Mommy Salami

Five Question Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:56:00 +0000

A day late and a dollar short! Oh well...here it is!

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?

Yep...two actually! I don't usually spoil myself that much, I swear! It was a good week though! :)

I bought a Canon Speedlite 430 EXii external flash for my DSLR! I have wanted one for a while, a long while...and finally stumbled across a smokin' deal on craigslist. I love it so far!

I also bought an iPod touch! My Sony MP3 player is dying a slow death so I decided it was time to upgrade. The exact same day a friend of mine posted on a message board that we both frequent, that she was selling her practically new iPod touch because she just got an iPhone and doesn't need it anymore....I got it for a great price too!

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

Just one...I love concerts and have been to literally all types. Right now I am wishing I bought tickets to the Rascal Flatts concert in a few weeks. Thats only because its hot on my radar. Otherwise, I would like to see Sarah McLachlin, Faith Hill/Tim McGraw, U2, John Mellancamp (again), Jimmy Buffet....I could go on and on!

3. What is your least fav/most fav house chore ?

Least fav...hands down its cleaning the bathroom

Most fav...seriously, who has a favorite house chore! I guess if I had to choose one, it would be laundry. I kinda like steam cleaning the carpets too.

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?

New clothes. There is nothing more to say about that! :)

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

Oh thats easy...Mayo! I can't stand Miracle Whip. I haven't had it in years but I remember as a kid hating it. Its one of those things, either you like it or you don't!

Shrinking

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Its been eons since I last posted here. I don't know why. I don't what has gotten into me. I used to be such a good blogger. For a while I was posting nearly daily on my daughter's blog, a few times a week on this one and guest posting a few times a month on Our Bella Cucina. Then it just stopped.

Oh well...maybe I can revive it! We'll see!

Anyway...what have I been up to lately?

I have been shrinking! :)

Seriously though, I have been working my a$$ off...literally. I am happy to report I am 2, almost 3 sizes smaller than I was at the beginning of the year. As of Saturday, my scale was reading 23lbs lighter too!

It started slowly. Around the middle of December I dusted off the elliptical in the basement and started using it every other night but didn't pay attention to what I was eating. Then in January I was challenged to run a 10K. I have never been a runner before but said what the heck! I bought a used treadmill from a friend and started running 2 or 3 nights a week. I still wasn't worried about my food. Within a month, by Valentine's Day, I had dropped a pant size but the scale had not budged!

In March I started watching what I was eating and kept with the running. By the middle of April I had lost 4lbs. Not all that inspiring! So we joined a fancy schmancy gym by our house.

Has that ever paid off! The gym has become our second home! We spend hours upon hours there on the weekend at the pool. We spend many nights there. Morgan likes the kid area and begs to go, so I usually squeeze in an extra workout...in addition to my morning workout! Yes thats right, I workout in the mornings. Every morning! I meet a few friends there around 5:15am. We vary what we do. Sometimes its a step class, other times its yoga or the elliptical. This morning it was a class called Athletic Conditioning. Except I am not athletic so I am not sure what I was thinking taking that class! It was a killer!

On the weekends I usually hit the gym an hour before we hit the pool to get in some cardio and strength training. Its hard to fit in a break day but I try to force myself to spend at least one weekday morning in the hot tub/sauna instead of upstairs in the cardio area!

Its clearly paying off. Just over a month ago I went shopping with a friend and bought a bunch of new work clothes because I was tired of wearing pants 2 sizes too big! I am happy to report...those pants are all getting a little bit too baggy. I'm not quite ready to commit to the next size down...but I am very close!

I have about 10-15 more pounds to lose before I hit my goal. After that I am going to focus on maintaining and firming up but not worrying about what the scale says anymore!

