Houseparty!

I am so happy HouseParty picked me to try out the SodaStream!! I am not a huge soda drinker, 1 a month is pushing it buuuut I LOVE this machine, it's awesome.

I hosted the party at my house last Friday & made it a kids soda/craft/movie/pajama party, we all had a great time ... the kids were still running CRAZY until 11pm.

Last week's recap

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!! I most definitely did ... stayed home all day in my PJ's, cooked a yummy meal for my little family & decorated for Christmas! C decided she wanted to sleep over our neighbors so the hub was actually able to go Black Friday Shopping with me this year. He was a Black Friday Virgin & I can almost guarantee, he will never go again.

Dessert is of course my favorite part of Thanksgiving ....

I absolutely loved my long weekend home with my family, I even had time for some Christmas crafts with the little one. I am really happy with the way they both turned out.

Buddy the Elf has been back & C is the perfect age!! She wakes up everyday so excited to find him, her giggles 1st thing in the morning are great.

This weekend I plan on figuring out the Christmas craft that C will gift this year & making an Advent Calendar for the house. eeek I can't wait, only 3 more days of work.

Update..

Story of my life, I'm behind on everything ... blogging, instagrams monthly challenge, what I'm thankful for today's, blah blah blah! I've been busy. I have really have been bad at taking pictures lately, which I'm bummed about!

I have made some yummy new recipes & will blog about eventually. I'm really looking forward to trying some new Christmas goodies... thank you Pinterest. Speaking of Christmas I am SOOOO ready!! Hard to believe I will be able to start decorating this time next week :eeek: and our elf friend Buddy will be back destroying my house. I decided to be a little bit more organized with his shenanigans this year, so I printed a calendar for December and wrote what would happen each day. Last year I just kinda winged it. Do you have any favorite traditions? We do a few different things...

• Thanksgiving morning we eat stuffing for breakfast while we watch the parade ... I make good stuffing with sausage and everything in it. This tradition started with my step mom and will continue forever!
• Buddy of course, will show up in the mail next week & stay until Christmas.
• We bake cookies and give them to well, anyone I can, I just love making them. This year I'm going to make cinnamon sugar almonds in the crock pot too.
• Christmas Eve buddy will bring PJ's for the entire family and a Christmas movie to watch, this year I'm thinking Arthur Christmas. I also ordered The Pajama Elves Book this year!

I saw this cute little elf door that you put up against your base board buuut I'm pretty sure I can make a cuter one, so that will come next year.

Enough about Christmas ..... I haven't hosted a HouseParty in a LONG time but I signed up and ACTUALLY got picked to host one for SodaStream. I'm not at all a soda drinker {maybe 1 soda a month but that's pushing it} but I'm excited about this little machine! It gives you recipes for sparkling tea and grown up drinks too!

I also just signed up for BzzAgent & I'm so addicted to filling out all the surveys! How did I not know about this??

Family update.... we are all doing great!! I start a part-time bartending job tonight & I'm really looking forward to it, I miss the bar atmosphere a lot. C is doing great in school and learning so much, amazes me everyday. M just brought home straight A's AGAIN, the kid has never brought home anything else. J is doing well too- he is in the process of job hunting, he has done auto body work his entire life and I think it's really wearing on him.

Thankful Thursdays

I am linking up with Julia at black tag diaries for Thankful Thursdays, why because I have a lot to be thankful for!

I am so thankful for for the way my family & friends have come together to help my brother in law.

 I haven't blogged about him in a while but although we were hoping to hear he was cancer free earlier this month, it didn't quite workout that way. His lymph nodes are swollen so he has to have rplnd surgery, which is a very major and complicated surgery. Leaving him with a lovely scar like this {thank you google}

Not many surgeons in the US perform this surgery so next week is headed to Indiana University! His surgeon is actually the same guy who did Lance Armstrong's surgery {which I think is awesome}.

My sister in law has set up a fundraising site since Trey has no medical insurance, if you're reading this please take a look ... read his story, if you have the money all donations are greatly appreciated every $1 helps, you can also leave a "hug" with kind and uplifting words. If nothing else please share it on your blog, twitter, facebook, whatever just to get more attention drawn to testicular cancer, it is no where near publicized the way it should be.

http://www.giveforward.com/fightlikehell

30 Things, Day 17

What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

SAVING!! I am horrible with money, I swear I have it spent before my direct deposit hits.

30 Things, Day 16

 

What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

1. Being a mom- by far the best accomplishment ever!!
2. Being a homeowner! It's tough in the real world & with the hubs job things have been so up & down.
3. Getting married to my best friend, not many people can say that.
4. Getting my insurance licence. I complain at times and the $ sucks but I do love my job.
5. Did I mention being a mom?? AMAZING :)

Chicken Ranch Enchiladas (Crock-Pot)

D*E*L*I*C*I*O*U*S

Ingredients

• 1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
• 1 Packet of Ranch Dressing
• 1 Can of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1 lb of Chicken Breast
• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 2 Cups of Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
• 1/2 Cup of Light Ranch Dressing
• 1/2 Cup of Salsa

{The next time I think I will also add a chopped onion, chopped bell pepper and a can of chopped chilis to the crock pot}

Directions

• Put chicken, taco seasoning, ranch mix & chicken broth in crock-pot & cook for about 6 hours on low. I shred the chicken after about 4 hours.
• Divide the chicken and cheese between the tortillas, roll them up & place in a greased 9X13 baking dish.
• Bake on 350 for about 20 minutes
• In a small bowl combine ranch and salsa. Pour over the enchiladas before serving.
• Enjoy!

