Here and Now

This saying has been coming to my mind a lot lately:
"Bloom where you are planted!"

What does this mean to you? I'll be sharing my thoughts soon :-)

Manhandler Meatloaf

Weather here in Ohio has been awesome....with highs in the 70's.
This totally puts me in the mood for fall comfort food.

Here's a recipe for my all time favorite comfort food.....and what we're having for supper tonight. What is on your menu?

Makes 16 (4 oz) servings (8 servings per loaf)

Ingredients
1/2 (6 oz) Stove Top stuffing mix (whichever flavor you want). I use cornbread.
1/2 carton Egg Beaters (Or if 2 large eggs)
1-2 cup mild thick n' chunky salsa
1/2-1 cup honey barbecue sauce
1 lb of ground sausage
2 lbs lean ground round

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

While still in the bag, crunch up stuffing mix into fine bread crumbs.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, egg substitute, salsa, BBQ sauce, and crunched up stuffing mix.

Using your hands, mix together.
You can add more salsa or stove top until it reaches the desired consistency.

This makes 2 loaves. Bake meatloaf in oven for 50 minutes or done in the middle.

Glaze
1/4 cup grape jelly
1/2 cup honey barbecue sauce
2 tbsp salsa

Mix together glaze ingredients in a microwavable safe bowl. Microwave for 20-30 seconds or until jelly is melted. Spread glaze on meatloaf and bake another 10 minutes.

ENJOY!

Wordless Wednesday: Cute Kid

This is the picture that I entered for Baby Steps Studios' Cutest Kid Contest.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you would take a few moments and vote for my little man.

To vote, you first need to "Like" Baby Steps Studios on Facebook HERE

Then, click HERE and "Like" Gauge's picture (located at the bottom left of the picture).

*Please note...commenting doesn't count as a vote. You need to "LIKE" the page and "LIKE" Gauge's individual picture. *

Thanks so much.....cross your fingers for us :-)

Who ever

said that "Good Help Is Hard To Find" has never met my

little construction workers!

Wordless Wednesday: A little fishy

Much needed get away

When you and your husband both work and you're busy raising kids....alone time is very few and far between. So.....we decided to stage an intervention. Shawn's parents agreed to babysit the kids overnight for us.....and my Mom and Dad agreed to pet sit over night for us. Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to get our run out of the way. We then dropped the kids off and hit the road.

A road trip isn't complete without a trip to Starbucks!

Once we were fully loaded up on caffeine we over two hours to our destination

Kings Island!

It had literally been about 15 years since I've been there....and about 4 years since I've road a real rollar coaster. We had a blast! About half way through our day, rain threatened to ruin it for us. As we were standing in line for a ride, it let loose drenching us. We decided to make the best of it and head to their water park. This didn't seem to be in the plans either because they kept shutting down the slides due to weather. We were not sure what to do. Do we call it quits early and head to the hotel.....or wait it out. We chose to go to the car, grab some dry clothes and wait it out. I'm so glad that we did. We ended up having such a wonderful day and night riding roller coaster after roller coaster......and screaming like a couple kids!

Around 10 we went back to the hotel to get a good nights sleep....because the next day, we were making our maiden voyage to Ikea! We got there around 11:30 and the parking lot was already pretty full. We spent about 2 hours shopping around and checking everything out. We came home with a shoe organizer for our mud room, and office chair, plastic dinner wear for the kids, and a few other misc. items. I loved Ikea....and can not wait to go back again!!!

On our way home, we have to pass by an outlet mall. And you know the rule....you simply are not allowed to drive past an outlet without stopping. Getting tired and hungry at this point, we decided to make another yummy pitstop. This time at Chipotle.

I was hoping to find some good stuff for the upcoming school year. I however have a horrible time bringing myself to pay full price at an outlet mall. Therefore....I bought out of season and got the kids some great goodies for next summer. My goodies included lots of shirts for $2.99 and 3...yeah, that's right 3 pair of sandals for Grace at $2.99 each.

Shawn and I had so much fun together.....but I was also super duper excited to get home and see my kiddos and smother them in hugs and kisses!

3 Year Check Up

Gauge went for his 3 year check up today.

