What's Up Wednesday

What's Up Wednesday

March 29, 2017

This week I'm participating in What's Up Wednesday and linking up with Mix & Match Mama. Go check it out. 

1. What we're eating this week...

2. What I', reminiscing about... Timehop does a terrible thing to you, like this week when it popped up my child's first time at Chick-fil-a and also reminded me that he use to eat cauliflower rice. dang toddler picky spells. 

4. What I'm loving... reading again. Over Mardi Gras break we were somewhere that I couldn't just watch Netflix before bed so I downloaded a few audio books. Now I'm addicted and I've probably read 10 books this month. Funny how these things ebb and flow. I was reading a lot when I was pumping last year. 

5. What I've been up to... gardening. My carrot patch was stellar and I've been obsessing over roasted carrots for weeks now. 

6. What I'm dreading... the next week of work before Spring Break. I might actually go insane before the next break. Kids and spring fever is no joke people. 

7. What I'm working on... yoga. I'm trying to slim up before we try for another child (hello 10lbs that won't leave from Harrison) and attempt to get there by counting macros and getting back into yoga. The Country Heat workouts were great to get back to working out, but at a certain point I needed to work on strength. If I can't be in an actual gym I very much prefer yoga as my strength training. 

8. What I'm excited about... the two year old phases, this toddler is starting to talk more and it is a lot of fun. Granted he wants to live outside naked and that's what he's talking about. 

9. What I'm watching/reading... I've been on a People V. OJ kick that I finished at 5am today because I was so enthralled with it. I was super sad that I missed it on TV and when I realized Netflix picked it up I was in hog heaven. If you like that sort of thing, it's awesome. Also the American Horror Story people are making the American Crime Series so it's really well done. 

10. What I'm listening to... podcasts like a mad woman & audio books. 

>Favorite podcasts at the moment --- The Podcast Project, The Big Boo Cast, Risen Motherhood, & Robb Wolf The Paleo Solution. 

>Favorite audio books --- anything by M.C. Beaton, I really like her Poor Relation Regency series. 

11. What I'm wearing... a lot of yoga clothing. Bringing yoga back as my every day thing. It's funny how pregnancy makes you forget what you did before after just 10ish months of not doing it. 

12. What I'm doing this weekend... I need to make a Carter's return, they sent the wrong size shoe & we've got a new prospective worship pastor. And yoga, I'll be doing my own attempt at YOD Saturday morning since my teacher is out. 

13. What I'm looking forward to next month... my YOD power yoga class starting back up. The instructor took a week off this week for an event and I seriously look forward to it every Saturday. 

14. What else is new... I got this little gem in the mail and I can't wait to dig into it. I'm holding off until our field trip next week to start reading. Might as well with an hour and a half minimum on a bus both ways. 

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Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

March 27, 2017

I'd like to say a lot here but I'm pressed for time before yoga doesn't get to happen at all. So less chatting, more meal planning.

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday - Sticky Orange Sunflower Chicken with Sesame Broccoli

Wednesday - leftovers

Thursday - Grilled Chicken with a bagged chopped salad

Friday - Potato Skins

Saturday - Chicken Satay with Cauli Rice from Against All Grain's Book - not on Pinterest so here's an alternate. 

Sunday - leftovers

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Harry Antics

Harry Antics

March 25, 2017

This whole 2 year old thing might be my favorite, I'm pretty sure I've said it many times over many stages. But 2 is flat hilarious. 

For instance, at bible study Thursday someone had brought a cake for a couple of birthdays. Harrison was mildly excited about, until he heard us singing "Happy Birthday." He immediately came rushing into the kitchen, climbed onto the bench, and yelled, "YAY CAKE WHOO HOO YES CAKE!" All while pumping his fists in the air. It continued on for several minutes, mind you, and we all got a kick out of it.

In addition to his proclamation of love for cake, he did the same thing tonight at Cracker Barrel when the biscuits arrived, he doesn't even like biscuits. I personally believe he just likes to cheer and get excited.

To further that point, he was searching for Jeremy so we go could through our bedtime routine the other night, Jeremy was practicing guitar for Sunday at the time. Harrison went in babbling what clearly meant, "come on now" and Jeremy said, "I have to turn everything off first." Harry held his hand in a death grip through the entire turning off of all the guitar equipment ordeal and when he was just turning off the very last thing Harrison proudly exclaimed, "You did it! Yay!" and clapped his hands above his head.

