May 18, 2012

Ever since Bubba's health scare, we have been watching what we consume.  A little more than a month ago, a co-worker told me about Farm Fresh to You so I decided to try it out.  All of their produce is grown locally and is organic certified.  There are several options to choose from.  I started with twice a month service but loved it so much I now receive the goods delivered right to my door every Friday.  It's perfect because I can select all the items we especially like or are willing to try, but I can also customize my order to deny those veggies and fruits I might not have heard of or love.  Each box comes equipped with a newsletter and possible recipes to try.So far we have loved what we have received!

If anyone is interested in trying out the delivery service, I can offer you a discount code if you let me know in the comments or email me. 

Healthier eating is costing a bit ore, but I have seen a definite improvement in Jonathan's overall health.  His blood count has been consistent at his draws every three months.  No decrease which is a great thing!  Most importantly, he has gone from missing twenty something days last year to five this year!  I definitely believe a healthier diet is part of the equation.

October 22, 2011

 Did ya'll know that the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month?

I must admit, this month became of much more significance almost seven years ago when my own mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

Scary. Scary times.

Fortunately, thanks to her great team of doctors but mostly God from above, today she is celebrating being seven years cancer free.

My mom became involved with a local support group while she was going through her treatment.

Every year, The Power of Pink is held to earn funds to go to their center.

 Community members knit and donate scarves for ALL women who have been touched by this horrific disease.

They even let you take one to encourage and show lover for patients that may not be there.

 Someone knit all these water bottle holders.
In pink, of course.

It has become my daughter's favorite school day accessory.

 They play games to get the crowd involved.

 The best part?  The raffled gift baskets they have that have all been donated.  

There were so many to choose from. . .

this year I gave my money to my daughter to put into the raffles because I knew I had a football game to attend.  I had been absent for the last two, so with dad working, I knew I had to step up and be there.  He was counting on it.

I digress, my daughter had twenty-five tickets to place freely wherever she wanted in whatever interested her...or whatever she thought I might like--if she thought that at all.

 She won herself two of the items that she wanted so badly.

It was hard to watch her disappointment when she didn't win--knowing she should be thankful and satisfied that she had won at all.

Difficult concept for an 8-year-old but she handled herself well in the scheme of things.

Isn't that book beautiful?  It looks great in her Paris themed bedroom!!

 There were three moments where I was bombarded my feelings of joy and thankfulness.

Three times throughout the afternoon, my name was called to win gift baskets that my daughter had chosen with such love.

I won:

a beautiful pink jewelry set, and two different baskets filled with relaxing bath goodies.

As of yet, I am not a bath person--but to know she read the words, "de-stress" and "relax," and thought this is what my mom needs...

made me feel very proud actually.

She could have spent all those tickets on herself and I would have been none the wiser.

I'm sure grandma encouraged her into the right way of thinking--but I was so surprised each time my name was called!

 These sweet things were all vying for the coveted role of wearing the most pink. . .the lady on the far right took layering to a whole new level!!

My mom and I sporting our brand new shirts given to us by my dear friend, Elizabeth.

For the month of October, a friend and her husband are selling these for $15.00 and $4 from each shirt will be donated to The City of Hope. 

You all know how important the City of Hope is to me if you remember how we took our son there this summer fearing he might need treatment there.

If you're interested in a shirt, let me know and I can get that out to you. . .

Also, for my local ten readers (smiling), if you haven't eaten here--you should!  

Tony's has generously donated ALL the food for the Power of Pink since it began many years ago!  The french dips and potato salad are delicious and I love that they support community causes close to their heart!

Breast cancer is a disease that will touch all of us in one way or another. 

We might know someone who has it,

or we might be the one someday.

Take some time today to review how to do a self check.

Make an appointment for your mammogram.

I started mine last year at 35 because of my familial history.

Don't be afraid, be proactive--

early detection is key!!

October 21, 2011

My week at a glance:

 Way too much time cutting these. . .finally had to seek the help of my pre-school moms because I was heading no where really fast.  Thankfully they were ready and willing.

 Someone finally got some new shoes--sandal season is over!!

 I was thought of twice this week--my parents bought me a bottle of wine from my favorite Temecula winery: Monte de Oro and a friend of ours stopped by with Vigilance in hand for me.  

It's so nice to be thought of for no reason at all.

 The PTA called at 5 pm to ask if I could send a baked good THE NEXT DAY for their Saturday Fall Ball.  Um, yeah--let's see what I can whip up. 

