My Do

My hair has never before been this short.

So, I can't find any "before" pictures because my hair was always up in a ponytail or braid or something. My purpose in growing my hair so darn long was to donate it to Locks of Love. Took me 2-1/2 years and I was finally able to do it (high time!). They lopped off 12 inches. Now I feel light as a feather. Well, sort of.

My shampoo bottle will thank me.

"Peace out."

Our Morning...it's a miracle

Barry accidentally left for work this morning with the kids' car seats in his car. It's a wonderful thing. It means I have an awesome excuse to not leave my house today. Sure, he could leave work to bring them to me. But, I don't want him to. I want to be a hermit and stay in my pajamas all day. I don't get these kinds of days very often anymore, so it's a real treat. The miracle of it all is that my kids have been playing peacefully (with only a few minor spats) for the last 3-1/2 hours!!! They've played with the new teaset their grandma bought them, the Disney yahtzee game & fishing game I bought for $5 each last year for Christmas, books, and a bag of pom pons. None of the toys are being played with in the way they were designed to be played with, which makes it all the better. I love watching their creativity!

Evy is feeding everyone with Mr. Potato Head's sword.

And she's using Mr. Potato Head as a bowl.

Alton cleared out all the fishies from the fishing game (which spins around when turned on) and set up some of his cars on top. He turned it into a car carousel!

My princess. Oh and she really acted like a princess during Sacrament meeting yesterday. Barry probably would have pulled his hair out yesterday if he had any left on his head. I had to leave before the meeting was over, so I got a taste of her craziness. But, he got to deal with the aftermath of her displeasure of my leaving.

Evy has a new game (which is already getting very old). She hides her arm inside the book and says (in her own two year old speech which only Barry and I understand) "where'd it go?" Then she flips through each page as I say "nope, it's not there." Then we finally find her hand and I exclaim "there is it!" Over and over and over again. But, as you can see, I humor her because she gets very excited at the end! (Mom, do you recognize that book?) =)

I like having happy kids.

Candy Corn = Happiness

Alton insisted I include this "sunny Alton."

Have you made these yet???

These Corn & Black Bean Quesadillas are on my menu plan again this week. They are so easy to make and so delicious and refreshing. Give them a try!

I don't usually like to talk about these, but...

A little conversation with Alton just now went like this.

Alton: "I guess I have a little bit of fever."

Mommy: "Oh, really??"

Alton: "Yeah. That means this HUGE booger is not coming out. It's huge bike a DINOSAUR!"

Call for recipes

Please send me your favorite quick, easy, and at least semi-healthy recipes! I'm in the mood to try some new things, and I think it would be fun to try my friend's favorites! Thank you!

Here's one of our's:

Glazed Kielbasa

1 lb. cooked kielbasa, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup yellow mustard

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp. black pepper

BRING kielbasa and chicken broth to boil in large skillet on medium heat; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.

ADD mustard and brown sugar; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and kielbasa is well glazed, stirring frequently.

STIR in parsley and pepper just before serving. Serve over rice or noodles.

**I usually double the sauce ingredients and serve this with sugar snap peas or broccoli.

Barry, seriously, you are:

Thank you so much for the nice surprise and for "getting the ball rolling." You made my day!

I love you, man!
Yours Truly