Cowgirl chic for the birthday girl

Every little girl needs a teepee. Especially one growing up in Texas. I was inspired by a local mom who posted the most amazing teepee for her little one but WAY out pf my budget. But thanks to finding the best fabric ever in Wearherford and the wood on town and I had this done over the weekend. I just need to make some throw pillows with the extra fabric and Landry will be all set. 

Fall Beauty Swap!!

I am so excite to participate in this Fall's beauty swap! I was paired up with the nicest person from Montana, Tana Beswick of Cow Camp Craziness (www.cowcampcraziness.blogspot.com) I have came to LOVE her blog and getting to know her via email and instagram. She takes the best pictures of her life on the ranch. I was more than excited to go shopping for Tana and send her a goodie box to Montana!! Here is what she sent me and I love it and I have been bragging to everyone who will listen.

1. Neal's Yard Remedy is a facial mask that Tana totally recommends doing it on a weekend or Wednesday I can't wait to try this out. This weekend got away from me way to fast. But I love the way it smells.

2. Clinque sample has "like mink" duo eye shadow and "cupid" blush. I am wearing the blush and shadows now and I LOVE how they are neutrals and can be everyday looks.

3. Nivea lip gloss is AWESOME it has SPF in it and I love that cause I am not a huge lipstick girl but I love this. And my lips don't feel all goopy

4. EOS lip balm is something I have been dying to try and I was so excited when I saw this in the goodie bag from Tana. I make sure this is always with me. Even when I rocking the diaper bag.

5. I have been hearing all about Jamberry and have never tried it. I was excited to see this. Cause like most I suck at painting my nails and I don't even dare to try to do my own artwork on my nails. I am excited to rock theses.

I can not thank Tana enough who shipped this awesome goodie bag out to me and to Crystal Cattle for hosting this through her blog. I look forward to this all the time.

Another baby food trick

I have no idea where this idea came from but let me tell you I love it and so does Little Miss. 

 

She hates picking up over ripe bananas to the point she would smash them and make a mess or just not eat them cause she couldn't pick them up. Well here is the genius idea, I smashed up Cheerios into crumbles and put her banana pieces in the Cheerios and now it's easier for her to pick up and eat. So simple yet awesome cause now she is eating her banana not wasting them

Love this time of the year

Time flies

Almost three years ago to the date I went and interviewed for my now job and got it. It was true that Texas was calling and I finally answered the call and I have loved every minute of it. I am where I was susposed to be and found the man I am susposed to grow old with. 

It's  amazing in the short 3 years how much has changed. I came to Texas as a single lady with no care in the world just wanting a change and a new job. Fast forward I am now a wife, mother, step-mother. I still have my job and I still love even with all the bumps I might have with it.  

I can't wait to see what the next three years have in store. And if they are going to filled with just has much adventure. 

Fall inspired wreath

Thank you again Pinterest for my newest craft project. My husband and I like to have front door decorations and I just made the cutest one I think yet. What's so nice about this wreath is that I can easily change out the color of the ribbon and the fabric tufts. It's all in with just pushpins. I'm so glad I am crafty and not spending WAY too much on this. I spent a total of $18 dollars on this wreath and I've seen them on sale for $35 or more on different websites. 

So proud

I made pancakes for Landry is morning after a morning of fails the other day I found a recipe that works and totally can be changed up for different flavors. 

 The recipe is: 

1 whole super ripe banana mashed

2 eggs

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

Mix & make on a greased griddle. 

I'm saving the leftovers and popping them in a microwave for another time. 

New Favorite Recipe from Wheel n Deal Mama

Found on wheelndealmama.com

Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole
What you need:
2lb chicken, cooked and cubed (actually used 1 whole pre cooked chicken & shredded it up)
1 box (10oz) Rotini noodles (used whole wheat 1 box was too much for the 3 of us)
7-8 slices of Bacon cooked and chopped up
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp flour
1 cup of Milk (I used 2%)
3/4 cup of Ranch Dressing
 3 tbsp of butter (I didn't use butter I left little bit of bacon grease in the pan instead)
2 cups of Mexican Cheese Blend
1 small can of Green Chile  (I added canned corn instead to add veggies)

How to make Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole
Cook your chicken thoroughly, I tossed it in the oven covered at 375 for 45 minutes, but time will vary depending on the size/thickness of your chicken. ( I totally skipped this part thanks to my precooked chicken)
During the last 10 minutes of the chicken cooking, make your bacon and make the noodles per directions on the package. Set both aside once done. Oh, and chop up your bacon.
Chop your chicken into bits.

