Puppy X's 2, Please!

Look what showed up at our house.

Remember that scary sound? Oh wait - I don't think I published that story.

Backstory:

I was roasting on the front porch last Sunday while Dave and Hallie napped. When suddenly I started hearing "yip, yip, yip," but much scarier sounding. I put on my rubber boots and hiked down into the hollow (or whatevever that would be) and found...nothing.

So here's what the nothing was, I'm sure.

I was thrilled. Zoey,

Not so much.

If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a puppy (or two) give them my phone number!

Like, Totally.

Like, today, I like, totally got my ears pierced.

At age 29.

PS - who knew I had so many freckles? And a beard? But don't look at that, okay?

PPS - I really want these earrings, okay? And these! Oh what the heck, and these.

Swimmer.

Swim Lesson #1 - Hallie sobbed the entire time. And I am not exaggerating. She sobbed the.entire.time. It was heartbreaking. I'm thinking of pulling her out. I'm thinking of putting a hit out on the swim teacher, nancy.

Swim Lesson #2 - see above. At the end, Swim Teacher Nancy suggests that she might do better if we observe from above.

Swim Lesson #3 - Hallie is hysterical when I leave her below. I go back down to take her potty and make the deal - if she doesn't cry, I will stay. No more crying.

Swim Lesson #4 - awesome. Smiling and everything.

Swim Lesson #5 - even more awesome. Lots of smiling. Loving the lessons.

Swim Lesson #6 - holy crap, she's swimming.

Weekend swim time with friends - I can't turn my back on her. She refuses to swim with any sort of floation device - arm floaties, swim belt, life jacket, etc. Instead she jumps into the water, comes up, takes a breath and swims all over the place.

Thank you, Nancy.

What's Up?

1. I parted my hair in the middle today. Like, a flashback to college. Our student worker didn't like it, but I told her that her opinion is not valid.

2. Hallie informed me and Dave that she wanted to be a mermaid when she grew up.

3. I am wearing a shirt my mother-in-law bought me at a garage sale. And I didn't wash it first. (it was brand new with tags, but I know).

4. I have had a headache on and off for almost five days now.

5. I am working on my sweating. Oh yes you read that correctly. One of my favorite people, Alison, hooked me up with her prescription Dry Sol. Google it. It burned a bit last night but hello, no sweat today. Seriously.

6. I am re-thinking my entire wardrobe now that I don't have to worry about pit stains.

7. I am so gross.

8. I had a blast with my friends from college on Friday night. Minus one. A Very important one.

9. Hallie had a hard time falling asleep at Erin's house this weekend. Because she had bad feelings. Breaks your heart!

10. I love Patty with straight hair. I love Patty no matter what!

Burt.

I love Zoey, but I miss Burt (right). He was such a good boy.

Sad.

You Lookin' At Me?

I just found these pictures.

Pictures of Dave taking pictures of Hallie taking pictures of Dave.

Do you follow?

Do You See What I See?

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I smell it.

From these three.

Yep.

In Disguise.

Certainly this is not my daughter.

This is a picture of an almost-four-year-old.

My daughter is still just a tiny baby.

Forever.

R.I.P Little Mole.

This tiny mole was left by Zoey as a testimony of her mole-hunting ability.

Well done.

Hallie, sadly, is attached to moles.

Apparently she is so sad for this mole's mother, who is probably waiting for him to come home. Pooooor little mole mommy.

It was pretty cute.

PS - Zoey will come and kill your moles for a price. I hear the going rate is $25/mole. Excellent.

One, Two, Etc.

I am counting my blessings today.

1. Ripe cucumbers and zucchini in my garden.

2. Heat. Oh, I love the heat.

3. Subway for lunch.

4. A new book.

5. A family I love who loves me too.

6. Etc.

There. I feel better.

Keepin' On.

My 30 Before 30

Finished some super cute bottom-half cafe curtains for my laundry room! I made them a smidgeon too short, so I need to lengthen the hem. But I'm counting it as done. Because it's my list.


1. Successfully grow a garden (that one is going great!)

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Learn to play "Dawn" (from Pride and Prejudice) on the piano.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Take Hallie to the Shedd Aquarium.

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (november!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 10 pounds.

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)

19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Smokey & Casper.

Meet our two horses.

Smokey and Casper - just like my dad's! (can you tell Hallie picked out the names?)















Aren't they super sweet????

This one (I think Casper?) loved the carrots and apples we brought over.

And yes, that is a disgusting amount of drool/slobber/horse saliva coming out. This was the best picture we got of it. You can't see how much of it ended up on our sweet blonde girl. GROSS.

PS - They are not really our horses. They are in the pasture at the pond, where we live. Handy, with zero committment. Gotta love that!

PPS - Did you know Dave is scared of horses? Well, of them kicking? Hysterical.

Lot Lizards Love Enchiladas.

These were awesome. I was drinking the sauce. Gross, but oh-so-good.


