tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34431768491368085572024-03-13T09:41:18.750-07:00Life - Just As It IsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-44537734518720262732011-12-28T09:28:00.000-08:002011-12-28T09:28:57.351-08:00New York<div style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving week, we were given some sad news. Jamie's Godfather, Big Joe, passed away. He was suffering from cancer so I know he's much better off in Heaven. It's just sad for all of us left in this world missing him. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Jamie, Lynn, Caden and I took off after eating our Thanksgiving meal with my family and drove to Palmyra, NY. We got there just in time to head straight to the funeral home for the calling hours Friday night. We spent Saturday at the service then at a nice luncheon for family and friends of the Suhr family. We made it back to the house to watch the Iron Bowl...I don't really want to talk about that game. (War Eagle!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday we spent the day at Jamie's Aunt Dorann's house with the family. It was really nice to see everyone, but I wish it were under different circumstances.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My inlaws live in Nebraska now. They also made the drive to NY. My father-in-law actually preformed part of the service. We miss them so much and hadn't seen them since Caden's birthday in May. It was great to be together. Jamie's grandmother lives with them, and she has been diagnosed with cancer. It's pretty advanced so I was really glad we got a chance to see her while she was still feeling somewhat like herself. We left at 4:30 am Monday morning and drove straight home. It took us about 23 hours total!! It was quite a whirlwind trip. Here's a few photos of us with Grandma. I hope we get to see her again in this life, but she's too sick to travel now. Maybe we'll make it to Nebraska soon, but only God knows when He's going to take her home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHUL40Ebl2M/TvtITe91DFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ZCzE_Q4cQTk/s1600/IMG_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aHUL40Ebl2M/TvtITe91DFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ZCzE_Q4cQTk/s320/IMG_9988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ztRjW3ieR0/TvtIniTBjpI/AAAAAAAAAQc/h3CsaaqGj40/s1600/IMG_9989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ztRjW3ieR0/TvtIniTBjpI/AAAAAAAAAQc/h3CsaaqGj40/s320/IMG_9989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9iMGNUqcDI/TvtI_IjDxhI/AAAAAAAAAQk/5s4M1vRGGTY/s1600/IMG_9994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9iMGNUqcDI/TvtI_IjDxhI/AAAAAAAAAQk/5s4M1vRGGTY/s320/IMG_9994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-25826651082926033162011-12-08T14:57:00.000-08:002011-12-08T14:57:58.307-08:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">When I was growing up, we ALWAYS celebrated Thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family. She is one of five children. There are thirteen grandchildren. Seven of us are married, and there are five great-grands. As the years pass it gets increasingly more difficult to get everyone together. It's been several years since we were ALL together. We were missing a few this year, but it was really nice to see everybody that could make it. The tradition in our family is to do family photos at Thanksgiving. My cousin, Carmen, is a very talented photographer. She took the pictures this year. Check her out <a href="http://www.cbmphoto.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Everyone</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBRhLBomQMBNiLjhi_OF2LCY1nP5pyUVh6c0LSSwJt9k2xA_u-xri7IFOcsu8hT2zFl6pkkA9stssHXQmUsM9yv0L4yzQc4AjGTZrz4EF3wZM2dvZDU8UYdqx_jTlqQHceqK81DacyXAL/s1600/373966_10100521713603825_27415926_51167943_1604552528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBRhLBomQMBNiLjhi_OF2LCY1nP5pyUVh6c0LSSwJt9k2xA_u-xri7IFOcsu8hT2zFl6pkkA9stssHXQmUsM9yv0L4yzQc4AjGTZrz4EF3wZM2dvZDU8UYdqx_jTlqQHceqK81DacyXAL/s320/373966_10100521713603825_27415926_51167943_1604552528_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">My mom, brothers, and our families</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU9ZffoqvjJFlXyraZcDBXpF0JY_OeAOUr4zOvppjAtGq1vGcaIPiq9ge7LUTUO44M86uYCBgm3V3N2FHc69t9Zcou0O7OjYqPDhzOeNq0nu7i8JqUZ93w0LI1gkPpMr0J8o8w789DHx9/s1600/380895_10100521711677685_27415926_51167928_1894519329_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU9ZffoqvjJFlXyraZcDBXpF0JY_OeAOUr4zOvppjAtGq1vGcaIPiq9ge7LUTUO44M86uYCBgm3V3N2FHc69t9Zcou0O7OjYqPDhzOeNq0nu7i8JqUZ93w0LI1gkPpMr0J8o8w789DHx9/s320/380895_10100521711677685_27415926_51167928_1894519329_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">My little family :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4YB9eF2tGk7hzxpK9cNmjwYZ9sPRRty6SET9lL1IwJkvtgQQIvTIWdMmeFvEVr2-Rv47ThQ01p70p9P6rGqcOvL_YaTjG3Morm9sQKX-DcQFnVvQ9x8UhT3Ea27BSMJvc1u0g0Npoqfk/s1600/381034_10100521711852335_27415926_51167929_144629858_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4YB9eF2tGk7hzxpK9cNmjwYZ9sPRRty6SET9lL1IwJkvtgQQIvTIWdMmeFvEVr2-Rv47ThQ01p70p9P6rGqcOvL_YaTjG3Morm9sQKX-DcQFnVvQ9x8UhT3Ea27BSMJvc1u0g0Npoqfk/s320/381034_10100521711852335_27415926_51167929_144629858_n-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> Memaw, Mom, and Me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK2o-V2tml_8Iu17L7QavTZSWtt8W6wthufjC3zhruTsIDoQWEh-h9Cp-5exOrGPIj5cn90buSQxJCZ8_cXyjFEuX7HCoi7rhCL8MCXaMjHh2x_clEgHBvI0DOEuVCg4fLSILoNGLCKsa/s1600/385423_10100521715919185_27415926_51167952_940420692_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK2o-V2tml_8Iu17L7QavTZSWtt8W6wthufjC3zhruTsIDoQWEh-h9Cp-5exOrGPIj5cn90buSQxJCZ8_cXyjFEuX7HCoi7rhCL8MCXaMjHh2x_clEgHBvI0DOEuVCg4fLSILoNGLCKsa/s320/385423_10100521715919185_27415926_51167952_940420692_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Silly boys...Caden and his Uncle Andrew</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsDzTBDasDK-hy7vOurl_mSAMhllRBQ82n6n0CphxTJrVwzyge5jrbzICwACWPefn0Hb7piOp8wqfnFWA-IRabstkIZbJbBPCrkM21HTZ62i8qqyI3jAIxAqKnxzLTGpLTEeM6ZWM4oON/s1600/389971_10100521711238565_27415926_51167924_877881523_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsDzTBDasDK-hy7vOurl_mSAMhllRBQ82n6n0CphxTJrVwzyge5jrbzICwACWPefn0Hb7piOp8wqfnFWA-IRabstkIZbJbBPCrkM21HTZ62i8qqyI3jAIxAqKnxzLTGpLTEeM6ZWM4oON/s320/389971_10100521711238565_27415926_51167924_877881523_n-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hannah and Caden....best buddies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3eG5V3-wTjgWDde22-1IWsGV4D666wMCsqmuvDGt_NUC4GlRsmb5-SsvZZctoHVnpYETHSAStPtGaQvReoxuum9nOtlSyoujOOX5YarU9a2lWMn9XH4QyHcZ2UjAdZtMwuFTtJGSQReF/s1600/391039_10100521710979085_27415926_51167921_985142819_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3eG5V3-wTjgWDde22-1IWsGV4D666wMCsqmuvDGt_NUC4GlRsmb5-SsvZZctoHVnpYETHSAStPtGaQvReoxuum9nOtlSyoujOOX5YarU9a2lWMn9XH4QyHcZ2UjAdZtMwuFTtJGSQReF/s320/391039_10100521710979085_27415926_51167921_985142819_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"> We may have a few nuts, but I love my family! :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-26485218962233489182011-12-08T13:53:00.000-08:002011-12-08T13:53:00.907-08:00Tattoo Party<div style="text-align: center;">My Uncle David is a tattoo artist. He came down from South Carolina and we had a "tattoo party" at my house on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. It was a lot of work for him, but a lot of fun! I think he did eight tattoos that night! He turned around and did two more on Friday. He's a tattooing machine :) Here's a few photos from the party...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXKOAtcMZ7dz0o_6-ZRrMKRi_rRhUZxCKLMl-uIJZs8uXU6vk3bwkWmhkDz_5f0Q_oYWb1qA3HsqCxKcJ8DvEcn9B_wGmMrz4-zGf0IRMuR-lIDG3_siNS9X4D2tyuJ06y29qKNFbmoVW/s1600/IMG_9965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXKOAtcMZ7dz0o_6-ZRrMKRi_rRhUZxCKLMl-uIJZs8uXU6vk3bwkWmhkDz_5f0Q_oYWb1qA3HsqCxKcJ8DvEcn9B_wGmMrz4-zGf0IRMuR-lIDG3_siNS9X4D2tyuJ06y29qKNFbmoVW/s320/IMG_9965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOv29z8PG57TMWSr-iz5-vDiM-rsThsPKHPLn8HRVOlGDVjF0bQ0aB3SeZQt1DvoRTyFqDAq8JQvxQR1GOCIj7rD0o6v5hn4Bh9pIj5KB79TS3hsfz8OPs6FFz2IDKkr8Sg6imdEFz36z/s1600/IMG_9949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOv29z8PG57TMWSr-iz5-vDiM-rsThsPKHPLn8HRVOlGDVjF0bQ0aB3SeZQt1DvoRTyFqDAq8JQvxQR1GOCIj7rD0o6v5hn4Bh9pIj5KB79TS3hsfz8OPs6FFz2IDKkr8Sg6imdEFz36z/s320/IMG_9949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ6NtiQnxQKAcFuzXKbj4BqGu3m8HY3-a4LDJyezUoP2PKXF03x8AZ93_z66mA7RApoY2aRwOXLu7Jq2TDRvYdpiSx0En6kWYslw57iqgRnCHaFERlHTRYUev7UQceOGlmuwxv4NrMBU1/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ6NtiQnxQKAcFuzXKbj4BqGu3m8HY3-a4LDJyezUoP2PKXF03x8AZ93_z66mA7RApoY2aRwOXLu7Jq2TDRvYdpiSx0En6kWYslw57iqgRnCHaFERlHTRYUev7UQceOGlmuwxv4NrMBU1/s320/IMG_9967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWOm3KXgW-iCH_9Ip_EEgR6yvbjK71oGsQOsPMHijcdB3jPu5cbE5cMia5CJ6UaA6jlqDTr6k9YNTP9ZXU8JAQ08F251DFvgHgDTRzgXDOucKZ8WNhOfN1IVmxXS6hY2MhXLByeOn2S3x/s1600/IMG_9944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWOm3KXgW-iCH_9Ip_EEgR6yvbjK71oGsQOsPMHijcdB3jPu5cbE5cMia5CJ6UaA6jlqDTr6k9YNTP9ZXU8JAQ08F251DFvgHgDTRzgXDOucKZ8WNhOfN1IVmxXS6hY2MhXLByeOn2S3x/s320/IMG_9944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7g9HA7vdym0wGMxd6wkv19LilsMhsdqEw9pGguymnFrsqVVJsiw3zLOncLWgOOsjf3918WdOUm_qPixGRVBs6COTY5DvdkBtNqlfPcGpa1grww-HucTeQnsvWqRIf-oehwQL16pJ0evL/s1600/IMG_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7g9HA7vdym0wGMxd6wkv19LilsMhsdqEw9pGguymnFrsqVVJsiw3zLOncLWgOOsjf3918WdOUm_qPixGRVBs6COTY5DvdkBtNqlfPcGpa1grww-HucTeQnsvWqRIf-oehwQL16pJ0evL/s320/IMG_1671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Jamie's. He's going to get some shading done too. We ran out of time and energy to finish it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DUkP-WhbHYOZb6INmU1beHwrXHZZ-z-vM_fuuQY2lPTBnD5fP-fOnTexActpGuZgH2TeyBSD2SFbnUWWz652cO05ztNoj__eJ8wqmDAUPZbuxPI-i4M-arOfgcKfIbTej0d7Q6zuLqD2/s1600/IMG_9976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DUkP-WhbHYOZb6INmU1beHwrXHZZ-z-vM_fuuQY2lPTBnD5fP-fOnTexActpGuZgH2TeyBSD2SFbnUWWz652cO05ztNoj__eJ8wqmDAUPZbuxPI-i4M-arOfgcKfIbTej0d7Q6zuLqD2/s320/IMG_9976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-61012327093304144632011-12-08T13:45:00.000-08:002011-12-08T13:46:43.134-08:00Slacker<div style="text-align: center;">I was informed by a dear friend of mine that I had been slacking on the blog lately. Does the excuse that life has been crazy lately make it better?<br />