He weighs 36 lbs and is 38 1/2 in. tall.

Such a big boy.....all ready for Preschool!

Melt In Your Mouth Peach Cobbler

As you can tell this recipe is well loved! It was printed back on July 31, 2001 when we were newlyweds and living in our first apartment in Grove City. I've made this cobbler dozens of times since. I think you're going to love it too!

SERVINGS

6 to 8 servings

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quantity

servings

measurements

U.S.  metric  and fraction  decimal

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup flour

2 to 4 cups peaches, including juice

1 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS:
Place butter in a large casserole dish and place in oven. Heat oven to 350°F. As the butter melts in the oven, mix flour, milk, baking powder and sugar together until smooth.

Measure out 2-4 cups of fruit including juice (Use slightly less juice than fruit).

When butter is melted and casserole is hot, quickly pour in the batter, then pour the fruit over the top. The fruit will sink to the bottom as it bakes.

   Bake for 1 hour, until brown and bubbly. Let it cool about 1/2 hour before serving to let the juices congeal.

Serve with ice cream and coffee!

Recipe Source: Food Geeks

Blueberry Buckle

Here

is what

we had

for dessert

tonight....and

It was a hit!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
  
  TOPPING:
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup cold butter

Directions

1. In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fold in the blueberries. Pour into greased 9-in. square baking pan.
2. For topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberry mixture. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. 
3. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream :-)
   
   * Recipe from All Recipes
   

Wordless Wednesday: Climber

Tragedy

This morning we woke to tragic news. 

Grace's very dearest, oldest, and most precious friend had been injured sometime in the night. 

It was a pretty deep neck wound that would most definitely require surgery.

You see, this particular friend:


Has been on family vacations with us.

Gone to doctors appointments with her

Went to preschool with her

.....and has a sleepover with her pretty much every night!


I knew this day would come......

but I underestimated the heartbreak and tears it would cause her.

So tonight.....Mommy will have to play surgeon for Grace's beloved White Dog.


Who's nose is wearing thin with age

And who's white coat is now now a dingy gray....

A couples little stitches, and a trip to the bath.....and he will be good as new.

Ready to accompany her:

To her first day of Kindergarten

The loss of her first tooth

.......and many many more sleepovers!

Wordless Wednesday: Here Birdie

Orange Orange Orange

A few months ago, I began asking Gauge what kind of birthday party he wanted for his 3rd birthday. He originally said he wanted a Mickey Party.....then he changed his mind and decided that he wanted an "Orange Party." No character theme....just his favorite color. Orange everything! Mommy aims to please. I went out in our field and cut some Queen Anne's Lace to dye it orange. Didn't really work (even after soaking for 30 hours). I guess it's the thought that counted.

We had lots of yummy orange food. Carrots & dip. Cheetos (gauge's favorite). BBQ potato chips. Cantaloupe. Cheese & Crackers. Mac & Cheese. Sloppy Joes (not really orange...but yummy). Orange M&M's....And, of course an Orange Cake and Cupcakes, and Cremesicles.

All of our decorations were orange...and even his party guests wore orange!!

Gauge was in such an ornery mood the day of his party. I'm lucky that I was able to capture this picture of him with his cake before the guests arrived....because once they did....he was a wild man!

I tried getting pictures of him smiling before he blew out his candles....but as you can see.....he tried his very best to NOT crack a smile.

Make a wish!

The Orange Cake and Orange Creamsicles were YUMMY!

In carrying on with his orneriness....Gauge decided that while opening his presents he would either turn his back to the party guests or hide behind his wrapping paper...therefore, making it difficult for Mommy to get many good pictures. I managed to snap a few.

He loved his Buzz Lightyear and all the other great toys that he got. The clothes he didn't really care for (like most kids I know)....but Mommy and Daddy appreciated them!

Following all the indoor activities....we headed outside for some games of Cornhole and water fun for the kids.

I do believe that the Orange Party was a success. Gauge loved it and that's all that matters to this Mama!

It's hard to believe that my baby is 3!! If you missed year 1 and 2 check them out below:

Gauge's 1st Birthday

Gauge's 2nd Birthday