By now you must know I love to cook. This time I attempted to make homemade refried beans.
I love Mexican food. I mean I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD!! My goal is to find some recipes I love that are healthy and tasty. My first attempt at that was making homemade pinto beans. It started by soaking my beans over night. I had no idea they would take so long to cook the next day. I printed out 3 different recipes, and picked out the things I like about each and went to work. 2 1/2 hours later they were done. Thank God I soaked them over night because once they were done, I was done, and wanted nothing more to do with refried beans. I was literally angry at those beans until I heard my girl's reaction to them. They loved them! To find something every one of my kids love, and want more of, was awesome. Not to mention the fact, they were very healthy. Thankfully they made a large containers worth, and I will have some for the week.
Next time I think I will cook them in a crock pot.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Day 60 ~ The Beginning of a New Chapter
It was the first day of work for my husband's new job. It began a new chapter in life.
I finally felt like I could exhale when he got home from work. The funny thing is, I never even realized I was holding my breath. We have had so many ups and downs the past three years, I guess I was a little nervous something would happen before his first day. When he came home, he said to me, "You can exhale now." I laughed. We were both smiling, I can honestly say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When things are rough, and something good comes along, it is hard to believe it is real. Could my husband really have found his career, could we really be OK now? We aren't going to lose the house, we all have insurance, retirement and life insurance, and we can pay the bills. Is this real? For so long, we took those things for granted, now it feels like a huge blessing in life. These past few years have been rough, but I know we have learned so much about us, our love, and hard work. We have also learned how to suck it up, and push through. What is new is a new chapter in our life. It will forever be marked as a new beginning. A new beginning with unlimited possibilities in life.
I finally felt like I could exhale when he got home from work. The funny thing is, I never even realized I was holding my breath. We have had so many ups and downs the past three years, I guess I was a little nervous something would happen before his first day. When he came home, he said to me, "You can exhale now." I laughed. We were both smiling, I can honestly say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. When things are rough, and something good comes along, it is hard to believe it is real. Could my husband really have found his career, could we really be OK now? We aren't going to lose the house, we all have insurance, retirement and life insurance, and we can pay the bills. Is this real? For so long, we took those things for granted, now it feels like a huge blessing in life. These past few years have been rough, but I know we have learned so much about us, our love, and hard work. We have also learned how to suck it up, and push through. What is new is a new chapter in our life. It will forever be marked as a new beginning. A new beginning with unlimited possibilities in life.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Day 59 ~ A New Chair
I have been searching on craigslist for 2 new chairs to go with my kitchen table. It has been a pain in the butt, but it finally paid off.
My new thing today was my 2 new chairs. As you can see in the photo, they are not a perfect match but they match well enough for me. They are a little smaller than the chairs I have but the best part about it was they were free! That is right. I had written the seller about the chairs and they offered them to me free, they just wanted them gone. I never go to get anything from craigslist alone so my husband drove over after work and picked them up. They were a nice couple and he said thank you and left. Can you believe it? Talk about my lucky day! It is nice that there are people like that out there!
My new thing today was my 2 new chairs. As you can see in the photo, they are not a perfect match but they match well enough for me. They are a little smaller than the chairs I have but the best part about it was they were free! That is right. I had written the seller about the chairs and they offered them to me free, they just wanted them gone. I never go to get anything from craigslist alone so my husband drove over after work and picked them up. They were a nice couple and he said thank you and left. Can you believe it? Talk about my lucky day! It is nice that there are people like that out there!
Day 58 ~ Pump it Up and The Invention of Lying
All three girls went to a Birthday party at Pump it up and it was the first time for my youngest daughter. She was climbing, jumping and sliding with the big kids and as I watched I felt my heart squeeze, my baby is not a baby anymore.
