Sunday, November 28, 2010

A taste of the good life

I am truely a seasonal eater. I think it's wrong to have a salad in December (that's why they make soups). Now, if I was in Florida or California, my mind might be swayed as they have fresh fruits and veggies year round. And, no, I am not talking about the store bought kind!  So tonight, we made a very seasonal meal that was delicious and I feel it is my duty to share it with you.
Apple Sage Pork Chops



Apple Sage Pork Chops
1 1/2 tsp rubbed sage                                          1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic                                                                    4 Pork Chops
1 tsp. thyme leaves                                                    2 tblsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. all spice                                                         1 md. onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. paprkia                                                          2 red apples, thinly sliced
1 tblsp. flour                                                                 1/2 cup apple juice
                                                                                                1 tblsp. brown sugar
1. Combine first seven ingrediants in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with some of the seasoning, rub it in, if you'd like (I did).
2. Heat a large pan, then add oil. Cook porkchops until browned on both sides. Add onions and cook for about three minutes then add apples. Cook until desired doness.
3. Stir in juices, sugar and remaining seasoning until well mixed. Put porkchops back in until desired doness.

Our side dishes included: Apple Stuffing and Green Beans. Naturally, a baked sweet potato would go well here too!
Serves:4


Goodness

Her own little language

Finding home videos we didn't know existed has to be one of the best things in the world. I found one of our oldest recently from back when she was 2. Now I know this was only three years ago but WOW! We have come so far. I will share that one later, but today I have a recently made one of our youngest... this will haunt her!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Holiday spirit!

I want to talk more often... but life is so busy here lately. What a fabulous few days I have had though.
I haven't done school work in three days! I feel sinful!
I have enjoyed time with my little family of four. We watched the parade, made food and then as they layed down to take their naps I went to work.
Yummy food
Last night hubby and I shared our seventh anniversary. Looking at the two little girls and at our surroundings it's amazing to see how far we have come.

To celebrate, we traveled to Memphis for the night. Our original plan was to go ice skating at the zoo. After getting lost and then eating at the Flying Saucer we were a little late. Although it was disappointing, we decided to go to the Peabody Hotel. Place is awesome. And, yes, we even saw the ducks.

I enjoy the holidays- just about every one of em'. I find security in having BBQ or grilling on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. After living in Mississippi for two years, I even decorate and make King Cakes for Mardi Gras! And Halloween through New Years is no different.
Which is why I loved the decorations around the Peabody. They had gingerbread man that was the size of me (and a nutcracker) and one shaped as the Peabody itself. Let the holidays begin!
It took 3 lbs. of sugar to make this!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

What to expect

You will have to forgive me for a little while. I am a bit overwhelemed between full-time school, work and family life. I can get very frustrated and don't really know what to write about when I am in a grumpy mood.
I am a truely complexe person and from that aspect I wish I was a little more like my husband. He is so focused on what he enjoys doing. He works on cars for a living and then will still come home and either look for car parts or work on his car. I, on the other hand, am a jack of all trades with the desire to master them all.
I guess defenition of mastering them is relevent to the person as well. I don't have to know how to poach an egg (although I do) or anything too fancy in the cooking world.  My goal would be to make almost everything home-made.  I feel people are too busy to sit down and savor meals. I want to help bring us back to a simplier time. (I know, I know... kinda ironic considering how busy I am).
About a year and a half ago I began to cook for people. It was my way of showing that I loved them. A year ago, I hit that realization and took home-made cooking to a whole new level, cooking different things like (home-made) graham crackers, marshmallows, hot chocolate, cakes, icing, even ice-cream. I don't used box dinners as much anymore and even have made my own vanilla soda!

Homemade Graham Cracker
I will show you what I have learned and what I am learning... like how to make a fairy costume!

Veah in the fairy dress I made
Begining in January I will be showing step by step pics of my photoshop class. But for now, I am off to watch the Santa Clause!
Best Movie Ever!


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A little...

This is our story... for everyone, our daughters, my husband, me and generations to come.
This is me. I feel like a full time everything. Full time wife/mommy. My family motivates me in everything I do. I am a full time employee at Walmart, I work in the deli making yummy trays and slicing your meat five days a week. I also am a full time student, currently a freshman at the local community college. I am double majoring in communications and teaching k-6.
This  hansome man is my husband of almost seven years. We are about ten days away from the day I married the most wonderful man. About a year into our marriage I found out I was pregnant, and that little girl below him would be our first born.
She has my personality and her daddies brains... such a great child.

This is our punk kid Bre. She screams drama, doesn't she? Her daddies personality and I don't know who's looks. She loves to dance and hates when we have to leave her. Last I heard, she wants to work at Walmart like her mommy.
So that's our crew. Check up for  the latest on our beautiful life!