Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for family . . . .near and far our family is truly beautiful. Being down in Texas for almost 4 years, I had the priviledge of getting to know my husbands family. A mother-in-love who is truly a blessing, two sisters that were company and support. Throw in two aunts and endless cousins. We were blessed. 
And now coming home to NJ we are surrounded by my family. Five Aunties (my sisters) loving on my little man, and loads more of my 13 cousins, friends, and family that are loving him.It seems like every day we are surrounded by diffferent family members loving my little man. I am just overwelmed and thankful that God has blessed us with two amazing families. Families that love us and care for us, both here in NJ and there in Texas and across the country. We are blessed!!!! 



Adios Mis Amigos,

Wordless Wednesday

a girl can dream right!
Adios Mis Amigos,

Tasty Tuesday

 Today's Tasty Tuesday is a long time favorite of my family. My grandmother, mother, and now me have made this a staple weekly meal. It's quick, easy, and you can "healthify" (to make healthier... it's a word I promise) it as much or as little as you like.

It's called Minzette (min zet ee) there are a few variations.. but this is how we do it 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground sirloin (healthify it with ground turkey, lean ground beef or for vegitarian go with your favorite ground beef subsititue)
1 medium onion, diced ( I buy the already diced ... worth the extra $$ to save time at dinner hour)
1 8 oz can stewed tomotoes (we like chunky ... if you don't you can sub out and double tomato sauce below)
1 8oz can tomato sauce (or more, if desired)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb Elbow Noodles ( again healthify with whole wheat if your feeling up for it)
12-16 oz Velveeta (velveeta is the kid friendly choice, you can also use Parmesan, mozzarella or a combo of Italian cheeses)
2 qt baking dish (8"x11.5"x2")

Directions:

Cook noodles in salt water until done. Preheat oven to 325.



Brown ground sirloin and onion in a large skillet. Add stewed tomotoes and sauce  Add garlic salt, salt and pepper, to taste. if you time it right your meat will be done around the same time as noodles.... making your time so far ..... 12-15 minutes

I mix the noodles and meat together and then layer with cheese,  making your final layer cheese.   Bake at 325 for 30 minutes (or until cheese is melted and a wee bit "crusty").

Serves: 4-6

I serve with a mixed salad or fresh green beans ... that's it... all said dinner is ready and on the table

Adios Mis Amigos,

makes my monday

 

My little man . . . I know I know ... you have a kid... you love him. ... we get it . I just can't help but look back at the past 18 months (a whole year and a half!!!!) and think about how amazingly awesome my life has been all because of this pint size ball of energy, happiness, and love came into my life. I was updating the "little man" page with the last 6 months of pictures and I can't believe how much he has changed. His personality is developing and he is turning into one little awesome person. He is starting to challenge us. Throwing a bit of a fuss when he is mad, running away when we call him. But I love it. Sure it's challening but I love watching him grow and change. He is absolutely obsessed with pirates ... all day long we hear "arrrr arrrr arrrr" meaning he wants to watch the Backyardigans pirate episode for the 100th time. He is the biggest love bug  I have ever met. And just over the past two weeks has turned into a huge mama's boy. He wants me for everything. In the morning, to sip his warm cup of milk, at night for our bedtime snuggle. No one else will do. Sure it's exhausting, but I am soaking up every second of it. Seems like yesterday he was this little teeny tiny 6 pounds of baby.  So tiny and fragile. Now he is a rough and tough little man.

 

Adios Mis Amigos,

Oh How I've missed you!!!!

There were few things that were "comfy cozy" about my time in Texas. Family was the biggest comfort, and those dear family members that we left behind in San Antonio, we miss every day! (It stinks having our families so far apart that to choose to be with one side, means being so far away from the other side.)

Aside from having my husbands family, I was out of my element.  I was out of my comfort zone, away from my family and friends. Everything that used to bring me comfort was gone. I found a true refuge in blogging and always found such an emotional encouragement when I was able to get all of my thoughts, feelings, and "junk" out and on the screen.

Packing, moving and then getting settled into our new life back in New Jersey has not been easy. At least not easy in the way I thought would be. I had never been a wife here in Jersey. We left the day after we got married. So I never had to juggle my husband and my family. I became a mom down in Texas. I came "home" with a whole new life and needed to figure out how to be this new "me" back home.

It's been 6 months of catching up with deeply missed family. Adjusting to all of the changes of living with family, and little man being loved and adored by the 30 family members that missed that first year of his life. But I can honestly say, there is no place like home. Being surrounded by those that know you in your deepest darkest corners of yourself. The ones that can tell whats wrong just by looking at you. Not having to explain yourself, and being wrapped up in the those that love you the most.

But I've missed this. . . this being able to put it all out there. Maybe it's just how my mind works. But I need this to process things. To sort through the things that get so jumbled in my head.

So with the business of summer coming to an end, I thought it was the perfect time to pick back up where I left off.

I'm still on my quest of Awesomeness :o) being a fabulous wife, amazing mama, and loyal friend

I'm bringing in some new daily topics too... be on the watch out for some yummy recipes, adorable pictures, and some great local deals.

Thanks for being patient, for welcoming be back and for gearing up for some more good times!!!!

Adios Mis Amigos,