Don't Follow Where I Lead....

...because I often trip over things.

True story: When I was pregnant with Corban I went outside to grab something for one of the girls. I stepped on the prong end of the rake and smacked myself in the head with it hard enough to knock me down on the ground. Gave myself a concussion.

Nice, huh? Aren't you glad you're following me?

So...it's not something I pay a whole lot of attention to, truthfully. I visit people that leave comments on my blog and then once or twice a week I visit blogs I follow. But today I was checking it out and there are people following me that I've never even seen leave a comment before! What's up with that?? I don't give away entries or anything to any contests for following me so I dunno where they all came from. Not that I MIND...watch out for the rakes.... I just want ya'll to pop in and say hi. Otherwise it gets a little ...

Creepy.

So, pop in. Say hi. No pressure. Even if you ALWAYS comment, say hi anyway. Because then? I'll come visit YOU. And I've got on my travelin' shoes. ;-)

Oh, hey? Tomorrow I'm playing along in a fun new carnival over at Fort Thompson that Tim invited me to participate in. So, make sure you check back and check it out. More VLog fun...coming your way! HA!

Iron Chef: Crockpot Throwdown WINNER!

Thank you to all of those that participated in some way in this month's challenge!

I normally would post a recipe review of my own, but I somehow deleted it (like a moron) so you're just gonna have to live with the votes and the announcement of the winner.

The recipes/contestants were:

Chicken Delicious from Mrs. PurpleMoose
Slow Cooker Pork Roast from Shelby of Schweri Stories
Crockpot Lasagna from Jen T of Many Blessings Equals Busy Life

We had 4 judge votes and 1 popular vote.

The winner of this fabulous prize:



is ........

.....

.....

.....


Shelby of Schweri Stories!!!

Congratulations, Shelby!!! Send me an email to the address in my profile with your mailing address so I can get you your prize. Grab one of these Iron Chef Champ buttons and put it up on your blog for the world to see!

I'll be announcing the challenge for Iron Chef: May next week so remember to check back and link your recipes up!

Seriously Sacred & Profane

We have an extra Tuesday this month this month so we'll just do a picture version of Sacred & Profane. Feel free to play along on your own blog, if you want!










Yeah. I'm over winter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*



Today is the LAST day to vote for the Iron Chef: Crockpot Throwdown winner!!! If you are a guest judge then I need you to email me with your vote by tonight, please! I will announce the winner tomorrow. :-)

Have a Tuesday.

Watch for flying limbs

"The wind does not break a tree that bends" - Sukuma proverb (Africa)



I am not a flexible person. No, I don't mean that I can't fold myself up like a pretzel (but I can't) or that I can't do a back handspring round-off with a twist and stick the landing (which I can't). I mean that I get a plan in my head and that is precisely the way I think things should play out. Oh, I can appear to be flexible but be assured, those moments of flexibility are completely thought out before hand therefore making them planned.

You can climb on me, you can seek shelter under my arms, you can cut me deeply but still I will stand steadfast. It takes a great amount of wind or pressure to cause me to break and splinter, but when I do, the sound is like the shot heard 'round the world.

Sometimes I wish that I were more flexible, like the willow tree, bending and swaying in the wind. But I also like my sturdiness and predictability. I just wish that others around me would respect that about me, as well. It's no secret and should not come as a shock, if you know me at all, that I like my schedule and I like things planned. So if we have a plan then expect me to be a little riled up when that plan is changed without any forethought or warning. I do try my best to adapt and it generally just takes me a few moments to cover from the change in direction of wind. However, when those careless, thoughtless microbursts hit from out of nowhere, it often leaves me splintered with limbs flying in all direction.



"The tree that does not bend with the wind will be broken by the wind" - Mandarin Chinese proverb

All I Ask of You

At the risk of ticking quite a few of you off, I need to address an issue. Look, it's important, ok? Otherwise I just would leave it alone and let it be. But I just can't this time..I can't keep letting this go by unsaid for any longer.

