What's cooking this week?

Hello and Good Morning!!!! Sorry for being so MIA lately, work has been insane (more than usual)! I'd go into a long explanation about enrollment, class sizes, sections, units and the 197 schedule changes that had to be made 3 weeks into school - but it is Sunday after all and who wants to hear about all of that anyway! Since many of you are bloggers yourselves, I'm sure you understand that when life gets extra hectic and crazy, blogging is the low man of the totem pole and it's the first to go. Here is a visual of where it fits in my life:

1. Mommy

2. Guidance Counselor

3. Blogger 

Throughout my years of blogging I learned that IF it's stressing me out....I'm doing it wrong. No stress or pressure here, as soon as everything settles down you know I'll be back in the game and boy do I have a lot to update you all on! In the meantime, here is one department I haven't been slacking in....

Tonight: Spicy Corn Chowder and Steak for Hubs
Monday: Not cooking
Tuesday: Tacos!
Wednesday: Cucumber Avocado Subs
Thursday: Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

This weekend has been fabulous - just what I've needed! We met up with some friends yesterday for dinner, it was a blast seeing everyone. Total fail, I have no pictures though! The only thing I have to show for it is this bowl of yumminess that I brought over. It's a slight variation on THIS recipe from a while ago. I cut up salami, pepperoni, cheddar, and fresh mozzarella then added in some roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, marinated artichoke hearts, red and yellow grape tomatoes. I topped it off  by chopping up some goodies from the Fresh Market olive bar. Oh man, it was good!

Today I've got one thing and one thing only on my to-do list - loving on my little Ella Rose! Here she is enjoying her yummy breakfast this morning, too cute!

Happy Sunday!

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My Printable Addiction

I've been scouring Etsy for what seems like ages looking for the perfect printables for my home. I went ALL out! My thinking is that printables are such an awesome solution for me since I tire of things so easily. No joke, I change the wallpaper on my phone and the desktop on my computers almost as often as I change my underwear.

Here are the three that have already come to fruition. I did them all in 11x14 - I just brought them to Staples on a flash drive and had them printed on card stock. Turns out that easy button is practically a thing! Target had an awesome selection of frames to choose from, lots of 11x14 surprisingly. For some reason I thought it would be difficult to find that size. Yesterday I showed you all the one in the kitchen. As soon as the other two are hanging you know I'll be instagraming them. Just seems like something I would do. So maybe three printables aren't quite as overboard as I'm making it sound but just know, I have three more sitting in my Etsy cart at the moment! I might have a problem. 

For the kitchen...DUH!
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For Ella's Room - my grandmother used to sing this song to me, and now my mom sings it to Ella!
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For Ella's Bathroom - "Ain't nobody dope as you...."
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What's cooking this week?

I'm a little sick. This always happens right when school gets going. It's not a big deal but I could definitely do without the sore throat! My fingers are crossed that Ella doesn't catch whatever this is. I'm trying my best to keep my distance but as you mamma's know, that's next to impossible! I think I should take it easy this week...

Tonight: Sunday Sauce
Monday: Not cooking
Tuesday: Creamy Artichoke Soup and steak for Hubs
Wednesday: Margherita Pizza
Thursday: Bro Sco's Black Bean Burgers and sweet potato fries

So far we've been having a restful weekend and doing some work on the house. This is what we do now. Hubs hung a few things up on the walls, it's much less "echo-ey" in here.  Last night we went out to Cody's Roadhouse for dinner. We ate outside and Ella was the center of attention as usual. She was too cute - clapping and dancing for everyone! Afterwards we watched Divergent. It was good but I'm mad I didn't read the book first - I know I would have loved it! Oh well, I just can't go back and read it now because that would be backwards....is that weird? 

A little later I'll be making sauce for the first time in my new kitchen! To me there's nothing more homey than a pot of sauce cooking away on a Sunday! Speaking of my homey-home, here's a peek at the newest addition in my kitchen. There's usually an equal amount of dancing and cooking involved when I'm in the kitchen, so this is very appropriate for me! 

Happy Sunday!

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Ella's Eleven Month Update

Eleven?!?! This must be a cruel joke, there's just no way! Where did the time go? No, really! Am I seriously planning a first birthday party already?! Ugh, no fair! This past month has been so hectic with the move. I could break things down between pre-move and post-move. Seems like she was hardly walking before we moved. She would take a few steps here, and a few steps there. Now this kid is wobbling her way all over the house. It still throws me off to turn around and seeing her standing there upright! 

More often than not, this kid is smiling. During those first few months I honestly couldn't have pictured it. She is like a completely different kid. This smile lights up my world! 

We even attempted some crafts this past month. Of course she loved getting her hands (and face) full of paint. Look at this little Picasso! I was impressed at how she kept the paint on the paper....with the exception of her face of course.  

Her hair has been growing so much! We not only have enough for a ponytail, but pigtails too. They aren't too easy to do, as you could imagine this kid is moving around non-stop! Lately I've been having to do something with it though, otherwise she just has her hair in her face. So far it's mostly straight but it's curling up in the back. I wonder if she will have curly hair like her Mamma!

We've been using a lot of apps but her favorite is still Baby View. I love how it's grown with her. She gets so serious when you put a tablet in front of her! Busy girl! 

