Clean Before You Leave?

We have internet! It's been a struggle getting internet to work at our new home. It's working now finally! Took 2 1/2 weeks before setting it up was complete. That was rather frustrating. So far, since Saturday, we've had internet. So glad!!!

Our move happened so suddenly. One day my husband got a call requesting an interview, and within weeks we're moving. The move was so exhausting. Preparing, packing, painting, cleaning, searching for housing. I don't think I'm fully recovered yet. Unpacking is so much easier than packing.

 I didn't have time to put together fresh activities, and thus this blog was neglected. We still visited the library and got books to read, but he spent a lot of time at the homes of friends in the weeks leading up to the move, playing with the toys that weren't packed, watched more TV than usual (Bill Nye is his new favorite), and didn't get to bake Christmas cookies with me this year. We did get our tree decorated! I insisted we had to put it up even though I knew it would come down right at Christmas.

I am very thankful to good friends who put in hours babysitting T so I could pack or paint. J.A., J.C., B.C. and S.C. all watched T despite living busy lives; thanks so much! I also really appreciated the help your families gave loading the truck, and staying after to help clean the house- what troopers! Thankful is an understatement.

Are you like the last two houses I've moved into, where you leave the cleaning to the person who is moving in? I hate it when I view a house that's all nice and clean, and when I actually move in I have to scrub the tubs, clean a 1/4" dust off the fan blades, scrub the ovens, etc. Are you like me? I have a whole list of things that have to be cleaned before the house is considered "finished" and I feel ready to leave my old home for the new one: Totally scrub all appliances inside/out/under,  clean cupboards, the fan blades vacuumed, floors steam cleaned or shampooed, clean the vents, light fixtures dusted/washed, paint touched up, windows washed, blinds washed, bathrooms must be sparkling before I feel there's closure moving out of a house. I was brought up that way, and hate moving into a dirty house. It's only polite, not to leave your own dirt behind for the next person I think! What do you do to clean after you move?

Wordless Wednesday : Welcomed with Wintry Weather

This is why I haven't been posting! T is doing great with the move.

Cherry Sweet Potato Pudding

Sounds odd, right? Totally different from the sticky gooey delicious pudding we're used to. Worth the adventure, trying this. The texture's different too, as you grate instead of mash the potatoes. I've had the recipe a while and don't recall where in the world I found it.

Preheat oven to 325F.
Grate 2 lbs sweet potatoes. Put into a bowl.
Add 1 tsp baking powder, 1 c flour, 1/2 c raisins, 1/4 c cherries. Mix together.
Mix in 1/2 can of evaporated milk and 3 to 3 1/2 c coconut milk.
Add 2 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 c brown sugar (packed), 1 oz butter, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
Blend well.
Pour into greased baking dish. Let rest 20 minutes.
Bake at 325F for 1 1/2 hours until center is set. You might want a pan under to catch any drippings.
Let cool a little before serving.
Seriously good stuff.

T's Tongue Twister

T is a toddler who loves nursery rhymes. Much of the time we spend in the car we're singing or reciting together. Here's an exchange we had the other day.

Me: Peter Piper

T: Peter Piper

Me: Peter Piper picked

T: Peter piper picked

Me: Peter Piper picked a peck of

T: Peter Piper picked a peck of

Me : pickled peppers

T: pickled peppers

Me: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

T: Peter piper picked a pe-- hey! don't do that to me!

We laughed! T and I have so much fun together. I love being his mom.

How do you and your children pass the time together in the car?

Menu Plan Monday: Thanksgiving Week

Very easy meal plan this week! Still, joining in with Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday- because life's easier with a menu plan.

Sunday- Lebanese Culinary Adventure

Monday- Leftovers

Tuesday- Cajun 15 Bean Soup

Wednesday- Leftover soup

Thursday- Thanksgiving dinner x2. Yes, that's twice. First with my mother-in-law's family for lunch and with my father-in-law's family for a mid-afternoon dinner. I've learned how to eat very light.

Friday- out shopping with my mother-in-law and the ladies on my father-in-law's side followed by a meal at O'Charley's (it's their tradition)

Saturday- leftovers probably