Monday, December 10, 2012

I'm stealing this

One of my aunties has a blog over here where she talks about life and the adoptions of their sweet kiddos. Lately, she has been sharing once a week (I think?) a list of things that she's thankful for...and I decided that I would steal her idea. So, here's the first edition.


  1. Snow
  2. Warm fleece blankets
  3. A washer and dryer in the house
  4. Food in my freezer
  5. Blogs that share information on what I'm interested in
  6. New babies all around me!
  7. Warm Christmasy drinks
  8. Family
  9. Baked goods
  10. Oreos
  11. Laughter throughout my house
  12. People who get up in the middle of the night to plow/put sand on the roads so that it's safer for me when I drive to work!
  13. Pictures of my little mister every few months


I'm hoping to remember to do this weekly, so that I can remember to count my blessings :)

Thursday, December 6, 2012

That was an interesting start to the day...

You know those days...when you wake up and then want to go straight back to bed, just so that you can start the day over? Yeah...that's today. Unfortunately, I'm not able to go back to bed, but I know that I can choose to start the day over in my own mind. Here's how it started:
-Woke up with an awful headache. I must have slept wrong, because it was all the way into my neck, and then kind of wrapped around.
-Walked downstairs and saw the pile of dishes...worst feeling ever.
-Got the little mister up, and breakfast into the oven (hey, that's a good thing, right?!)
-Played for a bit, and then decided that it was time to get Katie up and outside. Here's where things REALLY went wrong.
-Got my coat on, and had the leash in my hand, because we have to be very quick with her in the morning, otherwise she will go all over the floor.
-Walked into her room, and let her out. She TORE out of her kennel, and ran into the living room....but was quickly stopped when she tripped over a cord that's connected to Mike's x-box. This led to the x-box falling onto the floor, and on it's way down it knocked down all sorts of "junk" that we have sitting near the TV. She then ran around our Christmas tree...luckily that didn't fall over.
-Next, as I was quickly cleaning things up, I saw that she had peed all over the couch. AGAIN! I don't know what it is about our couch that makes her want to pee all over it, but COME ON!
-Then she laid in it.
-SO! I quickly ran her outside, came in and put her back into her kennel (poor girl...) so that I could clean up the mess. (Any good tips on cleaning a couch with this sort of mess?)
-In a little bit, I will need to get her out and give her a bath...

Good thing I'm not going to work today...seems like I have my work cut out for me right at home today! :s

Friday, November 30, 2012

A little project



When I was pregnant with my little mister, I was reading through the Karen Kingsbury, Baxter family series. A verse that kept coming up over and over was: Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I couldn't help think about this tiny life that I had growing inside of me, and how the Lord has a perfect plan for him. No one except for God knows this plan, and of course it will be scary at times, but I can put my faith in God, because he will not harm my child and promises to give him a beautiful life.
One day, I was thinking about how I would incorporate this verse into his nursery...the room is very small, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to write it on the wall. So instead, I chose to write it on his crib. Here's how it turned out.


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All I did was write the verse in pencil, that way I made sure that it fit and I liked how the writing looked. After that, I took a small paint brush and some paint that was close to the color of his room and traced over it. SO simple!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Tator Tot Hot Dish

Here is our house, we love comfort foods. You know, those foods that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Things that your mom used to make when it was cold outside...or Thanksgiving foods! I had completely forgotten about this post, until I saw it when I uploaded pictures! Today, I'm sharing my super simple, one pot meal...tator tot hotdish!

Here's what you need:
ground beef (1-2 lbs)
1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 bag of tator tots
1/4 C Butter (or oil)
1/4 C Flour
3-4 C chicken stock (you could also use beef!)


 See how yummy that looks?

First, you want to brown the hamburger in a cast iron skillet. Then, drain off the grease. Add in your butter, and let it melt. Then add in the flour. Stir this until it's combined and then let it cook for a minute or two longer. Next, slowly stir in the chicken broth, until you get the consistency that you like. Add in the frozen veggies. At this point, you may need to add in some more chicken stock, because the veggies will make the gravy thicken up a bit. After that, you can throw on the tator tots...OR you can arrange them in a nice, and pretty way like I did.


