Day 7: Hannah loves her nap some of the time!

Today has been pretty productive already!  The day started at 5:30 am with my morning run.  This morning, I decided to run the treadmill at the gym as opposed to running outside.  What a mistake!  I guess there were pros and cons... pros- I was able to run on a steep incline... therefore my run was 3 times harder than it usually was and you can bet I was huffing and puffing by the end of it.  cons- the run seemed longer because I wasn't able to enjoy the scenery of the neighborhood.  To me, the cons outweighed the pros.. plus the whole thing took longer since I had to drive the 5 minutes to the gym and back so I barely got my shower in before Jon had to get up and get ready for work.

It seems that lately our Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays have been a lot more productive because I get up earlier.  I can get my run and coffee in and it seems that I'm energized for the WHOLE day!  Tuesdays and Thursdays I seem to drag.  I guess I should try to wake up at 5:30 every morning and maybe all my days would be as productive.  I'm trying to keep my runs down to 4 days a week to avoid over-exertion and getting burnt out.

In Chillin news, Hannah took her WHOLE nap this morning!!!  I was so surprised that she wasn't up by 10:30 like usual.  I even went into her room to check on her around 11 and she was still snoozing.  She was a TIRED little girl!!  Alex has started having whole conversations with her which is absolutely the funniest thing I've ever seen.  He'll babble in Alex speak and then tap her when she turns away to make sure she's listening. lol!  He'll even lean in and say something in baby talk like, "um do you understand what i'm saying?" lol.

In other news, Jon and Alex both adore fresh fruit so we have started purchasing lots of different fruits and then I'll prepare them mid week for the boys to enjoy.  These past few days however, Jon has been asking me at least twice a day.... do we have fresh fruit yet???  Like saying, "c'mon Carolina and cut up the fruit!" lol.  So today I prepared all the fruit.

In case you're wondering, the middle bowl is melon.  I think Jon enjoys the melon the most.  I personally don't like melon but he adores it.  Alex is more for the grapes, as a matter of fact if I gave him that whole bowl he would probably finish it off within half an hour.  It's hard to explain to a toddler that too MUCH fruit = tummy troubles later.

In recipe news, tonight we are having made from scratch chicken pot pie for dinner!!  I know what you're thinking.. But Carolina.. Chicken pot pie is a cold weather dish.  Pish Posh is what I say!!!  pairing a fresh salad with the pie makes it a little summery.... and besides Jon has been begging me to make it since the last time I made it... which was easily 9 months ago... I think.  Pictures and recipe tomorrow!!  So long for now blog followers!!!!

Day 6: Today has been ROUGH

Alex has officially entered his terrible 2's.  With Avengence.  Sometimes I feel so defeated after the billionth and one time he's decided to throw a temper tantrum.  Lately, he's started doing it in grocery stores especially the Kroger on Highway 70.  *sigh*  in the middle of the store right in front of the baby isle there is a huge display of bouncy balls.  Whoever did that should have to deal with a 2 year old saying, "BALL??!!!  BALL???!!!!"  every time we go in there and have to tell them that NO they can't have  a ball today.  then they wouldn't put those stupid balls there I'll tell ya that much!

So after I tell him no, the temper tantrum ensues.  The crying first,  then the flailing of hands, then the kicking, and if he weren't confined to the cart he would throw himself down on the floor face first as if he were dying.  Because of this horrible fit that he gets in the baby isle I've tried going the opposite way from the back of the isle... or distracting him by talking to him.  I've even brought shiny things and toys with me but it's no use.  BALL??!!!  BALL??!!!!  eugh DAMN YOU KROGER AND YOUR SILLY BOUNCY BALLS!!

