Mommin' It Up!

January 20, 2011

SnowMG BFF!

Seriously, my fellow Ohioans, I must apologize. I fear I am to blame for all this bad weather. I didn’t mean to do it, because honestly, I detest snow. But it must be MY fault.

Because every time I freaking have somewhere to GO, it flippin’ dumps snow all over the place up in here!

Today, I had Jonah’s 4-week check up appointment AND Sophie’s first-ever dentist appointment, so I was out on these hazardous roads because neither was something I could really re-schedule (Sophie had to have a dental exam within 60 days of enrolling in preschool. It’s like day 51. Thankyouverymuch.)

A couple of weeks ago when I pulled a muscle in my incision area and thought I was going to die, I had to drive to the doctor in a snowstorm because I was in so much pain I was not gonna cancel that appointment.

And a month ago, the day before Jonah was born, I also had to drive to the doctor for myself in the worst snowstorm thus far, so that they could tell me my blood pressure was too high (because I almost DIED 50 times on the way there!) and that I needed to have the baby the next day.

So clearly, every time I have an appointment, it is going to be like the Arctic in my ‘hood.

So please watch out next Tuesday (hair and brows), Feb 10th (Sophie’s actual dental cleaning), and Feb. 17th (Jonah’s 8 week check-up.) Those days are gonna SUCK.

You’ve been warned!

January 19, 2011January 18, 2011

Ready, Set, Eat!

I have exciting news to share: I recently signed on to be a contributing recipe reviewer to the new website from Con Agra Foods, ReadySetEat. But I don’t just get to EAT the recipes, I also have to COOK them – so I’m reviewing the whole process from meal prep to clean-up. Which means, ladies and gentleman, that someone is finally paying me to cook dinner. HEY-OH! What could be more awesome? 🙂

Maple-Mustard Pork with Sweet Potatoes - heavenly!

So far I have cooked and reviewed six of the recipes on ReadySetEat, and it has been a great experience. All of the recipes have been simple but delicious, and a couple of them have been especially out-of-this-world fantastic! Like the above-pictured Maple-Mustard Pork with Sweet Potatoes. This recipe is amazing. So, so easy, and incredibly tasty. When Bobby and I sat down to eat it, he took a couple of bites and then said to me, “Congratulations, this is fantastic!” And I had to agree!

What’s great about ReadySetEat is that it contains recipes of all different types that are all simple to make – it’s “a faster, smarter way to dinner”. Also, it even tells you where the ingredients for said recipes are on SALE locally! You know I love that feature since I am always out to get a good deal at the grocery. So in addition to the recipe, ingredient list, and cooking and prep times – you’ve also got a guide on where to go to get the best price on these meals. Woot!

Here’s a look at a couple of my other favorite recipes I’ve made so far:

garlicrosemary — Rosemary Garlic Pot Roast in the slow cooker - my favorite recipe yet!

I can honestly say that I have never had so much fun cooking dinner. I mean I still make a total mess out of myself and my kitchen (example: spilled half a can of beef broth in the bottom of my refrigerator yesterday! Whoopsie.), but I’m cranking out some great food. It’s been fun to challenge myself to make new things when the recipes are so easy and delicious. ReadySetEat even has plenty of slow cooker recipes which of course I am thrilled about because slow cookin’ is my favorite way to cook!

You’ll be hearing more from me about ReadySetEat in the next few months, but until then, do yourself a favor, head on over and check out the site’s great recipes and features!

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I am a paid contributor to ReadySetEat. All opinions I’ve expressed about the website and the recipes are honestly and completely my own.

January 17, 2011

Ready or Not…

(Photo by Anna B Photography)

My cousin Anna took this picture yesterday; it is of my and Emily’s grandmother playing hide-and-seek with Joshua (the blue blur) and Kate (the purple blur).

Grandma is pretty much the best hide-and-seeker ever.

This picture speaks to me; it tells me lots of things I already know but reminds me how important these things are. For instance, that my grandmother is at 85, still an expert at the art of playing with a child, just like she was when Emily and Anna and I were little. And that, like the speedy blurs that are Joshua and Kate, the chances to play with a child pass by in a blink.

It reminds me that there is a time to be still, and a time to be quick. That the most fun things in life are also the most simple. That people are more precious than things. And most especially that I am very, very blessed that my kids get to enjoy my grandmother just as I did as a child.

Take some time to enjoy the simple things today. Because Ready or Not, they won’t always be there.