Playing Catch Up

Sorry for being a terrible blogger this past week, but we left last Wednesday for Indiana and now we are in Kansas City, MO. Remember the anxiety I was having about leaving Matty home for the Indiana portion of the trip and then flying alone with him to KC? Well hubby and I made a last minute decision to bring him to Indiana as well. We just couldn't stand to be away from him for five whole days ! He was a super road tripper and was a very good boy while in Indy. He met a lot of our friends who absolutely adored him.  He was especially fond of our friend Annie:

We took him to the Columbian Park Zoo in Lafayette. It was the cutest little zoo and admission was free! Matty loved seeing the wallabies, petting the billy goats, and chasing the chickens, but his favorite part was sitting on this tractor.  He didn't want to give anyone else a turn!

Now we are visiting my brother-in-law and his family in KC.  Friday we'll be heading to the American Royal BBQ Competition in which my brother-in-law's catering business, Savage Barbeque, will be competing.  Lots of fun in store for sure!  I probably won't be blogging regularly again until the end of next week, but I will try and check in.  I hope you all are well!

12 years

Forgot to mention that today is the 12 year anniversary of the day that hubby and I started dating!

So young...

Matt, you and Matty are my home.

Music Monday

Tonight's song is Marc Broussard's Home because a sense of "home" is very important and besides that, Matty loves the beat!

Enjoy!

Football Sunday!

We're Miami Dolphins fans here in the Leluga house. What's your family's favorite NFL team?

Not sure I will get to watch much of the game today because I'm busy packing for our road trip! We leave for Indiana Wednesday night/very early Thursday morning. Matty isn't going with us and although I am looking forward to some grown up time, I have no idea what I am going to do without him :( I have been away from him for two days before, but five days is a long time...

But then I get to fly home and pick him up and head to Kansas City, MO to spend time with the Midwest Leluga family, so I'm super psyched for that!

I hope you all have wonderful family time on this lovely Sunday.

Go Dolphins!

Friendly Friday

I was super excited when I found out this morning that my blog is being featured at Friendly Friday!  Head on over and check out all of the wonderful blogs...




Thank you to Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier, Christi at Frugal Novice and Charla at Healthy Home Blog for hosting and featuring Since That Moment.

"What's for Dinner?" Wednesday

I was a bit of a slacker tonight...dinner was simple, consisting of steaks on the grill, left over zucchini pie and sweet potatoes. I had plans to make beef and broccoli with fried rice, but Matty would not have it...he wanted 100% of me tonight, and who am I to deny the love of my life the attention he deserves? :) So dada had to deal with plain ole steak -- four of them to be exact...he didn't want any sides, so meat it was! Granted, they were petite steaks, but still, he ate four!!

Matty on the other hand, hardly ate anything for dinner. He had a few bites of sweet potatoes and zucchini, but he was more interested in venturing outside and playing with the neighborhood dogs. His appetite has dwindled lately...anyone else with an "almost 18-month-old" experiencing the same thing?

wondertoast organic t-Shirt

How cute is this toddler tee?

I love me some sushi, so this would be too perfect for Matty. Go check out all of the other fab, non-toxic, eco-friendly items at Green Bambino.

And did I mention, that you can buy a $26 gift certificate to Greeno Bambino for only $8 today, by signing up with Eversave and changing the location to Atlanta?! Thanks to For The Mommas for pointing this out!

Music Monday

Tonight I bring you Three Is A Magic Number by Blind Melon. Blind Melon covered the song in 1996 for the Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks album. The song was originally performed by Schoolhouse Rock musical director, Bob Dorough in 1973. I personally like the Blind Melon version better.

Besides being a catchy tune, it's a great way to begin exposing your little one to the number 3. The song describes many things that are made up of three (my favorite being "...three in the family" :) The chorus is a great way for those of you who have children who are a tad bit older, to teach them multiplication.

This song = fun homework!

Yard Sale

Today was our community yard sale and we participated; however, we spent more than we made! Boo. Hubby felt the need to purchase a bow and a toolbox for his pickup truck. Rolling eyes big time, in particular, at the bow...

Taking bets on whether he ever actually uses it ;)
 

Hubby purchases I approve of include an embroidered Brandon Marshall (go Dolphins!) jersey and a Little Tikes art desk for Matty for only $5!

I did manage to take a break from table duty long enough to spend $3. 