Mince your garlic cloves.
Preheat the oven to 350.
Keep a small bit of your bacon drippings in the pan.   Cook the garlic cloves and butter just  until melted (don’t brown). Toss in the chicken and the flour and cook for about 1 minute mixing it all together. Dump in the milk and ranch. Mix over medium/low heat for about 2-3 minute until slightly thickened.
Add in 1 cup of cheese. Mix it all together throughly. Then fold it in with the noodles. Get it all mixed up together.  At this point you can add the green chile — I actually used half a can of green chile as I did half the casserole with the green chile and half without.
Dump the casserole in a large casserole dish. Pour the remaining cup of cheese over the top of the casserole. Cook for 15 minutes at 350 until cheese is nicely melted.

At the end I added cherry tomatoes (cut in half) and green onion to my dish. The boys don't like that many veggies so I added them to mine it was yummy and it added more color to the dish. We had plenty of leftovers so I froze half and the rest is my left overs for lunch at work. 

New crafting adventure

Well thanks to my subway art being so well received my dear friend from high school asked if I did invitations too. Well I did only once before for a baby shower but that was on a whim. She asked me to do a family reunion for her and I think it turned out great. I think I am venturing into a new art form and maybe I can make a little money on the side. Who knows but I do know I enjoy making these and having others like them.  It makes me happy. 

My newest creative outlet

So I have found how to make these subway art signs for babies. And I love doing them. So far I have been cranking them out for my sorority sisters. It's my little gift to them since I can't be attending all these baby showers. So far they have loved them as much as I love making them. 

This Fresno State one is for one of my favorite little boys ever!! I makes me want to have a boy soon! 

True words

Oh the places we go

OMG, I just checked in for our flight tomorrow to the west coast. I am so nervous because when I say 'we' it is Landry and I. I am flying alone with a teething , 6month old baby girl to California. I know I will have troops on the ground when I get there. But those 3 hours in the sky are what have me really nervous. I have been trying to read all the tips I can on flying with a baby/toddler and I think I might have all the tips memorized by now. I am packing everything I can think of to make her happy on the plane, Hopefully she will sleep thru it all and be a champ.

I haven't even packed yet I usually pack the night or morning before I have to leave for the airport. But I feel like one suitcase will not be enough for this mommy and baby. Wish me luck I feel like I will need all the positive vibes I can get for the journey that is ahead of us.

It is going to be a BIG week for Landry. She had her  6 month check up on Tuesday and had 3 shots, she is teething and now her first plane ride to visit our California family. I will have to make sure to take lots of pictures.

Wednesday Word ...hehe

I have no idea but every time I see  or say this expression it makes me smile. Sometimes a ton is not enough to express what is really going on. But 'SHIT TON" is. 

My summer corn salad

Every summer time I make my famous corn salad and it's a HUGE it. Just this weekend alone I had people texting & asking for the recipe. So I thought I better share the recipe with all. 

On a side note I have made it before in the winter with canned corn and it's SO not the same but it made do. 

Corn salad -medium bowl worth 

3 ears of corn -grilled or fresh (cut kernels off the cob)

1/2 green bell pepper

1/4 medium red onion

1/2 small can Chopped black olives 

1 avocado diced up 

Handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half

Spoonful of chopped garlic 

Salt and pepper to taste 

I don't add any dressing because it will make it's own juice. It's super yummy and if you wanted to add any dressing I would recommend very little Italian dressing. 

Enjoy!!! 

I love to be crafty

I so love to be crafty it's kinda like my therapy. I like to get lost in the process of making something cute for somebody or for me. Lately all my creativity has gone into making cute things for Landry. The other day she got a ton of new headbands. Don't worry I plan on sharing with all the soon to be mommas I know.  Also my creativity has lead to some great gifts. And my creativity has lead to Landry getting some of her outfits repurposed into a new outfit. I'm so glad I know how to sew and use a hot glue gun. 

