Mom, can you pour the milk?

This morning Cassandra decided to have a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Now, I'm sure your thinking that looks like a large bowl with A LOT of cereal inside. Why does this mother allow her child to have so much? Well, the answer to that is, "I don't!". However, I was asked to come pour the milk on a pre-made bowl of cereal because the jug was too full. As I got to the counter I saw such a heaping bowl, confused as to why 1. my child would use that bowl. (we have small ones we always use), 2. the amount in the bowl.

So, I ask. "Why is there so much cereal in your bowl?"

"Because I want to eat the Toy Story cereal in the pantry."

-Note: The other day Papa said she couldn't open a new box of cereal until she finished what she had left. This is basically what she has left.-

"Whaaaat? *laughing* So your going to eat ALL of this?"

"Yes! *sneaky grin*

"No, your not! I'm going to take a photo for your Papa, then I'm going to put most back into the container."

"Ok, Mom"


Living with a clever child is quite humorous - she always keeps me laughing and on my toes!

Uncle Charlie's Pico De Gallo

A recipe you will LOvE! Trust me. Once you try it, I must hear all about how fabulous it is!

Years ago my husband Charlie and I were visiting his family in Spokane, Washington. His uncle Charlie was raving about this amazing pico de gallo recipe he had. He had me at pico, it's a LOvE of mine!

I was completely baffled and confused when I was handed a chip with this slaw looking mess on top - if my nose didn't crinkle visibly, I sure was cringing on the inside! I have "personal issues in my head" about food. If it doesn't look or smell amazing, my brain jumps immediatly with "Ewww, No!" "Gross!". Over the years I'm beginning to overcome this - thanks to a push shove from the Mr. Well, it was one bite which sold me. I was completely in love with the mix of flavors and textures!

So here I am to share this recipe with you. But, before you crinkle your nose and Ewww me - you've got to give it a shot! As we were told by the "real Charlie", it's amazing on hamburgers and hot dogs. No joking - Hello, FABULOUS!

-Uncle Charlie's Pico De Gallo recipe.

Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

Grandma Jenkins always makes the best pork chops, but I'm working on getting mine flavored fabulously! This was a dish from last week, and I was quite pleased to get an amazing comment from the Mr. "I would pay money in a restaurant for this!" Yay....how cool! Even my 5 year old LOVED it.

-Pork Chops in Cream of Mushroom.

Pico de Gallo

This is the pico de Gallo I use to top my Healthified Crispy-Coated Chicken dish, as well as munch on with chips! Simple pico de gallo never lasts long in this house...

-Pico de Gallo recipe.

Italian Pasta Salad

It's simple and easy, and works with ANY summer dish! I could just sit and snack on pasta salad all day if you let me...

-Italian Pasta Salad recipe.

Healthified Crispy-Coated Chicken

Tonight's dinner was fabulous - again! When I first saw this dish, I fell in love and had to make it right away. The photo presentation alone had me sold. This is the second time I've made it, and it was awesome. I think the first time I made it with oven fries, and some other vegetable. Tonight, I made a side of Italian pasta salad -yum! (See Pico de Gallo post for topping recipe)

Now doesn't this just look amazing?


-Healthified Crispy-Coated Chicken recipe.

Conversations with Cass

"Mom, *pulling up a chair to the desk* Can we look up jobs?"

"Jobs!?"

"I need to find a job for when I grow up."

"Ok. It's too soon to look for a job for when you grow up. But what kind of job are you looking for?"

"I'm going to ... you know, be someone who makes cakes! Like, you know the man Buddy from Cake Boss."

"Whaaaat! You are??"

"Yes." *big smile*


If you don't know already, Cass and I love watching Cake Boss! Note #3 on my "29 things to do before I turn 30" blog is make a fondant cake - inspired by watching too many episodes of Cake Boss. Last night was the 3rd season premiere - great episode!