trying.

Happy Easter!

HE LIVES

Eggcellent

By Sally

Have you dyed your eggs yet? (No, that's not some code phrase for making sure you're still fertile.)

Last year I didn't get to the store on time. I had a lot going on. So instead of dyeing eggs with the trusty Paas kit, I improvised, and we painted the eggs with Crayola watercolors.

It was fun, easy, and creatively satisfying. Plus, the kids liked being able to identify which eggs they had painted. While I love traditionally dyed eggs, in beautiful pastels and some with crayon-technique wax resist, I really loved how our hand-painted watercolor eggs turned out.

This year I think we'll do both traditional eggs and painted eggs. Give the Easter Bunny a little thrill.

How do you do eggs?

Paper Mache Easter Eggs

By Melissa
Last spring, my sweet Jane was in a "craft-idea-library-book" phase. My favorite was the paper mache book. We decided to keep it simple and create Easter eggs.
We used balloons, newspaper and homemade paste (water and flour). The kids loved getting their fingers so messy and it was fun to teach them how to make sure the balloon was completely covered and the newspaper was as smooth as possible. It took longer to dry than I expected (humidity? I blame everything on humidity!), and we did a few coats to make them nice and strong.

Next we painted them, then the kids designed them. Here is my biggest tip. Set them up for success. I didn't let them go completely wild. I helped draw little rainbows all over the eggs, stenciled in lines for stripes, sketched in flowers and circles.... then we glued them to ribbons and strung them across the front window. They were thrilled with their finished project!
Go for it! Have fun! My kids were so excited when we pulled these out to decorate this year. Ownership is such a good thing.

Easter Grass

Remember back on February 12th when I encouraged you to grow your own Easter grass? Now is the perfect time to start your grass so it will be ready on Easter (April 12th). Click here for the directions.

.............................

Now - a completely different topic. I have 2 tips for beautiful hair. They are pretty basic.

This is pretty much what I looked like before I cut my long hair.

1. Unless you have very oily or short hair, don't wash it everyday. Longer hair is like a silk shirt. Would you wash a silk shirt everytime you wore it? No, you wouldn't because the shirt would quickly begin to look old and worn. Same deal with your hair. So if your hair is longer skip a day or 2 (if you can stand it!) it is so much better for your hair and often I find that second day hair is much cuter than first day hair (and think of all the time you will save!).

2. When you shampoo, apply shampoo to your scalp and hair right next to the scalp. You don't need to shampoo the ends every time you shower, that just dries them out. The sudsy water rinsing through the ends of your hair is enough.

And BONUS! one more tip: use a leave-in conditioner every time.

That's all I got, baby.

Your shoe is untied.

by Sally

April Fools' Day is tomorrow! Are you ready?

April Fools jokes should be funny. Not mean. Here are some ideas:

• Change all the clocks in the house by two hours.
• When someone calls your house, instead of answering the phone with "hello?", say "Hello! Is Bob there?"
• Get access to someone's computer and take a snapshot of their entire desktop. You can do this with the 'print screen' key on the keyboard. Minimize all of their desktop icons and use the pic you just took as the NEW desktop background. Their pointer will still work but they won't be able to click on anything. I wish I could do this to my husband. I would LOVE to see his reaction.
• Or, take a screenshot of the desktop screen, turn the picture upside down, and save it as wallpaper.

That's funny.

• Have a pregnant friend take a pregnancy test, show your husband and tell him you are pregnant. (could be considered mean.)
• Men, get a positive pregnancy test from a pregnant woman, and tell your wife that you are a freak of nature and are pregnant. If you do this, you must guest blog it here on Bossy.
• Tell your kids that your city voted for All Year School with no vacations. You could even print up a fake letter "that came in the mail today" to show them.
• I read about a woman whose mother, late at night on March 31, went around to her sleeping children and carried them into each other's rooms so they woke up in the wrong room. I might try this one. My kids would love it.
• Use a post-it note placed underneath a computer mouse - ensure that it covers the ball or the optical sensor on the bottom. When someone goes to use the mouse, it won't work. On the post-it, write "April Fools!"
• Here's a great one for your spouse in the morning.
• And my personal favorite: "Your shoe is untied." I will be using this all day tomorrow. If you are going to be seeing me, wear loafers. You'll fall for it anyway.
  