Photography Tips

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 11:41:00 +0000

I love photography. Its one of my favorite hobbies. My husband calls me the "Mamarazzi" because I always have my camera in my hand! I don't ususally feel all that insprired between January and March though...I guess its because the weather cold and gloomy...so I typically don't take too many photos at the beginning of the year. Plus you can only get so many good ones with the same old background of the house!! All that will change once the flipflop weather and green grass returns. Its so much easier to snap pictures outside!

For now...I wanted to link over to a post that I saw at The Idea Room. Its full of great tips and tutorials on photography. Check it out here!!

Five Questions Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:39:00 +0000

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Right now...my weight. But I am already working on changing that! Oh and maybe the length of my hair. Its shorter than I would like and taking forever to grow out! Both of those are pretty short term *issues* that should be *fixed* soon though!

2. Write about a time when you got lost.

Well I wasn't necessarily lost...but its a funny story. Back when I was in the military, nearing the end of my enlistment, I decided to get a part time job as a waitress. The plan was for me to go to school during the day and waitress at night once I was discharged from the air force. I had an interview set up at a new Applebee's that had just opened. I raced across town to get there in time. I was clearly too rushed, not paying attention at all. I parked and walked in. I asked for the guy I was meeting with, and got puzzled looks. The hostess went and got the manager, who promtly interviewed me and then told me I was at The Black-eyed Pea not Applebee's but I could start the next day if I wanted too! Yeah...I went to the wrong place! I didn't realize there were two brand new restaurant right next to each other. I drove and parked and walked into the closest one...the wrong one!

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?

Honestly...neither! We aren't campers nor are we 5 star hotel people. We fit somewhere in the middle. I like to camp, I used to do it all the time as a kid. However, my husband has never camped before and has no interest in trying it! He might be willing to stay in a cabin that is fully equiped, but no way could I get him in a tent. Lets face it, a cabin just isn't the same as camping!

4. Have you donated blood?

Tons of times. Not recently, I am afraid...but I used to all the time. I think the last time I did was when Morgan was just over a year old (almost 3 years ago - shame on me!)

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?

A little bit of both. We don't have a strict budget, but if we were to just "fly by" I am certain we would spend way more than we realized. Being that I am an accountant...I like to know where my money is at all times. I used to reconcile our accounts daily, but now that I have a kid...that is not happening! I do it weekly though! I keep a pretty close eye on what we are spending, but I am not too tight about it.

Make sure you stop by Mama M's blog for more!

Daybook

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:40:00 +0000

I am *stealing* this idea from the amazing Supermon Alysha. I'm not a single mom, but I thought it would be fun to do it just the same! Don't they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

outside my window...

Its gray, gloomy and rainy here today. We don't normally have this kind of weather. Its usually very sunny. Even when it snows its not unusual to have the sun shinning. We have something like 200+ days of sunshine each year. I love it. Today is actually day two of the gloom and grey...and I am totally over it! I want the sun to come back out. I would rather a cold wintery day, as long as its sunny. I guess I shouldn't ever move to Seattle!

i am thinking...

that I have a million things I could be doing at home right now. I really need to skip going to the gym tonight so I can do a little *catch up* at the homestead.

i am thankful for...

great friends. It goes without saying that I am thankful for my family too. But today I am really thankful for special friendships. One relationship in general that makes me smile. A friendship with a person that I would not normally connect with, a bond that is uncharacteristic for both of us...but so cherished. True friends come into your life when you need them most. You may find a close bond with somebody you would least expect. Allow it to grow and flourish...you never know where it will take you.

i am learning...

how to navigate as a seudo single mom. Daddy switched shifts at work recently and is now working the 4pm-midnight shift, Sunday - Thursday. That means our world has totally shifted and we are trying to get used to the new schedule. Its weird to not have dinner as a family, its weird to go to bed alone knowing he isn't even in the house. Hopefully its not very long term, but it did result in a nice promotion at work and a nice pay increase. For that reason, its good for our family for now. Mini-me gets to hang out with him in the mornings...she loves it! They go in late to work/school every morning, they lay around in their jammies watching cartoons. Then I pick her up, have dinner with her, take her to the gym to play and keep her up later than normal at the pool most nights...hoping she will sleep in so Daddy gets some sleep! Sounds perfect from a three year olds perspective!

