ZooLights!

Another post for today, sorry I'm playing a little catch up with all the pictures I have..... We went to zoo lights last week, I just wasn't able to post about it till now.

Main reason to go to ZooLights: Robby loved all the colors/lights and watching all the people.

Main reason NOT to go to ZooLights: We spent almost as much time looking for a parking spot as we spent inside! 

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Snow Covered Happiness

Last Thursday Robert, baby and I went up North... way up North, like a 4 hour drive!! We stayed in Pinetop, AZ which was a cute little town amidst a whole lot of forest. Robby got to see/feel/play with snow for the first time in his short life hehe!! He had a good time, but I think he had more fun climbing the stairs in the hotel and playing chase in the hallways!! I was a bit worried about the drive because we've never been on a road trip with baby before. He did amazing though, slept the whole way up and more than half of the way back down to Phoenix. He started to get fussy about 5 mins away from the house, luckily!! I am so proud of how good he was!! I enjoyed myself too, lots of eating out and treating ourselves to Starbucks and treats from the vending machine .... I really cant wait till next winter though when Robby will be more into the snow and know what it is!!

Some random thoughts about my trip:

I really love icicles!!

Charlie Clark's has one amazing bbq pulled pork sandwich!!

I need boots that are snow proof.

Robby sadly has my hair, which means lots of static when its cold.

A snowman is harder to build than I remember it being when I was younger.

My child hates hats and gloves.

Our new ipad is a great road trip item, BTW "I don't know how she does it" is a cute movie!!

My roots are getting really bad

Snow or no snow,  I love the winter.....

iphone

iphone

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Flashback Friday No. 5

This is from 2008 making me around 22yrs old. I look a little "hippie-esk" which I love.....  I had just cut my own bangs, and having never had them before it was pretty risky business doing it myself. I absolutely loved them though!! I remember thinking why didn't I do this before!! This wasn't any special day in particular, but I for some reason I remember it so vividly. Some guy saw me taking pictures of myself and actually said "I can help you, if you want" leaving me TOTALLY EMBARRASSED and feeling a bit conceded. I mean who sits in a park and takes pictures of themselves?! well I guess I did... hahaha!! Long story short, I'm glad I decided to give myself bangs... And don't take self portraits in the park hehe :)

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A Place for My Things ????

We are fortunate enough to have a guest house/back house/extra space in our backyard. It is a 2story place and well since we are only renters we haven't done much with it. Our washer and dryer reside in there along with everything we need to store, which is A LOT because our house is on the small side. Robert uses the top half to record music and more recently a podcast him and a friend have started, Read Em and Wheat, I have decided to make something out of the bottom half. I do a lot of DIY and crafts, not to mention TRYING to pick up sewing. So I decided to make it my space to do what I do, whatever that may be. Its been a mess because I haven't put a lot of effort into it just yet. This morning I had an unusual amount of energy, so I cranked up the country love songs and got to work!! and during the demessifing (yes I made up that word) process, I started a few gifts for friends that I've been meaning to start. YAY!

I was also able to get out all of the baby food and other glass jars I have been saving! I have lots of ideas for them! just need to slowly start the creative process, soon I hope! I plan to do a little searching for a few good tutorials and share with you guys.....

after I was bored with cleaning I decided to thread my sewing machine, which is way harder than it seems! I am sorry to say, the machine won.... I gave up after a good 30 mins of trying to thread the needle, yes my friends I was at the very last steps ... I'll attempt again soon, or ask my dear friend to come over and do it, she sews all the time hehe.

oh and just in case you thought I was lying about the sappy love songs.....

my phone is filthy!!

.... now pretty stuff I took pictures of while I was back there

Robert and I are taking our first road trip with baby very soon! We are taking him up north to see the snow and relax a little... This mom is very excited about that!! Pictures will soon follow our return!

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Lentil Soup

I love soup!!I REALLY LOVE SOUP.... Especially in the winter when its cold outside,  but don't we all though?! I have never had or tried to make lentils before, but I went over to a friends a few weeks ago and she had made some lentil soup. I didn't try any, but it sparked my curiosity. So I decided to find a good recipe and make it, well yesterday I did just that! and the result was.... well, I officially LOVE LENTIL SOUP.... Here's how I made mine, along with a few pictures of the steps, hope you all enjoy! 

What you will need:

 3 strips (3 ounces) bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces *I used turkey bacon*
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch half-moons
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth (3 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

 a glass of white wine and christmas tunes, as well...

* If you prefer to leave out the bacon, cook the onions and carrots in 1 tablespoon olive oil.

First in a 5-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid (or Dutch oven) cook bacon over medium-low heat until browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat.

Add onion and carrots; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste, and cook 1 minute. 

Add lentils, thyme, broth, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Cover; cook until lentils are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. (If it starts to get to thick add more water)

Stir in vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve immediately.

Hope you all enjoy this soup as much as I did!!

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Flashback Friday No. 4

This one is from Halloween 2006, I was a naughty nun (of course). I remember this Halloween was the first time I attempted to wear fake eyelashes! oh and check out the red flip-phone in my top.  I was still under age (20) so of course my best friend Cynthia and I drove way to far to a house party. I had a really fun night, way to many shots of Jager though. I don't miss the hangover's one bit from that time in my life...

I've been pretty busy this week, so I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  Tomorrow I hope to have a recipe for Lentil soup up!!

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