  

For some entertainment, here's a (very detailed) record of well-known April Fools pranks. It is long but interesting.

Did you know that Costco now only buys milk from blue cows? Yum.

We want to hear about your Foolish plans! And pranks that you have played (or were played on you) in the past. Please share. We are having a huge blog giveaway for best April Fool's prank comment...a $1,000 gift card to Target!











April Fools!


Sorry. That was mean. But we do hope you have a fun April Fools Day and we would love to hear about your April Fools plans and ideas.

I dare ya.

My Blarney, Scarlett O'Hara, it's almost St. Patrick's Day!

by Emily

In anticipation of St Patrick's Day, here is some fun to get you thinking and inspired.
To get us started, I interviewed our interesting and entertaining dear friend, Jeff. After his interview you can take a quiz and see how well you performed compared to our "guest expert". Don't forget to post your score in the comments section! ;-)


Have you ever kissed the Blarney Stone? What is that all about?
Of course I've kissed the Blarney Stone. I lived in Cork, the largest city near Blarney Castle for about 6 months. I've visited the castle grounds several times. There's an old legend that says if you kiss the stone, you will get the gift of the gab (which explains why Irish people talk so much). It's a little tricky though, since the stone is on the top level of the castle hanging over the castle wall. The tradition has you lay on your back, stick your head back over the cliff, and kiss the stone upside down. There are several legends that surround the stone and where it comes from, and as far as I could ever tell, nobody really knows where the stone originated. Most Irish people have kissed it once, but refuse to get too close to it afterward... there are also legends about local boys climbing up to the stone at night and peeing on it. How's that for romantic Ireland?


Can you even buy Lucky Charms at the market in Ireland?
Nope. I've looked all over the country at various stores, and I can say for certain that you cannot purchase Lucky Charms in Ireland. I asked an Irish friend from Enfield once why they didn't sell them... he said, "that's like having your biggest stereotype on a box. Would you ever eat a cereal called Fat, Stupid, American Tourists?" Seemed to make sense after that.


Do the Irish celebrate a St Patrick's Day?
Emphatically. The country shuts down and they drink from sun up to sun down. There are big parades and celebrations throughout the country. It's mostly an excuse to drink non-stop.

Examine this photo of the leprechaun on Lucky Charms box of cereal. Would you classify him as cute, creepy, or hyped up on amphetamine-dusted sugar cereal? And what's the deal with fairies? Are they peers of the leprechauns? Are fairies sweet or mean and vicious? Do they do battle with the leprechauns, is it like a Lord of the Rings thing? And are the leprechauns a little ticked that Disney is giving more face time to fairies these days and that leprechauns are now so passe?
Leprecauns are types of fairies but they are always men. If you see one, keep your eyes locked. The minute you look away, they are free to leave, but if you hold their gaze they have to stick around. They are generally very rich (which makes no sense, since they are supposedly fairy shoemakers), but they are also VERY mischievous. Conversely, regular fairies typically have the appearance of women, are pleasant, and generally viewed as protectors (saying that, there is the Banshee, and some other mean fairies).




Where (town/city) would you want to go back to visit in Ireland? What do you like about that place?
Cork or Galway. Depends on what you want to see. Cork is the second largest city in Ireland but is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It has a massive river flowing through (the River Lee) and it is built on rolling hills. It's a tough city to navigate with a car, but on foot, it is what you would expect a big Irish city to look like. Irish cities do not have tall buildings. They are low to the ground, and if you get on a hill you can see the entire city. There are loads of church steeples sticking up throughout the city, and it is one of the friendliest parts of the country. It is close to Blarney, Kinsale, and the Ring of Kerry. Galway is on the coast. It is a fishing town, but has some pretty amazing views. For example, the Cliffs of Moher (the Cliffs of Insanity) are located about an hour from the town. Either way, for my money, the Southwest is the most beautiful area in the Republic of Ireland (Belfast is crazy, but we're just talking Ireland here, not Northern Ireland, right?)