Wednesday Words...

I think this saying gets said most to the little ones. Cause what little kid isn't a "Silly Goose"

Baby weight

I have always struggled with my weight especially since I stopped playing two sports a year after graduating high school.  But now I find myself a new mommy to a beautiful 5.5 month old baby girl. It seems like everytime I look in a mirror or see a picture of myself I hate all the extra weight I see. 

I try to work out when I can thanks to the Xbox fitness. But I know it's in it enough. I try to eat healthy but damn taco casa tastes good. I know it's not a race to loose the weight and I know I didn't put it on over night. But I so wish it would come off a lot faster and easier than it is. 

I need to amp up my game and really watch what I eat. And I would love a gym membership or personal trainer. But as a working a mom I want all the baby time I can get. So I must figure out how up do baby gym. Baby girl is getting heavier and I'm getting a great arm work out. But I need to get rid of my double chin and spare tire. 

Wish me luck in my adventure to a skinnier me. Cause I am gonna need all the luck, prayers and motivation I can get. 

Bless your heart....

I don't know how many times I have used this phrase but sometimes all you can say is : "Bless Your Heart". Those 3 little words are enough to get your point across without the other person truly knowing how pissed off you are at them or how dumb they might be at that moment. 

Wednesday Words

This is so true!! Coming from the land of weekend warrior cowboys you learn quickly those that know what they are talking about just by their boots. Boots can say a lot about a person. And I can tell you every country person I know has a pair that's for working in and a pair for going out in. I can spot the cheap ones so easily and I that can be a curse and a blessing. Buying a pair of boots is an investment and when you have to part with a pair of boot it is like saying good bye to an old friend. You hate to get rid of a good pair of boots cause that is when they are broken in just right and fit like a slipper. I could go on and on about boots but as you can see I love my boots. 

Favorite online photo edit site

I have to say has a disclaimer I am not getting paid by this site for my review (too bad) but I wanted to share with others the site and the awesomeness of it. The site is called PicMonkey and I LOVE it. It is user friendly and you don't have to pay for it unless you want some of the extra fancy edit options. I am not a member but I  am seriously considering it. I would love to say I was the one that found this app but nope, it was Mark who found it. And I am so grateful he did. I have been using it ever since I had Landry and decided to take monthly photos of her. I take photos every month and then edit only a few thru the app. The app as allowed me to add text to them and change the photo into a cool retro Polaroid look. I have no idea what I would do without this website/app. My camera can only do so many cool things and where the camera leaves off the website picks up.

The before editing

The after effect 

The Polaroid effect. My camera did the coloring effect. 

WORD

I just LOVE this!!! There is so many reasons why you would say this to someone.

Wednesday Word

I can't tell you how many times I have said this saying. I just love it and it can sum up so many feelings and attitude.

Cooking away

I decided about 2 weeks ago I was tired of going to the grocery store almost everyday for one or two items to make a meal that I would finally get smart and meal plan for the week. Let me tell you it's been nice. Mark just approves what we have which is SO hard because he is picky in what he likes to eat. Thank goodness for Pinterest and new recipe ideas, it has helped expand my go to meals. I am so grateful that Mark is willing to try out the new recipe. I will give him credit when I do plan out the week he will cook from time to time too. He tried to bbq ribs the other day and he was doing a great job until the propane ran out 3/4 of the way thru cooking the ribs. But no worries we just threw the ribs into the oven and it turned out yummy.

My newest Pinterest recipe came from the Pioneer Women ( which I totally love her). If you haven't heard about the Pioneer Women, Ree Drummond , you need to learn about her FAST!! Her book is amazing and I love her cooking show on the Food Network and of course I follow her on Instagram (she takes amazing pictures). Thanks to her I have a new breakfast favorite: Breakfast Quesadilla. If any one knows me , knows that I am not a fan of eggs unless there is multiple things in it. So this recipe is perfect for me. Its just a new way to eat a breakfast burrito and who doesn't love a good breakfast burrito.

