Coconuts…

Cody, I love it! Who are they?

That's you, me, Bubba, and Tay-Tay.

Where's daddy?

He's not there.

Will what are these?

Those are coconuts.

What do we need coconuts for?

For your drinks.

~ LMBO! I sure do love my son!!! And let me just point out, I do not like coconuts and have never drank a coconut drink in front of him. So I have no idea where he got the whole using a coconut for a drink concept.

Cheers! :)

Ladybug Party

It’s amazing how much time and energy (lets not forget money) goes into planning a party and how quickly it is over. Taylor’s 2nd birthday party came and went in a blink of an eye! So fast I even forgot to blog about it! I maybe almost a month late but it’s better to be late then never. :)

The Birthday Girl:

The Invites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Decor:

The Desserts:

The Goodie Bags:  

~ I did my best to keep the food as simple as possible this year; meat and cheese tray, veggies, fruit, dips, etc. For the little kids I made ladybug shaped pb&j’s with a cookie cutter I ordered on EBay. Taylor’s cake and cupcakes were made by my wonderful cousin, Jamie. I purchased the cupcake toppers from a very cute shop, The invitation Chic, on EBay. I made the little girls ladybug goodie bags using Dana’s tutorial over at MADE. I forgot to take a picture, but the boys got a cup full of “mud” as their goodie bag. Which of course was pudding, smashed Oreo’s, and gummy worms in a cup. And for the adults, candy mold ladybug thank you’s. Taylor’s “Love Bug” shirt is from my girlfriends shop, Classy Bowtique. I got her hat from Mamabargains, and it’s made by Lollitops. I made her tutu and sparkly toe Converse’s. Oh, and her invitations. :) Until next year…

Best Mashed Sweet Potatoes!

I ran across this recipe a few months back and with a few minor tweaks I have discovered my new FAVORTIE sweet potato side dish. You can mash these by hand, whip them with a mixer, or even use a food processor. Basically, use whatever your little heart desires. What are you in the mood for? Mashed, whipped, or pulsated? Yum! :)

4 large sweet potatoes – peeled and cut into chunks

1/4 cup & 2 tablespoons maple syrup (the real stuff)

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 large sweet onion – thinly sliced

salt and pepper for taste

Heat oven to 375. In a bowl, toss together sweet potato chunks, maple syrup, and olive oil. Place in a baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, or until they are tender to a fork. 10-15 minutes before sweet potatoes are done, melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and remaining maple syrup. Cook onions till they are a golden brown, stir often. Once sweet potatoes are done transfer to a bowl you can mash them in. While mashing add browned onions, salt, and pepper. If your potatoes are not smooth enough add a tablespoon at a time of water until they reach the consistence you like. Enjoy!

Onto The Next Half Marathon

I’m slacking! Big time! I really need to get on the ball for the next half marathon before it’s to late. February 6th, 2011 is going to be here in know time. It’s time to get my running shoes on and butt in gear for Surf City Half Marathon! Wish me luck! :)

Wk	Date	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	11/1 11/7	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:19	XT	TempoRun Dist: 5 mi, Warm; 3 mi @ 12:42; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:19	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 7 mi @14:19
2	11/8 11/14	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:19	XT	Speedwork Dist: 5 mi, Warm; 2x1600 in 11:59 w/800 jogs; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:19	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 7 mi @14:19
3	11/15 11/21	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:19	XT	TempoRun Dist: 5 mi, Warm; 3 mi @ 12:42; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:19	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 8 mi @14:19
4	11/22 11/28	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:19	XT	TempoRun Dist: 6 mi, Warm; 4 mi @ 12:49; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:19	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 8 mi @14:19
5	11/29 12/5	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:11	XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:11	XT	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:11
6	12/6 12/12	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:11	XT	Speedwork Dist: 7 mi, Warm; 3x1600 in 11:52 w/800 jogs; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:11	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 9 mi @14:11
7	12/13 12/19	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:11	XT	TempoRun Dist: 6 mi, Warm; 4 mi @ 12:41; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:11	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 9 mi @14:11
8	12/20 12/26	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:11	XT	TempoRun Dist: 7 mi, Warm; 5 mi @ 12:48; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:11	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 mi @14:11
9	12/27 1/2	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:02	XT	Speedwork Dist: 8 mi, Warm; 4x1600 in 11:45 w/800 jogs; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @14:02	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 mi @14:02
10	1/3 1/9	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:02	XT	Easy Run Dist: 4 mi @14:02	XT	Easy Run Dist: 4 mi @14:02	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 mi @14:02
11	1/10 1/16	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:02	XT	TempoRun Dist: 7 mi, Warm; 5 mi @ 12:41; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:02	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 mi @14:02
12	1/17 1/23	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:02	XT	TempoRun Dist: 8 mi, Warm; 6 mi @ 12:47; Cool	XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:02	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 mi @14:02
13	1/24 1/30	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @13:54	XT	Speedwork Dist: 10 mi, Warm; 5x1600 in 11:37 w/800 jogs; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @13:54	Easy Run Dist: 2 mi @13:54	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 12 mi @13:54
14	1/31 2/6	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:19	XT	TempoRun Dist: 5 mi, Warm; 3 mi @ 12:42; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 mi @14:19	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Race Day Dist: Half-Marathon @12:39 Time: 2:45:52

