Super Noob [Search results for HOPE] 

he's my brother...

I hope that this is a foreshadowing of their future relationship. I have a brother, and he is without question one of my best friends. My love for him is very much like the love I have for my children...it just is. It exists free of condition, free of burden. My brother has added a layer of depth to my life that has aided in the shaping of who I am today. Together we lived, laughed, cried, loved and faught our way through childhood, adolecsence and into adulthood. My life is richer, fuller and more complete as a result of him. Of all the gifts my parents have ever given, my brother is undeniably the most cherished I have ever received. It is my deep desire that my children also share the same amazing bond that my brother and I are so lucky to have. I hope that they carry each other through hard times, laugh with each other through good times, cry together through sad times, and pull each other through when the rest of the world seems to have left them bereft. So...it is my hope that this photograph of Addyson pulling her little brother, is a foreshadowing of their relationship, their ever growing friendship, and their unbreakable bond.

This week I am having my first guest featured recipe. Quirky Momma brings us a great Mix and Match Casserole. I don't know about you, but I am always up for a recipe that leads me no further than my pantry for the ingredients. If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Quirky Momma...where have you been? Truly, for a mom with very young children, she is a godsend. She gives tips ranging from learning activities to housekeeping. Without further ado, I introduce you to Quirky Momma.

As momma to three preschoolers, I rarely have the time to shower, let alone think of what we are going to eat for dinner. I love this casserole - it is my good old standby recipe, great for stretching out trips to the grocery store! Basically, I look in the pantry and mix and match. Hope this is a help to you and a blessing to your family!

Ingredients:
8 ounces sour cream (or plain yogurt or a cup or two of white gravy)
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Choose one of the following for your Sauce:
10 3/4 ounces cream of mushroom soup, condensed -- undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cream of celery soup, condensed -- undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup, condensed -- undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cheddar cheese soup -- undiluted
29 ounces diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano -- undrained

Choose one vegetable:
14 1/2 ounces cut green Italian beans -- drained
15 1/4 ounces sweet peas -- drained
10 1/2 ounces asparagus cuts and tips -- drained
15 1/4 ounces whole kernel corn -- drained
13 1/2 ounces chopped spinach

Choose one starch:
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup uncooked regular rice
4 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
3 cups uncooked small pasta shells
(Or... cover with mashed potatoes, hasbrowns, biscuits or a pie crust for a meat pie variation).

Add one meat or protein source:
12 ounces solid white tuna in spring water -- drained and flaked
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups chopped cooked ham
2 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 pound ground beef -- browned and drained

Extras- choose one or two (optional):
3 ounces canned mushroom slices -- drained
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper -- or green
1/4 cup chopped onion or scallions
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic -- minced
4 1/2 ounces chopped green chiles
1 1/4 ounce taco seasoning mix

Top it off with one or two of these:
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1 cup round buttery crackers -- crushed
1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix
Directions:
Combine sour cream, milk, water, salt and pepper with Sauce Maker (omit sour cream and milk when using tomatoes). Stir in Vegetable, Pasta/Rice, Meat/Fish/Poultry, and, if desired, Extras. Spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
Bake, covered, at 350 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with Toppings; bake 10 more minutes.
Invent your own one-dish combinations, switching ingredients for variety. Each casserole bakes 1 hour and 20 minutes, eliminating the need to precook the pasta or rice. Experiment with different flavors and create family favorites.

I hope you all try out her recipe and go visit her to let her know you did! Even if you don't try the recipe...be sure to visit her anyway for some great ideas.

The original recipe can be found in CD Kitchen

Contest Update:
It's not too late to win a blog makeover... read about it here. Heidi from 3 to 5 has five points! Mindi of Part of Me has two points, and Elizabeth of Our Journey Through Life has two points. The contest ends January 1st. I can't wait for one of you lucky ones to be able to work with Jenna at Bloggy Blog Designz. Start getting your new blog look ideas together ;)

I wish I could say I am done with my Christmas shopping, alas it is not to be. I still have a couple last things to get, but I am super close. Fortunately I have wrapped as I have gone, so that part is not looming.

