Pinterest is going to make me FAT!

Pinterest. What a love/hate relationship I have with that site! Besides awesome organizational ideas, craft ideas, hairstyles, decoration ideas, etc....people post recipes. I've pinned quite a few healthy ones, but I've also come across a few others that just looked too good to pass up, even if they were a little heavy in the calorie/fat categories!

I've taken pics for you the last couple of weeks. Why? I have NO IDEA! HA! It's really hard to take pretty pictures of food, and I've definitely NOT accomplished that, but I'm posting anyway! But I still wanted to share....if you are like me, then you get stuck in a rut cooking the same foods over and over and over again!

I'm also including the links to the recipes (just click on the recipe title). I'm pretty sure I tweaked each recipe's ingredients. I RARELY follow one perfectly.

CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA
***If you don't try any others, you might want to try this one!

Oh my gooodness....this was yummy! And definitely the most unhealthy recipe of all (go figure, right?!). Pasta. Cheese. Sour cream. Spice. What more could you want??? If you know me, then you know I eliminated the red bell pepper (yuck). I used whole wheat pasta, low fat sour cream and low fat cheese, but still no way was this helping out my scale this week! Heat warning! This recipe definitely has a little kick to it.

Verdict: Will definitely make again, but only on very rare occassions since we try to cook healthy. It was even good on the 2nd night!

TACO CUPCAKES

A nice little twist on a traditional taco. Adding in the black beans not only added an extra element, but it also really stretched the recipe. We were able to eat 2 meals on this (could be more, but my hubby likes to eat!). I used the mini wontons, but in regular muffin tins. You put one wonton, then some of the meat/bean mixture, then another wonton on top (2 wontons per "cupcake").

Verdict: Will make again. If you are wanting a crunchy taco, the wontons are definitely healthier than traditional taco shells. They don't taste just like a taco, but it was still a nice change of pace.

Just top with your favorite toppings!

CILANTRO-LIME RICE

I love cilantro-lime rice. I typically see it mainly at burrito places like Chipolte, Freebirds and Qdoba. We had it as a side to our Taco Cupcakes.

Verdict: I think it could be good. I'm not very good at cooking white rice though. It's always really sticky. Maybe I'll try it with brown rice next time to up the healthy factor (although I did use less oil...maybe that's why it was sticky?!?!).

BREAKFAST CUPCAKES
(or that's what I'm calling them)

When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to make them for Jason. Bread, egg & bacon. The perfect breakfast, right?! I was hesitant that they would actually taste good though!

BEFORE THE OVEN:

I couldn't believe how much the bread actually toasted. I did overcook slightly. The yolk in the egg wasn't runny like Jason would have liked it to be, so if we make these again, I'll probably cook them a few minutes shorter than the recipe says.

AFTER THE OVEN:

Caution: These are really filling! I only ate one. Olivia ate part of one (she didn't like). And Jason had 2-3, but he said he was stuffed and couldn't eat anymore.

Verdict: Sure, we'll probably try them again. Not an every weekend thing, but worth doing again. Jason even ate the leftovers with ranch dressing (EEK!).

(you knew I had to throw in a pic of our princess, right?!)

CHICKEN LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

This was our dinner tonight. I totally changed this recipe (didn't use feta or plain parm...used a blend of Italian cheeses...but I did use the ricotta...well, a low-fat version). I also don't have white pepper. I used black pepper. NO CLUE if they even taste similar! HA.

Verdict: Jason really enjoyed it. It's not exactly on my healthy eating plan, so I only had one roll. It was ok. I guess we'd try again (when I'm allowed to eat that much cheese again....so probably never)! If you need something a little new and different, give it a shot.

Ok, so one more to share with you....but no pic (I'm too lazy to get it off my phone...probably from all this heavy food I've eaten)!

These ENERGY BALLS are YUMMY!!! Definitely a must-try! Go ahead...click the link! I've made a batch of these a week for the past 3-4 weeks. I originally wanted a good snack idea for Olivia. But of course, she won't touch them, but Jason and I like them! They are small and you shouldn't eat too many, but they are really good!

Ok, so maybe I've given you a few ideas for dinner next week! I have several more things "pinned", so maybe I'll have more for you in a week or two!

HELP PLEASE!

Hey guys! I have no clue how many people actually read my blog....but I'm coming to you for help so I can win a free photo shoot for Olivia!

If you are on Facebook, please go "like" Stephanie Freydenfeldt Photography. After you like her page, please write on her wall "Tessa Dominy sent me" (or somthing to that effect). That's it! Very simple and will take you less than 1 minute and will save me lots of $$$! Whoever sends the most people to her page will win a free photo shoot!

