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.