We did take our gifts to the family we adopted (through the Salvation Army) on Sunday. I hope they wait until Christmas to open them, and I hope they like what they received. Seeing the look on the eight year old's face made everything worth it. She looked so happy to be toting the gifts into to her house from my car. Before leaving, she gave me the biggest hug and it struck me that she is a complete stranger... that I will, more than likely, never see her again. But I touched her life. What a blessing for me.

...happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear, sweet, lovely, adorable, hilarious, Julie...happy birthday to you!!!!!

Hope it's a marvelous one, my friend.

I have begun making hand stamped jewelry! I never knew it would be so fun and I would love it so much. Since I am so excited about it…I want to share it with you all.

I am going to give one lucky person one voucher of $35.00 towards a custom necklace of his/her own. All you have to do is leave one comment telling me what you think you’d want! That’s it. No follow me, no tweet this (though if you wanted to tweet about it, that would be great).

Here are a couple examples of what I’ve made.

Blessed. This necklace is $40.00

Tiny initials. This is $22.00. However, more charms can be added for $7.00 each.

Mommy’s Angel. This was made as a gift for my brother in law’s sister. She lost her new baby who was born prematurely. She had a twin brother who is doing quite well.
$30.00

Baby Feet. $45.00

Love Birds. $38.00

All the necklaces are made with sterling silver that I hand cut. They come on a sterling ball chain, that is 18” long. 20” is available for $4.00 more, and 24” is available for $5.00 more.

You can have your choice of a Swarovski crystal pearl accent(included in price if pictured), an actual freshwater pearl accent ($2.50 more), or a Swarovski crystal accent of your color choice.

I will charge $5.00 to ship.

Hope you like them! If you have an idea for one but don’t see it here, we can work together to create a custom piece just for you!

Another Tuesday...means another recipe! Sharing my love of food and cooking one recipe at a time. I hope that some of you actually take the time to try some of them out. Click my Tasty Tuesday tab and see what you've missed if you are new here. Heck, even if you aren't new here, and just need a recipe...have a look.
On the menu this week is a recipe created by yours truly. I have mentioned in the past that I am not the best at following recipes (ironic isn't it), but when I create something worth remembering, I turn it into one. This week is Beef Tenderloin in Red Wine Mushroom Sauce. I admit, this one is a tad more involved than some of the previous weeks, but not much.

First thing first...pour yourself a glass of that lovely red wine, and replenish as needed.
Ingredients:
1 lb beef tenderloin scliced into 1/2 inch think medalions(best when fresh from butcher)
1 1/2 cups sliced button mushrooms
1 whole yellow onion diced (or 3 shallots)
1 beef bullion cube (or about 1 1/2 C beef broth)
1 1/2 C water (only if using cubed bullion )
2/3 C red wine (give or take)
1 Tsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp butter
olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

Heat about 1-2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat in a large non stick frying pan. Add onion (or shallot) and mushrooms and saute until tender. Remove from pan and set aside. Using same pan (wiped clean of juices) add a little more olive oil (approx 1-2 tbsp). Heat over medium-high. Add tenderloin to hot pan in a single layer as pictured above(cook in batches if necessary) and sear on one side until juices from meat begin to run, then turn and sear on the other side. Remove from pan and keep covered.

To the same pan (don't clean it this time) add red wine. Simmer(whisking up bits from bottom)over medium-low heat, and recuce by about 1/2. Add beef broth (or bullion pre-dissolved in water). Continue to simmer over medium-low. Sauce should not be watery...if it is, add cornstarch. Thicken slightly, then finish sauce off with the Tbsp butter. Add onion/mushroom and beef all back to the pan. Coat and heat through. Serve(You might choose to serve it over wide egg noodles, or rice). Great with oven roasted potatoes, steamed asparagus and french bread. It's actually not as much trouble as it seems, and it's so very tasty!

