Kisses and Disses

Soaking in the silence is nice once in a while and it makes me appreciate the noise I've grown to love. The sounds of Marc in the music room creating magic, Cody rustling around, Tyson barking, email arriving, laughter, singing...life. I'm thankful this Sunday has allowed time for silence, and reflection.
Well this week has been a BUSY! There are so many things to catch up on in the past week. So here are a kisses and disses.

Disses:
1) Not enough Hours in the day (Especially this week)
2) Saturday 3:30 A.M. sickness (now what exactly did I eat?)
3) Feeling groggy after a Sunday afternoon nap.
4) Having plenty of cereal in the house, and no milk...
5) People who come and nock on your door at 11:30 P.M. wanting to know if you stole their dog...(Say what!?)

Kisses:
1) Texas sized Lightning storms


2) Making my first shirt! Who says you need to use a pattern?


3) Tyson!


4) Caleb coming home from a California visit.


5) Mom sending home gifts!


6) Hubby Letting me take picutres of him at the restaurant, while we wait for our food!


7) Our B Party with Friends



8) Headbands!



9) Wedding Photo shoots

Beautiful Things

So for a few months I have had my eyes on these beautiful head bands! I love the "dramatic feel"
It is just one of those things you question: Where would I wear one of these?
When I saw this picture from one of my favorite blogs I thought: Why Not.
It's Summer- Rock it- Before it goes out of style!

Bilamos

My hubby and I have been talking a lot lately about switching things up, and getting in shape, so we did what any young couple would do: get a gym membership! I know it is such a typical thing to try out, however if this is something that we can do together, that we both enjoy, AND it is good for us... then sure why not!

Tonight was the first night at the sweat joint... and I fell in love all over again. Let me explain:
I not being a big fan of the typical weight room scene, you know the chalk, the grunting the ego's etc. So, thought I would try out a kick boxing class. I mentioned it to Marc, and to my surprise he said that he would try it too, because we were doing this whole gym thing TOGETHER (key word here).
The class started off slow but in no time we progressed to throwing jabs and kneeing the air- getting our kick box on. Marc was tolerating it- it seemed manly enough. But then half way through the class, the teacher asked if we wanted to "bilamos." (dance in spanish) Due the fact that a majority of the class was females, ok everyone but Marc- they started to scream and clap with excitement. Marc and I looked at each other, as the kickboxing music came to a halt the teacher put in the Salsa tunes. Sure enough for the second half of the kick boxing class, we salsa danced! Marc stayed the entire class.
I said earlier that I fell in love all over again, and this is because I realized that I am blessed. Marc knew that doing that class meant enough to me that he stayed the entire time, he didn't slip out after the first 10 min. like I actually thought he would. I guess it means he is not ashamed-and more comfortable in his own skin than I am. I lean more about him every day.
Tomorrow I guess this means I should join him in the weight room. I think it is only fair!

Hey Good Lookin, What ya got cookin?

Today we are celebrating 'Meatless Monday" where I strive to make a vegetarian meal, for the sake of health, and also trimming down the grocery bill. Tonight's meal is one of my brothers favorites, Spinach Quiche.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
1 (6 ounce) package herb and garlic feta, crumbled
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
2 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion in butter until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, feta and 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into pie crust.
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into the pastry shell, allowing egg mixture to thoroughly combine with spinach mixture.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until set in center. Allow to stand 10 minutes before serving. This Recipe will yield 2 full pies.

Tonight we are having this with a summer fruit salad!
Happy Monday!

Time Capsule Tribute

So today is technically Saturday yes...
However doesn't seem that our days off from work... turn into un-days-off (new word) due to work that needs to be done at home? Hmmmm...oh internet... If this what being an adult comes with- I want a refund!
Sure I am only 24, however this adult thing is not all it's cracked out to be! lol.


Today I found myself I reminiscing,back to the days of living at home rent free, working a part time job (or two) at the Gym ( tough I know) or playing Makeup artist at Ulta (my first introduction to the world of makeup) all just for fun. Saturday's were spent sleeping in to the last possible second, talking on the phone, shopping, and painting my nails for the next school week-
because you can't have the same polish two weeks in a row.



Well lets fast forward 10 years...
Today is Saturday...
It is noon, and I have already:
- had my morning quiet time (thanks grandma for the new devo!)
- gone to the church for a couple hours for a volunteer training
- come home
- made homemade biscuits,gravy and eggs for my men
- cleaned up the kitchen
- fed the dog
- washed the sheets

And I keep reminding myself of what I will be saying 10 years from now
Try having kids on top of that...
Point taken.
Happy Saturday No matter what that looks like for you.