Today we moved his toy box and all of his stuffed animals and books into his bedroom.  At first he threw a fit but then realized he was able to spend most of his time in his room by himself playing... so he spent the whole afternoon in there.  He and Hannah also got new booster seats today and he seems to really enjoy sitting at the table with us like a big boy.  He was talking in gibberish like he was having a conversation with himself, and even ate all his grilled cheese... a muffin from breakfast this morning and a whole piece of cheesecake.  Lately his appetite has been in overdrive.  He's always hungry and is always wanting to eat.  In the morning he eats all his breakfast and THEN has cheerios while I watch the today show.  It amazes me that he is now eating more than me.  I kinda have started thinking he might have a tape worm. lol!  He's never satisfied

In other news, I have successfully trained for my 5k for almost a week now.  It's getting to be more and more fun getting out to run in the mornings.  I also signed up for my 5k in December!  The 3rd at 7:15am.  I cannot wait!!!!

Ok, while doing this and talking to my dear friend Latona I will try to give you an update on my two new recipes for the week!!!!

First for dinner I made a pot roast.  Now, I will say that the preparation time was very simple but the cook time was drudgery.  The recipe called for the roast to cook 3 hours however in MY oven it only needed 2 hours to cook before the internal temp was 160 degrees.  Here is the recipe.  I also used an oven bag.  don't judge me.

• 1 Reynolds® Oven Bag, Large Size 
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 envelope (1 oz.) onion soup mix
• 3 to 3 1/2 pound boneless beef chuck pot roast
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme (optional)
• 6 to 8 small (1-inch in diameter) whole red potatoes
• 1 medium onion, cut in quarters
• 1 package (16 oz.) peeled baby carrots
• Chopped parsley (optional)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

First, you open the oven bag and put the flour water and onion soup mix in.  Trust me I thought the onion soup mix would overpower the roast but it was actually an amazing compliment!

Shake this all together in the bag, then rub the roast with thyme on both sides and stick it in there! Stick the veggies in the bag, Tie the bag shut with a nylon tie and shake that sucker up!  Make sure it all gets coated with the sauce!

From there I put the roast and veggie bag in a 9x13 pyrex dish to cook.  If you have a roast pan then AWESOME but I didnt so basic pan it was!  I stuck the roast in the oven and it's supposed to cook for 3 hours but it only took my oven 2 hours to cook it.  Just make sure the very middle of that thing is 160 degrees.  we don't want all you lovely readers getting sick now do we?

Here's a pic of my oven bag pot roast :

Here's a pic of what it looks like when you remove the bag.  Make sure not to slosh those juices on ya it's HOT!!

It was very good for my first time!  Jon approved of it!

Now, for my dessert I made it the same day(and by day I mean 8:45 that night)  but it had to chill overnight.  So we got to have it for dessert tonight after veggie burritos!  These are something I make quite frequently and so simple it's not worth putting on here.  After all this is for NEW things I try.  :)  

Here's the recipe for Luscious Lemon Cheesecake:

• CRUST:
• 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 4 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• Now THIS dessert is simply amazing... and it was the first time for me to make cheesecake from scratch.
• 
  
• First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  I forgot to do this and it lengthened my time with this cheesecake IMMENSELY!  
• 
  
• 1. In a bowl, combine crumbs, nuts and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 10-in. springform pan; set aside. in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, beating on low speed just until combined. Add lemon juice, peel and vanilla; beat just until blended. Pour into crust.
  2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from the oven; let stand for 5 minutes. Combine topping ingredients; spread over filling. Return to the oven for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
  3. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before slicing.
  
  
  My kitchen once the cheesecake went into the oven?
  
  
  
  Cheesecake before Baking:
  
  
  
  
  
  Mmmmm!!  side view:
  
  
  
  The bowl? (I licked it a LITTLE!  Sue me yall! :-P)
  
  
  
  End result?
  
  
  
  awww MAN!!  it was SO good!  I'm tellin ya if I could eat the whole thing I would.  Restraint people! Restraint!  
  
  
  Much love to all my readers out there whoever you are!  Thanks to everyone following me.  Jon doesn't have too much to make fun of me for anymore :-P xoxo

Day 5: hmmm this blogging thing is a little harder than I thought

So first off, blogging world.  I'm trying to figure out how to follow all my friends on this thing.  Jon has been poking fun of me because I have no followers :(  Now I have one thanks to my gal pal Emily!  xoxo.  There are also several private blogs I want to follow, but I"ve just figured out how to "follow" people and now the blog link has expired.  How annoying.