Are Irish people as hot-tempered as they're made out to be?
Yes and no. The Irish are EXTREMELY generous and kind. They are family oriented and rooted in tradition. They love to meet new people, to tell stories, and to just sit and talk. However, their history is littered with wars and fights over Irish independence. Everyone knows Ireland's history, and is very proud of it. There is still deep seeded hatred for England (especially amongst the senior members of the communities), and for the things Britain did to their ancestors. Some prominent sporting venues in Ireland still won't allow English sports to be played on them (Soccer, Rugby, or Cricket). Only Irish sports (Gaelic soccer- a hybrid of soccer and basketball, Hurling (the fastest field game in the world).

Do they really drink that much? What is the cultural background, as far as you could perceive, of the Irish pub? The local tavern?
Yes. All social situations revolve around the pub in Ireland. If there is a wedding, wake, or birthday it starts and ends at the local pub. There is a joke throughout Ireland that whenever they settled a community, the first thing to go up was the church. The second and third things to go up were the pubs.

Any good fight stories from when you lived in Ireland?
Oh, you're just baiting me on this. If you wanna see one of my fight stories, you can see part one here and part two here.

Can you recommend a CD/album/band that is a good representation of traditional Irish music--maybe something for our readers to google or see if their local library has it? What about popular (radio stuff) Irish music/bands?
I like Clannad. They are an Irish folk group that sing a lot of old Irish music with a new spin on it. Much of their music is sung in Gaelic, so that's interesting. I think most people know that Enya is Irish. Enya still uses a lot of traditional Celtic sounds in her music. As dumb as it sounds, the music from Riverdance is actually really popular in Ireland and a pretty cool representation of Irish music. I own it, and listen to it often. Traditional Irish music is distinguishable by the types of drums, fiddles, and especially pipes. NEVER mistake Irish pipes for bagpipes to an Irish person. Irish pipes are nice, bagpipes are horrible and loud. Both easily distinguishable from the other, if you listen.
Popular Irish performers in rock are The Pogues, Corrs, Van Morrisson, the Cranberries, The Chieftans, Flogging Molly, and especially, U2.

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Any memorable St. Patrick's Day Parties?
My wife loves St. Patrick's Day more than I do. She throws a costume party EVERY year where, typically, someone always throws up (in a fun way). All of them have been fun, but some of the costumes I liked have been: the year (some wierdos) showed up pregnant with a giant clover painted on their tummies (photo right-->), Jay and Nachelle as a rainbow and pot of gold, and SK as St. Patrick himself.

Now that you have a little guy in your family, what do you think will be fun to do with him, in the Irish vein, as he gets older?
He kind of looks like a Leprechaun, right?

A favorite Irish dish?
Mince meat over potatoes, spinach, Brussels sprouts. I also LOVE corn beef, and Irish bacon.

An odd piece of Irish trivia?
There are pubs that offer free meals any day it doesn't rain. Year round! In the summer, at times, we'd be walking up the street and you would see a wall of water washing towards you. In the winter it rarely snows, but it rains incessantly for months straight. In the summer time it goes away as quickly as it comes on, and is generally pleasant showers. It never gets too far above 80F or below 30F.

Your favorite limerick, any limericks you've written yourself?
I hate limericks. Seriously (and it's my least favorite city in Ireland).

Quick, list as many "marketed" things you can think of that exploit Irish culture. (Lucky Charms cereal, Irish Spring soap, etc...)
Which country? As much as the Irish hate the stereotypes about them, they sell so much JUNK. Leprechauns, pots of gold, toy sheep, etc. In America, Lucky Charms, Irish Spring... that's all I've got!

What stereotypes do the Irish have about Americans?
They think we talk really, really slowly and that we're overly aggressive. They like to hear us say things like "hey man," and "hi guys," or "dude, where's my car." I'm not making that up.

Complicated Costumes: Jeff as CORNED BEEF (see the corn around his neck?), Mindy as a kissable Irish beauty pageant contestant.

