Things I'd Never Know If..

I hadn't met my husband.

COLLEGE MASCOTS!

My latest "lessons" include memorizing the colleges attended by some major players in the NFL realm---especially the home team Texans.
He names the player and I try to name the college with certain clues such as "which conference?" (which really doesn't help me at all!) or "what does it start with?"

So we moved on to Drew Brees last night.

Cowboy: Drew Brees
Cowgirl: What does it start with?
Cowboy: P
Cowgirl: PURDUE! (I was proud of myself. I had heard that sometime last year, because I don't know if you heard, but the Saints were Super Bowl Champs)
Cowboy (thinking he's clever): What's their mascot?
Cowgirl (thinking I'm smart!): Oil makers

-----------

Break included for Cowboy's belly laughs.

Cowboy: What did you say?
Cowgirl: Oil makers

-------------

More laughing

Cowboy: They are the Boilermakers!

Oh if I hadn't met you dear, I'd never know that!

Thanksgiving Favorites

Ask most people what their favorite part of Thanksgiving is and they will tell you--the food, hands down! I couldn't agree more. Who doesn't love gorging oneself on turkey, perhaps perfectly fried or roasted; green bean casserole; crack taters, one sinfully delicious concoction of sweet potatoes, marshmallows, nuts, sugar, and heck, crack, because they are so tasty; oyster or mirliton dressing, a side of crack rolls to accompany those taters, and a bowl of gumbo and potato salad that started off this whole calorie fest?!? Any Northerners (and perhaps even non-Bornes) may have no idea what's going on at our local Thanksgiving dinner. Please don't call the FBI. There are no drugs present. (That we admit to ;)
Kidding.

Terms I'd Never Know If...

I didn't have a baby or play fantasy football:

40-minute intruder

Sounds awful right? Yea, google that why don't you.

He's bigger now and sleeps in the crib, but I needed an accent pic.

Worst to First

As you can see Wyatt's Boys are hurting this season. I spent most of the season in last place but made a couple moves up these past few weeks. Unfortunately, the boys will lose again this week to Brett Farve and Dallas Clark. How did that happen?
Maybe I'll sink back down to last place. Cowboy jokingly suggested that I, as Commish, institute a "worst to first" draft next year to score the first pick.  Totally wish I could, but that would be cheating. Hopefully next year I can just come stronger.

Weekly Dose of Friday Fun

Thanks again to  My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea!

Outside my window... nice weather again. It's supposed to get pretty warm again but cool down around Thanksgiving (per Channel 2 KPRC Weather). Is it bad that the first item you read is about the weather? Can't I find something more interesting to post? Sure. How about outside my window in the grass there are a pile of feathers that appeared last Friday along with a hawk. As it appears there was a struggle, but no corpse. Bird fight! I wonder if the hawk took the body or if there never was a body. Call CSI Ornithologist. 

I am listening to... Ellen! Christina Aguilara is on today. Hope I can see it. That gal has pipes!

I am wearing... jeans and a brown sweater. It's plain Jane but all I could muster early this morning.

I am loving...SARK! Just rediscovered my copy of Succulent Wild Woman.

I appreciate... food and am so craving some sort of pasty. Danish, donut, cake -- I want!

From the kitchen...See last two posts.

I am proud... of myself. Sleep training a baby is tough, but Wyatt and I are working through. 

One of my favorite things...The wallet given to me by one of my students a couple of years ago. It's perfect to throw from purse to diaper bag to just carrying by itself.

I am grateful... for http://foodessentials.com/home

I am thinking about... what I'll be when I "grow up." Today I want to be a newscaster.

What I dreamed this week ...  Don't remember much this week. One dream Cowboy was leading me through a real life Gears of War course complete with machine guns and all.

I am praying...for Baby Wyatt. 

Shrimp... loves his hands and I love watching him check them out. 

Planning for the weekend.. visitors again! Can't wait to see MamieJewels and watch Cowboy play some softball while we visit with Aunt Kim. 



A picture thought I am sharing...

Aren't these adorable? Saw at Target and couldn't pass up.

These are some of my favorite socks! They were free when I bought my last pair of tennies at Academy and are so soft!

Hey Good Lookin', What You Got Cookin'?! Or Where are You Lookin'?

That girl can cook! Ok, sometimes. I think I can attribute the majority of my kitchen success to choosing the right recipe. I am not particularly adept at blending seasonings and creating savory concoctions on my own, but I do, on most occasions, have an eye for finding flavor in the recipe collections, whether blog, book, or magazine, I search through.

