Fun Friday

Um, hello, Harry Potter is ending...Yes I know we all know how it ends (if you are cool and read the books) but, I cant wait to see this! Totally going alone if I have to! Who wants to come??? 76 days!

Thoughtful Thursday

So I just read my friend Holly's Blog here : My gifts for Will and Kate and she had a great idea! 10 Gifts for the Royal Newlyweds! This is a writing prompt from Mama's Losin It! and I love the concept! So here's my 10 ideas for wedding gifts!!!

1.Spotted Dick- because really what Brit doesn't love some spotted dick ( ps its sponge pudding dish) and because every American  loves to laugh about it!

2. Rosie Pope's Services hello, every royal or rich person needs a personal pregnancy concierge. Heck I want one, and Im not pregnant! And we all know she'll be knocked up quick!

3. A 31 bag proclaiming " I am the real Princess" or " Actually, I am the Princess, so shut it" something witty like that.

4. A butler like the guy from Princess Diaries. He was so nice, and loving....lol I just like that movie okay!

5. Butt- Face Towels Lets be honest who wants to have a royal hienie on their face. And I want one because they are cool.

6. Watermelon Dress up Kits , what? I know, you want one now too!!!

7. Woozies! Yup Wine Coozies!! Goes around you wine glass, all the fancy people are doing it!

8. Bride and Groom Aprons not like they will be cooking or anything, but duh, what else do you get these people???

9.  A privacy sign....Dont ya think they deserve some?

10.  Apples to Apples board game. Cant you just see The Royals sitting around playing it? I think it would be great!!

So there's my list! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

These pictures scream MIKE to me!!!

Amy Cooper Photography

is beyond fantastic!!!!!

Trashy Tuesday

GLEE

Finally Glee is worth talking about again! Extended too! Some people (like my hubby) still find breaking into random song strange, but to any former chorus nerd or theater freak, your brain happens in random song or weird thoughts right?

The Prom King and Queen war is on and its everyone vs everyone!! Quinn and Finn are the supposed "top runners" with everyone else wanting to beat them. Santana teams up with Bully Mike in a fake relationship to hide that they are both gay. Mike "apologizes" to the glee club and Kurt, and it leads to Kurts return! I think its great Kurt is back in the glee club! Lauren and Puck are in the race as well. Laurent digs up some dirt about Quinn. Her real name is Lucy, Quinn is her middle name. She apparently transfered schools when she went through some big changes. She was fat, got a nose job, pimples....blah, blah....Lauren posted pictures of how she looked and her old nickname "Lucy Caboosey"  Quinn ends up being more liked because of it!

Emma is now single, Will is trying to help her through her OCD issues. Emma finally goes to a shrink and gets some meds! She joins the club for the  "shirt" unveiling. They all wrote on their shirts something they dont like about themselves, dance to Lady Gaga " I was born this way"

All in all, it was a good episode. Another teaching kids its okay to be who you are, and be proud of things that make you you! So in honor of that thought here are some things that make me, me, that I used to get made fun of for!!
1. My Hair! I love my hair now but when I was younger, I had NO idea what to do with this curly mop! I had an afro for many years! So, now that our daughter is blessed with the curly tresses, I will teach her to own that hair!!
2. My Weight! I think every woman struggles with this. Too skinny ( I once was) and too fat...ugh really? I am me, size 18 and all! There, I told you what my size was, it was higher at one time, its going down which I am proud of, but I love me most days!!

So, there ya have it! What are you willing to own up to? What would be on your shirt? Mine would say "Brillo Hair" yup, that was what I was called!!!

Make My Meal Monday

Vegetarian Steamed Dumplings

I just got a cool electric steamer and LOVE steamed dumplings from my local chinese place. I was thinking it would be an easy recipe to make vegetarian style since the meat is always a mystery to me anyways!
For this recipe you need:
1/2 lb ground tofu
1/4 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup chopped lettuce
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 egg
1 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt
pepper
Won ton wrappers

Mix all the ingredients together (minus the wrappers obviously)

Put a tsp of mixture in each won ton wrapper












Smoosh (yes thats my term for it) the tops together to create the won ton.

Spray steamer pan with non stick spray ( important. I didnt do this, and I'll show you what happened)

Place wontons not touching in steamer. Steam for 10-15 minutes.

If you didnt spray your pan here's what happens  :(

Dont worry I saved a few! Here's how they turned out!











All together, pretty easy, the moral of the story, spray that pan!

