PB Pie

Source: littlebittybakes.com via Tara on Pinterest

You really can't go wrong with pb. This was delightfully easy, light, and yum.

Umm, No

Source: blogs.babble.com via Tara on Pinterest

Don't even try this. Hard. Weird texture. Took forever in microwave. Just don't.

Taco Bar

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Easiest tacos ever! Juicy and tasty. 

Stay Golden

The best thing about the Olympics (other than the fact that they get my emotions ripe for the pickin', and I weep every time they cut to a parent in the stands) is last night while we were watching diving. Charley started counting to three and would then break out into her somersault. Hadley, not to be upstaged, climbed onto the couch to perform her front rolls. She proclaimed, "Mama, look at my Olympics!"

My Happy Camper

One of my favorite things about parenting is being able to give my kids opportunities and experiences that I either wanted to have or think they will enjoy. Mason is getting all kinds of that love this summer. He's been to lacrosse camp in GA, a mission trip to Myrtle Beach, and Camp Lurecrest. I was most excited for him to go to Camp Lurecrest. It sounds so fun. I want to go to family camp there. From the talent show to the camp wide noodle war to the zip line to the night swims, he had a great time. I know he had a good time at them all because he's willing and excited to do all of them again next year. I guess I better start an Entertain Mason All Summer Camp Fund. Happy to do it.

Grilled Cheese Italiano

Source: marthastewart.com via Tara on Pinterest

Followed recipe all the way...for a change. Used a jarred, high quality marinara. Hearty app.

Frozen Mimosas

Source: pbpickles.com via Tara on Pinterest

Truth: I did not make my own sorbet, but I did use an all natural/all fruit variety. Two flavors: blood orange and raspberry. So, one not really a frozen mimosa, but still delightfully delicious.

Power Balls

Source: gimmesomeoven.com via Tara on Pinterest

Made these sans coconut. Replace that measurement with half oatmeal, half flax seed. This was in addition to the what the recipe called for. Super delicious. Felt guility eating them for breakfast. Didn't stop me though. Fed them to girls for dessert. No complaints. I decided to call them Power Balls. :)

Kitchen sink cocktail

1 cup Malibu 16 oz frozen fruit, mixed-strawberries, peaches, pineapple, mango 1 cup ice 1/2 cup Cake vodka

Trifecta Pie

Yum! This one is a keeper. I know because my mom said so.


Peanut-Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

The North Country

Well, we're back. The whole fam went to Carthage, NY for a few days. Here's the skinny.

Kairos

• roasting marshmallows and making smores (despite HC almost catching Cousin Veronica's face on fire)
• reading in the sun without having to jump in and rinse off every few minuts (low 80's)
• catching up with the cousins, in-laws, sister-in-laws, and more
• listening to HC comment on all the people she observed at the airport (the girl with pink hair was a HIT)
• sunsets while in air after storms-GORGEOUS (a red sky I've nver seen before)
• salt potatoes (if I can sell these bad boys in the South, I'll be rich like woah)
• pineapple upside down cake cocktails with sisters-in-law
• amazing views for a few windy, sunny, and warm runs (green cornfields, pastures, dirt road)
• the horse "biting" Charley's hand while she fed him apples
• HC gettng her picture made with the silo with her name on it
• dancing at wedding (even with no AC, still a cool time)
• Mason being a true delight 97% of the time (was great with girls)
• eating Grandma Kay's chicken recipe with the Hadley crew

Chronos

• TSA confiscating Mason's two LAX sticks and throwing those bad boys right in the trash
• being last people on the plane (paging the Ashcraft family) and getting The Look from all other passengers
• containing CB on plane (her yelling AVERY to John and AL from the front of the plane to the back was annoying but cute)
• passing a kidney stone (I think) felt like labor pains/contractions, running some tests to see what's up
• two hour delay on way home (although we made the best of it the Game Room at the 'Cuse airport)
• wrestling kids to sleep at night and nap while outside of their routine
• convincing TSA to let me on the plane once I realized my license was not in my wallet (oops)
• a few meltdowns on plane (HC didn't like her seat, CB wanted more M&Ms, Mama wanted peace/sleep)
• seeing a fox on while running (seriously, I'm scared of most things furry)

Quotes

HC

• on flying: "This is exciting. I'm so exciting."
• on "Rumor Has It": "What does rumor have? Is rumor a boy or a girl?
• on camping after two days: "I'm done with this camping. I'm ready to go home."

CB

• to Poppa: "I love you."
• on sunsets: "ooowww"

Snicker What?

Source: jaseyscrazydaisy.com via Tara on Pinterest

These were quite good. For my mom to say they are rich, means that they really, really are. I didn't add peanuts, but probably should have. The extra salt would have been a good addition.

