Friday, November 25, 2011

Even More Thanks

11.19.11: I am thankful for Saturdays at home.

11.20.11: I am thankful for my Barton Girls.
{my college bffs}

11.21.11: I am thankful for technology 
and staying connected to family and friends.
{one friend translated this as: I am thankful for texting and so I don't have to actually pick up the phone!
I added: Also, for fb so family can watch SBJ grow through pictures!} 
 
11.22.11: I am thankful for Play Date.
{drop-off child care}

11.23.11: I am thankful for my car.

11.24.11: I am thankful for delicious food. {...and stretchy pants!}


Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The B in SBJ...

For nearly 3 years,
the "B"
in SBJ
has stood
for "baby"....
now, it stands for 
"BROTHER!"
Our "Sweet Baby"
will be a big brother
around May 2012!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Thanks for lunch...

SBJ had a Thanksgiving Feast 
at school today, 
so we had a light 
Muffin Tin Thanksgiving lunch
when he got home.

 Cheese,
Veggie chips,
Turkey,
Pumpkin dessert


Happy Thanksgiving!


Muffintinmom.com

Friday, November 18, 2011

More Thanks

Happy Thankful Thursday!
{yes, I know it is Friday...we have had a lot going on, again}
Here is my week in thanks...

11.11.11: I am thankful for my freedom 
and all the veterans that selflessly defend it.

 11.12.11: I am thankful for The Treehouse.

11.13.11: I am thankful for faith, forgiveness, and abiding love.

 11.14.11: I am thankful for my Grandmother
and all the wonderful memories I have with her.

11.15.11: I am thankful for MOPS.

 11.16.11: I am thankful for my mommy-bffs.

11.17.11: I am thankful for everyone's 
prayers, calls, and messages this week.
Here is an update:
~My grandmother's burial is today in Tampa.
I am sad I cannot be there,
but we will have a memorial service 
when we are all together next month.
~The hubs is recovering from shoulder surgery.
He is still in pain, but resting.

11.18.11: I am thankful for the little town I live in.
{wouldn't the girl that hated it here 13 years ago be surprised}




Monday, November 14, 2011

Triangles

Happy Monday!

The shape of the month 
at SBJ's school
is Triangle.
So we had a
semi-lame
attempt at a 
Triangle Muffin Tin Dinner
last week.
Basically it was just dinner in
triangle muffin cups...
Strawberry Applesauce
Cheese triagles
Taco Soup

Muffintinmom.com

Friday, November 11, 2011

Bedside Table

I have still been working on Forgetting the Before...but we have had several "family-things" come up as well as a super busy schedule {seriously, when is life not busy!?}.


Recently, I worked on the top drawer of my bedside table. It had become a "catch-all" for the hubs' "stuff"...so I took all of that out and put in the things that I wanted next to the bed for me. I have my iPad charger in a glass prep-bowl, iPad, current book, current devotion, pens, and notebooks. There is even room if I find that there are other things I need to have.



This post is a part of the 52 Weeks of Organizing challenge I am doing with I'm an Organizing Junkie

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Thankful Month continued

11.4.11: I am thankful for my boys ~ the hubs, sbj, and Howey.
11.5.11: I am thankful for my old school boys. 
11.6.11: I am thankful for my bfitwww and my 1920.
 11.7.11: Today I choose to be thankful for a messy house. It means that we are having fun and staying busy. There are certainly days I wish it was clean, but that wouldn't be a lot of fun for any of us.
 11.8.11: I am thankful for the new little accent SBJ has picked up. 
11.9.11: I am thankful for pecans. 
{JWC fundraiser-time}

11.10.11: I am thankful for my mama and daddy-o.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Amazon

I have always
been a fan of gift registries.
I think they are genius.
For years I have wished I could 
register for and and all occasions.


Now, thanks to Amazon.com,
I have an online Wish List
that I can share with family and friends!
So. Smart.

I have even started 
a private wish list
where I will gather gift ideas
for friends and family!

