We had a fun time last week with DH's family...and last week the menu went well. The Pulled Pork Fajitas were quite tasty. It's always a good thing when DH asked if I'll make something again. :) Here is this week:
DH's Mom and brother visited us these last several days and we just wished them on their way as they go to make another quick visit with DH's sister and her family. It is always hard to say goodbye. Although it went so fast, it was good to be able to share some time with them, as Peanut was able to meet her uncle for the first time! Although she is pretty leary of most men, she seems to have a sixth sense about those men that are "safe." She loves all her male family members, but any of those men that try and charm a smile out of her when we are out in public get the stone face. I guess Daddy has taught her well. :)
Here are just a few of the memories that were made:
The socks weren't nearly as fun...but Mommy loved them!
Helping Mommy unwrap presents...it takes some serious concentration...
and Daddy...such a helper...
Dress up with Grandma's scarf was such fun!
Then it was time for pajamas, but the scarf was still so fetching...
Loved the "trunk" on her little car...
It was good to see everyone...many prayers for a safe rest of their journey. If only Grandpa was able to make it...then it would have been perfect. But I guess nearly perfect is pretty good too.
Now only 15 days until the other Grandma and Grandpa arrive...and Auntie too!
Have I mentioned how things are a little different here in Smalltown? When going out and about with the Peanut running errands, I typically don't have to change her diaper. This is because I always change her before we leave and we are rarely gone long enough to have to change her when we are out. Because of this, I leave the diaper bag in the car. Exceptions are of course when we go back to visit Hometown or the rare occasion we are out all day and DH is with me.
So we were out to lunch yesterday with DH's family who is here to visit and I wanted to wash her up after the meal. The diaper bag was in the car. No problem, she wasn't too messy, so we will just use a baby wipe when we get out to car. Did I mention, that is hasn't been above freezing temperatures in nearly a week? We get out to the car and the wipes are frozen solid. Nice, huh? Thankfully, the restaurant had a "Moist Towelette" to clean her up. I guess I need to remember to bring in the diaper bag each time we come home until spring!
We have family coming this week, just a short stay--Tuesday and Wednesday, so that is exciting for all of us. Here we go...
Sunday-Nachos...I have figured out that these are really good, when done under the broiler, as we are choosing to go w/o a micro for the time being. Way better than when done in the micro! Yum!
We just got back from a fun little Christmas outing. We live near a town that completely decorates it's downtown in Christmas lights and they have a lighting ceremony to start the festivities each evening over the weekend. We didn't quite plan enough time to find parking, or shall I say free parking, but we were able to enjoy the town decorated in lights nonetheless. Here are a few highlights... (get it, highlights?)
Peanut fell asleep on the way there, but soon woke up...
It's really hard to get non blurry pictures when using the setting that doesn't use the flash!
There's the happy girl!
Daddy and Peanut
Mommy and Peanut
We even got some snow to finish the night off! It was cold, but a fun evening!
I have had this recipe for some time now and have been meaning to try it. A special thanks, to my bloggy friend, Lucy! They are fabulous and much cheaper to make than buying them. I don't know why I waited. Well, I do, because I knew they would take a good chunk of time and that's not something I have all too often with a little 15 month old Peanut running around.
That said, because I made the dough in the bread machine, the rest was not nearly as time consuming as I thought. And they are so worth it! I did make mine with all white flour. I know the whole wheat would be much better for us, but I am having a hard time using that in my baked goodies. It's funny, because I prefer whole wheat bread over white, but I just can't get past it in things like muffins and cookies and such.
So many bloggers have done this. It's hardly original, but in honor of my 100th post, I thought I would share 100 things about myself. Let's see if I can make it. :)
1. I love dogs and cats.
2. We have neither.
3. I know now, there was a purpose in that.
4. I HATE anything with eight legs. Especially those bouncy black ones. *Shudder*
5. Pink is my favorite color.
6. However, most of what I own (as far as clothing) is black.
7. I think that's because what I like is not often offered in pink and black is the "safest" color.
8. I believe very strongly in self reliance and responsibility.
9. My Dad taught me that.
10. It took me six and a half years to complete my four year degree.
11. This is because I changed my major five times.
13. I have tried to “teach” DH, but he refuses to join in the fun.
14. I plan on teaching this tradition to the Peanut anyway.
15. My husband and I were set up on a blind date.
16. Because of this, I love hearing other's stories of how they met.
17. My mom encouraged me to color my hair in high school. She gave me a hard time and said I was supposed to being doing that type of thing without asking. So I gave in...and got highlights.
18. I love Diet Cherry Coke, but due to budget constraints when I buy soda (if ever) I no longer can afford this loyalty. I buy whatever is on sale and cheap.
19. I love to cook.
20. In being a stay at home mom, besides being at home with the Peanut (duh), one of my favorite things is being able to cook every day. And it's been a over year and still going strong.
