Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Happiness Project

We've started a vegetable garden. We've always grown basil, rocket and lemongrass. But this weekend, score! Our veggies are starting to grow. Check out our first crop....


This moment of happiness has been brought to you by Leigh vs Laundry.

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Baking with Ethan

A couple weeks ago, I was flipping though the channels and came across an Oprah show. I'm not sure what it was about. There was something about a boy who was baking, for some reason, and his favourite recipe was from Paula Deen. I was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

They are called Paula Deen's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies.  And they are amazing!


Ethan was concerned that cream cheese was being used here. Apparently he does not approve of its smell.



The cool part about this cookie recipe is adding a package of box cake mix. Ethan was convinced we were baking a cake and not making cookies.



The downer is you need to wrap the dough and refrigerate it for 2 hours.



But they are sooo worth it!

And for those that love cookie dough....yummy!!!!!!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Muffin Tin Meal

This week's theme was numbers. I got myself a little more organised, and Ethan was thrilled!


We have one chicken patty, two cookies, three almonds, four "Batman" shaped pieces of cheese, five carrot sticks and six raspberries.



Muffin Tin Monday at Her Cup Overfloweth


Thursday, August 26, 2010

You Capture - Outside

After a couple weeks of being a delinquent, I'm back in the game! The You Capture game! This week's challenge, was the outdoors.

Ethan went to visit his mate, Isaac, on Tuesday. He didn't want to come home, so he decided to hide. Can you find him? ;)


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Writer's Workshop


What five images paint a perfect picture of summer to you? Put those five images together in a piece of writing.


It's always summer here so I guess I could say everyday is perfect. But I thought I would share some pictures, and caption them, to create the perfect day. They are all from different times, and moments, but we can put them together into one ultimate day.



We're all set. The bags are packed and we're heading off for a get-away-weekend.



Check out the view! I can see clouds and the ocean!


Oh mommy! Look at the swimming pool. Can we go swimming please?



First we need to make sure we have our sunscreen on.


Mommy... are you coming???? 


After a morning of swimming, it's time for lunch, followed by a ......


nap by the poolside.



Since we spent the morning by the pool, I think this afternoon we should hang out on the beach.

Check out the sunset. Isn't this gorgeous?


Dinner time. Let's have some fresh seafood. On the beach!



You know it's been a great summer day, when this is how you end it!


(OK, so this was more than 5 pictures. But it was too much fun to cut it down to just 5.)




Mama's Losin' It

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Happiness Project

Friday night.
Dinner at Slipway
 With Ethan and Scott.
Pizza.
Outdoors.
Sitting by the ocean. 
To make it the perfect evening....


This moment of happiness has been brought to you by Leigh vs Laundry.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Muffin Tin Meal

I've been bad this week. With getting into the swing of things back at school, and Ethan now starting, I've really missed our lunches together. Ethan is home for lunch, and I'm still at work. 

Themes started this week, and I was super excited. I had a whole plan figured out. But, best laid plans.....



Muffin Tin Meal was a snack option. We've got the letter A. Apple bread, almonds and apricots.

Muffin Tin Monday at Her Cup Overfloweth

Saturday, August 21, 2010

ABC of Me

A - Aunt Tima to Sachi, Aki and Lucas


B - Brilliant Baker but a Baffled cook. (Yup, I can't cook, but I can bake!)

C - Canadian. And proud of it.


D - Drama Queen. Oh gosh yes!

E - Eager to please other. Enthusiastic for adventure.

F - Fatima to my family

G - Great girlfriend to my mates. (Or at least I hope so...)

H - Happily married to Scott. xxx


I - Imaginative and yet, occasionally, impatient.

J - Junkie! I love my junk food, chocolate, ice cream, yum!

K - Kind, keen and kickboxing queen!



L - Living in Dar! (lol. had to add that in)

M - Mommy to Ethan


N - Nutty, nice, naughty.

O - Open minded, open-hearted, outgoing and very opinionated!

P - Pleasant, pleasing.

Q - Quote I love from Sweet Home Alabama
 What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?
 So I can kiss you anytime I want. 





R - Responsible, reliable, real. 

S - Stalker mom. I love having Ethan at the same school as I, but it has turned me into a bit of a stalker. I tend to spy on him constantly!

T - Teacher at IST. Teaching Grade 3 this year. My class is called the Daring Dolphins!

U - Unique and unusual. (Seriously, have you ever met anyone else like me?)

V - Very scared of snakes. (So scared that the picture has to be a cartoon.)



W - Writer, wicked, wacky.

XeXtremely sure I can't find an X-word.

Y - Young at heart!

Z - Zodiac sign; Virgo!


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Writer's Workshop

Dear Mommy,

     I just wanted to write you, and let you know how much I love you. I know it's not always easy to tell, I complain, throw tantrums, call you names sometimes. But I do love you. You often tell me that I'm 4, so I'm now a big boy, but I think you sometimes forget that.

     I know you had a hard time deciding to switch me from the French School to IST. Most of my mates at the French School I've known since I was 6 months. The French School has a very family feel to it. I loved it there, and I know you feel guilty for switching me schools. But mommy, IST is a good school. And better yet, you're there!

    Mommy, you worry too much. I know you come spy on me everyday at break time. And you worry. You see me playing alongside others, but not really interacting with them. And you worry. Am I lonely? Am I missing my mates? Did you make the wrong decision. Mommy, I've only been at school for one week now. It's a much bigger school than the French School. Give me some time. I come home and tell you I had fun. I wake up and want to go to school. That's a good sign is it not? So please stop worrying.