  What you need to make it according to Ree, the colored it my remarks on how I changed it up. 

Meat

1 lb

Bacon,

Produce (thanks to Mark being picky none of this section made my quesadillas)

1	Avocado
1	Bell pepper, whole
1	Jalapeno, whole
1	Onion, whole

Refrigerated

8	Eggs, whole

Condiments (I used the homemade salsa Mark made , just as yummy)

1	Pico de gallo

Baking & Spices

1	Salt and pepper

Bread & Baked Goods

6	Tortillas, whole regular Or Whole Grain

Dairy

1

Butter

1 1/2 cup

Cheddar and monterey jack cheese

1/4 cup

Half-and-half (didn't use this I just added milk to my eggs to make them fluffy)

Sour cream(didn't need this but totally could of. I love sour cream)      I totally recommend trying this out. It will be a BIG hit for sure.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Every Wednesday I will be (hopefully) posting my favorite sayings or words I just love or remind me of home. This one saying remind me of my dad and showing cattle and adding knowing how slow molasses can be.

Hosting a online trunk show

So I got asked to think about hosting a online trunk show for Stella & Dot. I have always loved their stuff and my sister from another mother is a rep so I decided to jump in and host a online party. I've always had a love hate relationship with going to all this tupperware, cooking, jewelry parties I LOVE the stuff and hanging out with friends. But I feel like a bad guy if you don't at least buy one thing. So luckily with an online trunk show there is no face to face pressure and you can shop when you can and in your pj's. 
 It started on April 1st and runs until April 22nd. I was hoping all that checked it out would buy for Easter or upcoming Mother's Day. I have to say one of my favorite things about Stella & Dot is they have a wish list and that can be shared with others. If everyone has a man like mine, then they too hate to go shopping cause they don't know what to get you.

 So please check it out and see what you think here is the link:
http://www.stelladot.com/ts/amox5

Just a few things from Stella & Dot that I LOVE!!

New hobby taking pictures

I just love taking pictures of Little Miss and she is such a good sport for letting me take them all. I am that mom that now over shares on Facebook. But I feel like I have to since so many of my loved ones are on the west coast. I did a mini Easter session with Landry since the blue bonnets aren't quite up yet. I am so grateful I am crafty and have a nice camera. 

3 years make a difference

Its been three years since I entered my 30's and it has been one hell of a ride and for the most part I have loved every minute of it.  No way 3 years ago if someone told me I would be a mom, living in Texas and engaged to a AMAZING man, would I have believed them. I am so grateful and blessed to be where I am today. I may not be setting world on fire or super rich, but I love my life, job and family. Sometimes the riches in life are not measured by the size of your bank account but by the people and experiences that you have. For all those moments I am grateful. 

Pinterest Recipes

I LOVE pinterest and I love to look for fun and new recipes to try out. Mark is a picky eater and by picky I mean he doesn't eat veggies or fruit. So its hard to find something he will like but when I do its like I hit the jackpot. So far I have found 2 dinner recipes that he just loves, I know when he likes it when he goes back for seconds. Recently I found a healthier recipe for a cheesecake. I am trying to be healthier and loose some baby weight but I still have a sweet tooth so what better than to find a healthier, sneaky way to eat cheesecake. But first let me share Mark's favorite ( and mine too)

Loaded Potato & Chicken Casserole

1 lb boneless chicken breasts; cubed 1"

6 medium skin on red potatoes; cut in 1/2" cubes

1/3 cup olive oil

1 1/2 t salt

1 t black pepper

1 T paprika

2 T garlic powder

2 T hot sauce; more if you like it HOT

TOPPING:

2 cups fiesta blend cheese; shredded

1 cup bacon; crumbled

1 cup diced green onion

How to Make:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9X13 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Add the cubed potatoes and chicken and stir to coat. Carefully scoop the potatoes and chicken into the prepared baking dish..
3. Bake the potatoes and chicken for 55-60 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until cooked through, crispy, and browned on the outside. While the potatoes are cooking, fry your bacon (about half a pound).
4. Once the potatoes and chicken are fully cooked, remove from the oven. Top the cooked potatoes with the the cheese, bacon, and green onion. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve With: extra hot sauce and/or ranch dressing or sour cream!
***NOTE***
Thanks to Mark not liking onions I don't add any green onions to the main dish only to my portion as garnish