Mexican Pork and Pinto Beans

I finally made dried beans in the crock-pot that turned out yummy. Yay! Not only did Adam enjoy dinner, so did the kids. Mason actually ate 2 burritos! This dish will defiantly be made again. And even better, it made enough for leftovers plus a container to freeze for dinner in a few weeks.

Mexican Pork and Pinto Beans: 

4lb pork roast (boneless is easier to shred
1lb dried pinto beans
8oz can diced green chilies
2tbsp salt
2tbsp ground cumin
2tbsp dried oregano
2tbsp garlic powder
1tbsp chili powder
Tortillas

In a bowl, mix together beans, chilies, and spices. Place roast into your crock-pot and pour the bean mixture around it. Using the same mixing bowl, fill with water and pour on top of the roast. This way you get out all the spices left inside. Put enough water in your crock-pot so the roast is almost covered. Cook on low for about 9 hours. Check half way through to make sure the beans haven’t absorbed all the water. If they have add a little at a time. Once it’s done, remove the roast and shred with two forks. Return the meat to the crock-pot and let soak while you get everything else ready for dinner. Enjoy!

*My beans never absorbed all the water and I actually ended up draining the dish once the shred meat cooked for a little bit*

Kids Pumpkin Carving Party

I had some doubts once I started (along with my wonderful BCF, Jamie) gutting 22 pumpkins, but… The kids pumpkin carving party was a SUCCES! Of course it had to rain on this one day in October. But what party goes off without any problems? Hell, I had two groomsmen show up to our wedding wearing the wrong colored vest and cummerbunds. If I can handle that on one of the most important days of my life, then I can handle a rain storm during a kids party. :)

Pumpkin Carving Time:

Lunch Time:

The Finished Pumpkins:

As for the food, which I’m still super bummed I didn’t get pictures of, we served: bloody worms (pulled pork), scrambled brains (macaroni salad), scary ghosts (pb&j’s), skeleton bones (veggie tray), and goblin eyes (fruit salad). For dessert there was a graveyard cake and cupcakes. And to drink we had Swamp Juice (lime and lemon concentrate w/sprite and sherbet ice cream), Blood Punch (cranberry juice and club soda w/floating orange slices), and “Holy” Water (something i need to drink more of).

Can’t wait till next year!!

Hurricane Sluricane

The other day I was online window shopping at work (it was during my dinner break, i swear) and feel in love with this:

Williams-Sonoma Rustic Glass Hurricane

And then there was this:

Avery Hurricanes

Of course neither are in the price range I can afford. Nor would I buy them because they would be broken within weeks by my monsters kids. But then I came across this:

15" Hurricane Candle Holder

And I almost bought a few of them until I remembered what I had seen earlier this week at the Dollar Tree: 

So now I have these:

Which look great right here in my entrance like this:

My anti-depressant

After this past weekend I was told decided it would be best for me to take some time off from running so *fingers crossed* my shin splints heal.  I was advised, aka TOLD, I shouldn’t run for about a month or so. I’m thinking “or so” means two weeks. Yes? No?

It was just little over a year ago that I finished my first half marathon and since then I have completed a total of 4 half marathons. Last weekend being my personal best, finished in 2:51! My goal was to average a 13 min pace and I ended up averaging a 13:07 pace. I’ll take it! Funny how something I despised not so long ago has turned into a passion for me.

Actually, it’s become more like a drug to me. I never thought it could happen, but I’m addicted. The more I run, the more I push myself, the higher I get. Resulting in me feeling like I can do anything I set my mind to. The sky is the limit when I am running.

Kinda sounds like PCP minus the harmful side effects. Besides these damn shin splints, that is. You can bet money on I’ll take my natural drug any day over PCP!

Tick-tock tick-tock these next two weeks need to fly by! :)

*Long Beach International Half Marathon*

Halloween Banner

I have a beautiful mantel above my fireplace and for some odd reason I have absolutely nothing to hang from it. So I changed that very quickly! :)

What you’ll need:

Halloween Paper - The paper I used was from My Mind’s Eye "Spooked" 2008 collect. I found it at Big Lots awhile ago.

