Sunday Sit-Downs

First, we sat down to this:

Yes, that's a helluva lotta ribs. Not my plate!

Joy of Cooking's Ribs + Zea Corn Grits = Must take a walk after dinner because you ate too much!

This meal was fantastic. Yes, there was a side salad, but let's be honest. Most of that was left in our bowls because we filled up on the real goods.

I've never been to Zea's but have heard fantastic things from my brother whose praise for these grits had me truly intrigued (our my word of the night by the way). Use this recipe straight from their site and then hop (in the spirit of Easter) over here for the ribs.

Ingredients:
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream
¼ stick butter
1 cup golden corn
1 cup yellow grits ( not instant)
Green onions for garnish
Instructions:
1. To grill corn, shuck off husk. Lightly butter corn cob and grill over charcoal or open fire until slightly blackened.
2. Cool corn and cut kernels from cob with sharp knife.
3. Bring chicken broth to a boil. Add heavy cream and return to boil.
4. Slowly whisk in the grits and then the corn.
5. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook 5 to 6 minutes.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions.


Then we sat down for the Game of Thrones premier on HBO which I was only a bit hesitant about only because Cowboy told me I wasn't going to like it as it's a bit Lord of the Rings-ish. Ok, noted.

But my problem with Lord of the Rings is how stinking long it is. I informed him that I can watch this series in delicious hour chunks instead of a 3+ movie.

I'm not particularly adept at movie/book reviews, most probably because I lose myself in them and let my brain go to mush and just get absorbed instead of thinking too much. I'm a terrible book club contributor, and it's "work" for me to teach English sometimes.  If you want something more put-together, try this review courtesy of Cowboy. 

The show itself hooked me right away (although literally quite gory to begin) with its drama, mystery (who are these White Walkers and what is the Wall?), and load of characters. While a little confusing to follow, I kept my mouth shut (you're welcome Cowboy), and Episode 1 was clear enough in its exposition to intrigue (yes again!) with a number and variety of characters and plots.

If you get truly upset about mistreatment of female characters, this isn't the show for you. It's a men run all, do all, make all, take all kind of show, but I believe well done in its execution as it draws sympathy for the women stuck in a time and place obviously different than our own. (And it's fiction. Come on.)

But there are cute puppies... :)


Are any of you watching?

Saturday Morning Scene "Eggstravaganza!"

I just realized that I haven't given Katie at Loves of Life a shout out for linking up on Saturdays (and I'm also one of the last ones to ever link up). I guess I busy myself on the weekends when there is an extra set of hands for playing with The Sheriff.

So this morning (well, early afternoon ok) we made our way to the city's Easter egg celebration. We had four, yes FOUR, possible Easter egg hunts/parties scheduled for today, so we packed our bags to meet Wyatt's friend Kailey (and her lovely parentals) for a fun play date complete with awkward holding Easter bunny and talks of the eggs having special adult treats for us.

And they're off!

Mine! All mine!

Let's see how many I can contaminate--wait, they said I can only take 6

Kailey's all "Dude, they're just eggs. You can't even have the candy."

Double Fistin'

Teething or what!

And finally, who needs a cute picture for longevity of our first Easter, when you can have this gem? I love his face!

I'm baaa-aack

I couldn't do it, couldn't last until the weekend. Thursday usually begins my weekend anyway, well sometimes Wednesday. What does that mean? Well, mostly that I don't mind putting on the Today Show for a few minutes in the morning while playing with the little guy. Lame, I know.

How was the week? Well, I didn't find myself teaching any new spiritual heights, but I learned that I am really bad at making myself stop to pray, meditate, listen, relax. I guess I use technology to do that, and I'm thinking God doesn't typically use those channels! Well, unless you consider that silly facebook question "If you love God, click like"a conversation with our Father.

So I kept myself busy, too busy, but I'm grateful that the week made me aware (again) of my inability to find quiet time, and I hope to make some changes.

What I did do was this:

Monday--cleaned my jewelry and baked delicious muffins for The Sheriff. The house smelled fantastic that afternoon, and this Momma ate them hot straight out of the oven. Did he think they were so delicious? Ummmm..... no. He isn't into much and I'm trying what seems like everything. Mommas of picky eaters help me out here! (I'll blog recipes from the week in a bit. Right now I'll just bore you with the rest of my week.)

