Monday, January 31, 2011

Yummy Tuesday Lunch

Thought I would post this now since the little one is asleep and I'm watching tv.


Our lunch tomorrow with a simple green salad and there may or may not be chicken nuggets involved. Depends on HG. And maybe a red velvet bundt cake.

Broiled Tomatoes Parmesan


2 large ripe tomatoes, cut into thirds
1/4 C grated parm cheese
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 c minced green onions, white part only
2 Tbsp. minced parsley

Preheat broiler. Places tomatoes on broiler pan. Combine cheese, mayo, green onions and parsley. Blend well. Gently spread mixture about a 1/4 of an inch thick on tomatoes.
Once again, YUM -O!

Our day in pictures

Our Michael's finds today.
A coupon holder and grocery list.
Note cards.
The perfect little recipe holder for Brooke's birthday and a get a grip can opener.
Kendall's pamper gift I am gathering.
HG's crafts.
Recipe cards for $1.


I love this perfume from Anthropologie. Actually, I love most of their perfumes. And they are decent priced. I snuck out at 8:30 on the day of my birthday and purchased this. The bottles alone are worth the purchase. Our nightmare of a storage unit. You don't want to know how long we have been living out of it. 20 months. 20 months for real.


She loves that little jeep!


Best sticker gift ever. Ever! There is room to stick the stickers in the book. We have one in the car and one in her room. My MIL buys these and they rock. Seriously, hours of fun!



Bath time was quite the challenge tonight.


See how sleepy she was?



Dance Party Monday!
She can now turn on the water. And make waves. And flood the floor.



Our day was good.
HG slept until 1045 and I touched her twice to make sure she was alive. Poor thing was worn out.
She refused to eat breakfast. Refused lunch. Ate popcorn, had a snack and pigged out on dinner.
Off to Target we went to get out of the house.
Target was giving away this. Pretty good except it wasn't skinny so I had a belly ache all afternoon. HG got whipped cream. Not so good in the car.
Next up was Michael's where are deals are above. I love Michael's but their bead selection was terrible today and their iron on's. Yep, I'm a total dork.
Dance party, movie, chicken and dumplings, a wild bath and bed at 7:30.
I have been catching up with my super sweet friend, Denise, working on Brooke's gift, researching for Chris and stuffing my face.
Why must medicine make you starve? Why must it make you gain 10 pounds in one single month?
I ran 2 miles today. I can't handle it, I HAD to do something. I'd gain 50 if I had to because the end result is no comparison to what I weigh. It is still hard though. What do you wear in the "in between stage"? tears.
And I enter another cookie in my mouth. Female hormones suck. If you haven't taken them, consider yourself lucky. I am not talking about birth control. Hopefully sooner than later I can stop. Praying for a miracle. I has been a long, heart breaking year. I'm knocking their socks of this year though!
Still wondering about school tomorrow. I have Eat Love Pray to watch and we are tackling HG's toys.
Stay warm!




Easy Chicken & Dumplings

With Chris out of town, we enjoyed a not so favorite meal of his. HG kept telling me it was the best ever. She is a sucker for pastas and soups.


I love fat kid food on a cold winter night.

Your shopping list:
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 C sliced fresh carrots
2 cans chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
pepper, salt
3 C cubed cooked chicken (I assume canned chicken would be okay if that is all you have!)
1 2/3 C biscuit mix (I like Bisquick)
2/3 C milk

I used my dutch oven on the stove to cook this tonight. First, I sprayed the dutch oven and added the carrots and celery. Cook until tender. Next, I added the broth and the seasonings, brought to a boil and then simmered uncovered while adding the cooked chicken.

You can either buy the frozen dumplings or make your own. I used Bisquick tonight and stirred in the milk. I dropped by spoonfuls into the simmer broth, covered and let simmer another 15 minutes. I don't like opening the lid while the dumplings are simmering, just a me rule!

So easy, a pretty dang tasty meal. We add biscuits and Tabasco to ours. Yes, carb over load but it is good.

Microwave Bread & Butter Pickles

We're pickle freaks in this house. Two are. One, not so much.

Great recipe and super easy.

Must try if you like bread & butter pickles. I like 'em hot!


2 C sliced cucumbers
1 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 celery seeds
1 onion-sliced
1/2 C white vinegar
1/2 tsp mustard seed
1/4 tsp tumeric

For hot pickles add:
1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
1/8 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic

In a 2 quart microwave safe glass bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and microwave on high for 8 minutes, stirring once at 4 minutes. Place in a glass jar and refrigerate.


