My Favorite Appetizer

I have lots of appetizers I love, but this is my go-to when I need to make a quick one.  Not only is it quick, but it also have just a few ingredients.  A bonus in my book.  To top it off, it's super delicious.  It's definite 'Add to the List' recipe.

Fast Bruschetta
French bread sliced thin
1 jar of pesto
1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
1 container of Feta Cheese

• Spread pesto evenly over each piece of bread
• Top with Roma tomotoes
• Sprinkle with Feta Cheese
• Bake @ 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes

That's it.  Go ahead, impress your guests at your next gathering.  Impress them even more by making your own pesto.  By the way, if you have a good pesto recipe pass it on!  I love pesto!

Wasted Time

With the new baby, we had to get a bigger car.  My Escape only fit 3 car seats across the back.  With Chunky Monkey and Little Nugget, I needed an extra row.  Since I planned on driving my Escape until the wheels fell off, it was hard to sell her, but it was a must.  A sacrifice I made for my family.  Good news is, I really like my new car. Don't you?

If you really believe this is my car, then I love you.  I wish this were my car.  Well, maybe not.  Anyway my car is not what this post is about.  Today I want to talk about all those wasted moments in the car we let pass us by.  I can't even count how many times I tune the radio to my favorite station to pretend I'm in my own adult world without three kids in tow in the back, but honestly that wastes so many opportunities to have the kids undivided attention.

Recently, I've started focusing on topics and games the kids and I can play to stimulate their little brains.  Here are a few of our favorite games...

• Name That Animal- We each take turns to describe an animal.  Once we're done, the other car riders take their guess.  Let's see if you can get mine.  This animal is a mammal.  It is covered in fur.  Lives on land, and often stays in trees.  It is one of the laziest animals on this Earth.  What's my animal?
• Name That Fruit,Vegetable, etc...-same concept as Name That Animal
• Categories-I name a category and the kids and I take turns naming things that fit into that category.  For example, we ran an quick errand today that was about 20 minutes.  Little Man asked if only boys could be Puerto Rican.  A perfect opportunity to play 'Who's a Puerto Rican'.  I realize this is probably not a game most of you would play, but I found it comical.  I started and named a person in our family (who is a female) that is a PR.  Then Little Man went, followed by Chunky Monkey, and Little Miss.  As the kids started figuring out who in our family is and is not a PR, I then started naming people who weren't so they could correct me. 
• I Spy-We only play this if I'm not driving and there's a picture book or magazine in the car.  Basically, I find an item on a particular page, hand it to the kids, and start giving clues.  Some clues are directional so the kids can work on the prepositions and directionality (like I spy something under the table), and other clues describe the actual item (like I spy a round, red object).

Really the possibilities are endless, but the point is I'm trying to focus on the kids.  I still take mental breaks here and there or I'd go crazy, but more and more I'm turning off the DVD player and turning on memories.  What are some games you play with your kids in the car?

Menu Monday

Monday-Marlboro Man's 2nd Favorite Sandwich with Homemade Fries
Tuesday-Mexican Casserole with Corn on the Cob
Wednesday-Tater Beef Bake, Herb Roasted Green Beans, and Parker Rolls
Thursday-BBQ Chicken Quarters, Perfect Potatoes Au Gratin, Salad
Friday-Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Sweet Potatoes
Saturday-Baslamic Bowtie Pasta, Herb Mix Salad, and Honey Butter French Bread
Sunday-Family Dinner

If you're thinking there are some repeats from last week, you are completely right.  Steven's Uncle Pete and his wife were in town from Chi-town and we did a lot of our meals at his mom's to spend time with them.  That means one thing...last week's menu items didn't get eaten.  Thankfully, the meals we did have here I was able to throw together all my fresh ingredients so they didn't go to waste.  Have I ever mentioned I hate throwing food out?  I do.  Now you know.  Now your life can continue, and you can have the best week ever.  Indoors of course.  It's too hot to even get the mail, but I feel a cold front coming on.  I may be crazy, but I'm going to start speaking of cooler weather and rain.  Watch.  It willl happen! I'm just believing it.

