Spring, You Made It!

Is anyone else absolutely, positively, ecstatic that Spring is upon us?!

Spencer, the dogs and I took our first walk of the year today. 58 degrees but a bit windy. It was wonderful!

None of my flowers are blooming outdoors yet. I picked up the Hyacinth for Easter though. It's gorgeous.

Happy Easter everyone!

Mexican Casserole

The other day, I was reading some tips on how to have a successful food blog. One of the first suggestions was to find a certain type of cuisine and focus solely on it. While that might work for some, maybe even many foodies, that does not appeal to me at all. Why on earth would I want to limit myself so? One of the best things about cooking from scratch is the possibilities! They are endless and interesting and fun. 


I guess my goal would then be to have a wide variety of dishes as I have a wide variety of food interests. I hope anyone stopping by can find something that appeals to them. From quick and easy to challenging and creative. 


So without further ado, here is a somewhat quick and easy recipe that can easily be adapted to your family's tastes.


Mexican Casserole:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 (15 oz) can refried beans
2 cups colby jack cheese, shredded
1 cup salsa
1 tomato, chopped
3 cups corn chips, crushed


Brown beef and onion in a large skillet until beef is no longer pink. Drain. Add taco seasoning and cook according to package directions (adding the amount of water suggested). Set aside.


Heat refried beans in a medium saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese and all of the salsa. Stir until well combined.


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.


Place 2 cups of the crushed corn chips on the bottom of an 8" x 8" casserole dish. Pour the bean mixture over the chips. Add the taco meat, then the remaining cup if corn chips over that. Sprinkle with remaining cup of shredded cheese. 


Bake until cheese on top has melted. Remove from oven and top with chopped tomatoes.


Serve with sour cream on top or more salsa.

Friday Photo Link Ups & Happy Birthday to my Guy

This is one of my favorite photos from this summer. I couldn't figure out how I wanted to process it, so it has sat in a folder while I tried to make up my mind. I finally decided on high contrast and sharp tone, hoping to capture the expanse of the sky with it's volumes of clouds from a worm's eye view. 


I linked up with both Skywatch Friday and Photo Friday. 


Also today is a super special day as it is John's birthday!!! He often gets robbed of his birthday with it following so closely behind Christmas but he is much too awesome to not be recognized. Plus, he puts up with Spencer and I! So I am wishing him the best day ever and I hope he knows how loved he is. We would be lost without him. Happy Birthday, Baby!

Thankful Thursday ~ Amazing Kids

Today I am thankful for all the amazing kids in my life. I am so blessed to know them.  

My nephew, Sam. 

My nephew, Henry.

 My Best Friend's boys, J & B.

Last but never least, my amazing Spencer.

Sepia Scenes

My grandparents, Shirley and Theodore in their wedding photo. So many fond memories of a couple I never saw looking this young. Grandpa taking me for rides behind his riding lawn mower. Me holding up Grandma's pants while she fed the chickens. When I think of them, I think of hugs, playing hide and seek and love, a lot of love.

My Grandfather passed away a few years ago. His always smiling face and tall fishing tales will never leave me.

My grandparents had five children. Four daughters and a son. Out of those children, my mother solely resembles my grandpa as do my siblings and I. I think he's quite a handsome fella.

Make sure and click on the links to other blogs featuring Sepia Scenes today here: Sepia Scenes

More Weekend Fun

We drove a few hours south Friday morning for the wedding rehearsal. We were done so quickly at the church, that we had a few hours to spare before dinner with the wedding party. My sister suggested that we all meet at the pool and jacuzzi. Spencer was in his glory at the size of the pool as he hasn't seen a hotel pool before. My nephew Sam and awesome brother-in-law, Rich played ball with Spencer and made sure to include him. Rich even let him ride piggy back with him to the deeper areas. It made my heart so happy to see Spencer engaging with others and even happier that it was his uncle and cousin.

Spencer developed "hero" worship for Uncle Rich then, following him from the pool to the jacuzzi. Whatever Rich did, Spencer followed. Rich said he gets this all the time!

