Sunday, November 13, 2011

Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook Off

First off, how is it November already? I don't know where the time goes. Yesterday I had my first Saturday off since I started working with my sister in law Amy. I love Saturdays. I got to take two naps :) That makes me happy. Since we didn't really have any plans, we decided to check out the second annual Chuck Wagon Cook Off that Chandler was hosting. There were ten different chuck wagons competing for the title of "Best Chuck Wagon". It was pretty cool...take a look.



I thought it was pretty cool seeing all the people dressed up as coyboys/cowgirls. Also there was a little petting zoo and by little I mean tiny. Like if you blink you might have missed it but whatever.


I was surprised that Liam wasn't scared at all by the animals and that he really wasn't that impressed my them either.

Pros:
1. It was free (parking, petting zoo, fake shoot out, live music)
2. It was really a nice day to be outside
3. Lots of open space for Liam to run around
4. The air smelled delicious
5. Decent food from the vendors not in the chuck wagon cook off

Cons:
1. Large pits dug in the ground with burning hot coal (not good for a curious little one)
2. The chuck wagon food sold out within 15 minutes of them opening (so we didn't even get to try any of that food that smelled sooooooo good)
3. Not enough chuck wagon food (very disappointed)
4. Hello! I didn't get to try the chuck wagon food
5. How come I didn't get chosen to be a judge on the cook off panel?

We will have to try again next year and get there super early to try the food. It was only $10/person for a 5 course chuck wagon meal. I really wish I could of had some of that food. I mean they did have other food vendors and I did get to eat a yummy bbq pork sandwich. So I can't complain too much, I just wish I could have tried a little of that food. It really did smell delicious.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Liam's Birthday

Since Liam's birthday was on Wednesday we decided to keep it low keep and then have a family party on Saturday. My aunt, Lisa (yes that is where I got my name), sent Liam the cutest onesie.

I know it's a little hard to see but it say "Liam the drool monster" which is pretty fitting. And yes my son's hair is out of control. Looking at this picture, I now can see why the lady at Safeway said he was a "cute little girl". Anyway... So yesterday we celebrated Liam's birthday with our families.










It was a lot of fun and filled with a lot of firsts. Liam had his first party, his first hot dog, his first water balloon toss, and his first cake. I wish I had taken a video of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to him. At first he looked scared and then he started clapping. So adorable. I am glad we did a little party for him, it was worth it especially since he slept 9 hours last night and took two really long naps today :)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

To eat or not to eat


I have been meaning to do this post for awhile. Just recently, someone we know posted pictures of their 5 month old eating oreos. Oreos? Really? 5 month? I have a problem with this and part of me thinks that this should be considered child abuse. For multiple reasons. But as Nick quoted last week "if you judge people, you have no time to love them". After all, Nick thinks I was abusing our child by not letting him eat meat. Which by the way there are a million reasons why you should wait as long as possible to feed your child meat if at all. Ask me some time and I all go through my list. Liam is eating meat now but only once a week. You can call it a compromise. Since I am not judging anyone and their parenting skills, I will share, out of love, some recipes I make for Liam.

#1 Super Cereal
(Liam eats this every day)
So this is a super easy recipe that can be made in a variety of ways.



Ingredients:
2/3 cups whole grain (millet, steel cut oats, quinoa, brown rice)
4 tbs legumes (black eyed peas, pinto beans, black beans, navy beans)
4 cups of water
1/4 cup flax seed (if desired)

Directions:

Ground dry ingredients ( I use my blender)


Add water and ground ingredients to medium sized pot. Heat mixture, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil. Lower heat and let boil for ten minutes, still stirring frequently.



When finished place in individual ice cube trays to freeze. When ready to eat defrost 2-4 cubes (depending on how hungry baby is).

If you want to go crazy add bananas or applesauce. If you are really crazy like me add sweet potato and spinach.

#2 Homemade Veggies and Fruits

So there are a variates of ways to make theses too.

Ingredients:
Any vegetable or fruit

Directions:

Using, a steamer cook the fruit or vegetable until soft. If using a potato of any kind, peal the skin off after cooking. Add cooked fruit to blender and 1/2 the water remaining int the bottom of the steamer (this is where a lot of the vitamins and minerals have gone from the skin of the fruit). Blend until you have reached the constancy that your child is accustomed to. As with the Super Cereal place in ice cube trays and freeze for later.


#3 Homemade applesauce

I mean can this be any easier?

Directions: Peal skins off of apples. Throw in blender. Ta da. Homemade applesauce.



#4 Banana Wheat Bran Muffins

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups wheat bran
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 bananas, mashed
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons agave nectar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper cups.

In a large bowl, whisk together the wheat bran, baking powder and brown sugar. In a separate medium bowl, mix together the mashed bananas, egg whites and agave nectar.

Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups. Bake until the muffins are lightly browned and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Cool the muffins in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.


Yummy :)


I had to throw this last picture in of my mom making airplane noises as she feed Liam.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Nick's New Business

Last month Nick decided to go into business for himself. For those of you who don't know, Nick is a financial planner. It was a really hard decision not only for Nick but for me too. I am always weary of change. And starting a business is really really hard. Did you know that 50% of new business fail in the first year? And 95% fail in the first five years? Yikes! Luckily though for Nick, he has me as his cheerleader even though he thinks I am his nemesis when it comes to this. I just like to make sure everything has been covered that's all.
Anyway, back to Nick....So his new business is in the office buildings on Tempe Town Lake. They are pretty sweet.

