Hey Ya'll! Guess what we FINALLY have? WIRELESS INTERNET! Yes, we've gone THIS long without it. We had it before, but in the process of moving, something happened to our router, and we never had it set back up. This may be suprising considering my family owns a Computer business, but nontheless, we've been Dial-up rejects for this long. At this moment, I am laying in bed blogging on the laptop, not sitting in front of the Desktop computer, and must I say....it's a fabulous & relaxing thing! Which may contribute to a blog filled with nothing special, but lots of pictures :)
If you don't live under a rock & you read my blog, you know that we are taking a trip to Canada in just a few days.. We're down to the single digit countdown leading up to our trip: 7 SHORT DAYS! If you haven't realized it already, travel time has been rather slim since Cash-man came around. In fact, aside from a quick weekend getaway to the riverwalk in San Antonio, and trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, we've yet to take any major vacations since he was born. I don't know if it's because I'm my mother's child, but my idea of a "vacation" usually includes one or more of the following things: Margaritas, Major tan lines and Mexican food. Although we didn't particularly choose Canada as our premier destination (J's cousin is getting married there!) I'm starting to reeeallly warm up to the fact that we're going there. In fact, I'm ECSTATIC. I can get plenty of Mexican food right up the street, not to mention..
Yep, I'll take it! So in just a few short days, we'll be boarding this plane:
Which leads me to my next topic...CASH'S FIRST FLIGHT! I've been having some anxiety issues over it for the last few days for a couple of reasons..
1) I was torn between whether to bring Cash's car seat onboard
2) I was frantic over him sitting still & collected throughout a 2 1/2 hr flight
3) I wanted to find JUST the right items to keep him occupied on the plane.
Well, all 3 of those problems are solved. We decided we are DEFINITELY bringing Cash's car seat onboard, after talking to the airline company, and inquiring about it in a Facebook post to my friends. I feel like I would be much more at ease if I knew he was strapped as safely as possible. The though of him in a big boy seatbelt ON A PLANE totally skeeves me out, so we found this to be the best solution. Coincidently, our flight leaves during/around naptime, so we COULD POSSIBLY be set for the 2 1/2 hour flight (pray for us!) If he IS up however, which seems highly likely due to his extreme "independence" lately, I went a little flight-crazy and got a ton of carry on toys/games to fill up the time. Here's some of my finds:
1. CHICKEN SOCKS TOTALLY TAPE BOOK.
- Because Cash loves tape. ALOT.
2. DICK & JANE: UP & AWAY COLORING BOOK
- Because I loved these classic books as a child, and I'm going to force Cash to love them too.
3. ANIMAL FINGER PUPPETS
- Because they make Cash laugh.
4. GOING ON A PLANE (USBORNE FIRST EXPERIENCES BOOK)
- Because these always introduce "first experiences" in such a cute manner.
I've also got fruit snacks, granola bars & bubble gum for DAYS prepared. Clearly, I'm ready. So ready, I could probably fly the plane for us...but let's not take any chances
If you have ANY tips for flying with toddlers, puh-leeeez send them my way!
Meanwhile, after Canada..there's a TON going on in August. Yes, my Cheer studio will be opening but it's also MY BIRRRTTTHHHHDAAAYYY! Since this blog is turning into the "List Blog" here's some of my wants for my birthday this year. Some are realistic, and others are, of course, a little on the far-fetched side. After looking over these things, I've come to the realization that I'm an old woman.. Carrying on..
1. THIS Galvanized Tiered Serving Tray
2. THIS Custom Apron. DYING!
3. THIS Drink Dispenser
4. THIS Monogrammed Floppy Sun Hat (color change)
5. THIS Rose Gold Michael Kors Watch...yum.
6. THESE Nude Peep Toe Louboutin's...
7. And last, but certaintly not least...my ring. In case you were wondering, this is an "exclusive" (ha) blurry motion cell phone shot of the ring we chose when we went "ring browsing" a month ago. All other items listed can be completely diminished if this gift is in line.
By now, you are all probably scrolling to exit your way off of this page. I know I've been boring & meaningless, but fear not, I come bearing food.
But not quite yet. I'm still half full of completely meaningless thoughts. Oh, here they come now!!
1. I love school supplies! I know most kids hated seeing the school supplies aisles arrive in stores, because it meant that Summer was slowly coming to an end, but I absolutely LOVED it. I've always been a closet nerd, (some years were less closeted than others) but President of the Lisa Frank fan club HAS to love school supplies, right? (It was 3rd grade. don'tjudge.)
2. I have a love/hate relationship with Starbucks' Old Fashioned Cake Donuts. LOVE, because they are the greatest tasting breakfast, dessert, (lunch, dinner..) of all time. HATE, because they are the #1 contributer to my Bubble Butt.