I need to talk to some of you ladies about your Twilight/Edward obsession. No..no..wait...just hang on a minute and don't get all defensive before I even BEGIN. Crimeny. Take a chill pill. Wait until I'm done and THEN be defensive, mmkay? *wink*

So...this Twilight/Edward stuff has just gone too far. I mean, it really has - don't you think? And I hafta say that I just don't get it. I don't see the attraction.



Oh good GRIEF. Emily, Lauren..and the rest of you..go get a paper towel and QUIT licking my blog. Disgusting. Keep your spit IN your mouth, thankyouverymuch.

Now, that CHILD up there does absolutely nothing for me. Not a darned thing. Admittedly, I have not read the book nor seen the movie. Little secret? I don't plan to. Not for any moral objections or anything (morals? do I have those?) but just because it's not my cup of tea. I do have many friends that have and they've filled me in on the basics.

Is it his dysfunctional/abusive/stalker relationship with Bella? "I want a love like that!" Yikes! Really? Because if THAT is what you're after then I think you should really look into becomming Phantom of the Opera fans. That there is some scary dysfunctional obsessive 'love' for ya. Plus? Oh yeah...the Phantom is disfigured so he is infinitely more dangerous and myserious.

New Phantom, Old Phantom..the story is still the same - the level of creepy stalker love is still there. Just look at him...If you're going for dark and mysterious, THIS is your man, I'm telling you.



Is it the vampire angle? That whole "I vant to suck your blood" thing turn you on? Ok, well, let me present to you two OTHER vampire movies that you can explore as alternatives...

Lost Boys, anyone? Keifer Sutherland?



That one is pretty dark and violent, I know. If it is the feminine aspect of vampires that you're into then you should look into Interview with the Vampire. AND it was a book before it was a movie - part of a series, even - so you can read the book and then watch the movie. Anne Rice did it all first, people. Twilight is just a knock-off *sigh*. Besides, who can argue with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise (before he want all cuckoo)?




Me? I'm going to have to put all my eggs in the Phantom basket.



Because, uh, on top of being smoking hot and dysfuntionally unheathly frightening Phantom can sing, too. Can Edward sing? No. I didn't think so. Amateur.

Poor, unloved, misunderstood Phantom. *weep*



So, to recap....



Yes...



That's All I Ask of You.

Why she kicks patootey

Remember in the last post I said my little bear kicks patootey but I couldn't tell you why, yet?

Well..now I can. Especially since I've done gone and wiped the snot rivers and fat old tears off my face.

This is why.

She makes me so proud to be her mommy.

Things that Kick.....

.... butt, tail end, hiney, patootey, a$$...

Apparently *I* do...




My friend Cathy had a birthday this week, too. And she gave me this AWESOME award (and she said nice things about me, too, which makes her a GOOD friend, not just a 'friend', ya know? *wink wink nudge nudge*)! Oh, and plus? She's sending me a pair of undies as a reward! How's THAT for a blog prize? HUH?!?! Kicks butt, man. Or Covers it...or somethin'.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Another friend of mine, Heidi, sent me these:




Dude...does she know me or does she know me?! I *am* totally awesome...duh! ;-) Thanks Heidi, You kick butt!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I also won an AWESOME book from Frecklebox - completely presonalized for my little Cara's birthday. I was able to snag her a discontinued Webkinz Unicorn, which is her heart's desire - and when I won this prize I TOTALLY snatched up the Unicorn book. Guys...what a FABULOUS gift for a little kid!! Check them out. The quality is fantastic and ..oh..my...I am beside myelf.

Make sure you check out Abby & Mandy's blog for some super give aways EVERY DAY! They kick butt. :-)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This little girl kicks butt, but I can't quite tell you why yet. Soon.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I see some more of you doing vlog entries and THAT kicks SERIOUS butt!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The blog entry I'm working on for after this *potentially* kicks butt but it may just get my butt kicked. We'll see.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hope you have a kick butt weekend! And, even if ya don't got it? Rock it like ya do. Cause that's how we roll, yo.

Friday Freebie!!!