See those teeth? Look at how crowded they are already. I see braces in our future for this little guy. By the way...this is the face he makes when you ask for a kiss. He does this along with a humming noise. I hope he keeps doing it for a while longer...I could ask him for kisses all day long simply to see this face.

A little late today, but better late than never...or so I am told. This is Five Question Friday courtesy of Mama M. Want to play along? Just copy the following questions, paste them into your blog post, and answer away...oh then link 'er up.

1. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
2. What was your favorite childhood toy? (Think Easy Bake Oven, Cabbage Patch Kid, Shrinky Dinks, etc.)
3. Favorite Christmas movie?
4. What is the "must have" item on your Christmas list this year?
5. Do you go all out with decorations or do you keep it simple and classy?

1. Are you a Black Friday shopper?
Ahhhh...NO! No way. No way, no how. Could I be any clearer? Not a fan of shopping as it is, not really. Throw in masses of people all crowded together in one place, fighting over the same items like the mindless seagulls from FInding Nemo...again, NO!

2. What was your favorite childhood toy?
I think I would have to say it was the old Speak N Spell. I could play with that thing forever. Fascinating isn't it? Maybe I was a deprived child. I did have a Cabbage Patch doll when it was all the rave the first go around. That was thanks to my Grandma!

3. Favorite Christmas movie?
Every year as a child I waited for the t.v. showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I still love that movie. The original animated one though! I also love all the old claymation stuff...like Rudolp, and The Year Without Santa.

4. What is the "must have" item on your Christmas list this year?
Easy. I have been putting off getting myself the Canon EF 50 mm 1.8 lens with the hope that Santa would think I am worthy of it this year. I promise I have been good...mostly.

5. Do you go all out with decorations, or do you keep in simple and classy?
What is simple and classy? All out for sure. Lights on the house, lighted figures in our yard. Big tree inside, santas and snowmen abound. I actually have this crazy affinity for snowmen. I think they are the best decorations. I prefer them to anything else. Needless to say, we have a lot of snowman stuff ;)

So how about you? If you don't care to do the whole thing in a post you can answer any or all of these questions right here in the comments. Come on, you know you want to.

More than likely as you read this, I am sitting in my photography class dutifully soaking up as much as I can from the instructor who, thus far, lectures by reading from the FREAKING book. Ah well, I am holding out hope that he steps up his game. In any case, the most fabulous Keely is not only hosting her Sunday "Getting to Know You" again, she also sent me the questions ahead of time so that I could participate like the good little follower I am.

You too can be a lemming supporting follower by copying/pasting these questions, answering them in a post of your own and linking up with Keely. Or not. You can always give me your down and dirty here in the comments. I love comments...don't you?

Without further horse$h!t ado, here are the questions:

1. How often do you wash/change your sheets?

Lately it has been about every other week. That sounds pretty good. Let me just throw in that it is due to my daughter having two accidents during naptime (she will only nap in my bed) within the last month. Prior to that, let's just say I'd be embarrassed to fess up.

2. When is your birthday?
El once del Abril.


3. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life?
Not yet. But I just learned that a blogger I like a lot lives like 6 houses away from me. I won't say who she is though, she is part of the witness protection program, and I don't want to single handedly send her family into a state of panic, causing them to uproot for the thousanth time in their lives...okay, really it's because she is more open about the city she lives in than I am...yet. Pst...hey neighbor...don't tell ;)


4. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?
Brad Pitt, as long as he is Thelma and Louise's Brad Pitt.


5. If you could change one thing about your body what would it be?
Currently, I guess it would have to be the saggy flaps of skin on my chest that used to be known as breasts. Don't want them bigger, just...well, perkier.