21. I used to tell people that I loved to scrapbook. And then I realized, you know, I really don't. In fact, it's such a project and drain. What I do love is the finished product. I love the scrapbooks we have and baby's first year book I have done for the Peanut. I just really don't care for the process of making/developing them. But I still continue to do it, because it's not like the DH is going to take it up. :)
22. I feel so much better getting that off my chest.
23. I am not a fan of tattoo's.
24. Or strange piercings.
25. I consider myself a conservative person. Both politically and otherwise. See # 8, 23, and 24.
26. I love my country.
27. I was extremely thankful that when DH and I met for the first time, that he was taller than me.
28. There wouldn't have been further dates, had he not been. Well, maybe, but that would have been EXTREMELY hard for me to get past.
29. I realize that is pretty shallow. But a girl has her limits, you know?
30. Someday I want to learn to sew.
31. And knit.
32. I want to be as good of a mom as I had.
33. That's setting the bar pretty high.
34. I hold my friend S completely responsible for getting me interested in reading blogs.
35. And my friend A for introducing me to Google Reader.
36. I have some really good friends. :)
37. Some day, when we do get a dog, I want a Bichon Frise.
38. I would prefer to name him or her Snowball. Wouldn't that be a lovely Christmas gift?
39. However, if DH has his way, we will get a black lab like my mom's. It's the only dog he has ever approved of.
40. However, if we compromise, we will get a chocolate lab.
41. And name him or her Coco.
42. I am all about the cutesy names. I know.
43. I am a cautious person...see #'s 7 & 17.
44. I hate to iron. But I do it, because DH goes to work each and every day, and I am sure he doesn’t like every part of his job.
45. I am obsessive about having an absolute balanced check book. To the penny.
46. This is probably due to the fact of working in the banking industry for 11 years and my frustrations with those who can't manage their money. It's pretty simple. It you don't have it, don't spend it. I know I can’t afford a $38 overdraft fee for a trip to Starbucks.
47. I can be pretty hard nosed about certain things.
48. I have an addiction to Sonic limeades. Is there a 12 step program?
49. As well as Starbucks Peppermint Mochas and Peppermint Hot Chocolates. Due to the cost, I don't indulge in these very much. But if they had a happy hour...
50. Moving away from my family is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
51. DH says I am a very black and white person. It’s true. There is very little “gray” in my world.
52. I worked up to the day that Peanut was born. My last day was on a Saturday and we checked in the hospital on Sunday.
53. Having had a child now, it gave me whole new appreciation for nurses. I always knew that job required a special person, but having been on the other end first hand…wow. They are VERY special people. I know it’s a job I couldn’t do. I mean that in the kindest of ways.
54. Being a second child, I am determined to take as many pictures of our second child as there are of the Peanut. I totally got cheated. (Mom and Dad, you know I love you!)
55. I love watching the Peanut grow and learn new things every day. No one can really explain how special that is.
56. Being in the middle of nowhere, we just got cable (only for the local channels) and there was on offer for a discounted DVR. OhMyLanta! I had heard how they change your life. I now definitely *heart* my DVR.
57. When I was about 4, I got a needle in my knee from kneeling on the carpet, and it snapped and I had to have surgery to take it out. That was the only time I have ever been hospitalized. Knock on wood.
58. I don’t know if we’ll do the Santa Claus thing with Peanut. I go back and forth. My husband and I did it as children and I don’t think it is harmful per say, but….I just don’t want that to be the focus and when children are little, I often think it is. We so need to make a decision sometime SOON.
59. These last few have been getting WORDY. I’ll try to cut it out.
60. I was born on a Friday.
61. It was a sunny Friday morning in early spring. No, wait, that’s my mom’s story to share. (It’s something I tease her about.)
62. I am a complete and total home body.
63. I wouldn’t go as far as to say recluse—but I am definitely very comfortable at home.
64. That’s why the internet is so handy for us types.
67. I did it for the discount. I am not a salesperson.
68. Which is funny, because I worked at a bank for over a decade!
69. In high school, I had a huge crush on George Clooney.
70. Then I learned of his political leanings.
71. That’s when I knew it wasn’t meant to be.
72. That was my only teenage heart-throb.
73. I am definitely an old soul. And not just because of George.
74. I love old movies, big band music, Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby, art deco décor, the patriotism during the World Wars…I could go on and on.
75. I was born in the wrong decade.
76. EXCEPT when it comes to medical technology and advancements. I am all about the pain killers, laughing gas, you name it, when it comes to any dental procedure past a bi-annual cleaning.
77. I am often indecisive...see #11 & 58.
78. I name my cars. Preferably rhyming names. Like Wanda the Honda. She was such a good car.
79. I love playing “Name that Movie.” It’s always fun to play with my mom because I typically have about a 33% chance of getting it right.
80. And DH for that matter, with him, it’s nearly 100% chance at getting it right. A Few Good Men is about the only movie he quotes. And he doesn’t really quote it. He can give his own monologue on the entire film.
