Here's something that I love to do. Coupon. Its like a sport to me. :) And here's a great site to help! The Sassy Saver Enjoy!

WE MOVED!

Hey guys,

I just wanted to tell you that I've moved! Yes, physically, but over the net, too. You can now keep up with me and the guys through THIS site. See you soon!

Ok, ok, so i lied.

so, i haven't posted my super delicious gumbo recipe yet, and i did forget to take pictures. sorry bout that. i will post the recipe, but you'll just have to wait one more day for it. we ate it tonight for dinner with my sweet friend, and it was good! i started cooking it entirely too late on monday night, so it was much to late to post the recipe that night. and tonight i'm skipping it because i'm fulfilling my other commitment as witnessed by you in the previous blog: i'm going running in the morning. i am starting to train for a 5k, so i have to get to bed soon so that i can make myself get up and go running. thankfully i have a friend who is counting on me to actually scramble out of bed and meet her or else i would have ZERO motivation to do it. i mean, i do want to look good, and i do want to be healthy, but lets be honest folks, i don't give a rats'...heiney...about that anytime before 9 o'clock. but i'm doing it, and it'll be by the grace of God alone if i finish it. but i will. i will. which reminds me, anyone know of a 5k in around december? i've got one for february-ish, but hopefully by then i'll have trained for the 10k that they do. let me know if you hear anything. i have hopes of running the boston marathon in a couple of years. not winning it, running it. i just want to be able to finish. i mean, heck. i'm barely in my mid-twenties. i can do this. right?...anyone?

leize le bon temps roule

This is my favorite time of day. Well, actually, this is my favorite time of the week. Sunday afternoon. Just after lunch and the boys are in bed. They barely make it through lunch before zonking out in their bed (if not the car seats). Heck, my eyes are half-open, myself. I have a netflix movie in, the couch to myself, and silence in the air. Wes is watching some guy-movie that i am not the slightest bit interested in on the mac with the headphones. All I need now is a little scoop of ice cream while i half-doze to the background music that is a movie.

This evening before meeting with our Sunday-evening group, I am planning on making gumbo, my semi-homemade version. I created a recipe for gumbo accidentally (i was trying to make jambalaya) and it turned out really good. So i have also created a more condensed version for when i don't feel like making every single thing from scratch (i.e. i don't feel like boiling a chicken and making stock, etc.) that i believe is still just as good. And we'll have it over brown rice. However, chances are that we won't actually eat this deliciousness until tomorrow because I believe we have already made some dinner plans with some friends. I just know myself, and won't actually get around to cooking it unless there is a chunk (what a gross word) of time allotted specifically for gumbo-making. So, should i get around to it, i will be posting pictures of this gumbo (hopefully in step-by-step fashion) with the recipe so that if you choose, you can create my yummy gumbo.

But for now, back to the movie...

Hello. Yes, I know i've been away for a very, VERY long time. However, that happens, and we move on. I am contemplating combining my two blogs (one professional and, well, this one) but haven't yet done it because I don't know if the general public wants to hear my craziness while trying to look at their pictures. The other night Wesley and I finally got around to seeing Julie & Julia. I know you all have probably seen it, but let me tell you, it might be my favorite movie. At least top ten. Big fan. So, now I'm back into the blogging.

Anyway, my boys are probably a good 3 inches taller than the last time I posted. Knox's love for the drums is growing with each moment, and it seems that not only does he turn anything his huge imagination sees into a drum, but apparently can keep a really good beat. We are toying with the idea of getting him into drum lessons. I think he would love it and it would be really good for him. From what I understand, he will most likely be receiving a real set of drums for his birthday soon, so with actual drums in the house, there really is no excuse not to provide him with lessons.

Kuyper is almost a year old. I know I've said it, but man, where does the time go??? The older I get, the faster it jets past me. And its like I don't even realize it when it does. Kuyper started walking last week. How insane is that? Granted, he is tiny, so he looks like he should not be walking anytime soon. And, true, Knox walked at the same age, so I guess I should have anticipated it, but still.

And speaking of having a ten month old, it has been 10 months, and do i feel remotely as in shape as i was before i was pregnant? no. Am I remotely as in shape as i was before i was pregnant? no. (and let's be honest. am i even trying remotely as much as i was before i was pregnant? no.) But Today is a new day. Today I am trying. Today I decide, "baby weight, I am gone of you forever." Today I say, "Good-bye, Fat Jeans." and, "hello, Cute white lacey tank top that I have missed for a good...(...hmm...ten plus nine)...nineteen months!" I have given little half-a$$ed attempts to getting in shape, but today I have decided that i'm jumping in full fledge (is that a word? what does that even mean?). Today I decide that I will be training for a (...marathon? seriously? do you really think that's a realistic goal right now?...hmmm...what's shorter, then? a half-marathon? that sounds ridiculous. I'll say a 5k. yeah, that's more realistic.) and training for a 5K. Speaking of, does anyone know of a good 5k that'll be playing out this winter-ish? I need concrete goals if this is going to work. Daily training. Daily eating healthy. Daily cooking healthy. Really, that's one thing I'm excited about. Cooking more. Now I have more of a reason to do it. I thought about getting Gordon Ramsey's Healthy Appetite the other day while i was in Square Books, but decided to wait. So, until I find a race, I guess it's a vague determination. But I'm looking and open to suggestions.

