mothers day weekend

sick of all the dog pictures yet? I don't have any babies yet, so for now you will be puppy spammed..

Steven and i did see the Avengers. TWICE. yes, it was that good. Especially because 99.9% of the time, Steven refuses to see a movie more than once. It was a big deal, ok? And just so ya know, Robert Downey pretty much made the movie. Of course he did

this picture slays me. no, literally slays me dead.

we had a very nice, kick-back kinda weekend. we got to hang out with our friends friday night! finally! it's been hard to do lately with the two little munchkins. so basically is was nice to get out.

Husband suprised me with some gorgeous flowers for mothers day! I told him I wasn't really a mom yet. He reminded me of the two "little boys" i have. So maybe we'll just say i'm a mother-in-training at the moment.

Ok guys. I have to be honest about something. As of late, i am displeased with the fact that I have to cook my own food, make my own bed, and clean my own house. And I blame all of that on the new show we have been watching: Downton Abbey.

I've always loved the early 20th century in London. So many great stories come from that time! And it's where our pioneer ancestors came from, so that's pretty cool too. And now, there's this show. And I'm officially obsessed. Granted, Steven and I had quite the shock during the first episode... but once we made it past that, we were hooked. And big plus, it's on Netflix right now! Highly recommend it.

LOST

I never thought I'd be saying this, but thank goodness the weekend is over. Steven and I had to speak at chuch on Sunday, and I dont' know about everyone else... but it stresses me out to the extreme and puts a damper on the whole weekend.

Good thing Steven is so patient with me, because I was not a fun person to be around the past couple days. I'm just glad it's over.

It was Miss Jessica's birthday last week! We basically suprised her face off with a party.

Right Jessica? Right?? Weren't you just so suprised??

It was basically off the hizzle.

Poor Flynn also got his first "swimming lessons" from Steven. We decided that when he's wet, he looks pretty weird. And that will will never ever shave him.

We recently finished all "The Office" seasons on netflix, so our after-dinner-before-bed-tv-show-watching was getting really lame.

Some friends suggested we watch LOST.

I always swore to myself i would never watch that show. Way too many people were into it, and it had blood and guts in it. Barrrrf.

But alas, I was that desperate. The also warned us that it would take over our lives.

 I scoffed and said,"psch. yeah right it can't be THAT good."

And then it took over our lives. And now I am ashamed.

Some of the characters im in love with. And some I kinda hope get eaten by the polar bears.

It's basically a knock off of that one book you read in high school english called, "Lord of the Flies."

Plane wreck, mysterious monster, internal struggle for power yadda yadda yadda.

But I swear, if this show starts going all cannible like the book, I am O-U-T.

I just want to find out how it ends already dang it.

Here's to 115 hours of my life being "lost" (ha!) over my stubborn refusal to just skip to the last episode.

cheers.

too much excitement to handle.

Curse you darn weekend for being over so quickly. It's like it's already over before it even starts. Anyone up for petitioning a permanent 4 day long weekend? How much greater would life be if Monday were a just sleep in and play all day kinda day? *dreamy sigh*

Regardless of it's shortness, our weekend was still bomb. We carbo/caffeine-spluged on a mostly free meal at Pizza Factory...mmmm... We decided that their Garlic Ranch Chicken Pizza was absolutely divine. Even if it probably contributes to many people's early onset diabetes. So worth it.

Flynn also had a pretty fun weekend. He finally got to meet his little girl-friend Chloe! And oh my, was he excited. We think it may have been the first time he ever met a girl. At least that's the way he acted. We have decided his name suits him better then we could have ever anticipated.

Sunday was gorggggeous. We went outside to play in the sun without jackets. I know! It was bliss. The sun made me so excited to get down to Arizona in a couple weeks! My body is needing some serious Vitamin D.

Steven also suprised me with an early Valentines day/starting art school present! How about we just say... I'm spoiled rotten. And leave it with that. I'll tell you somethin though, it sure makes pinterest and taking webcam pictures fun :)

Oh, and can we please talk about how AMAZING Once Upon a Time is??? I about died when the Super Bowl made me go a whole week without it.

I know, how un-American of me.

But guuyys! The next episode is the Beauty and the Beast one!