I love recipes from my grandmothers!
Stay tuned for great soup ideas during the cold winter. The hubby isn't a big soup fan but the little one and I love it! Warms the soul.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Consignment steals & nice surprises

A perfect little I'm 3 embroidered shirt.
Perfect little lady bug dress (I bet you can't guess who picked it out).
A perfect pair of Old Navy Shorts.
A perfect Dress OshKosk sun dress.
A perfect pillow case dress. We hope to master this.
A very perfect smocked Mickey Mouse dress.

A super awesome gift from my brother and sister in law.
It was such a nice Sunday surprise when I checked the mail. I
love the necklace and the W notebook is just perfect!!
In our crazy life, I am always needing to write stuff down.
Chris made his flight. I'm sure he is getting close to Charlotte just to catch another flight.
HG and I went to Redbox. And Arby's. Fat Kid food.
We wrote thank you cards. She drew some pretty funny pictures. Or random. A spider. A pig. A mouth. A Santa hat. A Popsicle. Told you random.
Have you seen the weather for the week? It needs to stay cold or remain warm. I don't care, just pick one.
Guess we won't be playing with Kristen, Debbie and the puppy on Tuesday night. Big bummer!
We changed the date on the trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.
1. Because it went from less than $300 to $699 for our room. No thank you!
2. We don't want to go during Spring breaks the first part of March.
3. Thomas the Train is coming to Grapevine so we are doing the ride in the morning and the water park after that. Whoo hoo!
4. More families have the option to join if they would like.

Weekend Wrap up

My MIL & FIL gave me this lovely blanket, balloons and the bundt cake. I have this style of blanket, somewhere boxed away in storage. I have missed it dearly so HG and I will snuggle under this for an afternoon nap today. Yay for super soft blankets and snuggly afternoons!!


The Drews gave me a gift card to this awesome store. They are so super sweet! It is funny because Carmen must be a mind reader. I drive past this store often and have always wanted to stop. Now, I must!The Wallis family gave me this lovely heart dish bowl set. It is perfect for Valentine's day approaching filled with the oh so yummy dove chocolate candies they gave me as well. HG's eyes were as big as the bowl when she spotted the chocolate!

Laura, Rick & the boys gave me this awesome watch. I love these! They are perfect with kids and way too cute! Navy was one the one color I wanted that I didn't have. Once again, a mind reader I tell ya!
I recieved lots of cards, money from Whit & Bobbie (grandparents), a gift card to Banana Republic from my dad and man wonderful phone calls. It feels so great to be so loved!!! The love has definitely helped lift my heart back up.
Jason, Chris, Jenna & Kristen singing Baby Got Back at Lazy Bones. Talk about belly chuckles!









Do you ever wish time could stand still? Like to savor the moment?





Chris flew home Monday night. He flies out today. It is hard. So hard. We miss him. HG doesn't understand why her daddy has to leave.






We had a great week with him at home. From House of Blues to movies to lots of Mexican food, family, friends, laughter, storage unit, I just don't want it to end. We ache for the day where we live together as a family once again.





Last night, friends and family gathered for a Mexican Birthday dinner at Christina's to celebrate my 31st. It was wonderful gathering with those who could make it even though Christina's was having an off day. A big day off day. Service was slow, no refills on water, no Cafe Lolita, no split checks (one for 20 people), no friendly service. We love Christina's and every place has their bad days but how bad should it get? I will say that 2 out of our party of 20 will return. That 2 is us. I hate that their experience at my birthday was bad enough not to return. We will. We'll give them another try. In Trophy Club. I'm not sure we'll go back to the Southlake one.

This picture of my birthday cake will have to do for now. It is much too dark but you get the idea. I LOVE Nothing Bundt Cakes. Red Velvet with cream cheese icing.




As if the birthday dinner wasn't enough, we celebrated with friends and my dad in downtown Grapevine. Willhoites and Lazy Bones were on the agenda. Sadly, Willhoites was full and much too smokey so we headed too to karaoke. If you haven't been to Lazy Bones, it is a fun little hang out next door to Esparza's, one of or favorite places. I think a good time was had by all and after a quick stop for some terrible late night food, we headed home to 3 sleeping little ones.




Snow/hiking boots for our Colorado trip in a few weeks. I either gave mine away or they are in the bottom of storage.









I had a great birthday weekend. Thank you for all the love, comments and those who made dinner. I love each and every one of you dearly.


Egg & sausage casserole




We had some of our favorite family stay with us last night so I threw together this delicious breakfast casserole. I typically only let it set over night but I made this Saturday morning so it sat in the fridge nearly 20 hours. I was worried about the eggs but everything turned out perfect!