3. I'm loving homemade sugar scrubs for Summer. There's nothing like using NATURAL ingredients that really work. I love knowing what I'm putting into my body when I eat, and what I'm using on my body to exfoliate/moisturize. This brown sugar scrub is TO DIE FOR. 2 cups brown sugar, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. WAM BAM!
4. I hate when people use the word "both" but pronounce it "BOLTH", and when people use the word "library" but pronounce it "LIE BERRY." I hate when the big mama's on Toddlers & Tiaras slave over the chance of their daughter winning a "beauty" pageant, because they're not confident with themselves. I hate when people try too hard to be quirky or unique. Ew. I hate when people wear snow boots with shorts, sweaters with sun dresses, or scarves in the Summer. I hate when people try to depict the perfect relationship. Nothing is perfect. Except maybe Cash...
5. IS IT CHRISTMAS YET?!?!?!?!?!
Ahhhh this picture just melts my heart. I love me some Christmastime & wish it wasn't 30294823 months away. Dear Santa, can you make my Christmas living room look like THIS this year?
Oh wait, I almost forgot...YOU CAN'T. Because of THIS little mischievious Christmas elf who lives to destroy anything white that he can get his hands on...
Okay I'm done..
NOW....FOR....FOOOOOOOOD!
I made this Barbecued Shrimp recipe on a whim. I had the ingredients in my house, and I watched a video tutorial of Martha Stewart's chef making it, and almost died. It's a classic recipe from Pascal Manale's in New Orleans, and I can assure you that it tasted EVEN BETTER than it looks/smells. This recipe is tricky because it basically consists of only shrimp/sauce. Although I wanted to make a pot of rice to go with it or something, I realized that serving it with a big baguette of crusty bread for dipping was the ONLY way to go. PLEEEEEEASE, if you try ANYTHING on my blog, try THIS! I cooked it twice in one week because we were craving it again! YUM
LOUISIANA BARBECUED SHRIMP
NEED:
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons), rinds reserved and sliced
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
11/2 teaspoons hot sauce, (I used Lousiana Hot Sauce!)
1 pound (about 30) medium to large shrimp, peeled, heads (optional) and tails on
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
Baguette, for serving
ADDED INGREDIENT:
TexJoy Crawfish Boil seasoning
STEPS:
1.Heat a 12-inch skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat. Add butter, and cook until melted and foamy. Add garlic, rosemary, and lemon juice and rinds. Stir in Worcestershire and hot sauces, and bring to a simmer.
2.Season shrimp with salt and pepper (This is where I added the Crawfish Boil seasoning. We like a little added "kick" in our house, and the seasoning worked PERFECTLY with the other flavors. Coat & toss, just don't use too much!) ; add to skillet. Cook until pink and firm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with pepper. Serve with baguette.
If you're looking for the perfect "comfort" dessert on a rainy day, this is it. HANDS DOWN! My Papa has some pear trees in his yard, so we're always furnished with a ton of fresh pears when in season. I can't WAIT to try this recipe with those! Something about baked apples is SO comforting. The smell this fills your house with is almost as good as eating it!
WARM APPLE CRISP
NEED:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
3 pounds apples, such as Empire, Gala, or Braeburn, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
STEPS:
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Cut butter into flour, using a pastry blender or two knives, until mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add oats, and use your hands to toss and squeeze mixture until large, moist clumps form. Transfer to freezer to chill while you prepare apples.
2.In another large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart baking dish, and sprinkle with topping mixture. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until golden and bubbling, 55 to 65 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Last but certainly not least, EVERYBODY knows I love a good "vino", and I made homemade Sangria for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It was fresh, amazing, and oh so Summery! If you've never made it before, I HIGHLY suggest trying this recipe..lovelove.
WHITE SANGRIA
NEED:
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/2 cup cognac
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced
1 peach or nectarine, pitted and thinly sliced
1 red apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 to 2 plums, pitted and thinly sliced
2 bottles (750 mL) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, chilled
Ice cubes, for serving
STEPS:
1.In a large pitcher, stir sugar and cognac until well combined. Stir in fruit slices until fully coated; let stand, refrigerated, overnight.
2.Add wine to pitcher and stir until well combined. Serve sangria over ice.
Earlier tonight, my heart melted when I heard J in Cash's room, reading him a bedtime story. That's usually MY job: I bathe him, read him a story, then we switch and J talks to him for a bit, then tucks him in. Tonight, I was just about to turn the corner to go in for our nightly routine, when I heard Cash say "Book?" and then sit down with J. My heart was full...However, my boys are somewhat like the Sour Patch commercials, only reversed. First they're sweet. Then they're sour. I knew that the sweetness couldn't last forever... He started reading the lines of the bedtime story:
"Warm blanket.."
"Comfy Pajamas"
"Big Pillow"
"Fuzzy Slippers...wait. Hold up. Fuzzy Slippers? Is this a chick book?"
No comments:
Post a Comment