I know some people 
aren't big fans of registries...
but I think they are fantastic!
They help take the guess-work out...
and for some of the items of my list
they are just for "inspiration"
~ I have found something
online and noted,
"I like this, but doesn't have to be exact."

Also, I think this is so much
nicer-easier-better
than sending family 
a list of gift ideas.

So, thank you Amazon
for helping make some of 
my Want-It Wishes come true!
ps. Amazon doesn't know me, only my online account. I wrote this post only because I am loving the 
Wish List idea...not for any Amazon-sponsored reason! :)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Fall List

...well, a few things
on our Fall Wagon List
have gotten done 
and a few have not.
{so far} 

We did:
Go to the Pumpkin Patch
Go to Woodbine

 Go apple picking Sort of
went to the farm and picking season was over...
so we picked from the bins.

We did not:
Go to the Hot Air Balloon Festival
{it was the same weekend we went to Woodbine}
 
Visit a Fire Station
{but a few Firemen, Sparky the "dog", and the Fire Truck did come to school}

Oh well, will move them
to the list for next year!


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thankful Month

For the 3rd year,
on Facebook,
I am doing a daily
"I am thankful" post.
So for Thankful Thursdays 
this month,
I will do a recap
and include photos when I can!
11.1.11: I am thankful for awesome bils, sils, and sil2bs!
11.2.11: I am thankful for SBJ's little preschool.
 11.3.11: I am thankful for SLEEP!

I hope you have a blessed, thankful month!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Life

For today's Want it Wednesday
I am going pretty simple.
I want a long,
happy,
fulfulling
life...
for my family,
my friends,
and myself.

Who doesn't, right?

I love this photo
{taken 10+ years ago on a family trip to Maine}.
It only sort of has anything to do with the post.
I love how it captures happiness
especially the happiness of my Grandma in the background.
My thoughts are with my Grandma today.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

So far for Halloween,
we have had a performance and party at school
and a Muffin Tin Lunch!
We are looking forward to Trunk-or-Treating tonight!
Ghost Marshmellows
Halloween swirl-chip Brownie
"Spider" Cheese Sandwich
"Finger" Cheestos

Hope everyone has a Spooktacular Halloween!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Out of this World

Happy Monday!

For lunch today,
James is having
an Out of this World tin!
  Space Adventure Goldfish
Yogurt Star Cookies
Banana and Mandarin "Sun"
Mac n Cheese "Moons"
Yogurt covered Raisins "Moon Rocks"

Muffin Tin Monday at Muffintinmom.com

Hope your week is "out of this world!"

Friday, October 7, 2011

Accessories

I am still working on "Forgetting the Before" in several areas of our home.
Recently, I found a new way to organize my accessories.

This organizer actually came out of my childhood closet. It was a light wood color, hung the other way (up and down), and was used for bags and purses.

Now it has been painted white, hangs side ways, and is used for evening bags, jewelry bags, fun necklaces and bracelets, belts, scarves, and a few baseball hats.

I. LOVE. It!



This post is a part of the 52 Weeks of Organizing challenge I am doing with I'm an Organizing Junkie

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I heart Fla

It has been awhile since 
I have done a 
Want it Wednesday.
Nothing has really been 
on my mind enough to want it...
However, I recently found a necklace
on etsy that I WANT!

{of course, my heart would be on the west coast, by Tampa}

The shop is currently closed...
but I am hoping it will open soon 
so I can order this! 



Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Bedtime

Today's Tuesday Toss Up
is a confession.
I am trying to come up with a 
weekly cleaning schedule...
(ps. I h.a.t.e. cleaning)
the only one that has really stuck is
Monday: change/wash bed sheets, towels, rugs
...until yesterday.
I got the sheets off the bed
and into the washer/dryer...
then other things came up,
fun-important things....
(date night with sbj, meeting for MOPS,
visit with friends that watched sbj)
so my Monday chore got only
partially done:
Yep, this is our bed as it looks at this moment
(Tuesday afternoon).
I totally slept in the guest room last night 
and the hubs slept on the couch...
maybe one day I will 
have-keep-love a schedule/routine?!?!?!



