SO WHAT Wednesday

I am linking up with Shannon for So What Wednesday!





SO WHAT... if when my 12 year old tells me stories about the crazy stuff she has found on You Tube it makes me want to claw my eyes out... long... drawn out stories... like the one of the 4 Asian men jumping on the bed when Miss Philippines made it to the next round in Miss Universe... really? Or the one about the dad who faked his arrest to make his kid do his homework.  If I have to hear one more store... I am finding a way to block You Tube on her iPad.

SO WHAT... if sometimes when I find a new blog... I will sit and read the entire thing... this past weekend I sat and read through two new ones... in their entirety.

SO WHAT... if I spend more time than I should reading blogs, checking Facebook, and watching trashy reality TV.

SO WHAT ... if I still haven't bought any boots.  It was around 20 degrees on Monday and I wore flip flops when we went grocery shopping and out to lunch.

SO WHAT... if we have lived here 5 months and today I am finally going to the DMV this morning... I hope it doesn't take all day long because I have to work at noon... I have an expired inspection sticker...expired tags...and I need a new license.    I am so embarrassed typing that... I have been such a major slacker with going to the DMV... not to mention I knew it was going to be lots of $$$ so I have been putting it off.  Today is the day. Edited to add - I only left with temporary tags for 5 days.. apparently I need to change my name at social security (even though I got a new VA license after my wedding with no issue.. I will be going there tomorrow), and get a VIN check at the police station to make sure my car isn't stolen, and have the bank fax over a copy of my titile all before I can go back in 5 business days (when they are closed weekends) and I work early the next 5 business days...sigh...

SO WHAT... if I drive my kid to the bus stop... that you can see from our front door.  It has been cold and I don't want her standing out in the cold.

Oreo Poke Cake ~ A Pinterest Fail For Me

Yesterday I talked about our meal plan for the week which included this dessert -

Source: thecountrycook.net via Sarah on Pinterest

I made it this afternoon... and I wasn't impressed.  It tasted like pudding on top of cake.  That is it.  I also think that I let the pudding sit for too long before pouring it over the cake because even though I made a ton of holes... the pudding didn't seem to fill in the holes.



Add this one to my Pinterest fails.

"Pin"spiration for Weekly Meal Planning

Saturday evening while watching a Lifetime movie I worked on our meal plan and grocery list for the week.  Pinterest has been such a source of "pin"inspiration for my meal planning lately.

Sunday – Baked Rigatoni & garlic bread

 

Monday – Ranch House Chicken (crockpot), mashed potatoes & corn

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Tuesday - Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice and Sweet & Sour Chicken

Source: skinnytaste.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I am going to use this sauce over some chicken chunks I am going to cook up in our wok.

Source: seriouseats.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Wednesday- Buffalo Chicken Wraps &  Oven Baked Fries

Source: justthe3ofus-melissachrismaddie.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Thursday – Subway for dinner after Madison finishes babysitting

I also plan on doing some baking this week.  I am sending in some desserts to Madison's school this week for an event -

Oreo Poke Cake

Source: thecountrycook.net via Sarah on Pinterest

Sugar Cookie Bars

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I Should Have Done More...

Friday evening Madison and I met Chris after he got off work because we had some things to get done at the bank (which is on the naval base) and we had to ride in with him.

Afterwards we had an early dinner at Chilis.  I took my car to the grocery store for a few things and Chris and Maddie went to get some movies at Red Box.

I did my shopping...and got in line.  As I was putting my items on the belt.. there were two men in front of me (with different transactions) one who was trying to pay.  He tried two different cards... neither worked... and they sent him away.  I watched the cashier take his items out of his bag... there weren't very many items...

I kept thinking I wish I was right after him... I would have spoken up and offered to pay for the groceries he was getting... but I felt like I was too far back and wouldn't have been able to do it quietly and discreetly... so I didn't. 

As the cashier was helping me... I kept hoping she would go faster.  I went through my wallet and pulled out a $20 bill... hoping that I would see this man when I left the store and could give him the money to go back in and get his things.

By the time I got out he was gone... I drove around the parking lot a few times...but it was dark and crowded and I couldn't find him.  I called my mother to tell her the story and felt choked up like I couldn't get the words out.

We have struggled financially in the last six months since moving here... and things are really starting to look up for us.  I have had to cut back a lot... and I watch what I buy at the store... but I have never not been able to buy groceries... we have yet to go hungry... but I know the feeling must be awful... and I really wanted to help this man...  I wish Maddie or Chris had been with me... I could have ran after him to give him the money... but I was alone and so I didn't.