Yo, yo, yo - it's that time again! Time to celebrate the close of another fun filled week. Time to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. Time to..well..get free stuff! Can I get a witness?!? Someone better Testify! (Can you guys totally hear me saying stuff like that now that you've seen what a dork I am?)

Once again, I'm not hosting the Freebie - nope. Nothing I have to give you would even BEGIN to compare with what is being given away today. Oh no. Nuh uh. No way. This Freebie is worth about $130. One Hundred and thirty bucks. Big ones. Large. Smackaroos. Dollahs. Dolla Dolla make me Holla.

What? Oh...yeah. I guess I should just shut my yap and send you on your way, eh? OK..I'll do that...

Today's friday Freebie is brought to you by the letter 'S'. Some words that start with 'S': Super, Scrumptuous, Secret, Serendipity, Serenity, Sugar, Sodium, Salt, Sucker, Sweet, Sour, Slippery, Sacred (!!!), Snotface (I love that word. Drop Dead Fred. Remember?? Say it with an English accent.) Ok, ok ok...crimeny. Here's one last word that starts with 'S'...

Sneaky.

Go check it and have a fab weekend everyone!

Think of me fondly....

Well thank you all for the birthday wishes, here, there and everywhere!! And, yk, for the kind words about being half the woman I was not too long ago.

Of COURSE my birthday was not a total bust. Rob says he didn't forget, he was just waiting to tell me Happy Birthday until later in the day. Uhm..uh..psh..what. ever. *wink* That video was made between 11:30 and noon so, yk, he'd had PLENTY of time to tell me. Naughty boy.

The time also will explain to you why the mailbox was empty. HA! Mail doesn't come until 3. I am not COMPLETELY unloved.

My SIL showed up at my door after work with roses and a gift (Phantom of the Opera soundtrack!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!). Rob called to pick the girls up for choir and I told him I'd have all FOUR kids in my van ready to go. Since it was my birthday he wisely didn't argue with me. I hung out talking with my SIL for awhile and then after we got the kids in bed we had Rob run over to Old Chicago and get some burgers for us. Yum! I ended the night asleep in Corban's bed. Big partier that I am, ya know.

The day did NOT suck - I promise. I'm a tad bit dramatic. How could it be bad when you have these two to play with all day?

Freakin' adorable.

And check out this card from Cara - she's so stinkin' funny!

Here's my big boy with my loot this morning. Yeah, he's sitting on the table..so what? You got a problem with that??

Ok, B is hollerin' at me. Have a day!

Iron Chef: Crockpot Throwdown Reviews!

Ooooh!! Check *this* out!!! One of the Guest/Celebrity judges for the month, Holly, has completed ALL three reviews already. Yep, that's right - she's completed them and weighed in with her vote..can you believe it? Total overachiever. Hmph. Just kidding Holly!

Go read her reviews and then try out the recipes for yourself. So far we've had the Chicken Delicious (and it WAS) and tomorrow the family is having the Crockpot Lasagna. The Roast is yet to come! And, hey? We're using a Beef Roast instead of pork so yk, feel free to fix things where you need to, yk?

Don't forget, if you're not one of the 3 chosen Celebrity guests, you're STILL a celebrity guest in the form of popular vote! Over there in my left sidebar. Hook it up!

Stay tuned...Today/Tomorrow/Wednesday? I've been called out by Dawn so I'll be posting my very first Vlog (aka Video-Blog) in honor of a big day. (Totally full of Double Meaning.)

Thanks for hanging around *grin*

Now, I'm off to go edit a friend's book stuff. So, yk, see ya tomorrow!

What do YOU do all day?

I was asked this question not too long ago and, I'll be honest, my first reaction was to get all defensive.

"What do I DO all day??? Do you SEE how many children I have? Do you think they care for themselves? My house doesn't clean itself and my husband doesn't ... uh.. well. I mean he shouldn't...uh..yep, I do THAT, too."

But, yk, I started thinking about it...is it REALLY an offensive question? I don't think it's necessarily meant to be taken as such. Of course, that all depends on who's asking and how they phrase it, but in general it's a fairly innocuous question.