Couldn't resist this:

And because Matty enjoys dragging items around, I bought this:

It was a laughter filled, sunny day with friends and fam...

 
Leftovers went to the thrift store, and some of Matty's baby clothes went to the neighbor's across the street for their new grandson :)

"What's for Dinner?" Wednesday

Tonight's dinner is a favorite in our house. It is super tasty and very simple to prepare!

1 lb hot Italian sausage removed from casings
2 C baby spinach
2 C light cream
1 lb pasta of your choice (I use penne for this recipe.)

Break sausage into bite size pieces and cook on medium heat for 10 - 15 minutes. While the sausage is cooking, boil water for your pasta. Next, add light cream to sausage and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Add spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted. Spoon over cooked pasta.

Welcome Wednesday 9/8

Metaphorical Home Poem

We're coming up on four years since we bought our very first home! This is a poem I wrote shortly thereafter.

The Pusher

we became friends with the pusher in September

he’s been knocking ever since



when I leave the office

I meet my husband at the red brick cape cod

on the corner of

E. Woodlawn and Tacoma



we are high by 5p.m.



he says

“dance with me”



we take off our shoes and the green grass tickles our souls



sing

climb

the

stairs



to the copper nest

we

j

   u

      m

           p

on cotton pinstripes

breathe fabric softener dreams



because we OWN

the paneled wall

that crack in the ceiling

the spot on the rug

the drafty windows

every inch



it is a pill

from the medicine cabinet

I swallow it each evening

to dissolve the day

Music Monday

Happy Labor Day! I had a lovely weekend spent mostly around the house enjoying time with Matty and hubby and today we went fishing. The weather was perfect all weekend. I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the week ahead =)

Today's song choice is Michael Tolcher's Kings in Castles. Michael is a musician from Georgia that I've had the pleasure of seeing live a few times. He puts on a great show so if you ever have the opportunity to see him, GO! Really, most any of Tolcher's songs are good choices to enjoy with your child but I chose Kings in Castles because it is a reflection on growing up. It has a positive message about shooting for the stars all the while staying true to yourself, a great lesson for children and adults alike!

Deep Breath...

I am not so successfully fighting back tears right now and at the same time, I feel extremely blessed and grateful.

The past two days in a row, there have been fatal accidents along the same stretch of a local highway. I did not know the people who lost their lives; nonetheless, my heart hurts. It hurts for the victims and the families and their friends.

I find myself wondering, did any of them put off today what they were planning on doing tomorrow? And now tomorrow is not an option? I hope not, but let's face it, we're all guilty of taking tomorrow for granted.

It's scary to leave the house. Even if you are a perfect driver, you cannot control others.  In an instant, a life can be taken. I guess this is where faith comes in; I called a friend tonight just to tell her how affected I had become by these two accidents. She told me to pray; to relinquish this burden to Him because it is not my burden to carry, so I prayed. And I feel better, but still shaken. I know I can't put all of the people I love in a protective bubble; all I can do is live fully, love deeply and revel in the simple moments that mean so much.

My awareness (both on the road and in the way I live my life) has increased this week. I am sorry that two people had to lose their lives in order for it to happen, but I am thankful for the opportunity to make the most of today.

"What's for Dinner?" Wednesday

Tonight's meal was a variation on one that a friend (love you Mary!) gave me:

Ingredients

6 thin cut pork chops
salt and pepper
2 tbsp pan searing flour
2 tbsp olive oil
2 C baby spinach
1 C coarsely chopped onion
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 tsp finely chopped capers
1 can cream of celery soup
1 C skim milk
1 cup low sodium chicken broth

1. Salt and pepper your pork chops to your liking.
2. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with pan searing flour.
3. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add pork chops. Cook 2-3 minutes each side.
5. Remove pork chops from pan.
6. Add the other tablespoon of olive oil.
7. Add garlic, onions and capers. Saute 5 minutes.
8. Add cream of celery soup and stir until all ingredients are well blended.
9. Add 1 C skim milk and 1 C chicken broth.
10. Heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
11. Add 1 C of uncooked long grain rice and stir.
12. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
13. Add pork chops back into pan.
14. Cook for 20 minutes.

Voila!

Monday, you can hold your head. Tuesday, Wednesday stay in bed...

Well since I can't stay in bed, I'm going to join in the fun over at take it from me. You should too!