summer table

 

I picked up some flowers last night on my trip to the grocery store (so much for just getting milk). A huge bunch for three dollars. That's enough to fill thee of my vases. yay! I love fresh flowers on the table. :)
The candle in the middle has some small shells from our vacation.
 

I think they look cute in there...let's just hope J can keep his little fingers out of it. You know three year olds and their quest for treasure!
The cutest part of the table is what's under it though! :)

The Motions

Today I was so inspired and convicted by Matthew West's song "The Motions". The lines that say:

"Take me all the way. I don't want to just go through the motions. I don't want to go one more day without your consuming passion inside of me. I don't want to spend one more day asking what if I had given everything."

Then in my devotions I was reading Psalms 119. Hmm think God's teaching me a lesson. :)

Psalm 119:5-7 "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws."

Psalm 119:10 "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands."

 See the video here. :)
http://www.last.fm/music/Matthew+West/_/The+Motions

I have also found that I'm a much better wife and mommy if I start my day off with reading God's word and prayer. It's not always easy with two little ones...but SO important. It's good for J and N to see Mommy reading the bible. I also like to have praise and worship on throughout the day and in the car. It's hard to be grouchy when praise music is on. :) 

Trying to eat better

 

Eating well does not mean that you have to eat like a rabbit...umm I guess I should explain that to N. :) My husband and I are trying to eat better though. We have gained a little weight and a few tummy problems. It's so easy to get caught up in the fast-food way of life. I really do not want my boys to grow up thinking that is okay! Food is not just here for us to consume, but also for us to enjoy. How many times have you walked into a fast food place and said "wow something smells good" or "I feel great, that was a wonderful meal". No usually we walk away feeling gross and smelling gross too. I try to think of that when I'm tempted to hit the drive-through. Now don't get me wrong I'm far from perfect...and there are days that J is munching on some chicken nuggets in the back seat. (oops!)
But the other night I was on my A game!!!! I made a super healthy and yummy meal that everyone loved. (Poor baby N just had apple sauce though) 

 

Chicken Salad wraps in whole wheat organic wraps with some organic baby spinach inside.
I had cooked a whole chicken the day before and then cut up the meat to use in several meals. It's much cheaper that way and you get the hard work done all at once!
So here is the recipe:
2 cups of cooked cubed chicken -I used organic
1 cup celery 

1 green onion
1/2 cup mayo

1 teaspoon basil

1teaspoon dill

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Mix all ingredients together and chill

 

Then I took a few spoon fulls on a whole wheat wrap and some organic baby spinach...don't you feel healthy now! I know the mayo is not the best...but It's a start. You could switch it out for yogurt if you wanted. :)

Then I put the chicken salad on my whole wheat wrap with some spinach. I made them ahead and then let them chill some in the refrigerator. We also had smoothies with our wraps that night.
In my blinder I put a cup of yogurt, 3 cups of mixed berries, a squirt of honey to taste, and a cup of water since my berries were frozen. Mix until smooth. Enjoy!

 

So it's not perfect...but I'm learning...and my family is on their way to being even healthier!

So the hubs and I were off on a wonderful cruise last week. He won it though his business because he reached a certain sales goal. This was a great time for us to reconnect and really date each other. So many times it's easy to get caught up in life and the kids.

 

I was determined to try some new things and step outside of my comfort zone. My husband was impressed and excited. Once I got over my fears it really was a lot of fun. 

 

He has ALWAYS wanted me to get on the back of his bike....Okay FINE, I did it! I must confess I was holding onto him for dear life (maybe that's why he has wanted me to ride with him) 

 

I don't have a picture of me doing this...but I promise I did...sort of...I did some body surfing. That is until I got hit in the head with the board. I tried it though, and that's the part that counts right?!

 

We also got a chance to dress up and enjoy a nice dinner together. We were able to just talk and enjoy each others company. We need to find time to do that more often.

 

So we left the boys for a week with my AMAZING parents (thanks a million Mom and Dad), and got a chance to have a second honeymoon. I think everyone should find a way to get away with out the kids. Let's not get caught up in the "Mommy Martyrdom Syndrome". We need to get all dolled up and spend some quality time with our husbands!

