Kitchen Makeover

My kitchen has been an eyesore for the last 1 1/2 years and it is finally getting the TLC it stands in great need of. It has had the cheapest cabinets and even cheaper handles! I never felt like I was in a kitchen, it was more of a garage shop. So, I took the initiative to get new door handles and drawer handles. I found some adorable one's at Target, on CLEARANCE!!! Yay! Then went home and spiffed up the kitchen. It looks amazing!!!! It was such a little thing, but made a huge difference. I also got some new white wood slat blinds for the kitchen, as the blinds were falling apart! Honestly, find a room in your home that is driving you crazy and do something about it! Anything! Even new throw pillows can make a huge difference! What have you done to your rooms to give them a face lift? Please share them because I am now on a roll!

Internet Issue's

Our internet has decided to call it quits, so until we figure it out sorry for not posting as often as I should! I didn't realize how much I NEED the internet! I use it for basically everything. I do have the internet on my cell phone, but it doesn't compare to have a real computer in front of you. So, Au Revoir old internet We will soon have a much nicer connection!

Food Detectives

Just the other day I was drinking out of my water bottle and as my water was almost gone the myth entered my mind that I am now only drinking my saliva. So, slightly grossed out I dumped out the rest of the water and refilled my water bottle. Then this morning on "Food Detectives" on the food channel they actually addressed this exact myth. They tested two water bottles, one person drank from the bottle, the other from the straw. They stopped them from drinking their water when there was just a little bit left on the bottom and did some ph testing on it. The outcome was that it didn't matter whether you drank from the bottle or the straw, you would only have 2% saliva in the last centimeter or so of water...what a relief! I can handle 2% saliva over 90%. So...from here on out I will be enjoying my full bottle of water. Thank you food detectives!
(I'm guessing the outcome would be drastically different if my baby was drinking from my bottle also, only because I can see all of the lovely backwash that is floating around after her swallow.)

Mentholatum

Over the weekend I fell in love with Mentholatum. It is an ointment you use on dry/chapped skin and it smells like Vicks Vapo Rub. It has so many uses! I dry up terribly in the winter time and end up itching and with dry patches all over my skin. I have had this terrible dry patch on my hand for weeks now and nothing was working to get rid of it. So I kept Mentholatum on it for a day and by the end of the day it was pretty much gone! It instantly heals my dry lips and you can use it on your sick baby. When Rose was congested I rubbed some on her chest and under her nose. It helped soothe her nose as I had wiped it so much it was raw, and it helps to open up the airways. My sisters baby had a grimy nose this week but she couldn't wipe it off because it was scabbed over and would bleed. So, I had her pull out the Mentholatum and we kept it on his nose for the day, and his issue was solved. This is now my new miracle cure all drug! If you can get past the smell (which I actually kind of like because it is the smell of healing:) then you will be in good shape!

The Sock Thief

I really do believe in the dryer eating up socks. It was hard enough to keep track of my own socks, and then I added my husband and a few years later a baby...which if you ever have had to keep track of midget socks you will understand my pain. I realized yesterday that I have about a dozen baby socks with out their partner and no matches in sight! The baby's sock drawer is empty and I have thrown in the towel and decided that every day of the week should be miss matched sock day. But then when we go out into public I feel like people are going to notice the miss matched socks and instantly judge me, her mother as the reason for the sock issue, when really it is the sock thief and I just haven't been able to find him yet.
So...how do you keep track of your kiddo's socks? I was reading in a magazine the other day and they said to place a cute little basket on top of your dryer and whenever you come across a lonely sock throw it in the basket. Then all you have to do is once a month go through and locate the matches. I think I might try it!

Key Lime Pie

I have been craving Key Lime Pie for a few days! So, I finally took the time today to pull out my recipe and guess what...Miracle! I had everything for it. Yay! It was so quick and easy to make. It is now cooling in my refrigerator for my husband and I to enjoy after dinner tonight. If you are crazy about key lime pie, or want to try something new try out this recipe! We LOVE it!

Key Lime Pie
4 egg yolks
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup Key Lime Juice
Green food coloring
1 graham cracker crust

Preheat oven to 350 degree's. Beat egg yolks in a bowl. Add other ingredients. Mix till well blended. Pour into graham cracker crust. Cook for 10-12 min. Cool in refridgerator. Top with cool whip and ENJOY!

Priceless Pictures

We took our daughter to JC Penny's this morning for her "1st birthday" photo shoot. She was adorable!!!! We couldn't even decide which pictures we wanted to order because every single one was so cute, or as my Grandpa would say they are "Priceless!" So, my question today is how do you pick out pictures when you want every single one? We have to place our order within the next 24 hours. If only our pockets had more green in them!!!

This is her Kissing face, so of course we LOVE this picture!

Morning Person

They say that opposites attract...and I found one more thing out about my husband this morning that is very opposite from me. He is a morning person, and Iam NOT! I LOVE to sleep in and warm up to the day. Unfortunately, my baby woke up about 3 hours earlier than she usually does and I was forced into morning submission hours before I was ready for it. My husband was so excited because I was out of bed and he had someone he could talk with before work...and then I had to stick my foot in my mouth by saying "I didn't realize you talked so much in the morning." oops. I guess you shouldn't say that to your husband. He didn't say another word all morning. So, sorry hunny, I was really just trying to say...I better just not say anything because it would probably come out offensive. Lets just say I would rather sleep in.

