well well well...

I think we've established I'm a horrible blogger. I've really tried to figure out what exactly I want to do with this blog and should I carry on with it. During my process I think instead of me choosing, it revealed itself to me. Literally - so I'm working on a new blog and it will mainly focus on my photography. I know, another photography blog, but I promise it will not be a boring slideshow. Of course it will highlight all the sweet families that I get to spend hours with on the weekend capturing their sweetness, but also filled with my short off handed crass wit - or that's what I call it anyway.

So don't fret, I'll be back very soon and hopefully you'll miss me!

Much love -
Jennifer

Keep Calm and Carry On...

You've (all 3 of  my blog readers)  seen the button on my blog, and I find myself saying it far more than I like to admit. Keep Calm and Carry On. It has a nice ring to it and makes me snap back to reality when I really want to punch somthing, or someone in the face. Today I wanted to punch Monday in the face, oh and once I got to work, I wanted to punch spell check in the face. So I think it may be a good choice for my new bathroom wallpaper. Check it out here or you can win one here.

Love love love this!

I'm a girly girl in the kitchen. So I about died when I saw this precious apron giveaway from Heavenly Hostess! Enter too so you can win and then gift to me - Plus go check out all the cuteness she's cooking up for those of us who like to look cute while putting a fozen pizza in the oven.

I'm a horrible blogger...

But I really want to do better... This was the view from my back porch this morning. I woke in a horrible mood, tense and not wanting to start another week. Then I cleared my head, spoke my peace with God and this is what I saw. Now I'm humble. Didn't even get upset when I couldn't snap the picture of the baby turkeys learning to fly that nearly took off my head and spill my morning caffeine.

If I only had a girl...

Every once in a while I get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that maybe... just maybe... I should have tried one more time for a girl. I would love to throw parties like this!!! You have to check out all the pink frilly party treats that I will never get to make. Thank you Eat Drink Pretty for making my maternal voice scream in my face this morning. I will just go play in the dirt with my boys, which I enjoy every minute of!

I LOVE the Junk Gypsy!!

I cannot wait to wear my new find! You must check them out for yourself. Every time I read her blog, I just get inspired and wonder why I'm still sitting under florescent lights for 8 hours a day. Maybe it's because I'm really not sure I spelled florescent right. Hahaha! Now go check out the Junk Gypsy! Reading the post today made me wish for homemade biscuits!

I like the concept... One day a week, unplug whatever it is that distracts you, TV, laptops, video games. My kids will hate me the first week, but I think we are going to try it for the summer. Thank you RC for the cute pic and idea. Anyone else want to join me?

I can't help it...

It's what is on my brain today. And trust me, it's a refreshing break. You can get your own here.

Fanny pack heaven...

Today I'm calling it quits early to take my mother to the Southern Women's Show. Granted I've not been since I was in high school, but it wasn't a cool place to be then. Lots of fanny packs and gold lame' keds. But today I'm going to give it another try. I will have to post my findings later. So what changed my mind?? For one, my mom asked - and I know she really wants to go, and she does not drive downtown. Lord help us if she did - we wouldn't hear from her until she called us from Memphis... and 2. If I can endure it long enough - there is this to look forward to at 6:00.

Now, I know a lot of firemen, but none of them made the list. Hmmm...

Yum!

Today I think I could eat a dozen of these tasty treats! Thanks to a cupcake blog (that I read on a scarey regular basis cupcakeblog.com) It's the only thing on my mind right now! Thank goodness I get to quinch my craving this weekend - I'm making cupcakes for a friends baby shower. She chose strawberry cupcakes, but I'll have to make the icing lime cream cheese, so that they are not too girly, and she's having twin boys! Woohoo! Glad it's not me : ) But can't wait to meet the little rascals!

what's for dinner...

I'm so glad my kids will eat anything - I can't wait to make this for dinner tonight. Love PF Changs lettuce wraps and have heard the Tasty Kitchen recipe is fantabulous as well, so this will be my lighter version. Wish me luck! Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a go as well...

Artichoke & Beef lettuce wraps
INGREDIENTS
1 can (13 oz) artichoke hearts, rinsed and thinly sliced
1/2 pound deli roast beef, sliced into thin strips
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup reduced-fat grated Parmesan
1/4 cup packed fresh basil
2 tablespoons capers, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 lettuce leaves (such as butter or romaine)

PREPARATION
Place artichokes, beef, zucchini, chickpeas, Parmesan, basil, capers, lemon juice and oil in a bowl; add salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Wrap 1/4 cup of filling in each lettuce leaf and serve.
The skinny
280 calories per 4 wraps 9.5 g fat (3 g saturated), 25.6 g carbs, 5.2 g fiber, 23.4 g protein

What's this you ask??