Totally Turkey

I know it's not Thanksgiving...in fact today's 90 deg. weather proves we are not even close to Thanksgiving. My family loves turkey though. When ever they go on sale I pick one up and we make several meals out of it. I know what your thinking...turkey is dry, hard to cook, and no taste. Not when I make it! :) Not to brag or anything.
1st make sure your turkey is completely defrosted. Next you need to clean your turkey. This part might gross you out a little. It's really not that bad...just do it, and don't think about it! Inside the turkeys rib cage area take out the gizzards (umm some people use it, but I just throw it out). Now rinse it out.
2nd put turkey in a pan with at least a one inch lip. You want to make sure you have enough room to hold all the yummy juice.

3rd chop up one onion and two celery stocks and stick inside turkey. Rub butter over the outside of the turkey and then sprinkle dried herb mix over top. Now pour either 2 cups of apple juice or apple cider around turkey. I know you think I'm crazy with this one but just trust me it works.
4th in a preheated oven (350 deg) place turkey. Every half hour use either a turkey baster or ladle (if your son is using your turkey baster as a water gun) to pour liquid from the pan over the turkey to keep it moist. If your turkey is starting to brown a little too much cover with aluminum foil. Oops as you can see I did not use the foil. It's okay it will still taste good.  Your turkey should reach a temp of 190 deg. Don't cut it yet!!! It needs to sit and cool for a bit.

Next I made sour cream mashed potatoes. I could eat an entire bowl of these!!! They are so easy to make that you will never make instant again (I hope). For my family I used three yellow potatoes and cut into cubes. No need to peal, just scrub first. Then add enough water to cover potatoes. Boil for 15-20 min. until potatoes are soft. Drain water and transfer potatoes to a bowl. Now mash with a potato masher if you have one...but a large wooden spoon will work too. Now add half a cup of sour cream and mix until potatoes are creamy. You can add more sour cream if needed or salt, or even green onion. I like mine with  brown gravy though!

Now you can cut your turkey. Set up a plate for leftovers...you know your going to want turkey sandwiches tomorrow. Try to keep son and husbands out of the turkey until dinner (maybe that just happens in my family).

Oh and don't throw away the bones from the turkey. Put the bones in a large pot and cover with water. Let it simmer on the stove for a few hours. Then drain out the liquid and save. Now you can throw out the bones. :) Use the broth to make soup. Just add chopped up turkey, noodles, and chopped carrots and celery. You don't even need to season it. All the flavor is in the broth. Sorry I don't have exact measurements, but I just eyeball it.

Enjoy your dinner...and lunch...and turkey soup. Oh and you can freeze the soup too.

Need Pictures

First of all, sorry for the bad picture...I took it with my phone while standing on the back of the couch. I have been looking for something to go on this shelf in my living room. I found these frames at Target, but they sat with nothing in them for a month until I had enough. I came across some ferns growing in the garden so I framed them. Brown construction paper is the background. A lot cheaper than pictures!
Next I came across some old colored letter blocks that my son was not using. I also got those from the dollar section at Target.  I used a black marker and colored over the letters. My last name is not Ritzo, but these days you have to stay private. :)
It's a simple look, but I like it.

crafting during nap time

It was one of those days I just felt like being crafty. I keep seeing others blog about these cute rope decorative balls they are making. So I made a few of those. Then I looked over at an empty milk jug on the counter...hmmm...that would make a cute vase.

one guess where that's from!

I just started to wind the rope around the jug adding hot glue every so often. I think I used a little too much hot glue at the top. It started to seep out of the edges. oops!

I think it looks cute. I bet it would look really cute with several of them in different sizes.
Look what else I did...

I picked up simple glass candle holders in two different sizes and glass cups at the Dollar Store. Then I glued them together. I have also seen this done on several other blogs, but I had not done it yet. I flipped over the candle stick because I think it looks better that way.

I got this all done during my boys nap time!