6. How often do you wash your hair?
You mean there are moms out there who still do?

7. Do you have pets?
Are horses pets? If so, then yes...two horses.


8. How many social networks do you belong to..if you had to give up one, what would it be?
Four. Twitter would get the boot with nary a tear shed by me. I am not in love with Twitter, but I am trying.

Wasn't that short and sweet, and easy to read? Can't wait to check out what everyone else has to say later tonight. So, be sure to let me know if you played along. Or, like I said before...just comment here and I'll still come see what you have goin' on.

This is lame...I mean really lame. This may be the one and only opportunity you will have to see me in a video post...and may I say I hope not many of you see it! I was given a little assignment of sorts by Kate, accompanied with a due date and everything. I can't put it off, or I'll make myself sick fretting over this thing. Brace yourself. I'm serious. It's pretty rough.

Alright...let's have it!

My father and my son. For so long I looked to my dad for guidance, reassurance, support, a firm hand and a loving heart. I still do actually. Now, along with my husband, I aim to provide all of these things to my own children. To this little man in my dad’s arms.

I pray that together my husband and I are able to help him become the kind of man anyone would be proud to know. A man like my dad. A man like my husband’s dad. Strong, patient, intelligent, wise, loving, and a bit salty. Hard worker, a dedicated family man, and supportive husband. Then one day, a father. A father willing to sacrifice for the good of his own children. Willing to put his dreams on hold in order to put his little ones’ first.

Yes…that is exactly the sort of man I hope he becomes one day. Fortunately he has some amazing examples before him.

My father in law, my husband and Colton. What a threesome. Looking at Andy’s dad’s silly face in this photo brings a huge smile to my face. This picture says so much. It reminds me of one more very important aspect of a person’s character…and that is humor. This man has amazing humor! I adore him, and feel so very lucky that my children have been blessed with two very fine grandfathers.

That's right...my failed attempt at breaking the tie between my second place people has brought me to the conclusion that they all deserve something. Heidi, of course is the winner, meaning she will get the same package I did from Bloggy Blog Designz. Mindi and Elizabeth, I have decided to give you two the basic package, and if you decide you want more...that will be up to you to work out! Congratulations, and Happy New Year to you. So...Heidi, Mindi and Elizabeth (Our Journey through Life), would you please email me, and I will help you with the details.

Seeing as how I have never been a resolutions sorta person...I am just going to wish everyone a Happy New Year...I hope it brings with it a plentitude of splendid days ;)

The little ones are not feeling well. They both have had mild fevers today (Colton's was worse this evening). Runny noses and tiny coughs = no fun for anyone. So, needless to say...not much time to do a real post tonight.

I am sure my loyal fans will be able to forgive ;) Right, Stephanie??? *wink wink*

We hope for a better day tomorrow!

Reef flip flops are my must haves. I practically live in them for most of the year. They are the most comfortable pair of flip flops I have ever worn. No initial hurting between the toes, the soles feel as if you are walking on a cloud...and they are pretty cute too. I have three pair, one of which dates back to my college years. They last that long.

You want a pair don't you? Come on...who wouldn't? Well, you are in luck. I am going to give you the chance to win some. All you have to do is come and participate in my community at the Blog Frog. Help me build it up and get it going.

So, in order to win...all you have to do is be the person with the most participations or starts to discussions there. The rules:

Minimum of three contributions, by way of adding your two cents to exsisting discussions or starting one of your own.

Discussion participation starts from this date, and will continue for at least one week. I will be sure to let you know for certain the actual end date. BUT...I hope that you will enjoy it so much, that you will continue to return even after the contest ends.

Then, comment here to let me know you are entering so I can be sure to add up how much you participated. You don't need to comment for every time you add to the discussions...just comment to let me know you are participating. You can just comment now, then head over.

You do not have to be a member of my community (though I would love it if you were), and you most certainly do not have to follow my blog. Please only do that if you like some of the other posts you see.

