Update on My Life

Pin It Now! Hello cooking friends!  Well, my life is about to get REALLY interesting!  A few days ago we officially announced our move to Saudi Arabia.  To my pleasant surprise, we've had an amazing amount of support from our friends.  This was not an easy decision, but my hubby and I truly believe...you get one life...make the most of it.  We spent an obscene amount of time researching, getting on expat forums, emailing people already living there...and now, we feel as though we have friends eagerly awaiting our arrival. 
My husband was offered a job and it was just too good to pass up.  We'll be there for 2 years and do a lot of traveling too!  

Around the beginning of September, I'll be moving to Florence, Italy for two months while I wait for my husband to get paperwork ready for us to join him in Saudi.  Then back to the states to get the family visa processed.  You can be sure I'll be posting some fun dishes from both countries!  

Safe to say, my blog will vary depending on where I'm living at the time.  I may not be able to keep up a weekly menu, but I promise to post recipes!  :)  

You can also follow along with our adventures at the new blog I started and get more info about Saudi and what life is like there.  :)

Takin' A Magic Carpet Ride

Looking forward to sharing our magic carpet ride with all of you!  Hang on...it's going to be a wild ride!  :)

Mother's Day Wishes...

Pin It Now! Becoming a mother has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life.  Looking back it's amazing how far I've come...


I was pregnant for the better part of 2 years.  (girls are 17 months apart)  Endured two c-sections (not by choice)  And survived a bout of postpartum depression.
Late nights, no sleep, diapers upon diapers...upon diapers.
Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, first foods...car seats, strollers, high chairs, first words, tantrums...teething, colds, rashes, vaccinations...  rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking....running, climbing.
First holiday's, birthday's...potty training, first days of preschool....  


And now, here I am.  The baby phase over.  The toddler phase over.  I've entered the preschool phase...quickly moving to kindergarten (fall of 2012).  Amazing how fast 4 years can go.


My daughters are amazing.  Each unique in their own way.  Each with a special place in my heart...my soul.  I'm not always the perfect mother, they aren't always the perfect daughters.  But, we're perfect for each other.  It's hard to remember life without them.  I have to think hard about what I actually did with all that free time.  Would I want it back?  Sure, sometimes.  Motherhood isn't easy, not by a long shot.  But I wouldn't give it up for anything on this Earth.


I tell new parents...welcome to the roller coaster ride of your life.  You won't even begin to be able to track the amount of crests and falls, twists and turns, and flat out upside down moments.  But, oh, it's a hell of a ride.  I'm never getting off.


So, to all you mother's out there...single, stay at home, working...you know who you are...I wish for you a wonderful Mother's Day...

A Mother

is one who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.

Loves of my life
...and, uh, care to guess at their personalities??

Who gets the most love...in your kitchen?

Pin It Now! Okay, I know we all have certain items that we can't live without when we cook.  For me, I love my dutch oven.  I use it so much.  But one other little quirky item I like are these scissors my mother-in-law got me from Pampered Chef.  They are the perfect tool for turning any dish into kid friendly bites.


What about you?  What can't you live without in your kitchen?  Post your fave item in the comment section below...I may find I need to go shopping!  ;)

Curious...

Pin It Now! So, I've been thinking about all my fellow cooks.  How did your menu turn out for the week?  Are you trying anything new?  Planning anything special?  My step-dad is making good'ol hot dogs tonight...with some of my mom's coleslaw.  Going to sit back and watch some basketball!  (tomorrow too, since my hubby's Lady Aggies are going for the woman's title!)
I'd love to hear about your week!  :)  Happy cooking!

Just a thought...

Pin It Now! So, I've been spending time checking out other cooking blogs.  I see all kinds of fancy cookware, huge kitchens, and top of the line appliances.  I thought I should share where the "magic" happens in my house.


My kitchen is roughly 9x9 with a total working space of about 4x5.  My stove (although gas) has two temps..boil and boil faster.  (I can't get ANYTHING to simmer on this thing..had to actually through out an entire meal because the damn stove cooked it to smithereens.)  My oven loves to overheat and shut itself off mid cooking.  My broiler is the kind that is a pull out drawer and likes to just heat one side of whatever I put in there.  I have knock off skillets bought at Home Goods and Ikea.  Though, I did just get a new (hopefully decent) dutch oven (picture to come when it finally arrives).  My old one decided to create a giant chip in the center.


Yes, I'm slightly obsessed about taking pictures and I want my meals to look "oh so delish," but I'm okay with that, it's who I am.  I am lucky to be able to stay home with my kids and therefore have more time to prep meals.  But, all in all, I'm just a normal mom trying to keep things interesting...in the kitchen.  :)  

Thursday: hubby night

Pin It Now! I'm having some dental work done today and I'm not even going to think about cooking...just getting through this visit.  (I have a fabulous fear of the dentist)  Ugh.  So, dinner is up to the hubby tonight!  :)


3/25/11 update...my dear husband brought home some delish Thai food.  Made me feel SO much better after spending almost the whole day at the dentist.  :)

Foto FYI

Pin It Now! I've had people ask me about the photos on the blog...those are my actual dishes, not ones from the recipe sites or anything.  :)  Want you to see how it actually turns out for me...not some professional chef.  :D