Wordless Wednesday

Resting in bed thanks to mastitis :(

Make My Meal Monday: Jalapeno Popper Chicken

 Tasty, moist, spicy, oh so yummy

Jalapeno Popper Chicken!

I love all things jalapeno popper..dip, the actual poppers so I saw a recipe online and tweaked to make it  what we like! Hope you enjoy! This got the man seal of approval!

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (One per person)

1 block of cream cheese, softened to room temp

2-3 fresh jalapenos(more if you like spicier, less if you don't!

1 cup of panko bread crumbs (more if you have more chicken)

2 Tbsp Taco seasoning or Fajita seasoning

Skewers or toothpicks to secure them

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Slice, seed and chop Jalapenos. I used my food processor. These buggers are spicy, so be sure not to touch your face, kids face, etc until you wash your hands.

3. Mix Jalapenos in with cream cheese in a small bowl. Set Aside.

4. Beat chicken flat. Awesome part to get out some frustrations!! (I wrap mine in plastic wrap or a bag so juice doesn't  fly everywhere!) 

5. Mix bread crumbs up, bread both sides of the chicken. Some people like to dip the chicken in something first, I'm lazy and think one more pan to wash, so I don't, but feel free!

6. Put as much as will fit cream cheese mixture on one end of chicken breast. 

 7. Roll them up and secure with skewer or toothpicks!

8. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. You'll want to check the chicken where it was rolled as temps may vary! Play with cute kiddo while cleaning up :)

That's it! Serve with rice. I had leftover cream cheese mixture so I added that to the rice and it was OH so yummy! Hubby agreed and wished there was more for his rice!!  Hope you enjoy the easy recipe!

Fun Friday: March of the Ducks!

Every day promptly at 11 am at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, the ducks descend from their rooftop home in their special designated elevator, march (run) down the red carpet and dip into their daytime fountain. It's a fun event that is entertaining for all ages. My friend called and had our 2 kiddos signed up to be the Duckmasters for the morning. Here's some pictures from our fun!

Getting their duck instructions

Waiting.....

Going to get the ducks!

The duck palace

Here they come!

Our Duckmasters!

They bolted out of the elevator and Oslee followed!

Caitlin was more content to march

Still marching....

The honorary Duckmasters with the Assistant Duckmaster

Chatting about the ducks

Certificates!

And rubber duckies too!

What a sweet  event :)

Some days, Life Sucks!

Some days suck. There I said it. I am usually the eternal optimist but days like today make me feel defeated. What makes it worse is I can't fix most of it. I am a fixer by nature.I hate when things aren't right emotionally, physically or however else they could be wrong. I like helping people, other people and often just pretend I'm fine. Why? Because I hate feeling like that. I hate feeling out of control of my own emotions, situation or home. It's easier for me to drudge on then to feel sorry for myself or even worse have other feel that way for me! See right now I'm thinking crap, I shouldn't write about my feelings because someone might read it! Oh well, to be a mom and a wife, sometimes you have to say/do things that make you umcomfy. 

So instead of wallowing, here's what I'm thankful for as a reminder of why its okay if one day sucks here and there.

1.  I am thankful for my kids. No matter how much they (ahem, Caitlin) drives me batty somedays, I know God put them in my life for a reason. No one else would be a better parent for them, no one could love them like I do, even when I lose it.

2. I am thankful for my husband. He's the opposite of me. Im talkative, a worrier, a bit of a flighty person. Mike is steady, quiet, calm. Yes, sometimes that in itself drives me crazy, but he is my center. When all else is going crazy,  I know he's there.

3. I am thankful for my family. The other folks that understand me. My daily phone call to my mom, my morning car ride with my sister, my weekly Aldi trip with the other, just knowing they are here is peaceful.

4. I am thankful for friends. As an adult and a mom, friendships change greatly. I have lots who I am friendly with, but few I call my close friends. They know who they are. No matter how ugly I sound, they still love me, understand me and restore my hope. 

5. I am thankful for laughter. When all else is a mess, laughter is my cure. Simple giggles from Carson, belly laughs from Caitlin, soft snicker from Mike and tear educing laughter from my friends heal and soothe my soul. 

That's what  I'm thankful for today. Now I will reread this over and over today to remind myself that its okay when  life sucks, because of all those beautiful gifts.

Thoughtful Thursday: Real Housewife of Osceola County?

Real Housewife of Osceola County?

I think NOT!

I was looking for an inspiration to write when I headed over to Mama Kat's Writers Workshop to see what sort of topic for today and tada!

 10 reasons why you could not be a real housewife from any county.

1. I drive a mini van, not a Mercedes! These people have drivers and what nots, I cruise about in my Sienna!

2. No staff needed! Nanny,maid, chef, personal assistant, hair and makeup?! Seriously? Would I want those, um I think every Mom wants those at some point in the day! BUT I like taking care of my family,  I might say yes to the maid ;)

3. Perfectly Decorated homes? My home is decorated with laundry, toys, dog hair, and heavens knows what else! I wish my home were cleaner, who doesn't but my house is filled with love and laughter!

4. Fancy Shmancy clothing. Nope, not here. I struggle to think of my sense of style rather than my designer. Does en francais "Target" count? If its not machine washable, with everything else, I mean who reads wash labels?! then its not welcome in my home! 

5. Animals as an accessory. Little Fifi eats at the table, sits nicely in their handbag, piddles on a pad and wears cute clothes. My dog? Sheesh, doesn't listen to a word I say, steals food when no one is around and lounges on my couch all day... Wait, maybe I want to be her!

