Out with the Old, In with the New

First of all, HAPPY 2010* everyone. I hope that your Christmas and New Years were good ones. Ours was fantastic! Lots of family, fun, food and rest.

*(That's twenty ten, none of this two thousand ten junk!)

2009 wasn't a half bad year for us. Sure we had our share of ups and downs, but considering we started the new year with a tiny little man and now we have a precious little toddler and we are happy, that's all that matters. I saw my son turn 1, have two seperate ER visits, be (mostly) diagnosed with asthma, be diagnosed with allergies, start walking, and now he's a jabbering fool who can actually use a fork and likes to throw his plate on the floor. Not too shabby. Parker's a true toddler now and growing physically and mentally each day. Our saw my marriage have a bit of a bump, but now it's stronger than ever. I saw my husband get another raise and watched him grow. And I saw myself grow tremendously, get a job I adore, a car I love and new friends to last a lifetime. All in all, 2009 wasn't too bad.

BUT OUT WITH THE OLD....

AND IN WITH THE NEW....

2010....day 2 of this year and already it's been pretty darn good. My step - sister had my nephew Dalton yesterday (1-1-10) at 9:13 am (he was the first baby born in that hospital in the new year. He's currently in the NICU for some lung issues, but is doing well. He was 7lbs, 6ozs and 19 inches long. He's a cute little man! I got to see many of my friends happy when the Bucks made dinner out of the Ducks in the Rose Bowl! And today, I got to enjoy a quiet afternoon with my two men and I get to go on a date tonight to see Avatar in 3D - so that should be fun. Oh and I get Chipotle for dinner. Some of you may not be thrilled, but I am!

I am looking forward to 20-10. I am not sure what all is in store and I am sure God has some plans that I may not enjoy, but nevertheless, I am excited. My baby boy, born at only 29 weeks, will turn two in May. He's car seat will FINALLY be flipped probably in the next few days. I will celebrate my 5 year wedding anniversary on Aug. 6 with a trip to either Chi-town or NYC. I will get to see my youngest brother, Brandon graduate from high school in June. And who knows what else really. I do look forward to it.

Oh did I also mention that the first meal I made in 20-10 was a delicious slow cooker full of ham and bean soup? Without a recipe? Yah, I am that good! We had a ton of left over ham from Christmas and I wanted to use it up and do something different. I happened to have some dry navy beans so I thought...hmmmm....let's try. It was easy peasy lemon squeezy! Want me to share what I did? Well fine, you twisted my arm...yeesh.

Ham N Bean Soup A'la Deni:

1.5 cups dry Navy Beans
Ham (I would say I had probably about 1.5 - 2 cups once I chopped it up)
1/2 an onion, sliced,
1 piece of celery chopped
6 cups of water
1.5 bullion cube (beef)

****The Dry beans need prepped first. I just did mine by soaking over night in a big bowl with 5 cups of water. I leave it on the counter and vent the lid a bit.****

I mixed all the ingredients in the slow cooker, added some spices, rosemary and thyme and pepper and cooked on low for 6 hours.

That's it folks. I mean, obviously their is the prep and all, but that's it. The beans cook great in the sc** and it ends up being yummy. I started out with 4 cups of water, but once the beans expanded I added two more. It made the soup not to thin and not too thick.

**slow cooker

Well that's my first recipe of 20-10. Let's write that one down in the record books! :)

I'll update again soon!

Food For Thought

So I have been on this kick recently - a food kick.

I HEART Food! I love eating it, but more than that, I love cooking food. For me, cooking is therapeutic and relaxing (as long as P-town isn't in the kitchen!) To me there is nothing like standing over my stove, putting effort into something so tasty and so aromatic. It's great, it's fun, and it makes my house smell good.

I have been learning just in the past few months that you can - in fact - make good meals on a budget. Also, you don't have to have a gourmet kitchen (though, honestly, I'd love one...) and you can be very inventive. I.E. the other day, we needed to eat what we had in the house - which was not much. So I made Chili Hot Dog Burritos - SO GOOD! Took me 5 minutes and I cleaned out my pantry and kitchen some.

I just love food!

