Cowboy walked in yesterday with two glasses of "fresh squeezed lemonade" from a stand the kids down the street set up, and it made think of this. Sorry the video sucks, but it's the little things that feel like home and make you love someone so much!
Why all of this over some lemonade?
A. There are actually kids in our neighborhood that set up stands. We did that all of the time! Nostalgia lane here I come.
B. I married a man who will be a patron of such stands.
C. And not only did he buy not one, but two glasses to bring one home to me, but he was sure to ask the kids if it was "fresh squeezed." Way to keep the kiddos on their toes, baby!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Scentsy Sunday Funday
Erin from Nowak Love Shack came all the way out to the burbs today to show some off Scentsy products to some of my neighborhood friends. With oriental chicken salad courtesy of my Aunt Mary, pepper jelly and cream cheese courtesy of my mom, pineapple salsa courtesy of A Foodie Bride, and my first attempt at sangria, we exercised our olfactory system and enjoyed some good company. (Don't worry--recipes to follow!)
I didn't take many pics once we got started but here are a few as Erin and I set up. Ok, so maybe we just wanted to pose with The Sheriff.
Is Wyatt teething of what? Can't get those hands out of the mouth! Well, except to think about eating Erin's cool flower pens.
Thanks Erin for a great afternoon! And dang it you friends that didn't drink enough sangria!
ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD
I didn't take many pics once we got started but here are a few as Erin and I set up. Ok, so maybe we just wanted to pose with The Sheriff.
Thanks Erin for a great afternoon! And dang it you friends that didn't drink enough sangria!
ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD
2 bags shredded cabbage
1 bunch green onions
1 bad sliced almonds
4-6 chicken breasts **I used a rotisserie
2 pack ramen noodles (chicken flavor) break up into salad.
Season chicken with Tony's Chachere's seasoning
Pan fry chicken in peanut oil. Cut in chunks. Let chicken cool before adding to salad.
Pan fry chicken in peanut oil. Cut in chunks. Let chicken cool before adding to salad.
Dressing
1 cup peanut oil
6 tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper
2 packs of chicken seasoning from ramen noodles.
PINEAPPLE SALSA
2 cups chopped fresh pineapple (1/4-inch dice)
juice of 1 lime
1 handful cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
Salt
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times. This will give you the crushed pineapple texture. For a chunkier salsa, stir all ingredients together and salt to taste. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
**Two tips--ADD MORE SALT! and perhaps add another jalapeno for some spice. I know it's a fruity salsa, but I wanted a bit more of a kick.
juice of 1 lime
1 handful cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
Salt
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times. This will give you the crushed pineapple texture. For a chunkier salsa, stir all ingredients together and salt to taste. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
**Two tips--ADD MORE SALT! and perhaps add another jalapeno for some spice. I know it's a fruity salsa, but I wanted a bit more of a kick.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday Morning Scene - "Up and At 'Em!"
Saturday morning started here with The Sheriff seeing DaDa and not being able to get out of the crib and into his arms fast enough! Check out that face!
While Cowboy took care of the morning bottle I whipped up some "egg and cheese on toast" as deemed in the Loupe household. I grew up with calling it a fried egg sandwich with my girl Shelly Babin, but the new nomenclature will work just fine.
And then we were off to Momma's bed where The Sheriff made a new game "hiding" and then rolling back over for me to say "peek-a-boo" and tickle him. He moved way too fast to catch him in the hiding or laughing pose. A fancy schmancy camera is on my wish list.
Great food and even better company--what's not to love!
While Cowboy took care of the morning bottle I whipped up some "egg and cheese on toast" as deemed in the Loupe household. I grew up with calling it a fried egg sandwich with my girl Shelly Babin, but the new nomenclature will work just fine.
And then we were off to Momma's bed where The Sheriff made a new game "hiding" and then rolling back over for me to say "peek-a-boo" and tickle him. He moved way too fast to catch him in the hiding or laughing pose. A fancy schmancy camera is on my wish list.
Great food and even better company--what's not to love!
Friday, March 25, 2011
It's the Freaking Weekend
Cowboy: I don't understand how the weekend is different for you? How is it not like any other day?
Oh, Cowboy, let me count the ways...
1. It feels right. For however many years it's been since I learned what a weekend is, I have looked forward to them. Why not now?
2.Not reason enough? Well there are a set of extra hands around on the weekend, so let's say when someone needs to dice vegetables or grab and fold clothes out of the dryer BEFORE they get wrinkled, there is someone to make sure The Sheriff isn't performing death defying exercises near the coffee table.
3. Speaking of prepping food--on the weekends you might decide that you just don't have to! If I don't feel like cooking or we don't get to it, it feels more "ok" to go out to eat and I don't have the mom guilt I might feel during the week of not providing a nutritious meal for my loved ones.
