Just another recipe

One of the wonderful benefits of our family moving to IL is that I now have the opportunity to stay home with Josie.  It has been a huge adjustment, to say the least!  The first couple of weeks were not easy for either of us.  We were stressed and living in what felt like constant upheaval.  But, thankfully, our lives are starting to settle....and she and I are finding our groove. 


I am trying to make a conscious effort to plan weekly meals and make homemade meals each night.  It will take a few months for us to build a variety of recipes we really like, but right now I am trying new recipes and revisiting old favorites. 


Tonight we enjoyed a brand new recipe I pulled out of an old Cooking Light Magazine!  Open Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Artichoke Pesto!  This pesto is AMAZING!!!  This is definitely a keeper and one we will fix often. I made sweet potato bites as a side and the two items were a great mix.


Open Faced Chicken Sandwiches with Artichoke Pesto:
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 tsp salt, divided
1/2 tsp pepper, divided
Cooking spray
6 ounces drained canned artichoke hearts
2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved and divided (about 1/2 cup)
2 Tbsp pine nuts
2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise
2 tsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves
4-6 slices of multi grain bread
3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley


1.  Preheat broiler to high
2.  Cut each chicken breast half in half lengthwise to form 2 cutlets.  Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Heat a pan over medium-high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray and cook chicken until done.
3.  Combine artichokes, 3 Tbsp cheese, nuts, mayo, oil, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and garlic in a mini food processor; pulse until coarsely ground.  (we don't have a mini food processor, so I used our magic bullet).
4.  Place bread slices on a baking sheet, broil 1 minute on each side.  Spread a couple of tablespoons pesto on each slice.  Slice chicken; place 3 ounces on each bread slice.  Top with remaining cheese and parsley. 


Sweet potato bites:
2-3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
olive oil
kosher salt
pepper


1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Place sweet potato cubes into large boil.  Drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat. 
3.  Spread cubes onto baking sheet in single layer.  Sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
4.  Bake for 30 minutes


We love sweet potatoes and try to incorporate them into a meal at least once a week, but this is honestly our favorite way to eat them.  It's simple and delicious....and really hard to screw up! 

Refreshing Cilantro Soup

Last year a friend of mine from work made Cilantro Soup.  Although I love Cilantro, to be completely honest....I thought it sounded gross.  Thankfully, I tasted it before making the final decision. 


Cilantro Soup is easy, tasty, and incredibly refreshing!  It is a great summer soup (those words don't seem like they should go together) and would be perfect with a couple of light beers and limes or margaritas!


Cilantro Soup:
-1 lb. meat (1/2 ground turkey, 1/2 sweet Italian sausage)
-1 box of chicken broth
-1 can whole kernel corn
-1 can black beans (rinsed)
-1 can diced tomatoes
-2 Tbsp. minced garlic
-2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
-1 bunch of fresh cilantro*


Brown the meat in a skillet.  Drain.  Add browned/drained meat and all ingredients into a large stock pot.  Bring to a boil, turn down heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes. 


Toppings:
-fresh chopped cilantro, tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado! 


*I don't eat the full sprigs of Cilantro in the cooking pot, although you can.  I usually spoon them out before serving (only because they are stringy).

A lot can happen in 3 months

I am so annoyed with Blogger right now I could scream.  Not only did I write an entire post that was somehow mysteriously lost in cyber-space (do people still call it cyber-space), but this silly site won't load a picture I desperately want to include in this blog.

I promise......a lot has happened in 3 months, more than just me whining about my blog host....so here we go-

Brandon accepted a new job in December and started in early January.  The job, however, was not in Knoxville, TN.  Instead....the job was in Danville, IL (see...I told you a lot had happened).  If you are currently asking yourself, where is Danville, IL.....join the club!!! Danville, IL is located about 35 miles east of Champaign, IL.  If you are currently asking yourself where Champaign, IL is located....well...I can't help you.  Just kidding.  It's in Illinois.  Google it. 