i am wearing...

work clothes. Nothing spectacular...not necessarily my favorite outfit in my closet but one I pulled out for this gloomy day! I have grey/black checked pants and a teal blue knit top with a crisp white collared blouse under it. Black simple heels and some silver jewelry complete the look!

i am creating...

nothing at the moment. That seems so bland, doesn't it. I usually love to create. I love crafts, projects, photography. I just haven't been very inspired lately. Not to mention, I haven't had much time lately. Sometimes being a mom, wife, employee, sister, daughter and friend leaves very little time to be creative!

i am going...

to be very busy this weekend. I have my regular standing commitments of gymnastics class for the munchkin Saturday morning, gym classes both Saturday & Sunday and hanging out at the pool with mini-me and friends on Saturday afternoon. Add to that the typical weekend chores of cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping...plus a birthday party for a 1 yr old Saturday evening and a trip to the zoo Sunday afternoon. I am exhausted just thinking about it. Somehow I have to find some time to tag clothing for a consignment sale too.

i am reading...

occasionally, though not as much as I would like. I have a kindle that I love. I carry it with me everywhere, though I am not finding much time to pull it out and read it. I enjoy reading on my lunch break but haven't done that at all this week so far. Maybe today! I would love to read at night, but by the time I sit down I am too tired to try to read! But when I do get time to read, I have been reading The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson. So far I am really liking it.

i am hoping...

to lose some weight soon. I have been working out hard lately with no results and its frustrating. In December I started exercising...after almost 4 years of no exercising at all other than chasing a toddler. I started on the elliptical in the basement. Admittidly, it was the holiday season so I wasn't really watching what I was eating at all. Then in January I made a commitment to run my first 10K on Memorial Day with a friend. I bought a used treadmill and started training. Remember, I have not exercised in years and I am now running. I was starting to pay attention to my food intact too. Still no weight loss. In February I finally started getting strict with my food. No eating out, no fast food, no soda, seriously cutting my portions and calories. Still no weight loss. In March we joined a fancy schmancy gym. I started going daily, doing cardio for an hour and adding strength training some days. I added fitness classes to break up the boring treadmill runs. I also started religiously tracking my calories...still no weight loss. I keep losing and gaining the same 5lbs. I'm starting to get frustrated...but I am going to keep plugging away. Eventually my body has got to stop fighting me, right?

i am hearing...

some groovy music on my mp3 player. I love music. I listen to it all the time, no matter what I am doing.

around the house...

there are a few piles of dirty laundry, probably some dishes sitting by the sink from this morning and dust everywhere! There is never enough time to get it all done! However, one thing I know for sure. It will always be there waiting for me when I am ready to tackle it!

one of my favorite things...

is running actually. I have never been a runner. Never thought I would be a runner. I started in January on a whim...a challenge from a friend. She and I were at basically the same fitness level (nonexistant) and weight. I said what the heck, I'll try it. I have literally ran with it! I love the feeling I get after a good run. I love cranking up my music and having some alone time to pound the treadmill. I haven't actually ran outside yet, but thats coming soon with the spring weather finally arriving! Ironically, I don't know if I will make the 10K. I am struggling with shin-splints and she may have to work that weekend. We are both determined to run though, and are talking about picking a different race a little later in the summer. Hopefully that will give me a little bit more time to work thru the shin-splints and training.

a few plans for the week...

just the same ole same ole this week. Work all day, gym in the evenings, sleep and start back over again. The weekend is shaping up to be pretty busy but I already went over that! Just plugging away, looking forward to warmer weather, flipflops and green grass!

a picture...

I love taking pictures but for some reason I haven't picked up my camera since January. I need to fix that, and fast! For now, here is a picture taken on my phone last week of mini-me at the indoor pool. She loves it there!

