march's fab-mama-jama is...

BROOK-ay!  well, i call her that on occasion ;)  her name is brooke.  she's an at-ease mama of two cutie pies, hudson and elaina, and a fun-loving wifey to her man nate-dogg (okay, i call him that on occasion), i mean nate ;)  already you can probably tell w/ the way i joke w/ her and her husband, brooke is a hoot and a joy to be around.  i admire her positive energy and love her silly sense of humor.  she's someone that doesn't take herself too seriously, but she does takes her mom, wife, teacher, friend, volunteer roles seriously...and in most of these roles, she uses her cooking to show she cares :)

meet brooke...

*what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*

Growing up my career choice changed daily! I wanted to be a doctor, a mommy, a Sea World trainer, a lawyer, a singer, a politician, the list went on and on.  The one thing that was always on my list was teacher. I loved kids and I knew that when I when I grew up I wanted to help people. And, if you ask my sister and brother I was very good at telling people what to do! ;)

*what is your best memory of your mom?*

My mom worked full time growing up but I don't ever remember her being tired. She would always come home and cook a good dinner and whenever possible she would have us sit around the table and eat as a family. Some of my best memories are of these times. She would also wake up on Saturdays and make us homemade biscuits or pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse.  I can imagine after working all week sleeping in on Saturday would have been something she would have liked to do, but she rarely did that. My mom was and still is a very selfless person.

*what do you do to relax?*

Relax...what is that!!  When I do get the time I love to read, cook and workout. Running (I know some of you will think I'm crazy) is very relaxing to me. I love being out there by myself, listening to music and just being alone. It is very relaxing to me.  I also come back after a good run, a very happy mommy!

*what is your favorite activity w/ each child?*

Now that my kids are getting older I am beginning to see just how different they are and it is really neat. I try to do things with just that one kid throughout the week, but I am not always very successful.

Hudson: This boy has a huge imagination and he loves when I participate with him! Playing Batman, legos, or just going outside to play any game he picks is fun for him. He got a bike for Christmas so this is his new favorite activity. He can ride it with no help, but he just likes me to be outside with him so he can talk my ear off!

Elaina: This girl LOVES her books. He favorite thing to do is to read. She loves it when I read books with her. Her favorite book right now is Knuffle Bunny. It's a cute story (you should all buy it). Right now her big thing is "I help!"  she wants to do anything that I am doing and she wants to help. She loves cooking with me, putting makeup on with me or fixing my hair with her new princess hair kit!  It's very cute and sweet!

*everything you cook and bake is super yummy, where did the love for yummy-making come from?*

My love for cooking comes from my mom and aunt. Those two ladies are the best cooks in the world.  I never thought I would be able to cook like them so I never really got into cooking until about 4 years ago. I got a Barefoot Contessa cookbook for Christmas and the recipes looked fun to make so I started trying some out.  Then I began attempting some of my aunts and moms recipes and I guess the rest is history! This Christmas my aunt gave me a framed recipe of my Mamaw's pecan pie.  It was her original recipe. It is probably one of the best gifts I have ever received. My mom and aunt say that my Mamaw was one of the best cooks they knew so maybe it started with her...

*what recipe does your fam love the most?*

I asked my husband what recipe he liked the best and he said everything I make is great. (He is such a kiss-up!) So, I told him he had to think of one and he came up with Santa Fe Soup and sweet corn bread. It's a great cold weather recipe!

*what is your best kept recipe?*

Sausage Bread!! I am not sure that this recipe is a big secret but it is one of my favorites. It is actually a recipe that my aunt made up. I don't even know if I have the recipe written down. It is one of those that I can do from memory! It is simply delicious!!

I do have a secret spice that I like to add to a lot of my dishes...but I'm not telling you that!! ;)

and speaking of secrets...it was killing me to keep this post from going "live" for so long.  poor brooke answered my questions and took pictures back in january, and she has had to wait until now to get her surprise (sorry girl, you know how i am!)!  when choosing that certain someone to share some kind words about this special lady, i knew w/o a doubt who to go to...her mom...and brooke, i hope this was worth the wait...

