Friday, February 26, 2010

The Happiest Place on Earth

I'm having a bit of Spring Fever.  Except, it seems to be manifesting as Travel Fever.  I just want to go somewhere, well, somewhere good.  So, here are a few of my ideas...

This is Atlantis - on Paradise Island - in the Bahamas.  It is my definition of paradise, but expensive.  I got married here and I really, really want to go back.
Gratuitous Wedding Shot
I also want to go here - I feel deprived because I have never been. 
Although, I am not a fan of our current President or his administration.
And, I want to go here.  I'm not Mormon, but it is so darn beautiful.
Oh, and of course, I would LOVE to take the kiddos here.
Who wouldn't want to visit the "Happiest Place on Earth"?
I might even get this for AnnaLauren to wear.  So darn cute!
You can order it here.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Oh Hobby Lobby - I love you so!

For Valentine's Day, I didn't really want anything.  I mean, I am lucky enough to have a hubby who is sweet to me all year long (that has to be worth like 5 brownie points).  But, the hubs got me the required flowers and took me to Hobby Lobby.  Be still my heart!  He walked around the entire store with only minimal complaining and bought me all this awesomeness! (Sorry for the pictures, that's something I plan on working on this year.)

All wall hangings were 50% off! So...

I got this fab frame for $25.



And this one for $11.



And this cross for my kitchen for $15.  Can you believe it?



And this awesome cross for $7.50.


And of course, one last cross for the cross wall.  It was $5.


Can you tell I have a thing for crosses? Here's the beginning of my cross wall just to prove it!


And all that my friends is better than a box of chocolates!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

I tried this the other night and managed to please everyone - the toddler, the teenager and the hubby! Add a couple of quick side dishes and dinner is on the table in 30 minutes! Gotta love it!

First things first - if you don't have this spice mix in your kitchen, you just have to make it! I keep mine in a small Tupperware type container and use it on all kinds of things including chicken, fish, pork and french fries. Although some of the ingredients are rather spicy on their own, once combined, this is relatively mellow. You, of course, can tweak it to your taste.

Emeril's Southwest Spice Seasoning
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Now on to the chicken...

You will need:
1 package of boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders (or you can cut up whole breasts into smaller pieces)
1/2 stick of butter (I use a couple of tablespoons of Smart Balance spread)
1 1/2 cups of unseasoned bread crumbs
A couple of tablespoons of the Southwest Seasoning mix

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and spray a cookie sheet or large baking dish with non-stick spray.

Melt the butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and seasoning mix. I taste my bread crumbs to make sure they are seasoned to my liking.

Dip the chicken tenders into the butter then into the bread crumb mix. Once covered, put them on the cookie sheet.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the juices run clear. Then, eat up!


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to the man who still makes me weak in the knees. 
I love you so much!

Or, to put it another way...

You Can
Into Me Any Time

'Cause You and Me Baby, we Go Hand in Hand



XOXO,

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

AnnaLauren's first Haircut

Yesterday we took AnnaLauren to get her very first haircut.  We didn't get much cut, but it looks so much healthier and is all evened out.  Thanks Jennifer at Fairpark Salon!

P.S. Isn't the airplane chair awesome?




Monday, February 8, 2010

I Won!

I entered a grand opening giveaway for the cutest little online store called Due South Designs of Atlanta and I WON!!!  I never win anything!  So, since they are gifting me with a custom t-shirt all monogrammed and appliqued for AnnaLauren, I thought I'd give them a little (stress little from my humble blog) shout out and some free publicity.  You can check them out here.

Here are are few of the cute things they sell.  The prices are great!


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Well behaved women rarely make history...

I have a confession to make.  My name is Nikki and my daughter behaves badly in public.  Oh, and I don't always handle it well. 

We have had several decent outings lately so I got a little too brave!

Tonight we went to a school board meeting where Noah was being recognized as part of the championship football team.  In what can only be described as a moment of delirium, I had the silly idea that we could bring AnnaLauren along.  The recognitions lasted about 45 minutes.  AnnaLauren's good behavior lasted about 5 minutes.  So, as the school board did things like recognize the Teacher of the Year and a child who won the National Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, my child twisted, spun, ran around, cried, went potty, looked outside, fussed at her dad and made me ashamed.  And, instead of becoming Super Mom and handling the situation, I floundered.  I begged, I pleaded, I took her to the restroom and popped her bottom (yep, I am an occasional spanker), and lastly watched her walk around and around a basketball goal.  I refused to leave because I really wanted to see Noah recognized.  But, it was definitely not one of my best parenting moments.

AnnaLauren is my "Spirited Child" - my MIL actually bought me a book with that title and it really does descibe AnnaLauren.  She is loud, rambunctious and the center of attention.  In the moment, when she is acting like a wild thing, I want to melt into the floor.  But later on, like now, I realize that even though I don't have a Super Mom cape, I'm a pretty darn good mom.  And even though AnnaLauren is not always well behaved, she lives with such joy that she makes everyone around her smile.  And for me, that is enough.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

It's officially February, so in honor of Love Month, I have decided to blog about some of the silliness that I love.  I know you didn't ask for it, but doesn't it help us bond? (insert tongue in cheek) :)

Random Things I Love
(links are provided as necessary for you to view the awesomeness)

1.  1000 tc Sheets - so worth the ridiculous price

2.  Stalking Reading blogs everyday - this one is a personal favorite! 

3.  V-8 Spicy Hot

4.  Edam Cheese & Muscadine Ripple Ice Cream from Mississippi State University

5.  Shopping in thrift stores, consignments shops, junk stores, Etsy, etc.  I drive my hubby crazy searching out stores every time we are out of town!

6.  My awesome church!!!

7.  SITS - so I know that I'm not just talking to myself

8.  Tropical vacations - especially at Atlantis

9.  Melissa & Doug wooden toys (for AnnaLauren, I promise)

10.  Helping Noah pick out high school courses and seeing him so interested in college.  Not going is the one thing in life I regret most!
Happy February, Y'all!
XOXOXO