4. Everyone from the check out girl at the grocery to the neighbor up the street to YOU Cowboy is in a much greater mood without the weight of the workday on one's back.
5. I can sleep until The Sheriff wakes up without any alarms being snoozed or glorious melodies pelted out with someone's hands on the shower wall. I'm not mad, bro. I'm just sayin!
6.If we feel like cooking breakfast, we can. There is no sense in cooking a real breakfast for myself every day. With two people home, why not make bacon and eggs or cinnamon rolls? And again, there is someone to take care of The Sheriff while the other whips up a batch of waffles or Jake's pancake.
7. The Sheriff knows it's the weekend; I just know it! He is always much happier (not that he's a sad baby), but he can feel it. See #4.
Are those reasons enough? What do y'all think?
Oh, Cowboy, let me count the ways...
1. It feels right. For however many years it's been since I learned what a weekend is, I have looked forward to them. Why not now?
2.Not reason enough? Well there are a set of extra hands around on the weekend, so let's say when someone needs to dice vegetables or grab and fold clothes out of the dryer BEFORE they get wrinkled, there is someone to make sure The Sheriff isn't performing death defying exercises near the coffee table.
3. Speaking of prepping food--on the weekends you might decide that you just don't have to! If I don't feel like cooking or we don't get to it, it feels more "ok" to go out to eat and I don't have the mom guilt I might feel during the week of not providing a nutritious meal for my loved ones.
4. Everyone from the check out girl at the grocery to the neighbor up the street to YOU Cowboy is in a much greater mood without the weight of the workday on one's back.
5. I can sleep until The Sheriff wakes up without any alarms being snoozed or glorious melodies pelted out with someone's hands on the shower wall. I'm not mad, bro. I'm just sayin!
6.If we feel like cooking breakfast, we can. There is no sense in cooking a real breakfast for myself every day. With two people home, why not make bacon and eggs or cinnamon rolls? And again, there is someone to take care of The Sheriff while the other whips up a batch of waffles or Jake's pancake.
7. The Sheriff knows it's the weekend; I just know it! He is always much happier (not that he's a sad baby), but he can feel it. See #4.
Are those reasons enough? What do y'all think?
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pre-Friday Fun
Because I want to write but have nothing in particular to say...
Thanks again to My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea.
TODAY:
Outside my window... it's really getting hot. I can't imagine what the summer will be like. Ok, so it's not that hot, but doing anything outside negates my shower/feeling clean for the day.
I am wondering whether... I should try to reprint the baby food coupon that just failed. The computer tells me a "pipe was broken." What?
Yes, trying again as everything but the dang bar code printed. Will I make it to BabiesRUs before it expires? We'll see.
I am listening to... nothing really and I like it.
I am wearing... jammies still. I did order some new shorts from Old Navy, so hopefully my Spring attire will go beyond soccer shorts. Hopefully they fit. Loved this conversation after bringing home shorts from Target:
Me: "Are these shorts unflattering on my butt?"
Cowboy: "Well, they're sort of mo--" (And he didn't finish. He knew what he was about to say.)
Me: "Well, I won't be wearing shorts any shorter than these any time soon!"
So, yes, I am entering the world of "mom shorts." Not even having a kid, I would not be wearing super short shorts. It's just not gonna happen. I am embracing my thirties and that means not having my butt or pockets hanging below the hem. Not that I wore shorts that were that short before, but still. Enough is enough! Give a girl some coverage already!
I am loving... learning from my friends. Whether it's about raising a baby, couponing, where to shop, anything! Just love it!
I appreciate... the Cowboy.
From the kitchen...I'm making THIS tonight and can't wait! Hopefully our Cafe Rio Pork Salad will be done in time to assemble for supper. (I made a crock pot lemon garlic chicken on Tuesday which was great for leftovers. I feel like crock pots are for winter cooking, but need to find more spring/summer recipes. It's getting too hot already to heat the oven/stove all evening!)
One of my favorite things... March Madness! Well, the first weekend, when I actually have a chance. I guess I still do as my final four is still in tact. I was a complete failure in the second round. I just like having the games on even as background noise if I can't sit down to watch them.
I am grateful...that I got on the computer to write this. Otherwise I would have forgotten to put the pork for dinner in the crock pot.
I am thinking about... what shoes I might wear today in honor of my friend Kim's birthday! I will take a pic later for fb, so maybe will post here as well.
What I dreamed this week ... something awful again last night! It involved a pair of people currently trying to sabotage the life of a family member. I just gave it up to God.
I am praying...for the good fight.
Shrimp... is eating lots and lots. He loves feeding himself, and I could watch him do it all day. He's loving shredded cheese, pasta, and of course PUFFS!
What I realized... I am not cut out for volunteering for first grade CCE right now. Not without a partner.
