Monday's Meal

SLOPPY JOE'S

1 LB. hamburger
1 small onion
Salt & Pepper

Cook together.

Add

1 can of tomato soup
1 can chicken gumbo (yes, it does have rice in it, don't be scared!)
1 squirt of mustard
2 TBS brown sugar

Mix, warm through and cook!
*Note: It will look a little watery, but will soak up if you heat it for awhile

Grab some hamburger buns and enjoy!!!

---Niece

Leap Frog

I don't like letting my kids watch a ton of TV. But in the car, it is a must or I have to listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks sing I Gotta Feeling, over and over and OVER again. Therefore, I have these two DVD's that rock the house. I figure, if they are learning while watching TV, then it's OK right!? I am so glad that these frogs can teach my kids the days of the week, instead of me having to worry about it! *phew* My two year old even knows the song to the Week Song. Half of the sounds of the alphabet, amongst other things. The four year old knew what all the letters were and sounded like before she was three and now knows all of the months, seasons, days etc. Don't get me wrong. I do teach my kids important things like who Robert Pattinson is dating and what Reese Witherspoon wore to the Oscars, but these just reiterate the OTHER important things.

Click {here} to order.

Click {here} to order.

You can also find these at Target and Wal-Mart if that is easier! I highly recommend them!

Monday's Meal

This takes a little longer than some of the recipes, but it is DELISH!

SWEET 'N' SOUR PORK
(crockpot)

2 1/2 TBS paprika
2 1/2 lbs, pork loin roast cut in 1 inch strips
1 TBS canola oil
1 can 20 oz pineapple chunks
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
3 TBS brown sugar
3 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBS cornstarch
1/4. c water

***Put paprika in ziploc bag, put cut pork in, seal and shake until all pieces are covered.
***Then put pork in canola oil in frying pan and brown mean (it doesn't have to be cooked through). Put in crock pot.
*** Drain pineapple juice into a bowl and mix the rest of ingredients (except water and corn starch). Put pineapple in fridge. Pour liquid on top of meat, and turn crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.
***Combine water and cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add pineapple, and mixture to pot 30 minutes before you are ready to eat.
***Put on hot rice if you want!

I don't feel good.

DISCLAIMER: I am posting this on my (niece) {personal blog} as well.

I hear this phrase no less than 15 time a day. No exaggeration. It makes me cringe every time I hear it, just for the mere fact that there is going to be a list of problems that my hypochondriac four year old "has." And this girl can make up problems with the best of them. It must be a Martin trait that she has inherited (good at making crap up). As soon as I say, "No, your tummy feels fine," her "head hurts," and then her ankle is going to bleed, and then she might throw up at school if she goes, or poop her pants because all of the sudden she has chronic diarrhea, or just possibly her skin might start getting blue and pink stripes on it which then will make her fingers start to swell, in turn making them possibly pop off if she has to buckle herself up. Because heaven forbid that she does something that she doesn't just LOVE to do or that isn't her idea.

I was so frustrated with it, I didn't even make her go to school, in fear of her contracting the hantavirus. After losing count how many sicknesses she came down with during the night, and bawling for 2o minutes, she was sent back to her room to "feel better." Because as we all learned when we pulled this stunt ourselves when we were little, if you are too sick to go to school, you are too sick to play. And sure enough, five minutes after missing the carpool and me losing my cool (surprise surprise), she felt totally fine when she found out she couldn't watch TV or play with friends that day. I made her stay in her bed for a whole 20 minutes or so, until I got sick of her yelling, "MOM! Can I come out yet?! I feel better!" Then our day started. Needless to say, she didn't stay in her room the whole day, BUT I didn't let her play with friends... I know I'm tough. Speaking of tough, the husband is not. He totally falls for every issue, problem, or sickness that arises with her. Therefore, I am yelling at two people convincing the both of them that she is fine.

One day, I want to pull the "I don't feel good" card and not be able to do anything. Or throw a fit so that they will think I am tired and need to take a nap! Or be given everything I ever want or need in a five minute window... but then again, my house would be destroyed, I would get woken up to change a movie, and I would have to provide my own wants since I am "the adult". Oh, to be a kid again!

Balls & Smells.

Three stories in one:

I have a new "discipline" system in place in our house. It is known as the BALL system. How it works. They are good, clean up, listen, help each other, they get a ball or two. If they are naughty ie. hit, scream, tell me no, they have to give their balls up. Once they hit a certain number, they get a prize. This time: Go to Jumpin' Jacks when they get 50. It took 4 1/2 weeks to get there, but they made it! And we went. This brings me to story number two.


I have problems with play areas. Especially enclosed play areas (McDonalds, Jumpin' Jacks) in the winter. The germs freak me out. You never know where snot, spit, or pee has landed or been hidden. Well tonight was no exception of snotty nosed little rugrats. We were all but done with the place when Gavin was getting off this plastic little car saying "Help MAMA!" The husband ran over to help him, and then handed him to me drenched in PEE. That's right. My kid was "one of them" There was a puddle right under where he was hanging. I made him waddle out of the place while B disinfected the area with hand sanitizer and we booked it out of there before we were labeled as "that kid and his parents." So gross.... and so embarassing. And this brings me to story number three.

