Mommin' It Up!

March 28, 2011

Unencumbered

Saturday I had the best day. The likes of which has not been experienced for a long time. My very sweet husband told me on Thursday that I should take Saturday “off”. He said I should go do whatever I wanted and even gave me a little budget to enable me. I did not hesitate to say “YES!!!” and when Saturday morning came along, I got up and got ready. I got the baby good and fed and pumped out two bottles for him. I kissed the kids and the hubs goodbye and headed out about 9:15.

My first stop was Panera, where (let’s just say I also took this day off from dieting!) I consumed a chocolate pastry and two cups of coffee and read a chapter in the book we ladies are studying at house church, called Changes that Heal. We’re only two chapters in but so far I really recommend it. Especially if you are a person who is having any kind of relationship troubles.

Then, I zoomed over to Learning Express, a really cool toy store I have been wanting to get to for a long time. I hadn’t been there in forever. Pretty much everything they sell has an educational value. I picked up some fun things for the big kids. I stayed a long time. I could pretty much live there!

Next, I went next store to Marshall’s. I had a gift card from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket, and I went straight to the toy section and CLEANED UP! I got so much stuff for $50, it was ridiculous! I again just bought for the big kids. Since both of their birthdays are pretty close to Christmas, I like to get some treats to give out throughout the year for special treats once in awhile. I had a big smile on my face when I left, I got so many good deals!

It was about lunch time, and I had made plans to meet one of my favorite people, Cortney, for lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s. We had some yummy food and talked for 90 minutes kid-free!!!! Woo-hoo! It was awesome.

By this time it was close to 2 p.m. and I wanted to go see a movie at 3:55. But, my bewbs were about to explode so I ran home to feed my little guy and kiss the big kids. Then I jumped right back in the car and zoomed off again. I went to the mall and scoped out some Lands’ End clearance at Sears. I got Sophie a winter coat for the year after next for $14!! Woot! After that, it was time to head over to the theater to see The King’s Speech.

I’ve been wanting to see this movie for weeks and I’ve heard so many great things about it. I was a bit obsessed with the royals in junior high and early high school, so I knew all about the main characters but I had never heard this particular story.

It was riveting. And inspiring! And even though it was just me, a Coke, and a bag of Chewy SweetTarts (and a bunch of old people), I had the best time watching it.

After the movie, it was time to get back to reality. But I was ready, and I felt refreshed and cheerful. Also, my bewbs were REALLY wanting to see the baby at this point. I went straight from the movie to meet the fam at church (I love Saturday night church!). Of course, Jonah had just taken his second bottle right before church, so I was kinda outta luck on that front. But I survived.

After church we headed home where I capped my “day off” by going to bed at 9 p.m. It was wonderful! I am so thankful that I got to spend a day truly relaxing. Just free to run around town, totally unencumbered. And then I still got to come home to the best family a girl could ever want. It was a great day!!

March 25, 2011March 25, 2011

Easy-Peasy Comfort Food

I’m really enjoying my gig as a member of the Shared Tastes Panel (go ahead, click and check out my fellow panelists!) for ReadySetEat.com. I mean, fer realzies, they are paying me to cook dinner, what could be better? And the recipes are delicious! Here were my two favorites I tried this month:

This Cheesy Chili Mac was the easiest thing I have ever made in my life. And it was SO good! Just a box of regular old mac & cheese mixed with a can of Wolf Brand Chili – ta da! Quick, easy, wonderful comfort food! It was a real hit at my house and definitely one I’ll be making again. Possibly today for lunch ’cause MAN that photo is looking good right now! And I still have both ingredients in my pantry!

My next favorite – Spanish Rice – seriously had me running back for seconds. Happily, I made a whole bunch of it and was also able to have some leftovers the next day which were just as amazing as when the meal was fresh!

What made this meal even more fabulous was that it was E-A-S-Y to make – literally just dumpedabunchofstuffinaskillet and let it simmer. And it was soooo good my mouth is watering as I’m writing this! So, so, SO good. I know Spanish Rice might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of comfort food, but put a little colby jack on the top of this dish and it is extremely comforting. Let me tell ya. And look at all those veggies in there!! Tomatoes, corn, peppers – it’s a winner!

Part of the reason Ready, Set, Eat meals like the ones I’ve talked about are so easy to make is because all of the recipes on the site are seven ingredients or less! And many are all made in just one pan or skillet so clean-up is a snap. I’ve gotten to the point where I look for recipes on the site based on what I’ve got in my pantry and I can almost always find a simple fit – it doesn’t have to be when I’m cooking for review. The site is so easy to use that I’m going to it a couple of times a week. I love the recipe box feature and the fact that you can search by keyword, ingredients, and how much TIME you want to spend preparing the meal. There are so many great features that make finding a recipe for and preparing dinner as simple as possible.

So, if you haven’t checked out ReadySetEat.com yet (but surely you do everything I recommend, right??), GO FOR IT! It really is where you’ll find hundreds of answers to that age-old question: “What’s for dinner?”

Check it out, and let me know what looks good to ya! OR what you’ve already tried!

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As I mentioned, I am being compensated for my work on the Shared Tastes Panel. But I pinkie-swear I am telling the truth about these recipes.

March 24, 2011March 24, 2011

Review: Lands’ End Kid’s Swimwear

As you know, I love love love love love love LOVE Lands’ End. And I always have Lands’ End on my bod at the pool during the summer, as does my little girl, Sophie. She’s had nothing but Lands’ End suits the past two summers and they are phenomenal! We go to the pool several times a week and her suits always look great – never faded! They stay put and keep her comfy, too. So when Lands’ End asked me if I wanted to review a spring kids’ item, I was thrilled that the girls’ ruffle suits were available! Here’s Sophie in her new suit! Even though it’s FREEZING here today, I can’t get it off of her! She’s been wearing it for a couple of hours now.

I’m a big fan of the tankini for myself and also for Sophie. This two-piece is very easy to get on and off, yet it’s modest AND adorable. And I know, because I’m a Lands’ End loyal customer, that this suit will look as good at the end of the summer as it did at the beginning.

I tried to get Sophie to tell me why she likes her swimsuit, but she was more interested in seeing herself on video! But, I promise you, her favorite part is the ruffles! And she’s been dancing around in it all afternoon so I guess it makes her feel good!

If you’re looking for the perfect suit for your kids this summer, I HIGHLY recommend you shop Lands’ End! You won’t regret it, and your kids will love their suits!

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I received a Lands’ End girls’ bathing suit for my daughter for review. All opinions about the product are mine and Sophie’s.