17 posts tagged “weekend”

The baby shower of the century is over. I've fretted over this thing for months, ever since my good friend, Shelby said she wanted me to help. I wanted everything to be just perfect, this being her first baby and all.

I was in charge of plates, cups, napkins and decorations. This was a big deal to me because I didn't want to pick out anything tacky or ugly. I had never met my fellow shower planners, so showing up the day of the shower with decorations in hand was scary. What if they hated them? What if they thought I had the worst taste in the entire world? Seriously, I was stressed, for months over the responsibility of picking out the plates and stuff. Lucky for me, they liked them just fine. Yes, I stressed for no good reason. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't stress over stuff like this.

Anyway, I remembered everything I was supposed to bring. Picked up the cake and was there in plenty of time to help decorate. Which was good since I had the decorations. The most important thing is that Shelby was happy. And that made me happy. She deserves it. And now I can relax about that.

I also seem to have poison of some sort. I'm not sure if it's sumac, ivy, oak. Who knows. I would also like to know how I got it all over my stomach. Considering I don't go outdoors scantily clad, it confuses me. Although, I suppose Steve could have rubbed some on my belly in the middle of the night just for the fun of it. Anyway, it itches and is driving me crazy. I'm going to go to bed, because it doesn't itch when I'm sleeping.

I woke up earlier than usual this morning. Victoria was going to a friend's farm to dress up like Boots from Dora the Explorer for a hayride thing they do. Sure beats asking to hang out at the mall, so I drove her down. The costumes weren't just cheap costumes, they were like mascot costumes. She promised me to get a picture or two. We'll see if she conveniently forgets.

After dropping her off I took the opportunity to call Hannah and stop at the grocery store. I wanted to make "Quick Tortilla Soup". It's windy with a good chill in the air. Perfect day for a huge pot of soup.

When I got home, I made a huge pot, big enough for a couple of days. Steve was outback attempting to turn the pool from a lovely green back to clean. The pool guys are coming to close it in a little over a week. I'm always so relieved when they come to close it. I'm so tired of trying to keep the thing clean by this time of year (hence the green hue it currently has).

Now Steve and Alex are at the dump getting rid of our old dishwasher and stove along with other random crap that was sitting out in the garage. There is still much more out there, but the van will only hold so much.

Josiah is playing some SpongeBob video game. Sophie is working on a project for school, something to do with the United Kingdom. Ashley is hanging out at the neighbors. I told Hannah I would post the recipe. So here I am. I was racked with guilt for putting it off until now.

Quick Tortilla Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 tbsp taco seasoning mix

1 garlic clove chopped

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa

1/4 cup lime juice

2 cups cooked chopped chicken

1 can black beans

2 cups frozen yellow corn

1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro

2 cups broken tortilla chips

Toppings such as grated cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, and diced tomato.

In 4 qt pot, cook onion, jalapeno pepper, taco seasoning mix and garlic over medium high heat until tender crisp. Add chicken broth, salsa, and lime juice. Cover and bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in chicken, cilantro, beans and corn. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with broken tortilla chips and serve with toppings.

So there ya go. A good soup for a nice cold day. I already sampled it several times, just to make sure it was edible and all. (Tamzen, I bet it would be good if you used vegetable broth and left the chicken out too!)

 

Steve and I had a lovely kid-free Friday night. Victoria, Sophia, and Josiah are with their father and stepmother for the weekend. Alex and Ashley went over to Grandma P's abode. We stayed in a watched a movie (Chocolat) and slept wonderfully late this morning. I had wanted to get up early and go to breakfast (I have coupons), but bed was warm and comfortable and sleep feels so good. I decided to sleep in and just make breakfast at home.

We rolled out of bed around 10:30. I made my version of a Bob Evans Skillet Meal. I layered home fries, scrambled eggs, sausage gravy and topped it with cheddar cheese. Mmmm, nothing like starting the day with some heart attack inducing breakfast foods. Sure beats the Fibre One I normally eat most mornings that Victoria says tastes like cardboard. As a bonus, I saved money and didn't have to change out of my pajamas.

After we had breakfast, Steve and I headed into the boys' room to throw away some of their junk reorganize their stuff. We tried to get as much done as we could before we had to meet up with Rob and Gary. Gary had some extra tickets to a Bull and Oyster Roast thrown by a local business to benefit the American Cancer Society. Seriously, you think I'm going to pass up free food? Steve asked if I was interested. Um...yeah!

The Bull and Oyster Roast was interesting. Southern Maryland's finest were there. Nothing like some tasty meat cooked over a huge fire and good old people watching. The dj played songs like "The Electric Slide" and "Booty Call". They even had a "beer truck". If only I could've figured out a way to get a picture of the woman with the huge Tazmanian Devil tattoo on calf with the inscription "100% B*tch" to share with you all. Gotta give her props for putting a permanent warning label on herself.