Esdhdjf ssajsad;jf as;kdj KJ! !!!!!

And it gets better. If you watch Psych (and if you don't, that's absurd), the guy who play Buzz McNab... is Gaston. Yes, this is real life. See, there he is!! ahhH!

And it gets even better then that. Rumors are they are trying to get Joanna Garcia to play... THE LITTLE MERMAID!!! I'm so beyond speechless.

 This show is way too much for my fairy-tale obsession to handle. My brain is just going to spontaneously combust sooner or later from it's pure awesomeness. Just wait for it.

Beef and beans.

My husband is a picky eater. Not to any extreme extent, but finding meals that we both love AND are healthy AND easy-ish... is kinda difficult. Thank goodness for pinterest! I probably spend wayyy too much time looking at food on there though.

Behold! The beef and bean enchilada casserole!

Husband rates this a ten. That's unheard of, p.s.

So naturally, I must share to all the other wives of picky eaters.

Ingredients:

3 oz. ground beef

¼ cup dried onion

¾ tsp chili powder (I used chili peppers… the little round flakes?)

¾ tsp cumin

one 15 oz can pinto beans (drained)

one 4 oz can diced green chili peppers (I only put in half because we are spicy weaklings)

¾ cup sour cream

1 ½ Tbs. flour

¼ tsp. garlic powder (I just used normal garlic)

three 6 in corn tortillas (I used two 12in flour ones)

one 10 oz can enchilada sauce (we used the mild – original kind... and only about 3/4 the can)

½ cup shredded cheese (i used a little more than that on his)

1. Spray 9x13 pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In skillet cook onion and beef, drain fat. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Stir in pinto beans, enchilada sauce, green chilies and half of the cheese. Set aside.

2. In small bowl stir together sour cream, flour and garlic powder.

3. Spread sour cream mixture onto tortillas. Top with meat mixture and cheese. Roll tortillas and place in pan. Top with enchilada sauce, remaining meat mixture, and sour cream.

I have a thing with adding vegetables to all recipes. So before I put it in the oven for the last five  minutes, I cut up and added a tomato, half an avocado, half a green pepper, and a couple green onions and put them on the top. I Think it really made a difference!

4.Bake 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese (and vegetables if you so desire). Bake 5 more minutes.

Disclaimer: All measurements, amounts etc are just approximations. Most the time I don't even measure it. That's the beauty of this recipe, you can make it just how you like it and it still turns out. I've used taco seasoning on the meat instead of the spices, added green onions, black beans instead of pinto, used wheat tortillas, made my enchilada vegetarian, you could use cooked chicken instead of beef... the list goes on and on.

In other news, we have taken a liking to staying on the phone/face-timing for hours whilst I'm dead bored at work, and he is home without me. You know that office episode where Pam is in NY and she and Jim get the microscopic bluetooths and stay on the phone all day long and Dwight thinks Jim is going crazy because he keeps talking to himself, but he is really just talking to Pam? Yeah same thing. People think I'm just listening to music on my ipod, when I'm really listening to Steven singing on the other end. Awesome.

Steven is spoiled. That is all. But who could say no to that face?

And what's a post without a cute picture of flynn and a video of him going crazy?

Peace and love. And chocolate.

Once Upon a Time...

Steven and I discovered a new favorite show. Don't you just LOVE it when that happens?

And since USA network's "Psych" (aka the best show EVER) is about to take it's seasonal break, we found it just in time.

Heard of the new show on ABC's Sunday nights called Once Upon a Time?

No? Well, I just did you a huge favor then.

The title basically tells what it's about - fairytales!

If you know me, you'll know I'm an absolute sucker for them.

I won't try and summarize what it's about, because this trailer covers it perfectly.

(gah! I love the actress who plays Snow White/Mary Margaret, she's gorgeous!)

It's beautifully done. The actors, makeup, costumes, storyline, effects, and sets are incredible.

Super entertaining, and facinating. It takes all the fairytales we know, and digs in so much deeper to them.And the best part? It's a 100% family friendly show.

And for a bonus? Half of it takes place in Maine.

I sure do love Maine.

And good news! It's only six episodes in, and all the previous are on Hulu.

Happy Christmas.