Think about it....if you don't live someone else life or a similar version of it you'll likely not know what it is a person DOES all day. For instance - you may think I sit around and eat crap while on the computer all day - and you *might* be right (hardly the point..psh) but did you know I get paid to do it, so I am actually required to be on the computer all stinking day and night? Tough life, I know.

In my every day life there are chores to be done, things to be sold, hours to work, shifts to cover, rooms to clean, clothes to fold, diapers to change, children to feed, homework that needs help (the kids need help, the homework is getting along just fine, thankyouverymuch), meals to prepare, phone calls to make, insurance fiascos to iron out, appointments to be made and rushed off to, etc, etc, etc. If you're reading this, chances are you already know what all is done in my everyday life, because you live a similar lifestyle. However, if you're a welder on an oil tanker in the middle of the pacific ocean, you probably aren't entirely sure, now, are ya? I really am clueless as to what THEY do all day, too, so that makes us even.

Do I get bored? Well, don't YOU? I mean - just because you empty septic tanks or tame lions at the zoo for a living doesn't mean you don't find aspects of your day-to-day life ordinary and mundane, right? Me too. That's just something we have in common.

So, I've started asking the question to those around me. I want to know - what do you DO all day? I ask Rob, who is uberwitty and says "Work." *boot to the head* I ask Kameron, who is a Scientist - what do you do all day? I ask Sara, who teaches in an elementary school - What do you do all day (besides burn things in the microwave)? I ask Heidi, who is a bonafide-already-been-published-you-can-buy-her-book-on-Amazon-and-she's-workin-on-a-sequel author - what do you do all day? I ask my friend who is in a maximum security federal prison (we email daily) - what do you do all day?? (You're dying to ask, aren't you? Ha! I'm an onion with many layers. And sometimes I even stink.) I love to read about what all of you do all day because really, I don't know.

The next time someone says "What do you DO all day?", instead of being offended take it with a grain of salt. Maybe they don't know and really can't imagine how you live your life since they're not in your shoes. Slap a smile on, drop your hackles and give them a brief glimpse. Of course, you can always then say "What about YOU??"

Seriously Secret

Psst....Hey, you. C'mere...I gotta tell you something.

So, uh, I once had this friend that used to hide in her closet and eat chips and dip while drinking a soda. She didn't want to share with her kids or husband, so she hid it in her closet with a cooler. Crazy, huh? Or not.

Me? Oh..Um..I read in the shower. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! No, I do. I tell Rob I need a shower and I take a nice cold drink upstairs and my book. Then I quickly do what HAS to be done in the shower and aim the shower spray at my lower back. Then I dry my hands and grab my book. I hold it up high enough that it doesn't get wet - promise. Then, I stand in the shower until the hot water runs out and my drink is gone. Bliss.

That's my secret.

What's yours?

Dear Monday:

I do not like you.

Go Ay-way.

Fondly,
heidi

Menu Plan Monday

Although we've already started this menu plan (since my menus go from paycheck to paycheck), here is my menu for the rest of April:

Chili Pie, Green Beans (cara)
Slow Cooker Roast, Potatoes & Carrots
Spaghetti, Green Beans
Burgers & Fries
Chicken Delicious, Salad
Crockpot Lasagna, Salad
Chicken Stir Fry (Sienna)
Orange Chicken & Rice Bowl
Chili Spaghetti (Cara)
Burritos/Soft Tacos
Cream of Green Chile Soup
Crock Pot Corn Chowder
Steak, Mushrooms, Asparagus, peas, crescent rolls and mashed potatoes
Out for my birthday dinner

There ya go - the menu for the rest of April. Check out other menus over at Orgjunkie.com

You are Rightly Correct!

Are you always right? Do you have to get the last word in to every conversation, no matter what? Even if it appears that you MAY be wrong do you have to turn things so that you COULD have been right?

Being correct doesn't make you right, just so ya know.

You can have the correct answer or be correct in a situation, but if you are mean or rude about the way you present your correctness? It takes away your righteousness and you are now correct, but not right.