I should have done more...

Friday Randoms...

~ So I haven't been to Curves all week... which is horrible I know.  I wanted need to go this morning.  I am hoping I still have time to go before work.

~ Instead I am sitting here waiting for the oil company to deliver the oil to heat our house.  Does anyone else have oil heat? This is our first time with it and it is a ridiculous chunk of money all at one time... I miss my monthly gas payment from back in Virginia.

~ While I sit and wait I have folded laundry, made a list of bills I am going to pay off next week, and of course... wrote this blog post all while watching last night's Grey's Anatomy episode.

~ Last night I didn't feel like making dinner. So Madison and I picked up Subway...which we ate on the couch... while watching this week's episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter.

~ I have over 5000 emails in my AOL email account... I really need to go through it and clean them out.

~ Madison waited until last minute to finish her science fair project... but ended up happy with the results.

~ I am working on a new handpainted sign...

~ Our 2011 Shutterfly Album ~

Today I got a $20 off code in my email from Shutterfly.  I took that as the kick in the pants I needed to go ahead and order my 2011 family book I make every year.   I used my Scentsy rewards card to pay for the balance and basically ended up not having to pay any money out of pocket for my album.  This one is smaller than usual.. mainly because I waited until late December to finally do it.  I am happy to say I have already started our 2012 album.

Here is our 2011 album -

Click here to view this photo book larger

A Pinterest Inspired Dinner

I made this chicken tonight for dinner.  The pin described it as just like KFC... and while I wouldn't describe it as such, it was really good and everyone ate it.  It is baked, not fried.

Source: thewondertwins.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I also served these 7-Up biscuits.  These were amazing.  I will definitely be making these again.

Source: plainchicken.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I served this meal with my homemade macaroni and cheese recipe and green beans.

DIY LOVE - Making Your Own Rug From Fabric = Super Easy

My in real life friend (back when I had those...when we lived in Virginia) made this RUG and posted it on her BLOG.  Kara is way super crafty... way more so than me and I love/need/want a new rug like this.  I am hoping she will read this post, the email I sent her, and the comment I just left on her blog... and make me one... and mail it to Rhode Island. 

Source: happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

All you need is some fabric and a few supplies from Home Depot or Lowes and you can make one too!!  Isn't is amazing??

I am thinking something fun and colorful and bright... and chevron like this would be perfect -

Source: tonicliving.com via Liz on Pinterest

Thinking Ahead for Valentine's Day

Pinterest is my # 1 go to now for inspiration for home decor, cooking, and baking.   I have been thinking ahead to Valentine's Day and wanted to share some great things I came across.

If you want to follow my pins you can do so here.

I am so making a cake in the shape of a heart -

Source: google.com via Melissa on Pinterest

A homemade pizza with heart shaped pepperonis is a great idea -

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Madison loves rice krispy treats so I know this would be a hit -

Source: lovefromtheoven.com via Melissa on Pinterest

These cupcakes are beautiful -

Source: sweetopia.net via Melissa on Pinterest

I've been wanting to try my hand at sugar cookies with royal icing... this may be an easy way to to start -

Source: myworldispink.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

These seem simple and tasty for a fun little treat -

Source: lovefromtheoven.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I doubt Madison will do Valentine's this year... but here are some cute ideas -

Source: tammymitchellphotography.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: familyfun.go.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Recipe - Baked Buffalo Chicken Wontons {YUMMY}

These are always a big hit when I make them.  If you like buffao chicken stuff... then I highly suggest you make these.  They are super easy to make.



Ingredients -

1 package of wonton wrappers (usually in the produce section in any grocery store)

4 ounces of cream cheese

8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

1 small bottle of ranch or blue cheese dressing

1 1/2 cups of buffalo wing sauce

3 chicken breasts (cooked and chopped)

Directions -

Heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

Place 1 wonton wrapper inside of each tin.

Mix softened cream cheese, the chicken, shredded cheese, and buffalo wing sauce.

Scoop into each wonton cup to fill up.

Bake 12-25 minutes until bubbly and the wonton wrappers brown.

Serve with a tiny it of dressing on top of each cup or serve the dressing on the side for dipping.

Notes -

* You can use canned chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken in this recipe

*Sometimes I use chive and onion cream cheese if that is what I have on hand

*You can add some blue cheese crumbles to the mix before stuffing the wontons

*If you don't have a mini-muffin tin you can wrap the wontons and bake on a regular cookie sheet.

*You could always fry the wontons

I am linking this recipe up at -