A Few Favorites

A few of my favorite things...lately. 

I'm a sucker for anything Special K says is healthy. I eat Special K Fruit & Yogurt cereal for breakfast at least 5 mornings a week. I used to eat the Red Berries variety, but I burnt out on that. I tried the Cinnamon Pecan but it just wasn't my favorite. Knowing that I will probably burn out on Fruit & Yogurt soon, I decided to try their new flatbreads. So good! I've only tried the sausage, egg, & cheese variety, but I see there are others that I would probably like too as sausage is not typically on my menu plan. But for 240 calories, you really can't beat it. I have been eating them this week for lunch - I'm also a sucker for something that you can pop in the microwave and waa-lah! 

I'm not a huge fan of conditioner because my hair is already so straight and I feel like when I use conditioner, it just weights my hair down. So I try to use it at least once or twice a week to prevent static in the winter, but I try to do it on days I don't really have to go anywhere. Yes, I'm odd like that. Anywhooo, when we were in Florida, I knew I needed some conditioner because of the sun and wind, so I tried out a sample from my overnight bag that had been in there awhile. I loved the way it made my hair feel. Soft, but not stuck to my head. Score. So I picked up some L'Oreal Evercreme at Target last week and am loving it.

This one is in the kid department. When Nate was probably 2 years old, I got this turtle light at a local shop in Maplewood. It was an instant love for him at home and we have taken it near and far. It still sits on his bed and he turns it on at night and in the morning when he wakes up. It puts a constellation on the ceiling and then auto-shuts off in 30 minutes. My mom got Lila one when she was born because she knew how much Nate liked his and we recently pulled it out when she got her new bed. She loves it too and now has to have it on at night and during nap. When we were in Florida, Bluet carried around and played with both turtles, so guess what she is getting for her birthday?? We love these lights and I think they are so much better than night lights.

Tell me something you have been loving lately!

I am not being compensated for these product reviews. Just a few of my favorite things!

Good Eats

This is my new favorite recipe! I was getting tired of spaghetti and meatballs, which my kids love, so I end up making it way too often. I saw this in my Taste of Home magazine and had to give it a try. It is a winner! Nate & Lila gobble it up and they are slow to love a casserole:) 

Notes: I used mozzarella cheese instead of Monty-Jack. Yellow cheese just doesn't go with this for me, but I'm sure it's great too! I also left out the onion on purpose and one time I left out the garlic, not on purpose - but it was fabulous anyway! 

Very easy and very freezable! 

www.tasteofhome.com

Spaghetti Pie Casserole (www.tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
  
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces each) shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

• Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and sour cream until blended; stir in green onions. In a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish, layer the spaghetti, cream cheese mixture and meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
• Bake, covered, at 350° for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is bubbly. Yield: 8 servings.

Enjoy!

Sunny Snow Sunday

The remnants of Snow Thursday were still around on Sunny Sunday. Mostly because it wasn't all snow. There was a fair amount of ice as well. We went out for some fresh air when it warmed up in the afternoon. 

It was kind of weird being outside because it was a nice day - mid 40s or so and abundant sunshine - but there was all this snow on the ground. We would have probably been at the park if not for the snow.

We tromped around for a while in the yard. I have a theory that if you make holes in the snow/ice, it will melt faster. We'll see if that's true. But it's wishful thinking.

Nate thought the large blocks of ice were hilarious. And Lila wasn't really sure what to think. She stomped for a while but then wanted me to hold her since her feet were cold.

I wouldn't let Nate bash a large block of ice on the glass patio table. And here is his response look. Looks a little (ok, a lot) like me in almost-every-picture-they-took-of-me as a child.

I got Lila's hat at this online store called The Screaming Owl for $2.99. No joke. It is perfectly handmade and is great quality. Check them out!

The Day I Was Smarter Than A Meteorologist

I spent Thursday afternoon on I-64. Yes, I was one of those people. The ones that thought they were smarter than the meteorologists.  You see, my boss comes into town like once a year and of course it was Thursday. I knew it was going to be a fab day when Nate's school called me on Wednesday night  saying that they had canceled school for the next day. Awesome, I say out loud. First time in 2 years. She would have been totally understanding but I sort of had a few things I needed to discuss so I wanted to make it happen. Scott was working and I just knew everyone else that could possibly watch Nate would be in the same predicament (Lila's school is never closed because they care for doctor, nurse and pharmacist:) children.) The Peach fam to the rescue as even the colleges were closed. Clue? Maybe. But off Nate and Lila went with me on my way to the airport for pickup service. No precip at this time, a somewhat nice day even.

My passenger in tow, we headed west of the city about 20 minutes. I promise I watched the snow and the speed of the cars moving on the road outside as my cue for leaving. When it was about 4 hours until I had to get Lila, I called it a day and started to head back to town. The side roads were not good but I just knew the interstate would be better. I mean the news outlets had been talking about this storm for days. So they were prepared, right?  I was wrong. Way bad wrong. Big misunderstanding on my part that they can actually plow the roads before the snow falls.