One of the greatest joys a mother can have is to watch her own daughter become a mother.  It was a very rewarding experience to watch my oldest daughter, Brooke, become a mother when Hudson was born.  It touches your heart in ways that are hard to explain.   Often, you see your children as little ones they once were and you forget they are grown adults with families of their own. 

Brooke is an amazing young mother, her patience and sense of humor with Elaina and Hudson never ceases to amaze me.  She handles each situation with grace and love and never seems to get her feathers “too” ruffled.   She enjoys her children and takes time with them, which is one of the greatest gifts she can give them.

Brooke loves her family and has created a warm and caring Christian home for them.  She has created many wonderful memories for Hudson and Elaina and I know she will create many more in the years to come.

I am proud of all my children’s accomplishments, however, watching Brooke, as a mother is a special accomplishment/bond only a mother and daughter can share. Brooke has made me a proud mother and I know one day her children will be writing the same thing about her.  She brings such joy, laughter and happiness to our family and many others.

brooke, you are a lovely lady that i'm blessed to call friend.  you are a wonderful role model of a working mom, a supportive wife and nurturing mother.  i'm always impressed how you handle life w/ ease.  i know i haven't sat in your classroom, but witnessing your kind, natural way w/ children, i only hope my girls have a teacher like you!  you are one of the most encouraging and supportive people i know.  thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders...you know how to make this blogger feel special ;)  i just hope i can persuade you to blog about your delicious recipes...

much, much love to you BRRROOOK-ay!

oxox,

sandra

p.s.--that santa fe soup recipe will be posted soon!!

it's like hangman...

but better!  it's a new app called draw something that i LOVE and laugh every time a play a turn.  it's a great game that includes drawing and sending turns back and forth w/ friends via your mobile device.  my brother recently introduced me, and i just had to share!

draw something

it's FREE!  my username is sdburk if you wanna play ;)

i'm not a student...

but i was def on spring break :)  i enjoyed some ME time, hubby and wife time, Girrrl time, and FaMiLy time this past week.  i had SO much fun and feel very blessed.  last night i was wondering what my week's posts were going to include.  and after catching up on my daily devotional :/  (yeah, i was a little behind i hate to admit) i found saturday's read a must share...

"When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me.  Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly.  As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people."

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

there were several occasions in the last week that i felt "misunderstood" and honestly, i think it happens A LOT.  and i used to worry about this A LOT.  in every instance i would try to remedy the situation and explain myself so that there was no false assumptions, no feelings hurt, etc.  and for whatever reason, over the last few years, i just don't worry as much.  i feel like i can't worry much.  i'm mentally exhausted enough w/ raising two little ones and being a homemaker as it is!  it's not to say that i just don't care what people think of me...sure, it crosses my mind, but when it comes down to it, if someone doesn't "get me", thinks i have "ulterior motives" or thinks i'm "loca in the cabeza"...oh well!  i know (or at least hope) that those who are near and dear to me...know me.  and i pray that those who aren't that near to me, see the goodness that comes from me and accepts all the quirkiness that comes w/ it!  from time to time, i worry that this may come across as rude and feel that i may have lost some sense of grace and loveliness w/ becoming a young mom and/or a 30-something.  seriously, i used to speak w/ a little bit of eloquence and didn't feel that when i open my mouth darts come flying out (but cute, cupid darts w/ hearts wrapped in bows)... a sweet friend of mine has told me that i "have a gift w/ the written word", and every time she tells me this, i laugh and say, "i'm better at writing than speaking b/c i have time to think about each word.  when i'm talking my brain doesn't work fast enough and who knows how thoughts are going to come out!"  no really, i've lost brain cells through college, giving birth and...giving birth, and i can't seem to speak correctly most of the time!  but what it all comes down to is that my Lord knows me...my mind, my heart, my soul and that there is love and goodness there.  and hopefully, a few of you out there are sprinkled by this love among those who may get the "wrong idea".

