I have been SO busy lately with other commitments and ventures that I have totally been slacking on the blog front! Maybe no one noticed, but I need to get back in to it if for nothing more than to continue documenting our life as a family. It's only been a two month hiatus, but a lot has happened. I'll make separate posts for each, but real quickly here is an overview of what we've been up to.
Heather (me) has joined a super fun digital scrapbooking forum called Scrap Takeout. I absolutely love it there! I've also joined the praise team there and one of the creative teams, so this alone keeps me pretty busy. I'll be making separate posts to show off the pages I've made lately. I will say that in the past two months I've finally managed to get Jacob's first scrapbook made and ordered, so I'm pretty excited about that! I've also, and this is the biggie, started putting together a photography portfolio in hopes of starting my business this fall once Jacob is in school full-time. Here is a link to my Facebook page: Photos by Heather Z. I also recently bought the URL for my website and started working on that, but that's going to be a huge work in progress ... it's not published yet or anything, but once it is I will post a link here for that as well. :) Anyway, I've been doing complimentary sessions as kind of a training program for me to learn more about the right lighting, poses and how I want to actually RUN my business. There are a lot of logistics I didn't really think about before hand. haha Plus, I don't want to take anyone's money until a) I feel confident with my work and b) I am a legal company that will pay taxes at the end of the year. The last thing I need is to get a hefty fine for taking money and not paying taxes on it! So, before I start charging I also need to go get a tax id number.
John has been working a lot, as usual. Thank goodness for him. He supports our family financially, but also supports my dream of being a photographer. He's been watching the kids every weekend while I go out on photo shoots and he's been supportive of me trying to balance my work for his company as well as editing photos during the week. It's been rough, but he's always been my rock and my number one fan. He finally got his motorcycle back from the shop and while I'm not a huge fan of him riding it, I know it's his hobby and it's fun for him. I don't want to take that away from him, so I just don't say much. I just always say a silent prayer when he goes out for a ride. Anyway, he's happy that warmer weather is finally here, so he can go out riding. Now if the weathermen could just get it right as to whether it's going to rain or not!
Jacob turned five at the beginning of May! Hard to believe my sweet little 4 lb-er is now a healthy, happy, thriving five year old! I'll have another post about his birthday and all about him turning five at a later time. :) At the end of May he graduated from preschool! Crazy!! He'll be starting Kindergarten in the fall and I'm just not sure I'm ready for it, but he sure is. It's all he talks about!
And, our little Henry is well .. still Henry! lol He's still my sweet little baby even though he's talking more. He's talking in full sentences (but it's still hard to understand a lot of what he says) and really knows what he wants. The terrible twos are in full swing now, but I still don't think he's as hard as Jacob was/is. Either he's just NOT as hard or it's because he's my second child and I know better how to deal with the tantrums, etc., now because he has just seemed so much easier than his brother. I'm looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with his this fall when Jacob's in school full-time, but I know the following year when he starts preschool is going to be SO hard on me.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Dyed Deviled Eggs
I found this on Pinterest a while back and just saved it figuring I'd try it this year for Easter. I ALMOST didn't, but last minute read through the blog post and once I found it was super easy to do, I decided to do our deviled eggs that way this year for our Easter dinner. They were a huge hit! My husband, however, wanted a whole tray of plain white eggs ... he claimed it was "weird" to eat dyed deviled eggs. Whatever ... I think they actually tasted BETTER than the regular ones. :)
Anyway, the original post can be seen here. I'm not going to write down all the directions on boiling the eggs, etc, but I will say that if you want PERFECT boiled eggs that are easy to peel, don't rip apart and the yolks are a pretty yellow color, you should definitely give the original post a quick scan. Now on to the fun part ... dying the eggs.
After you've boiled, cooled, peeled, cut and de-yolked (is that a word?) the eggs you want to put the outer parts of the eggs in cups with water, a few teaspoons of vinegar and whatever food color you want. It's basically the same thing as dying Easter eggs. Leave them in the cups until you get the shade you want (NOTE: the color will darken some after you take them out of the water, so just keep that in mind). Let them drain for a few minutes on a paper towel.
Anyway, the original post can be seen here. I'm not going to write down all the directions on boiling the eggs, etc, but I will say that if you want PERFECT boiled eggs that are easy to peel, don't rip apart and the yolks are a pretty yellow color, you should definitely give the original post a quick scan. Now on to the fun part ... dying the eggs.
