A Terrific Tuesday

1. Two Hour Delay

They were calling for snow.  It never snowed.  We still ended up with a two hour delay.  I didn't have to be at work until 9:40am.

2. Library/Computer Lab Day

Then once I got there I immediately took my kids to lunch.  Then I only had two classes today.  The first one was in the library  The second one was in the computer lab. It was a pretty easy day.

3. Sonic Happy Hour

I stopped on the way home at Sonic Happy Hour.  I had a large diet cherry Coke.  My favorite.

 

4. A Yummy Dinner

I made these yummy Turkey Meatball Marinara Paninis.   Turkey meatballs, spaghetti sauce, white American cheese, on bakery bread.  Easy and fabulous.

 

 

Monday Musings

I am participating in Miscellany Monday today over at lowercase letters. 

(1) Carissa over at lowercase letters happens to be doing a giveaway today from lisa leonard designs.  I love lisa leonard designs.  The pendant in my header was ordered from her.  We gave it to our daughter on our wedding day to symbolize our marriage.  She has a fabulous items and a pretty neat blog.  You should definitely check her out.

(2) I am supposed to be on a diet.  I went to the grocery store yesterday.  It was a long day at work.  We had a meeting where there was pizza.  I refrained from getting a slice...or two...and then I came home and  ordered Papa Johns for dinner.  I also plan on baking something tonight.   And eating what I baked Oh well...tomorrow is a fresh start.

(3) It is supposed to snow tonight.  It better.  I need a day off.  Yes...another one.  Next week I also have several days I am taking off of work.  I still need a snow day.  I will take all of the days off of work I can get.

(4) I missed Real Housewives of Atlanta last night.  I MUST watch it tonight.

(5) My friend Kara over at Happy Go Lucky is starting a new Wacky Wednesday link up.  So check out her blog...start thinking of your Wacky Wednesday post ...and participate...please.  She should have a post up tonight regarding how it will work with a button that will link back to her page to share with everyone.

Fill in the Blank Friday

Lauren over at The Little Things We Do is hosting Fill in the Blank Friday.  Be sure to check out her blog and to consider creating your own Fill in the Blank Friday post.

1. Winter is yucky.  I am not a winter type of girl at all.

2. Summer is the best season.  I love the summer...even though I sometimes complain about it being too hot.  I definitely prefer it to winter.

3. If it were summer instead of winter right now I would be happy...because I wouldn't be working.

4. My favorite thing to do in winter is snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and watch TV with my family.

5. My favorite thing to do in summer is to be out and about, grilling outside, and going to the pool.

6. The ideal outfit for a sunny summer day is definitely a sundress and flip flops = my summer outfit of choice.

7. The ideal outfit for a frigid winter day is I am not sure.  I am so not a winter dresser.  I hate coats and socks.

{I do not want any more days like this...unless of course they are snow days where I get to miss work}

Easy Recipes - Taco Soup & Corn Casserole

I originally planned to make these two dishes last week - but didn't.  I originally got them {here} on the Passys and Parties blog.  I tweaked them a bit and provide my version of the recipes below.

I liked the taco soup (I made it once a few years ago) although it was pretty spicy.  I originally got it as a Weight Watchers recipe.  If you use lean ground beef or turkey it is pretty low in fat and calories - if you limit your toppings.  Now the corn casserole (I have also made it before) was YUMMY...and definitely not Weight Watchers!

Taco Soup -

Ingredients -
-1 can pinto beans (drain)

-1 can kidney beans (drain)
-1 can Rotel (I used the spicy kind)
- 1 can of white corn
-1 -15 oz can diced tomatoes
-1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
-1 pkg dry Hidden Valley Ranch mix
-1 pkg taco seasoning (I used spicy)
- 1 1/2 package of lean ground beef or turkey
-1 small onion - chopped finely

*shredded cheese, black olives, green onions, sour cream, Fritos, or tortilla chips to go on top.


 Directions -
 
-Brown the meat with salt, pepper,  and chopped onions.
-Drain
-Mix dry seasonings, cooked meat, tomato sauce, Rotel, tomatoes, and the drained can of beans to the crock pot.  Stir til well blended.  Cook 4 hours on low.
 
*Serve with your choice of toppings
 
Corn Casserole-
 
Ingredients -
- 1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 2 eggs
-1 can of creamed corn
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1/2 cup of sugar
 
Directions -
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees...while it is preheating place the stick of butter in a 9x9 pan to melt in the oven.
-Pull out the pan once it is melted.
-Mix the corn muffin mix, eggs, corn, sour cream, and sugar in a mixing bowl.  Pour into butter filled pan.
-Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown on the top and set in the center.
 
*Tastes best warm

What I am Loving Wednesday

It is time for What I am Loving Wednesday again thanks to Jaime over at This Kind of Love.  Go there to check out some other great What I am Loving Wednesday lists.  Mine is going to be very brief tonight...as I waited until after 9 PM to do it and I am ready for bed.  It sure has been hard getting used to being back at work this week.