Little Things

Things I Love Right Now:

• Charley saying thank you for everything
• Mason finishing the first year of middle school relatively unscathed
• Last Saturday: run, pool, nap, date (steak, cheesecake, Hunger Games!)
• Sunday afternoons at the lake
• A fresh crop of summer magazines
• Charley's hand gestures when she asks a question
• The tiniest bell peppers ever growing in my "garden"
• Hadley and Charley running races on the sidewalk
• Chocolate cake from the deli section at Harris Teeter
• Audio books
• Metal chairs I painted Tiffany blue
• Ponytails
• Pinterest
• My new sweatshirt/verse/motto

Chillin

Source: ohhellologan.com via Tara on Pinterest

I saw these on Pinterest and was reminded of how awesome they are! I made them last summer and will this summer, too! Champagne + Popsicle!

Think Big

Hadley and I were watching Kailan which is a kids show about Asian culture. Hadley said, "We should go to China." I told her that would be fun, but that China is very far away and it cost a lot of money to go there. She replied that she does have a lot of money in her money bank. I love her optimism. I typed this up on my new iPad. Woot woot!

Dance Your Face Off

Did not see this coming. Mason came home from school a few weeks ago with materials to register for classes for 7th grade. Yes, I said 7th grade. We briefly reviewed them (not with painstaking intensity of his first year of middle school: aka-mommy tears and small panic attack). He vaguely mentioned wanting to do something with a dance class. Knowing Mason, I mildly agreed knowing it would be a brief stint in choreography. I was wrong. Not only did my child arrange to stay after school for tryouts and sign up for the dance class next year, but he also made the squad. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one calling it a squad. I blame Bring It On (the musical). As of last week, he is an official member of the guys only Bradley Dance Crew. He's been practicing his moves: in the car, in the kitchen, on the porch, on the couch, in his room, in my room, at restaurants, in parking lots, in the hallway, on the stairs.....he hasn't stopped moving (not that he has ever been very still for very long).

I'm proud of him. I like that he will take risks and do things that not every little (big) dude will do. He's brave and social and resilient. I adore these qualities in him. Shake yo groove thing, Mase.

Chatter Boxes

Today as I listened to Charley babble (Daddy, runned fast!), I remembered how Hadley would go away from us and whisper new words to herself until she knew she had them right. Then we'd hear her say them out loud a day or so later. I'm so happy they are voracious little ones.

Daddy did run fast. He killed a 5K in 20:03. Holla.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/salads/spicy-pasta-salad-with-smoked-gouda-tomatoes-and-basil/

Must try this: spicy, creamy, and fresh.

Spring Stuff

What's Left of Spring To Do List

• sign Hadley up for dance-in the style of ballet
• paint the interior of my front door
• umm, and the exterior for that matter
• paint my downstairs ivory
• learn to sew-seriously
• plan a weekend to Charleston with my beau
• plant pretty but surprising flowers out front
• convince my new peony to stand up straight
• take girls to zoo or something outdoor/naturish
• celebrate May birthdays of my faves: John, Mom, Caleb
• family photo session
• help Mason get his lax stick fixed so he feels fabulous
• have a girls night

I better get busy.

Slow Cooker Molten Lava Cake

Deliciousness. Warm. Gooey. Sweet. Chocolaty. Goodness.
1 box Devil's Food Chocolate Cake
3 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1 cup water
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup veggie oil

Mix in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours.

Voila.
Top with vanilla ice cream. Just cuz.

EZ-Ziti

http://www.marthastewart.com/312465/baked-ziti-with-crunchy-italian-salad-an?center=854190&gallery=275529&slide=285037



Super easy recipe. Easy on the wallet, too.

Gulf Flava

http://www.marthastewart.com/891901/slow-cooker-cajun-stew


This served over smoked gouda cheesy grits is awesome. I added extra diced tomatoes in their own liquid.

Good Stuff

Happiness:

• Mason's EKG came back great
• Spring has sprung
• Job is going super good
• Planted some fruits and veggies
• Signed up to train for another marathon with Jeff Galloway
• Days are getting longer: lots of sun
• Charley will now watch tv
• Mason is loving lacrosse
• Hadley had the "best Easter egg hunt ever"
• They were the fanciest girls on Easter Sunday
• Mase is signed up for a mission trip this summer
• Bring it On the musical with Suzie-Q
• Bought a pair of Keds: life is full circle

Let Her Cry

There are few things more precious than the health of a child. Recently I stood outside the nursery of a hospital downtown and was filled with gratitude beyond words or understanding. Tears filled my eyes (which sounds dumb and cliche, but it is visceral response and there are hardly any other ways to describe the beginning of a good cry). I had to blink them back over and over again. My throat was so tight, it was beyond hard to swallow. Once at home and several times over the past couple of weeks, I've just had to let them out. The shortest verse is "Jesus wept." There is a reason; sometimes tears do way more talking than the words from out mouths. My tears have been tears of gratitude for my own children, and tears of hope for other babies, children, and teens around me.