Here's my latest catch:


Chicken in a Pot with Garlic (courtesy of Rachael Ray--say what you want, but she can throw together some quick and yummy treats, and these days quick is a must!)

Ingredients:

• One 4 1/2-pound chicken
• 2 halved lemons
• 35 unpeeled cloves garlic
• 4 chopped sprigs rosemary (this I did not have, but used about 2 tsp. dried rosemary)
• 4 slices crusty bread

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°. In a large dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add one 4½-pound chicken, breast side down, and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Turn, then squeeze 2 halved lemons over the bird before stuffing into the cavity; drizzle 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil on top and season with salt and pepper. Cover and roast for 30 minutes. Scatter 35 unpeeled cloves garlic and 4 chopped sprigs rosemary around the chicken, cover and roast for 30 minutes more. Uncover the pot, increase the oven temperature to 375° and roast until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a knife, about 25 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter; using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to the platter as well. Dip 4 slices crusty bread into the pan juices, then toast until crisp. Serve with the chicken and roasted garlic.

Don't look too closely. You'll see the other leg missing!

From the Kitchen

So many baby posts lately, I know. But how can I help it. He's such a cutie. As I typed that he let out two monster man burps.  At this age that's still pretty darn cute though. But let's mix it up for a change.


Here's what our kitchen has been cooking up.
This first recipe is perfect for the cool weather headed our way (so we dream!) Thanks to my sweet friend Julia who brought it over for a "play date" with her son Teddy. I told her I was dairy free and she was so sweet to even say, "We make it without the cheese anyway." Love her!

Beef and Cannellini Bean Minestrone Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 rib celery, trimmed and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces lean (8 percent fat) ground beef
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add the oil and heat over medium heat. Stir in the onion, carrot and celery and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. 

Stir in the tomato paste and mix to combine. Add the broth, tomatoes, beans, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with Parmesan.

Warms the body and the soul!

 The next few pics are just food porn from the rice mentioned here. Paired with blackened tilapia and microwavable steamed veggies and you've got a winner!

Interested in your house smelling like an artisan bakery? Remember those homemade rolls? Well now it's time to make your own.  Turns out I didn't take as many step-by-step photos as I thought, but you get the idea. The thought of making my own bread terrified me, but it was super easy!

French Bread Rolls

1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

To the yeast mixture, add the oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl.(will seem very flour-y) Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 14-16 equal pieces, and form into round balls. 

Place on lightly greased baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth (or greased saran wrap), and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Bake for 12-13 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

And finally, the dinner that made Cowboy text me while at CCE with the cheesy line, "Where did you get that recipe? Thebomb.com?" Yes, he went there. But it was so yummy! Sorry no food porn pics. We are having leftovers tonight and I'd take some, but we might be dining on these yummy nuggets sans (love that word!) buns and you can't take a pulled pork sandwich food porn pic without the buns!


Regardless, this next dish was easy and delicious--a knockout combo!


Perfect Pulled Pork


Ingredients:
5 lbs. boneless pork butt shoulder (I couldn't find boneless, so bone in worked just fine)
1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt (come on, now--when in doubt????? Yes, add more!)
1 cup water
soft sandwich buns (Kroger bakery kaiser rolls for the win!)
BBQ sauce


Directions:
First, let me say that I doubled the spices. What was given did not seem like enough and boy was I right! The doubled cayenne did give it a nice kick, so if you don't like spice, perhaps just double everything else. 
Combine all seasonings in a small bowl and rub evenly over roast. Place meat in a 6 qt. slow cooker. (Crock Pot for the win!) Add water. Cover and cook on LOW (why do recipes always capitalize that?) for 6-8 hours or on HIGH (again with the caps!) for 4-5 hours or until pork is very tender.


Place pork on large cutting board or platter and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Mine fell apart as I was taking it out. So tender! Pull, slice, or chop to serve. Serve in buns with BBQ sauce. (or as leftovers as main meat dish with French fries. Hello dinner tonight.)


Sorry no pics. But this post brought to you by Shrimp is Napping, Inc. 

New Nuggets About the Cowgirl

First, I don't enjoy mixing food genres. For example, Mexican Pizza, Taco Pasta, Italian Enchiladas (ok, maybe I made the last one up), are all no-nos.

I take pride in learning how to click a nursing bra back together with one hand. You laugh, but seriously, this took time!

I appreciate NFL throw-back jerseys.

Friday Fun -- I'm into words this week

Thanks again to  My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea! A tough week, yes, but a rewarding one? Yes!

