Is it Spring Break YET???

Could this week go any slower?  It seems like when I need extra hours in my day, time flies...but when I'm looking forward to some time off, time crawls.  This is the case this week.  Our spring break is next week and I'm more than excited to have some time away from work!  For some reason, I kept thinking today was Thursday.  Imagine my disgust when I realized it wasn't...yuck!  Oh well, only two more days...

As for this week, what fun we've had.  One of our closest friends decided to add some excitement to their lives by welcoming their baby girl five weeks early...not exactly the plan they had in mind, but boy is she a cutie!!!  We've enjoyed getting the updates on her and hearing that she is getting stronger each and every day!

Let's see...what else has happened?  Andy and his dad decided it was time to start working in the field.  This means that Ben and I are pretty much on our own each evening.  Of course, we are more than welcome to go ride in the tractor (fun for Ben, NOT fun for mommy).  Ben did ride for a few hours the other night while I was in town...but, for the most part, we just leave Daddy to do his work without us.  Don't worry though, we're finding plenty to fill our time:

~ We have to ride the 4-wheeler EVERY night.  I think it was a mistake to park the 4-wheeler in the garage. I can't get Ben out of the car and into the house without him seeing it.  Once he's spotted it, it's all over!

~ We planted some fruit trees this week.  Hopefully the deer will not destroy these trees.  So far, I have a 50% success rate...not something I'm too proud of.  These trees WILL survive, I just know it!!!

~ The sunny weather has allowed us more "outside" time, which we are definitely taking advantage of.  I just wish it was a little warmer, but I'll take the sunshine any day!

That's pretty much it for now...just trying to get Ben packed up, as he's heading to Grandma Debbie's for a few days of his break.  My mom jumps on any chance she can, to get him by himself (funny how she could care less if Andy and I are there)!  He's excited to go and she's excited for him to visit, so it should be a good time! 

Kitchen Connection

It's been a long time since I've posted a recipe (my every Wednesday ambitions flew out the window)!  I've been craving Mexican food so much this past week, so I thought I would share a  Layered Mexican Dip recipe.  I'm not sure who started bringing this dip to family dinners, but I think it was my sister-in-law Tai...so, the credit is going to go to her!

Enjoy!

Layered Mexican Dip

1 large can refried beans (or 2 regular sized cans)
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T. taco seasoning
1 onion, diced
1 c. diced tomatoes
1 can sliced, black olives
1 bunch green onions, diced
2 c. shredded Fiesta cheese

Spread refried beans on platter, making a nice base for the dip.  Mix together mayo, sour cream and taco seasoning.  Spread over refried beans.  Top with onions, tomatoes, black olives and green onions.  Cover with cheese and chill.  Serve with chips.

You can get very creative with this recipe...add a layer of jalepenos or some salsa or even some corn...just have fun with it!

Some fun in the sun!

Another beautiful day!  I don't know about you, but I really think Spring is finally here (or at least just right around the corner)!  Andy took off this morning to a farm sale, so Ben and I were home alone.  The weather was too nice to stay inside, so we headed out to enjoy the sunshine.  We started with a 4-wheeler ride over to Papaw and Grannie's house. Grandpa Jim delivered our new (to us) mower yesterday, and it was in Papaw's shed.  I was itching to take it for a test drive.  Ben loves to drive ANYTHING so he was more than happy to "drive" the 4-wheeler over and then "drive" the mower back.  When we got home, he was not very happy that we weren't driving anymore, so he decided to pretend!

While Ben was pretending, I was raking out my flowerbeds.  It's always nice to see my tulips and iris's poking up through the mulch...speaking of mulch, I'm definitely going to need some more this year!  Anyway, after cleaning out the beds we decided to work on the sticks in the yard.  Ben is quite the stick-picker-upper :)  He was very quick to point out the sticks, pick them up and then hand them to me...definitely a perk of having a little helper!

We lasted about 30 minutes picking up sticks before it was time to play, play, play.  Ben wanted EVERY toy out of the garage...the tractor, the bubble mower, the car, the rakes, the broom, etc...as I was trying to clean the garage, he was busy tearing out more stuff :)  It did keep him busy though, so I won't complain too much!  A happy boy makes for a happy mommy!





Ready for Spring!

What a wonderful day today was!  Our babysitter needed to take the day off which meant that I got to stay home with Ben (always a good day)!  Andy was also off for the day because he needed to get a few loads of corn hauled in.  So, Ben and I spent the morning together while Andy hauled corn.  We ventured up town for lunch with Papaw, Daddy, Denny, and Chad...and then went on over to the farm to help Daddy move some tractors so that he could start working on the planter.  Ben, of course, was in his element because he was in a TRACTOR!!!!  He was so excited to help Andy move them out of the barn.  Here are just a couple of pictures of him "at the wheel"!

After some time at the farm, Ben and I headed to his 18 month doctor appointment.  He was such a trooper!  He only needed two shots, but he was all smiles when he saw that Bugs Bunny was on the band-aid :)  After the nurses and doctor all made over him for being such a big boy, we headed to the mall for some shoes for Mommy and some shorts for Ben.  Then, it was back home for a nap for the little guy.  This evening, Ben was back outside with Andy.  All of the sudden, I heard Andy come inside and say "get your camera"...here is what I saw...

I guess Ben is ready for spring too!  Maybe he's ready to skip spring and head right into summer and swimming season!!!  I could go for that!

Hello...

Hello to all of you that follow my mommy's blog!

I hope you're having a great week so far!

Check back later tonight...my mommy's going to post a yummy recipe!

Daddy's Little Helper

The weather was so beautiful tonight, that we all decided we needed to be outside.  Ben and I took the 4-wheeler for spin, swept out the garage, and gathered up the recyclables.  Once Andy came home, it was time for some tool organization...exit Mommy!  While I made dinner (see Skinny Chicken Taco Salad recipe), Andy and Ben worked on putting tools away, organizing the garage (a.k.a. moving junk from point a to point b), and even managed to change my headlights.  I was able to sneak away from the stove to snap a few pictures of my guys in action.  As you can see, Ben was quite the helper!  He was not a happy camper when we made him come in for dinner.  I hope warm weather is on it's way because I have a toddler that loves being outside!

Kitchen Connection

I missed a recipe post last week (time got away from me), so I apologize for that.  This week's recipe is a lower fat/calorie version of the taco salad.  Don't worry, what it lacks in fat and calories, it more than makes up for in flavor!  Enjoy!

Skinny Chicken Taco Salad

6-7 chicken tenderloin, thawed and cubed
taco seasoning
1 T. olive oil
lettuce, chopped
4 Roma tomatoes (diced)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black olives, drained and sliced
1 small onion, chopped (green onions work well too)
1 c. fat free cheddar cheese
1 c. salsa
1 c. fat free Western dressing
crushed Baked Lays tortilla chips

Brown and cook chicken thoroughly in oil, along with enough taco seasoning for your taste.  Place lettuce, tomatoes, beans, olives, onion, cheese, and tortilla chips in large bowl and mix.  Add chicken, salsa and dressing to mixture and toss to coat.  Serve immediately.