Five Questions Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:14:00 +0000

1. Have you ever had surgery?

Yes...wisdom teeth (is that really a surgery?) and I have had two cysts removed, one on my ovary and one inside my uterus.

2. Ever ride in an ambulance?

I have, but not for my own need. When Morgan was 10 months old she had to ride in an ambulance. The condition that required daycare to call the ambulance really wasn't that bad...except that the daycare she goes to is located on a military base. At that exact moment the military base happened to be locked down because somebody decided to drive thru the gate area without stopping to show an id. That means the traffic waiting to enter and exit the base was outrageous...meaning I could not get on base to get her, and Daddy could not travel across the base to get to her. The only possible way to get movement and to get her checked out was with an ambulance. We drove across town in an ambulance to the local hospital and spent an afternoon in the ER...all for a fever associated with an ear infection that caused her lips and fingers to turn blue momentarily. It was scary at the time...but looking back the ambulance was a bit unnecessary. If you ask me, the base should have provided the transporation free of cost. It was their fault we needed it anyway!

Incidently...we found out the infant/toddlers are required to ride in a car seat in the back of an ambulance...if possible. The nice parametics gave Morgan a stuffed animal to cheer her up on the ride too.

3. How are you in a medical emergency? Panicked? Calm?

In the above "emergency" I was pretty calm. Way calmer than I would have expected actually.

4. Do you have a garden? Flowers or veggies?

I have a corner of the back yard for veggies...but I didn't plant anything last year because the crazy dog we had at the time had destroyed all my plants the previous summer. This year Morgan and I are planning to revive the veggie garden. I plant a bunch of flowers in the front yard too.

5. When did you move out of your parents house?

I officially left my dad's house when I was 17. It was two months into my senior year of high school. I wouldn't say I moved out, so to speak. I was ~~asked to leave~~ kicked out. Its a long story. Maybe I will share it one of these days. Maybe.

If you want to join in the fun of Five Questions Friday...hop on over to Mama M.'s blog!

blogging again

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:07:00 +0000

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things with my blog. I don't know what happened. I was blogging faithfully for years about my daughter on my other blog, then I started this blog and stuck with it for a little while. For some reason, last fall I fell off the wagon on both. I can probably blame it on lots of things. The holidays, work, life...it all got in the way. The truth is, I love to blog. So I am going to try to get back on the horse and see where it takes me.

To get me started...I thought I would tell the story of my blog!

It started back in 2006, on a babysite. I can't remember the name of the website, but it was a place to keep track of your pregnancy with pictures, posts and stuff. I started writing the day I found I was pregnant with Morgan. I wanted to document the journey since getting pregnant had been such a struggle for us.

At some point after she was born I transitioned to using blogger. I copied all my previous entries over and never looked back. I blogged regularily, at least a couple times a week. I documented everything about the first couple years of her life. I posted pictures, told stories. It became a living baby book, so to speak. I challeneged myself each year to NaBloPoMo...and completed it each time!

After a few years of blogging, I decided it was time to branch out and have a "Mommy Blog" too. I wanted to write about something other than Morgan. Don't get me wrong, I love talking and writing about her...but I have more to write about than just that!

So...I started this blog...but I never really seemed to click with it. I never found my groove I guess. So rather than keep trying...I got busy and let both fall to the wayside. I'm sad about that, because I love having Morgan's early years documented. So I am going to try to get back into it. I'm gonna keep writing and see where it takes me. I never had big plans for either blog. I just wanted to document Morgan's life and have a place for me to share whatever was going on in my mind and heart at the moment.

Silly Girl

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:29:00 +0000

Kids are so funny! They say the craziest things sometimes, don't they!

The other day, Morgan was looking out the front window. She got all excited and yelled, "Hey Dad...look at the Americans!". Of course Daddy was like, "What?" We looked at each other with the funniest look on our faces. What the heck could she be talking about. We run to the window to see...Canadian Geese. Sitting in the front yard!