Saturday night, a couple of girlfriends and I went and saw Julie & Julia! It was a great movie and really struck something in me. I wish I had the time and effort to cook through Julia Child's cookbook - but honestly, it's just not going to happen. Also, I don't like seafood. The only "seafood" I eat is tuna, salmon, clam's and occasionally shrimp - as long as it's breaded because the veins gross me out. But, I had a thought after watching that movie. What if I do something like what Julie did with Julia's cook book?

Here is what I came up with... See, I tend to think that certain recipes are going to be way to hard for me to make (like pork tenderloin for example.) Or, I think, oooh, that would be fun to make, but I don't have state of the art kitchen needs. I live in an apartment with a typical apartment stove. My cookware- well, it's old and leaves something to be desired. But, if I have been able to make "fancy" things before (home made Salisbury steak anyone?) then I certainly can make other things too. So my idea: For the next few months - write out a list of recipes, foods, desserts I think sound yummy, but I have been to scared to try (because I don't think I can do it.) Starting in January (or maybe earlier) - cook one recipe a day or week (depending on money and such) for a set amount of time and do kind of like what Julie did, share my experiences, recipes, ect. on this blog. It can be as "simple" as Bruschetta or as difficult as duck a l'orange (though I don't think I want to try duck.)

I think it would be good for me to do it, to experience making gourment food on a budget and learn new recipes. I really want to do this...I just need to figure out all the details!

I am going to do my best, also, to do Fun Foods Friday's again, because I am cooking more with recipes and less with hamburger helper - and no I am not to proud to admit I like easy food out of a box - sometimes, it's just the easy food I need.

On a completely different note - I just found that The Chairman from Iorn Chef America, will be on dancing with the stars. He was one of the people on the "who-on-earth" is that list: Mark Dascasos:

And seriously, am I the only one who finds him super cute? He can come judge my food anytime! :)

If you would like me to add a recipe to make, I'd love to try some of your ideas as well! But it's up to you!

Oh and here, the recipe for Chili Dog Burritos:

Ingredients:
4 Hot Dogs
1 can Hormel Chili
4 tortillas
Shredded cheese

Directions:
1. Cook hot dogs in way desired - broil, boil, microwave!
2. Dump chili into small saucepan and warm over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes.
3. Warm tortillas in microwave.
4. Assemble burrito: slice hot dog in half so it will lay flat and place on tortilla. Spoon chili over hot dog, top with cheese. Fold tortilla into burrito.

The great thing about this recipe, you can do it different ways, use leftover chili, whatever size tortilla you want, add whatever toppings you want. It's a great way to clean out the pantry. And, you can use whatever kind of hot dogs you want - I eat either all beef or turkey - I don't like the mystery meat kind ;) Also, I did one hot dog per person - this would serve four, but if you want more hot dogs in the burrito - add it, I am not gonna stop ya!

Enjoy!

Merry Maid - Where Art Thou?

I am going to be honest here for a moment. I want to confess to you, my readers, something that you should know about me. It may be quite surprising, so hopefully you are sitting down.

I HATE HOUSEWORK!

I see you there, gasping for air in shock and awe. Well darn it, its the truth.

I hate dishes, mopping, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, wiping things down, taking time to clean...bleck. Oh and I especially hate the bathrooms and laundry.

So where, may I ask is my merry maid? I think I deserve one...I think all of us at some point deserves one. I am a stay at home mom of a little stinker (good stinker, but stinker none the less).

And the cleaning has gotten worse - that mushed up animal crackers in the rug, the cherrios I step on all the time, and that melted cheese cube I missed that got in the corner. Yup, I have a baby that gets most food on the floor and than in his mouth. Someone tell me they start to get it in the mouth eventually. (then again, I still can't always make it in my mouth.)

The one thing I do love - cooking. I could cook all day. And bake, I love to cook and bake and make things with food. And I am getting more adventurous with my cooking. I even made pork roast recently. PORK ROAST - ME? What! Oh yah, I am like the poor girls Racheal Ray! Actually, I love Paula Deen and I agree - it's better with butter! :) So if you ever want to come over for dinner, let me know.

But when it comes back to the rest of home things - just call me a maid and let me go out and come back to a spotless home! Now, don't get me wrong, I do clean - if I didn't do some cleaning I'd lose what's left of my mind! Seriously, I would!

