an American Adventure

Today we joined the Mom's Club for a field trip to American Adventures up in Marietta (NW of Atlanta.) I thought it would be cool to check out the country/side roads on our way so I had our navigation avoid all Interstates on the way there. (note to all y'all northerners...you are not allowed to say "freeways" here in the South...they are Interstates...Lesson Learned.) So my avoiding all Interstates didn't do much for us at all except allow us to breathe semi-truck diesel fumes and make the trip almost twice as long (say one hour and 40 minutes as opposed to just one hour) So yeah...won't do that again when I go to American Adventures. (but we most likely WILL go again...the kids had a lot of fun.) I'd say the target age range is 3-8 years old and just perfect for us.

Lauren, Tyler and Ella on the tea-cups

Ella was trying to tell them how to turn themselves in circles.

Tyler and Lauren riding on the big trucks.
Lauren, Tyler and I rode the Hot Air Balloons.

I took a picture of the three of us in the mirror. Can you see us?!

Ahh the swings. That was always one of my favorites. Both Lauren and Tyler took a ride.

In the picture Tyler is sitting in front of their friend Madison.

And of course there was a train...and of course they had to ride it. You can see Lauren's pony-tail just behind Tyler.

One of the last rides....The Chuck-Wagon

what fun, what fun

They are riding with their friend Emma

Here is a group shot (attempted group shot may be more appropriate) of the gang.

Tyler and Lauren are the 2nd and 3rd from the left.

(and yes, Tyler insisted on wearing his Boots because "they light up when I walk")

We headed home soon after the above picture was taken. It was an awesomely fun trip and I can't wait to go back.

Somehow, Lauren and Tyler had some saved up energy which they used up while waiting for Daddy to come home from his out of town work trip. They called this game "Tummy Airplane" and the Tummy would bounce the Airplane off or something like that.

Dinner tonight was Pesto Chicken Pilaf and Sugar Snap Peas. It was good but nothing to write home about. So I'm not including the recipe. However, if you just cook some chicken, top with pesto sauce and parm. cheese, boil up a box of Whole Grain rice pilaf, and serve with (cooked) frozen Sugar Snap Peas you've got this meal made.

And this brings us to the end of this American Adventure.

Lauren's "log" post and more food...it's all about the food

So to re-cap...Lauren questioned why I was always taking pictures of things, especially pictures of our dinners. I told her it was for my blog. She quickly caught on and decided she wanted to have pictures taken for her own "LOG" too.

Yesterday, right when she woke up she went downstairs and arranged her "friends" for a "log" photo. She then instructed me to take a picture for her "log." So here you have it...Lauren's friends (which includes my own childhood toy, 'da Bunny...who Lauren adores.) To continue with Lauren's "log" day she made dinner for all of us yesterday. She made "Cheese Eggs With Onions and Ham" from her favorite cookbook: Paula Deen's: my first cookbook.

(if you really want the recipe then just enlarge the picture below or just e-mail me requesting it...it's basically EXACTLY what it sounds like.)

Lauren is very excited to be this close to the stove. Tyler is mucho grumpy because I told him he could only watch. (I can only handle one kid at the stove at a time.)

melting the butter

whisking the eggs (she actually cracked them herself!!)

the chef is ready to eat

and eat she did!! She finished her plate.

(Normally she wouldn't eat scrambled eggs mixed with "stuff." But, by letting her cook it she was excited and eager to eat her own dinner. ...good to know...good to know.)

As a reward for Lauren's "chef"-pertise and Tyler's grumpy patience while Lauren cooked dinner, I let them watch yet another movie. Here they are deeply enthralled in the Bee Movie

Lauren is sporting her "Wobble Goggles."

(check out Imagination Movers, especially mover Scott who always sports the Wobble Goggles for more info and understanding.)

Since it's always about the food...let's just continue with that.

Tonight's dinner was Hearty Pineapple Pizza from the cookbook of the week, "BHG: Eat Well Lose Weight"

Hearty Pineapple Pizza

my changes are in RED

ingredients:

1 8-oz can pizza sauce *I used 1/2c. pasta sauce (leftover in my fridge,) added 1/4 water and mixed

1 12-inch whole wheat thin Italian bread shell (such as Boboli brand) *I used 3 6-inch round flat breads instead

1 large green sweet pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

1/2 c. thinly sliced quartered red onion

1 8-oz can crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 of a 3and1/2-oz package pizza-style Canadian-style bacon *I used about 2 oz. Canadian bacon...it was just easier to figure out.