i know i'm not the only one that feels that way...esp women.  and that's why i wanted to share the above excerpt.  find peace in the One who knows and understands you.  His opinion is what matters.

coffee at 5 p.m....

and this mama could not go to sleep last night!  and when i finally was tired enough to sleep, i started coughing...and once i stopped coughing and fell asleep, i had HORRIBLE nightmares :/  good times...

it was around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, and i hadn't had coffee and def feeling it!  so, i went out for a small vanilla latte.  4:30 i have coffee in hand, but it's too hot.  so, i arrive home, chat w/ the neighbor (which i never do), got the girls inside, got them settled (snacks, drinks, scratch their back ;)), i realized it was 5:00 and i had maybe one sip of my coffee.  do i dare drink?  yes!  i did.  anywhoooo, the caffeine helped and i  started playing "catch-up" on this and that from my days of being sick w/ a man-cold (ha, that's for mr. dandy!).  so, around 11:00 p.m. i'm lying in bed and on my iphone...i'm on facebook and there's talk about the lemon tree and how i still have an hour to try and win some sweet giveaways!  the lemon tree is a group of fun, creative and stylish young ladies who offer services in party planning, styling, and all sorts of neat things!  and their fun giveaway was def a reflection of their great style!  so, there i was tweeting, facebooking, liking, copying, yada-yada-yada.  my point is they're EXTENDING the deadline until midnight tonight...

so go on, try to win some lovelies :)

and let's just pray sandy dandy gets a good night's rest tonight!!

ugh...

i feel like it's been one thing after another w/ me!!  this time i'm recovering from a sinus infection gone REALLY bad...so bad, i felt like i had the flu :(  i got smart this time and went to the dr sooner than later ;)  i'm on the mend now, and i wanted to share a great FREE app for any fellow allergy sufferers out there!

it gives you the day's allergy forecast (low, medium or high) and tells you what pollen is predominantly present.  it even gives you a 4 day forecast where you can find a "cold-n-cough index level", and if you suffer from asthma, there is an index level for you, too!  pretty nifty, huh?

thankfully, mr. dandy has been an AWESOME caretaker for me and the girls!  i was able to rest as much as i needed while he completely took over all parental duties :)  the girls enjoyed playing outside a lot.  i heard them laughing hysterically while i was lying in bed so i got up and looked out the window to see this...

no allergies here ;)

you must try...

this eeeeeeeeasy and deeeeeeeee-lish recipe!  let's just say even my mom said it was "delicious."  people...this very rarely happens ;)  we even had left-overs today and my four year old says, "mama, this is dee-lish-ous!  you make the best food in the world!"  **keeping that memory in a safe place**

so, basically it's a pork loin roast cooking in a slow cooker.  i got this recipe for crockpot salsa verde burrito bowls from www.mommacooks.net.  and i did make the whole recipe, but i am just going to tell you how to cook the pork as you can use it for whatever you want!...enchiladas, tacos, burritos, salad...put it on a baked potato for cryin' out loud!

i am going to add one very helpful step.  i always forget this and thought to myself how great it would be if recipes included this step...so here we go:

INGREDIENTS:
*2-3 lb pork loin roast
*1 16 oz jar of mexican salsa verde sauce

STEPS:
*LINE SLOW COOKER W/ LINER!!! (i forgot i had this wonderful thing and had the pot sitting for days soaking in water until my sweet mr. man scrubbed it clean :))
*pour salsa verde in slow cooker
*add one salsa jar of water
*place pork on top
*cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5
*shred w/ forks and DEVOUR!

aaaand you're welcome ;)

where have you been?