Better than nothing right?

Maybe next time they will give me a little notice.

 Since I was in the kitchen I whipped up a batch of these for my kids.

Perfect after dinner treat.
 While I was busy baking, dad was busy with the nightly reading.
He doesn't exactly look thrilled about it either...hmm.

And finally, I've been looking through here to see what fun stuff I can cook up for Halloweek week. 

Of course, costume planning should probably come first--but since I've been sick this week and haven't left the house much--food research it was!

 Seriously delicious--try it if you like chai tea--you will not be disappointed!!

September 19, 2011

Gotta love this guy. . .

He had a lot of reconfiguring to do. . .

but he did it!!!

We have a sink again. . .and granite counter tops. . .

and a need for new floors in the living room and hall

due to a piece of dropped granite.

For now, I choose to appreciate the sink.

More on the mishaps later.

It was a long, dirty job. . .but as always,

He managed!

Maybe I can finally start cooking again!

Real food--how I have missed you!

September 7, 2011

This post is just for me.

And anyone else who sees a series of instructions or pictures on-line and thinks, 

"Wow, I could never do that (craft) or make that (recipe)."

I've thought that to myself plenty of times and so I just decided to dive in and try a new recipe.

Of course, I got in this mood on a day when I didn't really have all the ingredients that were needed.

But, since this is my real world, and I've learned a lot from watching my mom improvise I decided to make them anyway.

What you ask?

Egg McMuffins seen in all their prettiness here.

Be forewarned--mine look NOTHING like hers!!!

But I improvised here, remember? And so can you!!

First I mixed my eggs (3), water and salt and pepper.

I poured it into my hot pan.

Then because I didn't have slices of cheese. . .I used shredded.

I placed whole wheat English muffins in my toaster oven for a few minutes.

While those were toasting, I flipped my eggs--

I've never made an omelet before but I think that is pretty much what I almost could have made had I stopped at this step.

I didn't have the cute metal biscuit cutter or whatever. . .

but I had some cookie cutters that I keep in the playdo bin!--washed of course!

Buttered the other side of the biscuit--AND

Voila!

 So easy and delicious--I made another batch to freeze: )

These might be an additional monthly freezer meal to add to the rotation.

Improvisation at its finest!!

If I can do it with what I had on hand--so can you!!

September 1, 2011

September means SUSHI!!!!
Any excuse to hit the lunch special, actually.

Or beans saturated in soy sauce. . .low sodium, of course!

And you know I only had my phone.

Sigh.

Carry on.

I know I just  did.  

August 20, 2011

This is how we eat corn.

Any questions?

August 14, 2011

Tomato time!!

Finally the garden is growing!
The kids enjoyed finding tomatoes that were finally ready to be picked.

It seems these larger babies were worth the wait!!

Our one piece of corn is sure to be a hit. 

Imagine that divided five ways. Ha!

In other news:  I have five jalapenos (one for each of us at least).

Strawberry season is done in these parts (my garden, that is).

Next year, I must organize a little better.

For now, I'm thankful for what we have.

July 15, 2011

Just in case you're in the market for a great burger. . .

Made to order just how you like them=Delicious!

I've only been once, but I will definitely return!!

June 29, 2011

I saw this cute recipe for jazzing up our super simple summer lunches and jumped on it.

Unbeknownst to me, this little guy had just checked out a book called "The Octopus."

I wish I could have captured his surprised face when I set his meal in front of him.

I wasn't ready for it, but he proceeded to grab his book to show me what he had been reading the night before.

I snapped my picture then.

The resemblance between the hot dog and the octopus is striking, isn't it?

Totally fun food for little hands!!

A side note:  As much as I am not looking forward to the start of school. . .yet,
I have big plans in the month of September--one in which includes attending my first blogging conference. Blog Sugar.
I have no idea what to expect.
What I do know is that the list of women putting it together inspire me.
I like perusing their blogs.  I learn some. I craft some. I read a lot.
I'm new to this whole blog thing.
I really had no plan of writing--just taking pictures.
But I like to talk--a lot. So the words just naturally needed to be said.
Pictures needed to be explained.
Memories needed to be recorded.
Sometimes questions needed to be asked.
So here I am--headed to Blog Sugar and excited to meet some fellow bloggers,
excited to see what message I bring home with me.
Generally excited to see what is in store!!!