I have no idea how she put that together...but in her mind those birds are called American's!

Playlists

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:31:00 +0000

I just recently became a runner. That line deserves a whole post on its own...which I will write soon!

Anyway, in an effort to pump up my running to the next level I have been on a hunt for songs to add to my playlist. I need fast, loud songs that get my blood pumping and my legs moving.

So far my favorites are:

- Stronger by Kanye West

- Walk This Way by Aerosmith & Run DMC

- I Gotta Feeling by The Black-eyed Peas

- Boom Boom Pow by The Black-eyed Peas

- The Way You Move by Outkast

- Back That Azz Up by Juvenile

-F*ck You by Cee Lo Green

And believe it or not...sometimes I love slower songs like...

- Is This Love by Bob Marley

- No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley

- Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley

- One Loe by Bob Marley

- I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick

- Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

- Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Are there any others I am missing that I should add??

Five Question Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:03:00 +0000

I haven't done this in a while...a long while!
Why not join in the fun?

1. Do you know what your REAL hair color is?

uhm...I used to say I had no idea because I dyed my hair a dreadful bleach blond for so many years. I started when I was entirely too young (early teen years) and continued well into my 20s. At that time I thought my hair was a dirty blond, maybe a dingy light brown.

In my mid-twenties I wised up and went dark. Its more a reddish brown now. Based on the roots my hair is looking much more gray than I care to admit. Besides the grey it looks like there is quite a bit of dark brown growth there too. Its kind of a dingy dull dark brown.

The gray is driving me nuts though, so now I am working towards a lighter happy medium. Not too dark, but not too light, with some highlights...to hide the grey peeking in a little better. I am finding that going too dark makes the regrowth look really drastic. Don't worry I won't go back to bleach blond...I promise!

2. Do you plan ahead for summer, or fly by the seat of your pants?

Summer isn't all that different from the rest of the year for us. We both work and the munchkin is in preschool/daycare year round. Sure we get out and do more on the weekends, but the week is the same old thing.

Not sure what I will do once mini-me is in school with summers off though!

3. What is your favorite meal to cook?

Smothered chicken...I love it! I love to cook it, I love to eat it! Yum!

4. Do you get offended by not receiving thank yous?

Traditional thank you cards...Nope...not at all. Though if I send you flowers or something, I would like a quick text saying thanks.

5. How did you meet your best friend?

At work. I was new at an accounting firm, she started a couple weeks after me. We had the same last name, and were the youngest in the group. We clicked instantly and have been best buds ever since. We say we are sisters. She lives five hours from me, I don't see her nearly enough...but I love her dearly.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:32:00 +0000

At the request of a friend, here is "my"(*) recipe for gourmet Chicken Parmesan Sliders! They are so yummy!

---------

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Prep and cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic clove(s), finely chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 cup panko bread crumbs
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
3/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup mixed baby greens
8 dinner roll-sized buns

Directions:
In a small pot with a tight fitting lid, heat olive oil, over medium heat, add garlic and stir 2 minutes, add tomatoes and cover pot, raise heat a bit and cook tomatoes, shaking the pot occasionally, until tomatoes burst, 8-10 minutes. Mash up sauce with wooden spoon and season tomatoes with salt and pepper. Thicken, uncovered for 2-3 minutes, then stir in basil leaves and turn off heat.

Meanwhile, In a medium bowl, combine chicken with thyme and salt and pepper. Form into small patties (2 per serving). In a separate dish, combine breadcrumbs with sesame seeds and Parmesan cheese and parsley. Coat chicken patties in breadcrumbs, gently pressing patties into crumbs to make them stick. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, shallow non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook patties to golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side.

Place a spoonful of ricotta on bun bottom. Top ricotta with some mixed greens, then the patties, add some sauce and bun tops.

(* I have to give credit, where credit is due. This is not "my" recipe, I got it from http://www.relishrelish.com/)

Slacker

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 22:21:00 +0000

I'm really slacking on this blog!