If you have to be right no matter what the cost - someone elses feelings, perhaps - it may make you correct, but it doesn't make you right.

Sometimes being 'right' isn't about being correct, at all. Sometimes being right is all about being correct, and not having to shove someone elsse face in it.

Look, no one (present parties included) likes to be wrong. We don't wake up in the morning and set out to be proven wrong that day. But sometimes it happens.

Sometimes you're wrong about something. Sometimes you're correct about something and sometimes you're right about it.

I guess it just all depends, doesn't it?

Friday Freebie Winner!!

Time for a winner!!!

Thank you so much to everyone that participated in the hair dare. I had MY favorite that *I* think should have won, but *sob* they didn't. Ah well. I managed to pick up a prize in the great giveaway so I guess that'll do, donkey. That'll do.

According to the random.org widget, the winner was someone that had a little hair dare transformation herself...

Before:



After:



Congratulations, Cheryl, on your transformation and your winning! Email me your addy and I'll pop the journal cover in the mail for ya!

Hope you all are havin a great weekend. I'm off to spend a little more time with my parents before they leave. Make sure you stop by next Friday for a super, spectacular, totally rad (yeah, I said rad) freebie!

Talk at ya soon. :-)

Friday Freebie!

HA! I bet you thought I FORGOT, didn't you?!?! Yeah, well. Uhm..uh...I did. I was standing in the kitchen unloading the dishwasher this morning when I looked at my parents and my kids in the living room and said "Ah Crap, it's Friday isn't it?!" Then I busted butt to get this Freebie up for you!

Sorry! Sorry! So sorry! So very very sorry!!

This week's Friday is in conjunction with my friend Heidi's Hair Dare..





I know some of you entered her hair dare and THAT automatically qualifies you for TWO extra entries in the Friday Freebie this week. If you didn't enter? Well...too bad, so sad. HA! You should still go over and check out the photos of people that participated.

Now, on to the prize for the week. And here's where it all ties in together...

I'm giving away, today, a beautiful handmade Juornal cover. This cover was handmade by a Lolopo Yi woman. The Lolopo Yi people live in remote village in China. The money spent to purchase the journal cover went towards scholarships for Lolopo Yi middle school students who otherwise would not be able to attend school.

I got it from Heidi (of Hair Dare fame) who lives in China doing mission work with her husband and children. (See??? See how it all tied together??)

Like I said, the journal cover is HAND CRAFTED and full of vibrant colors. Here's what you'll win:



You can keep it for yourself and start a new weightloss or prayer journal! You can give it away as a gift, since it's brand new in the package. What you do with it is up to you!

Leave me a comment for 1 entry.

If you entered the hair dare, let me know and I'll give you two MORE entries.

Uhhh.....I don't wanna do the button thing for another entry. I had a rough week this week, and I know I'm not the only one. So let's do this...if you answer this question in your comment then you get an additional entry: If you had to move from where you are now, what state would you prefer to move to and why?

That's it. Happy Friday to ya!!

Helpful Hint from Heidi

When you finally get some time by yourself and you go grocery shopping late-ish at night...it is helpful to remember where you parked.

And while it is helpful to remember where you parked, it is simply crucial to remember which car you drove. Because if you walk around looking for YOUR car but you drove your husband's? You'll be wandering for awhile.

Just sayin'.

8th Wonder of the World or The Biggest Game of Tag EVER

In my absence I've been tagged quite a few times.

I got hit with the 8 things tag by Becca and Kasey. Then Heidi hit me with the 'Take a Picture' tag. Finally, this morning, Tanya got me with the Prom Picture Tag.