Breakfast casserole, donuts, kolacheswith sausage.

Hot chocolate, coffee, pear juice, cokes, water.


Lots of happy and full bellies.


What better way for kids to wake up on big pallets on the floor surrounded by people you love and a great smell coming from the oven.


HG was so sad to see her cousins leave.

Two weeks, we have another adventure planned with them. Such fun! We have rooms book at the Great Wolf Lodge for one of our Christmas gifts from Chris.

Here is what I did:
1 pound pork sausage
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices white bread cute into 1/2 inch pieces. I'm sure wheat would be ok but I buy white for this casserole.
2 c 2 % milk
1 teaspoon salt or a toss like a did
1 teaspoon ground mustard or once again a toss
6 eggs

I added the pork sausage in a heated skillet to brown and crumble. In a bowl, I beat the eggs then added the milk, salt and ground mustard. Once mixed well, I stirred in the bread cubes, cheese and the sausage. I poured into a greased (Pam sprayed in my case) casserole dish and tossed in the fridge. It sat most of the day on Saturday, over night and I cooked the lovely dish this morning, it was tasty!! I always let it sit out for 20-30 minutes before putting in oven. Not sure why, maybe when I started making this a which back it said to.

HG and I will eat on this all week.

I barely like eggs. Barely. I love this!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The power of 10

The power of 10 is a great way to jump start your reading. Dr Tim Reynolds is dear friend of my dad and I always love reading his blogs. He makes everything seem so easy.

True Grit & Vito's


If a night out at the HOB enough, we treated ourselves to seeing True Grit. This was after breakfast cooked for us by my mother in law, lunch at Chick Fil A (another treat from mil) and then a trip to Target for a singing potty for HG. Please daddy, come play!

Great movie if you like westerns, I really enjoyed it. Or the popcorn. Or maybe just doing an adult thing with the husband that didn't involve going out.

It is the little things that makes my heart happy.


HG played with grand mommy and was even getting a bath when we arrived. She was squeaky clean for school this morning. Vito's pizza and a salad put us in bed by 10 with full bellies. 10 is really early for the hubby. Really early. Of course it was after midnight when he fell asleep.
A cheese taco for HG. Did you know Taco Bell is being sued?

Eggs, yogurt and a cheese tortilla for the munchkin this morning.

She didn't touch any of it. Not a bite. Not even a lick. She wanted water. Water! Silly girl.

One day she will like to eat breakfast. Hopefully.

The apartment is still a wreck. I clean the living room but lost Mr Motivation once again. If you all see him, tell him to light a fire under me!

It won't take long, most are clothes that need to be put up. Ick, that is my most unfavorite part. Maybe I need to refill my pink grapefruit method cleaning bottle and clean like Nicolle. I love the smell of a clean house. Even more so than cookies in the oven. For real. Great little blog for Method.

On the way to school.
Trying to decide on a pork sirloin or a chicken dish tonight. HG would say chicken and Chris would say the other. Funny how that works. I actually think there is a foreclosure and bank owned class tonight. Maybe it will be a chicken night,

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

House of Blues







What an amazing night at House of Blues for an awesome cause.


We were on a special VIP list thanks to Carol. She spoke for the show. Beautiful woman.


I should have brushed up on the faces of the players before the event. Three different players and didn't know who they were. Whoops!


It was a good laugh among everyone.

We saw Romo. It was worth the trip. Yes, I knew what he looked like.


The event was put on by Alberston's, Souper Bowl, House of Blues, Keith Brooking and many of the Dallas Cowboys.
Keith Brooking in an amazing man. Even if I didn't know who he was. He started a Children's foundation for children in Foster care. This of course touches my heart having worked with foster children at CASA, CPS and having a CJ degree. I wish everyone understood what these children go through on a daily basis.


PS- Stay tuned for more great photos on a friend's camera!



Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Back home

After a low key weekend, we are home.

Low key with a belly bug or food poising on Sunday morning. We catch all belly bugs. ALL. It was rough.

We arrived home with moments to share before picking Chris up. HG refused to speak to Chris while he was gone but was thrilled to see her daddy when she woke.

Of course since we had both been gone nearly 2 weeks, we had nothing at the apartment. Not even toilet paper. HG was as excited about Walmart as her daddy being home. Oh my goodness gracious alive kept coming out of her mouth. She is so funny and so innocent.


As you can imagine, we have dirty clothes and luggage everywhere. I washed one load so far. It is noon. Where is my motivation?

I was up with HG at 5:30 trying to help her go to the bathroom. We WILL start Miralax today. For sure. Poor baby. Poor bo-hiney as HG calls it. She was miserable.


