Baby Roo

I just came across this old video and I HAD to post it. It's hard to believe Reese was ever a baby! She is such a smart little person now. Ahhh...I kinda miss this....

Delicious Cookies

These cookies are nummy!! So I just have to share them with you....I got the recipe from another blog, and tweaked it a little. You can use whatever kind of chips you like, I decided to mix butterscotch and chocolate...I'm weird like that! Enjoy!

Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup oatmeal (not quick)
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoons vanilla
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
4 oz. butterscotch chips
OPTIONAL: 1 cup coconut

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put the top 4 ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend about 30 seconds until coarse. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter for 30 seconds until light in color.
Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients then add the chocolate/butterscotch chips(12 oz. total) (and coconut if desired)
Shape cookie dough into balls and place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-13 minutes.
Let the cookies cool slightly before removing them from the pan to a wire rack.
My batch made 30 cookies ;)

My love/hate relationship with vehicles...

UGH. Where to begin? I guess it all started when I was 16...when I got my first car. Back then I probably would have rather hitched hiked my way to school and back! (You will know why in a second...) But looking back, I do consider myself rather lucky to have my very own car the day I got my license. And a Mercedes none the less. Now, before you go thinking I'm some spoiled princess 16 year old...this Mercedes probably isn't the same as the one you have envisioned in your mind. We called it "Old yellow." Simply because it was old and yellow. Go figure. My 1985 Diesel 240D was DANGEROUSLY slow. Seriously. I would get flipped off, cursed at and sped by anytime I gave Alabama Hill a go. I'm not joking. It was miserable. I would down shift to the lowest gear and put my petal to the metal, and barely make it up the hill at 15mph. Thus my hate for this car and wanting to hitch hike. (which I did on numerous occasions, but thats another story, probably not one to be told, considering my mom reads this...) This was my very first car...

Anyways, next car, another Mercedes. This one was called "Big Blue." Even older and louder than the first one. But I liked this one much better. For one, it was fast. As fast as a 1981 400sd can be. And two, it wasn't yellow. Thank God. It was actually a really pretty silvery/blue. We still have it. It has almost 250,000 miles on it. In fact, I was driving it last week when my Jetta was broke down. None of the windows rolled down, one was actually stuck all the way down and have been duct-taped and plasticed off ;) Gotta love it. Don't even want to know how that looked with my two kiddos in the back seat. Geesh... And the drivers door made a gnarly, VERY loud cracking sound, (resembled the sound much like a pistol being shot,) everytime you opened the door half way. But whatever, beggars can't be choosers. This was my second car...(not the same color...and the car might have been just a tad bit longer.)

Third car, my least favorite by far. 1990 Red Jeep Cherokee Laredo. It was my mom's idea, why? Because it was "Raider Red" as she called it, and me, being a Bellingham High School RED Raider at the time, I guess she thought it would be great if I showed my "Raider Pride" in my choice of vehicles. Bless her heart...I HATED this car. You had to hold the key, turned down in the ignition for a good 5 seconds before the car would start up. And this made a delightfully loud, obnoxious noise =) It had a spider infestation that almost cost me my life once on Lake Whatcom Blvd. And it had a tendency to bellow smoke and overheat. Often times when both my parents were out of town. Ahhhh... here it is...I don't think I will EVER drive another Jeep. (Sorry Jeep lovers)

4th car...(are you bored yet??) I liked this one. It was cute. I felt cute when I drove it, I miss this car. 1990 Black Mercedes 190. Of course I got this one right after I graduated high school. It was "peppy" as my mom would say, grey leather, sunroof, and it was black. Black always makes cars look nicer. (Is that a word? Nicer?) Hmm....this car also had a tendency to overheat, but I didn't care, it was cute, afterall. And that was all that ever really mattered. I drove this car for a while, until I decided to make my first BIG purchase and get my own car, one of my own choice. But first, a pic...(minus the spoiler)

The parents made us kids a deal. They would help us purchase our first car. They would pay for half, we had an allowance of up to $3500, meaning we each could pay $3500 for a car up to $7000. This was awesome! I searched and searched for my perfect car! Then I found it. 1996 Audi A4, forest green, tan leather....SO CUTE. I loved this car, it was absolutely adorable, and it was FAST! Have you driven an Audi?? You should. They are quick, and smooth and wonderful. I heart Audi's. What I don't heart? Fixing Audi's...can you say $$$$$$$$$?? WOW. Thats why I ended up selling it. Basically I put my life savings into buying this car, I didn't think about how much the up-keep was going to be. So I sold it to a friend, I still see it around town, and I still miss it. Mark my words, one day, when I'm rich, (ha) I will drive another Audi.

