last day of july

We've had a really fun July, Brody and I.  Tony's life right now is all work but that'll soon change.  The last couple weeks consisted of $2 movies, touring the fire station, orange leaf frozen yogurt, swimming, playing at parks, the mall, sno cones, target (which Brody asked one morning to "go to target?"  it made me all warm and fuzzy inside); we went to the zoo again, and this day we went to a jump zone.  Brody liked his feet planted firmly on the ground more though.  So he did a little of that (above) and a lot of the air hockey table.  Can't forget to mention the couple dates Tony and I went on though!  I didn't take pictures but we were able to go to dinner and a movie twice this month- once was with his work office.  Saw inception on opening day, loved it.  July was good times... but I'm so ready and excited for August! Lots to look forward to.

more recipe reviewing

Since I was sick last week I didn't get to try all the recipes I had intended... but got to write this post!  And, I still have a lot of yummy recipes to share from the other nights I played holly homemaker.  Look at me I'm cooking nightly!

Anyway without further adieu we have: (click on the title to be sent to the actual recipe I tried)
1. "Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken"

{via}

There is a reason this recipe is number one, it's because it's basically THE STUFF.  SOO good.  I have an announcement!  ANNOUNCEMENT EVERYONE!  I have NEVER liked ranch.  My entire 24 years I avoided it like it was the bird flu.  (Seriously if it touched me I would almost gag).  And since I got prego I can't get enough of it's goodness!  So this was right up my alley lately... the FLAVOR!  Oh the delish flavor.  And basically I've made it five times since I tried it a couple weeks ago.  Tony loves it, I love it, Brody loves it.  I added it to my dinner rotation for suuuuuuuure. *I used turkey bacon and still loved it btw

2. "Real, Juicy, Bacon Cheeseburgers"

{via}

These were great, really..but talk about flavor.  So much... almost too much, in fact.  She has them pictured with just a bun but they were so strong I had to add two slices of tomato and lots of lettuce leaves.  I used turkey bacon again but it was pointless to because the flavor drowned out the bacon!  When I make these again, I'll skip the Montreal Steak Seasoning and put a little less Dales Steak Seasoning too.  I think with just the ranch packet these would be great!  She is right to get the fattier meat btw- I had bought the leanest ground beef (just because I do- and didn't read the instructions first, as usual) and my burgers did break apart.  But with the cheese, they stayed somewhat intact.  They were really good though!  I liked the idea of flavoring the meat with something other than seasoned salt (:

3. "Calzones"

{via}

I actually really liked these!  I was skeptical of the pillsbury dough because I've used it before and wasn't impressed.  But this time I think was different since I rolled it out thinner (and rubbed it with butter haha).  It made all the difference.  I also used turkey pepperoni and skipped on the sausage completely.  Alternating just the pepperoni and cheese was enough for me!  I really liked my dipping sauce too, I bought Hunts Basil, Garlic, and Oregano tomato sauce (those small, 8oz cans).  Yum!

4. mint brownies

My bad friends, I don't know who made this up or where they got it from but alls I know is they are sooooo good!  And all from scratch!  But don't let that scare you because it was so super easy... like making brownies from a box.  I added the recipe since I know some of you wanted to try it.  Happy cooking and baking (and thanks to those who have told me they've tried the recipes here- It's fun to hear from you:)

tonnie and cony

You know how people mix couples names to make cute name concoctions.. it's all the rage in hollywood
(maybe that was two years ago.. I'm a little behind talking about it, what.eva.).  Sooo, Tony and I have never been able to join in the fun.  Here's what we get:  Cony (pernounced Cone-E) or there's Tonnie.  Basically, it either sounds retarded or like just a regular girls name.  ORRrr if we mixed them like To-nie or Con-ny it just sounds like the names we already have!  No fair.  Good thing I'm not one of those people who would think we're not meant to be now.  Eh heh heh heh.  Yeeeeah, it really doesn't matter I just thought of it.

{wow this picture is old.  2006 old.  But i like.  And that boy right there, I love.}

i love this guy

I am one very happy girl tonight seeing is my youngest brother Perris is hooooome from his mission!! 

He's been preaching about our church in Spain for the last two years and it's been so hard not getting to talk to him, laugh at each other, give him monk hair cuts, and flat tires (its a longstanding trend.  I can't walk behind him, so sue me).  He is one of my greatest friends in the world (don't worry so are you) and it's so good to have him back!  Let the fun begin!... (or should I say continue since we all know I party continuously, duh.)