I happen to love the Blog Frog. It is the most interactive and fun community I have encountered thus far, and I really want to give my community a recharge. What do you say...will you help me?

P.S. This is not a sponsored post, and the picture of the flip flops is one I copied from a google search.
P.S.S. Melissa G. You can play too! You don't have to have a blog ;)

As parents, we constantly find ourselves saying things that we just can't quite believe came out of our mouths, or misting up over a few scribbles on a page, or finding ourselves in situations that could only be the result of having offspring. So today I present "You know you're a mom (or dad) When-sDAZE." The possibilities of this are really endless...the creativity is all yours. That is part of what I think will be so fun with this...the posts will all still be unique. In order to play along, all you have to do is either post a picture of something crazy, wonderful, endearing, or just plain cute, that your kids have done...explaining how it made you feel or the story behind it. Or, write a little post fashioned after "You might be a redneck if...," but of course it is "You know you're a mom when..." Grab my current button (if you fancy), and next time I hope to have one specifically for this little blog hop. Then come back over and link up. Can't wait to see your posts!!

This week, I'm talkin' poop. Here goes...

You know you're a mom when someone shouting from the other end of the house "I went poop!!!!!!!!!" is not only a common occurrence, but requires some action on your part.

You know you're a mom when it's perfectly normal to hear "look, the green poop matches my undies."

You know you're a mom when you can say with a straight face...every day "yes honey, that is a big poop."

You know you're a mom when the idea of "pooping in peace" is one that you feel will never apply to you again.

Lastly, you know you're a mom when your efforts to stay on schedule can be immediately thwarted by the sound of a mini explosion coming from the wee one's shorts.

Now, how about you? Whatever you've got I'd love to read/see it. You can comment here, or post your own and come back and link up!!

Did you get your Wednesday post all ready for "You know you're a mom when...only to discover that Mamma had dropped the ball? Thank goodness it was just a rubber one!

I have been traveling, and while I had some internet time, my access was sketchy at best, and my time was limited. So, I am so so sorry for anyone who had it all done and came to found I let you down. If you'd like...and I hope you would...you can link it up here. I promise to read them all and come to visit you shortly.

Good thing I don't blog for a living!

To all those who have read and commented on this post, thank you! I make a point of commenting on other's blogs when they comment for me, but I think I have fallen behind. So, I wanted to do a sort of blanket post to you all. I appreciate your support while I was trying to navigate through weird waters.

After having a chance to simmer down, I still think what this woman did is wrong, but I feel more sorry for her than anything. It's pathetic really. Stealing other's words is no form of flattery. It's just sad. I am thinking that this woman must need some serious help. Perhaps she has a gaping hole in her life, and simply craved the attention we all love from blogging. Perhaps that was enough to drive her to do strange things.

In the end, it was just words...for me. For Erin, it was a picture of her children. Again, crazy...but sad. Oh, and for those of you who asked how I found this woman...it was actually through Erin. She sent an email to several bloggers as a heads up and asking if we knew of her. I didn't. I was nosy. I went to snoop. I found my posts. I was ticked. I wrote my post.

Deb at Menopausal New Mom and Erin at The Mother Load both wrote posts about this too. I agree with what they wrote. We should look out for one another. It is, afterall, a community we have built here. A place we all feel comfortable and confident to share, in many cases, our innermost selves.

Now, I'd like to lay the drama of it all to rest. I have enough drama in my every day life, I'd like to keep my blogging as free of it as possible. Missy, if you're reading this...I hope you find the help and support you need to find your own inner confidence, and your own writing voice should you choose to continue blogging.

Going forward I suppose we could all learn a little from this experience. I am going to look into protecting my pictures at the very least. Will you?

I have been remiss. It has been at least a couple of weeks since I have participated in Five Question Friday with Mama M. Not very cool of me. Afterall, I would hope that if I ever started a meme that people would play along. Hint hint at (maybe) something to come.

