Five on Friday

Linking up with Darci for Five on Fridays...Let's do this!

1.) It is beyond hot in Phoenix. 120 degrees today y'all. There is nothing to do but either sit in the pool or hide in the house. My little guy doesn't understand that and desperately wants to go out. Maybe after the sun goes down, we can take a quick walk so that he gets his fix. He is such the little outdoors men.

2.) I am watching way too much TV. There are so many shows on that I seem to like. Most of them fall on Monday nights. The Bachelorette. Switched at Birth. The Fosters. Mistresses. I also like Drop Dead Diva and Devious Maids on Sundays. Oh and Catfish on whatever night that is on too. The new season premiered this week. Don't mind me bae, I am in the studio. <--you will get that if you watched!

3.) We are going to the Grand Canyon and Sedona soon. Just a fun little getaway. We are going to take a Pink Jeep Tour--maybe. My husband wants to, and so do I, but we are a bit concerned with little guy. He is old enough, we just have to decide for sure. A few days away is just what the Dr. ordered!

4.) I seem to tweet much more than I am on Facebook these days. Is that the case with you guys too?
Do you follow me? You should. :)

5.) I am hosting a mom to mom open house tomorrow afternoon. There will be 20 women at our house and after seeing my kitchen under black light, I was a scrubbing machine today! Nothing like company to make a house cleaner than clean, am I right?

Happy Friday!

Smoothie Recipe

My summer cold escalated. Well..not the cold, but the illness. I had to go to urgent care for a bladder infection. Good gravy. I feel like this has been the longest week and a half ever. I am still sniffly, but getting better.

Moving on, I have been making this really yummy smoothie that I found on Pinterest called a Cinnamon Bun Smoothie. So simple too.

1 frozen banana chunked up
1 cup of skim milk
1t of cinnamon
1/2t of vanilla
1/2t of honey
Blend

It tastes like a decadent dessert really and is good for you. I applaud it.

Summer colds

I've been sick this week. After I left the Dr. I was fine... on Wednesday morning, I woke up with a tickle in my throat.. by Wednesday night, I was done. Sore throat, congestion. Normally I can sleep when I am sick. I sleep enough and I wake up typically feeling fine. Noo--oohh. Not this time. I have insomnia + sickness. That is not a good mix my friends. Sigh.

Today I am feeling a bit better, but not 100% yet. Still very snotty and congested. Hot-- I know. :)

First day of summer will be doing a little napping hopefully, a few laps in the pool and a little bit of shopping. Tonight I am making a crockpot chili. I know it is 115 degrees out, but I dont mind. It is the crockpot afterall. Besides browning the beef, I have to do nothing but eat a yummy soup later tonight.

I looked for a good some- ecard to apply here but I didnt find one and I wasted 20 minutes.

Tish

Weight Loss

So here it is ... June 2013 and here I am, talking about weight loss. Again. Yet again.
I suck. I am constantly thinking about weight loss. Thinking about being skinny. Thinking of all the cute things I could actually wear. Like all the things I threw out long ago after giving up. I mentally dress people. You know, style them. I pick what they should wear and shouldn't...I helped an older lady at TJ Maxx a few nights ago. We got her all decked out for a trip.

I know what to do. I mean, it is basic common sense right? Don't eat fast food, don't drink soda or sugary drinks, cut out down on junky food, make smart choices at restaurants. Drink lots of water. Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits, eat lean meats. Cut out sauces. Have 3 main meals and 3 small snacks. I get it. I don't do it. I have 0 willpower and discipline apparently or I wouldn't be in this predicament, am I right?

I was at the Doctor's office this morning and I asked dear ole doc if she could prescribe some weight loss pills that would help kickstart me. I didn't want to take them forever. Basically, I wanted her to say ephedra was a-ok in her book and that I was cool to take it. Well, shocking, but she did not say that. She said NO, NEVER TAKE A DIET PILL. THEY CAN CAUSE STROKE AND HEART ATTACK. No, really, basically like that. She was very assertive and spoke in an all-caps tone. She meant business. OK, doc. She said she likes the South Beach approach and the Paleo approach. She said while they may take more time and planning out, they are lifestyle changes vs a quick fix (like my dear ephedra that worked so well back in the day for me).