So far he has done pretty well. The main reason for him starting his own business is because he has a really good in with the Phoenix Fire Department (he now manages some of their pension). He was unable to work with the FD at Edward Jones and at his last position at First Financial. You'd have to ask Nick about them....I start zoning out sometimes when he starts talking about some stuff.
Now that its been about a month, I feel a lot more confident that Nick is going to succeed. I am glad I married such a go-getter.
I have been helping Nick with a bunch of random stuff. I helped design his business logo.



I wanted to include Heavlin somehow but Nick wouldn't let me. Heavlin Fuller Wealth Management. Sounds good.
I have made several batches of gourmet cookies to send to new clients (I have some good recipes now thanks to The Brown Eyed Baker).

Currently I am helping him design a web page. Its a lot harder than I first imagined and very time consuming. Mad props to people who actually know what they are doing. Hopefully I will have it done by the end of this month so you can all check it out.
I guess you could say that we have been pretty busy.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Swim Lessons




Today was Liam's last day of swim lessons :( We had a great time and I am sad that is already over. His instructor, Jessie, was fantastic. She taught us lots of new songs and got Liam to finally float on his back without freaking out. Nick came, since it was the last lesson, and took some pictures for me.

Now I have to find something else to do for the summer. Any suggestions?

Friday, May 13, 2011

Can't help but smile :)

Friday, May 6, 2011

Splash Pad and Butterflies

Yesterday my best buddy Jen and her son Owen joined me and Liam at a splash pad (park with cool sprinklers) out in Phoenix. We had a blast. Liam and Owen are too cute together.



At first Liam didn't know what to think about the water. It was a little cold. But after awhile he started crawling (a little) in the splash pad. I ran with him through one of the tunnels and he seemed to enjoy it. We had a picnic and enjoyed being outside.

If you want to go to a splash pad there a couple around the valley. We went to Altadena Park (36th Street and Cactus). There are several in the East Valley like Chuparosa Park Spray Pad (Germann and Dobson), Desert Breeze Park (Rural and Ray), and Espee Park (McQueen and Arizona Ave). There are also splash pads at some of the outdoor malls (Desert Ridge, Kierland Commons, San Tan Village). The biggest one I know of is Tempe Beach Park, which I plan on going to when it opens up again on May 31st. These are all free, which is fantastic. But if you feel like paying you can always go to the splash pad at the Phoenix Zoo. I have heard that it is pretty cool.

Today, Liam and I went to Desert Botanical Garden with my friend Janea and her two kids. Apparently today is National Public Garden Day so it was free to get in. It usually cost $18 for one adult admission. So great deal. I am going to have to put this down as a reoccurring event in my outlook so we can go next year. I had never been to Desert Botanic Garden so I thought it was pretty neat.




My favorite part was the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion. I didn't take any pictures because they wouldn't let me take the stroller in. I am not talented enough to carry Liam and take pictures at the same time. There were tons of butterflies everywhere. One landed on my arm :) There also was an area that showcased the Native American population which used to live in the Salt River Valley (now know as Tempe/Phoenix). They had replicas of their huts and gardens. By the time we left, which was at 10:30am (we got there at 8am), it was already 93 degrees outside. I don't know how anyone could have survived in Phoenix without air conditioning. The past two days have made me think about how truly blessed we are to have water and air conditioning. Also as a side note, if there is anyone who lives in a much cooler climate who wouldn't mind me and Liam staying with them this summer let me know. Ha ha

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

My bad


Today I attempted to make French Dip Sandwiches. Attempted being the keyword here. We will see later today if they turn out. Below is the recipe (just in case you feel inclined to cook...cough...cough...mom...cough)


Ingredients:
1 (4 pound) boneless beef roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 beef bouillon cube
1 bay leaf
3 whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
20 slices French bread

Directions:
1. Remove and discard all visible fat from the roast. Place trimmed roast in a slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, bouillon, bay leaf, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder. Pour mixture over roast, and add enough water to almost cover roast. Cover, and cook on Low heat for 10 to 12 hours, or until meat is very tender.
3. Remove meat from broth, reserving broth. Shred meat with a fork, and distribute on bread for sandwiches. Used reserved broth for dipping.

As you can see, its a pretty easy recipe. I bought the ingredients last night and planned to start it first thing in the morning (the meat needs to cook for 10-12 hours). Well I forgot to make it this morning and didn't realize it until I had put Liam down for his morning nap around 10:30am. So I hurried up and put everything in the crock pot and turned it onto "low". Just now I went down stairs to check on my masterpiece and realize that my crock pot was not plugged in. The meat has been sitting out for four hours. I hope I don't make us sick. I am my mother's child.

May??!! Wow how time flies.


I can't believe it's May already. What happened to April? I am not sure. I guess we were pretty busy. We didn't even make it to the Easter Pageant this year. Not that Liam would have really enjoyed it. Man once 7:30 pm comes around that kid is ready for bed. I can't think of really anything exciting that happened in April. Sorry. This weekend Liam started to stand up. I swear last week he just started crawling. It happened so fast.