3/4 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (3 oz)

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Spread pizza sauce on bread shell. **Season and Saute sweet pepper and red onion over medium heat for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Top with sweet pepper, red onion, pineapple, and Canadian-style bacon. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Place pizza on a large baking pan.

2. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and pizza is heated through. Makes 4 servings.

The pizza was E-Z and de-LISH. We have a whole pizza round left-over for lunch tomorrow since Matt is still out of town. He comes home tomorrow night and we can't wait!!

Tomorrow we have a fun day planned at American Adventures . I haven't been there before so am excited to check it out.

just another Manic Monday

Actually there wasn't anything manic at all about today. We did some coupon shopping at Walgreen's and Kroger and then swung by the library to borrow some books and a Corduroy movie for the kids. Back home we had lunch and the kids took a nap. While the kiddos napped I started in on my new book from the library, "Tribulation Force." (the 2nd book in the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

Dinner tonight was my kind of dinner. Shrimp, spinach, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes and basil. Some of my all time favorite ingredients. Matt's not a huge shrimp/seafood fan so it worked out perfectly since he's working out of town tonight.

Bruschetta-Style Shrimp
from BHG "Eat Well, Lose Weight" cookbook

ingredients:
1 lb fresh or frozen peeled, deveined large shrimp with tails *Kroger had pre-cooked shrimp cheaper than the raw so I opted for the pre-cooked
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. black pepper
3 c. fresh spinach (or arugula)
1 T. olive oil
6 red (and/or yellow) plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped (3 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. white balsamic vinegar or regular balsamic vinegar *I actually had the white balsamic...and Matt makes fun of me for stockpiling all sorts of seasonings, oils and vinegars but they often come in handy.
1 T. snipped fresh basil
1/4 c. thinly sliced green onion
1 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved *I used pre-packaged shredded because that's what I had.
Crusty whole wheat bread slices (optional) *I omitted

directions:
1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Chop 1 cup of the spinach; set spinach aside.
2. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until opaque, stirring occasionally. Remove shrimp from skillet; keep warm. *since my shrimp were pre-cooked I just warmed them up over low heat.
3. Add tomato and garlic to hot skillet; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup chopped spinach, balsamic vinegar, and basil.
4. Divide remaining spinach and shrimp among four serving plates. Serve with tomato mixture, green onion, and Parmesan cheese. If desired, serve with bread. Makes 4 servings.

Instead of serving it over crusty bread I turned my serving into a big shrimp salad. I used up some freezer bizkits which were left-over from yesterday's dinner.

It was pretty good but the balsamic tomato mixture was sooo good and is very much deserving to be a bruschetta on top of some yummy crusty bread. Next time I will definitely serve it over bread and just eat my spinach salad with just some balsamic vin. and olive oil.

Below is the children's serving:

The only changes/additions are a side of vanilla yogurt and ranch dressing on the spinach salad. Lauren ate all of her shrimp and then asked for another helping. Tyler tried a bite of everything but only ate all of his yogurt.


Lauren asked why I was taking pictures of our food and I told her it was for my blog. She told me she really wanted a picture for her "log." How could I say no. So here you have a self-requested picture of Lauren for her "log."

(don't you like her shorter hair cut?)

After we got home from our errands I found this waiting for me on the front porch.

It's my All-Time Favorite popcorn salt. I eat popcorn almost every night so I tend to think I know my stuff. I used to get this at Fred Meyer's in Oregon but I have not been able to find it here. (Despite the fact Jolly Time's website says it's sold in our local Krogers) So I have to resort to ordering it on-line, direct from Jolly Time AND in Bulk! This is my 2nd order of 12/6 oz jars of Jolly Time Buttery Seasoning (and we've only been here for 3 1/2 years.) I Love This Stuff. (...I love this stuff to the point that Matt is seriously worried about my sodium intake and health in general....)

Well back to our not so Manic Monday. While I type this the kids are snuggled in their sleeping bags and watching "Chicken Little" in the living room. Since Daddy is out of town tonight I decided to try to score some "Cool Mommy" points and let the kids stay up late, eat popcorn (Matt's kettle corn...because I don't really share my 96% fat free kind) and watch a movie.

