Menu Plan Monday

I don't know why I have been so bloggy lately...maybe it's b/c all the "school year" activities are over and our summer "schedule" is more laid back. Anyway, I'm sure I'll drop off soon and stop posting as often. But for now, here's our menu plan for the week!

Monday: Chicken salad, crackers, fruit

Tuesday: Red Beans & Rice w/ sausage

Wednesday: Grilled Pork Chops, rice, veggie

Thursday: Quiche Lorraine, fruit

Friday: BBQ Baked Potatoes

Sat./Sun: Leftovers/sandwiches

What are you eating this week? :) Check out other menu plans on Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Guacamole deliciousness

I used to hate guacamole. I was always the person who asked for it to be taken off of my dish when I went to a Mexican restaurant. And I thought, why would anybody order a side of guacamole when they give you free salsa or you could order delicious cheese dip??? However, in the last couple of years, I've given guacamole another try. (You know they say your taste buds change every seven years! So if you haven't tried something in a while, try it again - you might like it!) And I have found that guacamole is super delicious! Well, a few months ago I went on a scrapbooking retreat, and they served guacamole as a snack. With lime tortilla chips - even better! And they gave out the recipe. I've made it at least 3 times since then. Truly, this recipe is too yummy to keep to myself. So I will share it with all of you. You will want to immediately go out and buy some avocados after reading this. And it's super fast to make. The Bean loves the "rock-a-mole".

Guacamole

3 avocados
1 lemon
1 lime
1/2 small can chopped green chiles
1 jalapeno
1/4 chopped white onion
salt to taste

Cut jalapeno in half length wise and remove seeds. Mince in food processor. Cut onion. Mince in processor. Put onion and jalapeno in mixing bowl. Cut avocados in half and spoon out avocado into mixing bowl. Add 1/2 can of chopped green chilis. Add 1 T. of lemon juice and 1 T. of lime juice. Mash up with a potato masher. Salt to taste.

The only things I changed were to use pre-sliced jalapenos from a jar, and I probably add a little more of the lemon and lime juice. Bon appetit!!

Happy Birthday, Bubs!!

The birthday boy's favorite gift - thanks Mimi and Grandpaw!

He looked like he was kissing this cupcake. He never used his hands, and he pretty much ate the whole thing. These cupcakes are from Costco, and they are HUGE!!

Mimi with my niece, Sarah Grace

Cousin Evan liked the cupcakes too!

How come I just look sweaty, but the Bean looks rosy-cheeked and lovely??

The birthday boy!

The cookies might not look that cute, but they were quite tasty. I'd never done decorated cut-out sugar cookies before, so it was a learning experience. Don't know that I'd do it again.

We just celebrated Bubs 2nd b'day this weekend. We had a very small little party at the park. I got a little crafty this year, inspired by some random blogs that I stumbled upon, Couture Parties and Polkadots and Pirates. They have such cute ideas! I went with a tricycle theme since Bubs loves anything with wheels. I smocked a little t-shirt for him (it was my first time and was a little tricky...it's not perfect so don't look too close), and made a birthday banner (which I am planning on reusing after taking off the tricycle part), some cupcake toppers, and sugar cookie cutout party favors. I had so much fun getting all crafty! I had all the paper goods for the crafts lying around in my scrapbook stuff anyway, so it was pretty economical too. The Bean and I made the cookies, which didn't look all that great (not exactly like the Edgar's iced sugar cookies I was picturing in my head, but the Bean and I had a fun time making them, and attractive packaging makes anything look good!) Bubs had a great time. I can't believe he is already two!

One interesting note: there was a police situation while we were at the park. Three police cars came peeling in the parking lot like there was a drug bust going on or something. Turns out some guy thought he was being followed and called the police. Don't know why they needed three police cars for that?? Anyway, it was quite interesting!

Snaps

The finished product...in the process of making the Bean a coordinating outfit
THE snap putter-onner...

Easy-peezy with my new snap thingie...

For those of you who don't sew, this post probably won't be all that interesting. But even if you don't sew and you've had a snap pop off your kid's clothing, read on!!

Making john-john's is pretty easy and fairly quick if it's not smocked, but I have always HATED putting on the snaps (on the crotch as to making diaper changing easier). I'd almost rather completely undress Bubs to change his diaper rather than put snaps on his outfits. It's that annoying. Snap tape is hard to line up, and hammer-on snaps can warp when you hammer them on, rendering them useless. Then you have to take the warped snaps off w/ pliers, potentially ripping the fabric...it's a whole thing. Or if you don't hammer them on good enough, they'll come off the outfit. So frustrating.

But I have found a new product that makes putting on snaps super easy! I was looking in the notions section of Hancock's when I stumbled upon it. Basically, it is a casing for the hammer-on snaps. It locks them in place without warping the snap. It is so fast, and IT IS AWESOME!!! And you can re-use it. So if you sew, run out and get one right now! It will change your life! :) (Can you tell I love this new snap thingie??)

A little slice of paradise

Usually each year, RR gets invited on a business rewards trip (translation: free trip for us). This year it was in Watercolor, FL (near Seaside). My parents kept our kids (thanks again Mom and Dad!!). It was SO nice...very relaxing. Good food, good times. The only sad thing was that our friends over at Pink Magnolias (who were invited on this trip too) couldn't go this year since they are expecting their 3rd child just about any day now. Check out the beautiful scenery!

They're growing up

The kiddos have recently started preferly to eat their apples "au naturel." No more peeling and slicing. No more caramel dip to entice them to eat the apples. The Bean would probably eat the core, seeds, and stem if I'd let her. I know this is a good thing, as it makes my life easier, but is it crazy to be a LITTLE bit sad that they're big enough to eat their apples like that?!? :)

On a side note, I just realized that the Bean is wearing her Snow White outfit in these picks, making the apple-eating a little bit humorous...I promise that hers is not poisonous!