Anyways, now that I have complained about my issues - I am off to clean! You know why? Because I see you there, staring at me as if I am a big girl and can clean! Fine, I will stop with the guilt already!

My Mother's Day Gift Guide!

I have been thinking a lot about mother's day this year. It's my first one with a child (though I did celebrate it last year!) and I count myself lucky to be able to celebrate it. Though I realize you should not need a day to celebrate moms, I plan to enjoy it! I truly believe this year is going to be one of my best because I get to dedicate my son on this day! This just thrills me.

I have been thinking a lot about gifts. I have no idea what I would want. While I need/want new clothes I don't want them for mothers day. I thought I wanted something sentimental, but I am not sure about that either, the last thing I really need is another necklace or picture frame. I have been searching the internet, reading other blogs and I have come up with my list of Mother's Day gift ideas (hunny, are you paying attention???) Parker, is daddy paying attention for you??? (These are in random order)

1. The Pouchee
- Not that my purse is horribly unorganized, but it would be nice to have a way to change purses easier. I am also too the point where I don't always carry a purse, what with an almost one year old and his stuff, I tend to throw my stuff in his diaper bag or a canvas bag and go. I am almost sick of trying to balance a purse, a diaper bag, ect. I certainly think this would be helpful. Plus, my friend Sandy, has one and loves hers and well, she's getting me to love them too!

2. The Fumi Purse Hook
- Did I not just say that I don't want to carry my purse as much? Well, its true, but I do plan to carry it when out with a friend or on a date with the hubby! This little doodad is super cute and practical. Rather than sitting my purse on the ground in who knows what, it keeps it up off the floor! How handy is that! No more bending over to pick it up, no sitting it in nasty sticky stuff. It makes life a little easier! Plus, its fashionable! Oh and this is another thing Sandy owns and it's too cute!

3. Gladiator Sandals and or Flip Flops!
- Sure I said I didn't want clothes, but I didn't say I didn't want shoes! I love me some shoes, especially sandals - especially gladiator style and flip flops. It's in my humble opinion that sandals are fantabulous and everyone should own them! I am not a huge fan of the gladiator sandals that go up really high, but I certainly would love something like these:


4. Planters/Flowers
- I grew up always helping my grandma planting flowers in the spring. While I loathe bees, I love flowers and I miss having flowers around. I live in an upstairs apartment, so I have no actual ground area to plant flowers, but I do have front and back balconies. I have been thinking a lot about getting some planter boxes and planting flowers. I have one small flower pot (it currently has very DEAD plants in it) but I would love to have more. Just a small garden in a box! Heck, maybe even some hanging flower pots would be nice too. There are hooks that I could use to hand some up. I just really need some flowers or something.


5. An Outdoor Oasis
- I would love to make my front balcony another room! I would be out there ALL the time! I'd love to get an outdoor rug, a couple of plants, a cute little bistro table and chair set and make a little outdoor living area. As it stands right now, my patio has a green blanket on it (for when Parker is out playing so he doesn't sit on wood, and a foldable lawn chair!

6. Spa Day/Massage
- Seriously, what mom would not like this. Oh man, I would love to have a day of pampering with out the kiddo. I'd love a nice professional massage, get my hair done, soak in hot tub, just a day to myself.

7. Esty Gift Card
- I am obsessed with Etsy. I love handmade, unique, thoughtful items. I love looking at all the creative items on etsy and would love a gift card so that I could get some things.

8. Pictures of Parker
- As it stands right now, I do not have any pictures of Parker hung in the house. I have wedding pictures and that's about it. I'd love some 8x10's to hang up, that would be super awesome! I'd love to have enough to where I could make a collage on my wall.

9. Blog Design
- I would love to have my blog updated with a nice design by someone who makes layouts. I came across a great website of someone who does designs as a way to raise money to go on volunteer/humnaitarian trips. The name of her site is Blogs for a Cause! It's a great way to not only get a nice gift for mother's day, but also support someone else. And I have to say, she does great work!