I Tried To Stay Away

It's true.  I tried to stay away, but the nonstop talk of it, drew me in.  Like a moth to a flame.  Like flies to my air conditioned house, it called to me and I answered.  It goes by the name of Pinterest, and I've already invested too many hours obsessing browsing over all the pretties.  I finally decided to jump into the deep end without a life jacket when I found out baby #3 was on its way. 
I signed up because this go round I want a gray and yellow room for the baby.   We all know I need help getting decorating done.  I have a clear picture of what I want, but finishing it out for the price I want to pay is the problem.  I figured if I had a 'board' to put all my ideas, I would hit my goal a little faster.  We shall see, my friends, we shall see.  Anyway, after only a few measely hours, I found this color pallet.  It's exactly what's been floating around in my head.

via Pinterest

designer not mentioned

Now that you know what I want, I'm enlisting all of you as my personal shoppers.  When you run across items that follow these colors and patterns, go ahead and buy it for me.  I promise I'll pay you back ;)  Seriously, if you do find items such as these, please let me know so I can start getting things gathered for Little Nugget's room.

Sweet Taco Salad

This recipe comes from my mom.  She made this for us growing up and it is delicious.  It's a great spin on the traditional taco salad.  I'll do my best to give you accurate measurements of the ingredients, but I've never made this from a traditional recipe.  It's always been a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Feel free to change up whatever.  That's what we do over here.

Sweet Taco Salad
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 packet taco seasoning
1 bag Fritos
1 can kidney beans or black beans
1 tomato, diced
1/2 cup green onions or regular onions, chopped
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Catalina dressing, to taste (I probably use 1/2 bottle)

• Cook beef until no longer pink.  Add taco seasoning and follow package directions.
• Allow meat to cool a little.  Meanwhile, drain and rinse beans.
• Combine beans, lettuce, onions, cheese, and tomatoes.
• Add meat and Fritos.
• Drizzle on Catalina dressing.  Toss and coat.

That's it.  I would suggest that if you want leftovers, you should keep the Fritos separate from the remaining ingredients.  Otherwise they get super nasty soggy, and no one wants that.  At least I don't.  I'm upchucking just thinking about it.

Hopefully I will have a picture for you soon.  I know I like to see what the dish actually looks like before I make it.

You Guessed It

Well, well, well.  It looks like I've got a bunch of geniuses that stop by.  You all figured out my clues.  Yes, we are EXPECTING our THIRD.  Yes, you read that right.  We will soon be outnumbered by children in this household.  How soon you ask?  February 26, 2012 is the estimated date.  I'm only about 8 weeks along, but it's hard 'holding it in' when it's your third, and I'm not talking about keeping it a secret.  I'm talking about literally holding in your stomach.  As much as I'd like to think I have a six pack to keep my pudge in, I don't.  So out pops baby #3.  Seriously, look at me already...

Okay, okay.  You got me.  That was when I was preggo with Little Miss, but that's how I feel already.  I'm just excited that I get to be big and pregnant during the winter months.  I'm calling it right now.  Our heating bill is going to go WAY down.  I already told Steven to get ready.  The heater will be set on 60 degrees!  The only plus to being large and in charge.

So there you have it.  Our big news.  Now I'm curious to know which reader fits into which category.  These are the interpreted looks we have received when telling our friends and family...

A)  That is so exciting. Children are such blessings.
B)  Wow!  Were you planning this?  You had the perfect family.  One boy and one girl.
C)  What!  Are you nuts?  You can't divide and conquer anymore. 
D)  We're really happy for you (secretly thinking: Glad it's not us).

Some Medical Advice

I know there are lots of different types of people that come from different types of backgrounds so I'm hoping some of you can help me out.  I've got something going on.  Here are my symptoms...

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Increased Appetite
• Drowsiness

These symptoms have affected me so much that I have not been able to keep my house clean like I like it, and my laundry pile is out of control.

Whatcha think is going on?  I need some medical advice!

One more thing...my boobs hurt too.  Not sure if that helps you out ;)