WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

A CHILD OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Mason and I went on a quick shopping trip this evening to get him some new athletic pants and a pair of jeans. He is growing so tall I can't keep pants long enough for him through one season. He picked out some new jeans that are a bit trendy and a cute little skater looking sleeveless hoodie along with his sweat pants. He is developing his own little style if I will just step back a little and let him. It was bittersweet to help him try on his stuff and realize he did not need as much help anymore.

It was just the two of us which is nice sometimes. We had a chance to talk and giggle about nothing. On the way home I asked Mason about a friend of his that placed in UIL for storytelling. I asked Mason why he did not do that this year and he said, "Mom, I get embarrassed in front of a lot of people I don't know. I have issues with that".

That just tickled me. HE HAS ISSUES WITH THAT? I did not know that he knew such a phrase. When I was a kid I would have just said, "I'm scared to do that" but not in the new millennium. I guess I will have to try to help Mason overcome is embarrassment issues. I guess I am old fashioned. I would just assume that was good old shyness. What ever we call it, I know he will overcome that and shine bright as he gets older.

A GREAT HOME COOKED MEAL

Today was a good lazy day for me. Mark and Mason worked on the house while Andrew and I stayed home. It was a little cold for us today. Max and Kimmi came over to play for a bit. Andrew and Max got to hang out, just the two of them. They were pretty cute together. I know they are going to grow up being buddies.

After Kimmi and Max went home Andrew napped on the couch while I made Individual Chicken Pot Pies. I have to say that these turned out SOOOO GOOOOOD!!! I admit I did cheat a little and use the rolled up refrigerated pie crust to save time. It was still wonderful. I probably couldn't have handled it with the homemade pie crust...I would still be eating! Even my picky eaters were quiet and chewing at dinner time. So I share with you my fabulous find from the food network...


Chicken Pot Pies

3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
5 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
2 chicken bouillon cubes
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups)
1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
For the pastry:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well.

For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Look at these adorable faces! We had some really fun visitors just before Christmas. Jaylee and Nita are the two precious daughters of my friend Kristi. Kristi and I grew up together. She was best friends with my sister Laura and remembers me being the pesky baby sister through most of our childhood...and she is sweet enough to still be my friend in spite of that! Kristi and Kenny adopted the girls officially at the end of 2007 and to look at them now you would think they have been together forever. Kristi and Kenny are both smitten and that is so sweet to see.

Kristi is going to want to kill me for posting the early morning shot of the family before they hit the road. I just love seeing Kristi as a mom! She is so fun and enjoys the everyday happenings of motherhood. She definately understands that the joy is in the small stuff. Kenny is wrapped around two little fingers. I loved seeing the pride in him while we talked about the girls and their transitions. He loves those babies and can't get enough of them. These girls are so blessed to have Kristi and Kenny for a mom and dad. Every kid should be so loved!

These girls are not only as pretty as can be, they are full of personality. Mason and Andrew were building trains with them and the girls jumped right in and had a ball. I was glad to see J hold her own with Mr. Bossy Andrew. She has a big sister and knows all about being bossed and wasnt going to let Andrew get a foothold. Girls gotta be tough.

I can't wait to spend more time with the family this summer. We live close enough where we can schedule a weekend getaway and I am looking forward to it.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

TAG, YOU'RE IT!

My friend, Grannalisa, over at Number 1 Granna tagged me with "The Daily Dose" which is for "blogs that I must read everyday without fail.....They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog". Thanks Grannalisa, for the sweet compliment. It is nice to know that our everyday life makes you smile. I feel the same way about your fun family blog.
Well I have to say there are 3 or so that I check and comment on regularly and then I stalk others occasionally. My sisters have yet to jump on the blogging train but they enjoy seeing my antics.
So here goes...

4 jobs I've had:
Restaurant hostess - if you can call it that, I served coffee and rang people up in a cafeteria style restaurant when i was 13-15 years old.
cashier
pharmacy technician
pharmacy operations director

4 movies watched over and over:
It's a Wonderful Life
Gone With the Wind
Steel Magnolias
Ace Ventura Pet Detective

4 places I've lived
Memphis, TN
Garden City, KS
Alpine, TX
Muleshoe, TX

4 shows I watch:
American Idol
House - DVD rental by season is FAB.
Super Nanny-sometimes
OK, I admit, I watch Spongebob, Drake & Josh, Blues Clues, Wonder Pets, Little Einstein, and whatever else my kids want to watch. I am just in love with watching them get into their shows. Andrew still talks to the TV when he is watching. That is more entertaining to me than anything Hollywood can put out.

4 places I've been:
Colorado
Washington D.C.
South Carolina - LOVE IT!
Miami

4 people who email me regularly:
co-workers
Kristi
Carolyn
my sister Laura, when she gets her computer fixed

4 favorite things to eat:
You mean I have to narrow it down to 4 things...that is just crazy!
Kashi bars
fresh fruit
any and all of my mother's home cooking
ice cream with MAGIC SHELL...
Disclaimer/warning: Magic shell has been known to be extremely habit forming, sample at your own risk. Studies have shown Ice cream with Magic Shell may cause lack of sharing with even your precious children, upset spouse when you eat the last bit, bloating, tight fitting pants, and magic shell dependency. If you develop a magic shell dependency, tell your prescriber (me) so she may confiscate all potentially dangerous product from your home to protect you from an even more serious condition, late night television watching while eating Magic shell. (Can you tell I am typing this late at night while I listen to pharmaceutical ads for erectile dysfunction?)