What score did you get on the quiz? (below)
14/17, but I'm calling Shenanigans on this thing. I missed 4, but St. Patrick was a missionary = teacher. Right? Right? and I also missed 6. I have NEVER heard any of those nicknames. I also missed the Shepherd's Pie one. No clue on that.
{Jeff, Mindy took the quiz too. Just a little friendly competition. And the ones you got wrong? She got them right! Her score 13/17. I think she'll beat you on the quiz you'll be having at your St. Patty's Party. Watch out.}

Any movie recommendations for a little Irish flavor? Disney, old fashioned, or recent?
Darby O'Gill and the Little People (the Banshee comes out there... another Irish mythological spirit), Waking Ned Divine is a recent one that is pretty funny.

Anything else you like to add?
If you ever have the choice to visit either Scotland, or Ireland (people always compare the two), do yourself a favor: Go to Ireland. One of the most beautiful and friendly countries in Europe.

St. Patrick's Day & Irish Themed QUIZ:

1. T/F St Patrick is not Irish.

2. St Patrick lived during:
a) 500’s-600’s AD
b) 300’s -400’s AD
c) 800’s – 900’s AD
d) 1100’s -1200’s AD

3. The famous legend of St Patrick includes which theme:
a) Leprechauns
b) gold
c) fairies
d) angles
e) snakes

4. St Patrick was a:
a) farmer
b) teacher
c) priest
d) governor

5. A leprechaun is really an Irish:
a) shoemaker
b) thief
c) little person (PC for “midget”)
d) magician

6. What is Ireland’s nickname:
a) The Emerald Isle
b) The Old Sod
c) Four Green Fields
d) The Bower
e) all of the above

7. According to Irish legends, where do fairies keep the Brides and Babies that they kidnap? (sweet dreams, kids!)
a) In to the forests
b) Inside fairy mounds
c) Caves in the mountains
d) Under bridges

8. A popular Irish dish: shredded cabbage, minced onions, mashed potatoes & melted butter, is known as:
a) Mulligatawny
b) Shepherds’ Pie
c) Colcannon
d) Fairy Stew

9. Kissing the Blarney Stone is supposed to give you what?
a) Lustrous Lips from the dewy rock
b) Good luck in love
c) Dispel shyness and improve eloquence in speech
d) Good health

10. What is the common Irish symbol that represents the Trinty?
a) The shamrock
b) The three isles of the sea
c) Three doves
d) A potato, cobbler stone, and staff

11. Why does a leprechaun wear green?
a) Love and loyalty to the color of Ireland
b) To stay camouflaged
c) For good luck
d) Because it complements red hair so nicely

12. Irish Whisky made from potatoes is called?
a) Poteen
b) Moonshine
c) Tater shots
d) Potate-Ale

13. The first St Patrick’s Day parade was held during the American Revolution in which city?
a) New York
b) Philadelphia
c) Washington D.C.
d) Boston

14. T/F Shamrock and Clover are the same thing.

15. The Irish are said to have brought this breakfast to America:
a) oatmeal
b) pancakes
c) Irish muffins
d) Lucky Charms cereal

16. What is in an Irish Coffee?

17. T/F The Potato is native to Ireland?






Answers:
1. True, his father was Italian, and he was either born in Scotland or Wales (conflicting info)
2. b
3.e, legend has it that St. Patrick drove all the snakes off the island of Ireland, and they drowned in the sea. Probably not true, but there are no native snakes in Ireland.
4.c
5. a, shoemaker that is supposedly really rich and mean
6. e, all of them are nicknames
7. b, and some farmers to this day will not disturb "fairy mounds" in their fields for fear of stirring up the spirits of those kidnapped and hidden there.
8. c. Colcannon
9. c "the gift of gab"
10. a
11. b
12. a
13. d, Boston in 1737
14. Depends on who you talk to, the Irish claim they are different, but the clover which grows in America is claimed by botonists to be the same plant with varied leaves and flowers
15. a
16. coffee and whisky. WHOO-WEE!
17. False



How did you score? Have any St. Patrick's Day plans?

Happy Valentines Day!!!