Thanks in advance for your help! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

YAY...Tomorrow is a New Day!

My last two Mondays have been TRUE Mondays. Last Monday, I received 2 tickets (1 speeding, 1 inspection). That was my first speeding ticket ever, so I guess I've been kinda lucky.

And today.....ohhhhh, let's see. It started at 4:30am when I got up to go to the gym. Olivia woke up crying before I could get out of the house. By the time I got her back to bed, it was 5:15am so I just decided to get ready for work. I left the house around 6:15am. Unfortunately, I needed to get gas, so I stopped at the QT by our house....I got the gas, got back in the car.....AND IT WOULDN'T START. Car trouble is terrifying for me. I feel completely hopeless and clueless when things go wrong with the car. So, of course I called Jason. He came (with Olivia...don't EVEN make me tell you what he had her dressed in!). We got a new battery and off to work I went. I got there a little before 9:00am. And around 10:30, I received a call from daycare that Olivia was sick. SERIOUSLY???? So....I got back in my car and drove an hour back to her daycare and took her to the doctor. Ear infection. Shocker.

After we got home from the doctor, Olivia napped and I logged on to my pc and worked.

I swear it felt like the longest day ever. I know the things that happened weren't really that big of a deal, but it was just one of those days where I felt like I was going to go crazy at any minute if one more little thing went wrong! I kept having to remind myself who was in charge, and I know He will take care of us! Today was full of a lot of small trials...the devil was definintely working today, but I know I can handle it with God on my side. If I know anything, I know that!

Big Girl Room

I really hate people rushing their children to grow up, but we were forced to turn Olivia's room into a big girl room. She slept sideways in her crib....and continued the habit in her toddler bed when she is obviously way too long to sleep that way! No matter what we did, we couldn't convince her to sleep "normal". So we decided it was best to go ahead and give her a bigger bed. Olivia has been in a full size bed since July, but I haven't really worked on the decor in there much until recently. We have finally almost finished her room. I have a few small things I want to do, but it's complete for the most part so I thought I'd share with you.

Don't get me wrong, I liked her baby room, but if I had it to do over again, I would pick something different. At the time of planning her nursery, I wasn't aware I was going to have such a girly girl. She loves dress up, bracelets, make up....all things girly, so it's only appropriate that she has a girly room.....and I'm so happy with it!

I found this pillow in Pottery Barn Kids and HAD to have it. I LOVE IT (but I do need to get some more throw pillows for her bed).

Sickness in the Dominy Household

Well, you know we don't go very long being well in this house. On Wednesday, Olivia woke up with a cough and running fever, so Jason stayed home with her. She was still running a decent temp on Wednesday night, so I stayed home with her Thursday. By Thursday night, I started feeling bad, and still feel pretty down tonight (Sunday). Olivia seems much better. No fever for last couple of days, but she still has a bad cough. I've had chest congestion, nasal congestion, sore throat, body aches and pretty sure fever....just general yuckiness! Here's to waking up tomorrow feeling like a brand new person!!!

Apparently on their day home, Daddy encouraged Olivia to get in a coffee box with Mickey Mouse.

Olivia and I went to Target Saturday. We scored a wonderful crown in the $1 bin (it's already broken, along with the $1 purse). She said Gracie needed to be a princess.

Do you Pinterest? I'm kind of addicted. At first, I was like "oh, no....I don't want to spend hours on the computer (or my phone)", but it's proven to not be a total waste of time! I have found numerous recipes so far...great dinner ideas....kids' activities....decorating ideas....organizational tips.....I *LOVE* IT.

So....one of the ideas I saw on Pinterest was to make colored ice cubes and put in the bath water. It said that kids love to chase around the cubes until they melt away. Olivia was SOOOOOO excited about it. She asked all day if it was time to take a bath yet.

I would say it wasn't a total fail, but I'm not sure if we will do it again. She liked playing with the ice cubes (for the 2 1/2 minutes that they existed), but she did NOT like taking a bath in green water, so we had to drain it and fill it again to get clean. Ok, so maybe ALL ideas on Pinterest aren't the greatest, but it was fun to try anyway! :)


Taking her medicine like a big girl. She doesn't like this kind at all (it's some honey-syrup for coughing), but she's such a big girl about taking it.