{1}

I am loving that tomorrow is Thursday...and it might snow and I may get to stay home from work.  WOOHOO!!  I am trying not to get my hopes up...

{2}

I am loving that our Chasing Fireflies catalog came in the mail this week.  I love looking through it...although most of the stuff is too young for my daughter and too pricey for my 2011 budget.  I did however see these Melt My Heart Cookies $12 - and immediately think I can make those! That is exactly what I plan on doing for Valentine's Day.  I happened to pick up several boxes of the holiday Oreos at Target after Christmas for like $1.40 a bag...with plans to make Valentine's Day treats out of them.   I need to pick up some white candy melts and red or pink sprinkles and some cute gift boxes - all of which I can get at A.C. Moore with a 40% off coupon and make these for WAY less than $12 for 6 cookies. 

{3}

I am loving Weight Watchers Key Lime Pie yogurt.   I accidentally picked it up on Sunday and unhappily took it with me to work together for lunch.  I tossed in my granola...mixed it up...and it was FABULOUS! I had to run to the store tonight for a few things and these yogurts were on sale...so I picked up two more for my lunch tomorrow and Thursday.  YUMMY!  If you are on the new Weight Watchers...with the new program...these are no longer just a point...but they are still fabulous.

My Version of Project 365

Project 365 where you take a photo a day has been around on the blog world for a bit.  I have always been interested in it.  If you are new to Project 365 you can read about it {here} on Photojojo.

I took my photo on Saturday.  It is a terrible camera phone photo I snapped Saturday night before bed. Here it is -

Umm...and then I forgot a Sunday photo.  I screwed up on Day #2.  But guess what? Today I remembered to take a photo.  Madison and I headed to Target after school to pick up a few things.  But first we stopped at the Target cafe for one of her favorite snacks - Pizza Hut bread sticks and a Dr. Pepper.  Hopefully my husband doesn't read this.  We are trying to only buy NEEDS...not WANTS...I don't think he will believe she NEEDED this snack.  I snapped a photo.  Here it is -

 I do not plan on keeping my photos on my blog...although they may appear here from time to time.  I set up my Project 365 through a Shutterfly photo book.  I love making these books.  Tonight I set up a 5 x 7 album.  I will have 3 small photos with 3 captions on each page.  Each time I take a photo, I will add it to the book along with a little caption to describe the photo.  They will not always be photos of Madison.  They can be photos of other people, places, or things.  The possibilities are endless.

I really hope yesterday is the only day I forget to snap a photo.  I think this will turn out to be an amazing memento for Madison.  I look forward to sharing it with her at the end of 2011.   We are hoping for a great year.

Do you do the Project 365? If so, share your link.  I would love to take a look.

10 Things In 2010

In no particular order...here are 10 Things In 2010 that happened in our lives.  We are thankful for the wonderful things that happened in our lives in 2010 and are looking forward to a fabulous 2011.

{This is my favorite photos from our wedding...we have a huge canvas of it on our living room wall}

ONE

I got married.  7. 17. 10.  We had an amazing wedding at the beach with our friends and family.  It was all pink and lime green. It everything I had hoped and planned for...it was definitely US.    I designed our wedding invitations...we had a candy buffet...and my husband built a cupcake tower - I loved that so much of our wedding was DIY.  We were so thankful my parents helped to make our day so amazing  I love looking back at the photos taken by the talented Amy Sandoval - who helped to make me feel beautiful on this special day.

TWO
I did lots and lots of baking.  It is my dream to one day open a bakery.  It has been a slow start with the opening of an etsy shop and a Facebook fan page.  It is definitely my plan in 2011 to get this business going. 

THREE
Madison started middle school. She turned 11.  She celebrated with a party with some of her closest friends at a local ice skating rink.  She loves movies, the computer, and anything having to do with vampires.  She loves wearing jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies...with her UGG boots.  Her favorite class at school is foreign language - where she has formed a love for French.  This year she also gained a dad.  It warms my heart to see the special relationship the two of them have developed.  It is something she has deserved all along.

FOUR
We bought a family car.  A Toyota Highlander.  We absolutely love it.  It is really going to come in handy for us in 2011 {see TEN below}.

FIVE
I worked all year long on creating a 2010 Shutterfly photo book.  I did a great job of keeping up with it.  It is filled with 88 pages of memories and photos.  I am holding out for a great coupon or sale before I order it.  I definitely plan on starting a 2011 one.  I hope to share it here on the blog once it arrives in the mail.

  SIX
We got to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with my parents this year.  We traveled up to their home for both occasions.  Madison even got to spend a few extra days following Christmas with Grammy and Pop.

SEVEN
We took a honeymoon cruise out of Baltimore to the Bahamas and Grand Turk two weeks after our wedding.  It was one of the best decisions we made to wait a bit.  We would have been too drained to go the day after the wedding.