Tex-Mex Truckstop Enchiladas



1 lb lean ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeño, minced (just used a bit of diced)

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Black pepper, cumin, and chili powder for seasoning mixture

1 roasted mild pepper such as Pablano (I omitted)

1/2 cup beef stock (I used beef broth - would have used chicken too)

1/3 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen (frozen)

salt to taste (kosher)

double recipe of Jessica’s Enchilada sauce (below)

corn tortillas (I used flour, because think corn is gross)

grated cheese of your choice (mozz and cheddar)

Chopped onion for garnish (optional) (nah)



Brown ground beef in a skillet with onions, jalapeño pepper, and garlic. Season with black pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Drain excess grease.



Add stock, chopped roasted pepper and corn. Simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Filling can be made 1 day ahead. Reheat filling before using.



Preheat oven to 350. Grease a baking dish.



Warm tortillas in microwave until softened and pliable. Using tongs, dip tortilla in sauce to lightly coat. Lay on a plate and add about 2-3 rounded tablespoons of beef filling on top. Sprinkle grated cheese over mixture and roll enchilada snugly. Transfer to baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.



Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas, submerging them in the sauce. Bake for about 25 minutes (I covered them with foil). Once sauce is bubbling and enchiladas are heated throughout, remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese and onion (if desired). Place in oven for a few minutes to melt cheese.



Enchilada Sauce

(Jessica)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder





Use this economical sauce to prepare enchiladas or any recipe calling for enchilada sauce.



*Heat oil in large 2-quart saucepan; stir in flour and chili powder; cook for 1 minute.

*Add remaining ingredients bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.

*Makes about 3 cups sauce.

I am On a Roll!

Roll, not role. *Sigh*

I love Hibatchi.

My 30 Before 30


1. Successfully grow a garden (that one is going great!)

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Learn to play "Dawn" (from Pride and Prejudice) on the piano.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Take Hallie to the Shedd Aquarium.

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (november!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 10 pounds.

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)

19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.

Swagger Wagon.

I'm sure you've already seen it, but here's a shoutout to all my peeps with a SwaggerWagon.

Look Familiar?

2008

2010 

These Two.

They take the best pictures together.

God Bless The Telephone Trick.

Do you remember this post? Where my camera broke? My OLD camera? And I was so bummed to have to buy a new one?

But then I did?

And then do you remember this post? Where my new camera broke, but I googled and fixed it with that super cool "telephone trick" aka "beating your camera until it submits?"

Well.

I was digging through our junk drawer to find something, and I found my old camera. And I wondered....hmm....I wonder if it just needs a good kick in the butt to get working again.

It did.

I am thrilled. Beyond thrilled, actually. this camera is much better than my new one, in terms of lighting and such. they are both just the point and shoot. But regardless...YAY!!!!!

Summer Days.

We took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks last weekend. It was one of those perfect, summery weekends where you live in the water. It was Heaven on earth, that much is true.

And don't I look hot? Before you insult my shades, let me tell you that they are Grandma Perkin's sunglasses.

So shut it.

Fail.

Remember my food goals? Here's an update.

1. Try to cut out McDonalds and other fast foods. Fail.

2. Clean out pantry and toss (or donate - who wants them??) the stuff that is full of the nasties. Fail.

3. Cook from scratch as much as possible, using as many fresh ingredients as possible. Success.

4. Fresh fruits, veggies and home-made treats for snacks. Fail/Success.

I suck.

The whole "clean out the pantry" thing just didn't happen. I weighed my priorities. Do I want to be in the kitchen making all homemade treats during my time-off from work? Nope. It's a lovely idea, but it really eats into my family time.

I still cook supper from scratch, and I love doing that. I love nice, family meals. And we are big fans of fruits and veggies around here already. So Hal will chow on some watermelon, but then might also have some Cheez-Its or Pringles too. And I'm cool with that.

You dig?

30 before 30.

Six down, 24 to go!


My 30 Before 30

1. Successfully grow a garden (that one is going great!)

2. Purchase new drinking glasses (white polka dot from Target - love)

3. Sew a quilt

4. Print all past pictures since Hallie was born (making progress!)

5. Put #4 into albums.

6. Learn to play "Dawn" (from Pride and Prejudice) on the piano.

7. Re-size my super-cute moo-moo.

8. Get (and stay) pregnant (no pressure, right?).

9. Take Hallie to the Shedd Aquarium.

10. Take a tour of Woodlawn Farm.

11. Give up soda.

12. Visit Kurt in Colorado. (november!!!)

13. Find and buy black and white striped cushions for porch swing/rockers. I changed my mind.

14. Eat hibatchi with Dave.

15. Go on a job with Dave. In the semi.

16. Lose 10 pounds.

17. Organize under the kitchen sink.

18. Take a trip with Hallie and Dave. (St. Louis - to the City Museum, Brewery and Neil!)

19. Hang up plate wall in dining room.

20. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch.

21. Buy nightstands for the master bedroom.

22. Buy lamps for the master bedroom.

23. Make a headboard for the master bedroom.

24. Have new windows installed in the house. Blah.

25. Host an outdoor movie night.

26. Host a bonfire.

27. Sew curtains for the laundry room.

28. Pay off sound loan.

29. Pay off my car loan.

30. Host a fish fry.