Just Because

I saw this video on Facebook and got a kick out of it so I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

The Bad and the Good Things...

The Bad Thing

Waiting to see a very popular and long anticipated movie until its last week at the one and only theatre left playing it in the entire area (and driving there). Missing the excitement of crowds and talking about the movie and comparing to the book and discussing previous movies with others during that excitement.

The Good Thing

Getting an entire theatre to yourselves - I'm talking not another soul! And it was the nice kind of seating. Soft chairs, arm rests can go up, and no sticky floors. Dan and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to talk, laugh, discuss the movie (we like to do that during movies sometimes), and stretching out our arms and legs as much as we could. At one point Dan was actually lying across three chairs. And is was fun to snuggle.

Oh, and the movie was great too! :O)

I Made it Monday: Beef Stroganoff

In the past Dan and I have made stroganoff by merely mixing cream of mushroom soup, ground beef, milk, and S&P together. It works. It is good. But...
it can be MUCH better! And still SO EASY!!!

Beef Stroganoff
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (we've been trying it out lately and really like it - Thanks Melissa for the idea)
1 small onion, chopped
1 can - cream of mushroom soup
1/2 Cup Milk
2 Cups cooked noodles (We added a little more for substance -also, we use the whole wheat kind - more filling and nutritious)
2 Tbs butter
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 Cup Sour Cream

~ Brown ground beef and drain fat (I keep several 1lb bags of pre-cooked ground beef in the freezer to save time when needed, so usually I thaw this in the microwave while I cut and saute the onions)
~ Saute Onions until tender
~ Stir in soup, milk, noodles, butter, salt, and pepper; simmer, covered, 10-15 minutes. Uncover and simmer 10 minutes. (Maybe I don't really know what if means to simmer, but the times seemed like an awful lot if the onions and meat AND noodles are already cooked! Even when I barely pre-cook the noodles - it still seems like too much - so I just ad lib the time part.)
~ Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
~ Serve immediately.

28th Birthday

I turned 28 this week! Happy Birthday to me. Birthday's are not what they used to be as a kid, but I still had a great one. My actual birthday was a busy day for Dan. After a full day of work he had to take the car in for a check up, then get home and pick up our new-to-us bed and bed frame (An awesome Craig's list deal!) Than we finally got to go out to dinner.
We went to a new Sushi and Hibachi restaurant. Unfortunately, I couldn't partake in the sushi - so Dan did for the both of us with the all-you-can-eat menu (the picture was of an eel sushi Dan tried), but I had some amazing Chicken hibachi.
And we made friends with the Manager who was from China and spoke Cantonese. We chatted for a little while and I was surprised how well I could understand him (My Chinese has really gone down hill - I need to work on that), so that was a little birthday gift in itself. Than he found out it was my birthday and he brought out fried Ice cream and he, Dan, and the waitress sang me "Happy Birthday". We left stuffed and happy. Oh and I was wearing my new birthday outfit from my parents. You can't see well in the pictures but it is kind of a little dress/long shirt with black capri pants and flats. I felt way cute.
But the birthday fun didn't stop there. I got to talk to both mine and Dan's parents and Yesterday, Dan came home with some beautiful flowers that have filled our home with a heavenly fragrance
and I went to take a bath and this is what I found waiting for me. There were rose petals scattered everywhere. Isn't he the best?

A Bouncing Baby

I've got quite the trampolinist and tumbler in my tummy! She moves SO much and now at 22 weeks you can see her do it from the outside now. Yesterday it felt like she was literally using my badder as a trampoline. I would feel a bounce/kick just above my bladder than almost immediately after her head must have been hitting the top of my belly. She did it about 3 times in a row, just like she was jumping on a little trampoline and hitting her head on a soft ceiling.

The video quality on this clip is horrible and it isn't very easy to see, but there is some serious movement going on under that red shirt. You may have to watch it more than once to catch. It it isn't a smooth upward breathing movement - than it is the baby. If you watch the right downward "slope" of my belly than you'll see the movement. This is mostly for my family or those who care to enjoy.

I Made It Monday: Panama Pork Stew

Another GREAT crock pot recipe! I just love recipes that really don't take much work and can cook all day while I am busy with other things, but smell the wonderful fragrances in my home all day. Another great thing about this recipes is that just about all of the ingredients you can have on hand in your freezer, canned goods and spices. We really liked this and it will definitely be a repeat here. It is a great hearty stew that would be perfect for a winter day or anytime you just want that heartiness.

