Monday, December 31, 2012

ABCs To Be...

Pinterest inspired of course!  I really love this so I'm going to try and follow this little bit of abc advice for the new year. And no, I have not chosen a new word for 2013.  I'm still working on it. I'm about to run out of time huh.  Cheers!!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Christmas In A Nutshell

It was awesome because I had my babies with me on Christmas this year.  Bella was so much fun.  I love watching my kids open presents.  Christopher still gets excited and its fun watching him with his little sister, he is so sweet with her.  I hope your Christmas was just as special.  Enjoy my pics!

Bella helping mommy make sweet treats for our neighbors, friends and family
 
 Oh Christmas Tree...

Chris and Bella's gingerbread house
 
Bella with Santa

Chris, Paul (aka Pooh Bear) and Bella

Me and Pooh Bear Christmas Eve
 
Ready for Santa!!

Sweet snuggle time
 
And we're done unwrapping!
 
My fisherman and fisherprincess
 
What Santa brought mommy...have mercy!!
Isn't he gorgeous?  Those eyes, that jaw line, the scruff, that chest, the shoulders.
Oh my oh my!!  Santa left a note saying he's on backorder, but should be arriving any day now....



Friday, December 28, 2012

Howdy

Knock, knock...anybody home? 

I know, I know...I've been away.  Went and left you all alone and feeling useless, like I don't need you.  Well you're wrong.  I do need you.  I love that you come back ever so often to see what little ole me is writing about, what has softened my heart, given me joy or just completely ticked me off.  I am continually in awe by the fact that you are that interested in what I have to say, but grateful I have readers so, thank you!!

I woke up this morning and jumped (drug myself) in the shower and as I was getting out I could hear baby girl crying for mommy.  I hurried up and went to find her sitting in my spot on the bed just crying for me.  I told I was here and asked what was wrong.  "I just wanted you" she said.  Heart melts.  I lay down with her and hold her and was amazed at how fast this sweet girl calmed down and was back asleep...snoring...peaceful.  Its good to be mommy. 

This same sweet girl says to me last night...

Mommy, when you take me to daycare, you better be good at work.
Ok, I will.
Good, because you need to be good.

Fun sucker :(.

I can hardly believe (shocker huh) that 2012 is winding down, that my baby girl will be 4 in just a short 12 days and the boy will be 14 in less than two months.  Time is moving too fast.  This year has been a tough one.  Looking back, I remember ringing in the new year with great expectations.  I was happy again.  I was gonna kick butt, take names and get organized dammit. Yeah, that didn't happen, well some of it didn't. I said good-bye to some very dear family members, a blessing who opened my eyes to new possibilities and I put a lot of old crap to the curb.  I still didn't getting moving on the cookbook, I didn't start walking more and I still need more organization BUT...I am a little more organized, I'm back to clipping coupons, Bella is potty-trained but still not sleeping in her own bed, I have tried new meals but still need to cook more in my opinion, I'm still believing and I made some things happen that I have wanted for a very long time.  I still have highs and lows but the highs are exceeding the lows, so yes, I have made some progress and I think I'm doing pretty darn good.

I still haven't decided what my word will be for 2013 but "courage" keeps showing up in a lot of places so its a strong contender.  Others vying for a seat are breathe, remember and smile. 

If you will remember in my last post I had listed a gazillion treats in the running for me to make while I had some time off from work.  Well of those gazillion treats, six made the cut.  I'm not even sure some of them were on that list but here's what I did make...

Sugared Pecans
Pecan Pie Bars
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Candy
Oyster Crackers

I had never made any of these before and they were all good but the biggest hits were the sugared pecans, pecan pie bars and the chocolate chip hazelnut cookies.  I've had several requests for those again.  :)  Job well done Mis!  I still may bake some more this weekend for New Year's Day.  We'll just have to see if the mood strikes me.  Ha!

Sorry I've been away...I'll try to do better.  Y'all have a good one!

      

Monday, December 10, 2012

Sweet Treats n Snacks

I am trying like crazy to finish up my Christmas shopping this week so I can enjoy my time off this year by not running around like a crazy mad woman picking up last minute gifts and such. I want to enjoy time with the kids, bake cookies, make treats, watch more Christmas movies, sit in my pajamas all day and play games.  I can dream.  If I'm being honest, I generally run around like a crazy mad woman anyway so let's just say I'm shooting for more of a relaxed running around.  Ha!