Monday, October 3, 2011

Pumpkin Lunch

It is hard to believe that 
it is OCTOBER!
We started the month off
with a visit to a local farm for a 
hayride, bouncey house, and pumpkin patch.
For lunch I made a pumpkin muffin "tin."
Pumpkin seeds
Veggie chips
Pumpkin shaped PB&J
Candy Corn
I used our new Halloween plate {$1 section at Target},
pumpkin cookie cutter,
and pumpkin shaped cupcake cups.

Muffintinmom.com

Monday, September 26, 2011

It's Fall, yall!

Happy Fall!
To celebrate the new season,
SBJ had a fall muffin tin lunch.
Leaf and Acorn PB&J
Pumpkin seeds
Bugles (horns of plenty)
Autumn M&Ms with candy corn
Apple shaped apple slices


Muffin Tin Monday at Muffintinmom.com

Friday, September 23, 2011

I haven't forgotten

Ah, my organizing challenge. 
It certainly took a back seat to my summer fun...
I haven't forgotten...although I did just have to go back and re-check my list.
It turns out that I have several projects that I have started, I just haven't completed for one excuse reason or another...with SBJ in school, I am getting back into the swing of working on and completing projects! I am still determined to finish my list of projects by the end of the year!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tortilla Soup

It is starting to feel like Fall!
I love the cooler temperatures,
the time spent outside,
the football games,
and THE SOUP!
 Here is a family fave...
 Uncle Marty's Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients:
2 whole roasted chickens (I like the Mesquite flavored rotisserie but any will do) - can be bought @ grocery store already cooked
6 cans 14 oz Butterball Chicken broth
5 cans 14 oz Del Monte Mexican Style or Fire Roasted w/ garlic Diced Tomatoes (Hunt’s)
2 cans Rotel Festival Diced Tomatoes w/ Lime Juice & Cilantro (3 if you want)
1 cup of Joe T. Garcia's Green Tomatillo Sauce (can be bought @ Kroger)
4 tsp fresh minced garlic (5 tsp if you like garlic)
4 tsp ground cumin
Ground chili powder
5 tbsp butter or margarine
1 bunch Cilantro (if you like cilantro get 2 bunches)
2 large white onions
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
Bag of Limes (usually 6-8 depending on how many you are feeding)
1 bag of Monterrey Jack Shredded Cheese
1 bag of Corn Tortillas (12 ct )

    Cook garlic in the butter in dutch oven or like container on med - high heat for 2 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent garlic from burning. Add 3 tsp cumin into garlic butter mixture and stir for about 1 minute. Add broth, diced tomatoes, rotel, tomatillo sauce, onions (chopped or sliced), bell peppers (chopped or sliced), 1 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves chopped w/o stems; 
    As the soup begins to cook, separate all the meat from the chickens and hand shred into soup; Bring to boil. Stir often. Reduce heat, add another 1 tbsp chili powder (optional), add 1 tsp cumin, cover for 30 - 45 minutes but stir often.
    Cut corn tortillas into 1/4" strips w/ knife (3 at a time works well for me), Slice limes into 4 quarters (hand roll each one before cutting to increase the juices). If you have a juicer use it w/ the limes. It creates more fresh lime juice.
    Remove from heat, ladle soup into bowl of your choice (I like a big one), squeeze 1 - 2 lime quarters into soup or pour fresh lime juice from the juicer (as much as you want to your taste), place tortilla strips on top of soup, sprinkle cilantro and cheese on top of soup ( as much as you like of each) and EAT EAT EAT!
Jalapeno cornbread is a great compliment   NO crackers allowed!

This will serve 15-20+ depending on the size of your bowls.

