An Apology and Some Awards

Oh goodness, I feel like such a bad blogger.  Not only have I not been keeping up with my posting but I also have a couple of awards that I have not responded to.  

First off, sorry for ignoring my blog and the others I read.  My hubby has been sick and I am having surgery next week.  Don't worry, my surgery isn't serious. The doctor is checking to see if I have endometriosis.  I am hoping to have kids in a couple of years and I am also showing signs of endometriosis. That's obviously not a good mix so basically I just want to know if having kids is an option for me :)  

We are also having our floors refinished next week too (I know...I'm a little nuts).  That means I have to take everything off them including the china cabinet, so I have to pack up everything in it.  FUN!  Okay...now I feel like a giant Debbie Downer so here is this as an apology:

Ahhh..........

Okay well enough negativeness.  I got an award yesterday and also one a long long time ago that I have not posted.  I appreciate them so much but for some reason fail to post them.  

Numero Uno:

Thanks so much Meagan and I am so sorry this took me so long.  Meagan's Blog is called "The Life of Me" and it is wonderful.  She also started a new blog that I am so super excited about. It is a blog all about makeup.  She posts tips and also awesome pics of some of the things she's done.  To check it out go here.

Numero Dos:

This award is from Tecia at The Kirven Crew.  Her blog is so real and sweet and I love it!  She also has the cutest kids ever.  So thank you Tecia!!!!!!

I am going to try and post some up until my surgery but then starting next Wednesday I am going to take a little time off.  Then I will be back!! Watch out!!!

Have a great day!!

Menu Plan 6/8 - 6/13

I am happy to report that the block party I planned was a success on Saturday!!  We managed to avoid most of the rain and had a great time.  I made cake flower pops which were a hit with the little ones. Ummm....however, I completely forgot to take a picture. Yesterday I was a lazy couch potato. I think the only thing I did was go grocery shopping :)  

This week's menu is really kind of boring now that I look at it.  Could I have any more chicken? I am, however, making a broccoli casserole tonight that is fantastic!!  So definitely check back for that tomorrow. Okay here is the week ahead:

Monday:  Flank Steak and Broccoli Casserole, which I will post tomorrow

Tuesday:  Lucy's Chicken and Rice Casserole and a salad

I am so excited for this casserole!  I have a secret love of mushroom soup ;)

Wednesday:  Baked Chicken with asparagus and homemade mashed potatoes

Thursday:  LO Chicken and Rice Casserole

Friday:  Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing using leftover chicken from Wed.

Saturday:  OUT!!

To check out more menu plans go to Organizing Junkie's Blog here!!

Have a great week!!

A Friday Giggle

Well I haven't posted a funny kid video in a long time and this one may just be my favorite!  I seriously should carry this around with me to watch when I'm feeling down.  It's a great reminder to smile at the little things in life!

Happy Friday!!!

Picture Tag

A couple of days ago I was tagged by the fabulous Mommy Gourmet to post the 6th picture in the 6th folder under pictures on my computer.  So I went a looking and here is what I found:

This was a bonfire that I went to last year with a friend of mine from college.  A family friend of hers has it every year and we always go.  This fire is SOOOOOOO big!  Here is what happens when people on the expressway see the fire:

The fire department comes and makes you spray down your barn so it doesn't catch on fire.  Then they stay and admire the greatness of a giant bonfire.  Ahhhh.....country life.

So thanks for tagging me Mommy Gourmet!!!  I would really like to see what everyone has in their picture folders so I'm tagging all my readers.  

Have a great day!!

Half Healthy Raspberry Cookies

I absolutely love the combination of raspberry and chocolate chip.  I actually love the combination of most anything sweet.  Whipped cream and chocolate. Strawberries and chocolate. Ice cream and ice cream. Whipped cream with a little side of whipped cream.  You get the idea. However, raspberries and chocolate sound especially good recently.

Now, with that being said I would like to lose a few pounds in general before having a baby (years away!!) and also off my booter, because...well...it's getting too big. So, I decided to remake an old recipe I had to be a little bit healthier.  I didn't want to make it too healthy though because if it tastes like tree bark, it's not going to satisfy my sweet tooth. So here it goes:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 egg white

2 tbsp flax seed meal   (This is simply ground flax seed and totally optional)

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup chocolate chips   (I used semi-sweet, but you could use anything including white)

1/2 cup chopped nuts  (I used almonds)

Directions:

Beat sugar and butter until fluffy.  Mix in yogurt, egg white, honey, and vanilla until just combined. Slowly mix in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flax seed until combined.  Gently fold in the chocolate chips, raspberries, and nuts.

Place in refrigerator and cool for at least an hour.  This is a really important step, because the mixture is pretty wet.  

Heat oven to 375.  Make one inch ball and place them on a greased cookie sheet.  Gently press to flatten a little and bake for 10-12 minutes.

*Okay a couple of notes about this.  First, if you don't like the texture of whole wheat flour, just use all regular.  Second, I really wouldn't use frozen raspberries, because I think they would be too runny.*

Hope you like them :)

To see more delicious creations visit Tasty Tuesday here and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday here!

Have a great day!!

Menu Plan 6/1 - 6/6

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!  I had a great time at the wedding I went to.  The bride and groom were so happy and everything was beautiful! However, now I feel like I need a weekend from my weekend :) Well here is what I have for the week!

Monday:  Makeover Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Tuesday:  Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breasts, cubed

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup mayo

2 tsp curry powder

1/4 cup diced apple, I like to use granny smith

1 pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper

salad greens

pita bread

Directions:

Mix everything together and let sit for about an hour. Serve in pita bread with lettuce!

Wednesday: Left over Creamy Pasta

Thursday: Taryn's Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

Friday: Dinner out with another couple!

Saturday:  Neighborhood Block Party that I have been organizing :)

To check out more menu plans visit Organizing Junkie here :)

**Ummmm....I have no idea why this post looks so weird.  I have tried re-typing but it's not working.  Oh well :)

Have a great week!!