Taco Tuesdays in a Crock Pot!!

I can't lie. Around here, "Taco Tuesdays" are a MUST!! I tell you, don't mess with our Tuesdays. When my hubby and I first met, we were poor college kids. Man, money was so incredibly tight! Most of the time, we'd hangout at the 4H house. Because everyone would just bring a few things, and we'd cook up a meal.

But on Tuesdays, it was "Taco Tuesday." We'd sometimes splurge, and go to our favorite Mexican restaurant. But most of the time, we'd go to Taco Bell. Get us a few cheapo tacos, and sit and talk. Some days, we'd head to the local park. Other times, we'd head to one of our houses, and catch up on our favorite shows. And when one of us was pulling an "All Nighter" at the library, the other would bring dinner. :)

When we got married and moved in together, not much changed. Other than, it's been a heck of a long time, since we went to Taco Bell! Now hubby has a better job. But we're still a 1 income family. Cooking is not just something I should do....it's almost necessity. To cut down on costs. And I'm totally cool with that. It's my way, to provide for my hubby. Since he works so darn hard!

I've been pretty good. We still eat our tacos every Tuesday. It's that one thing, that makes both my hubs and I, very happy!! Almost 90% of the time, we have ground beef tacos. I'm just not too skilled in cooking. Once in a while, we'll have leftover roast. I'll shred it, and cook it up with onions, peppers, and jalapenos. And if I'm being really lazy, I'll pick up a rotisserie chicken. I shred it up. And those tacos, usually get more "fancy" toppings than the rest. :)

But I feel like I'm in a rut! I want to keep our "Taco Tuesdays" going. But I wanted something a little different. And honestly, I haven't been wanting to cook much. I know I say this a lot, but it is so HOT here!! Living in the desert, sorta sucks the life out of you at times.

Well, you know what? Good friends are awesome! And not long ago, Rach blogged about this blog. She was working on a craft, for her boys. And had tried out some recipes. I thought, that this recipe sounded good. And super easy! Heck, Rach has 3 kids. Under 3!! And Mike is away, fighting that fire. If she can make these, so can I!

Life changing folks! So good!! I almost NEVER use my crock pot. I just don't know what to cook in there. And it takes up so much space. That it spends 98% of the time, tucked away under our kitchen sink. I know. Weird huh? But my hubs refuses to put cleaning supplies under there. Like most people. We've never had anything under there, except all the appliances, that we rarely use.

Thanks Rach! For sharing this blog with me. And helping me find this recipe. Something tells me, these are going to be regulars in our meals. They're easy, cheap, and so tasty! Heck ya! Things that we have on hand, all the time, chicken breasts and salsa. This is what we ate on Tuesday night. With fresh corn tortillas.You have to LOVE the local Mexican bakeries. :) Try this out! You won't regret it. Plus, clean up was super easy!! That's always a bonus in my book. ~Chels

New Favorite Meal

It's been H-O-T!! I've been getting fatter. I know I'm pregnant. But what never crossed my mind was, that I'd be this pregnant, during the HOTTEST time of year! Oh. My. GOODNESS!! I'd tell you to come and murder me. But really, that wouldn't solve much....

With all this heat, and expanding belly, I'm not doing much. Can't lie! From about 2pm on, I just want to lay down, turn up the AC, and nap!! I have absolutely no appetite whatsoever!! But I'm forcing myself to eat. For the sake of my daughter.

When I do eat, or cook, I want it to be easy. Simple. Light. Nothing complex. Nothing that is going to keep me in the kitchen all day. Or that is going to have me doing dishes all night. That's why I'm so happy, that Ashley posted this recipe!!

I've essentially taken the idea, and made similar pasta dishes, 2 or 3 times a week. All month long! We're talking, any veggies I can find in the fridge, are quickly sauteed. Then angel hair pasta is added. Then we eat. Some nights, I sprinkle some cheese on top. Other nights, hubs will grill up some chicken to go with our pasta. He eats it, I don't. One night, he even made us some fish. That was yummy!

I can say this much, I'm having a hard time with protein at the moment. Mornings all together are still tough. Food wise. But I can manage some eggs, and light protein. After that, it's a struggle for me to eat protein. I know it's important. But I just can't deal. So I try to eat peanut butter or beans for lunch. But this idea, is really good. Lots of veggies=lots of good vitamins!! ~Chels

Brilliant Idea!!