Planning for the weekend.. Hopefully lots of chilling out! On Sunday I am hosting a Scentsy party and will need to get a few appetizers ready, but I can't wait to see my friends coming and hear Nowak's pitch. She's going to be great! Cowboy is in charge of The Sheriff for the afternoon. Hopefully they get some good male bonding in over bball.
A picture thought I am sharing...
Thanks again to My Life in the Men's Room for this blog idea.
TODAY:
Outside my window... it's really getting hot. I can't imagine what the summer will be like. Ok, so it's not that hot, but doing anything outside negates my shower/feeling clean for the day.
I am wondering whether... I should try to reprint the baby food coupon that just failed. The computer tells me a "pipe was broken." What?
Yes, trying again as everything but the dang bar code printed. Will I make it to BabiesRUs before it expires? We'll see.
I am listening to... nothing really and I like it.
I am wearing... jammies still. I did order some new shorts from Old Navy, so hopefully my Spring attire will go beyond soccer shorts. Hopefully they fit. Loved this conversation after bringing home shorts from Target:
Me: "Are these shorts unflattering on my butt?"
Cowboy: "Well, they're sort of mo--" (And he didn't finish. He knew what he was about to say.)
Me: "Well, I won't be wearing shorts any shorter than these any time soon!"
So, yes, I am entering the world of "mom shorts." Not even having a kid, I would not be wearing super short shorts. It's just not gonna happen. I am embracing my thirties and that means not having my butt or pockets hanging below the hem. Not that I wore shorts that were that short before, but still. Enough is enough! Give a girl some coverage already!
I am loving... learning from my friends. Whether it's about raising a baby, couponing, where to shop, anything! Just love it!
I appreciate... the Cowboy.
From the kitchen...I'm making THIS tonight and can't wait! Hopefully our Cafe Rio Pork Salad will be done in time to assemble for supper. (I made a crock pot lemon garlic chicken on Tuesday which was great for leftovers. I feel like crock pots are for winter cooking, but need to find more spring/summer recipes. It's getting too hot already to heat the oven/stove all evening!)
One of my favorite things... March Madness! Well, the first weekend, when I actually have a chance. I guess I still do as my final four is still in tact. I was a complete failure in the second round. I just like having the games on even as background noise if I can't sit down to watch them.
I am grateful...that I got on the computer to write this. Otherwise I would have forgotten to put the pork for dinner in the crock pot.
I am thinking about... what shoes I might wear today in honor of my friend Kim's birthday! I will take a pic later for fb, so maybe will post here as well.
What I dreamed this week ... something awful again last night! It involved a pair of people currently trying to sabotage the life of a family member. I just gave it up to God.
I am praying...for the good fight.
Shrimp... is eating lots and lots. He loves feeding himself, and I could watch him do it all day. He's loving shredded cheese, pasta, and of course PUFFS!
What I realized... I am not cut out for volunteering for first grade CCE right now. Not without a partner.
Planning for the weekend.. Hopefully lots of chilling out! On Sunday I am hosting a Scentsy party and will need to get a few appetizers ready, but I can't wait to see my friends coming and hear Nowak's pitch. She's going to be great! Cowboy is in charge of The Sheriff for the afternoon. Hopefully they get some good male bonding in over bball.
A picture thought I am sharing...
 | |
| Lady Bugs--they are everywhere in our yard! |
 |
| Don't worry. Be happy. I won't leave you without a Sheriff fix. |
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Blogging and Such (Such being Cauliflower Puree? Why yes.)
Yesterday I had a great discussion with our instructor at The Little Gym about couponing, and we have a great friend who sometimes gets paid to shop. I try to work with coupons, but let's be honest, I suck at it! I was asking her about how much time it takes and what sort of effort because it seems that to fit something else in each day would just be impossible. Our discussion ended with the idea that if you are interested in something, you'll do it; you'll make time for it.
Then I saw a friend from our mom's group today at Mother Goose at the library who mentioned that she had been reading my blog. My little heart smiled! A new reader!
But, she also mentioned that she couldn't imagine finding the time. She asked about The Sheriff's sleeping and if that allowed me time to post. It brought me back to our coupon discussion, and I realized I want to do it. I like doing it. It chills me out. It excites me. It's something that's mine.
I don't know who's reading all of the time; in fact, sometimes I wonder if anyone's reading, and that's ok. I still enjoy it. It still chills me out. It still excites me. It's still mine.
To be fair, I love sweet comments or a "that was a good post" from the Cowboy, but I'd write without these.
And what would you do without my recipe recs right? (How about that seg?) Tonight I tried a mashed potato substitute. Well, it wasn't really a sub, but just trying something different. This cauliflower puree was...interesting. I enjoyed it and would love to feed it to The Sheriff, but with the butter and cream, just not so sure yet.
