Hello 36, bringing it in with fun!

I had the most amazing weekend full of amazing friends and so much love!  Friday my Tuesday dinner friend was so sweet and planned a dinner for me.  She made a great dinner and a HOMEMADE cheesecake!  For those who know me know that is my favorite dessert, just a little bite for me but it was DEVINE!  And a big surprise she invited my best friend from when I was 9.  It was a great surprise and we had  a great time laughing and enjoying a wonderful night.

Saturday was a great day too!  I got up and worked my shift.  Then off we went running, we had Sylvan for Cole.  While he was studying Caden and I hit Target to make a diaper cake for babyshower.  One of my dearest friends from grade school was having another baby 2 boys and a now a girl!!  It was so amazing to see all the friends from school.  It was so much fun laughing and enjoying each other!  I sadly had to run and couldn’t stay long my dad was watching the boys and I was given 1 1/2 hr window.

I ran to pick up the boys and spend a little time with my parents before I headed home.  My amazing bosses called and surprised me with a gift card for dinner!  Since I had no luck on finding a babysitter for the night we took the boys with us to our favorite fancy usually date night no kid restaurant.  We splurged and had a wonderful bill and when the bill came and I opened it up to see over $100 I almost fell off the booth, thank God the GC more then covered it.  I have never had a bill over $60 … lol.

I even started with a bloody Mary, I never order a drink when we go out for the cost (unless with my parents and dad is paying … lol).  We even got a appetizer of clam strips.  The boys and Rick have never had them and were surprised they liked them.  Rick of course got clam chowder.

Then for dinner Rick had Steak, Caden had pasta, Cole had grilled cheese and I splurged and got a smoke salmon fettuccini (that was to die for). 

When even had DESSERT, that is a NO NO when ever we go out.  All 3 boys had hot fudge sundaes and I had a burnt cream.

It was a full packed day and I think we finally got home around 11pm!  Then Sunday was back to the busy go go!  Off to the 9am Church Service.  And quick to home to do a few things and then we headed up to my parents house to wish my dad Happy Father’s Day.  The boys helped me put together a BBQ basket for Rick.  Sadly he had to work the whole weekend but it was nice we were able to carve out a little time together. 

Thank you for all the amazing friends!  The cards and gifts were so thoughtful and just made my day.  I am truly blessed to have such great people in my life!

Sometimes it takes a Photo

Sometimes it’s hard to see the difference’s in ourselves but that is why we have camera’s.  It’s been a hard few month’s but I’ve been trying to be very good watching what I eat and exercising at least 4 times a week. As many of you know I’m down about 24 lbs and was getting a little discouraged that I haven’t had a larger loss.  You know sometimes you just want to throw in the towel.  You’ve done it before and can it be done again?  You want to feel good for other’s and their loss but then you get yourself in a funk.  No more funks or tears it will be a slow process but it’s all worth it, I may not be swimsuit ready this summer but next year it will be and I know I’ve done it the right way for me and the way I know it will be off for a lifetime and not just a small window like past.  This time history will NOT repeat itself.

I was going threw pictures this weekend to print for my dad for Father’s Day and I found the Disney pictures.  LOL wearing the same shirt I was wearing this weekend and took a look at the pictures.  Of course it isn’t in the same pose so it’s not exact but it did give me the boost I needed.  Even if I don’t get the atta girl from my biggest critics I can see the difference and will keep at it!

March 2012

June 2012

Back to grind and feeling good about myself!  I’ll have my birthday and father’s day post up tomorrow!  Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

A New Do for Another Year Older

Well I’m back to blonde look!  Sorry about the crappy picture for some reason my iPhone doesn’t take the best close up pictures (yes I’m sure it’s the operator but let’s go with it).  I did have a nice time talking with my cousin.  It’s always nice to talk to someone who knows you and the members who play the roles in your world.

Thank you for my amazing friends who took the time to send me birthday cards.  You all are too sweet, I’m horrible with cards so forgive me that it takes everything I got to make sure to get Christmas Cards out.  Tonight my Tuesday dinner friend is so sweet and is having dinner for me.  It meant so much to me that she wanted to make sure I had a special day.  You got to love friends who do the little things that mean the world!

Yes it is true I will be 36 years old tomorrow!  This has been a crazy year for me personally.  I have thankfully been very blessed with a job that keeps me very busy and takes very good care of me!  Rick sadly lost his job but has been helping with the kids. I have been on a weight loss journey and of last week’s weight in down 23.8 lbs.  It has been a slow go but I can feel the difference in my clothes.  I try to go walking at least 4 or 5 times a week.  I wish I could say I’m dropping like 5 lbs a week but it’s a slow go of usually 1 to 2 lbs.  I may not be skinny girl by the end of summer but maybe next year … lol.  I have to keep it in my mind I’m doing this right and not to let the green little monster in me get jealous if I hear a story on FB of someone loosing 20 lbs a month … ugh.  Ok back down green monster … lol.  So there you have it a year of craziness but some clarity and needing to better me.  Here’s to another year ups and downs I’ll take them all as long as my weight is the down one … hehe!

