thankful for...

Those of you who know me know that I'm not a big fan of cooking.. Yes, it's sad but true. That is why today I am very thankful for my mother in law who was nice enough to make/freeze a meatloaf while she was visiting. Guess what was for dinner tonight? Yep, already made meatloaf! All I had to do was add the sides and make her special, oh-so-yummy, sauce. Wha-la, a nice dinner made in less than 20 minutes with no big mess to clean up.. thank you mother in law!

YOU MAKE ME SMILE...

"Don't know how I lived without you cuz everytime I get around you I see the best of me inside your eyes, You make me smile."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...

At 3 years old "Little Red" loves:
* stuffed animals
* mac & cheese
* Alvin and the Chipmunks
* singing in the car
* Disney Princesses
* anything chocolate!
* her blankey




Little Red had a wonderful birthday! We began the birthday festivities at Red Robin. Chicken strips and cantalope, chocolate milk and of course a birthday sundae with singing waiters made for a great birthday lunch! Her party was later in the day at Chuck E Cheese. Good friends, pizza, cake and once again, singing waiters/characters.. what more could a three year old ask for?

Big Girls new accessories.. EARRINGS!

I can't believe she did it! The tears came right after they pierced her ears, but they didn't last long. She walked out of Claire's with a new zhu zhu pet and lip gloss to go with her new earrings, then a chocolate dipped ice cream cone from Dairy Queen compliments of Grammy and PaPa.

Cutting out the JUNK MAIL...

I can NOT stand junk mail.. we receive so much every week and it drives me bananas! I am one of those people that opens all mail so I can shred anything with my name/address on it (since we have been victims of identity theft) and I'm tired of all this "extra" mail I have to shred. I completely understand that businesses need to advertise, but that is what billboards and the internet are for, not my mailbox... and the pre-approved credit card offers, HOLY COW! Enough already!

Anyway, I'm reading Good Housekeeping and come to a page that says "Get off junk-mail lists" and I cannot read fast enough! You can register with the Direct Marketing Association to STOP junk mail.. here is the website:

www.dmachoice.org

Thank you Good Housekeeping!!

MY, HOW TIME FLIES!

This free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

After New Years Resolution...

So, last night I made one of my new recipes for dinner.. a pasta dish, no surprise there since I am a self proclaimed carb-o-holic! Anyway, as I was "slaving away" in the kitchen I started thinking about all the things that I know how to make, or shall I say the LACK of things.. those who know me know that I don't like to cook. All those recipes that call for TONS of ingredients and have you preparing them in a way I've never heard of, they intimidate me to say the least. Poor hubby only has a handful of options when it comes to what I make for dinner.. spaghetti, tacos, chicken enchilladas, chicken enchillada casserole and chicken & rice.. Gotta love that man of mine because he NEVER complains about my lack of cooking skills!

Anyway, I have decided to make a post New Years resolution.. to step out of my comfort zone and get cookin'! But I need some help.. so if you have a great recipe (kid friendly is a plus) that is easy to make, send it to me! I don't want to get too overwhelmed so keep it simple. Here is my newest dinner invention for you to try.. enjoy!

1 pkg penne pasta
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Cook pasta as directed on box, drain. Combine heavy cream & butter in saucepan over medium heat, heat until butter melts stirring occasionally, do not boil.

Stir in parmesan, parsley, salt, pepper & garlic powder. Toss with cooked pasta.