childhood shows

okay, so this was NOT going to be the subject of tonight's post, but i cannot help myself!  this is cracking me up!!!  who remembers "hey dude" on nickelodeon???

i'm working on my laptop, flipping thru my dvr'd shows and there's not much waiting for me.  so, i start scrolling thru channels and i see "hey dude"...BLAST FROM THE PAST!  and yes, i'm watching it as we speak...it's HORRIBLE, but i can't help it!  i loved this show!

as i was searching for the above photo, i came across some more fond memories...

and one of my faves...

my brother and i still joke about fifteen.  ryan reynolds was on this show!

okay, folks...google has taken me to youtube and there i found even more shows i watched growing up!

PINWHEEL...I LOVED PINWHEEL!!!

today's special

and picture pages!!??  my love for bill cosby started young!

and sweet paddington bear.

this was SO much fun...i hope you've been reminded of your childhood, too.  it makes me wonder of what my girls are going to remember.  this for sure...

fresh beat band.

nickelodeon is full of geniuses!

another first...

ZUMBA

it kicked my booty.

and i loved it.

tired.

thanks mary for suggesting and being my sidekic...zzzzzzzzz

my first mod podge experience...

took place last month w/ my sis-in-law, christy, after we delved into the world of PINTEREST.  omgoodness, i was in love immediately!  we were both glued to our iphone/ipad oohing and aahing while looking at each other's screens.  i had seen it before while scoping new apps on my iphone but by-passed it as it looked a little confusing.  then my friend mary told me about it, and then i saw it popping up everywhere on facebook.  so, i gave in, and i am SO glad i did.  it's like craftgawker but soooo much better.  you find ideas on cooking, decorating, DIY projects, and even hair-do's!  oh, how i love it.  anyway, i came across two DIY canvas photos from thisismeinspired.blogspot.com and bluecricketdesign.net.  here are two that i have completed thus far (i plan to do two large one for the guest bedroom!)...

things to keep in mind:

use MATTE mod podge (i accidentally used lustre on the second)

paint your canvas FIRST

these instructions are a compilation of two diff projects

supplies needed:

scrapbook paper

canvas

paper cutter

matte mod podge

paint brush or sponge brush (to apply mod podge)

paint brush (to paint canvas)

sponge (to blot paint)

-trim your picture to fit on front of canvas

-trim your scrapbook paper to fit the sides of the canvas, trimming them leaving just a hint of canvas as a border

-paint entire canvas w/ mod podge and allow to dry (10 mins should do it)

-paint mod podge on back of paper and press firmly onto canvas

-w/ a sponge, carefully blot sides of photo w/ paint and allow to dry

-apply mod podge on back of photo

-and carefully apply to front of canvas

-use a towel to press photo firmly

-paint on mod podge to sides and front, it will look milky, but it will dry clear!

i purchased a tiny easel from joanne's and painted it the same color i used on the canvas

this is w/o the painted edges, and the canvas was painted after the paper and photo were glued on

so sorry if my instructions were confusing w/ the merge of both projects!!

this is such an easy project that leaves you w/ a very special looking piece of art for your home.  i think they make great gifts, too!

thank you so much christy, my dear, for joining me in my first mod podge adven-cha ;)

it's october 2nd...

and that means two things...september is over and i haven't posted the fab mama-jama of the month!  AND i am already behind on busting out my halloween decor...BOO (pun intended!).  i blame it all on sickness :(  my poor fab mama-jama had to reschedule her photo shoot b/c she was really sick.  and a few days ago my household was BUGGED...yup, my worst nightmare came true.  my oldest girl threw-up on the couch minutes before my friend brooke and her fam were scheduled to come stay w/ my girls so me and the hubs could have a date night.  omgoodness, i'm so glad the sickness started when it did (how awful would it have been for my friends fam to be here w/ their little ones, and i'm away)!  not even an hour later, my poor baby vomits (as i'm holding her on my hip, talking on the phone rescheduling the next days' events).  good times.  two days later...hubby is down for the count.  this mama was and is the last man standing (so, i guess my worst nightmare didn't come all the way true)!  so, my hands are dry from all the washing and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.  i've done countless loads of laundry, smell of lysol, and i'm finally getting some time ALOOOONE in my lovely lady cave...w/ a little lamp on as to not wake up any sleeping babies (and i keep whispering heytells to mary) and a much deserved glass of chilled chardonnay...*sigh*

day two...two sick sisters watching cartoons for hours

day three...pretty much on the mend...

