We're Walking on Wednesdays

I decided I wanted to do a little photo shoot with Addison tonight and since she's starting to take steps, what better kind of shoot than some action shots.  

 Getting Ready:

 Walking makes me goofy:

 Strong and Steady:

 Falling with Style:

 

My list of "SOMEDAYS"

I am totally stealing this idea from a friend of mine.  After reading her blog, one of her bullet points was how she has a list of "Somdays."  I thought it was a great idea, and helps me think of my family goals.  So here it goes, my list of SOMEDAYS:

• SOMEDAY...I want more babies.  Not just one more....I will have to work on Cody for this.
• SOMEDAY...I want to own my own home.  While I love our duplex and it is working out great for us right now, I have dreams of being able to renovate and remodel (or even just paint).
• SOMEDAY...I will go back to school for my Master's degree.
• SOMEDAY....Cody and I will renew our wedding vows with a destination wedding/vow renewal ceremony. (I'm thinking Hawaii would be perfect!)
• SOMEDAY....I will get laser hair removal for my eyebrows, because I am SO OVER getting them waxed!  :-)
• SOMEDAY....we will take a family vacation somewhere other than Florida with just me, Cody and our children.  (I absolutely love that my parents have afforded us the opportunity to take a vacation to a beautiful resort in Florida with Addi, and I hope no one thinks I am ungrateful for this wish to someday be able to do it on our own). 
• SOMEDAY...I WILL see Garth Brooks in concert!!!
• SOMEDAY....I am going to do a spa day. 

If none of these ever happens, my life will still be beyond blessed and completely fulfilled.  I am so thankful that I have the life that I do, the family that I do and the friends that I do.  I am grateful to still be able to make a list of "Somedays."

2 New Recipes

In order to spice up our dinner routine, and to give me a new hobby, I decided to try all new menu items this week.  I found new recipes for every night this week.  So far, I am pretty happy with the results and have enjoyed the time in the kitchen (so much I've even cleaned up after without grumbling).  :)  Here is what I made tonight:
One Pan: Chicken Broccoli and Rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound)
• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups uncooked instant white rice *
• 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli flowerets

Directions

• Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
• Stir the soup, water, paprika and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil. Stir in the rice and broccoli. Reduce the heat to low. Return the chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle the chicken with additional paprika and black pepper. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked though. Yield: 4 servings.
  
  *For a creamier dish, decrease the rice to 1 1/2 cups.

I used 1 1/2 cups of rice and let it sit longer on the stove after returning the chicken to the pan.  I think the flavors blended together more this way giving everything a little more flavor.  Even Addison got to enjoy parts of this dinner.  
  
Here is what I made on Monday night.  It was good and very filling.  It made plenty of leftovers for Cody and I too.  Addison did not get any of this dish (little too much spice for her and of course the hot dogs are too big of a choking hazard, even when they were cut small).  

Ingredients

• 1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1 tablespoon Crisco® Olive Oil
• 1 package (1 pound) hot dogs, halved lengthwise and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 can (15 ounces) chili with beans
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

• Prepare corn bread batter according to package directions. Spread half the batter into a greased 8-in. square baking dish; set aside.
• In a large skillet, saute the green pepper, onion and celery in oil until crisp-tender. Stir in hot dogs; saute 3-4 minutes longer or until lightly browned. Stir in the chili, brown sugar, garlic powder and chili powder; heat through. Stir in 3/4 cup cheese.
• Spoon over corn bread batter; top with remaining corn bread batter. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
• Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 

I used two packages of corn bread because I may have used more than half as the base, and there wasn't enough to cover the mixture.  I also used a round pan instead of square, because it's all I had.  I would recommend a bigger pan, because an 8 inch round pan caused a lot of spilling in the oven.  Lucky for me, I thought to put a cookie sheet under the round pan, so my mess was a little easier to clean up.  I also didn't use the garlic powder.  I thought I had some, but didn't.  I did not notice it missing at all.  I think this will be a great dish in the fall, or maybe even for a Superbowl Party this winter because it just reminds me of comfort food and football!

Happy cooking everyone!!!! 

A Day at the Park

Tonight, we decided to take Addi to Rayner Park here in Mason.  I have not been there since I was a kid, and it was fun to play on the equipment again with Addi.  The weather was beautiful, and we were able to capture some great pictures of her.  Enjoy!!

Daddy and Addison

Yes, we were all sporting our Tigers t-shirts tonight.  Have to support our favorite team!