I have been busy making things for a local holiday craft sale in the spare time I would usually use to blog. I made some christmas ball wreaths, yarn covered wreaths, and these washer necklaces in all different colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbbIHuxw6WqLH_9MvpsUf30CGlyhXJ2UWM9iEXJe3lB5XQ1TkUDfOIoLvctqeBMC0qWqq0DFfcq_XQasXZWmbaTMQk8pJIj-wIsBHhM7_nvDHQiYUPiHnBn3uPfuqKCYbsD2_o2EXCssJ/s1600/Photo+on+11-4-11+at+1.21+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbbIHuxw6WqLH_9MvpsUf30CGlyhXJ2UWM9iEXJe3lB5XQ1TkUDfOIoLvctqeBMC0qWqq0DFfcq_XQasXZWmbaTMQk8pJIj-wIsBHhM7_nvDHQiYUPiHnBn3uPfuqKCYbsD2_o2EXCssJ/s320/Photo+on+11-4-11+at+1.21+PM.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">When I wasn't working on that I was working on Christmas presents. I can't show you those because it may ruin someones surprise. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Did I mention that I adore all things Christmas. I wish I were one of those amazing decorators that can turn their house into a Christmas wonderland. Unfortunately, God did not bless me with that talent. I just put out my decorations and hope for the best. I want to keep my table set with my snowman dishes, but having only one table and a three year old make that difficult. They are still in the box, but I am getting them out tonight. The most important decoration, the tree, is up and I'm not stressing about the rest. I love to sit in the dark with just my Christmas tree lit, drink hot spiced tea, and watch a Christmas movie. Ahhh...I feel more relaxed just thinking about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Before I get all carried away about Christmas, I should cover November. I'll start writing about a few of the November happenings now....more posts to come :)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-90989430900185207782011-11-05T13:44:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:44:17.334-07:00Buffalo Chicken Dip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of Jamie's favorite dips. It's his first request when it comes to party foods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Buffalo Chicken Dip</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 large can of chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 8oz cream cheese (softened)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 cup wing sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2 cup ranch dressing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/2-1 cup cheddar cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1/4-1/2 cup panko bread crumbs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ELKZdCVeuyyvmA66Ohh-e3ObAzAPt_y9RLxXs3NhDkFW5d2itIHFNIIVvJyFaEaHeqbsvDNh85jceXhB6V2SyWWqF4z47GKa4sI-jzoJRQXz9-UpaEtHQuFgRaS0JzD4-Z9u5EyQBR-v/s1600/IMG_9775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ELKZdCVeuyyvmA66Ohh-e3ObAzAPt_y9RLxXs3NhDkFW5d2itIHFNIIVvJyFaEaHeqbsvDNh85jceXhB6V2SyWWqF4z47GKa4sI-jzoJRQXz9-UpaEtHQuFgRaS0JzD4-Z9u5EyQBR-v/s320/IMG_9775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Break up the chicken pieces with a fork. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix chicken, cream cheese, ranch, and wing sauce together. Spread into the bottom of a dish. I've used an 8x8, a pie plate, and several bowls and dishes I have on hand. (9x13 is too big) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix shredded cheese and bread crumbs together. I really just eyeball this part and change up the amount depending on the dish I'm using. It needs to cover the top of your chicken mixture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0jGovHXU9xBan2xe5W1PFTth6fYEpYSXtwdK8hzgxWQBSfV0cKG3eEJronvvEQRIiFhhswRsFWO_IqCUcHfMQCOHOWwZa-JLOuokwiyna13BWkLHdzUId0RQNrniif9asvADZcwql5yZ/s1600/IMG_9776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0jGovHXU9xBan2xe5W1PFTth6fYEpYSXtwdK8hzgxWQBSfV0cKG3eEJronvvEQRIiFhhswRsFWO_IqCUcHfMQCOHOWwZa-JLOuokwiyna13BWkLHdzUId0RQNrniif9asvADZcwql5yZ/s320/IMG_9776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-10731819845553025532011-11-04T10:26:00.000-07:002011-11-04T10:26:21.254-07:00Nutella Crescent Rolls<div style="text-align: center;">This is a yummy easy breakfast or snack. I couldn't get Jamie to try nutella until I made these. He loved them! I think I've finally convinced him that nutella is amazing! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nutella Crescent Rolls</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can of crescent rolls</div><div style="text-align: center;">nutella</div><div style="text-align: center;">powdered sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8VilgCOivzY-Aj_SSVZOxd88chI3LBPRhaCTEMyhl8-V6LjugqYKwcFeVWCH5BStlfesDn244_2EnR2xfULj8cY6-F32MIHU4Vr-SlZjU23_r_ZF7aoGvZYehEHBmiQZ4gPWB2RfHfR_/s1600/IMG_9714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8VilgCOivzY-Aj_SSVZOxd88chI3LBPRhaCTEMyhl8-V6LjugqYKwcFeVWCH5BStlfesDn244_2EnR2xfULj8cY6-F32MIHU4Vr-SlZjU23_r_ZF7aoGvZYehEHBmiQZ4gPWB2RfHfR_/s320/IMG_9714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Unroll your crescent rolls and separate. Spread Nutella over them. I did mine pretty thick so it would ooze out a little bit when you bite into it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie0sI0dW2D0FTB052GDjdltL-YLLv88jI29IQrcm6_swJNnUFuJbPugMlZCUt0McdBqq9zwD326lkNs9YQpgnhil7AagB2hG4vI3I1W0YkZVWcqH7GcsVIOKppoeUu3-Lrko9zfJgx89-/s1600/IMG_9715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie0sI0dW2D0FTB052GDjdltL-YLLv88jI29IQrcm6_swJNnUFuJbPugMlZCUt0McdBqq9zwD326lkNs9YQpgnhil7AagB2hG4vI3I1W0YkZVWcqH7GcsVIOKppoeUu3-Lrko9zfJgx89-/s320/IMG_9715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roll the crescent rolls up from the wide part to the smaller part like you would normally do. Spread out on a cookie sheet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3SQx2It72lB8FlXFpHFIQcEqhyphenhyphensL47v1C76XSG97UvN_YO8pCGBKGPtplDrbwiqhuBJri2f6Di8BjNlzIER3OgaeLG9TNCcm5mOdINUpjwaIA155yamtVIxvEwecaykendliZC3HTxx5/s1600/IMG_9716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3SQx2It72lB8FlXFpHFIQcEqhyphenhyphensL47v1C76XSG97UvN_YO8pCGBKGPtplDrbwiqhuBJri2f6Di8BjNlzIER3OgaeLG9TNCcm5mOdINUpjwaIA155yamtVIxvEwecaykendliZC3HTxx5/s320/IMG_9716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake according to the directions on the crescent rolls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXFM6QbeMEkuX5IbtlkRKEQYKm2wSqNUp7vFPgmNh0OaePnkIHaoTVATFBgaGMhsojCeqSIjqfYVZd0ePPEB6LLh1C3AhsXZwbDAno0dQ8zOXEzuB0vjN8F7Nc8Ln8O0vtTfpnURH62JR/s1600/IMG_9720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXFM6QbeMEkuX5IbtlkRKEQYKm2wSqNUp7vFPgmNh0OaePnkIHaoTVATFBgaGMhsojCeqSIjqfYVZd0ePPEB6LLh1C3AhsXZwbDAno0dQ8zOXEzuB0vjN8F7Nc8Ln8O0vtTfpnURH62JR/s320/IMG_9720.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sprinkle with powered sugar immediately after removing from the oven. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-12425691521981559452011-11-04T08:28:00.000-07:002011-11-04T08:28:50.135-07:00Pumpkin Dip<div style="text-align: center;">This is a great fall dip. It's sweet, but not too sweet. I just served it in my Pampered Chef cool and serve tray, but I saw it <a href="http://northcarolinacharm.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-dip.html" target="_blank">here</a> served in a little pumpkin. Too cute!! I actually had a pumpkin to put mine in, but I didn't get around to carving it with everything else I had going on. I think I'll make the time next time because nobody knew what it was in the tray. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I served it with graham crackers, nilla wafers, ginger snaps, and teddy grahams.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Pumpkin Dip</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 large cool whip</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can of pumpkin </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 box instant vanilla pudding mix</div><div style="text-align: center;">3 Tbsp powdered sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice</div><div style="text-align: center;">cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbGsoCoDTGF9e8nhwaAMOrlWyItaluXskt0Qf2oJn09j40UT4cn2V5WVjzDhmNe369Pn30inT3ONoeoy8oIXl-5bf0E2UES1leh1fMPOuS7Tu7YqL71WDZc53NEiy3cgz_lOq5AmlHHqo/s1600/IMG_9718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbGsoCoDTGF9e8nhwaAMOrlWyItaluXskt0Qf2oJn09j40UT4cn2V5WVjzDhmNe369Pn30inT3ONoeoy8oIXl-5bf0E2UES1leh1fMPOuS7Tu7YqL71WDZc53NEiy3cgz_lOq5AmlHHqo/s320/IMG_9718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix everything together except cinnamon in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR_d8Yb33Prza46jSdvDSwry1MZ91P6toJ1InnjcWivCkxSE51DG0smWZX2aoLbDaglDos-LxZ8ZbrzTlCEffU8q9ruUPvagnu0XT8zElTiEkJXN-_Gy-G2qz1Hs2O5KMeIeHNbHD3YoU/s1600/IMG_9719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR_d8Yb33Prza46jSdvDSwry1MZ91P6toJ1InnjcWivCkxSE51DG0smWZX2aoLbDaglDos-LxZ8ZbrzTlCEffU8q9ruUPvagnu0XT8zElTiEkJXN-_Gy-G2qz1Hs2O5KMeIeHNbHD3YoU/s320/IMG_9719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put your dip into your pumpkin or serving dish and sprinkle cinnamon over the top. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-65119641742270638932011-11-02T10:51:00.000-07:002011-11-02T10:51:57.871-07:00Peanut Butter Ball<div style="text-align: center;">I saw one of these on pinterest and knew I had to try it. The recipe from <a href="http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Peanut-Butter-Cheese-Ball.aspx?recipeid=139486" target="_blank">Nestle</a> said not to use all natural peanut butter, but that's all I had. It worked out fine for me, but I had to add more brown sugar than the 3 tbsp it called for. I made it into two smaller balls since I had parties two nights in a row. They went over great. I think <a href="http://www.jonesjourneyblog.com/" target="_blank">Woody</a> liked it the most. He ate it on graham crackers. I liked it better on apple slices.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Peanut Butter Ball</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 8oz package of cream cheese (room temp)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup powdered sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">3/4 cup peanut butter </div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup packed light brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">chocolate chips </div><div style="text-align: center;">peanut butter chips</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNVkRj8VJMtBLrJPe03CHjwmJMFdnW0miPNQj8Xm6K1-thWR70nfec2JS2wH90yNb_NKycx2yND72-0gcPzxIp5-8teAFAr547fzW9fSE0w_n9yqaSv1hOYkUVZnDo4zjH0SNTiRxlX9Y/s1600/IMG_9709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNVkRj8VJMtBLrJPe03CHjwmJMFdnW0miPNQj8Xm6K1-thWR70nfec2JS2wH90yNb_NKycx2yND72-0gcPzxIp5-8teAFAr547fzW9fSE0w_n9yqaSv1hOYkUVZnDo4zjH0SNTiRxlX9Y/s320/IMG_9709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A big stand mixer would be ideal for this recipe, but I don't have one. I almost burnt up my hand mixer with this recipe so I think I'll just use a spoon and some elbow grease next time.....there will be a next time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix together cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BHghyphenhyphenXTbBepbZmPo4Tw0I8QZXaW4GXu1fRW-Vq5_Zqm_lUmMi4e0NOxkZZC-IDD9fgpIkdpV4cdLt0OYDqOVtVjdc6Fob3Vkn39TPZnsdRG_jYmz2sOPW7EyfbnVTaWUSBjq4U7LZSPB/s1600/IMG_9711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BHghyphenhyphenXTbBepbZmPo4Tw0I8QZXaW4GXu1fRW-Vq5_Zqm_lUmMi4e0NOxkZZC-IDD9fgpIkdpV4cdLt0OYDqOVtVjdc6Fob3Vkn39TPZnsdRG_jYmz2sOPW7EyfbnVTaWUSBjq4U7LZSPB/s320/IMG_9711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spoon onto plastic wrap. Tie together forming a ball...or two :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPHCI92iAlqN0ThOuikOooBzF2fF4bcljsl7qmZm6L_oiUpEurbIr8Pa6xyYdBL1gsQcihBmjq2YXIihbPr9aQ7D62hJ1Y203qjxUDfPs-wQI5oIoiCxqtfHXdeO3GCRDb8Ovc7Cx9I-d/s1600/IMG_9713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPHCI92iAlqN0ThOuikOooBzF2fF4bcljsl7qmZm6L_oiUpEurbIr8Pa6xyYdBL1gsQcihBmjq2YXIihbPr9aQ7D62hJ1Y203qjxUDfPs-wQI5oIoiCxqtfHXdeO3GCRDb8Ovc7Cx9I-d/s320/IMG_9713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Freeze....the original instructions say for an hour and a half. I had a full day scheduled so mine were in for about 4 hours. They did fine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Place chocolate and peanut butter chips onto a flat surface.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XYTeZnpD2nEH7qxZGxc5M51eYJE-KQKLozMQKdD8xjuD4xGw3OG7CyjyPmvg8gSEzkF9eRAyXaoDDafPYfx0N4x3zOOPcVWFHS-hW5fcD_KQyZvySCa3rDFIoN8Q5T2hhTM-70fvGQXg/s1600/IMG_9721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XYTeZnpD2nEH7qxZGxc5M51eYJE-KQKLozMQKdD8xjuD4xGw3OG7CyjyPmvg8gSEzkF9eRAyXaoDDafPYfx0N4x3zOOPcVWFHS-hW5fcD_KQyZvySCa3rDFIoN8Q5T2hhTM-70fvGQXg/s320/IMG_9721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remove PB balls from freezer and roll in chips to cover. Rolling didn't really work for me...maybe because I left them in the freezer longer? So I ended up taking handfuls and pressing them into the ball. It was a little messy, but it got the job done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbE3O-rOpTl86zu02H6MExSEA1XSzQKTvoFrnd60Pwm5NTjZlYHGRyhWQ5lewKsGkJnpvgtUW6VWBXCzciOccogF3iXzmf48u_lif2gmREhonDo6u-_VITNLdUFpGdeJl6zZtq_5r2EBR/s1600/IMG_9722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbE3O-rOpTl86zu02H6MExSEA1XSzQKTvoFrnd60Pwm5NTjZlYHGRyhWQ5lewKsGkJnpvgtUW6VWBXCzciOccogF3iXzmf48u_lif2gmREhonDo6u-_VITNLdUFpGdeJl6zZtq_5r2EBR/s320/IMG_9722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cover and freeze for at least two hours before serving. I wrapped them back up in the plastic wrap and then put both balls into a ziplock bag. One stayed in the freezer overnight. It was just as good as the one we ate on the day of preparation. If you freeze overnight, be sure to take it out of the freezer about 30 minutes prior to your party. It will need to defrost. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-73273917863793063632011-11-01T18:09:00.000-07:002011-11-01T18:09:02.680-07:00Halloween Party<div style="text-align: center;">We don't celebrate Halloween....never have. I've never been trick-or-treating, and I turned out okay. We just don't believe that Halloween and what it stands for is something to be celebrated. I do however LOVE fall and pumpkins and I think that's something to celebrate. I don't want Caden to miss out on the fun of the season so we do fall festivals and I let him dress up. We just don't do anything scary and "halloweenish". He was a cowboy this year. I want him to participate as much as possible so that he's not alienated, without compromising our beliefs. I understand that most people don't have the same convictions we do.</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the things we are trying to figure out is how much to explain to a three year old. I don't want him to know about ghosts and witches and demonic things. I want him to be innocent and carefree for as long as possible. I believe that those things really do exist and I don't think it's all fun and games. So for now we just don't talk about Halloween; we just talk about fall and the fun of the season. When anything that we don't participate in comes up, I just tell him that we don't play that because it's not very nice.That's okay right now, but I'm sure we'll have to explain a little more about why we believe the way we do next year. He's getting very inquisitive....</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took him to his daycare for their halloween party. We took <a href="http://life-justasitis.blogspot.com/2011/11/slimy-wormy-jello-cups.html" target="_blank">slimy wormy jello cups</a> for the party and gave out <a href="http://life-justasitis.blogspot.com/2011/10/robot-party-favors.html" target="_blank">robots</a> for the favors. I took home all of his goody bags filled with halloween treats and just trashed all the things I didn't want him to have. He's still young enough that I can get away with that. Here's a few photos from his class:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD9006Zo3t_641-1Ipq7UUKcwgi-VJSGqK-8CNs6Pw-OprCKx0txpUW2taSndLEDEY9op5pFWArZdjquRws9uQqcPlrTQt1-xyzrvJ5EpB0cwwW7jo2j46fKGa4qsxgx1JmOMBeKvVNrP/s1600/IMG_9845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD9006Zo3t_641-1Ipq7UUKcwgi-VJSGqK-8CNs6Pw-OprCKx0txpUW2taSndLEDEY9op5pFWArZdjquRws9uQqcPlrTQt1-xyzrvJ5EpB0cwwW7jo2j46fKGa4qsxgx1JmOMBeKvVNrP/s320/IMG_9845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTtDBtdl68HvgcmgXJZBP3SC47isT2OJ4YxpIq5oARLPDbHA0OLMGOf0kEZivfoKuyrIfPUBEYxduTHO8be5FIEv7chMURKothKl5rRRA14ddsXhaLMSs4Pu5gUSwzqtX2rPBx1T6gAy/s1600/IMG_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZTtDBtdl68HvgcmgXJZBP3SC47isT2OJ4YxpIq5oARLPDbHA0OLMGOf0kEZivfoKuyrIfPUBEYxduTHO8be5FIEv7chMURKothKl5rRRA14ddsXhaLMSs4Pu5gUSwzqtX2rPBx1T6gAy/s320/IMG_9848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKxJgZNoQQzE9hr4uxD_uC3aoKW9nRJVYc1pd9MQBl1C9s8EU7FEaZobii6LFx0ffySbp4C9wXUx3101GtgHRwCnlWDjCPj_dEHogaPgzRm4rTNdvROeMdsCLRqfm2WcVbb-VApSm4JwZ/s1600/IMG_9852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKxJgZNoQQzE9hr4uxD_uC3aoKW9nRJVYc1pd9MQBl1C9s8EU7FEaZobii6LFx0ffySbp4C9wXUx3101GtgHRwCnlWDjCPj_dEHogaPgzRm4rTNdvROeMdsCLRqfm2WcVbb-VApSm4JwZ/s320/IMG_9852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Caden's pumpkin. All of the kids help decorate pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns at school the week of Halloween. They are so sweet to help Caden decorate his pumpkin with something he loves so he doesn't get left out of the fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VmF2etFmC83afGxh8UZiSX-XEFwQm2nwW9rDKLqtCNLX_ZSJAuMB0iyrKEYsHEoJtakyr2Y7lUZGRRKDOjb-lXhxEZKLmJ9tQ0BwO9ra2EpwUlUt7HtBUbY1S7ITvv59UKKNLfiSlwOg/s1600/IMG_9840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VmF2etFmC83afGxh8UZiSX-XEFwQm2nwW9rDKLqtCNLX_ZSJAuMB0iyrKEYsHEoJtakyr2Y7lUZGRRKDOjb-lXhxEZKLmJ9tQ0BwO9ra2EpwUlUt7HtBUbY1S7ITvv59UKKNLfiSlwOg/s320/IMG_9840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-22037853993446853452011-11-01T18:04:00.000-07:002011-11-01T18:04:48.869-07:00Slimy Wormy Jello Cups<div style="text-align: center;">Caden and I made jello cups to take to his school party. I wanted to do something different and I figured they would have way too many cookies and cupcakes anyway. It helps that Caden loves jello!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Slimy Wormy Jello Cups</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 boxes of different color jello</div><div style="text-align: center;">water</div><div style="text-align: center;">gummy worms</div><div style="text-align: center;">small clear containers </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkikBhltpEMZbF-IsPEY41-_-P19MPr5S-x8h7aXu-q0sfSSMTwdtcNOxHX3w-YGrENrElPf5rzi0tzoyO75ysp-rwzxNnc2QdnUHfS1Mwk8EDSAg6JvOZD9MaYMzEet-riE5VqznsPlzx/s1600/IMG_9693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkikBhltpEMZbF-IsPEY41-_-P19MPr5S-x8h7aXu-q0sfSSMTwdtcNOxHX3w-YGrENrElPf5rzi0tzoyO75ysp-rwzxNnc2QdnUHfS1Mwk8EDSAg6JvOZD9MaYMzEet-riE5VqznsPlzx/s320/IMG_9693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We used plastic punch cups and got seven cups out of this recipe. We made two batches since there are 11 kids in his class at day care. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Make one box of jello according to package directions. Pour into cups evenly. Get your little helper to add a gummy worm into each cup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF8WRMI3KdAPi7IrL3wMo12r32c9NbF1lCDU6xbea-NhflTMu2kIoJ-N8gsEe0m53HX2JDDHpkNuius0JdIAZiB_3yN-St5KLpk33I59FmKfu0ZlGM_Psl0sShBpTwaMLNW0aWQb4_82y/s1600/IMG_9698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF8WRMI3KdAPi7IrL3wMo12r32c9NbF1lCDU6xbea-NhflTMu2kIoJ-N8gsEe0m53HX2JDDHpkNuius0JdIAZiB_3yN-St5KLpk33I59FmKfu0ZlGM_Psl0sShBpTwaMLNW0aWQb4_82y/s320/IMG_9698.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The worm will fall the the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWbN-SGsJGMK7Spe7KzyRyU098NWcU9FsdA4LqSub14W1v2hum4F-ddK1WMijff6JnSv0cW0cFblKjT9sYS0IoCpBQQP3MXUvfPRx55ziMTInFn_Qef2lFf_907NjDe2hELZhI04R0CCA/s1600/IMG_9700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWbN-SGsJGMK7Spe7KzyRyU098NWcU9FsdA4LqSub14W1v2hum4F-ddK1WMijff6JnSv0cW0cFblKjT9sYS0IoCpBQQP3MXUvfPRx55ziMTInFn_Qef2lFf_907NjDe2hELZhI04R0CCA/s320/IMG_9700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Refrigerate according to package directions. We refrigerated overnight and finished them the next day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After the bottom layer of jello is set, mix up the other box of jello and distribute among the cups. Add worms. I draped some over the sides of the cups too...that really added to the cuteness of the snack :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRzyGHrXNJayBAXqmVNU0IAPLQtCwa7DpN60x3bLcCbXRmYu-NL3dbrOs4VZ1NLAhlhgAKyUaFbcZ53yMzCJDBbG2juNzL_iUcAsT0LP9lKj1SNrAGjCXgXuP10jxoOydIMjG6882HU2M/s1600/IMG_9841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRzyGHrXNJayBAXqmVNU0IAPLQtCwa7DpN60x3bLcCbXRmYu-NL3dbrOs4VZ1NLAhlhgAKyUaFbcZ53yMzCJDBbG2juNzL_iUcAsT0LP9lKj1SNrAGjCXgXuP10jxoOydIMjG6882HU2M/s320/IMG_9841.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-831167682337820912011-11-01T15:32:00.000-07:002011-11-01T15:32:04.840-07:00Weekend RecapI was running....all weekend!<br />
We have been working for the past week getting our bonus room into a livable space. It used to be Jamie's man room. Then it was Grandma's bedroom when she lived with us, but it has steadily become a junk room. We have way too much junk in our house!! It's quite an ordeal to weed out though....especially for a pack rat like me. We filled a truck full for Goodwill and put a ton a stuff on the street for the trash men. I think we did pretty well. I would show you photos, but the before was so embarrassing I would never photograph it. I'll get some photos of the new space once I get my side finished. Our bonus room now has some great leather furniture on loan from my in laws (Thanks y'all!), a tv and Jamie's sports memorabilia on one side of the room completing his new man cave. The other side is going to be my craft room. Right now everything is in boxes on my side. It looks a million times better than it did though!<br />
I worked a little Saturday morning, then went to watch some city league football. After the game, I started food for the parties and finished cleaning up. Then Lynn and I took Caden to the Jr Bullriders rodeo that afternoon. Jamie and a couple of his friends were delivering stuff to Goodwill and getting the furniture for the man cave while we were having fun. :)<br />
Caden decided he wanted to be a cowboy this year for Halloween. It was great because he went all decked out in his attire to the rodeo. Caden rode Charlie, his stick horse, over to our neighbors' house before we left for the rodeo. They fussed over how handsome he was and we had a little photo shoot :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPh4945htIUCC_dP2Tjs-DwnKekmFfJ0jWXgxIwuTbsKXoHsFB9AblOr48nBzt5pO72hlErRESd7ZGCFHCMnu1l9OZgoK071W5ibzVDvCQqdrj9QTHGNzFS97MVMhr0DtWxBi4mT3N3V5/s1600/IMG_9729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPh4945htIUCC_dP2Tjs-DwnKekmFfJ0jWXgxIwuTbsKXoHsFB9AblOr48nBzt5pO72hlErRESd7ZGCFHCMnu1l9OZgoK071W5ibzVDvCQqdrj9QTHGNzFS97MVMhr0DtWxBi4mT3N3V5/s320/IMG_9729.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIKWCP4FsS6VdDNSsGzkNvNOLhN384zBN4jnb7OugJeEqaK3si7ls89YaXCoBhd-x4oDojUqsWSUt9HXClDnwyv1IfBTJKv5MkCHQnz5bIXMc5VwPUHXKRhzFQvBk5ooAE0QPv1LBaKgz/s1600/IMG_9738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIKWCP4FsS6VdDNSsGzkNvNOLhN384zBN4jnb7OugJeEqaK3si7ls89YaXCoBhd-x4oDojUqsWSUt9HXClDnwyv1IfBTJKv5MkCHQnz5bIXMc5VwPUHXKRhzFQvBk5ooAE0QPv1LBaKgz/s320/IMG_9738.jpg" width="184" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlbvsLM5GJif5JRo1rfpQ41NhKxY_VjnuYaz1D2EEmie_7O9nAQHRdoqvZSzI8tgvo34PxFGFehoQg0M3imE5kvYeHRZbYZClqBdAd1-SE1GLnnU3pFyvrkiq1RRQLYv-ACsYRMzVisWn/s1600/IMG_9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlbvsLM5GJif5JRo1rfpQ41NhKxY_VjnuYaz1D2EEmie_7O9nAQHRdoqvZSzI8tgvo34PxFGFehoQg0M3imE5kvYeHRZbYZClqBdAd1-SE1GLnnU3pFyvrkiq1RRQLYv-ACsYRMzVisWn/s320/IMG_9751.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgwn2njyhojpgRb1aVd5S-iGHMBExU_vJwv8eFgLUE0PkMq_ezkEVE7hUG4LM1nTsEAv5HCQ7UTZ1QqMoEfl7MESxcuijOh5GEpy4NiffDwwrpqJM94o6yQRvojeBFBh8atXEcmpO3Ix4/s1600/IMG_9755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgwn2njyhojpgRb1aVd5S-iGHMBExU_vJwv8eFgLUE0PkMq_ezkEVE7hUG4LM1nTsEAv5HCQ7UTZ1QqMoEfl7MESxcuijOh5GEpy4NiffDwwrpqJM94o6yQRvojeBFBh8atXEcmpO3Ix4/s320/IMG_9755.JPG" width="305" /></a></div>He had SO much fun at the rodeo! We got to see bull riding, pole bending, and even some little ones riding sheep. Caden wanted to get in on the action, but he settled for riding the pretend bull. I wish I had a picture of him riding it with his little hand up in the air, but my phone died and I didn't' take my camera. I only got one photo, but I think it's a pretty good one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM6JFi-Z0_z87hHWrGtoka4uyFd9ts_HCx9bCdxslsOXvXjB0jMdMk_Wdi6AXuAh3lKy2vDUUZxCkm9TNqOmtuWilN-gaXbxWdg_CFourHfJAi_Zqm2Qcz5NsC05iIrswHVv9xCj59Dqa/s1600/IMG_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEM6JFi-Z0_z87hHWrGtoka4uyFd9ts_HCx9bCdxslsOXvXjB0jMdMk_Wdi6AXuAh3lKy2vDUUZxCkm9TNqOmtuWilN-gaXbxWdg_CFourHfJAi_Zqm2Qcz5NsC05iIrswHVv9xCj59Dqa/s320/IMG_1628.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We had some of Jamie's work friends and some family over to watch some football and UFC Saturday night. All of Jamie's hard work paid off because most everybody sat in the bonus room. Caden loved having "new friends" come over. Thank God for the playroom! All in all it was a good party. I made lots of snacks so recipes will be coming soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmul4DfJVfRzu1_wyfrwuJwlpk_9YMyIxvqh7EYjZxI3VCJPXNjRm1CXH4BBBsjLCBeVqOxooU3mTQX68FbD8Hc1FiRX3kb5cDrfIY1TlQ5t_KAbXE3UO-uTcPOqv6lKSE4TNDCl3kY5g/s1600/IMG_9782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmul4DfJVfRzu1_wyfrwuJwlpk_9YMyIxvqh7EYjZxI3VCJPXNjRm1CXH4BBBsjLCBeVqOxooU3mTQX68FbD8Hc1FiRX3kb5cDrfIY1TlQ5t_KAbXE3UO-uTcPOqv6lKSE4TNDCl3kY5g/s320/IMG_9782.