it was a GORGEOUS day and mama locked them out while daddy was passed out and she was lysoling and scrubbing carpet :)

today was a new day.  we woke up, had a super yummy breakfast and i got one halloween decoration up...

isabella gets excited about this one!

and we all left the house!  mr. dandy (i'm sure the hubs is going to love that!) was still feeling a little shaky, and i thought he was going to stay home, but he mustered up the strength to venture out w/ me and the girls for a trip to the bakery for dee-lish cupcakes and the park :)

isabella - mama, daddy is coming w/ us, isn't that lovely?

me - yes, sweety, that is lovely

i'm a southerner...

but i am mexican, so i didn't grow up eating pot-pies, chicken n' dumplings or grits...none of that goes well w/ rice, beans, tortillas and sliced avocado (which there was ALWAYS fresh guac or sliced avocado on the dinner table, but i didn't grow to love the stuff until the last few years!  LOCO!)  anyway, my point to this glimpse of my upbringing is that i cooked and ate grits for the first time last night.  i have to say that they were rather tasty!  my husband happens to love the stuff, and i've been telling him for yeeeears that i would cook them sometime...but let's be honest, if i'm going to cook and cook something that i've never had before, i want to have a warm fuzzy that it's going to actually taste good.  the sounds of grrrr-its, isn't so appealing.  but as i've mentioned before, one of the reasons for this blog is for me to try new things and share those experiences.  so, lucky for you i followed a recipe and did it well enough to share :)  unfortunately, i did not document the cooking w/ photos (which is probably why i actually cooked it correctly!).  i will say that the recipe will be easy to follow and you know why?  it won't be in paragraph form like i read from...

why not list the instructions?

to make things worse, i actually took the above photo on my phone, lol!  i was looking through a southern living magazine at my friend mary's house when i spotted it :)  "this looks yummy...*click*"  thanks mary ;)

shrimp and grits (or as my gal, brooke named it "sandy grits")  don't you love it!?

unless noted, use salt, pepper, etc to taste

WHAT YOU NEED:

salt

pepper (i used pepper grinder for fresh ground)

1 cup instant grits (i used 3-minute brand)

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

1 lb peeled/deveined medium-size shrimp

olive oil cooking spray

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup chopped green onions

2-3 garlic cloves minced (i used 3...i always add at least one more clove than what is called for)

lemon (cut in half, ready to squeeze)

1/4 tsp hot sauce

2 cups baby spinach

PARMESAN GRITS:

-pour 4 cups water and salt in medium sauce pan, bring to a boil

-gradually whisk in grits

-cook over medium heat and stir occasionally for about 8 minutes or until thick

-stir in parmesan and pepper

-keep warm (i went ahead and poured them into a pie dish ready for the topping)

CREAMY SHRIMP SAUCE:

-spray skillet w/ olive oil and heat pan

-dump shrimp in and sprinkle w/ salt n peppa (...here and we in effect!)

-heat shrimp until just pink

-take shrimp out and set aside

-reduce heat and add oil

-whisk in flour for 1 minute

-whisk in broth, green onions, garlic, lemon juice, and hot sauce

-cook 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened (i had to add just a little more flour to thicken)

-stir in shrimp and spinach, cook until spinach is slightly wilted

-pour the saucy goodness over grits and enjoy!

as much as i enjoyed the meal, i explained to my husband (as he was going for a second helping) that i would much rather the creamy shrimpness over a bed of mashed potatoes :)  so, what i would love to try is making the creamy shrimp sauce and pour it over grilled chicken and mashed potatoes...mmmmm!

she's a 4 year old...

