Today I am going to share two yummy recipes that I love. The first is called Texas Caviar it can be eaten as a dip with tortilla chips or as a salad. The other recipe is Quiche cup with spinach. This is a great recipe because you can make a batch to keep in the fridge and heat up as you like. This is also a good recipe for breakfast on the go. I have said many times I cannot eat breakfast, I usually do a protein drink. These I can eat, they are so easy and yummy.
Here we go:
Texas Caviar
2 cans black eyed peas (drained and rinsed)
1 can hominy(drained and rinsed)
2 cans rotel tomatoes
1 fresh tomato chopped
1 bottle of Zesty Italian dressing
2 tbsp parsley (dried or fresh)
2tbsp olive oil
Mix everything together refridgerate for at least two hours. Serve with chips or as a salad.
Quiche minis
1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
4 eggs scrambled
3/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Colby or what ever you would like)
1/4 cup diced green bell peppers
1/4 cup diced onion
3 dashes of Texas Pete
Thaw your spinach then drain as much liquid as you can.
Combine: eggs, cheese, peppers, onions, Texas Pete, and spinach and mix well. I use a mini muffin pan so divide among the cups and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until brown. Let them cool and you can keep them in the fridge or freeze them for later.
Hope you enjoy these.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Fat Tuesday. . .
Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, the day before Ashe Wednesday, the day the Season of Lent begins. It is Fat or Great because it is a day of good food and parties before Lent begins. Lent begins on Ashe Wednesday and lasts forty days not counting Sundays, it ends on Easter Sunday. This began after Jesus baptism and he went into the wilderness for forty days and was tempted by Satan. Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray and to be with God. Many use the time of Lent to rededicate themselves to God and to grow closer to God. They do this by giving up something they like or maybe feel like could be distracting them from God. A couple years ago I decided rather than give up something I would incorporate something into my daily life to bring me closer to God and do something for someone else. I chose to pray for everyone on my Facebook friends list everyday during Lent. I have not decided what I am doing this year but I like the idea of doing something for others rather than just giving up something for myself. My kids got in on the act too, they each gave up something they felt distracted them from God. I am not sure what they will do this year, I think they are still thinking about it.
Happy Fat Tuesday. . .
Happy Fat Tuesday. . .
Monday, February 8, 2016
Another Teenager in the Clan. . .
We celebrated awesome thirteen this weekend, Big T is now a teenager. We partied all weekend, this little boy has had more cake in the past seventy-two hours than should be allowed. He has been quite popular on the telephone too.
Kids really should talk on the phone with adults more to learn proper phone etiquette. Thank goodness my folks live away so that my kids have learned good phone etiquette. If kids only talk to each other on the phone they do not learn this as quickly and if all they do is text they will never learn. Big T had a bad habit of just hanging up on my mom when he felt he was finished with the conversation. He did not say goodbye or anything. He now understands that he needs to end the conversation with a goodbye before hanging up. That was a tricky thing to try and teach.
Kids really should talk on the phone with adults more to learn proper phone etiquette. Thank goodness my folks live away so that my kids have learned good phone etiquette. If kids only talk to each other on the phone they do not learn this as quickly and if all they do is text they will never learn. Big T had a bad habit of just hanging up on my mom when he felt he was finished with the conversation. He did not say goodbye or anything. He now understands that he needs to end the conversation with a goodbye before hanging up. That was a tricky thing to try and teach.
Some days I feel all alone trying to teach my kids good manners. I feel like everyone around me is trying to sabotage me and them at every turn. I keep trying though, slow and steady.
There are many days that I feel all alone tackling this job of motherhood. You love your kids and you want to do what is best for them and you have everyone around you telling you that you are doing it wrong. Why is it we are so judgmental of mothers and why do some feel the need to criticize mothers at every turn. There is so much pressure out there these days on moms to do and be everything to everyone.