I am so thankful that my children are healthy. Words are not enough. Hootie with or without his blowfish sums it up, "let the tears fall down like rain." It's okay. It feels good. It is pure catharsis. The saying moved to tears is valid for the verb in that sentence. Moved. To feel truly moved and to relish in that experience is a blessed thing. I'm thankful that I've taken the time to cry a little and feel a lot grateful.

In other health news, we've postponed Mason's MRI and sleep deprived EKG as we transition into a new insurance company. If anything alarming occurs between now and our new dates, we'll move them up. Since his last episode, he has had one major headache and a couple of milder ones. No more black outs at this time.

Lovin' Lowes

What I'm loving about Lowe's

• flexible (ish) work hours
• fro yo machine and bar
• waffle maker machine and bar
• balloons in cube
• "Welcome to Lowe's" from everyone
• lunch break
• bathroom breaks (whenever I want!!)
• face to face meetings instead of phone
• different responsiblities every day
• amazing facility
• short commute
• friendly folks
• the Lowe's cheer
• Salsarita's on campus
• atms and cleaners on site

It's a good thing.

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Made these for dinner last night. I added several more tbs of pesto to the mix. Make sure you salt enough. They need it especially if your pesto is homemade. I thawed some from my summer batches. I also used ricotta instead of the recommended cheese mixture.

http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/pesto-chicken-stuffed-shells.html

For Jenni

Top Ten Reasons Why I haven't Posted in Three Weeks:
1. I've been in between opposing worlds: one foot at Hough, one foot at Lowe's (more on that later).
2. Mason has been having killer headaches and fainting spells (more on that later).
3. The girls have been fighting the crud and other critters (more on that later...you get the point).
4. We went on a mini-vacation! Woot Woot! John got a mani at Grove Park. He said it was the best day of his life. :) I also had the Fried Chicken BLT from Tupelo Honey which was featured in Southern Living this month. Dreamy.
***Recipe idea to come soon...cornbread with pimento cheese on top via Mayfel's in Asheville.
      Shut. Yo. Mouth.
5. I've been debating hair color/length (clearly this has taken up a wealth of my time). Still undecided. I think a weave might be my best bet.
6. Digestive issues have had me contemplating a GF, low-lactose, sulfate-free diet. It's been exhausting. I can not begin to tell you how much time I have spent reading the backs of boxes and labels and cartons and recipes. Probably why I had to get glasses. See #8.
7. Said issues have had me in doctors' offices galore. No real answer. WebMD and B-vitamins are my new BFFs.
8. I got two pair of glasses (again, big cosmetic decision so lots of time spent here). Versace and Tiffany. I'm super fancy.
9. I finally got a chance to read The Paris Wife (then pretended I was Hadley Richardson Hemingway while in Biltmore/Grove Park) and the Spring edition of InStyle. I have priorities.
10. Mason started back to LAX, John is training for 1/2 marathon and doing P90X2, and I'm doing Insanity...sort of. This combo equals no computer time; time spent carpooling to practice, watching girls while J runs, and doing horrible things like suicides and and power squats. I think I'd rather run.

Not Yo Mama's Meatloaf

I started with this basic recipe, but swapped out the bread for about a cup or so of tortilla chips. They gave it a Southwest twist. I also topped it off with BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. Instead of a loaf, I made them in a muffin pan. They cooked in about 50 mins at 350.

Betty Crocker Classic Meatloaf

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce on the Food Network

Last week in an effort to be GF, I made this sauce and served it over pan-fried pork chops on a bed of quinoa. Yum.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce on the Food Network

Hide and Seek

I spent the better part of this morning watching a very entertaining version of Hide and Seek. Bless Avery's heart. She was a pure and patient angel with Hadley. Hadley just didn't get it. She would be the hider but stand right in the middle of the kitchen in absolute plain sight. She did cover her eyes. I think because she couldn't see Avery, she figured Avery couldn't' see her. I tried to get Hadley to hide behind the couch, but she wouldn't put her head down, so her whole noggin was perched over the rim of the couch. She was grinning ear to ear. She thought she was in a good place. Avery said, "Mama Tara, can you help me find a place to hide? Hadley only counts to four, so I have to hurry." If Avery called out for Hadley, HC would immediately answer even if she happened to locate a decent hiding spot. Despite the fact that they both were missing large elements of the game, they played for over an hour. They giggled the whole time, and I don't think anyone screamed (in a bad way). Boom.