I stopped at Target for the stuff I forgot at Walmart last night after taking HG to MDO. When did they start carrying Jr Watkins? I used this on HG's cloth diapers. It is like Meyers. It is a true love affair. Love love love.

Chris got breakfast in bed. 4 count chicken minis and a Dr Pepper. Perfect first breakfast home in our opinion watching the Price is Right. Sweet HG will be highly upset. Better not tell her.

After being gone so long, it is like a mad dash trying to catch up and spend time together before it happens all over again. Have you seen our February? Chris leaves Sunday but I think he gets to spend 2-3 weeks with us. Praise the Lord! I'm so over this traveling stuff for weeks at a time. Totally.not.fair. Yes, I am whining. Totally. Not. Fair.

Currently in the process of looking for a babysitter tonight. Last minute. Probably not going to happen. I wish my parents lived close by. Or wish I had a list of sitters. There is a fundraiser, a super duper fun fundraiser tonight at the HOB that we scored free tickets ($100 each)from a friend. Wish us luck!

I'm enjoying my last few days of being 30. HG thinks it is her birthday on Saturday even though she is singing to me. She thinks every day should be her birthday but heck, who doesn't? Thirty one just doesn't sound as fun thirty. We are going to have a fun, fast paced year but still, it doesn't sound cute like thirty. Make sense.

One of my favorite friends and I are planning our family vacation for this summer. Together. How much fun will that be?!?! Can we please fast forward already? The 3 of us of are ready to go and I know they are too with all that snow.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Booksamillion


Well the run to the book store was a joke.


A complete waste of time.


Book stores and small towns just don't work.


They said I could order whatever I wanted. It would arrive in 2 weeks.



TWO WEEKS? I'd be done reading the books by then.


Not to bash them totally, they did have books and plenty of them. HG scored a few books. Momma didn't get any books.


But the books I had hoped to find weren't there.


Then I remembered I have Ibooks or whatever it is called. Silly Momma!


Most of you know that I love Organic products. The hubby not so much. He pretty much says it is all a crock. One of our differences. My brothers are a freak about health stuff. A freak in a good way. I call John Davis with random questions. Even the TMI ones. I grew up with a cousin owning an all natural store. I rarely use medicine unless there are no other options. HG hasn't had medicine since placing tubes in her ears in May. Well besides Pedilax. My sister in law has some good information on Organic and all natural products on her blog.

The sun is out

HG loves her frog boots and Hello Kitty shirts. Me, not so much.
Jon Tyler at 1 month. adorable.

Brr, it is cold mommy!

Snow Angels on the floor at Chick Fil A. Lovely.

Playing at Chick Fil A
What works better to help heal a hurting heart than dinner with friends. Two nights in a row. How often does a mom get to do that? It was fun and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. Misti even made it out, such a treat.
The sun finally came out. Praise the Lord! Now if the temps could get into the 50's.
Off to the Book store for books and hot tea.
Have a good weekend.






Thursday, January 20, 2011

One of those days

It isn't noon yet and I want to scream.

I have been peed on. I have been covered in flying snot from a sneeze. I had to pick up the biggest terd I've ever seen off the bathroom floor. Yes, the bathroom floor. And the sun still isn't out.

So, we are washing the sheets, scrubbing the floor and the little one is in the tub. In the tub with crayola bath finger paint. That is a disaster waiting to happen.


These are the days I wish Chris didn't travel. I dislike being a single parent on days like this. But then I think about and he'd probably call me to pick up the teed even if he was there. Don't all guys do that?

The rain. Oh my goodness the rain. Will is ever stop? I haven't seen sun in a long time. Texarkana is in need of some sunshine.

Got some not so good news about someone I love so much. Please pray that he heals. I mean I LOVE this man. Everyone loves this man. My heart aches for him. And his kids. And his friends.

Don't you wish there was a fountain of youth that kept you beautiful, healthy and with perky boobs?

I'm playing hookie. I was due for blood work, a shot and a followup on Monday. Well, it is Thursday and still haven't gone. I'll go next Monday, promise. It is like reliving my heart ache all over again each time I walk in there. Twice in a year. I just couldn't do it. Maybe I am a bad person for that. Maybe I am just normal trying to deal with such heart ache. I pretend to be strong yet I am still crying at the drop of a hat and a hug. I know it gets better, it already did once. I keep reminding myself that I have the cutest little redhead to be thankful for.