In Black and White

My Brother Caleb- Christmas 2007

My sister-in-law Ashley, Celebrating her Birthday Jan. 2008

Cody with the Family at the Beach 2009

My sister-in-law Jennifer at the beach 2009


Last week I developed pictures from a roll of film that had been in my camera for a span of a year and a half! This was the first time I tried out the camera, as well as black and white film. So hopefully in the future there will be more lovely photos to share! Next time I won't take so long to finish a roll of film...xoxo

Happy Mothers Day

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.

My mom and I last summer on vacation to California


My mother-in-law and I

Today I want to recognize the two women in my life- one in California and one in Texas! Today is your day, Happy Mothers Day!

Lovetta- I love the quote above your picture, because it is a picture of you. You made sacrifices for us your children so that we could grow up in a loving home, wanting nothing. Even though we are far away, I see myself doing things you do, everyday. You warned me, not to make fun of you growing up, because one day I will sound just like you. That day has arrived.

Lisa- You have welcomed me into your family as a third daughter, making me feel like I have always known you. Your relationship with your husband, is a wonderful example for Marc and I. That is rare, thank you for that.

For all my friends who are mothers, or soon to be mothers, smile, you are loved! I admire you, and look forward to the day I can call you for advice!

Free sounds good to Me!

Ok so today we went to KFC and had the new grilled chicken meal for FREE! I wanted to share the love, and let you know that it actually works! Here is the catch, you have to print off the coupon today, tomorrow it will not be active!
http://www.unthinkfc.com/

Enjoy a free meal today, or until 5-19-09!

Another day to Celebrate

So today is another day to celebrate: Cinco De Mayo! Living in the Valley, it is full of Hispanic Culture, so if you can't beat it- JOIN IT! For those who need to brush up on your Hispanic History... (Ok I totally had to get a refresher- Spanish class in High School was a long time ago!)

Ok here it goes...
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.



Well I think tonight calls for some Mexcian food! Ok so this is not a full on Mexican meal, it is actually 1/2 ( like my marriage lol.) Here is one of my favorite recipe's from Our Best Bites

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad



SALAD:
4 c. chopped Romaine Lettuce
2 c. chopped grilled chicken (you could use Taco Chicken if you want)
1 c. cherry or grape tomatoes, washed
1/3 c. vertically-sliced red onions
1 avocado, cubed
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 8 3/4 oz. can corn, rinsed and drained

DRESSING:
1/3 c. chopped fresh cilantro
2/3 c. light sour cream
1 1/2 + tsp. adobo sauce from canned chipotle chilies
1 tsp. chili powder
4 tsp. fresh lime juice
¼ tsp. salt

OPTIONAL:
Tortilla Strips

Make sure all salad ingredients that need to be washed or rinsed have been. Combine lettuce, chicken, beans, corn, onion, and tomatoes in a large bowl and gently mix with your hands (which you have obviously and thoroughly washed, of course! :) ). Set aside.
Mix dressing ingredients. I say to start with 1 1/2 tsp. of adobo sauce and then go from there, probably 1/4-1/2 tsp. at a time. If you're serving this for a crowd, it's probably better to err on the side of not spicy enough rather than too spicy, but if you're just making it for your family and you have taste buds of steel, have at it. You could even chop up one of the chilies and toss it in there if you're feeling super-brave. Then taste the dressing and you'll know what heaven tastes like. Set dressing aside.

If you're making tortilla strips, fry those puppies up now. I didn't make them here because I'm trying my darndest not to be naughty nutritionally, but if I make this salad for some kind of festivity, I always make the tortilla strips. Allow them to cool.

When you're ready to serve, add avocado, tortilla strips, and dressing. Gently combine with your hands and serve.

Ready or not... here it comes...

Ahhh it is that time again... Mothers Day. Now I have to admit, this one always seems to sneak up on me. I am sure that once I become a mother I will be sending my husband friendly reminders the month before! ;) Until then, the focus is on the wonderful women in my life.
Every year I try and think of the perfect gift. And so far I would say that this seems to be the best option for me.




1) Magazine subscriptions!
Now this was my gift of choice last year! This is the gift that keeps on giving all year long! It is great for those who's mothers who may live across the U.S. (like mine!) because they will ship it for you!
Not sure what magazine to choose? Might I suggest Woman's Day Magazine it is only $9.99 for 17 issues. This magazine covers many different interests: food, shopping, exercise, crafts, cleaning tips etc.



So your mom says she already subscribes to that one... try one of these fav's:

REAL SIMPLE

EVERYDAY with Rachel Ray


IN STYLE


So now it's your turn... what is your first choice when it comes to mothers day gifts?