Parenting is a tough job and it is a thankless job too. This is for all the moms out there doing their best. Take a deep breath and know you are not alone. Give yourself a pat on the back because you are doing a difficult job in a difficult time.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Tax Time. . .
As we begin a new year, do you want to be more organized? I know I am trying my best to be organized. When thinking about your taxes organization is key to success. Here is what I do.
I have a folder where I keep all of my bills, it stays in the kitchen so that I can keep up with it. Once the bill is paid it goes to another folder in my file cabinet. I also have a separate file folder for tax documents. This folder also stays in the kitchen so that as the mail comes in I can put things where they belong. If I do not sort it as it comes in I end up covered in piles of paper. I also throw anything away as soon as I realize I do not need it. I would bet you have fallen victim to those piles of paper too.
Now you should have a small folder with bills that need to be paid in your kitchen or wherever your command center is. You should have a larger folder for your paid bills. Your tax records can be kept in a smaller folder but kept close at hand as things come in during the first of the year. If you keep everything organized from the beginning, tax time will be easier and less stressful.
I just finished straightening everything out for the beginning of a new year. Below is a picture of my folder where I put my bills to be paid. This folder has a large magnet on the back so it hangs in the fridge.
Good luck! And breathe. . .
I have a folder where I keep all of my bills, it stays in the kitchen so that I can keep up with it. Once the bill is paid it goes to another folder in my file cabinet. I also have a separate file folder for tax documents. This folder also stays in the kitchen so that as the mail comes in I can put things where they belong. If I do not sort it as it comes in I end up covered in piles of paper. I also throw anything away as soon as I realize I do not need it. I would bet you have fallen victim to those piles of paper too.
Now you should have a small folder with bills that need to be paid in your kitchen or wherever your command center is. You should have a larger folder for your paid bills. Your tax records can be kept in a smaller folder but kept close at hand as things come in during the first of the year. If you keep everything organized from the beginning, tax time will be easier and less stressful.
I just finished straightening everything out for the beginning of a new year. Below is a picture of my folder where I put my bills to be paid. This folder has a large magnet on the back so it hangs in the fridge.
Good luck! And breathe. . .
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Clean Yummy Recipes. . .
I have several friends that are trying to eat clean, whether they are doing a challenge or just trying to eat a little better so, the following are for those very sweet ladies and anyone else that is interested in eating clean. I cannot tell you where I got these because I compiled a few different recipes together to get the flavor I like. Here we go. . .
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
1 tomato finely chopped
1/4 cup finely diced red onion (these give a great flavor so don't skimp)
1 red and green pepper seeded and finely chopped
2tbsp parsley (fresh is better but dried is ok too)
1 sprig of fresh mint ( needs to be fresh not dried and don't leave this out. It really is good)
zest and juice one lemon
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove pressed (use fresh here too)
1/2 cup black olives
Fresh mozzarella cheese balls
Rinse your lentils and remove any stones. Bring water to a boil and then add: lentils, salt, bay leaf and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain and remove and discard bay leaf. Let lentils cool.
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, and garlic. Add lentils, tomato, cheese, mint, olives, parsley, onion, and peppers. Toss gently and refrigerate for at least two hours.
This is really good, one of my favorites.
This next one is a favorite, I first had this at one of my sisters' bridal showers. It was so good I found a recipe and you know me. I always change and adapt to my taste and you can too. This is Gazpacho a cold very yummy tomato soup that is loaded with veggies.
Gazpacho
2 1/2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
1 cup peeled seeded finely chopped fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped celery ( I do not often use this because the hubbs does not like celery)
1/2 cup finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large clove garlic pressed
2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley ( I use dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
fresh ground black pepper
Put all ingredients in a glass bowl and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold. This is yummy!!
These are very low calorie but very filling recipes and both are favorites of mine.
Enjoy. . .