After you've boiled, cooled, peeled, cut and de-yolked (is that a word?) the eggs you want to put the outer parts of the eggs in cups with water, a few teaspoons of vinegar and whatever food color you want. It's basically the same thing as dying Easter eggs. Leave them in the cups until you get the shade you want (NOTE: the color will darken some after you take them out of the water, so just keep that in mind). Let them drain for a few minutes on a paper towel.
Then once they're done draining just make your filling however you would .. I did mine with 1/2 C of mayo and a little bit of brown mustard. Fill them all up with the yolk filling and voila! ENJOY!
Reading Corner 2013 - Book 6 of 12
Woohoo! I'm halfway to my goal for the year and not yet halfway through the year. That is an amazing accomplishment (for me)! :)
Fifty Shades of Gray - By: E L James
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
This book is intended for mature audiences.
I emphasized that last sentence because it's a big one. Definitely intended for mature audiences. That's putting it mildly, actually.
When I first started reading this book I did NOT know what this book was about ... at all. Needless to say the first sex scene shocked me .. big time. But, like one of my friends said, if you can get past all the sex in this series, it's really a wonderful, deep, passionate love story. I'm on book two at the moment, but haven't had much time to read lately, so I'm only on the second chapter. I can't wait to see what happens next in the lives on Ana and Christian. :)
Fifty Shades of Gray - By: E L James
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.
This book is intended for mature audiences.
I emphasized that last sentence because it's a big one. Definitely intended for mature audiences. That's putting it mildly, actually.
When I first started reading this book I did NOT know what this book was about ... at all. Needless to say the first sex scene shocked me .. big time. But, like one of my friends said, if you can get past all the sex in this series, it's really a wonderful, deep, passionate love story. I'm on book two at the moment, but haven't had much time to read lately, so I'm only on the second chapter. I can't wait to see what happens next in the lives on Ana and Christian. :)
Reading Corner 2013 - Book 5 of 12
Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves - by: Robin O'Bryant
"A book about motherhood that will make you nod with recognition, while simultaneously reminding you to schedule a hysterectomy." -Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess
"With the humor of Bombeck and the warmth of a best girlfriend, Robin O'Bryant gives every mom permission to not be perfect. The chapter on road-tripping with three tiny children and a flu-stricken husband was one of the funniest things I've ever read. Pour yourself some "mommy juice" and enjoy meeting Robin and her "chicks." -Celia Rivenbark, NYTs best-selling author of "You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat Girl."
If you don’t have anything nice to say about motherhood, then… read this book. Robin O’Bryant offers a no holds barred look at the day to day life of being a mother to three, running a household and the everyday monotony of parenting.
It’s not always pretty but it’s real. Whether she's stuffing cabbage in her bra… dealing with defiant yet determined daughters… yelling at the F.B.I... or explaining the birds and the bees to her preschooler… you’re sure to find dozens of humorous and relatable situations.
From the creator of Robin's Chicks, one of the South’s most popular blogs on motherhood, misunderstandings and musings, comes a collection of essays that will not only make you laugh and cry, but realize that you’re not alone in your journey.
Sit back and relax, pour yourself some “mommy juice,” throw a fresh diaper on your baby and deadbolt the bedroom door to keep your kids out… because once you start reading you'll be too busy wiping away tears of laughter to wipe anybody's butt.
This book is great for parents with children of all ages. If you've EVER been a parent, then you can totally relate to every story she tells. She'll have you laughing and crying, but mainly laughing. This is just an all around good-time book. :)
"A book about motherhood that will make you nod with recognition, while simultaneously reminding you to schedule a hysterectomy." -Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess
"With the humor of Bombeck and the warmth of a best girlfriend, Robin O'Bryant gives every mom permission to not be perfect. The chapter on road-tripping with three tiny children and a flu-stricken husband was one of the funniest things I've ever read. Pour yourself some "mommy juice" and enjoy meeting Robin and her "chicks." -Celia Rivenbark, NYTs best-selling author of "You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat Girl."
If you don’t have anything nice to say about motherhood, then… read this book. Robin O’Bryant offers a no holds barred look at the day to day life of being a mother to three, running a household and the everyday monotony of parenting.