4 places I'd rather be:
With my boys visiting my sis and her family in Colorado.
A day at home watching movies in my pajamas with the boys.
Cooking in the kitchen with my mother
visiting an art gallery with Teresa. I miss my artsy sis!

4 things I look forward to this year:
The birth of Teresa and Clint's new baby.
Moving into our new house, maybe I should say completing the renovation of our new house!
Taking the boys to Colorado to see their cousins.
Going to the Florida for 3 days for a conference at a great resort. It will be work but a refresher at a Spa for Mom...ALONE! MASSAGE HERE I COME

I'm not tagging anyone because all of my current blog buddies have been tagged. If you are reading and think this would be fun to do on your blog, consider yourself tagged. Leave me a comment so I can jump to your blog and read your answers. What a fun way to learn a little about each other!

MENU MONDAY

Here we go again, another week and another plan. Maybe I can stick to the plan a little better this time. When work gets hectic, I go for quick meals and skip the heavy cooking. I tried to plan quick stuff most nights except for Wednesday. This recipe sounded so good that I just had to work it in and give it a try. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Monday - Salmon, broccoli, mashed potatoes

Tuesday - spagetti, green salad, garlic bread

Wednesday - Homemade Chicken Pot Pies

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Papa John's Pizza

Saturday - tuna casserole

Sunday - lunch out and leftovers

HAPPY HAPPY NEWS!!!

MY SISTER TERESA HAD A BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK. I CALLED AND LEFT HER A MESSAGE WISHING HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. SHE IS STAYING BUSY THESE DAYS STUDYING FOR HER MASTERS AND WORKING PART TIME. I KNEW WE WOULD CATCH EACH OTHER LATER. SO WHEN MY PHONE RANG YESTERDAY WHILE WE WERE IN TYLER AND I SAW IT WAS HER, I THOUGH SHE WAS JUST RETURNING MY CALL TO TELL ME ABOUT HER BIRTHDAY. WELL, SHE WAS CALLING TO TELL ME ABOUT HER BIRTHDAY SINCE THAT WAS THE DAY SHE FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT!!! THAT'S RIGHT MY SIS WILL BE HAVING ANOTHER BABY. I COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED FOR ANYONE IN THE WORLD.

AS YOU MAY HAVE READ IN MY EARLIER POST, TERESA AND CLINT LOST THEIR LITTLE BOY, SPENSER IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR. THEY SPENT THE 21 MONTHS THEY HAD SPENSER FIGHTING FOR HIM AND MAKING SURE THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO GIVE HIM THE BEST LIFE. I'VE NEVER SEEN TWO PARENTS WITH A STRONGER LOVE AND DEVOTION TO THEIR CHILD. THEY POURED ALL OF THEMSELVES INTO THEIR PRECIOUS BOY. HIS LOSS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO SAY THE LEAST. I KNOW ANOTHER CHILD WILL NOT REPLACE SWEET SPENSER. NOTHING IN THIS WORLD WILL EVER COMPARE TO HIM BUT, ANOTHER CHILD WILL BRING JOYFUL SOUNDS BACK TO THEIR HOME THAT I KNOW THEY LONG FOR. I FOR ONE AM SO HAPPY KNOWING THAT "LITTLE BIT"(AUNT AMY'S NICKNAME FOR THIS BABY) IS ON THE WAY. THIS CHILD IS TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE THESE PARTICULAR PARENTS WAITING AXIOUSLY FOR HIS/HER ARRIVAL.

COOL REFRESHMENT

ANDREW WAS HELPING ME COOK THIS WEEKEND AND AS USUAL, HE WANTS TO TRY EVERYTHING I COOK. IT IS NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY LIKE ME...WILL EAT MOST ANYTHING. MARK AND MASON ARE PICKIER EATERS SO ANDREW AND I STICK TOGETHER. HE MAY EVEN BECOME MY NEW BUDDING CHEF .

BOY, LIMES TASTE PRETTY GOOD, I THINK I'LL ADD SOME TO MY KOOL-AID!

NOW, I HAVE TO SET THIS ON HERE JUST LIKE I SAW MOMMY DO IT.

PRESS REALLY HARD!!

THIS COOKING IS HARD WORK. MAYBE IF I GIVE MOM THE BIG BROWN EYES, SHE'LL DO THE SQUISHING FOR ME.

IT WORKED, I COULDN'T RESIST THAT BABY FACE. WE MIXED OUR FRESH LIME JUICE WITH CHERRY KOOL-AID AND MADE OUR OWN CHERRY-LIMEADE. SONIC'S GOT NOTHING ON ROO. HIS ARE THE BEST...THOSE LITTLE FINGERS MAKE IT ALL THE SWEETER!