81. On the subject of movies, I love Netflix. Especially for the TV shows on DVD. Okay, so that made no sense.
82. When we bought our first home, I made DH promise me we would never have to move again. Heh.
83. God definitely has a sense of humor.
84. My senior year of high school was a cake walk. I took Floral Design, I worked in the Student Store, and got school credit for having a job. I left school at about 11 AM. The only class I had to take was Contemporary World Problems.
85. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t some huge over achiever. I only had a “B” average.
86. Some just make high school sound so hard. Not so much. Life gets way harder after high school.
87. I wish I possessed great photographic talent.
88. I am learning more patience than I thought I would ever have. Having a child has done that.
89. Despite #20, I find it really hard to be creative in menu planning. I feel like we eat the same thing over and over.
90. It is completely weird and strange and part of my OCD, but I CANNOT stand it when the screen to the sliding glass door is open, but the door is closed. Drives me nuts beyond belief.
91. When I was in my junior/senior year in college I worked as an intern in our state’s legislature.
92. It was such an incredible experience and I learned so much there.
93. I am a Law & Order junkie. Love SVU and Criminal Intent too, but the original is my favorite. DH thinks I am deranged. I truly can’t get enough.
94. I cannot stand it when cashiers don’t face their money. It’s even worse, when the bank teller doesn’t do it. And let me tell you—it happens all the time.
95. I am extremely thankful that my parents have been married for over 34 years. I don’t know how people with blended families do it.
96. DH’s parents have also been married for over 35 years. That’s pretty rare for the both us. But what a blessing!
97. For as often as I am in the kitchen, you would think I could remember to turn off the oven. Can’t tell you the number of times I go to clean up and oven is still on. Sheesh.
98. I can’t handle having a messy car.
99. I love getting mail. Not bills of course, but the stamped kind from loved ones. There’s just something about getting something handwritten with a stamp on it.
100. As if you already didn’t know this, Christmas time is my most favorite time of year. The month of January just stinks. I call it Let Down Month.
Well that’s it. Not so much in a nutshell, but now you may know some things about me that you maybe didn’t before. Here’s to another 100 posts!
The little Peanut is too funny and so smart! DH and I were playing the new Super Mario Bros. last night on our borrowed Wii. We were really getting into it and the Peanut was just toddling around the living room playing with her toys. Now, awhile back we gave her an old remote to play with (batteries out, of course) as she is always trying to play with our TV remote. This old remote was from an air conditioning unit we no longer have and it happens to be white like the Wii controllers.
She has, from time to time, pointed the old remote at the TV like we do and we always get a chuckle. Well, last night, I look over at her and she is sitting next to us holding her remote sideways just like DH and I hold our Wii controllers! DH practically fell off the couch laughing. I wish I could have snapped a picture of the Peanut, it was so cute and so funny! Babies do imitate everything we do--you always have to be on your toes!
I had a code to rent a free RedBox. DH called on his way home from work tonight and asked if I had gotten out to use it. Well, yes, I had gotten out, but no, I didn't get a chance to go get the free rental. So he offered to pick one up. Sure, I said. He get's home and I asked him what he rented. Now, he has really been wanting to see the new Star Trek because everybody has said it's just great and we rarely rent movies. So what does he bring home? The Proposal. He explained that he knew I didn't really want to see Star Trek (I like action, I even like Star Wars, just really not into Star Trek) and they had G.I. Joe, which he has really been wanting to see as well, but he didn't think I really wanted to see that either. So he got a chick flick. Awww....I just don't deserve him!
Now that I am nearly finished decorating, I will share a little with you. For those of you who don't know me in "real life," Christmas is my absolute most favoritist time of year. I love, love, love it. I could play Christmas music year around. In fact, we did play some Christmas music in the hospital when Peanut was born. That was in September.
So you can imagine my disappointment of not being able to have out many of my decorations. The two full size trees that I normally decorate are nixed this year as well. We don't have the room in our itty bitty living space (name that movie) and more importantly, we have tiny little hands to think about, and frankly it's just easier than telling her no every three seconds. I had decided to go with a table top tree, and my Mom actually had two in her stash of Christmas decorations, both of which worked really well. Thanks, Mom!
Our stockings are creatively (!) hung from our sideboard, as we have no mantel. I can't really complain though, because our house in Hometown doesn't have one either:
As mentioned, I don't have out many of my knick knacks, so I just have out this lovely glass tree (on top of our entertainment center--far from little hands), ornaments hanging from the light in our nook (I saw this on Rachael Ray and thought it was a nice idea--again, far from little hands), and this snowman my mom got me several years ago:
Last but not least, we also have our banister decorated with garland, which is fun. Our house in Hometown is a one level with no staircase so this was a treat to be able to do.
It is definitely starting to feel like Christmas around here, which is the best feeling. Now I just need to get the Christmas cards in the mail!
