traveling nerds

Do we look like nerds or what?

Pretty sure I would win any contest for "WORST skier EVER"

This was one of the few times we skied when we lived above 7,000 ft.

I am too chicken and not coordinated enough. I crashed into a ravine....safe to say I won't ever ski again.

We are headed back to the place we lived for a year of our lives.

Have already planned where we are eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day that we are there.

My pants have gotten tighter just thinking about it.

party people

She put that hat on unassisted. Sat down, put the hat on...adjusted her bow and waited to eat her ice cream.

Two parties in one day. Back to back in the same place.

She had a blast.....

This picture shows something she inherited from me.

A massive forehead.

What a fun day.....

Filthy

That is what my upstairs was like. Filthy.

We have a room above our garage....the bird room....the guy room....turned into.....no one wants to clean room.

Now that the birds have moved out...I feel like I have 500+ square feet added to my life.

So, I cleaned....and cleaned....and scrubbed. And it was gross.

Birds are dirty. Dusty....and dirty.

While my bouncing off the walls active child painted 904 pictures, I cleaned.

No more bird dust....clean windows....and sunflower seedless carpet.

I do miss them...but, I love the clean room.

Treated for bugs, accidentally inhaled a little of it...and coughed my lungs out....but, I am ok.

Thanks for your concern.

Maybe it will be my place to watch chick flicks.....

Or, maybe not.

;)

Farewell friends...

Feathered friends that is.

Today was the day....the day we sent our parrots to live in bird paradise.

Loro & Verde
Loro even gave me birthday gifts. What bird does that?

Don't have any pictures of the little parrot...he never sat still enough for a photo.

We met "the bird lady" in Giddings, Texas today. The half way mark.

She got out of the car....and was dressed like a zoo keeper. Head to toe.

Her life is birds.......

We are so very thankful and happy they will live the rest of their 50 years in bird luxury.

So, if you are ever at the Horseshoe Bay Resort in the hill country....

Tell Loro and Verde we miss them...but know they are having fun.

sniff....

no dirty hands, please

My kid does not eat much. Not meaning picky...just meaning she isn't a huge eater....no large quantities. Clearly, she did not inherit that from her mother. You know, I did win a hot dog eating contest at church camp in the 7th grade....

She will try most anything.....within reason...and ONLY when she is really hungry.

Her obsession with artichokes brought tears at the grocery today. I was made to feel like an awful mom in the produce section this afternoon...I wouldn't buy my kid a $3.00 artichoke.

Yes, I am mean. But, I did serve one to her almost every night last week...so don't call the authorities.

I made lamb chops for dinner tonight. And she ate them like crazy. Notice the napkin on the bone....a certain 3 year old is not fond of dirty hands. Eats chocolate chip cookies the same way.

Did I make her that way? Hmmmmmm.....

The lamb I made tonight was SUPPOSED to be lamb chops. But, all they had was rack of lamb. The kind butcher gave me some for free since they didn't have what I wanted.

Recipe was out of last months Cooking Light. If you like lamb...you should make....it is yum!

Thats all for now....gotta clean the kitchen.

Boooooo.....

Chicken & what?

Fuzzy picture yes. Shorty and I went to a wedding last night. It was pretty fancy...fancy place....and fancy food. EXCEPT for the fried chicken and waffles.

Serious deliciousness.

So at the wedding last night, Shorty looked at me and said "you must make this for lunch tomorrow" So I did.

I made fried chicken tenders AND drumsticks....just like at the wedding.

Made waffles in the waffle iron....and heated up some syrup. Sounds bizarre doesn't it? Let me tell you....it is good.
I stored everything in a warm oven while I made fried chicken in batches and 2 waffles at a time.
Here is the final product. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and yummy.

If I don't get back to eating right...I might end up in trouble.....but, it was so worth it.

Thanks to the bride and groom for having such a unique display of food on their special day....so good that I copied it the very next day.

Try it sometime....I am sure you will be a fan.