Brotherly Love

Mason and Andrew love each other dearly but just like any siblings, they have their moments. A couple of nights ago Andrew was upset because Mason would not let him play with one of his collectible cars. He said, "I'm gonna kick you out, Bubba". Mason thought it was time to teach Andrew a lesson about saying hurtful things that you don't really mean. He decided to play up the drama and pretend he was leaving and asked me to go along with it and I agreed to do so. Mason said, "Mom, I guess I better go since Andrew is kicking me out". I played my role and said, "Where will you sleep tonight?" He told me he would just sleep outside since he did not have a house. Andrew came running with his work gloves and handed them to Mason and said, "Here Bubba, you can use my gloves while you build a new house". I had to hold back the laughter at such a bold statement but continued to play along and tell Mason how much I wished he did not have to go. I gave him a hug and said "I love you and will sure miss you". Mason walked out the front door and I watched Andrew standing in the hallway with a faraway look in his eyes for what felt like a long time. Finally he looked across the room at me and broke down sobbing with big crocodile tears saying, "I want my Bubba back, I miss Bubba". Mason heard his sobs and came running back inside to comfort his baby brother. I thought Mason was going to cry for a minute when he saw how upset Andrew had become.

I hated to see Andrew upset but I think he did learn something about saying things you regret. I know I have had my share of times I wished I could take back something hurtful I have said to someone. Words are indeed like toothpaste, you just can't put it back in the tube, and if they aren't carefully chosen it only leaves the sink messy. It was nice to see how brotherly love could wash away the hurtful words and forgiveness left everything shiny again. Later that night I peaked in their room and saw that Mason had gone to sleep in the bottom bunk with Andrew. I'm sure that will come to an end sometime soon as they get older, but I'll sure enjoy the sight of them snuggled up under the blanket together as long as they will let me.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Menu Monday

OK...I badly need to do this menu thing again. The holidays have taken their toll on my hips! The menu helps me make sure I eat smart or at least have a plan so when I get home I don't stand in front of the pantry with a handful of hershey kisses munching away while I decide what to cook for dinner. I'm sure no one else has this problem :-)! So I'm off to a slow start but here goes...

Monday - Spagetti

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Sandwiches or Church

Thursday - Baked Salmon , brocolli, potatoes

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Georgia Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn

Sunday - Eat out for Lunch - leftovers for dinner

Check out other yummy menus at Menu Monday

Christmas highlights

We had a fabulous time this Christmas season. We stayed home and enjoyed a quiet holiday. We will visit our extended families in 2008. We started our Christmas holiday by going to see a presentation of The Nutcracker at the Dallas Children's Theater on Sunday Dec.23rd. We all really enjoyed the puppet interpretation of the classic. It was a great way to introduce such a timeless fun story to small children. Seeing the show together was like opening our first present. I loved watching Mason and Andrew sitting by each other and laughing together at the silly puppets. I could write a Citibank commercial... starting a new Christmas traditions - PRICELESS.On Christmas eve we went to the candlelight service at our church and came home to start our Christmas eve traditions. We eat a snack dinner and OPEN PRESENTS.ANDREW SAYS "HMMMM, WHAT'S THIS?...A COOL SWEATSHIRT!"LOOK ANDREW ANOTHER SWEATSHIRT!OK, I CAN'T MUSTER ANY MORE EXCITEMENT OVER THESE CLOTHES.AUNT WAWEE, I KNEW YOU WOULD COME THROUGH!NOT ONLY DID SHE NOT SEND CLOTHES...SHE SENT MY FAVORITE...CARS!I GAVE MOMMY MY FAVORITE BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS. SHE SEEMS TO REALLY LIKE IT TOO.
MASON SAYS, "YES! GRANDMA AND GRANDPA GOT ME SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN WANTING FOR A WHILE!"I LOVE MY ALUMINUM CAN CRUSHER...I'M GONNA GET RICH!I PICKED OUT A RED HOODIE FOR MY DAD AND BOUGHT IT WITH MY OWN MONEY. IT FELT GOOD TO GIVE MY DAD SOMETHING JUST FROM ME...AND HE SURE LIKES IT.

And if this all wasn't enough...SANTA CAME!HE LEFT THE LOOT BY THE FIREPLACE
MASON ROCKS OUT ON HIS DRUMS AT 6:00AM...HE EVEN HAS ROCKIN' HAIR.
ANDREW GETS READY TO BURN SOME SERIOUS RUBBER.FOR THE REST OF THE DAY MASON SERENADES US WITH FINE MUSIC!
AND THE RACE IS ON IN THE BACKYARD.
OUR CHRISTMAS WITH THE BOYS WAS PURE...

2008

BOY IS THIS HARD FOR ME! I try to please everyone and in the process forfiet what really matters. This year I am going to make the changes necessary to see that I prioritize things better in my life. I am going to say NO to a lot of good things to be sure I don't miss the greatest things. To do this I am going to ask Mark to hold me accountable to what we consider the priorities of our faith, family and home. The rest is secondary. Maybe if we do this together we will all be happier and less stressed in 2008.