:) The design could also be because I have a small amount of OCD in me...

Now, I did not realize how the lighting was on EITHER of these pictures was until I put them on here...but I suppose they will still work! I love this recipe...mainly because it's so easy, and I don't have to use cream of anything soup. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Slump.

I've been in a slump-y mood when it comes to food lately. Mostly I just want to eat junk food, and baked goods, and carbs...but this week that is going to change! We're going to be finishing up our leftovers from Thanksgiving, and here's what I plan to eat this week:

Guacamole
fresh pineapple
hummus
quinoa for lunch AND breakfast!
kiwi
apples
carrots with dip
homemade yogurt
chicken tacos, loaded with veggies
salads
bean and cheese, whole wheat quesadillas (I'm totally going to make my own tortillas...I will fill you in later!)
Roasted chickpeas
bananas
sweet potatoes
squash
and a few bags of frozen veggies

I'm working on planning my weekly meal list...throw some suggestions my way!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Busy couple of months...

I'm back! It's been a busy couple of months here. Since the last time I was on we've:
-moved
-gotten sick
-bought a puppy!
-had birthdays
-been tired
-worked at my new job
-has "regulars" at work!
-become slightly addicted to starbucks/caffeine
        (these last four...can you tell I started at Starbucks?)
-started making Christmas decorations!
-"scolded" friends about putting their Christmas decorations out already....before Thanksgiving!)
-watched The Office
-done regular household duties
-changed diapers
-washed clothes
-gotten used to getting up early! (Ok, well...sort of.)

Here's a picture of our sweet Katie

It's been a busy couple of months, but we're loving life. Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Life

Life has been busy lately! We celebrated our little guy's first birthday, and now that he's one he seems a lot older. Since he started crawling, he has slimmed down a bit, and his chubby cheeks aren't quite as chubby! I started a new job, I'm now a barista at Starbucks. I'm learning how to make all of the drinks, and am finally making them for customers! It's actually a little more nerve wracking than I thought! I've been doing a little bit of organizing...more on that later! And I'm trying to figure out how I want to decorate our little mister's room. I've been thinking about Fall lately, and I can hardly wait to start making fall-ish foods. You know, anything with pumpkin, apples, squash...etc. I have a whole board on pinterest dedicated just to fall! Not only do I have the itch to bake, I also want to start decorating. Again, I've looked to pinterest for ideas, since I'm not very creative on my own. What did I ever do without that site?? I hope you are all enjoying this weather!

Getting messy at a birthday party!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Birthday Boy!

Our little mister is ONE today! I don't know how that happened so quickly, but it did. I told myself for awhile that I was not going to allow him to have a birthday this year...maybe next year. Just to keep him a baby for a little while longer. Unfortunately, that's not how it goes, and here it is. His first birthday!
Here's how were going to celebrate:

Pancakes for breakfast, with a candle of course!
Snuggle time with mommy
Opening a present
Watching a favorite show
Looking at pictures of this past year
Looking through his baby book, and his "box" of things that I've kept.
Eating dinner together
Having dessert. I will even let him have a few bites!

We have to celebrate a little less, because our little mister is sick. But, it's a celebration nonetheless! I'm looking forward to remembering this past year, even though I'm a bit sad too. I'm guessing that this will happen with every birthday to come.

My brand new little guy!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Doubletree Chocolate chip cookies

A few weeks ago, I stayed at the Doubletree hotel with some friends and all of the girls in my family! It was so nice to get away, and to relax and to catch up with some old friends. On top of that, I had, for the first time, one of Doubletrees famous chocolate chip walnut cookies. They were awesome! At the front desk, the attendant pulled them out of a cupboard that kept them nice and warm...and so gooey. So, I had to look up the recipe. Guess what! I found it! I made them up right away, and they were almost exactly like the real thing! This is the recipe that I found. I changed it up, just a TEENY tiny bit.
 