I have been horrible at taking pictures lately!! I served ours with mexican rice and refried beans.

Chicken Pesto Stuffed Shells

This was one of those recipes that I was iffy about but OMGEE they were good!!!They were also a good pick-up & go food that could be good for a party.

 Ingredients

{all are rough estimates}

• Jumbo Pasta Shells {cooked aldente, they finish cooking in the oven}
• 4-5oz of  Cream Cheese
• 2 Cups Shredded Chicken
• 1.25 Cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 3TBSP Pesto Sauce
• 1/2 TBSP Minced Garlic
• Salt/Pepper to Taste

Directions

• In a large bowl combine all ingredients except 1/4 cup of cheese and shells.
• Fill the shells with the mixture and place into a baking dish.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan on top of the shells.
• Bake on 350 for around 30 minutes.
• Enjoy!

So Effing What It's Not Wednesday!

  I'm going to change the title to SO EFFING WHAT! because that's how feel today :x  

• that it is AGAIN Thursday & I am just getting around to doing this
• that I have blogged in dayssss but I have thought about it if that counts for anything
• that I have had 3.5 cups of coffee and I think I may start on an energy drink soon, wtf?!
• that I'm debating getting a hotel room near home for a night alone ...or maybe invite some girlfriends and have an good ole' hotel party like the old days

30 Things, Day 15

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

What a strange question.... I guess I would have to say a spoiled house cat. You have to work to earn a cats love & most of them are hard headed B's .... what can I say, I relate :)

Menu 7/27-7/30

Key West Grilled Chicken, Grilled Mushrooms & Broccoli

Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Chicken Taco Chili

This was yummy & perfect for the rainy Sunday! It wasn't as spicy as I would have hoped but perfect for C, I just added hot sauce to mine. I of course used low sodium on anything I could, the original pinterest recipe I saw used canned corn but I switched to frozen to cut down also.

Ingredients...

• 1lb boneless, skinless chicken
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 can of diced tomatoes with chopped chilis
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 10oz of frozen corn
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder

Directions...

• Combine all ingredients into the crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred Chicken about an hour before serving. {GEEZ I LOVE CROCK POT COOKING}

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna ... nom!

I realized after I cooked all if it that I didn't take any pictures! I saw this recipe on Pinterest made a few different ways so I printed 2 and then personalized it a little bit ... the ranch powder was my doing ;)


Ingredients...

• Whole wheat lasagna noodles {uncooked}
• 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed... I used my PC chopper to chop small
• 1 jar of spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup of franks buffalo sauce
• 1 packet of hidden valley ranch dip mix
• 15oz non fat ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup of egg beaters
• cheese, the recipe called for pepper jack slices I didn't have any so used reduced fat mozzarella
• 1.5 cups of water

Directions...

• Preheat the oven to 350 & spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cube chicken, toss with ranch powder & cook in a skillet. You could also shred it & then mix it with the powder, I thought the cubes were too big so I chopped it super tiny with my chopper after it was cooked.
• Combine chicken, water, buffalo sauce & spaghetti sauce in a large bowl.
• Combine ricotta & egg beaters in a small bowl.
• Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the pan, cover with noodles, spread more sauce, then layer with ricotta. Repeat this process until you are out of ingredients {you should finish with a layer of sauce}.
• Cover with foil & bake 70 minutes.
• Uncover, top with cheese and bake 15 minutes uncovered.

Fall ...

I am SO ready for fall & have been for weeks, just the thought makes me smile! I love the crisp air, sweaters, hoodies, big thick socks, the county fair, TOTing, spiked apple cider, smores, the pumpkin patch! I keep hoping to see the new Starbucks menu when I go in but I know it's too early.

I'm thinking this year of having an all out Halloween party for the kiddos in my life, face painting, pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples, I have been debating this for a few years & I think C is the perfect age now.

I stumbled across this Fall Bucket List at Life As a Seed & plan to do the same as she is, printing & framing so we can mark them off as we go! I am really looking forward to it.

This list was made by Katie & can be printed from her blog Loves of Life ! I noticed she has a winter bucket list also....

30 Things, Day 14

... Describe 5 strengths you have ...

1. Honesty
2. Strong willed {both a strength & a weakness at times}
3. People person, I swear I could talk to anyone! {except the really stupid ones that drive me bonkers}
4. Dependable
5. Gracious

Menu 7/20-7/24

Monday

Left-over crock pot chicken & dumplings I made last night, SO GOOD!