I'm tired of ya'll hitting me. Knock it off. *wink*

Here's my 8 things:

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. My parents visit this weekend
2. Going out for my birthday Rob and some friends
3. SPRING! SUMMER! SUNSHINE!!
4. My new book Run For Your Life by James Patterson
5. Naptime for the boys *wink*
6. The end of winter (did I say that already?)
7. My Shows not being RERUNS!
8. Um. Huh. Dunno.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Worked
2. Made a Menu
3. Homework with Cara
4. Showered!
5. Some Blog Rounds
6. Printed Shipping Labels
7. Vacuumed
8. Dishes

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Sky Dive & Zip Line
2. Take a romantic vacation with just Rob
3. Buy a house
4. Adopt/Foster kids
5. Learn some culinary skills
6. Write
7. Sleep for more than 2 hours in a row
8. Be Independently Wealthy so that I can be a philanthropist, of sorts

8 Shows I Watch:

1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Private Practice
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Survivor
5. Biggest Loser
6. Hell’s Kitchen
7. Castle
8. Amazing Race

8 People I Tag

1-8. Check the end of the post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Picture of myself taggy thing.

Here are the rules: Take a picture of yourself right now.No primping or preparing. Just snap a picture.Load the picture onto your blog. Tag some people to play.

Here I am, less than 2 min ago:

Wait - that's not me, is it? Hmmm...maybe this one:

Oh, yep! That's me! I've been up working all morning and I'm still in my jammies. You dind't say which SIDE of me I had to take a picture of. *cough cough*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Prom Picture Tag...

So, I didn't go to any of my proms. By the time I was at the end of my Junior year, I was dating guys that were older than me and not interested in HS dances. Specifically, I was engaged to one my Senior year and we didn't go to ANY school activities. Hell, I barely went to SCHOOL. *ahem* Anywho. But, I do have a couple pictures of other dances...no dates in them, though.

The Official Rules:
Leave me a comment guessing which Year the photos were taken. I will post the correct year in a few days after a few guesses come in...how fun!

If I TAG you...DIG up your old Prom picture...post it and lets guess the date too...(if you really are that self-conscience and don't want us to know the date...maybe we can guess the decade?)

If you are married to your Prom date let us know! If you are not...try to post a Prom picture of your Prom & a second picture of your husbands prom too...let us know where each of your Dates are now...and their relationship status!! (and of course YOU are way cuter than his Prom date!) If you are Single...let us know where your Prom date is now!

I am gonna TAG some people...and then those taggers need to keep it going by tagging 5 other people! I can't wait to see all of your pictures! Fun huh!?

OK, so, as I mentioned..I never went to any of the Proms - Jr or Senior. I went to a few other dances and these are the only two pictures I have on my computer. There's no date in either of the pictures, but I did go to both dances with the same guy. Dave. No idea where he is right now. He was older than me by 3 years. The last time I saw him was the year after I graduated. We ran into each other at some random party and ended up going back to his place with a bunch of friends and partying all night. At least, I *think* that's what happened. The memory is a little fuzzy. *cough cough*

Oh yeah. I was a hottie.

Rob didn't go to ANY dances so I have no pictures of him. Poor you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, look...I'm supposed to tag like 20 people total for all of these. TWENTY people. That's a lot.

So, I'm just going down my blog reader and the most recently updated blogs are getting hit.

I'm not specifying which tag...I tag you for ALL of them. Then if you've done one you can just skip that specific one.

Dying to know if it's you, aren't ya?

Alexis at Tales from the Back Acher

Nikki B. at Life as we know it...

A Moxie Mom at A Moxie Mom

Aunt B at Ramblings of the Lindsey Mom

Shelby at Schweri Stories

Julie Isa at Tattered Threads & Willing Hands

Liz at My Crazy Life with 4 Boys!

Heidi at Idoux Family Blog

Dawn at P.S. He loves you..

purplemoose at Purple Moose Tracks

Tanielle at The Polka Dot Daisy

Heidi at Tayterjaq's Rebels

Elaine at Matters of the heart

Heidi at Mommy Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Dana at From chaos to Grace...

Mama SeWELL at What a SeWELL Day

Cathy at Mommy Needs Motivation

Lisa at One-Hip-Mom

Mimi at Screaming Mimi

Lauren at Snellings Stories

If I didn't tag you by some strange miracle, feel free to play along anyway. Or, just wait because with all of those people tagged it's highly likely YOU will be too in the near future.

And now, I have no more play time because I have to get the boys in bed so I can start my next shift and get the house cleaned and grocery list finished. Sometime today I hope to find the shower, too.