...i mean...where have i been?  wowza, it's been a while!  i have to say that i was out of commission for some time due to not feeling myself.  unfortunately, i ended up having a dry socket from one of my wisdom teeth extractions :(  and i didn't know it was in pain for much longer than i should have been.  i finally went back to the doc and started the healing process from that!!  so, recovering from that and doing my every day stay-at-home mom routine was enough for me!  i don't exactly enjoy blogging when i don't feel well, and i'm sure you don't enjoy hearing me complaaaaain...

so, last week i finally started feeling myself again :)  i'm starting to get back to me...cooking, getting creative and such.  and to be completely honest, during my blogging hiatus i rediscovered regular network programming!  the hubby and i decided to stop cable and now use hulu plus.  i'm loving it...my new shows are new girl, parks and recreation, smash and am eager to start watching downtown abbey.

i have two new recipes that i'm excited to share w/ y'all and some crafty projects, too!  just typing this post makes me feel happy to "be back" :)

i spotted this verse on pinterest tonight and wanted to share...so, i whipped up this little card...

i really wish i knew how to allow you to download things!!  anyone know??

love...

it's all about love.  love, love, love, love.  happy valentine's day lovelies.  i love all things lovely.  really.  the giving.  the receiving.  the beginning of love.  the nourishing of love.  the fact that love is unstoppable, uncontrollable and just THE MOST FANTASTIC thing about being a human.

"you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and all your mind.  this is the great and foremost commandment.  the second is like it, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

 --matthew 22:37-39

how great is He that His greatest commandments are just so...lovely?  yeah, He's pretty awesome.

february's fab mama-jama is...

my girl mary.  i've mentioned this lovely lady several times in my blog posts, and i have been wanting to introduce this special friend to you for months now!  i was going to set-up a surprise afternoon get-away to her favorite restaurant (mai's) and flower her w/ peonies.  but w/ childcare issues, sick babies, sick mamas, daddies gone...it just wasn't in the cards.  i finally decided to surprise her anyway...a simple flower arrangement and dinner at her house (children playing, hubbies gone) had to do.

i know this all sounds like i'm courting my girlfriend, ha...and yes, i am, lol.  every woman knows how wonderful it is to have close girlfriends that you can always count on...someone to vent to, someone to ask for advice, someone to welcome their home to you b/c you just have to get out!  girlfriends understand hormones.  they understand the daily to-do's of being a mama.  and even if they don't understand they're always there to listen and support you.  my girl mary is that and more.  she's a devoted wife, loving mother and still nurtures her friendships.  i know friends come and go, but there are some that are in for the long haul :)

funny thing is i met mary in kindergarten!  we even grew up in the same neighborhood.  we were friends then, but as junior high and high school came around, we ran in different circles.  it wasn't until a few years ago when she and her husband moved back to the area that we became the friends that we are now.  we chatted, and we clicked.  she enjoyed the same things i did.  we found humor in the same things.  and we just felt at home around each other :)

waving at the camera at my (11th?) birthday party

on our way to see justin timberlake in concert (pre-babies)!

anyone who knows sweet mary, knows what a kind, caring and loving woman she is.  her dear friend racheal knows...

Mary has been one of my closest friend for over a decade. So many of my greatest memories include Mary. She is caring, funny, and nurturing. She is a wonderful mother to her beautiful daughters and an amazing wife. She loves the Lord and is a great example of what it means to be a woman of God. When she asks how you are doing, she genuinely wants to know the good and the bad. She is willing to talk through the tough things or just sit back and listen. She is a great friend. I am truly blessed to have her in my life. I love you Mary!!

meet mary...

*what did you want to be when you "grew up"*

Honestly, I never thought about what I would be when I grew up.  When I was in junior high and high school I thought it would be fun to be an interior designer...does that count? 

*what is your best memory of your mom?*

There are so many wonderful memories that include my mom, but the one that keeps standing out is when she cared for me after I had my wisdom teeth removed.  Those of you who have undergone this procedure know how unpleasant the recovery can be, and my mom jumped into action to make my experience very positive.  She even made ice packs out of tube socks!