So, Brandon left for a job 400 miles from home in January.  We put our house on the market almost immediately.  I put in a notice at work and we hired a couple of crews to paint the house and replace all our carpets.  Between  showings and work crews and packing...it was a stressful few weeks.  Before we knew it, the house sold and we were just waiting for a closing date.  We closed on our Knoxville house on February 18th, found a home we really liked in Champaign (yes, we decided to live in Champaign) and closed on our new home on February 28th! 

We have been here for less than a full month, but we already really like it!  Our new home has a lot more space, which is a huge bonus!  We have met a handful of our neighbors already and we are really excited to get to know people better once the weather warms up.  We also joined the local YMCA, which is the nicest gym I have ever been too (not to mention it's brand new).  That has been a great way for me to meet new people, too.  Overall, our lives have changed a lot, but everything has been exciting, new and positive.  When we realized we were likely going to need to move away from Knoxville, Brandon and I decided to embrace this new journey in our lives.  We knew that this new adventure could be as amazing as we wanted it to be, or as painful as we wanted.  We decided our attitudes would remain positive and open and optimistic!  We would make this new chapter great!  And so far, it has been!  Although I will say we could do with less winter and a little more spring, already! 

So here we are!  Cold, currently, but excited for our new environment!  I promise to upload a picture of our new home, as soon as BLOGGER will allow it.  Until then.....Farewell from Illinois! 

We like to run....sort of....

 
As it turns out, we like to run races, but we aren't really all that into training.  If I had to sum up our year of running it would be something like this...."Last minute entry decisions, leading to sore bodies and pretty medals!"

The best part about the end of each race- I swear to myself I will properly train for the next one.  But, it never happens!

This year we ran several races and basically trained for none.  Brandon ran a handful more than I did this year and actually got a few training days in here and there!  Knoxville's Track Club has a great trail running series called "Treadin Trodden Trails"!  This series offers about 7 or 8 trail races a year.  They are perfect for the experienced trail runner OR the beginner (ahem....me).   Trail races are a lot of fun, but about 1000x's harder than any road race I have ever done!  For one....I am CONSTANTLY looking at my feet to make sure I don't trip over rocks or roots or furry animals.  And secondly....how many trails do you know about that are flat?  Not many, huh? 

In addition to a couple of trail runs we also completed a couple of half marathons and 5K's!  This year was by far the most unprepared I have ever been for a half marathon, but we finished.  We also suffered with sore knees and legs for several days, but hey....we finished.

Here are a few of our favorite races this year-

-I.C. King of Trails Race- This is a 7 mile trail race that we ran back in March.  I will say this was probably my best trail race to date.  I actually enjoyed this one!  Here is the course below!

-On October 20th we ran in what has been my favorite road race/half marathon EVER!  It was the 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga!  Not only was the scenery spectacular, but the idea of running 4 bridges (or 7 if you were doing the marathon) was pretty cool.  At one point, we were even running on a section of the interstate that had been closed down for the race!  When will you ever get to run on the interstate again?  Um...hopefully never, unless it's for a race.  This was a particularly fast course, too!

This was the first time I have ever taken photos during a race, but how could I resist?  This photo was taken on the first bridge we crossed during this race in the wee hours of the morning.  The bridge in the photo is actually (I believe) the final bridge we crossed that day!



This photo was taken around mile 6 and I believe this was our second to last bridge!

 -On November 16th we ran "The Trail that Can't be Concord" at Concord Park in Knoxville.  Brandon reassured me leading up to that race that it wouldn't be very hilly.  If I could have caught up to him by the end of the race, I would have kicked him!  That was 7 miles of hills, Hills, and HILLS!  My shins and calves were so sore over the next week from the hills.  And to top that....we got attacked by Yellow Jackets!  I haven't been stung by a yellow jacket since I was a little girl!  I forgot how bad they hurt and how long it takes for the sting, itchiness to go away.  Seriously....all I could think of was Katniss and the Tracker Jackets in The Hunger Games.  I got stung twice and Brandon got stung about 5 times.  Someone in front of us must have disturbed the nest, because pretty much everyone behind us was stung.  OUCH!  Shortly after we were attacked, around mile 3, Brandon took off and left me in his dust!

