Artsy-Fartsy Fun

Cyrus & I decided to have a "mommy-son date night". After throwing a few ideas around we decided to head to Wal-Mart. We picked out some inexpensive wooden objects-birdhouse & key holder sign-from the craft section and some acrylic paint. We had a great time picking out our supplies & spending the evening painting! It was a very inexpensive and fun way to spend some quality time together. 

Here's my little artist starting on the wooden birdhouse. For Mother's Day he made me some really cute "suncatchers" that are hanging in the big tree in our front yard. Cyrus thought the small birdhouse would

be a nice addition to the tree. 

I picked out this key-holder sign. Out last key-holder shelf recently broke and I've been needing a good place to keep the keys handy. Teal is my favorite color! 

We always have a good time together! 

Finishing up his masterpiece! These colors match the suncatchers! 

All finished! 

I can't wait to have the birdhouse hung in our tree and our key-holder up in our entryway! 

If you're looking for an easy craft with your kiddos-or just yourself!-this was quick, easy & cheap way to have some artsy-fartsy fun! 

9 things about me

 1. I love iced coffee...it's my new favorite thing.

2. I want to paint my kitchen teal.

3. I'm not sure what I'm going to cook for dinner tonight-probably should be figuring that out now instead of blogging.

4. My grandma had a tattoo on her face. Yep, it's true! It was just a tiny "beauty mark" on her cheek, but it sure is funny to say: A. My grandma had a tattoo. B. It's on her face!

5. I have 2 dogs- Pinto, a pocket beagle & Gidget- a mini pinscher

6. I am an La Leche League leader because I love babies & mamas, support breastfeeding and want people to know how amazing natural childbirth is.

7. I love, love, love my hubby and my son. They are the sunshine of my heart!

8. I got a good nights sleep last night & I am amazed at what a difference that can make. Sleep is good!

9. I want to become better...more organized, together, fit & healthy, happy, super mom, trophy wife, better blogger, home decor extraordinaire, gardener, always remember to say my prayers & work on my relationship with God,  laundry caught up all the time, etc etc....BUT, while some of these are necessary-  I need to learn to be content & happy with myself now. I am enough. This is hard for me to learn lately.

Valentine's Day 2013

Cyrus & Craig had some beautiful flowers delivered on Valentine's Day-Cyrus told Craig he HAD to give his "Mama" some flowers! Sweet-Sweet-Boys! 

My little buddy Cam testing out my Valentine's Day strawberry cupcakes! 

Cyrus showing off the goodies he got me! 

p.s. Check out the stuffed dog-he talked Craig into 

getting this for me and promptly told me it was for himself! 

Lavender & Pink Strawberry Valentine's Day Cupcakes! 

Craig & I finally got to have a "date night" & enjoyed dinner together at Ruby Tuesdays'. 

Cy snapped a photo of us once we got home. 

No More New Years' Resolutions!

Every year I come up with a whole list of new years resolutions. I'm sure there's an old blog on here with
a list of wonderful, ambitious things I want to do & change-but that's usually as far as it goes. A week or two in and I'm over it, I've forgotten my goals and I give up. That's one of biggest flaws-forgetting & giving up.
So, this year I am not setting new years resolutions. I'm just setting goals...goals can be started/stopped/re-started anytime. Granted, resolutions can too...but there's just something more "official" about resolutions.

My goal #1 is to lose weight & get healthy. This has been a goal for a few years now and yet I just keep GAINING weight. I am so disappointed and honestly amazed that I have let myself go this long. I have 40 lbs to lose. 40-FORTY! I am inching closer & closer to "obese" and that is scary. I had no idea I had let myself get "unhealthy".It's not just about how I look or feel. I have to lose this weight. 40lbs! That is such a huge number for me, but I just have to work a little at a time, day by day, and keep up with it. I usually start with some crazy work out & diet plan and then after a few days to a week it becomes unrealistic & overwhelming and surprise-I give up.
On Pinterest{-my favorite thing ever!}I found this:

The STARTER's exercise plan! It is so simple, but the point is just getting into the habit of exercising everyday. While I feel I should be starting off with a BANG I know this is something I can keep up with.  {AGAIN: I found this on Pinterest-I did not create it & certainly cannot take credit for it.}

Goal #2 is to learn to save & make it a habit. {Again with the habits, I know, I know!} We are planning to take Cyrus to Disney World this year. This is a great motivation to start saving. I am SO excited to take this vacation & see his face as we experience this as a family. I just can't wait. GALLOWAY FAMILY VACATION-HERE WE COME! Disney World or bust!

Crock-Pot Chicken Quesadillas

Another new EASY & YUMMY crock-pot recipe

Crock-Pot Chicken Quesadillas

4 Chicken Breasts(or chicken tenderloins){frozen is ok!}
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilles
1 pkg. cream cheese
2 cups "Mexican Cheese"
1 pack Tortilla Wraps
Sour Cream
Lettuce
Salsa
Fresh Diced Tomatoes
Butter


Spray inside of crock-pot with olive oil or cooking spray. Add chicken, can of tomatoes &  pkg. of cream cheese. Cook on low for 5-6 hours {as always my crock-pot thinks low means med/high so I turned it to "keep warm" after about 4hrs}During cooking (or after) Stir chicken mixture with a fork to shred chicken.
Heat up a skillet on med, add a tiny bit of butter or olive oil. Place 1 tortilla in hot pan, add chicken mixture to 1/2 of tortilla leaving about 0.5 in rim to avoid it all "spoo-ging"(is that a word?!) out. Add a handful of mexican cheese & fold tortilla over. Cook about 3 min on each side until you've got a pretty golden brown quesadilla.
Use a big knife or pizza cutter to slice into triangles. Serve with your favorite salsa, sour cream, lettuce, or tomatoes. Pour yourself a margarita & say Ole'!

Crock-Pot Beef Tips

Mmmm...tried this recipe out with the family this week & it was a big hit!
Even the picky hubby liked it!

Crock-Pot Beef Tips

aprox. 1 lb beef tips
1 can cond. mushroom soup
1 sm. can sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup beef broth
1 packet onion soup mix
salt & pepper to taste

Season beef with a lil' salt & pepper & place in crock-pot. Add can of soup { don't add the milk! },
broth, can of mushrooms, packet of onion soup mix, and stir. Cook on low heat for about 5-6 hrs.
FYI: My crock-pot is super hot & I ended up turning it down to keep warm after about 3 hrs.
Serve over white rice, egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

Learning to be healthy & happy

Once again, I am starting to buckle down on getting fit, healthy & happy. 
I've started down this road many many times over the past few years and I really want this time to stick! 
I have so much to gain & so little to lose- except physically!- I just gotta DO IT! 

A co-worker and I have decided to start keeping each other accountable. Staying motivated is the hardest part and hopefully if we keep each other on track we can achieve our goals. 
I am counting my "weight watchers points" & setting an exercise goal each week. 
This week my goal is at least 30 mins of exercise 3x a week. 


Wish me luck! 




What weight-loss, fitness, or work-out tips do you have?