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunday night we had a costume party for the youth group at our house. Good times! I was a lady bug, Jamie was a coach, and Caden was of course a cowboy. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of us together. Here's some photos of the night....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYpsuBbPltHo5_Ug0Jcy-we6n90xCX28jzlje9GuZL2B9eatjE-4XbYnnPnfq98dzU7vBQaahdVHqypRE_Bu0OPou8Zjrdtzzas20uD6wwK2JYa42bLAj1plBh0GU4AV1WlmnhEgXvgd4/s1600/IMG_9836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYpsuBbPltHo5_Ug0Jcy-we6n90xCX28jzlje9GuZL2B9eatjE-4XbYnnPnfq98dzU7vBQaahdVHqypRE_Bu0OPou8Zjrdtzzas20uD6wwK2JYa42bLAj1plBh0GU4AV1WlmnhEgXvgd4/s320/IMG_9836.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzU5pFWsmSMpAAAIprz1t9ySI-UWLlSVOQmi7TiZYwPDBYwiaKeWtpsJddatR9MSqR8ZonwrmvD76fKmMk_HH_8G6s5KDhxzlSOH-onQGc4WUwuyWay30QW4yUvt1E0uE9KPxaeBf3cjX/s1600/IMG_9821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzU5pFWsmSMpAAAIprz1t9ySI-UWLlSVOQmi7TiZYwPDBYwiaKeWtpsJddatR9MSqR8ZonwrmvD76fKmMk_HH_8G6s5KDhxzlSOH-onQGc4WUwuyWay30QW4yUvt1E0uE9KPxaeBf3cjX/s320/IMG_9821.JPG" width="316" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxHKnZIrjJKxUnQHAktQdtT7WIGP3SC0F75OMV0YflPxUplDEqzbQm9dpvElff4GkDIDqoAW8PJhXdbTWGLLbq0Wq5I6cpB6On25TM4NnaPrQ8jOCFags6jLX1R3ceh8yuA7Vvxk5CT4k/s1600/IMG_9822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxHKnZIrjJKxUnQHAktQdtT7WIGP3SC0F75OMV0YflPxUplDEqzbQm9dpvElff4GkDIDqoAW8PJhXdbTWGLLbq0Wq5I6cpB6On25TM4NnaPrQ8jOCFags6jLX1R3ceh8yuA7Vvxk5CT4k/s320/IMG_9822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-83413774047648256282011-10-28T11:32:00.000-07:002011-10-28T11:32:06.609-07:00The Pumpkin Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgWAgP_3Ec1TlS7dNt_bpTBGiM-JGnzwNjEn2DhZyAVd7-SFHmt5Rxed_s1_0pAqLb7hxLnXMWUiNGHnF5C-e-fozSOFTsNKplRroe74Xpq8g0HPsTYOMGWA4cd1YO3BWwMRc4FxkDvY2/s1600/IMG_9705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgWAgP_3Ec1TlS7dNt_bpTBGiM-JGnzwNjEn2DhZyAVd7-SFHmt5Rxed_s1_0pAqLb7hxLnXMWUiNGHnF5C-e-fozSOFTsNKplRroe74Xpq8g0HPsTYOMGWA4cd1YO3BWwMRc4FxkDvY2/s320/IMG_9705.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><br />
This morning I found myself longing for the days before Caden could talk.....I did not want him to have an opinion unless it agreed with mine! I admit, it was not my finest hour.<br />
All I wanted was for Caden to wear the pumpkin shirt that I made him last year to school today. We talked about it all week and set the shirt (it's long-sleeved) out for today since it was supposed to be getting cold. He LOVED wearing the shirts I appliqued for him last year, but apparently they aren't cool anymore. Or he just didn't want to wear it to school today, I'm not sure. He told me that he could wear it on "Mommy/Caden day".<br />
For those of you wondering what Mommy/Caden day is, it's Monday.<br />
I'm off so Caden gets to stay home or do whatever I'm doing. It's just the two of us, hence the name "Mommy/Caden day". Anyway, I told him that he was wearing the pumpkin shirt, that he got to pick his clothes every day and Mommy wanted to have a turn today. That didn't work! He started crying big tears and I got mad. I'm slamming around the kitchen fuming to myself while fixing my coffee, and he's laying on the couch crying. I eventually yell at him to stop and dry it up. Then I'm even more mad because now not only am I mad at him, I'm mad at myself. Please tell me I'm not the only one who's done this!? Anyone?<br />
I mumbled to myself, "It's just a stupid shirt! Give me a break and just wear the d*** thing!" And then I felt shamed. Yes, it is just a stupid shirt and <b>he's three</b>! Get over yourself, Arsella and put on your big girl panties! I was being convicted. Okay Lord...<br />
So I called him into the kitchen apologized for yelling and then made him a deal. He had to let me take some pictures of him in the pumpkin shirt to show everyone and then he could take it off and pick another shirt for school. So here he is, my sweet albeit rotten boy in his pumpkin shirt...and his dog, "Slimy".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7L6frGbwigD86Ge278Qu6AueSsYfnDxAWIrEWoVOLKiRyfRzmmtPZ_-SxpfrdNTTaUZIrjbV9feU5UHd61GZx-5h_2xB6O1bHp0_yU82JDiMvjbVUaB1BHgPNBZnyIJs2RKXR4G8WV1T/s1600/IMG_9706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7L6frGbwigD86Ge278Qu6AueSsYfnDxAWIrEWoVOLKiRyfRzmmtPZ_-SxpfrdNTTaUZIrjbV9feU5UHd61GZx-5h_2xB6O1bHp0_yU82JDiMvjbVUaB1BHgPNBZnyIJs2RKXR4G8WV1T/s320/IMG_9706.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-67290637546316096002011-10-27T20:50:00.000-07:002011-10-27T20:50:49.123-07:00Robot party favorsCaden has a halloween party at his day care on Monday. Everyone has to sign up to bring something for the party. I'm making slimy wormy jello cups....more on that later.<br />
This time last year I learned that most of the kids brought little goodie bags or something to send home with each kid in the class after holiday parities. I was pretty upset when I realized that. I didn't make anything for Caden to give out because I didn't know I was supposed to. I felt like a horrible mom. Caden was two; he didn't know that he was the only one without goodie bags, but that didn't happen again! After several holidays, I realized that I really don't like the average goodie bag. It usually includes cheap toys that break or don't get played with and too much candy. Lots of times it's bad candy at that. Okay some of the candy is good, but it almost always has stuff in it that I don't let Caden have like gum or hard candies.<br />
I decided that this year I wanted to do something different, something neat. I want to be the cool mom...the "gosh she's so creative" mom. Sometimes I succeed in living up to my inner crafty genius, but usually I don't. However this year, at least for Caden's school party, you can just call me "Martha". :)<br />
Here's the robots I made for Caden to give to his friends instead of the average goodie bag.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGBbO8fyWGpePPPA2LARPv4nhu-h43zWHZ2xWEIucHzLr2taHrC87-JiH-631uGl7K0MMsEopwZUOuXXdAnPN04rNByQNFHdisWCXtNKbiV7SYF684BU56nJ4RdR4hdIts6F5HIGvjM20/s1600/IMG_9682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGBbO8fyWGpePPPA2LARPv4nhu-h43zWHZ2xWEIucHzLr2taHrC87-JiH-631uGl7K0MMsEopwZUOuXXdAnPN04rNByQNFHdisWCXtNKbiV7SYF684BU56nJ4RdR4hdIts6F5HIGvjM20/s320/IMG_9682.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Adorable, right? Caden is very proud and ready to take these to school. Too bad he has to wait until Monday. :) </div><div style="text-align: center;">They were actually really easy to make. Here's the breakdown: : 2 "googaly eyes", 2 Hershey's Nuggets, juice box, 2 airheads, 4 starbursts. Hot glue together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ieSD2LxhCq08GwPb4VXpnLxOexg6UMunZdioDggme0ImRXr9usR-h7R0uZvxfP8VjSU_nHkcVGWYlowIIUFpMdmFq7nQQ4SVycBAZ7uwbp5A1CNxkW_hqYlLX-yn6ASEjzHn1ejRe4K-/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ieSD2LxhCq08GwPb4VXpnLxOexg6UMunZdioDggme0ImRXr9usR-h7R0uZvxfP8VjSU_nHkcVGWYlowIIUFpMdmFq7nQQ4SVycBAZ7uwbp5A1CNxkW_hqYlLX-yn6ASEjzHn1ejRe4K-/s320/IMG_9684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">PS. If you are a teacher at Nana's house, or if your child in the "big kid class" please pretend that you didn't' see this post until after the party, okay? Thanks!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-53715954568530473112011-10-27T20:23:00.000-07:002011-10-27T20:23:39.635-07:00Taco Seasoning MixIs anybody else tired of buying packets of taco seasoning? Do you use it as much as I do? I love mexican food, and tacos are just an easy meal after a long day. Now I just make my own seasoning....bye bye little packets that get lost in my pantry. I love anything that I can make myself and anything that saves me money. This is easy and you'll be so glad you did it. <div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Taco Seasoning Mix</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 cup chili powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup onion powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/8 cup ground cumin</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp garlic powder</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp paprika</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 Tbsp sea salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZHgDfhDuCQq6hFiLbIW8YroNd_nN9HQSIT1hSiLGfOxmFob3Job2vibRxN97Mc9qphQ1DkP5JyaZCrOLqCeiNZ6ZtUdfV7rxhs2zGcIwcWWdL6gFI8RDbl9K7GVSAmfZhQfAfjuWXNw-/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZHgDfhDuCQq6hFiLbIW8YroNd_nN9HQSIT1hSiLGfOxmFob3Job2vibRxN97Mc9qphQ1DkP5JyaZCrOLqCeiNZ6ZtUdfV7rxhs2zGcIwcWWdL6gFI8RDbl9K7GVSAmfZhQfAfjuWXNw-/s320/IMG_9691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Combine all ingredients in a sealable container....tupperware, mason jar, whatever you have on hand will work. Shake the container to mix all of the spices together. I would recommend shaking before each use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyWGQim4rcUCNgxaOEPWwdKnABG5vysBy83ekliCm8ZYwiBnasKf5pVdXiailZX6nPk-b674oG-ZGz5w2HzsIpbXwXz4DKzyWlGx2fJBZdWpA-9QUEomR0RxGeQA2hfyE9wt4EYCNEzY1/s1600/IMG_9692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyWGQim4rcUCNgxaOEPWwdKnABG5vysBy83ekliCm8ZYwiBnasKf5pVdXiailZX6nPk-b674oG-ZGz5w2HzsIpbXwXz4DKzyWlGx2fJBZdWpA-9QUEomR0RxGeQA2hfyE9wt4EYCNEzY1/s320/IMG_9692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3 Tbsp = 1 packet of taco seasoning</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-48331321526447258352011-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:002011-10-27T21:05:38.365-07:00Mexican Chicken CasseroleI looked at several different mexican casseroles online and I combined the best of them all into my own recipe. Jamie and Lynn said that the sauce reminded them of the sauce on the chicken quesadilla at Taco Bell. I eat mexican pizzas or crunch wrap supremes at Taco Bell so I wouldn't know about the sauce...All I know is that it tastes good!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mexican Chicken Casserole</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups cooked shredded chicken</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can cream of chicken soup</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can cheddar cheese soup</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 can rotel</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 c sour cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 1/2 Tbsp <a href="http://life-justasitis.blogspot.com/2011/10/taco-seasoning-mix.html">taco seasoning mix</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 bag flour tortillas</div><div style="text-align: center;">shredded cheddar cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9RcBhBGmjD6zEWVGm_DvwuGFEQra7AfmvAo2KV80BdZmY4fafa8QhDmWEg5ALYic_iRNX97AxhJz-U4LXeSdsviGPPW_cWbD8s74ftvX3zYVMDQa2AFhnLrEog09FzfcWFSt3a0qaEj/s1600/IMG_9686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9RcBhBGmjD6zEWVGm_DvwuGFEQra7AfmvAo2KV80BdZmY4fafa8QhDmWEg5ALYic_iRNX97AxhJz-U4LXeSdsviGPPW_cWbD8s74ftvX3zYVMDQa2AFhnLrEog09FzfcWFSt3a0qaEj/s320/IMG_9686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Combine soups and sour cream in a large bowl. Add rotel and taco seasoning. Mix in chicken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZtwZ8-x07pXIbR7JgSJkzK89GWdu1UO9UHQoX8CPaSStIWIvIpix8rNlkXQMd-b7YPDZaLRvJRsDqOvnh_FVl9jq9Nh9rSqN9YJuRMDxkyj6BlBgcLy4qdr_YXdjPvKlM3bY3yQIPtot/s1600/IMG_9687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZtwZ8-x07pXIbR7JgSJkzK89GWdu1UO9UHQoX8CPaSStIWIvIpix8rNlkXQMd-b7YPDZaLRvJRsDqOvnh_FVl9jq9Nh9rSqN9YJuRMDxkyj6BlBgcLy4qdr_YXdjPvKlM3bY3yQIPtot/s320/IMG_9687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a greased 9x13 dish layer tortilla and chicken mixture starting and ending with