PS. We made a breakthrough today in Tyler's potty training. He actually told me 2 times that he needed to go tee tee...and he did! I didn't even ask him. Plus we have not had one "one-purpose" today. Great Job Tyler!!

the Weekend Wind-up

I'd like to start off with a BIG Thank-You to my two commenters from my previous post. I'm sure a handfull and a half of you read this blog but only a few seem to leave comments...ever!
So I'd like to take a few and chat with my favorite commenting friends for a minute. =)

Sam- I hope you are having fun with your family in Ohio. Someday I will visit that state. As for my thoughts on the Final Episode, Season 4 of WEEDS. It was good. However, I thought it was a bit "day-time soap opera-ish" to have Nancy prepared with the ultra-sound picture right when she was about to die. But hey...what a way to trap the big boss?!! I'm very excited to see how it all turns out when I can finally rent Season 5!

Claudine- What a fabulous idea. I've read the first 4 or 5 books in the Sookie Stackhouse series so after I finish this post I'm going to add the first season of True Blood to my queue!! That should help to pass some of the time until I can rent Weeds again. btw, we need to get together soon...if only to swim in your pool. [wink]

Brain- thanks for the disturbing yet very entertaining and educating video for Tyler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMgSjPYjIag

And now on to our day. Painting the basement bathroom completely motivated Matt. He had so much fun that he decided to lay the concrete in the shower. Next and final step: laying the tile.

(Have I mentioned how much I love this guy?!)

While Matt worked on the bathroom I decided to break up my 3-month jogging craze with some interval training. I did 2 different 20-minute treadmill interval workouts. Let me tell you my glutes are killing me...and that is A Good Thing!

Later the kids wanted to play in the sprinkler and the slip-n-slide. They are so close to figuring out how to run and slide. But in the meantime they still have fun ever so cautiously. =)

Chloe escaped for a few minutes of freedom in the sun.

While the kids and cat played outside Matt got started on the Greek Pork Tenderloin I needed grilled for tonight's dinner. Although I seasoned it, Matt and the kids added their own special seasoning to it as well. Let me tell you, it turned out de-lish.

While the meat was a-grillin' I made up a batch of Snickerdoodle cookies. Matt had mentioned earlier in the day that he was craving cookies. So I thought I would surprise him and make him some. <<>>

and yes, that's my bite mark out of one of the cookies. I had to test the quality, you know?!

For dinner we had "Greek Pork Tenderloin with Red Pepper Sauce" served with spinach couscous.

Greek Pork Tenderloin with Red Pepper Sauce

from BHG Eat Well, Lose Weight cookbook

ingredients:

1 1-lb pork tenderloin

3/4 t. Greek seasoning

1 lg red sweet pepper, stemmed, seeded, and quartered

2 T. balsamic vinegar

1/8 t. salt

1 1/4 c. water

3/4 c. couscous

2 c. shredded or coarsely chopped fresh spinach

directions:

1. Trim fat from tenderloin. Sprinkle tenderloin with 1/2 t. Greek seasoning. Over a charcoal grill place pepper quarters and tenderloin on grill over the coals. Cover and grill until the peppers are tender (about 15 min. and turning once during grilling.) Remove peppers. Continue to grill the tenderloin until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the tenderloin registers 155 degrees (up to 20 min. longer.)

2. Remove tenderloin from grill. Cover tightly with foil; let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. The temperature of the meat after standing should be 160 degrees.

3. When peppers are done, remove from grill and cool slightly. For red pepper sauce, place peppers in a blender or food processor. Add balsamic vinegar and salt. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Keep warm.

4. In a medium saucepan bring water and remaining 1/4 t. Greek seasoning to boiling. Add couscous; remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 min. Stir in spinach.

5. To serve, slice tenderloin. Serve with couscous mixture and red pepper sauce.

Makes 4 servings.

The tenderloin was awesome. It was good with the Greek seasoning but made better with the random seasonings the kids and Matt put on them while they were grilling. Yumm! Also a huge hit was the roasted red pepper sauce. I had some jarred roasted red peppers left in the fridge from a previous meal so I added them to the grilled red peppers. It was very tasty and could go with just about any type of meat. The couscous, however, could have used more seasoning...but with a little salt and pepper it was very good. This was a very healthy and flavorful meal. I highly recommend it!

