Family Time

I just had to share this cute picture I snapped on my phone this past weekend. We went to our ring bearer's 3rd birthday party. Nicholas is Corey's cousin and he is so cute and such a mild mannered boy. He has a 7 month old brother, Matthew. I could not believe when I saw Corey playing with a baby!!! It was shocking! So I captured the moment:

Matthew and Corey playing with Sesame Street toys.

This boy's cheeks-- so in love.

A Tough Week

You know those days where you just should have stayed in bed all day? Well, I had one of those weeks. Yes, weeks.

While I would like to think of my blog has a positive, happy place- let's be honest, folks, sometimes life spits up on us.

This week started with a pretty good Monday-- fairly normal. I went to bed around 11:30 Monday night and in the middle of the night, I saw the hall light on. So I started calling "Julie? You OK?" And I heard back "It's mom." WHAT!? What are you doing here -2 hours from your own bed in the middle of the night on Monday? I said "what time is it?" and she answered "3 AM." Ouch. Julie was up feeling like she was going to die. I guess she called my dad and never woke me up. So then I was up for about 2 hours from 3-5 before I got up and went to work exhausted.
Julie ended up in the hospital overnight and most of Wednesday. I went to work tired and it turned out I was being observed for my professional evaluation that day. Fabulous timing. Then the fire alarm rang. And that was chaos. Then, that day ended with me helping a student with a terrible home situation, which I probably shouldn't discuss on here, but anyway, it ended with a meeting with the police and an arrest. Yeah, you know, just your average Tuesday.

So that night I skipped the gym because I was mentally and physically too tired to go to my cardio strength class.

Wednesday I caught a bad head cold that made me look like death at work and feel worse. One of my students asked why I blew my nose so hard because "it getting red." Yes, I know, thank you for pointing it out. But, then a boy named Dan, in 8th grade, made me a hug chunky caramel, chocolate chunk, pecan cookie that was A.MAZ.ING when he heard I was sick. Normally I wouldn't take a cookie from a teenage boy but this chocolate cookie was perfectly round, gooey, and, like an inch thick. It was calling my name. I swear, my middle school kids this year are the sweetest, most thoughtful students I have ever met.

Then, last night I was walking across my dining room on the evil wood floors in my socks and got a splinter (about an inch long) deep into my foot. I tried to dig and have, at this point, only removed 1/3 of it. I went to my cardio class though and limped around like an idiot. I greatly look forward to going to my parents tonight for someone to help dig at my tender, sore foot with needles and pins and tweezers while my head is throbbing and I can't stop sneezing.

But, as long as I can do that while holding Corey's hand, I should be fine. I miss him so much. It is getting harder and harder to be apart, which I thought wasn't possible anymore, but I really just want to live with him already. Less than 4 months people! Less than 4 months!!!!!!!!!

Good eats!

Let's bring back some food posts, shall we?

This past weekend was 4 days long. 4 days. FOUR days. I loved it.
My Great Aunt Sharon & her hubby came down from Massachusetts, and I was able to cook for them and Corey. FYI: Parents are dieting, so they aren't so fun to cook for anymore! But, I am so PROUD of them!!

Anyway, I tried 3 NEW recipes, and also made an old stand by fav (Cor's favorite meat loaf).

1. Parmesan Tilapia
2. Italian Wedding Soup CASSEROLE




3. Dessert: Cranberry Pear Crisp

Obviously, this wasn't all for the same meal time. They were our 3 dinners plus one night we went out for VDay compliments of his Aunt Tracy and Uncle Will (THANK YOU!!!!).

