- quick recipe of the week -

Hi folks! I'm back today with another recipe to share with you, and another blogger to introduce you to! Meet Lisa from 3 Girls and 1 Boy. She's a wonderful person, and an awesome IG friend of mine :-) Lisa is a mom to 2 beautiful little girls and a proud Navy wife. She loves to create things out of nothing and she has a lot of crafting tutorials, as well as furniture makeovers that she blogs about. She also features a lot of quick, family friendly recipes on her blog that you DEFINITELY have to go check out!

Image credit Lisa

Pesto Pasta Salad
4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 - 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (just watch how it mixes)
1/2 cup pine nuts
6 tablespoons garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
cooked pasta
1 container cherry or grape tomatoes

Combine the basil with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, pulse a few times more. Slowly add the olive oil (watch the consistency of the pesto and stop when it's how you like it) while the food processor is on (make sure the blender is off if you use a blender). Stop & scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Mix the cooked pasta and the tomatoes up in a bowl with the pesto mixture. Top with more Romano or Parmesan cheese if desired.

Image credit Lisa

Printable Recipe 

Thank you so much Lisa! This looks like a great, healthy salad that can be a meal of it's own, or a great side dish. And it's easy to make, which are always my favorite kinds of recipes!

- where is this little blog is headed -

So, if you haven't noticed...I haven't been around here much lately. I can't exactly figure out what has changed in the past year or so, other than the fact that my little one is growing up...and just takes it out of me these days. I'm telling you, this age is amazing for so many reasons...but so exhausting for so many reasons! By the time I finally get her wrestled into her bed, and by the time her eyes are finally shut for the night, I don't have much left in me to do things like blog. Honestly, I would rather sit on the couch with the hubs and do things that require less creativity and wit, like catching up on IG, or reading other's blogs (don't worry friends, I am still out there reading and catching up on your blogs!!! Every single one of them!)

Recently, when I started to look back and realized that at this point, I am only posting maybe twice a week, if even that, I started to stress out. My number of followers hasn't increased in over two months, because I just don't have time to participate in any sort of blog hops or giveaways. It's so hard not to get caught up in the blog world...in counting your followers, in forcing yourself to post daily.

But let me just be honest, I don't have the time to get caught up in that world right now. So that's when I had to stop to think where I wanted this little blog to be heading. And I had to stop to remind myself, that back when I started this blog, it was about recording the moments in our life. About capturing cute stories about the things Ellie did or said, or post the pictures of our fun times, or, to even remember the hard challenging times. But somewhere along the way, this little blog brought me even more than that...I started to meet some AMAZING friends. People who were in the exact place in their lives as I was. People whom I have never met in person (well except this one awesome blogger friend that I was just destined to meet!), but yet, I still feel so close to them. So then, this little blog started becoming a way to catch up with those friends. To keep them in the loop about what we have been up to, while continuing to read what they have been up to...

...and then came Instagram...where I could keep up with these amazing people, but in a much quicker, daily way. And hence, my blog posts starting coming few and far between. And every once in awhile, when I look at how much my stats have dropped, or when I notice that yet one more follower has "un followed" my blog, it stresses me out....for just a second. And then I realize that really, that's not what my little blog is all about.

I will continue posting here, when I have things to say (which actually is quite often...if you could read every single blog post that currently resides in my head, you would be amazed!). But for now, the pressure to post with any sort of regularity is off. I will continue to catch up on your blogs, and I will be here, at this little blog, weekly...but I can't promise you a post every day...or even a post every other day...I can't promise you anything, other than the fact that this little blog will go back to what it was intended to be when I first started it. My outlet when I have things to say, my record keeper when I have moments I don't ever want to forget, and my photo album when I have pictures that can tell the story of our lives.

Thank you to all of you who have stuck with me...who continue to visit this little blog, even though my posts are lacking these days. It is you guys that I really care about. It is you guys that I want to share my stories with. It is you guys that I love so much!!

