Thursday, March 31, 2011

Feeling Blue

Do you ever have those days when you feel like every one around you is better than you? or feel like everything you say is being discounted by those around you? that nothing you do is the right thing? that all you want to do is bury yourself under the covers and cry? Yeah. Me, too. Today. I'm tired and worn out and would like nothing better than to just pause my life so I can catch up. But I'm the mom of two very demanding children and a wife and a student (sort of) and life doesn't have a pause button. So I'm sitting at my computer in between planning our summer schedules and making a grocery list and meal plan and doing laundry, crying because I don't know what else to do. Am I the only one that ever feels like this?

Monday, March 21, 2011

Dancing With the Stars

I love, love, LOVE DWTS! So I am going to blog about the show, LOL!

First up, Chelsea Kane: I really liked her dance! It was very high energy and she seemed to get all the steps in. I do agree with the judges that she needs to extend more, but for the very first dance of the season, she rocked it!

Wendy Williams: I'm a little surprised at how poorly she did considering she said in here promo that she is big and loud. She wasn't big and bold at all. Very timid and not like her personality at all. I hope she sticks around because I think she can work it and it will be awesome.

P.S. I'm not sure how I feel about Brooke's dress. It has a lot going on and not my favorite thing she has ever worn. But she is a beauty and so sweet so she can wear whatever she feels like!

Hines Ward: Wow! Awesome, awesome dance! He swiveled and grooved and full of energy! He had great timing and musicality. I loved it!

Petra Nemcova: No matter how she dances, her story of survival is so inspiring! She did ok. Not fabulous, but definitely not the worst I have ever seen at all! She was very charming, as Len said. And she is just a sweetie! I hope she survives the cut next week.

Romeo: well he can't possibly do any worse than his dad, Master P! Lol! That guy was AWFUL! His shoes are definitely sparkly! Ok, I'm not that impressed. His energy was good but he just didn't dance that well. He looked like he was club dancing and not ballroom dancing. I love his partner, Chelsea so I hope they can go really far.

Sugar Ray Leonard: he is trying so hard! Lol! He looks really uncomfortable in hold but looks good side by side. I liked it! Len is an idiot, btw. Bruno totally called it!! LOL! He said SRL looked like a ninja turtle in hold. BWAHAHAHA! But I still liked it!

Kendra Wilkenson: I love Kendra. She makes me laugh so hard. I hope she rocks it out in this competition!!! She did a good job! Lots of energy, very sexy, nice moves! Her steps weren't super clean, but she had some really hard choreography and she totally went for it! Go, Kendra, go Kendra, go Kendra!

Ralph Macchio: He's 49 years old. How is that possible?? Nice lines! He has definitely got the performance element down! So fun to watch. He did a great job. They did the best so far tonight by far.

Chris Jericho: he is total performer so he should be entertaining. He has a weird body type for dancing and he doesn't really seem to be dancing as much as walking around while Cheryl danced. No hip action at all. But he definitely knows how to work a crowd!

Mike Catherwood: First of all, what is up with Lacey's hair??! Ok so on to the dancing. ;) Oh, yeah, he's bad. Stiff and awkward. Poor Psycho Mike --- it was awful! Um, yeah..hmmmm...I was trying to think of something positive to say, but there just isn't much.

Kirsty Ally: she is working it out!!!! She has the footwork and the performance and the energy. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! My favorite so far!

Ok well this season is going to be so awesome!! Only two really bad dances and some really exceptional ones, so I am excited!! Anyone else watching??

Friday, March 11, 2011

Chicken Taco Bake

I wish I had pictures to post, but I had no idea if this was going to be tasty or not and after the fact, there weren't even any leftovers! Taylor, who NEVER eats dinner, had his helping and Kami's helping. Kami's doesn't like spicy foods at all, except for queso (she is a Texan, after all) so she had rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese and a tortilla. I adapted this recipe from one I found on United's website here.

And here is my modified version:

2 1/2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
Taco seasoning packet
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 package Mission Carb Balance Plus small flour tortillas
shredded Mexican blend cheese, I would guess 8 oz, but I don't really know how much I used
tortilla chips (optional)
lime wedges (optional)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*In a large skillet over medium heat, mix chicken, taco seasoning and water. Let mixture come to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
*Stir in sour cream.
*In a greased casserole dish, place tortillas to cover the bottom of the dish.
*Sprinkle cheese over tortillas.
*Add 1/3 chicken mixture over the cheese.
*Repeat layers until you end with the last of the chicken mixture.
*Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
*Add a layer of cheese to the top and bake for another 5 minutes.
*Serve with chips and limes, if desired.

Notes:
*I diced the chicken into about 1/4" cubes.
*The chicken sauce was fairly spicy when I tasted it before putting it in the casserole and I was a little nervous that no one was going to eat it. However, it mellowed almost completely and was just right for a family dish!
*I really recommend squeezing a bit of lime juice over the casserole. It brings an unexpected flavor note (don't I sound like I know what I am talking about here?? LOL!).
*I asked for reviews and Taylor scarfed his down before anyone else was even half way finished, so that was his review, I guess. Tim said he really liked it, but next time I should add some rice and have some onions on the top. My dad liked it a lot and then looked at me funny when I offered him a lime. But he is game for anything when it comes to food, so he tried it and was blown away. :D My mom enjoyed it, but agreed with Tim about the onions. Kami tried it, but I didn't really think she would like it, so my mom had a back-up plate of food for her. ;)

Monday, March 7, 2011

Meal Plan Monday

Last week was one I would just like to forget, so that is why there is no blogging. LOL! It was awful, but God is good and life moves on. So what's for dinner this week at your house? At my house, here is what we are having:

Monday: I have no idea. Because last week was so awful, I didn't make it to the store, so we don't have food here. Perhaps Little Caesar's will be cooking for me tonight. ;)
Tuesday: chicken stir fry from the freezer
Wednesday: ham and baked sweet potatoes (turkey sandwich for Taylor)
Thursday: chicken taco bake
Friday: date night
Saturday: tortellini and roasted asparagus
Sunday: pot roast with potatoes, carrots and wild rice

Have any new recipes you have tried out lately that you just love? Send them my way, especially if they are easy!! :)