...and for some reason i forget that.  A LOT.  i just don't understand it when my child whines over the silliest things or draws w/ a marker on her friend...SERIOUSLY!!??  i don't get it, and for the most part don't stand for it.  but really there are times when i need to look at my little girl and remember just that...she is a little girl and in her world changing into a different dress is HUGE to her.  this happened today and i told her, "no, you already have a dress on and if you want to 'play dress-up' you have dress-up clothes for that."  i mean i have enough laundry to tackle...

she cries, whines and i'm thinking, "really?  we're going to cryyy over this??"  i then tell her, "if you are going to cry about this you can cry about it in your room," and i walk off.  and then it hits me (or maybe it was God) that i need to stop being tired and deal w/ it...show her grace.  so, i go into her room and start trying to get her into a good mood.  i'm being my goofy self, and she smiles.  i just love on her, and she just flipped that whininess into happiness.

one of her dress-up dresses...which is actually one of my dresses!

i hope i don't sound like a terrible mom and all of you are thinking, "duh!"...i just felt like sharing this little story b/c i need to remember that her life is all about pretending to be rapunzel, eating chocolate and playing w/ ponies...and not having a costume change can bring a girl to tears.

it's fun to see her play w/ toys that i used to play w/...of course mine were a tad smaller

another non-recipe

there was a time when my brain worked (pre-babies)...and i could actually follow a recipe.  people would eat my food and say, "that was delicious, sandra," and then i would simply state, "i can't take much credit.  i just followed the recipe."  wellll, next time i correctly follow a recipe and i dare serve it to anyone other than my hubby and children, i will reply to any compliments w/, "thank you!" and maybe even pat myself on the back and poor myself a much deserved glass of wine.  for those of you who have read any of my recipe posts, you will notice that i mess up...A LOT.  seriously, i cannot follow a recipe if my life depended on it!

in my last blog post, i mentioned a recipe i found in better homes and gardens.  it was for "gemelli w/ asparagus and sausage" and two days i ago bought all the needed ingredients.  i even mentioned to my friend mary how expensive fresh basil is.  i went on to explain that i had picked up one container that cost over $4 and then later replaced it w/ live growing basil in a bag for under $3 (i promise there is a reason for that whole shpeel).  i had planned on cooking yesterday but this mama has been working on coughing up a lung and there wasn't much energy to cook.  my sweet, sweet husband walked in the kitchen and saw all the ingredients sitting on the island and said, "do this tomorrow and we'll order in."  **SWOON**...**BIG HUG**...**BIG SMOOCHES**...thank you :).

i wasn't exactly feeling all that much better this evening, but the basil was only going to stay fresh for so long.  so, i start choppin', preparing and even took pictures to document the steps thinking i would share w/ you lovely ladies.

EVERYTHING is chopped and ready to go

i start boiling the water, cooking the meat, yada-yada-yada...

picture perfect (i'm super excited about my new YUM letters)

i continue the recipe.  i cook asparagus in the big pot for a few minutes and take it out and let it sit in a bowl.  i then cook pasta in the same pot.  the noodles are done, and i start taking them out and putting them  in the pan.  i take every last noodle out of the pot and into the pan, and then it hits me.  not only do i need a larger pan, but i was supposed to add the asparagus and other ingredients, let it marry and then add noodles.  SO, i spoon out the noodles and put them in another bowl (frustrated at the extra dishes being used).  i try to continue the recipe (in a wok) and then spot the mushrooms that should have been cooking w/ the onions and meat BEFORE everything else (now, i can't be too mad at myself as the mushrooms were added to the recipe by yours truly...again, i can't seem to follow a recipe).

whatever, i cook everything together, stir it up, serve them in bowls and sit at the dinner table.  i'm about to dig in when i realize...i forgot the basil.  FAIL.

i then heytell mary the basil incident and continue eating.  at the end of the day, it was still yummy and my fam enjoyed :)

little miss didn't miss the basil ;)

and my sweet, sweet mister walks in from exercising in the garage and asks how it's going (he had already witnessed the noodle transport).  i smile and say, "i forgot the basil.  i don't know what's wrong w/ me and why i can't read recipes!"...to which he says, "it's only b/c your sick."  oh honey...