tortillas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhc8mKYPQFTgzvMYYJmhmw3XnbiHxwZXE_Q1X0ExCe78yhqFkaWzktg6PKkFXDHenwqNOvkHjESI6Pkv6-ybIqA3OxSgN9HxF8ovWKOhSaRkKBu9ritH9-n_PqKWY28Ge0NgKZuyAzYua/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhc8mKYPQFTgzvMYYJmhmw3XnbiHxwZXE_Q1X0ExCe78yhqFkaWzktg6PKkFXDHenwqNOvkHjESI6Pkv6-ybIqA3OxSgN9HxF8ovWKOhSaRkKBu9ritH9-n_PqKWY28Ge0NgKZuyAzYua/s320/IMG_9688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did four layers of tortillas and three layers of chicken mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6XKx46GiBSa_kAlqlaxqhP82zLih6IgPBe4j7xLGAqLu_F-4582Yi0xIFZF_-ojCDxRurv7Kjv1NNNRXFKS_QI7U-03PbPCBYmbu5GxfGaHgygF6zv0uUQGi2STgTFONkiomK4VNPZ7T/s1600/IMG_9689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6XKx46GiBSa_kAlqlaxqhP82zLih6IgPBe4j7xLGAqLu_F-4582Yi0xIFZF_-ojCDxRurv7Kjv1NNNRXFKS_QI7U-03PbPCBYmbu5GxfGaHgygF6zv0uUQGi2STgTFONkiomK4VNPZ7T/s320/IMG_9689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjVvZf6HlPhHvRyvd8xQFXc5mFXnlLJCIOAEekV96eobE14GEA6KzHTyPW716XAVzVp1L1Mjj0s7Od3KbOCv0txPr3JChJrfV3_T9iqm-khWlxTtdIhqeT6AQY7sXrrIFF5_AwuodFYHG/s1600/IMG_9690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjVvZf6HlPhHvRyvd8xQFXc5mFXnlLJCIOAEekV96eobE14GEA6KzHTyPW716XAVzVp1L1Mjj0s7Od3KbOCv0txPr3JChJrfV3_T9iqm-khWlxTtdIhqeT6AQY7sXrrIFF5_AwuodFYHG/s320/IMG_9690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bake five more minutes or until cheese is melted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was pretty messy, but it may help if you let it rest for a little while before cutting. It was late and we were hungry so it only sat for about five minutes before I cut into it. :) Not the best for presentation, but it sure does taste good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_DxHxBPrWuyoRXZLrFlCw68VFzUk8NbPLFlT9x-LzPakUQgQzxFRKoMdrqKE__itGhVTqvDfH35ywHtJlEZfipneIVsBcCtPCWuzr8QyDn9mldLqPps7fb7tdB57ADYRbgefkc6qCVy_/s1600/IMG_9701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_DxHxBPrWuyoRXZLrFlCw68VFzUk8NbPLFlT9x-LzPakUQgQzxFRKoMdrqKE__itGhVTqvDfH35ywHtJlEZfipneIVsBcCtPCWuzr8QyDn9mldLqPps7fb7tdB57ADYRbgefkc6qCVy_/s320/IMG_9701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-92179414506982903412011-10-26T09:37:00.000-07:002011-10-27T21:07:09.859-07:00Spicy Chicken Lasagna RollsLasagna is one of Jamie's favorite foods. It's not one of mine. This recipe appealed to me because it's different. It has chicken which is not something you normally find in lasagna, and I like chicken better than italian sausage. Everyone liked it so it's going into the recipe file to be used again and I'm going to share it with you. I hope your family likes it too.<br />
I got the original recipe from an email from allrecipes.com, but I can't find it online now...sorry! Here's my version:<br />
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<b>Spicy Chicken Lasagna Rolls</b><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
2 jars spaghetti sauce<br />
2 tsp italian seasoning<br />
2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes<br />
2 cups shredded cooked chicken<br />
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided<br />
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese<br />
1 15 oz container of ricotta cheese<br />
2 eggs, beaten<br />
14 rinsed cooked lasagna noodles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eJjS9VaPTAf8VzD9B_IqbFnw9rmPZ5yKOk7aFGDoPFbGvHIuCq2sAkE6oN1-kstcqp6-AAnRw6Ao7dOmQG1ipzkJtFDQKK4hWijuzrhFabgY6At7Yda1rT3p__6r-5byp-u1mLBfy9LW/s1600/IMG_9673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eJjS9VaPTAf8VzD9B_IqbFnw9rmPZ5yKOk7aFGDoPFbGvHIuCq2sAkE6oN1-kstcqp6-AAnRw6Ao7dOmQG1ipzkJtFDQKK4hWijuzrhFabgY6At7Yda1rT3p__6r-5byp-u1mLBfy9LW/s320/IMG_9673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took this picture before I made everything and I realized after putting everything together that it needed more sauce so there's only one bottle pictured. The ingredient list is correct. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is about 2 cups of chicken which equates to two chicken breasts. I put a pack of four chicken breasts in my crock pot with a can of chicken broth to cook while I was at work. I shredded it when I got home and put half in the fridge for another meal. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Boil noodles to al dente. You want them to be tender and flexible, but not mushy. Rinse the noodles in cool water after boiling and lay them out on wax paper or tin foil so they don't stick together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkc2MaEhZAxUVcnNWVtMjR1Kk19IpzI243cPljP9fCBNk9TgHl5Y2zNeR6BDvj5F17BtXrI4HA0ga91Mv134ecqIXr4jCYyYmzZ2sG-jQZqCChbX6YW7fvlIyM7sylnsT7E_2AOJUUJUQ/s1600/IMG_9677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkc2MaEhZAxUVcnNWVtMjR1Kk19IpzI243cPljP9fCBNk9TgHl5Y2zNeR6BDvj5F17BtXrI4HA0ga91Mv134ecqIXr4jCYyYmzZ2sG-jQZqCChbX6YW7fvlIyM7sylnsT7E_2AOJUUJUQ/s320/IMG_9677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mix the spaghetti sauce, italian seasoning, and red pepper together in a bowl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswNdTUi_CqdVl2i_LMSO2iCH5IR8l2AUOw2C51-zHniVQ0Qxrwqg1HSLQka0Q94fK1hFWqLP9Pehuqlfdz99FGhjcsKwzy1LsOxWkw1rp2sX0_6Ps6uVwm4T1bNwH8lqmetXVDfL_z13R/s1600/IMG_9674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswNdTUi_CqdVl2i_LMSO2iCH5IR8l2AUOw2C51-zHniVQ0Qxrwqg1HSLQka0Q94fK1hFWqLP9Pehuqlfdz99FGhjcsKwzy1LsOxWkw1rp2sX0_6Ps6uVwm4T1bNwH8lqmetXVDfL_z13R/s320/IMG_9674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In a separate bowl mix chicken, eggs, parmesan, ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and 1/2 cup of sauce mixture together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK259MdFWMuonxkLAyZY_vFLsTZyUgmw1ix7eZ8Y4RQYYL16UuD4ViZBzKJdSafsFZP520cPICDO9znWUlEzXB9JeovQP4bWfwwhtMAGYSKbkDpdT6JPYvqL2pP6-lcWOGBZbv1i8LGLK/s1600/IMG_9675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK259MdFWMuonxkLAyZY_vFLsTZyUgmw1ix7eZ8Y4RQYYL16UuD4ViZBzKJdSafsFZP520cPICDO9znWUlEzXB9JeovQP4bWfwwhtMAGYSKbkDpdT6JPYvqL2pP6-lcWOGBZbv1i8LGLK/s320/IMG_9675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu69qg01v_HtthVy_QCV7tueQsoXmYSK_-aQJZBO1zzvExzvOYx03canW8PR3Z169tTRKJZ_5DNFlJDrwQz2okXuKynV8rKOc2dEPormDwBRwYSWvdQi1mzVDoJrbStYYqL3aq4FakkJLU/s1600/IMG_9676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu69qg01v_HtthVy_QCV7tueQsoXmYSK_-aQJZBO1zzvExzvOYx03canW8PR3Z169tTRKJZ_5DNFlJDrwQz2okXuKynV8rKOc2dEPormDwBRwYSWvdQi1mzVDoJrbStYYqL3aq4FakkJLU/s320/IMG_9676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spoon mixture onto lasagna and roll up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSadW5A57NNpUWNx88bOXDD3_YDdR_uFRlvRIk68q2uYn46A0i8KZovTSTfSAKUcThs1aF4hzYwUW0BSrZNSPuF3VWJMymLrgNuyI74uXduBIg44BUCcPft-geoZMh6y_7pn4DoqHv5Md/s1600/IMG_9678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSadW5A57NNpUWNx88bOXDD3_YDdR_uFRlvRIk68q2uYn46A0i8KZovTSTfSAKUcThs1aF4hzYwUW0BSrZNSPuF3VWJMymLrgNuyI74uXduBIg44BUCcPft-geoZMh6y_7pn4DoqHv5Md/s320/IMG_9678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put 1/2-1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 dish. I'm using Pampered Chef Stoneware. It's not really dirty...it just looks like that after it's been used as much as mine has. :) Place lasagna rolls seam side down on top of the sauce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45SPFyphOjP93xEbiXDix2iJl0Qb-35hyx8dEnq4zsRt6YAmFGFE0-7lSCcSc_riVTmJLjQswDG5MORXM5wbQsZ4fHFwL8WmoYvKXxClH4rnvPhyphenhyphenQ3vg5_YeErX6TwlIQdncxKJTT4KMr/s1600/IMG_9680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45SPFyphOjP93xEbiXDix2iJl0Qb-35hyx8dEnq4zsRt6YAmFGFE0-7lSCcSc_riVTmJLjQswDG5MORXM5wbQsZ4fHFwL8WmoYvKXxClH4rnvPhyphenhyphenQ3vg5_YeErX6TwlIQdncxKJTT4KMr/s320/IMG_9680.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until heated through.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry I don't have a picture of the finished product. Things got a little crazy around our house. I'll add one next time I make it, I promise.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-12313694658610417132011-10-24T17:23:00.000-07:002011-10-24T17:24:55.620-07:00what's for supper? leftover veggie soupJamie eats at Quarter Back Club on Monday nights so I try to cook something that he won't be sad to miss. I have chicken lasagna roll ups and mexican chicken casserole on the menu for this week, but I didn't want to make either of those without him. So I was standing in front of the fridge/freezer trying to come up with a good meal idea and it came to me....leftover veggie soup.<br />
I was reading a blog or Facebook or something several moths ago and saw a clever idea. It was one of those moments where I thought, "Duh! Why have I not thought of this before?" It said to freeze leftover vegetables to make veggie soup. We have leftover veggies a lot at our house. I can't get Caden to eat vegetables for anything and Jamie isn't fond of much more than corn and green beans. I, on the other hand, am a veggie lover, but I'm not always a leftover veggie lover. So in the past most of the leftover veggies sat in the fridge until I threw them away. Now, they go into a freezer bag instead of into the fridge.<br />
I started a gallon size bag, but I only filled about a third of it. I think a quart sized bag would be plenty for our family. I started my bag with leftover hormel pork roast. I bought one that was roast flavored when they were BOGO at Winn Dixie. I cooked it in the crock pot with some chicken broth and it was super salty!! It was a definite fail, but I figured it might be salvageable in some soup. I added green beans, corn, and butter peas to the bag from several different suppers. Tonight I used that bag. I started with a sautéed onion then dumped in the leftovers. I added a few things from the pantry: diced tomatoes, mushrooms, and beef broth. I added a couple cups of water and some tony chachere's creole seasoning. I added a little pepper too. Bring it all to a boil then simmer for a little bit (20 min at least). It turned out really good! I can't wait to have this again. I served it with <a href="http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/04/7up-biscuits.html">7up Biscuits</a>. Yummy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCbr07tWceS0PgNsm54GodTx1cac6MwsJzTKQjtGnnAOdjI2ax-CKEu85BzvFcDH7404dszwRbln8f6OGGzpDBt9kqkhsurF31QgBtJQYXDT0AXbNRDUCvhdzLF2z06nH1YFNAMkppmf/s1600/IMG_9670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCbr07tWceS0PgNsm54GodTx1cac6MwsJzTKQjtGnnAOdjI2ax-CKEu85BzvFcDH7404dszwRbln8f6OGGzpDBt9kqkhsurF31QgBtJQYXDT0AXbNRDUCvhdzLF2z06nH1YFNAMkppmf/s320/IMG_9670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-40975594206539997412011-10-22T21:20:00.000-07:002011-10-22T21:20:23.672-07:00Homecoming 2011<div style="text-align: center;">Last night was Homecoming in Selmatown at Morgan and Meadowview. I hate when they plan things on the same night. It sure does make life difficult if you have somebody you love at both schools. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I split up the night and went to Meadowview's game and then headed to be with Kendall and take a few photos while she was getting ready for the dance. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was really cold outside, but there's nothing like football, sweaters, scarves, toboggans, and hot chocolate.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Caden absolutely loves sports and is thrilled anytime he gets to go to a game. He actually watches the games and cheers louder than most adults. I love to watch him when he gets excited. He was so happy when we got there and his friend Grace was there with her family. He loves her big sisters just as much, but Grace is his running buddy. Their presence just made his night even more special. We love the Stulls!