This past week I also had a craving for margaritas - I have no clue why. Since we are limiting drinking to 1-2 nights a week, we decided to make this recipe. We both loved it - it will change how you feel about margaritas forever.
January 30, 2012
Pinterest-ipes
Only two recipes from this past week. Unfortunately, self control is something that both the U and I struggle with and we ate out several times. I've made a new meal plan for this week and we are DETERMINED to stick to it.
This past week I also had a craving for margaritas - I have no clue why. Since we are limiting drinking to 1-2 nights a week, we decided to make this recipe. We both loved it - it will change how you feel about margaritas forever.
For my neighborly dinner exchange last week, I made this Beef Stroganoff. I really enjoyed it. I made way too much pasta, but overall the flavor was there. Next time I might add some fresh mushrooms and peas to get some veggies in. I was worried that the amount of meat wouldn't be enough for 4 adults, but we had plenty left over. Which was a good thing because HUT also really loved it!
This past week I also had a craving for margaritas - I have no clue why. Since we are limiting drinking to 1-2 nights a week, we decided to make this recipe. We both loved it - it will change how you feel about margaritas forever.
January 27, 2012
Official Titles
The opportunity came up for me recently to help out a local wedding planner with some of her weddings in the year to come. She presented me with a really reasonable offer and I was pretty excited at first, but after talking it over with the U and taking some time to think about it I finally made up my mind.
I'm officially a SAHM.
Sure, the extra money would be great, and I'd get back into something I really enjoy, but I'm finally getting into the groove of this new gig of mine. And I definitely want a second baby, so I don't want to waste anyone's time with thinking that I'm going back into the workforce anytime soon - at least not unless absolutely necessary.
Don't want to eat my own words one day - because I never say never.
It's just that I've finally come to terms with the fact that I'm not meant to be a wedding planner - in fact, the rat race that comes along with getting clients, schmoozing with vendors, etc. - well, it's just not my personality. I have no problem making the plans, organizing, implementing, but the rest of it I find utterly exhausting, emotionally draining and, to be quite honest, a lot of bullshitting that I'm just not into.
So as sad as a part of me is to give up on that dream - another part of me is so amazingly relieved to let it go.
I'm still not giving up on the paper design, because that's where my true desires have been for a couple of years now. I hope to one day take some additional classes to better my skills, and hopefully I'll still get a few design jobs now and again from people who really do like my work. But, again, it's on the side. If my life has time for it, if my heart is in it, then I'm going to do it.
So, I've officially given up the title of "event planner" because the only events I'll be planning are the ones that take place with my own family, on my own time. I might not get a monetary check every month, but I do get some priceless memories that I am happy to say, I'll get to keep with me in my heart forever.
Forever.
P.S. The planner was Kimberly Rhodes of Hitched Events in Dallas - she's an amazing woman who was more than understanding of my situation. She also had quite a plan worked out for us that, had she come back to Dallas a few years ago, would have worked out like a dream. If you know someone looking for a planner in Dallas, check her out!
January 26, 2012
Neighborly Dinner Exchange
I've mentioned my neighbor, Jenn, on here quite a lot in the past couple of months because we've become good friends. After nearly five years of living next door to each other and not knowing much more than our first names, it took me becoming a SAHM to get the ball rolling with our friendship. She's a mom of two, ages 3.5 and 8 weeks, so she's pretty busy these days. We both enjoy cooking, so she brought up the idea of doing a dinner exchange each week.
Since we both menu plan, we usually send each other a text to see which day is best and if what we have in mind sounds good (which it always does). We don't have picky eating families so this works out perfect.
Last week I did the chicken and pasta bake and made enough to send to my mom & dad as well as our neighbors, and this week I'm doing a crock pot recipe. Last week she sent over taco soup - we already had leftovers in the fridge so I decided to freeze her meal and save it for another day. This week it was chicken spaghetti, perfect for a rainy night at home.
It is amazing how much of a difference having someone cook for you for one night a week makes. Since the U and I are trying to cut down on eating out, this has become a great alternative for us. Plus I always tend to make enough to feed at least four, so there's not much of an additional cost in sending over half of the meal - and it's nice to know that at the end of the week I'm not going to be tossing out any food that is no longer good.