Well, I just walked in the bathroom ( on my iPad) to another mess so looks like we will be cleaning yet AGAIN!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A little Dora Kitchen



HG was given a pretty awesome Dora kitchen from her little playmate Zoey. Or I guess I should say Zoey's dad Darren gave it to HG. It was so thoughtful and we are ever so thankful. I do believe she was more excited about this than the whole Santa stuff, all the gifts and the snow. She now has her own Dora kitchen and she is over the moon. The whole town knows about her new kitchen.

If you have a Dora lover, look here on Amazon for more information and possibly a used one.

Little Tykes Roller Coaster

GOODNESS GRACIOUS, JUMPING APES!

We spent the morning with my dear friend Megan who just opened the cutest little consignment shop here in Texarkana. I'm talking adorable, too cute, such great stuff. But, I wouldn't expect anything less from her.
Our afternoon was spent with Cheyna & Ethan and Mellissa, Tony & Brody at Jumping Apes. Even though it was terribly cold in there, the kids (okay and the adults) had fun. I must say that I now understand why everyone is always so sleepy after jumping.Between a playing with friends all day, we managed to eat lunch at the new Fillin' Station. Jeff has a great burger place in the mall so I just knew it would be good. While there, we ran into our favorite, Dr Porter so it saved me a trip to the doctor this week. She seriously rocks! I decided to try a turkey burger and it was to die for. OH MY GOODNESS kind of stuff. I was honestly shocked, I mean turkey is bland. I was beyond yummy! Poppy and HG scored cupcakes after lunch for eating so well.

Collins cooked us dinner, grilled ham and cheese with mac n cheese, celery, tomatoes, ranch and more heart cupcakes. Yes, I blow up like a balloon each time I come home. Totally worth it though.


HAPPY TUESDAY FRIENDS & FAMILY!!!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Texarkana



HG and I decided we were heading to Texarkana for the weekend after dropping Chris off at the airport on Friday. Sitting around in a tiny apartment in the rain just didn't sound like music to my ears. We arrived on Friday night, had dinner at Joe's (YUMMY) and then searched for Boots. Searched for 3 hours. The little thing had closed himself in a warm room and was resting nicely on a pile of clothes. Silly Boots!

The weather hasn't improved so we are trying to make the best of it with all the rain. From Jumping Apes to Grandparents house to yummy dinners and homemade heart cupcakes, I think HG is enjoying her time. She was nicely given a talking Dora kitchen for Mia's house, oh my goodness gracious alive (her words), it is pretty stinking neat. If you have a Dora fan, they will love this!


Don't you just love the L ice chest below? It is a super cute gift for our sweet cousin Laura on her birthday. Whether in their back yard at the pool or Saturday mornings at the ballpark, I hope she enjoys it. She is so sweet and dear to us!

On Saturday I couldn't resist a stop to BJaxx and Beehive. It is like a Sam Moon in the DFW area but different. If that makes sense. I came out with two huge sacks and spent $50. Christmas items were on clearance so we scored new stockings (2 different styles for each of us) ornaments, decorations and nutcrackers. We've been looking at nutcrackers for years, C has always liked them but they can run pretty high. Then you add us living like gypsies, items are bound to get broken right? Well since we will be in a house by Christmas with ONE move ahead of us, it was worth the risk. I mean who could resist a buck or six bucks for a nutcracker? Yes, I really scored some good items. If anyone would like me to grab them some, please email me and I will be glad to do it.

Then seriously if those two places weren't enough, Target kidnapped us today. My friend Christine has 3 little girls and got 17 pairs of shoes for less than $70. If that isn't a deal, I'm not sure what is. I just had to get in there to see what I could find. Well, it seems that everyone else had that idea. We only scored two shoes, the same exact ones just in different sizes (9&10) for 3.74. I did come out like a shopping Queen in the baby section. 2011 is already full of family and friends having babies and so I imagine it will continue into 2012. I am personally over the moon with a few of the babies due to arrive. I picked up pj's for $1.74, adorable outfits for $3.74, Christmas mary Jane stockings for $2


We are missing Chris dearly right now. HG had a nightmare on Saturday night and wanted both of her parents to cuddle with her. Another week and he'll be home.

Tomorrow is a busy day around here so hopefully I can get some rest today. My poor body is W O R N out tonight, I find it really odd that I am still so worn out and my hormone levels are almost back to normal.

East Texas Snow




Wasn't it just beautiful?




Here in East Texas when we get snow, the town usually shuts down. This however was really a big snow, 7.5 inches measured through out Texarkana.

Happy Birthday Uncle Mike


I've got tons to blog about and 3 that are waiting for me to download pictures but this couldn't wait. C's brother has a birthday tomorrow so Happy Birthday Uncle Mike!

Stay tuned for the deals I landed over the Holiday weekend.