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnirfc4az72-hgyrrnATK-BJESZ3d1oPD1jXbdb37qCMBGvxgX3Mh1yZJrvTFwEJDbzhFUDNlZQUbAZsAErKl0945CibMo1f2yvtNHYZpLBb6CZSfUaRlD-HwjUOUQMrO8f89QmgvvCDqX/s1600/IMG_9476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnirfc4az72-hgyrrnATK-BJESZ3d1oPD1jXbdb37qCMBGvxgX3Mh1yZJrvTFwEJDbzhFUDNlZQUbAZsAErKl0945CibMo1f2yvtNHYZpLBb6CZSfUaRlD-HwjUOUQMrO8f89QmgvvCDqX/s320/IMG_9476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It was also Senior recognition night at MCS so I got to see Kelli, Wil, and DeVante give roses to their parents. This is My Uncle Matt, cousin Kelli, and Aunt Jennifer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn3h3A2KXzrxtXW5IaKW2M-7iaUFDorshyphenhyphenlcDqnhBqAoc3rFhDzgo0rjO5jfjQbwbS49JxCxUz4bb0WTjVbIxoEjQVJrhglGtvLe80ru4JcrMxuDwDvfb8i5pTR7mYo3a8rFM-gnaZrzX/s1600/IMG_9498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn3h3A2KXzrxtXW5IaKW2M-7iaUFDorshyphenhyphenlcDqnhBqAoc3rFhDzgo0rjO5jfjQbwbS49JxCxUz4bb0WTjVbIxoEjQVJrhglGtvLe80ru4JcrMxuDwDvfb8i5pTR7mYo3a8rFM-gnaZrzX/s320/IMG_9498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kelsey and Kelli were in homecoming court. I'm so proud of you both!! You are beautiful inside and out. These gorgeous girls are being escorted by their daddies, who were dressed in their finest too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV1GLMTICOTKSg8FelxJIyc3MDEmbjmRjX_HMRwCKW4lF1aKES-busxKGLmGT9-FEL3xkIjHs4ipAEAZbRzknIxWjxcmR_tvnp392Isk8wXlm1TXWnYHACGB3ClUePSjcbCXOk_b-_9ar/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV1GLMTICOTKSg8FelxJIyc3MDEmbjmRjX_HMRwCKW4lF1aKES-busxKGLmGT9-FEL3xkIjHs4ipAEAZbRzknIxWjxcmR_tvnp392Isk8wXlm1TXWnYHACGB3ClUePSjcbCXOk_b-_9ar/s320/IMG_9528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After half time we went to see the girls and take a few family photos. Kelli is one of Caden's favorite "big girls" and she happens to be one of my favorites too. I love you Kel!!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I bribed Caden with a drink for this gorgeous smile. Don't judge....he responds well to bribery and sometimes you just have to do what works.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkx6_CuextcbqSPZ71sBHQ2XfiEoQ1lhKNEAVU6jHt_R2Heaw28Dz1j2kNBZJCq5_4DHyt6s0dELa30tUHXlsZVnDMmphWnzF_Xrx5XogdkRBWMFJCEIhRxhyT8gBbAiFzFhoRF4YX6-7/s1600/IMG_9531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkx6_CuextcbqSPZ71sBHQ2XfiEoQ1lhKNEAVU6jHt_R2Heaw28Dz1j2kNBZJCq5_4DHyt6s0dELa30tUHXlsZVnDMmphWnzF_Xrx5XogdkRBWMFJCEIhRxhyT8gBbAiFzFhoRF4YX6-7/s320/IMG_9531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After the third quarter I headed down the road to see Kendall. She's not blood related, but she's family none the less. I work with her Mom and she's a lot like a sister to me. I did miss seeing K's brother Hunter, but boys aren't as interested in having their mom or "their other mom" around. :) I know he had a great time and I'll get to see plenty of pics that his girlfriend's mom took. Here's Kendall begin silly....I guess she got tired of posing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwDvins_j8AiJYS5KdFw4PfEpx4I6Z6gmcGhcTrl4gMOqHz5PsSK_BqVE_UoP4b8OshWB5UHKTQ1TM07cP_OAq8vXhoz26ATae_Eb8zAb2rBK01DBCjAFsgoQ3j_-JzPfJw2slp1pJzqd/s1600/IMG_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwDvins_j8AiJYS5KdFw4PfEpx4I6Z6gmcGhcTrl4gMOqHz5PsSK_BqVE_UoP4b8OshWB5UHKTQ1TM07cP_OAq8vXhoz26ATae_Eb8zAb2rBK01DBCjAFsgoQ3j_-JzPfJw2slp1pJzqd/s320/IMG_9618.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This was Kendall's first real dance. She's in 9th grade, but is often mistaken as being much older than she is. I want to lock her in a closet and keep her away from all the boys knocking on her door. :) I think her daddy will agree with me on that one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She got ready at her friend's house with eight other girls. It was a whirlwind. Imagine....nine girls straight from a football game changing clothes while trying to get makeup and hair done, sisters and friends in and out trying to help as much as possible, and all the mommas running around with cameras and hairspray. It was wild, but I guess that's part of the fun. We did some pictures of the girls before their boys got there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbWQ-TJTu9nJoaLVNXrNO-G292XDbIfzvXTuj28_x05UzI8gW2zoeziNiiRHvf7yC5DWuWgNpZzkfourxWIClwaOGbXtCzpSvVEStTpiTZMvqUxd2H3mcGbN-HrsXJ0N_MADfPCcaURez/s1600/IMG_9609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbWQ-TJTu9nJoaLVNXrNO-G292XDbIfzvXTuj28_x05UzI8gW2zoeziNiiRHvf7yC5DWuWgNpZzkfourxWIClwaOGbXtCzpSvVEStTpiTZMvqUxd2H3mcGbN-HrsXJ0N_MADfPCcaURez/s320/IMG_9609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a tradition at Morgan that 9th graders rent a limo to take them to and from the Homecoming dance. I guess it's because they can't drive yet and nobody wants their momma to drop them off. I remember my 9th grade homecoming. I went with my childhood friend, Nathan. Wow, has it really been thirteen years?! Where does the time go?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seven of these pretty girls left in the limo with their dates. Kendall and one other girl stayed behind because they were going with older boys who could drive. I know Kendall and Trevor were feeling like they were posing for the paparazzi since there were three of us snapping pictures at their every move. Here's my best posed shot of the two of them. Isn't she pretty? :) I love that girl!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM-UdIqBQKWVW5vJAbw4nsKxT9nkgma1zYIrZbalHxuwjQbf8LzK0-RD0BSU9bre_mbG2CJ96oqNhbje9zZ_vx6N0X1CVJ0KUrolsIh4k1ALvljJV6FBQSzflzF4WmhTVA93gdQJtGLkU/s1600/IMG_9644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmM-UdIqBQKWVW5vJAbw4nsKxT9nkgma1zYIrZbalHxuwjQbf8LzK0-RD0BSU9bre_mbG2CJ96oqNhbje9zZ_vx6N0X1CVJ0KUrolsIh4k1ALvljJV6FBQSzflzF4WmhTVA93gdQJtGLkU/s320/IMG_9644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I left Kendall at about 10:30. It was a twenty minute drive to where my sweet cousins, Kelli and Kristian, were getting ready for the Meadowview dance so I missed getting to see them since their lead out started at 11:30. I'm anxious to see pictures of them and their boyfriends. </div><div style="text-align: center;">All in all it was a great night!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today has been filled with cleaning, and tomorrow holds more of the same. We are in the process of getting all the junk out of our house and rearranging our bonus room into a part man cave, part craft room. Wish me luck!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-10796867690876128322011-10-20T20:58:00.000-07:002011-10-20T21:03:09.260-07:00Mexican Chicken SoupI am a fan of anything that can be cooked in a crockpot. I work full time and it's great when I can come home after a long day and not have to cook a full meal.<br />
<div>This soup is a new favorite in the Tellier household. I got this recipe in an email from all recipes. I've adapted it a little bit. You can find the original recipe <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/detail.aspx">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I started this recipe with leftover <b>salsa chicken</b> I had cooked in the crock pot. What is salsa chicken? It's really easy....chicken and salsa. Yep, that's it. Clever right? I usually do four chicken breasts with about one small jar of salsa. I tend to buy different kinds of salsa to see if I can find the perfect one, so every time I make this it tastes a little different. In this photo I used half black bean and corn salsa and half mild pace picante. Cook 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. After cooking, shred the chicken with a fork. Four chicken breasts makes enough for two pots of soup. So put half in the freezer for next time or use it to make chicken burritos or chicken taco salads. Both would be really yummy with this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5t3QdXm_NO9d8m1IlqSDi8NzdXcxa9rosSvUH83hM4snlzNtJreIBSZ9EWkeiZJAlkSJjGoRDIZO6CcP9VzQF12Zcr8H8fCu9SWuB4jNl1HUM4GLfZLVsI1A-sXXRHur3ER9nKG1jN_n/s1600/IMG_9458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5t3QdXm_NO9d8m1IlqSDi8NzdXcxa9rosSvUH83hM4snlzNtJreIBSZ9EWkeiZJAlkSJjGoRDIZO6CcP9VzQF12Zcr8H8fCu9SWuB4jNl1HUM4GLfZLVsI1A-sXXRHur3ER9nKG1jN_n/s320/IMG_9458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Mexican Chicken Soup</span></b><br />
Ingredients:<br />
salsa chicken<br />
1 10oz bag of frozen corn<br />
1 can of tomatoes<br />
1 can enchilada sauce<br />
1 medium onion, chopped<br />
1 can chopped green chile peppers<br />
1 can chicken broth<br />
2 cloves of garlic, minced<br />
2 cups of water<br />
1 tsp cumin<br />
1 tsp chili powder<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/4 tsp black pepper<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
1 Tbsp cilantro<br />
1 Tbsp lime juice<br />
a few dashes of texas pete<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27R13qe5Po5_BRCiIVUTqgm2d-Hzdv9qPMdLBF7WeLhIO5RrJO4FAQ3ODvZbIfkTL74OUdSosjbknfyz8RPn-FnK_64wuO-MmYy6HFBVScM8hB8_Hau-KOqeWuGVEjreQ2YAsi1AutRMv/s1600/IMG_9467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27R13qe5Po5_BRCiIVUTqgm2d-Hzdv9qPMdLBF7WeLhIO5RrJO4FAQ3ODvZbIfkTL74OUdSosjbknfyz8RPn-FnK_64wuO-MmYy6HFBVScM8hB8_Hau-KOqeWuGVEjreQ2YAsi1AutRMv/s320/IMG_9467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><br />
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Okay so basically all you do is dump everything into a crock pot, but I'll walk you through what I did.<br />
Jamie has a aversion to onions so I have to be sure that the onions are small enough that he doesn't notice them....shhh don't tell :) So I use my electric chopper to mince the onions after I roughly chop them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA_41iETGuGgOAGInz-xwSVFj7Ql943Kez8y4vIKBwI5yvoQlFTQJbjM3_FYduLbYtfPwlbcC49f_EuPNJZaJC24L4cfoxP0kYfF0ooCshzpjHhxzFLkpVXAHjBplvXhXurfo6qnY8pI_/s1600/IMG_9461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA_41iETGuGgOAGInz-xwSVFj7Ql943Kez8y4vIKBwI5yvoQlFTQJbjM3_FYduLbYtfPwlbcC49f_EuPNJZaJC24L4cfoxP0kYfF0ooCshzpjHhxzFLkpVXAHjBplvXhXurfo6qnY8pI_/s320/IMG_9461.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>As you can see from the ingredients picture, I used a can of whole plum tomatoes. I got them on clearance at my grocery store. You can use whatever you like. If I had not had those, I probably would've used petite diced tomatoes and just dumped them in. Jamie is also not a huge fan of tomatoes so just mashing the whole tomatoes was out of the question. I went back to my handy chopper and did the tomatoes in there also.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqP0Q_nFlQIrYvCW3WMkBhyQXk6frGFV9KPE1QTC6EYMJbN-jJpwfB1JJei8V8B8c-mZALj7iuOJYKOAKBYAXaIyUUfDMZGgBU7v0kSkJMVCdYIay8NNx7DnPAbP_aYSSdt8D_xZsfKM7/s1600/IMG_9463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqP0Q_nFlQIrYvCW3WMkBhyQXk6frGFV9KPE1QTC6EYMJbN-jJpwfB1JJei8V8B8c-mZALj7iuOJYKOAKBYAXaIyUUfDMZGgBU7v0kSkJMVCdYIay8NNx7DnPAbP_aYSSdt8D_xZsfKM7/s320/IMG_9463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>That was the hard part. All of the other cans can just be dumped in as is. Measure out the spices and add those too. Don't let this picture deceive you, add the corn in now too. I realized that I didn't have any frozen corn or canned corn so I had to add mine in later after I made a grocery store run on my lunch break. I would recommend checking to be sure you have all of the ingredients before you start....Learn from my mistakes :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOM8V7nxRbOuGCkq2jwKJ_W-hsi7S9LMJrunKHl7oCVCEwF3d556oqT_IyyQhJPQKPdQtvi3v7wmQKWsDacNV0-sPN4aUAPIcbxcWFsmM6itdJBvAjsh0HOY2MPNse1LvvKUrLGV983se/s1600/IMG_9465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOM8V7nxRbOuGCkq2jwKJ_W-hsi7S9LMJrunKHl7oCVCEwF3d556oqT_IyyQhJPQKPdQtvi3v7wmQKWsDacNV0-sPN4aUAPIcbxcWFsmM6itdJBvAjsh0HOY2MPNse1LvvKUrLGV983se/s320/IMG_9465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Easy Peasy, right? Here's what it looks like after everything's all mixed together and has been cooking all day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtl7v_aJRgyEi1gLiMVqybL2ekyh4ihfBlRj2_lgyvbjWyAN2fZd_4AEsUH4B0lmsuGeZCfgnPO3FfV7lPlSleZ1YxFH_hOUUCVx26-L6NxrBtUS2gBg_pNsbvXf_kES_4pK74ODiqyxsx/s1600/IMG_9468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtl7v_aJRgyEi1gLiMVqybL2ekyh4ihfBlRj2_lgyvbjWyAN2fZd_4AEsUH4B0lmsuGeZCfgnPO3FfV7lPlSleZ1YxFH_hOUUCVx26-L6NxrBtUS2gBg_pNsbvXf_kES_4pK74ODiqyxsx/s320/IMG_9468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The original recipe gives instructions on how to make your own tortilla strips to add to this soup. That's too much trouble for me. I don't think it would be worth my time