Skillet Enchilada Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 12 corn tortillas
• small yellow onion, diced
• 1 pound of ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 1 large can of red enchilada sauce (28 ounces)
• 1 can of black olives
• 1-2 cups of shredded cheese
• sour cream for topping

Instructions

1. Cut a dozen corn tortillas into bite size pieces.
2. Heat vegetable oil in skillet on med high heat and pan fry tortillas until slightly toasted and lightly crispy.
3. Remove from pan and brown onions and ground beef in same skillet, seasoning ground beef to taste, until ground beef is completely cooked and onions are softened.
4. Add large can of enchilada sauce and simmer for a few minutes.
5. Then add tortillas back into pan and stir.
6. Top with black olives, shredded cheese and sour cream.

**I ran out of corn tortillas so in the end I add corn chips I had on hand and it worked out great too**

My new favorite Cheesecake inspired recipe.

1 6 oz. Greek Yogurt container ( I used vanilla but you can use plain)
1/2 T Cheesecake Jello pudding mix, sugar free & fat free
Splash of milk

Mix well and let sit. It might be a little grainy in the beginning but longer you let it sit the yummy it gets. I use granola on the bottom for the crust.
__________________________________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoy these new found recipes as much as me and my little family enjoy them.

Decision, Decisions

Valentine's Day

Mark's homemade Valentine's Card. 

My Valentine's Day was not fancy or romantic, heck I spent the day in yoga pants and sweatshirt, no fancy clothes for me. Why, you ask? Well I was home with my 2.5 month old baby girl and taking care of the house. But we what we did do was make a great Valentine's present for Mark and for my parents who showed up the next day. Cause who doesn't love to receive a homemade present from the one they love. The present Landry and I made turned out cute, but let me tell ya I ended up with paint all over me and Landry ended up in the bath tub right after it. But the best part of being crafty is seeing the faces of those getting the gift and knowing they will cherish it beyond the one day of Valentine's day.

                   Landry made this for her Nonnie & Nonu.                 

What did I get for Valentine's Day? Well I got my favorite flowers (tulips) and chocolate covered strawberries. I loved it all!! He did good!! 

Stock Show with Landry

Us at San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Well Miss Landry can say she has already experienced her very first Stock Show, and at the ripe old age of 2.5 months old. We like to start them early in Texas. The only bad part (or good depending on how you look at it) is that Landry slept thru most of it. And the part that she was awake for I sadly didn't get any pictures of her awake at it. Landry and I went to San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo this month to take some of our 4-Her's to the show to be tour guides to the local elementary school kids. We had a great time my car was full of girls and I couldn't have made the trip without the girls they were the best to Landry and to me. They helped so much with Landry and didn't mind helping out at all. Best part was the girls were troopers while I changed Landry's poopy diaper on the side of the road in downtown Austin in the front seat of my Tahoe. 

The Tom turkey that made Landry watch it in awe.

Sadly the weather was cold at the stock show and not warm like it was said to be. *damn weatherman lied* But Landry was such a good baby, but then again she always is. She slept thru the kids getting
the run down of the day and the bus loads of kids showing up. But she did wake up enough to see all the animals in the HEB building. I think the turkeys were her favorite cause the Tom turkey was strutting the most and was super loud. I even liked him and I am so not a fan of birds. I can't wait to actually have Landry awake at the stock show and see all the animals and get a kick out of them. I know there will be plenty of stock shows in her future.

How my baby girl spent most of her trip at the stock show, asleep!

Where did January go??

It seems like the other day that we rang in the New Year and it was the beginning of January. Now here it is the beginning of February. Time flies when you have a little one and are swamped at work. Luckily I have an amazing support system when it comes to everything. I could ask for a better family to be in and I have some great co workers who are just as awesome. They help me all the time even if they don't know it. 