Onto other news, for awhile now I've been following the Casey Anthony case.  I know it seems kind of silly but the outcome of this 3 year long case had me flabbergasted.  I"m sorry, but I don't in any sense of the word consider that woman innocent.  It also shows, however that anything can happen in our justice system.  The United States is afterall the land of the free, and because of our democracy and our judicial system we are innocent until proven guilty.  In this case, a murderer has been set free.  And it is not my place nor anyone elses to determine what this woman "deserves" it is God's decision.  And she might not be facing judgement now, but when she faces the Lord on judgement day she will definately receive her fate.  weither she has been forgiven or is sentenced by God to eternity in hell.  It is not our place ultimately.

Now off of my soapbox, I will tell you what is for dinner tonight!  Jon has told me that he wants me to start making pot roast so that's what I'm trying tonight.  I will be cheating a little because I'm going to be using an oven bag, however I'm still excited about it!  I was going to make lemon cheesecake however I don't have the time.  the silly recipe suggests setting overnight.  HA that's not even FAIR I was looking foreward to some cheesecake tonight!  Oh well.  I will post tomorrow with pictures and recipes as usual!  Love!!

Day 4: The kids bedrooms are CLEAN!

Today started out pretty badly.  Alex decided he was going to wake up at 5:15am.  I opened one eye and said to myself, "maybe he is just temporarily awake and will go back to sleep."  Good one Carolina... that's really funny.  After about 10 minutes or so I got myself out of bed, made his milk and fruit, went into his bedroom and he is sitting in his bed looking out the window.  I have to admit even in my zombie like stuper he was pretty dern cute.

I made more coffee this morning but since we were almost out of coffee I went ahead and just poured the rest into the coffee filter.  BOY am I zinged up on coffee!  That was some STRONG stuff.  This morning, before the kids even went down for naps I had deep cleaned both of their bedrooms.  Hello!  After they went down(late might I add at 9:45am)  I was still going so I cleaned the kitchen, showered, put on MAKE UP( I know you guys are shocked.  But you know what sucks?  I forget it's on and I rub my eyes.  eugh!  all down my face.  I'll clean it up in a minute), Cleaned the bedroom and now I am anxiously waiting for the kids to arise from their naps where I can vaccum.  Vaccuming is funny in our house because Alex thinks that since the vaccum is loud he can YELL loud.  I'm surprised his voice is not gone by the time I'm done.  haha!  He's a mess.

In other news, I've decided to start training for a 5k.  Maybe I can motivate my hubs to run with me.  Although I doubt it.  Afterall how often do we have time to run together without the kids.  YEA that never happens.  If and when I really get into it I think I'm going to get a double jogging stroller.  That way I can take the chillins with me.  I still have about 6 lbs of baby weight left to lose so maybe it will come off this way.  I haven't exactly been dieting but it seems to be falling off.  Lucky me eh?

Occasionally while I'm writing I'll look up at the television and there's an AWESOME line up of sitcoms coming on this fall.  The one I'm looking foreward to most is definately "up all night" with Christina Applegate. I can SOOOO relate to that show.  It's not even funny.

Well I better hurry up and post my recipes from last night before my sweet children awaken from their slumber.  I'm actually surprised Hannah is not up already.  Hold out for 5 more minutes Hanni!!!

Last night I made a homemade pizza for dinner.  I'm not going to give you a recipe for it because it's pretty self explanatory.  But I will show you pictures!!!!

First, I cut up all the toppings.  Jon loves pepperoni but it makes me gag so it's only on one half of the pizza.  I prefer more of a veggie type but I have learned that any other pepper besides green has a LOT of water in it, so baking it into the pizza is a bad idea.  You end up with mush.  No joke.  Here are our toppings!!

After the oven was preheated I rolled out the pizza crust (if you can't tell it's COMPLETELY homemade :-P  by pillsbury)

Here is our delicious pizza TOPPED UP!

After baking for 15 minutes our pizza turned out AWESOME.  End result?

Surprisingly low calorie if you use skim mozzarella instead "mozzarella Melt topping."  Yuck.  This pizza got Jon's stamp of approval!  YUMMY!