HEB after dark

grocery store at night = strange and lonely single men wandering around looking for conversation.  i'm waiting in line behind one man who just had an "i'm in a bad mood and can't wait to get out of here and this cashier is taking way too long" look on his face.  i'm standing there eyeing the magazines and wondering should i grab the real simple magazine that will tell me how many ways to utilize a toilet paper roll OR the home and gardens magazine that i'm sure is filled w/ comfort food recipes for fall.  i decided on the latter and reach for it while noticing the guy behind me is watching me.  and mind you, i decide to pick up a magazine from the middle of the stack b/c i want an untouched one (anyone else do that or am i strange?)  anyway, i'm thinking to myself this guy probably thinks i'm totally cuckoo for coco puffs b/c he saw me do this.  and sure enough the guy starts talking to me...

strange man - you reeeeally want to know what it's in the better homes and gardens (walking closer to me)

me- uh yeah (giggling b/c i'm wondering why is he saying this to me?) actually i do

strange man - you have my permission to buy it

me - **look at him like he's smoking crack w/ a side of bewilderment** (noticing there isn't but a foot b/w me and the man in front of me and the chatty mr. cathy behind me)

strange man - not that you need my permission

me - yeah, thanks, i appreciate it

**crickets**

september's issue and my next recipe...mmmm....

i'm a work in progress...

as is this blog :) i've brought back the "follow by email" and i've added a list of subjects that you can click on if you wish to find something crafty, recipe, etc.  it's an attempt to be more organized, and i'm having to backtrack to add old posts to the list so please be patient. i often describe myself as "a work in progress" and seriously want to make a t-shirt saying just that! my fellow blogger, jenny, calls herself "messy" and it's all good...click the fun yellow box and take a gander of what she has to say...

thanks for shining light on this lady!  and jenny, anytime you want to have a bonfire and throw in toilet bowl brushes and rubber gloves, count me in...i'll bring the smores!!

princess in training...

i had plans of making a chore chart for my 4 year old, but i started thinking a lot of what i want her to do on her own (w/o me reminding her) had more to do w/ her personal hygiene.  so, i decided to create a chart of things that i would like her to have as habits.  and since she LOVES anything princess, i thought a chart of "princess" habits would be perfect!  we told her when she reaches the end of the board w/ stickers she gets to go to target and pick out a toy :)  also, since i believe in baby steps i thought this would get her used to the idea of a check-off system and an actual chore chart will come to play in her near future :)

so, here's her princess chart made on poster board w/ scrapbooking touches and glitter (i am on a glitter kick!)

very simple, temporary, not a lot of work and pleasing to my princess' eyes ;)

excited to pick out her stickers

just as excited to put them on the chart by herself

very proud of her made bed :)

have you ever...

piled the children in the car, drove to the local fast food joint and ate dinner in the parking lot?  me either...until tonight!  honestly, my day wasn't that bad, but it only takes those last couple of hours of the afternoon, before daddy arrives and the kids are making me go bananas!  unfortunately for me, it was my hubby's night to exercise so there wasn't any relief coming through the door.  so instead, i took the girls to whataburger...

 

they were contained, watching cartoons, eating and happy...and mama was, too :)

let's say it wasn't one of those days and cooking was on the agenda.  i have a very yummy recipe that is quick, easy and the whole fam will devour!

bruschetta chicken bake

you will need:

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 pkg (6 oz) stove top stuffing mix for chicken

1/2 cup water

2 cloves garlic, minced (i used 3)

1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tsp dried basil leaves

1 cup kraft shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese (i bought store brand)

preheat oven to 400 degrees

empty entire can of diced tomatoes (w/ juice) in a medium bowl, add stuffing, water and garlic.  stir just until stuffing is moistened.  set aside.

place chicken in 13x9-in baking dish and sprinkle the chicken w/ basil and cheese (i added salt and pepper...no, i didn't start playing "push it", the seasoning not the 80s duo!)

top w/ stuffing mixture

bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through

enjoy!

fyi...

i found this recipe in some random kraft foods magazine...

i could've sworn the chicken needed to be cooked before placing in the oven and almost cooked the chicken in a skillet before my hubby caught me...

i started to sprinkle the cheese and basil on the baking dish before putting the chicken in before my hubby caught me...

the hubster thought i needed more chicken and added some more (frozen mind you)...

my hubby just-so happened to offer his help w/ dinner that night...thank goodness :)

i would love to try this recipe w/ adding mushrooms and artichoke!  it wouldn't exactly be a "bruschetta bake," but i bet it would be dee-lish!