A Splash of Color

When we moved in, one thing we loved about you was that your backyard was done and it was low maintenance. Andrew has been helping our friend on-and-off with his yard and their latest projects was sod and we were relieved that we wouldn't have to do this.

With that said, this year is our "outdoor project year" so we had done a little research and decided which plants we wanted to add to our backyard. With this week being spring break for me, we have had bark delivered and went to the nursery with Andrew's Dad and bought our plants; three purple magnolias, three red/pink crabapples, one white flowering pear, and a vine with yellow flowers. Just having them in the yard has brightened it up so much.

Carson has loved being able to get his hands dirty and play in the new bark, we have discovered however that he isn't too fond of mud because if he gets even the smallest bit on his hands he says, "uh-oh" over and over until it gets rinsed off. It has been fun to see him want to help and we have loved that he can entertain himself...for a minute or two.

The only downside to having new life, is the holes that must be dug for them...why does the ground have to be soooooo HARD? The first day Andrew was optimistic and planted four trees...no sweat!

...but he is going on his third day and has dug 5.5 out of the 8 holes but is running into trouble digging by our back fence because the ground is super rocky (they don't call it Rocklin for nothing!)

He has managed to get several large rocks out of the ground and in the process has given his baby smooth hands blisters, a back ache and a few scrapes all over...he has worked on that same hole for hours and is still not done...but he is making progress.
Thanks for your hard work, here's to 2.5 holes more!

Your cheerleaders

De-funked

I have my spunk back.

You are probably sick of hearing about me, but I use this as a journal of sorts so if you don't want to read--stop.

Anyways, over the course of weeks to months I have been going 100mph when the speed limit is 75mph. I almost felt like I didn't know myself anymore. I wasn't depressed I just out of touch with me.

I sure wasn't any fun to be around, always consumed with a task and I spent every waking moment either taking care of my family or working on school work.

In school they recommend taking "me" time, advice that I just brushed off because I was too busy to take heart.

Although they still don't know what caused my seizure/fainting spell it was definitely the wake up call I needed and probably the only way I would have slowed down and tried to relax a little.

As someone said, I need to thank "the big man upstairs" who obviously knows that I am stubborn and wouldn't stop any other way.

The point of all of this is that I am back! I am enjoying my family, I have been trying to allow myself to stop what I am doing and enjoy those around me. I have started incorporating the things that I love into back my routine, such as cooking, running, capturing moments with Carson, etc. Even if these activities are barely there, they are little things that make me, me and until this experience that is what I didn't realize.

School, although educational had sucked the "life" right out of me...but I'm on to it's trick and prepared.

What little things make you, YOU and (I am stealing from Sheena) what do you do for "me" time?

Tasty Tuesday

The last couple of posts (besides my ranting) were ones that I had finished in my "other life" and set to publish at a later date...I love it! This recipe is my latest favorite and makes plenty so I always have some for lunch the next day..leftovers are my friend lately, the more the merrier.

Creamy Chicken with Broccoli Shells

1 box jumbo pasta shells
3-4 chicken breasts, depending on their size OR as suggested by Linda Kelly you could de-bone a rotisserie chicken...that would be full of flavor!
1 broccoli crown
1 egg
1 container of cottage cheese/or ricotta
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 package of Italian dressing mix (I use Good Seasons)
1 tsp salt and pepper
1 jar of Alfredo sauce

Preheat oven to 350

Boil water for pasta and cook for 12 minutes or just until al dente. Drain, rinse and set aside.
Steam broccoli, cook chicken in garlic olive oil
In a small bowl, beat egg. Stir in cottage cheese, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, italian seasoning, salt and pepper until thoroughly combined
Spoon 1 cup of pasta sauce into a 13x9 baking dish; set aside.

Fill pasta shells with chicken mixture. Arrange in dish. Drizzle remaining alfredo sauce and cheese over.

Bake for 30 minutes