On Tuesday I set out for another culinary adventure (for baby of course and recipe to follow), but more importantly, discovered my little water baby! (and unfortunately ended up with a terrible sunburn---Momma not baby. He was well protected with Ann's SPF 100 on top of Momma's SPF 55.)

This is a bit like the bath

But much more fun to splash!

And there's my ball

I think I shall go get it

I can't tell you much about Wednesday. I was supposed to write all of these things down, but that went out of the door as well. I did visit some HCHS friends with Wyatt and discovered his love for floral dresses that some of the seniors were wearing. Guess Momma needs to get on the fashion train!

Thursday began with me emailing (the one thing I didn't give up) the hubs that when he got home ended my technology free week, and actually, I didn't even wait that long. 5:00 began my weekend! During Holy Week next week I would really like to take some quiet time to pray and sit with God and not only step back from the computer but from all of life's busy-ness. I'm one of those people that likes a guide, book, devotional to follow, but that in itself is still "doing" something. I will seek the quiet and let myself just be.

BUT
before I go, I'd like to leave you with this Cowboy gem:

Me: Thanks for the help (getting the griddle out last weekend)
Cowboy: (without missing a beat) All you had to say was Oh Toodles.

Ciao For the Week

While I'm not one to talk too much about what I gave up for Lent, our priest posed a common penance of giving up electronic entertainment for a week. What!?!?!

Well, we're on board! I'm a little nervous about this and will be checking email as it's how I stay in touch with a great deal of family.  But what about my Google Reader? It's going to be insane when I get back!

I am looking forward to the time spent thinking and praying about my relationship with Jesus. The Gospel today about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus just got me thinking about how close I really am (am not) with Jesus. If he were alive, would we be friends? 

The Gospel reads, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz'arus" 

I know Jesus loves me as God the Father loves me, but am I taking the time to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him? Relationships take two. What am I giving? This week I hope to seek a bit more, learn a bit more, give a bit more, and in turn, learn to love a bit more.

See y'all next week, and I look forward to letting you know how God worked in my life while putting aside those distractions for a bit!

Saturday Morning Scene - "My Porch and My Mamie Jewels"

My mom, The Sheriff's Mamie Jewels, is in town visiting and we enjoyed Cowboy's yummy breakfast and some quality playtime on the porch. You gotta love some take it easy Saturday mornings! Our only missing picture is one of the coffee!

Sorry the pic came after it was half eaten, but gluten free with soy milk AND yummy!

This little piggy went to market

New toy! 123456789 10!

Friday Five (Picture heavy)

The Sheriff is slow to wake this morning, and I'm letting him sleep in. For all my love of schedules, if he gets off and wants to sleep past 7 or so, go ahead kid. I slept in a bit too. To be fair, he was up several times last night. Something's going on with "the routine" and his eating, so we need to get that figured out to avoid bottles at midnight. Now that I've bored you with those baby nuggets, let's hope I can entertain you further with the five things I'm thinking about right now. 

1. This week has been a busy one with my little social baby (or social Momma) and an activity every day. The highlights--play group at the park (where I realized I want to make him some baby muffins--see #2), meeting a blog friend  and her sweet kiddos (too many kids I suppose to realize that we both blog and neither took pictures! We didn't even photograph the "highlight" of the visit--Nicole meets red velvet cake balls), and a trip to The Children's Museum. And now the pics:

First stop--Big Ballin' in the pit. I have got to make one of these at home.

The excitement is palpable (sarcasm, but he really was in heaven)

Oh the germs. Mini panic attack

 And then we found this gem (which some older boy kept taking)

I got it back Momma.

Then we found some interesting wall toys that Daddy would be proud of.

 Our friend Liam showed us the giant Lite Bright (I know how to spell light, but I think the toy is spelled this way. Maybe I'm wrong.)

But really eating the sticks was much more fun.

 The boys found another cool ball with little balls inside that went crazy when you bounced it. It got The Sheriff through the tunnel.