Panama Pork Stew

2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 12 oz total)
1 package (10 oz) frozen corn
1 package (9 oz) frozen cut green beans
1 Cup chopped onion
1 1/4 pounds lean pork stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (I had just bought a huge pork shoulder-butt roast and cut it into 3 sections (each a little over a pound) and froze 2 for future pot roasts or pork dinners.)
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 Cup water
1-2 Tbs chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground coriander (I didn't have this so I just cut up a little fresh cilantro instead)

-Place potatoes, corn, green beans, and onion in slow cooker. Top with pork.
- Combine tomatoes with juice, water, chili powder, salt and coriander/cilantro in large bowl. Pour over pork in slow cooker.
- Cover; cook on low 7-9 hours
(Hint: you can remove a small amount of fat from dishes cooked in the slow cooker by using a clean paper towel and pulling over the surface letting it absorb some of the grease.)

Getting Right To It and Saying Good-bye

Sunday I received a new calling at church as the 2nd counselor of the Relief Society. The relief society is the womens organization at church and the leadership consists of a President, 2 counselors, and a secretary - along with other committees and callings that assist. I am very excited. I've taught in relief society on Sundays, but never really known what goes on organizationally. Well, this week I've gotten to opportunity to really jump into my calling as a sweet older Sister in our Branch suddenly passed away and the President was out of town for the first few days, the 1st counselor also out of town, and the Secretary's son having surgery. It's been an adventure to say the least, but I'm happy to be able to serve this sweet woman and help maker her Memorial this Sunday a special one.

She was actually the very first person I met at church last year. We hadn't been in Destin 2 days and the missionaries invited me to the Relief Society Activity that night. I hesitantly walked in not knowing anyone. One woman with white hair and the sweetest disposition came over with a covered stroller. She was nicely dressed in a light pink sweater and had a pin/broach that said "Tina". With her sweet southern belle accent she introduced herself as Clementine, but that everyone calls her Tina (pronounced T-eye-nah). She was thrilled to know I spelled my name the same way. She than introduced me to her little dog (which was in the covered stroller - she took that dog EVERYWHERE. It was a regular attendant of all 3 hours of church.). Then began introducing me to the other sisters in the branch. She was the sweetest woman that didn't care about generation gaps or differences, and though she had the most perfect manners, she never judged anyone who might be lacking or a little rough around the edges. She was what I always imagined as a lady and gentile Southern Belle. She was always smiling and serving. She was 81 years old and held a full time job up until about a year ago. I am sad I only knew her for a short time, but I'm glad I had the privilege to meet her.

I Made It Monday: Coconut Shrimp

I Made It Monday's are making a comeback - at least for the moment.

This last week I kept seeing commercials for Red Lobster's all you can eat shrimp and the Coconut shrimp looked absolutely amazing!!! I am not a huge fan, however, of Red Lobster restaurant and have never been impressed with their food and definitely not their prices. Last time Dan and I went I had crab legs that were too soft to crack, the waitress told me to try harder. When I finally convinced her to try it herself and be unsuccessful she brought be another plate of crackable - but not delectable crab. (Dan and his Dad really spoiled me last summer with fresh crab they dove for). Turns out the crab was from Alaska. HELLO! I LIVE on the gulf coast! The restaurant is literally feet from fresh salt water!

ANYWAY, these days when I see something or think of something I really want it is all I can think about until I get it. So all week I had coconut shrimp on the brain. After looking up several recipes that seemed rather complicated or involved ingredients I did not want to purchase for the sake of one meal (like non-alcoholic beer) I thought I would have to fork over the money to satisfy my craving at Red Lobster and most likely be disappointed. Finally I came across this seemingly simple recipe from cooks.com. I say seemingly because I bought shrimp from a fresh seafood market near our home with good sized fresh shrimp caught that day, but unfortunately, they were not de-shelled, de-veined, or de-pooped! It took me about 40 minutes to do a pound of shrimp (It would probably be faster if it wasn't my first time) - I started to wonder if it was worth it - but after tasting the result I would say so...at least for special occasions! The end product was pure deliciousness!