And now I'm driving your typical Bellingham Car. I say it's typical, because I do believe about 2 out of 5 people in Bellingham drive one. Thats right... a 2001 Silver Jetta. It's a good car. I really can't complain to much, it's never done me wrong. It just isn't a good fit for me and my kids. The back seat is so stinkin' small the kids barely fit. Britax carseats?? Not a chance. I literally have my seat pulled so closely to the stearing wheel it probably isn't safe. All this because Reese's leg would be squished, or Kyler's car seat simply wouldn't fit. Ugh. Not to mention, I live on top of a HUGE, very steep hill, atop a mountain in Sudden Valley. I got snowed in three times (once for 3 1/2 days!!!) in the month of February because this car absolutely bites in the snow. People thought I had lost my mind; in town there wasn't even the slightest hint of snow, yet my driveway, my street, had 2 feet of it. Also, it's a manual. And let me tell you, trying to shift, talk on a cell phone (naughty I know...) and communicate/pass food/clean/discipline my kids while driving= NOT SAFE!

WHEW! All that to say, I need an automatic. I need 4 wheel drive. And I an SUV. Leather would be nice, considering it's much easier to clean, but it's not a must. I have a budget too. A very small bugdget. I need something that doesn't have 10 bazillion miles and is on the verge of a break down. I also would prefer something that can be fixed and maintained at an affordable rate. IE nothing Eurpean. My dream?? This baby right here...

If only I had $20,000.......this is what I need a husband for ;) Just kiddin'. (though I would look good in this!) A 2003 Acura MDX. Why I love it? They are complete luxury vehicles, made by Honda, cheap parts, last forever, look good. Nothing else to say. One day, one day......

Anyways, anyone have any ideas?? Big enough for children, decent gas mileage, good in the snow??? Help me please.

lyss

I love pasta and pasta loves me

Another yummy, carb-fiilled pasta dish for y'all! Trust me, it's a good one! I'm a sucker for creamy pasta dishes, this one is different than anything I've had, I found it on this blog so once again, I can't take the credit.

Lemon Cream Pasta & Chicken

*this recipe makes a TON of food, I cut the recipe in half and the leftovers fed two more people after Reese and I had our portions.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups shredded or cubed lemon garlic chicken (I used the pre-marinated chicken that Fred Meyer has, I think mine might have been garlic something or other, and the actual recipe calls for particiular "lemon garlic chicken" recipe. I honestly don't think it matters too much.)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (*When I make this again I will use a little less lemon juice, the pasta was a bit too zesty for my liking, although my parents, who ate the leftovers, didn't think so. I think it's just me being picky again.)

1 (16 ounce) package tube pasta (I used mezze penne. aka. Small penne noodles)

2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (I forgot to do this step...whoops!)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the garlic powder and pepper.

Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta.

Cook pasta over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes (this is less when you cut the recipe, I just taste tested until pasta was al dente).

In the mean time....Cube chicken into bite size pieces.

Add oil to a skillet and cook chicken.

Once both the pasta and the chicken are thoroughly cooked, stir chicken into pasta

Add the cream, parmesan cheese and lemon zest.

Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.

Stir thoroughly before serving. And voila!!

Life is good

Well....there's no real need to go into nasty details...let's just say there have been a LOT (and I mean a whole heck of a lot) of ups and DOWNS the last...oh....I'd say four years!!!!

HOWEVER...I am pleased to say, that I am now, with out a doubt, the happiest and most content I have ever been. Great isn't it?? Now, I know that is quite a big statement to put down in writing, but it's honestly how I feel. After a slew of unhealthy relationships with men, (or shall I say boys), leading to more unhealthy/broken relationships with friends and family, OH, and two beautiful, wonderful children later...I am now single and... (here's the kicker) HAPPY! Yay for me. Seriously, yay for me! Be excited people, this is big news!!