Sigh. Defeated, and with a plan, I have been pinning and printing out South Beach recipes. Some people are so creative when it comes to cooking. I thank them. While my husband can eat plain chicken breasts and un-dressed salad for eternity, I cannot. I will cheat. I will refuse. I will cheat. Did I mention I would cheat? I have a semi plan.
I can use these to make the food not seem diet-y. I can feel like I am splurging.

Another huge downfall for me is that I don't exercise like I should. Actually, I rarely do. Today, I started changing that. After lunch when Maddox was sleeping, I went out in the pool and jogged laps. His nap was almost over, but I did make it 20 minutes. And from someone who does nothing, I was proud of that :) NOW to KEEP it UP.

Are you one of those people who struggles?
Are you naturally thin?
Are you one of those breeds that enjoys working out?
Are you one of the strongest willed chicas that resists everything bad?

Off to lick lettuce...

Tish

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day has always been bittersweet for me. My dad died when I was 14 years old; a very formative time in a young girl's life. I always wonder what he would have been like during the teen years and when I was out driving by myself or going to parties or dating. Always.

My mom did a great job with me and my little brothers. She stepped up and really put her big girl panties on and did what she had to. All by herself. I admire her for that.

As the years have gone by.. Father's Day has gotten sweeter. I have been given the greatest joy and accomplishment of getting to be a mama. That would not be possible without my sweet husband. I love watching him and our son play. I love the way they look at each other, talk to each other and look like each other. It brings sheer happiness over me and I know how lucky we are.

So, happy Father's Day to all the dads, the men stepping up, the mamas who do it alone, and all of the hopefuls wishing to celebrate.

Tish

5 on Friday

I am linking up with Darci and her friends for Five on Fridays again this week. I forgot about it and then after reading Erin's blog, remembered and got excited. I love when there is purpose ;)

1.) Yesterday was a miserable day for me. I woke up with cramping in my stomach. I thought nothing of it until it started consuming me. I couldn't do anything. I wanted to lie in my bed and cry. My husband works from home and thank goodness for that because I needed someone to watch little boy while I wallowed in self pity. I finally got relief in the wee hours of the morning. Today, I am fine.

2.) Me & Maddox headed over to our dear friend Angie's house today. She hosted a playdate for the mamas and we had so much fun with our friends. She grilled hotdogs and everyone brought sides and drinks to share. We did a little craft afterwards and then the kiddos just played and played. I love those kinds of days.

3.) Tonight for dinner I made the Chicken Yakitori that was on the schedule for last night. So good. I had some red cabbage in the fridge so on the fly I blended up some peanut butter, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and vegetable oil and tossed the cabbage in that for a slaw of sorts. It was different but good.

4.) Tomorrow night is couples date night! I am so excited! We are going to a dueling piano bar and it is sure to be a crazy good time. 3 of my favorite couples are going so I am over the moon. Back in Vegas there was a fun dueling piano bar at Harrah's that I liked to go to a lot. I might have been a little more rambunctious then though ;)

5.) Father's Day is Sunday. We have made a craft, we have wrapped gifts and we are waiting to celebrate Daddy. I love my sweet husband and I am thankful everyday that we were brought together. He told me about our kids on our first date. I laughed it off, but look who is laughing now? some times you just know. Ya know?

Menu Planning Woes

Do you menu plan? I try to do this every week. Some time it is a mental plan ... a quick scan of what we have and what i can grab to complete the meal. Other times, it is a lot of Internet searching. A LOT. I try to cook something new at least once per week. Sometimes more. I don't really have a rotation and maybe I should. I scour google, blogs, and pinterest for recipe ideas. Dinner. AGH!