We love all of you who share our lives with us through our Bossy blog!

We love the witty comments you make.

We love that you share your insights with us.

We love your webpages and blogs that we've found through your comments.

We love your wisdom.

We love that you share us with others.

We love how generous you are with your own stories.

We love learning more about you.

We love you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Grow Your Own Wheatgrass

Do you miss spring? I have a cure for you. Grow your own wheat grass!It's easy. It's fun! It will make you feel good.

I have been growing wheat grass every spring for the last 5 years. Seeing that bright green patch of grass everyday lifts my spirits and helps me feel hopeful. I don't use it for juicing - but you can. It is the same exact wheat grass that you get at juice bars. It really is good for you.

You probably have a couple of barrels of wheat right? If not, get some. It's good to have on hand should anything happen to your source of food. It lasts forever. I have had my wheat for 15 years now and it still makes wonderful bread and beautiful wheat grass! You can buy a pound of wheat berries (wheat seed) at a health food store for $1. A pound is more than enough.

Next, find some containers for your grass. Seed trays work great and are available anyplace that sells garden supplies. I also have planted in shallow buckets, Easter baskets, clementine boxes lined with plastic, bowls, trays, casserole dishes and even in cracked eggs! Anything that will hold about 2 inches of dirt and water will work fine. Drainage is nice but not necessary. If you do have drainage in your container, cover the holes with newspaper before adding dirt.

Now you are ready:

1. Soak the wheat berries in water for 10 hours.
2. Fill planter with potting soil 2 inches deep.
3. Sprinkle soaked wheat berries over damp soil. They can be very close to each other, even touching.
4. Lightly sprinkle a very thin layer of soil over the wheat. Sometimes I skip this step and it turns out fine.
   
5. Spray with a water bottle.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and put near a shady warm spot. (I keep mine in the southern window with a thick dishtowel covering it.)
7. Check daily to be sure the wheat is moist and warm.
8. After about 3/5 days you will see sprouts, remove plastic as soon as you see those sprouts and move sprouts to sunny area.
9. After 7 days you should see grass! Check daily for moisture, spray with water if needed.
   
10. 10 days after planting you should have a nice tray of grass about 6-8 inches long.

Hints:
Sometimes the wheat grass gets a little mildew - that's okay, you can't really see it, but it has that smell. When that happens I let mine dry out just a bit and move it so it isn't under my nose.

After 14 days your grass might look a little worn out. Just give it a little haircut! Cut 2/3 of the grass off and in a few days you will see bright green new growth.

After the second cutting and growth the grass kinda fades. When it looks tired, I dump the grass and soil into my garden (or flowerpot) and cover with mulch. Then, in May plant your annuals in that spot and you will have the best annuals ever!

This makes a wonderful display/gift for Easter. Easter is April 12th this year. So, If you haven't done this before, do a trial run now, and then on April 2nd start your Easter project.


Interested in wheat grass juice and how to use it? Check this out. It's pretty much a miracle food.

U R a QT.

Remember reading every single conversation heart from every boy in your class and trying to find hidden meanings? Does he like me? The conversation heart says YES! This post is about Kids Valentines! Growing up we never ever bought boxed Valentines, so my kids don't complain when I cover the dining room table with pink and red paper, doilies and stickers, and tell them "Go Wild!"

I love Valentines Day! I love watching my kids pour over their bags of cards and eating too much sticky sweetness and reading silly jokes and cheesy well wishes.

Getting Valentines ready for classmates is becoming a bigger and bigger job each year. At first we just made a handful for friends, then we started Pre-school and had to sign 12 of them! That was intense. This year we have 3 school age kids with 25 in each class... time to stream line. I think tomorrow we will be making these:and these:


Although something like this is fun, I think we'd loose our steam half way through.

Please share your adorable ideas for kids valentines. I'm not totally sold. (Also, if your child came home with a home-made goody from a classmate would you let them eat it? assuming they didn't eat it on the bus on the way home... para.) I don't want to bother delicately decorating 90 sugar cookies with individualized names for nothing.... yeah right.

Ideas came from here