*what do you do to relax?*

My methods of relaxation have evolved over the years.  Since having children, the way I like to relax is to watch some guilty pleasure television (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and enjoy a cool glass of Chardonnay.

  

*what is your favorite activity w/ each child?*

My favorite thing to do with Abigail is to get her up in the morning.  I love opening her door and seeing that beautiful, pacifier-filled smile beaming at me.  We share some hugs and kisses and then begin our day!

My favorite thing to do with Loralai is singing her a song at bed time.  After my husband reads her a story, she always asks for mama to sing her a song or say a prayer with her.  I just LOVE that time together!

*you're a super friend, who always has the right thing to say and do for those in need...where do you think that comes from?*

My parents have always given me invaluable advice and counsel, and in addition to their words of wisdom they would reference scripture that pertained to my specific circumstance.

*what do you enjoy doing most for your friends?*

I truly enjoy giving my friends unexpected gifts.  Whether it be tangible gifts or acts of kindness, I just love doing things that make my friends smile and feel special!!

*what could a friend do for you that would just make your day?*

I love when my friends set up unexpected occasions to spend time together.  

and how awesome, she happens to have a business that allows her to party w/ her friends!

*what is your favorite part of selling stella & dot?*

...having an excuse to hang out with other women and share the fun jewels that S&D has to offer!

if you're interested in hangin' w/ mary and her jewels ;) contact her at maryweatherall@hotmail.com or check her website out at http://www.stelladot.com/sites/maryweatherall

marrrrry, you're a beautiful woman, inside and out!  your natural caring way is such a wonderful example to your sweet girls, and i just know they will grow to be beautiful young ladies like their mama :)  you put up w/ all my quirkiness, and you laugh w/ me in all my silliness.  and you always offer prayer anywhere and anytime time i need it!  i pray that you know how much i and many others appreciate your kindness and generosity.  your welcoming hugs, welcoming front door and welcoming love are only a few reasons why i love you girl!  thank you for being you!

oxox,

sandra

MIA...

got my wisdom teeth extracted.

need i say more?

check back tomorrow...i canNOT wait any longer!  the next fab mama-jama will be smiling at you from this blog, and i just bet you'll be smiling back :)

who's the next...

fab mama-jama going to be???  that's a good question!  i'm waiting on one special touch for each of the TWO mamas i have lined up.  sooo, you and i will just have to wait ;)  i just want their posts to be perfect and special :)

until then, i just want to mention what a fun time i had saturday watching my hubby, his brother and friend run in an unbelievable challenge called tough mudder!  my friend brooke (whose hubby was running w/ mine) and i cheered them on as they ran about 12 miles of cold, wet, rough, shocking (literally) tiring and awe-inspiring obstacles.  it was such an awesome feeling watching these men power on this rough ride knowing each one of them had been training for this day.  they got through it w/ the help of each other and well, two cute cheerleaders...

way to go fellas!

i had a huge feeling of pride watching my man "mudder on" and will get the opportunity to do so again this march.  crazy enough, he is up for the challenge again and is giddy about it like a little boy!  i'm glad he has found something that motivates him to stay healthy and have that great feeling of accomplishment :)  i'll stick w/ my crafts, cooking and things that are lovely...not muddy ;)

my patience was being tested...

and, i just had to walk away!  it was dinner time and it had already been "a day" (really an afternoon, but whatever)...daddy was in a late meeting, i had already told my youngest to sit down and turn around 50 times, and that same little one was not eating.  i would give sophia one bite and then walked to my lady lair.  i had hit my limit and had already prayed for an extra dose of patience.  i knew if i didn't leave the situation, i would BLOW MY TOP!  i texted mr. dandy how much longer he was going to be and he texted back, "still here," followed by, "everything alright?"  my response, "patience low...keeping calm," and my man texts, "keep calm and mother on."  that made me smile...for about a minute.  considering it takes him at least 45 minutes to drive home, i knew i had to do something before i go BaNaNas!  knowing my two usual sidekicks were busy, i called my mom :)  poor thing had just arrived home from her own long day of work and traffic, and i call to ask her to run an errand w/ me.  i go on to explain that really, my husband is working late, i'm low on patience, on my period and just want to round the girls up in the car, put a movie on and drive.  she lovingly said, "yes."  and that's all i needed.  thankfully, she lives less than 10 minutes from me.  i picked her up, grabbed her some to-go dinner, chatted, and i ran into the grocery store to pick up a few things.  all the while, my girls quietly watch winnie the pooh :)  i took my mom back home and drove back home knowing my honey would be there by now as he texted me saying there was smoke in his building...i didn't do it!!!