After dropping my passenger off at her hotel, I drove about a mile on I-64 when traffic came to a halt. We were at the bottom of hill. I was calm, turned my Bluetooth on and called my mom. We talked for a bit, she worried, I put her off, she worried some more and then told me be really safe. I politely responded that I was super safe right that moment because I wasn't moving at all. She conjured up a situation where the car next to me could lose traction and hit me. Ok, I say. Point taken. Finally cars in front of me were moving so I hung up and started up the hill. While I was worrying about making it over the hill, I watched a semi flood his rig so much it smelled like fire. Then a man next to me got out of his car to take a swig from a flask.  I thought that was a super good idea and made a mental note to add that to my stuck-on-the-interstate snow survival kit.

I made it over the hill. Barely. And heard that the area had been declared a state of emergency. I think that's pure awesomeness. On the other side of the hill was more waiting. Mucho waiting. Scott calls. I tell him I don't think I'm going to make it to get Lila - we decide he will go get her and take her to the Peach's. He tells me they closed the interstate. That's funny. I think I'm on it.

I watch desperately as time stands still on the hill at Maryland Centre with a jack knifed Coca-Cola tractor trailer and 12 cars stranded on the incline. For a moment, or actually many moments, I felt claustrophobic because I could see no way out of this mess. I kept telling my mom that if a plow would just back down the on-ramp and plow back up, we could make some progress. I felt stupid for being there, like really stupid. But I was invested now. Remain calm. Do not cry. That never works. I cry. And tell my mom to watch me on TV because the cameramen are camped out on the overpass filming me. Ok, not me. I wish. But the fools that won't get off the flipping hill so I can get on with it.

Then it happens.

A plow backs down the on ramp and plows it back up. Over and over again. Just like I said. I swear I'm going to be an efficiency consultant in my next life. Then the heavens open up and two industrial size plows come and do more good. And about 5 good Samaritans in wool overcoats and ties push people that get stuck. I'm about to be free.

As I pull through the rescue brigade I say a big thank you to those men. They were heroes that day. Without them I still might be out there (or in Tower Grove park where I also got stuck and had to be saved this weekend). My faith in humanity has been restored for now.

I finally make it to the Peach house. A normally 20 minute trip took 3.5 hours.

And guess what? My kids are not glad to see me nor do they want to come home with me.

Glad I rushed home.

Grayton Beach Continued...

Since it was Valentine's Day when we left, I surprised the kids with a few goodies left in their seats. Nate literally played with these Hero Factory characters the entire trip. They were totally worth it. 

Little Miss did not sleep hardly at all on the way there. She talked, sang, cried, and created headdresses with her blanket.

Grayton Beach is a quaint little beach town and we were thankful to be able to walk everywhere.

Eating lunch outside - such a wonderful thing to be able to do in the winter!

We went to the Hurricane Oyster House every day. Many people in our group, not me, love them some oysters. They all raved about how good they tasted. Ick.

I got this hat for Thane the day he was born. So glad he can finally use it!

Grayton Beach 2013

A trip to Florida in the winter is always a welcome diversion from the cold St. Louis weather. I can't complain though, it has still been mild here (but maybe not after this week!) We met Nana & Wayne, Emily, Ben, Bluet, Sarah, Hamil & Thane in Grayton Beach, FL at the end of last week to celebrate President's Day weekend. 

Thane is just the sweetest. Truly. Truly. 

Friday was the nicest weather day while we were there - every day was nice, just some a little warmer than others. But as I was laying in my lounge chair catching some rays, I kept thinking "I couldn't be doing this in St. Louis so don't complain!" Lila & Wayne heading to the beach.

Nate P, the big cousin. He was such a joy this trip - so grown up.  

This little spitfire on the other hand...oh my. She's cantankerous. To say the least.

But she's so darn cute. We'll keep her anyway.

She enjoyed the beach and I can't wait to take her back when it is really hot!

Blue-T. Oh Bluet, you are as perfect as perfect can be. And an adventure seeker.

There couldn't be a better baby cousin right now. Thane is so fun and very well behaved - he barely makes an unhappy peep!

I love this one...blue eyes abundant.

Lila dumped out Nate's seashells. So he was off to find more.

He got over it quickly. Or not. But he got over it.

My bathing beauty. It was possibly a good thing it wasn't so warm. She would have torn up that ocean.

Wiffle ball on the beach.

Bluet had to help out. They needed it.

The pitcher...

The base pointer-outer.

The batter...

The out-field...

The catcher... 

The pool at our house was heated, so the kids and the Dads had fun splashing around.

I insisted she have sunscreen one day. Because she showed a little coloring from the day before.

It was the perfect move, as it ended up all over her face in these pictures. Go Me.

Great time had by all! 

Did I Just Say That?

I'm sure many of you out there can relate to this...the things you say to your kids. Sometimes I just stop and think, did I just say that? For the past couple of days, I've tried to remember a few statements I've made to my kids that when the words left my lips, I thought, you are officially a crazy person.

I am the champion whiner. Just try to whine louder than me. 

We potty IN the potty, not ON the potty. 

The teacher did not assign you homework for my health. My health is fine. 

Your fork belongs in your mouth or on the table. Not flying through the air. 

I know you want to, but the cat does not need her hair sprayed. Or brushed. Or put in pony tails. 

Yes, I'm so happy you didn't potty on the floor today. It's a red letter day. 

I'm sorry you are sad, but I'm putting my foot down. We are not reading about puppy mills before you go to bed. 

You must wear panties to the dinner table.