It's like I have been brought back to life, revived, breathing fresh air again... Now that all the "garbage" has been removed from my life I am finally getting a chance to be me again. Loving the Lord and loving my children with no distractions or interruptions. Yes, I'm extremely busy...working full time and going to school, but it's with a purpose, a purpose to provide for my children and be the best mom I can be. But these are distractions I can deal with; these are healthy distractions, and they make me feel accomplished. I like being busy, having a full schedule, but there are also times when I feel completely and utterly exhausted, like now for instance ;)

Let me fill you in...I have always hated that I was a "drop out." (haha) It just kind of bothered me that I never went back to school after getting pregnant with Reese, but I never really knew what I wanted to do. Until the last year or so when I really discovered how much I enjoyed interior design. So that's what I am currently going to school for; interior decorating to be more specific. I take all online courses which is super awesome and super convenient, however this also makes it super easy to slack :( (WOW. That was a lot of supers, sorry bout that.)

Moving on...Being a "single mom" (I despise this term) is hard at times; but it is SO rewarding. Sometimes I really regret being such a BIG idiot, duh, everyone would regret that, and making so many stupid mistakes for so long. But I also can't imagine not being a mother, not having my Roo and Loo in my life, the 2 kids I love more than life itself. If you're a parent you understand what I'm saying. There is something different about loving your own flesh and blood; it's different than any kind of love I've ever experienced. It's quite simply, amazing. I feel like motherhood is my destiny, among other things I hope. But don't get me wrong, there are also days when I ask the Lord if it's all a big mistake, sometimes I feel like kids just aren't for me, I'm so impatient and unorganized, the epitome of what a good mom should NOT be. But then I see their faces, oh their faces.....they make me smile. They make my heart happy. They make everything better.

So, here I am...waiting for the next season to begin. I don't mean season as in the weather haha (I am soooo NOT funny right now) I mean season of life. I am content doing what I'm doing, and trying to accomplish the goals I have set for my life right now (I hear exam #4 calling my name....ugh.) It's good tho. Life is good. School is good. Kids are good. Family is good. Friends are good. God is good. Can I get an AMEN??!! Amen. Life is good.

lyss

PS. I apologize that this blog was so erratic and "blonde-ish" but it's late and I had a lot on my mind, so just go with it!

PPS. I thought it would be appropriate to post of picture of me being "happy." But I don't have any happy pictures of just myself, so here's a picture of me being happy with my kid. =) Now you see where he gets his big, very pinchable cheeks from!

Archives

I don't have much of an explanation. I was looking back thru old pics, and found a few that I felt like sharing.

When I look at this picture, I automatically think of Kyler. They already look so much alike (as babies anyways), and Kyler is only 6 months old, compared to here (left) where Reese is 1.

This one (below) is at midnight on her 1st birthday. Yes, I know, I know, it was very cruel of me to wake her up in the middle of the night, but look at this face!!! How cute is she?!

Or there's this one. She HATED that stupid tiara. I don't know why I made her wear it, she (nor I) was into princess-y stuff at the time. But it sure did make for a great photo opp! This was at her 1st birthday party. *tear* I can't believe that was 2 years ago....

Yummy yummy in my tummy

As much as I despise the cold weather and the change in seasons....I can't say the same for the meals that come along with it! This has got to be one of my favorite meals EVER! I got the recipe from my best friend Angie, so I can't take credit for it =( But I would love to share it with you, it's too delicious NOT to pass along!

Beef Stroganoff (which I refer to as "Stronnie")

*I tweak this everytime, mostly because I am the pickiest person on the planet! You don't have to, it's good either way

Ingredients:

1 1/2lbs top sirloin (I always use the pre-packaged stew meat)

1 yellow onion, chopped or pureed (medium size, baseball?, also I pureed my onion, I don't like big oniony chunks)

1 clove garlic, minced (I use 4 and puree it along with my onion)

1/2lb mushrooms (I don't use these)

1 1/4 t salt

1 1/2 t pepper

1 t paprika (it turns out pretty spicy, equivalent to 4 stars)

2 can consomme'

26 oz beef broth

Cube meat

Put oil in pot and heat on high

Brown meat and remove grease

Remove meat

Add onions and garlic, saute'

When brown add mushrooms, seasons and broth

Cook until tender

Add meat and bring to a boil

Cover and simmer 3 hours

Make gravy (see below), add slowly while stirring, and cook 10 minutes

Add 2T sour cream just before serving

Serve over egg noodles (I use whole wheat, can't notice the difference)

Gravy:

1/2 C flour

2 1/2 T Bisto (this is a brown gravy type thing, found near pancake mix)

Salt, several dashes

Pepper, several dashes

Garlic powder, 1 dash

Onion powder, 1 dash
1 C water.

Mix together and slowly add gravy to the stroganoff while constantly stirring, until you reach desired thickness! Enjoy!

*I use a crock pot for this entire meal, minus browning the meat.