                                                                                      

 In January, Landry had her first set of shots and I think it hurt me more than it hurt her. Landry isn't much of a crier but when those came she had the biggest crocodile tears ever. I wanted to cry too. Our little girl is growing so much was 9pounds 9.5 ounces and 22 inches long at her 2 month check up. I  couldn't believe she had grown 4 inches in 2 months. She is our little weed. On top of all the growing she is doing her favorite thing is to stick her tongue out and blow bubbles. Landry is beyond happy all the time. If she is crying is she is just hungry or has a gas bubble. Landry doesn't even cry when she wakes up. I keep telling Mark we should have 12 more if they are all going to be like Landry. But I don't think we are ready for a soccer team of kids. We are just enjoying every moment we can with the sweetest baby. 

Mommy's new bling on Landry's hand. She just had to try it on for size.

Big things are in the works for 2014 for our little family. No we aren't getting a new puppy, or having a new baby. But we are going to have a WEDDING!! Thanks to Mark, popping the question sometime this year we will have a wedding. I have no idea how big, when, where or any details about the wedding. My focus has been on Little Miss and daily life. I guess when things slow down or we happen to find the right time we will get married. We aren't in a HUGE rush to run down the aisle. We are happy and loving  every minute of what we have. Don't get me wrong I can't wait to be a Clark, since everyone is a Clark in my house already, but at the same time I don't want to rush it and it not be what we want and where we want it. Trust me , Vegas keeps looking better and better all the time. I don't see a giant wedding in our future since we both have been married before. I see something more intimate and small. But one never knows. I can see the reception being more of the highlight! 

February is going to fly by just has fast as January, we have big plans for it. My parents will be in town for a week, not to see me but to see Landry (that's ok I know where I rank) and Landry will go to her first stock show in San Antonio. I can't wait to see what else happens in this short month but I know it will be fun and exciting.

How Landry has grown

First Week Back

Well my first week back wasn't as horrible has one would have thought it would be. I did ok, I didn't get all mushy or cry at all. It helped that I knew that baby girl was going to be with her grandma and cousins and getting love all day. I think I would have been more emotional if Landry went to a babysitter that wasn't family. Landry got spoiled daily and that is what made me feel better about going back to work. I think my co-workers were more concerned how I was feeling and if I was ok with being away from baby girl. They seemed to have asked me daily if I was ok and if was getting easier to leave her in the morning.

Now that I have started week two of being back to work I know our schedule for the morning and what to our routine has to be in order to us to make it out the door in time. Sadly, Landry doesn't know when the weekend is and is still on her schedule but that's ok. As long as she is a happy baby, like she is daily I'll take it. This morning was hard to want to get dressed because little miss just wanted to be around me, she was the happiest that way. When I went to do my hair she got fussy. So this morning it was hard cause she just wanted to be with mommy. I know there will be days that will be harder to go to work than others but hopefully those are few and far between.

2014 Theme

As I listen to a personal trainer/life coach talk about what it believes we all need to motivate our selves to want to be better he asked a great question......."What is your theme for the year?" That is an amazing question. What is my theme for 2014/ I had such a great 2013 with so many memories and so many new adventures. But after some thinking I think i figured out my theme PROGRESS.

The definition of progress is: 

1. Movement, as toward a goal; advance.

2. Development or growth: students who show progress.

3. Steady improvement, as of a society or civilization: a believer in human progress. See Synonyms at development.

4. A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through his or her realm.

intr.v. pro·gress (pr-grs) pro·gressed, pro·gress·ing, pro·gress·es

1. To advance; proceed: Work on the new building progressed at a rapid rate.

2. To advance toward a higher or better stage; improve steadily: as medical technology progresses.

3. To increase in scope or severity, as a disease taking an unfavorable course.

In this goal I plan to progress in so many different areas. I want to progress in my relationship with my family, Mark and friends. I want to progress to be the best mommy to Landry. I want to progress in my work and passion for agriculture. I want to progress in becoming a better well rounded person. Hopefully I will be able to do this daily.

I think picking a goal for 2014 is a great idea and a way to strive to have a goal. I think this is WAY better than doing a new year resolution. I think from now on it is going to be picking my yearly theme. I look forward to seeing how this theme plays itself out and how I do progress.