My internet has been down lately hence the no posts. I'm writing this one from the comfort of my MILs house. I've been doing a lot of getting ready for Sunday...making a list of what I'm bringing to Easter dinner, making a list of what I need to make those items, making some Easter gifts (hey, look at that! I'm finally being crafty! lol!), and gathering up items for the childrens Easter buckets (they get a new sand pail). I've also been doing a bit more for the challenge. Most recently I cleaned up a bit more in my kitchen. It had been great, but a new acquisition from the thrift store meant some rearranging was in order. What did I get? A complete, 20 volume set of the Grand Diplome Cooking Course. Here's a description I got from a listing:

Grand Diplome Cooking course, Danbury Press, 20 volumes including index volume (complete), fine condition. Originally published by Purnell Cookery under the auspices of Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School, Paris. Published in 1972. Detailed instructions and recipes. Excellent condition, no stains/tears and appear never to have been opened!! This set is THE set to have to become the top notched chef in your own kitchen or restaurant!
THIS IS A SET OF 20 GRAND DIPLOME COOKING COURSE BOOKS BY DANBURY PRESS ALL FROM THE 1970'S. ALL RECIPES HAVE BEEN TESTED AT THE CORDON BLEU COOKERY SCHOOL IN LONDON OR IN THE U.S. TEST KITCHEN. ALL RECIPE QUANTITIES SERVE 4 PEOPLE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. THEY ALL HAVE BEAUTIFUL COLOR PHOTOS. THESE COURSES COVER ROASTING: BOILING AND STEAMING; BONING, CUTTING UP AND CARVING POULTRY; POT ROASTING; FRYING, BROILING; SAUTEING; CASSEROLE COOKING; HOW TO MAKE PATES AND TERRINES; STEWING BRAISING AND MARINATING; PREPARING AND CARVING MEAT; SLOW AND SPIT ROASTING; PREPARING AND COOKING GAME; ADVANCED ENTREES; SAUSAGES; RECHAUFFEES; DEALING WITH VARIETY MEATS; MAKING GALANTINES, AND CHAUDFROIDS. MAKING STOCKS, SOUPS, BASIC BROWN, WHITE, BUTTER- AND SWEET- SAUCES; COOKING WITH MILK. RICE, CHOCOLATE, NUTS, CHEESE, PASTA, DRIED VEGETABLES, AND WINE. COOKING WITH EGGS, MAKING OMELETS, ROULADES, HOT AND COLD SOUFFLES, WAFFLES, CREPES, AND PANCAKES. PREPARING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES; SEASONAL SALADS, SIDE DISHES, APPETIZERS AND HOR D'OEUVRE; POACHING FRUIT, MAKING SAVORY MOLDS, CLEARED AND UNCLEARED GELATINS AND ASPICS; PRESERVING JAMS, JELLIES, PICKLES AND RELISHES; HOMEMADE VINEGARS; AND USING HERBS AND SPICES. SHELLFISH, RICH FISH, AND WHITE FISH- ELEMENTARY AND ADVANCED DISHES. MAKING PASTRY: FLAKY, PIE, ROUGH PUFF AND CHOUX, FLANS, PIES, CAKES BOTH PLAIN AND FESTIVE. FRENCH AND OTHER CONTINENTAL PATISSERIES AND GATEAUX. ENGLISH CAKES, HOME-BAKED BREAD, BISCUITS, MERINGUES, SPONGE CAKES, COOKIES, COFFEE CAKES; PETIT FOURS, HOMEMADE CANDIES, MAKING SHERBET, AND ICECREAM, FRAPPES, GRANITES AND ICED DESSERTS. SPECIAL OCCASION MENUS, MEMU PLANNING AND CATERING FOR PARTIES OF ALL SIZES, ALL AGES, FROM A TEENAGER CELEBRATION TO A GOLDEN WEDDING BUFFET. PLANNING VACATION COOKING AND FOREIGN FOODS FOR SUMMER. RUSSIAN COOKING; ITALIAN COOKING, GERMAN COOKING; ENGLISH REGIONAL DISHES; SCANDINAVIAN COOKING, JEWISH COOKING; MEXICAN; MIDDLE EASTERN, JAPANESE AND CHINESE COOKING; INDIAN AND PAKISTANI DISHES, TROPICAL COOKING AND FRENCH HAUTE CUISINE.

