A New Leaf….Need Help Turning

So I know of a couple of friends that do all of the grocery shopping and cooking over the weekend so that the whole week’s worth of food is planned and ready to assemble when they get home.  GREAT idea….LOVE the idea….want to DO the idea….but I must point out that neither of these incredibly sassy, put together, beautiful women have kiddos.  And as you mommy’s know, that translates into they can go to the store at any point in the weekend that they choose without packing a bag, a snack, and two bundles of joy…AND they do not have the littlest munchkin draped around their shins screaming “UP” for the entire cooking process…..god bless them:-)

BUT….I’m going to try.  I’m going to try so that I have a well stocked fridge and pantry any day of the week and will can could whip up something healthy and nutritious in a flash;-)  I have discovered “Quick Fix Meals” with Robin Miller on the Food Network channel and like her ideas – use them fairly often.  However she makes several meals that are less than kid friendly (and my kids eat like champs!) I am also trying to rediscover my crock pot, but Todd will only go for stew every great blizzard, and I just don’t have that many healthy recipes for the crock pot (I did discover a slow cooker section on my Weight Watchers site – don’t ask - no, it doesn’t work if you don’t actually count the points…)

So here is my plea to you…..send me your quick fix meals…your old stand-buys….your tips/tricks… or your fabulous website that you use every single week and; therefore, don’t have this problem….

Thanks

Dear LuLu and Pate Man…

Just a quick “thanks” for a really fun weekend.  For once in a long while, we had NOTHING planned.  It was just a really nice, decide on the fly, couple of days.

I really enjoyed the park (twice!) and the endless outside play.  You guys would rather be outside than ANYWHERE else and I love that about you.  It was fun to visit some of the grandparents.  Thanks for helping me cook and the hundreds of smiles and giggles.  I am reminded in subtle little ways when I see you run, Aggie, or I see you climb down the stairs and clap for yourself, Pate, that these sweet little moments pass way too quickly.  I LOVE you guys more than you will ever know. 

Thanks for an incredible weekend.  I cherish the time that we get to spend together.

Yummy Popcorn Treat

For some reason I was craving this treat the other day.  I found the recipe hidden way back in my e-mail files from a friend.  Emma and I made some when she stayed the night and ate WAY too much as we watched Michael Phelps fumble a bit on SNL.  It’s very simple, quick to make, and you probably have all the stuff in your pantry.

Caramal Popcorn (just in time for Halloween)

½ stick margarine (not butter)

½ Cup Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup

Pinch Baking Soda

5 Quarts Popcorn

I really have no idea what 5 quarts of popcorn means, but it works nicely with a normal size bag from the microwave.  Just melt it all together then put in the pinch of baking soda (this pulls it away from the sides of the pan so that you can pour) and pour over your popcorn.  YUMMY!

HINT:  Spray your tablespoon with Pam before the corn syrup so that it doesn’t stick!

 

Vacation Pictures

I can’t quite figure out how to embedd this, but here is the link.  Check out the vacation shots.  We had so much fun and I’m thrilled with some of the pictures!

Georgia Slideshow

We’re Baaack!

After an absolutely incredible week in Sea Island, Georgia.  We made it home, weathered the weekend, and are TOTALLY bummed to join the real world again!  I have soooo much to say about the week, but am just too tired tonight (it’s the crack of 9:00 by the way:-) ) to do it justice.  I promise to have pictures posted very soon and to tell you all about it. 

I can NOT say thank you enough to Bomba and Mr. B. for allowing us this opportunity.  I have always found the ocean incredibly humbling and to see the ocean through the eyes of my babies was even more so.  The time that we spent together was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life.  It reminded me, not so subtly, the innocence of children and their complete acceptance of the world as God intended.  What an amazing place, amazing family, and amazing love that I have for those babes!

Labor Day Delayed

I realize that this is a bit late, but we were invited (I totally could have invited myself and if I did….well, sorry!) to spend the weekend with my sister and her family for the long weekend.  We, as usualy, had a blast swimming, visiting, and playing some championship water volleyball!  Thanks for the extra hands and the wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath Time

I just couldn’t resist.  After several, SEVERAL unsuccesfull attempts, my kiddos finally have decided to both like the bath – at the same time.  This, makes life much easier in the Miller household and I’ve even found myself looking forward to it.  It seems like a nice warm bath (read crazy splashing and near drowning events) makes everyone in a good mood and ready a bit less resistant to putting on PJ’s!