Fun Friday

Today is a special day, its Earth Day! Our good friend Katie, offered to host an Earth Day Playdate at her house and it was super fun!! She had little pots with their names on it, super cute, that they got to plant a mini sunflower seen in!

Photo taken by Emily :)

Then they all got to play in the WAA WAA, Warey known to most adults at Water!! A pool, a slide,a sprinkler, and a water table, why thats every kids dream! Oh and dirt! Sheesh! They were in heaven!

Then we had some yummy lunch! Grass fed beef sliders, hummus, veggies, fruit, Pirate's booty, grilled zucchini, and some yummy dirt and sand cups! Katie did a great job showing how easy it was to reuse things (like applesauce containers for the dirt and sand pudding cups) and recycle! Woo, you go Katie!! We all had a great time and the true telling of a good time, they all took nice naps! Fantastic!!! 

Thoughtful Thursday

Okay so here it is....my blog! I feel like such a dork posting this, but I had a hard time actually recording myself....and thinking of what to talk about. So, here it is, take it easy on me! I'll ask, What's your favorite room in your house?

I'm scared to push publish, but o well!

Wordless Wednesday

Ahh, warmer days!

Trashy Tuesday

I dont really feel like this is "trash" tv this week, but more like something everyone should care about and watch. Wanna guess what it is???  Oh you you guessed it...Food Revolution time! I know what you are all thinking, Leslie has gone off the deep end! Talking tofu and liking it, where did Leslie go? I am here, I am just choosing a better life for me and my family. You can too! Jamie Oliver is leading the Food Revolution on ABC. Basically he is trying to get our public schools to make REAL food. Real as in you make it, not take it out of a bag from a plant and bake it. They say there are nutritional guidelines but pizza seriously counts a vegetable (sauce), Dairy ( cheese) and Starch ( crust) occasionally here in fla they serve it with carrots, and squeeze packet ranch. Kids are drinking more calories than soda while drinking flavored milk and bad habits are made. People think kids wont eat the healthy stuff, um hello, they will eat if its presented early. We all know kids go through phases where they wont eat this or that, but you have to keep offering stuff!
 So on this episode Jamie is allowed finally into a school only to be told he is the culinary arts teacher. He isnt allowed to ask students about cafeteria food, see the cafe or the kitchen. What is the USDA hiding that they dont want on tv? Have you been to a cafeteria lately? When I was working at a school, ours did make some homemade items, offered salad and all but then students could buy Crap al la carte. We are teaching our kids bad habits. I am guilty too, my 2 year old knows that the mcdonalds sign means fries.... Im trying to choose better for her now..we didnt eat there tons, but enough she knew what it was!!!

So what can you do? Tune into Food Revolution, its a cool show, not in your face like Food Inc, but still important to foster healthy  habits in our kids!
You can Sign the petition at Jamie's website and support his efforts!
You can go meatless one day a week
You can cook with fresh ingredients, instead of things from boxed dinners and cans.
You can visit a farm and teach your kids how food is made and where it comes from .
You can visit your kids school and see what they are eating!

You can do....anything to make your family healthier!!!!


ps this was supposed to be about the show, but sorry, I got a little heated! Stay Tuned for A VLOG on thoughtful thursday!!!

Extra Post: Cool Giveaway!!

Come and see Mama B's giveaway of Petunia Picklebottom's Bag!!

 http://mamabblog.com/2011/04/petunia-pickle-bottom-review-giveaway.html#comment-80399

Seriously this stuff is cute!!!

Make My Meal Monday

Chicken Stir Fry

One of my new favorites!
1 lb chicken cut into cubes or strips
Onions as desired sliced into big slivers
3 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp Spicy Mustard
2 Tbsp Hot Sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
Soy Sauce
Package of steam in the bag asian variety veggies
2 c brown rice prepared

Mix mustard, hot sauce and brown sugar together. Reserve a portion for sauce at the end!
Marinate chicken for as long as possible (I only had about 2 hours) mustard mixture and add enough soy to coat the chicken.
Cook Rice
In your pan cook chicken, when about halfway done, add onions and garlic.
Cook veggies in micro!
When chicken is done, add veggies and sauce you had pulled aside.

Serve over brown rice!!

Enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursday

So, I know I've been on a bit of a food kick lately, but if you havent watched it yet, you dont know why I'm nuts! (Food Inc that is). If you dont want to watch it, there are a few other sites I've started using to help me.  If you dont want to do the whole organic stuff because you dont care or whatever, can I ask you to try Meatless Monday. (or any day really, just one meatless day a week) Going meatless one day a week not only reduces your carbon footprint(how much you affect the environment) as well as improves your health risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Why wouldn't you want to help out yourself and the environment? Its really not that difficult and the best perk...ITS CHEAPER!!! No meat= no big cost! You can check out Meatless Monday for more information and some cool recipes! Remember alot of food you make now, you could make meatless! Spagetti, alfredo, stuffed peppers, chili, I could go on! Whose with me? Comment below to let me know I'm not alone in my Meatless day a week!

Trashy Tuesday

So, Eliza (my niece) requested I talk about Kate plus 8...so I thought I would write what I thought quickly and do my actual review on some real tv...Kate plus 8...its still on?! I know you are shocked. It should be off the air by now! Moving on! (sorry liza)

Pregnant in Heels
Have ya caught a glimpse? Rosie Pope is a "maternity concierge" What is that you ask? A person who caters to rich prego people and gets paid for it! I would love to have someone cater to me when I was pregnant! So Rose offers a gamut of services like clothing, decorating, party planning, classes, and pretty much anything else these women with disposable income can come up with! Personally, I like the show. I dont know why, maybe its because I am a bravoaholic and need to admit it. "Hi, my name is Leslie, and I'm addicted to Bravo" whew step one complete ;) Rosie Pope has an accent I cant place, somewhat british, some what deaf person... (sorry if I offend anyone on that but its an opinion!) but she is an endearing character with some witty remarks. I've watched 2 episodes so far and both were funny, and relate able...One of the moms hires Rosie to come up with the perfect name for her child, asks for a panel of people to help and a test group of people...wow...and ends up not picking any names they like! Its worth a Dvr,so check it out!

Make My Meal Monday

So, as most of you know, I watched Food Inc last week and it has changed how I feel about alot of food! So this monday I wanted to share with you a meatless meal, that is tasty and easy ( on the budget too). I bought some Soy crumbles ground beef flavor for 2.99/lb *had a coupon and all! So I made stuffed peppers. I took a recipe I love and changed a few things to make it healthier for me and the planet :)


Here's the Details!
4 medium green bell peppers
16 oz pkg soy crumbles (lightlife smart ground)
⅓ c chopped onion
½  jar tomato/pasta sauce ( I used organic tomato sauce from publix)
1cup brown rice prepared ( I made 1 cup, so how ever much that makes cooked lol)
¾ c shredded mozzarella cheese

 Cut tops off peppers.  Remove  seeds  and  lightly  salt inside of pepper.

Use a little EVOO and sautee onions. Add Soy crumbles to onions.
Heat crumbles.

Add tomato/pasta sauce, rice, Worcestershire &  salt  and pepper to taste.  Cover  and  simmer  about  five  minutes. ( I switched to a stock pot at this point)

Stand peppers upright in  sprayed  baking dish.  Stuff
peppers  w/  meat  mixture, &  replace tops.

Bake uncovered at 350º for 30-35 minutes. Uncover peppers &
top & w/ cheese; replace tops & bake an additional 5 min
or until done & cheese is melted.

All said, it was tasty, Mike said it was good, and I didnt taste any difference whatsoever to meat! I hope you all commit to one meal a week being meatless! It saves you and helps out the planet!!! And, shhh, its cheaper!!!!

Fun Friday

Monkey and I are here visiting my parents in Jacksonville, so today we went and found a park. I know, fun friday? But truly it was simple, plain fun! This park was well designed on the water with a great little river run in it. We played on the great equipment, she went swinging, and played in the little amphitheater they had there. They had a nice long dock that went our pretty far. It over looked the St. Johns River and there were some nice older folks out there fishing. We walked all the way out, counted the boats, and watched the water. Then, the highlight for at least me, was seeing a manatee! It's been a really long time since I've seen one out in nature. I usually see them at Seaworld! Caitlin loved watching it pop up and take its breaths! It was really cool! I'd forgotten how big they seem!

Sometimes its the simple times that make me happy! Its so amazing to see our now 2 year old kiddo bring joy to others! Even if its just a simple interaction, like watching them fish and saying hi, I love how social she is! I can say for sure she got that from me! Mike is more introverted and a people watcher most of the time. Me, I like to talk! Can ya tell? Anywhos, remember to get out there and enjoy nature and your kiddos! Have a great weekend!

Thoughtful Thursday

2 words.....Food, Inc. Seriously if you havent watched it, it will change your mindset on eating forever. I'm not going to tell you all about it, I want you to watch it. If you have netflix, you can rent it free. I watched it online with netflix. Its worth it. Watch out folks, things be a changing at the Watson house!!  Thats all for today...go watch.