6. Plastic. Um, botox, surgery, everything is FAKE! No surgery here, everything I've got sags like it should (though I wish it didn't) wrinkles where it does (where did they come from?!) and looks real! The only thing I *might* do after we are done having kiddos, bye bye boobies! These things drive me nuts, I lose weight, they grow!

7. Catered Dinner Parties. Meh, I want down home cooking, made by people who love food! Why do they have dinner parties they don't seem to eat!

8. Shh, don't tell them, but I actually like my kids! Even on our roughest days, there are moments of joy. I think God shows us those little snippets in the heat of the moment to remind us how precious they are! Housewives, do they even spend time with them?!

9. Huge house! I love our house. Its the right size for us and I wouldn't want anything bigger!! Could you imagine having to mop all that marble? Do you mop marble? See, good reason I'm not a Real Housewife!

10. I love my Hubby! Most women on those shows don't seem to love their man, or even have one! They just collect the alimony and call it done. I love my hubs and would go to hell and back for him! Those women, going gets rough, gotta use that prenup! 

Hope ya enjoyed my randomness :)

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Cute baby and cute cloth diapes!

Make My Meal Monday : Taquitos

Make My Meal Monday:

Taquitos

Way back in my college days I loved taquitos. I probably lived off of those, pancakes and mashed potatoes as thats all I knew how to cook and loved! I still love taquitos but I like them cooked the way I like them, not in some bag! Here's my recipe for taquitos. The great thing about this recipe, it make enough for 20 taquitos. I freeze them and use them one at a time. For today's pictures I only did a half recipe, fyi!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts shredded

3 oz cream cheese softened

1/4 c green salsa (aka salsa verde)- if you dont like spicy, use less of this!

1 can rotel style tomatoes and green chilis

1 can black beans

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 of an onion diced finely

1 Tbsp Fajita Seasoning

Combine cream cheese, salsa, beans, tomatoes, and cheese into a large bowl. 

Add Shredded Chicken.

Stop, entertain child #2.

Add Fajita Seasoning, Mix all together.

Stop, check on child #1, make sure she's not coloring on walls.

Spoon mixture into tortilla on the edge only,roll tightly and place in pan.

I froze 1/2 of the taquitos I made today(Since I only did a half recipe of the above).  These are great freezer meals, snacks, lunches so I normally make the whole recipe but freeze individually. To do that, lay them on cookie sheets not touching until they are frozen, then bag them together into a  gallon ziplock bag. 

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and enjoy! I usually serve with Sour cream.

Fun Friday: New Olympic Sport

Today we spent most of the day at the kids museum and poor Carson was either in the stroller or the Ergo. We got home, I tucked Caitlin into bed for nap and decided to watch some Olympics hanging out on the floor with Carson. To my surprise, he decided to roll over more than the one time he's done before! Hooray Carson! His new Olympic Sport: Chubby baby Rolling!

My Favorite Things

My friend at Moldstad Memories is talking about her Favorite things so I thought I would jump on the band wagon! So, here we go!

 

1. Dryer Balls

These bad boys go in your dryer, bounce all around soften clothes,

scented ones smell up your clothes too, shorten your drying time! They last a 

long time! Bye bye fabric softener and dryer sheets!

 I order mine from Great Balls of Fiber on Facebook. 

2. Pampered Chef Stoneware

There once was a time ***shudder** when I burned everything I cooked. I was a horrible baker

and even attempting cookies would make me cry. Then I got some stoneware! Freezer, microwave and oven safe, I have yet to burn ANYTHING on these. Cookies, no problem no more! Even better, these pans get better with age, like cast iron, they season themselves!

3. Aldi

Newer supermarket here in the area. Great no name products that are all super tasty at a fantastic price. Produce, meat, you name all good and the best part....great prices! I love shopping there and knowing I'm getting good food for a great price!

4.  Cloth Diapers

Call me crunchy, granola whatever you wish I love these things! We started a month ago and with a little trial and error, I'm in love.  Only one extra load every other day and I haven't bought disposable diapers the entire month! Just waiting on an order for a few more and 2 wet bags and we'll be 100% cloth 24/7! (except the occasional sitter)

5.Nutella

Damn all of you for telling me about this. I thought it was some nasty spread British people used. One spoonful and I feel like I'm in a 12 step program!

6. My new mommy mobile

Comfy seats, space galore and magic doors :) I feel like a rockstar, sad I know!

7. My playgroup- Little Explorers

A group that has my heart. I dont have to pretend to be super mom, I can be my normal slightly off kilter self and dont feel judged. Without my mommy friends I'm pretty sure I would have lost the part of my sanity I still have!!!

8. Pinterest 

Without which I would have no creative ideas ;) Seriously brilliant idea. Now if I could actually complete some of the pins I'd be in good shape.

9. Carter's

By far my favorite brand of kids clothes. Wash and wear so well, but my favorite thing about them is how timeless they are. Other stores try and follow adult trends in kids clothes and I hate that. Kids should be dressed like kids! No hoochie momma short skirts and shorts, just cute simple affordable clothes.

10. Grow and Sing Studios

My employer! I get to be a mom 100% of the time and teaching is my escape, my breathing time as a parent. I love seeing my classes each week and sharing my joy with them. I only hope each week parents and kiddos get some special bonding time together and have fun learning and exploring together!!!

Those were a few of my favorite things, what about you?