Tuesday

{light} Cajun chicken "pasta"

Wednesday

Parmesan chicken and broccoli

Thursday

Buffalo chicken lasagna

Friday

Whatever my family wants to eat, I will probably be feared about my mud run the next day. The 5K the I have no about for MONTHS but done no training for.

30 Things, Day 13

Describe 5 weaknesses you have

1. Trust {or lack of}, in all honesty nothing can be done to earn it. I feel like it's hard to trust anyone 100% for some reason or another. I mean come-on I don't even trust myself sometimes.
2. Not thinking before I speak. If you want an honest answer, just ask me!
3. Chocolate & wine... no explanation needed!
4. Over mothering {is that a real thing?!} I can't seem to let C go, even overnight. I work all day so I only get a few hours, I'm sorry that I'm selfish with that time IT'S MINE!!
5. Lack of patience! 

30 Things .... Day 12

... Describe a typical day in your current life ...

6am The 1st alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
6:30am The 2nd alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
7am-8am The 3rd alarm goes off .... I get up, take a shower {every other day with my shower cap and dry shampoo}, do my hair & make up, wake up C get her ready, get dressed, let the dogs out while making my smoothie & to go coffee, put lunches in lunch boxes & switch the laundry {yes EVERY morning}. Leave the house
8:15 Drop C off at school
8:30-5 Work {blah}, FB, Blogger, Craigslist, Kidsteals.com, and the list goes on :)
5:15 Pick C up
5:30-6:30 Get home, let dogs out & feed them, prep lunches, bath, start dinner. Kiss hubby hello
6:30-8 Eat dinner, nightly chores, homework, put C to bed {after stories & snuggles}
8-10 Snuggle/TV time with my hub

This of course is a day when there are no unexpected surprises thrown in, which seem to be happening more and more lately!

Friday Letters

Self as your boss, I demand that you take tomorrow off! Put dinner in the crock pot and spend the rest of the day in your pajamas. BUT you must also do laundry because your family is running out of clean underwear & they look at you crazy when you tell them to just wear them inside out! And maybe put your running shoes on for awhile, the mudrun is in 15 days & it's going to kick your butt. Husband I love you! Trey prayers were answered when I found out your tumor numbers are NORMAL! I have no doubt that we will hear the words cancer free. Erin Condren I love my Life Planner and can't wait to order more from my wishlist. Kaley you have been in my thoughts for days, I know what your going through & how hard it is! I'm here when&if you need me. C STOP GROWING PLEASE!!! Where did my little girl go??? Weather please keep raining today & all day tomorrow so I have a reason to feel so lazy =)

30 Things, Day 11

... Describe 10 pet peeves you have ...

1. lying! I just hate it, you will get caught eventually & then you just look like an ass.
2. children without discipline! Get them under control, its annoying & it will be easier now than when they are 16 missing court dates.
3. people with random things in their mouth! nails, hair, key chains- whatever. God would give me 2 kids that love to "suck on" their hair .... they will be bald soon if they don't stop.
4. cheating! I guess I just don't get it, if you don't want to be with someone, LEAVE.
5. being in a silent car! Turn on the music.
6. unpainted toe nails! blah
7. pimples! I know people get them, I get them. But it drives me bonkers when people walk around with HUGE whiteheads. I guess I'm too much of a picker.
8. when people go out sick! I can't tell you how many people come to my work and complain about how sick they are & how they have been shitting for 3 days with horrible pains ... umm hello, get the eff out & stop spreading that junk.
9. fakeness! No one has a perfect life, you aren't fooling anyone.
10. people+cell phones! Not in general but in the grocery store, restaurants, etc they don't belong everywhere.

Holy Life Planner

I have been so freakin excited to get my new Erin Condren Life Planner!! I tracked the shipping from my phone all day and it never notified me it was delivered but I thought maybe the system just hadn't updated, imagine my disappointment when my porch was empty. I started to lose hope but the doorbell rang at around 7:30 {woohoo}!!

The planner is more than I imagined & I know that I didn't waste my money. Even J likes it thought it would have been more money. Check out her page & order, you won't be disappointed.



Little zipper pouch with some freebies



Daily View



Monthly View, it also comes with tons of stickers! {I bought different colored pens for everyone)



Love the quotes throughout



Cute Folder

And of course I am more than ready for Black Friday {I capitalized because it is a holiday}

Loooong week....

Is it just me or has this week seemed so long?! Sunday I drove down to VA to spend some time with family & take my BIL to chemo Monday. So Monday we had to be out of the house by 8:30 and then were at the infusion center for 5 hours, of course afterwards I had my 2.5 hour ride back home. You wouldn't think 5 hours of doing "nothing" would literally wear you out, but it does. Then on my way home I stopped to do all of my grocery shopping and all since I wasn't home Sunday. Since I just can't seem to catch up on anything. To top if off  I get a call from daycare today & C has a mystery rash and is all swollen =/ Turns out it's "just" hives but my poor girl is miserable & all itchy.