They Are Multiplying...

So, ummm, yeah. I have SEVEN Coffee-mate Creamers in my fridge right now.

SEVEN.

And I am the only one who drinks coffee at our house. I can explain... it is a tale of thriftyness and obsession.

First of all, I found that making boring brewed coffee with flavored creamer in it takes WAY less time than pulling 2 shots (OK, 4) and steaming milk for a daily AM mocha. Being that I am kinda busy in the morning with Jude, I needed to switch to brewed coffee.

My dear sister got me hooked on flavored creamers. Usually I am a boring French Vanilla kind of gal, but then Hazelnut caught my taste buds. A whole new world of flavors was opened to me.

Naturally, when fun seasonal flavors turn up in the dairy case I get excited.

I tried Pumpkin Spice hoping to mimic Starbucks autumny Pumpkin spice latte, but no go. I must admit that it was International Delight, not Coffee-mate...I know, how dare I shun my brand of choice... I hang my head in shame.

For Christmastime I tried Eggnog (one of the current seven), Gingerbread latte, and my favorite...Peppermint Mocha. As most people know, Peppermint Mochas are my Starbucks drink of choice. I spotted the holiday peppermint mocha creamer in Safeway, and looked at it with stars in my eyes and declared my undying devotion.

During the entire month of December, my heart beat a bit faster just walking by the dairy case. Would they run out of my beloved creamer? Would today be the last day it was available? What if they don't have it the next time I'm here? I started buying 2 at a time, thinking surely that it was the last time I'd see them and I'd better be stocked up.

So.... last week I walk in to Safeway, grocery list in hand, Jude in grocery cart. My creamers are in the entry-way dairy case ON SALE. No, wait... Not on SALE, on CLEARANCE. The axe has fallen my friends, the holiday season is officially over in the creamer world. They were $2.09 each, and they are regularly about 4 bucks each. Also, notice on the picture above the little extra 75 cent off coupons? Some creamers had one sticker and some had 2.

In total I bought 4 Peppermint Mocha creamers for a total of $3.86. Yes, that is super thrifty.

I also already had 2 creamers in the fridge from the last week I was in Safeway and stocked up, and the 1 Eggnog in the back that was being shunned (sorry to say NOT my favorite), so a total of seven creamers in the fridge.

My dear friend Maria came over Sunday night and opened the fridge door and bust out laughing. I HAD to explain why I had seven creamers lined up in the fridge.

Also, notice the Starbucks Peppermint Syrup next to the creamers? It is good. My sis gave it to me for Christmas.

Then, she gave me some more....



What? I'm not obsessed!

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Sticks to yer ribs..

Being that it was a cold and snowy morning here in Seattle, I decided to make a warm yummy something for lunch. After searching around I found a recipe for Baked Oatmeal in one of my tried and true cookbooks from the family...



These cookbooks are treasures. They contain all the favorite recipes from my Mom's side of the family. They are usually easy to understand, easy to prepare, and especially easy to consume.

There is a section of recipes from my Great Grandma Malena with things like Stroopwafels, Ice Box Cookies, Dutch Apple Pie, and good old Fried Chicken.

Another interesting section is Dutch Recipes. I must admit I haven't tried many of them, being as I can't pronounce most of them without Grandma K's help. Try it for yourself:
- Advokaat

- Vet Bollen
- Banket
- Boter-Koek
- Gevulda Speculaas
- Taai-Taai
- Rogge Brood
- Balken Brei

Well? Howd ya do?
So, I'm a-thinking I need to attack some of these recipes soon to preserve them. I don't want Jude to grow up never having tasted the yummyness of Banket with sprinkles at Christmastime.

Baked Oatmeal
Preheat Oven to 350. Mix together:
1/2 C. Oil
1/2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs

Add:
2 C. Oatmeal
1 C. Milk
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix well and bake in a 9x9 pan for about 40 min.
(Original recipe Uncle Orlin & Aunt Judy H)

I (of course) tweaked the recipe a bit, the posted recipe includes my tweaks.



Mmmmmm....yummy. Notice how uneven it is? I may have taken a fork to it after the little one was in bed and couldn't witness his Mama eating it right from the pan.

So, being that it tasted so good, I tweaked it again and came up with this:




I didn't add the spices this time, and instead added dried cranberries, raisins and chopped dried apricots and prunes. We'll see what Jude thinks of this tomorrow for breakfast.

A

How I Order at Starbucks

First, I decide I want (I mean NEED) a Starbucks addition to my day. Usually I need a Starbucks addition when I am out & about, shopping or running errands, and usually with friends or family. I prefer to consume coffee with those who will support and encourage me in all of my endeavors.

Where I live I happen to have 3 Starbucks in my backyard. Options are always nice.

The main one is usually quite busy, being that it is a 24 hour store. It is comforting to know I could pop in there any time of day or night for a jolt. Because I HAVE been known to be up and about at all hours of the night. Ok, I’ve been there once after 11pm with my Mom to sit and chat. Wild and crazy, that’s me. Students usually have that place crowded and tend to stare a bit at a non-college Mommy with a SUV stroller.

Starbucks #2 is in Barnes & Noble in their Mezzanine section. I have never been to this one, although I could see using it in the future if Mama just NEEDS. A. BREAK.

Starbucks #3 is a smaller store and is usually my store of choice. It is stroller friendly, and they remember Jude’s name, and my order (is that a BAD thing? I mean, that they remember me? Am I THAT notorious?) I did have to avoid it for a good 3 months while I waited for a new barista to be trained. I deferred to Starbucks #1 during that time of leave. I can report the aforementioned barista is now an excellent maker of mochas.

I happen to have a rather complicated order. It varies day to day, depending on how busy the store is, how crabby I am, or who I'm with (I don't want to scare them). My preferred order is:

Venti (Decaf after 2pm) 2%, 6 pump chocolate, 3 pump Peppermint (yes, year round) no whip, extra hot, well stirred Mocha…..Please.

Yum.

I also try to smile REALLY big while I order, and sometimes I say that I am just testing them.

But hey, it’s an expensive drink, I should get what I want. It is pretty sad that all of the little squares on the cup/sleeve are filled in AND they have to write on the cup as well. I used to give a specific degree, but I thought it was pushing it a leetle too far.

At least I'm not like SOMEONE I KNOW who happens to ask for a specific number of ice chips in her iced mocha drink :) Yeah, you know who you are, and I KNOW you read my blog :)

So, what about everyone else? What's your order?


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Mug shot

Ok, so the "about me" picture is the best I can do! In the last year, the only picture I have by myself is this one. I snapped this one while lying on the floor testing settings to make sure they were correct for pics of Jude. Priorities, I know. One eye is closed, my hair is pathetic and I'm pretty sure I have no makeup on. Also note the cameo appearance of bath buddy duck complete with duck slippers. I don't have slippers of humans, I think it's kinda weird...

Anyway, I guess I have to get some better pics, because this one leaves much to be desired. Do you have a good, very flattering pic of me? Send it my way.

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