    You always tell your mates, that are having babies, that they should trust in themselves. So take your own advice. Don't worry so much about me. I'm ok.

    Thank you for always thinking of me and worrying. I know that means you love me. But please, stop being a stalker mom! Let me be the big boy you tell me I am.
                       
                                                                                        Love you,
                                                                                               Ethan James Nisbet!


This letter from Ethan was brought to you by Mama Kat and her Writer's Workshop.


Mama's Losin' It


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Happiness Project

My mum's brother went to China for business. He was there for a couple of months, and came back bearing gifts. He brought back some bags, for my mum, myself and a few relatives. These bags are huge! I'm almost wondering if it's a diaper bag. Scott thinks I should use it for my scrapbooking things. Ethan has another use for it.


This moment of happiness has been brought to you by Leigh and the Happiness Project.


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Monday, August 16, 2010

Muffin Tin Meal



Muffin Tin Monday at Her Cup Overfloweth

Scott made dinner on Sunday. Ethan was very excited. We thought we'd make it a little more fun by serving them in muffin tins.


We have two cups with risotto, some zucchini bread, and cucumbers.


And for those that wonder why we make the muffin tin meals, this is how my fussy Ethan made out.


Sunday, August 15, 2010

Baking With Ethan - Zucchini Bread

Ethan has started at IST and I'd like him to eat his snacks. Last year, most of it came home, or was given away. I couldn't decide between zucchini or apple bread. Ethan choose zucchini.


Sift together 1.5 cups flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp nutmeg.




In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, beaten, 1 cup shredded zucchini and 1/4 cooking oil.


Add zucchini mixture to flour mixture.


Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake at 350F for 50 minutes.




Saturday, August 14, 2010

Expat Anonymous

I don't cook. Yes, I know we all know this. Just thought I'd remind everyone. For the longest time, Scott would do the cooking. Poor fella. He'd work all day, then have to make dinner for us. Then about 2 years ago, Lunesia joined our family. She works for the Marines, but 3 times a week, after her day at the Marine House, she'd come over and cook for us. It was great.

Two weeks ago Lunesia informed me she was going on leave. She gets one month vacation, and usually breaks it up into 4 one week vacations throughout the year, instead of taking it all at once. I figured she was telling me she would be away for a week. She then tells me she's having a baby. In two weeks time. Which means her leave is a maternity leave, which means she'll be away for 3 months.

Ethan suggested we eat pizza everyday for the next 3 months. Scott and I thought we could handle the cooking ourselves. Or rather, he'd do the cooking. Today is day 4 without Lunesia. We've decided we need a cook. How pathetic!

Yes, my name is Tima, and I'm an Expat.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Ethan Goes to IST

On Thursday Ethan started at IST. Being the high-maintenance mom that I am, I took a bunch of pictures.



Thursday, August 12, 2010

Writer's Workshop

Mama's Losin' It

The craziest reason I ever got in trouble as a child.


I'd like to think I was a pretty decent kid. I didn't get into too much trouble. I was even considerate enough to postpone my rebellious years until my late teens. While my dad was strict, he was fair. He taught me responsibility and gave me his trust, as opposed to asking me to earn it.

I never had a curfew. That doesn't mean I got to stay out all night. We had a deal, my dad and I. If I wanted to go out, I'd ask permission. My dad would ask me what time I would get home. I'd tell him. Now since he didn't impose this time on me, it was expected I would be home at said time. If I couldn't be, I'd have to call.

One summer night, I must have been 14 or 15, I had plans to go to the cinema with a group of mates. My dad approved of the group, and accepted the time I planned to come home. We were aiming for a 7 o'clock show, and since I was using public transportation, I expected to be home a little after 10.

It was a Tuesday, which meant cheap movie night (gosh, am I dating myself here?). We didn't plan our meeting time properly, as we missed the 7 o'clock show. What to do? A few mates said they would not be able to stay for the 9 o'clock show and opted to hang out for a bit, then leave. Four mates we left. Two were siblings, and lived near the cinema, so we hung out at their place.

By choosing to go to the 9 o'clock show, I knew I would not be home by 10, so I did the responsible thing and called home. My parents were out. We didn't have an answering machine either. But, I'm responsible and my dad trusts me, so I called a neighbour, and told them my story. They promised to pass the message onto my parents.

I cannot remember what movie we saw. It ended and we all hopped on a bus home. I lived in a suburb area. The bus we took, took us to a mall where we'd change buses. I was now with 2 mates. Both male. One was spending the night at the others house. When we reached the last bus stop and had to change buses, we noticed that I missed the last bus home. The guys decided it was not safe for me to be on my own, so offered to walk me home.

By the time we made it home, it was about 1am. Oops. My dad was awake.

I'd like to point out, that technically I didn't get into trouble. Instead, my dad's brother called me the next day. He lived in Brampton. He wanted me to spend the summer there. It was more of a command that a question. I basically got shipped off that summer.

A few years ago, my mom was chatting with one of her mates, and this incident came up. My mom said how she and my dad were worried. Who knows what I was up to? Drugs? Getting pregnant for all they knew. I couldn't help but laugh. Seriously mom? I would've thought you had more faith in the way you raised me!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Muffin Tin Meal

Muffin Tin Monday at Her Cup Overfloweth


 
School starts this week, which means teachers have returned. Audrey came back bearing gifts: chocolate chips for me, and Goldfish for Ethan. Of course, that meant we had to include them in our muffin tin meal.
 

We have a slice of cheese, pasta with meat and Goldfish.