For dessert we had German chocolate cake cookie sandwiches.  OMG.  SOOO GOOD!!!  Who knew that you can take any cake mix, simply add 2/3 cup of shortening and voila! You have cookie dough??!  Probably most people knew that but I didn't until now.  I liked this recipe so much that I plan on doing it with lemon cake mix, cherry cake mix, and vanilla cake mix.  The cookies are so delicious.  they aren't very sweet and they have this crispy outer and this moist chewy inside.  mmmmmmmmmm.  here's the recipe:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 (16 ounce) container prepared coconut pecan frosting

• So This is just so easy!  First you mix the cake mix, the 2 eggs and the shortening together to create the dough.  I suggest a mixer for this because it's difficult to stir.  VERY difficult.  But I did it and i'm a weakling so I have faith in all of you! :-P  Here's what it looks like mid mix:

Here's the end result of the dough:  

Next you roll the dough into walnut size balls.  I'm a little OCD about spacing so my spacing is IMMACULATE!  if I do say so myself: 

Next they go in the oven for 13 minutes.  the actual recipe says 8-11 but they were still mushy at that point.  End result?

They need to cool about 3 hours before adding the filling.  

The "filling" is the coconut pecan icing that accompanies the german chocolate cake typically the can is skimpily filled if you ask me.  *rolls eyes* 

Next you start to put the icing on one cookie and sandwich it with another like THIS:

End result?

These are amazing!!  So worth making and so so easy!!!

That's all for blogging today all!!  We're having lunch with daddy today and I hear miss Priss cooing in her crib!  So long!

Day 3: I LOVE COFFEE!

Today has flown by!  The past few days I've been preparing coffee in the morning because Jon has been on call and has stayed up at least a few extra hours every night answering calls.  I feel so bad for him!  We all wake up at 6:30am to start our day and it's been really hard getting out of bed for him.  So I've been putting a few extra scoops of coffee in the coffee maker to make the coffee stronger and oh my word!  After one cup I am zinged out ALL day.  Amazing what a few extra scoops will do huh?  

On another note Alex has been EXTRA hungry lately... like he will eat his breakfast, half of mine and THEN want cheerios after breakfast.  *sigh*  I guess he's going through a growth spurt. Speaking of news, Jon and I have officially picked out Alex's preschool that he will start in the Fall!  He will be attending Advent Preysbeterian twice a week from 9:30am-2:30p.  I'm excited for him to start "school" but also a little sad.  I will miss my angel boy twice a week!  But on the up side it will give Hannah and I some one on one time which I feel like she needs more of.

I think the people at Kroger are getting rather tired of seeing me everyday.  I have to go to the store almost every day during the week.  I didn't need to go Monday but yesterday the run was for diapers and formula and today it will be for the yummy dinner I'm making tonight!

Don't you think that was a great transition to recipe time?  I thought so.  Tonight will be pretty easy the menu is homemade pizza and german chocolate  cake cookies!!!  YUMMMY!!!  Of course I will have recipes and pictures for you tonight.  I know you are just on the edge of your seat!  After I prepare dinner I think I'm going to start teaching Alex to do dishes where I can eliminate that chore from the list.  Hey I know it's a stretch but a girl can dream right?

see you bloggers tonight!

Day 2: Hanni + Shots = nooo good.

Needless to say, judging by my title today was a long day and it isn't over until Hannah falls asleep.  which still hasn't happened.  *sigh*  I hurt for her.  I mean I know it's only vaccines that she has to have but it still makes her feel crappy and besides tylenol there isn't a thing I can do about it.  I can't even hold or rock her.  She is completely inconsolable. 

The Doctors visit was very interesting as well as exhausting.  Hannah is not gaining like she's supposed to which concerned me but she said it wasn't too much of a concern for HER so I guess I shouldn't worry about it.  She did say however that my daughter is way ahead development wise than most children her age.  Hannah loves to be the center of attention so you can bet she was showing off her new found ability to sit up without any help. 

Alex always picks the time when the Doctor comes in to start becoming clingy and whiney.  I wonder if it's A) he thinks she's going to poke, prod and shoot him up with drugs or B) he doesn't like that Hannah is being paid attention to and he isn't.  Either way his attitude completely changes.