Now, it is nap time.

Saved by the OCD

My OCD finally paid off. For all the times I recheck stuff, second guess myself, and make sure I locked the back door.

No need to call Discovery Health. I have normal every day OCD. Every one has it...just different things they obsess over.

Some people count stuff, check things, clean, and or collect.

I do a few of those...and I read labels of personal care products. Yes, I am crazy.

Every since I was little and could really read, I loved reading the back of face wash bottles, lotion, and medicine. I wanted to know what it was going to do for me. No harm in that, right? Once I read the bottle...I mean the whole thing...ingredients and all...I was done. Again, reason #2 NOT to call TLC.

So today...I bought some new shampoo. What nut reads the entire back of a shampoo bottle? (maybe you should call Discovery) Would make a good show after Hoarders.

I used the shampoo tonight and I read the entire set of directions. After "rinse and repeat"it said this "if you have colored, permed, tinted, or gray hair, rinse for 5 minutes."

5 MINUTES? Who does that?

But, I colored my hair not too long ago. For the first time. I was a virgin. SO, I wanted to preserve my beautiful plain brown hair.

Plug your ears if you are a tree hugger...I used 5 minutes of fresh clean water in vain...all to keep my stray gray hair from showing.

So my nutty habit saved me some cash. If I would have ruined my dye job over my dang shampoo...I would have been a mad hatter.

Read your labels. Even if makes you nutty like me.

Did I lock the back door? Wait, did I blow out that candle? What about the curling iron?

I hate diets.

How can you be on a diet when your kid's babysitter has a 16th birthday?

No, I did not make the cake. I am slacker Mom. Believe it or not, I got it a Wal-Mart. For 6 bucks...and it was delightful.

I had to quit the gym because my kid refused to go with me....and I am not going to go at 6 am (at least I am honest with myself) and not going to leave the family 4 nights a week to go do sit ups.

So, I am left with a few options. Eat healthy and jog around the neighborhood.

Boy, doesn't that sound enticing? Carrot sticks and running? BOOOO.

But, I am going to have to do it. Certainly notice a change since I stopped working out and have had my hand in the animal cracker bag too many times this week. Burn & cut calories...the only way to loose weight. I refuse to buy bigger sizes...not that I am at that point...but, just won't go there.

SO...back to the calculator I go.

Fun.

lessons please

Every Wednesday....I look forward to it every week.

Erases my mind....not that laundry and cooking....cleaning....and child care are pressing issues...but, it makes me totally relax. My mind thinks of nothing but riding that dang horse.

I grew up with a horse and have loved them ever since I can remember. I rode when we lived in Utah, and before I got pregnant with the little one. Now that she is in school a little longer...I have a little more time...one day a week....to do something I love.

This is the horse I rode today. Riding at a place called Tally Ho Farms. About 15 minutes from my house. Not the best picture...I will get a better one next week. I am sure you are all just dying to see it. Most of you love horses so much. ;)

Here is the description of the horse from the barn....for those of you interested...

"Surprise is an 8 yr old Cleveland Bay Cross. She has grown too much to be a pony and is a small horse now. She is a great lesson horse with miles and miles of patience. She has already been to several shows and is getting lots of ribbons, including a Reserve Champion. She almost always wins the hack class and has a beautiful jump. Surprise has been used in lessons for both intermediate and more advanced students. Easy to ride with great gaits she will be one of the student’s favorites."

The horse is named Surprise....cross between a huge horse and a small one...everyone was "Surprised" ;)

She jumps 4' + jumps.

Don't worry....I don't do that. Not yet at least. ;)

Just kidding Mom.

Important to do something you love. A hobby....something that is just for you. Sounds selfish maybe...but, it is good for everyone.

Tally Ho!

Glory week

I used to smoke. A bunch.

Then, I got pregnant, and I quit. Cold turkey.

I've been around the cancer sticks my whole life. All 4 of my grandparents smoked, my parents, my aunts, my uncles, my friends....