I'm quite excited about this find! They are awesome!

On another note, I also purchased a large quantity of patterns. They were bagged up so I didn't know what was in there until after I purchased them. A good amount of them are maternity patterns. If you'd like them, let me know and they are yours!

Easter Sunday dinner will be at my ILs. I'm bringing deviled eggs, broccoli casserole, Oreo refrigerator cake, and Jenn's (that's me) Scrumptious Strawberry Shortcake Trifle.

Happy St.Patrick's Day!

I had a post already thought out. It was in my head. Every word that I was going to type eloquently into my post. And no that I've sat down after a very busy day (ha!) I can't remember a single thing. Such is life.

I had a fairly lazy day today. I managed to make some of these. I'm going to give them to a few special people on Monday, along with some mini pistachio cupcakes. Stay tuned for pictures! The idea for the cards comes from one of my new favorite blogs. Kelli is a girl after my own heart with her seasonal craftiness!

Dining Room is done! Even after spending a good portion of the day at the dr's for poor little Miss A who has an ear infection. Luckily there wasn't too much to do:

-dusted

-cleared off my sewing cabinet

-cleared of my desk

-scrubbed the table really well

-gave all the real wood a rub down with Old English

-vacuumed

Today was a long day. And I do mean long. Miss A (my three year old) had preschool this morning. Now usually my two oldest ride with a friend to school. However this morning, Miss R (7) was dragging her toes most magnificently. Procrastinating about procrastinating. By the time all four children were ready to go out the door it was past time for us to be at said friends house. So I called her and said, I'm just going to take them. Okay, sure, fine, no problem. Get to school (on time), get them to their classes and Miss A announces she needs to go to the bathroom. Take her to the bathroom and just as we are going in, I run into my friend who offers to pick the brats children after school, she just needs to get the carpool number and booster seats. I finish with Miss A, get to the car and get them buckled in and meet my friend, Patty, at her car. Get everything there taken care of. Already late getting Miss A to school. Decide to be a bit later and talk to Patty for a bit. Take off and walk Miss A in as we missed carpool. Mr H (2) lost one of his Thomas the Tank Engine trains as we walked. Luckily he didn't notice. Talked to Miss A's teacher about the Easter egg hunt they will be doing next week (I'm the room parent). Walk back to the van, finding the train along the way, get Mr H into his seat and talk with MIL a bit while on the way to Target. She met me there and we did a bit of shopping. Then it was back to get Miss A. Once home it was kind of a blur. I think I was going to clean but got sidetracked by blogs and what not. Then the older two were home and I made dinner, got on them to get homework done and then it was off to soccer practice for Mr P(6). I had Miss R with me too. After soccer practice we joined up with my mom and did a bit of shopping, pulling into home around 7:30. After a brief period where they watched tv and I, well, lets just say I was indisposed but now feel about 20 pounds lighter, it was time for bed. Now that's done, they are tucked n. I'm going to finish up this post, get myself a glass of ginger ale with some cherries in it, and enjoy an hour of my guilty pleasure before turning in myself! Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!

Almost forgot!

today's post! Continuing on with the Spring Clean, today I did my living room. Here's what was done in there:

Culled old books

Culled all videos

Cleaned out the art supply/toy cabinet

Fixed Miss A's kitchen

Cleaned under the couch and chairs

Rubbed all the real wood down with some Old English

Everything has recently been dusted and all the glass has recently been cleaned, so I didn't bother with that. My MIL is going to let me borrow her steam cleaner next week and I'm going to do carpets then.

I'm saving all the pictures until after the Spring Clean is done and I will take you on a virtual tour of my clean home! I know you are just giddy with anticipation!