-On December 1st, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we ran in the Secret City Half Marathon in Oak Ridge, TN.  This race was a double loop course- by far my LEAST favorite.  It's easier for me if I don't know what to expect in terms of courses and seeing the 2nd loop mile markers was hard on that first loop.  Brandon LOVED this course and thought it was particularly fast.  He was ready to sign up for 2014 right then and there.  I, on the other hand, have vowed to not run this race again.  It was probably my least favorite race since the Nashville Half Marathon I ran in March (I think) of 2012.  And the main reason I hate that race was because I was out of shape from just having a baby.  Too bad that's not my excuse for being out of shape now! 

-Most recently (last Thursday), I ran in an Ugly Sweater 5K benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee (the charity I work for).  This was a fun race!  I always enjoy the races where the runners get into the spirit of the race!  It was a lot of fun to see everyone in their hideous and tacky sweaters running the 5K!  The race started and finished at one of our favorite hang-outs, The Bearden Beer Market!  The first 1/4 mile of the race was straight UP HILL, followed by straight down hills.  I didn't mind this going out, as I had fresh legs (Oh...did I mention I was pushing Josie in the running stroller), but coming back I was beat.  I think making it up that hill would have been tough without the added weight of the stroller and 2 year old and it was nearly impossible with them!  Josie kept saying "Run, mama!  Run!" as I was walking (barely) up the giant hill!  We finished and it was fun!  I will definitely do that one again!

Taken right after the Ugly Sweater 5K!  It was pretty cold during this night race!!

I would like to think I will keep my vow to myself and not schedule anymore races with out proper training, but in all honesty, I doubt that will happen.  My guess is we will sign up for something in January or February and not run one single mile until a week or two before the race.  Maybe I should just accept this strategy and my training method!  Although I can't help but think about how much better my times might be if I actually put some legitimate training into this! Oh well....I will likely never know! 

From the mouths of babes.....

Confessions aren't easy....

Tonight as I was sitting in the living room playing with Josie, my sweet and loving daughter said "Put phone down, Mommy" and pointed to the end table by the couch.  We were playing horsey...she had one hand and my phone had the other.

The simplest of requests from my 2 year old and I feel like a complete A-S-S.  Brandon and I have both made a point to be aware of the amount of time we spend on the Ipad or phone while hanging out with the kiddo (or so I thought), but we live in a world that runs on technology and just like so many others....I am addicted. 

My goodness I feel like a hypocrite.  We spend most of our summer days and nights outside enjoying the world.  I can't tell you how many times this summer I saw other mothers or fathers at the park with their kids, completely missing out on all the fun because they were too glued to their phones to notice. 

I feel like such a jerk, thinking the simple checking of Facebook or peeking into Instagram was going unnoticed.  I am grateful Jo pointed out my mistake.   Because that is exactly what it is.....a mistake on my part.  I talk all the time about how fast she is growing and changing and I don't want to waste a second......yet each night, countless times I am turning on my phone to see the latest updates. 

I have a new rule for this mommy!  I don't care if I have to hide my phone in a dresser drawer when I get home, my greatest and most important priority needs to know she is my greatest and most important priority.  From this point forward, when I am home, my time is reserved for my loves- Josie and Brandon!  Thanks, Jojo, for putting me back in my proper place with your simple, sweet request!

Yikes.....I've got the fever

Ah....jeez....

I have it.  I have it, bad.  I've got Baby Fever!  Baby fever is tough for anyone to deal with, especially those who have to wait or even worse....those who can't on their own. 

And it's not just baby fever- I don't necessarily miss those multiple night feedings and days of little to no sleep.  I don't necessarily miss spending weeks on end in a zombie like- half awake, half asleep- state.  Our bodies adjust and we move past that, but it's still not my favorite phase of parenting.