There is a smell that everyone knows. The dirty kid smell. Not the hormonal, over active teenage BO smell, the dirty kid smell. It is the smell that overwhelms your nostrils as you open the front door to an elementary school? Yeah, that smell.

Anyway, I leaned down to give my little girl a kiss on the top of her head tonight and as I did I smelled it. THE scent I have dreaded. Mind you, I give my kids a bath almost every night, just so they don't ever smell like it. And she did. I was horrified. I can't believe she is old enough to have THAT smell. I have never noticed it before. And I hope to never smell it again. But then again, I have a little boy- and I know he will start smelling sooner than later. Dang. We might have to up the baths to three times a day to avoid it.

Love.

I just finished reading this:


I liked it. For a book that tries to make you a better mom. I have a hard time reading books that don't involve a plot, love triangles or vampires. It definitely hasn't made me the best mom on the planet (yet), because according to my four year old I am "the dumbest and worst mom EVER!" Maybe not after reading this book (and hopefully applying it.)

I do LOVE this.


LOOOOOOOOVE it! It is Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss. My little sister let me borrow it, and I forgot to give it back. Thankfully! It makes my lips so soft, shiny and tingly! The mint isn't too strong in it, and the taste (if it accidentally gets in your mouth) is delish as well.

Monday's Meal

This might sound harder than it really is. I promise, if I can do it, anyone can!!! There are variations you can do, so whatever is easiest for you! I am just too cheap and feel that I can make it taste better the way I do things.

HOMEMADE PIZZA

DOUGH:
2 1/2 c. flour
2 pkg. RAPID RISE yeast
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. warm, warm water (not scalding hot)
1/4 c. melted margarine/butter
***Mix together***
Add two eggs
***Mix some more*
Add more flour until dough isn't too sticky (maybe 2 more c. flour)
***Mix for 3 minutes***
Cover with towel for 15 minutes to let raise
***Flour cookie sheet and scoop some dough onto it and roll out
(you might need to add a little more flour onto dough if its too sticky)

ADD:
Pizza sauce (leave about 1/2 inch around pizza if you want a crust)
Mozzarella cheese
Any other toppings you like!!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put pizza in oven for 15 minutes or so until crust is "golden brown" and cheese is melted all the way.

Variation: You can buy a bag of pre-mixed pizza dough at the store
Thaw out Rhodes Bread Loaves/Rolls and roll onto sheet

***I also melt more butter, spread it on the crust (before its cooked) and then sprinkle Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder on for extra deliciousness.

PS. I use this dough recipe for dinner rolls or breadsticks as well!!!

PPS (or is it PSS). If this doesn't make sense, leave a comment and I will try to explain better...

What's a mother to do!?

I'm at a loss. A couple of issues have come about in my household. Two stories. Two problems.

NUMBER ONE.

My two year old wears pajamas (as most people do). Yammies in his two year old language. That is not the issue. The issue lies in that he NEVER, EVER wants to take them off. EVER. Not even when they are soaked in Cap'n Crunch milk or at juice (also two year old for apple juice). Recently, he has been throwing MAJOR tantrums about taking them off.

Now, I don't mind letting him run around the house in his yammies all day, but not in public. It's just not my thing. Until today. I had to go to the bank. I tried, oh man did I try, but he WOULD NOT, take his pajamas off. He cried, screamed, thrashed around, and hid under the covers trying not to put them on. So I did what any mom would do (I at least convinced myself of that). I got all ready, added extra make-up, hairspray, put some heels on, and hauled him into the bank in his pajamas. I figured at least one of us has to look decent. Most people probably thought that I was "into myself" more than my kid, but who really cares!? He was SO PROUD of his jammies. He told the lady there he had his "yammies on". And the husband, and aunt, and everyone else. He was SO excited. Happy kid, I guess happy mom! Is that totally white trash or what? (No offense to anyone who lets their kids wear their jammies everywhere, like I said, just not MY thing!)

NUMBER TWO.

The dinner I made tonight was not my fave. Not at all. In fact, I knew I wasn't going to like it when I decided to make it. It was made specifically for the husband. He has been BEGGING me to make meatloaf (bleck) for years now and finally I decided to be nice and make it. If you like meatloaf, here is the recipe. Multiply the salt and pepper by 1000 and add a bunch of garlic powder.

As I said before, I am not a fan. And obviously, either is my daughter. So the question is. Do I make her eat the nastiness of the loaf when I didn't!? She is usually a good eater (especially when I threaten dessert), but I didn't have the heart to make her suffer! Should I have been firm with her and make her choke it down or was I OK to let it slide tonight!? The husband and I were "discussing heavily" over it. I think I won. Or should have won. She ate a cookie for dinner instead.

FOR NICOLE:

EASY CHICKEN STRIPS

1/4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. seasoned salt
1 1/4 c. crushed cornflakes
1/3 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken strips (or breasts cut in 1 inch pieces)

Combine flour and seasoned salt in a bowl. Place cornflakes and butter in separate bowls.
Coat chicken with flour mixture, dip in butter, and coat with cornflakes.
Put on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
*Dip in BBQ sauce, honey mustard, whatever you want!