- this made my day -

Okay, so I'm gonna be honest here...the terrible two's are nothing compared to the "they don't really even have a name for it" three's. Between Ellie pretty much dropping her nap (but probably still needing one), her dreadful habit of not being able to sleep through the night (ever!) , and her little fiery personality really starting to shine, I swear we have a 3 year old with the most dramatic mood swings ever. And it's the hardest on Matt, because she has for some reason decided that Daddy can't do anything at all for her...she won't let him get her dressed, brush her teeth, put her to bed, or even be the first person she sees in the morning when she wakes up. Needless to say, often times it sounds like World War III in our house most nights. She can seriously be the most mellow, well behaved kid when she wants to be, but she can also be the most dramatic, emotional kid when she wants to be! Hmmm, if this is a glimpse into her teenage years, I think we are in a lot of trouble!

Anyway, a few people had posted this on Facebook a few weeks ago, and last night, after a ridiculously tough night of getting my 3 year old showered, in her pj's, and tucked into her bed, I had to read it again....and boy, did it make my day!

46 Reasons My Three Year old Might Be Freaking Out

(Some of these are total guesses. Educated guesses, but guesses nonetheless. Seems like it’s hard being a kid.)

His sock is on wrong.

His lip tastes salty.

His shirt has a tag on it.

The car seat is weird.

He’s hungry, but can’t remember the word “hungry.”

Someone touched his knee.

He’s not allowed in the oven.

I picked out the wrong pants.

His brother looked at him.

His brother didn’t look at him.

His hair is heavy.

We don’t understand what he said.

He doesn’t want to get out of the car.

He wants to get out of the car by himself.

The iPad has a password.

His sleeve is touching his thumb.

He doesn’t understand how popsicles are made.

The inside of his nose stinks.

Chicken is gross.

A balloon he got six months ago is missing.

A puzzle piece won’t fit in upside down.

I gave him the wrong blue crayon.

The gummi vitamin is too firm.

Netflix is slow.

He jumped off the sofa and we weren’t watching.

He’s not allowed to touch fire.

Everything is wrong with his coat.

There’s a dog within a 70 mile radius.

A shoe should fit either foot.

I asked him a question.

His brother is talking.

He can’t lift a pumpkin.

He can’t have my keys.

The cat is in his way.

The cat won’t let him touch its eyeball.

The inside of his cheek feels rough.

Things take too long to cook.

He has too much food in his mouth.

He sneezed.

He doesn’t know how to type.

The DustBuster is going to eat him.

His mom is taking a shower.

Someone knocked over his tower.

He got powdered sugar on his pants.

The yogurt won’t stay on his spoon.

EVERYTHING IS TOO HOT.

by Jason Good

- quick recipe of the week -

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and had fun watching the Superbowl...if that's your thing! Matt was away on a guys trip this weekend, so I had a pretty mellow Superbowl with Ellie. But it was still fun, and, as usual, I was mostly just paying attention to the commercials, since I had no attachments to either team playing.

Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Tani, from, for the life of Tani Bree & her loves. Tani and I have been following each other's blogs for quite some time...she was one of the first blogs I started following actually! I've watched her beautiful little girl, Brielle, grow, and have followed her throughout her long, and emotional journey to get pregnant a second time...which she now is (I was ecstatic when I heard the news...oh yeah, and it's a little boy!!!) Tani just has the sweetest soul ever, and she's just amazing!

Image credit Tani

In addition to writing about herself and her family, she often writes about food, crafting, fitness, photography, songwriting, and clothes. Being a wife and a mother is so deeply satisfying to her, and she is always looking for more ways to make the story of her family a story worth cherishing.

Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Baked Stuffed Chicken
2 slices center cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 jalapeños, chopped (remove seeds for milder)
3 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
4 oz reduced fat shredded cheddar jack
2 tbsp chopped scallions
8 thin sliced skinless chicken breast cutlets, 3 oz each
1/2 cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
1 1/2 lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and fresh pepper
olive oil non-stick spray

Wash and dry chicken cutlets, season with salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.Combine cream cheese, cheddar, scallions, jalapeño and bacon crumbles in a medium bowl. Lay chicken cutlets on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of cream cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one, secure the ends with toothpicks to prevent the cheese from oozing out.Place breadcrumbs in a bowl; in a second bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in lime-oil mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down on a baking dish.Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil spray. Bake 22-25 minutes, serve immediately.