Unfortunately it was cold by the time we got to eat it, and both of us thought it would taste much better hot. Obviously. Anyway, try it. I'd make it again!
Then I saw a friend from our mom's group today at Mother Goose at the library who mentioned that she had been reading my blog. My little heart smiled! A new reader!
But, she also mentioned that she couldn't imagine finding the time. She asked about The Sheriff's sleeping and if that allowed me time to post. It brought me back to our coupon discussion, and I realized I want to do it. I like doing it. It chills me out. It excites me. It's something that's mine.
I don't know who's reading all of the time; in fact, sometimes I wonder if anyone's reading, and that's ok. I still enjoy it. It still chills me out. It still excites me. It's still mine.
To be fair, I love sweet comments or a "that was a good post" from the Cowboy, but I'd write without these.
And what would you do without my recipe recs right? (How about that seg?) Tonight I tried a mashed potato substitute. Well, it wasn't really a sub, but just trying something different. This cauliflower puree was...interesting. I enjoyed it and would love to feed it to The Sheriff, but with the butter and cream, just not so sure yet.
Unfortunately it was cold by the time we got to eat it, and both of us thought it would taste much better hot. Obviously. Anyway, try it. I'd make it again!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday Seven
1. I write Lea and Perrin's on my grocery list because I don't want to think about spelling "Worcestershire."
2. I have line anxiety. While waiting for the baby garage sale to open yesterday I was the last person in line for what felt like 10 minutes. I think it was more like 2 or 3. I do not like being the last person in a line. I feel like I have no control over my fate, whatever it may be for, and it makes me really uncomfortable.
3. Said garage sale--loved it! I would have spent more time and money there but didn't want to go all out on my first baby garage sale venture. I did score a few new "stand-up" toys for this growing, mobile kiddos some great 12 month summer outfits in perfect condition for The Sheriff to find a way to dirty with peas, mud, boogies, or something. This could be my new hobby.
4. I am 83% into Great Expectations. (Sorry for percentage and not page number. I haven't updated ye ole Kindle yet.) I tried reading it once before and just could not make it through. BUT, I love it! I will always be a Tale of Two Cities girl, but GE is a great runner-up.
5. "How's your NCAA bracket Cowgirl?" Don't ask. At this point I'm hoping for the lowest score as to get my buy-in back to play again next year. I am cheering on the Cowboy though who only lost one game on day 2, and I'm hoping he's going to bring home the bacon so Momma can do some more garage sale shopping!
6. I'm hosting a Scentsy party in a week and can't wait. This is a first for me, and I'm so excited to support Erin of The Nowak Love Shack! If you are in the Houston area and want to come, please email me. If you want to order online with our party's order, also let me know.
7. Disappointed that you had to read all of this without a Sheriff pic? Ok, ok. I will satisfy the masses. This is one of my garage sale grabs. It's not the best pic, but he loves playing with it and unfortunately, moves so much that getting a good shot is getting tough! Note his LA Tech outfit that he rocked to the crawfish boil. Those pics coming soon! Stay tuned!
2. I have line anxiety. While waiting for the baby garage sale to open yesterday I was the last person in line for what felt like 10 minutes. I think it was more like 2 or 3. I do not like being the last person in a line. I feel like I have no control over my fate, whatever it may be for, and it makes me really uncomfortable.
3. Said garage sale--loved it! I would have spent more time and money there but didn't want to go all out on my first baby garage sale venture. I did score a few new "stand-up" toys for this growing, mobile kiddos some great 12 month summer outfits in perfect condition for The Sheriff to find a way to dirty with peas, mud, boogies, or something. This could be my new hobby.
4. I am 83% into Great Expectations. (Sorry for percentage and not page number. I haven't updated ye ole Kindle yet.) I tried reading it once before and just could not make it through. BUT, I love it! I will always be a Tale of Two Cities girl, but GE is a great runner-up.
5. "How's your NCAA bracket Cowgirl?" Don't ask. At this point I'm hoping for the lowest score as to get my buy-in back to play again next year. I am cheering on the Cowboy though who only lost one game on day 2, and I'm hoping he's going to bring home the bacon so Momma can do some more garage sale shopping!
6. I'm hosting a Scentsy party in a week and can't wait. This is a first for me, and I'm so excited to support Erin of The Nowak Love Shack! If you are in the Houston area and want to come, please email me. If you want to order online with our party's order, also let me know.
7. Disappointed that you had to read all of this without a Sheriff pic? Ok, ok. I will satisfy the masses. This is one of my garage sale grabs. It's not the best pic, but he loves playing with it and unfortunately, moves so much that getting a good shot is getting tough! Note his LA Tech outfit that he rocked to the crawfish boil. Those pics coming soon! Stay tuned!
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