Vacation

Hello Everyone,

I'm on vacation for another week... :)

I'm apologizing that I haven't made any updates, caught up on your Christmas posts, or put on makeup all week. I will get back to normal next week when I don't have the opportunity to cuddle my little boy all day, play Mr. Potato Head, and add nominal tasks to my husbands to-do list. :)

I'm so ready for 2011! Bring on a new year!!

Breaking Mommy's Rules

As I have mentioned recently, Chris, my husband, is at home with Haven until he begins subbing in January. Usually my sister keeps Haven for me during my work week, but since it's Christmas, and because I'm a generous employer, I gave her the month off, unpaid.

Noel, my sister, is really like his second mom... Or his older sister, depending on what kind of mess I come home to at 4 o'clock. Also, my sister Noel is a great bullshitter. I ask her to do certain things and because I'm not there, I assume she followed my advice/directions... or she will at least bold-face lie to my face so that I feel better about whatever I was concerned about on that day. She is a good sister.

So now Chris has been home with Haven... and he is the best dad. But dad has a different routine than mom... and I'm sure a different routine than Aunt Noel. But my point is... Is that Chris should not make this point aware to me.

Take for example this picture (bad iphone quality) that my husband sent me yesterday while I was at work:




If Mommy were home, it would be totalitarian rule. Meaning, dressed for the day, television off during meal time, definitely sitting at the table, no toys while eating, and a well balance meal on your plate.

I will however admit, that periodically, I will let him eat in front of the television. Usually when I'm not eating with him and would like to catch up on my Oprah or Hoarders on DVR, instead of watching him throw the well-balanced meal I slaved for him to the dog.

It is still cute a picture.

Daddy Monday: Holiday Edition

Sorry we've been in and out of town the past few days. I'm putting together some posts now, but in the meantime, enjoy a post from Chris!
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Guest post, holiday edition! It’s a holiday!

Speaking of the holidays, is there anything grosser than when someone portraying Santa has long, white, stringy hair coming down his back? I have seen a few of these at the malls and I just imagine the hair somehow making its way to a bowl of soup I am eating and I hold up my spoon and the wet hair glistens in the light and I get very sick and then go nuts…(yes, I have a phobia of hair) I’ll stop, but my point is, I just don’t think Santa would have long hair in the back, Mrs. Clause would cut it.

As we shop for holiday gifts, I try on pairs of pants as my high school jeans have become too small. (That Jinco company makes a fine jean!) My wife continues to get skinny and I get less skinny, but if I order less than three double cheeseburgers from McDonald's, I feel like less of a man. These body changes remind me of a marriage agreement one of my favorite comedians made.

He said his wife must agree to list before getting married.

1. At no time will your rear end be wider than your shoulders. (unless the men like it reversed)

2. We will have a dog for me to play with and you to care for, same with children.

3. Your eye brows will total a number of 2. Not super skinny or painted on, which reflects mental illness.

4. You will be beautiful, in turn I will make cash and scare everyone who enters our house uninvited.

5. Your friends and family may submit questions on a need to know basis.

6. If you get upset or frustrated with me, don’t bring it up, just bake a chicken.

7. When you run, it should not appear as if your legs are on backwards.

8. If for some reason you cut your hair off, gather your things and get out. Don’t waste time telling me how you now look “sassy” just keep walking.

Ha. Again, they are just jokes. I’m sure that women have a list of things for a man to agree to, but the Internet only has so much space left.Have a good holiday, or as my wife makes us say, “Holly-day.”

Simply Smithwick

Hi!

I am guest posting over on Caroline's blog today while she is in Mexico.

Check it out HERE!

Daddy Monday: Oatmeal Cookies... Gone Bad

Another "Daddy Monday" post by my husband.

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Back by popular demand, (and my wife making me) here is another guest blog post. As my wife showed you last week, I made oatmeal cookies for her after we saw some oatmeal raisin cookies. I offered to get them for her, but she didn’t like them because they had raisins. A little weird you say, well this is from the lady who orders a hamburger without the hamburger patty and a meatball sub without meatballs so I am used to food modifications. I always think I could just carry around a loaf of bread and save us a little money at restaurants. A joke that would only be funny to me.

