My Favorites

Here's a few things that I've found lately and REALLY love.

Recipes:

I've recently discovered that Dry Onion Soup Mix may be the greatest ingredient EVER. Here are two recipes that I've tried and LOVED. They are SO easy and delicious. I don't want to give you false hope, but I told Tom the meatloaf was the best I'd ever tasted (and easiest I've ever made)!
In the second recipe, it makes the BEST gravy. I'm cooking it today and serving mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls. Just a good ole' hearty Sunday dinner!

The third recipe is one that a friend told me about. It's a Rachel Ray recipe that's really tasty, just click on the link!

Easy Meatloaf

1 1/2 lb. lean hamburger

1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix

1/2 c. oatmeal

1 egg, beaten

3/4 c. ketchup

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Mix hamburger, soup, oatmeal and egg. Spoon in loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with ketchup mixed with Worcestershire sauce. Bake 5 minutes longer.

Roast with Mushroom Gravy

3 lb. rump roast

1 env. onion soup mix

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 c. water
Cover roast with onion soup mix, pat on. Place roast in crock pot. Pour 2 cans mushroom soup mix with 1 cup of water, over roast. Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Rachel Ray Spring Chicken Roll Ups with Lemon Dijon Pan Sauce

Another great thing I've discovered is a great online store to buy t-shirts! Yep, a great fitting LONG plain colored t-shirt! I like the Shade shirts and Downeast Basics t-shirts. But, I decided I wanted to find an even cheaper short sleeved shirt that I could wear to work and not feel guilty if it got dirty and to stay cool while cleaning. At $10 each for shirts at either of those stores.... it was a little too much to order a bunch.

That is when I found http://www.forever21.com/! Just go to Women's, Tops, Basics & Hoodies. They have a TON of different styles/colors to choose from. The best part??? Most of them are $5-6!!! I think I struck gold! I ordered two t-shirts and two long sleeve shirts to try them out. I wanted long sleeve shirts to use for layering during the winter. I loved them all! I don't think I can wear the t-shirts just to work because I want to wear them all the time! I'm definitely ordering more some time soon. Now the real test is to see how well they wash and hold up! But for $5, I won't be devastated if something happens. Also, you have to pay attention to the length (most are as long as Shade t-shirts, but some are shorter/longer) and the type of fabric too. Each shirt is different in those aspects. Love them!

I can't remember if I've ever posted about this, actually I'm pretty sure I have, but my all time favorite exercise dvds are by Cathe Friedrich. I'm telling you people, these are the toughest workouts you can do at home. I LOVE HER! Because of Cathe, I am only two pounds away from my goal weight (I'm talking about the goal weight you set thinking you might never reach it!) AND I am now doing REAL push ups, not girl ones! I think Tom is getting SO tired of me flexing my muscles and telling him that I'm stronger than he is! hahaha!

I don't know, I think I am really developing a huge passion for fitness and nutrition. I love it so much! I have the time for it too since I'm a stay at home mom.(is that an oxymoron??) Honestly, I do have days where I might not feel like working out, but then I think,"Hmm, I don't have anything else to do besides get on the computer or watch tv... guess I WILL work out!" I know I know... it's pathetic! :) I just view it as my hobby! I've even thought about going back to school to study it too. We'll see where that road leads some day!

So, Cathe has some pretty tough exercise "moves" that I see her do and think,"I will never be able to do that." I want to show you one of them. Click on the link below and watch the video. The move I'm talking about is 45 seconds into the video. I bet you will watch it and think,"That doesn't look so tough!" But trust me, get up off your computer chair and TRY doing it. It just seems impossible! I'm setting the goal that I will some day be able to do that "move". And when I do, I'll take a picture or video and put it on here. Not sure HOW I'm going to do it, but I will! And by the way, if you CAN do it.... you're crazy... and awesome.

Guess I was really in the "blogging" mood today, huh?? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHzJbRR0zk

Happy Boss's Day KRYSTAL!!!!

I have the greatest boss in the world! Honestly, Krystal is the best boss that I have ever had! She is one of the most caring, loving, and kind people I have ever met. She loves her employees and just wants to help us in every way she can. Krystal started her cleaning business about a year ago and has done great. She's been so strong to stick with it through the stressful times. Through all those stressful times, she is always thinking of others and keeping everyone as happy as possible. And of course, she is really fun to be around and always has a smile on her face. Love you Krystal!

I really haven't had anything to blog about lately. It seems like when school starts you get into the same routine every week. We've just been hanging out with family almost every weekend. I guess we did go to a Pumpkin Festival here in town. They have carnival games for the kids and pumpkin decorating. But, I have no pictures because I didn't take my camera. My parents came a few weekends ago to help start building our retaining wall. I won't post about that until the wall is finished. Just a few more hours of work and it should be done. But, I guess it's postponed for a few days because the of the SNOW! I took some pictures of the boys playing outside yesterday. Evan just kept saying he wanted to go outside so he could lick it with his tongue. And yes, I really need to get them some gloves!!! Today the snow is already starting to melt fast!

In September, Carter got his first official haircut. I've just been trimming it here and there. I really have NO idea what I'm doing so it was time to let a professional do it! Both of the boys like getting haircuts and are really well-behaved when we've gone. Carter just had this little grin on his face the whole time!