Here's the recipe:
1/2 cup oats (the original recipe says to grind it up, but I didn't do that.)
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 sticks of butter, softened. (I was a little bit short on butter, so I cut mine back by a few tablespoons.  It didn't affect the recipe at all)
3/4 c brown sugar
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice (I didn't measure, just poured. I don't know what in the world this small of an amount of lemon juice would do.)
2 eggs
1 bag of chocolate chips
1/2 cup of walnuts, chopped

Mix together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. Cream together butter and sugars, for a few minutes so that it gets light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and lemon juice. mix together. Slowly add in the flour mixture, and beat just until mixed. Add in the chocolate chips and the walnuts. Drop about 1/4 cup of dough onto a cookie sheet (I didn't measure here either). Put the dough about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes, just until golden on top.
Please, please, PLEASE eat these warm with a glass of milk. You will not be disappointed! 

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Pinterest

Are you guys addicted to pinterest yet? I have been since....about December. There are SO MANY good ideas on there, and I would love to try them all. I wish I had time to try everything, but I doubt that I ever will! Anyway, here is what I've been pinning lately.

drink this daily and watch the pounds come off without fuss.  The recipe is two handfuls of baby spinach, 1 apple, 1 bananas, 1 cup of yogurt, 5 strawberries, 1/2 orange. Blend well and enjoy! I love green smoothies!!! This will give you tons of energy!A green smoothie. Full of fruit, and spinach!                                    

Pumpkin pie oatmeal! Pumpkin pie oatmeal. Yuuuumm!                                                      

chili bar--brilliant for a Fall party A chili bar. This looks so warm and so inviting. I think I will need to have a party, just so that I can do this!

LOVE LOVE LOVE How beautiful is this? Even Mike said that he liked it!

Anyway, there are hundreds of other ideas and pins that I would love to put up. More coming soon!
Follow me on pinterest, here!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

A new chapter

I'll be starting a new chapter in my life next month! On top of being a full time mommy and wife, I will now have a part time job! I will be a barista at Starbucks in our grocery store! I'm very excited to learn how to make my favorite drinks (Green tea frappuccino with a shot of coconut, and a peppermint mocha) and all of the different drinks. Of course I'm a little bit nervous...there are so many different things to learn! I'm also a little bit worried that I will wake up late (I have to be there at 5:30 in the morning!!), and I'm wondering how my little mister will do when he realizes that his mommy isn't here when he wakes up. It will be nice though to bring in some extra money every month :)
Wish me luck!

Monday, August 13, 2012

I've been working on something...

Lately, I've been wanting to teach myself how to take good pictures. I always see photos that people have taken that are just beautiful...and I want to be able to do that! I don't want to make a career out of it or anything, but I would love to be able to take professional quality pictures of my family. So, here is a preview:

 Take one
(Yikes!!)
 Take two
(Not much better...)
 Take three
(I really like this one, but next time, I will crop the towel...)
Take four
 (Look how long his legs look! Oops! And, poor little guy couldn't open his eyes because the sun was too bright!)

So...it's a work in progress, but hey, it's my first try! I guess I will have to keep trying. Thank goodness for digital cameras!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Thinking back...

Hey Sweet baby,


Remember this day, when we brought you home?

How can you be eleven months old already? How can we be planning and getting ready for your first birthday? As I was washing the dishes today, I was trying to think back, and to remember everything that I could from the previous months. I am so, so sad that I can't remember as much as I would like to. This first year has gone by so fast, and it's almost a blur. Here are the things that I do remember:

-Holding you in my arms for the first time, and not seeing anything going on around me. Only you
-Watching everyone in the hospital holding you, and only wanting you back in my arms.
-Holding you that entire first night, while we both tried to get some sleep. I can only imagine what this new world felt like to you.
-Carefully dressing you in your going home outfit, and placing you in your car seat. You looked so tiny in there.
-Sitting in the back seat with you, and holding your head up for you. 
-Introducing you to Snoop for the first time. My two sweet boys together!
-Showing you off to everyone I knew, and watching everyone "ooh and aah" over you
-Your first bath.
-Changing the sheets in the middle of the night, because you peed ALL over them!
-Waking up at night, and shooting out of bed, just to look at you and to make sure that you were ok. (Remember one of the first nights when you slept for 5 hours in a row? I've never felt fear like that before!)
-Watching you do all of your firsts: eating baby food, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, smiling and laughing.
-Teaching you lots of new things 
-You doing funny things to make mommy laugh
-Dancing with you. You love that.
-Leaving you for the first time, and noticing how I didn't feel whole. I still feel that way every time I leave you,

Baby boy, there are so many things that I am trying to remember. And don't worry if every once in awhile as your birthday is approaching, if you catch mommy watching you, or if you see mommy cry a little. It's just me remembering, and  wondering where in the world the time has gone. I love you so much sweet boy.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

What we've been doing...

Here's what we've been doing so far this week:

- eating blueberries- my little mister can't get ENOUGH!
- making my freezer cooking menu for this month
- cleaning out the freezer...and making room for new things!
- hanging the sheets on the line to dry. There is nothing like the smell of clean, dried outside sheets!
- eating a taco salad- recipe coming next week!
- getting a new job at Starbucks!
- practicing with our camera a little bit...just so that I get a little better!
- Standing up at the window and checking things out

Of course we're doing daily things like picking up toys, and washing the dishes too!


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Breakfast for supper

Awhile ago, I found this recipe on pinterest. It really looked delicious, minus the kale. I have tried kale a few times, and it's just too peppery, and too strong flavored. I really wanted to try this though, and I had fresh broccoli on hand, so I decided to sub the broccoli in for kale.

So, here's what you do:

Take one head of broccoli, and a few grape tomatoes (sliced!) and saute them in a cast iron pan with a little bit of oil. Let them go until the broccoli is bright green. Next, pour in some milk, and add the feta.


 Then, you're going to make room for about 4 eggs, and then crack them into the open spaces.






Last, you're going to pop it into the oven, until the eggs are done to your liking!



**A few notes/tips:
1. This does not smell very good...with the broccoli AND feta in there, it kind of smells like feet. If you can get over that...you will LOVE this!
2. It is hard to tell how done your eggs are. I cooked mine a bit too long, and the yolk was hard.

Recipe:
a splash of oil
1-2 heads of broccoli, depending on how large they are
10-12 grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 Cup of feta cheese
1/4 cup of milk
salt and pepper
4 eggs

Pour a little bit of oil into the pan, and saute the tomatoes and broccoli, just until the broccoli is bright green. Add the milk, and stir that around. Next, add in the fate cheese, and stir just until it's melted. Make 4 holes for the eggs, and crack them into the holes. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

We haven't made this since the first time, but I think it will for sure be going back onto our menu next month!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Dessert

A few weeks back, we went to my parents' house for some grilling, and a fire. Of course we had the usual, chicken, hot dogs and such...but for dessert (ok, other than s'mores) I made grilled peaches. My original thought was that this would be nice and healthy, and a light dessert. That was until my mom came out of the house with her pampered chef caramel sugary stuff. So...we stuck the peach halves on the grill, and sprinkled them with some of the caramel sugar. They took a lot longer than I thought they would, over medium heat. So, we messed with the heat off and on, and eventually they were done. Then...we decided to top them with marshmallows, and to let them melt on the grill for a few minutes. Here's what we ended up with:

2012-06-24_21-05-39_226.jpg

Enjoy!


Friday, July 27, 2012

Freezer cooking class

Remember this post? Well guess what! I'm going to be teaching a freezer cooking class through our county's community ed department! I'm so excited! I got a book off of Amazon a few months ago, that I'm excited to REALLY look through and see what tips they share. I'm also going to be sharing the recipe for many different recipes, and will be talking about the websites that I've used. I will definitely be posting ideas on here so that you guys can tell me what works and what doesn't. :)

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Steamed salmon for lunch!