Cricut or traceable templates - You’ll need a base shape, overlay shape, and letters.

Ribbon

Glue stick

Razor

Super easy steps:

1. Cut out your shapes. I choose a 5.5” circle, 4” blacked-out “flower”, and my letters are 2” cuts. Of course you can make yours any size you like.2. Next you’ll want to glue your pieces together. I decided to make my overlay shape solid black because I thought it looked to busy with it being a print. 3. With your razor slice a large enough opening for your ribbon 1/4 of the way down from the top on both sides of your letters.4. Lace ribbon through your die cut by entering the top of your first letter and then exiting the letter by coming up through back. Repeat with the remaining letters.5. Cute banner for the mantel. :)

Skulls, Pumpkins, Oh MY!

I have a beautiful mantel above my fireplace and for some odd reason I have absolutely nothing on it. So I got to thinking  (i know scary!) what are some key elements to Halloween? Skulls and pumpkins were the first to come to mind. Then I thought (yes, that would be 2 thoughts in one day. OVERLOAD) what says super cute Halloween decor more then glitter? Um, nothing! Glitter it is!!

I recommend working over a cookie sheet for this project. I also lined my cookie sheet with foil so when it was time to pour the extra glitter back into the container it was easier. Wax paper would probably work better but I was all out.

All you need to do is use a paint brush and coat the skull with glue. Make sure you work in small sections so the glue doesn’t dry out before getting covered with glitter. If you notice a spot lacking glitter, just recoat that area with glue and then re-glitter. Tap the object a few times once it’s dry to knock off any extra glitter. Then pour left over glitter back into your container. And now your done!

Throw some color on the pumpkins and you get these…

I was able to find the skulls at the Dollar Tree and the pumpkins came from Joann’s. They were apart of the “8 Harvest Mix” bagged decor. I lucked out with them being 50% off plus another 30% off because one was chipped. Coming to .25 a pumpkin. I’m no genus but that’s cheaper then the Dollar Tree! :)

Halloween Wreath

I LOVE to decorate for the holidays and Halloween is no expectation! The only thing is, I like cute and fun Halloween decorations. Not the typical blood, guts, and skulls stuff. So when I came across this super cute Halloween Wreath I just knew I had to make it. I did do a couple things different, but it still turned out great!

Items Needed:

12” Wreath

1 1/2” Ribbon (18 foot spool)

Multiple 3/8” & 5/8” matching ribbon (appx. 900/1000” total)                                                               

3 and 1 Numbers                                                     

Glitter Paint                                                                   

Hot glue gun                                                              

Extra ribbon to hang wreath (appx. 2 feet)                               

Steps:

1. Wrap 1 1/2” ribbon around your wreath (I found this ribbon in the clearance bin at Joann’s for $1).2. Cut the 3/8” & 5/8” ribbon into 5” sections. (I did cut a few 4.5” sections to use on the inside of my wreath).  Most of my ribbon was bought at the $1 Tree and in the $1 section of Target. 3. Fold ribbon in half and sew together, making a long strip.4. Now cut between each ribbon, separating them from the strip.5. Open the bottom of your sewn piece and apply hot glue. Then place on your wreath. Work in small sections till you fill the wreath. 6. Paint your numbers using glitter paint (next time I’ll apply an undercoat so I don’t have to apply so many coats of the glitter paint).     7. Once the numbers are dried glue to the front of your wreath. Then turn over and glue matching ribbon onto the back of the wreath as the hanging ribbon. You can simply loop the wreath through the ribbon but I didn’t like how it smashed the front ribbon.8. Now hang your SUPER CUTE Halloween wreath!!

Table Talk

 

The other morning Mason and I were having our normal breakfast conversation when he ask, "Mom, does F-U-C-K spell anything?" Of course I was totally shocked and I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. So as nonchalantly as I could over my cup of coffee I ask him what he thought. "Yeah, it spells F*CK!" Alrighty then, lesson learned. Don't ask a 6 going on 7 year old who clearly can sound out words what they spell!

Who Dat?

"Who dat? Who dat? Who dat sayin dey gonna beat dem Saints?" I’m happy to say it wasn’t the 49ers on Monday night! I was super lucky to be able to attend the game. And what an awesome game it was!

I went to the game knowing; 1. They had to win this game because most of my closest friends are Niner fans. 2. I wanted the game to be a good one. No blow out like the last time they came to town. and 3. They had to win so I could get my new Saints shot glass.  Check, check, and check!! Saints 25 Niners 22.