I ♥ HIM!

cuppies & joe

Remember how I said I scoured the internets for mint brownies?  Instead of find that, I discovered Cuppies & Joe.  This place is absolutely charming- Tony loved it right along with me.  We loved the chill atmosphere- cute tables and couches- de-lish selection- and live Jazz music.  I loved the reasonable prices, of course.  It was a cute little house tucked away in old Oklahoma City.  Our new favorite place.





I still have lemony snicket waiting for me... I just couldn't pass up a pile of frosting like that. (er. no.. it's gone now. .. THAT just might be my favorite thing ever)


I love the cute names too.  Mary poppins = strawberry cake + strawberry cream cheese frosting


I was too shy to take a pic of the band in person so there ya go.

I love spending time with my boys and what better way than with cuppies & 2% milk.

sick day

 Here are some random things/thoughts as of lately....

1. B and I were watching the tele yesterday when a skittles commercial came on... right after Brody looks at me and says "Taste the rainbow, Mommy?"  Me: "you want to taste the rainbow Brody?"

"Yeah!  Let's do it!"

For the next ten minutes all he said was, "taste the rainbow mommy? taste the rainbow mommy?"
So obviously I let him taste the rainbow when I got a package from my mom in the mail and what happened to be in there?  Nothing less.  After ripping open the bag and giving him a taste B says,
"taste the rainbow again?"

hahaha i love that kid.

2. Today was rough.  I must've been given some bad avocado at Charleston's yesterday because I was an absolute wreck today- woke up knowing I'd never leave the house.  Tony was home for lunch today so we did get icecreams but that was probably my worst idea ever.  Made everything worse.  Hopefully it's just a 24 hour bug.. yuck.

3. Even though I should probably hate it right now, I'm a serious foodie all of a sudden.  I've always liked food but now it fascinates me.. and maybe it's just in my head since I'm prego but I love watching food network and the travel channel.  A few of my favorite shows are Man V. Food and Cupcake Wars. I'm glad Tony will watch them with me and not ask to change it to ESPN- thanks babe (:

4.  I made these earlier this week since I've been a cooking fiend: (mint brownies)

 

I love.  (I'll add the recipe soon)  I found the recipe on someones blog (don't hate me I can't remember) and it was impeccable timing!  I was actually searching online for a place that sold mint brownies around here because I'm a large and in charge pregnant food-crazed savage I got the latest catalog for "Deseret Book" and they had a picture of the mint brownies I USED to have 24 hour access to.  So naturally, I was craving them ever since.  I miss living in Utah sometimes... mmm... byu creamery...

5. Speaking of living places- Tony and I are certain when we go back to Arizona it'll be our last little while there.  It makes me sad to think I might not live in Arizona anymore!  I think that's why I miss it so much right now because I just want to enjoy it as much as I can, while I can.  But that's a little ways off...
it definitely does occupy a lot of my thoughts though.  Where ever we end up moving it'll have A LOT more humidity and no downeast basics store... and that doesn't excite me.  Oh, and I'll miss my family and friends too.

6. I really love Forever 21 but they also burn my biscuits.  I thinks it's ludicrous you can't return anything.  And for a girl like me who buys stuff- liking it- but then takes it home to regular non-flattering mirrors to see if I'll get enough use out of it with my other clothes, half my items end up going back.  Not always but... enough.  I hate it that I can't change my mind without being forced to "exchange it" with something else.  I know F21 isn't hurting for money so what is up with the zero refund policy.  Really guyz, what. is. up.  (yeeah that's been bugging me for a while)
But I am excited about their maternity line... too bad there's not a huge selection and everything I wanted is sold out.  Yet again (third time this week I tried to buy something and no one had it...poop.)

7. And lastly (for those that are wondering) since I've been off Facebook I have felt lifted.  I don't feel guilty that I'm wasting time on it instead of playing with Brody and I've even noticed my communication with people has improved.  Like, I've called my siblings several times since then- when before I could go a month before I realized we hadn't actually "spoken".  Sure, I feel out of the loop on some things but I'm sure after a little while longer that won't even matter to me anyway.