so I just cheat a little. I just crunched up these and put them on the counter for everyone to add as much as they wanted to their bowl. Tortilla chips are a good option too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTIS9SSLXihjz9YwDEhtHtZ-OeXTUkWHiz5V0Mx3vFNFp8CdZp2RSjMfUA5NYy_Wgk-L7XbTuG9wbZVMxOe-B0b1BDs1mreb-vqH3AW5xravZU7CLTVCB28gDR6isfZagiz5Ug_IFMJqr/s1600/IMG_9474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTIS9SSLXihjz9YwDEhtHtZ-OeXTUkWHiz5V0Mx3vFNFp8CdZp2RSjMfUA5NYy_Wgk-L7XbTuG9wbZVMxOe-B0b1BDs1mreb-vqH3AW5xravZU7CLTVCB28gDR6isfZagiz5Ug_IFMJqr/s320/IMG_9474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Do what works for you though. That's what I love about cooking. It's adaptable to each individual cook and family. I've eaten this soup with and without the taco shells and it's great either way. Tonight I left the chips out and added cheese and sour cream. Yummy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP5ILG_-b6A2-FNoERaRUUOsVA0qDI3-vt_Rw_wshfjX4zk29yQBEnO4ov9_Rb2I9S5XI-cdCXKiIdZtPLksyRoRP4xJTrBpbwkmzHmcQB6254HxIuZmRaGXPEqyR8z82iZTPdYjiLepf/s1600/IMG_9475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP5ILG_-b6A2-FNoERaRUUOsVA0qDI3-vt_Rw_wshfjX4zk29yQBEnO4ov9_Rb2I9S5XI-cdCXKiIdZtPLksyRoRP4xJTrBpbwkmzHmcQB6254HxIuZmRaGXPEqyR8z82iZTPdYjiLepf/s320/IMG_9475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-66808283810611187362011-10-19T06:35:00.000-07:002011-10-19T06:35:09.600-07:00the end of a chapter...Today I have mixed emotions. Jamie and I have been the youth leaders at our church for the past four years. We officially stepped down on Sunday morning, and tonight will be the first Wednesday night youth group with the new leader. The new leader happens to be my good friend, Kristen. I know she will do a great job and she will definitely be in our prayers. We have walked through this journey and know how to pray for her. Jamie and I are going to stick around and help as needed, but our time "being in charge" is up.<br />
We thought and really prayed about it and felt like this was the right thing to do....for us and for the youth. I had to really examine my feelings when Jamie and I discussed stepping down because I wasn't sure I wanted to let these guys go. We have put so much of ourselves into them and I struggled with feeling like I was being cheated. I even had a few moments when I felt like we were being kicked out. I know that's not the case but sometimes my pride swells up and gets in the way. My flesh was coming out in full force. I realized that I had a lot of repenting to do.... Now I can move on with a "happy heart." After taking a step back and really praying about things, I feel kind of like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I realized that I was feeling stressed about not giving our youth the time they deserved, and then getting mad because I didn't have the time I longed for. I had not been "giving it to God" and that is no way to live!<br />
This time that God has had us being youth leaders has been quite a ride! We've learned a lot about ourselves, each other, and the teenagers in our care. Youth ministry is challenging stuff! I have so much more respect for those called to this ministry than I did before. There are good times and bad times, but this is different than anything I've ever been involved with.<br />
Youth group is fun and difficult. We learned we needed to involve the kids in our lessons with a game, demonstration, or lively discussion for them to pay attention and get the point. You plan and prepare, and more times than not those plans get changed. One question or comment can take your carefully prepared lesson in an entirely different direction. A increase or decrease in expected attendance can render a game useless. We had a pretty small group of about 10-15 kids, and encouraged them to participate. Sometimes we could not get them to be quiet, but sometimes it was like pulling teeth to get them to answer questions.<br />
Teen agers are remarkable! I've gotten to know our core group of kids pretty well. They can be so awesome one minute and then be full of attitude the next. They are emotional, but love so strongly. They are territorial, but loyal. They are always looking for something to do, and constantly on the go. They are ruled by their emotions. They evoke strong emotions in us as well. I am so encouraged by them sometimes and so frustrated by them at other times. Through it all, however, I have grown to love each one of them! One of the coolest parts of youth ministry is seeing the changes that take place in the kids. You get to watch them grow into adults and help shape their lives. It's as rewarding as it is challenging!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0JU1JD8DuXGnF7RgOHKAMV_mWLtV7ll39-3cVVIGC9bxf4f_DMTJg-Fmz9cg5IpNKarv4f5aiU2XFNylrOREFFvwg3yxfoKDrd_KUrpWk5NuC74EQIjDTF9V1YvI1rAwzgzePaa1y8El/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0JU1JD8DuXGnF7RgOHKAMV_mWLtV7ll39-3cVVIGC9bxf4f_DMTJg-Fmz9cg5IpNKarv4f5aiU2XFNylrOREFFvwg3yxfoKDrd_KUrpWk5NuC74EQIjDTF9V1YvI1rAwzgzePaa1y8El/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This photo is from the March for Life 2010 trip to Washington DC. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are going to miss "our kids" but we are looking forward to what God has for us in this next chapter of our lives! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-39607672303706765602011-10-18T11:43:00.000-07:002011-10-18T11:45:21.136-07:00Fair TimeI loved taking Caden to the fair this year! He's old enough now to really enjoy the rides and he gets so excited about everything. Jamie and I took him to the Selma fair the first week of October. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the fried oreos and "cozy dawgs". If you are from Selma, then you know the significance of "cozy dawgs", and if not then let's just say it's the best corn dog you'll ever eat. I really don't even like corn dogs but I always eat a "cozy dawg". <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOMj3W0NZm8sHU5nkKQRxQPrBIJLAPJKNmvUE1P0fdEw_phc7QFimWNyy6HXX2QBjCpfxjb8VJfj5R_FxjVGOjUhxNdDxLFyEhAQzxS7vAnO0m_DbGw_D0D94gpfVpxh0c1HQalf4njWY/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOMj3W0NZm8sHU5nkKQRxQPrBIJLAPJKNmvUE1P0fdEw_phc7QFimWNyy6HXX2QBjCpfxjb8VJfj5R_FxjVGOjUhxNdDxLFyEhAQzxS7vAnO0m_DbGw_D0D94gpfVpxh0c1HQalf4njWY/s320/IMG_1549.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVd85UsSoHmPdVU-tp_GXEbVZwegEonOVOYU5l_ChOe2InGV3bYRRNyHvc7EMFT4z3n4Ow9jPy82-s30-WCfcJJi4MnfgBYg_XofPq5-_lWbyAjJR7u_vp3yrdpdfAgKT_6c6f3xnR_x9/s1600/IMG_1557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVd85UsSoHmPdVU-tp_GXEbVZwegEonOVOYU5l_ChOe2InGV3bYRRNyHvc7EMFT4z3n4Ow9jPy82-s30-WCfcJJi4MnfgBYg_XofPq5-_lWbyAjJR7u_vp3yrdpdfAgKT_6c6f3xnR_x9/s320/IMG_1557.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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This past Saturday we went to the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery with my Dad. My brother, Johnathan, and his family met us there. Caden and their first born, Hannah, were born two months apart and are the best of friends. I think they were as excited to be together as they were to go to the fair. We were there for a good six hours and those kids rode and rode and rode.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR5OmG1d8CKqWa2EcSgXLG4aJm6aVUem7OUJVpE6Z_M5QCL_sYnQfjPNS8p4F-UrNlRu1sP-Q1QfWGxre0shzdou9TcWN3QLUdA6iUK-MDBdkupvB4j-V4RpsNWVxgmdYWQ5DCVV2r0-U/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioR5OmG1d8CKqWa2EcSgXLG4aJm6aVUem7OUJVpE6Z_M5QCL_sYnQfjPNS8p4F-UrNlRu1sP-Q1QfWGxre0shzdou9TcWN3QLUdA6iUK-MDBdkupvB4j-V4RpsNWVxgmdYWQ5DCVV2r0-U/s320/IMG_1594.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCNxSfsxzW8lWXbIu77k4BvYUYXOmMME-34HT27Nt8B2M7ZpoHubPZY851JMjchyphenhyphenj6tda8w9quQ2NelJIFtPyEl1RKLRqsz7L0vkftBcGob1fHFt4lAFeqUfF4gxP2lorJSB4V_oa3gYw/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCNxSfsxzW8lWXbIu77k4BvYUYXOmMME-34HT27Nt8B2M7ZpoHubPZY851JMjchyphenhyphenj6tda8w9quQ2NelJIFtPyEl1RKLRqsz7L0vkftBcGob1fHFt4lAFeqUfF4gxP2lorJSB4V_oa3gYw/s320/IMG_1614.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZpsCuAOz2tCtytKvb0Dpdn931l2OznHragJjTmuGmH9YfgPlaHdy1xQD5Ee3Bg3Wzn6Kb73SSgbKlcHtQ0_vHmEBPy6gke8I_NOPp18GAbYgcpIalOQVh23TWhVLGcL8O9aZmbO3Y_VB/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZpsCuAOz2tCtytKvb0Dpdn931l2OznHragJjTmuGmH9YfgPlaHdy1xQD5Ee3Bg3Wzn6Kb73SSgbKlcHtQ0_vHmEBPy6gke8I_NOPp18GAbYgcpIalOQVh23TWhVLGcL8O9aZmbO3Y_VB/s320/IMG_1595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Caden's favorite part was the pony ride. He was just beside himself when he saw "real live horsies" and was determined to ride them. Of course we agreed and he had a smile from ear to ear. He thought he was so big. He's all into cowboys right now. He wants to be a cowboy for his day care halloween party. He's so into it that I recorded Hey Dude on the DVR for him and he loves it. Do any of you 90's children remember that nickelodeon show?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK8cRxjsJLye5aZUB5QaKhaNEH00MAYfJk15dMNUPVptNiQfKLTWV1R-NeWpK29noT27PFwFTNfQ12loiDwH5n4FCQ2PB-vcTQL02cyL9hq-q6bh80VdJgd-86UyM6zBzreEuN6UfOCWW/s1600/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK8cRxjsJLye5aZUB5QaKhaNEH00MAYfJk15dMNUPVptNiQfKLTWV1R-NeWpK29noT27PFwFTNfQ12loiDwH5n4FCQ2PB-vcTQL02cyL9hq-q6bh80VdJgd-86UyM6zBzreEuN6UfOCWW/s320/IMG_1604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a great time at the fair this year and can't wait until next year for some more fair food and fun.<br />
Thanks Dad for the wonderful day in Montgomery!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-7075619379478815642011-10-11T12:26:00.000-07:002011-10-27T21:12:30.458-07:00Six years!My hubby and I had our sixth anniversary on Saturday. There are times when I feel like it was just yesterday that I was making plans and getting married....and there are other times when it feels like a lifetime ago.<br />
I woke up to a dozen red roses and a very sweet card. I made nutella filled crescent rolls for breakfast...so yummy!! At noon we went to Foster's (our friends' little man) first birthday party. Caden loves Foster and says that he is going to teach him how to do "big boy things like baseball." They are nursery buddies at church. The party was a Curious George themed outside affair. The kiddos played and the grown ups got to visit. It was great! Kristen rocks...she is so creative and all the party decor was amazing. I'm sure she'll have pictures posted soon. Check out her blog <a href="http://www.jonesjourneyblog.com/">here</a>.<br />
After the party we took little man home and went to Pratville for date night. We ate my favorite...sushi. Well, Jamie doesn't eat sushi, but he loves the habachi chicken and shrimp. It was delicious!<br />
After supper we made a trip to Home Depot. Our house needs some updating, but we are having to take baby steps in that direction. Since our downstairs bathroom floor is falling apart and needs to be replaced we have been forced to start there. We picked up some ceramic tile for a great price, but I'm still thinking about paint colors. (I'll do my best to get before and after pictures of the bathroom.) I also picked up some magnetic paint for a craft project/ Christmas present....I got started on that yesterday.<br />
We saw the movie Courageous to round out our date night. It was a GREAT movie! I would highly recommend it, especially to all of the daddies out there. All in all our anniversary was a wonderful day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-34276550674142078552011-10-07T13:31:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:44:42.683-07:00It's fall y'all!I LOVE FALL!! It's my favorite time of year. I love the leaves changing colors and the cooler weather. I love the smell in the air. I love boots and cardigans and jackets and sweaters and scarves. I love that it's "holiday season". I love seeing my boys in bluejeans and long sleeve button up shirts. I love pumpkins and pumpkin flavored things....especially pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks. Speaking of which my awesome hubby brought me the afore mentioned treat to work today. I love him! We'll be married 6 years tomorrow....more on that later. :) back to fall loving...This morning I decided that since it is officially fall I was breaking out the boots. Who cares that it's going to be in the upper 80's outside?! Ha! So boots it is :) All of you fall loving people will understand the need for fall even when it still feels a little summerish outside.<br />