Don't forget to try the fabulous Crockpot Throwdown recipes and vote, everyone!

Have a Wednesday!

Mwah!

ETA: The formatting on this post got all screwed up and I don't have the time to fix it. Grrrrrrrrrr!

Seriously Profane.

Have you ever had one of those days where you're just grumpy? Nah..grumpy is too tame of a word...

Grumpy...

Definition: in a bad mood
Synonyms: bad-tempered, cantankerous*, crabby*, cross, crotchety, disgruntled, dissatisfied, griping, grouchy*, grumbling, irritable, peevish, pettish, petulant, querulous, sulky, sullen, surly, testy, truculent

Ooooh...petulant. That's what I've been. Petulant, like a toddler that isn't getting his way. Surly, like a ten year old that has been told no. Querulous...spoiling for a fight.

Yep. That's me. No one could do anything right tonight. And then? In the midst of it all? Rob (God love him) says - "Would it be beneficial for you if I were to just leave?" Oh my holy hannah....seriously???? I'm feeling surly, petulant and querulous and you think LEAVING is the best idea you can come up with?!?! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Go directly to jail. (Uh, he reads my blog BTW and likely will NOT find this as amusing as some of you might. *ahem*) After that brilliant idea he says "Have you been more moody lately than normal?" What the Sam Hill?! Seriously? SERIOUSLY?!?!? Are you ASKING me if I'm getting my PERIOD?!?!? Am I on the RAG??? Did Aunt Flo come for a visit??? Is THAT what you want to know??? Thank the good Lord above he took one look at my face after asking that enlightened question and decided not to ask anything further. (Wise move, kitten. *wink*)

So, basically..I have no concrete reason for my irritation but everying was severely PMO tonight. Make me feel better...tell me what has ticked YOU off these past couple of weeks. What bone do you have to pick? What's stuck in your craw?






(Pssst! I posted this early, forgetting to schedule it for TUESDAY. Then I decided that I'm still too cranky to care and ya'll can just learn to cope, and stuff. Hey! DON'T hug me! I don't need hugs. I'm not fond of them on a good day. Just tell me what makes YOU mad.)

You eat WHAT??!?!!

Ok, so I've posted, in depth, about what I can't eat (soy, dairy, eggs, peanuts - to sum it up) which prompted quite a few of you to ask what I CAN eat. SO I set about taking photos over the course of a week of some of the meals I ate. And now? Lucky you. I'm sharing them with you. Excited, you are? <---Yoda-ism.

This post is long and involves pictures of food. Might wanna grab a snack.

Oooh - this is one of my FAVORITES that I just threw together one day because I was starving and tired of the same ole junk. This is Balsamic White Beans and Asparagus. The bean dish: basically I just saute some garlic in olive oil, add the drained white beans and some italian seasoning (basil, oregano, parsley, etc) and heat it up. Sometimes I cook up a few turkey breakfast links and cut those up to put in there and sometimes I add olives. I always throw in a handful of either raisins or craisins (I prefer craisins!) and a few shakes of salt and pepper. When it's all warmed through I portion it out and add some balsamic vinegar, to taste. VOILA! SO good. And tastes good reheated, which is good since it makes two servings. LOL The asparagus is parboiled and then sauteed with a sprinkling of olive oil and some coursely ground sea salt.


This fancy-schamncy dish is called "The Big Salad" (Seinfeld, anyone?) Romain leaves, baby spinach, beets (plain, not pickled), turkey bacon, olives, cucumbers, carrots .... oh, and craisins. HA! The dressing I generally use is by Litehouse and it is called Red Wine & Olive Oil. Dairy & soy free. Very hard to find a soy free dressing that is also dairy free.



This is one of my breakfasts. Hasbrown potatoes, turkey sausage links and apples. All cooked up in a little canola oil and salted. Sometimes I throw on some Essence for a different taste.



This is just something I threw together one day while hungry. It's Cous Cous (cooked according to the package), black olives, cucumbers and corn that I cut off the cob. Then I squeezed half a lemon over it all and added some pepper. Very clean and fresh tasting. And Yummy!