Pump it Up is "The Inflatable Party Zone" with huge bounce houses, tall blown up slides, and large blown up obstacle courses. I was climbing and jumping in with my youngest and was laughing and giggling like I was one of the birthday kids. I kept thinking how great it would be with a few adult friends, to just go and spend an hour. Guaranteed everyone would have as much fun as the kids did, and it would bring out that inner child. There aren't too many things today that really bring out the kid inside us and allow us to do a face plant and still laugh it off! By the end of the party the kids were whipped and so was I, it was a good time. Side note... button up shirts aren't ideal for the obstacle course, unless your plan is to become the entertainment, if you know what I mean! NEVER AGAIN!
Another new thing for the day was the movie The Invention of Lying. Anything Ricky Gervais is in I can almost be guaranteed a good laugh. I admit the first scene threw me off, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it, but by the end of the movie I had laughed and cried and I loved it! It is definitely an adult movie, the humor can be a little crude at times, but if you need a good laugh, you are sure to have a few with this one!
Pump it Up is "The Inflatable Party Zone" with huge bounce houses, tall blown up slides, and large blown up obstacle courses. I was climbing and jumping in with my youngest and was laughing and giggling like I was one of the birthday kids. I kept thinking how great it would be with a few adult friends, to just go and spend an hour. Guaranteed everyone would have as much fun as the kids did, and it would bring out that inner child. There aren't too many things today that really bring out the kid inside us and allow us to do a face plant and still laugh it off! By the end of the party the kids were whipped and so was I, it was a good time. Side note... button up shirts aren't ideal for the obstacle course, unless your plan is to become the entertainment, if you know what I mean! NEVER AGAIN!
Another new thing for the day was the movie The Invention of Lying. Anything Ricky Gervais is in I can almost be guaranteed a good laugh. I admit the first scene threw me off, and I wasn't sure how much I would like it, but by the end of the movie I had laughed and cried and I loved it! It is definitely an adult movie, the humor can be a little crude at times, but if you need a good laugh, you are sure to have a few with this one!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Day 57 ~ Dinner and Champagne
Last night, my neighbor did something very special for us. She made us dinner, and brought us champagne.
My wonderful neighbor wanted to do something special for my family, in honor of the fact my husband has gotten a new great job. It has been a rough couple of years, and she has been there for me through it all. The plan was to go to her house, but then one of her children got sick, so she brought everything to our house and it was delicious. She is an amazing cook. She also surprised us with a bottle of champagne. I admit, I am not a champagne girl, I tend to prefer a cold beer, but I thought I would give it a try especially after all she did. Can I just say YUMMMMMMM... it was so good. I had tried champagne a long time ago at my brothers wedding but didn't like it. This though, this was so tasty it reminded me of apple cider, but better. I kept asking, "This is champagne, really, it is?" I couldn't believe how good it was. This must be what all the fuss is about. This must be why some people talk about it like it is candy. We have a very special bottle of champange we have been saving for our annivsary, I am now looking forward to it. I realize not all bottles are the same, but I also know tastes buds change over the years. What ever it is, me likey! We had a great night, with an unexpected surprise, from an absolutely wonderful friend.
In case you were wondering the champagne is called:
Martini & Rossi
Asti
Sparkling Wine
Imported from Italy
My wonderful neighbor wanted to do something special for my family, in honor of the fact my husband has gotten a new great job. It has been a rough couple of years, and she has been there for me through it all. The plan was to go to her house, but then one of her children got sick, so she brought everything to our house and it was delicious. She is an amazing cook. She also surprised us with a bottle of champagne. I admit, I am not a champagne girl, I tend to prefer a cold beer, but I thought I would give it a try especially after all she did. Can I just say YUMMMMMMM... it was so good. I had tried champagne a long time ago at my brothers wedding but didn't like it. This though, this was so tasty it reminded me of apple cider, but better. I kept asking, "This is champagne, really, it is?" I couldn't believe how good it was. This must be what all the fuss is about. This must be why some people talk about it like it is candy. We have a very special bottle of champange we have been saving for our annivsary, I am now looking forward to it. I realize not all bottles are the same, but I also know tastes buds change over the years. What ever it is, me likey! We had a great night, with an unexpected surprise, from an absolutely wonderful friend.