On another good note, I heard from Spencer's teacher today. Good thing as the Open House for school is tomorrow evening. She was apologetic and answered all my questions even giving her home phone in case I had more. I feel so much better!

Love Is In the Air

My step-sister, Robin, found the love of her life, Adam, and they were married this last weekend. It was such a beautifully planned wedding. All of us kids stood up together and not only was it an honor to be part of my sister's wedding but I haven't laughed or reminisced like I did during those two days, in many years. I had an absolutely wonderful time and met some really great people in the process.

Myself and my sister Tanya, before the wedding.

Look at those expressions. Can't tell they are father and son, can you?

My brother-in-law, Rich and nephew Sam.

My dad and I.

Our side of the family.

My step-brother, Terry and I.

Hannah and Shane. Flower girl and ring bearer.

My step-mom and dad. They celebrated their own 25th wedding anniversary this last summer.

The wedding party.

Husband and wife.

Robin and my dad.

Robin and I. Wasn't she a beautiful bride?

Robin and Adam stealing a golf cart for some "alone" time.

This cake was so well done, it didn't look real.

My Family

Yesterday we held a going away party for my brother Chris and his family. He is leaving for his three year journey to Germany while in the army. His wife and youngest daughter will follow in about a month.

We also combined my youngest niece's one year birthday party as it is difficult for all of us to get together. We had such a wonderful time seeing people dear to us and of course eating my mom's food. Years ago my mom gave me a bunch of my favorite recipes that she made while I was growing up. No matter how many times I make them, I can't get it down quite like she can.

Chris and Michelle.

My sister Tanya's husband, Rich. He is one of the neatest people I have ever met.

My sister Tanya's son, Sam. He is the all American kid. I love him dearly.

My youngest brother, also named Chris (don't ask), has grown up so much since I last saw him. I am looking forward to having him over soon.

Chris and Spencer.

Chris's son Ben. I am not sorry to say that I may have warped this sweet little boy while spending the afternoon with him. I taught him the best way to jump of Grandma's coffee table, among other things.

Chris's oldest daughter, Naomi.

Just look at this beautiful girl! We played soccer (I threw the ball and she kicked it back). I enjoyed it as much as she did. She is a very smart and fun girl to spend time with.

Chris's youngest, Abigail. What a cutie!

Chris is an amazing daddy and Abby is well loved.

I tried not to hold her the whole time I was there. I really tried...

Abby and I.

My Aunt Mattie (she comments on my blog) and Spencer. Mattie is every child's dream Aunt. I have loved her and her wonderful family since I knew what the love meant.

Ben, Spencer and I. Ben and Spencer were a little competitive, as boys can be, throughout the day. This picture reminds me of the difference in looks between my brother's son and mine. Chris and I have the same differences in coloration.

Chris and my mom. Look at my mom trying not to cry.

Abby and Michelle. Abby loved her first birthday cake. She had it all over her face and hands and we loved every minute of it! She also wiped it all over Grandma's place mats. I had no part in encouraging her, I promise. Michelle's smile was priceless as she watched her daughter tear in to her first piece of birthday cake.

Ben sat across the table with his own piece. I don't think he let out a full breath until his cake was gone!

Melancholy

I sit here practically in tears. When did I become such a cream puff? I really am not a crier nor much of a person who finds empathy in her heart often. This used to bother me and I would wonder why I was a cold person. As time went by, I realized I just don't react as others may with terms of endearment or displays of tears or in some cases screams and tantrums. I am me. I do things at a slower more moderate rate and that is ok. I hold things in for a bit and process them on my own to deal with later. Sometimes much later.

So why I sit here so sad is new and foreign to me. I keep thinking what is wrong with me today? I am forlorn and reflecting. Have I maybe finally grown up a little? Why? How? Who did this to me? Can I take a pill to get rid of it quickly?

My brother, Chris, and his wife, Michelle along with my sweet and beautiful niece spent the weekend with Spencer and I. I have blogged about Chris joining the Army and how proud of him I was and am. The weekend went much much too fast because it was one of the best times I have had in a long time.

