Gratitude Continued...

It is in the Little Things...

Becoming a mother has given me a different perspective on gratitude. I have been thinking lately about the little things throughout the day that make me happy such as:

Little moments of silence

Sleeping past 7AM

Long, heart-pumping, sweaty exercise

Front row parking at Sam's Club

Any kind of alone time with Jared - library runs, dinner, lounging...

Taking a shower AND shaving my legs

Running errands all by myself!

NAPS (mine and Grey's)

Looking down at my toes and actually having polish on them

Morning snuggles with Grey & Jared

Chocolate--come on, I can't leave that one off.. It does lift me every so often!

In all sincerity--I feel very blessed in my life. Every so often I reflect on my life and wonder how I got here and how grateful I feel. 

I am especially thankful for:

--my little family that is just beginning

--Jared - he gets his own line for being such a wonderful, loving, and thoughtful husband. How was I smart enough at 22 to say yes and marry him?!!

--extended family--parents, step-parents, cousins, grandparents, in-laws (could I really be so lucky?)

--My sissy P! I have no idea what I would do without her. We spend hours and hours talking about anything and everything. Plus she can always make me laugh!

--so many wonderful friends that have been in my life for years or for a short time. Each one is so very important to me.

--our amazing country with freedoms and every opportunity available.

--Most importantly, having the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. It brings me so much joy, hope and understanding.

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?

All in a Day's Work

As I was reading blogs and checking the news this morning, this is what Grey was doing...

He is so proud of his work! Now if only I could get him to understand how the toilet is used.

Double Check Your Mirrors

I watched a little old lady get hit by a car in the King Sooper's parking lot today. A car was backing up quickly and didn't see her. Unfortunately it looked like she was pretty hurt. Luckily the firemen were inside--for some reason they are there every Monday when I'm getting groceries... Just a reminder when you are rushing around in the holiday craze to double check before you back out.

Thank you Mrs. Seinfeld

Jared got me Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook last Christmas because I had been adding pureed veggies to foods and wanted to try it in other recipes. Her recipe for chicken nuggets is wonderful and very healthy. Jared loves them and asks for them weekly. Grey will eat about 8 chicken nuggets at a sitting. I make a honey mustard dip with 2 parts low or fat-free mayo, about one part yellow mustard and one part honey. I don't measure it out, so keep checking and tasting it to get it right. The original recipe is cooked in a skillet, but I prefer to bake them.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (I use panko from Sunflower Mkt)

1/2 cup flaxseed meal

1 tbsp grated parmesan

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 cup broccoli, spinach, sweet potato or beet puree (I use spinach and sometime half spinach/half sweet potato)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, rinsed, dried and cut into small chunks

1/2 tsp salt

Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Set out a large cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In one bowl, mix first six ingredients. In a shallow bowl, mix puree and egg with a fork

3. Sprinkle chicken with salt. Dip chunks into egg mixture and toss in bread crumbs until well coated.

4. Arrange chicken chunks on the cookie sheet. Give a quick spray over the tops with nonstick cooking spray to make them a little crispier. Bake for about 25 minutes. Cut into one to check that it is cooked through.

Cozy

Grey loves to get "cozy" in our bed. He is a little Rod munching his popcorn, guzzling milk and snuggling in the blankets. He asks many times a day if he can go get CoZy!

(sorry about the iphone photo)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe has evolved from one my sister gave me years ago off Good Day Utah. It is so easy to make and tastes fantastic. I always thought the crushed tortilla chips were strange, but they make the soup thick, rich and oh so savory. Hope you enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 onion, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

8 cups water

2 tbsp chicken bouillon

2.5 cups salsa (have fun with this!)

1 cup cilantro, chopped

3 small zucchini, chopped

1 can corn

3 handfuls crushed tortilla chips

3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

Lime juice

Saute olive oil, garlic, onion and carrots in large pot until opaque. Add rest of ingredients except for chicken and tortilla chips. Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes. Add tortilla chips and chicken. Simmer another 10 minutes. Add lime juice to taste. Spoon into bowls and top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, avocado, lime wedges and tortilla strips.

First Snow

Waking up to FaLLiNg sNoW is my favorite! Unfortunately, by the time I got back from the gym, most of it was melted and Grey was scared to play in what was left...

What is the opposite of man? Jam!

So I watch too many Friends reruns. Anyways... I get all cozy in the fall and get the urge to bake and homemake stuff. This week I tried freezer jam since I hear it is easy and yummy. It took no time at all and I've already tried to put it on everything in the fridge. Jared likes it but he thinks it is too tart--meaning it tastes more like fruit than sugar!

Hope

I am very disappointed with the election of Obama although I was prepared for it. I drastically disagree with him on almost every issue. But I am feeling hopeful today. Hopeful that he will do something to make America better. Hopeful that he will get in there and work hard for us. At least all the Republican-haters can stop being so angry and move on to something else. 

All I ask is for everyone to stop with the, "CHANGE" thing. I had a guy at the mall look at Grey and say, "Hey little guy. We just changed your world last night!" Okay! I get it!!!

I am so grateful all the political in-my-face nonsense can sleep for another four years...

Cowboys & Candy