my point...it's good to know when you need a break...when you need help...and it's ALWAYS good to pray.  smoke in the building, coincidence?  i think not ;)

and really, periods are overrated...moms are not!

i finally updated...

my iphone.  both my husband and brother have been on me about doing this, and i just didn't see the need to do it.  AND more importantly, the thought of losing any info in the process was enough to just keep pushing it down to the bottom of my never-ending to-do list.  so, yesterday was the day.  and lo and behold i didn't lose any data...at least not that i know of :/  i was able to replace most of the apps from my computer, but some were missing.  for the jic (just in case), i wrote down apps that i thought might not make it :)  and it just so happens i've been thinking of sharing an "app of the week" that i think you lovelies would enjoy.  so, here is the first...

click the above logo for detailed info

i've actually just downloaded this app last week, and i've already used it a couple of times.  w/ this app you can send super cute cards, notes and announcements via text and email.  you can even add pics to them!  AAAAAND, you can have red stamp mail an actual paper card to the recipient.  the app is free, but you of course pay for any snail mail.  you could even send a cute calendar to a friend!  so neat!  here is one i sent to the awesome angela wilson...

angela photographed next month's fab mama-jama today!  yea!  it was a rainy, rainy day and poor thing had to travel w/ her three kiddos.  including her newest addition, anderson, who had enough of miss sandra holding him :/  angela, gracefully took baby a and kept on snapping!

thank you angela!!!

fyi, there is no editing to pics w/in red stamp.  i fist edited the pic in another iphone app that i love!  so, here is number two...

click the above logo for detailed info

i use this app A TON!  most of the photos i use on this blog are from my iphone.  it's just so easy and convenient!  in fact, i am going to try and upload pics i took of this month's fab mama-jama w/ my canon rebel to my iphone, use this app for editing and then uploading to this blog.  i'm very curious to see how they turn out!

hope y'all found these apps useful...let me know what your fave apps are!

panko bread crumbs saved my life...

okay, not really, BUT they sure did help me out tonight!  i was trying out another broccoli recipe i found on pinterest.  one cup of italian seasoned bread crumbs were to be used in these broccoli bites (click the link for the recipe!).  so, i poured the crumbs into a one-cup measuring cup, only to find out i had just about 3/4 cup of crumbs.  i walked to the pantry w/ hopeful steps thinking i might have something to substitute that last 1/4 cup.  PANKO!  i walked back to the measuring cup and was totally grossed out to see BUGS IN THE BREADCRUMBS!!!  EEEEWWWWWW!!!!!  barf!  puke!  BLEGGGHHH!!!!

soooooo, i poured them out, tried not to barf and used a whole cup of panko bread crumbs and sprinkled about a table spoon of italian seasoning into them.  i should have added salt, but they still tasted yummy w/ my mama's leftover spaghetti :)  sophia ate A LOT of them, and i'm hoping there won't be any gas pains :/  but so glad to get some green veggies in today!

aaand, most of them were not bite-size, lol

another awesome mom moment today...while waiting for isabella during her dance class, i handed sophia her sippy cup from my bag.  ten minutes later i reached into my bag to find the sippy cup i filled up for her today, and i quickly realized i had given her a cup that had been in my purse from yesterday...awesome.  at least it was juice and not milk, right??