Slowly but surely, they all quit....most people in my life have stopped smoking.

My Dad quit after having the shocking news of "you've had a heart attack, and it was most likely caused by nicotene."

So, the one person I thought would smoke forever quit. He just put them down....and it makes me smile.

And he hasn't fallen off the all important wagon.

Now, another person has quit. I can safely say I have no more blood relatives who smoke.

And I couldn't be happier.

It is all about the person making the decision to quit. You can't tell someone to quit and fill their ear with all the nasty things cigarettes do, still does not work.

They will only quit when they are ready.

If you have never smoked, you will never know the power a little white stick can have over your life. And you will never understand what a huge accomplishment it is to finally quit.

That is why my post is called "Glory Week," That is how the "experts" refer to the first week you stop smoking...it is the toughest part....and the biggest accomplishment. Cold turkey.

So, here is to you Minnie....

Congratulations for making one of the best decisions of your life.

Way to go Mom & Dad.....

I love you!

I need therapy.

How incredibly embarrassing.

I just took a picture of the sad display of items that I call my wardrobe.

Last night...was "clean out the closet crazy lady style." Our bathtub was filled with disheveled, misshapen, and fugly clothes. Some Shorty's and some mine. And, the ones I got rid of were black.

Someone please call a therapist.

Organized things make me happy...so, my closet was not making me happy.

This photo is of my casual "Mom" shirts. Serious. What is wrong with me? Black, white, grey, and to change things up a bit....STRIPES! How exciting...

There is ONE blue sweater....on the right. I just bought it the other day at my new favorite place to shop. It was $15.00. What a big spender.

So...as I sit here in my grey tshirt....(that I found while cleaning out my closet) no one can have too many bland colored tshirts, right?

I am a stylin' girl.

If you ever need wardrobe advice, you know how to contact me. I am full of great ideas.

Just look in my closet.

Someone, please help me. ;)

THE muffins!

So...I finally figured it out. Remember those muffins I was talking about....the ones where the waiter told me what was in them...but no amounts?

I made the best replica I think I could have made. Except, I may add a little more baking soda next time....1 teaspoon more.

OK....

ALLISON'S Corn Jalapeno Muffins

(I can call them MINE because I made it up - right?) ;)

2 1/4 C Flour - do not sift

1 1/2 C Sugar

3 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1 1/4 C Milk

*Vegetable oil

1 TBS Vanilla Extract

3 Large Eggs

1 Stick Softened Butter

5 oz Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese (don't use the pre shredded kind)

6-8 oz Frozen Sweet Corn - cooked and drained

2-3 TBS Jalapenos - Diced kind in a jar - of course more = spicier

Combine four, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Fill Milk into a large measuring cup. Then, add just enough *vegetable oil to make it 1 1/3 cup.

Add the milk oil and mixture to the flour mixture. Cut in the butter, beat with hand mixer about a minute on medium. Then, add one egg at a time, then mix for another minute.

Stir in cheese, corn, and jalapenos.

I used baking cups in my muffin pan. SO much easier than greasing one.

Bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes...until a toothpick comes out clean.

ENJOY!

I would have taken a picture of one...but, I ate them all.

Let me know if you make them.....and then invite me over.

Love,

The Muffin Top Lady

it's party time people...

It has come and gone....my first party, people!

My lovely friends came to see what in the world I have gotten myself into. We played with jewelry, drank a glass of wine, and caught up seeing each other.

My girl, Kelly, is a "Star Stylist" with the company. She has every single piece of jewelry that she has earned or gotten free practically.

I am only just a starter here...so I don't have everything yet...but I will. Dang it, I WILL!

Several people already want to have parties for me....cause you get free goodies man!

In the past 2 days, I wore sparkly jewelry...and I didn't feel too silly. Made me feel a little sassy.

Not sure if that is a bad or a good thing....but I think it is the latter.

Off to order more fun stuff....

See, this is kinda fun. I told ya.