I know I just have a subconscious FEAR of losing someone so close to me because every once in a while (not that often, thank goodness) I have a nightmare like that.   The other night I had a dream I lost a sibling... I woke up with tears in my eyes, even.  I was still half asleep but I actually thought in my head, "I'm so glad we talked a couple times yesterday".  I know it was just a dream, and all is well, but it opened up my eyes to the reality of time and how nothing is certain in life.  If it had been real, that's how I'd want to feel- glad I spent as much time as I could talking to them or spending time with them.  For me, I needed to pry myself off the computer a little more so I could interact more with those around me- and those family members not around me.  I never want to wake up and wish I had done things differently.  I'm seriously done talking it about it though- not like I walked on the moon or anything.  I just did it for me and wanted to write how it's helped me and my goals.  G'nite!

movie monday

I've been pretty uninterested in blogging about each little event we do- mostly because every week it's something different and I can hardly keep up.  My friend and I take our kids and do stuff pretty much everyday and a couple days a week hang out with a mom group in our church.  It's lots of fun!  Anyway I've been wanting to familiarize myself with iMovie so I tried it out this morning and added some pictures of lately... Tony is not in any of these (it's sad) but he works looong hours.  Don't go thinkin' we never hang out cause when we are together, I'm too busy with him to think to take pics (;

It's only 90 seconds... flickr wouldn't allow more (what's up with that, I have a pro account and everything!)  I know you guys are super sad you're not going to see all 12 hours of my home movies but hopefully this'll do...



I'm thinking of making this a permanent feature on my blog.  Not that I'll do it every monday but it was a nice way to manage the slew of random pics I have... I'm actually scaling back on my picture taking, if you can believe it..

ps. I added a question box on my sidebar.  For those who have already asked questions, you can find the answer by clicking on my username (by the box).  Peace out!

Oh, facebook.

When I was in school I had online classes and regular classes where we sat on a computer the whole time.  Then I have my photography business which means more time on the computer...LOTS, in fact.  Then I check my email accounts... there's not even much to see there but I still do.  Then there's my favorite: blogging.  Which I like.  Surprise of the century, I know.  In other words... computer, internet, photoshop, computer, and more computer.  I really haven't spent that much time on it since school ended- but I have spent, I feel, my fair share.  My ideal world would be a couple hours each week, and no more... but these days that kind of minimal correspondence would leave people thinking a couple things:

1. I died
2. I live under a rock
(in that order)

I had a twitter for like 3 hours, then realized I didn't need ONE more thing.  I had an etsy- then I realized, well same.  I had a cooking blog and craft blog (that lasted like a month and I didn't tell anyone about) What happened?  Deleted.  Slowly but surely I'm de-cluttering my life.  I realized rather than check my email in the morning a better thing would be to read my scriptures (my sister's example showed me that, actually).  So on my quest to better myself and work on other things in life (right now it's food storage that I've been putting off) I've narrowed my list down a little more...

I have retired myself from Ye olde Book Face.

gasp.  I know.. and we just became "friends" too.

Not that I think it's bad or anyone who's on it is, I just need to cut some things out.  I've weighed out the pros and cons for about.... oh... 6 years.  And I think I've decided having a blog is all I want to maintain anymore (internet related).  Sure, I could "sign in less" but I get facebook emails daily and I would feel like a jerk-face not  responding to friends and family right away.

I had to make an announcement because I want to make sure I don't cave and "reactivate" it like I have before.  I'm just guessing....but I'm pretty sure I can leave facebook and live to tell the tale...not entirely sure though.  Knowing me I will probably suffer from withdrawals and wind up explaining my mental breakdown to Dr. Clyde Watermouth on that comfy couch again.  (for those who are new here, that was what I would call "joking".  Pretty lame Huh. Welcome.).  Just promise me you won't forget I'm alive (speaking to those friends of mine who don't blog but sometimes check this).  I will always be found here (unless for some reason in the distant future blogging becomes less  cool  fun.........nah.)

Oh yeah, so if i don't have your email (you know, that one thing people used to use back in the day...), I will be needing it (I realized I stopped collecting those back in 2002).  Or you know, you can always call me or stop by.  I will still be texting, blogging, photoshopping, and yahoo-ing.  And that's plen-tay pour moi.

