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*