This week, I have done a partial menu and I kind of freak out because the other days aren't accounted for. Am I weird? Maybe.

Monday we had Asian Flank Steak with spring rolls and  rice.
Tuesday we had Tropical Smoothie and Wildflower Bread Co (don't judge)
Wednesday we had tacos. Who doesn't love tacos? Easy. Delicious. I guess a rotation meal.
Thursday we will have chicken yakitori. That is my new recipe to try out.
Friday we will have ________________________
Saturday we will have frozen pizza and salad before heading out on the town
Sunday= Father's Day. We will grill out steak and have caprese salad and cucumbers with rice or potatoes. I might even get fancy and make this Jack Daniel's cake I saw on Pinterest.

Do you guys do menu plans? Do you have rotations that you know you will have? Like in some families, Friday is pizza night. Sunday is a big fancy dinner. Tacos and Spaghetti are my main rotation items I suppose. They are staples and work if nothing else comes together. Though after tonight, I may have to up my poundage of ground beef. Maddox had at least 4 helpings of taco meat, stole his daddy's soft taco and was grubbing on watermelon. Sheesh.

We just had his 18  month check up and he is 34 inches tall and 25.8 pounds. He is tall and lean. Handsome little fella :)

Tish

Sticky Floors and Dirty Ovens

Do you ever have those times in your week where you look around and wonder what you get done all day? I feel that way. I know that I wipe counters and cabinets, sweep, mop and do laundry, grocery shop, cook and dust, but I swear that if you looked around my house, you would think that I never do. I do all the above, almost daily if not every day aside from the grocery shopping. Sometimes I ask myself why I bother. No one can tell, I think. No one would know. Four dogs and a little boy do not a clean house make. I guess they make a messy home.

This weekend we had a fun birthday party at our friend Sarah's house. Her son turned 3 and they had a big backyard party filled with food, dinosaurs and friends. I like those laid back parties where every one feels they can stay till the lightening bugs come out. We don't have lightening bugs in Phoenix, but you get my drift.

Today was a free summer movie day at one of the local theaters and we attempted to go. Maddox was doing SO well until another little girl kept trying to play and run around. Then he thought that he could do those things too and we had to remove ourselves from the movie. We will try again. And again. He loves the popcorn and candy idea. Me too son, me too! HA.

Oh and if you notice the "tail"... we do put our baby on a leash. It is wonderful and I don't care who judges me. People ask me about it and I tell them just that. He gets his freedom, and I have ahold of him. Holding tiny slippery hands can be hard when they fall to the floor in tantrums. This is much easier. Trust and believe.

OH and also: I was over at Blue Eyed Bride and Mix and Match Mama today and entered to win Sophie Hudson’s book, “A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet.” So many of the bloggers I follow have just raved about her book. I might have to just give in and buy it if I am not one of the lucky winners!
Baaaa.

Have a lovely one my lovelies,
Tish

A blog party- 5 on Friday

 

 

I am joining the 5 on Friday blog partay!  I like linking up to these fun events, even though I don't do it often. PLUS, then you have something to blog about if you get in a rut :)

My 5 on Friday will be a theme of little people activities we are currently doing.

1.) My little guy is currently playing with an empty paper towel roll. He is talking into it. He is listening to it up to his ear. He is using it as a sword. He is using it as a drum. He is using it as other musical instruments. It has been 15 minutes and mama likes that.

2.) I went to the Dollar Tree and picked up some "silver" platters. I then used chalkboard paint and painted them. I give those to him with a couple pieces of chalk. He will sit in his high chair and color for a little bit. He likes the feel of the chalk... sometimes the taste, so I have to watch him!

3.) Sticker books! I will give him a few stickers...for right now, he doesn't quite get being able to take the stickers off, so I pull them off, and put them on the edge of the paper so he can pick the ones that he wants to play with. This activity doesn't last as long, but it is fun to watch his motor skills in action.