Add caption

It made him so happy!

Momma, I really don't want to share this ball

 Then we found the purple one again

 And  in between we played in this truck with Charlie who apparently was not happy about sharing. He didn't cry about it and was happy to let Wyatt sit next to him it seemed. Pictures reveal the truth I see! Poor Charlie! (And he had a little British accent. Running through my head the entire time - "Charlie you bit me. That really hurt Charlie."

2. One more pic for you. This is for you Zerlein because it came out funny, and by funny I mean cross-eyed. Here's to raising babies and worrying about everything those doctors put on our plates. Document THAT on your computer!

3. This weekend I hope to make some baby finger food items. He's being a real challenge about eating, and I don't know if it's his age/boredom/wanting to play/stomach issues -- I have no clue. He loves Puffs and Gerber Cheetos, but a man cannot live on that now can he. So we will make some muffins, some sort of sandwich cut up, and even try some avocado/banana ice cream. Success, hopefully, and recipes to follow.

4. Just got an email from Oprah--yea Oprah, she knows me. Kidding of course, but I'm on her book club email list, NOT because I read all of her stuff, but she has books to watch for and it gives me good ideas of what's out there quickly.
Anyway, the subject line--105 titles to add to your reading wish list now.
Really Oprah? Or Oprah's staff? 105. How about 5?

5. I'm really praying about Psalm 127:3. I am so very grateful for The Sheriff. He truly is amazing, and he brings such joy to our lives, but he's teaching me as well. He's teaching me patience and love and humility. And he's only 9 months. This is the small stuff. There will be bad grades; there will be mistakes; there will be an emergency room visit when he, let's say, tries to kick a football with skates on. It's all part of the journey, and we are so blessed to be on the ride with him. Being honest, I love him more than anyway, but "it ain't easy!"

Lagniappe. Conversation of Late:
Me: If I take Wyatt in the stroller to feed the ducks by the church, will be he ok?
Cowboy: They're ducks not dragons!

Friday Fun (On Thursday. But I have a Minute)

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

TODAY:

Outside my window... the grass is green; the sun is shining; the breeze is blowing; let's have a picnic!

I am wondering... why I don't watch Ellen more often and if Cowboy is going to want to have a date night to see Scre4m.

I am watching... Ellen!

I am wearing... my newest mom shorts. Thank you "7 inch" Old Navy classics! I don't care. They are comfy, and I can crawl around with Wyatt in public (meaning the front yard I suppose) without feeling like I'm giving a show. Combine mom shorts with a short sleeve polo and Wyatt will think he's at summer camp when he wakes up with a counselor and not a momma.

I am loving... The Biggest Loser. Want to know a secret? I usually eat a bowl of ice cream while watching the first hour and end up doing some sort of workout the second. Guilt!

I appreciate... my mom driving up this weekend to visit. 

From the kitchen...Wyatt's Parrain is coming to visit, and you can't have a LA boy come to TX without treating him to some Mexican deliciousness. Lupe Tortilla, here we come!

One of my favorite things... Sweet Tart Jelly Beans for Easter. (Hint Cowboy)

I am grateful...For Cowboy instilling a tiny sense of direction in me when heading downtown. I'll get it one day in full.

I am thinking about... how we'll adjust The Sheriff's eating as he gets more into solids/baby food. (And now the bird noises coming from the fireplace. Are they in there?)

What I dreamed this week ... I actually don't remember. I have had trouble falling asleep so my REM sleep has been pretty hard.

I am praying...for myself. Selfish? Maybe. But I need patience now, and I don't think this need is going to lessen as we all grow up, so let's fix it now! Or is God even saying--be patient. I'll fix you!

Shrimp... is making fabulous grunts now among his shrieks, and he's always panted, but now he makes himself do it on purpose. Fun. 

What I realized... I need to go to bed earlier a couple nights a week.


Planning for the weekend.. Mamie Jewels will be in town for so much fun! I'm sure there will be a trip to the fabric store and some attempts at gluten free desserts. Bring on the party! :)



A picture thought I am sharing... SWEET SWEET SPRING

The dish mentioned here finally gets a pic.

Nanny, this is my fav!