Note: I do a few things differently...I bake chicken breasts and shred them, I buy the "Hint of Lime" tortilla chips, I do not sprinkle cilantro on top of mine--but I do have it available...ENJOY!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday: Breakfast

We are not big breakfast eaters around here.
But I finally made SBJ a 
Breakfast Muffin Tin
before school last week!
Strawberry Vanilla Yogurt,
Blueberries,
Vitamin

Muffin Tin Monday at Muffintinmom.com

Friday, September 16, 2011

Forgetting the Before: Spicy

I have a confession.
When I showed you my pantry re-organization, I didn't show you the box of spices that I moved out of the photo! Ha!
 
I finally decided how to organize them...and I am so excited. I have seen all sorts of posts using the over the door/shoe organizer for things other than shoes! This works wonderfully!
I am thinking I will find more ways in other rooms to use this space-saving tool! 
Have you organized with one? What do you put in it?  



This post is a part of the 52 Weeks of Organizing challenge I am doing with I'm an Organizing Junkie

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Unofficial End

I suppose that with 
SBJ starting preschool,
it is the 
Unofficial End of Summer.
Goodbye, Sweet Summertime...
*sigh*
It was busy, 
but fabulous...
we didn't get to everything
on our Summer Bucket List
but we did have tons of fun!

I am working on our
Fall Wagon List...
in fact, some of the things 
we didn't get to this summer
will be bumped over to it! :)


FALL WAGON LIST
Zoo
Aquarium
Marbles Childrens Museum
Rocky Mount Childrens Museum
Treehouse
Apple picking
Corn Maze
Pumpkin Patch
Visit Fire Station
S'mores










Monday, September 12, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday: Back to...

SBJ started Preschool last week!
When he got home from his 1st day,
he had a special muffin tin lunch.

ABC gummy candy,
ABC cheezits, chocolate chip cookie, pepperoni,
papaya, ABC pasta, mandarin oranges

I am excited to start 
Back to School traditions...
{like a special lunch/meal on the 1st day}
and get Back to Routine,
it has been a crazy summer!

Muffin Tin Monday at Muffintinmom.com

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Ready to learn

*attention: I JUST realized that 
I titled this a Thankful Thursday...
but it is Wednesday, duh.

Today was SBJ's
first day of preschool!
School gear: Backpack, Folder, Lunch box, Sign for photos
From what I can tell,
he had an awesome day.
At drop off, he made one sad face
but then gave kisses and said good bye.
 He was excited at pick up
and told us all about his day!

After nap we are going to do a
It will include:
-piece of yarn to measure his height
-photo from this morning
-paper we will trace his hand and foot
(as he gets older we will start adding a Q/A section of current favorites)
...we will do the same thing on the last day of school 
to see how much he has grown!


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tuesday Toss Up: StartingTraditions

SBJ starts Preschool 
next week! 
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I have been looking online
for back to school ideas
and have found several we will do.
Today was Open House
and I used my first ideas:

The first one is
 a "Teacher's Aid" kit
I don't have all the crafty paper and ribbon...
{and I didn't see this printable until just now}
so the actual box wasn't so cute...
but the items in the kit are fun and functional!
 Items I included: colored paper clips, stickers,
sanitizer and band aids, 
mints and candy, post-it notes, pens

The second is a 
letter we gave SBJ's teachers.
I found the idea at The Blackberry Vine.
Again, I didn't see the printable until now,
but I did print it on cute, school-themed paper!
Dear Ms. _________________,  
I am so happy to be in your class this year. I know it is going to be so fun and I am going to learn so much!
When you have a few free minutes, would you please fill out this sheet for me and my family? We can’t wait to get to know you better!
Thank you,

When is your birthday? _______________________________________________________
Where do you like to eat? ____________________________________________________
What is your favorite afternoon drink? _______________________________________
What is your favorite morning drink? _________________________________________
What is your favorite candy? _________________________________________________
What is your favorite color? __________________________________________________
What is your favorite scent? __________________________________________________
What is your favorite magazine? ______________________________________________
What are your favorite shopping spots? _______________________________________
What are your hobbies? ______________________________________________________
Do you have any allergies? ____________________________________________________
Anything else we should know? _______________________________________________


Do you have any fun back to school traditions or ideas? 