Zuppa Tuscana Soup

The weather is freezing here in Louisville, KY!!! Seriously I can't keep my fingers and toes warm. I try to counteract the cold weather by eating soup. I have fallen in LOVE with this soup recipe! My husband has informed that we can eat this every week it is so delicious! It is an Italian genre of soup, (in case you were wondering). DELICIOUS!!!

Zuppa Tuscana
1 lb. Ground Sausage
3 lrg. Potatoes, sliced
1 lrg. Onion, diced
3 cloves garlic
5 cups chicken broth
1 cup Heavy Whipping cream
1 Bunch Kale, chopped
3/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Brown Sausage. Place chicken broth, potatoes, onions and garlic in pot. Bring to a boil.Simmer until potatoes are tender apx. 20 min. Add cooked sausage, milk and red pepper flakes, heat through. Add kale about 3 min. before serving. Serve in bowl, top with cheese.
Variations: I always add sliced mushrooms!
I have alway's used a can of fat free evaporated milk, instead of whole milk. Tastes great still!

The Middle of the day Movie

I usually hardly ever sit down, from the time I wake up in the morning, til the time I go to bed at night. It seems like every day becomes like the last until they all just bleed into each other and I can no longer remember what day it is. So, yesterday I decided it was a great day to mix things up. I invited a few friends over and popped in my favorite movie, "Julie and Julia." The babies luckily fell asleep and we were able to stick our feet up for a good 2 hours. Then, once the movie was finished, we were not finished with our down time so we watched the special features. It was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!! When was the last time you sat down to watch a movie in the middle of the day? If its been a while you should seriously give it a try! Its therapeutic!

Food Channel Network Star

I am in love with the food network Channel(F.N.C). I love all the Delicious food they make. They are amazing cooks. I leave it on as I go about my day's work, it helps with background noise also. So, the other day the thought came to me, if I had a chance to meet anyone on the F.N.C. who would it be and why. I of course new instantly, Paula Deen would be the lucky woman! I love Paula Deen. She is an amazing cook, and she LOVES BUTTER!! Not only that but she has had an interesting life, overcome hard times and has become very successful. She even has her own line of kitchen ware now. The other week she was making these most amazing sandwiches (which I will make) and she made it two ways. One with an egg on top and the other with out. Then she went on to explain that the sandwich with an egg on top is a girl because the egg looks like a breast, and the mans doesn't. I think I actually blushed when she said this on national television. I have got to meet this woman someday! Love her!!
Are any of my readers F.N.C fans? If so which gourmet chef would you like to meet?

I'm not Jennifer Love Hewitt

The last few days my baby has been adorable and the camera has come off the shelf and been put to good use. The unfortunate thing is that I make my husband take multiples because I just don't look like how I used to, or how I hope too I guess I should say. I am now coming to grips with the fact that I am not Jennifer Love Hewitt. I will not be drop dead gorgeous in every picture that is taken, but my baby will and that is what really matters! I had the ruthless 8th grade teacher who pointed out to all of us when it was picture retake time that the camera only takes pictures of what it see's...and so I figured from then on out it was pointless to get retakes because my looks aren't going to be changing much with in the 3 weeks between picture time. So my question to you all is have you ever had an amazing photograph, one that trumps all others and is up there with the stars? If you have do share. I am trying to figure out if plastic surgery will be the only way to get me looking the way I dream of-at least a little closer to the Jennifer Love Hewitt photogenicy goal.

Diet Day #14

Unfortunately I have not been feeling well today. I have been hit with achy, tiredness along with sneezing, running nose and a cough. All that I really did today that would be considered diet worthy is not eat much, but it wasn't because I was trying to cut back. Nothing sounds good, or tastes good. Hopefully this lack of appetite will help me loose pounds this week because I don't think I will be getting in my 5 workouts...bummer.

Purse or Diaper bag... oh wait I don't own a Purse

Today my husband was home from work, so I took the opportunity to make a hair appointment while the baby was napping. As I was gathering my things I realized that I don't own a purse right now. Not a single one, and yes, I felt slightly naked. I couldn't just carry my wallet in with me, I would put it down somewhere and forget about it. So...I brought the diaper bag, on my Mommy's hour off duty outing. Erk...I do have friends with so many purses and bags to choose from it fills a whole closet. And then there I am on the opposite end of the spectrum with nothing to choose from. So my question today is how many purses do you own? How many purses should an average chic such as myself own and what colors are best?

Diet Day # ?

Ok, so I don't know exactly which diet day I am on, and I am to tired to figure it out right now. The good news though is that I lost exactly one pound last week, which means in the 4 weeks I have been dieting I have lost 3.3% of my body fat. YAY! My appetite has gotten smaller, I have more energy and am happier than what I was before. I am reaping the benefits of living a better life already. I still have 3 more months to go, but I am happy about the changes I feel now.

Diaper Rash

I am now dealing with major diaper rash with my baby! It hurts to have to look at it. I have been using warm washrags on her cute little bum, drying it off and pouring diaper rash cream on it, which seems to be doing absolutely nothing at all!!!! I am accusing the cause of the diaper rash to the Amoxacillin she is on for her ear infection. We have only two more days of that and hopefully the diaper rash will go away fast! I don't know how much more screaming I can take every diaper change (which ends up being every 1/2 hour or hour). Does anyone have some diaper rash secret? How can I soothe my baby girl?