Happy New Year...

I guess my resolution is to get back to blogging. Its not only this blog that is behind...you should see the blog about my daughter!

My other resolution is to start running. I am planning to run my first 10K on Memorial Day.

We'll see how it goes!

I'll try to document it, and the rest of my mommyhood life here in the near future!

A gift for a party

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:52:00 +0000

I figured out why parents tend to take their kids shopping for a friend's birthday gift on the way to the birthday party. I used to wonder about that one. I could never image myself doing that because I am pretty much a Type A, Anal Retentive person. There is no way I could run by the seat of my pants and get gifts at the last minute.

Well, it turns out that little kids can't keep secrets. It doesn't matter how many times you explain it. Nor does it matter how many times the little one swears he/she will keep it a secret. The next time they see the friend in question, they will spill the beans on the gift in 3.2 seconds.

It looks like we will join the masses and become last minute shoppers too.

Now if only I could figure out how to get her to pick out a gift that the friend likes, and not something that she wants for herself. Her little friend loves Tinkerbell...is obsessed with Tinkerbell in fact. Morgan feels pretty much the same about Princess Belle. I bet you can't guess what gift we purchased....

A Princess Belle doll.

Christmas...already?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:28:00 +0000

Wow, it feels like Christmas is early this year!

I guess I am just not all that ready for it yet. Well I have almost all my shopping done, but it still seems like its sneaking up on us way too early!

We haven't really had a fall yet, it seems like we skipped over. Somehow we went straight from summer to Christmas! If we lived in Florida that might not seem all that odd...but we are in Colorado!

It was in the 70s up until a week ago. Now its in the 40s...

...and there is 24 hour Christmas music playing on the radio! Seriously...on a local radio station!

Oh, and my daughter sat on Santa's lap today!

Basic Training

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:56:00 +0000

In honor of Veteran's Day...

I decided to pull out my basic training photo and post it on Facebook.

Wanna see it?

Thats me...16 years ago!

Apparently it looks exactly like my daughter too.

Most people commented that it looks like an age progression of her!

Its hard to believe that was taken 16 years ago. In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago, yet I remember the exact moments leading up to the picture being taken as if it was yesterday! Its burned in my head!

The picture is deceiving. It appears that I was calm and relaxed. It appears that I had all kinds of time to get ready before the snapping started. You can see a few wispy hairs along my collar but otherwise I look pretty decent.

The truth is...I was always scared out of my mind in basic. I was constantly wondering why I was there, and if life would ever be normal again! Heck we were so busy constantly I don't even think I had time to think!

The reality is, I had my BDU pants on (fatigues)...I just had the blues uniform on my top. I think I even had a brown t-shirt on under that top! We didn't get makeup the entire six weeks we were there...yet our TI (Training Instructor) allowed us to break in to our locked up items just once so that our pictures looked halfway decent. We put on that makeup so fast, with him yelling the whole time!! It was the middle of September in Texas (HOT) and we didn't have the luxury of relaxing baths and prep time! Trust me, it sucked!

Even still, I am so proud I did it! I am so proud to have honorably served my country.

Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served and our serving!

Dubya's Book

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:32:00 +0000

A new book was released today.

You might not have heard about it.

Well maybe if you live under a rock!

For some reason I am intriqued by it. Yes me, Ms. Liberal. The same person that devoted countless hours to Obama's campaign. The same person who served within the local caucus of the Democratic party.

I may have voted for Obama...but I can be entertained by the Republicans too.

My husband finds it odd that I would purchase this book.

Maybe it is...but so far I am really enjoying it.

True, I don't consider him the greatest president in history. His book is pretty good though!

Whats For Dinner?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:28:00 +0000

French Onion Soup
(I found a bland recipe and made it my own!)