Today.. It's all about the English language and what the unique combination of letters/words/phrases can do for your spirit. While reading this blog, a phrase jumped out and I thought, "Well, that would be a good title for a book?" Or maybe my life story. Yes, it's that interesting. I'm selling the rights if you are interested. Does that ever happen to you?

So I loved:
"a pocketful of blown out candles"

Then another silly one stood out from a sports blog--"Steve Slaton Syndrome." That has no meaning. It will not be the title of my memoir. Let's hope not anyway. Can't imagine how it would feel about me dropping the ball in every aspect of my life! I just liked it.

Outside my window... it's early! Shrimp woke up at 6:00 thanks to ye ole daylight savings time.  He did go back to sleep though. Unfortunately, when Momma wakes up, Momma stays up.

I am listening to... the soundtrack in my head. Today it includes "Stuck Like Glue" and "Her Man." Not sure if that's the title or not. It's a country song I heard yesterday on the radio. Funny that when I get up with Wyatt and go back to sleep after, usually some country song runs through me head as I try to fall back asleep.

I am wearing... jammies. Need to change to we can walk when he wakes up.

I am loving...thinking about Christmas! I want to decorate, but I know we'll get tired of being "in the spirit" too soon. So I'll wait until Thanksgiving week. I've started my list so if you read this blog and expect a present from me, perhaps shoot me your requests.

I appreciate... single mothers. You are strong; you are resilient; you are God's angels on earth.

From the kitchen...Slow roasted pulled pork in the crock pot? Yes please. Recipe coming in another post when I can food porn it. Yep, just verbed food porn.

I am proud... of my family. Life is tough, but they are working through it.

One of my favorite things...Kathy Lee and Hoda on the Today Show. I NEVER thought that I'd eat up their antics, but my mornings feel happier when I watch them enjoy "Fun-day"(Monday) and "Wines-day" (Wednesday). Oh the life...

I am grateful... for libraries. Yes, I might be on hold for several of the books I want to read, but hey, they'll be free! By free I mean, I pay for them with our taxes.

I am thinking about... ..... writing this blog? Lame.

What I dreamed this week ...  Last night was the only one I can remember, but Uncle Ken, Frasier, JuJu, and a few others made an appearance. I went from event to event like I was traveling with the Ghost of Christmas Past or something. Hey, there's Christmas again! Can't wait to watch SCROOGE!

I am praying...for wisdom.

Shrimp... is making us laugh. I love watching him play with his hands. He's also in a much better mood before bedtime these days. Wait, should I delete those words. Is this bad juju?

What I realized... We control our actions and reactions.



Planning for the weekend.. visitors! Hopefully you'll see a great post next week of our time with Grammie and Grandpa. They might just be "the most interesting grandparents in the world." 



A picture thought I am sharing...

We love our Michigan friends!

Hey Erik--add some more salt, will ya!

Did someone say Christmas? Guess who's not preggers?!

Save the Words

My beautifully inspirational gem of a friend Michelle posted this link on facebook, so here we go. Let's save some words.

Take time to find the moments that adimpleate  (oh wow! these words are dying as the spell checker radar is sending off its red, underlining siren!) our lives with the peace, joy, and strength we need to obarmate ourselves against the forces of self-doubt, greed, and selfishness that seek to pessundate the beauty of our souls.

Listen only to freeing sounds that fill the vacivity of your heart and create your own soundtrack of bliss instead of the blateration of pettiness.

May kind speech be primifluous. May warm embraces be solvents for lugent neighbors and friends. You will surely be met with redamancy, and the world will revolve with as a place of lococession and good will.

We are bigger than rogalian forces of the destruction. We are stronger than the decutient will of those without light.

Resarciate with the innocent child within and spread your beauty through the earth like the majestic nubivagant eagle.


And heck...

If all else fails, seek the haven of your kitchen and make use of lardlets for your night's meal. Everything's better with bacon!

(A paper like this would surely annoy English teachers everywhere!)

A Weekend With our Big(ger) Boy

As promised...here's that sweet little Shrimp. 

On Saturday we got all dressed up to eat lunch with the Lahads and Kenny and Daphne.This little guy is all fired up for our first restaurant outing since finding out about dairy issues. Thank you Ruggles Green for the small dairy free bites on your menu.

I love sleeping babies. Shrimp sneaked in a nap on the way there.

And then... PLAYTIME! After walking outside, we went for some tummy time and witnessed Shrimp's first back to stomach roll! He's been rolling tummy to back for a while, but this switcheroo is new. We captured it on video (after it was rolling for 2 minutes) so we'll try to cut that down before posting.

He's definitely proud of himself!