When I was at the grocery store the other day, I grabbed some frozen salmon for my little mister to try. I wasn't sure how to cook it, so I looked around online, and decided that the easiest way would be to steam it in a parchment packet in the oven. So here's what I did (the pictures are TERRIBLE quality...they're from my phone. Bear with me, please!)
2012-07-24_13-15-21_886.jpg 
Take your salmon, and put it onto a parchment sheet. I'm sure you could use tin foil too if that's what you have! Add seasonings...I used olive oil, a few sprinkles of dill, and a little bit of lemon pepper. Add a small amount of water...this is what steams it! (I think I added about a Tablespoon)

Next....

2012-07-24_13-16-33_575.jpg 
Wrap the edges. Make sure that they're wrapped nice and tight, so that the steam doesn't escape!
Pop it into the oven at 425 degrees for about ten minutes. I promise you, it will come out nice and flaky and beautiful!

The last thing you want to do is....
2012-07-24_13-46-37_731.jpg 
Give it to your baby and let him enjoy it! My little mister LOVED it! He couldn't get enough...and it's nice that I've had some leftover for the past 2 days, so he can eat it for lunch. You can also give it to your cat...Snoop enjoyed a few bites too!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Book review

I've been hooked on a series since last summer when I was pregnant. I was a nanny and had a little bit of down time each day, so I decided that it was finally time to start this series that my mom had told me about. I was a bit leery, because they were christian books, and I was just worried that they were going to be really cheesy. But! One morning, I went to the library and picked up the first book.

 
First book in the series- Redemption

I was hooked. Karen Kingsbury has such a gift for writing. She truly knows how to capture your heart, and keep you locked into the lives of the readers. She also portrays Christianity so well. She shows that Christians are not perfect, and that we fall just like everyone else. The books are about the Baxter family, and how they live and how they struggle during their lives.  I don't want to tell you much about the books, because I don't want to accidentally give anything away.If you haven't started reading yet, please do.

I hope to start an online book club with these books in the future...maybe this winter.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Letters for the future



Hey little boy,
You are almost eleven months and are growing like a weed. You've been sleeping great lately, which is nice for mommy...since it had been a LONG time since I had slept all night. I still wake up in the middle of the night, and run down to your room...just so that I can make sure that you're still breathing! I think it helps that we have the ceiling fan running in your room at night. That, and you have been taking shorter naps during the day...and staying up later at night! You've been kind of a little stinker lately...and have learned how to throw a tantrum! When I catch you climbing under the computer desk, reaching for all of the cords, you like to scream and throw yourself back. You've even started scratching me! Somedays, I like to tell you that you're lucky that you're cute. You also like to attack Snoop. Poor guy will be in the middle of a nice long nap, and then BAM! He has chubby, little fingers in his eyes. Boy do you love him though. Mommy has been trying new foods and new textures with you lately, and you are very willing to try them! Sometimes if it's something that you're unsure about, you will shiver a little bit before you swallow. You're doing so many cute things right now, and everyday I'm more and more thankful for you.
Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy





Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Things that I want to learn

There are many things that I would love to learn. The list includes:
-Patience-I've been working on this for awhile. I do feel like I'm making progress in some areas though!
-How to can fresh produce-I will be posting on this in the next few weeks!
-How to sew- I'm going to be borrowing my mom's sewing machine, and I can hardly wait!
-Which verses to memorize from the Bible- I hope to start this very soon.
-How to make my own laundry soap
-How to make up my own recipes- maybe someday.

This is just a start. There are soo many other things that I need to/want to learn. I will let you all know how my adventures turn out in the next few weeks!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Slumping.



I'm in a slump lately. I haven't been too creative (ok...am I ever THAT crTeative??) I'm not sure what it is, but I've just been too....blah...to write lately! I'm hoping to be back more this week!
 