Ingredients:
2 onions, thinly sliced
1/4 c. butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
32 oz beef broth
1/4 c. white wine
2 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp herbs de province
French bread, toasted
Swiss cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F(220 degrees C). Separate sliced onion into single rings. In a medium sauce pan saute onions in butter until soft, approximately 20 minutes. Stir in flour and gradually add broth, wine, worchestershire sauce, parsley and herbs. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, toast French bread slices. Place toasted bread into soup bowls. Pour soup mixture over bread and top with swiss cheese. Bake until cheese is melted.

Fun

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:21:00 +0000

And then the very next day we went to Morgan's favorite place on Earth!

Peaceful

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:16:00 +0000

I got to spend today at my favorite place on earth....

Where Have I Been?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:17:00 +0000

Wow...almost three months without posts! I knew it had been a while, but I did not realize it had been that long!

Sorry 'bout that!

So, what have I been up too?

Its been kinda hectic around these parts, to say the least!

We refinanced our house! Hooray! The payments are quite a bit cheaper. I never minded paying what we were paying, but I like the new payment quite a bit more! :)

We got a new roof...thanks to a hail storm over 4th of July weekend!

I sold my old beater car and bought a new (to me) car!

But mostly we just played outside all summer long!

Now that its getting colder out...I bet I will be posting more!

Five Question Fridays

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Wait...what's this? A post!

Seriously...wow!

I know, I know. I have dropped off the face of the blogging world!

Apparently summers are bad for blogging in my neck of the woods!

1. What do you listen to while driving?

I got a new(ish) car in August and was given a three month free trial of XM Radio. When I got it I thought, well heck a free trial sounds good but I would never pay for radio! Here I am two months later...dreading the day my trial ends!

I love it!! I love it so much more than I thought I would!

On the way to work I rock out to the 90s on 9 station. Thats funny too, because I would have guessed that the 80s on 8 would have been more my thing. I love 80s music. I always get excited when a local radio station does an "All 80s Weekend". To my surprise, I love 90s even more!

2. What is your least favorite thing about Fall?

I like fall, except for the fact that winter isn't too far behind!

We tend to get thrown in to winter quickly here too. Last year we had a foot of snow fall 3 days before Halloween! But by Halloween it was warm and we were trick-or-treating without coats. I guess you could say the fall and spring weather around here is odd. This year we haven't really had much of a fall. Yesterday it was in the 80s. This morning there is snow on top of Pikes Peak...so the snow down here probably isn't too far behind. Yuck!

3. What does your dream house look like, inside and out?

Well I know what it is not! Its not the house we live in currently! :)

I have two different pictures in my head...and they are completely different! Maybe that means I will win the lottery and have two homes!

One is a big huge home with a large wrap around porch in the front. A huge lot with tons of trees, near a lake somewhere. It has a couple stories and a bunch of rooms. Inside there is a huge beautiful kitchen. The house would be decorated with warm colors. Although big, it would feel warm and cozy!

The other is a home near the beach. Traditional stucco, palm tree type feel. Again, large and welcoming with a big kitchen. It would be one level. The back would look out to a pool and a lake or pond beyond it.

Can you tell I am a Florida girl living in Colorado! Even my dream houses reflect that!

4. Would you ever own a minivan?

Nope.

Well I suppose if I had twins or triplets I might have to consider it. Otherwise, no thank you. My husband wants one badly. As soon as he found out we were pregnant he wanted to start test driving them! I told him no way, unless we had twins! Thankfully we only had one!

We have a cross over that seats 7. Its basically the same as a minivan, its just arranged differently and looks much cooler and sportier!

5. Do you wash new clothes before wearing them?

This is funny! I always wash Morgan's clothes before she wears them. I never wash clothes for me or my husband before we wear them though!

Isn't that odd! No real reason, thats just how I do it!

Join in here!

Whats For Dinner?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Grilled Steaks with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

4 steaks of your choice, 1 1/4″ thick (strip, ribeye, sirloin, filet etc.)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (see below)

1. Let steaks sit on the counter for 15 minutes to take off the chill. Pat the steaks very dry, brush each side with the oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides (go easy on seasoning the steak with salt—the gorgonzola is a salty cheese).