I have a list of things I want to make while I'm off.  I'm calling it Sweet Treats n Snacks.  For the last week or so I've been writing down things I'd like to make while I'm off.  Maybe I won't make ALL of them but who knows how frisky I'll get so this is another reason I want to be done shopping.

Here's my list so far...

Snickerdoodles
Biquick Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pecan Tassies
Sugared Pecans
Reese's PB Bites
Iced Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Almond Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Butterfinger PB Chocolate Chunk Cookies 
Pecan Praline Blondies
Oyster Crackers
PB Ritz Crackers Dipped in Almond Bark
Ritz Crackers with Rolos Dipped in Chocolate
Pretzel Rods Dipped in Chocolate

Something might get added or taken off but I'm going to give it a good try.  Wish me luck!  Oh..and if you have any sweet treats or snacks that are really good, send me the recipe to try! 

Have a good one!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Wishing

Tonight I'm watching Bella play, watching her little imagination come to life. She is so full of energy, always happy and so full of love. I thank God for her every day but tonight I'm wishing my Mom was here to see her, to know her youngest grandchild. My heart aches that Bella will only know her Grammy through pictures and stories that we tell her. I think she and Grammy would of had so much fun spending time together. I know in my heart that Mom is with us every day but I miss her so much and have been wishing lately that she was here. I could sure use one of her hugs.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

New Orleans

Yes...I finally made it to New Orleans!!!!  I had a blast and couldn't have asked for two better guides than Heather and Shannon.  We drank, ate, shopped, walked, slept and laughed ALOT.  Our stomach muscles got quite the workout the four days we were there.  I think all the walking and laughing we did worked off all the drinking and eating we did.  ha!  I tried so many new things while I was there...chargrilled oysters, duck, turtle soup, rabbit, boudin balls, creme brulee, BBQ shrimp, bananas foster, crabcakes, veal, alligator, Ramos Gin Fizz, beignets and more I'm probably forgetting.  So much to see, do and oh my gosh the food!  So much to eat...it was sooooo good!  We attempted to go on a Ghost Tour but the only thing we learned from that tour was there were unspeakable acts committed at the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street...and our guide was the one who was batshit crazy!  We totally ditched that tour halfway through.  It did give us some good material for the remainder of the trip...and in fact, I used some of it today.  Good times, good times!

So I'll just give you a taste of this trip through pictures...since well you know, I can't feed you the totally awesome food we had through this post.  All I can tell you is if you haven't been to NOLA, you totally need to go.  Hurry...don't waste any more time.  Run dammit!!

This was our first day in Nola...me and Heather.  Those may or may not be daiquiris in our hands but those bags are most definitely from a Lush store.  Have you ever used Lush products before?  If not, you should.  Or at the very least, try them.  I'm sold on my lip scrub and balm. For someone who has always had dry lips, this stuff is amazing. 

 
 
Me and Shannon taking a break from shopping.
 
 
 
Jean Lafitte...oldest bar in New Orleans.  Please ignore my photographer's finger in the picture...so hard to get good help these days. 
 
 
 
And the three best looking ladies inside having a beer. 
This was the best picture of all three of us the entire trip.  I don't know what it is
about men in Nola but not a dang one of them can take a picture worth a crap! 
 
 
 
See what I mean..
 
 
We made friends along the way...
 
Feathery ones...
 
 
not so purdy partially naked ones...
 
 
Band leaders named Leroy...
 
 
And painters named Alan.  This was my piece of New Orleans I brought back with me.  I love it but  it doesn't go with a dadgum thing in my house.  I think I've almost decided to hang it in my bedroom above my computer.  I'm still working on it though...
 
 
drinks...

 
 
carousel bar at the Monteleone Hotel...
 
 
St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square...gorgeous!
 
the altar...
 
ceiling...
 
choir loft...
 
The pictures just don't do it justice.  It was so beautiful inside.  I did light two candles, one for my mom and one for Jace and said a prayer before I left.  :) 
 
I had such an awesome time and can't wait to visit again some day.  Heather and Shannon showed me a funtabulous time.  They were great tour guides.  Cheers to you ladies and thank you!!