 This is me lately! (Minus the curlers)

**On another note- The Men Tell All on the bachelorette tonight. Is anyone as excited as I am???

Monday, June 18, 2012

Happy Father's Day!

After a crazy, busy day yesterday I did not have time to post. But I want to send out a special thank you to my husband on his first father's day! You have made me the happiest girl in the world, and I am so blessed that I have you. I know that because of you, our little mister will know exactly what it means to be a man, a husband and and a daddy. Thank you for getting up with him in the middle of the night, and for changing poopy diapers. You mean so much to us! (And Snoop too!) We love you!



Friday, June 8, 2012

High Five for Friday!

I'm linking up again with Lauren at From My Grey Desk for High Five for Friday!

Here are my top 5 things from this week:

1. Little mister had a dr appt this morning, and he is growing like a weed and is right on track with everything! He was of course flirting with the nurses, and giving them all of his biggest smiles.

2. This apple pie dip. I'm eating it as I'm typing this. If you haven't tried it....you must. This weekend. Or right now!

3. The weather. It has been in the 80's all week, and I'm loving it!

4. Banana spice cookies from a favorite blog. I'm getting the ingredients tonight so that I can make them tomorrow! No sugar, and no flour!

5. I found out that I am not a procrastinator anymore. I've been working ahead on my homework for the past few weeks, so that I can enjoy the weekends!

Happy Friday everyone, have a great weekend!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

We have a new friend!

We have a new friend living in our backyard. On Monday, I thought I saw a snake in the backyard...all I saw was his little head, and some stripes on the back. So...for the past three days I have been feeling so creepy crawly...like I have something crawling (or slithering!!) on me. Ugh. I am so scared and grossed out by snakes, so I've been trying not to think about it. Today though, I wanted to check out my garden, and needed to see if I needed to water it or not. So, my younger sister and I went into the back...very carefully and slowly! I was looking at our steps, where I saw it the first time when...I see this cute little gopher sitting on our steps! Turns out we do NOT have a snake, but a little cutie, who I am still a little afraid of. I'm hoping to get some pictures this week, and then you can see for yourself. Hopefully he doesn't eat my plants...but other than that I don't mind having him around at all!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Hey Cutie!


Hey Cutie!
Look how cute you are in your shorts. I'm loving your chubby legs...and cheeks...and your big baby belly! You are so stinking cute, and I'm pretty sure you know it. You are so smiley and happy, and you have the cutest "fake" laugh. Snoop likes to come up to you and lick your sweaty head when you're eating, and boy do you love him! You are pulling yourself up on EVERYTHING lately, and I wish you would just slow down a little bit. You're going to be grown up before I know it. Oh! And, you looove giving big, sloppy kisses. That's probably my favorite thing that you're doing right now.
Love you!
Mommy

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Things

Things I'm doing this week:
1.Homework! I'm taking three science classes this summer, and one on medical terminology. Not my idea of the perfect summer, but hopefully this means I will finish school sooner!
2. Being sneaky with some foods I'm trying. I will post about them later...for now, here's a preview.
 
Pic from here

3. Cleaning. After a long weekend filled with many family events, my house is a wreck. 
4. Eating out of our freezer! I'm trying not to go to the grocery store this week, so I'm pulling things out of there. Tonight, it's lasagna.
5. Watching my little mister digging things out of his toy box, one by one!
6. Going to a wedding on Friday, and a grad party on Saturday. Oh yeah, and we get to stay in a hotel!
7. Eating carrots. I've never been a big fan of carrots...until now! I just dip them in ranch, and I'm happy. 
8. Making homemade wheat thins...recipe from here
9. Drinking water. I did not drink enough water this weekend, and I'm trying to catch up.
10. Researching healthy treats. I'm always looking for ways to make things healthier...including baked goods!
So there are my 10 things that I'm doing this week. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow!

**Update** Didn't care too much for the cookie dough. So much for making it healthy!