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
1/2 cup dried lentils
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 bay leaf
1 tomato finely chopped
1/4 cup finely diced red onion (these give a great flavor so don't skimp)
1 red and green pepper seeded and finely chopped
2tbsp parsley (fresh is better but dried is ok too)
1 sprig of fresh mint ( needs to be fresh not dried and don't leave this out. It really is good)
zest and juice one lemon
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove pressed (use fresh here too)
1/2 cup black olives
Fresh mozzarella cheese balls
Rinse your lentils and remove any stones. Bring water to a boil and then add: lentils, salt, bay leaf and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain and remove and discard bay leaf. Let lentils cool.
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, and garlic. Add lentils, tomato, cheese, mint, olives, parsley, onion, and peppers. Toss gently and refrigerate for at least two hours.
This is really good, one of my favorites.
This next one is a favorite, I first had this at one of my sisters' bridal showers. It was so good I found a recipe and you know me. I always change and adapt to my taste and you can too. This is Gazpacho a cold very yummy tomato soup that is loaded with veggies.
Gazpacho
2 1/2 cups tomato or vegetable juice
1 cup peeled seeded finely chopped fresh tomatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped celery ( I do not often use this because the hubbs does not like celery)
1/2 cup finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large clove garlic pressed
2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley ( I use dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
fresh ground black pepper
Put all ingredients in a glass bowl and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold. This is yummy!!
These are very low calorie but very filling recipes and both are favorites of mine.
Enjoy. . .
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
The Little Things Count. . .
This is for new Mommies or soon to be Mommies. When I was pregnant with Sprat I was so excited about having a baby and when we found out it was a boy I was thrilled. I read all the books and was trying to prepare my house for this wonderful new addition. I wrote out this long birth plan and gave it to my doctor, it detailed everything I wanted during my pregnancy and my labor and delivery. The one thing I listed in it numerous times was that I did not want a C-section. I was absolutely terrified of having a C-section. I was very fortunate that my hubby had a working relationship with my OB and when it came down to it, he did everything he could to keep me from having a C-section. It did not work out that way and I ended up having a C-section and I am very glad I did, poor Sprat was wedged in my pelvis and they had to use suction to get him out, even with the section. I think I was terrified of the unknown. My doctor was the BEST, he took such good care of me, Sprat, and the hubbs.
The hubbs and I started a savings account for Sprat even before he was born. We had a big jug and put all of our extra change in it for him and once he had a social security number we opened a savings account in his name. I still put our change in his account and in Big T's. I found this really cool time capsule in one of my baby gadget catalogs and I got one for Sprat. On his second birthday I had requested that everyone bring something that meant something to them to put in his time capsule. The hubbs and I added a few personal things from us and that were popular that year. We sealed it and will open it on his eighteenth birthday. The time capsule itself was a large tin can, sort of like a popcorn tin, it had directions of what to put in it. It has been so long since we did it I do not remember what all we put in it, so I am pretty excited to what we will have. I also did one for Big T, his was not a professional tin I just used an old popcorn tin and again we put things in it for him specific to when he was born.
The other thing I do is write to my kids. I write them notes about how I felt during different times of their lives. Sometimes I write once a year and sometimes I write more than that, it depends on what is going on with our lives. I write just on plain notebook paper and then I seal it in an envelope. These I will give them when they graduate high school. Each envelope is dated so they know when they were written and they also include a little money. Some have a $20 some have a $10 but this will give them a little money for their graduation to do with as they please (with in reason). Even if your kids are older you can still do the letter writing. I hope it will mean something to my kids to have my thoughts and feelings and even prayers for them on paper.