(but on a unrelated topic are not these pictures of my little man oh so cute?  He loves playing with his "cup 'o bubbles!"... I know... I spoil him.)

redeeming myself

When I started back at school full-time a lot of my classes took me away from home in the evening.  I was the world's greatest student (toot toot) but not the worlds greatest...wife?  NO I WAS- just not in the... kitchen.  I felt pretty bad most of the dinners we consumed came in a paper bag with plastic forks.  So my mission has been to create meals and NOT our 4 go-to meals that I make ALLLLLL the time. (spaghetti & tacos to name two)

But what did I FORGET to bring to Oklahoma? My friggin COOKBOOKS!  I realized that when I went to make dinner one day.  Luckily, I have a few of my own recipes on this here blog.  So the night I went to make homemade tortillas I had my favorite tortilla recipe right there for me.  I knew blogging recipes would come in handy someday.

A couple weeks ago I went in search for new recipes online since my cookbooks were left- I went to one of my favorite bloggers recipe links and tried a bunch of her dinner recipes out. So, I HAD to share my favorite one and give you my opinion on two more that we tried...

First was:

"Grilled Chicken Pasta in a Tomato Cream Sauce" ...in other words, "OHM NOM NOM HOLY CRAP GIMME MORE" 

{picture via}

I added this recipe to my blog for you... I RECOMMEND IT- it tastes like something you'd order in an overpriced italian place.  Tony even asked for it again so we've had it lots now.  And incase you were wondering, it microwaves beautifully the next day too... and the next.. and next.  (I made too much I think haha)

try it out!

Next was:

"Becky Higgins' Garlic Chicken Farfale"

{picture via}

I must've been in a pasta mood that week.  OKAY... this one????  I'd be lying if I told you I didn't enjoy it.  But half of me really didn't enjoy it... for one reason and one reason only.  THE CALORIES!  This dish, I would TOTALLY recommend trying.  BUT hows about as a side dish so you don't have to feel like you loaded yourself up on butter for dinner.  I made the mistake of just looking at the picture- and then the list of ingredients instead of reading how to make it.  It wasn't until I started making it that I realized the only ingredients in the sauce were 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 stick of butter, and 1 pound of bacon.  CRIPES!!  Now, I'm sure most of the pastas you get at places are just as loaded... but KNOWING it made me feel the guilt even harder.  And thence, made it less enjoyable.  But if we were grading this based on flavor I'd give it an A.

And lastly we had what she calls

"Pan Seared Salmon Steakettes"

{picture via}

I love salmon- especially since I know it has health benefits.  I would eat it weekly if I knew several different ways to prepare it.  (I know I could just google stuff but yeah anyways).  So I was glad to find a different way to make salmon!  There were a couple of drawbacks with this recipe... and I think it had something to do with my crappy pan but we'll see what happens when I do this again in Arizona with my skillet.  But the "dales steak sauce" you marinade it in made my apartment sooooooo smokey!  It was almost painful to eat it since we were surrounded with smoke.  I thought it was my fault but I made it twice and even on medium heat it smoked like crazy!  The other thing I have to say as a disclaimer- even though you are preparing it like steak, it does not taste like steak (she says it does but I don't think so).  I even marinaded it longer than she recommended.  I guess it tastes as much like steak as salmon can but really it just tastes like delicious salmon!... you can't go wrong with that though since salmon is wonderful.  I really liked it, like I said- I'll be trying it again!

Anyway I love making delicious FRESH dinners- it really beats the processed foods sold in the freezer section.  Plus, I feel accomplished when I didn't take the easy road when making dinner.  So here's to fulfilling my wifey duties and making dinner more often....
I'm trying out more of her recipes this week so maybe one or two will wind up as a favorite recipe here.

Creamy Chicken Pasta

This is seriously my favorite recipe now.  I found it on kevinandamanda.com and had to share it.  It's surprisingly easy to make too!  Tony and I- even Brody- love it!

{picture via}

heck yeah

I'm gearing myself up again... I vaguely remember what tiny ones are like... and I have no clue how to mommy a newborn while trying to keep my two year old from using him as furniture.  And I need to learn all over again how to get barfed on in public and not break a sweat.... while wearing heels.... during a wedding ceremony (happened with Brody anyway).  This time I'll get to round up a never-tired two year old at the same time... and it sounds perfect.

...because I know it'll all come to me (moms are awarded superpowers with each new addition) and I'm super excited for it again.

(We shant leave off that all important ONE day... makes a world of difference you know.)