4.) A water table. We just bought Maddox a real water table, but before that, I got a big bowl, added water and a few plastic toys and sat out on the back patio with him and let him go to town. He loves that!

5.) Oddly enough, I can pull out the swiffer, a broom and a dustpan and this child will be entertained. He likes to go all over the house and sweep. He has actually learned when there is a swiffer sheet on or not though, and he wants one. Sometimes I give in--hey, it is like an extra hand with sweeping. Mama can't complain :)


Happy Friday,
Tish

Summer things, growing things

This summer seems to already be flying by. Is it just me?

I have had to update my makeup colors already after the 3 days spent in the sun. My BB Cream I had is entirely too light. I had to go back to my beloved Bare Minerals. I love the summer makeup routine.. since my skin gets so brown, I can get by with very little powder/foundation. It is brilliant. Swipe on some gloss and some creamy pink shadow, add a little mascara, and tah-dah. Done.

EXCEPT: Have you noticed that the older you get, the more you NEED to fill your brows in? I had friends in the past who would always fill theirs in, and me, with my naturally dark and thick brows, never did. I always found it to be really dumb honestly. Uhm, I need to now. I see a few white (gasp) hairs and just a little more sparseness then I would like. I am terrified that I will see brown leaking down my face! LOL (<--kinda)

 I also find myself having to use "root-touch up" A LOT too. I have silver at my temples and several all around my scalp and crown.

Oh the joys of getting wiser ;)

 

Tish

Weekend update

This weekend has been full of friends, food and family.

There is nothing better than a backyard pool in Phoenix. It is mandatory I feel. It was for me anyway!
We are under heat advisory till 8pm tonight. Really.

How funny is that little car? It is like a little clowns fiat.

My boys in their hats in the pool.

My friend was in town earlier this week and we had our babysitter come over one night, and this is the photo she texted me. That made me so happy. I love that he loves her.

My friend, who was in from Vegas.

A selfie. Who do I think I am? A 22 year old? HA.

And let's end on little man enjoying a green smoothie.

 

 

Hope your weekend has you ready for the week ahead,

Tish

Pinterest told me, showed me and made me.

Pinterest... told me to. Pinterest....showed me how to. Pinterest...changed my life.

Whatever you hear, think, know or hate about that site, truth is this: I am forever changed!

Here are a few recent pins that I am gaga over:

 

Wasn't that great? Don't you want to scream this at the top of your lungs to each person that uses these words in the wrong way??

 

These graham cracker ice cream bars look to die for. It is supposed to be 109 here today. I should have seen this before 5 minutes ago! The pin said: Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich: Ingredients--graham crackers -cool whip -strawberries Directions 1. Blend cool whip and strawberries 2. Apply a thick coat to gram crackers and make sandwich 3. Freeze, and enjoy!



 

These champagne glasses filled with fruit and a dollop of cream look so classy. Great for a breakfast or brunch. Little touches make things feel so special. And who doesn't love a champagne flute?

This is one of those must try things. I really will let you know if this works. How yummy!

Going back to a little breakfast or brunch, this is a such a sweet way to dress up old jars.



I basically will never be edgy or cool enough to pull this look off-- but wow. This is HOT. 

This may also be something that I will have to let you know about. According to a pin, it says that applying real coke to your body is the best tanner ever. You get a deep, rich tan that lasts forever. Another reason not to drink the stuff.. am I right?

 



This cracked me up! Y'all know you have seen these a million times and probably been guilty of several!

Funny. You know it is. Laugh. A little. It's good for you.

 

For my fellow mamas. This is SO true. Literally a trip to Walmart by myself feels like a mini vacation. Until you have a kid  and get to go alone, you will never fully understand the power.

 

This photo is so stinkin sweet. I must remember to do this when we have baby #2.

(which isn't yet, so don't go gettin excited)

 

 

 

Pool time. Have a great Saturday!

Tish