Happy Fall Everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-30250182143888193522011-06-07T12:04:00.000-07:002011-06-07T12:04:34.800-07:00I'm back!I'm back!! I've totally be a slacker with this blog, but I'm really going to do it this time :)haha<br />
I really want to catch you up on everything that's happened since November, but that would be a rediculously long post. So I'll spare you the details and just give the highlights. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRg6DR-y4aV_HYuhktr4XuthAugYQaoSsH9bgyBwgNK9nVFE2tbZoehx5ANWeDlJdVbbZTe2ic5XvpeVFA4I1hpHlH3VJWjlz7kphBIC3SLSKpMyQsm92IXr4gm50gJg19Miq4Yog2AtO/s1600/faces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRg6DR-y4aV_HYuhktr4XuthAugYQaoSsH9bgyBwgNK9nVFE2tbZoehx5ANWeDlJdVbbZTe2ic5XvpeVFA4I1hpHlH3VJWjlz7kphBIC3SLSKpMyQsm92IXr4gm50gJg19Miq4Yog2AtO/s200/faces.JPG" t8="true" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did a Thanksgiving/Christmas weekend with my Mom in Birmingham. The above picture is at the McWayne Center. Christmas is always a fun time but full of craziness. I spent a weekend in GA with the girls for Sasha's birthday, on the 18th. Jamie and I took Caden to Bass Pro Shop to take his picture with Santa. Caden didn't cry this year, but he still didn't want to sit on Santas lap. However, when he saw Santa for the second time he sat in his lap and did great. Here's a picture of Caden and Santa at his day care.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0J7kTZaOMUxet5QarDlAwK7YqAszgCDLmpWVm720b4_mkzitJhvxavU0tYHVkrPZ-x3nc3dH5YSRrFf8QZj5Rma-dvFbFVdMn_Iwrfcf_TCRQGUDfAB4dDNOmBQNIf-lvSZgGI546M-s/s1600/caden+with+santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0J7kTZaOMUxet5QarDlAwK7YqAszgCDLmpWVm720b4_mkzitJhvxavU0tYHVkrPZ-x3nc3dH5YSRrFf8QZj5Rma-dvFbFVdMn_Iwrfcf_TCRQGUDfAB4dDNOmBQNIf-lvSZgGI546M-s/s200/caden+with+santa.JPG" t8="true" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jamie and I are the youth leaders at our church. We spent New Year's Eve at a party with them. Jamie and I left Caden at home and took a group to the Pro Life rally in Washington DC in January. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_qmrakGEXTC8ksfVU-hkFhnXWnorhXKlCBDry6GHuAq2HFx6sfTx5UJhOEyU_mcijCfgZZQVov2NwFY8Noh0tt3_yRHshvWva59Yjb-LSi_CA9WL7XD3QkBUezzvoOKYnIYY84rpV83N/s1600/dc+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_qmrakGEXTC8ksfVU-hkFhnXWnorhXKlCBDry6GHuAq2HFx6sfTx5UJhOEyU_mcijCfgZZQVov2NwFY8Noh0tt3_yRHshvWva59Yjb-LSi_CA9WL7XD3QkBUezzvoOKYnIYY84rpV83N/s200/dc+group.JPG" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a good time, but a LONG trip. We drove and were on the go the entire time. Next time we'll plan a little down time. We spent some time praying in front of the Planned Parenthood in DC and then participated in the march.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4NNVKNSj-EqV1iShS0O9PNk0c6XOKSu7TmAKFmTt9vEfIUxJNcOLPFbLCnHm0UqfFUjAI75QSpbSSi3uGSFsrxLsjl9zc3NyanG3NV5HOdXcH_oUpufUYkSGwr7rJwoSfwkRTqQWZ9iS/s1600/iamprolife.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4NNVKNSj-EqV1iShS0O9PNk0c6XOKSu7TmAKFmTt9vEfIUxJNcOLPFbLCnHm0UqfFUjAI75QSpbSSi3uGSFsrxLsjl9zc3NyanG3NV5HOdXcH_oUpufUYkSGwr7rJwoSfwkRTqQWZ9iS/s200/iamprolife.JPG" t8="true" width="150" /></a></div>My brother, Johnathan, and his family moved to the Birmingham area. He got a new great job. I'm happy for them, but sad for us. We miss them!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4555zP0kTWqytCdmLJ_ZNu4V8FwWJK2H_S4xvxvsfQlhkEtnraGWKSIz2nylMinV922PwXmcvrNrV_xsHWkLwpwIObxR3LsPbFdhBiuw9wrQ0wm9XDucTqe8ZG9eI7csr4Ic5OfOGtL_/s1600/glasses+straws.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4555zP0kTWqytCdmLJ_ZNu4V8FwWJK2H_S4xvxvsfQlhkEtnraGWKSIz2nylMinV922PwXmcvrNrV_xsHWkLwpwIObxR3LsPbFdhBiuw9wrQ0wm9XDucTqe8ZG9eI7csr4Ic5OfOGtL_/s200/glasses+straws.JPG" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div>I went with my coworker, Debbie, and a group of eleven teenagers to the beach for their Spring Break. It actually turned out to be a pretty relaxing trip. Jamie, Caden, and I went to Atlanta for Jamie's spring break trip. We went to a Braves game and just hung out. It was nice. The boys got some signatures to add to the collection.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqiASrfWvcMMbA-VoviH19psNNRnO7gGdMBo26ITlaa7YX0A8D-LY52_LTKM1xUofrcXT3-4WodDoQ4zSt_dgcSp7jJIopfWQihbq0VM_78ARmX9N-nFopeNN7JErVU3AxYR_-n0KlopN/s1600/jerjens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqiASrfWvcMMbA-VoviH19psNNRnO7gGdMBo26ITlaa7YX0A8D-LY52_LTKM1xUofrcXT3-4WodDoQ4zSt_dgcSp7jJIopfWQihbq0VM_78ARmX9N-nFopeNN7JErVU3AxYR_-n0KlopN/s200/jerjens.JPG" t8="true" width="150" /></a></div>Spring is full of birthdays in my family. My dad, both of my brothers, and my niece have birthdays in March. April is my birthday and was also Easter this year. May is Caden's birthday. He turned THREE this year. Where has the time gone? Another addition to our spring schedule this year was T-Ball. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25Gvk00iSLXR43jwq9KRimRnKjw0vwwSi5CS9vByupyH8PUHZiaXrhtwejIw7_eXEmh3oyGzeOHPndQOX5lb1112C_CMIsa03H2g_fonkwA9rnel7QImsHyMAXfJ1fQiyK_L2MKulaVxq/s1600/tball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25Gvk00iSLXR43jwq9KRimRnKjw0vwwSi5CS9vByupyH8PUHZiaXrhtwejIw7_eXEmh3oyGzeOHPndQOX5lb1112C_CMIsa03H2g_fonkwA9rnel7QImsHyMAXfJ1fQiyK_L2MKulaVxq/s200/tball.JPG" t8="true" width="150" /></a></div>If you know my little man, you know that he loves anything and everything to do with sports. I was a little nervous about starting him this early (he was only two), but he did great. He loved every minute of it! I'm so glad we decided to let him play.<br />
My cousin, Kristian, along with others from our youth group graduated from highschool this year. Congrats!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Daddy moved to Montgomery last weekend. He's been working there for years and commuting from Selma. It's going to be much easier on him to be living there. Once again, I'm happy for him and sad for me. Now it's just me and Andrew left of my family in Selma. It's weird. Such is life though, we grow up and move on. Who knows, one day it may be me moving away from my home town.<br />
This past weekend Jamie and I took some of the youth on another trip. We met a group from CEC for Life and went to pray at an abortion clinic in Birmingham. This was not Caden's first time at a pro-life event, but it was the first time he knew what was going on (to the extent a three year old can understand). He knew we were there to pray for the babies and their mommys. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6vKFFFkIWZNOwwARrFQ-bIlzifFsWKBTdiZc50s7gXhqVJLgpOpjm6L5pekWUUBq4MqnveDNRAg92zErOTk5uKACJJvIDdMZosKsailpZuQyk-oenu_VIZeQR_c_7N2bzEoTPQDPUkJd/s1600/praying.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6vKFFFkIWZNOwwARrFQ-bIlzifFsWKBTdiZc50s7gXhqVJLgpOpjm6L5pekWUUBq4MqnveDNRAg92zErOTk5uKACJJvIDdMZosKsailpZuQyk-oenu_VIZeQR_c_7N2bzEoTPQDPUkJd/s1600/praying.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div>I couldn't get a good angle on this picture, but Caden has his hand extended toward the clinic praying just like his daddy. The whole group left there and drove to Smith Lake to spend the night at some friends' lake house. This is our group from Christ The King.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1H0RRNh38UrG2Uoag_yjYbneoVr5ZQzehZ9tqWCb1XJ-xQS3aezS8zVQ7HM0Mam67zxVf6LTnOXR7CsWYLBm-jnK69PdF8GtFo9PAcsuRQO7Lkcqch0IJtjBY7LUrpevVjbjIwj5HrOY/s1600/lake+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1H0RRNh38UrG2Uoag_yjYbneoVr5ZQzehZ9tqWCb1XJ-xQS3aezS8zVQ7HM0Mam67zxVf6LTnOXR7CsWYLBm-jnK69PdF8GtFo9PAcsuRQO7Lkcqch0IJtjBY7LUrpevVjbjIwj5HrOY/s1600/lake+group.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div>We swam in the lake and went on a couple of boat rides. Jamie and a few others actually jumped off of a 30-40 foot cliff into the lake. He said it was fun, but I was too chicken to try it. Caden didn't want anything to do with swimming, but he loved riding on the boat. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVGCQbJxL1dinNODs3WW6ZVfYLiQ-6ijw5iwbafKc2GW90W7rp1RIRCEYv8XjO6HU2SYImz9Xb0IwSfo-NwjXCH_fwwsezXzTsjsQ9QePC9ISVAHCiqJCQ5g3Po4UpAIW4qVvdGF6bbw5/s1600/lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVGCQbJxL1dinNODs3WW6ZVfYLiQ-6ijw5iwbafKc2GW90W7rp1RIRCEYv8XjO6HU2SYImz9Xb0IwSfo-NwjXCH_fwwsezXzTsjsQ9QePC9ISVAHCiqJCQ5g3Po4UpAIW4qVvdGF6bbw5/s1600/lake.JPG" t8="true" /></a></div>Well I guess that brings us up to date. I'm really going to try to do this much more often so there's not an information overload every time I post. :) Until next time....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443176849136808557.post-30661577485022549952011-06-07T10:35:00.000-07:002011-06-07T10:35:26.261-07:00my newest hobby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl5eqzjgCaClWmSonYvXrffoz9qh_EEPbMTGw5SW8zv6QiAK2Av2VuMWG6VZ7NMkRNU8TE_6tVvSM_y1JhlA2lXH3ez5nU7G_wU3VZwEDS77tmiN2qFajQ2LG1e6D0yW4kVI0KFb9G2os/s1600/Caden+drum+shirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl5eqzjgCaClWmSonYvXrffoz9qh_EEPbMTGw5SW8zv6QiAK2Av2VuMWG6VZ7NMkRNU8TE_6tVvSM_y1JhlA2lXH3ez5nU7G_wU3VZwEDS77tmiN2qFajQ2LG1e6D0yW4kVI0KFb9G2os/s320/Caden+drum+shirt.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div>Can I just say that I absolutely LOVE seeing my little boy's face light up when he's excited about something. It's my favorite! :) I made Caden an appliqued drum shirt on Monday and he was thrilled. It's such a great feeling to make something you are proud of and have somebody that is as excited about it as you are. It's even better when that person is your child. But I'm getting ahead of myself. <br />
A while back Mom/Memaw gave me a sewing and embroidery machine. It sat around at my dad's house for quite a while. However, in the last few months I've decided that I really do want to learn to sew. Until this point I've had the attitued that my mom could make anything I needed and probably do a better job at it than I could so why do it, ya know? It was a bad attitude to have, but it's the truth. My mom does live and hour and a half away from me and she has a life of her own. She is not my beckon call girl just waiting around to do things for me, and sometimes it's just hard to get around life to get to her. So, I decided it was time to take initiative and do it for myself.<br />
My inspiration came from seeing another kid on a friends facebook page in the cutest little outifits. In the picture I saw, he had on an appliqued shirt with his name monogrammed on it and matching gingham shorts. I of course sent her a message to ask her where she got the outfit. She responded and I immediately went to the website to see about buying one for Caden. It was more that I spend on Caden's clothes. Let me just insert here that I am cheap. Really I am. In this situation I'm glad though because it provided a little kick in the butt for me. I was officially inspired to use my sewing machine.<br />
My mom was thrilled when I called her and told her I was ready to learn how to sew. She said she had been waiting for the day. Okay so we were both excited. I am one of those people who jump into things with both feet. It's all or nothing for me. I get into something and I want everything that has anything to do with my hobby of the moment. She gave me a few lessons so I could make some shorts for Caden. He is like my little chearleader by the way. He was so happy that I was making something for him. Unfortunately it wasn't as easy as I expected and I still have about 5 pairs of size 3T shorts cut out that are not sewn together. Yeah, I'm like that. It's terrible...I know!<br />
So maybe the actual sewing will come in time, but for now I'm happy with doing the applique and embroidery. I'll post more pictures of stuff I've made another time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1