Image www.skinnytaste.com

Printable Recipe 

This look amazing! Thanks for sharing Tani! I absolutely love stuffed chicken...it turns regular chicken into AMAZING chicken!

Go say hi to Tani, and get to know her and her family. You'll be so glad you did! She's just plain awesome!

- flashback friday -

I seriously die when I see old pictures of Ellie! She was so chubby!! She had this perfectly round, chubby face that I always wanted to squeeze!! Eeee! I CAN NOT believe how much she has grown up in three years!

Image credit Nina S.

Image credit Nina S. 

- quick recipe of the week -

Happy Monday to everyone! Hope you guys had a fabulous weekend! Over the weekend, I actually stumbled upon a great blog called, Family Fresh Meals, that has a ton of amazing, family friendly recipes! You should definitely check it out! Today's recipe comes from that blog...and, of course, it's a crock pot recipe...cause I absolutely love using my crock pot! Anytime I can have dinner ready for me as soon as I walk in the door, I'm all for that!

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese
1 box (13.25oz) of rotini, shell or macaroni pasta
4 Tbs butter
4 cups shredded cheese (I used a Colby-Jack blend, but Cheddar would work great too)
4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature, cubed
1.5 cup of milk
-12 oz evaporated milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika

In crock pot mix together butter, cream cheese, milk, evaporated milk, sour cream, salt, pepper and paprika. Try to stir out as many lumps as possible. Stir in UNCOOKED noodles. Top with shredded cheese. (DO NOT mix at this point. The cheese will melt and make it’s way through the noodles. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.

Image credit http://www.familyfreshmeals.com

Printable Recipe 

Looks delicious doesn't it? Yeah, who doesn't love homemade macaroni and cheese?? Try it, I'm sure you'll like it!!

- dear ellie -

My dearest Ellie-

One day, you will understand why we are working so hard to establish rules and boundaries in our house. One day, you will understand why we are the adults, and you are still the kid. One day, you will understand that if we just gave in and always gave you what you want, we wouldn't be instilling in you the traits you need to be a healthy, happy person that doesn't always need instant gratification. One day, you will understand that sleep is an important part of your development, both physically and mentally, and you will understand why we continually pushed and encouraged you to get your rest and sleep soundly. One day, you will understand that sometimes, a parent needs to be a parent and stand their ground. Not just sometimes, but a lot of times. It's our job to keep you safe, and healthy, and sometimes that doesn't always make you happy, but we are doing it for your own good. And yes, one day, you will have this same conversation with your son or daughter, and you will realize that your parents once said the same thing to you...and even though you swore you would never say the same thing to your kids, you will. Because every parent plays the same role in a child's life, and while some parents may differ with how they say it, we are all saying the same thing. Ellie, we don't say no to you to hurt you, or because we enjoy seeing you cry. It breaks our heart to see those tears. But Ellie, you WILL be a better person as you get older if you understand that you need to hear "no" once in awhile. That it's teaching you very essential skills in life.

But for now, my sweet girl, since you are only 3, and you don't understand any of this right now, we will keep seeing the tears, our hearts will continue to break, but we will continue forward...boundary setting, rule enforcing. And I promise you little one, you will be a better person in the end because of it...because of the effort we are putting into parenting you right now.

Keep smiling my little one...keep shining...and keep that strong, independent spirit that you have. It's causing a lot of heartache around our house right now, but I know I wouldn't have it any other way. I want you to be a strong, young lady. A spirited, young lady...but one that knows and understands rules and boundaries, especially when it's for your own good.

Keep smiling my little one...keep shining...and please always keep that fiery spirit, my little one...

Image credit Nina S.