My only problem with this recipe is that I think I got the butter too hot because the coconut that fell off during the cooking would burn making the next batch look burned even though it wasn't. I need to figure that out.Fresh Coconut Shrimp

1 C. Flour (or as much as needed to coat all the shrimp)
2 eggs
Grated coconut (I don't know how much I used - just made sure all the shrimp got a good dipping in it on both sides)
1 1/2 lbs Jumbo Shrimp, peeled and devined (I just had a pound of medium sized shrimp)
Salt and Pepper to taste (I forgot this part)
4-5 Tbs of butter or olive oil
Lime Wedges, optional

- Place blour in a bowl, eggs in another, and coconut in a third. And use this order to dip the shrimp.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste
- Dip each shrimp in flour, shake off excess, then in egg, then in coconut.
- Heat butter in frying pan over medium flame/heat.
- Pan fry shrimp until firm and golden brown about 1 minute per side.
HINT: When the shrimp tail curls up to a C-shape they are "C-ooked". If the tail curls all the way around to an O-shape they are "O-vercooked"
- Drain on paper towels and then serve with lime wedges and/or dipping sauce

Dipping sauce:
-Apricot jam, horseradish, salt and lime juice

We used orange marmalade with some lemon juice and a few drops of franks red hot sauce - because that is what I had and it wasn't bad. The goal is to get a little sweet/spicy mix to dip in. Also, cocktail sauce was fine too.

Break In!

Yesterday morning I decided I needed to take a walk around our beautiful backyard and find where I might do a little garden and see what areas I could play with a little. I made sure as I walked out the back door that it was unlocked. Unfortunately, I didn't notice there were 2 locks on the door. Not realizing I was locked out I took my time around the yard. It wasn't until I was starting to get hungry and really had to go to the bathroom that I turned back. I was so mad at myself as I realized every entry door was locked. All our windows are pretty high up for me but managed to pry off the kitchen window screen and luckily find it was not locked. Hot, hungry, in need of a bathroom, and already grouchy I HAD to get in. As I worked I kept my eye out for neighbors. I didn't want anyone to think I was breaking in - but than who would suspect a little pregnant girl in slippers and pjs. I rigged up a little pile to hoist myself through the window (feet first! I had to reassure Dan that I did not go in on my tummy) and enter my lovely, air conditioned home with a toilet and refrigerator of food!

The marks of a desperate woman! (I guess I should wash my windows)

My pile to the window (not the most sturdy, but it worked!)

20 Week update

I'm SHAPING up!

Ok, I know all my recent posts have been about baby/pregnancy. I guess that is pretty much what consumes my life right now. So sorry if it is boring to you. I promise I will do something different soon. I may even manage an I Made it Monday. I've been cooking just a little bit again, but I haven't ventured to try anything new yet. We'll see.

So, we are at the half-way mark! YEAH! (well, assuming we go the 40 weeks). Part of me is like I can't believe it is already half over and the other part is like I'm only half way there. Depends on how I'm feeling. I took for granted feeling so much better Sunday morning and did too much too fast when I got up and got ready without sitting and eating and letting my food sit for a little bit. Lets just say I regretted not taking my morning slower than I should have. Nevertheless, I feel pretty great most of the time, and it almost brings me to tears every time I smell and can eat good food - THAT will take a long time to take for granted!

We had our ultrasound last week (pictures below). I don't know how we get stuck with terrible ultrasound techs with horrible bedside manner, but as least Dan was there with me and we got to find out we're having a little girl. I have to admit I was a little shocked. I THOUGHT I had no inclinations, but I realized that early on I think I secretly wanted a girl, but didn't want to WANT either one - so I did a great job convincing myself it COULD be a boy. Then when Dan had a dream it was a boy I guess I was convinced. When the tech said is was a girl I didn't know what to think, but now I couldn't be more thrilled! We are so excited.

This is such an exciting time for us, and to add on top of I can feel her move ALL the time! Even Dan can feel her now and he just gasps and laughs so amazed! Hiccups, sumersaults, kicking, and whatever else she does in there. Sometimes I think she stretches out as straight as she can because I can feel one end at the bottom side of my belly, then another end at the upper opposite side of my belly. It is an amazing experience and I'm loving it!