EIGHT
My mother and sister threw me an amazing baby BRIDAL shower in April.  I finally got to meet my niece, Olivia for the first time.  One of my dearest friends, Erin, was able to travel from New Jersey to attend.  It definitely was a wonderful day.

{Edited to change to BRIDAL shower...my friend Julia sent me a message this morning after I had already published this post to point out my mistake...I must have babies on the brain}

NINE
I started my ninth year of teaching middle school.  I also discovered that teaching is no longer where my heart is for a variety of reasons.  Although I am an enjoying having many of Madison's friends in my English classes this year.  I have a great group of kids and I work with a fabulous team. I am hoping that our move will be the kick in the pants I need to change careers.

TEN

We confirmed a 2011 move for our family.  It has always been in the works...from when I first met Chris.  In 2011 it will finally occur.  It will also mean a separation of about 3 months for our family as Chris heads up early to begin work while Madison and I finish out the school year.  It is definitely bittersweet - it will be a new start, we will be closer to Chris' family and to many of mine up in New England, and it is a good career move for Chris, however Madison and I have always lived in Virginia and we LOVE our home here.  It means a new job for me and a new school and new friends for Madison. RHODE ISLAND here we come. 

Christmas 2010 Recap

Merry Christmas 2010 - our first Christmas as a married couple!

We began our celebration on Thursday with a trip to Jason's Deli for lunch.  Then we opened up our stockings when we got home.

We got up early Friday morning, stopped for gas and breakfast, and then headed to visit my parents.  It was our very first road trip in our new car.

We enjoyed dinner out with my parents and some friends.  When we got home Madison opened two of her presents...a sweater and some black Ugg boots (which she LOVED).

Christmas morning we woke up and exhanged gifts.  Then we had a pancake and bacon breakfast.

Chris, Maddie, and my dad took an afternoon trip to the movies to see True Grit.

I worked on making macaroni and cheese { recipe to follow} and cheesey grean bean casserole for a family dinner on Sunday.

We enjoyed Christmas dinner at Chengs - a local Chinese restaurant.  YUM! We each had a drink and we shared a Pu-Pu platter.  Then we had plates of sweet and sour chicken, Mongolian beef, sesame chicken, general tso's chicken, and another dish with vegetables, filet chunks, and shrimp.  We left stuffed.

Later than evening we watched Invictus.  It was good but I thought it was slow at some parts.

Sunday morning we woke up and I went to Target with my mom looking for a few deals.  I ended up with some holiday plastic cutlery, foil, and cups all 50% off.  I refrained from buying anything else to put away for next year.

Sunday afternoon was to be our annual family dinner.  Due to the weather we had limited  guests for our dinner and gift swap.  We served grilled jerk pork tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, and cheesey green bean casserole.

Menu Plan Monday - December 27, 2010

I always see this on the blogs I follow.  It is definitely something I want to start doing on a weekly basis to keep myself planned and organized as well as sharing some great recipes. 
Meal Plan Monday originates at I'm an Organizing Junkie.  Check it out for other great meal plan ideas.

It is already Monday evening.  Chris and I drove home today from my parents' to find this in our neighborhood -

Luckily my mom sent us home with leftovers from last night which will be tonight's dinner.  We are hoping to venture to the grocery store tomorrow for the rest of the meals for the week.  Madison stayed with my parents for the week so it is just Chris and I for the week.

Monday - Leftovers: grilled jerk pork tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, and cheesey green bean casserole.

Tuesday - Pork BBQ sandwiches * with cole slaw and chips

Wednesday - Go out to eat using a Groupon we have

Thursday - Taco Soup and Sweet Skillet Cornbread from the Passys & Parties blog

Friday - New Years Eve dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants - not sure where just yet

Saturday - Breakfast for Dinner - pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon

Sunday - steaks on the grill, Pioneer Woman's Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob

* My parents sent us home with a pork tenderloin that I am going to use to make the pork bbq if we can get to the grocery store early enough to get the ingredients I need

Easy Appetizer Recipe - Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I have always wanted to make buffalo chicken dip.  I have heard numerous people say they love it.  So when we were looking for appetizers for our after Christmas family dinner - I decided to make this.  It was a HUGE hit with our guests...it was spicy...but tasty.  PLUS my husband didn't recognize the blue cheese. Here is the recipe I used -

Ingredients -

• 2 chicken breast halves - cooked and shredded - I used a can of cooked chicken
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 3/4 cup of buffalo wing sauce
• 3/4 cup of blue cheese or ranch dressing - I used blue cheese...and am hoping my blue cheese hating husband doesn't notice
• 1 bag shredded cheese - I used Cheddar

Directions -

Place the chicken, cream cheese, sauce, dressing, and 1/2 a bag of cheese in a microwaveable safe bowl.  Heat on high in 1 minute increments until heated through, smooth and creamy.  Cover the top with the remainder of the cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  The original recipe said to just microwave it and then transfer to a crock pot.  I liked baked dips so I decided to put mine in the oven.

Serve with small pieces of celery, tortilla chips, corn chips, or sliced baguette.