I'm flipping stoked to be halfway there- but actually my "actual" due date could be off- I'll find out sometime in August when I have a formal ultrasound and they measure him.  Maybe I'll be due sooooner?!?!? that would be saweeeeeet.

As bad as I want this baby here NOW I'm still focused on spending every waking second with Brody though- don't want to waste any of that precious time.

july fifth

Hey you guys... Brody. is.  TAKING A NAP!  He's been done with them for months!  So I bring you this post.  We did see tons of fireworks on the 4th but we still wanted to head out to the show that was postponed from the rain.  TONS of people were there- it was surprising too- seeing is it was July fifth.  But it was a nice evening- the show was really long too so I got to snap several pics...





There were shows going on around us before that one actually started and Brody wasn't liking it too much- but once the real show started he loved that!  Weirdo (;

Rewind to earlier that day..  Tony often gets to come home for lunch.. those are my favorite days. Sometimes he doesn't though when they are working really far away and so sometimes on those days I go out and meet him.  For his lunch break on Monday we visited the OKC Memorial.







It's a humbling place- I enjoyed going last year.  Brody was a little crazy though trying to run into the street and find a new family. (I always joke about that- he's always trying to walk off with other families.)  Haha. Stinker.

Speaking of stinker... we caught this video weeks back (I'm in the same outfit though ha) Anyway Brody disses me... actually he sounds like he's dissing himself but whatev- he's two.  I love that wittle gwuy.  I'm excited to have another (don't let my lack of exclamation point fool you... I'm just mellow today.)

red, white, and blue

4th of July 2008... monsoon rolled in that night in Arizona (didn't see fireworks, but still had an off the hook party during the day)

4th 2009... rained in Oklahoma and we didn't see a show (we did our own in the rain though!)

2010...rain rain rain.

I was slightly disappointed it rained on our parade the last three years in a row but that didn't stop us from enjoying our time together as a family!  And actually, thanks to the rain our celebration turned into two.. then three days.  I think our country deserves a longer celebration anyway- hooray USA!
On the third...

Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.. heaven on a fork.  My two cents:  rather than bake the chips into the mix and risk burning the chocolate (and making a mess of your pan) just cook the pancakes normally and put a handful of chocolate chips in between them when they are still hot.  Nothing better!  

We went to Toy Story 3- all three of us (for the first time ever) and it was a success!  Brody sat through it all and even wanted more when it was over.  We spent time at the park, Tony played basketball with his friends and later we got hot wings (my latest addiction).  We picked up some sparklers at a stand and then swept by the local carnival/"art in the park" and got a snow cone at this cute stand.  It was so wet all day but a great day it was.

The fourth was really chill... church, I made an excellent dinner (which I'll post a recipe soon... you gotta try it!), and we saw some fireworks from our 3rd floor view that were REALLY close so it was neat.  It was the first year I watched all the firework shows on TV too (thank you rain). 

I did have a break down though.  ALL I wanted was to light sparklers.  (Well that and eat watermelon.. which I've been eating all by myself since neither Tony nor Brody care for it)  Anyway after we found out the fireworks show was postponed I knew I'd at LEAST get to enjoy my sparklers.  One match turned into two which turned into seven.. and eventually the whole box.  The sparklers we bought were DUDS (besides the one that showed some life by EXPLODING IN MY FACE)!  My hopes and dreams of a spark flying night were dashed into oblivion within a few depressing minutes.  I cried and Tony got a kick out of my sad prego-moment.  Haha! (It's not usually like me to cry over sparklers)  He was so sweet "you're so cute" he tells me.  I felt semi cute until I looked at these pictures though... the stripes enhance the belly (not what I'm going for haha).  Anyway.  There's more where this came from but for another day.

festivities to be continued....

i love fruit

Duuude!  It's JULY!  I loooove July.  Pools, bbqs, fireworks, and that wonderful summer fruit.  Last week we went to an orchard to pick fresh fruit.  It was probably one of my favorite outings so far this summer- I love going to places like that!

Peaches are my most favorite fruit ever- (and then cherries) I think Brody's too.


It was also probably the hottest and most humid day thus far.  So afterwards we went to Brahms for lunch and ice cream.  Chocolate coconut cheesecake flavor.... my new favorite...mmm.

I love summer.

{here are a few more pictures of the day}