It’s not always pretty but it’s real. Whether she's stuffing cabbage in her bra… dealing with defiant yet determined daughters… yelling at the F.B.I... or explaining the birds and the bees to her preschooler… you’re sure to find dozens of humorous and relatable situations.
From the creator of Robin's Chicks, one of the South’s most popular blogs on motherhood, misunderstandings and musings, comes a collection of essays that will not only make you laugh and cry, but realize that you’re not alone in your journey.
Sit back and relax, pour yourself some “mommy juice,” throw a fresh diaper on your baby and deadbolt the bedroom door to keep your kids out… because once you start reading you'll be too busy wiping away tears of laughter to wipe anybody's butt.
This book is great for parents with children of all ages. If you've EVER been a parent, then you can totally relate to every story she tells. She'll have you laughing and crying, but mainly laughing. This is just an all around good-time book. :)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Chicken Spaghetti
I've been hearing people say they were making this dish a lot lately, so I went on to Pinterest to see what was in it. I had to alter the recipe just a bit to suit my husband (he does not like tomatoes or onions, at all!), but it was really good. My kids even loved it (and they can be a touch crowd)! The original recipe can be viewed here.
Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
8 ounces of angel hair pasta
2 C of chopped, grilled chicken (or 1 large can)
1 can (10 3/4 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz) of cream of chicken soup
I can rotel (I used just the juice from the rotel because John does NOT like tomatoes)
8 ounces of sour cream
Sprinkling of parmesan or mexican blend cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil pasta as package directs and drain.
Mix all other ingredients (except cheese), add to cooked pasta and put in a 9x13 baking dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Sprinkle with your choice of cheese and return to oven to melt (about 10 minutes).
Enjoy!
Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
8 ounces of angel hair pasta
2 C of chopped, grilled chicken (or 1 large can)
1 can (10 3/4 oz) of cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4 oz) of cream of chicken soup
I can rotel (I used just the juice from the rotel because John does NOT like tomatoes)
8 ounces of sour cream
Sprinkling of parmesan or mexican blend cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil pasta as package directs and drain.
Mix all other ingredients (except cheese), add to cooked pasta and put in a 9x13 baking dish.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Sprinkle with your choice of cheese and return to oven to melt (about 10 minutes).
Enjoy!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
I love me some loaded baked potatoes. Loaded baked potato soup sounds even better! The original recipe (that can be viewed here) says this tastes like Outback Steakhouse's loaded baked potato soup. I can't vouch for that as I've never had it, but nonetheless it is so yummy and VERY easy!
Ingredients:
1 - 30 oz bag of frozen, shredded hash browns (I used Ore Ida)
3 - 14 oz cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 onion, chopped (I omitted this one because John doesn't like onions)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 pkg cream cheese (do not use fat free ... it won't melt!)
Directions:
In a crockpot, combine everything except the cream cheese.
Cook for 6-8 hours on low.
About 1 hour before serving add the cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted. I will give you a tip on this one ... cream cheese doesn't melt easily whether you use fat free or regular, so I had to turn the crockpot on high and it took more like 1 1/2 hours to melt completely. Just sayin'. ;)
Serve with whatever you like! Pictured below I have grated cheddar cheese, real bacon bits and green onions. I would have also added sour cream if I had some on hand.
Ingredients:
1 - 30 oz bag of frozen, shredded hash browns (I used Ore Ida)
3 - 14 oz cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/2 onion, chopped (I omitted this one because John doesn't like onions)
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 pkg cream cheese (do not use fat free ... it won't melt!)
Directions:
In a crockpot, combine everything except the cream cheese.
Cook for 6-8 hours on low.
About 1 hour before serving add the cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted. I will give you a tip on this one ... cream cheese doesn't melt easily whether you use fat free or regular, so I had to turn the crockpot on high and it took more like 1 1/2 hours to melt completely. Just sayin'. ;)
Serve with whatever you like! Pictured below I have grated cheddar cheese, real bacon bits and green onions. I would have also added sour cream if I had some on hand.
ENJOY!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Henry's First Year
My first digital scrapbooking project is complete! I'm very proud of it too. It's of Henry's first year. I took pictures each month of Jacob, too, so I'm going to make one of these for him some day soon as well. Henry's just the youngest and therefore his pictures were taken more recently, so it was easier to find all of his. Anyway, it's so fun to see the growth of your baby when you put the photos side-by-side like this. So, I hope you enjoy this little collage of pictures of my littlest man! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)