Mirrors and Clapping

7-month-old James is too interesting for just one post.  He's got so much personality these days and has developed definite likes and dislikes.  

His likes include: petting the dogs, getting his picture taken, listening to songs, babbling, the pacifier, other babies, peek-a-boo, mirrors, flowers, birds, milk, solid food, banging spoons, putting everything in his mouth, standing, sucking/chewing on one finger, sitting, the iPhone, smiles

On the not-cool list:  clapping, being tired, being hungry, long car rides, sudden loud noises, strangers, laying on his back, being fed too slowly, garage sales(he did NOT get this from me...), being hot and sweaty, long rides in the stroller, having a dirty diaper

 

I hope to expand on James' 'like' list this summer as I will not be working!  I am officially a full-time mom until August 13.  Pretty cool that I get to go back to work on my birthday, huh?  We've got a lot to do this summer.  

First up: learn to play the piano!

The Ones That Got Away

 As I mentioned in my last post, the garage sales and rummage sales were nothing special this weekend. Maybe I've just gotten pickier about what I'll pay money for and actually bring into my house.  I've been to so many garage sales where I've thought, "Please don't ever let me have this much stuff!" Plus, we have a small attic and no basement, which means whatever I bring home usually stays within view.  Anyhow, while nothing really tempted me, there were (and always are) hilarious items.  Here are a few of the ones that got away this morning.

 The last item cracks me up because I actually sold it at my garage sale in the fall!  Here it is, back at a sale.  I wonder who bought it this time and if I'll see it at another garage sale. 

Last night's dinner was Rainbows and Butterflies Pasta Salad.  It's one of the Food Network's 15 Kid Approved Lunches.  However, with it loaded with veggies, I've also made it a Brenda-Approved Dinner!

Rainbows and Butterflies Pasta Salad  (from Food Network)

8 oz. whole wheat bow-tie pasta

1 cup shelled edamame (thawed)

1 cup corn (thawed)

1 red pepper, diced

2 large carrots, shredded

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Yield: 4 servings

1.  Cook the pasta, drain, mix together with all the other ingredients.  

Your read correctly- there is ONE step to making this meal.  It's truly a ten minute meal yet still packs a lot of flavor.  I love all the the different textures.  The red pepper in particular adds quite the crunch.  Oh yeah, best of all- this meal is husband-approved.  As Kyle ate it he said, "This is really good, did you come up with this all on your own?"  I wish I were that creative in the kitchen!  Enjoy!

Winner Winner Chicken Nacho Dinner!

source

Tomorrow is my first day going to garage sales for this season!  Hopefully I'll have a deal of the week that will blow your mind!  Mostly I am hoping for better garage sales than the ones I stopped by over Spring Break.
     While watching the Today Show last Friday, I heard about a HUGE rummage sale right by my house.  All proceeds from the sale would go to the Missouri River Relief Organization.  I debated whether or not to go, when my garage OCD overpowered me, and I jumped in the car.  When I pulled up, there were 4 houses having yard sales.... not exactly the rummage sale I was expecting, but I hopped out of the car and began my treasure hunt.  The first sale had some books, I picked one up, it had water damage, I put it back down.  Then I went to look at the clothes when I noticed a CAT laying on the clothes.  Gross, gross, gross.  I bolted from that sale and as I was walking to the next sale, I noticed the lady selling was smoking.  Well, I walked right by- the smoke smell attaches to everything.  I choose not to smoke, and I don't want anything that smells like it!  Two sales down, two to go.  The next sale was MASSIVE- there was an awesome pamphlet called Missouri's Wild Foods. It was all about foods you can forage for in the woods.  However, it was from the 70s and again- water damaged.  Grrr.  So walking on I was tempted by a 50 cent glass salad/punch bowl.  I swayed on purchasing, but ultimately decided I didn't need it.  Walking on towards the clothes, I saw an adorable puppy- a bichon.  However, it was gray.  A white bichon was gray.  Putting that out of my mind, I looked to my left and beside a table was another dog curled up sleeping in a box labeled 'bedding.'  GET ME OUT OF HERE.  My dogs are ok, but I don't want something that a stranger's dog has been laying on!  Nonetheless, I persevered to g-sale number four.  Mistake- it was all baby stuff covered in leaves, like it had been outside since a garage sale they had in fall.  Needless to say, I got into my car, rushed home, and washed my hands.  So as you can see, I'm hoping the garage sales tomorrow are much better than the "rummage sale" I went to last week!  Now for the nachos...

Chips.  Cheese.  Salsa.  Sign me up!  This past week, my lunches have been incredibly healthy and mostly raw.  I've been coming home wanting to indulge in dinner.  Enter: chicken nachos.  This recipe is intended as an appetizer, but seeing as how it's loaded with beans and chicken, I consider it a dinner.   As a bonus: it takes little time to make AND it's a finger food! 

Two-Way Nachos (from Family Circle February 2011)  

tortilla chips

2 cups (8oz.) shredded chicken

 1 can black beans

1 cup jarred salsa

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar works fine too!)

4 thinly sliced scallions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2.  Line the bottom of a 9 X 13 baking dish with tortilla chips
3. Scatter chicken and beans over the chips.
4. Spread salsa over the beans.
5. Top with cheese and scallions. 
6.  Bake for 15 minutes.  You'll want the cheese to be melted.
7. Serve immediately.  Tip:  These nachos rock with guac and sour cream!!!

Now here's how it's a two way recipe- replace the chicken and beans with 1/2 pound chopped shrimp and 1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple.  I haven't tried making the nachos this second way, but it sounds delicious