Yep. This is pretty much how I’m feeling right now.
- This inversion is killing me. I can’t wait for the Spring… not because of the cold but because (hopefully) rain will come and wash all this bad air away!
- We planned a last minute activity at the indoor track for the Relief Society. The people who planned it were the only ones who came. But we had a great power walk nonetheless!
- The Parenthood finale last night was in.cred.i.ble. Guys, it wasn’t even five minutes into the show and I was already tearing up. I love that show! I’m worried that it’s going to be canceled though because it ended so early in the year. Anyone know anything?
- I can’t stop dreaming about warm weather and vacationing. There’s a job T.J. is looking at in Southern California, and it’s starting to sound really wonderful. Thirty minutes from the beach and one hour from Disneyland? Sign me up. But like I said, he’s just looking at it. So, family (particularly mothers and mother-in-laws), don’t worry yet!
- I have been having the strangest dreams at night. Last night all of my old acquaintances from high school were hanging out with Eva and me. So random.
- The more Downton Abbey I watch, the more I catch myself talking in a British accent.
- The circus is in town. If Eva was a little older, I’m pretty sure we would be going today. Have I ever told you all about the time I went to the circus with a friend and she fell asleep in the middle of it? I will never forget that and how weird I thought it was. I still can’t believe it. What type of kid falls asleep during the circus?
- I put dry shampoo in Eva’s hair this morning because it was sticking straight up and I wanted her to wear a headband today. Her hair has so much volume now. It’s pretty funny looking.
- When we left for the track last night, Eva wouldn’t put her tooth brush down. So, Eva “brushed” her teeth during our entire time out. What can I say? She’s serious about brushing.
- It’s already Wednesday! Awesome!
For some reason, this weekend I was in a little rut. I’ve had a cold for so long, I’m tired, and haven’t had much time away from Eva. So, I’ve been on edge. I kept finding myself snapping at T.J. at getting offended at the smallest things. I sure hope I get out of this rut because I’m sick of being so emotional! So, my goal this week is to live by these words:
Sick of my recipes yet? I hope not because I am on a cooking kick! It is saving us money and is (usually) better for our waistline. For dinner tonight, I made cilantro lime chicken tacos, a recipe I found on This Vintage Grove. This recipe is easy because you probably already have the ingredients on hand and then you throw it all in the crockpot!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- juice from 2 limes
- 1/2 cup of cilantro
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 teas. dried onions
- 1/2 cup of water
Directions
Add every single ingredient to the crockpot. This could be cooked on low all day, or you could set the crockpot to high and cook for four(ish) hours. Once the chicken is cooked, use a fork to shred it, and stir well.
Spoon chicken into soft taco tortillas. Top with cheese, sour cream, salsa, and tomatoes. Garnish with a few lime wedges……
Friday night, I tried a new recipe. White Chili. Now this was big deal for me. Nine and half times out of ten, I always pick a red chili over white when we are at chili cook offs. I have a couple of good chili recipes that I rotate through, but they are all a tomato base. I wanted to make a soup/chili on Friday night and I came across this recipe when making my weekly food plan. I went for it!
It turned out wonderfully. I will now think twice about passing over white chili because who knew it could be so good. Well, at least this one is really good. Make it this week! I can’t stop making soups because of this BITTER cold, so if you’re like me… throw it in the crockpot this week and your whole family will be glad!
(Sidebar: Pictures of white chili aren’t very appetizing, so I’m skipping a photo this time. Just trust my words!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I bought cooked frozen chicken because I am lazy… it was a great idea. But if you have uncooked chicken, just saute it first)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
- 2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup (8 ounces) fat free sour cream
- 1/2 cup Half & Half
Directions
- In a crock pot, add chicken, chopped onion, garlic powder, beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Let it sit on low for 5-7 hours.
- When ready to eat, stir in sour cream and Half & Half. Garnish with sour cream and shredded cheese, and serve with bread or tortilla chips.
*Mine was a little thin for my taste (I like thick and creamy chili), so I added a bit of cornstarch mixture and it thickened up within minutes.
Really, guys? You all LOVED it? Just about 99% of my friends recommended this movie to me. I got so excited to see it that I almost bought it instead of waiting for it to come out on Redbox. Thankfully, I came to my senses and didn’t buy a movie I hadn’t seen before and waited a couple more weeks.
Well, I watched it a couple nights ago and although there were funny parts and the music was pretty good, I have no desire to ever see it again. I feel like they were trying to mix Glee with Mean Girls and it just didn’t work, not to mention there were a lot of crude parts. The main character is so unlikable and I got annoyed that they all of a sudden could sing wonderfully together half way through the movie. Maybe I’m being too hard on it. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood? Please tell me what my problem is! I wish I could jump on the bandwagon (like I finally have with Downton Abbey)… But my high expectations were sorely crushed.
P.S. If “Fat Amy” wasn’t in the movie, I would have turned it off. But I have to admit she was very entertaining.
Eva is teething again, so she has a runny nose. This picture of sick little Eva is too cute.
Crazy hair on a crazy baby.
I got my hair cut this week. It was just a trim because I’m growing it out, but after 6 months-it really needed it!
We read 5 Silly Monkies over and over and over, every day. Once it’s over, she flips to the first page to do it again.
I’ve shown this picture before and I’ll share it again. (Please ignore my Buckle sweater… it was a different time then… NO JUDGING!) My bestie Danica is coming over for an Office marathon/catchup-on-life-date tonight and I cannot wait. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen her.
And it wouldn’t be a post about Danica if I didn’t share a Michael Scott quote:
I’m friends with everybody in this office. We’re all best friends. I love everybody here. But sometimes your best friends start coming into work late, and start having dentist appointments that aren’t dentist appointments, and that is when it’s nice to let them know that you could beat them up.
Now that I’ve finished all of the holiday posts, here are a couple more Instagram photos to wrap it up and move into the New Year!
We thought Eva would like a little ride on the luggage. She wasn’t too thrilled about the experience.
We went to this Elf Village on the Levee in Newport. My mom used to take my older siblings to see the Elf Village when it was downtown Cincinnati like 25 years ago, so it was cool that they set it up again for the public.
We also saw a lego display that was really big and intense! There was a lego Santa, of course.
This is the cool walkway in the Chicago airport. This is the only good thing about that place.
When we scold Eva, she makes this face. Ha!
Eva became quite the recorder musician as the vacation went on. I think we’ve got to get her a harmonica. And me some earplugs.
She pulled out all the clothes and sat in the trunk.
We love our festive and warm socks!
Last night for dinner, we had baked chicken tenders, corn, and these quinoa bites. I don’t think I baked mine long enough, so the bite shape didn’t hold too well. Nonetheless, they still tasted great! And we have enough for tomorrow’s dinner!
Veggie Quinoa Bites
Makes ~28 bites
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 2 stalks green onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbs all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, cilantro, cheese, flour, salt and pepper.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each).
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
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