Off to Austin for a few days...Vacation Time!

We are off for a mini Vacation today. Yesterday it vacation started with a trip to Discovery Green Park. It's an awesome park - The kids LOVED it! It had a fountain place that they played in for at least an hour. Then they made their was to a playground - the floor of the playground is rubber so it's OK when they fall. How nice is that with the rate of skinned knees for Matthew and Andrew just beginning his walking days. We all enjoyed a lovely picnic on a blanket that I packed. And we shared some sweet potato fries for a treat they were soooo good!!! To top the day off for dinner last night we took the boys to Rainforest Cafe. At first Matthew was a little scared because they have simulated Thunder storms in their simulated jungle. Once he got past that part he loved it too!!!

Pillow Cases - Sewing Project!!

This is my latest project. It's homemade pillowcases. I've made a few of them so far - Race car and baseball for my son. Princess and Dora for our good friends - Mel's girls "Isabella and Eliana". A Hannah Montana one and the one in the picture for my niece Sarah. I plan to make more for friends and family for Christmas yet!!! They are fun an easy too!

Take a Hike Ike!

I haven't blogged since Ike has hit us! It's been our first real encounter with a hurricane since we moved to Texas four years ago. Yes we are hurricane rookies, see our dear friend Tim's blog to poke a little fun at us :-).

The preparations started about a week ago. Our friend's helped board up our home, we had our hurricane kit all stocked with lots of food and supplies, and our generator all ready to go. The night of the storm our little family bunkered down in our huge closet for a night of "camping". I made popcorn and s'mores to lighten the mood for our children. We really didn't sleep much. Our baby cried and our toddler didn't like "that wind sound". All and all we have been so very lucky though! We only lost our power for about twenty hours and not very much damage. Our banana tree was cracked and our fence buckled in one area. It could of been so much worse.

Most people in our surrounding area were not so lucky. As of this coming Tuesday only half of the electric company's customers are projected to have power. We've loaned out our generator to a friend without electricity. His dad has diabetes and needs to keep his insulin cold. The death toll is at about 50. Grocery Store shelves are pretty empty with food. Victims are on their way to PODs for food and water. There are long lines at gas stations. So, the news is not good here!

I feel thankful yet sad. Thankful that for such great neighbors, and that we are all safe. Sad to see so many people surrounding us going without bare needs. People are resilient here, with time things will be back to normal just a little patience...

Fun Family Adventures!!

What a great day! Today the four of us went to Katy Mills Mall - not to shop but to play. The boys played and played in the play area. Then, we took them on the carousal and boy did they love that. Little Andrew was laughing out loud. We enjoyed a picnic of peanut butter sandwiches, grapes, and a cupcake. Stopped to look at a super cool fish exhibit at Bass Pro Outdoor Shop - that's where the pic of Matthew and Daddy is from! It was an all around great day!

Sure beats yesterday when Matthew got gum stuck in his hair so I had to buzz cut it and Andrew was scratched by our cat on his face! I was glad they were due for pictures!!

Menu Plan Monday

I know I'm a day late. But with Labor Day and my hubby being home I was busy with our little family! Here it goes...

Monday - BBQ Salmon and carrots
Tuesday - Penne Pasta with Sun dried tomato sauce and Buttery Bread Rolls
Wednesday - Lasagna with left over Buttery Bread Rolls. This is a TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) dish!!!
Thursday - Vegetarian Chili with WW Cornbread
Friday - Hamburger Barley Stew with Peasant Bread
Saturday - left overs
Sunday - BBQ by my Hubby :-)

Thanks to Gayle for the inspication for some of these meals!!! Check out her Rockin Blog!!

On my way back to the swing of blogging!!

I've been busy with family time, that's my excuse for not keeping up with blogging lately.

We had our poppy (my hubby's dad) visiting (from Novia Scotia) with us for the past three weeks. We enjoyed many many adventures. From Chuck E Cheese, Incredible Pizza Company, Ice Cream, Baseball Games. And, we also had the boys birthday party!!

We had such a great time with Poppy and are happy that he may spend Christmas with us. Now it's time to get into the swing of things again!!!!

Here are some pics from our adventures....

Friday Recipe Swap - Buffalo Chicken (Weight Watchers)

It's Friday, goodness this week flew by! It was a crazy one with my hubby away on business and a Hurricane in the forecast. I'm glad it's over!!!

Here is my recipe for Friday's Recipe Swap. Visit Gayle's - The Grocery Cart Challenge to play!!!

Ingredients

1/4 cup Lousiana-style hot sauce (here is a chance to use up some Frank's!)

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (Tobasco)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 Tablespoons butter

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch chunks

2 carrots, cut into sticks

3 celery stalks, cut into sticks

1/2 cup fat-free blue cheese dressing

How To

Combine the hot sauce, pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add 5 teaspoons of the butter, stirring until melted. Melt the remaining one teaspoon of the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until well browned, 8-10 minutes. Add the pepper sauce mixture and cook for about 1 minute longer, tossing the chicken to coat. Serve with the veggies and dressing.