Monday, September 19, 2011

Not Quite An Extravaganza

I made a new recipe tonight.  My family (believe it or not) loves Hamburger Helper.  I actually don't mind it myself every once in a while, but Parker would list it in his top three dinner favorites.  I wish I were kidding.  Anyway, I found this recipe on Pinterest and decided to give it a try.  I really thought the kids would enjoy it! In fact, Parker should have loved it since it's like a fancy smancy Hamburger Helper. 

The plans were all in place in my mind to rename it Hamburger Macaroni Extravaganza since Macaroni and Beef with Cheese sounds so boring.  Unfortunately, Parker and Claire really didn't like it at all.  Claire hardly likes anything these days, so no big surprise there.  I was shocked, SHOCKED, that Parker didn't just L.O.V.E. it.  He tolerated it, but would be more than happy if he never had to eat it again.  I think it was the tomato flavor that got him.  Brian and I both liked it, but I doubt I'll make it again since Hamburger Helper is easier and cheaper (even if it does have chemically enhanced cheese products which I'm sure can't be healthy).  For now, the name will also remain the boring original because I choose my "extravaganza" recipes carefully.  Here is the link:

http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%e2%80%94-childhood-love/

It really is pretty good, and chances are your children would like it.  My little people are just quite picky.  I can't imagine who they get that from...

* I cut the recipe in half and just layered the noodle mixture with cheese and cooked it for about 20 minutes. 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Currently

I copied this from another blog and decided to write down some of my current stuff.

Current Books:  Finally starting The Hunger Games, spending a lot of time on my current Bible study Breaking Free. I'm really enjoying it, and I'm hoping to write more about it soon.

Current Playlist:  Why, Jason Aldean of course!

Current Color: ORANGE!

Current Drink: Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi (Brian accidentally bought me a 12 pack of Diet Coke a couple of weeks ago, and I was in major distress.  I forced myself to drink them so I wouldn't waste money, but yuck!)


Current Food: Pizza ~ it's always my favorite!

Current Wishlist: rocking chairs and swings for my front porch, mums & more fall weather   

Current Needs: I'm currently out of my makeup and "the only thing that keeps me from going totally bald" shampoo

Current Triumph: Surviving six weeks of first grade ~ I'm enjoying it but still trying to figure out what in the world I'm doing!

Current Bane of my Existence: My alarm clock ~ I really hate that thing
Current #1 Blessing: Family & Health

Current Excitement:  Fall, My birthday is coming soon, a few little trips we have planned 

Current Link: http://www.pinterest.com/ I AM SO ADDICTED!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Well, I have bad news and good news...

The bad news is:
Lisa found out about the picture...like 3 1/2 minutes after I posted it.  Something to do with, "You know I read your blog, blah, blah, blah".

BUT!
The good news is I found the PERFECT shirt to wear to my next country concert: 


Saturday, September 10, 2011

Mr. Aldean

Or Jason, as I like to call him.

Lisa and I took a fun little trip to Charlotte to see his concert. 

Prepare to view a horrible picture of me.  Trust me, believe it or not, it is the least of all the bad pictures of me from the night.  I had just been hit in the head with an enormous beach ball, hence that little poof of crazy hair.  I was sweating and the flash was so ridiculously bright we were almost blinded. 

Do NOT tell Lisa I put it on here either.
I REPEAT: DO NOT TELL LISA ABOUT THIS PICTURE.

 But we weren't there to look pretty, which is WAY more than I can say for the thousands of college girls running around in dresses that were obviously manufactured and intended to be sold as a shirt ~ not a dress.  Here's why we were there....


Yeehaw!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Made To Crave


I borrowed Made To Crave from Lisa a while back.  I really like Lysa Terkeurst, and I knew I would enjoy the topic of the book.  There was LOTS of good information in the book, even if I did spend half the time I read it texting Lisa asking if "any of it was really doable" and "why can't I be as strong as Lysa".  As usual, she calmed me down and said I could just use the overall great ideas and not be so hard on myself for not liking Lysa's cold-turkey, crazy as all get out, plan.  Sorry Lysa Terkeust...just a wee bit extreme for me!

I do recommend the book because it really has some great thoughts!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

It Had Me At Hello

I've been a little obsessed lately.  Who me, obsessed with something? Surely not.  Ahem.

I looked EVERYWHERE for a new calendar that would please me.  In case you don't know, I can be a little bit picky.  Ahem, Ahem.  I searched the world over looking for a 1) cute calendar that 2) had adequate space to suit my fancy. 

(Sidenote: That just reminded me of that old Hee-Haw song that goes, "I searched the world over and thought I'd found true love, but you met another and pfft you were gone".  Does anybody remember that? Anybody? Anybody? Please tell me you watched Hee-Haw when you were little.)

Then I found this little beauty:

Oh, I fell in love.  Truly. Madly. Deeply. It had to be ordered online, and that turned into a fiasco.  A fiasco I tell you.  I ordered, the site was overloaded and the order wouldn't go through, it finally went through, I received an email a week later that the order was lost, I reordered, I waited a sweet forever, I finally got it in the mail.  I'm proud to report that it was worth the wait.  Welcome to my life, baby girl.  I think she needs a name...any suggestions?




Friday, September 2, 2011

If you're going to fair...

Do not forget your:

camoflouge
Long denim shorts that will slide off to reveal your underwear while you are shirtless
More camoflauge
Cowbot hat with rat tail
LONG ponytail
"I'm gonna stomp on your face" boots

(I started to name this post "What Not To Wear To The Fair" ~ then I realized maybe I was the one who didn't quite fit in with the rest of the crowd.)