It's been a rough couple of days... and I've experienced "mentally drained" like never before. But as I brought noodle home today two very cool things happened. First of all a company I had contacted about some less then par Easter goodies sent us a huge box of goodies for my lil man. And secondly... I got to see the joy in Great Grandpas face when noodle ran past everyone else and straight into his arms ♥

Little blessings...

It's amazing what they can do for you.

Ah.. For The Love of Mommies :)

Let me start by saying I don't even know when mother's day is. (Yes, I'm terrible with dates... but I do remember my kids birthday so I'm ahead of the curb from most :)

But.. Every year, since the birth of my beloved noodle.. he has given each Grandmother a gift for Mother's day. Handmade. :) Because handmade things are just cherished more in my opinion. I love that we take the time to make them together. (except when he was just a big ball of smiley goo... we made hand prints that year! :)

So... here's the first for the Holiday... For my beloved mother.

What you'll be looking at is an old shelf... sanded, based and painted in happy little finger print flowers :) I hope you enjoy or get inspiration!

 

If you don't have a shelf handy.. here another couple of cute ideas borrowed from... you guessed it..

Pinterest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Comfort Food, How I Love You..

I'm craving warm comfort tonight, after digging thru the fridge and trying to decide what I actually have, and then doing some research on Pinterest I finally found a recipe to throw together. I have many many recipes, but when you've been up since always 2 am the last thing you want to do is dig thru a bunch of recipe docs (yes... a bunch.. my eyes wouldn't be happy with me)

So as I type my heart away (about food) my pork chops are defrosting, and my "materials" (I could say ingredients but the artist in me prefers the former) are ready.. sitting stoically on the counter.

I've never tried this exactly this way, and I'm substituting the soups for cream of mushroom. If I remember I will post pics of the outcome tonight. But for now.. Here's what's for dinner!!!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pork-chop-and-rice-casserole/detail.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original recipe makes 4 servings       

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

•  2 tablespoons vegetable oil                                                                     
•  4 pork chops                                                                     
•  1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup                                                                     
•  1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup                                                                     

•  1 cup milk                                                                     
•  1 cup uncooked instant rice                                                                     
•  1/2 cup butter                     

Directions

 

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).

 

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown the pork chops on both sides, 5 to 8 minutes per side. Place the chops into a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a large saucepan, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup,and milk until smooth. Stir in the rice, and add the butter; bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, and stir until the butter has melted. Pour the rice mixture over the chops; cover the dish with foil.

Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 2 hours.

 

 I'll let you know how it is ;)

 

Finger Pai... Hey.. Wait a Minute!

Yes, that's exactly what happened. I love Pinterest, always finding cool ideas and crafty things to do for and with the little guy. And the theme of the night was Mothers Day. (cuz grandmas like presents too) I have this cute idea/keepsake/cheesy thing to be cherished forever in mind. And as usual I got completely sidetracked by what my "followed" friends were doing. (sounds a bit stalkerish huh?)

Well.. one friend in particular who I shall not name... hit me hard in the heart. She made me look at a relationship I've had... and question my own sanity. Without going into much detail... I saved a few posts.

 

 

 

How much time do we have to waste? And how many heartbreaks must we go thru? Why do we break ourselves down for someone just looking to build themselves up (usually by stepping all over us)

 

Me? Guilty.

 

And full of excuses why...

 

For my child, because you never give up, because...

because...

 

Because eventually, we'll run out of excuses and respect ourselves in the mirror again.

 

Me and my mirror need to get reacquainted.

 

 

 

 

Senseless Tragedy

Seems like all we ever hear about on the news anymore is gut wrenching sadness. And one will always point the blame on someone, be it their fault or not. All I know is it makes me truly appreciate what I have in my life even more. And it makes me hug my child a little tighter, and hold him a little longer.

Fact is, no matter how it ends, life will always dim out. So make the most of every day, and build memories with your children no matter how small. That's what will keep you alive in their hearts. Its the one thing no one can take away.

Like Italian? Hate the calories?

So I'm not much for tasteless food, but I will be a rabbit every once in a while. On an attempt to feed my family.. (with real food... not bird food) I made this weight watchers friendly food..

And .. Wow...

It was good!!! I would have posted a picture but since it's already in my tummy. well.. impossible..

But I will share it!

(this isn't mine.. but mine really did look like this!!)

Chicken ParmesanGina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 piece • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts 
Calories: 251 • Fat: 9.5 g • Protein: 31.5 g • Carb: 14 g • Fiber: 1.5 g • Sugar: 0
Cholestr: 14 mg

Ingredients: 

• 4 (about 8 oz each) chicken breast, fat trimmed, sliced in half to make 8
• 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (or olive oil)
• 3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese (I used Polly-o)
• 1 cup marinara or Filetto di Pomodoro
• cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450°. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture.  Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Welcome to Variety!!

Let me introduce myself... I am me. Yes, I am me, that pretty much sums it up. But I could go into more detail about who this me person is I suppose. Yeah see, I am a special kind of me! (Aren't we all?) But I mean.. I'm a rarity. You see.. I am a mixed blend of so many different aspects of what society calls "abnormal" (I guess I'm really not that rare)


I've been called the tree hugging hippie.. I'm an advocate for animals! (no.. not a vegetarian.. I like meat!) I'm not a Christian (sorry if this offends some) but I do have beliefs and values! I only worship the devil on Monday mornings (just kidding ;)


Okay, Okay... Where was a going...


Yes Variety..


You'll see a lot of that here..


From food, to life lessons, to raising a child.. It will all be here..


So hold tight.. enjoy the ride when you can!