At any rate, Hannah was looked at marveled at by the dr for her new "tricks" and then they shot her up with drugs.  She was completely ok until I guess the pain hit around 5:00p tonight.  And then it started.  I sure hope she feels better in the morning. 

On to last night's dinner.  Which I have pictures of YAAAAYYY!!

First at about 3:00p I started on the white chocolate magic bars which are HEAVENLY by the way:

Here is the recipe:
      *    1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts – macadamia, slivered almonds or walnuts work best

Heat your oven to 350°F (325 for glass pans).
Put the stick of butter into the pan, and put it in the oven while the oven is pre-heating.

Keep an eye on the butter, though mine is usually melted right about the time the oven reaches the desired temperature.   Remove from oven and have a spot where you can put the hot pan to work with.   Take extra care to not burn yourself.

Lightly smooth / press the graham cracker crumbs into the butter.  The back of a spoon works well for this.   Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crumbs.  This can be hard to spread if you plop it all into the center, so I slowly pour it out trying to cover the entire area so that I don’t have to spread it.


Now you will sprinkle the chocolate chips and nuts onto the sweetened condensed milk

I tend to save about 1/4 of each to put on after the coconut.    All that’s left is to add the coconut layer, and than sprinkle on the remainder of the chocolate chips and nuts.   You will than want to gently press the entire mixture down a bit, just a little pat, no need to smoosh it.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

And the result?   

So delicious trust me!!  Jon approved. 



After dessert I made dinner.  I know usually the reverse happens but I like to make sure things like the bars above are cooled enough where they aren't a gloopy mess when I try to cut them.  I'm sure you all understand. 

Here is the recipe for my spinach bleu cheese meatloaf "muffins"

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large muffin pan with cooking spray.  

Combine ground beef, blue cheese, onion, bread crumbs, spinach, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl until well blended. Divide meat mixture evenly into the prepared muffin pan. 

Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees. 

The result?     

 The spread?

I know they don't LOOK too impressive but oh BOY were they good.  Jon didn't like them because he's not a big fan of bleu cheese but I loved them and they got Alex's overwhelming stamp of approval!    clean plate!!!

Alex however didn't like the cookie bars so he had pudding for dessert instead.  I thought i'd just throw this picture in for fun!


Love you guys!!!  Tomorrow night I will make another awesome new dish!  I'll write tomorrow morning with my plans!! hopefully.  Love to all!!!!  As my mother in law says. :)

Day 1: Alex.. your legos are your friend!

So I've decided to start this blog.  Mainly because I feel that I have many things to say but the paragraphs and or phrases are way too long for facebook status updates and forget tweeter!!

 Alex woke up in a very different mood this morning.  We had eggs bacon and toast for breakfast which the dogs ate about half of.  I realize this sentence isn't grammatically correct... but it's my blog right??!  I think Molly and Bella would never have to be fed again if they sat under Alex's highchair for every meal.  I don't understand why he would rather feed them than himself but what can I do?  He had a fun filled morning playing with his legos.  every single one.  The pick up job isn't as bad as I make it out to be but it's still a little irritating.  I get a small twitch in my eye every time he dumps that huge bag of legos onto the living room floor.  Why doesn't he like playing in his room???  You spend 9 months investing time and money into making this gorgeous nursery and for what?  For your toddler to drag all his toys into the living room.  :-P

Hannah of course has gotten into her squealing, rolling over, laughing, drooling phase so the best thing is to usually just let her play on the floor.  It does get tiresome however because every five minutes I have to move her  back onto her blanket because she's rolled across the room.  My little girl is such an over achiever!

In the world of trying new recipes, Monday was interesting to say the least.  I made tuna noodle casserole and cake balls for dessert.  The casserole was ok but the cake balls were a disaster!  My recipe was lacking in the instruction department.  Don't you just hate that????

Tonight's dinner:  Meatloaf, Potatoes and white chocolate magic cookie bars.  MMMM MMMM.  blog post coming tonight with pictures!  for now my Hanni Banani is crying. back to mommy land!