I'm trying to find things to keep me occupied. Inside. Preferably! I almost past out, Friday when I went grocery shopping. I walked from a close parking, right inside. At 10am! And thought I was just going to pass out. This heat, is really starting to get to me. And I'm coming to terms with, I MUST stay inside....during the "peak" heat hours. Ugh!

Like I said, I'm looking for things to keep me busy. Inside. If you have any ideas, please leave me a note! I'm going a little crazy here! But I've been looking for ideas, to make things. For our nursery. For our yard. Things like that. And I found something fun on Pinterest!!

Isn't it brilliant? A hula hoop chandelier!! Honestly, I've got plenty of Christmas lights. Hubs went a little crazy buying them up this past Christmas. Apparently, I just need some paint, lace, fabric, things like this. And a hula hoop! How fun! I'd actually like to make one of these. Maybe 3, for our back porch. But I'd prefer to hang ours with rope. What do you think?

Is this something that you'd try? Or that you even like? I'm I going nuts? I hope not. Because I think this would be so fun!! Especially under the summer sky. Just a little bit of twinkle, to make every night, extra special!! ~Chels

Made Me Smile!!

What a cute picture! What a cute little girl! Oh, it makes my heart burst with love! I just can't wait, to have my own daughter, in my arms. I can't wait to do things like this, with my little girl. :)

I was having a bit of a bad day. But when I logged onto Pinterest, and saw this picture, I just had to smile! And my little girl, decided to give her momma a little "here I am" movement. That reminded me, what is really important. ~Chels

Thin Mint Heaven!!

Every year, I count something down. Something that you won't expect. Girl Scout cookie time! And let me tell you, it's tough to find those little guys. Around here anyway! We must not have a troop around here. I'm not sure. But without fail, my hubby brings home 10 boxes. Every year. Bless my Lova'!!

Right now, those sweet delight, are long gone. I'm a little ashamed to admit, that hubs only got 3 cookies. 3 cookies people!! I ate the rest. Me and baby girl. :) And they were darn good! But I got real sad, when I found this recipe last night. Oh. My. Goodness! What am I going to do now??

Well, nothing gets by the man I love. We're completely out of thin mints. Hubs took to hunting out something similar today. Didn't even know he was going to the grocery store. I would have asked him to pick up some ice cream. And maybe some bagels with cream cheese. :) Can you tell what I'm craving?

Hubs did find a yummy cookie. I think they're made by Keebler. I'm not even positive. And a little too lazy to go look right now. But as we speak, I've got a batch of these in the oven. And our home smells AMAZING!! I can't wait to try them out.

On a side note, hubs bought 3 packages of those cookies. And I've already eaten 6 cookies! It's bad. And the Andres mint chips....from the baking aisle....are so good! Darn Lola!! You got me hooked on eating them, with vanilla ice cream. And by themselves. :) Can you tell that I like chocolate and mint? ~Chels

Colorful Fun!!

Some things just make the world, a very happy place. You know, like walking through Hobby Lobby. I know, it's just February. But I walked through all the aisles in Hobby Lobby. And I spent an extra long time, in the "Summer" aisles.

There were so many colorful things! Pinwheels for you yard. A heck of a lot of garden stuff. But also, lots of fun summer stuff. Like kitchen utensils. In all these fun and bright colors. It totally didn't help that everything in that section, was 40% off this week. I wanted it all! Including this cool cutting board. That has a fold out bowl attached. To put your peelings and stuff. Really cool! Well, I walked out with nothing....

But I still had all this on my mind. When I got home, we had this catalogue in the mail too! For the love of mankind, I couldn't help myself. I sat down, and looked through the whole thing. Filled with kitchen gadgets, tools, and essentials. We're talking pots and pans, towels, and decor. In the best colors ever!! Including some fun spoons. Wooden spoons. With fun colored, painted handles.

When my hubby came home, I was going to show them to him. Being that I had been so good all day. All day people! I didn't buy a thing we didn't need. And I paid all our bills. :) But I couldn't find that catalogue anywhere. :(

My hubby decided over the weekend, that we should go back to Hobby Lobby. Pick up a few things. Being that everything was on sale again. It's the 3rd week in a row, that these things were on sale! This time, I couldn't bring myself to spending the money. I know! I'm a fool. But we're saving up for a really good cause....our baby's nursery.