These are just an example of some of the little things I have done and am doing for my kids. If you have you would like to share please feel free to post a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
The hubbs and I started a savings account for Sprat even before he was born. We had a big jug and put all of our extra change in it for him and once he had a social security number we opened a savings account in his name. I still put our change in his account and in Big T's. I found this really cool time capsule in one of my baby gadget catalogs and I got one for Sprat. On his second birthday I had requested that everyone bring something that meant something to them to put in his time capsule. The hubbs and I added a few personal things from us and that were popular that year. We sealed it and will open it on his eighteenth birthday. The time capsule itself was a large tin can, sort of like a popcorn tin, it had directions of what to put in it. It has been so long since we did it I do not remember what all we put in it, so I am pretty excited to what we will have. I also did one for Big T, his was not a professional tin I just used an old popcorn tin and again we put things in it for him specific to when he was born.
The other thing I do is write to my kids. I write them notes about how I felt during different times of their lives. Sometimes I write once a year and sometimes I write more than that, it depends on what is going on with our lives. I write just on plain notebook paper and then I seal it in an envelope. These I will give them when they graduate high school. Each envelope is dated so they know when they were written and they also include a little money. Some have a $20 some have a $10 but this will give them a little money for their graduation to do with as they please (with in reason). Even if your kids are older you can still do the letter writing. I hope it will mean something to my kids to have my thoughts and feelings and even prayers for them on paper.
These are just an example of some of the little things I have done and am doing for my kids. If you have you would like to share please feel free to post a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Monday, February 1, 2016
What a Great Day. . .
The hubbs took the day off and we did our errands today. Great day spending time with my best friend. I love him dearly but I do hate going to Wal Mart with him, which is where we had to go today. I always spend way too much money when he goes with me and today was no surprise. I do accomplish more with him but I cannot figure out how. We also had a little range therapy. We spent the morning at the shooting range trying out their wares. It is amazing how much stress that can relieve. We shot several different weapons they had to rent; .38 snub nose, Glock .40, and a shotgun. I really liked the shotgun, it did not kick near as much as I expected.
The range that we go to is an indoor range and they offer a variety of classes from: concealed carry, kids classes, basic pistol, and self defense. A year or so ago I took Sprat up for a one on one gun safety session with one of the instructors. He gave a detailed classroom lesson on safety and then we went in the range and Sprat got to shoot. Side note, he is an excellent shot. You may be saying, well we do not own guns or my kids are not going to be around guns. Do you know for a fact that the children your child plays with parents do not own guns? There is always the possibility that your child might be faced with a situation that involves a gun. You want your child to know what to do and what not to do. I have not taken Big T up there yet but I figure this summer we will work that in. You can always talk about gun safety when your kids are playing with their airsoft or BB guns. Those are great ways to introduce gun safety, what to do and what not to do. I started that with Big T last year when we were shooting the BB gun. The main points to cover are; never point the gun at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and treat every gun as if it is loaded. These are all good things that kids should be aware of even when using their BB or airsoft guns. Big T got shot in the face with an airsoft gun at a friends house due to a ricochet, it was a complete accident but it scared him enough to really pay attention to what is going on around him.
The range that we go to is an indoor range and they offer a variety of classes from: concealed carry, kids classes, basic pistol, and self defense. A year or so ago I took Sprat up for a one on one gun safety session with one of the instructors. He gave a detailed classroom lesson on safety and then we went in the range and Sprat got to shoot. Side note, he is an excellent shot. You may be saying, well we do not own guns or my kids are not going to be around guns. Do you know for a fact that the children your child plays with parents do not own guns? There is always the possibility that your child might be faced with a situation that involves a gun. You want your child to know what to do and what not to do. I have not taken Big T up there yet but I figure this summer we will work that in. You can always talk about gun safety when your kids are playing with their airsoft or BB guns. Those are great ways to introduce gun safety, what to do and what not to do. I started that with Big T last year when we were shooting the BB gun. The main points to cover are; never point the gun at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and treat every gun as if it is loaded. These are all good things that kids should be aware of even when using their BB or airsoft guns. Big T got shot in the face with an airsoft gun at a friends house due to a ricochet, it was a complete accident but it scared him enough to really pay attention to what is going on around him.
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