awesome mom moment number three...opened the washer to start a new load, but found a huge load of damp clothes in there already.  i cannot for the life of me remember when i put that load in there  :/

but hey, at the end of the day, the house didn't burn down, no one broke any bones, and the hubby was extra complimentary on how nice the house looked...it was a good day!

and b/c the picture of the broccoli isn't the best (and b/c i just had to share this lovely moment)...

my little ladies just lovin' on each other

L-O-V-E

i was taking a break...

and you should, too!  i had been designing some invitations and thought i needed to "walk away" from them for awhile...this is SO helpful to me when i'm designing/creating things.  anyway, i digress...again, lol.  *sigh*  i'm so glad that i can entertain myself.  okay, really, back to my point...i left illustrator to facebook for a bit.  i came across an article that someone posted.  there was a thumbnail of children titled "don't carpe diem".  the first few words enticed me..."every time i'm out w/ my kids -- this seems to happen..."  yes, please tell me more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

read it!  read every word til the end...trust me, you'll be glad you did.  it was a nice break, and i'm sure you'll agree ;)

and just b/c everyone likes pics...

she's a mess, and i love her!

they adore each other...most of the time ;)

just like mamacita...

used to make!  my mom makes THE BEST rice and beans...hands down!  i've been wanting to recreate her frijoles a la charra for some time now, and yesterday was the day...and guess what?  i nailed it!!!  it was the first time for me to cook beans like this, and she wasn't even around to help.  but w/ some tips from my brother and my sister AND their recollection of what my mom does, i gave it a shot.  i have to admit they were a little salty, and i may know why.  i told my mom my recipe and process and she said that she doesn't salt the water (i did).  i will have to play around w/ the recipe the next time i cook them.  although, it will be awhile as i cooked a big pot o' beans!

the beginning

the end :)

i'm not going to share this recipe until i figure out the salt situation.  honestly, i felt much like my mom as i was cooking this...no measuring, no idea how long i cooked them, and it just came from the heart :)  the idea that i was trying to recreate the taste of my mom's delicious beans was pretty exciting, and omgoodness, the house smelled dee-lish, lol!  i told the hubs, "well, it smells like i'm doing something right!"  seriously, he could tell you how anxious i was about the outcome AND how proud and excited i was that they tasted just like mom's :)  once i have these down, it's on to her rice!

be thinking of that one dee-lish dish of your mama's that you would love to "nail"...another contest is simmering ;)

a week ago...

was mr. dandy's birthday, and i really wanted to have a special post for him.  it was to be so special that my tired mind couldn't figure out what to do or say, and then well, last night was NOT a good night for me to try and be sweet, lol.  so, here we are a week later.  babe, this is for you.

january 4, 1979

jimmy carter was president.  "another brick in the wall, part II" by pink floyd was the number one song.  the cost of a gallon of gas was 88 cents, and a sony walkman was 200 bucks!  i was a month and three days old :)

on this particular thursday morning, God brought a boy into this world named jason kirk.  that boy turned into a young man that i fell HEAD OVER HEELS for.  seriously, this was unlike any other crush.  the crush turned into puppy love and puppy love turned into a romance.  and one day it dawned on me that i was truly in love w/ the man that i would one day call my husband.

january 4th was the day that God made the perfect match for me.  God knew i needed someone who appreciated my weirdness, my humor and my continuing need to create (who else would help me gather glitter, hammer wooden chairs together or make a dow rod fit on a candle holder?).  He also knew that i needed a man's man that loves steaks, loves football and loves taking care of the yard (God knows i cannot keep anything green alive).  and God did not forget that i needed a man who loves Him like i do.  God was also kind enough to fulfill my attraction for the talk, dark and handsome type, too!  ;)

and on this cold january day, He blessed this boy w/ a warm, tender heart that two little girls would need from their daddy.  and this boy was given an imagination and a mind that would hold onto his kid-like ways so play dates w/ daddy would be bar-none the best!!

so, jason, i thank God for you every. single. day.  and thank you, m & b, for raising this boy w/ all the love and support that would mold the man that he is today.