Well... it's my view for the next 6 months. Usually I'm in the bleachers, but tonight it is raining. Baseball season has officially started.

Twice in one day!!

I know - I know! Hang on to your britches. I'm posting twice in one day! Just fell in love with this kitchen!

Help Wanted...

I need someone to take all these ideas in my head and turn them into a profit! Any takers?? : )

If I had a daughter...

I know I'm behind the curve on this one for several reasons. 1. I don't have a daughter 2. My life does not revolve around MTV like it used to back in 1992 and 3. I have no time to watch the news much less a channel that at one time was a great way to hear and see videos and has now gone to reality hell in a handbasket.

HOWEVER... I must say that I have put my dusty DVR to use for the MTV show "Teen Mom" If you are not aware, it's a show that documents the lives of highschool girls that find out they are pregnant and follow them through the birth and first year. Each season is apparently a new group of girls. I have to say that if I had a daughter I would sit down with her and watch every single episode. Every episode. Not to necessarily beat into her head what society thinks is right or wrong, but to give a great big dose of reality. Trust me, I've learned alot - Kids talking to their parents in tones that would have gotten me smacked across the room and parents that care so little about their child that they pack up and move to another state leaving their teenage child behind to fend for themself, when they need a parent the most. Astonishing! and my boys would have a fit if they knew I posted that they actually like to watch it with me.

Yes, I have boys and Yes, I know that they play just as big a part in the baby making process as the girl. I'm not going to say mine know better, because I know what happens when you say that. I have tried to take a realistic role in educating my boys. They know EXACTLY how babies are made. No cutesy body part words in my house. (Thanks to my friend Amy who taught her son to point to his head and say "brain" instead of just thinking it's a head. Thank you Amy!)Why did I teach them the reality so early? Because they asked. Yet another opportunity to educate my children, the most important responsibility that I have on this planet.

Also, and the biggest part, is to remind them that I will love them regardless of the turns, dips, dives and loopty loos this life throws at them. I know they will be irresponsible, wreckless, courious and more things than I even care to imagine right now, but through it all they can always find support, encouragement, love, understanding and Mom in our home. Regardless of the fit I may throw, the phrases of anger that my fly from my mouth, eventually I will get to that calm and peacful place when my face isn't on fire. Hopefully someone who reads this will remind me of all that I've said one day. I'm counting on it.

So I'll step off my soap box and anxiously await this years season finale. By the way, I'm pulling for Maci & Bentley. Just LOVE her and I'm a sucker for sweet mushy little boys.

Ole'

Imagine it... you wake up, no kids, house is quiet... dog needs out. You open your door to find this staring back at you. Ok, so maybe not this exactly, unless you live on the streets of Spain during the running of the bulls. However, it can still happen on a much different scale living out in the country. My sister woke to have 8 large red bulls staring at her from her front porch. My sister doesn't own bulls, not a single one. Just a tiny shitzu named Boogie that was now "cow"ering at her feet, well for the moment anyway - next thing he's shooting across the yard and out of sight. Heather in her pursuit is dodging pies that should she have slipped into "would've taken my shoe off!" and realizes she is also wearing RED sleep pants. Not a good move. So the dog is found, the shoes remain on her feet, no major injuries from flashing red... and well as for the yard, it received quite a large amount of fertilizer. As for where the bulls came from? Her neighbor decided to go into the cattle business and purchased the bulls before putting up the fence. Talk about the cart before the horse. Ha!

Welcome 2010!

I am pronouncing it twenty-ten - mainly because everyone I've talked to hates it and I actually don't. So there it is 2010. It's fitting that I post today since I'm such a great daily/weekly blogger HA!! As on of my resolutions of the new year - I intend to keep up with my blog, actually change the appearance from the generic template I have and wow you with my photographic skills. As well as posting random bits of my insane yet normal life with my boys. So, if sports, food and run of the mill gossip bores you, trust me you won't want to follow me this year. But I do promise to make you laugh at my expense and sometimes the unknowing friend, post great pictures and truly let you inside to see what makes me tick, or rather what really ticks me off depending on the day, weather, my mood or what week of the month it is!
Those that know me, know that I say what I mean and mean what I say. I can't wait to really start working on some of the ideas that have been just that... I've had a ton of inspiration, research and support from friends, so this is the year that I'm going to make "IT" happen. So here's to a glorious beginning for a crazy year!
Below are some shots from our celebration last night. Thanks to Brent and Jennifer W. for hosting a great group of friends and kids! Sorry I didn't make it by this morning to help clean up -- I had to wash my hair : )