Revelations of the Week

Kids
I can no longer keep a running list of what Charley says. She can now say it all. Clean and cook were the words of the weekend. and Boom. :)
Three is just a preview of the teen years. One minute this child is a small adult with thoughtful things to share with the Earth. The next minute she is irrational, screaming, and out of control. Good times ahead!
Mason's teacher said he is an angel at school. I have my doubts. Love you, Mase.


John
He's the bomb. He brought me home a butcher block island as an early Valentine's Day present. I am spoiled...but I'm worth it. What a surprise! It is beautiful and fun.

GF
Canned icing is almost across the board without gluten. Hallelujah. The GF brownie mix I've been buying is amazing.
I was okay with the whole G-free movement until I opened up this month's Southern Living. I had a breakdown. I'm also not sure how my identity will survive without glutens, but we'll see. Things seem to be better. No headaches and no acne. That's worth it!

Me
I've had a case of the January's. I'm already feeling better with February knocking on my door this week. It is great for my psyche that the daylight is getting longer again. That alone creates a smile.

Gluten or Not to Gluten?

After several months of odd but not serious symptoms, John suggested that I see how my body reacts to a gluten free diet. After four days this is what I know: I will die without flour.

If I don't die though, these are things that to know:

• Gluten free noodles are not noodles at all. Just eat the sauce.
• Gluten free chocolate chip cookies could be worse. They are kind of gritty but WAY better than no cookies at all. 
• Salads swapped forever for sandwiches will just be sad.
• Tomato soup just tastes like marinara. Disappointment.
• There are way more gluten free choices at restaurants and stores than I would have ever imagined. 
• Foods that are delish and are naturally gluten free are plentiful (peanut butter and hummus!)

So far my symptoms are fewer but not gone. John thinks more than four days will be necessary to see if this works. I'm ready to throw in the towel! I have a doctor's appointment on Friday to check on some things. My hope is that there is NO gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Again. Sad. I have a whole new appreciation for folks who eat GF. Wow.

Chicas

Out to eat adventures always end in a good story.

Last night we went to our favorite mom and pop Mexican restaurant. It is a small place, nothing fancy. It's clean, simple, and yummy. I said to Hadley, "We really like this place, don't we?" Her reply: "It doesn't look that fabulous." Her intonation and face were honest yet forgiving. It is amazing what kids pick up on. Once she settled on a chicken taco for her meal, she ended up devouring my avocado delight. She preferred its salsa, jalapeno, and avocado make up far more than her carbs and cheese. She is her daddy's girl when it comes to palette.

Another revelation would be Charley's first three word sentence: "One chip, please." Her favorite part of the meal was the limes.

The In Between

Today is Mason's 12th birthday. We have one more year of officially being in between a child and a teen. It's easy to say that they grow up too fast, or I wish he'd stay young forever. I'm finding that the older the kids get, the more fun it is to see the person that they really are and will be. There are times when the teen angst just kills me. There are times when his defiance of authority just moves me to tears. There are moments when his mouthy mouth just puts me right over the edge. I say all that to preface all the wonderful things that I'm about to say about ol' Mase. I don't want anyone to think that things are Brady Bunch perfection over here at all times of every day. That said, as Mason gets older these are the things that I love beyond words about him:

• His adoration of the girls. He is the best big brother. He plays with them, feeds them, reads to them, listens to them, talks to them; he gives them his attention which they love. They yell "Mason!!" when he comes through the door just like they do when their Daddy gets home.
• His wit. He is absolutely funny. He's dry and "gets it." Thanks goodness. He can dish it and take it.
• His brilliance. The way he understands math blows me away. 
• His ease around adults and other folks. He's a social butterfly in ways I'm not.
• His ability to not get too stressed out about anything. This can be hard for me when homework and projects are piling up and chores aren't done, but it keeps him relatively at ease. Again, in ways, I'm not.
• His gratitude for things I don't expect him to notice.
• His fashion sense or lack their of depending on the day. 
• His love for football. It's so American.
• His rendition of rap songs. Funny.
• His willingness to bust a move in Spanish to remain the Most Enthusiastic according to his teacher.
• His love of reading. YES!
• His relationships with his grandparents. It makes me happy.

It is fun to watch them grow. I try and savor the little girls as they are, and as much as I love them little, watching kids mature is pretty cool too.

Happy Birthday to the leader of our pack. Love.