Granted in the photo above the child is playing with a piece of sugar cane that he got his hands on, but his real preference is sticks. He carries sticks everywhere, insists we sword fight him, and then I magically find sticks all over the house come Saturday when I start cleaning.

Perfect example of the toddler, blurry. He is just blurry these days. This was while I was trying to get a pick for Mom of him in the Kelly's Kids vest she scored at their last big sale. 

To add to the "new things at 2" phase, my child who clearly had a vivid memory of me clipping his finger when he was a month old and had held it against me ever since, decided he likes when I trim his nails and toes. 

Weirdo. 

It was sudden. As sudden as in, the week before he fought me and now he isn't. I'd almost blame it on some milk toddler concussion he more than likely acquired at some point during his weekly falling down and running into everything that exists. The idea that feelings and preferences can change with the toddler wind is just mind boggling. 

That's probably what makes it more fun. 

Also, allow me to disclose that two months ago we were knee deep in terrible "I'm not even 2 yet" tantrums. They ended. Now it's peachy keen most of the time. They'll come back, he's just plotting it for when I've decided they're never coming back, just as a means of spiting me. 

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Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower

Cheesy Roasted Cauliflower

March 24, 2017

Why I haven't shared this recipe before, I'll never know.

These delicious roasted cauliflower bits have been a favorite of mine for years and I make them pretty often, granted just for myself and not exactly to share. No one else in this house loves cauliflower or nutritional yeast as much as I do... so why waste my nutritional yeast on them.

But really, does anyone else do that? I keep some of my crunchy things to myself.

These are the easiest to make, I go between these as a dinner side dish or just lunch for myself on a Saturday. 

Start off with a whole head of cauliflower, and chop it into bite size pieces.  Be sure to preheat your oven to 425. 

Drizzle over some olive oil and then salt and pepper to taste. 

Next comes to good part, nutritional yeast. I'll be honest I don't buy the Bragg brand, it's pricy. Instead, I've found that if you can buy it in bulk it's much more cost effective. I actually bought a 1 lb bag that I've kept in the freezer for a few years now that only cost me 10 bucks. 

I picked up this box on my Amish adventures over Mardi Gras break. In the event you're close to Summertown, TN you have to check out Yoder's Homestead Market. Buy the hand pies, you won't regret it. 

Generously top your cauliflower with nutritional yeast. Sometimes I even use my big metal Ikea bowl and put everything together in there first, slowly adding more yeast until the cauliflower is completely drenched. I use about 1/4 of a cup when I do this. Sometimes less. start out with a tablespoon and see where it goes. 

Bake them for 30 minutes or until they are golden and crisping up. These could have gone longer, but I was impatient and was dying to eat them. 

Here's another tidbit that I do that Jeremy thinks is weird, I dip them in ketchup. It's divine. Last weekend I actually had some of the Against All Grain Sweet and Sour Meatballs sauce leftover and dipped them in there. Heavenly. 

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Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

March 19, 2017

Somehow we've landed this week between Britian, Breakfast, and Mexican-ish food. Don't ask.

Blame the British side on the fact that I've been binge watching Heston episodes on YouTube. Which might I say, thank you YouTube for allowing me to watch every BBC show that NEVER makes it way to the American BBC. Why must BBCA be so darn lame?

Why!

I just need a constant live stream of puddings, Heston, and Sue Perkins. The combo of that and I could be TV happy forever. Well, and a dab or two of Masterpiece Classic sprinkled in for good measure.

Victoria definitely filled the Downton shaped hole in my TV heart this season.

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Breakfast - Eggs, Bacon, & attempting gluten free waffles

Tuesday - Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, Gravy, & Mushy Peas. 

And yes I know the mushy peas are more for fish and chips, but I need to try to make them. 

Wednesday - leftovers

Thursday - Dublin Coddle << link 

Friday - Nachos for everyone and Nachos on mini peppers for me

Saturday - Cheesy Chicken with Kale & Sweet Potatoes

Sunday - Creamy Salsa Chicken

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Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

March 13, 2017

Another week & another meal plan. This week is mostly Against All Grain recipes, it's been awhile since I tried a lot of her stuff, but she never disappoints.