As long as you have flexibility with your schedules and mouths that aren't picky to feed, I seriously recommend trying something like this with your own friends/neighbors! Beats the heck out of takeout anyday!
Since we both menu plan, we usually send each other a text to see which day is best and if what we have in mind sounds good (which it always does). We don't have picky eating families so this works out perfect.
Last week I did the chicken and pasta bake and made enough to send to my mom & dad as well as our neighbors, and this week I'm doing a crock pot recipe. Last week she sent over taco soup - we already had leftovers in the fridge so I decided to freeze her meal and save it for another day. This week it was chicken spaghetti, perfect for a rainy night at home.
It is amazing how much of a difference having someone cook for you for one night a week makes. Since the U and I are trying to cut down on eating out, this has become a great alternative for us. Plus I always tend to make enough to feed at least four, so there's not much of an additional cost in sending over half of the meal - and it's nice to know that at the end of the week I'm not going to be tossing out any food that is no longer good.
As long as you have flexibility with your schedules and mouths that aren't picky to feed, I seriously recommend trying something like this with your own friends/neighbors! Beats the heck out of takeout anyday!
January 25, 2012
Haiden Surf
Although I had HUT's name picked out from day one, the spelling didn't come about until way later when I happened upon this cute children's surf clothing line...
I absolutely loved the spelling, mainly because the first three letters of my maiden name are HAI - so that justified the funky spelling in my crazy brain. And, to my amazement, the U totally agreed with my argument.
Anywho, today they are on sale at The Mini Social, so I stocked up on some cute stuff for HUT to wear when we go to Cabo in April. I'm sure he'll get tired of this once he's older, but by then he probably won't fit into their stuff anyways. So you know I'm going to be buying from this brand for quite a while to come!
For almost half off of everything, I broke our spending hiatus. I had $10 in credit, so why not. Now back to not spending and putting myself in major save mode!
And, just to remember HUT in his Haiden Surf duds, here's a pic from his first trip to Cabo last year...
I absolutely loved the spelling, mainly because the first three letters of my maiden name are HAI - so that justified the funky spelling in my crazy brain. And, to my amazement, the U totally agreed with my argument.
Anywho, today they are on sale at The Mini Social, so I stocked up on some cute stuff for HUT to wear when we go to Cabo in April. I'm sure he'll get tired of this once he's older, but by then he probably won't fit into their stuff anyways. So you know I'm going to be buying from this brand for quite a while to come!
For almost half off of everything, I broke our spending hiatus. I had $10 in credit, so why not. Now back to not spending and putting myself in major save mode!
And, just to remember HUT in his Haiden Surf duds, here's a pic from his first trip to Cabo last year...
Kowalski Cafe Kiddo Activities
So right after I posted about my need to find great activities for HUT, one of my good friends - and pretty much my idol as a mom - started a little series on her own blog about how she keeps her two, nearly two-year-old, boys entertained.
Rachael works full time as a teacher (high school advanced math - no classes I ever stood a chance of taking), and then comes home to two adorable little guys every night. She seriously has some creative ideas and their family is always doing something fun together. They also travel a lot with the boys - something that still boggles my mind. Even with two extra pairs of hands I find it hard with one baby, I cannot even fathom what it's like with two the same age.
Anywho, we had a rough night last night with thunderstorms and teething - HUT and our dog Lola pretty much allowed me no sleep. So head on over to Rachael's blog and get some great inspiration for the little ones in your life!
Rachael works full time as a teacher (high school advanced math - no classes I ever stood a chance of taking), and then comes home to two adorable little guys every night. She seriously has some creative ideas and their family is always doing something fun together. They also travel a lot with the boys - something that still boggles my mind. Even with two extra pairs of hands I find it hard with one baby, I cannot even fathom what it's like with two the same age.
Anywho, we had a rough night last night with thunderstorms and teething - HUT and our dog Lola pretty much allowed me no sleep. So head on over to Rachael's blog and get some great inspiration for the little ones in your life!
{ our three boys at HUT's first birthday party }
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