So, as a surprise, I was going to make cookies sans the raisins. I like to use the premade mixes where you only add a little water and bam! cookies are ready for the oven. My wife makes most things from scratch, but I figure that chefs and scientists have worked together for several years to create the mix with the perfect amount of ingredients so that people like me all over the world can mix powder with water and pretend we have some culinary abilities.

Because I am home with Haven, he becomes my comedic assistant for any project. So I sat him on our cart and started making the batch. As with any project I messed up the easiest things. The box said use 2/3 cup of water. Well, I am not a witch potion maker or a math genius. Those facts combined with my unwillingness to look through the drawers for a 2/3 measuring cup, I eye-balled it. Well it wasn’t enough, as the batter turned to concrete mix. So, I added more, too much of course and the batter turned to oatmeal looking soup an old lady with a handkerchief on her head would be eating in a fairy tale. While this is happening, Haven is attempting to stand up on top of the rolling cart and throw things at the dog (imagine King Kong on a building in dinosaur pajamas).

Back to the batter, it’s too runny, so I compress the batter with my hands trying to squeeze the extra water out of it. I eventually get it to good consistency and put it in the oven.

I keep a close eye on the cookies as they bake because burning is the last pitfall I must face. The cookies come out looking pretty good and taste pretty good too. I give one to Haven as he is has been patiently waiting to test them out, so I thought. He takes one bite, throws the cookie on the floor and then starts playing hockey with it, using a spatula as his hockey stick. He gives the cookie a good slap shot and the dog grabs it before it goes under the fridge. Success.

A few hours later the cookies reach a petrified state. I’m not sure why, but like most things, it’s the thought that counts. Well that’s what you say when things are messed up anyway. And the hardness makes them better hockey pucks for Haven.

Snowed In

{My heart}




{Please don't leave comments about how sexy I look... I already know}







We are not leaving the house until tomorrow. This feels great. :)

Should I Be Worried?

I came home from work... And my husband said he finished his Christmas shopping...

And he made my favorite oatmeal cookies...


And he did an art project with our son...


And he bought our dog a sweater...


I hope my sister stays in Venezuela forever because I could get used to this.

Not really, Noel. You still need to come home.

One Pan Supper

If you've ever had the pleasure to eat at my house... I have probably made this for you once. :)

Some call it chili pie... Some call cornbread skillet... Whatever you call it, it's easy!

Here is what you'll need (to serve 6):
1lb of lean hamburger
2 cans of your choice of beans (we love ranchero grillin' beans)
2 boxes of cornbread mix
1 bag of shredded cheese
1 can of chili seasoned tomatoes
1 small can of tomato paste (optional)
1 small can of diced green chilies (optional)

Preheat your oven to 375.



*Feel free to cut this recipe in half if you have a smaller skillet or don't need as many servings.

In a large cast iron (or oven safe) skillet, brown your hamburger and season it to your preference. I use lean meat so that I don't have to worry about draining the grease. The lean meat leaves just enough to be tasty.

Who am I kidding? I don't even eat meat.

Next, add your tomato paste until it's blended with the meat.

Then, add your beans, tomatoes, and green chilies. Yum!

Now here is the important step... After you get everything blended, top the skillet with shredded cheese.... but don't stir into the pot. Just leave the cheese right on top so that when you dip through the corn bread, you have a gooey-cheesy layer.



Now make your cornbread according to the box (you'll need two eggs and 2/3 cup of milk)

Pour the mixture over the top of the skillet and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.



Top the dish with sour cream, more cheese, butter, or whatever fattening thing you have in your fridge! :)

Daddy Monday: SAH...Dad

I asked my cute little husband to write a blog post for me, about his day as a stay at home dad.