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Breakfast

Tuesday - Chicken Nuggets & Fries

Wednesday - Moroccan Chicken with Almonds Apricots & Cauliflower Couscous

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Game Day Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Saturday - leftovers with a veg side

Sunday - Sticky Orange Sunflower Chicken with Sesame Broccoli

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Girl Scout Cookies Anonymous

Girl Scout Cookies Anonymous

March 9, 2017

Anyone else suffering from the cookie shipment? 

I let Harrison have 3 the other day and he had an emotional breakdown when he was cut off. Everyday after he gets home he's wanted me to sit him on the counter so he could snag a cookie. Tagalongs to be exact. 

This my friends was the last 3 cookies. 

Between him and his father they ate the box in 3 days. 

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Campfire Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches

Campfire Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches

March 7, 2017

This past week we went camping. 

With camping comes food. So I took my favorite sandwich and threw it on the fire. The end. 

This was super easy to prep ahead and not have to fumble with food at the campsite, especially with the wind and raccoon situation we had happening. 

I even threw the wrapped sandwiches back into the bag and tossed the whole thing in the cooler. 

Then we left them on the grill until the cheese was melted and ate them with chips.

However, the rouge raccoon situation caused me to not take a pic of them and instead I had to wait until we ate the leftover for lunch so you'd be able to see it.

Campfire Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1 8 pack of Sara Lee Hawaiian Roll Buns
1 lb sliced deli ham
8 slices of provolone cheese
Mayo
1/2 stick of butter
1 tsp Poppy seeds
2 heaping tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
Non stick tin foil

Directions:
Lay out 8 pieces of non stick foil and place one bun on each, opening up each bun. Smear one side of each sandwich with mayo. Top with cheese and a few slices of ham. Place top of bun back onto sandwich. In the microwave, melt the butter and stir in the Poppy seeds, Dijon, onion powder, and brown sugar. Evenly distribute the butter sauce over each of the buns. Wrap up and cook on the fire for about 15 minutes. Or in the oven at 375 for 15 minutes.

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Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

March 5, 2017

Another week. Another meal plan. 

Last week was actually meal plan-less. You heard that right, I didn't meal plan or prep. We were on the road far too much to even do it, so I played meals by ear. 

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Breakfast

Tuesday - Lemon Butter Chicken

Wednesday - Balsamic Roast with Carrots from the garden & Potatoes

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Take Out

Saturday - Tamales

Sunday - Chicken with Potatoes & Pea

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Blow Your Noise Maker

Blow Your Noise Maker

March 1, 2017

Yesterday evening we had two of our neighbors over for cake after dinner. Granted it's two of the kids favorite neighbors.

He has a penchent for yelling Jackie and adores her "pup pups" and will waste no time darting across the road to see Naomi to play with her son's sports equipment. I've even seen him walk up to Naomi's husband and shake his hand, who knows where that came from but it's hilarious to see a toddler wander around shaking hands with grown men.

My ever festive friend and neighbor Jackie came bearing noise makers, balloons, and basically continued her tour as so much more fun than Mama. He knows where the fun is and who is the strict one, there's no denying that.

I wouldn't call Harrison skilled at a noise maker. He eventually quit shaking them and stuck it in his mouth. With his two year old inability to blow worth a dern he took to humming loudly or squealing with it in his mouth.

Between the balloon and the noise makers I'd say he enjoyed himself. I'm not entirely sure he has developed a concept of birthday, but noise and attention definitely suited him. 

To top it all off I managed a Pioneer Woman Ice Cream Cake in an attempt to avoid driving to the Dairy Queen and it got high marks of approval. Granted nothing beats the little beaded cookie goodness in between the layers of an actual ice cream cake. 

Nothing also beats the goodness of not having to clean up your counters after attempting to put together a cake after letting the ice cream melt 2 minutes longer than it should have. Dang 80 degree February. 

I also completely realize my child is essentially sans outfit. I'd much rather not remove chocolate sauce from a shirt, especially if it were some special shirt with birthday wishes on it. But I'm not exactly that mom who thinks ahead and buys such things, so all I removed was a jumper and white shirt. 

Now for the good part. 

He literally yelled "Yay!" the entire time the candles were lit and everyone was singing to him. 

Proof that "stuff" and Pinterest parties aren't needed. He was ecstatic over a few people and 10 dollars worth of ice cream and pound cake. 

Although I wish that dang camera would have focused right in the 30 seconds I had to try to get a picture of this. Who wants to focus on the cake? Not me, not me people. 

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