Flying High

*CAUTION*

If you are afraid of heights, you really need to skip over this post!

When I was little, you couldn't keep me right side up or on the ground.  I loved heights, and still do.  The rush.  The thrill.  My heart in my throat.  I love it all.  Now that I'm a mom, I see these traits in Little Miss.  It's a little eerie.  Okay, it's a lot eerie.  So when her daddy does this...

and this...

...it brings back memories.  I'm not afraid for her, she loves it.  Her daddy would never cause her any harm.  To be honest, it really doesn't look that high in person, but it's pretty amazing in pictures.  I love that she does not have a spirit of fear.  She's fearless.  Just how we prayed for our children.

I just love this one.  Her little fingers spread out.  The squeal of excitement. I love everything about it.

Menu Monday

This is THE week.  The week Little Miss and I are left to fend for ourselves.  The week I have been dreading.  At least I'm getting closer to it being over.  Now that sounds bad.  I am truly grateful to have alone time with LIttle Miss.  I'm gratful that Little Man and the men in his life will be able to have some quality time together, but that doesn't help the hole in my heart.  I just love them.  A lot. 

On a totally unrelated note, Steven is setting his alarm as I'm typing this.  The Black Eyed Peas' "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night" comes on.  He just said to me, "Now this would be a good song to wake up to."  Really?  And I'm considered the weirdo in the relationship.  Go figure.  Enough of real time.

Since the boys will be gone Thursday through Sunday, I only have a menu for Monday through Wednesday.  Little Mama and I plan on mooching off family.  They don't know it yet.  Heck, it might even be you.  I'm just sayin' don't be surprised if your doorbell rings at dinner time.

MENU:
Monday- Fish Tacos, Pico De Gallo, and Mexicorn
Tuesday-Spinach Stuffing Stuffed Chicken Breast (that's a lot of 'stuff'), Loaded Baked Potatoes, Steamed Veggies
Wednesday-Monterey Chicken, Cheesy Broccoli Hashbrown Bake

On a side note, I need your help!  Not for my mental stability, but for your favorite recipes!!!  So next time you're cooking up your favorite dish, take some pics and send them to wispclips@hotmail.com.  I need some guests blog posts people so don't be shy!

Happy Cooking!

Letters for Little Ones

We don't have a regular 'school' time around here, but we do educational things everyday.  I really try to not push a concentrated learning time.  I feel they are young and have a lot to learn through experiences they come across.  However, it has come time that Little Man is showing interest when I pull out the alphabet letters.  I've tried multiple times before, and he didn't want anything to do with my 'games'.  No biggie, we just worked on something else or played.  Now that he's ready, I'm super excited and he's doing very well.  Here's a little glimpse at his letter cards...

If you're curious as to why there are little smiley face stickers on the index letter cards, it's to show Little Man which way the letter goes.  The smiley face is always at the top.

After he's got quite a few of the letters down, we're going on a Letter Safari.  Hunting for the hidden letters around the house and capturing them.

Two Thirds of My Heart

In a couple of weeks, two thirds of my heart will be ripped out and taken 600+ miles away.  I'm not handling this very well.  There have been tears.  Quite a few tears.  I have no idea what I'll do when Little Man goes off to college. Well, I do have one idea that involves his other bunk bed.  He likes the idea now, but I'm sure he'll change his mind.  I mean, who wants to have their mom sleeping on the top bunk?

Back to my heart being ripped out...

A while back Steven and his brother decided to go see their cousin play football for his senior year.  Steven and I don't do well apart.  Mainly because we spent 4 years away from each other in college.  We feel we've put in our time. I completely understood why he wanted to go, but I was sad.  Then he added the next layer...he not only wanted to go, but he wanted to take Little Man so he wouldn't get homesick.  Say WHAT???   Essentially 2 out of my 3 closest loves will be gone for three nights and four days.  I am trying to look on the bright side.  This will be a great memory for Little Man and Steven.  Their first boys' only trip complete with his daddy, Uncle Ne, Chunky Monkey, and Papi.  He'll have a blast.  I, on the other hand, will have to survive at home with Little Miss.  Our survival will heavily rely on shopping sprees and pedicures.  That's just how we girls handle difficult situations.

Consquently, I don't think the boys will miss me too much.  I'm pretty much chopped liver to Little Man when Daddy's home.  They have way too much fun together!

Menu Monday

If you have read this blog for any period of time, you know I have a crush on The Pioneer Woman.  I love her wittiness.  Her food.  Her life story.  Everything about what she shares about herself.  So this week is dedicated to all the wonderful deliciousness created by Ree Drummond.

Monday-Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta
Tuesday-Sloppy Joes with Sweet Potato Fries
Wednesday-Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas I heart these!!!
Thursday-BBQ Chicken Pizza with homemade pizza crust
Friday-Spaghetti and Meatballs
Saturday-Shrimp Pasta in Foil
Sunday-Dinner at my Mama's!

After you try each of these recipes, you'll soon see why I love The Pioneer Woman.  When I grow up, I want to be just like her...at least what the persona she puts out there on the internet.

Happy Cooking!!!

Roasted Garlic for Dipping Bread

Just for the record, my fingers STILL smell like garlic this morning.  Do you know what it feels like to wake up and wonder, "Why does it smell like garlic in here?"  Only to realize you only smell garlic when your hands are near your face.  Then you smell your fingers to realize you never rinsed them with lemon juice to help with the stinch.  So, me and my stinky fingers are typing this post for you.  So your fingers can smell like garlic.  So you too can have some yummy Roasted Garlic with EVOO and seasonings.  You can thank me later.  Not for your stinky fingers, but for the dip. 

Roasted Garlic Dipping Oil
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
4 large cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
2 Tbsp Baslamic Vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
Salt to taste

• Take about a Tbsp of the evoo, and heat it in a sauce pan (doesn't take long). 
• Add minced garlic to pan.  After about a minute, stir constantly to prevent burning.  Allow the garlic to become golden, but not brown.
• Pour out contents of a pan on a paper towel and allow the garlic to 'dry' out.
• While garlic is 'drying', pour the remaining evoo onto a small plate.  Add Baslamic Vinegar and gently blend in with a fork.
• Add garlic and seasonings.
• Serve with toasted bread.  (I used French Bread toasted in the oven @ 400 degrees for 5 min.

I would have taken a picture, but one taste led to another.  You know how that goes.  Maybe next time.  Maybe.

UPDATE!!!  Here's a pic for you!

Happy Cooking!!!

What I've Learned...

I've had two hard lessons since becoming a stay at home.  Lesson #1 Pay Attention to Persistent Giggling,  and more recently, Lesson #2 Be Afraid of Silence.  Silence has always made me a little uneasy when it comes to kids.  It usually means they are up to no good.  Nonetheless, I've come to trust Little Miss in silence.  She often goes off by herself to play.  She's a bit of a loner.  Well, a loner who is physically attached to her mother.  Anyway, today she pulled a fast one on me.  Hence, Lesson #2...

She looks pretty, don't you think?