And honestly, in the back of my mind, I was still thinking about those spoons. I'm almost 100% positive, that they were 6 spoons for $20. Kinda a lot. But totally worth it! And I didn't want to blow money, on something that I wasn't 100% sure of. Yes, I liked the brightly colored spatulas, whisks, and gadgets. But even with the discount, they were $5 a piece. Oh, and then how would I decide on a color, or which to buy. We left....empty handed.

Then we crossed the road, and did our grocery shopping. Totally on the wrong day. At the wrong store. Wally World on a Saturday....is a MAJOR SIN!! Especially in this college town. Hobby Lobby's lines had been insane! This was ridiculous! At one point, 2 hours into shopping, 90 minutes in line....my hubby wondered away. He actually snuck to the McD's in the back. To get us a little snack. And on his way back to the front, he saw a package of wooden spoons. Hanging on the side of an aisle. And because I had shown my hubby, this picture earlier in the week, he brought them to me. :)

I left hubby with the his fries and ice cream, and our grocery cart. Still in line. And I made a beeline for the small craft department. How can you call 1 and 1/2 aisles, a "Craft Department?" Anyway, I picked up a few different colors of paint. And some sponge brushes.

Long story short, I spent my Saturday night, painting. I ended up using this picture as a good inspiration. And I'm happy that we still had some painters tape, in the closet. It helped make my handles straight. A few coats of paint later, we have some fun cooking utensils. Now I'll be on the lookout for more wooden utensils. Thank you Hobby Lobby and Pinterest for my new, colorful, and fun kitchen accessories! ~Chels

When Times Get Tough....

Lately, life has been tough. I feel like someone has kicked me in the stomach. Or is sitting here, with their hands inside me, torturing my insides. I've been so sick! "Morning sickness," is killing me. Literally, I spend 20 hours laying down. A day!! Why don't women talk about this stuff?

I've been feeling really bad. I mutter up enough energy to make my hubby some breakfast, take my vitamins, and shove something down my throat....every morning. Then I lay down. For hours and hours. Praying that it stays down. In the afternoon, I manage to get up again, throw in a load of laundry, and shove some lunch down my throat. Then I take a nap, until my hubby gets home.

Talk about feeling like crap! He comes home, to a messy home, no dinner, and a wife that looks like death. Poor man. If he wanted a divorce right now, I'd totally understand! My hubby comes home, from working 10 hours. And has to cook dinner. Then I feel really bad. And I try to do more laundry. And I cry. Cry every evening, in the middle of our bedroom.

To which my hubby comes to hold me. And tell me, it's OK. That life isn't always going to be like this. There is a reason. And that is, I'm growing  us a strong and healthy baby. My hubby reminds me that life isn't always going to be like this. That I'm doing something, that he can't do. Grow a baby. And he is more than happy, to pick up my slack.

Yes, my hubby makes us dinner. Preps both of our lunches. Finishes the laundry that I started earlier. Cleans the yard. And has started helping out with the housework. I pray, that this will not last much longer. I just don't know if I have it in me, to continue this way.

Last night, my hubby reminded me of our wedding vows. "For better, or for worse. In sickness, and in health." You never think about those things, when you're getting married. But on the tough days, the wedding vows, really do take on a new meaning. A more meaningful definition of marriage.

I know, in my heart, that all of this is for the well being of our baby. And our family. It doesn't make it easier. But it makes it easier to understand. I know, that I have an AMAZING husband. Lately, I've grown to know, he is so much more amazing, than I could ever dream up. He's so loving, caring, and understanding. I'm so thankful for my hubby! Yes, he makes my grey skies happy. He finds ways to make me smile, when no one else can. I'm so lucky to have him! Our baby is so lucky, that he is going to be their daddy!! ~Chels

Oh. My. Goodness!

It's October. How did that happen? I still feel like it's May. And that I just graduated! Life is just moving so fast! And I still don't have a job. :(

But don't get to sad. My hubs likes to tell me....turn that frown upside down. :) With all this spare time, I've been trying to be a better wife. You know, take care of my hubbys, take care of our home, do more home projects, clean, laundry, and cook. The last one....is definitely the toughest! And I hate to admit it!! What's worse, I had to take a handful of cooking classes in college. Apparently, I didn't learn a thing!! My "go-to" recipe is still the English muffin pizzas, that I learned how to make in middle school. With a salad! :)

Thank goodness for Pinterest and blogs! I'm learning a little from both. Honestly, I've been a little down lately. A "pick me up" is definitely in order! Today I decided that I was going to bake something yummy. When I found this recipe on Classy Clutter....I just about died with excitement!!