Brownie Cupcakes?!

Best idea ever... almost!

I love brownies. LOVE brownies. Especially ones with powdered sugar on them. Just the good ol' brownie out of a box mixed, baked, and cooled. The edge is my favorite, especially if it is crunchy. That is beside the point.

There is a simple solution to being able to have the brownie cut without getting all squished up when you are scooping it out of the pan. And its not the nifty little pan seen {here}. Although, this thing is pretty amazing, I have a cheaper way of getting the "perfect" brownie. (Aunt will most likely be buying the pan)

CUPCAKE BROWNIES! I am sure many of you have thought of this, but this "invention" has just been introduced into my life and I LOVE it!

All you do is line your muffin tin with holders, add the brownie mix and bake them! You can frost them if you want, sprinkle powdered sugar or just eat them out of the wrapper! YUM.

-----Niece

Monday's Meal

Italian Chicken (crockpot)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14.5 oz can Italian diced tomatoes
3/4 c. water
2 TBS. dried onion
2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
3 TBS. cornstarch
Hot cooked rice

-Put chicken in crockpot and place all ingredients on top (EXCLUDING CORNSTARCH)
- Cook on low for FOUR hours.
-Put chicken on plate
-Put juices in a small pan
-Mix cornstarch and 3 TBS of water together and pour into juice.
-Stir until thickened.
-Put chicken on cooked rice and add sauce on top!

Side dishes: Rice and steamed asparagus!

How to properly make a bed...

I am just going to say it.
I googled 'how to make a bed'.
It isn't the first time I have experienced 'google shame', but this was an all time low.
Don't get me wrong, I kinda make it. If you saw it you would think it was pretty, but that is only because it is covered with lots of throw pillows and a fluffy duvet cover. Underneath...
it's a mess. I just don't get the sheet thing. I never know how to fold and tuck so I end up just shoving the excess under the mattress and covering it up with the the spread.

Bottom line is that I actually found a tutorial, ( on Martha's website, of course) watched it, and I still don't get it.
I was frustrated for a minute until I realized that this whole 'bed making' problem could possibly have happened for a reason. Is it a metaphor for my life? When things get messy, or I don't understand something, I kinda just cover it up instead of really addressing the issue and fixing it. Maybe this is the reason I go shopping when I am upset, spend too much money, end up going over budget, and then shop more.Sometimes I just feel like it is better not to know what is going on "underneath the covers" and the problems will go away. Wow. Do I need to go to therapy? Or did I just discover the root of all my issues and now that I am aware I will be better? Who knows... but for now I'm just going to crawl into my big messy bed while my kids nap, put the covers over my head and forget about it.

--aunt

You know you're a mom when....

{1} You step in something wet on the carpet and aren't sure if its apple juice or pee.

{2} You now say "potty" instead of "bathroom or restroom"

{3} You have snot stains on all of your couch cushions because it is easier to wipe your nose as you're running by than the Kleenex box two inches away... (anyone wanna come over and hang out on the couch!?)

{4} You have enough snacks on your car floors to survive for a month if an earthquake hit.

{5} The staples to your grocery list include: Apple juice, cereal (sugared of course) and Diet Pepsi to make it through the day!

{6} You are late to church every week no matter what time it starts because you can't get ready... maybe that's just laziness though.

{7} You plan your whole day around nap time so everyone can have an enjoyable day

{8} You can't find one clean piece of paper because there are "grocery lists" all over everything.

{9} You have girls night out starting at 9:00 PM because you have to wait until all the kids are in bed...

{10} You invest a lot of money in bras to hold up your boobs to put them in a normal place because heaven knows they don't hang how they used to!

{11} It's easier to have your kids friends over to entertain them, so you can get some cleaning done.

{12} You subconsciously rock a baby doll as if you are rocking a real baby.

{13} Going to the grocery store alone is actually a treat!

{14} You don't remember the last time you showered by yourself... or was able to get ready without being "interrupted"

{15} The last ten minutes before the kids bed time seems like it is dragging on for HOURS!

UPDATE:

Here is the correct link to 'Garlic Red Potatoes" that Aunt posted last month. So click {HERE} to go to the recipe. I have to admit... they are dang good! I had some the other night... DELISH.

Monday's Meal (a little late)

Today has been a super crazy day!!! I mean, I actually showered (with the two little ones sneaking in unfortunately) and did my hair... and you know how long that can take!

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(crock pot style)

1 pound of cooked, shredded chicken
14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes
10 oz. can of red enchilada sauce
Chopped onion (however much you like)
4 oz. can of green chilies
2 TBS. minced garlic
14.5 oz. can of chicken broth
1/2- 1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder (unless you like it spicy, then add more)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf (not sure what this does, so don't worry about it if you don't have one)
1 small package of frozen corn

Put everything in crock pot (undrained) and cook on low for 6-8 hours!

Homemade Tortilla Strips

Package of CORN tortillas (cut in small strips with a pizza cutter)
Oil

Fry in deep fryer (Fry Daddy?) or a frying pan until they are hard! They are DELISH!!!