10. Organizing Needs
- On thing I have been working hard on is organizing my home. Making things easier to find, while de-cluttering and giving items homes. I would love to go to the container store or really anywhere and just get a bunch of different items to help with my organizing. I have done quite a bit of work so far (especially in my kitchen) and I would love to keep going at it. I am sick of the clutter and the messes!

Well there you have it, 10 ideas for Mother's Day gifts. Also, I am a huge fan of handmade things by your children. I still make handmaid gifts, cards ect for others and I believe it adds a special touch to a gift to know that your child put in effort to make you something!



I also had the chance to post this over at Blissfully Domestic, one of my favorite sites for all things domestic, blissful and useful. This site is amazing, it always has awesome articles, anything from home decor ideas to being blissfully you! Check it out: Blissfully Domestic.

TidBits: HAHA moments, TN, Grocery, Parker

It's time for another issue of Tidbits. Tidbits is where I basically write all that is in my head. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

1) I am happy to report that Mr. Parker precious pants is back to his normal breathing self. Last time he had any form of his inhaler was a week ago! He is acting as if nothing really happened. I still have to be careful with him, but I think it's all over with. I hope that his breathing issues never happen again, but with every challenge I realize that I am a great mom and know my son. I am sad in a weird way that he is no long on his steroids. They cleared up his eczema beautifully, but it's back...but at least it's not every part of his body, it's really just his cheeks and knees and his arms. I am continually rubbing lotion on him. It's frustrating, but with this nicer weather, it's not nearly as bad as it had been!
- 2 Quick Questions: 1) How do I teach Parker to use a cup? well a sippy actually. Is there anything I can do to help him realize you don't chew it, you suck? 2) If you baby has an allergic reaction to something, how do you know the difference between that and say just eczema?
Now I am not saying that Parker had an allergic reaction, but I just was wondering if maybe part of his breathing issue was due to one. It was the first day he had tried beef and he ended up in hospital. Granted I think his breathing had started out that day being more rough than normal, but not as bad until the evening. I feel like I am questioning myself and all I do for Parker. But maybe the hospital would have noticed if it were an allergic reaction - don't you think?

2) Moving along - I have to say, I find myself amused by random things. For example today, I am leaving the grocery. I am getting ready to pull out of my spot and I see this precious little old lady attempting to pull into a handicap spot. She totally missed it and ends up parking in the striped part. She sits there for a minute and realizes she didn't make it into the actual spot. I don't know, but I found it humorous. You know what else I find humorous? That I hate drinking wine, but I use it to cook with. They say only cook with wine you would drink - well what do you do when you wouldn't drink it? I think it tastes awful personally, I love cooking with it though because the alcohol cooks out. I think it's funny. Also funny - attempting to purchase wine when I know squat about it.

3) Speaking of the grocery - I have found the perfect time for me to go - 10am on Monday morning. I scored some awesome meat deals, there was no one in the store really, I got to take my time and compare prices and think through things. I loved it. And Drew got to be with daddy here at home so I didn't have to deal with him (though he would have been fine!) I am attempting to use coupons more...it helps!

4) I am getting so excited and giddy about May! On May 10th our church will be holding a dedication time during service. I will be dedicating Parker at that service (no it is not baptism). It happens to be mother's day too, what a great day. Also exciting, Drew's parents are coming down to be there during Parker's dedication. I am hoping maybe some of my family with come from Indiana, it would be awesome to have them, but I don't want to pressure them. Anyways, on the 11th - that monday - we are headed to Tennessee for a week. We are going to Knoxville and I finally get to meet Drew's grandma and grandpa and they will get to meet Parker too. We are going to go to Gatlinburg, Panther Creek State Park and other fun places. We are also going to Mt. Vernon indiana to see Drew's aunt and uncle. We may get to stop in Nashville! I am so excited for our trip, I can't wait to go on a proper family vacation.

This weekend we are heading to Cincinnati to see our friend's The Vinson's who moved to MN a few years back. I haven't seem them in almost a year and I miss them. Heather and I were roommates and I love her to death. I turned to her a lot during my pregnancy and even the first months of Parker's life. She is one of my BFFs! I can't wait. I also get so see some other college buddies too, we are having a cookout at the Reasor's; Brandee was my roommate the last year of college. And the Hobb's - almost all of the CCU posse.