In case you were wondering the champagne is called:
Martini & Rossi
Asti
Sparkling Wine
Imported from Italy
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Day 56 ~ OMSI
Today I went on a field trip with my daughter's 2nd grade class to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was awesome.I have never been to OMSI in Portland before. It is an amazing place with so many different things to check out. It was so much fun just spending time with my oldest and looking at all the exhibits. My daughter's favorite exhibit was the ball room and the T-Rex skeleton named Samson, mine was the IMAX movie. Part of the field trip included watching an IMAX movie on their dome screen..
I have to say, it freaked me out a little. This is probably how my mother's generation felt when the TV came around. The IMAX was incredible. It was so real I felt myself wanting to smack things out of my face and even at times felt like I was submerged in the ocean water. It was a totally new experience. I would say the best part of the whole day was just hanging out with my daughter. She is such a happy, jolly little girl who is growing so fast. She makes me smile and I love her with all I have.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Day 55 ~ Ziti and a Dance off
My husband and I started the second season of The Sopranos. Tomorrow we get the last disc of the season, so tonight I tried making Ziti for the The Sopranos' marathon.
On Sopranos, Mrs. Soprano is always making Ziti, warming it up, or taking it out of the freezer. I had no idea what it was, so in honor of our marathon tomorrow, I made it tonight and stuck it in the fridge for tomorrow. It looks good, tastes good, and I can't believe I have never had it before. I even made a low fat version and still loved it. It think it will be something that I continue to make and keep in my freezer too! I have another 5 or more Sopranos seasons to go, so I am sure I will make it a staple of our diet. If you have a good Ziti recipe please send it my way!
Another new thing I did today was a dance off. I call it that because I was on a mission to dance off my bad mood. Holy smokes I was in such a yucky mood this evening I couldn't even stand myself. I would have liked to punch myself in the eye if I could have. I kept thinking, what can I do to shake this crap off, so that is what I did, I shook it! I went into my computer room, shut the blinds, turn up the radio and danced. I danced with my eyes closed and danced, danced, danced until I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe I was smiling because I was laughing at myself, but the truth is I felt great. I like to turn the music on and dance with the girls because they love it, but tonight was just for me. Most of the time I dance because I am happy, not mad, but this time it was different. All the kids were in bed and it was just me in the room, shaking my thang! Within 20 minutes I felt amazing. Next time you are in a bad mood try it. It may work for you too!
On Sopranos, Mrs. Soprano is always making Ziti, warming it up, or taking it out of the freezer. I had no idea what it was, so in honor of our marathon tomorrow, I made it tonight and stuck it in the fridge for tomorrow. It looks good, tastes good, and I can't believe I have never had it before. I even made a low fat version and still loved it. It think it will be something that I continue to make and keep in my freezer too! I have another 5 or more Sopranos seasons to go, so I am sure I will make it a staple of our diet. If you have a good Ziti recipe please send it my way!
Another new thing I did today was a dance off. I call it that because I was on a mission to dance off my bad mood. Holy smokes I was in such a yucky mood this evening I couldn't even stand myself. I would have liked to punch myself in the eye if I could have. I kept thinking, what can I do to shake this crap off, so that is what I did, I shook it! I went into my computer room, shut the blinds, turn up the radio and danced. I danced with my eyes closed and danced, danced, danced until I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe I was smiling because I was laughing at myself, but the truth is I felt great. I like to turn the music on and dance with the girls because they love it, but tonight was just for me. Most of the time I dance because I am happy, not mad, but this time it was different. All the kids were in bed and it was just me in the room, shaking my thang! Within 20 minutes I felt amazing. Next time you are in a bad mood try it. It may work for you too!
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