happy belated birthday, mister.  my love for you is uncontrollable, God-written and lovely.  thank you for listening to your heart and loving me back :)

better late than never, right?  i put the PRO in procrastination ;)

my neck hurts...

i'm tired, and i'm just NOT in a good mood...delightful, huh?  soooo, i'm postponing tonight's post until tomorrow.  until then, have a giggle over this...

isabella - mama, i'm trying to play picnic w/ my friends pretend (sounding annoyed)
me - that sounds nice, what's the problem?
isabella - sophia keeps messing w/ everything
me - well, she just wants to play w/ you

...after trying to tell sophia to stop messing w/ the picnic over and over again, i suggested that isabella move her picnic to her room and close the door.  minutes later she comes to me w/ a blank piece of paper and a pencil...

isabella - will you write something for me?  i want you to write DON'T COME IN MY ROOM
me - *moment of silence and disbelief*  um, sure...

...i write it out for her and she then asks me to tape it on her door.  i do and she is very thankful and pleased.  i walk off and come back to find her writing on the paper...

me - wow!  what is all this?

isabella - i wrote my name so everyone knows this is my room

me - why did you write it backward?

isabella - i didn't.  that's how you spell my name (she spells it out for me).  i had to write it like that b/c it wouldn't fit on the paper

me - okay, and who are those people?

isabella - that is sophia.  she has a circle and a line through it b/c she's not allowed.  that's loralai, grace and madi.

me - and who is on the bottom?

isabella - that's you and daddy.  you and daddy have a circle and line through, too, b/c parents aren't allowed.

SHE'S FOUR YEARS OLD PEOPLE!!!

lovely, just lovely...

this might be my first ever...

saturday post!  it's saturday night, and i am typing on my laptop in bed, sipping on a glass of chilled vino and feeling relieved of what was accomplished today :)  the day started w/ isabella's first cheering game...

it was a rough start (had to wake her up from bed), quick breakfast in the car, and the girl was not about it...no pom-pom shaking, no "RA-RA-RA" (that was for you, mary), nada.  honestly, i wasn't surprised as she has experienced...stage fright/shyness, before.  so, the whole first half was a bust, but after a snacky-snack at half-time, she was ready to go!  :)

after the fun of that, we headed home for lunch and outfit change and headed to a birthday party.

this girl would just love gymnastics!

hee-hee...baby sister trying to get in on the fun!

the party so much fun and just what this dandy lady needed!!  it was a nice break to play w/ the kiddos, not think of what i need to do and just have some fun.  i mean...i wasn't at home so i could NOT do any chores, work, picking-up...*sigh* it was nice.

we came home, grabbed some pizza, watched the texans win and worked some more on dandies.  finally, after a little playtime w/ the girls, showers and such, i started on some more F-U-N!

i drew the winner of my first give-away...

and angela YOU WON!

i hope you find this planner handy!!!  photo-shoot schedule?  meal planner?  day-to-day?...all of the above?

woo-hoo!  what's that you see?  yay-uh!...my new silhouette cameo that my wonderful hubby gave me for Christmas!  in fact, this was the first time for me to use it!

and after that, i glitterized the next prize for brooke! who guessed the right answer first...ha!  i find it quite funny that all of you guessed the correct answer to the "tangled" quote :)  so here you go brooke...

hang next to your awesome collection of jewelry? shoes, perhaps? ;)

i love give-aways!!!  even if i can count on one hand the number of participants, lol.  which reminds me...awesome mr. dandy emailed me a site...http://handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com/ which he had seen on ms. ginny's blog.  i've seen some of these on pinterest and find them HYSTERICAL!  so here are a few that i personally find laugh-out-loud funny...

and last but not least...

our very own ginny! entered this!...girl!  hilarious!

oh, and this...i HAD to include this b/c mr. dandy has and does say this...

oh my...my cheeks hurt from laughing...good night lovelies!