I think that is all I have for today, other than to stay in prayer for Stellan and the MckMama family (see my other post from today.)

Love you all! Glad to be back in the swing of blogging!

The Inspiration is stuck inside - help!

Hello Friends,

I have a lot in my head today, yet am stuck as to what I write. I thought I would write more about mommy guilt and giving myself a hard time, but changed my mind. I don’t want to bog down my blog with that right now.
Instead I decided I wanted to share something with you that frustrates me. There are days I just absolutely do not like living in an apartment. It really has nothing to do with the apartment community or neighbors (although, I could explain why slamming a door in the middle of the evening is annoying!) It’s the fact that it’s not a house and specific things that go along with that truth.

I realize right now we cannot afford a house and I am ok with that. What frustrates me most is that my apartment is a mess of random! In the living room/dining room alone there are 4 different colors of wood. Nothing really goes together and I feel stuck when it comes to decorating and organization. I want to paint and I realize I can, but I also know I would have to paint over what I paint when we move out and I don’t want to have to do that.

I don’t know where to begin when it comes to decorating an apartment or how to organize. I know I want to do creative things. I would love to make a corkboard with cloth over as not only something practical, but also something decorative to bring color in. I want this place to look put together and cute and I want things to match and I don’t want to be ashamed of it anymore.
It’s like, I have all these thoughts and ideas in my head, but don’t know how to get them out and make them reality. (Not to mention, I don’t have the money to go nuts over this either!) I know one thing I love is that I use a cute bench that is supposed to be for blanket storage as toy storage so when I am able to pick up Parker’s toys, I can hide them. I feel lost from there.

So here is my question for you…when you lived in an apartment, how did you make it look nice and organized? And what things in your home are not only practical but also add a punch of color and décor? I need some inspiration, I am feeling very stuck!

Not Me Monday!

It's another monday, which means another NOT ME MONDAY! Hosted by MckMama
Sure, their may be rumors going around, but I certainly did not have anything to do with any of this!
- There is a little boy that I know that loves to eat his hands and suck his thumb, but it isn't my son, nope.- I am not currently sitting here watching Dora the Explorer while my son sits in his swing, not eating his hands and not watching it either!- It wasn't me who went to grab my little mans bottle and ran into the doorway and I do not currently have a big bruise and welt on my right arm.- And of course is was not me who went bowling friday night and earned 77 points because I was not using my Wii bowling skills!- And I can assure you that it is not me who has "cancer of the worry" and is turning into a clean freak and sanitizing freak because it still isn't me that is stressed about RSV season and I do not have myself convinced that my son is sick and dying. (Because it's not like he is currently smiling and cooing and he does not look perfectly healthy.- I did not have two panic attack this weekend over mommy guilt. And having said that I do not suffer from mommy guilt on a daily basis.- Bourdeoux's Butt Paste is not my best friend and I did not have to rely on it heavily because a daiper rash that Parker did not have.- I am not currently thinking about making more of those pumpkin cookies that I did not make the other day.- My son is not a smiley boy!

Ah the smell of cookies!!!

The domestic diva in me just made pumpkin cookies. And guess what, they actually turned out good (imagine that). I normally only make Chocolate Chip Cookies because I am afraid to attempt others, but because I am trying to be seasonal, I figured, heck, I will give it a shot! My house now smells like warm pumpkin cookies! I think they are more like Oatmeal Raisin Pumpkin Cookies. Oh man are they yummy (I will post the recipe on fun foods friday this week!) 

Tonight we are headed to a friends house to carve pumpkins and eat some yummy food! I am looking forward to it. These are some friends from church and I am just so excited to be social. I am dressing Parker up in his bumblebee costume, because I don't really have many places to take him in it.

If you haven't already, make sure you take the opportunity to read my blog, Blessings (it's below this one!) Also, please take the time to head over to Kayleigh's Blog and say a prayer. She is a beautiful little preemie who is not doing well at all, a simple surgery, turned into some what of a nightmare for the family. This next week is going to be very trying for them! 

Well, I hope you all have a lovely weekend! Stay warm and enjoy some apple cider (that's an order!!!)