2. Heat a grill pan or frying pan over high heat. When very hot, add the steaks and cook 3 minutes. Flip the steaks, turn the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 6 minutes or until you reach desired level of doneness. Let steaks rest. Top with the Gorgonzola Cream Sauce.

Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Serves 4

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or chives
4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola
2 ounces grated parmesan
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, stir in heavy cream, parsley or chives, gorgonzola and parmesan cheese. Season with nutmeg. Whisk and let simmer for 30 seconds or until the much of the cheese has melted. Serve the cream sauce over steaks.

Five Question Friday

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Hip Hip Hooray! Its Friday! I am so ready for this weekend! This was the first full week I have worked in...oh I don't...three weeks! I just about killed me! = )

Without further ado...

1. What were your school colors?

Mine were officially red, blue & gold. But, there was almost always white thrown in there too! We were the Commodore's. I'm not sure why we had so many colors though!

2. What's the best compliment you ever received?

I get compliments on my eyes all the time.

Once somebody told me I am "full of grace". That seems pretty darn nice!

3. Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?

Up until last year, all I can ever remember buying is Quilted Northern. I didn't care if it was on sale or not, I was a very loyal QN user. Then the Costco opened near us. Now I am a devout Kirkland user!

4. Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you? Or have you had one for someone else?

Nope & nope! I guess I am boring when it comes to parties!

I was kicking around the idea of holding a surprise party for my hubby's 40th birthday next year, but I don't think he would like it very much!

5. What is one material possession that you "can't live without"?

hmmm...I think might be my laptop. I am not head over heels with my phone (yet) because I have a boring slider phone. I am potentially upgrading to a smart phone this weekend or next, so that might change though!

Quiznos Meal Deal!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:14:00 +0000

Here is a great deal from Quiznos!

Print a coupon for any small sub, chips and regular fountain drink for $2.99.

Little Luxuries

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommy Salami) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:07:00 +0000

I was reading an article lately about life's little luxuries, so I got to thinking about my own personal luxuries. I am a fairly frugal person. I don't think I have a lot of luxuries, but there are a few!

Eating Out - Eating out is definetly a luxury that I partake in, probably more often than I should. In some ways I see it more as a necessity though. Working full time outside of the house can be stressful, not to mention exhausting. Sometimes the absolute last thing I want to do when I get home is to cook. Sure I could save a lot more if we didn't eat out, but sometimes my sanity is worth more! Don't worry, we don't eat out every night!

TV - I wouldn't say TV in itself is a luxury, however we have DVR and the NFL Sunday Ticket program. Both of those are definetly a luxury that we could don't necessarily need. We justify it because we don't have a babysitter. Nowdays our entertainment happens at home more often than not. Instead of a regular movie out, we spend a little more on our TV bill! The other thing, we like an NFL team that is rarely shown on our local channels. In order to watch them play, we have to sign up for the special programming. Its a lot cheaper than having season tickets to the local football team though!

Massages - For our 15th anniversary my husband gave me a membership to Massage Envy so that I could spend a little bit more time relaxing and pampering myself. I love getting the massages, but I tend to forget about them way too often. Its hard to find the time to schedule an appointment. At least I know I have a few massages saved up in my account and can use them when I really need them! I think I might schedule one for this weekend, in fact! I don't know that I will renew my membership, but its a nice little luxury to have for now!

Dream Dinners - A couple times a year I treat myself to a session at Dream Dinners. Its not exactly the most frugal thing to do, but its not so outrageously priced that I can't justify it occasionally. I love spending an hour or two of uninterrupted time preparing the meals. More than that, I love knowing I have meals in the freezer that are super easy to fix after work. Most of them are delicious too! I know I could duplicate the effort at home for a lot less money, but there isn't anybody to follow me around cleaning up after me!

What are your little luxuries?