I was the only one that ate the steamed oysters. For some reason, despite being born and raised in Maryland, Steve and his brothers just aren't big fans. I don't eat them raw. That is just nasty. Anything that resembles snot just isn't going into my stomach. I'm still curious as to who was the first person to discover that oysters are edible. What would make someone look at that and think, Oooh let me see if that is something I can actually eat.

Sadly, there wasn't any dessert. Seriously, what kind of shindig doesn't have anything sweet to finish off the meal? I had Steve stop off at Nick's so I could pick up some ice cream on the way back to his parent's house. I ended up with Haagan Daas Sticky Toffee Pudding ice cream and Steve found another Boston Cream Pie. I couldn't pass it up knowing that it could be months before I see another one. So the money I saved by not going to breakfast paid for my ice cream and the pie. I'm on a personal quest to share this delicious pie with as many people as I can, so I made sure Mrs. P took a slice for everyone in her house. I wonder if she thinks it's the best pie ever like I do.

While we were hanging out at the P's, we watched Pushing Daisies. I forgot to DVR the encore presentation and I didn't want to risk having my neck punched by Cori. Steve and I are definitely adding it to our Fall tv schedule. Mainly because we liked it, but we also don't want to risk Cori punching us in the neck if we decided it wasn't worth watching on a weekly basis.

Now we are home. We've had some pie and Steve is waiting for me to wrap this up so we can watch an episode of Scrubs before bed. He keeps glancing over to see whether I am done or not. I think I'll type an extra paragraph of filler just to be a brat. Ok, not really. I'm out of stuff to say and that doesn't happen too often. So yeah, hope everyone is having a good weekend so far too.

 My mom turned 60 this week. Funny how 60 just doesn't sound as old as it used to sound to me. Grey hair doesn't seem so bad either. Good thing since I found my first one a couple of months ago. I kinda like it. Who knew I wouldn't mind getting older?

That isn't what I was here to blog about. I was actually going to post pictures of my mom's birthday party from yesterday. I started to do it earlier, then Hannah called and I got a little sidetracked. Although, I think the braindumping I did while I was on the phone with her did me good. I feel all ready to blog and take on the world.

So yeah, pictures. First we have the birthday girl opening her gift while my dad looks on....

My mom just bought a new(er) car to replace the one she totalled in a lovely accident with a state trooper (long story). She was upset that her new car didn't have a cassette player. We all pitched in a bought her an adapter so she can play her cassette tapes. She's silly.

This was just after she blew out her candles. Well, my adorable blonde nephew, Noah, blew several out from way up in his daddy's arms. Grammie blew out what was left....

This is Marlen's youngest, same kid that blew out the candles....

This is her youngest daughter...

Nicole's teenagers fighting it out. Kay definitely had the upper hand...

I made a lemon pound cake for my mom. Here I am getting ready to make Steve try some. It was surprisingly good....

 

Some pictures of the grandkids with my mom's (formerly my) beloved dog, Harrison...

 

 

This is Nicole's youngest, but the thing I love most about this picture is Kare Bear in the background about to lick her ice cream while trying to find a place to sit....

I think they could've fit a few more people in the chair, don't you?

My mom and her older brother...

Steve, just because I think he's cute...

Sophia, looking all serious...

Alex modeling some really big shoes while standing with me...

Ashley and my cousin's daughter...

It was a good time. Lots of food, grilled salmon, burgers, hot dogs, loads of doritos, broccoli salad, deviled eggs, ice cream (seriously, can you have a bad time if there is ice cream?). The real blessing is just being able to have big ol' family get togethers like this. After years of being apart from my sisters, I'm thankful to have times like this with them and their families.

I know we are all looking off to the side, but I really like this one.

 

For some reason, the guys didn't want to get all close and put their arms around each other for the picture.

 

Steve and I at the DC Improv. We saw Flip Orley, a comedian/hypnotist. It was a really great show.

Because my husband loves me, he brings me any sort of cute creepy crawly type thing when he happens upon it in the garden. First he hunted me down to bring me a baby praying mantis. Sadly, no pictures of that. Then he found the baby tree frog. He knows how much I love these things that he interrupted my shower because he knew I would be sad if I missed out. So here are the pictures that didn't make Steve's blog.

 

Right after that lovely shot of me looking at the frog on my thumb, he jumped on my face.

 

Then we put him on Victoria. She wasn't too thrilled. She used to love catching creepy crawly things, but I suppose she is growing up.

 

She actually liked the way this picture turned out. It's all "emo".

 

Sophia was watching us take pictures our miniscule model.

 

The frog wasn't interesting enough to tear him away from his video game.

 

My mother loves to buy silly things for the kids. This is her latest purchase, a family of porpoises for the pool.

Ok, I'm off to go hang out with the family at my in laws. I'm making crab cakes! Mmmmmm.