I hope everyone finds this as funny as I did! :)

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When my beautiful wife asked me to make a “guest post” on her beloved blog, I was honored. Writing on your own wife’s blog ranks a few notches below writing for the New York Times but a few notches above posting on her Facebook wall… so, I’ll take it. I was instructed to write about staying home with Haven as I am watching him this week while our babysitter is on vacation. I must first state that before I even had the beginning paragraph written; our son ran over to the fireplace, knocked over the big metal grate in front of the fire, and two bricks came out of the wall…good start.

I suppose my topic should be the “dad differences” that happen when Mom is at work. It’s my way of doing things with Haven that usually has mixed results. Here is a short list of things that happen:

Clothes- If we are not going to the opera, I see no need to dress up. Therefore, Haven can wear his pajamas all day. I mean, it’s already a matching outfit. If we go out he will get a coat and hat, partially disguising my laziness.

Food- I was raised on Little Debbies and Wendy’s, so he gets to have mini muffins and Mt. Dew for breakfast. Well not that extreme, but I still say he has to be exposed to food chemicals at some point. (just kidding)

Bathroom- This is my greatest achievement as I decided that I would start potty training him. Poor idea. I knew he was about to release so I put him on the potty. He stood up and while pretending to sing in his toy microphone and missed. It was a good effort and I believe he will be moving on to the next round in American Idol.

Dog- During this time, the dog has the same rights as Haven and I. But, he usually abuses his privileges and is demoted back to “dog” status. Which is the status I sometimes achieve when I do things like ask where the keys are hidden or call Pioneer Woman by her real name…. GENE DRUMMAND! Oh yeah, I’m wild, it's like saying Voldemort!

Sports- Every sport is played inside, usually at the same time. Furniture can be moved to covered any wall casualties.


There it is, I hope my contribution doesn’t hurt your follower list.

I took one picture that summarized all of the events mentioned. I hope I have opened the eyes of the fellow blog mom’s and people who look at blogs while they are supposed to be working, as to what goes on when you are gone.

12 Days of Christmas, Day 12: Decorations!

I love Christmas decorations!! I haven't pulled everything out from the basement yet... nor have I finished shopping for decor, but here is what I have out so far.


{I bought the decorations last January when all the ornaments at Cracker Barrel and Garden Ridge were 90% off}






{We usually have a real tree but I didn't want to take any chances with Haven this year}


{$12 at Marshall's but I'm not in love with it... Maybe I should spray paint it?}


{Haven's great-grandma made us these stockings last year}




{I didn't set out my holly berry place settings. Instead, I bought this $5 table cloth from Walmart and I'm so happy I did. It wipes down easily and I don't have to worry about Haven roaming the house.}






{My nephew and Haven made this last week}


Link up with Aly and Molly and show us your decorations!

12 Days of Christmas, Day 11: New Years Resolutions

I don't believe I've ever stuck to a New Year's Resolution until last year.

Like everyone else in the world, I wanted to lose weight and save money.

After seeing the photos from Haven's 1st birthday, I was mortified. To me, even though I was 30lbs heavier than what I was before I was pregnant, I still felt like I looked the same. It wasn't until I actually saw the pictures, that I knew I couldn't slack off any longer.

My goal was to lose 30lbs.

I'm very happy (and proud) to say that I've lost 40lbs! The first 20-25 came off like nothing... but these last 15 or so have been tough... But I've never felt better.

Me {Feb 2010}

Me {Oct 2010}

My 2011 goal is get get lean muscle, Michelle Obama arms, and learn tennis... and of course save money, too.

Link up with Aly and Molly!!!

Meeting Santa: Part 2

Still not happy...

12 Days of Christmas, Day 9: Favorite Holiday Food

I love all holiday food! This is the spread I made for Thanksgiving this year.


My old favorites are green bean casserole and sausage stuffing. But, my new favorite is pumpkin pie cheesecake. This is not me recipe... It belongs to Paula Deen. You should try it once, even if you don't like pumpkin pie.



Link up with Aly and Molly!