I'm Back!

Ah summertime.
Although the heat has been bearing down, this week looks like its slightly cooler. Just cool enough to sit outside and enjoy a breeze. So far this summer I have visited with a few friends from out of town, replaced our little Subaru when a tree squashed it, watched (slightly shamefully) the Bachelorette, watched the Next Food Network Star (with dreams of being on it one day), a few weddings, a few more on the way, and hopes of moving off to another town.
Knox has been praying at night, and I have been LOVING them. I don't know if there is anything cuter. He prays for the family, and things of that nature, but once he's through listing them off, its anyone's game as to what he'll pray for next. He has prayed for God to "help Jesus drink His 'N0-no Juice.'" (which is what he calls beer b/c he can't drink it)
Next week we will be going to a photography conference, and I am SUPER excited about it. Not only do I have high hopes for learning loads about photography and business, but it is an entire week away with Wesley without the kids! :o) Oh, I'm pumped.

our damage

the street, notice the tree down. street still blocked off power line infront of our house
wesley's work truck, notice that it is IN the ground.
the hugeness of the tree. you can see how tiny the truck looks on the right bottom corner.

the roots are past the photo on the left and the top is past the photo on the right.

the inside view of where the kitchen roof is crushed. missing the tin on the outside. large leaks and crunched corner.

part of the roof that used to be on top of the house. also, large leaks above the window

the carport and our car

the top of the tree. it extends past the carport and the house.

Have you ever seen "Elmo in Grouchland?" I'm sure not. Unless, of course, you have a 2 year old (or so), or possibly nanny a 2 year old (0r so), or have a 2 year old little brother or sister. We have been watching it around the clock, oh, since, well, since I grew weary of "New Bob." The music is in my head (especially the "trash lady's" song as Knox calls her). It sounds like a cheesey Christian song. The more I watch it, the more I find Vanessa Williams' character offensive. After her song, she starts talking about raspberries. I tell you, she almost sounds...well, lets just say it is an inappropriate tone. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But it makes me uncomfortable. I tried to find a youtube clip, but i could only find her singing her song; not the raspberries part afterwards.

Granny's Birthday Roses

Lake day from 2008

These shots are about 6 or so months old now, but what the heck, I'll post 'em anyway. Classic Tiffiany Pose :)

Ah, the wonderful Crawfish Bucket in the background. Time for another one!

Matt Karote' chopping in the air above Darrell. Yes, he really did it above Darrell.

Knoxy Man & Daddy

Knoxy Man & Pregg0-Mommy

Darrell & Preggo-Nicole

Mac 'n Cheese: Version I

I thought I'd do a little reporting on one of my all time favorites: Macaroni & Cheese. Now, up until a few years ago, that (exclusively) meant out of a blue box. My Mom tried and tried over the years to get me to eat real macaroni and cheese, but I wouldn't do it. Weird, I know. That is, until I ventured into what would become my Mother-in-law's kitchen and ate her macaroni and cheese. And I will not go back. So, though this is not her traditional version of macaroni and cheese, it is a version that she cooked the other night, and I thought it was very yummy, so here it is for your consumption. (I made two slightly-more-than-individual sized portions, but you could easily double the recipe for more people.)

Cook elbow noodles until very al dente, not too mushy b/c you'll be baking this.
In a bowl, combine about a half cup ricotta cheese, about 3/4 cup cottage cheese, about 3/4 cup grated jack cheese, a pat of butter, 1 egg, and a splash of milk. Once noodles are cooked, drain and add to cheese mixture. Pour into dish. Take 1 slice of bread and pulse in the food processor. Add to 1 Tablespoon of melted butter and spoon onto macaroni. Bake on 375 until hot and bubbly, or about 20-ish minutes. YUM!!! Did you notice I couldn't wait to eat it? Its just too good.

By the way, I used skim milk, low fat ricotta, and fat free cottage cheese. Oh, and Smart Balance Light for the butter and wheat bread for the bread crumbs. You could easily use a handful of ready-made bread crumbs, crunched up crackers, or omit it...but who am I kidding? The crunchy topping is the best part.

Hello world.

I have made Amish friendship bread today that my mother-in-law gave me. It was YUMMY.