Check out other ideas:

Monday, August 29, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday: Farmer's Market

We LOVE our weekly
Farmer's Market trips!
I recently decided to do a
muffin tin with all farmer's market food.
YUM!
Tomato sandwich
Blueberries and Nectarines
Boiled Peanuts (shelled)


Muffintinmom.com




Thursday, August 25, 2011

Thankful Thursday: 31


So, I turned 31 this weekend.
No biggie, really.
Always thankful for another year!

A special shout out and THANKS
to my mama and daddy
for giving me a birthday!



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Want it Wednesday: Healthy Habits

How do you create and stick to new habits?

I have a few 
new, healthy habits
I am going to work on soon.

I am thinking that I will ditch
New Year's resolutions
and start Back to School Goals...

1. Drink more water

2. Get up before SBJ and get my day started

3. Have a nightly routine and reasonable bedtime

4. Be more active
(possible a.m. workout &/or p.m. walk?)

5. Be less critical of others

Pretty beach photo, just because


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Change in Plans

My busy summer has had me in sort of a blogging-slump.
It has caused me to revisit my blog schedule....again!
For the most part, it is staying the same:
Muffin Tin Monday
Want it Wednesday
Thankful Thursday
Forgetting the Before/Friday Favorites
Cyber-less Sunday


The 2 days that are changing are Tuesday and Saturday.
Tuesday has been trouble from the start. Tasty Tuesday is fun, but I am finding that I don't always get good photos of my food and I don't like to share a recipe without a photo...sooooooo, I am going back to making it my "random" post day.
It will be "Tuesday Toss-Up"....I may share a tasty recipe or a totally fun idea or ways I try to be crafty or snippets from our travels, or just about anything else I think of!
Saturday is becoming Cyber-less also. I am keeping the weekend for family...not blogging.


Thanks for continuing to share in my blogging journey!


Monday, August 22, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday: Random

Home Sweet Home...
for a minute or two.

Sometimes it seems like 
we are on the road 
more than we are home.
While we are always having fun...
I miss home.

Random Muffin Tin Meal:
Tuna
Yogurt
Water
Pepperoni
Cucumber and Carrots with dressing
Watermelon

Muffin Tin Monday at Muffintinmom.com


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Want it Wednesday: Wordless-ish


As you can tell from the mess 
in and under
SBJ's carseat....
we have been traveling 
and busy the last few weeks.
Sorry I have neglected my blog...
but we are having fun!
Be back soon...





Thursday, August 11, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Potty Bag

I wasn't sure 
how our 10ish hour 
drive to Florida 
was going to be with a 
potty-training-2-year-old.

Then I thought to make a 
Potty Bag.
{I don't remember if I saw it somewhere or if I made it up, haha}
It was excellent...
and of course, so was he!
NO ACCIDENTS on the road!

Here is what was in the bag:
potty seat,
pull ups,
change of clothes,
Scrubbing Bubbles flushable wipes
(to clean the potty after going),
Cottonelle wipes
(to clean the boy after going, ha),
antibacterial hand wipes
(to clean our hands after going),
and treats for going:
only have Disney Cars silly bands left
also had some fruit snacks that were eaten!





Monday, August 8, 2011

Muffin Tin Monday: Car Rides

We have been with family
in Florida for the past 10 days!
The trip included 2 long car rides
{there and back}
and a few medium car rides
{to visit family, friends, and the beach}!!
So...
here is a Car Ride Muffin Tin:
Oreo "tire"
Disney Cars mac&cheese
Disney Cars fruit snacks
Carrot "traffic cones" with ranch
Watermelon "treats" 
{for the treats he got for his dry pullups along the way}


Happy Monday!
Muffintinmom.com

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Thankful Thursday: Undies

My child has been 
ridiculously awesome
for almost 3 years now...
but I can not even tell you
how THANKFUL I am
that he has been so
good at potty training!
Rock on, SBJ, in your cute little undies!