Wordless Wednesday

I was getting all Caitlin's pictures to make her 2 year album, and came across a few favorites from this year!!!

Trashy Tuesday

Ya, its a day late, but you all voted to have me review the Teen Mom 2 Dr Drew Check up. So here it is.....
I've wrestled with this show...I cant stand the fact these people have become famous because they  got pregnant as a teenager...I know alot of teens think this is cool now, but borrow  a 2 year old for a day and you'll know its not easy!!!!

When the show opens, all the girls are chatting with dr drew and Leah and Chelsea look orange...too much tanning bed people! Dr. Drew does his whole I care about you spiel when you know he has a script and wants to push for ratings...ugh, really do people think they will actually get anything positive from a 10 minute interaction? Real therapy is private and takes a long time, and some of these moms need REAL therapy!

Leah- start with the happiest right? Leah and Corey break the mold of the teen mom statistics and I am grateful someone finally did! Dr Drew sets out to make Leah cry of course about her daughter, and he does. We knew that would happen. Corey is great and supportive. I really think these 2 made it because of their strong support system. Both of their parents are there for them. Its great to see!

Chelsea-DUMB DUMB DUMB. Back with Adam? Are you kidding me? Lets torture my kid as much as possible and show them how screwed up her parents are by allowing it to continue!! She gets all sobby about subjecting Aubrey to their fighting. Why would you stay with someone your family hates, who treats you like garbage and has no job, no ambition, no nada. All he was looking for was a girl with deep pockets. You can do so much better and I hope you do!!!

Kailyn- Finally, someone still in college. I hate how Jo talked to her this season,but at least these  2 come together on parenting issues. These 2 throw verbal punches at each other like non other. Im glad Jo's mom steps in to calm them down and she shoes Kailyn she loves and cares for her. If Jo wasnt such an a$$ than I would have thought they would have worked it out. She's moved on, seems happier and is working on her damages self esteem!


Jenelle- Wow....I dont even know where to start. She's so messed up, I could write a novel. Her mother issues are horrible. Like mother like daughter. Who seriously tells their daughter they arent loveable???? Are you kidding me? I would never be able to tell my kid I didnt love them, no matter what they did. All of this plays out in front of Jace, who inevitably will be just as screwed up as they are. She says she done with Kieffer (ps who names there kid that other than Kiefer Sutherland)  and we all know thats not true, as she is seen on youtube, kicking some girls but over him. Really, who would fight for that? Ugh, So her and her mom fight and then she says shes moving out...again....sounds familiar?

Once all of the girls were interviewed, they ask each other questions....all except Jenelle. I think the other moms know she is full of bull honkey and wont take anything she says seriously. Then they parade out the babies for all of 10 seconds. Woo. So glad this season is over, oh wait here come another 16 pregnant...what about 25 married and pregnant? Or is that only cool enough for TLC????

Make My Meal Monday

So, its another crockpot kind of day here. We went and spent the morning at Epcot, and I knew  I wouldnt feel like cooking tonight. Soooo whatever did I make?? Well, I was thinking tacos, but didnt want to cook meat tonight. Instead, I decided chicken would be best so here's what I did:
1 1/2 lbs thawed chicken breasts
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can cheddar cheese soup

Dump all  into crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hrs, shred chicken and return

Cook some rice and serve with tortillas, salsa and other toppings as desired.

Ya, some might say its a cop out meal, but guess who's relaxing right now watching of all thing barney with my girl! ME! This momma is tired today! I'll cook something more interesting next week, I promise :)

Happy Eating! Look for Trashy Tuesday tomorrow.... I haven't even picked a show yet, any ideas???

Thoughtful Thursday/ and Friday

So, I know this is a day late, but I wanted to wait until April 1st. April is Autism Awareness Month. As many of you know, being in the education field and having a few friends with Autistic Kiddos, its something I care deeply about. Its important to raise awareness and funds for this mystifying disorder. There isnt a known cause and there is no "fix" for this. Early intervention and advocation are it currently. SO, on this Friday, which  I am saying its thoughtful Thursday,  here's what I want you to do:

GO to Light it up Blue and sign up to have a blue lightbulb (from home depot) or wear blue today and tomorrow in honor of Autism Awareness!

Go to Autism Speaks to learn more about Autism

and Autism Society of Greater Orlando and see about their upcoming walk!

GO do it now!!!