Let's start with #1. Tilapia. I hate fish, for the most part. But, it is healthy. And delicious-- WHEN you put a yummy Parmesan topping on it and pop it under the broiler. I made 6 fillets and they were all gone. I served it with crisp pea pods and a salad and lemon wedges. I seasoned with Old Bay and some dried basil and took me literally 15 minutes from start to TABLE. Here is the recipe. At just about 200 calories per fillet, it is a great diet food that doesn't taste so diet. AND I EVEN ATE THE FISH! hahah

#2. I made what I THOUGHT was going to be soup, but it turned into a creamy pasta casserole. The recipe was definitely adapted by me to include rotisserie shredded chicken and mom's mini homemade meatballs (instead of the frozen ready to use ones). I also used reduced fat chicken soup and whole wheat pasta. Even if spinach and you don't get along, you will after this! Trust me. Such comfort food. Again, I made several changes mentioned above, but for the basic recipe, click here. Please don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients!!!

OK, well I'll stop there instead of putting you on recipe overload. But, seriously, if you are looking for 2 new things to make for dinner, TRY these.

Some LOVE for the HATERS

I would say that about 50% of people love Valentine's Day, and about 50% wish the day never existed. I am in the first category. I would venture a guess that my fiance is in the latter category. Disclaimer: these stats are not reliable or valid.

Here is my viewpoint: I realize Hallmark and media and marketing may be the impetus behind getting your loved one a gift or card or flowers, in a way making it forced, BUT let's just be real. Who wouldn't want an excuse to chow down a box of chocolates or eat a chocolate covered strawberry? Who wouldn't want a giant hug? Who doesn't love getting a card- no matter the reason. Who doesn't love the sight of bright red heart decor and pretty pink ruffled hearts? And who doesn't love the smell of fresh red roses?

Now, that is my view for people in a relationship who feel forced to show love on Feb. 14. Here is my viewpoint for those who are not in a relationship: take this day to count your many blessings. Take this day to treat yourself! Take this day to feel loved and show love to someone in your family. Or your friend!

We are told to love others. I find it helpful and convenient that a day is set aside to remind us that LOVE is the most important thing there is. We all need it. We all should show it. Now, what is not convenient is when you have to work, it falls on a Tuesday, and you have a meeting after work...or if your fiance (on your only Vday to be engaged) is in a different state. BUT, that will not stop me from celebrating.

I am decorating and baking and planning on watching one of my favorite TV shows tomorrow night.
Here is a peak at Valentine's Day in my house:

 #1: Pink Popcorn. I made this to give away to friends at Christmas and I changed it to make it appropriate for Valentine's Day. It is SO good. I always have to sample some. Just pop 2 bags of light/natural popcorn, melt a bag of candy melts- in this case pink- and pour it over the spread out popcorn. Be sure to pick out the annoying unpopped kernals. Then toss in Valentine's Day M and M's -about a whole bag and shake with big sprinkles. Don't use the small crystal sugar- it would probably melt. 

 Spread it on wax paper to dry for a little before bagging it up for friends.

 #2: Chocolate Covered Strawberries. This is a gift from my mom. One of these is for my sister...I don't get both unless she is MIA for a long time, then I may secretly eat hers, too. I love these! I would rather eat them in a warm bubble bath in a cottage in the Swiss Alps- but I will eat them at my house by myself tomorrow and it will be OK.

 

 #3. Fancy Tables: Ok maybe this isn't fancy, but it sure is festive! Most of these things are compliments of my Great Auntie Linda in Massachusetts. She sent me some of these things for my birthday this year. Even though I probably will not be dining with anyone tomorrow night, I enjoy it looking as though I will be.

 #4: Heart Wreath. I made this a few weeks ago. I LOVE it. I took the idea from a blog I enjoy reading: Little Birdie Secrets. How To make the wreath. My mom used red fabric and made a red one. I used three different pink patterns- those fat quarters you get at JoAnn's fabric store or something like that.

Tonight I hope to make a batch of chocolate dipped sugar cookies- heart shaped of course! And watch the Bachelor! :) I wish you all a very happy Valentine's day!! I hope to celebrate with my sweetie when I see him this weekend! 4 day vacation from work!!!!!!