 

 And what better way to end a Saturday than with some antics of the Mad Hatter. 

That's right, Les Smiles pulled out more tricks to put this victory smile on the big guy's face.

Sunday...Sunday...

Here's that little angel sleeping again. On the way to Church he cracked me up with his grip on the toys. Notice the left hand. Daddy will be proud.

And if being an all-star left-handed pitcher doesn't work out, Shrimp might be the world's next best botanist. He loves trees!

My trip to the grocery store brought home these bad boys. These are grapes, my friends, giant grapes!
If they shipped well, I'd send you some Blue Eyed Bride!

And finally it's time to call it a night. Shrimp had finger for dessert. See ya next weekend!

If I were Young Again

1. I'd go for some spaghettio's or ravioli. I have the urge to try some of Chef Boyardee yum-yums, but the ideal in my head is probably far greater than reality. Perhaps I shall keep it that way.

2. I'd follow that meal with a #5 from McDonald's--5 piece nuggets, fries, and a frozen coke, with a side of sweet and sour sauce.

3. I'd eat my boiled potatoes with crawfish dip--a calorie-laden concoction of ketchup, mayonnaise, and other spices.

Why I am talking like a pregnant chick with severe cravings, I have no idea. Nope, not pregnant, just nostalgic.

Friday Night Fun

Thanks again to  My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea! A tough week, yes, but a rewarding one? Yes!

Today..


Outside my window... the wind is lulling me to an early bedtime! 

I am listening to... UCF take it to our Houston Cougs. I say "our" only because you have to root for the home team right? But I really would like to see them become something special. YES! Cougs score!

I am wearing... Cowboy's TCU shirt and jammie pants. Cheering for Houston Cougars, sporting a TCU shirt---wait, where am I from?

I am loving...avocados (in the form of homemade guac) and steak. We have both once a week these days.

I appreciate... the Fall weather. I know that card is overplayed, but after such a hot summer, it's simply refreshing.

From the kitchen...Bacon wrapped asparagus serving as a side to bacon wrapped salmon was ok the first time but just overdone the second. I burped it all night!
I am loving this rice. The first time I made it with brown rice and actually think I liked it better.  It's super easy and can be a great side or even burrito filling.

I am proud... myself for working through Shrimp's eating phases.

One of my favorite things...BOOKS! I finished The Help (great if you haven't read) and have 5 books requested at the library. I do hope one of them makes the transfer soon because I'm just craving something good to read.

I am grateful... for Cowboy.  

I am thinking about... what snack I want before bed tonight and that the meerkat family needs to make a blog appearance.

What I dreamed this week ...  The only dream I vividly remember was visiting my younger brother who was in college except it was now and he's not in college. Strange.

I am praying...in thanksgiving. 

Shrimp... gained weight! Did you hear that? GAINED WEIGHT! A bunch! Now let's just keep it up. He's such a cutie and quite the mover. He's so active and interested in the world. It's a joy to watch but surely some exercise to keep up with this little guy. This week he's loving trees.

What I realized... I'm ok and it'll be alright again.




Planning for the weekend.. can't wait to see some of our favorite Houston friends for lunch tomorrow. Then we'll come home to watch the Tigers (hopefully) take it to Satan (I mean Saban) and Alabama. Cowboy assures me that our top notch defense will make for a close game. Let's see if some sort of Jefferson/Lee combination can put some points on the board.



A picture thought I am sharing...

Yep, it's been on the mind. We'll take some pictures of our big(ger) boy this weekend to celebrate!

God, Jesus, and... Fido?

For some unknown reason I decided to teach CCE at Church this year. Like I don't have enough on my plate right? So every Wednesday evening I grab my teacher's manual and whatever crafty project I've managed to throw together and head out while Cowboy takes care of the Shrimp. It's nice to get out for a bit; some nights I only wish that it were to grab some vino with my girls instead. I guess my liver thanks me.

The first graders that I teach crack me up. First of all, everyone wants to answer every question. It doesn't matter if they know it or not. Hands will fly into the air the minute the question inflection in my voice goes off. If there is no way they know the answer, the response is always, "Ummmm, I forgot." If they do think they've got the answer, it usually comes down to "God" or maybe "Jesus."

I found out something else that interesting about first graders; they love pets. It can be their own or those of a friend or even one of a random neighbor. When we do prayer requests, one's pet who is "old and can't run very fast" or "who can't hear" is of utmost concern.  Maybe it's just because I'm not a pet person or maybe I hadn't been exposed to this room in a first grader's brain, but it definitely made me smile. I love their innocence and someone has to pray for our furry friends right?