We still have a bit left. It is cinnamonny goodness in a loaf. Yum. Also, a perk of the bread is that the starter is alive...yes, alive...and it more than quadrouples (sp??) each week.
This is AFTER I took my portion out to bake it! So, this week I am giving 1 bag to my mother-in-law (because she gave me her kit after Wesley threw mine out. Tell you about that in a bit.), 1 bag to Merisha, and 1 bag to Robin, as promised. However, if YOU would like a bag next week, just holla, b/c there's always plenty! Its super easy, too. The starter comes in a ziplock bag with the date on it (the date that the cycle starts over) and directions.
Wesley got the boys a new video the otherday, so we are watching it around the clock. Well, around the clock when Knox is up. Soccer Bob. In one of the clips, he has a cold. Knox is pretty concerned for Bob whenever this scene comes up. We have to tell him that he's ok each time. He doesn't cry or anything, but he notices and says that Bob's sick over and over. And says that Bob's cold. He doesn't quite understand that Bob HAS a cold, and isn't cold, but I stopped myself from trying to explain that one.
A new small group is starting for young married couples on Sunday nights if anyone married or close to marrying wants to come. We are meeting at Mr. Dennis & Mrs. Mary's house at 6-ish. We are going to go through Love & Respect by Dr. Emmerson Eggriches. Wesley and I did a bit of a study on it a few years ago in pre-marital counceling. I look forward to going through it. It is always one of those subjects that never gets impractical.

Oh, Wesley threw out my starter of the friendship bread because he saw the date was old and it had been on the counter for days and thought the bag of mush used to be icing or something, so he pitched it. Sad. Thankfully Mrs. Karen came to the rescue and gave me hers that she had been keeping up. Wesley now knows what it is and not to touch it.

an Ode to Brooke...

My lovely and adorable, sweet, and all-around innocent friend this weekend introduced me to Jack & Coke. Sheesh. I will post pictures when they come in.

Greylikesweddings

I'm enjoying this website: http://greylikesweddings.wordpress.com/
If you are planning a wedding or just like to look at neat & creative Ideas, check it out.

Plus they have cool giveaways.

Candy

Wesley & I went to my sister-in-law's wedding this weekend, and it was a lot of fun. I shot the picutres. This is one of the beautiful bride that I was playing around with a new technique. I haven't perfected it yet.

i cannot believe that it is after 2 a.m.  my internal clock is officially completely turned all around.  its like i have jet-lag or something, but instead of it coming from a change in time zones, its really from me watching tv at night.  boo...  i stay up ENTIRELY too late, and then sleep til about 9 something (unless the boys are starting to get rowdy), and am still groggy when i get up.  tomorrow i have a full day ahead of me, from laundry to delivering some dishes to my mother-in-law for my sister-in-law's wedding, to finishing some work projects for the office.  not to mention my recent obsession with The Office.  i'm so glad that jim and pam got together finally!!!  i'm such a dork.  

the office

so, i knew "the office" was a pretty funny show, and we've been sporting "the office" magnets on our refridgerator for about two years now (from a gift from my mom) but i had never really watched the show, only clips here and there. that is, until now. let me say, it is freaking hilarious. i cry. every episode. EVERY episode. and to just look at their expressions, especially the people in the background. especially anything dwight does. i CRACK UP! i just look for the people's expressions to see when they're about to crack up. its just about every scene. watch it from the begining. its funny sporatically, but it such a good show from the begining.

Cake Balls

I got the technique from Bakerella.  I have only tried this once, but it turned out Good.  She has other variations of this that you can check out at her blog.  This is just an overview.

In order to be more figure-friendly, I used half sugar, half Splenda.

This is the recipe that I vaguely followed.  It is from Cooking Light, the Best of 2007.  (By the way, I HIGHLY recommend this cook book.  Great, great, great.  One of the few I actually use, plus, LOTS of pictures.)  Instead of adding coconut extract and butter extract, I used double vanilla and 2 teaspoons almond extract.  I omitted the coconut and the nuts.  I only did this because I didn't have them on hand.  You could follow the recipe exactly, and I'm sure it would be equally good.  My version is less like an "Italian Cream Cake" and more like "Cream Cake, or Wedding Cake."  Very yum.

Just the butter, sugar, and 2 egg yolks.  Look how yellow it is!  I am able to use fresh eggs from my Mother-in-law's chickens.

Once you make the cake according to the directions, you let it cool, and crumble it in a big bowl.  Mix it with one tub of icing from the store.  I'm sure if you're adventurous, you could make your own, but I'm not that adventurous...at least not today.  Mix it good until all the icing is mixed into the cake and it turns kinda like sticky crumbles.  Once it is, its ready to be rolled into balls.  When your cake balls are all made, pop them in the fridge for about 30 minutes or so.

When they are good and solid-ish, dip those bad boys in melted chocolate or white chocolate.  I added food coloring to mine to give it the blue shade.  This recipe that I used combined with the white chocolate (or blue chocolate) tastes like petite fours.  Yum.

Last Night's Dinner

Ecuador

Right now I am missing Ecuador.  The sites, the smells, the people, and, yes, even the food.  I was browsing a friend of mine's amazing photos from Ecucador and instantly I was in awe of the beauty of the country.  Its been so long that I had forgotten the details.  But when I see those pictures, I'm brought back just as quickly as when I smell Purell or a diesel truck.  Actually, one time in college, it was an overcast day, and I had just Purelled my hands when a diesel truck came by.  There was no mistake, I was in Santo Domingo again.