1. Do you sing karaoke? If so, what is your go to song?
I used to love karaoke. This was before my mommy hood days. When I could drink a six pack of beer for courage first. Not so much anymore. However...wanna see me shame myself with some vocal un stylings? Then go see this post.

2. What is your favorite coffee drink?
Actually, I do like a good flavored latte. Like caramel. Usually, though, I just drink flavored coffee at home with a little creamer.

3. If you could choose your own name, what would it be?
I actually find it impossible to come up with anything that just doesn't seem odd. Can't imagine anything other than Shannon.

4. Were you ever bullied?
In sixth grade...yes...by a BOY! The little bastard. That is, until one day I punched him and he cried...all the while complaining that I hurt his sunburn. Pft...yeah right weenie. Never bothered me again.

5. How often do you eat fast food?
Could I have a definition of fast food please? I never eat anything like McDonald's, etc. I do eat Chipoltle on occassion, and have been known to have the odd Subway. So if that counts, then maybe once every other week I guess.

How about you? Would love to see your answers. If you have done your own 5QF post, then let me know so I can come check it out. If not, what's wrong with you? Really, if you just don't want to, then how about some answers right here in the comments.

My Dearest Addyson,
Three years ago today you took your first breath...and in many ways so did I. When you made your way into this world, mine changed forever. Instantly my heart swelled with love, joy, pride and fear. Oh I had heard all about how the love for one's child is unmatched by any other...but I didn't really get it. Not until you. When I gazed upon your face for the first time, I understood. My love for you was immediate and immeasurable. Love so strong it almost hurt. Love so strong I never fathomed that it could grow any more.
I was so wrong. With each passing day my heart and the love within are ever growing. You astound me with your intelligence. With your capacity for compassion. With your love for me, your daddy, and your brothers. Every day you bring me to the brink of my sanity, just to reel me right back in with an unexpected hug or kiss. You are a challenge, knowing exactly what you want and how you want it...accepting no substitutions nor any delays. You are a pistol, a never ceasing font of energy. You stretch my patience to the limit, then sweetly melt my heart not moments later. You are tender and wise beyond your three little years.
It hardly seems fair that three years have already passed. I wish I could soak up every second and every moment so they may be stored at the ready for me to relive any time I desire. Every day I memorize each line of your face, count every new freckle. And every day I watch you as you become someone I never dreamed you'd be. Dreaming of the person you are would have been impossible. You have surpassed my every expectation, my every desire, my every hope. You have fufilled my every wish, Addyson. You have not only made me a mother...each day you teach me just what that means.
Happy birthday, little peanut. I love you simply more than you will ever truly know.

Love,Mommy

My giveaway ended yesterday, and I would be remiss if I didn't post the winners today...so I decided to squeeze that in with my Raw e challenge from Sailor and Company. More on that in a minute...winners first.

The first winner is for Pursenickety and that's #31...Sonora of Twinfinity!

The Second winner is for Bella BeJeweled and that's #47...Julie of The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here.

Congratulations, ladies. All you have to do is be sure that I have your email addresses and I will give them to each sponsor. Then they will be in touch with you regarding the next step.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Each of these sponsors have items that are so reasonably priced, that if you didn't win...you should head over and treat yourself anyway. Why not? Just click the links above and check out their stores. There is some really cool stuff.

Now on to my Raw e entry. I have yet to even come close to winning one of these things, but I'll tell you what...it's still a really fun exercise. Sami at Sailor and Company hosts this each week. The cut off to enter is Friday, so I am just under the wire...I hope. In order to play along, you need to take a picture having to do with the week's theme, and you can not edit it in any way. Not even any cropping. Nothing...Nada! Got it? Good...then play along next week. You'll like it I am sure. This week's theme was crayons, so here goes...

There you have it. Not stellar by any stretch, but good practice for me. Head over to Sami's blog to see the other crayon pictures. I promise there are some much more impressive than this one ;)