You know what I am really longing for?  Being pregnant!  I am sure some women will shriek at hearing that, but it's true.  Sure....we had a hard time getting pregnant, but once we actually GOT pregnant it was smooth sailing.  We had a fairly uneventful pregnancy and I had the luxury of enjoying every minute.  I LOVED feeling my body grow and change.  I LOVED knowing I was "housing" our little peanut!  And I truly LOVED feeling her move and turn and kick and live!  Last night I stopped to think about when my water broke.  Initially it scared the hell out of me.  And for about 60 seconds I got nervous and cried about two tears.  After that.....the excitement of knowing I was getting ready to meet my daughter took hold and I never looked back!

I want that.  I want that growing belly.  I want those swift baby kicks to the bladder!  I want it all, even the late night feedings, again!  I am ready.....

How I wish it was all that easy for us.  Shessh....what we wouldn't do to just be able to be pregnant again.  So many of my friends are now going through their own infertility journeys.  It breaks my heart to see anyone else struggle the way we did!  I hope they get Blessed with their very own miracle babe and maybe we will be blessed again, one day, too!    

Just a few days from 2!

I wish that my blogs didn't all start with something along the lines of "It's been so long", "I am a bad blogger", or "Sorry", but they do.  I often think to myself "I should blog about this" or upload pictures, but inevitably something else comes up.  Whether it be the attention stealing toddler or work or a tv show that has been in my DVR for over 6 weeks that my husband threatens to delete or a stronger desire to sleep....something else always comes up!  This past year I have not been a great blogger and although I would love to make promises to be better, I am pretty sure sporadic is as much as I can promise!  In reality it may be time to say bye-bye to the old blog, but there is a part of me that refuses to let go!  So for now....I will continue with my random updates!  Just know...I wish it was more!

And now...on to the update-

This Sunday Miss Josie turns 2 years old!  How is that possible?  This past year has been so much fun with her!  Josie's personality and character have really developed over the past 12 months and she is truly blossoming into a funny, energetic, happy little girl (most of the time).  

Josie started taking Gymnastic classes about two weeks ago and so far she loves it!  It's absolutely hysterical and completely exhausting (for Brandon and I)!  

Josie speaks pretty well for a 2 year old, at least in my opinion.  She strings several words together and speaks in sentences more often then not.  She has a wide variety of words she uses and I am always impressed with her memory.  Just the other day she reminded me that they sprayed water on her hair when she got it cut.......back in June.  She is FINALLY paci free (going on about 5 weeks)!  And she only a stone's throw from being potty trained!  We have days where she uses the potty 95% of the time, and days where she only uses it when it's convenient.  I think she will be diaper free by the end of the year!  Or at least....that's my hope!

Speaking of hair.....it's long.  We have had it cut twice now.  Once last Thanksgiving when we were in IL and again in June.  Both times no more than one inch was cut.  Next time we are in IL we will likely get it cut again.  I would love to chop off several inches and give her hair a chance to grow back healthy and strong, but I am not certain I can convince her dad of that.  

She is so very strong willed, already!  There will always be a part of me that says that's the redhead in her, although it may also have a lot to do with the fact that she is 2!  Josie can throw a fit with the best of them.  And, yes, it's terribly embarrassing.  But, for the most part, it's typical 2-year old behavior.  I have several friends who tell me the Terrible 2's are nothing compared to the Terrible 3's.  Oh great...that just means this next year she will perfect the art of tantrums and come back in another year to truly test our patience!

She loves her friends at school and her family and I love her loyalty already!  Josie is a very sweet little girl and I can't wait to see her grow up and into the person she was meant to be.  Brandon and I hope that we can eventually give her a little brother or sister, but that won't be happening anytime soon!  We are often reminded that she is our little miracle baby!  The one we were never guaranteed!  But she has certainly changed our lives for the best!  She has taught us so much and tested us many times, and at the end of each day she fills our hearts!  Happy Birthday sweet Josie!  Although you are only 2 years old, you are already the most amazing little person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!  We love you!