Oh...you know me and lentils! We have a love affair going on, I swear it. I love the things! These are curried lentils and rice. They are cooked in water until they are almost done, then I drain them and cook them in 3/4 cup of coconut milk and 1 Tbsp of red curry paste. Rice is cooked seperately. That rice there is Basmati rice but Jasmine or even regular rice would work just fine! I added a handful of raisins for a contrast flavor. I had it with some fresh mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, garlic and coarsely ground sea salt. Look at all that mushroom juice! Mmm!



Crap. Is anyone else getting hungry yet? I'm dyin' over here.

Look! More Lenitls! I posted my Lentil and Rice recipe awhile back. Easy Peasy and look - a lemon on the side to squeezy. HA! I'm so funny and witty. Go on, say it out loud, you'll feel better.



Mmmm...This is some Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage from Jennie-O that iI have to cut the stinking casing off of. Why? Oh..because their 100% Turkey sausage is stuffed in a PORK casing! How assinine is that? Huh? Seriously. It irks me. Not enough to stop buying the stuff but it still irks me. Anyway..sausage..right..OH...and I steamed up a bag of veggies. Yeah, I KNOW it's got 4 servings in a bag but yk what? It was lunchtime and I was starving and I figured - if I'm gonna eat extra servings of something it might as well be veggies, eh?



Sometimes I just want a junkfood meal. So, I have some corn tortilla chips with hummus and fresh salsa. Makes my tummy all rumbly thinking about it!



From Sienna's birthday dinner - strawberries, cantaloupe, salad and corn on the cob. :licks lips: No butter or margarine on the corn (dairy and soy) just some salt.



One night the fam had tacos. Taco seasoning has soy in it..and dairy, actually. Bet you didn't know that, did you? Right. So. When we have tacos or burritos I just pull out some burger before I season it. I use refried beans on a hard shell broken in half; top the beans with the burger, some shredded lettuce, olives and fresh salsa. Mmm..Tostada anyone?



One night I made a Wagon Wheel Pasta toss. Now, I can *technically* have pasta but I try to avoid it and bread products because I dunno B's reaction to wheat yet. And? Because it's just carbs and I am trying to keep my intake of those down low, yo. The first picture is the dinner the fam had - with wagon wheel pasta tossed with broccoli and turkey bacon and caesar dressing. The second is MY variation of rice in place of the pasta and I used a little olive oil and lemon juice for seasoning.




Oh, come to mama.....we had Roast, Potatoes and Carrots. I make my own gravy so I know it's dairy/soy free. The gravy mixes and jars are not. Besides, it's easy and cheaper (and yummier) to make your own. Oh yeah, and Asparagus. We really like Asparagus.



Mmm..this is a variation on Bife Trinchada (Portuegese Steak) that I've posted a link/recipe for in my Menu Plan Monday numerous times. I love, love, LOVE this stuff. Generally it's served with fries but I didn't have any so I ate it with rice that night. It's beef steak, worcestershire sauce, white wine or chicken stock, garlic, a bay leaf..and..uh...I can't remember what else exactly. You throw the green olives in after you cook it up. They add a fantastic salty contrast to the gravy. Oh man..it is SO stinkin' good!



When we have Spaghetti I buy Prego because the sauce is...dairy and soy free...you guessed it! I have mine over rice. It's reallllly good.



Last, but not least...someone asked for my Greek Salad recipe. There's no real recipe. It's romaine leaves, baby spinach, cucumbers, olives (black or greek), purple onion and beef steak strips that have been marinated and cooked in Greek Vinagrette (or something similar). Garnish with Feta (cause it makes everything betta) for those that can. *drool* Add lemon for garnish and for people to squeeze for added flavor. Serve with Greek Vinagrette dressing.




There ya go! Did you make it through the whole post? WOW! Good for you!!! Are you starving? Have you eaten your arm off yet?? Go make yerself a big salad. Mmmmm.

Now? This post is one more thing off my plate (HA! A pun!) of things to do.

Have a MONDAY!