Chris went and grew up on me! Ok, he is 26, but still will forever be my "little" brother. He has always been a natural comedian and an attractor of many friends. This has not changed. What has is his sense of character, his responsible attitude towards life, his quiet confidence in himself and the love of his new wife. He is an amazing daddy and his pride for his daughter shows in every smile he bestows on her. His wife is his motivational support and allows Chris what he needs to not only be himself but keeps him grounded and focused. I had the opportunity to get to know Michelle a bit more and believe in time, Michelle and I will be very good friends.

We talked for hours, went to the pet store and oohed and aahed, played a really fun game called Munchkin, you must try this game, and Chris and I searched for frogs in the backyard (he loves frogs also and used to catch and raise them). Abby be bopped around the house (she is 1) and yelled at us in her adorable deep voice when she wanted attention. I think she speaks the same foreign language that Spencer speaks and possibly was even swearing at us!

So why am I sad? Partially because over the last few years, life has gotten in the way and Chris and I haven't seen much of each other. Partially because I think Michelle and I have much in common and could spend a lot of time together with our wee ones hanging off our knees. Mostly because of the lost time we haven't, as siblings, taken to get to know one another as adults and in a few weeks, Chris will be deployed to Germany for 3 years, with a tour in Iraq possibly starting in November.

I am thinking that once in a while, life needs to take a backseat and we/I need to stop and talk to the ones that mean the most to me/us. I don't have many regrets in life. I just don't allow them to happen, simple as that. I am finding now, I do have some, I haven't been aware of them is all...

Have any of you ever felt this way? I am sure I will be better tomorrow. In fact, I feel better just typing this out.

John is in PA for a work trip and took my camera, so I have no pictures of this weekend's fun to show you. I have these super cute pictures of Chris as a child instead. I love this brother of mine!

Surrounded by Men

So last night I had this dream...oh wait, I wasn't going to post that!! Sshh, I lost my train of thought. No really, I have become a blog lurker these last few months and suddenly realized how outnumbered I am here at home. Three to one, if you count Xander, and I do. I mean pets are like family members in this household. I don't mind that I am the only female, unfortunately I am well past the "girl" stage these days, it's just that it would be nice to do some girl stuff once in a while. Play barbies, fix our hair together, go shopping (and like it). I wouldn't trade my guys for the world though. Funny how that works.


All the boys:

Love My Frog

Xander told me tonight that he is feeling left out of the blogging world. Ok, he didn't tell me anything since contrary to Spencer's Dora and Diego movies, frogs cannot talk. And definitely not Xander. In fact, Xander doesn't do much of anything. He sleeps all day, sometimes in the oddest places and positions. All you see is his chin bobbing up and down and if I talk to him, he might move his head in my direction. I leave his light on in his tank for 12 hours a day. It is important he has night and day in his world too. I shut the light off around 7:30 each night and then give him dinner. He comes out only long enough to enjoy a few crickets and then hides again. Most nights I shut all the lights off and wait for him to come out and "play". He loves to take baths in his water dish but he is so slow getting there, that most nights I give in and go to bed.

He really is a very neat and low maintenance pet. I just adore him and watch him most nights by pulling up a chair and sitting next to his tank. He does react to the sound of my voice and that only makes me adore him more. In fact, if John talks next to his tank, he hides even further. A frog after my own heart! He is interesting and has a mellow personality. He is so cute that he looks almost like he is a toy instead of a living breathing animal, if that makes sense.

Christine held him for a bit during her visit last week.



These are the spots on his back that I fell in love with right away.


This photo looks a little gross but really he is far from gross. When you hold him, you hardly know he is there, he is so lightweight and his body temperature is very close to ours. He is not slimy in any way, although he looks like he would be. This is how he slept all day yesterday. Just stuck to the side of his tank. Didn't move a muscle for over 12 hours. What a life!


He is hiding out after his dinner tonight. I had to use night mode and zoom in pretty far with my camera. He'll have to hide better than this to elude me!