Out of all her toys, I think her books are her favorite. We made sure that was the first thing we unpacked when we moved. I love how she knows exactly where she needs to touch in the touchy-feely books. She also had her first trip to the library this past month. She spent her time there pushing books around on the floor. I can't wait to take her back again. She looked so big sitting on the benches, and at the little table and chairs!

Ella continued to make this surprised face for about two more weeks and just as suddenly as she started, she stopped. It was hilarious while it lasted, luckily I got a ton of photos!

Still no more teeth, just the bottom two. I'm thinking any day now on the top ones, we'll see. She's still an incredibly awesome eater. There have been a lot of new foods this past month - mandarin oranges, pancakes and eggs just to name a few. We've been noticing that she likes to feed herself finger foods rather than be spoon fed. So independent! 

She is also sleeping really well still which is impressive since we transfered from "summer mode" back into our normal work/school routine. Her nap schedule isn't consistent but for the most part she gets one good(ish) nap at school, and then she sleeps again for the 40 minute drive home. Usually she is in bed for the night around 8. I tell Stephen all the time that I actually miss her when she is asleep! I feel like we don't get enough time together some days. Lately I've been working so much. Hopefully things start to settle down a bit!

I hope I didn't miss any important 11 month updates. It's hard to believe that ONE YEAR is just around the corner!

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What's cooking this week?

What's it called when you're so exhausted that your body actually hurts? I'm that. Dramatic, but true! This week kicked my butt! These days, when I'm not working and taking care of the babes...I'm either doing house stuff or planning Ella's first (craziness) birthday party. I realized that I haven't actually sat on my new couch and relaxed yet. Not for any substantial length of time anyway. Yes, I'm sitting on the couch now, and I'm relaxed...but this post is short and I've got stuff to do. Fine, enough whining... 

Tonight: Parmesan Crusted Chicken Caesar Salad
Monday: Not cooking
Tuesday: Tuscan Bean Soup
Wednesday: Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry
Thursday: Lemony Chick Pea Tuna Salad Sandwiches

This week I'm making an attempt at cooking healthier. Too many McNuggets have snuck into my diet over the past few weeks. They are just too convenient, and delicious! I'm getting back on track with a few of my favorite lighter recipes. Perfect timing - we officially emptied the fridge from our apartment and I'm fully functional over here now! Life without condiments was a bit of a pain, but McDonalds Habanero Ranch dipping sauce sure filled the void.

Our friends are coming over for a visit today and Ella will get to play with her little friend Chloe. Actually they play together all the time now because they go to the same day care, but I'll actually get to see them play and take a million photos! It should be a fun afternoon! Today, the only thing on my "to-do" list is to work on Ella's long overdue 11 month update, and I've got to order a few things for her very quickly approaching party! It's a fairly easygoing day, thank goodness! 

Check out Daddy and his little Minnie Mouse! We visited family at the Art of Animation Resort on Friday night. It was the perfect chance to put Ella in this adorable outfit. 

Happy Sunday!

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Two Out Of Three

Eventually I need to get around to showing you all some of the progress we've made on the house since moving in. Things are finally looking much more settled around here. In fact, I may consider taking some photos very soon at this rate. We are SLOWLY unpacking and finding homes for all of our things....oh so many things! 

About two weeks ago I posted about the paint shades we decided on. Two out of the three accent wall are painted and I am in LOVE! I had a feeling I'd love the blue, but the coral/pink in Ella's room was so spot on I'm so proud we nailed it! It's the kind of color that I thought for sure may take a few times to get exactly right, but it's perfect. 

I think Ella is loving her new room! The weekend after next we're doing the purple (omg) in our room. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having second thoughts, but it's only paint....and we already have a gallon of it in the garage. Here goes nothing! Stay tuned!

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What's cooking this week?

Oh hey there! Are you wondering what I'll be cooking up in my new kitchen this week? Honestly, it's not much because I'll be working, working, working! I'm actually going into work today so hopefully I'm up to cooking tonight's dinner by the time I get home. Tomorrow is orientation and open house, and Wednesday is the first day of school for the students! Here it goes all over again...year 6 as a Guidance Counselor for me! This year I've got all of the kids with the last names M-Z...it's about 500 kids...yikes! There's nothing like starting a fresh new school year! Yesterday I even snuck out for a bit to do some back to school shopping. Out with the old, in with the new! I'm ready!

Tonight: Chicken Pizza Insalata
Monday: Not cooking
Tuesday: Not cooking
Wednesday: Spinach Artichoke Chicken and Rice
Thursday: Penne alla Vodka

I hope you all have an awesome week ahead!

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Oh, Wi-Fi...I've Missed You!

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It took WAY longer than expected it should have for cable and internet at the new house! Let's just say Comcast is NOT my friend. This image makes me laugh because I can totally relate. Duh, I missed having internet for obvious reasons but in all seriousness it seems much more "homey" in here now that we are connected. There's something very unsettling about not having internet. Truthfully, there hasn't been much time to sit around on the computer anyway. Every free second at home that isn't devoted to Ella has been spent unpacking and trying to get somewhat organized. 

Data on our phones was LOW, so that was hardly an option. This was an eye opening experience that made me realize how unnecessarily dependent we are on technology. I'm not going to lie though, it was so nice to be able to Facetime with our parents today and give them a tour of the house! It's good to be back! 

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