Oh no...I just realized I'm late for Big Brother. At least my trusty TIVO is recording it. For those of you (are any of you?!!) Die-Hard Big Brother fans I highly recommend you check out the Dish Chicks blog at www.bbdish.blogspot.com. Ms Caroline gets the live feeds and she blogs about what is happening above and beyond what they show on TV. It's addicting and (obnoxious if you ask my husband.)

Happy Saturday.

On Friday we finally ventured out of the house after 2 full days of potty training. I was so nervous but everything went just fine. I got the kids' hair cut and even stopped by Walmart for a few things. At Walmart we visited the family bathroom and I made Tyler sit on the toilet. He sat and he went!! Yay.

Back home we had lunch and then Lea came over to play. Somehow the three of them managed to tear Lauren's room up. Besides playing tornado they watched Cinderella in the basement.

Tyler had two "on purposes" yesterday. The first time, being the first one, he thought was a little exciting. He didn't think it was much fun, however, after he spent 30 minutes in his bedroom to "rest."

Slowly, yet surely, I think he's learning. Today he actually came up to me and told me he needed to go potty. In the past I've always made him go sit on the toilet and try. We're making progress. I'm actually pretty confident in my toilet training ability now that if anyone wants to hire me...I'm interested and available, although I may be a bit spendy...but just because I'm So Good! =)

Last night I had my monthly Bunco game. I actually WON!! I had the most "wins" and came home with the grand prize of $15. Not only that, I also won the door prize. I got a cool Koozi and a gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond. Yay Me.

Today Matt started his "free" weekend painting project in the basement bathroom. While he painted Lauren entertained herself on the poker table with a little Jenga...
and Tyler took a 30 minute "rest" after having an "on-purpose" in the basement workshop.

Here are a few pictures of the unfolding bathroom painting drama....

(not bad for free paint samples?!!)

While I made dinner for the family, Lauren also prepared a big meal. She's quite the pretend cook I must say.

Dinner tonight was Chicken Cacciatore from my BHG Eat Well, Lose Weight cookbook. This is one of Matt's favorite dishes so I try to make it every so often. He said this tasted pretty good. (which I took to meaning, it was Absolutely Fantabulous)

Chicken Cacciatore

ingredients:

1 T. olive oil

6 small bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned (I used 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts)

1 medium onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 14oz can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 6-oz can tomato paste

1/2 c. dry white wine

1 t. dried Italian seasoning, crushed

1/2 t. salt

1/8 t. black pepper (I used closer to 1/4 t. because I love me some pepper.)

6oz dried multigrain or whole grain fettuccine or linguine, cooked according to package directions

(I used Trader Joe's Organic Sprouted Wheat Pappardelle Pasta instead)

2 T. small fresh basil leaves. (unfortunately, I forgot to add these for the photo...and for taste...BUMMER!)

directions:

1. In a very large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; brown chicken on all sides, turning to brown evenly. Remove chicken, reserving drippings in skillet. Set chicken aside.

2. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic to drippings in skillet. Cook and stir about 5 minutes or just until vegetables are tender. Return chicken to skillet.

3. In a medium bowl combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, dry white wine, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour over chicken in skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning once during cooking.

Serve over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with Basil. Makes 6 servings.

I steamed some Carrots and Broccoli and also made some freezer bizkits to accompany.

We all enjoyed this meal, even L and T cleaned their plates and then each got grapes and a banana as a reward. =)

On the agenda tonight ,after the kiddos go to bed, is the final DVD of the Showtime series "Weeds." Matt and I (and Brian) have been watching the entire series via NetFlix. Finally we are down to our last DVD. It will be a bitter sweet evening as we finish this series and then have to wait another entire year to rent the 5th season. This brings back Sopranos memories. I should just break down and order Showtime...and HBO.

Weekly Menu 7/13/09

We are once again enjoying BHG's Eat Well, Lose Weight cookbook this week. I just may do every recipe front to back.

Monday: Bruschetta-Style Shrimp
Tuesday: Cheese Eggs with Onions and Ham (Lauren will make dinner from her Paula Deen's: My First Cookbook.)
Wednesday: Hearty Pineapple Pizza
Thursday: Pesto Chicken Pilaf
Friday: Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Saturday: Baked Bean and Corn Chimichangas & Easy Mexican Rice
Sunday: veggie burgers from the freezer and oven fries also patiently waiting from the freezer