I remember the days of the two of us holding her down, forcing the medicine in her mouth, blowing in her face with her gargling with the medicine, only to spit it back in my face. This big girl stuff is SOOOO much better!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Me Mommy, Emily & Wayne!

We went to Houston this weekend to celebrate Me Mommy's 92rd Birthday. It's also Emily & Wayne's birthdays this month, so we celebrated their happy birthdays as well (Olivia never says "birthday" alone...it's always "Happy Birthday". She'll say "It's your happy birthday mommy").

Olivia warmed up to everyone fairly quickly, which suprised me.

Here's a pic of Aunt Jeannie, Olivia and Me Mommy.

When I told Olivia we were going to Aunt Jeannie's house, she said "Ants bite me". LOL. I wasn't real sure how to explain Aunt vs. Ant!

Olivia loved being with Me Mommy. She kept "hiding" behind her on the couch.


My favorite picture.....Olivia looks like she is REALLY telling her a story.

Emily, Lauren, Me Mommy & Blair

Wayne....just being Wayne
(slightly a pain in the rear!)

Jason: Just being Jason
(slightly antisocial!)

Emily and Olivia playing Ring Around the Rosie. If you play it once with her, you will be forced to play it 100 times. Promise!

Time to Open Presents!

Being the helper that she is, Olivia was assisting Wayne with his gifts.

There is no point to this picture....I just loved Olivia's expression. She's just all in the mix of things....not going to let anything get by on this girl.

Years and years ago, Me Mommy did this "Crewl" piece (kind of like needlepoint, cross-stich or something like that), so Elizabeth took it and had it framed for her. I had never heard of it, but looked to me like she did a great job on it! I saw the piece at Elizabeth's before it was framed, and you could barely tell which side was the front and which side was the back.

Giving Me Mommy kisses. I think she had a boo-boo.

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!"

We had a great, but fast, weekend in Houston! Hopefully we can stay a little longer next time, and visit my side of the family too (our aunts live about 5 minutes from each other)! Sorry we didn't get a chance to stop by Stacy! :)

Weekend with Nana

Jason went to the ranch, so Olivia and I had a girls' only weekend with Nana. We didn't do much...just hung out mostly. We went to a few garage sales, got Olivia's hair cut, went to church, and ate a LOT (including Olivia's favorite TCBY).

We had a good time Nana!

Come back and see us soon!

My Little Puggle

Last Wednesday night was Olivia's first night of Awana. She is now a Puggle. She apparently loved it. She was so wound up afterwards! Of course, she also misbehaved a lot the next day at school, so I can't help but wonder if it was from lack of sleep. Wednesday night church (and Awana) is over at 8pm, and she's typically already in bed by then. I know it will be an adjustment. Hopefully she'll adjust quickly! I can't believe she's already in a "club" at church. She's growing up too fast!

Labor Day Weekend 2011

How's the weekend over already? How is it 9:00 pm on Monday???? Oh, wait...only a 4 day week ahead....yes, I think I can handle that!!!

Saturday

Jason had to work. Olivia and I ran a few errands, then met up with Gram E for lunch. We had burgers from Smash Burger. I'm not a burger expert, but they were pretty tasty. Very thin patties, which I prefer. Then we headed next door to TCBY. YUM. Have you visited a TCBY lately? It's self-serve and charged by the weight. Much different than the old ones...and much better!

Sunday

We had plans to go to my lifelong friend Nicole's house for Harper's 6 month birthday...and for several of her family members' birthdays. Jason ended up having to stay home to take care of our hot water heater......and a plummer.....on Labor Day weekend....yeah, that was a pretty big expense! UGH.

Nicole's sister makes really good cakes, and cupcakes, and cookies....

Check out these cupcakes (or corn on the cob...how creative)

We were glad to get to play with everyone. We hadn't seen the crew in a while.

"Baby" Turner jumping

Maggie and Hudson jumping

Olivia jumping...she would only participate if everyone else was out of the jump house.

The Girls - Maggie, Olivia & Baby Harper (or Parker as Olivia calls her)

Monday

My goal for Monday was to not leave the house. SUCCESS!!! But only thanks to my wonderful husband who ran out a couple of times for me! We had a cool front come thru last night, and WOW....it felt awesome outside today! After 68 days of 100+ temps this summer, we desperately needed a break from the heat! Now, if only we could get some desperately needed rain!

Since it was so nice out, we spent quite a bit of time outside today. Olivia played and Jason and I did a little yard work. If you know me, then you know I didn't overdo the yard work! :)

Being an artist is HARD work

And....a pic I took sometime in the middle of the week I think....

I love you two!