There's a cake in there. With Kit Kat's all around. Then M&Ms on top! Are. You Serious? Yes, I am! We just happened to have lots of candy. I spent about an hour in the Halloween candy aisle Friday. We also have a cake mix, and frosting in the house.

Yes, this is what I'm making in 5 minutes!! I just can't wait. With a different bow, I think this would be perfect for Halloween! Heck, I might make one for the Halloween Carnival at church. Because how can I mess this up? Candy and cake....does it get any better? ~Chels

Much Needed

Lately, we've been all stressed out. You know, tax season. And we're first time homeowners. And I think you can say it, we're still "Newlyweds." Plus this stupid Census! Life has just been a little stressful lately. But we're holding it together. Our taxes are pretty much done! Yay! And I've filled out the 3rd Census. I'm pretty sure it's the 3rd. What's with all these papers?

Anyway, I was feeling stressed out. And desperately in the need of a laugh. Or some good news. So I googled "Longhorn food." OK, I was also in need of some good food. And you can't deny it. Football food is good. And very comforting. Insert these gems.



Aren't they cute? They're cake pops. Just decorated like Longhorns. OK, so I'm not all crafty. My Longhorns probably would look horrible. But, I would like to try and make plain cake pops. After doing a quick search, and calling Lola, they don't sound too hard to make. Basically, you bake a cake. Then you mix together the frosting and the cake. And roll into balls. Insert a stick and dunk in chocolate. Sounds yummy! ~Chels

I Hurt...Everywhere!

I really do! Every muscle, every bone...they all hurt! My hubby and I worked so hard on our yard this past weekend. But it looks nice. The sods is gorgeous! Our entire yard looks amazing. With just sod! :)

We also planted our trees and rose bushes. And some flowers that I bought. There weren't many, so I really spread them out. But all weekend, we were out in our yard. The dogs really enjoyed it. My Hubby and I are so proud of ourselves. I'm glad we started with the "bones."

My hubby even left me a little corner. In the sunniest part of the yard. For my garden. Now I just need to find time to start it. It's not that I don't appreciate my hubby's help. I just want this to be my project. You know, he's working on so many things already. I just want to do something to add to our household. Do you understand?

So that sums up our weekend. We worked on yard work. Our dirt yard is now covered in green sod. I've got beautiful roses bushes. They really do make me smile! And now, I'm researching small gardens. Life is good! ~Chels

Tired

I'm so tired. This week has just been so crazy! Between Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras, I'm barely standing. I really need some sleep tonight. And we don't even party. You know, like getting drunk. No, we just like to do a lot of things...in very little time.

I just don't understand why we cram so much into 1 week. It's insanity! Hopefully I get to catch up on some sleep. And hopefully, we don't have to do too much this weekend. Because I'm not sure I can handle it. Ya, I need some time to recover from all these holidays. Because we crammed so much into the last week! ~Chels

Feeling Better

We're finally feeling better. Today hubs went back to work. When I say we've never been sick like that before, I'm not lying! It was so bad! I really wanted to just die. My entire body hurt. Badly! But now we're better.

I really think the chicken soup that our friends brought over, it did the job! And it was really good. So much so, I called them to see where they got it. And I picked some up for dinner tonight. Ya, we're having soup, grilled cheese, and 7UP. I don't want to push my luck too much. Besides, that soup was really good!

In the end, I'm glad we have great friends. They help out whenever we need the help. I'm so grateful. And I'm so happy that the hubs and I are doing a lot better. Because that was a rough week! ~Chels

The Honky Tonk Couple is Sick

We've been sick for days. I'm not even sure how many. But my hubby and I, we've been in bed for days. Sick. Really bad. We have the flu and we were really dehydrated. Ya, we finally made it to the doctor yesterday. Both of us had to have an IV. Ugh! But we're feeling a little better now. I'm actually wanting something to eat. You can just imagine the 2 of us.

We're trying to make each other feel better. But it's hard to make your love feel better when you feel so bad. But we're on our way to recovery. At least my hubby still loves me. Even with dirty hair, no makeup, and a red nose. We're hoping to be better by Monday. Ya, hubs has been home sick. But he wants to go back to work. Even with a fever. ~Chels