A little pico

I conquered something that I have wanted to do for a long time--pico de gallo. Everyone needs to try this. Add things that you like to the basic recipe and save $$ on salsa, or "hot sauce," as we call it in my family. It is a cheap way to add a little kick to tacos, enchiladas, and nachos and you can make it as hot (if you're Sean,) or as mild (if you're me,) as you want.  Here are my ingredients: tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and poblano peppers--which they just removed from the grocery store because of the health hazard--Ideally I would use jalapeno peppers but those have been gone for weeks (months?) around here too.  Maybe wait until next summer?! The peppers will have made their comeback by then for sure. Don't be afraid to add way more cilantro than you would think and try Vidalia onions if you're not a daredevil. I'm pretty sure it burns more calories to chew this than it has in it so it's actually a diet food item. Oh and a tip for you...put at least two layers of Saran Wrap over it in the fridge--trust me.   

Little Help Please

I need a little help. My anniversary is coming up at the end of this month and my husband isn't giving me any ideas for what he wants on the big day.  He is a techie and buys things when he wants them (he saves money for years if there is not an of-the-moment Apple contraption that he wants.) He comes home with things that I have never even heard of.  Surprising him with a techie gift is impossible.  Lord knows I'd buy something on clearance without the possibility of returning it and find out he already has it.  Okay so I need some help.  What are past anniversary gifts that you have given/received that were a hit? 

He hunts, loves sports (FOOTBALL IS ABOUT TO START AGAIN GOD HELP ME), and he loves photography. I'd like to get him something he will like and actually use but I'm not above giving a gift he doesn't really need. I have been pregnant on both prior anniversary celebrations so I'm pretty sure anything but a positive pregnancy test will be appreciated. 

Happy Birthday Popeye

Popeye, 

This picture sums it up. I am so interested in you that I have to just sit and cross my legs to take you in.  Especially when you play your violin.  Will you teach me to really play soon?  I am glad you let me touch your nice violin that you got over in Italy when most people would not let a toddler get anywhere near it.  You trust me more than I should be trusted and that makes me feel good.  I don't know how to say much yet but your name is one of the few things I do say and when I see you and Nattie coming I sure do get excited...sometimes I even flap which worries Momma but you tell her I will be fine and not to worry.  You say, "Don't worry," a whole lot to Momma and everyone around you.  You are already teaching me that Jesus is my friend and I can talk to Him instead of worrying.  

My favorite thing to do with you is eat Blue Bell. Man is that stuff good.  Hope we have a lot of those good times ahead.  Maybe you could let me ride your lawn mower one day soon? My Daddy says our yard isn't big enough to warrant a riding lawn mower so we'll just do that at your house.  Lookin' forward to it.  

On a serious note, I want to talk to you about Momma.  She thinks she knows it all and that she has the right to tell me when I am doing something wrong.  Since we both know I am always right could you talk to her?  Thanks.  I love you Popeye.  Hope you have a good birthday.  Love, Ty.

Big Texas Hair

Today Leslie commented on how much Charlie's hair has grown in the two weeks since we've been to her house--and she's right.  My munchkin is rockin' some big Texas hair.  Girl, you make Momma proud.

She is wearing a hand-me-down outfit that we are positive is at least 7 years old. 

Definately NOT Type A

Drumroll please...the almost-finished masterpiece that is Charlie's room.  The only masterpiece(s) are projects copied straight from The Nester as well as a friend of a friend of a friends' blog whose name I can't recall right now.  I am so sorry if I pretend to take credit for the idea. Or any idea ever on this blog for that matter. 

My blog title is in reference to the clothes peeking out of the dresser as well as other various real life baby things that cover up the adorable chest/mirror combo that I inherited from Sean's sister.  Don't worry--she is alive and well just wanted to get rid of it.  If I worried about the out-of-place things in these pictures I would not be being (bad grammar I know,) true to myself. I am nowhere near a Type A personality.  Actually I sleep right next to one but it hasn't rubbed off on me at all.  If I was remotely organized in thought or life I would not have spent my morning driving around trying to find TJ Maxx Homegoods.  All morning.  From Frisco it should take about 20 minutes to get there and it took me well over an hour.  That's what you get for going from Frisco to Flower Mound by way of downtown Dallas and DFW airport. Those of you living in or around Dallas go ahead and laugh. Sean sure did.  Then he helped me God love him for that. Want to know the worst part? I have a GPS system.  Ok on to the pictures...

See the window with the Africa heat/sun coming through.  What could I make to fit that window? Welcoming any ideas...Nester? Are you out there?

The garland that I copied from The Nesting Place blog.  She's a genius.  And really funny.  And so is her sister.  I have a link to her blog over on the sidebar. "Chatting..."

Excuse the mesh bumper.  I know it's not pretty but it protects little munchkin from getting hands and feet caught between the slats.  I used this for Ty until he figured out how to pull the velcro off.  If I had been thinking I would've ordered her crib in white instead of ivory.  

And without all of the stuff...

The wall of C's...made these with scrapbook paper and modpodge.  Glad I did it but wouldn't do it again.  It is a cheap way to decorate a wall and you can make them any color instead of searching stores for letters. Just go to Hobby Lobby and buy wooden ones of various shapes/sizes and pull out your paper.  Since I went through a scrapbooking phase when I was on bedrest with Ty I have a lifetime supply of paper.  How many scrapbooks did I make, you ask? One. 

What should go under the garland? Big bare space.  Oh and I'll cut the ends off now that I see them.  Ha! Didn't even notice that until now...
We said goodbye to the glider that was lent to us (LOVED THAT CHAIR) and got this one at IKEA.  It doesn't rock as well but it matches much better than the light blue gingham. I made the pillow and of course it's not perfect but I loved the fabric. 

The rug was the starting point for the whole room.  I found it on sale at IKEA and decided that it would be easy to find these colors for other decorative things later--AND when the rug wears out in a few years I can find another one with the same colors fairly easily. 

Ahhh. It is finished. Except for the window and the big bare space.  

Priceless

On a trip to Kroger:

24 Hunts Snack Pack Pudding Cups         --$3.00 (reg. $10.00)

3 lb. bag of Frozen Chicken Breasts          --$5.00(reg. $10.00)

8 Kiwi                                                                 --$2.00(reg. $4.00)

Saving so much $$ playing the 

Grocery Game that you don't 

even care when you drop three eggs 

into your trunk                                          

                                                           --Priceless.

Which one is my kid again?

Look at this old picture of my sister Emmy (4 1/2) and brother Graham (2). Now look at a current picture of Ty (2 this September 14th) I mean WOW are those strong genes or what.