It's been a wild and crazy weekend. We had a birthday party on Friday complete with ugly outfits. Someone said they liked my skirt. My sister in law told me I looked cute. I think Steve must have slipped her a twenty on the side. Rob, Gary, and my mother in law were all there to witness me in my all my UOF glory. I think I deserve a "get out of UOF free" card for this coming Friday.

The kids ended up having a water fight at the party and were completely soaked. Little did they know, we were going to Target afterward. So Steve and I, in our ugly outfits, and 5 drenched kids graced the aisles of our local Target. Not finding what we wanted, we then headed over to Wal-Mart.

Saturday, we got up and went to breakfast in honor of Ashley's 9th birthday. Then Steve dropped me and Josiah off at the house. I had a cake to bake and some cleaning to do before Nicole and her crew showed up. They are staying with us til Wednesday. Later in the evening, we headed out for dinner in DC. So nice having older kids to watch the younger ones so we can get some grown up time.

Sunday, we dragged ourselves out of bed for church. Amazing that I can manage to get to my Sunday School class on time when it's me and 6 kids, but not when Steve is tagging along. Yes, my husband is notorious for being late. (Is that proper english? That doesn't sound right.)

After church, we came back here and Nicole made us some killer nachos. Steve packed his bags and left me. Even made me drive him to the airport. Ok, so really, he has a business trip this week. Second one this month, these are getting old already. Then he has another next week. I really miss him this time. Strangely, I not only love my husband but I like him and would even dare to say, enjoy being around him. I know, I'm crazy like that.

So I took him to the airport, then drove back home blaring "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap. I love that song. I hated it the first time I heard it, but the lyrics are so well written. Once I arrived back home, Nicole, Victoria and I went to the store where Victoria ended up with a box on her head and I bought a huge jar of Nutella. We party hard around these parts.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing on the deck. I made some homemade guacamole, as per Nicole's request. I must say, I do make some awesome guac. We also ended our Mexican themed night with Faux Fried Ice Cream. I wasn't one bit hungry, but had to have some anyway, because it's vacation. Well, not my vacation, but Nicole's, so I had to eat it.

Now, I am going to crawl into bed. I'm going on only 5 hours sleep from last night and I am really starting to feel it now. Tomorrow, we are going into DC to the Smithsonian museums and some other sightseeing. I'm sure I'll end up boring you all with some moblogging pictures. I can't help it, I'm addicted.

 

 

Yesterday was Ashley's 9th birthday. I can't believe she was only 5 when I met Steve now. I look back at the pictures and she looks so little and tiny. She's really growing up.

 

Later in the evening, Steve and I took Rob and Nicole to one of our favorite restaurants in Chinatown. Afterwards, we walked around DC just enjoying the cool night air. Our nation's capital is just so beautiful at night.

 

Nicole and I with some fish.

It was a great night. Thanks to Nicole and Rob, we even stuck to our budget!

Seriously, could it be any hotter?

Ok, I suppose it could, but couple that with air so thick you can cut it with a knife and it is a pleasant day here in Maryland.

So, Victoria just asked me if I am really going to wear this to my niece's party. Yes, I am. I have already worn it to the pharmacy, Target, and Food Lion. I turned a lot of heads, let me tell you. I felt a bit silly at first, but then every time I saw someone looking strangely at me out of the corner of my eye, I just smiled and laughed to myself. If they only knew.

I will confess, I'm not exactly happy about wearing it around people I actually know tonight. However, I am not backing down. I committed to UOF, and I am going to ride it out til the end. Guess I'll be doing a lot of explaining tonight, eh?

Steve posted some lovely pictures of our night out in Annapolis last Friday. However, he didn't post all of them.

You see, I spied these cute little stuffed llamas in one of the storefront windows. I was mesmerized by the little baby llamas and their cuteness. I had a brilliant idea! I turned to Steve, "Oooh, take a picture of me looking at the baby llamas!"

He began to set up the shot. "Ok, don't look at the baby llamas, look at the big llamas."

I glanced over at the big llamas. The big llamas weren't all cute like the baby llamas. I didn't want to look at the big llamas. I didn't want a picture of me looking at the big llamas. I thought Steve wouldn't notice, so I looked back at the baby llamas.

"Look at the big llamas." Steve instructed me again.

"I don't want a picture of me looking at the big llamas." I whined.

"Trust me, look at the big llamas."

I looked at the big llamas for a second, then I went back to looking at the baby llamas. Surely, he couldn't tell what I was looking at. He snaps a few pictures.

"You're looking at the baby llamas again."

I started to laugh. I'd been caught.

"Just look at the big llamas. They won't even be in the picture and it will look like you are looking at the baby llamas.", he explained.

He tried to get a decent picture of me and the llamas, but at this point, it was useless. I couldn't keep a straight face and he couldn't hold the camera steady as he tried not to laugh.

 

Me, trying to keep a straight face as I realized how completely ridiculous and stubborn I was being. Always listen to your photographer, even if he is making you look at the big ugly llamas.