Bring the Summer Color on!

Sorry everyone I was absent yesterday, I have been not feeling the best this week!  I think I may be a little on the stressed side of life these days.  I need to kick up my heels and feel perky again. I think I need a refresh and I have the BEST idea!  I’m going to see my cousin to get my hair done!  NOW there is no salon for this girl, BUT I do get to go to her house where my kids can play with hers!  She’s so sweet and worries about putting my head in the sink but it’s like memories of when my mom would give me home perms.  ONLY this time I don’t come out looking like fuzzy pumpkin!  So tonight I’m going to get my summer highlights on!  Yes I’m that person who changes their highlights for the season!  This time it is to go back to my roots (ok the roots I had when I was young these days they aren’t so light).  Thanks to Pinterest who is NOT only my food go to it is now my style guide.  Not as fashionable as some the ladies that pin cute clothes but I do pin cute cuts and colors!  Drum roll please …

The Inspiration …

So today after work I head up to get refreshed and lighted up!  Hopefully that will help kick me back into my old self! Wish me luck!

Ooey Gooey Center

Well I’ve always been told I’m over emotional so maybe I’m the one with an Ooey Gooey Center … Oh Wait I was talking about a cookie.  Sorry got a little side tracked!  I found this very yummy cookie recipe of COURSE on Pinterest and have been dying to make it.  We had a gravesite memorial for the family for my grandmother on Sunday.  After church I ran home and wanted to make up something real quick to bring to the luncheon afterwards.  I’m glad to say these were a HUGE hit!  I made Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies that I found on Scrambled Henfruit’s blog.

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix -not sugar free- all 10 packets
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 bag Kraft Caramels (14 oz) – I used Target’s brand found in Candy Isle

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment.
• In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
• With your mixer (or an energetic spoon) cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
• Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
• Refrigerate for about an hour. (I skipped that)
• When you are ready to bake, unwrap your caramels. 
• Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut.
• Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets 2 inches apart.
• Bake 12-14 minutes, or until very lightly browned around the edges. Please don't over-bake! Once the cookies are done, slide the parchment off of the baking sheet right out onto the counter. Allow cookies to partially cool on the parchment. When cookies are cool enough to be firm but still slightly warm, carefully twist off of parchment and allow to finish cooling upside down (either on the parchment or on a rack.) If you forget about them and they cool too much and stick to your parchment, put them into the freezer for a few minutes and they'll pop right off.

Follow her instructions they were really easy to make and I couldn’t believe how fast they went.  Enjoy!

Tuesday’s Friends–Chicken Parm Subs with handmade bun

The other week I made a really good sandwich for our friends.  Of course I came across our meal idea on Pinterest.  This Chicken Parmesan Sub was found on one of my favorite sites Eating Well.  I search Pinterest for their recipes all the time since they are low fat and family pleasing.

The recipe called for whole wheat sandwich rolls, but you know me I rather make my own when I can.  So I found this bread machine roll recipe on all recipes which is another good source.

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour (I used whole wheat)
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup dry milk powder
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Place the bread flour, sugar, salt, milk powder, water, butter, and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Set on Dough cycle; press Start.
2. Remove risen dough from the machine, deflate, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into twelve equal pieces, and form into rounds. Place the rounds on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. In a small bowl, mix together the egg white and 2 tablespoons water; brush lightly onto the rolls. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.

Then on to the chicken and making of the subs.  This was pretty easy and man they sure would yummy!

Chicken Parmesan Sub

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 large breasts cut into 4 portions or 4 small breasts), (2 large breasts cut into 4 portions or 4 small breasts)
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 6-ounce bags baby spinach
• 1 cup marinara sauce, preferably low-sodium (see Tip)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 4 soft whole-wheat sandwich rolls, toasted

PREPARATION

1. Position oven rack in top position; preheat broiler.
2. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Place chicken between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet or a heavy saucepan until the chicken is an even 1/4-inch thickness. Dip the chicken in the flour mixture and turn to coat.
3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and cook, stirring often, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
4. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan. Add half the chicken and cook until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a large baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and chicken; transfer to the baking sheet.
5. Top each piece of chicken with the wilted spinach, marinara sauce and Parmesan. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Broil until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Serve on rolls.

(I just baked my chicken then added the spinach and cheese in the oven, I’m about the easy version.  So I skipped the putting the chicken in the pan on the stove top).

So there you have it an easy meal and something new then just the regular chicken dinner!  Happy Monday have a great day!